a high—level, and high—stakes, meeting could happen this month between north korea's leader kim jong—un and russian president vladimir putin, which could impact the war in ukraine. according to us officials, kimjong—un is expected to make a rare visit overseas and discuss the possibility of north korea providing moscow with weapons to support its war in ukraine. the exact location of the planned meeting is not clear. in a statement, us national security officials say that arms negotiations between russia and north korea are actively advancing. but when asked about this possible summit, the kremlin spokesperson said he had says nothing to say on this and couldn't confirm the meeting. earlier, i spoke to fyodor tertitskiy, who is a leading researcher at kookmin university, in seoul, and an author of of several books on north korean history and military.

i asked him, if this meeting going to happen, what would it be about? assuming it does take place, i think russia will want to focus on the war with ukraine. if this meeting happens, it probably means they have already secured china's blessing, because nothing substantial involving north korean relations happens without beijing giving implicit consent. so, if it happens and if they have some substantial developments, then russia will probably focus on getting ammunition for its war in ukraine. and what does north korea want out of it? north korea, once again, assuming there would be successful results form this meeting, which is a bit of an if, north korea would want food, oil and money, because they are experiencing quite a substantial food crisis due to its extreme isolation after the coronavirus pandemic. what is the dynamic

between the two leaders? president putin and kimjong—un have met in the past, what do you think this meeting will be like if it does go ahead? the reason is that this meeting would be as empty as they one they already had is because there is always an elephant in the room, which is china nad xijingping. which is china and xijingping. russia doesn't do anything on the north korean direction without chinese authorisataion and china does not want to lose its monopoly of influence. so i would say that any deals or anything that happens will only happen if china would agree. and please do remember that while these relations are called bilateral, they are in fact trilateral and beijing is a huge player. interesting.

so, who do you think needs this meeting more? ironically, i think it would probably be kimjong—un. the russian invasion is not progressing nearly as well as putin would have hoped but north korea is in a state of dire economic crisis, so it would like to have some aid from russia, that would be my perspective. of course, i can be wrong. birmingham city council, the largest local authority in europe, has effectively declared bankruptcy. it issued a section 114 notice, which blocks spending on all but essential services. birmingham called an unofficial spending freeze injune after it revealed a £760 million equal pay bill, while it attempted to resolve its financial issues. here's our midlands correspondent, navteonhal, in birmingham with the latest. these issues have been

brewing now for not just months but for years. this all began really a decade ago, when a landmark court case ruled that birmingham city council had to pay an unequal pay dispute, the claims that emerged from that, mainly to female staff or to staff that would traditionally be in roles that were done by female staff, for example teaching assistants and cleaners. the bill for that so far over the last decade or so has been more than £1 billion. but then earlier this summer, at emerged that on top of what has already been paid there was another up to £760 million to pay as part of that ongoing equal pay liability as well. and that's what's really forced the hand of birmingham city council to make this announcement today. there are other issues at play here as well, a botched it system, the roll—out of which and the implimentation of that has cost the city council around £100 million. and then there are the issues we know all local authorities up and down the country been

dealing with — the increasing cost of social care, the shortfall from the pandemic. those issues have really come to a head to the point where today we have seen this notice being issued. and this has been bubbling across the summer. just a week or so ago, we heard that birmingham city council had offered its more than 10,000 staff the opportunity to be given a severance payment to essentially leave theirjobs in order to help foot at this bill. the problems were so extreme that, earlier this summer, the prime minister ruled out in the end a bailout for birmingham city council as well, so that gives you an idea of how we've got to this point. what this section 114 notice means is that the council is essentially waving the white flag and saying that it cannot foot the bill that it is forced

to pay, that it must pay as part of this equal pay liability. so this is really the final straw, the final card it had up its sleeve to play in terms of getting itself out of this hole. it's not the first council that's done this, there are others across the uk that have also been forced to be in this position is well, the likes of thurrock, croydon, northamptonshire have recently also issued section 114 notices, but as you said in your introduction, this is the uk's and europe's biggest local authority, and it's huge news here for the city of birmingham. here's how birmingham city councillor sharon thompson announced the news at a meeting on tuesday morning. today's issuing of the section 114 notice is a necessary step as we seek to get our city back on sound financial footing so that we can build a stronger city for our residents. this is a challenging time for the council, but we are doing everything that we possibly can to continue supporting the people of birmingham,

the staff that work in this authority, and everybody else who are a stakeholder across the city. as a city we've done some tremendous things over the years, and i want to make it clear that whilst the council is facing some significant challenges, the broader city is still very much still open for business. the grandfather of ten—year—old sara sharif, who was found dead last month at her home in surrey, has spoken to the bbc. he confirmed that he had met his son, sara's father, in pakistan, who told him sara had died in an accident. post—mortem tests found sara sustained multiple and extensive injuries. urfan sharif left the uk before his daughter's body was discovered, along with his partner and his brother. surrey police want to speak to the three of them, but so far they have not been found. the little girl's grandfather, muhammed sharif, has been talking to our pakistan correspondent, caroline davies. did urfan tell you what had happened to sara? translation: it was an accident,

nothing more than that. _ how it happened, he didn't say. whenever urfan will come out, and he will explain to police here and in the uk and will face the case. he can't live in hiding for a long time. after sara died, did he explain to you why he had come to pakistan? because of fear. what was he afraid of? his daughter died, and when you undergo so much trauma, obviously, you can't think properly. they returned out of fear, nothing else. what was sara like a little girl? in english: very nice, very beautiful. - very lovely. translation: i'm - saddened because of my granddaughter, she died.

the grief will always stay with me for the rest of my life. he has a message for urfan sharif, beinash batool and faisal malik. wherever they are, they will be able to listen to this. i say they should come out, defend their case, whatever it is. i don't say they should stay in hiding. earlier, i spoke to caroline about what she learnt from that interview. it seems incredibly obvious that muhammad shariff and the rest of urfan sharif�*s family feel under increasing pressure from the pakistan police. i was speaking to him at a court where he has appeared multiple times, accusing the pakistan police of holding multiple members of the family, they say, illegally in detention while they are questioning them. the police have said they will not continue to arrest the brothers and on this occasion say they do not have these family

members and the court has orded a review into what has happened here, which will not come back for another two weeks. the pressure the family feel that they are under, he was talking about the fact that some of his sons have now gone on the run, he said that the family themselves feel like they can't speak to people because others know police are watching them so they are very nervous about that as well. it's clear he is feeling a large amount of pressure from the police authorities. we also know, because we've been speaking to the police authorities over the last couple of weeks, how much pressure they feel, they are under pressure to try and get some answers. at the moment, the family has not been located and despite the range of different leads that the police say they have been searching for, we still have had no further information.

in the in the last hour or so, the education secretary, gillian keegan, has told the bbc that she accepts that august was the worst time to our schools in england to take action over fears about crumbling concrete. gillian keegan apologised to parents and pupils for the disruption. we can now go to my colleague and political correspondent matt damian grammaticas, to get more on the latest. gillian keegan has still spoken to the bbc. what more has she said about the concerns over this crumbling concrete in what is now more than 100 schools? essentially, she repeated — more than 100 schools? essentially, she repeated her _ more than 100 schools? essentially, she repeated her apology _ more than 100 schools? essentially, she repeated her apology from - she repeated her apology from yesterday. remember, she was caught on camera at the end of an interview, she thought the interview was finished, after that she turned aside and made a comment that was

caught because the camera was still rolling, and she swore, and she said something along the lines of "why does nobody say well done for a good job." she was asked about that comment. she said that was not referring to other members of the government, not referring to the prime minister. she said it was referred to the frustration, particularly about the fact that the government had asked schools and education bodies to try to identify which buildings have less concrete which buildings have less concrete which is in danger of collapsing. 95% of them had returned to government's surveys, 5% hadn't. she said it was probably of her frustration. hopefully, all this publicity will make them get off their backsides, she said. still

slightly betraying her frustration their backsides, she said. still slightly betraying herfrustration i think as she tried to explain it. but she was saying that the government will treat every school in which they find this type of concrete as one in which action has to be taken. it will seek to take measures in every school where it is found. we measures in every school where it is found. ~ ., measures in every school where it is found. ., ., ., measures in every school where it is found. ., ., , found. we can now go live to james saunders” — head teacher of honywood school, in the southeast england county of essex. to tell us what predicament your school is in at the moment. we are obviously a — school is in at the moment. we are obviously a school _ school is in at the moment. we are obviously a school that _ school is in at the moment. we are obviously a school that has - school is in at the moment. we are obviously a school that has got - school is in at the moment. we are i obviously a school that has got raac concrete _ obviously a school that has got raac concrete in _ obviously a school that has got raac concrete in it. that has an impact on 22 _ concrete in it. that has an impact on 22 of— concrete in it. that has an impact on 22 of our— concrete in it. that has an impact on 22 of our classrooms and 22 other spaces. _ on 22 of our classrooms and 22 other spaces. that— on 22 of our classrooms and 22 other spaces, that is about half of our

schooh — spaces, that is about half of our schooh we _ spaces, that is about half of our school. we are quite a small school, so we _ school. we are quite a small school, so we don't — school. we are quite a small school, so we don't have enough classes to open _ so we don't have enough classes to open the _ so we don't have enough classes to open the school fully. at most we can get _ open the school fully. at most we can get three year groups in. until we can— can get three year groups in. until we can get— can get three year groups in. until we can get an alternative solution to opening — we can get an alternative solution to opening the site and fill, we will have — to opening the site and fill, we will have to resort to a router of remote — will have to resort to a router of remote learning, akin to covid, for two your— remote learning, akin to covid, for two your groups. you remote learning, akin to covid, for two your grown-— remote learning, akin to covid, for two your groupe— two your groups. you have been a- ealinu two your groups. you have been appealing for — two your groups. you have been appealing for marquees - two your groups. you have been appealing for marquees to - two your groups. you have been j appealing for marquees to serve two your groups. you have been i appealing for marquees to serve as classrooms? i appealing for marquees to serve as classrooms?— appealing for marquees to serve as classrooms? i have been doing all i can to find — classrooms? i have been doing all i can to find any _ classrooms? i have been doing all i can to find any kind _ classrooms? i have been doing all i can to find any kind of— classrooms? i have been doing all i can to find any kind of structure - classrooms? i have been doing all i can to find any kind of structure we| can to find any kind of structure we can to find any kind of structure we can put— can to find any kind of structure we can put onto — can to find any kind of structure we can put onto our field to turn into a classroom, because none of us here want to— a classroom, because none of us here want to go— a classroom, because none of us here want to go back to remote learning. we want _ want to go back to remote learning. we want the children to be here on side, _ we want the children to be here on side, and _ we want the children to be here on side, and the quicker we can do that the hetter~ — side, and the quicker we can do that the better. ~ ., , ., ~' side, and the quicker we can do that the better. ~ ., ,, ., the better. what you think about the comments we _ the better. what you think about the comments we had _ the better. what you think about the comments we had from _ the better. what you think about the comments we had from the - the better. what you think about the | comments we had from the education secretary and just recently today? what you think about her handling of the situation?— the situation? well, i haven't spent too much time _ the situation? well, i haven't spent too much time thinking _ the situation? well, i haven't spent too much time thinking about - the situation? well, i haven't spent too much time thinking about it - too much time thinking about it because — too much time thinking about it because i— too much time thinking about it because i have just been dealing with the — because i have just been dealing with the problem. tell you my

comment— with the problem. tell you my comment about yesterday's comment. it is, comment about yesterday's comment. it is, hey, _ comment about yesterday's comment. it is, hey, we— comment about yesterday's comment. it is, hey, we are not all monks, are we? — it is, hey, we are not all monks, are we? we _ it is, hey, we are not all monks, are we? we have probably all have our discretion is at the time, however— our discretion is at the time, however they are not all recorded. however. — however they are not all recorded. however. i— however they are not all recorded. however, i quite like a compliments when _ however, i quite like a compliments when i _ however, i quite like a compliments when i cook— however, i quite like a compliments when i cook dinner for my wife, but i when i cook dinner for my wife, but i usually— when i cook dinner for my wife, but i usually fish — when i cook dinner for my wife, but i usually fish for the compliment at the end _ i usually fish for the compliment at the end of— i usually fish for the compliment at the end of the meal. let's wait till the end of the meal. let's wait till the end _ the end of the meal. let's wait till the end of— the end of the meal. let's wait till the end of this and we will decide who deserves a thank you at the end. the most _ who deserves a thank you at the end. the most recent, you have just spoke about, _ the most recent, you have just spoke about, i_ the most recent, you have just spoke about, idon't— the most recent, you have just spoke about, i don't think that is aimed at me _ about, i don't think that is aimed at me particularly, because i am a school— at me particularly, because i am a school that— at me particularly, because i am a school that could fill out the questionnaire, i was then put in touch— questionnaire, i was then put in touch with — questionnaire, i was then put in touch with the dfee and then they kindiy— touch with the dfee and then they kindly surveyed at the school for us and commissioned a report. that report— and commissioned a report. that report is— and commissioned a report. that report is what identify that we had raac _ report is what identify that we had raac. however, ithink report is what identify that we had raac. however, i think the report is what identify that we had raac. however, ithink the issue is that the _ raac. however, ithink the issue is that the policy changed. 0ur raac was deemed high, medium and low, a

combination— was deemed high, medium and low, a combination of those three. there was a _ combination of those three. there was a higher rating, critical, we didn't— was a higher rating, critical, we didn't have _ was a higher rating, critical, we didn't have any of that. no policy going _ didn't have any of that. no policy going into — didn't have any of that. no policy going into these summer holiday was the only— going into these summer holiday was the only raac rated critical needed immediate attention. we were following that policy right up until august. _ following that policy right up until august, when we were still engaging with the _ august, when we were still engaging with the dfee to organise an additional survey and plan for remedial— additional survey and plan for remedial work overtime, and then the policy— remedial work overtime, and then the policy change to be any room with raac_ policy change to be any room with raac could no longer be used. at the moment you're _ raac could no longer be used. at the moment you're on _ raac could no longer be used. at the moment you're on the _ raac could no longer be used. at the moment you're on the lookout - raac could no longer be used. at the moment you're on the lookout for - moment you're on the lookout for donations for marquees to help students to be able to teach them. but what is the longer term solution for this? what might your skill have to do? we for this? what might your skill have to do? ~ ., ., ., for this? what might your skill have to do? . . ., ., . ~' for this? what might your skill have to do? ~ ., ., ., ., ,, to do? we have got to make those rooms accessible _ to do? we have got to make those rooms accessible again, _ to do? we have got to make those rooms accessible again, that - to do? we have got to make those rooms accessible again, that takes to do? we have got to make those i rooms accessible again, that takes a period _ rooms accessible again, that takes a period of— rooms accessible again, that takes a period of time. we have already done quite a _ period of time. we have already done quite a hit _ period of time. we have already done quite a bit of work, we have already commissioned some structural engineers. i have got survey and

some _ engineers. i have got survey and some planning happening and starting this week _ some planning happening and starting this week. but that is going to take two weeks. — this week. but that is going to take two weeks, just to design the propping _ two weeks, just to design the propping system that is going to be installed _ propping system that is going to be installed in each classroom. so, i've installed in each classroom. so, i've got— installed in each classroom. so, i've got few weeks where they are inaccessible. after that we will then— inaccessible. after that we will then have to begin the construction on a room — then have to begin the construction on a room at a time. i'm hopeful that— on a room at a time. i'm hopeful that i_ on a room at a time. i'm hopeful that i have — on a room at a time. i'm hopeful that i have term i can maybe open a further— that i have term i can maybe open a further ten — that i have term i can maybe open a further ten classrooms, if all goes according — further ten classrooms, if all goes according to plan, but it could take according to plan, but it could take a bit longer— according to plan, but it could take a bit longer than that. i think to -et a bit longer than that. i think to get this— a bit longer than that. i think to get this whole thing done it is going — get this whole thing done it is going to — get this whole thing done it is going to take us well into next year. — going to take us well into next year. may— going to take us well into next year, may be easter, that we have completed — year, may be easter, that we have completed all of the work. that is not a _ completed all of the work. that is not a good — completed all of the work. that is not a good and a solution on its own, _ not a good and a solution on its own, because it leaves us with potentially a lockdown that is even longer _ potentially a lockdown that is even longer than the pandemic, and we 'ust longer than the pandemic, and we just can't— longer than the pandemic, and we just can't risk the impact of that on children. so, whilst we are a set of four— on children. so, whilst we are a set of four remote learning, it is a short-term _ of four remote learning, it is a short—term measure. weight then need

to find _ short—term measure. weight then need to find alternative ways to get children — to find alternative ways to get children on site, face—to—face with their— children on site, face—to—face with their teachers learning, not only for their— their teachers learning, not only for their academic progress, but for their mental health.— their mental health. aren't that im ortant their mental health. aren't that important point, _ their mental health. aren't that important point, how— their mental health. aren't that important point, how are - their mental health. aren't that important point, how are the i important point, how are the children who have been displaced? i've out tomorrow, because they start _ i've out tomorrow, because they start to — i've out tomorrow, because they start to return tomorrow. just the year — start to return tomorrow. just the year sevens — start to return tomorrow. just the year sevens were scheduled to start today, _ year sevens were scheduled to start today, but _ year sevens were scheduled to start today, but we but they laid that start _ today, but we but they laid that start so — today, but we but they laid that start so we could finish getting the school _ start so we could finish getting the school ready. i will find out tomorrow. school ready. i will find out tomorrow— school ready. i will find out tomorrow. ., ., , ., tomorrow. thank you for sharing your sto and tomorrow. thank you for sharing your story and good _ tomorrow. thank you for sharing your story and good luck _ tomorrow. thank you for sharing your story and good luck with _ tomorrow. thank you for sharing your story and good luck with your - tomorrow. thank you for sharing your story and good luck with your hunt. story and good luck with your hunt for the marquees. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news a mid bedfordshire by—election has been called for october 19, after conservative mp nadine dorries said she would vacate her seat. the former culture secretary,

ms dorries was elected five times in the historically safe seat. but the conservatives are wary of any electoral test as the party trails far behind labour in national polling. the electoral commission says it failed a basic cyber—security test run by the uk government before it was hacked last month. names and addresses of 40 million voters were accessible. a spokeswoman for the commission admitted the failings, but claims they weren't linked to the cyber—attack. she also added that the commission had still not passed the test. an original proof of harry potter and the philosopher's stone that was rediscovered at a primary school could be worth thousands of pounds. the book was found at st kenelm's primary school, in oxford. it was bought for e1 in 1997. it is expected to fetch up to £20,000 at auction. you're live with bbc news. scotland's first minister's humza

yousaf is due to give a statement shortly on his government has 's new programme for holyrood. humza yousaf said that childcare would be at the centre of his government's policy agenda for the coming year. he said improving access to childcare is a win—win forfamilies and improving access to childcare is a win—win for families and the economy. msps will debate the proposals this week in parliament. let's go now to scotland and our correspondent, james shaw. let's start at the beginning. explain about the speech is important and how significant it is.— about the speech is important and how significant it is. humza yousaf became the _ how significant it is. humza yousaf became the first _ how significant it is. humza yousaf became the first minister- how significant it is. humza yousaf became the first minister of- became the first minister of scotland five months ago after a leadership election for the snp, the party that govern scotland. the first five months of his time as first minister were dominated by the

troubles of his predecessor, nicola sturgeon. as he begins to speak now, this isn't really his first chance to stamp his mark on the scottish government. —— this is really his first chance. i government. -- this is really his first chance-— government. -- this is really his first chance. ., , , ., , first chance. i mentioned his story, presidin: first chance. i mentioned his story, presiding officer, _ first chance. i mentioned his story, presiding officer, because - first chance. i mentioned his story, presiding officer, because there i first chance. i mentioned his story, presiding officer, because there is| presiding officer, because there is no way— presiding officer, because there is no way that my grandfather all those decades— no way that my grandfather all those decades ago could have supported his five children and been a successful small— five children and been a successful small business owner if it was not for the support of society— it was not for the support of society and of the state. at a time when he really needed _ the state. at a time when he really needed it— the state. at a time when he really needed it the government was there to support _ needed it the government was there to support him financially, that in turn help— to support him financially, that in turn help to unleash his entrepreneurial spirit. over the decades— entrepreneurial spirit. over the decades he created jobs and contribute to significantly to society, _ contribute to significantly to society, not least radio taxis that he paid — society, not least radio taxis that he paid. there is no doubt in my mind— he paid. there is no doubt in my mind that— he paid. there is no doubt in my mind that economic growth goes hand in hand _ mind that economic growth goes hand in hand with _

mind that economic growth goes hand in hand with tackling poverty, as it did for— in hand with tackling poverty, as it did for my— in hand with tackling poverty, as it did for my grandfather all those years— did for my grandfather all those years ago. the programme for government i am publishing today is unashamedly anti—poverty and through growth _ unashamedly anti—poverty and through growth it— unashamedly anti—poverty and through growth. it has a focus on supporting women _ growth. it has a focus on supporting women who— growth. it has a focus on supporting women who are disproportionately affected _ women who are disproportionately affected by the pressures of modern life, including through expanding our childcare offer. when i became first minister i promised i would read _ first minister i promised i would read a _ first minister i promised i would read a comment for the whole country — read a comment for the whole country in _ read a comment for the whole country. in this chamber we must never— country. in this chamber we must never forget that while we disagree sometimes, there is far more that unites— sometimes, there is far more that unites us— sometimes, there is far more that unites us than divides us. over the last two— unites us than divides us. over the last two years, the snp and scottish green _ last two years, the snp and scottish green party have successfully worked together— green party have successfully worked together to build a greener, fairer scotland — together to build a greener, fairer scotland. in a world full of uncertainty, people rightly expect their elected representatives to work— their elected representatives to work together constructively, and that is— work together constructively, and that is exactly what we have done.

to all— that is exactly what we have done. to all that — that is exactly what we have done. to all that the parties represented in that— to all that the parties represented in that this chamber, i repeat the offer— in that this chamber, i repeat the offer i _ in that this chamber, i repeat the offer i made upon becoming first minister~ — offer i made upon becoming first minister. you will sometimes disagree _ minister. you will sometimes disagree with things, but when you can, work— disagree with things, but when you can, work with us. you will find that— can, work with us. you will find that my— can, work with us. you will find that my door is always open. i have already— that my door is always open. i have already shared my willingness to work _ already shared my willingness to work with — already shared my willingness to work with others in recent months. but we _ work with others in recent months. but we should also remember the words _ but we should also remember the words of— but we should also remember the words of the late david mcletchie, he warned — words of the late david mcletchie, he warned about worshipping the false god — he warned about worshipping the false god of consensus. in that vein, _ false god of consensus. in that vein, the — false god of consensus. in that vein, the government i lead will not simply— vein, the government i lead will not simply coalesce around commented on the nature _ simply coalesce around commented on the nature. forthe simply coalesce around commented on the nature. for the good of society, for the _ the nature. for the good of society, for the future of our children, where — for the future of our children, where we _ for the future of our children, where we need to we will pick a side _ where we need to we will pick a side in — where we need to we will pick a side. in particular, while other political— side. in particular, while other political parties are abdicating the responsibilites to tackle the climate _ responsibilites to tackle the climate emergency, we will be unapologetic in taking the action we need to— unapologetic in taking the action we need to ensure a sustainable future for our— need to ensure a sustainable future for our children and planet.

presiding officer, this programme is an opportunity to be explicit about the driving mission of this government. let me make it abundantly clear— we are a government you will maximise every single _ government you will maximise every single lever at our disposal to tackle — single lever at our disposal to tackle the scourge of poverty in our country _ tackle the scourge of poverty in our country we — tackle the scourge of poverty in our country. we have adopted progressive tax and _ country. we have adopted progressive tax and spending policies to face those _ tax and spending policies to face those challenges. i will never shy away _ those challenges. i will never shy away from — those challenges. i will never shy away from the belief that those who own the _ away from the belief that those who own the moose should pay the most. but let— own the moose should pay the most. but let me _ own the moose should pay the most. but let me be equally clear, with file any— but let me be equally clear, with file any equivocation, we also need to support — file any equivocation, we also need to support economic growth. not for its own— to support economic growth. not for its own sake, but so that we can tackle _ its own sake, but so that we can tackle poverty and improve our public— tackle poverty and improve our public services. the unfortunate reality— public services. the unfortunate reality is — public services. the unfortunate reality is that the scottish government is currently operating with one _ government is currently operating with one hand tied behind our back. scotland _ with one hand tied behind our back. scotland has had no control over the fallout— scotland has had no control over the fallout from the uk government's disastrous mini budget or brexit or

over a _ disastrous mini budget or brexit or over a decade of austerity. however, we still— over a decade of austerity. however, we still have — over a decade of austerity. however, we still have to deal with the devastating consequences of those actions~ _ devastating consequences of those actions~ to — devastating consequences of those actions. to give just one example. in actions. to give just one example. in at— actions. to give just one example. in at the _ actions. to give just one example. in at the past five years we have spent _ in at the past five years we have spent more than £700 million in countering — spent more than £700 million in countering the impact of westminster welfare _ countering the impact of westminster welfare cuts alone. that is why this government will never stop believing that decisions about scotland should not he _ that decisions about scotland should not be made by a government based in westminster, but by the people of scotland — scotland. applause thank you. can ijust remind members that should _ thank you. can ijust remind members that should he — thank you. can ijust remind members that should be no _ thank you. can ijust remind members that should be no interruptions- thank you. can ijust remind members that should be no interruptions or- that should be no interruptions or interventions _ that should be no interruptions or interventions of— that should be no interruptions or interventions of any _ that should be no interruptions or interventions of any kind - that should be no interruptions or interventions of any kind during . that should be no interruptions or. interventions of any kind during the statement? — interventions of any kind during the statement? , . ., , , statement? independent country is comparable — statement? independent country is comparable to _ statement? independent country is comparable to scotland _ statement? independent country is comparable to scotland are - statement? independent country is l comparable to scotland are wealthier than the _ comparable to scotland are wealthier than the uk. the question we must ourselves— than the uk. the question we must ourselves is, — than the uk. the question we must ourselves is, why not scotland? in proposing — ourselves is, why not scotland? in proposing the case for independence we will— proposing the case for independence we will set _ proposing the case for independence we will set out a positive vision

for scotland's future, and there is much _ for scotland's future, and there is much to— for scotland's future, and there is much to be — for scotland's future, and there is much to be positive about. scotland plasma _ much to be positive about. scotland plasma economy already performs better— plasma economy already performs better than this part of the uk. we have world—class universities and colleges— have world—class universities and colleges and significant strength and potential in many of the key economic— and potential in many of the key economic sectors of the future. today's — economic sectors of the future. today's programme will set out how we will _ today's programme will set out how we will build on the strengths to make _ we will build on the strengths to make people's lives better. tackling poverty— make people's lives better. tackling poverty is— make people's lives better. tackling poverty is deeply personal to me, growing _ poverty is deeply personal to me, growing up in the islamic faith, one of the _ growing up in the islamic faith, one of the chord — growing up in the islamic faith, one of the chord believes i was taught is that— of the chord believes i was taught is that you're not a true muslim if you have — is that you're not a true muslim if you have a — is that you're not a true muslim if you have a full stomach while your neighbour— you have a full stomach while your neighbour goes to bed hungry. tackling — neighbour goes to bed hungry. tackling poverty is not straightforward given the restrictions of devolution, especially in the face of a cost of living _ especially in the face of a cost of living crisis— especially in the face of a cost of living crisis and challenging budget settlements. but it is absolutely essential. so, whether it is faith, your— essential. so, whether it is faith, your humanism, or your ingrained sense _ your humanism, or your ingrained sense of— your humanism, or your ingrained sense of socialjustice, we must all surely— sense of socialjustice, we must all surely deny— sense of socialjustice, we must all surely deny in saying that in 2023,

with the _ surely deny in saying that in 2023, with the abundance of wealth that we have as _ with the abundance of wealth that we have as a _ with the abundance of wealth that we have as a society, it is morally indefensible that people in our country. — indefensible that people in our country, frankly, our planet, go to sleep _ country, frankly, our planet, go to sleep hungry. my first announcement today is _ sleep hungry. my first announcement today is this, by february we will remove — today is this, by february we will remove income thresholds for our best start — remove income thresholds for our best start fresh foods programme, meaning _ best start fresh foods programme, meaning a — best start fresh foods programme, meaning a further 20,000 pregnant mothers _ meaning a further 20,000 pregnant mothers and children will benefit from _ mothers and children will benefit from financial support for milk and healthy— from financial support for milk and healthy 30. this is a further demonstration of this government giving _ demonstration of this government giving our— demonstration of this government giving our children the best possible start. we will invest more than £400 — possible start. we will invest more than £400 million in the scottish child _ than £400 million in the scottish child payment to help more than 300,000 — child payment to help more than 300,000 children across the country. for many— 300,000 children across the country. for many families, the payment, worth— for many families, the payment, worth £25— for many families, the payment, worth £25 per child per week, ensures — worth £25 per child per week, ensures foot is on the table, or the seating _ ensures foot is on the table, or the seating is— ensures foot is on the table, or the seating is on— ensures foot is on the table, or the seating is on at home. we can already— seating is on at home. we can already see the benefits of this

policy — already see the benefits of this policy now, but it's a true legacy will last— policy now, but it's a true legacy will last for— policy now, but it's a true legacy will last for a lifetime. through our actions, through this government's actions, an estimated 90.000 _ government's actions, an estimated 90,000 children are estimated to have been— 90,000 children are estimated to have been lifted out of poverty. that _ have been lifted out of poverty. that is — have been lifted out of poverty. that is the difference this government is making. the scottish child payment as part of a total investment of more than £5 billion investment of more than £5 billion in scottish— investment of more than £5 billion in scottish government social security— in scottish government social security payments, which supports more _ security payments, which supports more than — security payments, which supports more than 1.2 million people the length _ more than 1.2 million people the length and breadth of scotland. i can confirm that funding will increase _ can confirm that funding will increase by more than £1 billion in the year— increase by more than £1 billion in the year ahead, and we will continue to explore _ the year ahead, and we will continue to explore what more can be done to tackle _ to explore what more can be done to tackle poverty during the budget process — tackle poverty during the budget process. we have also convened an expert _ process. we have also convened an expert group to look at how we can make _ expert group to look at how we can make progress towards a minimum income _ make progress towards a minimum income guarantee, and today i am calling _ income guarantee, and today i am calling on— income guarantee, and today i am calling on the uk government to use their reserve powers to establish and essentials guarantee to ensure

that the _ and essentials guarantee to ensure that the value of universal credit payments— that the value of universal credit payments is always sufficient for people _ payments is always sufficient for people to afford essential items, such as _ people to afford essential items, such as food, transport and energy. in such as food, transport and energy. in addition— such as food, transport and energy. in addition to these actions we will continue _ in addition to these actions we will continue to— in addition to these actions we will continue to reduce some of the costs that affect _ continue to reduce some of the costs that affect households right across the country. this government has led the country. this government has led the way— the country. this government has led the way in _ the country. this government has led the way in at — the country. this government has led the way in at the provision of universal— the way in at the provision of universal free school meals for primary— universal free school meals for primary school children. i can confirm — primary school children. i can confirm that working with councils we will _ confirm that working with councils we will roll— confirm that working with councils we will roll out universal free school — we will roll out universal free school meals for all pupils in primary— school meals for all pupils in primary six and seven, starting with those _ primary six and seven, starting with those children in receipt of the scottish— those children in receipt of the scottish child payment. from october we are _ scottish child payment. from october we are introducing a pilot project to remove — we are introducing a pilot project to remove peak fares of scotrail services — to remove peak fares of scotrail services. in addition we recognise housing _ services. in addition we recognise housing costs are a key factor in depend — housing costs are a key factor in depend determining people standards of living _ depend determining people standards of living. during the cost of living crisis. _ of living. during the cost of living crisis. this— of living. during the cost of living crisis, this comic took prompt action— crisis, this comic took prompt

action to _ to ensure those measures remain in place _ to ensure those measures remain in place until— to ensure those measures remain in place until the 31st of march next year~ _ place until the 31st of march next year~ we — place until the 31st of march next year. we will also introduce to introduce _ year. we will also introduce to introduce long—term rent controls for tenants. to establish for the prevention of homelessness. we'll continue _ prevention of homelessness. we'll continue to work to reduce the number— continue to work to reduce the number of— continue to work to reduce the number of people living in temporary accommodation. we will invest £750 million _ accommodation. we will invest £750 million to— accommodation. we will invest £750 million to support the delivery of affordable homes and meet our target of securing _ affordable homes and meet our target of securing 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 _ of securing 110,000 affordable homes by 2032. 10% of those homes will be located _ by 2032. 10% of those homes will be located in— by 2032. 10% of those homes will be located in rural and island communities because we know those communities because we know those communities are facing significant housing _ communities are facing significant housing challenges. we also know that community those committees are not passive _ that community those committees are not passive. we see in the community trusts— not passive. we see in the community trusts reat— not passive. we see in the community trusts real ambition in supporting new housing. we have been working