go to the evening and overnight, we go to the evening and overnight, temperatures will hold up so it will be a beautiful start wednesday morning with lovely sunrise and a mild start and as we go to the day on wednesday, increasingly hot and humid, temperatures might peak at 31, 32 by the middle part of humid, temperatures might peak at 31,32 by the middle part of the week and a similar story as we go through thursday. the possibility of triggering a few sharp possibly thundery downpours in the west as we go through the day on thursday, but these will be few and far between and on the whole temperatures peaking at around 30 degrees once again and the story continues next weekend. does anyone does anyone ever does anyone ever say, you know what, you have done a good job because everyone else has sat on their arse

and done nothing? do you think the education secretary has done an effing good job? she and the prime minister are under siege over crumbling schools. rishi sunak says it's wrong to blame him for the school concrete crisis. gillian keegan appeared to suggest people should be thanking the government for the way it's handled the school safety row. just how damaging is this for the government? and what about the thousands of kids caught up in this? we'll talk to the woman who represents school governors across england and a man who used to be senior policy advisor to michael gove when he was education secretary. also tonight... as labour leader sir keir starmer reshuffles his top team, what does it tell us about the direction of the party ahead of the general election?

london mayor sadiq khan introduces another big policy which rolls out fully tomorrow — free school lunches for all children at state primary schools — another policy labour won't adopt nationally if it wins the next election. but what about headteachers�* fears they'll have to end up subsidising the meals from teaching budgets? teachers do not have to worry, you will sort any shortfall?— will sort any shortfall? working with the council. _ will sort any shortfall? working with the council. that - will sort any shortfall? working with the council. that is - will sort any shortfall? working with the council. that is yes? l will sort any shortfall? working i with the council. that is yes? yes, but _ with the council. that is yes? yes, but... just— with the council. that is yes? yes, but... just say— with the council. that is yes? yes, but... just say yes. but for the sake _ but... just say yes. but for the sake of— but... just say yes. but for the sake of context, we want, we work with the _ sake of context, we want, we work with the council so i want to be fair to— with the council so i want to be fair to the _ with the council so i want to be fair to the councils who deserve huge _ fair to the councils who deserve huge credit for working with us. and the man who founded kiss fm — a pirate radio station — in a squat in north london almost a0 years ago is honoured for his role. he's here to celebrate.

rishi sunak has often said �*judge me on my actions'. so whatjudgement will voters make after the claim that as chancellor he cut the schools repair budget by 50% — enough for 50 schools a year rather than 100, according to a former top civil servant at the department for education? the prime minister, for his part, has said it�*s �*utterly wrong�* to blame him and that he allocated money for building 50 schools a yearfor ten years. meanwhile, the education secretary appeared to suggest people should thank herfor doing "an effing good job", complaining about other people "having sat on their arse and done nothing". she later clarified that she was referring to the "good job" her dpeartment had done. headteachers at schools with dangerous raac concrete are still scrambling to find new classrooms or portacabins, or set up lessons in the school canteen or dance studios. kids are caught in the middle of it

— yet most of the 22,000 schools in england will open this week on time and with no safety issues. but who�*s right when it comes to the funding? here�*s ben. has a government being adequately funding the maintenance of schools, adequate to keep them set? the government insists it has come to its ten year school rebuilding programme. but the former chief civil servant at the department for education this morning said something quite different. he spoke about the number of schools the former chancellor and nine ipm rishi sunak committed to building back in 2021. ., ., ,,, 2021. the actual ask in the spending review in 2021 _ 2021. the actual ask in the spending review in 2021 was _ 2021. the actual ask in the spending review in 2021 was double _ 2021. the actual ask in the spending review in 2021 was double the - 2021. the actual ask in the spending review in 2021 was double the 100 l 2021. the actual ask in the spending | review in 2021 was double the 100 to 200, that is what we thought would be practical and i thought we would get that but the actual decision the chancellor took in 21 was to halve the size of the programme. that is completely — the size of the programme. that is completely and — the size of the programme. that is completely and utterly _ the size of the programme. that is completely and utterly wrong. - so what�*s the truth here? well, it�*s notable that rishi sunak

did not this morning deny any of the specifics ofjonathan slater�*s claims about the school rebuilding project, but instead defended himself by pointing out that the currently planned 50 schools a year rate of rebuilding was "in line" with previous years. let�*s take a look at the actual figures from the national audit office. this shows spending on rebuilding schools in england. you can see that it does fall quite sharply after 2020, from £750 million to around £450 million — though it is set to rise quite a lot by 2025, to more than £1 billion. though also note that these figures are not adjusted for inflation — so this post—2020 fall in real terms is actually bigger when adjusted for the fast rising prices we�*ve seen since then — almost a 50% drop.. what of it over a longer period? the labour party says that school capital budgets have been slashed ever since the conservatives came to power in 2010 and michael gove scrapped the building schools for

the future scheme. does that stack up? this shows total capital spending, so includes things like equipment and notjust school building repairs. and it�*s adjusted for inflation. you can see there is a chunky increase this year to £61; billion. but back in 2009 it was substantially higher — £9.8 billion. but is any of this is related to the raac concrete issue? mr slater suggests it is — but is that fair? well, an important piece of information here is a "condition of school buildings survey" — a major investigation by the education department in may 2021. this found that the total backlog maintenance need in the school estate summed to around £11.4 billion. with around £1.5 billion of that related to school roofs. this doesn�*t mean that all that is due to raac concrete, but it does show that professional surveyors identified a major necessary rebuilding job back then. but we are where we are. so how much could putting this right all cost the public purse?

it�*s impossible to be sure as we don�*t know the extent of the problem, and the situation of each school is likely to be different. but one credible estimate suggests the cost of repairing each affected school might be £5 million. 0n the very conservative assumption that only 100 schools are affected, that implies a bill of £500 million. but this almost certainly isn�*t the extent of it. it is important to remember that this material was notjust used in school buildings, it is likely present in many other public buildings, including hospitals, prisons, court buildings, leisure centres and other public realm buildings. i would centres and other public realm buildings. iwould be centres and other public realm buildings. i would be surprised if it was not in the billions. multiples of £500 million across different sectors. the need to find such sums could force the chancellor, jeremy hunt, to re—open his spending review envelope — assuming the gap is not

to be filled with more borrowing or cuts elsewhere. all that leaves, some argue, an object lesson in false economies when it comes to public spending. avoiding an outlay might save some money today, but there�*s a danger the bill simply gets deferred to tomorrow, particularly if it relates to an area where the money really does need to be spent, such as making ageing school buildings safe. and the final bill can ultimately be bigger than it otherwise would have been. nick is here. is this a mess of the government�*s making? it is nick is here. is this a mess of the government's making?— nick is here. is this a mess of the government's making? it is a mess but one that _ government's making? it is a mess but one that dates _ government's making? it is a mess but one that dates back _ government's making? it is a mess but one that dates back 60 - government's making? it is a mess but one that dates back 60 years . but one that dates back 60 years over multiple governments. there are two particular challenges for the current government, one is longer term and one short—term. the longer—term as did those relative cuts in capital spending is for the school budget dating back to 2010, did they help create this problem and did they exacerbate the problem? the shorter—term challenge for the government is, are they capturing the moment correctly? at the moment, you saw the video with those remarks

by the education secretary, gillian keegan, and some ministers wondering whether it is quite right that the first thing they say that you seem to hear from first thing they say that you seem to hearfrom rishi sunak and gillian keegan on this is about how very few schools relatively are affected by this and the view amongst ministers i have been talking to is the first thing you need to be hearing, the first thing that lodges in your mind as we are a government taking this problem very seriously. the view is that gillian keegan did improve her standing amongst conservative mps when she gave a statement in parliament this evening. her opening words were all about how the safety of children is this government�*s absolute priority and there was strong support for her but also some pretty pointed questions about, yes, we know there is funding for the capital expenditure in schools but what about the things of housing children in portacabins and what about transport costs? what children in portacabins and what about transport costs?— children in portacabins and what about transport costs? what is the mode were — about transport costs? what is the mode were widely _ about transport costs? what is the

mode were widely amongst - about transport costs? what is the mode were widely amongst tory i about transport costs? what is the i mode were widely amongst tory mps as a return to westminster today? share a return to westminster today? are re a return to westminster today? sire: pretty gloomy mood, a return to westminster today? jif9: pretty gloomy mood, it a return to westminster today? jif9 pretty gloomy mood, it was a return to westminster today? 9:9 pretty gloomy mood, it was a really bad start to the parliamentary term, heading towards conference season and it could be the last one before the general election and our senior figures in the conservative party who were willing to give rishi sunak the benefit of the doubt, who now have real doubts. 0ne former cabinet minister said to me, we are obviously heading for a very heavy general election defeat. what is interesting as before the summer, this cabinet minister but a defeat for the conservatives at a third chance on the other third was winning on the other third was a hung parliament but now it is a 100% chance that they lose and they say there are three problems. firstly, they said number 10 blew the summer with the offensive talking with small boats, they said they only highlighted the government�*s weakness in that area and the delay in the reshuffle, that mini reshuffle. they say that is undermining the authority of rishi sunak. the final problem is it is

absolutely right for rishi sunak to focus on delivery after liz truss but now we need vision. where is the vision? , , but now we need vision. where is the vision? , _ , but now we need vision. where is the vision? , , , :, :, but now we need vision. where is the vision? , , ., vision? they say it is too late. thank you very _ vision? they say it is too late. thank you very much. - we asked the government for an interview and they declined. let�*s talk to emma knights, the chief executive of the national governance association, which represents school governors in england, and sam freedman, a senior fellow at the institute for government and a former senior policy advisor at the department for education when michael gove was education secretary. welcome to both of you. emma knights, do you want to thank the education secretary or the government for the way they have handled this? it government for the way they have handled this?— handled this? it certainly has not been exemplary _ handled this? it certainly has not been exemplary. it _ handled this? it certainly has not been exemplary. it is _ handled this? it certainly has not been exemplary. it is really - been exemplary. it is really important that we do put the safety of children first and i don�*t imagine anybody in the country would disagree with that. but the timing of this is unfortunate, at best. the trouble is, we do not know all of the information that we need to know within the school sector in order to manage this but also i think parents want to know in order to make sure

that the school their child is being educated in is say. so we understand that there were possibly collapses over the summer, and importantly windows were, and it is really important that we know that in order to understand whether this very last minute contacting of skills could have been avoided stop right there with three new cases over the summer and gillian keegan talked about this in parliament, where raac graded noncritical had failed without warning and one of them was in a commercial setting and the second was in a school and a third in a school later in august. so that might lead to the timing that you are questioning? would you wait until the third collapse? particularly when you are that skills are about to open. i think it is right that we remember currently this is a small number of schools affected. but for those schools that

are affected, for their school leaders and for the governing boards, it is a huge deal to make sure that everything is safe and that their children receive the education they need as soon as possible. education they need as soon as ossible. :, :, , :, ~' possible. how do you think the government — possible. how do you think the government has _ possible. how do you think the government has handled - possible. how do you think the government has handled this? | possible. how do you think the | government has handled this? i possible. how do you think the - government has handled this? i go back to the — government has handled this? i go back to the same point, why do they wait for— back to the same point, why do they wait for the — back to the same point, why do they wait for the third collapse? they have _ wait for the third collapse? they have known about this since 2018, why are _ have known about this since 2018, why are schools only finding out a few days — why are schools only finding out a few days before the start of term? suddenly— few days before the start of term? suddenly buildings are not safe and they have _ suddenly buildings are not safe and they have to take action. as children— they have to take action. as children come back into schools. there _ children come back into schools. there are — children come back into schools. there are a _ children come back into schools. there are a lot of questions about the timing — there are a lot of questions about the timing and how much was known and when _ the timing and how much was known and when that still needs to come out. ~ :, ~ :, and when that still needs to come out. 9 :, ,, :, ., . out. what kind of advice might you rive the out. what kind of advice might you give the current _ out. what kind of advice might you give the current education - give the current education secretary?— give the current education secretary? give the current education secreta ? ~ :, :, secretary? well...! i would not advise her— secretary? well...! i would not advise her to _ secretary? well...! i would not advise her to quit. _ secretary? well...! i would not advise her to quit. there - secretary? well...! i would not advise her to quit. there were l advise her to quit. there were various— advise her to quit. there were various points today when she might have been— various points today when she might have been wondering about that. i need _ have been wondering about that. i need to— have been wondering about that. i need to get everything out, maximum transparency, get all of the

information out as quickly as possible. _ information out as quickly as possible, when did they know? get the list _ possible, when did they know? get the list of— possible, when did they know? get the list of schools out. get the list of — the list of schools out. get the list of schools that might be affected out, do not leave anything to be _ affected out, do not leave anything to be uncovered further down the line _ to be uncovered further down the line to— to be uncovered further down the line. to give us much reassurance as possible _ line. to give us much reassurance as possible to _ line. to give us much reassurance as possible to schools and parents and to limit _ possible to schools and parents and to limit the — possible to schools and parents and to limit the political damage. he to limit the political damage. hrs. worked to limit the political damage. h9 worked with michael gove from 2010 until 2013 is a policy adviser. what would you say the coalition government�*s attitude was then to repairing school buildings? 1 had government's attitude was then to repairing school buildings?- repairing school buildings? i had a ma'or repairing school buildings? i had a major amount _ repairing school buildings? i had a major amount of _ repairing school buildings? i had a major amount of frustration - repairing school buildings? i had a major amount of frustration in - repairing school buildings? i had a l major amount of frustration in 2010 because _ major amount of frustration in 2010 because a _ major amount of frustration in 2010 because a government decided to cut the building schools for the future programme that was understandable, it was— programme that was understandable, it was enormously expensive, but they did _ it was enormously expensive, but they did not put anything in its place — they did not put anything in its place. the replacement schemes have been far— place. the replacement schemes have been far too— place. the replacement schemes have been far too small from then onwards and i been far too small from then onwards and i sat— been far too small from then onwards and i sat in— been far too small from then onwards and i sat in rooms with treasury official— and i sat in rooms with treasury official saying, this is not enough money, — official saying, this is not enough money, and you are going to create a massive _ money, and you are going to create a massive long—term problem for yourselves if we have maintenance backlog _ yourselves if we have maintenance backlog. and we were ignored. and officials _ backlog. and we were ignored. and officials and the department have

gone _ officials and the department have gone back over and over again and in every— gone back over and over again and in every spending review and budget, they said _ every spending review and budget, they said we need more money, this maintenance bill is over {11.5 billion, — maintenance bill is over {11.5 billion, just growing and growing, and they— billion, just growing and growing, and they have been told no by successive chancellors and prime ministers — successive chancellors and prime ministers. those decisions, that short—termism is why we are here. they— short—termism is why we are here. they would — short—termism is why we are here. they would argue in 2010 that they inherited a very large deficit and they got elected on cutting the deficit and so they had to make choices. they might argue in 2019-20, we choices. they might argue in 2019—20, we have a pandemic and spent hundreds of billions on furlough and other schemes. there isn�*t enough money to go around. it isa it is a stupid choice because it ultimately cost more, it is not a reasonable _ ultimately cost more, it is not a reasonable way to spend money to ignore _ reasonable way to spend money to ignore a _ reasonable way to spend money to ignore a maintenance backlog because she will— ignore a maintenance backlog because she will have a bigger bill a few years— she will have a bigger bill a few years down the line, if you want to save _ years down the line, if you want to save money— years down the line, if you want to

save money and political priority, you need — save money and political priority, you need to do it in a way that is not building up problems for the future _ not building up problems for the future in — not building up problems for the future in that way. do not building up problems for the future in that way.— not building up problems for the future in that way. do you have any idea or do — future in that way. do you have any idea or do your— future in that way. do you have any idea or do your governors - future in that way. do you have any idea or do your governors and - idea or do your governors and members have any idea of the numbers of children going into school with potentially dangerous raac concrete? no, we have that number that is of the extra 104 identified, but there is also a number that are not yet identified for certain.— is also a number that are not yet identified for certain. because they haven't returned _ identified for certain. because they haven't returned questionnaires? l haven�*t returned questionnaires? yes, the department for education is following that up, but should it not have been done more urgently? 0bviously, have been done more urgently? obviously, we have been advising members if they haven�*t done that to do it as soon as possible. but there is absolutely this bigger question about the state of school buildings. i think which this debate is now coming to, especially in terms of capitalfunding. but there is coming to, especially in terms of capital funding. but there is also the day—to—day funding of maintenance of schools. and that has

become more and more problematic over the past decade. so we survey governors and academy trustees regularly and four out of ten of them are saying they are not happy with the condition of their schools, so these are the people responsible for making sure school buildings are adequate and they are saying, this is not good enough. it is adequate and they are saying, this is not good enough.— is not good enough. it is not “ust about mc. fl is not good enough. it is not “ust about mc. it fl is not good enough. it is not “ust about raac, it is i is not good enough. it is not “ust about raac, it is leaking i is not good enough. it is notjust about raac, it is leaking roofs . is not good enough. it is notjust l about raac, it is leaking roofs and draughty windows, whatever. thea;t about raac, it is leaking roofs and draughty windows, whatever. they are “ust sa in: , draughty windows, whatever. they are just saying. these _ draughty windows, whatever. they are just saying, these buildings _ draughty windows, whatever. they are just saying, these buildings are - draughty windows, whatever. they are just saying, these buildings are not. just saying, these buildings are not good enough, they are not fit for purpose. and yes, they have legal responsibility in most cases, a bit complicated, but they are responsible for the safety of children. yet they are relying on the department education to fund both in terms of revenue and capital enough to make sure buildings are a was about safe and fit for purpose —— department for education. {jut -- department for education. our understanding _ —— department for education. our understanding is from the treasury there is a capital underspend in the

department for education, so the money is there. the department for education, so the money is there.— department for education, so the money is there. the reason there is an underspend _ money is there. the reason there is an underspend because _ money is there. the reason there is an underspend because that - money is there. the reason there is an underspend because that is - money is there. the reason there is an underspend because that is the l an underspend because that is the programme rishi sunak signed off it is delayed, they cannot get the money— is delayed, they cannot get the money out of the door because they are not— money out of the door because they are not paying enough to contractors and contractors don't want to bid for projects and they can't find the staff to _ for projects and they can't find the staff to do — for projects and they can't find the staff to do them so they have delays which _ staff to do them so they have delays which has _ staff to do them so they have delays which has left their money which i imagine _ which has left their money which i imagine they will be able to use for some _ imagine they will be able to use for some of— imagine they will be able to use for some of the emergency repairs, it highlights — some of the emergency repairs, it highlights how big the long—term problem — highlights how big the long—term problem is. highlights how big the long-term roblem is. :, ,:, highlights how big the long-term roblem is. :, . ., , problem is. labour claimed they would fix things _ problem is. labour claimed they would fix things if _ problem is. labour claimed they would fix things if they - problem is. labour claimed they would fix things if they win - problem is. labour claimed they would fix things if they win the l would fix things if they win the next general election and in the same breath, they say, that would be no money to fix things. this same breath, they say, that would be no money to fix things.— no money to fix things. this is a very simple _ no money to fix things. this is a very simple problem, _ no money to fix things. this is a very simple problem, it - no money to fix things. this is a very simple problem, it needs l no money to fix things. this is a - very simple problem, it needs money spent _ very simple problem, it needs money spent on _ very simple problem, it needs money spent on it. _ very simple problem, it needs money spent on it, there is no reform and magical— spent on it, there is no reform and magical button to solve this problem without _ magical button to solve this problem without spending. whether labour or the conservatives win at some point, we will— the conservatives win at some point, we will have — the conservatives win at some point, we will have to deal with the fact we will have to deal with the fact we have — we will have to deal with the fact we have a — we will have to deal with the fact we have a huge spill for schools and hospitals _ we have a huge spill for schools and hospitals and it can't keep going up with more — hospitals and it can't keep going up with more of these cases are happening —— a huge mains bill. sam happening -- a huge mains bill. sam freedman and _

happening —— a huge mains bill. san freedman and emma knights a thank you for your time. keir starmer claims the reshuffle of his shadow cabinet today shows his party has "the strongest possible players on the pitch," but what does that actually mean for the make—up of his top team? today, he�*s ushered in several blair—era figures into senior positions, while people from the soft left of the party, like lisa nandy, have been demoted. are we seeing a new hard—headedness to the labour leader, and will that actually help him get to number 10? here�*s nick. a stern leader with a ruthless streak. an efficient shuffling of the pack, as keir starmer lived up to the old thatcher adage that a good leader knows how to carve the joint. 1 good leader knows how to carve the “oint. ~ :, good leader knows how to carve the “oint. ~ ., :, joint. i think we are going here, hello. which — joint. i think we are going here, hello. which one _ joint. i think we are going here, hello. which one are _ joint. i think we are going here, hello. which one are you? - joint. i think we are going here, hello. which one are you? and | joint. i think we are going here, - hello. which one are you? and signs that the labour _ hello. which one are you? and signs that the labour leader _ hello. which one are you? and signs that the labour leader has _ hello. which one are you? and signs that the labour leader has been - that the labour leader has been listening to his party�*s only living general election winner. lesson number one, usual deputy properly,

evenif number one, usual deputy properly, even if you are not soulmates. john prescott had a big title and a big department, ditto angela rayner. lesson number two, build a team in your image, and so a demotion for a tribune of the soft left. lesson number three, show you are serious about government come up with big beasts from labour�*s last spell in government. == beasts from labour's last spell in government-— beasts from labour's last spell in government. beasts from labour's last spell in rovernment. :, , government. -- government with big beasts. i government. -- government with big beasts- i don't— government. -- government with big beasts. i don't agree _ government. -- government with big beasts. i don't agree with _ government. -- government with big beasts. i don't agree with jeremy - government. -- government with big beasts. i don't agree with jeremy on | beasts. i don't agree with jeremy on this, people — beasts. i don't agree with jeremy on this, people didn't trust us on the economy— this, people didn't trust us on the economy or— this, people didn't trust us on the economy or with their taxes. and show ou economy or with their taxes. and show you have — economy or with their taxes. 9.19 show you have changed with a promotion for a standard—bearer of the blair wenger. shadow secretary of state, know you had a pretty tough message for the labour party when you stood for the leadership in 2015 which was essentially, tony blair may had a point. the party decided to go the other way, jeremy corbyn. do you see under this leadership of keir starmer a leader taking on that message you had all those years ago?

i think keir is facing the public. he wants — i think keir is facing the public. he wants to lead the country and manage — he wants to lead the country and manage the problems we have. you see rishi sunak. _ manage the problems we have. you see rishi sunak, he is mired in managing his party— rishi sunak, he is mired in managing his party and — rishi sunak, he is mired in managing his party and not the country. and so i his party and not the country. and so i think— his party and not the country. and so i think that under keir's leadership, we have dealt with some of the _ leadership, we have dealt with some of the reat— leadership, we have dealt with some of the real issues and problems that we faced _ of the real issues and problems that we faced as — of the real issues and problems that we faced as a party, tackling anti—semitism, rooting it out for the party, — anti—semitism, rooting it out for the party, showing we are proud and patriotic— the party, showing we are proud and patriotic and love and support our country. — patriotic and love and support our country, that we are strong on defence. — country, that we are strong on defence. and now our message is about— defence. and now our message is about renewing the country. this is not the team _ about renewing the country. this is not the team at _ about renewing the country. this is not the team at keir— about renewing the country. this is not the team at keir starmer - about renewing the country. this is not the team at keir starmer had i not the team at keir starmer had originally thought he would be taking into the general election. of the appointments that really excited him when he first appointed his shadow cabinet, the three people shadowing the three great offices of state, home secretary, foreign secretary and chancellor, over the last two years, they have all been demoted. a leader who learns and

then adapts, friends say. this demoted. a leader who learns and then adapts, friends say.— then adapts, friends say. this is a reshuffle in _ then adapts, friends say. this is a reshuffle in which _ then adapts, friends say. this is a reshuffle in which the _ then adapts, friends say. this is a reshuffle in which the biggest - reshuffle in which the biggest winners — reshuffle in which the biggest winners are _ reshuffle in which the biggest winners are people _ reshuffle in which the biggest winners are people on - reshuffle in which the biggest winners are people on the - reshuffle in which the biggest i winners are people on the blair right— winners are people on the blair right of— winners are people on the blair right of the _ winners are people on the blair right of the party— winners are people on the blair right of the party which - winners are people on the blair right of the party which is - winners are people on the blair right of the party which is in- winners are people on the blair. right of the party which is in some ways— right of the party which is in some ways quite — right of the party which is in some ways quite interesting _ right of the party which is in some ways quite interesting because . right of the party which is in some i ways quite interesting because keir starmer— ways quite interesting because keir starmer himself— ways quite interesting because keir starmer himself is _ ways quite interesting because keir starmer himself is very _ ways quite interesting because keir starmer himself is very much - ways quite interesting because keir starmer himself is very much a - starmer himself is very much a project — starmer himself is very much a project of the _ starmer himself is very much a project of the soft _ starmer himself is very much a project of the soft left, - starmer himself is very much a project of the soft left, london| project of the soft left, london labour— project of the soft left, london labour party _ project of the soft left, london labour party. the _ project of the soft left, london labour party. the bright - project of the soft left, london labour party. the bright hopel project of the soft left, london i labour party. the bright hope of people _ labour party. the bright hope of people like — labour party. the bright hope of people like ed _ labour party. the bright hope of people like ed miliband - labour party. the bright hope of people like ed miliband and - labour party. the bright hope of| people like ed miliband and polly toynbee — people like ed miliband and polly toynbee and _ people like ed miliband and polly toynbee. and in _ people like ed miliband and polly toynbee. and in many— people like ed miliband and polly toynbee. and in many ways, - people like ed miliband and polly toynbee. and in many ways, the| people like ed miliband and polly- toynbee. and in many ways, the group of people _ toynbee. and in many ways, the group of people who — toynbee. and in many ways, the group of people who get _ toynbee. and in many ways, the group of people who get together— toynbee. and in many ways, the group of people who get together and - of people who get together and say, thank— of people who get together and say, thank god _ of people who get together and say, thank god for— of people who get together and say, thank god for keir— of people who get together and say, thank god for keir starmer- of people who get together and say, thank god for keir starmer now, - of people who get together and say, l thank god for keir starmer now, they are people _ thank god for keir starmer now, they are people who— thank god for keir starmer now, they are people who can _ thank god for keir starmer now, they are people who can quote _ thank god for keir starmer now, they are people who can quote chapter- thank god for keir starmer now, theyl are people who can quote chapter and verse _ are people who can quote chapter and verse of— are people who can quote chapter and verse of philip — are people who can quote chapter and verse of philip gold's_ are people who can quote chapter and verse of philip gold's unfinished - verse of philip gold's unfinished revolution _ verse of philip gold's unfinished revolution. get _ verse of philip gold's unfinished revolution. get weepy- verse of philip gold's unfinished revolution. get weepy watching | verse of philip gold's unfinished - revolution. get weepy watching tony blair's _ revolution. get weepy watching tony blair's leaving — revolution. get weepy watching tony blair's leaving speech _ revolution. get weepy watching tony blair's leaving speech in _ revolution. get weepy watching tony blair's leaving speech in 2006. - revolution. get weepy watching tony blair's leaving speech in 2006. so. blair's leaving speech in 2006. so we have _ blair's leaving speech in 2006. so we have seen— blair's leaving speech in 2006. so we have seen the _ blair's leaving speech in 2006. so we have seen the transformationl blair's leaving speech in 2006. so. we have seen the transformation of the labour— we have seen the transformation of the labour party— we have seen the transformation of the labour party under— we have seen the transformation of the labour party under keir- we have seen the transformation of| the labour party under keir starmer and in— the labour party under keir starmer and in some — the labour party under keir starmer and in some ways, _ the labour party under keir starmer and in some ways, the _ the labour party under keir starmer. and in some ways, the transformation of keir— and in some ways, the transformation of keir starmer~ — and in some ways, the transformation of keir starmer. di— and in some ways, the transformation of keir starmer.— of keir starmer. a commentator on the conservative _ of keir starmer. a commentator on the conservative party _ of keir starmer. a commentator on the conservative party believes - of keir starmer. a commentator on the conservative party believes the j the conservative party believes the reshuffle will be a mild wake—up call number 10. for reshuffle will be a mild wake-up call number 10.— call number 10. for the tories, cominu call number 10. for the tories, coming on _ call number 10. for the tories, coming on a — call number 10. for the tories, coming on a day _ call number 10. for the tories, coming on a day when - call number 10. for the tories, coming on a day when they - call number 10. for the tories, coming on a day when they are | call number 10. for the tories, - coming on a day when they are facing lots of negative headlines, i think

to have what has been very calm and drama—free reshuffle on one side shows how far labour has come and that will upset the tories. i don�*t think they think it is game over at least a number 10, think they think it is game over at leasta number10, even think they think it is game over at least a number 10, even though some tory mps do, itjust as another sign it is quite hard—right now to depict labour as a very messy party and it is easierfor to do labour as a very messy party and it is easier for to do that for the tories —— quite hard for the right. the labour leader in command of his party and choosing a team he hopes will help him win over the country. nick walsh. the mayor of london, sadiq khan, is about to oversee the roll out of another of his big policies, and it�*s another one that labour nationally won�*t replicate in england if it wins the next election. last week, mr khan expanded ulez, despite sir keir starmer essentially blaming it for labour losing the uxbridge by—election. and tomorrow, in london, all children at state primary schools will get free school meals for one year. but there are concerns from some headteachers that they will end up subsidising those meals

from their teaching budget. i spoke to the labour mayor earlier today and asked if london�*s primary schools were ready to provide free meals to their pupils. we started working with schools, governors and councils a number of months ago. the good news is every single council in london — that�*s 33 councils, when you include the city of london corporation — has signed up to this. no school has said they�*re not ready. so that includes all primary schools, all pupil referral units and special schools. and it�*s begun today, in those schools that have reopened today. and the offer will mean almost 300,000 children benefiting, with a free school meal in primary schools. including kids whose parents can afford to pay for those meals. why is it a good use of people�*s money to pay for the meals of children whose parents are wealthy? well, the whole discussion about, you know, universal provision

can be used on any issue, whether it�*s the nhs, whether it�*s pensions or other issues. i speak from personal experience as somebody who was, you know, benefited from means—tested free school meals. because your parents couldn�*t afford it. i�*m asking you about kids whose parents might be millionaires, and you�*re using taxpayers�* money to pay for their free school lunches. what i remember is not the nice meal i had, i remember the queue to get my free school token. i remember sitting separately from my mates because they weren�*t receiving free school meals. still, to this day, i feel embarrassed. but also, i�*ve seen the benefit of children eating with other kids who are from different social backgrounds. there�*s a shortfall between what you are giving schools for these meals and what it is actually going to cost them to provide them. so, actually, you�*re forcing schools to subsidise these lunches out of their teaching budgets. so, that�*s not the case. so the government... well, it is. let me explain. well, let me tell you and i�*ll give you an example. sure. labour and westminster city council already provide free school meals

for their primary pupils. they pay three quid per meal, and you�*re giving schools £2.65 per meal. sure, if i can explain? so there are five boroughs in london that already provide free school meals. westminster�*s relatively new. the four boroughs that currently provide free school meals are southwark, islington, newham and tower hamlets. we work closely with them, as well as westminster. the government, the government currently provide £2.41 per meal for a child receiving free school meals. we�*re offering schools £2.65 for every child receiving a free school meal. the government�*s, by the way... yeah, it�*s enough. the government�*s now increased the numberfrom £2.41 to £2.53. so we�*ve separately put aside £5 million for those schools where there may be an additional cost. and those schools are going to be those schools that provide kosher meals, because they�*re more expensive than £2.65... let me read you this quote... ..and one or two others. before i finish... i�*m more than happy to answer your question. we�*ve also been working with school caterers.

so those are the companies that provide the free school meals. and if there is a shortfall between a school and the money they provide their caterers, or a shortfall between the council and the money they provide the caterers, we at city hall will provide the shortfall. 100% guaranteed? yeah. because let me read you this quote. deputy ceo of the london south east academies trust, neil miller, hugely supportive of the move, but... they run nine schools, by the way. ..he says, quote, "there will simply be no money left to meet the inevitable shortfall of the funding, with schools being left to subsidise every single meal." you�*re saying 100%, there�*s no way schools will have to subsidise these meals? no, we�*ve made sure we�*ve worked with every single council... so 100% guarantee, you will stump up the shortfall? yeah, i would ask the gentleman to contact his council, who will be in touch with us. the money we�*ve set aside is £135 million and it�*s based upon the census taken in 2022, but also, a figure far more generous, 10% more

than the government has given. the schools have received — now they should receive, the councils have — 50% of the monies already. another 25% in december. another 25% in easter. if there�*s a shortfall when the money leaves the councils�* accounts and goes to the schools, of course we�*ll speak to the councils and schools to solve that. headteachers do not have to worry. you�*re going to sort any shortfall? working with the councils, we will. that�*s a yes, is it? it is... 0k. butjust to reassure you... ijust need you to say yes, if it�*s a yes. no, but it is, butjust for the sake of context, as you appreciate, we haven�*t got the administration to deal with every single school in london, so we work with the council. understood. so i want to be fair to the councils who deserve huge credit for working with us. you�*re only giving funding for one year, this coming academic year. it�*s obviously the mayoral elections in may. you want another term. are you going to call this what it is, a bribe to voters? well, look, i�*m quite clear in relation to making sure i can fund the promise i made. so i was quite clear in relation to the promises i made in relation

to money we give to youth clubs, in relation to how i�*m going to fund it, for where the money is coming from. in relation to the fares freeze i had, where it�*s going to come from, in relation to this policy as well. so from business rates, we�*ve got £130 million set aside from business rates. there�*s another £5 million coming from city hall reserves, in relation to this one—year emergency funding to support families during the cost—of—living crisis. i want to ask you about the aftermath of the expansion of ulez, if i may? what do you think about the fact that this particular policy may have led to people saying, for example, "someone should kill you"? well, my answer�*s twofold. you know, firstly, i was incredibly close tojo cox. i mean, i rememberthe day, being informed ofjo�*s murder. the impact it had on me and my family. you know, protest, anger, demonstrations, petitions, you know,

being beastly to me, that�*s, you know, that�*s acceptable in a democracy and i�*ve got no problems with that at all. i�*m really happy to answer questions on any policy, have debates. but i think, you know, making threats to me, you know, the incitement to hatred towards me, my worry is, why would anybody encourage their son, daughter, nephew, niece, younger sibling to become a politician? why would anybody put their head above the parapet? why would anybody try and address a real serious issue about air pollution, the consequences of air pollution, with a policy that�*s been shown to work if this is the consequence? ulez was cited as a factor by sir keir starmer in labour losing the uxbridge by—election. how would you describe the relationship between you and sir keir starmer? pretty good. we spoke over the weekend. what about? well, it was his birthday on saturday. we had a nice chat on saturday. and, you know, listen, this is somebody i�*ve known for more than 25 years. we used to work together as lawyers. isupported him becoming

the leader of our party. this is somebody who has transformed our party�*s fortunes from the party that�*s received the worst vote since 1935 — and this is no comfort to me because i want to win the election — to being 15 points ahead in the polls now. and i will do whatever i can to make sure that we win the next general election. final question... i know you said being the mayor of london is the bestjob in politics, but do you want another crack at national politics one day? no, i�*m really excited about being the mayor. we have a labour government, so i spent the last seven years, i think, with five prime ministers and a government that�*s not just been anti—london, but putting obstacles in my way as the mayor. the idea of a labour government supporting us to build the genuinely affordable homes we need, the idea of a labour government supporting us with additional police officers, a mix of community support officers and investing in young people with youth clubs. the idea of a labour government having a pro—business agenda working with me is incredibly exciting. but if you don�*t win another term, are you saying you�*re not going to look then for a constituency somewhere around the country?

if i got elected, if — god forbid — was to lose the mayoral elections next may, you know, what i would not do is go into parliament. thank you. thank you for talking to newsnight, mr khan. the chief constable of the police service of northern ireland resigned today, having faced calls to quit over a string of controversies. joe is here. why did he go? going was easier than staying. ultimately, in recent days, simon byrne�*s power, his grip on officers, had dissipated and drained away and he survived crises before, notjust at the psni in previousjobs and in at the psni in previousjobs and in a previousjob he faced a at the psni in previousjobs and in a previous job he faced a 74 claims of gross misconduct and was cleared of gross misconduct and was cleared of all of them but this time he could not survive and there were two key recent crises. that data breach, the release of the details of 10,000 police staff, partial details, at least, and a recent high court judgment that twojunior least, and a recent high court judgment that two junior officers had been unlawfully dismissed for an

arrest at the troubles commemoration, this led to a backlash notjust from some political parties but policing unions and that led to a moment before the weekend were some thought his departure was reaching the point of inevitability.— of inevitability. what happens now? an chance of inevitability. what happens now? any chance of _ of inevitability. what happens now? any chance of things _ of inevitability. what happens now? any chance of things improving? . any chance of things improving? things can improve but it looks like a long road ahead, the deputy chief constable takes over in the interim, the policing board will start the recruitment process for a permanent replacement. who will want thatjob? it is difficult, it is job approved by the northern ireland justice minister and there is no northern ireland justice minister and the northern ireland secretary has to get involved, secondary legislation through parliament. the context is this no operating northern ireland executive and no permanent leadership of the police service and you have the security context, the terror threat level is as severe, an incident or an attack is highly

likely, and six months ago we saw that attack onjohn caldwell, the senior officer who was shot in front of his young son, you can see him here. he survived but with life changing injuries. therefore, the change of the boss, i suppose some would argue, certainly critics would argue this is against progress but data breaches exist and officers are worried about the safety and some are reconsidering their positions and some i have spoken to tonight say this is maybe a positive change but we need cultural change also and one party, the sdlp, are calling for a term of 50—50 recruitment to bring in more catholic officers and they believe that would boost the feelings towards the police force in that community.— feelings towards the police force in that communi . :, ,, , :, , . the founder of radio station kiss fm — which began as a pirate station — is about to join amy winehouse, david bowie, the kinks and soul ii soul in camden�*s walk of fame.

gordon mac was the youngest managing director of a radio station in the uk and the first to turn a pirate station into a legal one. after first bursting onto the airways in 1985 as a pirate station, kiss, the brainchild of dj gordon mac, was young, energetic and regularly taken off air by the authorities. dedicated to dance music, kiss fm pulled the plugs on their illegal operation once the new franchise was announced. the station we know now as kiss fm was a space for a younger demographic to black, urban, dance and reggae music. we felt, when we looked at what was missing in london, that both capital radio and actually radio 1 were tending to chase the demographics who were into the sort of 25—plus age group, and that there was a danger that a whole younger section of the population might feel themselves disenfranchised because there was no radio station specifically for them. we are all here for one reason,

and that�*s to go out, go across london and kick some arse. mac�*s time at the helm made him the youngest managing director of a radio station in the uk, and the first to take a pirate station to a legal offering. the station officially — and legally — relaunched in 1990, and with djs like normanjay, trevor nelson and danny rampling, grew to dominate the airwaves, paving the way for dance music as a viable commercial radio offering. this is gordon mac. there are no words to express the way i feel at this moment, so with your permission, i�*d just like to get something out of my system altogether... we�*re on air! after leaving kiss in 1988 and running a brixton bar, mac eventually went on to found mi—soul, a station of djs celebrating soul music. tomorrow, he�*lljoin the likes of amy winehouse, the who and david bowie on camden�*s music walk of fame, cementing his place in musical history.

gordon is here, congratulations! how do you feel about this honour? iatafheh do you feel about this honour? when i find out i was _ do you feel about this honour? when i find out i was blown _ do you feel about this honour? when i find out i was blown away. - do you feel about this honour? 95:1191 i find out i was blown away. really humbled. wonderful. did i find out i was blown away. really humbled. wonderful.— humbled. wonderful. did you ever exect to humbled. wonderful. did you ever expect to find _ humbled. wonderful. did you ever expect to find yourself _ humbled. wonderful. did you ever expect to find yourself in - humbled. wonderful. did you ever expect to find yourself in this kind | expect to find yourself in this kind of company, when you started out? no. when i started out all those years ago, a very long time ago, i set up kiss fm in 1985, it was to be a dj on the radio and play the music that myself and so many people, the listeners and the people and other djs and everybody, they love so much, and that is what it was about. it was not about getting awards. but after slogging their guts out, it is nice to get recognised, so i will take that! ,, :5 nice to get recognised, so i will take that! ,, ., :, , :, ., take that! quite a “ourney from that s: uat in take that! quite a “ourney from that squat in north — take that! quite a journey from that squat in north london _ take that! quite a journey from that squat in north london to _ take that! quite a journey from that squat in north london to being - take that! quite a journey from that | squat in north london to being taken off the air so many times and eventually you become legal! that

was a wonderful— eventually you become legal! t1919 was a wonderful finding stone. eventually you become legal! t199 was a wonderful finding stone. when we got the licence back in 1990, we find back in 1989, just before christmas, which was a wonderful christmas, which was a wonderful christmas present. none of us could believe that we had taken this pirate radio station and got it legalised. the next couple of years, i learned more than i earned, the honest truth! because learning about, dealing with big businesses,... virgin, emap, so you are managing. but it was an amazing time, it was an exciting time. iotofheh time, it was an exciting time. when ou to time, it was an exciting time. when you go back — time, it was an exciting time. when you go back to _ time, it was an exciting time. when you go back to the _ time, it was an exciting time. when you go back to the finding _ time, it was an exciting time. when you go back to the finding of - time, it was an exciting time. when you go back to the finding of it, - time, it was an exciting time. when you go back to the finding of it, it is difficult to actually imagine that the spaces for dance music and music of black origin were so limited back then? because music of

black origin is dominant in so many genre right now? totem; black origin is dominant in so many genre right now?— black origin is dominant in so many genre right now? very much so and back in the — genre right now? very much so and back in the day _ genre right now? very much so and back in the day it _ genre right now? very much so and back in the day it was _ genre right now? very much so and back in the day it was difficult - back in the day it was difficult that would let you go into it and play what we call black music or whatever, dance music, soul music. one of the great reasons about camden is the electric ballroom, every saturday night and friday night, every friday night especially, they used to have an amazing gig with george power, one of the founders of beep, and paul anderson, also being honoured he is a local hero and one of the best djs this country produced but was never organised for it. camden was the hub and we had ourfirst para studios in my first office, which is not called kiss fm, it was called gutford

promotions. camden was a hotbed of creativity with soul ii soul and everything else.— creativity with soul ii soul and everything else. when you look at radio stations _ everything else. when you look at radio stations now, _ everything else. when you look at radio stations now, including - everything else. when you look at radio stations now, including kiss| radio stations now, including kiss fm, do you see a kind of uniformity to the big commercial beasts? yes. fm, do you see a kind of uniformity to the big commercial beasts? yes, i think there are _ to the big commercial beasts? yes, i think there are three _ to the big commercial beasts? yes, i think there are three main _ to the big commercial beasts? yes, i think there are three main players i think there are three main players in the radio industry, the bbc is one of them, global and bauer they own the majority but you have the specialists, you have mi—soul and mi—soul is my latest station, running for ten years, and we have the old djs are used to be on the pirate stations, greg edwards and brandon block and they are on my, they are on mi—soul because the age group has grown up. t they are on mi-soul because the age group has grown up— group has grown up. i have got two teenate group has grown up. i have got two teenage boys _ group has grown up. i have got two teenage boys and _ group has grown up. i have got two teenage boys and they _ group has grown up. i have got two teenage boys and they do - group has grown up. i have got two teenage boys and they do not - group has grown up. i have got two | teenage boys and they do not listen to the radio for music, maybe 5 live sport for a match but mostly they

watch that on tv but they get music