pr adviser and former ministerial aid. first — the latest headlines. ukraine says it will set up humanitarian corridors in the russian region of kursk to let civilians leave the area where its troops are currently on the offensive. kyiv says its forces have moved further into russia — caputuring over one hundred russian soldiers over the course of wednesday. it's the deepest and most significant incursion into russia since moscow's full scale invasion began. the world health organization has declared mpox a global health emergency. the highly infectious disease has spread rapidly across central and east africa — with over 13 thousand cases and a50 deaths since the start of the year.

the 15 member who committee were unanimous in their decision. it comes as a new strain of the disease has emerged. talks have begun in switzerland aimed at securing a ceasefire in sudan. fighting between the army and the paramilitary rapid support forces has killed thousands and displaced around 10 million people. the us led talks began without either party involved — after the armed forces said they would not attend, and the rapid support forces pulled out of today's talks, despite travelling to geneva. and train drivers in the uk are to vote on a multi—year pay offer aimed at ending a dispute with the government that started around 18 months ago. the offer will now be put to members of the aslef union for a vote. under the deal, they'd get two increases of between 4.75 and five per cent, for the first two years of the dispute — with four and a half per cent for 2024—5.

ukraine says its troops have moved further into russian territory, in what has become the biggest foreign incursion into the country since the second world war. this video from ukrainian tv shows troops pulling down the russian flag in sudzha — in russia's kursk region. meanwhile — russia insists they're pushing ukrainian troops back — and accused ukraine of "committing crimes". ukraine's offensive began just over a week ago. president zelensky insists it is a temporary move — aimed at easing pressure in the conflict with russia. as for president putin, it's still not clear what his reponse will be. dan sabbagh is the defence editor at the guardian. he's currently in the north east of ukraine close to the border area with russia — and told me how the border incursion began. this all started tuesday of last week. ukrainians surged across the border, the russians say about 8am, ukrainians didn't quite give us a time, but in any event, they lightly defended part

of the international border where the war hadn't really been for a couple of years. yes, there had been cross—border shelling, but not serious fighting. it took the russians by surprise. no serious defences or anything like it. of course, it was not something that was sort of picked up immediately, but by the end of that day, you were hearing, and actually one of the best sources of the news in the first week of the war, the russian community, the semi—independent military bloggers, they publish on the telegram social network, which is popular in russia and also ukraine. and they are often, although they are sort of pro—russian, pro—war, pro—kremlin, they are also quite... they are also good and fairly reliable independent sources of information, and they are reporting ukrainians had seized a village here, a village there, and you quite quickly realise there's something to this. some western military experts have praised ukraine's incursion into russia as well—executed, despite the great risk. dr patrick bury is a former nato

analyst and defence expert at the university of bath and told me what ukraine's stategy may be with this ground incursion. this operation to be successful would have had to be carefully planned, and that takes time. and i think, in fact, one of the biggest communicators i've seen is what president zelensky said last night that he welcomed the taking of 17 villages, as it added to the states in what he called the "exchange fund", and i think that might have been the overarching strategic objective to try to get some russian territory, may be ideally, the best course of action, the kursk nuclear power plant, which lead elements got to about 30 km out. and then hoped to exchange them. either in negotiations if they were to be forced on ukraine under a trump presidency, or maybe even in a quick like for like trade with the ukrainian nuclear power plant which is held by the russians. there are possibilities. of course, at the operational level,

trying to draw off the pressure from the ukrainians in donetsk, but also, as was mentioned, give a morale boost to the ukrainian army which has been under a hell of a lot of pressure and also the people at home, the domestic audience. there is also the fact of getting onto russian territory is not a good look for president putin at all. it's a difficult pr—wise when he has presented himself as essentially mr security. kurt bardella — democratic strategist & former republicanleon emirali — pr adviser & former ministerial aid leon — putin's image is the strongman protecting mother russia. i want to pick up on that last point, perhaps if i can ask you, leon, put an�*s image is the strong man, the protector of mother russia, and yet this has happened. how can he respond? i

and yet this has happened. how can he remand?— he respond? i think he's got limited 0 tions he respond? i think he's got limited options because _ he respond? i think he's got limited options because as _ he respond? i think he's got limited options because as you _ he respond? i think he's got limited options because as you say - he respond? i think he's got limited options because as you say this - he respond? i think he's got limited options because as you say this is i options because as you say this is dated this image that he has relied on so much over the past two and half decades as prime minister of russia. and i do think vladimir putin, to have ukraine fighting on russian soil, tearing down russian flags on municipal buildings is not a good look. and i think that for vladimir putin in particular, this is someone who prides himself on that image of strength, and ultimately, this has forced them into a corner, and i think that is what is worrying the international community because does he come out all guns blazing? tried to recover some of that strength that he's got in his public image and that could lead to a further escalation, for their lives being lost in this conflict, or does he try and de—escalate what is happening in those regions at the moment by simply sitting back and trying to allow ukraine to get on with it

whilst focusing on other areas. but it does put him in a public image pr conundrum to be frank, and i think he can't necessarily find an easy way out of it. we he can't necessarily find an easy way out of it— he can't necessarily find an easy way out of it. we were speaking to my colleague _ way out of it. we were speaking to my colleague who _ way out of it. we were speaking to my colleague who has _ way out of it. we were speaking to my colleague who has been - way out of it. we were speaking to i my colleague who has been watching russian state media and it's obviously very interesting how they have been reporting on it, putting a different slant on what is happening. how should the west respond, if you like, because we have seen that there has been western military hardware from the us, from germany that has been used by the ukrainian forces. and in the past, they have been slightly squeamish about using that kind of hardware on russian soil, but the response seems to have been really muted. i response seems to have been really muted. ~ . ., , response seems to have been really muted. ~ ., ., , ., ., muted. i think that has to do with the fact here _ muted. i think that has to do with the fact here in _ muted. i think that has to do with the fact here in america - muted. i think that has to do with the fact here in america we - muted. i think that has to do with the fact here in america we are i the fact here in america we are preoccupied with the ongoing presidential campaign that in recent weeks has had historic twists and turns, the likes of which we have never seen before in our american political system, so i think the

forefront of the changes we have had with going from presidentjoe biden at the top of our ticket to vice president harris, the political conventions having been, i think thatis conventions having been, i think that is part of the reason you are not seeing as much attention to this right now, but i do think that as the conversation has unfolded over the conversation has unfolded over the last year about what resources to deploy it to aid the ukrainians in theirfightand to deploy it to aid the ukrainians in their fight and it's to deploy it to aid the ukrainians in theirfight and it's becoming a little bit politically polarised, a show of strength from ukraine is exactly the right type of message to send to encourage the continued support from their allies from the united states certainly, and i think it makes a great case that they are still fighting this fight, and if gaining ground in some areas in this unexpected, you know, positive proactive incursion into russian territory that keeps russia on the back of the heels, sometimes the best defence is an offence, and i think that is a message that

resonates with the american people as well as with our policy leaders. stay with us. we are just going to move to the middle east. the us is stepping up pressure on israel and hamas to reach a ceasefire in gaza — as officials prepare to begin a fresh set of negotiations on thursday. mediators from israel, qatar, the us and egypt are to meet in doha. there's also news tonight that the cia director william burns will be part of the us delegation travelling to qatar for the talks — a sign of the importanace being placed on them. hamas however — won't be there. a senior hamas official has told the bbc that the group wanted a road map for implementing the agreement and would "not engage in negotiations for the sake of negotiations in order to provide cover for israel to continue its war", the official said. he also reiterated that the road map should be based on the proposed deal outlined by us presidentjoe biden at the end of may and accused israel of adding "new conditions". though it's reported that

hamas negotiators will be briefed about the meeting after the talks in qatar. it comes amid the ongoing concern about the conflict spiralling into a wider regional conflict. the us secretary of state antony blinken was set to travel to the region on tuesday, but that visit was cancelled. however us special envoy amos hochstein has been visiting lebanon. after meeting the lebanese speaker of the parliament, he said a ceasefire deal must be agreed now. we also talked with a framework agreement that is on the table for a gaza cease—fire and he and i agreed there is no more time to waste. and there is no more valid excuses from any party for any further delay. the deal would also help enable a diplomatic resolution here in lebanon, and that would prevent an outbreak of a wider war and create

the conditions for the displaced lebanese people to return to their homes in the south and the displaced israeli residents who returned to their homes and then north. dr menahem merhavy is a fellow at the harry s truman institute for the advancement of peace at the hebrew university ofjerusalem. he gave me his assessment of the prospect of success at the talks in qatar. so far things don't look great to say the least, hamas has not even sent a delegation, which means it's either trying to play a hand here or actually doesn't see it as feasible you know, if i could guess areas where hamas will eventually send a mission to cairo and try to get a deal and defuse the whole situation because hamas, hezbollah, iran, they think they want a ladder to climb

down with. ., think they want a ladder to climb down with-— think they want a ladder to climb down with. ., ~ , ., ., down with. you think they want to de-escalation. _ down with. you think they want to de-escalation. clearly _ down with. you think they want to de-escalation. clearly lots - down with. you think they want to de-escalation. clearly lots of- de—escalation. clearly lots of people worried about an escalation, but your assessment is that, actually, as far as iran is concerned, the de—escalation is a preferred option? i concerned, the de-escalation is a preferred option?— concerned, the de-escalation is a preferred option? i think, yes, for sure, preferred option? i think, yes, for sure. from — preferred option? i think, yes, for sure, from the _ preferred option? i think, yes, for sure, from the is _ preferred option? i think, yes, for sure, from the is rainy _ preferred option? i think, yes, for sure, from the is rainy and -- - preferred option? i think, yes, for| sure, from the is rainy and -- irani sure, from the is rainy and —— irani in perspective, this is very much the case and less for hezbollah. hamas is a different situation. and it's really with it's back to the wall, but he also has to justify everything that has happened in the last ten months to the people of gaza, and so hamas is in a different situation, but both in lebanon and iran, the leaders want to see de—escalation as quickly as possible, because in both countries, and different ways, the situation is really getting out of hand. let's go back to our panel. if i could ask you is there a realistic

chance of any real progress being made? i chance of any real progress being made? ~' , ., , , , chance of any real progress being made? ~' , ., ,, , _, made? i think the progress is coming u . made? i think the progress is coming u- with the made? i think the progress is coming up with the framework _ made? i think the progress is coming up with the framework if _ made? i think the progress is coming up with the framework if we - made? i think the progress is coming up with the framework if we could - up with the framework if we could get them all on the same page of what a cease—fire agreement looks like and then ratchet up that pressure to convince hamas to come to the negotiating table and possibly accept those conditions. that is a step in the right direction and that is what it is going to take. it is going to take strength in numbers and pressure from a number of constituencies and there is an appetite from the us as well to want to get to a cease—fire agreement. presidentjoe biden would love nothing more than be able to his presidency by negotiating some sort of peaceful resolution that allows us to move on. the democratic party, frankly, is in the middle of its own turmoil with different sides siding with that whether it's the palestinian people are more pro

israel from the democrats. that's become a presidential —— a political issue here. nothing would make democrats happy than to have some sort of resolution to take that off the table as we head into the campaign. it the table as we head into the campaign-— the table as we head into the camaiun. ., , , campaign. it was really interesting heafina campaign. it was really interesting hearing from _ campaign. it was really interesting hearing from the _ campaign. it was really interesting hearing from the previous - campaign. it was really interesting | hearing from the previous speaker, hearing from the previous speaker, hearing about attack from iran, potentially iran could be looking at trying to facilitate, trying to encourage these cease—fire talks sort of as an alternative so they don't have to escalate the situation. it's a really interesting part, potentially that iran could play in all of this. it part, potentially that iran could play in all of this.— play in all of this. it is. it goes back to some _ play in all of this. it is. it goes back to some of _ play in all of this. it is. it goes back to some of that - play in all of this. it is. it goes back to some of that language play in all of this. it is. it goes - back to some of that language that was used _ back to some of that language that was used previously which is providing _ was used previously which is providing iran with a ladder to climb — providing iran with a ladder to climb down from as a result of this. and it _ climb down from as a result of this. and it is _ climb down from as a result of this. and it is up — climb down from as a result of this. and it is up to irani and leaders now_ and it is up to irani and leaders now to — and it is up to irani and leaders now to decide whether they want to use that _ now to decide whether they want to use that ladder to climb down from in peaceful— use that ladder to climb down from in peaceful means to try and find a diplomatic— in peaceful means to try and find a diplomatic solution with a cease—fire or whether they want to id cease—fire or whether they want to go ahead _ cease—fire or whether they want to go ahead with the new anticipated

military— go ahead with the new anticipated military attack. i think of the western— military attack. i think of the western world raising the likes of france, _ western world raising the likes of france, the uk, germany coming out in recent_ france, the uk, germany coming out in recent days calling on restraints, calling for some sort of cease-fire — restraints, calling for some sort of cease—fire. and i do think that the international pressure at the moment is squarely— international pressure at the moment is squarely focused on iran to look for that_ is squarely focused on iran to look for that diplomatic and peaceful resolution to this and it doesn't have _ resolution to this and it doesn't have to — resolution to this and it doesn't have to result in more lives lost and a _ have to result in more lives lost and a further escalation militarily. at that _ and a further escalation militarily. at that site, you know, the iranians are not— at that site, you know, the iranians are not known for their restraint. and we _ are not known for their restraint. and we may— are not known for their restraint. and we may well see that they use this as _ and we may well see that they use this as an— and we may well see that they use this as an opportunity to state their— this as an opportunity to state their case _ this as an opportunity to state their case and to strengthen the hamas— their case and to strengthen the hamas position in this particular conflict — for the moment, thank you both. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

donald trump is back on the campaign trail today — setting out his economic agenda to potential voters in the city of asheville, in the swing state of north carolina. it's a state he won byjust one percentage point — four years ago in the 2020 election

againstjoe biden. let's have a listen in. probably more than that if you think about it. we were at 2.4%, and now you are up to 10% and even 11%, but you are up to 10% and even 11%, but you are up to 10% and even 11%, but you are really not there because he can't get the money, even if you want to pay it. injuly alone, three and a 50,000 people were added to the unemployment rolls. , harris wants to talk about her fantasies and they are fantasies. everything she says, if i say something, she says that's what she is going to do too. i say why don't you do it? but she wants to talk for the future about these fantasies, but, really, what she needs to explain is the present suffering that she's caused, along with joe present suffering that she's caused, along withjoe biden. and by the way, they are a team. she is trying to throw him overboard. she doesn't want to know who he is any more. she doesn't want to talk about him any more. she says let's not bring this

guy in. let's not bring him in. no, no. they were a team. he appointed her as borders are and she did the worstjob in the history of borders, i will tell you. does anyone here feel richer under, let harris or cricketjoe during the trump administration? —— kamala harris. is anything less expensive under kamala harris and crooked joe? we had inflation that i don't believe we have ever had inflation like that. you can go back a long way. are you better off now with harris and biden then you wear with a person named president donald jade trump? do you know him? he's a nice gentleman. four more years of harris, your finances will never recover. they are never going to recover. 0ur are never going to recover. our country will never recover, frankly, more importantly. it will be unrecoverable. vote trump and your incomes will soar. your savings will grow. young people will be able to

afford a home. and we will bring back the american dream bigger, better and stronger. thank you. thank you. thank you very much. let's leave it there for the moment. donald trump speaking we have got a panel here. democratic strategist, former republican, maybe i will start with you. what did you make of what you just heard and, i suppose, how donald trump is trying to reclaim the narrative? which has definitely changed since his presidential arrival. struggling in the polls. they are only polls, but they are certainly not going in the direction he would like. shill they are certainly not going in the direction he would like.— direction he would like. all of the olls sa , direction he would like. all of the polls say. and — direction he would like. all of the polls say, and again, _ direction he would like. all of the polls say, and again, i'm - direction he would like. all of the l polls say, and again, i'm someone who says the only poll that matters

is the one on election day, but they all certainly say that kamala harris certainly has momentum. in the gap that existed has narrowed, and in fact, harris has overtaken trump in the national average of the poles we have seen so far. i think importantly, trump is still out there kind of word salad these "economic policy speeches", when you say things to america will never recover, i think to myself, what are you talking about exactly? what will, kamala harris do to cause that? they said that the trump policy agenda would result in massive inflation and a result in a recession by mid—2025 and would only benefit the top 1% while 80% of americans would end up paying more taxes under trump's proposed economic policy. so, again, how that benefits this country as a whole? i'm not entirely sure. he's never

really articulate about. what we have seen is just a rerun, really articulate about. what we have seen isjust a rerun, a retread of the same things he said when he ran for president and seems to conveniently skip over that part of his presidency when we were in a global pandemic and of how i reacted to them it exacerbated the pandemic and exacerbated the consequence is of a pandemic. joe biden, harris has spent the presidency digging us out of that hole, that every country in the world has been trying to get out of. and we have seen positive effects from that just today, you know, reports came out that inflation isn't actually down under 3% now in the united states of america. the core arguments that donald trump and republicans are trying to make about the economy or the data doesn't really align with that. and we also saw, speaking of polls, a poll that came out yesterday that showed the voters in this country actually trust kamala harris on the economy than donald trump. harris on the economy than donald trum -. ., , harris on the economy than donald trum. ., , ., ,, trump. lots of polls being released at the moment. _ trump. lots of polls being released

at the moment. leon, _ trump. lots of polls being released at the moment. leon, as— trump. lots of polls being released at the moment. leon, as a - trump. lots of polls being released at the moment. leon, as a pr - at the moment. leon, as a pr adviser, how do you think the trump campaign team have been doing? this week very much back on the campaign trail, if you like, obviously you have the rally tonight talking about the economy, which is a very big issue for voters but then you also have a two hour phone interview, conversation, whatever you want to call it with you on mosque. who is he trying to appeal to? is he trying to appeal to the swing voters? who is he trying to get back to? i to appeal to the swing voters? who is he trying to get back to?- is he trying to get back to? i think it's a really _ is he trying to get back to? i think it's a really interesting _ is he trying to get back to? i think it's a really interesting question . it's a really interesting question because — it's a really interesting question because what we have seen is a very short— because what we have seen is a very short lived _ because what we have seen is a very short lived pipit, really, from donald — short lived pipit, really, from donald trump, because going back 'ust donald trump, because going back just a _ donald trump, because going back just a few— donald trump, because going back just a few weeks ago after the assassination attempts, there was some _ assassination attempts, there was some hope that actually donald trump itii-i'it some hope that actually donald trump might adopt a more conciliatory, more _ might adopt a more conciliatory, more united tone in this campaign, that was— more united tone in this campaign, that was at— more united tone in this campaign, that was at a time when it looked like, _ that was at a time when it looked like. iet's— that was at a time when it looked like, let's face it, he was going to wipe _ like, let's face it, he was going to wipe the — like, let's face it, he was going to wipe the floor withjoe biden. fast forward, _ wipe the floor withjoe biden. fast forward, and has been said, things have _ forward, and has been said, things have changed dramatically and he's facing _ have changed dramatically and he's facing a _

have changed dramatically and he's facing a much more formidable opponent— facing a much more formidable opponent in, harris and he has changed — opponent in, harris and he has changed back to the donald trump playbook, — changed back to the donald trump playbook, which is attacked, be aggressive, be personaland playbook, which is attacked, be aggressive, be personal and use that hyperbole _ aggressive, be personal and use that hyperbole that, again was alluded to end as _ hyperbole that, again was alluded to end as we _ hyperbole that, again was alluded to end as we are hearing in this speech i’ilht end as we are hearing in this speech right now _ end as we are hearing in this speech right now. so i think donald trump has gone _ right now. so i think donald trump has gone back to the playbook that he's always known and for those of us that _ he's always known and for those of us that thought perhaps we can be optimistic— us that thought perhaps we can be optimistic that he is going to be more _ optimistic that he is going to be more conciliatory and he is trying to unite _ more conciliatory and he is trying to unite the country, maybe that was naive, _ to unite the country, maybe that was naive, because the guy knows one way out and _ naive, because the guy knows one way out and that _ naive, because the guy knows one way out and that is what we are seeing here, _ out and that is what we are seeing here, because ultimately he wants to win. here, because ultimately he wants to win and _ here, because ultimately he wants to win and he _ here, because ultimately he wants to win. and he is a unique candidate stiii, _ win. and he is a unique candidate still, and — win. and he is a unique candidate still, and i— win. and he is a unique candidate still, and i think that is something kamala _ still, and i think that is something kamala harris has to contend with. north— kamala harris has to contend with. north carolina, very important potentially important battleground state. he's won it twice a, 2016, 2020. but, again, the polls are very much narrowing in the state he's speaking in at the moment. there's a reason why it — speaking in at the moment. there's a reason why it for _ speaking in at the moment. there's a reason why it for the _ speaking in at the moment. there's a reason why it for the conversation -

reason why it for the conversation about the running mates, the governor of north carolina, democrat was in that conversation because the state actually is pretty close and if there is one state that democrats have a chance to flip from 2020, i think that it is north carolina. so we will see how that plays out ultimately, but it is interesting, i remember talking with so many republicans after the assassination happened, one who is at the convention said it is tangible, the atmosphere is changed, he seems different, someone told me. we spoke with him directly and i couldn't help but laugh to myself and thinking that is not going to hold up thinking that is not going to hold up very well. i will admit personally it lasted much briefer than i thought it would. i thought he would be able to keep it up for a week or two, but that shift from biden to harris seems to have just a real weekend the donald trump that we all have come to know and the public light over the last eight years. and that is a problem for them politically. he talked to every part begin strategist they would say i think donald trump would stick to theissues i think donald trump would stick to the issues and not go down the

character assassinations. not go down the grievances of the 2020 election. irate down the grievances of the 2020 election. ~ ., ., ., ., ,, down the grievances of the 2020 election. ., ., ., ., ,, ., election. we are going to talk to ou aaain election. we are going to talk to you again about _ election. we are going to talk to you again about lots _ election. we are going to talk to you again about lots of- election. we are going to talk to you again about lots of these - you again about lots of these issues. kurt, leon, forthe you again about lots of these issues. kurt, leon, for the moment, thank you very much. we are talking again about those astronauts after the break. so do stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. temperatures have come down somewhat, particularly across the south, to what we had at the start of the week. but it's by no means going to be cold for the next few days, but it will be a bit more unsettled as this area of low pressure starts to work its way in as we head through tonight across scotland, northern ireland and then eventually the clouds thicken for northern and western england and also wales, with an increasing breeze. further south, it will be mostly dry with clear skies, variable cloud, and where we have any cloud cover then around 15 degrees the overnight low, but it will be milder further north than what we had the previous night, so a mild night across the board. thursday, then, we have this weather front crossing the country very slowly.

some of the rain will be quite heavy to start thursday across scotland, northern ireland into north—west england, north west wales. very slowly, it will work its way southwards and eastwards. behind it brightens up with blustery showers and some sunshine. ahead of it, it will be rather breezy, fairly cloudy, a little bit of brightness and still quite warm and muggy, 24—26 degrees here, but fresher the further north and west that you are. as we head through thursday night, that weather front does weaken, but it will slip its way southwards and eastwards. the odd heavier burst on it as it pushes off into the near continent. still a hang back of some warm and muggy air for the south east to start friday. 0therwise, further north it is much cooler and fresher. friday, then, doesn't look too bad. a lot of sunshine around. fresher air will have arrived across the south—east, too. will stay quite blustery across scotland, northern ireland — variable cloud, one or two showers, but some sunny spells as well. high teens in the north,

2a—25 degrees across the southeast. so not a bad day on friday, and indeed the weekend is looking pretty good as well. we're in between weather systems, so a lot of dry and sunny weather thanks to a ridge of high pressure which will push in from the southwest. so light winds for many, just the chance of stronger breeze and the odd shower across the north and west of scotland. that's both on saturday and sunday, but a decent day on saturday. more sunshine the further south that you are, with lighter winds, bit of cloud in the north—west, the odd shower, more of a breeze. top temperatures 20—25 celsius, so pretty much where we should be for the time of year. we do it all again on sunday. another fine looking day to come with more sunshine further south with lighter winds. chance of a few more showers for the north and west of scotland, but most places even the north, will stay dry. those temperatures again, 20—21 in the north to 2a—25 degrees in the south.

hello, i'm sarah campbell. you're watching the context on bbc news. inflation in the us drops to its lowest level for more than three years as the uk sees its first rise in 202a. the rate of inflation here in the uk has risen slightly for the first time this year. the rate, as measured by the consumer prices index, rose to 2.2% in the year tojuly, up from 2% injune. the rise is lower than expected

mainly driven by the cost of gas and electricity falling by less than a year ago. it comes as the us department for labour said today that inflation across the pond fell, dipping below 3% for the first time since march 2021 to 2.9% over the 12 months tojuly, setting up hopes of a cut to interest rates by the federal reserve. let's once again our panelists. kurt bardella, democratic strategist and former republican leon emirali, pr adviser and former ministerial aid. leon, if i can start with you, what the figures in the uk tell us about the figures in the uk tell us about the state of the economy. i the figures in the uk tell us about the state of the economy.- the state of the economy. i think it tells us that _ the state of the economy. i think it tells us that we _ the state of the economy. i think it tells us that we are _ the state of the economy. i think it tells us that we are broadly - the state of the economy. i think itj tells us that we are broadly moving in the right direction, obviously the fact that inflation has risen slightly is no surprise. i think we

knew that was likely to have been due to a slight rise