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tv   BBC News  BBC News  April 18, 2023 2:00pm-2:31pm BST

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live from london, this is bbc news. a court in moscow rejects an appeal by the american journalist, evan gershkovich, against his detention on spy charges. fighting in sudan is expected to post and then after rival generals agree a 24—hour ceasefire following four days of intense clashes. and in the us, police charge an 85—year—old white man for shooting a black teenager who mistakenly rang the wrong doorbell. physically, mornings are hard but his spirits are in a good place. he is in very good hands. fix, his spirits are in a good place. he is in very good hands. a, $�*i his spirits are in a good place. he is in very good hands.— is in very good hands. a $1 billion or trial between _ is in very good hands. a $1 billion or trial between dominions, - is in very good hands. a $1 billion or trial between dominions, the i or trial between dominions, the voting firm, and fox news expected
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to get under way shortly. a court in moscow has rejected the appeal against the pre—trial detention of the us journalist, appeal against the pre—trial detention of the usjournalist, evan gershkovich,. even though the decision was widely expected, it will still hit hard for the 35—year—old american and his supporters. the russian authorities accuse him of spying, charges which he strongly denies. the court appearance was his first. he was arrested nearly three weeks ago. the authorities say evan gershkovich try to obtain classified information but have offered no information to support their claims. he is the first usjournalist to support their claims. he is the first us journalist to face espionage charges in russia since soviet times. after his appearance, the us ambassador to russia had just a short statement. i the us ambassador to russia had 'ust
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a short statement.�* a short statement. i was able to meet kevin _ a short statement. i was able to meet kevin yesterday _ a short statement. i was able to meet kevin yesterday at - a short statement. i was able to meet kevin yesterday at the - a short statement. i was able to - meet kevin yesterday at the prison. it was the first time we were granted consular access since his wrongful detention more than two weeks ago. i can report that he is in good health and remains strong despite his circumstances. we will continue to provide all available support to evan and his family and we expect russian authorities to provide continuing consular access to evan. the charges against evan are baseless and we call on the russian federation to immediately release him. we also call for the immediate release of paul whelan. paul has been held more than four years in russia. both men deserved to go home to the families now. m50 to go home to the families now. also outside a courthouse for us is our russia editor, steve rosenberg. evan gershkovich was
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brought to the moscow city court house behind me for this appeal against his pre—trial detention. i think a few people were expecting that appeal to succeed and he certainly did not appear to be surprised when the appeal failed. he listened calmly in the courtroom as the judge turned the appeal that down. speaking to his lawyers afterwards, they did not seem too surprised either. this was our first chance to see mr gershkovich since he was arrested about three weeks ago. just before the proceedings began, tv cameras were allowed into the court written just for a little while. we got there and we could see he looked quite calm, he was pacing up he looked quite calm, he was pacing up and down the dock, a bullet proof glass cage. he acknowledge familiar faces among the press, he made no comment, but he seemed pretty calm.
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he was arrested last month and accused by the russian security forces of espionage. he was detained on a reporting trip. he and his newspaper vehemently denies that he is a spy and the american government has classified him as wrongfully detained. that means his case is now being dealt with the us special envoy in america who will try to secure his release. the envoy in america who will try to secure his release.— secure his release. the us ambassador _ secure his release. the us ambassador came - secure his release. the us ambassador came out - secure his release. the us ambassador came out and | secure his release. the us - ambassador came out and give a secure his release. the us _ ambassador came out and give a very brief statement, saying they charges are baseless but he appears to be in good health. the wall streetjournal have lunching his campaign to get him the loose. other countries pushing to get him released. do they have any options other than these kind of appeals, these kind of petitions to try and get him out to?
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not really. i think it is going to be difficult. there is a process year. some russian officials have hinted that perhaps some kind of swap could be possible in the future, but only after a conviction, only after the legal process here in russia runs its course. so it is a difficult situation. the american ambassador here, i have a feeling of deja vu, because we were here yesterday when the kremlin critic, vladimir kara—murza, was accused of treason and sentenced to 25 years in prison. the american ambassador was here today and ending that decision, she called for his release again today. relations between russia and the united states are very strained at the moment, so that does not help mr gershkovich�*s case. he is a
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seasoned russia reporter, he is well known the foreign press corps here. he is an accredited journalist, accredited the russian foreign ministry. his colleagues will testify he is an experience and a good reporter and not a spy. we have some developing news now from what is happening in the sudan. we understand fighting will pause tonight after rival generals agree tonight after rival generals agree to a 24—hour ceasefire following four days of intense class in khartoum and other towns. no militia leader said he approved the ceasefire to ensure that the evacuation of wounded civilians. —— the militia leader. sudan is on the horn of africa, it has a history of instability. the president of saab sedan when the sun is going to the country to try to broker some peace. the fighting is between two generals who have been in charge of the
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country since 2019. on the left is sedan�*s deputy leader and commands a paramilitary force, called the rsf. they have them want to control sudan's military, but they disagree on how to restore civilian rule to sudan. our reporter is in khartoum for us and he spoke to us a short while ago. they clashes have continued between the sudan army and the rsf forces, mainly in khartoum. there have been clashes near the army headquarters where many civilians live. according to eyewitnesses we spoke to, two
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hours ago they said they are... according to some media reports, the army commander has accepted the ceasefire for 24—hour from six o'clock local time tonight. the two parties each accepted the ceasefire, to give civilians the chance to go to give civilians the chance to go to a safe area.— to a safe area. that is the first time i have — to a safe area. that is the first time i have heard _ to a safe area. that is the first time i have heard that - to a safe area. that is the first time i have heard that the - to a safe area. that is the first. time i have heard that the army to a safe area. that is the first - time i have heard that the army has accepted the call for a ceasefire. if it happens from six o'clock for 24 if it happens from six o'clock for 2h hours, do you expect that a lot
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2a hours, do you expect that a lot of people will try to leave? maw; of people will try to leave? many have been _ of people will try to leave? many have been waiting _ of people will try to leave? many have been waiting for _ of people will try to leave? many have been waiting for this - of people will try to leave? ifia�*iy have been waiting for this chance to change situations. some people need to go from their homes because they are trapped. people try to go outside. i think it is a very good chance for the people who try to make their lives easier because they cannot go out while there is fighting. i think the ceasefire can be a good chance for civilians to try to live as normal. fire be a good chance for civilians to try to live as normal.— be a good chance for civilians to try to live as normal. are there any local reports _ try to live as normal. are there any local reports of— try to live as normal. are there any local reports of what's _ try to live as normal. are there any local reports of what's happening i try to live as normal. are there any| local reports of what's happening on the diplomatic front to try to bring an end to this?— an end to this? according to
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eyewitnesses, _ an end to this? according to eyewitnesses, some - an end to this? according to eyewitnesses, some rsf. .. | some from america, the eu. so far. terrifying and difficult if you are in khartoum at the moment. i've also is been speaking to a khartoum resident, she is at home taking shelter with ten other family members. shelter with ten other family members-— shelter with ten other family members. ~ . ., ~ ., ., members. we are making do, we are t in: the members. we are making do, we are trying the best _ members. we are making do, we are trying the best that _ members. we are making do, we are trying the best that we _ members. we are making do, we are trying the best that we can. - members. we are making do, we are trying the best that we can. it - members. we are making do, we are trying the best that we can. it is - members. we are making do, we are trying the best that we can. it is a - trying the best that we can. it is a very horrible situation for anyone to be _ very horrible situation for anyone to be in — very horrible situation for anyone to be in. where we are, we are at the heart— to be in. where we are, we are at the heart of— to be in. where we are, we are at the heart of the clashes between the
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rsf and _ the heart of the clashes between the rsf and the army. we have had no sleep _ rsf and the army. we have had no sleep whatsoever. we are tense, we are very _ sleep whatsoever. we are tense, we are very agitated and we don't know what is _ are very agitated and we don't know what is happening. we can't get a clear_ what is happening. we can't get a clear picture exactly what's happening outside. you clear picture exactly what's happening outside. clear picture exactly what's ha enin: outside. ., , , happening outside. you must be so tired. do happening outside. you must be so tired- do you _ happening outside. you must be so tired. do you have _ happening outside. you must be so tired. do you have food _ happening outside. you must be so tired. do you have food and - happening outside. you must be so tired. do you have food and water? we are making do, we are fine. it's ok. we are making do, we are fine. it's ok in_ we are making do, we are fine. it's ok inthat— we are making do, we are fine. it's ok. in that aspect, we are doing ok, we are— ok. in that aspect, we are doing ok, we are not_ ok. in that aspect, we are doing ok, we are not bad. ok. in that aspect, we are doing 0k, we are rrot bad-— ok. in that aspect, we are doing 0k, we are not bad. what about power and electrici ? we are not bad. what about power and electricity? we — we are not bad. what about power and electricity? we have _ we are not bad. what about power and electricity? we have had _ we are not bad. what about power and electricity? we have had no _ we are not bad. what about power and electricity? we have had no power - electricity? we have had no power since saturday _ electricity? we have had no power since saturday afternoon, - electricity? we have had no power since saturday afternoon, not - electricity? we have had no power| since saturday afternoon, not one. we have _ since saturday afternoon, not one. we have a — since saturday afternoon, not one. we have a solar battery which we can charge _ we have a solar battery which we can charge and _ we have a solar battery which we can charge and switch on for a few hours. — charge and switch on for a few hours, which allows us to charge our sounds _ hours, which allows us to charge our sounds or— hours, which allows us to charge our sounds or laptops, and that's about it basically — sounds or laptops, and that's about it basically. can sounds or laptops, and that's about it basicall . ., , ., , sounds or laptops, and that's about it basically-— it basically. can you give us an idea of how — it basically. can you give us an idea of how noisy _ it basically. can you give us an idea of how noisy it _ it basically. can you give us an idea of how noisy it is? - it basically. can you give us an idea of how noisy it is? we - it basically. can you give us an i idea of how noisy it is? we were woken up _ idea of how noisy it is? we were woken up at _ idea of how noisy it is? we were woken up at four— idea of how noisy it is? we were woken up at four o'clock - idea of how noisy it is? we were woken up at four o'clock this - woken up at four o'clock this morning _ woken up at four o'clock this morning by the sounds of glass and explosions — morning by the sounds of glass and explosions and gunfire and it has not let_ explosions and gunfire and it has not let up — explosions and gunfire and it has not let up. it is nearly not 1pm and
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it has— not let up. it is nearly not 1pm and it hasjust — not let up. it is nearly not 1pm and it hasjust been going on since four o'clock— it hasjust been going on since four o'clock this — it hasjust been going on since four o'clock this morning. we try to grab a nap _ o'clock this morning. we try to grab a nap here — o'clock this morning. we try to grab a nap here and there, even that you -et a nap here and there, even that you get woken _ a nap here and there, even that you get woken up by huge blasts. the windows— get woken up by huge blasts. the windows are shaking. our house is made _ windows are shaking. our house is made of— windows are shaking. our house is made of concrete walls and the whole house _ made of concrete walls and the whole house is _ made of concrete walls and the whole house is shaking. we just about where _ house is shaking. we just about where we — house is shaking. we just about where we are sleeping and move into a room _ where we are sleeping and move into a room which is not exposed to glass or windows. — a room which is not exposed to glass or windows, and we just sit there and wait — or windows, and we just sit there and wait until things calm down, and then we _ and wait until things calm down, and then we can — and wait until things calm down, and then we can go back to our rooms or then we can go back to our rooms or the space _ then we can go back to our rooms or the space where we could move into. do you _ the space where we could move into. do you have — the space where we could move into. do you have any children the few? yes, my nephews and my nieces are with us _ yes, my nephews and my nieces are with us. ., ., , ., ., �*, with us. how do you explain what's ha enin: with us. how do you explain what's happening to _ with us. how do you explain what's happening to them? _ with us. how do you explain what's happening to them? to _ with us. how do you explain what's happening to them? to the - happening to them? to the two-year-old, _ happening to them? to the two-year-old, we - happening to them? to the two-year-old, we keep- happening to them? to the i two-year-old, we keep telling happening to them? to the - two-year-old, we keep telling her two—year—old, we keep telling her it's a _ two—year—old, we keep telling her it's a big _ two—year—old, we keep telling her it's a big plane, a small plane. the
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elder. _ it's a big plane, a small plane. the elder. my— it's a big plane, a small plane. the elder, my nephew, he is old enough, he understands what is happening. but my— he understands what is happening. but my 11—year—old niece is actually not doing _ but my 11—year—old niece is actually not doing so— but my 11—year—old niece is actually not doing so well. she was here when the revolution started. she was here when _ the revolution started. she was here when the _ the revolution started. she was here when the massacre at general command happened _ when the massacre at general command happened. it isjust for the past four years — happened. it isjust for the past four years of her life, although she has been _ four years of her life, although she has been hearing as gunshots, bombings, attacks and people being killed _ bombings, attacks and people being killed it _ bombings, attacks and people being killed. it has shaken her to the core. _ killed. it has shaken her to the core. and _ killed. it has shaken her to the core, and we don't know how to make it easier— core, and we don't know how to make it easier or— core, and we don't know how to make it easier or better for her. we are trying _ it easier or better for her. we are trying but — it easier or better for her. we are trying but it— it easier or better for her. we are trying but it is not easy. how it easier or better for her. we are trying but it is not easy.— trying but it is not easy. how do ou talk trying but it is not easy. how do you talk to _ trying but it is not easy. how do you talk to her _ trying but it is not easy. how do you talk to her and _ trying but it is not easy. how do you talk to her and to _ trying but it is not easy. how do you talk to her and to each - trying but it is not easy. how do| you talk to her and to each other about the future? how do you imagine this ending? i about the future? how do you imagine this endin: ? ~ , this ending? i keep telling her it can't aet this ending? i keep telling her it can't get any — this ending? i keep telling her it can't get any worse _ this ending? i keep telling her it can't get any worse than - this ending? i keep telling her it can't get any worse than this. it | can't get any worse than this. it has to— can't get any worse than this. it has to get— can't get any worse than this. it has to get better because we have had the _ has to get better because we have had the lowest point that we can.
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everything that starts, there is always — everything that starts, there is always an _ everything that starts, there is always an end, and hopefully at the end is— always an end, and hopefully at the end is sin — always an end, and hopefully at the end is sin i— always an end, and hopefully at the end is sin. ijust try to comfort her in — end is sin. ijust try to comfort her in that— end is sin. ijust try to comfort her in that way. she will look back at this— her in that way. she will look back at this and — her in that way. she will look back at this and realise this is a momentous period in our history. she can always _ momentous period in our history. she can always say she was witness to it. can always say she was witness to it things— can always say she was witness to it. things can only get better from here _ it. things can only get better from here. honestly, ican't it. things can only get better from here. honestly, i can't see how much worse _ here. honestly, ican't see how much worse it— here. honestly, i can't see how much worse it can — here. honestly, i can't see how much worse it can get than it already is. very— worse it can get than it already is. very difficult time for all those in khartoum at the moment. but a 24—hour ceasefire has been agreed and it is understood that will take place from 6pm local time. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. derby took cornwell for £40. this trip was not made by train, but by buses. it probably
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took a good half day of planning with maps and timetables to make it reasonably resilient. i have to say, i didn't encounter any problems at all. everything pretty much on time. andrew's goal was to take advantage of the £2 bus fare cap interest by the government. he encourages others to do the same. it is the government. he encourages others to do the same-— to do the same. it is a great reason to do the same. it is a great reason to use your — to do the same. it is a great reason to use your local _ to do the same. it is a great reason to use your local buses _ to do the same. it is a great reason to use your local buses as - to do the same. it is a great reason to use your local buses as much - to do the same. it is a great reason to use your local buses as much as| to use your local buses as much as possible. to use your local buses as much as ossible. �* :: , , , ., possible. andrew, 20 buses to complete _ possible. andrew, 20 buses to complete his _ possible. andrew, 20 buses to complete his challenge. - possible. andrew, 20 buses to l complete his challenge. andrew possible. andrew, 20 buses to - complete his challenge. andrew is now planning his next challenge. the £2 bus now planning his next challenge. tie: £2 bus fare is now planning his next challenge. ti2 £2 bus fare is only until the end june but will hopefully get extended. a lot of people have said they are making use of it and it has made a real difference. maybe derby to the south coast. you are alive with bbc news. a
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island defamation trial against fox news brought by a company that makes voting machines are starting right now in the us state of delaware. dominion is alleging the us you cannot normally spread false claims that the last us presidential election was rigged. the that the last us presidential election was rigged. that the last us presidential election was ria red. . ., election was rigged. the 'udge came out and said — election was rigged. the 'udge came out and said it * election was rigged. the 'udge came out and said it was h election was rigged. the 'udge came out and said it was not _ election was rigged. the judge came out and said it was not unusual- election was rigged. the judge came| out and said it was not unusual when you are talking about a six week's trial, he said things happen and he was not going to be giving press conferences from the bench. we were sort of left little bit in the dark. that obviously failed speculation that perhaps settlement talks were may taking place. but here we are. the court is set to resume at an iam, they will finish picking a jury. once that's done, opening arguments will be heard. this is a huge media trial, legal scholars say they haven't seen info like this in decades. it is going to be a huge spectacle in part because by mid
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week you could see repeat might —— rupert murdoch, the chair of fox news, potentially on the witness stand being questioned by lawyers. we are just hearing that, actually, the start of the trial has been delayed again by 24 hours. they had been whispers of a possible settlement, that looks unlikely. we have had a statement from dominion in the last few minutes, saying, "in the coming weeks we will prove that fork spread lies and we look forward to the trial." other damages exceed $1.6 billion. cave harris set out present zelensky has visited ukrainian troops in the east of the country. —— cave has set up president zelensky has visited.
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earlier the kremlin had claimed that president putin had planned to occupy territories in southern and eastern ukraine. footage on russian state television shows of the russian leader meeting officers in the luhansk and curse on region. there is not known exactly when and where the meetings took place, but is the second time in as many months that president putin has visited troops fighting. the treasurer of the scottish national party, colin beattie, has been arrested by police investigating the party's funding and finances. it comes two weeks after peter murrell, the snp�*s former chief executive who's married to former scottish frist minister, nicola sturgeon, was arrested by officers who searched his home in glasgow and the party's headquarters in edinburgh. mr murrell was later released without charge, pending further investigation. mr murrell was later released without charge, pending further investigation. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon has the latest. colin beattie has been the snp�*s treasure for almost the entire duration of his party's climb to dominance in scottish politics.
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its repeated electoral success and during the campaign for scottish independence. the former international banker, who became an msp, stewarded his party's money for 16 years before being defeated in an internal election in 2020. he then returned to the position when his successor to the post of treasurer resigned a year later, saying he did not have access to the accounts. earlier today mr beattie was taken into custody. police scotland said the arrest was made in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the snp. opposition msps are today calling for colin beattie's suspension. there are very serious questions to answer and that is why humza yousaf should suspend colin beattie for the duration of this investigation, and mr beattie should also step aside from the public audit committee, and that is the only way we can make sure that this investigation can be conducted fully transparently. from 2017 to 2020 the snp raised nearly £670,000 to campaign specifically for independence. at the end of 2019, questions
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arose when it emerged the party had less than £100,000 in the bank. injune 2021 the former chief executive of the party, peter murrell, loaned the party more than £100,000 of his own money. the following month police scotland opened a formal investigation into the snp�*s finances after receiving complaints about how donations to the party were used. last month mr murrell resigned from the party after taking responsibility for misleading the public about its plummeting membership figures —— mr murrell. two weeks ago peter murrell was arrested by police, who searched his suburban glasgow home and garden. there was also police activity at the party's headquarters in edinburgh, with officers removing boxes of material as part of their investigation. peter murrell, who is the husband of nicola sturgeon, was later released without charge pending further inquiries. mr yousaf�*s first major
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statement to parliament since becoming first minister last month comes in the midst of continuing police investigation to his party's funding, and as his party faces a possible by—election in one of its westminster seats. in the us state of missouri, prosecutors have charged an 85—year—old white man who is accused of shooting and injuring a black teenager who mistakenly rang the wrong doorbell. an arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, his name is andrew lester. this is ralph yarl — he's 16 years old — and had been sent by his mother to pick us his younger brothers, but got the address wrong. ralph yarl�*s lawyer said he was standing on the doorstep when the suspect shot through the door, hitting yarl in the head and arm. protesters gathered here outside andrew lester's home for a second evening. this is what the county prosecutor had to say about the case. as the prosecutor in clay county, i can tell
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i call on humza yousaf, first minister~ _ i call on humza yousaf, first minister-— i call on humza yousaf, first minister. ., ,, , ., , minister. thank you, presiding officer. minister. thank you, presiding officer- just — minister. thank you, presiding officer. just a _ minister. thank you, presiding officer. just a few _ minister. thank you, presiding officer. just a few weeks - minister. thank you, presiding officer. just a few weeks ago | minister. thank you, presiding officer. just a few weeks ago i | officer. just a few weeks ago i couldn't imagine i would be standing here as first minister setting up the priority policies and the defining missions of the government that i lead. being first minister is of course not without its challenges, it is fair to say. but notwithstanding that, it is of course at the honour of my life. in my very first speech to the shimmer after the result was announced, i made it clear that the people of scotland's priorities will of course be my priority is too. i have been clear from the outset that i intend on covering in the whole scotland. i hope today's policy prospectus published has been a demonstration of that. in setting out our course for the next three years, we are
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acknowledging that scotland faces genuinely difficult challenges. our economy and services are still recovering from a global pandemic. we are in the midst of a cost crisis, made worse of course by the uk government's economic mismanagement which is harming people and hurting witnesses right across the country. we need to play our part in addressing the global crises of climate change and indeed nature boss. and we are also facing the most difficult public spending... the inflationary shocks created by a hard bricks, a global pandemic, the war in ukraine, disastrous decisions taking as part of the uk government's mini budget. they have all place great pressure on the public finances. our ability to do without pressure is being constrained by uk government spending decisions and at the lack
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of borrowing powers. the cost to scotland of westminster can throw, the cost of not being independent has never been clearer. uk living standards have stagnated for 15 years. the fall in living standards in at this year and the next is expected to be the largest on record according to the imf. the uk is to be amongst the worst performing of any major economy this year. but they disastrous impact of brexit supported by both the tories and labour is biting hard. as a result, we had to make really tough decisions about our priorities. i will be unapologetic about making this difficult decisions to ensure that we free up money, free up resource to target those who are in the greatest need. where we can, we will go even further within the constraints of devolution. where we can go further, i absolutely will. but for all the significant challenges we face, we also know we
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can build on the important successes. scotland currently successes. scotla nd currently outperformed successes. scotland currently outperformed the uk on unemployment rate, the unemployment rate for men over16 rate, the unemployment rate for men over 16 at the lowest on record. nhs backlogs and waiting times are improving after the pandemic. and despite the public spending climate, we have expanded free childcare provision and introduce the game changing scottish child payment. of course scotland continues to have a highly skilled workforce, world—class universities and colleges and huge potential in some of the key economic sectors of the future. the scottish government is today publishing their policy prospectus, which will set out how this government which i lead will address our challenges, build on the successes of the past but also capitalise on our strengths. it sets out the key aims, the key deliverables we intend to achieve in
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each cabinet secretary's portfolio, working of course with our green party colleagues. throughout the next three years we will report routinely, regularly and transparently on our performance against these aims and at these outcomes. the report also emphasises this government's work will be defined by three distinct and interdependent missions. those mission centred on the principles of equality, opportunity and community, require us to tackle poverty, to build a fair, green and growing economy, and to improve our public services. they will be central to our efforts over the next three years to improve the lives of the people of scotland. the first mission based on equality is that we will continue to tackle poverty and all of its forms and that we will substantially reduce child poverty in particular. an immediate focus, inevitably, it will be on predicting to as far as we possibly can from
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the harm inflicted by the uk government policies and the ongoing cost of living crisis. that means we will often choose to target spending so it the most. that's one reason why the very first action i undertook as first minister was to increase the feel and a security fund to £30 million. over the next three years we will also miss a further £1.3 billion in at the scottish child payment. we will further develop our social security system and ensure acute treats people with dignity, fairness and respect. we will expand a provision of free school meals, we will reduce the number of children who go into care. we will keep our promise to those who care experience. and we will work to ensure that there tests reduce over the next three years. and we recognise just how crucial housing is to the aspirations of a fairer country. we will continue to work with local government to reduce the number of people living in
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temporary accommodation for sub and subject to the will of this parliament, we will legislate to secure a new deal for tenants and introduce duties to prevent homelessness. we will invest to make homes and buildings greener and we will contain to deliver affordable homes, the majority of which will be for social rent in all parts of our country. we will also publish an action plan for housing and remote rural and island areas. i can confirm today that this plan will include up to £25 million from our affordable homes budget to allow suitable properties, including empty homes, to be purchased or a long list and turn it into affordable homes for key workers and others. we will also... to deliver the most progressive taxation system in the uk and achieve the government has three missions which i talked to today. scotland is a wealthy country, but that wealth is not distributed evenly. to tackle poverty, we need to be even bolder
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on taxation and the redistribution of wealth. that's why i will convene an anti—poverty summit, inviting experts, academics, anti—poverty campaigners, those with lived experience. i will also invite of course opposition colleagues, as i believe tackling poverty is a shared priority for us all. we will continue to support equality, inclusion and human rights. we will implement more of the recommendations of the national advisory council on women and girls. i take pride in being the first first ministerfrom an i take pride in being the first first minister from an ethnic minority background. i know my rights are interdependent on the rights are interdependent on the rights of others. the government i will lead will not only protect the rights of minorities where possible, we will also advance them for the mouse who are most marginalised in our society. mouse who are most marginalised in oursociety. during mouse who are most marginalised in our society. during the parliamentary term we will bring forward human rights bill. that is
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of course in stark contrast to a uk government that pursues divisive immigration policies, risks denying century to people during their hour of need. we will continue to support those who come to scotland fleeing war and indeed fleeing persecution. we will continue to support the many thousands of people who have come from ukraine during the last year. for as long as scotland is their home, they will be welcomed here and they will be supported. we will make significant process towards making scotland a fairer country during the next three years. however, we know our ambition to make scotland fairer must go hand in hand with our work to make scotland most four more prosperous. that's why the second national mission is based on the principle of opportunity. using all of the powers that we have to their
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