at six: the head of mi5 says he is profoundly sorry that the security services failed to prevent the manchester arena bombing. 22 people died in the attack in 2017. an inquiry finds mi5 did miss a significant chance to take action that might have prevented the attack. gathering intelligence is difficult. but had we managed to seize the slim chance we had, those impacted might not have experienced such appalling loss and trauma. those that played any part in the murder of our children will never, ever get forgiveness, from top to bottom, mi5 to the associates of the attacker.

also on the programme: police who've been searching for a missing two—month—old baby say a body found yesterday suggests the child may have been dead for some time. we speak to the journalist who leaked matt hancock's whatsapp messages — more than 100,000 of them. isabel 0akeshott says the public interest was overwhelming. and as children are encouraged to read on world book day, the bbc is encouraging them to write. the 500 words story competition is back. 0n bbc london: coming up on the bbc news channel, chip shot fish rinse the town historic run to the quarterfinals is the story of the fa cup so far this season. the inquiry into the manchester arena bombing

has found that it might have been prevented if mi5 had acted on key intelligence received in the months before the attack. the final part of the inquiry, which has been held in private, has looked at what the intelligence services knew about the bomber, salman abedi. previous reports found failings in the security at the venue and the response from the emergency services. the attack took place on may 22, 2017, after an ariana grande concert, killing 22 people. the prime minister called the bombing among the most callous the country has said. one family member said forgiveness would not be there. 0ur north of england correspondent judith moritz reports. 0nly salman abedi detonated the bomb which killed the people at

manchester arena, which killed the people at manchesterarena, but which killed the people at manchester arena, but others helped him. and the agencies failed to stop him. and the agencies failed to stop him. the report spells it out. mi5 let salman abedi through the net. i found a significant missed opportunity to take action that might have prevented the attack. there was a possibility that intelligence could have been obtained which might have led to action preventing the attack. the reason for this missed opportunity included a failure by the security service in my view to act swiftly enough. service in my view to act swiftly enou:h. . service in my view to act swiftly enouh, ., �* , service in my view to act swiftly enou:h. . a , service in my view to act swiftly enouuh. . m , service in my view to act swiftly enouh. ., a , , enough. salman abedi set off his bomb in the _ enough. salman abedi set off his bomb in the foyer— enough. salman abedi set off his bomb in the foyer after— enough. salman abedi set off his bomb in the foyer after a - enough. salman abedi set off his bomb in the foyer after a ariana l bomb in the foyer after a ariana grande concert. teenagers were leaving, parents were waiting for their children. the youngest to day was just eight. their children. the youngest to day wasjust eight. for the their children. the youngest to day was just eight. for the families of those who were murdered the findings are hard to take. mil

those who were murdered the findings are hard to take.— are hard to take. all we as families have asked — are hard to take. all we as families have asked for _ are hard to take. all we as families have asked for from _ are hard to take. all we as families have asked for from day _ are hard to take. all we as families have asked for from day one - are hard to take. all we as families have asked for from day one is - are hard to take. all we as families have asked for from day one is the | have asked for from day one is the truth, _ have asked for from day one is the truth, acknowledgement of failures. h0pefully_ truth, acknowledgement of failures. hopefully next time there won't be as many— hopefully next time there won't be as many families going through the utter heart break we have had to ensure _ utter heart break we have had to ensure for— utter heart break we have had to ensure for the last period of time. forgiveness will never be an option for those _ forgiveness will never be an option for those that played any part in the murder of our children will never— the murder of our children will never ever— the murder of our children will never ever get forgiveness. from top to bottom, _ never ever get forgiveness. from top to bottom, from mi5 to the associates of the attacker we believe — associates of the attacker we believe you played a part. mi5 said it is sorry the _ believe you played a part. mi5 said it is sorry the security _ believe you played a part. mi5 said it is sorry the security service - believe you played a part. mi5 said it is sorry the security service did l it is sorry the security service did not prevent the attack. this didsbury mosque where the abedi family worshipped. the report said they were blind to extremism on the

premise. the chairman was described as an unreliable witness. i can premise. the chairman was described as an unreliable witness.— as an unreliable witness. i can tell ou here as an unreliable witness. i can tell you here and _ as an unreliable witness. i can tell you here and now— as an unreliable witness. i can tell you here and now there _ as an unreliable witness. i can tell you here and now there is - as an unreliable witness. i can tell you here and now there is no - as an unreliable witness. i can tell| you here and now there is no place for radicalisation or politics or any evil acts. no one can be radicalised with a ten minute sermon. , , ., sermon. this is about political meetings _ sermon. this is about political meetings i— sermon. this is about political meetings. i repeat _ sermon. this is about political meetings. i repeat and - sermon. this is about political meetings. i repeat and i - sermon. this is about political meetings. i repeat and i hope| sermon. this is about political- meetings. i repeat and i hope you have it on. _ meetings. i repeat and i hope you have it on, there _ meetings. i repeat and i hope you have it on, there are _ meetings. i repeat and i hope you have it on, there are no _ meetings. i repeat and i hope you have it on, there are no political l have it on, there are no political meetings. have it on, there are no political meetings— have it on, there are no political meetings. have it on, there are no political meetinus. , ., , meetings. the inquiry said there was meetin . s. meetings. the inquiry said there was meetings have _ meetings. the inquiry said there was meetings. have they _ meetings. the inquiry said there was meetings. have they been? - meetings. the inquiry said there was meetings. have they been? they - meetings. the inquiry said there was i meetings. have they been? they heard what they were — meetings. have they been? they heard what they were told. _ meetings. have they been? they heard what they were told. people _ meetings. have they been? they heard what they were told. people with - what they were told. people with would lie. , . . ., would lie. they heard evidence from one of your — would lie. they heard evidence from one of your immam _ would lie. they heard evidence from one of your immam i _ would lie. they heard evidence from one of your immam i said _ would lie. they heard evidence from one of your immam i said he - would lie. they heard evidence from one of your immam i said he is - one of your immam i said he is a liar. one of your immam i said he is a liar- many _ one of your immam i said he is a liar- many of— one of your immam i said he is a liar. many of the _ one of your immam i said he is a liar. many of the things - one of your immam i said he is a liar. many of the things he - one of your immam i said he is a liar. many of the things he did i one of your immam i said he is a i liar. many of the things he did were not correct. i do not care what he said, but i tell you he lied. you did not said, but i tell you he lied. you did rrot turn — said, but i tell you he lied. you did not turn a _ said, but i tell you he lied. you did not turn a blind _ said, but i tell you he lied. you did not turn a blind eye? we i said, but i tell you he lied. you| did not turn a blind eye? we did said, but i tell you he lied. you - did not turn a blind eye? we did not turn a blind — did not turn a blind eye? we did not turn a blind eye. _ did not turn a blind eye? we did not

turn a blind eye. the _ did not turn a blind eye? we did not turn a blind eye. the report - did not turn a blind eye? we did not turn a blind eye. the report found i turn a blind eye. the report found salman abedi's _ turn a blind eye. the report found salman abedi's father _ turn a blind eye. the report found salman abedi's father took - salman abedi's father took responsibility for radicalising his son. there was criticism of the eldest abedi brother, who fled the country in defiance of a court order to appear at the inquiry. the report found that mi5 and counter terrorism police each failed to share intelligence. that is something that both organisations say has improved, allowing our cameras in theirjoint operations centre to illustrate the way they work together. this is the first time that journalists way they work together. this is the first time thatjournalists have been allowed inside this building and the tight security prevents us from filming much of what goes on here. but this place is being held up here. but this place is being held up as an example of positive change. it was built in response to the manchester arena bombing and the other terror attacks that happened that year. in other terror attacks that happened that ear. , ., , other terror attacks that happened that ear. , . , , . , that year. in five years, since this incident happened, _ that year. in five years, since this incident happened, there's - that year. in five years, since thisl incident happened, there's already been an inquiry by mi5 and

recommendation were put in place. the last two are being put in place as we speak. there are many more changes that will be needed from the report. i will make sure they are put in place. report. i will make sure they are put in place-— put in place. the bombing was manchester's _ put in place. the bombing was manchester's darkest - put in place. the bombing was manchester's darkest day. - put in place. the bombing was - manchester's darkest day. tonight its mayor said the country was not prepared for an attack like it to happen here and the findings must be used to protect and respond better in future. well, the head of mi5 has today said he is profoundly sorry that mi5 did not manage to prevent the attack. 0ur security correspondent frank gardner looks at what went wrong. mis's mi5�*sjob is to keep mi5�*s job is to keep the country safe. at the time of the manchester attack, they were monitoring around 3,000 terrorist suspects. allocating resources so where they thought they

were needed. but the revelations are stark and mi5 missed a significant opportunity that could have prevented the manchester bombing. the conclusions are damning for the security service, because it was supposed to have learned the lessons of failures that led to the 2005 london bombings. the director general has offered his apologies, but that not likely to satisfy the families of victims.— families of victims. gathering covert intelligence _ families of victims. gathering covert intelligence is - families of victims. gathering | covert intelligence is difficult. but had we managed to seize the slim chance we had, those impacted might not have experienced such appalling loss and trauma. i am profoundly sorry that mi5 did not prevent the act. than sorry that mi5 did not prevent the act.�* . .,, sorry that mi5 did not prevent the act. . .,y , ., sorry that mi5 did not prevent the act. , , ., ., act. an apology, but a refusal to take questions. _ act. an apology, but a refusal to

take questions. the _ act. an apology, but a refusal to take questions. the inquiry - act. an apology, but a refusal to - take questions. the inquiry believed salman abedi had help from somebody who showed him how to put the bomb together. that runs counter to mi5�*s assessment. mi5 knew salman abedi had left the uk, but no attempt was made to stop and search him when he returned four days before the attack. norwas returned four days before the attack. nor was he followed on his return. this despite his known contacts with the notorious radicaliser in this jail. but a former head of police terrorism points to the limitations of intelligence gathering. they are human and _ intelligence gathering. they are human and they _ intelligence gathering. they are human and they make - intelligence gathering. they are human and they make mistake | intelligence gathering. they are i human and they make mistake and there has been mistakes made, actions not being taken speedily enough and therefore this attack, there was no opportunity to prevent this attack from actually occurring. since the manchester attack, mi5 say

they have put place more than a hundred improvements. little comfort for those affected by britain's worst terrorist attack in years. let's talk to judith moritz, who is outside the inquiry. this is the third of three reports. you have been following the inquiry from the start, has it answered the questions the families needed to know? , , ., ., know? this is the final of those three reports. _ know? this is the final of those three reports. but _ know? this is the final of those three reports. but you - know? this is the final of those three reports. but you know. know? this is the final of those i three reports. but you know there know? this is the final of those - three reports. but you know there is also a fourth document that you and i and crucially the families will never see. that is because it has been produced after evidence heard here in secret, which was deemed too sensitive, too muchjeopardy connected to national security, to make it public. so there is frustration about whether everything has been answered. the inquiry chairman himself said that he is

conscious he hasn't answered all the questions and this volume my raise more questions for the family. he said i am sorry, that was inevitable. i have asked the questions, i have the answers but i can't reveal them publikely. 0ne questions, i have the answers but i can't reveal them publikely. one of the family said this does feel like the family said this does feel like the closing of a chapter, but they don't think they will ever be able to move on. they said simply, we havejust to move on. they said simply, we have just lost too to move on. they said simply, we havejust lost too much. to move on. they said simply, we have just lost too much.— to move on. they said simply, we have just lost too much. police who've been searching for a missing two—month—old baby in sussex say they believe the body of the baby found yesterday suggests it may have been dead for some time. the discovery was made in an area of woodland near brighton, close to where its parents constance marten and mark gordon were detained on monday. a post—mortem examination has yet to be carried out. 0ur correspondent duncan kennedy has the latest. it was amid the garden sheds and plants o' v of this allotment that police found the remains of the

baby. this afternoon, officers laid their own tributes in memory of the child, who they say may have died some time ago. we child, who they say may have died some time ago-— child, who they say may have died some time ago. we are devastated by the outcome — some time ago. we are devastated by the outcome and _ some time ago. we are devastated by the outcome and we _ some time ago. we are devastated by the outcome and we know— some time ago. we are devastated by the outcome and we know this - some time ago. we are devastated by. the outcome and we know this emotion is being felt in brighton and across the country. we have carried out inquiries and believe sadly the baby may have been dead for some time before they were found.— before they were found. police say the have before they were found. police say they have been — before they were found. police say they have been questioning - before they were found. police say i they have been questioning constance marten and mark gordon in connection with the death of the baby. the two have been seen in various places in britain. this woman said she saw the pair last week. britain. this woman said she saw the pair last week-— pair last week. they were walking alonu. did pair last week. they were walking along- did they — pair last week. they were walking along. did they have _ pair last week. they were walking along. did they have a _ pair last week. they were walking along. did they have a baby? - pair last week. they were walking along. did they have a baby? no, j along. did they have a baby? no, they didn't _ along. did they have a baby? no, they didn't have _ along. did they have a baby? no, they didn't have baby. _ along. did they have a baby? no, they didn't have baby. i— along. did they have a baby? no, they didn't have baby. i didn't - along. did they have a baby? no, | they didn't have baby. i didn't see no baby — they didn't have baby. i didn't see no baby. they didn't have baby. there _ no baby. they didn't have baby. there were _ no baby. they didn't have baby. there were empty hands. the police sa the there were empty hands. the police say they are — there were empty hands. the police say they are grateful _ there were empty hands. the police say they are grateful for _ there were empty hands. the police say they are grateful for the - say they are grateful for the support they're getting during their

investigation and say there has been an outpouring of public sympathy for the baby. that was shown today by some of the those who near by and gathered near the scene.— some of the those who near by and gathered near the scene. come to lay nowers now — gathered near the scene. come to lay nowers now flowers. _ gathered near the scene. come to lay nowers now flowers. i _ gathered near the scene. come to lay nowers now flowers. i can't _ gathered near the scene. come to lay nowers now flowers. i can't stop - nowers now flowers. i can't stop thinking — nowers now flowers. i can't stop thinking about _ nowers now flowers. i can't stop thinking about it. _ nowers now flowers. i can't stop thinking about it. the _ nowers now flowers. i can't stop thinking about it.— thinking about it. the police say the still thinking about it. the police say they still need _ thinking about it. the police say they still need to _ thinking about it. the police say they still need to establish - thinking about it. the police say| they still need to establish many details in the case, but officer will be here for several more days. the journalist who leaked more than 100,000 whatsapp messages to and from the former health secretary matt hancock insists it was in the overwhelming public interest. isabel 0akeshott obtained the messages while she was working with matt hancock on a book last year. this week she handed them to the daily telegraph. the former health secretary has accused her of a "massive betrayal and breach of trust". 0ur political editor chris mason

has been speaking to her. ina bunker in a bunker in this news room, more than half a dozen daily telegraph journalists spent two months ploughing through two million words of messages. matt hancock said today: who has a prolockdown agenda. is that a thing? i think that absolutely i want to get to the heart of whether the repeated lockdowns were the right and proportionate response to the pandemic. proportionate response to the pandemic— proportionate response to the andemic. ~ . ., ., ., pandemic. what about the argue. that it isn't in the — pandemic. what about the argue. that it isn't in the public— pandemic. what about the argue. that it isn't in the public interest, _ it isn't in the public interest, because it is partial and the proper forum for an analysis is a public

inquiry, not a drip, forum for an analysis is a public inquiry, nota drip, drip. i forum for an analysis is a public inquiry, not a drip, drip.- inquiry, not a drip, drip. i love the krd of— inquiry, not a drip, drip. i love the krd of a — inquiry, not a drip, drip. i love the krd of a public— inquiry, not a drip, drip. i love the krd of a public inquiry. - inquiry, not a drip, drip. i love - the krd of a public inquiry. sweden wrapped theirs up last year. yes in an ideal word that is the proper forum. the public inquiry has no deadline, people in this country deserve to know what really happened behind the scenes. if deserve to know what really happened behind the scenes.— behind the scenes. if that meant betraying matt — behind the scenes. if that meant betraying matt hancock- behind the scenes. if that meant betraying matt hancock that - behind the scenes. if that meant betraying matt hancock that is l behind the scenes. if that meant - betraying matt hancock that is fine? well, look, itake betraying matt hancock that is fine? well, look, i take that seriously. 0f well, look, i take that seriously. of course i do. but the public interest was overwhelming. do you wor no interest was overwhelming. do you worry no one _ interest was overwhelming. do you worry no one will _ interest was overwhelming. do you worry no one will trust _ interest was overwhelming. do you worry no one will trust you - interest was overwhelming. do you worry no one will trust you again? | worry no one will trust you again? no, i don't, worry no one will trust you again? no, idon't, because worry no one will trust you again? no, i don't, because i'm good at what i do, i do stories in the public interest and i make judgments. so public interest and i make judgments— public interest and i make 'udaments. ., ., judgments. so whether more have we learned today? _ judgments. so whether more have we learned today? in _

judgments. so whether more have we learned today? in december- judgments. so whether more have we learned today? in december 2020 - judgments. so whether more have we learned today? in december 2020 an | learned today? in december 2020 an arrangement raged about whether schools should re—open after christmas, the education secretary gavin williamson said he thought they should and won the argument. matt hancock said: some schools then did reopen, but only for a day, then closed again. sir gavin writes today that he wonders that if at that point, he should have resigned. the whatsapps also reveal a candid private attitude to the teaching unions. mr hancock calls them... sir gavin agreed, claiming... 0ne union leader described the remarks as... contemptible. chris mason, bbc news.

the former prime minister boris johnson says he will find it very hard to vote for the new deal between the uk and eu are over the northern ireland protocol. in his first public comments on the windsor framework, he criticised the deal, saying northern ireland would remain under uk law. 0ur political correspondent damian grammaticas is in westminster. how important is his intervention? how well,, since that deal was unveiled at the beginning of this week, the key question is how much broad support he can get. crucial to that other northern irish the core of brexit supporting tory mps. they are both waiting for legal opinions, going through the text. it also, we have been waiting for borisjohnson, the figure they could rally behind. he said today he does not like the new deal. the reason, for him, brexit was about separating the uk from the eu, doing things differently, and this leaves northern ireland under eu stop of

course, this is what he signed up to, and the new deal refines that to make it better, but mrjohnson came out today and said very carefully that while he would not be able to find it very hard to vote for this, he didn't explicitly say he would vote against it, that may be because senior tories who backed him and backed brexit have said they liked rishi sunak�*s deal, and mrjohnson said he could see where the political momentum is going, so he urged northern irish a way to live with it. ithink if urged northern irish a way to live with it. i think if you are rishi sunak to lie, you're not feeling so threatened by this intervention. thank you. the time is 6.18. our top story this evening: the head of m16 says he is profoundly sorry that security services failed to prevent the manchester arena bombing which killed 22 people. coming up... free school meals for children with special educational needs. 0n special educational needs. on bbc special educational needs. 0n bbc london... warning of a construction slump in

the capital's housing market. enhancing a life down under? the australian government looking to know london is over here to move over there. the lawyer representing former england cricket captain michael vaughan has said allegations of racism made against the cricketer are "word against word". the comments were made on the second day of the public hearing into allegations of racism made by former yorkshire player azeem rafiq. michael vaughan and five other yorkshire players are accused of using racially discriminatory language. our sports editor dan roan has the details and a warning that some viewers may find some of the language in his report upsetting. he is the cricketer who led england to one of its most famous victories. michael vaughan captained the team to ashes glory in 2005, but for the last two years, his reputation and his career as a bbc broadcaster have

beenin his career as a bbc broadcaster have been injeopardy his career as a bbc broadcaster have been in jeopardy after he was alleged to have used racist language by a former yorkshire team—mate azeem rafiq. vaughan was charged by the ecb but denies the claim and today, the two men came face—to—face as they appeared at the second day of a disciplinary hearing. the panel was shown this tv coverage of the yorkshire team in a huddle before a match against nottinghamshire injune 2009, just moments before rafiq claims vaughan mage the alleged comment to him and three other asian players. 0ne mage the alleged comment to him and three other asian players. one of those, current england star adil rashid, has corroborated rafiq's claim, and today he gave lie that video evidence from bangladesh, where the team is currently on tour. asked by vaughan's lawyer, christopher stoner casey, about his memory of what vaughan had allegedly said, rashid replied... stoner then added that the wording in the statement differed slightly.

he said... the rashid replied,... rashid replied,... rashid denied being pressured to back up rafiq's claim because of a shared business interest in a fish and chip shop. stoner asked rashid, you say what vaughan said that day was a poor attempt at humour? to which rashid said, that's correct. as far as you are concerned, vaughan is not racist, as stoner? that is correct, said rashid. two years ago, yorkshire sparked outrage for not disciplining anyone despite azeem rafiq being found to have suffered racial abuse. today, he was cross—examined for the first time, excepting there had been mistakes in the details he had given between statements, that alleging what vaughan was alleged to have said was pretty can see clear and consistent. he said... he

rafiq said he had been told that vaughan had made attempts to discredit him after issuing what he called a non—apology. vaughan himself is set to give evidence on the third day of this hearing. the latest episode in a saga that continues to cast a long shadow over the game. an inquest in surrey has said that the head teacher of epsom college and her daughter, who were found dead at a property on school grounds last month, died of gunshot wounds. the bodies of emma pattison, who was a5, and her seven—year—old daughter lettie, were discovered on february 5. her husband, george pattison, is believed to have shot them at their home before killing himself. junior doctors say their 72—hour strike in england is set to go ahead this month after a "disappointing" meeting with the government.

0ur health editor hugh pym is here now. there've been talks today with the health secretary. they didn't go well, then? well, sophie, it seems that way. junior doctor representatives of the british medical association came out saying they were disappointed and no offer or anything of any substance had been put on the table by the health secretary steve barclay. these talks, of course, covering england. mr barclay said later on that he was prepared to talk again, carry on a discussion about pay and conditions and what was affordable for the junior doctors, conditions and what was affordable for thejunior doctors, but they for the junior doctors, but they took for thejunior doctors, but they took away from the meeting that it would have to be down to the prime minister to come up with something substantive. so what they are saying is, if there is nothing put back on the table, they will go ahead with these 72 hours of strikes in england on monday week, march 13, which will cover all forms of care including emergencies. so no sign of that dispute being resolved. 0n the other hand, there are the health unions

including the gmb, unite and unison, who have been formally invited into talks by the government today and say they are considering that. they need to find out exactly what is going to be put forward. and of course, the royal college of nursing is already gone into those talks and suspended its strikes, so it's possible, but no more, that the ambulance strikes planned for next week could also be postponed. hugh, thank you. the government is planning to build special new schools for children with special educational needs. it opposes what they call a postcode lottery system. they are also boosting the number of educational coordinators and psychologist. charity save the system is in crisis, with children who need support facing long delays before they receive it. here is our education correspondent. across the country, there are mainstream schools struggling to support children with special educational needs and disabilities. what's the difference? this is layton primary in blackpool. here there are more than 90 pupils

with special educational needs. recruiting for specialist support assistants is incredibly difficult and incredibly challenging. schools are struggling for resources. local authorities are certainly struggling for resources. the capacity in the system just isn't there. this is aiming higher in blackpool. it helps families navigate the often complicated special needs system. for some parents, it has reached a crisis. i don't know where my children will be in _ idon't know where my children will be in years— i don't know where my children will be in years to come. i don't know what _ be in years to come. i don't know what will— be in years to come. i don't know what will be — be in years to come. i don't know what will be out there for them. we can fight— what will be out there for them. we can fight as — what will be out there for them. we can fight as much as we can fight, but if— can fight as much as we can fight, but if there — can fight as much as we can fight, but if there is nothing there to help. — but if there is nothing there to help, what are we fighting for a? i help, what are we fighting for a? | -o help, what are we fighting for a? i go to— help, what are we fighting for a? i go to different services, i see different professionals, and each time i have to explain and explain and explain. its a nightmare trying to find somewhere _ its a nightmare trying to find somewhere that's _ its a nightmare trying to find somewhere that's catered i its a nightmare trying to find i somewhere that's catered for, its a nightmare trying to find - somewhere that's catered for, you know, _ somewhere that's catered for, you know. kids — somewhere that's catered for, you know, kids that _ somewhere that's catered for, you

know, kids that need _ somewhere that's catered for, you know, kids that need the - somewhere that's catered for, you know, kids that need the extra - somewhere that's catered for, you i know, kids that need the extra help, and i_ know, kids that need the extra help, and i don't _ know, kids that need the extra help, and i don't think— know, kids that need the extra help, and i don't think there _ know, kids that need the extra help, and i don't think there is _ know, kids that need the extra help, and i don't think there is in - know, kids that need the extra help, and i don't think there is in not - and i don't think there is in not 'ust and i don't think there is in not just in— and i don't think there is in not just in blackpool— and i don't think there is in not just in blackpool but _ and i don't think there is in not just in blackpool but in- and i don't think there is in not just in blackpool but in the - and i don't think there is in not i just in blackpool but in the whole country. — just in blackpool but in the whole country. for— just in blackpool but in the whole country, for these _ just in blackpool but in the whole country, for these children. - country, for these children. from — country, for these children. from mainstream - country, for these children. from mainstream to - country, for these children. i from mainstream to specialist schools. there are calls for urgent funding and intervention to help support an increasing number of pupils. the government is promising more investment in specialist staff and admits that for too many, the system is broken. almost ended up in the worst of all worlds with a lot more money being spent, but the provision not being right, so a big part of the investment is building the capacity, and we are £2.6 billion into building more places. campaigners say while the measures are welcomed, they don't go far enough. it doesn't tackle the issue of parents _ it doesn't tackle the issue of parents getting the help and support they need today with their children. there _ they need today with their children. there is— they need today with their children. there is far— they need today with their children. there is far too much about something that could happen in the distant _ something that could happen in the distant future. and it doesn't really— distant future. and it doesn't really tackle the fact that many, many _ really tackle the fact that many, many children today in our mainstream schools do not get the support _ mainstream schools do not get the support they need. early— support they need. early intervention is crucial in creating change. for too long,

families have felt lost in the very system that's meant to offer support. elaine dunkley, bbc news. thousands of children have gone to school dressed up today as their favourite character to mark world book day. it's all about celebrating and promoting books and reading. these are just some of the photos sent to bbc breakfast this morning. to mark the day this year, the bbc is encouraging writing as well. we have brought back the uk's biggest story—writing competition for children, the 500 words contest. the queen consort, camilla, who's hosted past grand finals, described its return as a 2joy." jon kay reports. good morning everybody! good morning! — morning! a- morning! a new chapter. morning! a new cha ter. morning! a new chater. morning! anew chater. �* �* a new chapter. so we took bbc breakfast to — a new chapter. so we took bbc breakfast to conway _ a new chapter. so we took bbc breakfast to conway high - a new chapter. so we took bbc| breakfast to conway high school a new chapter. so we took bbc - breakfast to conway high school to celebrate the return of 500 words. you have got an apple, snow—white!

yes. is it poisonous? yes. when they get to create their own stories, they won't be judged when they get to create their own stories, they won't bejudged on spelling or grammar, because 500 words is about ideas. what are you going to put in this competition? i think about fairies. aries! _ aries! and i will add a little bit of my secret— and i will add a little bit of my secret garden. fire and i will add a little bit of my secret garden.— and i will add a little bit of my secret garden. and i will add a little bit of my secret carden. �* . ., secret garden. are you excited about this? yes! why? wh? yes! wh ? because i reall badl want to why? because i really badly want to win. we live at win. — we live at hampton court win. we live at hampton court for the 500 words _ we live at hampton court for the 500 words final! — words final! the - words final! the queen i words final! - the queen consort words final! _ the queen consort has words finer! — the queen consort has hosted the final in the past, and she supports the return of 500 words to the bbc. the joy that it is about to be relaunched, you had this wonderful moment where you took them to venues, the sort of surprise venue for the finals. the pride in these children's faces and families, schools. the gold winning story, eve

molloym _ molloy. .. i - molloy. .. i couldn'tj molloy.. - i couldn't believe molloy.. — i couldn't believe it. molloy.. — icouldn't believe it. i thought they— i couldn't believe it. i thought they were joking. for— they were joking. for years on, eve they were joking. foryears on, eve is they were joking. for years on, eve is still in shock. she won hundreds of books for herself and for her school. my herself and for her school. my confidence just went through the roof. being in 500 words was the best thing — roof. being in 500 words was the best thing that i've ever done. over— best thing that i've ever done. over the — best thing that i've ever done. over the years, more than a million kids have submitted stories. frank cottrell boyce will be among the bestselling children's authors returning as judges, bestselling children's authors returning asjudges, along bestselling children's authors returning as judges, along with a new face. if you think something's funny, write it down. if you see something weird, write it down. if you have a lovely moment that's moving, write it down, and then make a story. it's fun. but first, an army of volunteer judges as needed. teachers, teaching assistants and librarians can now apply online. by! so any by! — so any children by! so any children watchin-, -et so any children watching, get writing. time now for the weather. his chris.

i'll try and bring your weather story. i don't think i have time for 500, but a lovely day across parts of southern england and wales. the sun has been out, and a change compared with yesterday. 0n the sci—fi picture, you can see an extensive bank of cloud still across many northern areas of the uk. in scotland, it has been a dreic kind of day. patches of light rain coming and going throughout the day. —— dreich. areas of rain across northern scotland and north—east england and ireland as well. a damp start to the night, the rain will probably ease off across southern scotland later in the night, and at the same time, clearer skies in the south, things probably curling over across the midlands, parts of east anglia and eastern areas in wales, but the cloud might be flaky across the south of england. it might be praying the web prone to breaks, so we might see some holes in the plan for wales, south—east england and were scotland, where only a cold and locally frosty started the day. but here we will have the best sunshine.

throughout the day, still a lot of cloud across northern