and whoever is elected next time round will have to grip defence in a different way. and the fact is, you know, we have defence ambitions which are above our level of preparedness to fund it. the government always assumes that the public don't want to spend more than about 2% of our gdp on defence. in reality, the public never gets asked about this. i think the public might have a different view about it now that we're in the middle of a big war in europe. but the governments, all governments have said labour and conservative governments have assumed that the public has no appetite to fund defence beyond the the level that we more or less funded that now. and i don't think members of the armed forces will expect that to change unless or until after the next election. another government takes a really fresh look at our security, and by then i think our security will be in a worse state than it is now, given what's happening in the rest of europe. joining me live is colonel hamish de bretton—gordon. he's former commander of the uk and nato cbrn forces.

and ailbhe rea, host of the westminster insider podcast for politico. first, ijust first, i just want to get first, ijust want to get both of your reactions to this posting of grant shapps as defence secretary. would you say it is a good move? i think at a time when there is war in europe for the first time in over 75 years, where the nuclear threat is higher than it's ever been there in the last cold war, if mr shapps is the last cold war, if mr shapps is the best person available, then i wish him luck. he seems to have a lot of experience. and if he gets the resources that defence need, let's not forget, protection of the nation is the primary task of government. quite frankly, if they get this wrong, all the other things affecting us like cost of living, immigration and climate change will be irrelevant. so if he can do that

and support the military going forward, i wish him the best of luck. �* ., ., , ., forward, i wish him the best of luck. �* ., ., ~ , . ., luck. and over to you, ailbhe. what do ou luck. and over to you, ailbhe. what do you think — luck. and over to you, ailbhe. what do you think of _ luck. and over to you, ailbhe. what do you think of this _ luck. and over to you, ailbhe. what do you think of this appointment, . luck. and over to you, ailbhe. what | do you think of this appointment, do you think it was a bit of a surprise was that there were a number of names being bandied around, grant shapps didn't seem to be one of them. i shapps didn't seem to be one of them. ~ ., , shapps didn't seem to be one of them. ~ .,, ., ~ them. i think it has taken the journalists. — them. i think it has taken the journalists, myself _ them. i think it has taken the journalists, myself included, | them. i think it has taken the l journalists, myself included, a them. i think it has taken the - journalists, myself included, a bit iiy journalists, myself included, a bit by surprise — journalists, myself included, a bit by surprise because we knew from before _ by surprise because we knew from before the — by surprise because we knew from before the summer that ben wallace would _ before the summer that ben wallace would be _ before the summer that ben wallace would be stepping down as defence secretary _ would be stepping down as defence secretary and lots of names were in the mix. _ secretary and lots of names were in the mix, grant shapps was not one of them _ the mix, grant shapps was not one of them in _ the mix, grant shapps was not one of them inthat— the mix, grant shapps was not one of them. in that sense it has been kind of unexpected but not unexpected in that he _ of unexpected but not unexpected in that he is_ of unexpected but not unexpected in that he is very experienced member of cabinet _ that he is very experienced member of cabinet and crucially a big rishi sunak— of cabinet and crucially a big rishi sunak ally— of cabinet and crucially a big rishi sunak ally which i think is what they— sunak ally which i think is what they really wanted with this, to promote — they really wanted with this, to promote somebody who will take the fi-ht promote somebody who will take the fight broke into the next election, they want— fight broke into the next election, they want a good ally of rishi sunak in that— they want a good ally of rishi sunak in that post. is they want a good ally of rishi sunak in that post-— in that post. is mentioning there, he is a close _ in that post. is mentioning there, he is a close ally _ in that post. is mentioning there, he is a close ally of _

in that post. is mentioning there, he is a close ally of rishi - in that post. is mentioning there, he is a close ally of rishi sunak, l he is a close ally of rishi sunak, but is well known, what do you think rishi sunak�*s thinking is behind this appointment? itruiith rishi sunak's thinking is behind this appointment?— this appointment? with the appointment _ this appointment? with the appointment of _ this appointment? with the appointment of grant - this appointment? with the i appointment of grant shapps this appointment? with the - appointment of grant shapps on the other promotion of claire coutinho, which _ other promotion of claire coutinho, which you _ other promotion of claire coutinho, which you mention, i think really what _ which you mention, i think really what numberten is which you mention, i think really what number ten is signalling is that essentially it hasn't given up on the _ that essentially it hasn't given up on the next election. here in westminster a lot of tory mps actually — westminster a lot of tory mps actually have, the conservatives are 20 points— actually have, the conservatives are 20 points behind in the polls at the moment, _ 20 points behind in the polls at the moment, lots of people think that the next _ moment, lots of people think that the next election is almost a rite authority— the next election is almost a rite authority for the conservatives. but rishi sunak hasn't given up, his team _ rishi sunak hasn't given up, his team haven't and they want to be promoting — team haven't and they want to be promoting people who are of that view too~ — promoting people who are of that view too. they have had some trouble getting _ view too. they have had some trouble getting ministers to come on the airwaves— getting ministers to come on the airwaves in— getting ministers to come on the airwaves in recent months to give interviews — airwaves in recent months to give interviews and defend the government. grant shapps is someone who is— government. grant shapps is someone who is always prepared to do that and so _ who is always prepared to do that and so is — who is always prepared to do that and so is claire coutinho saw it i think— and so is claire coutinho saw it i think it's — and so is claire coutinho saw it i think it's really about that, getting _ think it's really about that, getting into fight mode ahead of the next election. getting into fight mode ahead of the next election-— next election. colonel hamish, let's 'ust focus

next election. colonel hamish, let's just focus on — next election. colonel hamish, let's just focus on the _ next election. colonel hamish, let's just focus on the job _ next election. colonel hamish, let's just focus on the job at _ next election. colonel hamish, let's just focus on the job at hand, - next election. colonel hamish, let's just focus on the job at hand, grant| just focus on the job at hand, grant shapps is going to be moving into his new post, how do you think he's going to be received by military personnel? i going to be received by military personnel?— going to be received by military ersonnel? ~ ~ . . ., ~ going to be received by military ersonnel? ~ ~ . . . ,, ., personnel? i think michael clarke at the beginning _ personnel? i think michael clarke at the beginning of— personnel? i think michael clarke at the beginning of this _ personnel? i think michael clarke at the beginning of this piece - personnel? i think michael clarke at the beginning of this piece was - the beginning of this piece was absolutely right, the military will not be care, he will have to prove himself and actually, he does have the advantage of not being ex military like ben wallace, who was a fantastic defence secretary, i know lots of people want to have an ex military person in there, but he will not have baggage. we have seen when politicians get too closely involved in the tactical activity of the military can be disastrous. you have to look at the activities of putain in ukraine, of course winston churchill got heavily involved, but i'm not sure that mr shapps has his particular qualities but i'm sure if he is hard—working, it's a really tough hard—working ministry, and he is sensitive and listens to the advices given, he will be received

on his merits. the military, i don't think they are pro or against any politician, if somebody does the job, we will follow them to the ends of the earth. and i'm sure that is what he's planning to do and hoping to do. it what he's planning to do and hoping to do. , , , to do. it is interesting, 'ust icked to do. it is interesting, 'ust picked up i to do. it is interesting, 'ust picked up on fl to do. it is interesting, 'ust picked up on you i to do. it is interesting, just picked up on you saying - to do. it is interesting, justl picked up on you saying that to do. it is interesting, just - picked up on you saying that having military involvement would be considered as baggage, not valuable insight. considered as baggage, not valuable insiaht. ., v considered as baggage, not valuable insiaht. . �*, ., . insight. that's not quite what i meant. insight. that's not quite what i meant- iten — insight. that's not quite what i meant. ben wallace _ insight. that's not quite what i meant. ben wallace had - insight. that's not quite what i l meant. ben wallace had military experience and was very effective, but it's not a prerequisite. you don't necessarily need to be a nexus soldier to be a defence secretary. what you need to be able to do is to listen to the advices you are given ant to act on it so i don't think it will be any detriment to him not having military experience. but i'm

sure, is a seasoned politician who will listen to the advice he is given and of course realised he at the moment is in the most important job in cabinet, protecting this country and ensuring that ukraine prevails in his war against russia and we can reduce the threat of a european war, and also dampen down the nuclear threat which come as a side in the beginning, has never been higher. bud side in the beginning, has never been higher-— side in the beginning, has never been hiaher. �* ., , ., ., been higher. and of course, colonel hamish, been higher. and of course, colonel hamish. you're _ been higher. and of course, colonel hamish, you're talking _ been higher. and of course, colonel hamish, you're talking about - hamish, you're talking about ukraine, it will be, ailbhe, major focus for grant shapps as he moves into this newjob. do you think we may see any policy change, any changes from him going forward when we are focusing on the war in ukraine?— we are focusing on the war in ukraine? ~ , ., ., ukraine? well, he visited ukraine 'ust last ukraine? well, he visited ukraine just last week— ukraine? well, he visited ukraine just last week in _ ukraine? well, he visited ukraine just last week in his role - ukraine? well, he visited ukraine just last week in his role as - ukraine? well, he visited ukraine| just last week in his role as energy secretary— just last week in his role as energy secretary and i think in terms of the overall— secretary and i think in terms of the overall support for ukraine, we're _ the overall support for ukraine, we're not — the overall support for ukraine, we're not going to see change whatsoever. we have had changes of

prime _ whatsoever. we have had changes of prime minister, and the line from the uk _ prime minister, and the line from the uk government hasn't changed. i think what— the uk government hasn't changed. i think what might change, though, is the position on defence spending. ben wallace has made quite a big push for— ben wallace has made quite a big push for over a year for an increase in defence — push for over a year for an increase in defence spending, that has been a little bit _ in defence spending, that has been a little bit uncomfortable for rishi sunak— little bit uncomfortable for rishi sunak and little bit uncomfortable for rishi sunakandjeremy hunt little bit uncomfortable for rishi sunak and jeremy hunt stop day, you will remember, came in after this trust _ will remember, came in after this trust and — will remember, came in after this trust and all the economic turmoil we saw— trust and all the economic turmoil we saw last— trust and all the economic turmoil we saw last year and said they would steady _ we saw last year and said they would steady the _ we saw last year and said they would steady the ship, to rein in public spending. — steady the ship, to rein in public spending, they don't really want —— but they— spending, they don't really want —— but they don't really feel they can afford _ but they don't really feel they can afford more defence spending at the moment— afford more defence spending at the moment and i think ben wallace's continued — moment and i think ben wallace's continued pushes for that were a bit uncomfortable so i think part of giving _ uncomfortable so i think part of giving grant shapps thisjob uncomfortable so i think part of giving grant shapps this job would be a sort — giving grant shapps this job would be a sort of understanding that he is not _ be a sort of understanding that he is not going to do that, he's not going _ is not going to do that, he's not going to — is not going to do that, he's not going to put in that uncomfortable position _ going to put in that uncomfortable osition. ., ., going to put in that uncomfortable osition. . ,, , ., going to put in that uncomfortable osition. ., ~' , ., ., going to put in that uncomfortable osition. . ,, ., ., , position. thank you for “oining us, both.

vaccines to protect vulnerable people against covid and flu this winter will be rolled out a month earlier than planned in england after a new variant of coronavirus was detected. anybody aged over 65, older adult care home residents and people with compromised immune system are to receive jabs from the 11th of september. harry varley reports. preparing for winter. this new covid mutation has not yet been labelled a variant of concern. that would mean it had the potential to drive a fresh wave of illness. but health officials have decided to bring forward the flu and covid vaccine programmes as a precautionary move. so, in england, the vaccine rollout will begin from the 11th of september, a month earlier than planned. older adult care home residents, people who are clinically vulnerable and those over 65 will be called

to receive theirjabs, as well as health workers and carers. little is known about the new variant — ba 286 - but in the us, the centers for disease control and prevention has warned it could increase infection. we don't know all the details yet. what we do know does raise the possibility that this new variant could potentially evade current immunity to increased transmission, for example. and it could also potentially be of higher severity than variants that we've seen lately. in the uk, the government said scientists will continue to monitor the new variant and urged those eligible to get the jab. it's really important that people who are vulnerable get their immunity topped up by having a vaccine. that will help to protect them but it will also help, hopefully, to reduce the pressures which come every winter, but which may be particularly tough

on the nhs this winter. it's that fear about pressures on hospitals that's partly behind the decision to bring forward the vaccine programme this autumn. if those concerns that this new variant increases the risk of infection are proved right, then nhs england bosses warn it could be a very challenging winter ahead. harry farley, bbc news. that's it from me. plenty more from me online. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. hello there. the weather is looking promising this weekend and indeed into much of next week. this weekend and indeed we've got high pressure building in to bring settled, sunny, dry and warm weather for most of us. but back to the here and now, low pressure continues to bring a lot more cloud, outbreaks of rain for southern and western areas courtesy of these weather fronts. so the heaviest of the rain will be through the channel, particularly later on this evening and overnight. so this is how it's looking

for the rest of today. northern ireland, much of wales, central and southern england will see thicker cloud outbreaks of rain, but large parts of scotland, northeast and east england will stay dry with some good sunny spells here. variable cloud, up to 21 degrees in the east with some sunshine. generally, the mid—teens further south and west where we have the rain. now this evening of overnight could see an area of thundery rain move through the channel certainly for the channel islands. scraping along the south coast. further north would be rather cloudy. outbreaks of light and patchy rain, quite a mild, muggy night to come in the south, a little bit fresher across scotland where we have clear skies for friday. then we have that weather front lying across southern scotland, northern ireland, northern england, to the north of it, sunnier with one or two showers and an improving picture for the rest of england and wales. we should see the sunshine emerging into the afternoon. some good sunny spells around and just one or two showers. the odd heavier one. feeling warmer, 22 degrees across the southeast.

as we head through the weekend, though, high pressure builds in. it will be largely dry and sunny for most of us. we lose that weather front as we move through friday night, saturday and sunday, high pressure with us. but these weather fronts will continue to flirt with the north west of the uk to bring stronger winds and outbreaks of rain, especially on sunday. saturday, we have some mist and fog to contend with, that should melt away. lots of sunshine, more cloud, breeze across the northwest of scotland closer to those weather fronts. so we've got the high teens here, but it's warming up further south, up to 23 degrees or so across central and southern areas. sunday, similar story, early mist and fog clears, plenty of sunshine, but we will see outbreaks of rain, stronger winds for the highlands and islands. elsewhere, though, plenty of sunshine, top temperatures, 2a or 25 degrees, it will be warming up. and then as we head into next week, high pressure continues to bring a lot of dry settled weather, particularly towards southern and western areas. but there will be increasing threats of showers along spells of rain as we move deeper into the week.

live from london, this is bbc news. more than 70 people are killed at a fire in a block of flats in johannesburg.- fire in a block of flats in johannesburg. fire in a block of flats in johannesburu. . , . ., johannesburg. the fire was all over when we woke _ johannesburg. the fire was all over when we woke up. _ johannesburg. the fire was all over when we woke up. people - johannesburg. the fire was all over when we woke up. people started i when we woke up. people started jumping outside. when we woke up. people started jumping outside-—

jumping outside. grant shapps is a- ointed jumping outside. grant shapps is appointed as _ jumping outside. grant shapps is appointed as the _ jumping outside. grant shapps is appointed as the new _ jumping outside. grant shapps is appointed as the new defence i appointed as the new defence secretary, and promises to continue supporting ukraine. tropical storm idalia leaves a trail of destruction after heading up the us east coast. hello, i'm maryam moshiri. welcome to bbc news now. we start in south africa, where more than 70 people, including several children, have died in a fire at a five—storey block of flats in johannesburg. the emergency services said the building, in the city's former business district, had been abandoned and was used by homeless people. officials said many bodies were found pressed against a closed security gate. dozens of people were injured, and rushed to hospital. the cause has not yet been established. south african president cyril

ramaphosa, said it was a