rishi sunak says he is the �*change' candidate. brave enough to deliver the tough decisions. gone the northern leg of h52. gone the a—levels, to one day be replaced by the advanced british standard, and gone, if you are 1a, your right to ever buy a cigarette? is that a formulae to haul the conservatives up the polls, we will get reaction to all the prime minister's big announcements. also tonight, chaos in american government, mccarthy as house speaker is ejected, republicans have no plan as yet to replace him. and the 2030 world cup will be staged in six countries, on three different continents. is that the definition of a �*sustainable�* tournament? good evening, this was a big moment for rishi sunak — a year into office, trailing labour 16 points in the polls,

but an opportunity at this conservative party conference for the prime minister to present himself as an agent of change. as was widely trailed, he announced he will be scrapping the northern leg of h52, "every penny" of the savings, he said, would be invested instead in transport projects across northern england and the midlands. he's promised fundamental reform to the way britain is run and to how the rest of us live. one eye—catching announcement, was a new and progressive age—related ban on smoking. there will be a new qualification — the advance british standard — which will combine a—levels and t—levels into one single qualification for school leavers. with the reaction from manchester our political editor chris mason. manchester this lunchtime, and the prime minister's warm—up act — his wife. rishi and i are each other's best friends, and i couldn't imagine being anywhere else to show my support to him.

rishi sunak began by thanking her, his daughters, his parents as he drew a link between himself and margaret thatcher. this conservative party, the party of the grocer�*s daughter and the pharmacist�*s son, will always be the party of enterprise, the party of small business. he said he's taken a look at how government works since he became prime minister, and not liked what he's seen. it isn't anger, it's an exhaustion with politics. we've had 30 years of a political system which incentivises the easy decision, not the right one. as for taxes, they will come down, he claimed, but didn't say when. and then, it was to the crux of this speech — the proposed high—speed rail line between manchester and birmingham — scrapped. i am ending this long—running saga.

i am cancelling the rest of the h52 project. and in its place, we will reinvest every single penny, £36 billion, in hundreds of new transport projects in the north and the midlands across the country. this means £36 billion of investment in the projects that will make a real difference across our nation. applause this would include, he promised, an extension to the west midlands metro, building a tram system in leeds, electrifying the main rail line in north wales and upgrading... the a1, the a2, the m5, the m6! but there is more. and there was, but not necessarily popular, even in his own party. some conservatives hate the idea of banning things. rishi sunak wants to ban smoking for the next generation. i propose that in future,

we raise the smoking age by one year every year. the debate over trans rights prompts strong feelings. the prime minister's view got one of his biggest cheers here. we shouldn't get bullied into believing that people can be any sex they want to be. they can't. a man is a man and a woman is a woman — that's just common sense. the final big policy idea in this speech was about post—i6 education in england. we will introduce the new rigorous, knowledge—rich, advanced british standard, which will bring together a—levels and t—levels into a new single qualification for our school leavers. as the speech drew towards a conclusion, there was a return to personal reflection. rishi sunak said the uk was not racist. now, i am proud to be the first british asian prime minister, but you know what? i'm even prouder that it's

just not a big deal. applause this was a speech in which the fifth prime minister in so far 13—year run in office for the conservatives made an audacious bid to be seen as the face of change. we will be bold. we will be radical. we will face resistance, and we will meet it. be in no doubt, it is time for a change, and we are it. thank you. applause this was an attempt by the prime minister to revitalise, to reenergise his premiership, the grab politics by the scruff of the neck. the big question now for him is, will it improve his political prospects? last roll of the dice? well, look, we know that there's going to be a general election coming up in the fairly near future. this is a statement of intent. are we seeing rishi sunak unleashed? yes.

he came in at quite a difficult time and he's been showing the countryj how serious and how focused he is. watching from his hotel room next door, this man, the conservative mayor of the west midlands, who had pleaded to save hsz. 0bviously, i'm very disappointed that he announced that today. as you know, ifought for it to be maintained. and you've lost. i have lost. where does that leave you politically? will you carry on as mayor? i will carry on as mayor, yeah, because i do think it is right that you should stand up, particularly when something is really important to your region. this wasn't a speech of instant crowd pleasers, but instead, ideas that will divide and provoke. it is, then, a gamble. chris mason, bbc news, in manchester. over this next half hour we will take a deeper dive into all of the big 3 announcements. let's start then with hsz. the northern leg cancelled today which means passengers only able to travel between london euston

and birmingham on high—speed rail — rather than all the way north to manchester. from birmingham the route will link with the slower west coast main line. mr sunak says the government will "reinvest every single penny" that is saved which amounts to £36 billion. money that will go towards funding "hundreds of new transport projects" in the north including a new manchester to bradford rail link, a "fully electrified line" from manchester to hull, upgrades to the a1, a2, a5 and m6, expansion of the west midlands metro system and resurfacing of roads "across the country". but what does industry in the north think of that. jessica bowles is the director of strategy at bruntwood. she joins us from manchester. lots of details still to be learned about this plan, but what have you been able to glean today? went to the people that you represent make of it? , ., , ,

the people that you represent make ofit? , ., _ ., the people that you represent make ofit? ,., _ ., ,, ,, of it? obviously what business really wants — of it? obviously what business really wants is _ of it? obviously what business really wants is certainty - of it? obviously what business really wants is certainty and i of it? obviously what business i really wants is certainty and this whole episode has been really unhelpful in producing certainty. while the prime minister has finally made this announcement, there are still so many unanswered questions in the announcements that he has made. so i think there is lots more to be done and really, we now need to get a level of detail and understanding of what happens next, very quickly. i understanding of what happens next, ve cuickl . ., ., understanding of what happens next, very quickly-— very quickly. i have outlined some ofthe very quickly. i have outlined some of the things _ very quickly. i have outlined some of the things that _ very quickly. i have outlined some of the things that he _ very quickly. i have outlined some of the things that he is _ very quickly. i have outlined some of the things that he is proposing. j of the things that he is proposing. west midlands mayor said today, compared to what could have happen, this is a good compromise position. is it possible that the net result will be better than an electrified fast speed line all the way to manchester? i fast speed line all the way to manchester?— fast speed line all the way to manchester? ~ , manchester? i think the devil is obviously in _ manchester? i think the devil is obviously in the _ manchester? i think the devil is obviously in the detail- manchester? i think the devil is obviously in the detail of- manchester? i think the devil is obviously in the detail of this i manchester? i think the devil is i obviously in the detail of this and i think that remains to be seen. there are loads of announcements in the paper that went on what is

alarming from my perspective is that there is not very much detail, no timescale and no sense of how this will actually be delivered. so we can talk about some of the specifics, but i think we need to be able to get some clarity from government about the timescale, when funding will become available and how they will perform the system so that we can get business cases through treasury much more quickly and planning does not get in the way and planning does not get in the way and we can actually get on and deliver. so it is possible that there is going to be a good economic impact from this, but actually there is so many unanswered questions as of this evening. is so many unanswered questions as of this evening-— of this evening. what we should remember _ of this evening. what we should remember about _ of this evening. what we should remember about h52 _ of this evening. what we should remember about h52 is - of this evening. what we should remember about h52 is that - of this evening. what we should remember about h52 is that it l remember about hs2 is that it started as a infrastructure plan linking london with the north. so from birmingham running north down, there are parts of the line that will link with the west coast main line, those sections of the line are pretty old and they need replacing.

the is a key part of the spine so how much confidence can we have that 10-20 how much confidence can we have that 10—20 years in time, it will be fit for purpose? i 10-20 years in time, it will be fit for purpose?— for purpose? i think that is the oint. for purpose? i think that is the point- i'm _ for purpose? i think that is the point- i'm not _ for purpose? i think that is the point. i'm not sure _ for purpose? i think that is the point. i'm not sure that - for purpose? i think that is the | point. i'm not sure that we can. from a business perspective be have a lodge of business and investment in those birmingham and manchester and we see and the businesses that we work with see the connections between the cities are vitally important. we have always made the point that hs2 is not about speed, but about capacity. i'm not sure where this additional capacity will come from on the west coast. the report that is going to come out today from government says, in about two paragraphs, they will double capacity on that section of the west coast and get more freight cars in passengers and able to use it. but it is unclear how that is actually going to happen, but the costs will be, and what level of disruption there will be in the meantime. we

know that when the west coast was previously upgraded, there were months if not years of disruption, weekend closures, engineering works on the line, i know if this option and i think that is a real challenge to see how that will work.- and i think that is a real challenge to see how that will work. before i let ou to see how that will work. before i let you go. — to see how that will work. before i let you go. there _ to see how that will work. before i let you go, there is _ to see how that will work. before i let you go, there is some - to see how that will work. before i let you go, there is some rumourl let you go, there is some rumour that the plots of land acquired through compulsory purchase along the route will be handed back and the route will be handed back and the number of platforms they were going to build in london will be reduced so if labour wanted to revive the plan, it would be much more difficult. are you hearing similar things, more difficult. are you hearing similarthings, is more difficult. are you hearing similar things, is that true? i more difficult. are you hearing similar things, is that true? i have not heard any _ similar things, is that true? i have not heard any of— similar things, is that true? i have not heard any of those _ similar things, is that true? i have not heard any of those rumours i similar things, is that true? i have | not heard any of those rumours but what i have read in the report is that they are going to start releasing land that has been acquired for and protected for the h52 acquired for and protected for the hs2 route, i don't know where or what that looks like, it is very light on detail in the report. i think that it is to be welcomed that

the line is going to go into london thatis the line is going to go into london that is the good thing the idea that we could have had a section like thatis we could have had a section like that is just nonsense so it is at least going into euston and we would welcome that. least going into euston and we would welcome that-— welcome that. thank you for coming on. we will talk plenty more about the prime minister speech but we will just take a short break. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. police are investigating possible corporate manslaughter at the hospital where child serial killer lucy letby worked. the former nurse, who is 33, was found guilty in august of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others at the countess of chester hospital. a safeguarding review will take place into the death of sara sharif. the io—year—old's body was found at her home in woking on the 10th august. herfather, stepmother and uncle appeared at the old bailey, last month, they will face a murder trial next autumn. laurence fox has been sacked by gb news after an outcry

about comments he made on—air about a female journalist. the former actor and political activist sparked controversy last week when he asked what "self—respecting man" would "climb into bed" with ava evans. new analysis shows petrol and diesel prices surged last month, as the rising cost of oil hit drivers at the pumps. figures from the motoring firm rac show a litre of petroljumped by an average of 4.5 pence. you're live with bbc news. one of the things said of the conservative party conference in manchester is that over the three days it appeared pretty light on policy, now we know why. most of the big announcements were saved for the prime minister's speech, one of them, his plan to scrap smoking for young people, by raising the legal age for buying tobacco by one year, every year. a progressive ban that would mean today's ia—year—olds would never be legally entitled to buy

a packet of cigarettes. if we could stop the start, then we would be on our way to ending the biggest cause of preventable death and disease in our country. so i propose that in future, we raise the smoking age by one year, every year. that means a ia—year—old... applause that means a 14—year—old today will never legally be sold a cigarette and that they and their generation can grow up smoke—free. we have both sides of the debate tonight, hazel cheeseman, she is the deputy chief executive of ash — action on smoking and health — and also with us simon clark, the director of the smokers�* lobby group forest. simon, let's start with you. is

smoking a net cost or a net gain for the exchequer? it smoking a net cost or a net gain for the exchequer?— the exchequer? it depends on what fi . ures the exchequer? it depends on what fiuures ou the exchequer? it depends on what figures you take, _ the exchequer? it depends on what figures you take, but _ the exchequer? it depends on what figures you take, but the _ the exchequer? it depends on what figures you take, but the figures i figures you take, but the figures that we look at our the revenue that the treasury gets from the sale of tobacco in that is over £10 billion a year. against that, the cost of treating smoking—related diseases on the nhs is said to be 2.5 billion. people come up with lots of weird and wonderful estimates for how much societal costs are involved, but there are all calculated on the back of cigarette pack. what we do know, is that smokers contribute over £10 billion a year. that is money that if the smokers suddenly all gave up, the treasury would have to find from somewhere else. it is the treasury would have to find from somewhere else.— somewhere else. it is very popular if ou somewhere else. it is very popular if you look— somewhere else. it is very popular if you look at _ somewhere else. it is very popular if you look at the _ somewhere else. it is very popular if you look at the polling. - somewhere else. it is very popular if you look at the polling. 70 - somewhere else. it is very popular if you look at the polling. 70 odd l if you look at the polling. 70 odd percent of people in favour, those are conservatives as well, in favour of the band after the age of 18. but

this would be a free vote in the parliament and as chris said at the top of the programme, conservatives generally are not keen on banning things so what do you make of this policy? i things so what do you make of this oli ? ~ , , policy? i think it is utterly ridiculous _ policy? i think it is utterly ridiculous particularly - policy? i think it is utterly . ridiculous particularly coming policy? i think it is utterly - ridiculous particularly coming from a conservative government which is supposed to promote things like freedom of choice and personal responsibility. 0n freedom of choice and personal responsibility. on a practical level, it simply would not work. it is creeping prohibition. we know that prohibition does not work will stop it is not going to stop young people smoking. 0k, they won't be able to legally purchase cigarettes, it will not stop them illegally buying cigarettes. 0r it will not stop them illegally buying cigarettes. or else as people get older they will simply buy their cigarettes abroad. so the idea it will have a significant effect on smoking rates in this country is absolute nonsense. the principles involved here, the freedom of choice and personal responsibility, are

incredibly important to a lot of conservative supporters. i think they will be substantial pushback amongst a lot of tory mps. we have already heard that liz truss today, since she will not vote for this. i think there will be a lot of tory mps who will take the same attitude. i am sure there will be others who feel they have to go along with it because they are a conservative leader, rishi sunak is pushing it. at the bizarre thing is he has never shown any interest in the smoking debate so you have to feel it has nothing to do public health, all to do with politics. he has an election coming up, smokers are a very easy target. let coming up, smokers are a very easy taruet. , ,., coming up, smokers are a very easy taruet. , , ., , ., target. let me put some questions to hazelden. i target. let me put some questions to hazelden- iget— target. let me put some questions to hazelden. i get your _ target. let me put some questions to hazelden. i get your point of - target. let me put some questions to hazelden. i get your point of view. i hazelden. i get your point of view. hazel, this is a straight lift from the policy of the new zealand government brought in in december so this is probably too early to tell whether that is effective, but it is certainly true to say that when cigarettes were banned from the pub they did foursquare it culture

change in the country. certainly and also when the _ change in the country. certainly and also when the age _ change in the country. certainly and also when the age of _ change in the country. certainly and also when the age of self— change in the country. certainly and also when the age of self went - change in the country. certainly andj also when the age of self went from 16 to 18_ also when the age of self went from 16 to 18 we — also when the age of self went from 16 to 18 we saw a drop of about a third _ 16 to 18 we saw a drop of about a third making in that age group and more _ third making in that age group and more recently the age of sale has gone _ more recently the age of sale has gone from — more recently the age of sale has gone from 18 to 21 in the us and they have — gone from 18 to 21 in the us and they have also seen a large drop in smoking _ they have also seen a large drop in smoking among 18 and 20 —— 18 through— smoking among 18 and 20 —— 18 through 20—year—olds in the us was stopped _ through 20—year—olds in the us was stopped so — through 20—year—olds in the us was stopped so it is clearly a workable approach. — stopped so it is clearly a workable approach, the prime minister's is clearly— approach, the prime minister's is clearly different from the us more of the _ clearly different from the us more of the new zealand style but the packet _ of the new zealand style but the packet of measures announced today, are really— packet of measures announced today, are really ambitious and they've really _ are really ambitious and they've really set — are really ambitious and they've really set a vision of a future that could _ really set a vision of a future that could he — really set a vision of a future that could be smoke—free. which is visionary— could be smoke—free. which is visionary and something that should be absolutely applauded and is achievable.— be absolutely applauded and is achievable. ,, ., , achievable. simon is quite right. it is a form of _ achievable. simon is quite right. it is a form of prohibition _ achievable. simon is quite right. it is a form of prohibition and - achievable. simon is quite right. it is a form of prohibition and there i is a form of prohibition and there will be a black market and cigarettes and we will have this very odd situation where you may be

a 23—year—old standing in the straight having to buy cigarettes for his 22—year—old of meat, how on earth do you police that? the point is it is about _ earth do you police that? the point is it is about making _ earth do you police that? the point is it is about making smoking - is it is about making smoking obsolete _ is it is about making smoking obsolete and when we get to the point, _ obsolete and when we get to the point, where we have said for years before _ point, where we have said for years before these 14—year—olds would reach _ before these 14—year—olds would reach the — before these 14—year—olds would reach the point where they would be legally— reach the point where they would be legally able to purchase tobacco, and the _ legally able to purchase tobacco, and the government is also pledging to put— and the government is also pledging to put double the amount of money being _ to put double the amount of money being spent on it. on mass media campaigns. — being spent on it. on mass media campaigns, more obviously that we think— campaigns, more obviously that we think they— campaigns, more obviously that we think they should be doing, but if we are _ think they should be doing, but if we are able to drive down smoking preference — we are able to drive down smoking preference on the board and reduce smoking _ preference on the board and reduce smoking update in the younger population, we will look back in a decade's — population, we will look back in a decade's time, 15 years' time and smoking — decade's time, 15 years' time and smoking will be incredibly rare. | smoking will be incredibly rare. looked at smoking will be incredibly rare. i looked at the share price of some of the big tobacco companies today. down dramatically. i think one was around down 3% and the reason for

thatis around down 3% and the reason for that is the market sees the risk for this company and the other nations may see this and saying, yes, this is good for public health and will follow suit. is good for public health and will follow suit-— is good for public health and will follow suit. , , �* ,, .,~ follow suit. possibly. i can't speak for companies. _ follow suit. possibly. i can't speak for companies. to _ follow suit. possibly. i can't speak for companies. to go _ follow suit. possibly. i can't speak for companies. to go back- follow suit. possibly. i can't speak for companies. to go back to - follow suit. possibly. i can't speakj for companies. to go back to what hazel was saying, i don't have a problem with smoking becoming obsolete if it's through education and smokers are voluntarily switching to risk less products like , but the problem with this policy is the element of coercion and prohibition involved. trying to force people either to never to start smoking or to give up smoking. we have to member once you are 18 in this country, you are legally an adult. you can drive a car, you can join the army, you can purchase alcohol, why should you not be able to make a choice to buy tobacco. you were 18 and an adult. we are in

fanta lies is it not a nanny state? we are talkin: is it not a nanny state? we are talking about _ is it not a nanny state? we are talking about this _ is it not a nanny state? we are talking about this idea - is it not a nanny state? we are l talking about this idea of making is it not a nanny state? we are - talking about this idea of making it a free _ talking about this idea of making it a free choice that people are making but the _ a free choice that people are making but the only free choice is the first— but the only free choice is the first cigarette they have when they are generally teenagers two thirds are generally teenagers two thirds are those — are generally teenagers two thirds are those who try to smoking become daily smokers. i'm not at all surprised _ daily smokers. i'm not at all surprised that simon thinks the way to go— surprised that simon thinks the way to go is— surprised that simon thinks the way to go isjust — surprised that simon thinks the way to go isjust education, a policy we know— to go isjust education, a policy we know is— to go isjust education, a policy we know is not— to go isjust education, a policy we know is not very effective at driving _ know is not very effective at driving down smoking rates. simon's organisation is funded by the tobacco— organisation is funded by the tobacco industry some surprised he's not interested in the fact that their— not interested in the fact that their share prices have dropped enormously today. the future, the writing _ enormously today. the future, the writing is _ enormously today. the future, the writing is on— enormously today. the future, the writing is on the wall. this is an industry— writing is on the wall. this is an industry that is dying, we need to make sure it dies around the rest of the world.

so what of the other major plan, the decision to replace a—levels and t—levels with a new qualification called the advanced british standard. all 16 to 19—year—olds would typically study five subjects, including some maths and some english to 18. one notable change though, is that students would be able to combine both academic and vocational studies. so typically they would sit three major and two minor courses. that will of course require more teachers. to which end, the prime minister is proposing that those teachers in further education be rewarded with a special bonus of up to £30,000, tax—free, over the first five years of their career. it will though, be some time before this new qualification is in place, the first students to take it will be those who currently starting primary school. let's speak to becky bainbridge — ceo of reclaim — an organisation based in manchester working to support and amplify rge voices based in manchester working to support and amplify voices of working class young people. is there an attitude with regards to tea levels and vocational qualifications that may be they are not up to the level of a—levels and

perhaps this will improve opportunities for those young people and working—class families. i think and working-class families. i think there is certainly _ and working-class families. i think there is certainly a _ and working-class families. i think there is certainly a stigma - and working-class families. i think there is certainly a stigma around | there is certainly a stigma around t—levels in any kind of equivalence to a—levels. i know from very recent experience as the mum of an 18—year—old that as my son took both btecs and levels, his btecs have not been as widely regarded as the a—level qualifications. i5 been as widely regarded as the a-level qualifications.- a-level qualifications. is that because they _ a-level qualifications. is that because they don't _ a-level qualifications. is that because they don't have - a-level qualifications. is that because they don't have is i a-level qualifications. is thatj because they don't have is as a-level qualifications. is that - because they don't have is as much maths and english, which the prime minister is insisting that they have. i minister is insisting that they have. ~ , ., ., minister is insisting that they have. ., ., ., have. i think is more to do with the fact that for — have. i think is more to do with the fact that for centuries _ have. i think is more to do with the fact that for centuries we _ have. i think is more to do with the fact that for centuries we have - have. i think is more to do with the| fact that for centuries we have gone down this route that is very much focused on, you go to school, you get your gcses or your own levels as they were, you get your a—levels and then university. if you can go to university go to a russell group university and if you can go to a

russell group university go to oxford. we only have to look at the 0xford. we only have to look at the cabinet and how they are made up, the percentage of ministers who went to uxbridge, russell group universities, clearly that is projecting the image that to be successful in this country and to have power, that is the way you need to go. have power, that is the way you need to no. . v have power, that is the way you need to o, ., �*, have power, that is the way you need to no. . v , have power, that is the way you need toao. , , have power, that is the way you need to o, ., �*, , , ~' , to go. that's good, but these kids ou are to go. that's good, but these kids you are getting — to go. that's good, but these kids you are getting and, _ to go. that's good, but these kids you are getting and, who - to go. that's good, but these kids you are getting and, who you - to go. that's good, but these kids you are getting and, who you are | you are getting and, who you are encouraging into some further education, how likely are they to do that if they have to twin it with maths history and english. this is the problem- _ maths history and english. this is the problem. it— maths history and english. this is the problem. it has _ maths history and english. this is the problem. it has been - maths history and english. this is l the problem. it has been presented as a better option for young people because it gives breath instead of depth or breadth and depth in some cases. actually that already exists. you can combine vocational and academic subjects are ready a couege academic subjects are ready a college but what this is forcing people to do is to study maths and english again until the age of 18. the government seems to have this obsession that maths and english need to be studied until the age of 18. we know that for some people,

but is not, that will not help them much in the studies of other subjects. much in the studies of other sub'ects. ~ much in the studies of other subjects-— much in the studies of other sub'ects. ~ ., ., ., subjects. we will have to leave it there because _ subjects. we will have to leave it there because we _ subjects. we will have to leave it there because we are _ subjects. we will have to leave it there because we are about - subjects. we will have to leave it| there because we are about to go subjects. we will have to leave it. there because we are about to go to a break. really interesting policy that will be worthy of further debates or maybe you will come back on and talk to us about it. thank you very much for the moment. we will go to a short break. the other side of the break, we will pick up some american politics. chaos and the people's parliament in america. the house of representatives. will they find a new speaker? hello. for many of us, it's been quite a cloudy day and across scotland, really quite wet, persistent rain, particularly in the west and also in the highlands, through the central lowlands. here's that weather front. really overcast here, but to the south, the clouds have been a little more broken, some bright spells and just the odd shower. the forecast for this evening, then — that band of rain is starting to fizzle away early in the morning on thursday, but the next weather

front is approaching. north of that weather front, quite chilly in the north and the east of scotland, around 4 degrees in aberdeen, but to the south with the south—westerly winds, it's going to be rather humid in the morning — temperatures around double figures in most towns and cities. so, here's the weather map for thursday. high pressure trying to build in from the south, with the warm southerlies coming our way. but, before that happens, this weather front, this bulk of cloud and damp weather, if not wet weather, needs to sweep through, initially through northern ireland, wales, then northern england gets the rain and also scotland. despite the cloud and the rain, 17 in belfast, 18 in hull, but in the south and the south—east, this is where the best of the weather will be on thursday and thursday evening, and temperatures mayjust nudge up to about 20 celsius. again, thursday evening, overall, a lot of cloud. we have to wait for that warm southerly to develop, at least till friday. still rain in the north—west of the country, so not warm and sunny everywhere by any means. in fact, that sunshine is probably going to be reserved for the southern half of the uk, but still,

temperatures nearly 20 degrees in belfast and newcastle on friday, about 22 or so in the south. and here's the all—important weekend. so, the weather fronts and all the rain—bearing cloud, that's moving northwards, whereas to the south, high pressure is building. now, the north of scotland, it's a different wind direction here, it'll be colder — stornoway only 12 celsius. but look at northern ireland — the bulk of england and wales all in the 20s, perhaps as high as the mid—20s in the south of the country. that is around 10 degrees above the average for this time in october. scotland, though, in the north, will be closer to the seasonal norm. look at this outlook for cardiff, for london. it looks like the middle of summer. in belfast, also the high teens, possibly exceeding 20 celsius at some point during the weekend. that's it for me. have a good evening.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. after months of secret talks between uefa and the south american federations, fifa has chosen a winner, the 2030 world cup will be held in.

beaten feyenood 3—2, alvaro morata with two of the goals. and down in group h shakhtar donetsk came from behind to beat royal antwerp 3—2. the other games kicked offjust over half an hour ago — celtic took an early lead at home to lazio. newcastle, playing their first champions league game at stjames park in 20 years, are one up against paris saint—germain and the holders manchester city are one—up against rb leipzig — phil foden with the goal there. you can keep up to date with all of the games on the bbc sport website.