good morning to you. i hope you had a good weekend. it has been hell for some people. wildfires in greece, what is happening. we are going to hearfrom you this what is happening. we are going to hear from you this morning. absolutely terrifying for people there and horrific to look on from afar. we've read some of the stories from people caught up in the fires in roads, tourists describing how they were evacuated by land and sea, some walking miles to safety from a hell. and the situation many miles away from roads in corfu, a different sea, people on a dream holiday, many people arrive because they couldn't get out of the airport as the roads were blocked. on another level, think of the locals. who have lost family homes and precious wildlife, burnt to a

cinder. and think of what it will be like for people who live there in the weeks and months ahead. the tourist industry is 25% of the greek gdp, one in five people work in tourism. while all this is going on, the rest of us lego, are you affected, as your family affected? the wildfires in greece, what is happening. here is the news. planes are being sent to roads to collect thousands of british tourists stranded after being evacuated to escape wildfires. the authorities in corfu say nearly 2500 people had been moved to

safety. in the last few minutes the deputy mayor of north corfu told bbc most of the fires are now coming under control. the metropolitan police and jim choudhury has been charged with three terror offences after being arrested. he is accused of membership of a proscribed organisation, addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation and also directing a terrorist organisation. whiskey made in wales has been given protected status like welsh lamb. single malt welsh whiskey is the first spirit to receive geographic indication since the scheme was launched two years ago. cinema say they have had their busiest week of intense a pandemic since the opening of bobby and oppenheimer. barbie has taken £293 million worldwide. —— barbie.

searing and unbearable heat across greece, a0 degrees. unprecedented almost. it's been a long time since the dial has hit that level and fires blazing for nearly a week in some areas. forest fires are common in greece but nothing like this. dozens of flights to roads from the uk have been cancelled and we will look into all of that aspect of it as well. and tourists sheltering in sports halls and schools, some have been taken by local families and apparently local families and the greek people are amazing and the local people been magnificent. think about their lives in the weeks and months to come. charlie is in roads, lisa is travel editor of the sun. but charlie, are you there? i am here. hello. we want to hear what it has been like for you. tell us the

story. has been like for you. tell us the sto . ~ ., ., ., has been like for you. tell us the sto .~ ., ., ., ., story. we got to the airport on saturday night, _ story. we got to the airport on saturday night, planning - story. we got to the airport on saturday night, planning on i story. we got to the airport on i saturday night, planning on flying home at 9pm and we have been stranded since then. no indication at all from easyjet or anyone. we were at the airport for 28 hours in the end. at iam last night we were driven to a family run theatre which is where we are now. we had a mattress for the night. it's been a nightmare, chaos.— mattress for the night. it's been a nightmare, chaos. what was happening at the hotel? — nightmare, chaos. what was happening at the hotel? we _ nightmare, chaos. what was happening at the hotel? we were _ nightmare, chaos. what was happening at the hotel? we were really _ at the hotel? we were really fortunate. — at the hotel? we were really fortunate, our— at the hotel? we were really fortunate, our hotel - at the hotel? we were really fortunate, our hotel was - at the hotel? we were really fortunate, our hotel was not| fortunate, our hotel was not impacted by the fires, very fortunate for that. it just seemed very normal up until the point getting to the airport when things kicked off. but you we were both fortunate not to be involved in the fires but there are lots of people who were affected by that. it must

have been an _ who were affected by that. it must have been an atmosphere - who were affected by that. it must have been an atmosphere of - have been an atmosphere of incredible and offer confusion at the airport. you were there for 28 hours? ., i~ the airport. you were there for 28 hours? . j~ ., , ., hours? yeah, 28 hours, no communication _ hours? yeah, 28 hours, no communication from - hours? yeah, 28 hours, no i communication from anyone, hours? yeah, 28 hours, no - communication from anyone, lots of confusion and anxiety, just really concerned about money, when we are going to get home. we were given for a spend on food which was not enough to cover a coffee so lots of hungry and thirsty and unhappy people. lats and thirsty and unhappy people. lots of stress. what was the atmosphere like in the case around the airline desks? ., , , desks? hideous. there were flights bein: desks? hideous. there were flights being cancelled _ desks? hideous. there were flights being cancelled left, _ desks? hideous. there were flights being cancelled left, right - desks? hideous. there were flights being cancelled left, right and - being cancelled left, right and centre, flights constantly delayed, lots of stress and people understandably getting angry. i feel awful for the greek community that were on site because they were not getting anything from any other british airlines, any communication and they werejust

british airlines, any communication and they were just being a messenger. they were facing the rat from a lot of british tourists wanting to get home and they themselves were not getting information. it themselves were not getting information.— themselves were not getting information. , . , information. it must have been difficult for _ information. it must have been difficult for people _ information. it must have been difficult for people with - information. it must have been difficult for people with young | difficult for people with young children? ~ ,,., , difficult for people with young children? ~ , , ., , difficult for people with young children? ~ , ., , ., children? absolutely. lots of families with _ children? absolutely. lots of families with young - children? absolutely. lots of families with young children, children? absolutely. lots of - families with young children, lots of elderly people, disabled people, people sleeping on the floor, children without food and blankets. yeah, it was awful. absolute nightmare. what is your message to the airlines?— the airlines? contact us. they have a du of the airlines? contact us. they have a duty of care _ the airlines? contact us. they have a duty of care to — the airlines? contact us. they have a duty of care to let _ the airlines? contact us. they have a duty of care to let us _ the airlines? contact us. they have a duty of care to let us know- the airlines? contact us. they have a duty of care to let us know what i a duty of care to let us know what is happening. we have not had a single word from easyjet whatsoever this entire time, we have been told to check the boards at the airport and the tracker but our flight no longer appears. we had a flight arrived yesterday to collect us but it was too small and there are 27 of us left in the country. complete negligence. please contact us and tell us what it what is going on.

easyjet statement has just arrived and it says we know the situation for many currently in rhodes is very difficult so we are doing all we can to help customers and provide assistance. easyjet will be offering repatriation flights from rhodes to gatwick using an a320 and an a32oi aircraft talking over a00 seats in addition to the nine flights we have operating between rhodes and the uk. we will also operate a further repatriation flight on tuesday and continue to keep under review if any additional repatriation flights are needed. an easyjet i'm sorry, easyjet flight only customers who have been evacuated from the hotel and are currently at the hotel should contact easyjet airport staff and any customers wishing to travel

back to the uk only should contact easyjet customer services team. i5 easyjet customer services team. is that reassuring? no! there is not a single person from easyjet on the ground in greece, not a single person. i haven't spoken to anybody, the customer service team tell us to check the flat trackers, the trackers tell us flights had been cancelled or delayed, there is no information. we need someone on the ground to tell us what is going on. we have noticed there are people from other airlines, for example from other airlines, for example from jetly but there is no one from easyjet on the ground. in terms of repatriation flights we are told we are booked on a flight at 3pm but when we look at the flight schedule that looks like it has been postponed until tomorrow but that is just by looking at a tracker, we are none the wiser.— just by looking at a tracker, we are none the wiser. what are you going to do for the _ none the wiser. what are you going to do for the rest _ none the wiser. what are you going to do for the rest of— none the wiser. what are you going to do for the rest of the _ none the wiser. what are you going to do for the rest of the day? - none the wiser. what are you going to do for the rest of the day? we i to do for the rest of the day? we are with a _ to do for the rest of the day? - are with a lovely greek family here. we are playing games with them, the

kids are trying to feed us lots of their snacks that they have baked so we are going to have a day with the greek family until you're taken to the airport. greek family until you're taken to the airport-— the airport. take it easy, take stock. george _ the airport. take it easy, take stock. george is _ the airport. take it easy, take stock. george is rhodes. - the airport. take it easy, take l stock. george is rhodes. hello! the airport. take it easy, take i stock. george is rhodes. hello! i know i am told you a british of greek— know i am told you a british of greek origin, you have a holiday home _ greek origin, you have a holiday home there, you are helping out. what _ home there, you are helping out. what are — home there, you are helping out. what are you doing? like everyone else i am doing _ what are you doing? like everyone else i am doing my— what are you doing? like everyone else i am doing my best. _ what are you doing? like everyone else i am doing my best. we i what are you doing? like everyone else i am doing my best. we have | what are you doing? like everyone| else i am doing my best. we have a number_ else i am doing my best. we have a number of— else i am doing my best. we have a number of people here, we have filled _ number of people here, we have filled every corner of the house and they are _ filled every corner of the house and they are having a good time trying to take _ they are having a good time trying to take their mind out of the problems. to take their mind out of the problem-— to take their mind out of the roblems. .. , . ., to take their mind out of the roblems. .. , . . ., problems. exactly what we heard from charlie. describe _ problems. exactly what we heard from charlie. describe what _ problems. exactly what we heard from charlie. describe what it _ problems. exactly what we heard from charlie. describe what it has _ problems. exactly what we heard from charlie. describe what it has been i charlie. describe what it has been like. ~ charlie. describe what it has been like. . , ., charlie. describe what it has been like. absolute chaos. it is not 'ust one like. absolute chaos. it is not 'ust particularfi like. absolute chaos. it is not 'ust one particular airline i like. absolute chaos. it is not 'ust one particular airline to i like. absolute chaos. it is notjust one particular airline to blame, i like. absolute chaos. it is notjustl one particular airline to blame, the people _ one particular airline to blame, the mole we — one particular airline to blame, the people we are having here are german, — people we are having here are german, irish, norwegian, swedish, 17 people _ german, irish, norwegian, swedish, 17 people in— german, irish, norwegian, swedish, 17 people in total and all of them are from — 17 people in total and all of them are from different hotels from the

south _ are from different hotels from the south of _ are from different hotels from the south of the island and all of them are from _ south of the island and all of them are from tui. horrific stories. everybody _ are from tui. horrific stories. everybody did not expect the problem to -o everybody did not expect the problem to go but _ everybody did not expect the problem to go but it _ everybody did not expect the problem to go but it is like a tsunami. once the fire_ to go but it is like a tsunami. once the fire starts in the hotel is evacuated you need to see the numbers, _ evacuated you need to see the numbers, 7000 people evacuated in the first— numbers, 7000 people evacuated in the first instance and they were told to — the first instance and they were told to go — the first instance and they were told to go to the beach. then the fire reached down the beach, nightfall— fire reached down the beach, nightfall came up, half of them were evacuated, _ nightfall came up, half of them were evacuated, the other half were still there _ evacuated, the other half were still there so— evacuated, the other half were still there so they had to take them back to different dry places away from the bare — to different dry places away from the bars. some people walked yesterday 15 kilometres by the direction of the authorities to avoid — direction of the authorities to avoid the _ direction of the authorities to avoid the fire because there was no means— avoid the fire because there was no means of— avoid the fire because there was no means of taking them back. because the fire _ means of taking them back. because the fire reached the sea. that is the fire reached the sea. that is the holiday of everyone who was hoping _ the holiday of everyone who was hoping the fire was going to stop when _ hoping the fire was going to stop when it— hoping the fire was going to stop when it meets the sea. horrific stories. — when it meets the sea. horrific stories, you are fighting with an

unpredictable enemy. the change so fast and _ unpredictable enemy. the change so fast and violently, gale force winds for— fast and violently, gale force winds for- six. _ fast and violently, gale force winds for— six, early this morning 7—8. the _ for— six, early this morning 7—8. the fire — for— six, early this morning 7—8. the fire blows towards the sea east and then _ the fire blows towards the sea east and then another time it might block north-east — and then another time it might block north—east. i think they underestimated the amount of people and thousands more, more than ten or 15,000 _ and thousands more, more than ten or 15,000 people staying in the town of rhodes _ 15,000 people staying in the town of rhodes by— 15,000 people staying in the town of rhodes by buses and boats and quick people _ rhodes by buses and boats and quick people volunteering in their own cars, _ people volunteering in their own cars, filling their homes and places _ cars, filling their homes and places. it's notjust some airlines with a _ places. it's notjust some airlines with a problem with cancelled flights — with a problem with cancelled flights. this was a massive scale of disturbance. flights. this was a massive scale of disturbance-— flights. this was a massive scale of disturbance. ., . , . disturbance. could he have predicted this, could anyone? _ disturbance. could he have predicted this, could anyone? i— disturbance. could he have predicted this, could anyone? i don't— disturbance. could he have predicted this, could anyone? i don't think i this, could anyone? i don't think so. they could _ this, could anyone? i don't think so. they could have _ this, could anyone? i don't think so. they could have been - this, could anyone? i don't think so. they could have been more. so. they could have been more proactive. _ so. they could have been more proactive, especially for companies in giving _ proactive, especially for companies in giving them information. i have a norwegian— in giving them information. i have a norwegian couple here and a swedish couple _ norwegian couple here and a swedish couple. they are telling them to

stay where you are, that is the best they can _ stay where you are, that is the best they can do — stay where you are, that is the best they can do. with us. i have no problem — they can do. with us. i have no problem to— they can do. with us. i have no problem to keep them here forever! but some _ problem to keep them here forever! but some hotels and companies have been telling them, go back, your hotel— been telling them, go back, your hotel is— been telling them, go back, your hotel is open forjust not true, the roads— hotel is open forjust not true, the roads are — hotel is open forjust not true, the roads are closed. yesterday, people telling _ roads are closed. yesterday, people telling in _ roads are closed. yesterday, people telling in -- — roads are closed. yesterday, people telling in —— people arriving the airport — telling in —— people arriving the airport the _ telling in —— people arriving the airport. the hotels are damaged, no electricity. _ airport. the hotels are damaged, no electricity, the roads are closed and people from britain will argue with them — and people from britain will argue with them and say take me there, my e-mail_ with them and say take me there, my e-mail says _ with them and say take me there, my e—mail says my hotel is open but no, the roads— e—mail says my hotel is open but no, the roads are — e—mail says my hotel is open but no, the roads are closed and your hotel is damaged. they have not been proactive — is damaged. they have not been proactive in telling people what they should have cancelled immediately all the flights because they are _ immediately all the flights because they are adding to the problem. yesterday you could not move in the town of— yesterday you could not move in the town of rhodes from traffic in certain— town of rhodes from traffic in certain areas where the schools are. all the _ certain areas where the schools are. all the greeks were there, volunteering, the people who have their heart—

volunteering, the people who have their heart in the fire and taking people — their heart in the fire and taking people out and then other people fun feeling _ people out and then other people fun feeling like myself and others, going — feeling like myself and others, going to — feeling like myself and others, going to the schools and picking up people _ going to the schools and picking up people and bringing them to their homes _ people and bringing them to their homes. all people and bringing them to their homes. �* , ., , _, . homes. all the people congregating on the beach. _ homes. all the people congregating on the beach, seeking _ homes. all the people congregating on the beach, seeking refuge, i homes. all the people congregating on the beach, seeking refuge, as. homes. all the people congregating. on the beach, seeking refuge, as you say there was a lot of them but where have those people gone? the?r where have those people gone? they were evacuated _ where have those people gone? they were evacuated while daylight was there _ were evacuated while daylight was there by— were evacuated while daylight was there by buses. they took all the buses— there by buses. they took all the buses and — there by buses. they took all the buses and they send them down to bring _ buses and they send them down to bring them, not enough. they sent all the _ bring them, not enough. they sent all the boats, not enough. at nightfall— all the boats, not enough. at nightfall there was at least 1000 people _ nightfall there was at least 1000 people left on the beach and they had to— people left on the beach and they had to take them to dry places. i know— had to take them to dry places. i know that — had to take them to dry places. i know that because family members of mine where _ know that because family members of mine where they're taking them and evacuating _ mine where they're taking them and evacuating them and at the same time they have _ evacuating them and at the same time they have shops and businesses there. _ they have shops and businesses there. not— they have shops and businesses there, not knowing if they have burned — there, not knowing if they have burned to — there, not knowing if they have burned to the ground or not. you know? _ burned to the ground or not. you know? they— burned to the ground or not. you know? they asked them in the morning to walk— know? they asked them in the morning to walk to— know? they asked them in the morning to walk to another village. in the heat _ to walk to another village. in the heat and — to walk to another village. in the heat. and the heat outside at this

moment— heat. and the heat outside at this moment is— heat. and the heat outside at this moment is 50 celsius, at this moment _ moment is 50 celsius, at this moment. it has reached 53 and 5a moment. it has reached 53 and 54 over the _ moment. it has reached 53 and 54 over the last few days. you cannot beal’, _ over the last few days. you cannot bear, anything ignitesjust like that, _ bear, anything ignitesjust like that, if— bear, anything ignitesjust like that, if the fire is in the distance.— that, if the fire is in the distance. ~ . . . that, if the fire is in the distance. . , distance. what about local people? how will it affect _ distance. what about local people? how will it affect people _ distance. what about local people? how will it affect people who i distance. what about local people? how will it affect people who live i how will it affect people who live and work there? i how will it affect people who live and work there?— how will it affect people who live and work there? i think the quick determination _ and work there? i think the quick determination for _ and work there? i think the quick determination for business i and work there? i think the quick determination for business is i and work there? i think the quick i determination for business is coming up determination for business is coming up on _ determination for business is coming up on life _ determination for business is coming up on life i— determination for business is coming up on life. i know two or three owners— up on life. i know two or three owners of— up on life. i know two or three owners of hotels in the south, 5-star— owners of hotels in the south, 5—star hotels, they have ordered all the staff— 5—star hotels, they have ordered all the staff to — 5—star hotels, they have ordered all the staff to go back to work today. they are _ the staff to go back to work today. they are not closing businesses and shutting _ they are not closing businesses and shutting doors. all these people have _ shutting doors. all these people have to — shutting doors. all these people have to get paid at the end of the month— have to get paid at the end of the month and — have to get paid at the end of the month and i think businesses will continue. — month and i think businesses will continue, they will try to repair as quickly— continue, they will try to repair as quickly as— continue, they will try to repair as quickly as possible. some of the hotels _ quickly as possible. some of the hotels have only limited damage, to the outer— hotels have only limited damage, to the outer area, maybe they lost the kitchen _ the outer area, maybe they lost the kitchen or— the outer area, maybe they lost the kitchen or some rims but once the power— kitchen or some rims but once the

power is _ kitchen or some rims but once the power is installed, and that may take a _ power is installed, and that may take a day— power is installed, and that may take a day or two, the hotels will be back— take a day or two, the hotels will be back for— take a day or two, the hotels will be back for business. we are talking bil be back for business. we are talking big investments, 5—star hotels, incredible — big investments, 5—star hotels, incredible business owners. has an hint incredible business owners. has anything quite _ incredible business owners. flags anything quite like this happen before? ~ ., ., ., , anything quite like this happen before? ~ ., ., . before? like the whole of europe and america has — before? like the whole of europe and america has experience _ before? like the whole of europe and america has experience in _ before? like the whole of europe and america has experience in that i before? like the whole of europe and america has experience in that of- america has experience in that of course _ america has experience in that of course but — america has experience in that of course but that was seriously agitated _ course but that was seriously agitated and made ten times what with the _ agitated and made ten times what with the winds. in the aegean sea in july and _ with the winds. in the aegean sea in july and august, when the sun is so hot, july and august, when the sun is so hot. 40 _ july and august, when the sun is so hot, 40 celsius, the sea evaporates and rises _ hot, 40 celsius, the sea evaporates and rises and that is beyond my knowledge of weather predictions and it creates _ knowledge of weather predictions and it creates what are called strong winds _ it creates what are called strong winds we — it creates what are called strong winds. we always have gale force winds, _ winds. we always have gale force winds, gale force five, this time with— winds, gale force five, this time with stronger and stronger son and higher— with stronger and stronger son and higher temperatures, this phenomenon was much _ higher temperatures, this phenomenon was much stronger. you cannot outrun

a fire, _ was much stronger. you cannot outrun a fire the — was much stronger. you cannot outrun a fire the fire _ was much stronger. you cannot outrun a fire, the fire will run faster and it will— a fire, the fire will run faster and it will circulate you so i think everybody here knows the fire will only stop — everybody here knows the fire will only stop when it reaches the sea and they— only stop when it reaches the sea and they did well evacuating people but possibly the back up to that was not properly managed, especially with more people arriving from all european — with more people arriving from all european countries to go to these hotels! _ european countries to go to these hotels! ~ ., , ., european countries to go to these hotels! ~ . , ,, , . hotels! what is it like breathing, is it accurate _ hotels! what is it like breathing, is it accurate in _ hotels! what is it like breathing, is it accurate in the _ hotels! what is it like breathing, is it accurate in the upper- hotels! what is it like breathing, | is it accurate in the upper spear? for i am in the town of rhodes, you cannot— for i am in the town of rhodes, you cannot even— for i am in the town of rhodes, you cannot even tell what is happening 35 or— cannot even tell what is happening 35 or 40 _ cannot even tell what is happening 35 or 40 kilometres down, we are very lucky — 35 or 40 kilometres down, we are very lucky. down south at the moment, _ very lucky. down south at the moment, the area of the bird hotels and forests. — moment, the area of the bird hotels and forests, is actually back to normat — and forests, is actually back to normal. the smell and everything, it was there _ normal. the smell and everything, it was there friday and saturday and yesterday — was there friday and saturday and yesterday morning. i know people themselves, the german family had to

id themselves, the german family had to -o to themselves, the german family had to go to collect their suitcases and they arrived with a taxi and they are awake — they arrived with a taxi and they are awake back now and they say it seems _ are awake back now and they say it seems fine — are awake back now and they say it seems fine. of course everything is burned _ seems fine. of course everything is burned to _ seems fine. of course everything is burned to the left and right. the norwegian and swedish couple do not know what— norwegian and swedish couple do not know what their suitcases are because — know what their suitcases are because they abandoned them at the beach _ because they abandoned them at the beach the _ because they abandoned them at the beach. the advice was do not take your suitcases but a lot of people did. your suitcases but a lot of people did so _ your suitcases but a lot of people did. so nobody knows where the staff are and _ did. so nobody knows where the staff are and nobody can tell them. listen. — are and nobody can tell them. listen, thank you so, so much for talking to us this morning. extensively and so descriptively and so passionately as well. thank you for everything you are doing, helping people. our reporter is a rhodes airport, tell us what you know. , . ., ,, _

know. the situation here is simply chaotic. people _ know. the situation here is simply chaotic. people inside _ know. the situation here is simply chaotic. people inside me - know. the situation here is simply chaotic. people inside me have i know. the situation here is simply i chaotic. people inside me have been talking to to put it simply are furious. i spoke to one family flying with easyjet, easyjet has said their customer support and service line is always open and people should get in touch but they are concerned about the health and well—being of their customers, that has to be said. but in terms of the experience of this family kelly told me she is furious with a travel company, she feels abandoned and let down. she was talking about the fact after having fled to the beach, fighting with other holiday—makers to get on a boat and sleeping on a sunbed at another hotel resort with her family, sunbed at another hotel resort with herfamily, she expected sunbed at another hotel resort with her family, she expected to sunbed at another hotel resort with herfamily, she expected to be sunbed at another hotel resort with her family, she expected to be able to get some support from her airline and get home. she says the update she is getting are from friends and family in the uk and she says she is disgusted. she keeps asking why no one is at the airport and she says where are they? and that is a feeling echoed by several people i have spoken to, they want to see

faces and talk to people. there are families who have landed on flights that were still operating to the island only to be put back on buses until they need to go straight back to the airport and straight back home. that is the chaos and fury at rhodes airport right now. that rhodes airport right now. art fliuhts rhodes airport right now. art flights coming in on a normal frequency? it flights coming in on a normal frequency?— flights coming in on a normal freauen ? , , . . frequency? it depends which airline. not all airlines _ frequency? it depends which airline. not all airlines are _ frequency? it depends which airline. not all airlines are taking _ frequency? it depends which airline. not all airlines are taking the i frequency? it depends which airline. not all airlines are taking the same l not all airlines are taking the same approach. british airways are still operating flights to the island. it says if people want to reschedule those flights and delayed them they will help them, that will be free of charge. but then you have companies like jetly who have cancelled charge. but then you have companies likejetly who have cancelled all their flights, likejetly who have cancelled all theirflights, they likejetly who have cancelled all their flights, they say they are using their empty planes to take people back on. easyjet has two repatriation planes arriving today and another one coming tomorrow and that's why there are families lying on the ground, on their phones,

suitcases around them, eating some of the hot food and free water bottles that are at the airport, waiting to get back home. find bottles that are at the airport, waiting to get back home. and so you have mentioned _ waiting to get back home. and so you have mentioned british _ waiting to get back home. and so you have mentioned british airways i waiting to get back home. and so you have mentioned british airways and l have mentioned british airways and jet2 and thomas cook have cancelled some holidays to affected areas with full refunds offered so customers booked to travel to other parts on monday and tuesday have been contacted with the option to cancel and have a refund if they wish. thank you so much. i mentioned tui which is cancelled all its flights to the island until wednesday, customers and rhodes will return on their intended flights home. and just to reiterate what are commentator said at the airport, jet2 has cancelled all flights and holidays due to depart to the island in the next seven days. aircraft were no customers on board will be flown there in order to bring people back. as mentioned, british airways says its flights to rhodes are

running as normal, customers needing to return early can change their flight for free and those not wishing to travel there in the next week from the uk can postpone their flight. has this affected you, where you are about to go out there? do you are about to go out there? do you have family there? are you trying to get back? do you know the islands? 08085 909693. 85085. lisa islands? 08085 909693. 85085. lisa is travel editor of the sun, sand is so confusing and chaotic, doesn't it? , ~ , so confusing and chaotic, doesn't it? , g ., ., , so confusing and chaotic, doesn't it? ,; ., ., ., so confusing and chaotic, doesn't it? , g ., ., it? yes. my heart goes out to those eo - le. it? yes. my heart goes out to those people- what _ it? yes. my heart goes out to those people- what a _ it? yes. my heart goes out to those people. what a terrifying _ it? yes. my heart goes out to those people. what a terrifying situation, | people. what a terrifying situation, there _ people. what a terrifying situation, there is— people. what a terrifying situation, there is flames, fire, yards from there is flames, fire, yards from the hotet — there is flames, fire, yards from the hotel. very confused situation. i the hotel. very confused situation. i have _ the hotel. very confused situation. i have gone — the hotel. very confused situation. i have gone through it myself and i am currently in the south of france, sitting _ am currently in the south of france, sitting on— am currently in the south of france, sitting on my— am currently in the south of france, sitting on my campsite with my caravan — sitting on my campsite with my caravan but this place five years a -o caravan but this place five years ago we — caravan but this place five years ago we had one farce that involved us spending two nights on the speech behind _ us spending two nights on the speech behind me _

us spending two nights on the speech behind me. there was no real understanding of what was going on. it understanding of what was going on. it takes _ understanding of what was going on. it takes a _ understanding of what was going on. it takes a run for local authorities who are _ it takes a run for local authorities who are basically trying to make sure _ who are basically trying to make sure they— who are basically trying to make sure they are actually tackling the fire to _ sure they are actually tackling the fire to get — sure they are actually tackling the fire to get into plan some kind of an idea _ fire to get into plan some kind of an idea of— fire to get into plan some kind of an idea of what will be going on and particularly — an idea of what will be going on and particularly when you have the strong — particularly when you have the strong winds moving files to different places, it's a very fast—moving situation. i think the greeks _ fast—moving situation. i think the greeks have been incredible in what they have _ greeks have been incredible in what they have done but it and there seems — they have done but it and there seems to— they have done but it and there seems to be questions asked about the airlines of what's happening trying _ the airlines of what's happening trying to— the airlines of what's happening trying to get people home and giving people _ trying to get people home and giving people information?— trying to get people home and giving people information? people think the airlines and travel _ people information? people think the airlines and travel companies, i people information? people think the airlines and travel companies, manyl airlines and travel companies, many people have been left wanting in the situation, we are hearing a lot of that. ijust read out a statement as well and people will want to know, you will not have it at hand but a general point about what they are entitled to and not entitled to in terms of recompense? in entitled to and not entitled to in terms of recompense?— entitled to and not entitled to in terms of recompense? in terms of recompense _ terms of recompense? in terms of recompense there _ terms of recompense? in terms of recompense there is _ terms of recompense? in terms of recompense there is no _ terms of recompense? in terms of i

recompense there is no compensation unless— recompense there is no compensation unless the _ recompense there is no compensation unless the flight was cancelled because — unless the flight was cancelled because the airline was at fault, the airline — because the airline was at fault, the airline has maybe not got a part of a plain— the airline has maybe not got a part of a plain enough crew but what you are entitled — of a plain enough crew but what you are entitled to s of a plain enough crew but what you are entitled to 5 care, you should be getting — are entitled to 5 care, you should be getting food and drinks, overnight accommodation if you are having _ overnight accommodation if you are having to _ overnight accommodation if you are having to stay in an airport overnight. that is what you should be getting. in terms of what your rights _ be getting. in terms of what your rights are — be getting. in terms of what your rights are as package holiday customers have seen, they have more rights. _ customers have seen, they have more rights, the _ customers have seen, they have more rights, the airlines, the tour operators— rights, the airlines, the tour operators are responsible for bringing _ operators are responsible for bringing them home. that has been a chaotic— bringing them home. that has been a chaotic scene and we have seen jet2, laudably— chaotic scene and we have seen jet2, laudably saying no more customers into rhodes for the next week. they have been— into rhodes for the next week. they have been able to focus on the people — have been able to focus on the people they have out there, make sure they — people they have out there, make sure they have hotels for them and -et sure they have hotels for them and get them _ sure they have hotels for them and get them back. i thinkjet2 are also considering — get them back. i thinkjet2 are also considering putting on another repatriation flight today. what you struggle _ repatriation flight today. what you struggle is if you are travelling independently, maybe you booked a fli-ht independently, maybe you booked a

flight and _ independently, maybe you booked a flight and villa accommodation separately. because there you have not got _ separately. because there you have not got somewhat looking after you and you _ not got somewhat looking after you and you are at the mercy of the airline — and you are at the mercy of the airline to— and you are at the mercy of the airline to a _ and you are at the mercy of the airline to a degree in terms of contacting you. they should still -ive contacting you. they should still give you — contacting you. they should still give you food and drinks if you are delayed _ give you food and drinks if you are delayed for— give you food and drinks if you are delayed for more than three hours and they— delayed for more than three hours and they should be giving you an opportunity to have some kind of phone _ opportunity to have some kind of phone conversation so maybe money towards _ phone conversation so maybe money towards a _ phone conversation so maybe money towards a voucher for phones as welt _ towards a voucher for phones as welt we — towards a voucher for phones as well. we all have smartphones these days and _ well. we all have smartphones these days and this is what is frustrating, easyjet happen up, all of these _ frustrating, easyjet happen up, all of these people have apps so why are they not _ of these people have apps so why are they not updating people that they straightaway?— they not updating people that they straightaway? there will be people watchin: straightaway? there will be people watching and _ straightaway? there will be people watching and listening _ straightaway? there will be people watching and listening right i straightaway? there will be people watching and listening right now i straightaway? there will be people i watching and listening right now who are thinking i am going to corfu in two or three weeks�* time, i am going to rhodes on our holidays. they will be thinking long and hard about that, won�*t they? be thinking long and hard about that, won't they?— be thinking long and hard about that, won't they? they've all but the problem _ that, won't they? they've all but the problem is _ that, won't they? they've all but the problem is insurance - that, won't they? they've all but the problem is insurance a - that, won't they? they've all but i the problem is insurance a package tour operators will continue to operate — tour operators will continue to operate while our government says they do— operate while our government says they do not advise against all but essential— they do not advise against all but essential travel to rhodes, it has

to be _ essential travel to rhodes, it has to be advice changing to all but essential— to be advice changing to all but essential travel for all of those other— essential travel for all of those other legal rights to kick and so at the moment if you chose not to travel _ the moment if you chose not to travel to — the moment if you chose not to travel to rhodes in the coming weeks. — travel to rhodes in the coming weeks, that would be a disinclination to travel and you would — disinclination to travel and you would not _ disinclination to travel and you would not be able to claim on your insurance — would not be able to claim on your insurance. ~ ., , ., would not be able to claim on your insurance-— insurance. what if you have nowhere to stay because _ insurance. what if you have nowhere to stay because the _ insurance. what if you have nowhere to stay because the hotel— insurance. what if you have nowhere to stay because the hotel you - insurance. what if you have nowhere to stay because the hotel you had... | to stay because the hotel you had... question micro again, it depends... we just— question micro again, it depends... we just lost— question micro again, it depends... we just lost the line, very kindly you havejoined us from we just lost the line, very kindly you have joined us from the south of france. we will try and get your loan back. len is here in dartmoor, matthew is on the wall. good morning to both of you. what would you like to both of you. what would you like to say, it stood for, isn�*t it? == to say, it stood for, isn't it? -- l nn. to say, it stood for, isn't it? -- lynn- it's _ to say, it stood for, isn't it? -- lynn- it's sad _ to say, it stood for, isn't it? —— lynn. it's sad there's very little said _ lynn. it's sad there's very little said about _ lynn. it's sad there's very little said about the animal side of things. — said about the animal side of things, the wildlife, tens of thousands of stray dogs and cats on

the streets — thousands of stray dogs and cats on the streets of greece. they are not only on— the streets of greece. they are not only on the — the streets of greece. they are not only on the streets, but they are locked _ only on the streets, but they are locked in— only on the streets, but they are locked in buildings, chained up. hall shoulders have been burned down including _ hall shoulders have been burned down including all the animals inside. and it _ including all the animals inside. and it is — including all the animals inside. and it is horrendous. —— entire shelters — and it is horrendous. —— entire shelters i_ and it is horrendous. —— entire shelters. i feel qualified to speak on this— shelters. i feel qualified to speak on this because i have been working with quick— on this because i have been working with quick strays for 35 years now and i_ with quick strays for 35 years now and i registered in 2002 to help provide — and i registered in 2002 to help provide for the animals because the terrace _ provide for the animals because the terrace often did not see it, they see the — terrace often did not see it, they see the facade of what grace wants them _ see the facade of what grace wants them to— see the facade of what grace wants them to see which is the sun, sea and sand — them to see which is the sun, sea and sand but what goes on in the villages— and sand but what goes on in the villages and behind closed doors is appalling — villages and behind closed doors is appalling. so we are trying to make appalling. so we are trying to make a difference and i am so encouraged at the _ a difference and i am so encouraged at the moment because i have to commend — at the moment because i have to commend the young people of greece who have _ commend the young people of greece who have really... , i commend the young people of greece who have really... , lam commend the young people of greece who have really... , i am so sorry. thank _

who have really... , i am so sorry. thank you — who have really... , i am so sorry. thank you for— who have really... , i am so sorry. thank you for making this point, there�*s been great controversy recently about the way stress are treated but also a shaft of light of optimism in that attitudes are changing. optimism in that attitudes are chan . in . ~ optimism in that attitudes are chanurin.~ ., optimism in that attitudes are chanauin. ~ . ., optimism in that attitudes are chanauin. . . , ., , changing. well after all the years of seeinr changing. well after all the years of seeing that — changing. well after all the years of seeing that downfall, - changing. well after all the years j of seeing that downfall, suddenly seeing _ of seeing that downfall, suddenly seeing these young people surging ahead, _ seeing these young people surging ahead, working 24/7, breaking into lruildings, — ahead, working 24/7, breaking into buildings, cutting chains, taking them _ buildings, cutting chains, taking them to— buildings, cutting chains, taking them to safe places, many of these do-s them to safe places, many of these dogs are _ them to safe places, many of these dogs are chained up and they are really— dogs are chained up and they are really sick, — dogs are chained up and they are really sick, badly maimed and ijust applaud _ really sick, badly maimed and ijust applaud them for their commitment and passion. just one shelter in the peloponnese, they have over 1000 unwanted — peloponnese, they have over 1000 unwanted dogs and most of them come in in a _ unwanted dogs and most of them come in in a dreadful state. they are terrified — in in a dreadful state. they are terrified with these fires are surrounding them. none then all they will he _ surrounding them. none then all they will be able _ surrounding them. none then all they will be able to do if the forest is open _ will be able to do if the forest is open the — will be able to do if the forest is open the gates. many of them, these do-s open the gates. many of them, these dogs have _ open the gates. many of them, these

dogs have only known that place for many _ dogs have only known that place for many years. they are not going to go out. many years. they are not going to go out and _ many years. they are not going to go out. and some of them are too sick to move _ out. and some of them are too sick to move. they are just terrified. lynn, _ to move. they are just terrified. lynn, it— to move. they are just terrified. lynn, it is— to move. they are just terrified. lynn, it is the stray animals and the ecosystems and the wildlife in the ecosystems and the wildlife in the wildfires. i want to do two things, thank you for getting in touch and raising this issue which matter so very much to people, we are a nation of animal lovers and i want to thank you for all the hard and compassionate work you have done and compassionate work you have done and i hope you talk again. thank you so much. hazel is in manchester. matthew is on the wall, matthew, i said your name first sol matthew is on the wall, matthew, i said your name first so i will come to you first. what is your situation and that of your family? the to you first. what is your situation and that of your family?— and that of your family? the first thin i and that of your family? the first thing i want _ and that of your family? the first thing i want to _ and that of your family? the first thing i want to say _ and that of your family? the first thing i want to say is _ and that of your family? the first thing i want to say is my - and that of your family? the first thing i want to say is my heart i and that of your family? the first i thing i want to say is my heart goes out to the people living there and who are over there now. our situation was that my daughter was meant to be flying there today. at

two o�*clock. with easyjet. so obviously yesterday when we saw the news, we try to find out what was going on. our travel operator was helpful and she was trying to find out details. i�*m the problem arose with easyjet because whereas other airlines have cancelled their flights, easyjet was saying they could not cancel them because people still needed to go out to rhodes which i could not understand. and i think it has to do with what you mentioned before, the government having to say that they advise against travel. because otherwise, the airlines will be liable, they will not refund people. so we were sort of left in a situation where we made the decision long ago, to not go out there. i even got in touch

with the hotel which was she mustn�*t be going too and they said no, it�*s ok to come. —— she was supposed to 0k to come. —— she was supposed to be coming to. all i can think of is that they are that desperate for the money is that they do not want to say you cannot come because they will not be insured against it. obviously even if they are at the hotel, many areas have been evacuated. even if the hotels are ok you cannot get out of the airport, the roads are closed and easyjet are basically saying we are prepared to fly more people into that situation even though many are struggling and i couldn�*t understand that. yeah, there is going to be a lot of arguing about small print here, isn�*t there? arguing about small print here, isn't there?— arguing about small print here, isn't there?- let's - arguing about small print here, isn't there?- let's go - arguing about small print here, isn't there?- let's go to l arguing about small print here, - isn't there?- let's go to hazel isn't there? yeah. let's go to hazel as well. hi, — isn't there? yeah. let's go to hazel as well. hi, hazel. _ isn't there? yeah. let's go to hazel as well. hi, hazel. matthew's- as well. hi, hazel. matthew�*s daughter is about to go out, and hazel, your daughter is there, what

is she telling you? mr; hazel, your daughter is there, what is she telling you?— is she telling you? my daughters arrived early _ is she telling you? my daughters arrived early hours _ is she telling you? my daughters arrived early hours saturday - arrived early hours saturday morning. _ arrived early hours saturday morning, she is there with my two grandsons — morning, she is there with my two grandsons. by saturday lunchtime the hotel that they were in was actually starting _ hotel that they were in was actually starting to — hotel that they were in was actually starting to catch fire, all the hotel— starting to catch fire, all the hotel staff had left but told them that buses would be coming for them, nobody— that buses would be coming for them, nobody came for them. they walked for about— nobody came for them. they walked for about half—an—hour to another hotel— for about half—an—hour to another hotel that — for about half—an—hour to another hotel that was closer to the sea, that hotel — hotel that was closer to the sea, that hotel then was evacuated as well, _ that hotel then was evacuated as well, and — that hotel then was evacuated as well, and they didn't know where they were — well, and they didn't know where they were going, there was no help from anybody other than the greek people _ from anybody other than the greek people who are absolutely the best in the _ people who are absolutely the best in the world. if it hadn't of been for the — in the world. if it hadn't of been for the greek people, people would be starving, and dehydrated with it, because _ be starving, and dehydrated with it, because they are the ones that are providing _ because they are the ones that are providing everything. the government is not _ providing everything. the government is not providing anything out there. my daughter has gone with jet2, they

are not— my daughter has gone with jet2, they are not providing anything, they didn't— are not providing anything, they didn't know where my daughter was because _ didn't know where my daughter was because everybody was itself evacuated so they didn't know where they were _ evacuated so they didn't know where the were. ~ ., , evacuated so they didn't know where the were. ~ . , ., ~ evacuated so they didn't know where the were. ~ . , ., ,, ., they were. walsh that like for you? you can imagine, _ they were. walsh that like for you? you can imagine, i'm _ they were. walsh that like for you? you can imagine, i'm absolutely . they were. walsh that like for you? | you can imagine, i'm absolutely out of my— you can imagine, i'm absolutely out of my mind — you can imagine, i'm absolutely out of my mind. so, eventually, they were _ of my mind. so, eventually, they were taken— of my mind. so, eventually, they were taken to a school that they hoped would be safe, anyway, of course, _ hoped would be safe, anyway, of course, the — hoped would be safe, anyway, of course, the winds were so high that this school— course, the winds were so high that this school was then evacuated, they were told _ this school was then evacuated, they were told that... by the way most of this information came from the travel— this information came from the travel agent that we had used, who has been _ travel agent that we had used, who has been brilliant, because nobody else has— has been brilliant, because nobody else has been finding anything out. she has— else has been finding anything out. she has been on tojet2 all the time, — she has been on tojet2 all the time, they keep saying, we are notifying — time, they keep saying, we are notifying people, we know where everyone — notifying people, we know where everyone is, and she said, clearly you don't— everyone is, and she said, clearly you don't because i have got customers out there and you don't know— customers out there and you don't know where they are. and she had to -et know where they are. and she had to get my— know where they are. and she had to get my grandson to take a photograph of the _ get my grandson to take a photograph of the school but they had no electricity so the phones were all dying _ electricity so the phones were all dying. and she sent it to a greek

speaking — dying. and she sent it to a greek speaking friend who actually recognised where this school was and they looked on google maps, told jet2 where they were, and then they were moved, they were told to evacuate, _ were moved, they were told to evacuate, the army would come for them, _ evacuate, the army would come for them, the — evacuate, the army would come for them, the army came and took a few people _ them, the army came and took a few people and _ them, the army came and took a few people and then said it was too dangerous to go back so they had to make _ dangerous to go back so they had to make their— dangerous to go back so they had to make their own way to a beach. this was, _ make their own way to a beach. this was, like. _ make their own way to a beach. this was, like, saturday evening, so they -ot was, like, saturday evening, so they got to— was, like, saturday evening, so they got to the— was, like, saturday evening, so they got to the beach awaited about three hours _ got to the beach awaited about three hours on _ got to the beach awaited about three hours on a _ got to the beach awaited about three hours on a beach for boats to come to take _ hours on a beach for boats to come to take them, they didn't know where they were _ to take them, they didn't know where they were going, they have no luggage. — they were going, they have no luggage, no nothing, just their phones — luggage, no nothing, just their phones and their passports, they got to the _ phones and their passports, they got to the top— phones and their passports, they got to the top end of the island and were _ to the top end of the island and were put— to the top end of the island and were put up in a school hall near rhodes — were put up in a school hall near rhodes town. this was probably about five o'clock— rhodes town. this was probably about five o'clock their time in the morning. _ five o'clock their time in the morning, three o'clock hours, by the time they— morning, three o'clock hours, by the time they got into this school, they were given — time they got into this school, they were given water by the greek people and food _ were given water by the greek people and food for them but there were about— and food for them but there were about 500 — and food for them but there were about 500 people in this schooljust

lyin- about 500 people in this schooljust lying on _ about 500 people in this schooljust lying on the floor, trying to get any sleep — lying on the floor, trying to get any sleep that they could. they were told yesterday that they were going told yesterday that they were going to be moved to an hotel and they are still there _ to be moved to an hotel and they are still there this morning, people did bring _ still there this morning, people did bring in _ still there this morning, people did bring in blowup beds last night, camp— bring in blowup beds last night, camp beds, so, they did get some sort of— camp beds, so, they did get some sort of sleep, but the greek people are actually making food for all the people _ are actually making food for all the people in— are actually making food for all the people in their, taking mountains of bottles _ people in their, taking mountains of bottles of— people in their, taking mountains of bottles of water in for them, offering _ bottles of water in for them, offering them to shower at their own homes, _ offering them to shower at their own homes, the — offering them to shower at their own homes, the toilets are now no longer working _ homes, the toilets are now no longer working so— homes, the toilets are now no longer working so there is a sanitation issue _ working so there is a sanitation issue there. and there's 500 people who have _ issue there. and there's 500 people who have clearly not had a wash or anything. — who have clearly not had a wash or anything, not been able to clean their— anything, not been able to clean their teeth for two or three days, in the _ their teeth for two or three days, in the clothes that they are in, i can only— in the clothes that they are in, i can only imagine what sort of conditions it is going to be like. hazel. — conditions it is going to be like. hazel, thank you so much and all the best of your daughter, i hope everything is ok. thank you to matthew and hazel and also to lynn.

get in touch and tell us what is happening with your family members, with yourself. it is a question this morning, the wildfires, what an out is happening? more to come. —— what on earth is happening? and here is the news. the foreign office says there are between 7000 and 10,000 british tourists on the greek island of rhodes where wildfires have forced thousands from their hotels and homes. holiday firms are sending empty planes to pick up stranded holidaymakers. the metropolitan police say the radical preacher awem police say the radical preacher anjem choudary has been charged with three terror offences, the 56—year—old from east london is due to appear before westminster magistrates on charges including

directing a terrorist organisation. the housing secretary michael gove setting out how the government intends to meet its housing targets. they are committed to build 1 million new homes by 2024, missed ago says development will focus on cities and will not mean concreting over the countryside. cinemas say they have had their busiest weekend since before the pandemic thanks to the opening of barbie and oppenheimer. worldwide barbie has taken £293 million at the box office. those are your news headlines, john bennett has the sport. good morning. australia legend glenn mcgrath says he wants to see a different mindset from the team during the final test match at the oval on thursday. england dominated the fourth test before rain forced the match to end as a draw. england captain ben stokes says they were pretty much perfect throughout the whole game. rory mcilroy says he has got plenty left to play for this year after missing out on his last chance to win a major in 2023. he finished joint

third. the open was won by brian harman. the women�*s world cup continues, italy beat argentina 1—0 earlier this evening. germany against morocco hasjust earlier this evening. germany against morocco has just kicked off and it is 0—0, and later brazil take on panama, who like morocco are making their tournament debut. wilfried zaha is in istanbul to sign for galatasaray, and injapan, 2017 world champion ben brown and teammate jacob peters will hope to secure britain�*s first silverware in the 50 metres butterfly final later today.

after ten o�*clock, massive issue for people on these islands, and it is housing, it is homeless. just about now, michael gove, the housing secretary, is making a speech about all this. and we are expecting some interesting ideas. we are going to play some of it for you at ten o�*clock and we are expecting a couple of ideas, including the slashing of red tape, we hear that a lot, making it easierfor more lot, making it easier for more shops and takeaways to be converted into housing. there is very much an urban focus going on, and a political one as well, rishi sunak is going to talk about it as well, his idea, which michael gove is delivering, is that they can deliver new homes without concreting over the countryside, as a new focus on housebuilding in areas that are already built up so it is the

greenbelt preservation society, what do you think about that? and it�*s all about making election pledges, you will see this more and more, the policy announcement being framed in terms of political differences, clear blue water, clear red water, whatever you want to call it, when it comes to homes in the city, living in the city, we can discuss the reality and the practicality as well. so that is coming up at ten o�*clock. we have got the estimable simon calder coming up very soon, our travel correspondent for the independent, the man with the facts. let�*s go to oliver in chelmsford as well. thank you for all the calls on this. good morning, oliver. goad

this. good morning, oliver. good mornina, this. good morning, oliver. good morning. nicky- _ this. good morning, oliver. good morning, nicky. you _ this. good morning, oliver. good morning, nicky. you know- this. good morning, oliver. good morning, nicky. you know it- this. good morning, oliver. good morning, nicky. you know it well| this. good morning, oliver. good - morning, nicky. you know it well out there so tell — morning, nicky. you know it well out there so tell us _ morning, nicky. you know it well out there so tell us more. _ morning, nicky. you know it well out there so tell us more. i _ morning, nicky. you know it well out there so tell us more. i do, - morning, nicky. you know it well out there so tell us more. i do, my - there so tell us more. i do, my arents there so tell us more. i do, my parents live — there so tell us more. i do, my parents live in _ there so tell us more. i do, my parents live in a _ there so tell us more. i do, my parents live in a little - there so tell us more. i do, my parents live in a little village i parents live in a little village called lardos which up until now i had never seen on the news, but it now appears on a map, which is a strange thing to see, the places of devastation are things that i have seen many times over the years and it is shocking to see, speaking to my parents over the last couple of days they have had quite a traumatic period being taken out of their house to a nearby apartment and having to move out of that and then sleeping on a beach overnight, luckily there is a secluded beach so they were able to get away from it, but i think the problem is, i get with the holiday companies that they need to still making money but it is only a little island that it has finite resources and keeping adding more people to what is effectively not the best place to be a thing is irresponsible and i think they need to look at it and think, we are not helping the people of rhodes put out this fire by sending more people

because there is a fine outnumber of people that can help, i guess. —— a finite number of people. it is people that can help, i guess. -- a finite number of people.— finite number of people. it is the lifeblood of— finite number of people. it is the lifeblood of the _ finite number of people. it is the lifeblood of the economy, - finite number of people. it is the i lifeblood of the economy, though, isn�*t it, as well? lifeblood of the economy, though, isn't it, as well?— isn't it, as well? maybe, but they have done _ isn't it, as well? maybe, but they have done so _ isn't it, as well? maybe, but they have done so before, _ isn't it, as well? maybe, but they have done so before, me - isn't it, as well? maybe, but they have done so before, me and i isn't it, as well? maybe, but they have done so before, me and my| isn't it, as well? maybe, but they i have done so before, me and my wife were over there a couple of years ago when there was a wildfire, it was not as bad as now, but they do recover, as someone said earlier i think they need to praise the perseverance of the greek people, but i think sending more and more people is irresponsible and it is not going to help so fortunately may be over the next couple of days they will scale it back a bit to give them the space and time to be able to put out the fires and start to rebuild what is left.— to put out the fires and start to rebuild what is left. how close did the fires get _ rebuild what is left. how close did the fires get to _ rebuild what is left. how close did the fires get to your _ rebuild what is left. how close did the fires get to your parents' - rebuild what is left. how close did i the fires get to your parents' home? the fires get to your parents�* home? at first, it was looking like it was going directly to it, down the central spine, going directly to it, down the centralspine, it going directly to it, down the central spine, it is quite green and it has gone a mile or so to the left of where the village of lardos is

and it ended upjust of where the village of lardos is and it ended up just down of where the village of lardos is and it ended upjust down below of where the village of lardos is and it ended up just down below on the coast, and i spoke to my parents and we looked it up online, there was a beach nearby which we have been too many times and it was completely decimated, the buildings on it were completely gone, so it is weird seeing the places... me and my wife are due to go out there in september to visit my parents so hopefully by then it will all be over, but it is not great and someone mentioned earlier about the animals and i think that is important because there are a number of animals in that central spine, the green area and i daresay a lot of them have not made it. i think a couple of years ago when they had the big fire there were people rescuing things like alpacas in the back of vans and taking them everywhere, i don�*t think they would have been able to react so quickly this time so i think unfortunately i reckon a lot of the wildlife is no longer around which is very sad for the island and the people that live there, i guess. the island and the people that live there. i guess-— there, i guess. how old are your parents? — there, i guess. how old are your parents? so. — there, i guess. how old are your parents? so. my _ there, i guess. how old are your parents? so, my dad _ there, i guess. how old are your parents? so, my dad is - there, i guess. how old are your parents? so, my dad is 73 - there, i guess. how old are your parents? so, my dad is 73 and l there, i guess. how old are your.

parents? so, my dad is 73 and my there, i guess. how old are your- parents? so, my dad is 73 and my mum is 65, 66. youngsters. _ parents? so, my dad is 73 and my mum is 65, 66. youngsters. yeah, _ is 65, 66. youngsters. yeah, youngsters go they have texted me this morning saying their mission todayis this morning saying their mission today is to go out and try and find fuel to put in the car, they are fortunate to have a car and they can escape when they need to but trying to find fuel is important as well. yesterday my mum was taking some food down to the firefighters, the volunteers in the village, so it does show even the expats are trying to help out where possible but my parents were saying a few of their friends have lost their houses as well where it has slipped through the valley, so they have all come together somehow and they will all help each other out and everyone will get what they need but it is just a struggle for them. luckily there are my parents are safe and they have got a house they can go back to but hopefully the fire does not move in that direction because it is very, very close.— it is very, very close. what about the fact that _ it is very, very close. what about the fact that the _ it is very, very close. what about the fact that the flights _ it is very, very close. what about the fact that the flights are - it is very, very close. what about the fact that the flights are still l the fact that the flights are still coming in? i the fact that the flights are still coming in?— coming in? i mean, ithink the fliuhts, coming in? i mean, ithink the flights. it— coming in? i mean, ithink the flights. it is — coming in? i mean, ithink the flights, it is difficult _ coming in? i mean, ithink the flights, it is difficult because l flights, it is difficult because like people were saying, like the

tourism minister was saying, the top end of the island is fine but most people don�*t go to that part, most people don�*t go to that part, most people go down to the bottom right area, i have heard a lot of those places mentioned, a lot of people go down into that corner, and there is nothing really there, there is nothing really there, there is nothing they can go to because the roads are closed and there is not the infrastructure down there for people to have a holiday anymore. so, it�*s difficult. i suppose it depends what you are going there for. if my parents house was ok i could fly out and go and stay in their house quite happily now but obviously the house is quite close to the fire so i wouldn�*t because i think that is irresponsible, and if people are travelling for business i guess, the top half of the island is ok, but that is where all the tourists have been sent to get away from it, so it is difficult. you can still fly there, the airport is open but i feel there is a model and a right thing to do and the moral thing is to not load the country with more people at this moment in time when they are struggling to survive themselves. and it doesn�*t

paint the best picture for holidaymakers, rhodes is a lovely island and we have had lovely holidays there and it is not going to give people the best image of rhodes so it might be damaging the economy more than anything. simon calder is with — economy more than anything. simon calder is with us, _ economy more than anything. simon calder is with us, travel— calder is with us, travel correspondent for the independent, got a few questions for you. can you hear me ok? got a few questions for you. can you hear me 0k?— got a few questions for you. can you hear me ok? yes. simon in knutsford, what is your— hear me ok? yes. simon in knutsford, what is your question for simon calder? , ., ., ., calder? very, love. to other callers. _ calder? very, love. to other callers, really, _ calder? very, love. to other callers, really, obviously i i calder? very, love. to other. callers, really, obviously i am massively worried about people who are currently there but i am due to fire out with the family on sunday, my travel company, to lindores, said, still going ahead, off you go, i am saying, not surprisingly, don�*t really want to go into an emergency situation but they are saying, if you cancel, you lose everything. so probably like hundreds of others, i am waiting for the government or

somebody to say, only essential travel. so, what is your advice in this situation?— this situation? ok, really, really tou~h this situation? ok, really, really tough situation _ this situation? ok, really, really tough situation for _ this situation? ok, really, really tough situation for you, - this situation? ok, really, really tough situation for you, so - this situation? ok, really, really tough situation for you, so you | this situation? ok, really, really i tough situation for you, so you are booked _ tough situation for you, so you are booked to — tough situation for you, so you are booked to travel out on sunday 30th july, booked to travel out on sunday 30th july. that— booked to travel out on sunday 30th july. that is— booked to travel out on sunday 30th july, that is the last day for which jet2. _ july, that is the last day for which jet2. who — july, that is the last day for which jet2, who have cancelled everything up jet2, who have cancelled everything up to and _ jet2, who have cancelled everything up to and including the 30th of july. _ up to and including the 30th of july. next _ up to and including the 30th of july, next sunday, which is going out to— july, next sunday, which is going out to rhodes. but other holiday companies, well, tui has cancelled departures — companies, well, tui has cancelled departures today and tomorrow to rhodes. _ departures today and tomorrow to rhodes, also to corfu, although they say the _ rhodes, also to corfu, although they say the situation is under control there _ say the situation is under control there with — say the situation is under control there with the wildfires overnight. and if— there with the wildfires overnight. and if you — there with the wildfires overnight. and if you are booked on wednesday with tui _ and if you are booked on wednesday with tui you can switch to a different _ with tui you can switch to a different destination if you want to, different destination if you want to. but— different destination if you want to, but from thursday onwards, normal — to, but from thursday onwards, normal rules apply. other companies for instance _ normal rules apply. other companies for instance ryanair is saying, we can fly— for instance ryanair is saying, we can fly you — for instance ryanair is saying, we can fly you out to rhodes airport guite _ can fly you out to rhodes airport quite safely, the fact that you perhaps — quite safely, the fact that you perhaps don't want to be there isn't our problem. easyjet holidays are

offering _ our problem. easyjet holidays are offering a — our problem. easyjet holidays are offering a degree of flexibility, but mostly this isjust up offering a degree of flexibility, but mostly this is just up to about midweek. — but mostly this is just up to about midweek, and everybody travelling after that _ midweek, and everybody travelling after that is, well, assumed to be travelling — after that is, well, assumed to be travelling normally. now, there are a couple _ travelling normally. now, there are a couple of — travelling normally. now, there are a couple of possibilities that i can see _ a couple of possibilities that i can see the — a couple of possibilities that i can see. the first one is that once things— see. the first one is that once things subside and we see the degree of destruction and work out what is possible _ of destruction and work out what is possible in— of destruction and work out what is possible in terms of holidays, and that has _ possible in terms of holidays, and that has to — possible in terms of holidays, and that has to be a meaningful holiday, obviously— that has to be a meaningful holiday, obviously nobody wants to go on holiday— obviously nobody wants to go on holiday to — obviously nobody wants to go on holiday to a place which looks like a war— holiday to a place which looks like a war zone. — holiday to a place which looks like a war zone, even if it is theoretically safe, but the issue is going _ theoretically safe, but the issue is going to _ theoretically safe, but the issue is going to be, if you canjust bite your— going to be, if you canjust bite your time. _ going to be, if you canjust bite yourtime, then going to be, if you canjust bite your time, then there going to be, if you canjust bite yourtime, then there might be more flexibility _ yourtime, then there might be more flexibility. part of the problem is that if— flexibility. part of the problem is that if this was happening in may or september, there would be plenty of capacity— september, there would be plenty of capacity elsewhere so holiday companies would be saying, if you don't _ companies would be saying, if you don't want — companies would be saying, if you don't want to go to rhodes, why

don't _ don't want to go to rhodes, why don't you — don't want to go to rhodes, why don't you go to spain or turkey instead? — don't you go to spain or turkey instead? they are not saying that because — instead? they are not saying that because everything is so full at the moment _ because everything is so full at the moment. so it is an awful position for you _ moment. so it is an awful position for you to — moment. so it is an awful position for you to be — moment. so it is an awful position for you to be in but if you can give it until— for you to be in but if you can give it until wednesday, say, when it will be _ it until wednesday, say, when it will be clear whether or not lindos is open _ will be clear whether or not lindos is open and — will be clear whether or not lindos is open and available for people to visit and _ is open and available for people to visit and have a normal holiday, that would — visit and have a normal holiday, that would be good. the package travel— that would be good. the package travel regulations are your friend in the _ travel regulations are your friend in the sense that they say, if there are extraordinary circumstances in which _ are extraordinary circumstances in which your— are extraordinary circumstances in which your trip is not able to go ahead _ which your trip is not able to go ahead as — which your trip is not able to go ahead as you would like it to, then you are _ ahead as you would like it to, then you are able — ahead as you would like it to, then you are able to cancel for a full refund — you are able to cancel for a full refund. but do not try and play that card just _ refund. but do not try and play that card just yet. refund. but do not try and play that card just yet-— card just yet. that is the area of argument. _ card just yet. that is the area of argument, though, _ card just yet. that is the area of argument, though, simon, - card just yet. that is the area of argument, though, simon, isn't card just yet. that is the area of i argument, though, simon, isn't it? argument, though, simon, isn�*t it? some companies are saying, it is fine, you can go there, but for practical purposes, nothing is stopping you, but others are saying, i don�*t want to go there anymore. yes, i am with your last caller, i would _ yes, i am with your last caller, i would not — yes, i am with your last caller, i would not be going out there right now because i do not want to add to

the problem. but equally, the greek tourism _ the problem. but equally, the greek tourism minister speaking on the bbc earlier— tourism minister speaking on the bbc earlier was— tourism minister speaking on the bbc earlier was talking about how 90% of the island _ earlier was talking about how 90% of the island is unaffected, and it is finding _ the island is unaffected, and it is finding that balance between what is safe and _ finding that balance between what is safe and manageable and crucially allows _ safe and manageable and crucially allows you to have a good holiday and what — allows you to have a good holiday and what is clearly not a wise move to make _ and what is clearly not a wise move to make so. — and what is clearly not a wise move to make. so, at the moment it is going _ to make. so, at the moment it is going to — to make. so, at the moment it is going to come down to, what is it like in _ going to come down to, what is it like in the — going to come down to, what is it like in the resort of lindos, which is kind _ like in the resort of lindos, which is kind of— like in the resort of lindos, which is kind of on— like in the resort of lindos, which is kind of on the edge of where we have _ is kind of on the edge of where we have seen— is kind of on the edge of where we have seen all these terrible wildfires? and that won't become clear— wildfires? and that won't become clearjust — wildfires? and that won't become clearjust yet, and anyone who is flying _ clearjust yet, and anyone who is flying on— clearjust yet, and anyone who is flying on sunday or monday or through— flying on sunday or monday or through august, at the moment they've — through august, at the moment they've got no options at all but to wait and _ they've got no options at all but to wait and see. we they've got no options at all but to wait and see-— wait and see. we shall see what ha--ens wait and see. we shall see what happens in _ wait and see. we shall see what happens in the _ wait and see. we shall see what happens in the coming - wait and see. we shall see what happens in the coming days. i wait and see. we shall see what i happens in the coming days. when wait and see. we shall see what - happens in the coming days. when the situation maybe becomes clearer. we

heard earlier on from hazel in manchester whose daughter is in rhodes in the middle of the wildfires, they were told to evacuate, i think we can speak to hazels evacuate, i think we can speak to hazel�*s daughter lisa. can you hear me, lisa? j hazel's daughter lisa. can you hear me, lisa? , , hazel's daughter lisa. can you hear me. lisa?_ for- hazel's daughter lisa. can you hear me, lisa?_ for you, | me, lisa? i can, yes. hi. for you, what has— me, lisa? i can, yes. hi. for you, what has it— me, lisa? i can, yes. hi. for you, what has it been _ me, lisa? i can, yes. hi. for you, what has it been like _ me, lisa? i can, yes. hi. for you, what has it been like for- me, lisa? i can, yes. hi. for you, what has it been like for you? i me, lisa? i can, yes. hi. for you, i what has it been like for you? yeah, it has been — what has it been like for you? yeah, it has been an _ what has it been like for you? yeah, it has been an adventure, _ what has it been like for you? yeah, it has been an adventure, is - what has it been like for you? yeah, it has been an adventure, is one i what has it been like for you? yeah, | it has been an adventure, is one way of putting _ it has been an adventure, is one way of putting on, to put a positive spin _ of putting on, to put a positive spin on — of putting on, to put a positive spin on it _ of putting on, to put a positive spin on it. we were evacuated at 12 o'clock. _ spin on it. we were evacuated at 12 o'clock, well, lunchtime today, told to evacuate. — o'clock, well, lunchtime today, told to evacuate, the fires have been burning — to evacuate, the fires have been burning all— to evacuate, the fires have been burning all morning, we couldn't see the helicopters and the fire and rescue — the helicopters and the fire and rescue services trying to put the fire out — rescue services trying to put the fire out. the winds then basically changed — fire out. the winds then basically changed direction and the whole hillside — changed direction and the whole hillside at the side of our hotel was ablaze. which was when we had to evacuate _ was ablaze. which was when we had to evacuate so. — was ablaze. which was when we had to evacuate. so, we literally got passports and medication, absolutely nothing _ passports and medication, absolutely nothing else at all and we

evacuated, the various evacuation points. _ evacuated, the various evacuation points. and — evacuated, the various evacuation points, and the fire continued to... as we _ points, and the fire continued to... as we were — points, and the fire continued to... as we were moving to various evacuation points, the fire around the island. — evacuation points, the fire around the island, the concern for me is, there _ the island, the concern for me is, there is— the island, the concern for me is, there is no— the island, the concern for me is, there is no communication from the government, the tour operators are unable — government, the tour operators are unable to— government, the tour operators are unable to answer questions due to the sheer— unable to answer questions due to the sheer lack of coordination. there — the sheer lack of coordination. there is— the sheer lack of coordination. there is a _ the sheer lack of coordination. there is a lot of scared people. there _ there is a lot of scared people. there are — there is a lot of scared people. there are a _ there is a lot of scared people. there are a lot of people with children _ there are a lot of people with children. and it has obviously not been _ children. and it has obviously not been a _ children. and it has obviously not been a very— children. and it has obviously not been a very pleasant holiday. and what have you _ been a very pleasant holiday. jifuc what have you left, all been a very pleasant holiday. jich what have you left, all your clothes, you just legged it? clothes, you 'ust legged it? yeah. eve hinu clothes, you just legged it? yeah. everything we _ clothes, you just legged it? yeah. everything we own _ clothes, you just legged it? yeah. everything we own is _ clothes, you just legged it? yeah. everything we own is in _ clothes, you just legged it? yeah. everything we own is in the - clothes, you just legged it? yeah. everything we own is in the hotel| everything we own is in the hotel room _ everything we own is in the hotel room. sorry, there is a bit of a delay. — room. sorry, there is a bit of a delay. i— room. sorry, there is a bit of a delay, i do apologise. literally everything we own. it is still in

the hotel _ everything we own. it is still in the hotel-— everything we own. it is still in the hotel. . . . , ., everything we own. it is still in the hotel. , , ., , the hotel. presumably the hotel is still ok at the — the hotel. presumably the hotel is still ok at the moment? _ the hotel. presumably the hotel is still ok at the moment? i - the hotel. presumably the hotel is still ok at the moment? i would i the hotel. presumably the hotel is| still ok at the moment? i would be very surprised _ still ok at the moment? i would be very surprised if — still ok at the moment? i would be very surprised if that _ still ok at the moment? i would be very surprised if that hotel - very surprised if that hotel survives _ very surprised if that hotel survives the fire, because the fire was travelling towards the hotel, and as— was travelling towards the hotel, and as we — was travelling towards the hotel, and as we turned round when we were evacuating. _ and as we turned round when we were evacuating, we could see apartments going _ evacuating, we could see apartments going up— evacuating, we could see apartments going up in— evacuating, we could see apartments going up in flames. how evacuating, we could see apartments going up in flames-— going up in flames. how did the if activation work, _ going up in flames. how did the if activation work, was _ going up in flames. how did the if activation work, was there - going up in flames. how did the if activation work, was there an i going up in flames. how did the if i activation work, was there an alarm, how did they get you out of the rooms, out of the paul or the bar, wherever you were, how did they corral people and how long did it take? , �* ., , corral people and how long did it take? , �* . , ,, , take? they didn't, really, we kept bein: told take? they didn't, really, we kept being told all— take? they didn't, really, we kept being told all morning _ take? they didn't, really, we kept being told all morning that - take? they didn't, really, we kept being told all morning that the i take? they didn't, really, we kept| being told all morning that the fire was under— being told all morning that the fire was under control, they were keeping it under— was under control, they were keeping it under control, that would we would — it under control, that would we would receive a notification, jet2 had all— would receive a notification, jet2 had all our— would receive a notification, jet2 had all our contact details, that we would _ had all our contact details, that we would receive a notification if we needed — would receive a notification if we needed to— would receive a notification if we needed to evacuate for any reason. my child's— needed to evacuate for any reason. my child's phone, my son's phone then— my child's phone, my son's phone then received an alert to say we

needed — then received an alert to say we needed to— then received an alert to say we needed to leave the area. the hotel, the tour— needed to leave the area. the hotel, the tour operators, again, were basically— the tour operators, again, were basically saying that it was fine, they would notify us when we needed to evacuate. it was only when we came _ to evacuate. it was only when we came out — to evacuate. it was only when we came out of— to evacuate. it was only when we came out of the room and saw this fire ablaze — came out of the room and saw this fire ablaze on the hillside and people — fire ablaze on the hillside and people started running from the hotel. _ people started running from the hotel, and there was no sort of coordination to it, i've still not received — coordination to it, i've still not received a _ coordination to it, i've still not received a notification from jet2... people _ received a notification from jet2... people panicked and started running? yeah, people started congregating in the reception area, people had already— the reception area, people had already packed cases and people were 'ust already packed cases and people were just flying _ already packed cases and people were just flying down the hill as fast as they could. just flying down the hill as fast as the could. ~ . ., just flying down the hill as fast as they could-— just flying down the hill as fast as they could. what a situation, how dreadful. going _ they could. what a situation, how dreadful. going to _ they could. what a situation, how dreadful. going to bring - they could. what a situation, how dreadful. going to bring in - they could. what a situation, how dreadful. going to bring in lee i they could. what a situation, how dreadful. going to bring in lee in| dreadful. going to bring in lee in birmingham. hi, lee. from birmingham, ishould birmingham. hi, lee. from birmingham, i should say. in rhodes. what has happened and what is happening right now? latte

what has happened and what is happening right now?— what has happened and what is happening right now? we have been taken in by some _ happening right now? we have been taken in by some greek _ happening right now? we have been taken in by some greek families, i happening right now? we have beenj taken in by some greek families, we got evacuated to a hostel, it was a school, actually, and there was no room at the school for me, my wife, my two kids, so this week family decided that they would take us until we can get a flight out of here. until we can get a flight out of here, ., , until we can get a flight out of here, .,, , until we can get a flight out of here._ , we've i until we can get a flight out of i here._ , we've heard here. so, hopeful? , we've heard nothinu. here. so, hopeful? , we've heard nothing- all _ here. so, hopeful? , we've heard nothing. all we _ here. so, hopeful? , we've heard nothing. all we have _ here. so, hopeful? , we've heard nothing. all we have had - here. so, hopeful? , we've heard nothing. all we have had is- here. so, hopeful? , we've heard nothing. all we have had is an i nothing. all we have had is an automated message on the tui app, i suppose that has been sent to all tui guestsjust suppose that has been sent to all tui guests just saying to wait it out. and then we only had a phone call yesterday saying, to see if we were safe, and ijust said to him, it is a little late for that. because when we were getting evacuated, there was no tui reps, there was no—one on the ground telling us any information whatsoever. we were getting on

coaches that were evacuating with no information where we were going. so, everything hasjust information where we were going. so, everything has just been thrown up in the air. no—one knows anything. it is the quest for information. that is what is going through this morning. that is what is going through this morninu. . that is what is going through this mornin. , ., . ., morning. yes, reassurance that everything _ morning. yes, reassurance that everything is — morning. yes, reassurance that everything is going _ morning. yes, reassurance that everything is going to _ morning. yes, reassurance that everything is going to be - morning. yes, reassurance that everything is going to be all i morning. yes, reassurance that i everything is going to be all right, but we have had none of that, and because we have got two kids aged four and seven, every time they see the smoke, the fire coming towards where we are staying... the smoke, the fire coming towards where we are staying. . ._ where we are staying... thank you, all the best. _ where we are staying... thank you, all the best, good _ where we are staying... thank you, all the best, good luck. _ where we are staying. .. thank you, all the best, good luck. thank- where we are staying... thank you, all the best, good luck. thank you. | all the best, good luck. thank you. to ou all the best, good luck. thank you. to you and — all the best, good luck. thank you. to you and the _ all the best, good luck. thank you. to you and the family. _ all the best, good luck. thank you. to you and the family. shot - all the best, good luck. thank you. to you and the family. shot in - to you and the family. shot in doncaster coming up. let�*s go with sheila. doncaster coming up. let's go with sheila. ., ., ., ., sheila. hello. hi, good morning, nic . i sheila. hello. hi, good morning, nicky- i am _ sheila. hello. hi, good morning, nicky. i am hearing _ sheila. hello. hi, good morning, nicky. i am hearing the - sheila. hello. hi, good morning, nicky. i am hearing the terrible l nicky. i am hearing the terrible thins nicky. i am hearing the terrible things people _ nicky. i am hearing the terrible things people are _ nicky. i am hearing the terrible things people are going - nicky. i am hearing the terrible| things people are going through nicky. i am hearing the terrible i things people are going through at the moment, you�*ve got family there? yes, we got our niece lucy, her husband, a baby, baby daughter, and

young son, they have had a really traumatic time, they were evacuated... j traumatic time, they were evacuated. . ._ traumatic time, they were evacuated. . . traumatic time, they were evacuated... ., ., ., evacuated... i want to hear about that traumatic _ evacuated... i want to hear about that traumatic time, _ evacuated... i want to hear about that traumatic time, just - evacuated... i want to hear about that traumatic time, just give i evacuated... i want to hear about that traumatic time, just give me | evacuated... i want to hear about i that traumatic time, just give me 20 seconds because i have got to deliver the breaking news. i will be right back with you. train drivers we are hearing are to stage another overtime ban from the 7th of august to the 12th of august in a long—running dispute over pay, is left a union hasjust long—running dispute over pay, is left a union has just announced. more on that throughout the day. that affects a lot of people, as is this, my apologies, sheila. tell us about it, where were you? 50. about it, where were you? so, literally. _ about it, where were you? so, literally, what _ about it, where were you? in, literally, what happened about it, where were you? 5rr, literally, what happened was, about it, where were you? 5r.3, literally, what happened was, they had been in rhodes for a few days, they were in an all—inclusive resort towards the south of the island, they were told on saturday to have all their bags in the foyer, which

they did, they had everything packed up they did, they had everything packed up ready to go, then they were told all of a suddenjust up ready to go, then they were told all of a sudden just to go, quickly move, get out, go to the beach, leave everything, just go as you are, so they obviously with a baby and a six—year—old, i think she managed to take the pushchair with the baby, and they ended up on a beach overnightjust left abandoned, beach overnight just left abandoned, no beach overnightjust left abandoned, no water, no nothing, we have got photos of them, the children laid out on the sand, on beach towels, they spent half of the night there and then the army came and took them in a bus to... where did they dropped them? they dropped them at another hotel, where there wasn�*t room for them, and so therefore they stayed, it was a tui hotel, they are actually with jet2, who stayed, it was a tui hotel, they are

actually withjet2, who have had no contact whatsoever, it has been terrible, they dropped them off at this hotel can weather was no room, it was a tui hotel, no room, they managed to get water and to charge the phone and then they were left in a tennis court in the sun in a terrible state, then they were told by tui that they would be bust to another place, but obviously they would be going past where the fires were, going across the island and they were south of, anyway, they managed to get the bus driver actually took them back to their hotel which had had the fire around it, they managed to grab their suitcases, luckily inside the hotel, and they got their passports, baby milk and things, nappies and essentials, the bus driver had lost his car and his house had been burnt down, he went above and beyond to

help them and they were very grateful for that. help them and they were very gratefulfor that. then he took help them and they were very grateful for that. then he took them to the south, for some reason, to china, which is obviously the peninsula where it sticks out, but still quite close to the fires, and theyin still quite close to the fires, and they in this basic hotel. now they were stuck there five o�*clock at night with no room, no nothing, they were able to purchase food and things in the next thing was, the jet2 rep was there, all dressed up, all smart and looking wonderful, and my daughter—in—law i think after her husband going several times to try and get a room for them and the baby, because they were covered in... . baby, because they were covered in... , ., , ., in... listen, i hope the little one is all right. _ in... listen, i hope the little one is all right, thank— in... listen, i hope the little one is all right, thank you _ in... listen, i hope the little one is all right, thank you very - in... listen, i hope the little one is all right, thank you very much | is all right, thank you very much indeed, thanks for all the calls on that, a lot of people in those areas, greek people have lost their homes.

lets ta ke lets take it home, some people in this country will never have a home by the way things are going. we will talk about that. do we need high street homes? michael gove is making a speech, has been making a speech this morning on government efforts to address the housing crisis for thatis to address the housing crisis for that is what it is. we will bring you some of his speech, see what you think. we expect a couple of ideas involving the slashing of red tape which is, you know, a familiar chorus and also making it easier for more shops and takeaways to be converted into houses. very much an urban focus on all of this. we can discuss the reality, the practicality, the question being do we need high street homes? what do you think?

and also because people want to talk about what is happening in greece at the moment, we will take some more calls on that because it is what we are here for and people want to tell us what is going on. so that is coming up. 08085 909693, 85085. also one of the ideas is to make it simpler to extend homes and converted lofts so buildings can be expanded upwards and outwards. just to remind you 4 million people waiting for long—term homes in this country, i wonder if he said anything about social housing? first, here�*s the news. flights are due to london rhodes later to bring

back holiday—makers left stranded by wildfires which have swept the greek island. british terrace had been sleeping at the airport in makeshift rescue centres and on the streets after flames threatened holiday resorts. the met police sayjim choudhury has been charged with terror offences after being arrested last week. among the charges is he�*s accused of directing a terrorist organisation. a former west ham goalkeeper is conscious after collapsing on air in california. the 54—year—old was working as an analyst for espn. and whiskey made in wales has been given protected status like welsh lamb. single malt is the first spirit to receive geographical indication status since the government scheme was launched a couple of years ago.

another: the situation in greece coming up but let me reiterate what we are discussing for the next hour. it's we are discussing for the next hour. it�*s so important to so many people, we will keep across the latest from greece for you and a couple more people have got in touch but do we need high street homes? that is the essence of our conversation over the next hour. michael gove has been speaking on the government efforts to focus on this problem and we will play some of that for you and let you know what he said and see what you know what he said and see what you think about that. as i said, making it easierfor you think about that. as i said, making it easier for shops and takeaways to be converted into houses. it�*s very much the urban situation and the message is we need new homes but we do not need to concrete over the countryside, towards the next election there is a lot of political thrust to these

policy announcements. clearly. the prime minister has said this yesterday, we need to keep going because we need more people to realise the dream of owning their own home and we do not do that by concreting over the countryside. you remember last week, too many people going to university had on realistic dreams, he is still on dreams so what do you think? michelle in glasgow, on the situation in greece. thank you for being there. what is happening? what is going on? j thank you for being there. what is happening? what is going on? i think like many people _ happening? what is going on? i think like many people we _ happening? what is going on? i think like many people we are _ happening? what is going on? i think like many people we are anxious - happening? what is going on? i think like many people we are anxious to i like many people we are anxious to hear regular updates on what�*s happening in the country. my daughter in her early 20s and three of herfriends daughter in her early 20s and three of her friends flew out from edinburgh in the early hours of saturday and to rhodes with the intention of holidaying a holiday south of the island. they were not told any information until they got there, they were driven from the airport on saturday down south

through roadblocks, through obvious fire sites happening to arrive in lindos and only hours later received the national alert advising people to evacuate but they were not provided with further information. they are travelling independently, they arranged the flights and places to stay themselves, they did not have a tour operator and were very much in conversation and trying to fend for themselves. managed to find a bus and stayed overnight in a conference centre like hundreds of other people. did not have any information apart from one of the fathers phoning regularly to see that they were ok. we were watching the updates in the uk and that is how they were finding information but they then managed to get an error b&b, they were very lucky to do so in rhodes town and they are currently there. i think it is

important for people to understand that the north of the island seems to be absolutely operating as normal albeit it is being affected by people being moved there so there a lot of pressure from those badly affected in the south suddenly being evacuated to the north. but if you arrive in rhodes, i think there�*s a perception that there�*s very little affecting that town apart from the of people. but it�*s the fact there are flights going in, taking people, apparently to areas of the south. because my daughter certainly received information that despite being evacuated from her hotel in the south and it was really obvious when she was travelling, that they were told their apartments were reopened and they obviously weren�*t so there�*s an awful lot of misinformation at the moment. there is no one to turn to to find

reliable information and they are obviously still very anxious because ryanair, the operator they travelled with are not putting on any flights. they are telling everybody that they are unaffected by the fires. there is no real clear area to go to to get a reliable source of information that you can make a decision on, whether to try and leave and then though this is but are trying to leave are going to an airport that is very chaotic and filled with people. is very chaotic and filled with eo - le. �* ., is very chaotic and filled with --eole. . ., _, , is very chaotic and filled with --eole. . ., , ., people. and of course what might surrise people. and of course what might surprise people — people. and of course what might surprise people is _ people. and of course what might surprise people is the _ people. and of course what might surprise people is the fact - people. and of course what might surprise people is the fact they i surprise people is the fact they came in and it wasn�*t difficult to get out at the airport. did she know what was going on and she getting all the information from you because you are watching and listening the news. .. , you are watching and listening the news. . . , . you are watching and listening the news. , ., ., . you are watching and listening the news. , . . . , ., news. exactly and watching your programme _ news. exactly and watching your programme and _ news. exactly and watching your programme and people - news. exactly and watching your programme and people on - news. exactly and watching yourj programme and people on there news. exactly and watching your- programme and people on there this morning with very different experiences. it is awful. but i think what happened is they turned

up, got a taxi, at the airport, which seemed very straight forward, she said it was very busy, this was on saturday. i think things progressed dramatically in the last few days but travelled on a road where people had been evacuated from different areas so the route was congested and there was panic but not as dramatic as it is now but they kept going because they did not have alternative advice not to do so. they arrived in lindos on saturday afternoon. the air quality apparently was very bad, there was obvious ash in the area from fires nearby. but it had not affected the area dramatically enough for an evacuation to take place until some hours after they were there and then it was very chaotic. they had to speak to other tourists, they were relying on each other and word—of—mouth. they managed to get one of the buses that was laid on but they weren�*t sure where they were being taken to and they thought

they were going to the airport but ended up in follow iraqi which was north of where they were, they stayed in a conference centre there overnight, not knowing what was happening or if they should go to the airport. at that point, her flight operator was saying they were unaffected so there were no additional flights so they took the decision to try and find a place to stay so they had a base and still now, i suppose, stay so they had a base and still now, isuppose, rhodes stay so they had a base and still now, i suppose, rhodes town is one of the safest areas so we set to go there. and if they needed anything, they are in a lucky position because they are in a lucky position because they have people who are able to help them and send them money if they need it, relaying the information that we have been doing but i am sure there is lots of other people who do not have that at the moment. for people who do not have that at the moment. ., , ., ., ., moment. for sure, and we are hearing from those people. _ moment. for sure, and we are hearing from those people. your _ moment. for sure, and we are hearing from those people. your daughter - moment. for sure, and we are hearing from those people. your daughter and | from those people. your daughter and her friends they just want to get home. michelle, thank you so much.

goodness me. those poor people. we are going to talk about homes. in this country. do we need high—street homes? a really interesting, they have raised this before, this whole issue, i am so sorry, i havejust knocked over my copy! it is in a container, all good there! robert jenrick, the housing minister has spoken about this before, they are flashing at the idea for urban homes on the question we are asking is do we need high street homes? michael gove, the minister in question, let�*s hear what he had to say. we let's hear what he had to say. we sha -e the let's hear what he had to say. - shape the buildings, winston churchill argued and then they shape us. the quality of the homes that we live in, the physical nature of art neighbourhoods, the design of our communities determines so much. our health, happiness, prosperity, productivity. all depend on where we left. that is why housing policy,

the building of new homes, the stewardship of existing properties, the planning of our towns, the fundamental landscape of our lives, it requires long—term thinking. and a long—term plan. in the months that i have been in this role, we have been developing and implementing just such a plan. today, i want to outline the ambitions that that plan embodies and the critical next steps we need to take over the years to come to build a better britain. a briton with many more homes. an assured path to homeownership and homes in the right places. a long—term plan has ten principles. the regeneration and renaissance of the hearts of 20 of our most important towns and cities. supercharging europe�*s science capital. building beautiful and making architecture great again. building great public services into the heart of every community.

community is taking back control of their future. community is taking back control of theirfuture. greener homes, landscapes and a green belt protection. a new dealfor tenants and landlords, ensuring every home is safe, decent and warm. liberating leaseholders and extending ownership to a new generation. our long—term plan for housing comes at a critical moment for the housing market. we have a record of delivery, we have built more homes in our time in office than the labour party did under tony blair and gordon brown. in this parliament we have delivered the highest number of new homes in a yearfor 30 years and the highest number of new homes in a year for 30 years and we have ensured the highest number of first—time buyers in 20 years and we will meet our manifesto target of delivering 1 million new homes in this parliament. not only that but r 11.5 billion affordable homes programme is delivering well over 100,000 affordable homes and we are scaling up to deliver tens of thousands of new home specifically

for social rent. we know there are immediate challenges to future growth across the developed world, there are economic pressures and therefore there is a need for radical action to unlock the supply of new homes. in every western country, inflation is a barrier to building. inflation has pushed up the price of material, it has required interest rates to rise, screened access to credit and with tight labour markets across the west construction has become difficult but construction is more necessary than ever so tackling inflation is critical to the implementation of our plan. the steps the prime minister and chancellor have taken to control public spending and borrowing and are broader fiscal spending and borrowing policy is working and inflation is coming down but we need to maintain the discipline which is why the proposals of the labour party to borrow an additional £28 billion every year, theirfailure borrow an additional £28 billion every year, their failure to support sustainable pay settlements under

policy of unilateral energy disarmament are so dangerous. each is inflationary and together they would be the ingredients of an acid which would corrode the foundations of economic recovery. instead, underpinning our long—term plan for economic recovery is a long—term plan for housing. the first and most important component of that is our programme of urban regeneration and a new inner—city renaissance. renaissance because we want to ensure our cities have all the ingredients for success that we identified in our levelling up white paper last year as the medici model. beautiful homes, flourishing public spaces, safe and orderly streets, spaces, safe and orderly streets, space for trees and nature, centres of educational excellence, dynamic new businesses and excellent public services. in our white paper we committed to the regeneration of 20 places across england is the core of the long—term housing plan and today i want to say more about how we will

implement those ambitions. we are unequivocally, unapologetically and intensively concentrating our efforts in the heart of our cities because it�*s the right thing to do economically, environmentally and culturally. as my colleague neil o�*brien argued in his landmark study, green, pleasantand affordable, cities are where the demand for housing is greatest. it is better for the environment, economy, productivity and well—being if we use the levers we have promoted urban regeneration rather than swallowing up virgin [and and thatis than swallowing up virgin [and and that is why we will enable brownfield development, sustainable growth rather than suburban sprawl. there is a direct contrast between our approach and that of labour. labour politicians with exceptions have failed to deliver housing in urban areas most conspicuously here in liverpool. the policy is to cover up in liverpool. the policy is to cover up that figure by ending protection for the green encouraging the sort

of thoughtless damage thoughtless, piecemeal sequential development that will mean sprawling developments without proper infrastructure or regard to our environment. the approach labour embraces pits communities against growth rather than unlocking progress and it is especially unconvincing when so many labour frontbenchers have campaigned directly against development in their own constituencies. it is a case of do what i say, not what i have done, until at least an exchange of policy. so the economic and environmental imperatives point to a move away from a land and environmental imperatives point to a move away from a [and hungry destruction of natural habitats in favour of a regeneration of cities and in the uk we have been markedly inefficient in this. inefficient in how we use land. in recent years, the rate of house—building in rural areas have been greater than urban areas have been greater than urban areas and in cities, especially those outside london, the population density is much lower than

comparable competitor western nations. we occupy more land with fewer people. that approach is not only inefficient in planning terms but it has cost us in productivity. failing to intensify inner cities mean slower growth, with a 10% increase in city populations potentially unlocking a £20 billion increase in uk gdp. failing to identify means longer commutes, longer wait for a plumber or ambulance and more vehicle journeys leading to congestion and pollution. at present only 40% of people living in our great cities can get into the city centre in 30 minutes by public transport compares over two thirds of the population in comparable european cities and we would not only be more productive, we would have an inconstant quality—of—life. people living and working in close proximity to each other is a key feature of the most creative and productive and attractive cities in the world, a feature of the most attractive parts of the cities. the

heart of barcelona in goudie, the nash terraces of regent�*s park, the apartment blocks of pimlico, the new town in edinburgh, the upper west side of manhattan, the centres of boston or austin in texas or districts of the agglomeration effect, the mixing of towns and opportunities which sparks innovation and growth. densification of inner cities would notjust enhance economic efficiency and free up enhance economic efficiency and free up leisure time it would also help with climate change. density on the american eastern seaboard he met 50% less carbon than a suburban and exurban areas near them and that is why we have been developing and implementing policies designed to support urban regeneration. we have given metro mirrors more powers and resources to build homes in the cities, allocated an excess £250 million to the greater manchester combined authority and the west midlands. we have shifted government funding are ready to support housing

delivery, the money needed to assemble and to remediate the land on which the private sector can build on this week, a further £1 billion will be launched to make brownfield land billion will be launched to make brownfield [and fit for development in our cities and towns including landmark investments in greater manchester and the west midlands. some interesting stuff there! plenty to chew on, the medici model indeed! rose grayson, independent housing consultant, hello! hello. alistair smyth, director of policy and research at the national housing federation, good to have you there. and david goldman, property development, are you all right? good morninu. development, are you all right? good morning- talking _ development, are you all right? good morning. talking about _ development, are you all right? good morning. talking about regeneration | morning. talking about regeneration and renaissance _ morning. talking about regeneration and renaissance of _ morning. talking about regeneration and renaissance of some _ morning. talking about regeneration and renaissance of some of- morning. talking about regeneration and renaissance of some of the - morning. talking about regeneration | and renaissance of some of the great cities, there are going to be great

public services, he spoke very much there about green belt protection. protecting our environment, natural habitats as well. extending ownership to a new generation. radical action was his watchword there. he said all too often there have been to many barriers to building, he spoke about it is different, expensive because of inflation, tight labour markets and he stressed to say across the west. recently we have a news that more builders will need to be brought in from the continent to hear and he spoke about the medici model. he lost me a little bit. i am not being a renaissance scholar but the medici family, they were a banking family and their support, crash course, made florence a cultural hotspot so he wants to enhance the quality of life for people working close to one

another. he cited all sorts of examples, the 19th century french town planner housman, the new town in edinburgh, do you know that? the great georgian architecture, that is a big ask, i would great georgian architecture, that is a big ask, iwould have great georgian architecture, that is a big ask, i would have said. great georgian architecture, that is a big ask, iwould have said. but great georgian architecture, that is a big ask, i would have said. but he is saying this will be good for leisure time, good for the environment. there has been too much land environment. there has been too much [and hungry destruction of natural habitats and virgin land, he said, we want sustainable growth rather than urban sprawl. so it�*s quite a vision, you know? inner—city renaissance. he said that were quite a lot. alistair, what do you make of this? ~ . ., , .., this? we certainly welcome the secretary of — this? we certainly welcome the secretary of state _ this? we certainly welcome the secretary of state 's _ this? we certainly welcome the l secretary of state 's commitment this? we certainly welcome the - secretary of state 's commitment to secretary of state �*s commitment to house—building including the focus on regeneration which is much needed but i think overall, we are

experiencing a huge housing crisis in our country at the moment with more than 8 million people unable to access the home they need and around 4 million people who would benefit from living in a social home which is something we at the national housing federation as the trade body for housing associations would very much like to see. we are still living in a situation too many people are living in overcrowded accommodation, one in six children in fact and we know through research we commissioned in order to sort the housing crisis we need to build 90,000 homes for social rent each yearfor the next ten 90,000 homes for social rent each year for the next ten years. high street homes, _ year for the next ten years. high street homes, that _ year for the next ten years. high street homes, that is _ year for the next ten years. high street homes, that is what we are talking about, is that what we need? you sold on the idea by the vision for michael gove which he set out? the medici effect? interesting, intellectual language, does that strike come with you? j intellectual language, does that strike come with you?— strike come with you? i think laruel strike come with you? i think

largely speaking _ strike come with you? i think largely speaking we - strike come with you? i think largely speaking we could i strike come with you? i think largely speaking we could all| largely speaking we could all recognise the importance of homes which are beautiful and some of the things the secretary of state referred to but i think what we would have liked to hear a little more is about the investment that we needin more is about the investment that we need in new homes and particularly in new social home so that we can solve the chronic housing shortage stop the secretary of state talked today about the importance of long—term planning, he emphasised those words several times and that is something we have been pushing for at the national housing federation, to do that, to solve the housing crisis. we need a long—term plan which sets out how we build the homes we need, 90,000 homes a year for social rent, over ten years, i will build the infrastructure to support that, the transport, it�*s a long vision, a big mission for the long vision, a big mission for the long term and that is what we would absolutely like to see. it sounds like we perhaps hurt an initial commitment to that today which we welcome but we certainly want to see a much more substantial plan to

solve the housing crisis and that�*s what we are calling on the government to set out. let what we are calling on the government to set out. let me hear from rose grayson, _ government to set out. let me hear from rose grayson, i _ government to set out. let me hear from rose grayson, i am _ government to set out. let me hear from rose grayson, i am somewhat| from rose grayson, i am somewhat confused, being a simple brain, he wants to avoid the densification of inner cities but he wants more houses in the inner cities? how do we score that? jt houses in the inner cities? how do we score that?— we score that? it is not entirely clear to me _ we score that? it is not entirely clear to me how _ we score that? it is not entirely clear to me how we _ we score that? it is not entirely clear to me how we squared i we score that? it is not entirely| clear to me how we squared out we score that? it is not entirely i clear to me how we squared out but we score that? it is not entirely - clear to me how we squared out but i think_ clear to me how we squared out but i think what— clear to me how we squared out but i think what michael gove is aiming for a _ think what michael gove is aiming for a something that is referred to as gentle — for a something that is referred to as gentle density, the idea that you want more — as gentle density, the idea that you want more density than we have in our suburbs, you don't want half of homes _ our suburbs, you don't want half of homes in _ our suburbs, you don't want half of homes in london with only one or two stories_ homes in london with only one or two stories at— homes in london with only one or two stories at the — homes in london with only one or two stories at the moment, extraordinary in the _ stories at the moment, extraordinary in the context of the housing crisis we have _ in the context of the housing crisis we have got. you don't want that tevet— we have got. you don't want that level of— we have got. you don't want that level of low density but at the same time we _ level of low density but at the same time we don't necessarily want tower blocks_ time we don't necessarily want tower blocks either, that's not proven to be a great — blocks either, that's not proven to be a great way of housing families in particular so i think he is

aiming— in particular so i think he is aiming for— in particular so i think he is aiming for something in the middle but quite _ aiming for something in the middle but quite how we get that is not clear— but quite how we get that is not clear to — but quite how we get that is not clear to me. there are some fine ideas _ clear to me. there are some fine ideas in — clear to me. there are some fine ideas in here but 13 years into a conservative led government surely it's time _ conservative led government surely it's time to — conservative led government surely it's time to think about how we detiver— it's time to think about how we deliver on_ it's time to think about how we deliver on this? earlierthis it's time to think about how we deliver on this? earlier this month, the department of michael gove handbag {1.9 billion to the treasury he had _ handbag {1.9 billion to the treasury he had been unable to spend despite us atistair— he had been unable to spend despite us alistair says the need for a 90.000 — us alistair says the need for a 90,000 social rent homes every year and widespread acknowledgement work capitat— and widespread acknowledgement work capital grant from government is one of the _ capital grant from government is one of the big _ capital grant from government is one of the big things we need to get those _ of the big things we need to get those social homes so why on earth are we _ those social homes so why on earth are we sending back billions to the treasury— are we sending back billions to the treasury ih — are we sending back billions to the treasury in the midst of a housing crisis? _ treasury in the midst of a housing crisis? , ~ treasury in the midst of a housing crisis? , ,, . crisis? some might say it is like a dissertation _ crisis? some might say it is like a dissertation rooted _ crisis? some might say it is like a dissertation rooted in _ crisis? some might say it is like a dissertation rooted in academia, l dissertation rooted in academia, some of what we heard rather than policy rooted in reality but it is going to appeal to a lot of voters, a lot of conservative voters and others. obviously. naturally. because it is about the natural world and preserving the green belt

which matters loans to people. david in kent, mandy in raynham in essex, good morning. urban living, did you hear michael gove, he has got a big brain, what do you think of his big ideas? fin brain, what do you think of his big ideas? . . brain, what do you think of his big ideas? .. ., ideas? on the face of it, repurchasing _ ideas? on the face of it, repurchasing empty - ideas? on the face of it, - repurchasing empty properties etc ideas? on the face of it, _ repurchasing empty properties etc on the high street seems like a really good idea. buti the high street seems like a really good idea. but i wonder where the car parking is going to come for these properties? high streets are dying as it is because people cannot park to use them. and it seems to be a general think now that with all the new properties, trying to be environmentally friendly, they don't want to allocate parking and ijust wonder how they envisage actual families living in the city, albeit with good infrastructure around you without a car? itjust doesn't work,

i'm afraid. this without a car? it 'ust doesn't work, i'm afraid. �* , without a car? it 'ust doesn't work, i'm afraid. . , ., , without a car? it 'ust doesn't work, i'm afraid. a ., , . . i'm afraid. as part of this match and not a _ i'm afraid. as part of this match and not a carless _ i'm afraid. as part of this match and not a carless future - i'm afraid. as part of this match and not a carless future but - and not a carless future but a future where fewer of us have cars? it is certainly not something the medici family had to deal with! mo! medici family had to deal with! no! could i medici family had to deal with! that could i mention one other thing? medici family had to deal with! no! | could i mention one other thing? go on! could i mention one other thing? (if? on! where i live in rainham, on the border of debenham and rainham, a massive site, they are building unbelievable amounts of new homes, over 3000 new homesjust in unbelievable amounts of new homes, over 3000 new homes just in that one site and there are some other developments. they have allocated less than half a parking space for every home and it's causing real problems with people who have bought these homes who cannot park their cars. i'm trying to park their cars across a very busy 81306. actually

interfering with people who have lived in their homes 30 or a0 years the other side because they cannot park because all these cars have got to park somewhere! they had promised a railway station for them which is not forthcoming. but i mean they have got all these homes, no infrastructure and it's just my point, wherever you have homes whether in city centres or outside, you have got to think of parking. laughter. quite a number of people commenting on that and david in kent, i will come to you in a second and paul in the malvern hills and our other guests. some of coming in. i can tell you, lots of tweets about this, talking of which, sort of breaking news, it has been much matted not least by elon musk, medici, mandy, yes, twitter, the twitter website

has been replaced with an x, the bluebird logo has gone, replaced with the x, then give us of twitter said in a tweet, x is here! let's do it, my goodness me! all know, the bird is still there on mine, the bridge are still flying on mine! but it is going to be replaced by this. he wants to create a super abs boat x, his vision for a new social media platform that has been talked about and they've been creating for months. he tweeted yesterday and soon we shall bid adieu to the twitter brand and gradually all the birds so more on this on the bbc news website and app throughout the day and on bbc radio 5 live. the x factorfor day and on bbc radio 5 live. the x factor for twitter! david, day and on bbc radio 5 live. the x factorfortwitter! david, hello! niki, good morning. factor for twitter! david, hello! niki, good morning.— factor for twitter! david, hello! niki, good morning. what do you think about _

niki, good morning. what do you think about the _ niki, good morning. what do you think about the vision _ niki, good morning. what do you think about the vision we - niki, good morning. what do you think about the vision we have i think about the vision we have heard? it sounds like something we have heard many times before, to be honest, with this focus on brownfield land and urban areas, i don't think many people could argue against that being a good focus, but the trouble is, it is unlikely to be enough, because depending on where you are no country, government housing targets just won't be met with brownfield sites converting existing commercial properties, it just won't be met. we know in our area where i am, we have got a huge housebuilding target and that is not going to be met by the available brownfield land that we have. so, the only way to do that is to create large, sustainable develop man sin other areas. 50, large, sustainable develop man sin otherareas. so, it is large, sustainable develop man sin other areas. 50, it is a huge issue

for local authorities, being able to deliver this. and if you do lose your industrial, commercial shops and offices, you are then losing valuable employment space, which local authorities also need to maintain, it is ok having homes in the right places but if you have not got the employment opportunities, you cannot have a sustainable community. you cannot have a sustainable community-— you cannot have a sustainable communi .�* . . . ., community. and if you are a landlord of a izza community. and if you are a landlord of a pizza parlour. — community. and if you are a landlord of a pizza parlour, are _ community. and if you are a landlord of a pizza parlour, are you _ community. and if you are a landlord of a pizza parlour, are you now- of a pizza parlour, are you now going to be a landlord of some homes? ., �* going to be a landlord of some homes? . ~ _, , , , homes? yeah. a completely different thin! the homes? yeah. a completely different thing! the other _ homes? yeah. a completely different thing! the other issue _ homes? yeah. a completely different thing! the other issue i _ homes? yeah. a completely different thing! the other issue i have - homes? yeah. a completely different thing! the other issue i have got - thing! the other issue i have got with this focus on city centres, high streets, whatever you call them, is, the other environmental factors that are important for the quality of life of the people that are going to be living there. so, you have got city centres which can be highly polluted, which is where a lot of our local air quality

problems are.— lot of our local air quality problems are. lot of our local air quality roblems are. ., . ., , ., problems are. you have got your yuel iss. you problems are. you have got your yuel iss- you have. — problems are. you have got your yuel iss. you have, but— problems are. you have got your yuel iss. you have, but london _ problems are. you have got your yuel iss. you have, but london is - problems are. you have got your yuel iss. you have, but london is still- iss. you have, but london is still polluted- — iss. you have, but london is still polluted- it _ iss. you have, but london is still polluted. it is _ iss. you have, but london is still polluted. it isjust _ iss. you have, but london is still polluted. it isjust a _ iss. you have, but london is still polluted. it isjust a means - iss. you have, but london is still polluted. it isjust a means to i polluted. it is just a means to bring the pollution down. and the other aspect is noise, which has a massive impact on people's health and quality of life, you don't necessarily realise it but noise has a dramatic effect on individuals who can't sleep, due to other commercial properties in and around you, you might be sticking residential premises close to nightclubs, restaurants, activity on high streets until late in the morning, and the problem is that there are existing planning mechanisms to easily convert shops into residential through what is called a private process, which is basically a streamlined planning permission, you can already do that, the controls that are there to protect

people from noise and air pollution don't really exist so if the government are going to extend that ease of conversion of existing properties, commercial properties into residential, without protections for the people that are going to live there and of you are creating a health and quality of life timebomb for all of these people in urban areas. 50, i can't argue against the focus on brownfield but in my view it is not going to deliver the homes that we need. the affordable homes that we need. the affordable homes that we need. let need. the affordable homes that we need. the affordable homes that we need. , , . .~' need. the affordable homes that we need. , , . need. let me 'ust put a quick point to alastair, — need. let me just put a quick point to alastair, they _ need. let me just put a quick point to alastair, they say _ need. let me just put a quick point to alastair, they say that _ need. let me just put a quick point to alastair, they say that you - to alastair, they say that you campaign in poetry and govern in prose, there is a lot of poetry in here, there was a vision, it was mentioning manhattan and paris and edinburgh's gorgeous new town, it is

good for leisure time, it is good for the environment, we can almost see in your mind is this vision of the future cities that he is describing for us, do you buy it? well, i think certainly... a i will tell you what, alistair, it was david we have not heard from, that is entirely my fault and it would be great to hear your thoughts on this, my apologies, david, i was off on a flight of my own fancy there, do you buy the vision, david, being a property developer? hat buy the vision, david, being a property developer? not really. ri ht! property developer? not really. right! listen. — property developer? not really. right! listen, it— property developer? not really. right! listen, it sounds - property developer? not really. right! listen, it sounds great, i property developer? not really. i right! listen, it sounds great, the whole _ right! listen, it sounds great, the whole thing sounds absolutely great and sounds like something which perhaps— and sounds like something which perhaps should have been said 12 or 13 years _ perhaps should have been said 12 or 13 years ago when they came into government, ratherthan 13 years ago when they came into government, rather than when they are atmost— government, rather than when they are almost preparing to exit, i guess — are almost preparing to exit, i guess i— are almost preparing to exit, i guess. i was around during the '80s in docklands and canary wharf and i saw how _ in docklands and canary wharf and i saw how well the lddc did, however, the first— saw how well the lddc did, however, the first four or five years of that

created — the first four or five years of that created lots of lowrise, short—term buildings _ created lots of lowrise, short—term buildings that have now all been knocked — buildings that have now all been knocked down and replaced by high-rise _ knocked down and replaced by high—rise towers which people are living _ high—rise towers which people are living in — high—rise towers which people are living in. there is no doubt that we should _ living in. there is no doubt that we should be — living in. there is no doubt that we should be seeing some enterprise zones _ should be seeing some enterprise zones and — should be seeing some enterprise zones and enterprise zones can and will work. _ zones and enterprise zones can and will work, who is going to pay for it all. _ will work, who is going to pay for it all, where is the money coming from, _ it all, where is the money coming from. that— it all, where is the money coming from, that is the big question? we will from, that is the big question? will pick that from, that is the big question? - will pick that one up, i like big question is, quite a lotto chew on here. from the renaissance to reading, what do you reckon? get in touch, do we need high street homes? the voice of the uk. renaissance. here is julian renaissance. here isjulian with the news. ——julian. the foreign office says there are between 7000 and 10,000 british tourists on the greek

island of rhodes, where wildfires are spreading. people are being urged to contact holiday companies. michael gove has announced plans to relax planning rules in england to create more homes in towns and cities. the levelling up secretary says he wants to make it easier to convert empty retail premises and betting shops into flats and houses but critics say such conversions are often poor quality. train drivers are going to stage another week—long overtime ban in a long—running dispute over pay, threatening fresh disruption to services. members of that life at 15 train companies in england will refuse to work overtime from monday seventh august to 12th of august. the radical preacher awem of august. the radical preacher anjem choudary has been charged with three terror offences, the 56—year—old was arrested last week and will appear in court later today. there was are your news headlines, john bennett has the sport. good morning. at the women's

world cup italy got their tournament off to a winning start with a 1—0 victory over argentina. germany against morocco is taking place as we speak, germany have just scored a third goal and are leading 3—0. at midday brazil take on debutantss panama. jude bellingham has made his debut for real madrid in a 3— to win against ac milan in los angeles in a pre—season friendly. wilfried zaha is in istanbul to sign for galatasaray. cricket australia ceo says the huge audiences for this series have demonstrated the importance of the ashes. he has congratulated the team on retaining the earn after rain yesterday forced the earn after rain yesterday forced the fourth test match to end in a draw, leaving australia 2—1 up in a series with one test to play. in golf, rory mcilroy says he cannot be too frustrated after finishing third in the open championship. —— urn. rory mcilroy will have to wait now until next year to attempt to win

his fourth major. let mejust let me just tell you this. i want to let you know what's happening this wednesday on this programme. the leader of the labour party, sir keir starmer, joins me from ten to take your calls, so what do you want to ask him? do you want to ask him about ulez? you might. child benefit? possible. the economy, housing... get your question in now,

on the radio, on the telly. and put it to him. let's put a couple of questions to our chief political correspondent nick eardley about what we have heard from michael gove this morning. on urban housing. hello, nick, goodness me, what an interesting speech it was, there is no doubt he is an intellectual man, talking about this vision of future cities, the medici model, they made florence a cultural hotspot code, talking about paris, edinburgh, manhattan, is it cloud could use, all to preserve the green and pleasant land? a lot of politics, nick? . ., pleasant land? a lot of politics, nick? . . ., , nick? yeah, and it felt really olitical nick? yeah, and it felt really political to — nick? yeah, and it felt really political to me _ nick? yeah, and it felt really political to me as _ nick? yeah, and it felt really political to me as well, - nick? yeah, and it felt really| political to me as well, nicky, because michael gove is trying to square a circle because the conservatives have been in a bit of 80s over this over the past few years, where they all accept that we need to build more homes, but every time the government comes up with a plan to build new homes, he comes up

against local opposition in those places that are going to see the new homes built. —— in a bit of a tizz. so the decision michael gove has made is, protect the green belt, don't annoy those conservative mps outside the cities who have been against big developments in their areas, but do say two cities, you need to build more. that is the idea. already, though, we are seeing, particularly for example in cambridge, we are seeing some local opposition already. 50, it is an attempted answer, but it is not an easy square to circle. it attempted answer, but it is not an easy square to circle.— easy square to circle. it was quite a cell, easy square to circle. it was quite a cell. wasn't _ easy square to circle. it was quite a cell, wasn't it? _ easy square to circle. it was quite a cell, wasn't it? it _ easy square to circle. it was quite a cell, wasn't it? it was, - easy square to circle. it was quite a cell, wasn't it? it was, and - a cell, wasn't it? it was, and michael _ a cell, wasn't it? it was, and michael gove _ a cell, wasn't it? it was, and michael gove is _ a cell, wasn't it? it was, and michael gove is seen - a cell, wasn't it? it was, and michael gove is seen within l michael gove is seen within government as a big thinker, when he goes to departments, he comes up with ideas and quite often ministers think that they are effective, so, part of the idea here is to get rid of a lot of the restrictions that are in place, on, say, turning a shop into a house or building a loft so you don't need to move house and

you can just put an extra room on the roof if that is what you want to do. the question is going to be over the next few months and years, one, is it enough? and ulez, is it seen as politically radical enough? because we will talk in a few minutes about having keir starmer on the programme on wednesday, his argument is, the government isn't being bold enough and is not prepared to take on those tory backbenchers who are worried about developments in their own areas. 50, one of the things that keir starmer is saying is, we will look again at the rules on the green belt. that is not to say you take a field in a lovely rural part of england and you throw at 500 flats, what keir starmer would argue is that he wants to take things like old petrol stations, disused stations or car parks that are in theory on the green belt and say, why should you not be able to build new developments there? that is his idea. you can already though see the

government getting ready for a political battle on this by saying they don't want to concrete over the greenbelt. it seems pretty clear that the housing issue is going to be a big one at the next general election, both sides are sharpening up election, both sides are sharpening up their argument.— up their argument. telling phrase, we want to — up their argument. telling phrase, we want to end _ up their argument. telling phrase, we want to end the _ up their argument. telling phrase, we want to end the land _ up their argument. telling phrase, we want to end the land hungry . we want to end the [and hungry destruction of natural habitats. this is going to play very interesting. thank you, nick, thank you to paul in malvern for waiting on the line, and sophie in towescester. paul, what do you think of this potential future? towescester. paul, what do you think of this potentialfuture? this towescester. paul, what do you think of this potential future?— of this potential future? as has been said. _ of this potential future? as has been said, this _ of this potential future? as has been said, this should - of this potential future? as has been said, this should have - of this potential future? as has i been said, this should have been done _ been said, this should have been done 30 — been said, this should have been done 30 years ago, a lot more housing — done 30 years ago, a lot more housing in— done 30 years ago, a lot more housing in town centres, and shops would _ housing in town centres, and shops would be _ housing in town centres, and shops would be much more sustainable because — would be much more sustainable because let's face it, those people that live _ because let's face it, those people that live in — because let's face it, those people that live in towns keep the shops going _ that live in towns keep the shops going and — that live in towns keep the shops going and won't be ordering from warehouses from out of town. some of

this stuff— warehouses from out of town. some of this stuff is _ warehouses from out of town. some of this stuff is really quite good, but i this stuff is really quite good, but i would _ this stuff is really quite good, but i would go — this stuff is really quite good, but i would go further, i would start building. — i would go further, i would start building, basically, housing, when you need — building, basically, housing, when you need to do a school again, for example. — you need to do a school again, for example, there are thousands across the country— example, there are thousands across the country that need it, why don't we have _ the country that need it, why don't we have housing above them? one of the great _ we have housing above them? one of the great developments which started in manchester, a huge redevelopment programme when i was in manchester, was the _ programme when i was in manchester, was the beauchamp tower, hotel at the bottom, loads of flats above it, one thing _ the bottom, loads of flats above it, one thing pays for the other. and if you can _ one thing pays for the other. and if you can set — one thing pays for the other. and if you can set up models like that, you can have _ you can set up models like that, you can have lots — you can set up models like that, you can have lots more housing above new buildings _ can have lots more housing above new buildings that would serve whatever commercial purposes we need in the future _ commercial purposes we need in the future. going back to why i am on the phone, — future. going back to why i am on the phone, in ourarea future. going back to why i am on the phone, in our area we have been asked _ the phone, in our area we have been asked to _ the phone, in our area we have been asked to put — the phone, in our area we have been asked to put together plans over the last 1045— asked to put together plans over the last 10—15 years, i have been a last10—15 years, i have been a councillor— last 10—15 years, i have been a councillor now for five and a bit years. — councillor now for five and a bit years. and _ councillor now for five and a bit years, and they are based on figures from 2014. _

years, and they are based on figures from 2014, population figures that were pre—brexit, pre—covid, totally disorganised, and we are building vast estates of five bed houses when, — vast estates of five bed houses when, our _ vast estates of five bed houses when, our needs locally is for social— when, our needs locally is for social housing and for very small units, _ social housing and for very small units, starter units for young people — units, starter units for young people and for people to downsize into. people and for people to downsize into the — people and for people to downsize into. the whole thing has got to be properly— into. the whole thing has got to be properly assessed, properly researched what to see exactly what the real— researched what to see exactly what the real demand is, and even this programme today has had people on lobbying _ programme today has had people on lobbying for their various causes, i will tell— lobbying for their various causes, i will tell you — lobbying for their various causes, i will tell you what, the social housing _ will tell you what, the social housing guy, i would love you to come _ housing guy, i would love you to come down _ housing guy, i would love you to come down to our area and explain to me quite _ come down to our area and explain to me quite a _ come down to our area and explain to me quite a lot of the social housing which _ me quite a lot of the social housing which already exists is not fit for purpose — which already exists is not fit for purpose and isn't repaired properly, you want— purpose and isn't repaired properly, you want to — purpose and isn't repaired properly, you want to build more and more but you want to build more and more but you are _ you want to build more and more but you are not _ you want to build more and more but you are not looking after what is already— you are not looking after what is already there. it is things like that— already there. it is things like that that _ already there. it is things like that that we need to address as much as anything _ that that we need to address as much as anything else. sorry. no that that we need to address as much as anything else. sorry.— as anything else. sorry. no no, that's perfect. _

as anything else. sorry. no no, that's perfect, top-notch. - as anything else. sorry. no no, l that's perfect, top-notch. sophie as anything else. sorry. no no, - that's perfect, top-notch. sophie in that's perfect, top—notch. sophie in towcester, what do you think about urban living?— urban living? yeah, i completely a . ree urban living? yeah, i completely agree with _ urban living? yeah, i completely agree with paul, _ urban living? yeah, i completely agree with paul, actually. - urban living? yeah, i completely agree with paul, actually. i - urban living? yeah, i completely agree with paul, actually. i think from looking at our area, the issue really has been that we have got pounds such as northampton —— towns such as northampton where buildings have stood empty for years and years, and i think there needs to be possibly a dual approach, certainly with some compulsory purchase, and we've got those huge estates just on the edge of villages often with no infrastructure in place, one doctors' surgery trying desperately to cope with existing patients and all of the people in the new housing, no social housing, or very little, huge, four bedrooms or five bedroom houses, and this is in a solid conservative area, we have got

conservative mps all around and they have consistently been putting in these huge estates into the countryside, without the infrastructure in place. i think we need to have some of those estates or smaller ones combined with urban development but you need to have the infrastructure in place and they are just not dubbing that and this is just not dubbing that and this is just a cynical way of now trying to win back what they think is going to be an exodus to the lib dems, in my view. , ., , , be an exodus to the lib dems, in my view. , .,, , .,, , view. david, property developer, is this practical? _ view. david, property developer, is this practical? is _ view. david, property developer, is this practical? is it _ view. david, property developer, is this practical? is it politics - view. david, property developer, is this practical? is it politics or- view. david, property developer, is this practical? is it politics or is - this practical? is it politics or is it reality? it this practical? is it politics or is it reali ? , ~ this practical? is it politics or is it reality?— it reality? it feels like politics. i have been — it reality? it feels like politics. i have been saying _ it reality? it feels like politics. i have been saying for - it reality? it feels like politics. i have been saying for quite i it reality? it feels like politics. i i have been saying for quite some time _ i have been saying for quite some time that— i have been saying for quite some time that the planning system is where _ time that the planning system is where we — time that the planning system is where we need to look, as well as affordability and as well as, where is the _ affordability and as well as, where is the money coming from, which was the question— is the money coming from, which was the question i asked earlier. but it feels _ the question i asked earlier. but it feels like — the question i asked earlier. but it feels like there is quite a lot of politicking going on in this aspect, is it going — politicking going on in this aspect, is it going to create enough housing? doesn't sound like it. do ou housing? doesn't sound like it.

you want to housing? doesn't sound like it. dr? you want to get stuck into the oak trees, is that what you're saying? i trees, is that what you're saying? i don't think so, perhaps a little bit, don't think so, perhaps a little bit. i_ don't think so, perhaps a little bit. i don't _ don't think so, perhaps a little bit, i don't want to come across as someonem — bit, i don't want to come across as someone... we bit, i don't want to come across as someone- - -— bit, i don't want to come across as someone... we are one of the most nature depleted _ someone... we are one of the most nature depleted countries _ someone... we are one of the most nature depleted countries in - someone... we are one of the most nature depleted countries in the i nature depleted countries in the world, so you can understand people's concern.— world, so you can understand people's concern. 10096, and i think ou have people's concern. 10096, and i think you have got _ people's concern. 10096, and i think you have got to _ people's concern. 10096, and i think you have got to be _ people's concern. 10096, and i think you have got to be incredibly - you have got to be incredibly sensitive _ you have got to be incredibly sensitive to people's concerns in respect — sensitive to people's concerns in respect of— sensitive to people's concerns in respect of the greenbelt, and maybe that isn't~~~ — respect of the greenbelt, and maybe that isn't... keir starmer's suggestion that we could build on every— suggestion that we could build on every petrol station within the greenbelt, that is not going to provide — greenbelt, that is not going to provide very many homes, is it? that is the _ provide very many homes, is it? that is the problem. the other thing as well as— is the problem. the other thing as well as that when a developer does -et well as that when a developer does get a _ well as that when a developer does get a planning permission, a suitable _ get a planning permission, a suitable planning permission, to allow— suitable planning permission, to allow them to start, it can then be another— allow them to start, it can then be another 12— allow them to start, it can then be another 12 months before they are even _ another 12 months before they are even able — another 12 months before they are even able to get on site whilst they deal with— even able to get on site whilst they deal with planning permissions which have been— deal with planning permissions which have been beset upon them by the local authorities. have been beset upon them by the localauthorities. so, somehow local authorities. so, somehow everybody localauthorities. so, somehow everybody actually needs to get together. why does the government not to— together. why does the government not to listen to professionals from every _ not to listen to professionals from every aspect of the property world,

from developers to banks to funders, to local— from developers to banks to funders, to local authorities? get them altogether. we to local authorities? get them altogether-— to local authorities? get them altoaether. , , altogether. we see politicians with hard helmets _ altogether. we see politicians with hard helmets and _ altogether. we see politicians with hard helmets and high _ altogether. we see politicians with hard helmets and high viz - altogether. we see politicians with hard helmets and high viz jackets i altogether. we see politicians with i hard helmets and high viz jackets on hard helmets and high vizjackets on building sites every day of the week doing photo calls, so they are talking to you guys, aren't they? fin talking to you guys, aren't they? on the outskirts, perhaps, i don't the outskirts, perhaps, idon't think— the outskirts, perhaps, i don't think they're really listening. they might— think they're really listening. they might be — think they're really listening. they might be talking but not listening. and it _ might be talking but not listening. and it in _ might be talking but not listening. and it in worthing, amanda in north london, beverly and gloucester, this is great, great line—up, lots of calls, let mejust is great, great line—up, lots of calls, let me just do a couple of texts for you. converting town shops to residential use is a great idea, there are so many empty shops, town centres are an eyesore, having more people in the town surely is a win—win. and this... in durham city centre we already have some empty shops being converted into student accommodation there is nothing new. however it result —— it will result in a mishmash of unsightly high streets with houses mixed in between

shops. and one more... it seems ridiculous, the tories are laying out a long—term plan for housebuilding as they are only going to be in powerfor another year. but you have to have a vision and you have to set out that vision and hope that... sensible people will pick up on the vision, that is the argument. where were we? a in worthing. and amanda in north london. n0, amanda. what are your thoughts on this, what is your considered opinion on what you have been hearing when it comes to homes? ~ . , , to homes? when i hear these things are 'ust to homes? when i hear these things are just thinkhe'll_ to homes? when i hear these things are just thinkhe'll we _ to homes? when i hear these things are just thinkhe'll we go _ to homes? when i hear these things are just thinkhe'll we go again. i to homes? when i hear these things are just thinkhe'll we go again. but. are just thinkhe'll we go again. but if we are _ are just thinkhe'll we go again. but if we are talking about putting families— if we are talking about putting families into places above shops, where _ families into places above shops, where are — families into places above shops, where are they going to have any space _ where are they going to have any space for— where are they going to have any space for their children, where are the children— space for their children, where are the children going to play, are they going _ the children going to play, are they going to _ the children going to play, are they going to have a garden? is anyone going _ going to have a garden? is anyone going to _ going to have a garden? is anyone going to think about that? is this actually— going to think about that? is this actually really going to be affordable housing, are the council is going _ affordable housing, are the council is going to — affordable housing, are the council is going to get involved, are they housing — is going to get involved, are they housing associations going to get

involved. — housing associations going to get involved, or is it again going to be somebody— involved, or is it again going to be somebody that buys up the property and rents— somebody that buys up the property and rents out the rooms for £1000 a month? _ and rents out the rooms for £1000 a month? which is exactly what is happening to my brother. he lives in a studio— happening to my brother. he lives in a studio flat — happening to my brother. he lives in a studio flat in north london and he pays £1000 — a studio flat in north london and he pays £1000 a month, the rent went from £800 — pays £1000 a month, the rent went from £800 to another £200 a month due to _ from £800 to another £200 a month due to energy bills et cetera and it is a small— due to energy bills et cetera and it is a small room, he can't have his son come — is a small room, he can't have his son come to — is a small room, he can't have his son come to stay because there is nowhere _ son come to stay because there is nowhere for— son come to stay because there is nowhere for him to sleep and ijust think— nowhere for him to sleep and ijust think to _ nowhere for him to sleep and ijust think to myself, once again, let's build _ think to myself, once again, let's build on — think to myself, once again, let's build on top of a shock. let's go to an empty— build on top of a shock. let's go to an empty shop which one week was a charity— an empty shop which one week was a charity shop. — an empty shop which one week was a charity shop, the next week it is closed _ charity shop, the next week it is closed down because they can't afford _ closed down because they can't afford the rates. and in his very expensive — afford the rates. and in his very expensive and ijust don't think that they— expensive and ijust don't think that they are really thinking about this property. we don't have enough houses, _ this property. we don't have enough houses, we — this property. we don't have enough houses, we don't have enough hospitals, _ houses, we don't have enough hospitals, the schools are packed. they are _ hospitals, the schools are packed. they are just not really thinking about— they are just not really thinking about these things properly at all. and a _ about these things properly at all. and a family living above a shop. it

isjust— and a family living above a shop. it isiust not— and a family living above a shop. it isjust not practical. it and a family living above a shop. it isjust not practical.— isjust not practical. it was certainly _ isjust not practical. it was. certainly thought-provoking isjust not practical. it was i certainly thought-provoking what isjust not practical. it was _ certainly thought-provoking what we certainly thought—provoking what we had. thank you very much, annette. amanda coming up. amanda, wejust heard from annette, there is a lot of as going on! urban living, annette in worthing? i of as going on! urban living, annette in worthing?- of as going on! urban living, annette in worthing? i have got first-hand experience _ annette in worthing? i have got first-hand experience of - annette in worthing? i have got first-hand experience of it, i annette in worthing? i have got l first-hand experience of it, nicky. first—hand experience of it, nicky. about 21 first—hand experience of it, nicky. about?! years ago now they redeveloped a block in exeter in devon, i had a housing association place, i received a two bedroom flat above a shop with my baby daughter and it was a nightmare, quite friendly. because you had services that would arrive for the shops and any at five in the morning, because thatis any at five in the morning, because that is what time the services start to service the high street, binmen, refuse collection, all underneath my

daughter's nursery, it was a daddy to the local nightclub so in the summer we couldn't have the windows open, it was sweltering hot, or we would not get any sleep whatsoever. —— it was a route to the local nightclub. we had drug addicts in the stairwell is coming into use their drugs, families there, we couldn't even get... it was a housing association, we couldn't even get housing swaps out into another local part of the area because everybody knew that those blocks had those specific issues. in the end i ended up doing a housing association exchange to sussex in order to get a home that was for me and my daughter. so, realistically, it is not for family living, and my daughter. so, realistically, it is not forfamily living, and when i went to go and park my car, it was at risk of getting vandalised by the nightclub frequenters. oh, dear! and you _ by the nightclub frequenters. oh, dear! and you are still going to get the neighbours next door going...

doom—de—doom in the middle of the night as well. that was a nightmare scenario. we had a dream one from michael gove, what an antidote! good morning. michael gove, what an antidote! good morninu. michael gove, what an antidote! good mornin. _ ,., ., ., michael gove, what an antidote! good morninu. ., . ., morning. good morning, darling, how are ou?i morning. good morning, darling, how are you? i am — morning. good morning, darling, how are you? i am fine, _ morning. good morning, darling, how are you? i am fine, that _ morning. good morning, darling, how are you? i am fine, that is _ morning. good morning, darling, how are you? i am fine, that is very i are you? i am fine, that is very friendly. _ are you? i am fine, that is very friendly, that's _ are you? i am fine, that is very friendly, that's good. - are you? i am fine, that is very friendly, that's good. i - are you? i am fine, that is very friendly, that's good. i am i are you? i am fine, that is very i friendly, that's good. i am feeling very impassioned _ friendly, that's good. i am feeling very impassioned this _ friendly, that's good. i am feeling very impassioned this morning, . friendly, that's good. i am feeling i very impassioned this morning, nicky for this bit little debate habit child hearyour, it is a big debate! big debate! i want to sympathise with your previous caller about social housing and how difficult thatis, social housing and how difficult that is, she has actually a lot more rights than i do as a private tenant. i have been waiting for my housing repairfor about tenant. i have been waiting for my housing repair for about five months, i keep speaking to my letting agent, nothing gets done, i say, look, i letting agent, nothing gets done, i say, look, lam letting agent, nothing gets done, i say, look, i am a letting agent, nothing gets done, i say, look, lam a parent letting agent, nothing gets done, i say, look, i am a parent myself, letting agent, nothing gets done, i say, look, lam a parent myself, no, you can't do that because you are a tenant, we have got to do it for you. i have been trying to get onto

the housing market for about a year, i don't have a lotto play with because i pay £800 a month in rent so it is quite hard for me to save, so it is quite hard for me to save, so again you have got the lady saying about rental prices in london, it is notjust london it is everywhere. with my £800 a month for my rent, i rent privately, i have very few rights, to be honest, having to go through court systems et cetera to get support, ijust want my own home. my rent is due to increase in december, we are probably looking out around £1000, that wipes me out of the market straightaway, i don't have a high salary, i am a working professional, ijust want my salary, i am a working professional, i just want my own salary, i am a working professional, ijust want my own home to call my own. i am ijust want my own home to call my own. lam in ijust want my own home to call my own. i am in a ijust want my own home to call my own. lam in a position ijust want my own home to call my own. i am in a position where actually it is going to be financially better off for me to privately rent than it is for me to get a mortgage. i am 38 years old, i have never been on the property ladder because my rent is so high, i can't afford to save, this is the problem. so what do i do? do i sit and wait for property to fall into

my lap? what do i do?! and wait for property to fall into my lap? what do i do? i can't afford to save, can't afford to buy, i am literally stuck between a rock and a hard place and that is the position that i am in at 38—year—old is a working professional, what do i do? build can check please can we get building? i mentioned before, iwork for wolseley, there is lots of building work going on, sadly we are using greenbelt land but we have got to build. we have to house our people especially people that are homeless and people that are working like me, ijust want homeless and people that are working like me, i just want something homeless and people that are working like me, ijust want something to call my own and that is it. and call my own and that is it. and it was magnificent _ call my own and that is it. and it was magnificent from _ call my own and that is it. and it was magnificent from start i call my own and that is it. and it was magnificent from start to i was magnificent from start to finish, thank you.— was magnificent from start to finish, thank you. thank you, i am takin: finish, thank you. thank you, i am taking about! _ finish, thank you. thank you, i am taking about! andrea, _ taking about! andrea, weston-super-mare, | taking about! andrea, i weston-super-mare, we taking about! andrea, - weston-super-mare, we will taking about! andrea, _ weston-super-mare, we will get you weston—super—mare, we will get you on, andrew, you are on, what do you think? ~ ~' on, andrew, you are on, what do you think? ~ ~ . ., ., , .,, think? well, like a lot of people have said about _ think? well, like a lot of people have said about the _ think? well, like a lot of people have said about the internet i have said about the internet shopping, out—of—town miles and

council— shopping, out—of—town miles and council parking charges have killed a lot of— council parking charges have killed a lot of shops, so, it seems logical to be _ a lot of shops, so, it seems logical to be that — a lot of shops, so, it seems logical to be that apartment store should be turned _ to be that apartment store should be turned into— to be that apartment store should be turned into flats because it is not going _ turned into flats because it is not going to — turned into flats because it is not going to reopen again as a shop, that is— going to reopen again as a shop, that is for— going to reopen again as a shop, that is for sure. in my hometown the same _ that is for sure. in my hometown the same as— that is for sure. in my hometown the same as everywhere else shops are closing _ same as everywhere else shops are closing all— same as everywhere else shops are closing all over the place and people — closing all over the place and people have just been complaining about— people have just been complaining about living above shops, well, turned — about living above shops, well, turned the whole building into living — turned the whole building into living accommodation, that sort that one out _ living accommodation, that sort that one out. but if there is more people living _ one out. but if there is more people living in— one out. but if there is more people living in town, that will help the existing — living in town, that will help the existing shops survive, because they are all— existing shops survive, because they are all having a difficult time. and i are all having a difficult time. and i said _ are all having a difficult time. and i said years — are all having a difficult time. and i said years ago, high streets always— i said years ago, high streets always had lots of secondary streets and they— always had lots of secondary streets and they started dying because of the internet, they should have been allowed _ the internet, they should have been allowed to— the internet, they should have been allowed to close whole streets and turn them — allowed to close whole streets and turn them into residential, then the shopping _ turn them into residential, then the shopping would have been condensed nearer— shopping would have been condensed nearer the _ shopping would have been condensed nearer the high street. shopping would have been condensed nearerthe high street. ijust shopping would have been condensed nearer the high street. ijust think it is a _ nearer the high street. ijust think it is a good — nearer the high street. ijust think it is a good idea altogether. thank ou for it is a good idea altogether. thank you for that- _ it is a good idea altogether. thank

you for that. blue _ it is a good idea altogether. thank you for that. blue sky _ it is a good idea altogether. thank you for that. blue sky thinking i it is a good idea altogether. thank you for that. blue sky thinking all| you for that. blue sky thinking all round. andrew, thank you. abdul in hillingdon, sorry to cut you slightly short but we want to hear from as many people on this. it might not be density of living but it is a density of great callers. hello, abdul.— it is a density of great callers. hello, abdul. ,., ., ., ., i. hello, abdul. good morning to you, nikki. hello, abdul. good morning to you, nikki- what — hello, abdul. good morning to you, nikki. what are — hello, abdul. good morning to you, nikki. what are your _ hello, abdul. good morning to you, nikki. what are your thoughts? i hello, abdul. good morning to you, nikki. what are your thoughts? my | nikki. what are your thoughts? my thouuhts nikki. what are your thoughts? my thoughts are. _ nikki. what are your thoughts? my thoughts are, high _ nikki. what are your thoughts? my thoughts are, high street - nikki. what are your thoughts? my thoughts are, high street really i thoughts are, high street really works, it works because as we get older we can't walk far. high streets tend to be near transport, great. we don't need a car, if we can walk whenever we can walk to and everything is nearby, it really works. but i also think that the planning system is broken. here at hillingdon it is taking years to go through planning so i don't know, until they get the basics right with the planners, so, people like hillingdon can give you what you want, the process is too long. i want, the process is too long. i love it. from renaissance tuscany to hillingdon, that is what it's all about this morning. we heard

references to the former from michael gove, is what he is saying going to be practicable in the latter? that is the point. planning, regulations, what would you change i would change all of it. nicky in 2013 it took me 2.5 years to get planning permission for a lovely house which just needed knocking down and rebuilding. we'vejust applied for a house for my parents on a plot of land that isn't to which is a no—brainer, but a petition comes in, the whole thing gets multiplied by five, ten times in how long it takes to go through now, and it isjust... you know, it is very stressful, it should not be stressful, if you read the guidelines for planning it actually says that they should go out of their way to somehow give planning. but it's the other way round. it works the other way. nobody wants to give anything and in hillingdon we are really struggling. the view from hillingdon, thank you very much, do

we need high street homes? i think we need high street homes? i think we will return to this one. this one... hello, landry, ilove living one... hello, landry, ilove living on top of our supermarket in welling, it has a large green out the back for the children, it is convenient, it has parking, it is convenient, it has parking, it is convenient, just go downstairs, do the shopping. it is in a high street, i love it. and this one... are we ignoring single folk in this discussion again? urban living, surely more suitable for us singletons? housing security is impossible for so many single income households that no—one seems to care about us. the jane austen dating market is upon us. that is from helen in hackney. from hillingdon to hackney. it has been an alliteration dream, this morning. thank you very much for watching. live from london, this is bbc news. corfu and evia become the latest islands to issue evacuation orders — as wildfires cause havoc in greece.

police using water cannon battle protesters on the streets ofjerusalem — over israel's controversial judicial reform bill. spain's conservative popular party falls short of an all—out election victory — the outgoing socialists say chances are slim for alberto nunez feijoo to form a government. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. we start in greece, where over 2,000 people have been evacuated from the island of corfu, as wildfires continue to spread across the country. thousands of people have been affected with many holiday—makers forced to flee towards safety. this footage was filmed in port corfu on sunday evening. you can see how the fire is burning over a wide area — with smoke billowing over the inhabited areas. and this video was filmed in a corfu hotel, as guests were dining.

the government says it has sent boats to evacuate residents by sea,