�* people in private �*people in private rented people in private rented sector year people in private rented sector will have paid £1.1 billion more on bills than they would have had to if their homes were more efficient. that is a massive sum. does that suggest to both of you that you can push these things back, but in the end you will pay more? for push these things back, but in the end you will pay more?— push these things back, but in the end you will pay more? for me, but i think it means _ end you will pay more? for me, but i think it means is _ end you will pay more? for me, but i think it means is that _ end you will pay more? for me, but i think it means is that we _ end you will pay more? for me, but i think it means is that we need - end you will pay more? for me, but i think it means is that we need a - think it means is that we need a proper plan and delivery schedule. ultimately, in the uk we have got the latest homes in europe, we do need to improve those homes, we do need to improve those homes, we do need to improve those homes, we do need to decarbonise the heat in those homes. the best way to save money on energy is by using less and making our homes more efficient. what do you say to that, ben? i absolutely agree with that. we want to see _ absolutely agree with that. we want to see rented properties as energy efficient_ to see rented properties as energy efficient as possible, but government needs to set out a proper strategy— government needs to set out a proper strategy when it comes to achieving this. strategy when it comes to achieving this we _ strategy when it comes to achieving this. we heard from kwasi kwarteng in the _ this. we heard from kwasi kwarteng in the previous piece saying that industry— in the previous piece saying that industry needs confidence. people need _ industry needs confidence. people need to— industry needs confidence. people need to know what the rules of the

game _ need to know what the rules of the game are _ need to know what the rules of the game are so that they can plan accordingly. we need a carrot as well as_ accordingly. we need a carrot as well as a — accordingly. we need a carrot as well as a stick, it is a simple as that _ well as a stick, it is a simple as that. ., ., ., , that. david cameron, when he was prime minister, _ that. david cameron, when he was prime minister, scrapped - that. david cameron, when he was prime minister, scrapped the - prime minister, scrapped the insulation targets, for example. there is analysis which suggests that as a result of that, several years on, we are paying something like £i.5 years on, we are paying something like £1.5 billion more in our energy bills. it like £1.5 billion more in our energy bills. ., ., ' f~ like £1.5 billion more in our energy bills. ., ., ' j~ ., ' f~ bills. it had a 9.8 million... 9.8 billion to _ bills. it had a 9.8 million... 9.8 billion to mus. _ bills. it had a 9.8 million... 9.8 billion to bills. it _ bills. it had a 9.8 million... 9.8 billion to bills. it has _ bills. it had a 9.8 million... 9.8 billion to bills. it has made - bills. it had a 9.8 million... 9.8 billion to bills. it has made a i bills. it had a 9.8 million... 9.8. billion to bills. it has made a huge difference. when we are any period were not that long ago prices have nearly trebled, government spent £10 million of much—needed support to help people with their energy bills last winter, it is absolutely right that we are doing the things we need to, not only to help and support people to make changes that they need to their homes, but also to give the industry confidence. we need clean power, we need domestic clean power, and then we need people to be able to use it in their homes,

in their vehicles, their businesses. it is a system and it needs to work. right now that confidence is not there the industry.— right now that confidence is not there the industry. thank you both very much- — that's all from us tonight. i'll be back tomorrow. till then, sleep well. goodnight. breaking news from around the world 24 breaking news from around the world 21i hours a day. this is bbc news.

..if i may, it is certainly shocking and disappointing, - particularly at a time when the rest of the world is struggling to move in the right direction _ to have a leader of the uk, - which has been in recent years, i trying to provide a leadership rolei to turn back in the wrong direction. again, this is for- the people of the uk. i have heard from many friends - in the uk, including many members of the conservative party, by the way, who have - used the phrase, "utter disgust and contempt."l and young people who feel really strongly— and young people who feel really strongly about _ and young people who feel really strongly about this, _ and young people who feel really strongly about this, some - and young people who feel really strongly about this, some have . and young people who feel really. strongly about this, some have said they feel— strongly about this, some have said they feel that— strongly about this, some have said they feel that they _ strongly about this, some have said they feel that they were _ strongly about this, some have said they feel that they were stabbed . strongly about this, some have said they feel that they were stabbed in i they feel that they were stabbed in they feel that they were stabbed in the hack _ they feel that they were stabbed in the back at— they feel that they were stabbed in the back. at this _ they feel that they were stabbed in the back. at this is _ they feel that they were stabbed in the back. at this is for— they feel that they were stabbed in the back. at this is for the - they feel that they were stabbed in the back. at this is for the uk - the back. at this is for the uk to sort _ the back. at this is for the uk to sort out — the back. at this is for the uk to sort out and _ the back. at this is for the uk to sort out. and i'm _ the back. at this is for the uk to sort out. and i'm going - the back. at this is for the uk to sort out. and i'm going to- the back. at this is for the uk to sort out. and i'm going to stay. the back. at this is for the uk to . sort out. and i'm going to stay out of the _ sort out. and i'm going to stay out of the political— sort out. and i'm going to stay out of the political situation _ sort out. and i'm going to stay out of the political situation there. - of the political situation there. again, — of the political situation there. again, that— of the political situation there. again, that is— of the political situation there. again, that is a _ of the political situation there. again, that is a question - of the political situation there. again, that is a question being asked to not only by the uk's leadership on this question of combating climate change, but the general fact that the british prime minister is not present at this very important assembly, the fact that he is not in the room at the un security council little bit earlier today as well. certainly a topic that has made a lot of waves here

today. that has made a lot of waves here toda . ., , ., ,, ,., today. the other big talking point remains that _ today. the other big talking point remains that were _ today. the other big talking point remains that were in _ today. the other big talking point remains that were in ukraine. - today. the other big talking pointl remains that were in ukraine. we heard from president zelensky where heard from president zelensky where he is pushing russia to be stripped of its veto powers. it's an ambitious asked, some say, how has not been looked at?— not been looked at? yeah, well, certainly it _ not been looked at? yeah, well, certainly it is _ not been looked at? yeah, well, certainly it is an _ not been looked at? yeah, well, certainly it is an ambitious - not been looked at? yeah, well, | certainly it is an ambitious asked. you are right about that. we heard president zelensky stay... say very clearly that there is no way this work can be stopped at the aggressors are sitting on the un security council and able to veto every action that this council can take. he does get a lot of sympathy, sorry, a few motorcades going by at the momentum it's a bit loud, but he does have a lot of sympathy among ukrainian supporters, particularly the baltic states, he spoke to the estonian foreign minister earlier and said this is critical, we have to get the security council be formed. lets listen now to add president zelensky had to say about why this is such a crucial point.

translation: in cases of mass atrocities against human - rights, veto powers should be voluntarily suspended. but we can also observe that russia will not give up this stolen privilege voluntarily. therefore, the un general assembly should be given a real power to overcome the veto. this will be the first necessary step. it is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor. now, there may be a lot of support among ukrainians and allies here at the un for such a —— for such a move such every form. it would require the votes about permanent members on the votes about permanent members on the un security council, that would include russia as well and we know that that is very unlikely to happen. that that is very unlikely to ha en. ~ . that that is very unlikely to ha en, . ., ., ~' that that is very unlikely to hauen. ~ . ., ~' happen. we leave it there. thank you ve much happen. we leave it there. thank you very much for— happen. we leave it there. thank you very much for summing _ happen. we leave it there. thank you very much for summing all _ happen. we leave it there. thank you very much for summing all of - happen. we leave it there. thank you very much for summing all of that - very much for summing all of that up and putting it in context. we hope to touch base with you in the coming hours for the very latest from the un g again. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. it is fairto

it is fair to say that shop has stood the test of time. once owned by n bolin's father, it has been serving the village of cheating stan since the 15th century. now it's current owners are reluctantly putting this remarkable piece of history back on the markets. the one thin ido history back on the markets. the one thing i do think— history back on the markets. the one thing i do think about _ history back on the markets. the one thing i do think about is _ history back on the markets. the one thing i do think about is the - history back on the markets. the one thing i do think about is the size - thing i do think about is the size of the front door because it is a hinged door, and if you look at the step, it is so worn out. i hope that it will go to a good pair of hands. the shot�*s beauty and its history has meant it's featured in films and dramas watched by millions across the world. and residents are believed that whoever buys it next will have to keep it as a shop and a post office. i will have to keep it as a shop and a post office-— will have to keep it as a shop and a ost office. ., , . ., post office. i have been coming here for 36 years — post office. i have been coming here for 36 years it _ post office. i have been coming here for 36 years. it was _ post office. i have been coming here for 36 years. it was a _ for 36 years. it was a little grocery shop when i first came here. for more stories from across the uk,

head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. azerbaijan's president, ilham aliyev, says he has restored full sovereignty over the armenian—majority region of nagorno karabakh, which has been ruled as an unrecognised breakaway repulic since 1991. in a statement after accepting a ceasefire deal from the separatist forces, mr aliyev insisted he had nothing against the ethnic armenian population, only what he called their "criminal leadership". mr aliev launched a military offensive two days ago, claiming that troops from neighbouring armenia were on ground in nagorno—karabakh. amenian officials denied those claims and said azerbaijan had carried out a clear violation of international law. despite those reassurances, many armenians appear to be fleeing the region. russian peacekeepers say they've already evacuated at least 2,000 people.

reports say hundreds — if not thousands have headed to the region's main airport. some ethnic armenian officials say thousands more have been displaced. meanwhile, thousands of people have gathered in the armenian capital, yerevan, to protest about the government's perceived failure to support the breakaway republic. reyhan demetrie has more. the wednesday cease—fire agreement marks the failure of a 35 year struggle of the karabakh armenians for self—determination. uncertainty now looms over the 120,000 ethnic armenians living in the region. almost everybody there has a family member who fought in wars with azerbaijan, and many fear persecution. azerbaijan says the rights of ethnic armenians will be guaranteed under its constitution, but there is very little or no trust between the two communities. azerbaijan's anti—terrorist operation was the final push to regain territories at lost in the 19905 with the aim to return hundreds of thousands of azerbaijanis displaced

by the conflict. the republic of armenia, which supported karabakh armenians both financially and militarily, has suffered a bitter defeat. and its relations with russia, once a powerful ally, have reached a new low. syria's president bashar al—assad will head to china later this week in his first visit to beijing since the start of his country's 12—year conflict during which china has been one of his main backers. china has been expanding its reach in the middle east after mediating a deal in march between saudi arabia and iran, and it continues to support assad in the syrian war. live now to ibrahim al—assil who was a leading syrian activist in the aftermath of the arab spring, and is now a senior fellow at the middle east institute in washington, dc, where he focuses on great power competition

in the middle east. thank you very much for your time on newsday. i will get straight to it. it's the syrian president's first visit to china since the start of the 12—year long syrian conflict. how important is this meeting for both countries? thank you very much for having me. it's probably more important for china that it is actually for syria, if we look at it from a global politics perspective. they need any kind of help they can get to me generates his global legitimacy, but also it's clear that china is trying to challenge the american—led world order by inviting somebody who has been committed over a decade multiple crimes against humanity killed over half a million civilians inside syria and displaced millions of refugees in the region and in other places around the world. so

those syrians are still suffering on this trip will not make their lives better, but i think this comes as a very interesting time where china is trying to assert itself on the global stage as a competitor with the united states and also at the same time it's trying to increase its influence in the region in the middle east and, of course, syria is a place where it can show that influence and can try to find new opportunities where it can capitalise. in opportunities where it can capitalise-— opportunities where it can capitalise. opportunities where it can caitalise. ., ., capitalise. in your opinion, how will the west _ capitalise. in your opinion, how will the west be _ capitalise. in your opinion, how will the west be watching - capitalise. in your opinion, how| will the west be watching these developments?— will the west be watching these develoments? ., ., , ., developments? unfortunately, over the last few — developments? unfortunately, over the last few months, _ developments? unfortunately, over the last few months, we _ developments? unfortunately, over the last few months, we haven't - developments? unfortunately, over. the last few months, we haven't seen a strong response from the biden administration if we are talking about the united states in particular. the biden administration early on and said that they will put the human rights at the centre of the human rights at the centre of the current policy. but since then, assad has been welcomed back to the

arab league in the beach and in the biden administration chose not to enforce any of the sanctions that the american congress has passed in that regard. i doubt that we will see anything beyond statement when it comes to assad's visits to china, but, of course, in the region, it will be read as another sign, an indicator that the united states influence on the global stage and in the region in the middle east is decreasing. the region in the middle east is decreasing-— the region in the middle east is decreasinu. , x' , , ., decreasing. very quickly, before we wra u, decreasing. very quickly, before we wrap up. is — decreasing. very quickly, before we wrap up. is there — decreasing. very quickly, before we wrap up, is there a _ decreasing. very quickly, before we wrap up, is there a sense _ decreasing. very quickly, before we wrap up, is there a sense that - decreasing. very quickly, before we | wrap up, is there a sense that assad might be getting rehabilitated getting everything you've said? it’s getting everything you've said? it's ve getting everything you've said? it�*s very difficult for him to actually do that. 0ver very difficult for him to actually do that. over the last couple of weeks, we have seen and new wave of protests inside syria, even within those areas held by the regime. so the regime lacks loyalty and legitimacy and economy and reforms inside syria. so no matter how much

their international backers, russia and china, try to rehabilitate him, he it is not going to be able to be the president of syria again the way he was prior to 2005. l appreciate your perspective. 0n the first day of their state visit to france — king charles and queen camilla have attended a glittering banquet at the palace of versailles tonight hosted by president macron. speaking in french the king highlighted what he called the "firm friendship" between france and the uk and the need to work together to combat climate change. the glitz and the glamour of the state banquet at versailles. the actor hugh grant made the guest list, as did rolling stone mickjagger. last to arrive, the king and queen, welcomed by president macron and his wife brigitte. inside versailles's hall of mirrors, speaking mostly in french, the king thanked his hosts and stressed the need to work together to protect the environment. he speaks french.

earlier, the king and queen were given a ceremonial welcome at the arc de triomphe. god save the king plays. full of pomp and pageantry... singing la marseillaise. ..and reminders of shared sacrifice. the post—brexit relationship between the uk and france has been bumpy, but there was a show of unity from the king and the president... ..as they shared a sunroof down the champs—elysees. state visits are about strengthening future relationships, finding common ground. but on this trip, there is a touch of nostalgia too. je me rappelle le plaisir quej�*ai eu. during her reign, the late queen made five state visits to france. her son will walk in her footsteps this week, revisiting some of the same places. but right from the start, the message of this visit

was clear, even the fly—past was a joint enterprise. the french air force and the red arrows flying together, for a trip where shared experiences will be the focus. daniela relph, bbc news, paris. that's all for now — stay with bbc news. hello, there. wednesday was a wet and a windy day starting off across northwest wales, capel curig, where we had gusts of wind of 70 miles an hour. it was here where we also saw some very heavy rain over the space of 36 hours. 133 millimetres fell — a good chunk of the september average. and so far this month we've actually had 226 millimetres of rain, so it has already been a wetter september than average. and, of course, there's more of septemberjust around the corner. the same area of low pressure that brought all of us wet and windy weather conditions stays to the north of the uk over the next couple of days,

and certainly windy at the moment with rain in scotland. another rain band slowly pulling away from east anglia and southeast england. what follows essentially for england and wales is a day of sunny spells and showers. however, that low pressure will continue to bring strong winds to scotland and to northern ireland. and, in fact, it's notjust windy — this band of rain will push its way southwards, so the rain does return to the central lowlands and to northern ireland after a sunny start. for england and wales, those showers really get going into the afternoon, and i think across parts of wales and south west england, some of the showers will merge together to give some really intense downpours. it could be pretty prolonged, as well. temperatures quite close to average, really — about 15 to 19 degrees celsius. 0n into friday, it's the same story. the low pressure is still there for northern scotland. these strong northwesterly winds bringing frequent showers to the north and western side of the uk, but into the afternoon there'll be showers popping up in the east, as well. some of them could be heavy — again, with the odd rumble of thunder — and the temperatures not really changing too much, about 15 to 18 degrees celsius. feeling cool in the north,

given those strong winds. now, heading into saturday, another change — we'll get a ridge of high pressure building in ahead of this next weather system. what all this means is that saturday, actually, is going to be an ok day. 0k, there'll be a few showers for northern scotland, but most of us will have a fine and sunny morning. make the most of that because cloud will tend to build in, and certainly into the afternoon we'll start to see some rain arriving in northern ireland, and perhaps fringe into western scotland, but that is towards the end of the day and, overall, saturday's looking 0k. by sunday, well, the low pressure in the atlantic just nudges a bit closer, we've got another band of rain moving into the west, and so it does turn quite windy and increasingly unsettled with rain and showers around, and that's probably going to stay with us, as well, into the early part of next week.

welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. three—quarters of british people tell pollsters they are worried or very worried about climate change. and yet the green party of england and wales, the standard—bearer for prioritising climate action and resetting the entire economy on a sustainable footing, scores just 6% or 7%

in most polls. so why the disconnect? well, my guest today has devoted her career to green politics. caroline lucas is the party's only westminster mp, but she has decided to quit. is that because putting the planet first is never going to be a pathway to power? caroline lucas, welcome to hardtalk. thank you. now, you are the green politician who has enjoyed the closest proximity to power in british national politics as an elected mp over the last, what, 13 years or so, and now you've decided to walk away.