the live desk this lunchtime, the bbc director—general tim davie has revealed that the corporation has now paused its own investigation into allegations surrounding one of its top presenters to allow the met police to start its own inquiries. >> mr davies said that the move was at the met's request . but we was at the met's request. but we do hope to be talking to our home affairs correspondent , mark home affairs correspondent, mark white, who is at new broadcasting house. we will go to him very , very shortly. but to him very, very shortly. but let's just bring you up to date with this breaking news and gb news understands that the met police has asked the bbc to pause their investigation while they look into a possible criminal case. tim davie is also said it is a complex and difficult situation when it comes to how to handle these allegations. well, the corporation says it will be publishing a timeline of the events as it understands and will examine the way in which complaints to the corporation are so called red flagged. >> of course it is the case that

earlier the prime minister said the bbc allegations were shocking and concerning , but the bbc allegations were shocking and concerning, but had been reassured, he said. from the bbc that the processes it was undertaking were vigorous and swift. but let's get more now with mark white, who's been listening to what the director general has been saying. and mark, significance is that mark, the significance is that the appear now to be the met police appear now to be back in the driving seat . back in the driving seat. >> well, i think it's a continuation of the situation that we found ourselves in yesterday with the statement from the metropolitan police that they were effectively scoping out the allegations that have been made to see whether it crosses that threshold into potential criminality . dodi but potential criminality. dodi but what's new in this is the confirmation from the director general that the met have asked them to pause their own investigation here at the bbc, while that scoping exercise

continues, because clearly, if it does become a criminal investigation, that will have to be parked and continued on another day. the criminal investigation would take priority precedence here, sir, but no indication is yet that it will meet the threshold for a criminal inquiry. another key line that's come out of this news briefing, which, as i say, was all about about the annual report on the corporation, but had been absolutely consumed by by this current scandal . the by this current scandal. the other line of importance to emerge is confirmation from the bbc that the presenter at the centre of these allegations was not spoken to by bbc investigators or anyone from management . until the 6th of management. until the 6th of july by the day before these allegations , as were then spla

allegations, as were then spla pushed all over the sun newspaper here the following day on the friday of last week. now what the bbc and tim davie say in relation to that is that they had received an initial complaint, but that the assessed that complaint ought not to have crossed the threshold into possible criminality. however, they did say that they believed this was a serious complaint. they say that they then tried to make contact again with the complainant, make contact again with the complainant , family members of complainant, family members of the young person at the centre of the allegations. but but that a phone call on the 6th of june, i think it was to a family member to the mobile number that was provided , did not connect. was provided, did not connect. however for after that one attempt, it it seems that the bbc did not make any overt attempt to contact the family

again in until, of course, the allegation then surfaced on the 6th of july. a month later here. so some real questions. i think, for the to bbc answer here. also some very significant information coming through from the bbc in terms of the timeline . and if i could go through the timeline of events that they are now now telling us, they say that on the 18th of may, the complainant, a family member, attended a bbc building. we believe it was this building here. new broadcast house, where they sought to make a complaint about the behaviour of a bbc presenter. then on the 19th of may, the complainant contacted bbc audience service . here's the bbc audience service. here's the details of this contact were referred to the bbc's corporate investigations team on the 19th of may. the bbc say corporate

investigations assessed the information contained in the complaint provided from audience services that an assessment was made that the basis of the information provided did not include an allegation of criminality dodi. but nonetheless merited further invest negation. they say that on the 19th of may, the bbc's corporate investigations team emailed the complainant, stating how seriously the bbc takes the issue and seeking additional information in to verify the claims being made. there was no response. apparently to that email contact , but according to email contact, but according to the bbc in their timeline, you want to ask me a question? >> mark yeah, i was to going say we've got this assertion from rishi sunak that he's being told that the claims are being investigated swiftly and rigorously . ali, i wonder now

rigorously. ali, i wonder now how that ties in with the fact we're now learning that the bbc only to the presenter only spoke to the presenter directly on the 6th of july when this all began back in may. >> yeah, i mean, it's a key question and it's definitely an awkward question for bbc managers here. they are trying to explain it away by the suggestion that that the information that they received did not point to an issue of criminality that they believed was being alleged. but nonetheless, they acknowledged themselves that what was being alleged was a serious allegation. now, given that it was a serious allegation, why , was a serious allegation, why, as you say, did we have to wait until actually the sun newspaper was about to publish those allegations before the presenter at the centre of the allegations was spoken to? let me just continue with the timeline , if continue with the timeline, if that's okay. mark, on the 19th

of may, again, it says that checks were also made to verify the identity of the complainant at this is a standard procedure to confirm that the complainant is the person that they say they are. then it jumps forward on to the 6th of june, having received no response to the email referenced above , a phone call referenced above, a phone call was made. that's what we've discussed already , which was discussed already, which was provided and the number provided by the complainant by the bbc's corporation investigation team. this call, we're told, did not connect . no indication as to connect. no indication as to whether any subsequent calls were made. we assume from that that no subsequent calls would have been were made or surely they would have detailed that . they would have detailed that. they say following these attempts to make contact with the complainant, attempts to make contact with the complainant , the corporate the complainant, the corporate investigations team were due to return to the matter in the coming weeks. no additional

attempts to contact the complainant were made after the 6th of june. however the case remained open throughout then, they say . of course, on the 6th they say. of course, on the 6th of july, the sun newspaper informed them about the very serious allegations which the bbc management say clearly the sun allegations did point to potential criminality at that point . they say they spoke to point. they say they spoke to the presenter at the centre of these allegations is mark watts, also interesting in light of us looking at this timeline is that now we understand tim davie has asked the corporation's chief operating officer to assess whether the broadcaster's protocols and procedures are appropriate weight in light of allegations made against one of its presenters . yes, the clearly its presenters. yes, the clearly the bbc is in defence mode. of course , because of the

course, because of the inevitable questions about how this initial complaint seems to have been very slow nato in the official process . yes, to have official process. yes, to have been worked on with now we know just one call back to the complainant, an email of course, earlier , a day or so after the earlier, a day or so after the initial complaint was made, which they got no response to . which they got no response to. but then just one phone call after that and weeks that went by was seemingly nothing further done as far as we can ascertain by the investigators. and yes, tim davie is saying that the way in which complaints are flagged up will be looked at again to ensure that all of those structures and procedures are in place and operating properly. we are still all in the early stages of a very active

investigation into the allegations of potential criminal city. so of course , in criminal city. so of course, in tandem with that are the questions about how the complaint was dealt with. but the fact is the bbc can't do too much about that at the moment because they have been asked to pause all of their investigation runs until the met can come back with something definitive on whether they will actually launch a criminal investigation i >> -- >> mark, thank you very much for taking us through all that from new broadcasting house. of course, those details just coming through from the director general. but let's reflect, it is , of course, also the annual is, of course, also the annual report . so the director general report. so the director general was hoping to speak to reporters about that particular issue. of course, with all the salaries of all the top stars, gb news the national reporter, theo chikomba is here and a certain gary lineker has topped the list yet again , yet again, as we've heard again, yet again, as we've heard from mark there, lots going on

at the bbc today. >> but this annual report comes out every single year to hundred and 40 something pages looking at how the bbc has performed in the last 12 months from governance to finance to some of the last 12 months from gov projectsto finance to some of the last 12 months from gov projects that1ance to some of the last 12 months from gov projects that they're» some of the projects that they're working and you also get working on. and you also get some case studies from chief executives what's executives explaining what's been happening. and of course, everyone wants to who's on everyone wants to know who's on that list . we might be able to that list. we might be able to show the list now as well. show you the list now as well. some of those top ten stars, gary of course, at gary lineker is, of course, at the on match the top. he works on match of the top. he works on match of the fa cup . some of the big the day fa cup. some of the big set pieces when it comes to sport. alan shearer is on there. stephen nolan , who works in stephen nolan, who works in northern bruce , northern ireland. fiona bruce, stephen wright and many stephen wright and so many others who made list . lots others who made that list. lots of money there. but of course people will be asking as they pay people will be asking as they pay the licence fee, who's on that list and what value do they add? >> these are bands, so we haven't got the exact salary as such. haven't got the exact salary as such . these are the bands, but such. these are the bands, but i'm just wondering , have got i'm just wondering, have we got any sort of any indication what sort of increase year on increase they've had year on year? because obviously there's a huge debate going on about pubuc

a huge debate going on about public service salaries with the government to keep a lid government trying to keep a lid on inflation. yeah that's right. >> in this report, doesn't >> so in this report, it doesn't give progressed give you how they've progressed in terms of salaries. >> how interesting . yeah. >> how interesting. yeah. >> how interesting. yeah. >> however, tends to happen >> however, what tends to happen with these bands is that some of these various these people work on various projects throughout the year, so they might not just work on, for example, it might example, gary lineker. it might not just do match of the day, there be other programmes there might be other programmes as well. exactly. varies. there might be other programmes as one. exactly. varies. there might be other programmes as one. exa he '. varies. there might be other programmes as one. exa he i. do 'ies. there might be other programmes as one. exa he i. do lots of so one year he might do lots of projects he do projects and others he might do less . less. >> § e said anything >> has the bbc said anything about shall we say, value for money or that this is fair payment because they're pretty eyewatering sums for the public to actually look at what they're paying to actually look at what they're paying in their licence fee , for instance? >> well, if you look at their report, they'll speak highly of the work that they've been doing in last 12 and lot in the last 12 months. and a lot of saying we are moving in of it is saying we are moving in the right direction. things like sustainable environmental sustainability, the net zero targets some of their commercial operations and how their platforms are performing, such as bbc science , iplay and that

as bbc science, iplay and that kind of thing. so they've said they are heading in the right direction and of course salaries is a huge area, but in terms of whether they will say they add value, of course they will say they are doing the right thing and actually some people on that list , steve wright, for example list, steve wright, for example , they actually don't work for the bbc anymore anyway. no, he left. >> i think he does a sunday programme, doesn't he? >> he's not in not in the form that he was. >> yeah. it did change last year and that's because he had that weekday afternoon programme didn't he. >> did. earnings have >> he did. earnings will have dropped because he's moved. >> so that's another >> exactly. so that's another example of people moving around. but course he did leave that but of course he did leave that show on radio two. show he was doing on radio two. >> have had any indication or >> have we had any indication or response the presenters? response from the presenters? because clearly there was lot because clearly there was a lot of unhappiness their of unhappiness about their salaries going public and the fact that , for instance, in the fact that, for instance, in the commercial sector , an itv, it commercial sector, an itv, it may be many those may be that many of those presenters have got their salaries under wraps. >> well, as you can imagine with what's at the moment, what's going on at the moment, many are either not many presenters are either not saying but in previous

saying much, but in previous years there have been some who say, i guess it's part of the nature of the job and these have to come up. but of course, on a day like today, i imagine in the office everyone will be looking around that list. >> and interestingly as well, there's some there's some big bbc michael bbc stars such as michael mcintyre , tess daly, they're not mcintyre, tess daly, they're not on list because they're paid on the list because they're paid through production companies. yes. >> so there's the commercial arm of the bbc, which deals with the commercial operations. of the bbc, which deals with the commercial operations . so those commercial operations. so those salaries and those people wouldn't be on this list. so you might have programmes like eastenders come dancing eastenders strictly come dancing and so many others which i imagine some of those stars will be getting maybe some sums like this, but they would not feature in this annual report that we see year on year. >> and in terms of outside and sort of shall we say, policing of the corporation , has the of the corporation, has the director—general given any indication as to whether they're going to, you know, bend to more external review in terms of what

they're paying and how they're paying they're paying and how they're paying this money? >> it's something that >> well, it's something that they try to address every single yearin they try to address every single year in terms of what's going to happen. well, we've seen figures like this almost every year. so whether that's going to change, it's not quite clear. he hasn't indicated that. but what we did see last year is that lot of see last year is that a lot of services in the bbc are being streamlined . so less in of streamlined. so less in terms of operations . but when it comes to operations. but when it comes to stars, it seems as though they're paid in they're still getting paid in these figures pretty these ballpark figures a pretty penny. these ballpark figures a pretty pennthink , is phrase that >> i think, is the phrase that some use. theo, some would use. yeah. theo, thank you very much indeed. coming to coming up, questions as to whether president biden is to relent to rishi sunak pressure getting ukraine into nato as soon as possible. president zelenskyy has been talking about that. we'll tell you what he's had to say that's coming live from vilnius a moment. from vilnius in a moment. >> i'm alex deakin and welcome along to your latest weather update from office for update from the met office for gb news. another day of heavy showers across the country. some big downpours few spots. big downpours in a few spots. most of us seeing some sunny spells. so a good chance

there'll be some rainbows around low has been dominating there'll be some rainbows around low weather has been dominating there'll be some rainbows around low weather front)een dominating there'll be some rainbows around low weather front brought1inating there'll be some rainbows around low weather front brought quite1g this weather front brought quite a lot of heavy across the a lot of heavy rain across the south yesterday it's south yesterday evening. it's been out, but still been fizzling out, but still providing a of cloud providing quite a lot of cloud showers over wales , showers already over wales, northern england. they'll get heavier day as they heavier through the day as they will scotland. will across northern scotland. slow moving thunderstorms here could cause some problems with a lot of rain falling in a short space of time. we should see some sunny spells developing, particularly for northern ireland. 22 degrees here, maybe up the low 20s across the up into the low 20s across the south—east. but for most, it feels cool with a brisk breeze, which will at least move the showers through this evening . showers through this evening. lighter across northern lighter winds across northern scotland means moving scotland means the slow moving downpours will continue here well the night and we'll well into the night and we'll see weather returning see more wet weather returning to ireland the to northern ireland through the night but for a good to northern ireland through the night of but for a good to northern ireland through the night of england for a good to northern ireland through the night of england anda good to northern ireland through the night of england and wales, it chunk of england and wales, it will turn dry and clear. temperatures mostly holding up at about 13 or 14. as for wednesday , it's another day of wednesday, it's another day of sunshine and showers. it'll be a brighter start across east anglia in the south—east. good chance of a sunny start to wednesday, but then the showers

will get going once more, especially over northern england. again, parts of northern scotland , more tomorrow northern scotland, more tomorrow probably northern ireland, probably for northern ireland, but a chance of a drier afternoon across wales and southwest and again, southwest england. and again, temperatures in the high temperatures mostly in the high teens low 20s

other offence. you're listening to gb news radio show . to gb news radio show. >> welcome back to the live desk . let's take you straight to vilna in lithuania. the nato summit has just got underway . summit has just got underway. they've sat down for the start of the conference and already it seems that it's got pretty fiery . president zelenskyy hitting out at nato for what he sees as a delay to making his country a member saying it was unprecedented and absurd not to have a time frame for ukraine's membership. uncertainty is weakness , he said. i'll openly weakness, he said. i'll openly discuss this while nato boss jens stoltenberg insisted ukraine would get a clear message , a positive message on membership. >> yeah, there seems to be quite a lot of disagreement going on because the uk wants ukraine

membership to be fast tracked , membership to be fast tracked, but the baltic states, eastern european nations, they want the alliance to make clear what what more conditions ukraine needs to meet and then other other allies, including the us and germany , they are much more germany, they are much more cautious. they want kyiv to tackle corruption and ensure civilian control over the military first. they're also worried that it could all lead to nato being dragged into the war, which they absolutely do not want. they are supplying the weaponry, but they are not and will not put boots on the ground i >> interesting seating arrangement. there's john jens stoltenberg, but you could see rishi sunak there to next president biden. of course, they had that very brief meeting in downing street before the president flew off. i think we can bring in our political edhon can bring in our political editor, darren mccaffrey, who's in vilnius for us. and interesting noises off, if you like. darren especially from president zelenskyy on the pathway . i think they're calling pathway. i think they're calling

it for ukraine as nato membership . yeah indeed. membership. yeah indeed. >> in many ways, nato are at least committed to and are unhed least committed to and are united on the prospect of ukraine joining the alliance at some stage . that is what they some stage. that is what they have reaffirmed today, if you like. they initially suggested it way back in 2008, but as you guys have rightly pointed out , guys have rightly pointed out, there are somewhat divisions on when and how precisely that can happen. it is clear , as you say, happen. it is clear, as you say, some of the baltic states, poland potentially as well , all poland potentially as well, all want to see this process expedited . and clearly, expedited. and clearly, president zelenskyy does. others are being more cautious. frankly, though, the bottom line is this is not going to happen while ukraine is involved in an act of war with russia . now it's act of war with russia. now it's 500 days old. this war, there is no end in prospect to it. and so there is no real at the moment prospect of ukraine joining nato. and that has led president zelenskyy, who's on his way here to vilnius, to put out a pretty angry tweet. this afternoon,

condemning effectively nato leaders. he says that there seems that there is no readiness neither to invite ukraine to nato nor to make it a member of the alliance . this means that a the alliance. this means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain ukraine's membership in nato in negotiations with russia and for russia , this means motivation to russia, this means motivation to continue its terror . he added. continue its terror. he added. that uncertainty is weakness. i will openly discuss this at the wmmw will openly discuss this at the summit. so his suggestion is that if it doesn't happen now or it doesn't happen soon, that frankly, if it gets the negotiations for the end of the war with russia, that russia will push for nato to exclude ukrainian membership as part of a deal and that nato may well cave on that. so that's where his concern is. i spoke to the prime minister on the way over here. again, he would argue in principle, nato is very keen for ukraine to become a member, but it is simply not possible. as i say, while you've got that act of red hot war currently taking place and the problem being article 5, of course , if a nato

article 5, of course, if a nato member is attacked on all of those countries . those countries. >> so therefore, if anything was to happen in terms of russia launching on ukraine, again, that would bring the whole of nato into the conflict . nato into the conflict. >> yeah, indeed. and we know that there's been massive concern about the escalation of this conflict in many ways. mark you could argue effectively there is somewhat of a proxy war taking place in the sense that it nato members , the alliance it is nato members, the alliance who are meeting here, as say who are meeting here, as you say , 30 leaders been , over 30 leaders who've been supplying on the ukraine, supplying on the whole ukraine, largely with its weapons supply. the the weekend the united states at the weekend saying will provide saying that it will provide cluster bombs to ukraine. so to a large degree, you know, the support , the military, tangible support, the military, tangible support, the military, tangible support on ground for support on the ground for ukraine there . ukraine is largely there. however, you're also right in pointing out there clearly leaders cannot allow ukraine to become a member of nato because it would activate article 5 and would mean effectively all out war between the western alliance and russia with potentially all the devastating consequences once the once countries beyond the borders for nato members .

the borders for nato members. now, nato will be pleased at least , that they've managed to least, that they've managed to get president erdogan of turkey last night to allow sweden to become member. it was become a full member. it was possible that could get held up, but in the end they managed to strike a deal last night. but today is a reminder that there are divisions within the alliance, as one would expect, but also that they're going to have to go eye, face to have to go eye to eye, face to face with president zelenskyy in the next 24 hours and explain to him, they won't the next 24 hours and explain to him, him they won't the next 24 hours and explain to him, him to they won't the next 24 hours and explain to him, him to becomey won't the next 24 hours and explain to him, him to become avon't the next 24 hours and explain to him, him to become a member of allow him to become a member of nato, even though is despot nato, even though he is despot for happen not today , but for to happen not today, but yesterday. would say it yesterday. he would say it should years ago. should have happened years ago. >> our >> darren mccaffrey our political editor, thank you very much. let's show you some pictures from a little earlier where rishi sunak and president biden, biden , biden, biden met biden, biden, biden, biden met each other for, well, the second time in two days at this nato summit . and as darren was saying summit. and as darren was saying and we were just discussing, summit. and as darren was saying and we were just discussing , the and we were just discussing, the most important issue is about

nato expansion, but also rishi sunak wants to persuade member states to meet this goal of spending 2% of gdp on defence. and so far . only 11 of the 31 and so far. only 11 of the 31 members do that now and actually france, germany, italy and spain, they are among the members that did not do that this year. >> interesting to the prime minister was then challenged by some of the reporters following suggestions that are army cuts particularly could put that into question, saying that the uk should be incredibly proud of leading role it was playing in global security and indeed we're learning that the first bilateral meeting that rishi sunak will have is with the turkish president, recep tayyip erdogan, of course, who has just acceded to sweden joining nato. so it's a pretty busy summit. we'll update you with the we'll update you with all the latest vilnius as well. >> let's speak to political commentator and former army officer kurt stuart crawford. thanks for talking to us this

afternoon . as we were saying, afternoon. as we were saying, plenty to be discussed at this nato summit. do you see where president zelenskyy is coming from in that strongly worded statement of his . statement of his. >> yes, good afternoon . i think >> yes, good afternoon. i think darren mcgarveys report covered almost all the bases there and was very comprehensive . was very comprehensive. zelenskyy is frustration is not that ukraine cannot immediately join nato for all the reasons that have been discussed because it would lead to immediate war or via article 5 with russia . or via article 5 with russia. but i think that he's really frustrated that there seems to be no time line for ukraine's accession and remember, it was agreed that ukraine would become agreed that ukraine would become a member of nato way back in 2008. so that's a long time to be waiting . be waiting. >> yeah, they want this pathway , i think they've called it. so even though there might be an acknowledgement that, of course

this while the this can't take place while the sort of counter—offensive is underway and the warfare on the ground that ukraine wants to have some kind of definite timetable put in place . timetable put in place. >> yes, indeed. and i think that if and when the war comes to an end and all wars come to an end , eventually, then perhaps ukraine will accede to nato very quickly, because without that, they're open. once again to attack from russia. when russia regroups and rearms so i think it's perfectly understandable that president zelenskyy wants some sort of pathway, some sort of timeline that will tell him and the people of ukraine when they might be able to join nato and therefore secure their their future . future. >> and of course, a lot of the sort of activity is the signals being sent to putin from him. this summit in vilnius. being sent to putin from him. this summit in vilnius . what do this summit in vilnius. what do you think of the significance of this deal with ankara, brokered by jens stoltenberg , where by jens stoltenberg, where turkey now has exceeded two

sweden joining as well as, of course , finland, now a member to i >> -- >> yes, i m w >> yes, i think that's very important . >> yes, i think that's very important. but as i understand it , i don't important. but as i understand it, i don't think hungary has yet agreed to that. however, it looks likely that sweden will join nato very quickly. and the important point of that is that if you look at the map, it means the baltic sea will essentially be surrounded by nato members when sweden joins and russia only has access to the baltic sea via saint petersburg and also in kaliningrad . so to all also in kaliningrad. so to all intents and purpose purposes , intents and purpose purposes, the baltic sea will be denied to russia, which is quite a big blow strategically. yeah >> i also want to ask you about what rishi sunak was saying about the government's investment in defence . these investment in defence. these suggestions that britain could lose influence because of potential cuts to the army. i mean, it does sound a little bit daft, doesn't it? the world is

in at the moment making defence cuts . cuts. >> yes, it's completely counterintuitive. we are meant to the uk is meant to be able to deploy a war fighting division in the field, but at the moment we would be hard pressed to produce a brigade which is about a third of the size of a war fighting division. and while we are cutting troops , obviously are cutting troops, obviously the difficulties in europe are increasing and we're still only spending about 2.5% of our gdp on military equipment, compared to poland, which may now be spending as much as 5. so we've got a lot of catching up to do. but but the real problem is that as our military becomes smaller, our influence in european defence issues diminish us greatly . greatly. >> stewart thank you very much indeed for that. and of course we'll keep everyone updated from vilnius summit gets vilnius as that summit gets underway. you much underway. thank you very much indeed. up , underway. thank you very much indeed. up, what will underway. thank you very much indeed. up , what will the indeed. coming up, what will the government on migration after

government do on migration after the illegal migration bill suffers 20 defeats in the laws . suffers 20 defeats in the laws. it's now back to the commons. we'll update you on that. but first, latest headlines first, the latest headlines coming with . aaron coming up with. aaron >> hi there. it's 1231. coming up with. aaron >> hi there. it's1231. i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom . the bbc says it's been newsroom. the bbc says it's been asked to pause its investigation into allegations against a suspended presenter while police look into a possible criminal case. director general tim davie told reporters he hasn't personally spoken to the presenter concerned and declined to confirm whether they've offered to resign. he said the corporation received an initial complaint on the 19th of may. at that time, however, no allegations of criminal activity were made. when asked if the presenter may return to work , mr presenter may return to work, mr davie said the process must be allowed to run fairly and transparently . in other news, transparently. in other news, the bbc has published details of its highest paid stars as part

of its annual report. gary lineker remains the corporation's top earner , taking corporation's top earner, taking home more than £1.35 million. zoe ball is the highest paid female presenter, pocketing more .than female presenter, pocketing more . than £980,000. the prime minister is at the nato summit in lithuania , where leaders are in lithuania, where leaders are being pressed to make guarantees over ukraine's bid to join the military alliance . president military alliance. president zelenskyy says it would be absurd not to set a timeframe for membership over the next two days. rishi sunak is in favour of ukraine joining nato , but not of ukraine joining nato, but not while the war against russia continues , as he's also pushing continues, as he's also pushing all countries to commit 2% of their budget to defence spending in line with an agreement made by members . in line with an agreement made by members. in in line with an agreement made by members . in 2008. in line with an agreement made by members . in 2008 . and the by members. in 2008. and the government will attempt to get its illegal migration bill through the house of commons after a number of concessions . after a number of concessions. those changes include limiting the detention periods of unaccompanied children and pregnant women and the legislation will no longer be used retrospectively against people already in the uk. the

changes have been recommended by peers after the draft bill suffered 20 defeats in the house of lords and mortgage rates have hit their highest level in 15 years, surpassing figures seen in the aftermath of last year's mini—budget. the average rate on a two year fixed deal is now 6.66. the highest level since the financial crisis of 2008. lenders have been questioned by mps on the treasury committee today. the bank of england has raised its benchmark rate to 5% last month in an effort to bring down inflation. and you can get more on all those stories on our website, gbnews.com . website, gbnews.com. >> that warm feeling inside from boxed boilers. proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> i'm alex deakin and welcome

along to your latest weather update from the met office for gb news. another day of heavy showers across the country. some big downpours in a few spots , big downpours in a few spots, but most of us seeing some sunny spells. so a good chance there'll be some rainbows around. low pressure has been dominating this weather front brought lot heavy brought quite a lot of heavy rain the south yesterday rain across the south yesterday evening. fizzling out, evening. it's been fizzling out, but still providing quite a lot of already over of cloud showers already over wales, northern england. they'll get the day as wales, northern england. they'll get will the day as wales, northern england. they'll get will across the day as wales, northern england. they'll get will across northerniay as they will across northern scotland . and slow moving scotland. and slow moving thunderstorms here could cause some problems with a lot of rain falling in a short space of time, we should see some sunny spells particularly spells developing, particularly for northern ireland. 20 degrees spells developing, particularly for nmayzrn ireland. 20 degrees spells developing, particularly for nmay be ireland. 20 degrees spells developing, particularly for nmay be up and. 20 degrees spells developing, particularly for nmay be up into 20 degrees spells developing, particularly for nmay be up into the degrees spells developing, particularly for nmay be up into the lowees spells developing, particularly for nmay be up into the low 20s here may be up into the low 20s across the south—east but for most feels cool with the most it feels cool with the brisk breeze which will at least move showers through this move the showers through this evening. winds evening. lighter winds across northern scotland means the slow moving will continue moving downpours will continue here well into the night and we'll see more wet weather returning northern ireland returning to northern ireland through as but through the night as well. but for england and for a good chunk of england and wales, turn dry and wales, it will turn dry and clear most holding

clear temperatures most holding up at about 13 or 14. as for wednesday, it's another day of sunshine and showers. it'll be a brighter start across east anglia in the southeast , good anglia in the southeast, good chance of a sunny start to wednesday, but then the showers will get going once more, especially over northern england. again, parts of northern scotland, more tomorrow probably northern ireland, probably for northern ireland, but drier but a chance of a drier afternoon across wales and southwest england. and again, temperatures mostly in the high teens and low 20s that warm feeling inside from boxed boilers . boilers. >> proud sponsors of weather on

>> you're listening to gb news radio . radio. >> welcome back to the live desk here on gb news. wages have risen for millions of workers in the uk , according to official the uk, according to official figures from the office for national statistics. >> but you might think is good

news. but it's the highest growth rate on record . not great growth rate on record. not great news, of course. what may happen with interest rates and therefore mortgages. even more pressure of course, on the bank of england to raise base of england to raise the base rate. meeting, of course, rate. it's meeting, of course, next let's get from next month. let's get more from westminster our economics westminster and our economics and liam and business editor liam halligan on the money . and halligan with on the money. and liam , of course we had both the liam, of course we had both the chancellor and the governor of the bank of england at this important mansion house sort of dinner last night and warning about the dangers of wage inflation. and there we are, the day after. they've been proved right . right. >> we did indeed hear from both the chancellor and the governor of the bank of england, andrew bailey, last night at the mansion house, doing a kind of double act, a display unity . double act, a display of unity. the bank of england, of course, under enormous pressure because the inflation target in this country is set by the treasury is 2. and our inflation on the latest numbers is still 8.7. and

let's have a look at those wage numbers that you mentioned, mark. and pip. ordinarily, the fact that wages are going up strongly would be a cause of celebration, but there are two reasons why they aren't selling rating because they're going up by less than the rate of inflation. and there's concern that will lead more inflation that will lead to more inflation still. so what the numbers show is between and may, is that between march and may, those three months compared to the same three months in 2022, private sector pay was up 7.7. 4/5 of us work in the private sector . that's the fastest rate sector. that's the fastest rate of increase on record. public sector pay . the 20% of people sector pay. the 20% of people working in the public sector, schools, health care and so on. their pay went up 5.8, and that's the fastest since 2001. and when he stood up at the mansion house, a big ceremonial hall in the city of london opposite the bank of england , td opposite the bank of england, td bank governor andrew bailey said that rates of pay increase at this level, even though they're less than inflation, even though they're going down in real terms , are quotes simply not

compatible with inflation? currently, for almost five times target ? and that's why the target? and that's why the chances are given these wage numbers, unfortunately only when the bank of england's monetary policy committee next meets to set interest rates in early august , they're likely to put august, they're likely to put rates up again , down from 5% rates up again, down from 5% where they currently are . where they currently are. >> and of course, the as we've indicated, the gap , if you like, indicated, the gap, if you like, between the private and public sector pay deals. and salaries as well, because we've got the additional aspect right now of this independent pay review , this independent pay review, bodies coming in on teachers on health services. you know, they're talking about what 6.5% for the teachers, yet more pressure via the public service as well as the private sector . as well as the private sector. >> we've got an awful lot of the pubuc >> we've got an awful lot of the public sector on strike, haven't we? a lot of public sector unions, they became certainly their leadership more militant dunng their leadership more militant during lockdown . and i would during lockdown. and i would say, mark, being realistic that

5.8% public sector pay increase . yes, that's that's on average a lot of the public sector workers who are on strike, they're going to want even more than that. they're going to want a number that's closer to the rate inflation, is rate of inflation, which is currently a silver currently 8.7. there is a silver lining here. the silver lining is, as the bank of england governor andrew bailey said last night, and i do agree with him on this, he thinks that inflation often will, when it does start to fall, it will start falling rapidly . so we've start falling rapidly. so we've got the next numbers out coming in a few weeks time. got the next numbers out coming in a few weeks time . i do think in a few weeks time. i do think inflation is going start inflation is going to start falling still we've falling, but still we've got this between inflation 8.7% this gap between inflation 8.7% where the government is setting these wage bargaining outcomes for the public sector. those these wage bargaining outcomes for the public sector . those two for the public sector. those two have to come together if we're going to be able to get beyond aid, these really damaging pubuc aid, these really damaging public sector strikes. that, of course , are causing a lot of the course, are causing a lot of the pubuc course, are causing a lot of the public a lot of hassle during these summer months . these summer months. >> let's also talk mortgages, because there's yet more pressure on homeowners , two year

pressure on homeowners, two year fixed mortgage rates have risen to the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. a typical two year deal has risen . to two year deal has risen. to 6.66% >> it's unbelievable. pip just a few months ago, you could get a two year fixed rate . mortgage two year fixed rate. mortgage for 2% or 3, maybe 4. now, as you say , on average, it's 6.6% you say, on average, it's 6.6% plus. and for a lot of people with higher loans to value borrowing a lot of money, who can't put a big deposit, first time buyers, particularly those who aren't lucky enough to be able to rely on the bank of mum and dad as over half a first time buyers are now here in london and the south—east around a third of first time buyers across the country. if you can't rely on extra cash from your money, you're going to be paying a more than 6.6% for that a lot more than 6.6% for that first mortgage because your loan to value will be higher. this is why house prices are coming down

because people can't afford to put in big bids because they can't afford the mortgage payments to finance them . and payments to finance them. and this is the difficulty for first time kids trying to get time buyers, kids trying to get on the housing ladder, even if house a bit and house prices come down a bit and they are now coming down a bit, if you have pay more to if you have to pay more to borrow a certain amount money borrow a certain amount of money because rates are because interest rates are higher, make houses higher, it doesn't make houses more affordable. this is a major problem. this conundrum of interest rates, inflation, mortgage costs, this is going to dominate politics between now and the run up to the next general election , next autumn. general election, next autumn. in the end , in my view, in the end, in my view, economics wins . economics wins. >> indeed, and headaches for those politicians behind you, of course , in westminster as a course, in westminster as a result of all that, liam , thank result of all that, liam, thank you very indeed for you very much indeed for updating us. more reaction as it comes but let's tell comes through. but let's tell you ringleader a you about a ringleader of a people's smuggling group due to be today for the be sentenced today for the manslaughter of 39 vietnamese migrants, including children found dead in a lorry in essex in october 2019, when the migrants paid the smuggling gang

for a vip journey where they was transported to the belgian border in taxis before they were put on the lorry, which travelled to essex. >> they all suffocated to death in the container. for our london reporter lisa hartle is at the old bailey . lisa, reporter lisa hartle is at the old bailey. lisa, this was absolute horrific case and we all remember it from well, what's four years ago now . what's four years ago now. >> yeah, exactly . so it was last >> yeah, exactly. so it was last month when marius draghi pleaded guilty here at the old bailey to the manslaughter of those 39 people, men , women and children, people, men, women and children, whose bodies were all found in the back of a lorry container in essex on the 23rd of october 2019. their bodies of the vietnamese nationals had been transported , started from transported, started from belgium , and they belgium to purfleet, and they died after running out of air in temperatures that said, they believe reached 38.30 8.5 c. and the 50 year old and alleged leader of a people smuggling gang was found and arrested by

police in romania in august last yeah he police in romania in august last year. he was charged with manslaughter , but also charged manslaughter, but also charged with the conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration in. other people have been prosecuted for their parts in the deaths in 2021, four men were jailed for their parts. their roles in the deaths of the victims, two of whom were just 15 years old. two other men were convicted in 2020, while lorry driver maurice robinson and haulage boss ronan hughes admitted manslaughter. the court was previously told how this was a long running operation with people smugglers set to make as much as £1 million in october 2019 alone. and in june , at draghi kyrees and in june, at draghi kyrees trial, the prosecution said that they were they found it hard to believe that he had no monetary gain this, them not gain from this, despite them not being able pinpoint cash. being able to pinpoint any cash. actually being handed over the fee for the journey was said to be between ten and £13,000 for a so—called vip route that brought them to the uk . and between may them to the uk. and between may 2018 and october 2019, a total

of seven people smuggling trips were discovered, though the court believes there were many more. and it wasn't until the bodies of those 39 victims were found in october 2019 that the trips stopped . and lisa, thank trips stopped. and lisa, thank you for that. >> back to you. of course, as we get that sentencing there at the old bailey. thank you very much indeed. let's update you the indeed. now let's update you the latest we're getting latest figures we're getting from office on the from the home office on the migrants coming across the channel and the provisional total now up to 13,110. so far this year. the latest figures showing 338 people making the journey this monday in some six boats us. so that's 1677 arrivals recorded in just four days. well it comes as mps will vote today on changes made to the illegal migration bill by the illegal migration bill by the house of lords after it suffered 20 defeats in parliament's upper chamber. in response, the government offering concessions on safeguards for children and pregnant women to try to ensure

the bill's passage through parliament, including the immigration bail as it's called , after eight days rather than the current proposed 28. >> well, let's get more on this by speaking to gb news deputy political editor tom harwood. tom, it did sound like they wanted to get this illegal migration bill through before the summer recess, but now downing street seems to not be wanting to name a deadline for the passage of this bill. well it's only ever been speculation that the government has been desperate to get this piece of legislation done in the next 2—2 weeks. >> of course , the government >> of course, the government itself has never said that. that has been a formal deadline on. but behind the scenes, that has been the expectation the been the expectation that the government is rushing to get this passed by the end of next week and receive royal assent before parliament breaks up for the summer recess . and that is the summer recess. and that is potentially why we've seen a great deal of horse trading over the last couple of days. last

night new amendments being published by the government that in effect accepts five of the 20 amendments made by the lords, rejecting 15 of them outright and in part or in whole accepting five of them. you ran through some of those examples just now to do with pregnant women, to do with children, to do with the length of time someone can be. did detained up until their for they must be released or processed and indeed there's a further one that's been hitting the papers as well. this rich rejection of retrospective measures within the legislation . it's being the legislation. it's being reported that means that 10,000 people who have arrived by small boats in the last few months since the legislation was introduced, the time period between the introduction and expected royal assent of the legislation , instead of the legislation, instead of the legislation, instead of the legislation applying to those 10,000 people, it will not, meaning they will be processed east rather than deported. so

those are some of the concessions the government has made to the house of lords and it will hope, therefore, that this bill can pass both houses by the end of next week, although, as you say, the government not wanting to put itself as a hostage to fortune, not wanting to say publicly that that's its deadline john. >> and tom, looking at the bigger picture here, i gather the prime minister speaking to bigger picture here, i gather thethe ne minister speaking to bigger picture here, i gather thethe reporters er speaking to bigger picture here, i gather thethe reporters er sthating to bigger picture here, i gather thethe reporterser sthat plane all the reporters on that plane going over to vilnius for the nato summit, that the nato summit, saying that the plan , the government's plan plan, the government's plan to stop arriving stop the migrants arriving unlawfully working , although unlawfully was working, although he recognised that the crossings would increase over the summer. you latest figures, you know, latest figures, suggestions friday to monday, another 1677. i mean, if that's another 1677. i mean, if that's a policy working, one wonders what would happen if it wasn't working . working. >> well, certainly. and it does seem perhaps a bit unwise of the prime minister to have a few weeks ago stood in dover making that speech , hailing his plan as that speech, hailing his plan as

working crossings at that point down 20% on the year before for as we now have seen in the last few weeks, the crossings have risen and risen and risen, reaching that trend of last year again , of course, the argument again, of course, the argument from the government and what the prime minister will say, he was saying is that they hadn't saying is that if they hadn't made these changes, the made some of these changes, the deal example , deal with albania, for example, which shown numbers from which has shown numbers from albania, have fallen by, i believe , 90. his argument would believe, 90. his argument would believe, 90. his argument would be if those changes hadn't happened , the numbers would be happened, the numbers would be even higher than they are now, although, of course that is going to be disputed . and going to be disputed. and whether that term working whether or not that term working can applied in is one can be fully applied in is one for debate. but again , the for debate. but again, the government would no doubt say in response to that that is why this illegal migration bill, which of course has not yet passed parliament being voted on today and does need to pass both houses. today and does need to pass both houses . the government would say houses. the government would say that's why it's so important to pass. >> tom, it doesn't look like the prime minister has got the confidence of former home

secretary priti patel. she is been tweeting, saying the key pillars of the government's flagship illegal migration bill have been abandoned . and us and have been abandoned. and us and priti patel has been very critical of the way that the government has been handling things for some time now. >> she has tweeted that it's not so easy to get migration down. of course she her time as home secretary also saw the numbers rise , although the rhetoric rise, although the rhetoric remains on strong. this is a vulnerability for the government. of course, the prime minister made it his one of his five pledges to quote unquote stop the boats , although we stop the boats, although we haven't quite heard from the government. if they want to reach that number to be zero or the timeframe in which we can measure their progress towards that goal of quote unquote, stopping the boats. but the government does say that the changes to the legislation , the

changes to the legislation, the amendments from the house of lords, where, of course they do not have a majority that they have accepted, aren't fundamental to the bill, as perhaps priti patel would contain . contain. >> tom, thanks very much indeed i >> -- >> now, you might remember yesterday we were telling you about more than 180,000 holidaymakers, workers who've been hit by easyjet's summer flight cancellations. you could be one of them. >> well, most of the cancellations at gatwick. the airline saying 95% of those affected had their flights rebooked , but that left 9000 rebooked, but that left 9000 unfortunates yet to receive a replacement flight or indeed any compensation . compensation. >> well, we spoke to andy samu here on the live desk. he was stuck for rather a long time at budapest airport. this is what he had to say. >> we were given a hotel, but many of the passengers were asked sleep, to room, asked to sleep, two to a room, which i've not seen before. it's quite unusual see that we've quite unusual to see that we've we've further disruption we've had further disruption this morning because some parents with their children have been given seats on different

rows children . and we rows from their children. and we received a refreshment voucher, which is worth £2.50 five inches local currency. and i've tried four shops and none of them will take it. >> so where is he now? what did he get for £2.55 and he can join us now. andy, where are you ? i'm us now. andy, where are you? i'm in canary wharf, back in my office, thankfully, last night. >> amazing . >> amazing. >> amazing. >> it looks remarkably similar to budapest airport in terms of the ceiling there. so tell us about odyssey to get back about your odyssey to get back home. well we were supposed to fly at two, but fortunately we flew at 415, which meant i could have a call with yourselves. >> we got on the flight. it was it was nice. it wasn't full. some the passengers clearly some of the passengers clearly had alternative had chosen another alternative way get home. but we weren't way to get home. but we weren't offered refreshments again. when we when we were on the flight, which was rather strange, beanng which was rather strange, bearing in mind we were over 5.5 hours in the airport without any refreshments. so we did land just before we landed . there was just before we landed. there was a plane in the taxiing space

that our plane was supposed to be in, and the captain finally became distressed as well and notified us that we had to wait another half an hour to get into the bay . but we got home. so the bay. but we got home. so that's the most important thing. the bay. but we got home. so tha so the most important thing. the bay. but we got home. so tha so the nthe important thing. the bay. but we got home. so tha so the nthe captain nt thing. the bay. but we got home. so tha so the nthe captain wasiing. the bay. but we got home. so tha so the nthe captain was fed >> so even the captain was fed up then ? up then? >> yes . >> yes. >> yes. >> and have you been told anything about any possible recompense or is it a case of sorry , what we've we did receive sorry, what we've we did receive a letter at 1 am. just after the flight was cancelled , which the flight was cancelled, which said that there was exceptional circumstances. >> as i mentioned yesterday. since then , several of the since then, several of the customers and myself have written to a company called airhelp who specialise in in compensation. they have also come back to me and a few customers saying that they won't come back to me and a few cusableers saying that they won't come back to me and a few cusable to saying that they won't come back to me and a few cusable to proceed 1at they won't come back to me and a few cusable to proceed with1ey won't come back to me and a few cusable to proceed with the won't be able to proceed with the claim because it says they say it looks like your flight was disrupted due to operational problems airport. these problems at the airport. these may landings , may include emergency landings, runway traffic runway issues or air traffic control restrictions. now as far as we were told by the captain, though, air traffic control

wasn't reason that we were wasn't the reason that we were grounded. it was actually the security the plane security check of the plane running so easyjet finally running out. so easyjet finally got in touch, though, half an hour ago. oh and so we aren't. yes. i don't know how many of the customers they're in touch with. they have been in touch with. they have been in touch with they have told with me. they have told me that they're full they're not aware of the full incident and they're looking they're not aware of the full incicit.t and they're looking into it. >> there we go. breaking news on the desk. yeah, to great the live desk. yeah, to great hean the live desk. yeah, to great hear. happy outcome and of course, you might still have your voucher on you to spend next time your budapest next time in your budapest airport. andy, thanks very much indeed time. airport. andy, thanks very much indywe time. airport. andy, thanks very much indywe should time. airport. andy, thanks very much indywe should just|e. in >> we should just say, in fairness to easyjet, a comment from them. say the whole from them. they say the whole industry is seeing challenging conditions this summer with more constrained airspace due to the war in ukraine. even so, we're flying back to the lithuanian capital in vilnius shortly. >> the nato leaders sitting down will be telling you what they're talking . stay with us. talking about. stay with us. >> the temperature's rising . >> the temperature's rising. boxed solar proud sponsors of weather on . gb news.

weather on. gb news. >> i'm alex deakin and welcome along to your latest weather update from the met office for gb another day of heavy gb news. another day of heavy showers across the country . some showers across the country. some big downpours in a few spots . big downpours in a few spots. most of us seeing some sunny spells. so a good chance there'll be some rainbows around. has been around. low pressure has been dominating . weather front dominating. this weather front brought of heavy brought quite a lot of heavy rain across the south yesterday evening. been fizzling out, evening. it's been fizzling out, but providing quite a but still providing quite a lot of showers already over of cloud showers already over wales, northern england. they'll of cloud showers already over walheavierhern england. they'll of cloud showers already over walheavier through land. they'll of cloud showers already over walheavier through thei. they'll of cloud showers already over walheavier through the day ey'll of cloud showers already over walheavier through the day asll get heavier through the day as they will across northern scotland. slow moving thunderstorms could cause thunderstorms here could cause some problems with a lot of rain falling in a short space of time. we should see some sunny spells particularly spells developing, particularly for ireland. 20 degrees for northern ireland. 20 degrees here up into the low 20s here may be up into the low 20s across the south—east, but for most it feels cool with the brisk breeze, which will at least move showers through least move the showers through this . lighter this evening. lighter winds across scotland means across northern scotland means the slow moving downpours will continue here well into the night and we'll more wet night and we'll see more wet weather to northern weather returning to northern ireland through the night as well. for a good of well. but for a good chunk of

england turn england and wales, it will turn dry . temperatures dry and clear. temperatures mostly at about 13 or mostly holding up at about 13 or 14. as for wednesday , it's 14. as for wednesday, it's another day of sunshine and showers. it'll be a brighter start across east anglia in the southeast, good chance of a sunny start to wednesday, but then the showers will get going once more, especially over northern england. again, parts of northern scotland , more of northern scotland, more tomorrow probably for northern ireland, but a chance of a drier afternoon wales and afternoon across wales and southwest . and again, southwest england. and again, temperatures in the high temperatures mostly in the high teens and low 20s. temperatures mostly in the high teens and low 20s . the teens and low 20s. the temperatures rising , boxed temperatures rising, boxed solar, proud sponsors of weather on .

gb news the bbc reveals it only spoke to the bbc reveals it only spoke to the presenter at the centre of allegations of paying a young person for sexually explicit photos . photos. >> almost two months after the complaint was first made.

>> director—general tim davie also admitted the bbc only made two attempts to contact the family over the same period of time . their investigation is now time. their investigation is now on hold at the request of the met police . all smiles as met police. all smiles as leaders gather in vilnius for their nato summit. >> but president zelenskyy not happy, calling the lack of a timeframe for ukraine joining as absurd . absurd. >> plus , the row over his tweets >> plus, the row over his tweets about migration took the bbc off air. in return, the corporation paid gary lineker a salary of over £1 million. we'll be telling you much more about that, about who's in the money at the corporation. very shortly before that, your headlines with

. aaron >> good afternoon. it's 1:02. i'm aaron armstrong in the newsroom. the bbc says it's been asked to pause its investigation into allegations against the suspended presenter while police look into a possible criminal case. director general tim davie told reporters he hasn't personally spoken to the presenter concerned and declined to confirm whether they've offered to resign. he says the corporation received an initial complaint on the 19th of may, which was very serious but included no criminal allegations. when asked if the presenter may return to work, mr davie said the process must be allowed to run fairly and transparently . well, separately transparently. well, separately , the bbc has published details of its highest paid stars as part of its annual report. gary lineker remains the corporation's top paid presenter , taking home more than £1.35 million. so he balls the highest paid female presenter, earning more than £980,000 as the prime minister is at the nato summit

in lithuania , where leaders are in lithuania, where leaders are being pressed to make guarantees over ukraine's bid to join the military alliance. president zelenskyy says it would be absurd not to set a time frame for membership over the next two days. now rishi sunak is in favour of ukraine joining nato , favour of ukraine joining nato, but not while the war against russia continues. and secretary general jens stoltenberg says ukraine will be given a clear and positive message . and positive message. >> i also expect that allies will send a clear and positive message on the path forward towards membership for ukraine. ihave towards membership for ukraine. i have proposed a package of three elements with more practical support, with a multi—year programme to ensure full interoperability between the ukrainian forces and the nato forces . this will move. nato forces. this will move. this will move ukraine closer to nato . nato. >> the government could face further hurdles when its illegal migration bill returns to the commons later, despite a number of amendments, concessions

including limiting the detention penod including limiting the detention period of unaccompanied children and pregnant women, have been made to overcome safeguarding concerns , another change will concerns, another change will prevent people who've already entered the uk without permission from being removed retrospectively. a draft of the controversial bill suffered a record 20 defeats in the house of lords . mortgage rates have of lords. mortgage rates have hit their highest level in 15 years, surpassing figures seen in the aftermath of last year's mini—budget. the average rate on a two year fixed deal is now 6.66. the highest level since the financial crisis in 2008. lenders have been questioned today by mps on the treasury committee, the bank of england raised its benchmark rate to 5% last month in an effort to bring down inflation. and chancellor jeremy hunt says that remains the government's priority. we will do what is necessary for as long as necessary to tackle inflation, persistence and bring it back to the 2% target

delivering sound money is our number one focus that means taking responsible decisions on pubuc taking responsible decisions on public finances, including pubuc public finances, including public sector pay, because the more borrowing is itself inflationary . meanwhile, the inflationary. meanwhile, the pace of wage growth has risen again, prompting fears of a further hike in interest rates next month . average weekly pay next month. average weekly pay is 7.3% higher in the three months to may compared with last year matching the joint highest figure since records began in 2001. the office for national statistics also revealed unemployment rose unexpectedly over the quarter to 4% a teacher stabbed at a school in tewkesbury in gloucestershire yesterday is recovering well after being discharged from hospital. a teenage boy is being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder after teacher jamie sansom was stabbed in a secondary school corridor at tewkesbury school says it's providing additional mental and

emotional support for students and staff . the european court of and staff. the european court of human rights has ruled the two time olympic champion caster semenya has been described , semenya has been described, dominated against by world athletics . the 800 metre runner athletics. the 800 metre runner has a condition which means she produces higher levels of testosterone and she was banned from competing after refusing to take drugs to lower her testosterone levels. with the court ruled this violated her human rights and that she hasn't been given sufficient safeguards . having made a complaint. train fares could be reduced under a plan to encourage more competition on britain's railways. new research says allowing multiple operator to run services on the same line leads to better services. newer trains and cheaper fares. rail partners, which represents private train companies, is calling for open access to allow more companies to compete for customers like in other european countries . as this is gb news us

countries. as this is gb news us more as it happens throughout the afternoon . but now it's back the afternoon. but now it's back to mark and . to mark and. pip >> aaron, thanks very much indeed and welcome back to the live desk. so the bbc director—general, tim davie , director—general, tim davie, revealing that the corporation only tried to contact the family who made their complaint out against presenter twice against the bbc presenter twice after the issue was first raised. also not speaking to the presenter themselves until seven weeks after the complaint was first made. that happening on july the 6th. tim davie also said it had halted its own investigation at the request of the met police as they launched their own inquiries. >> our home affairs correspondent mark white has been following all the latest developments . he is at new developments. he is at new broadcasting house. good afternoon, so we have got afternoon, mark. so we have got afternoon, mark. so we have got a clearer picture now with this newly released timeline which actually raises a lot more

questions . questions. >> yes, you're absolutely right. there are some serious questions now for bbc management to answer in the hours, days and weeks ahead , as well as, of course, ahead, as well as, of course, the central allegations that are still being investigated , still being investigated, potentially forming the basis of a criminal investigation by the metropolitan police. there involved in what they term a scoping exercise at the moment to see whether that criminal threshold has been reached in what has been alleged while that is happening, the bbc have confirmed that their internal investigations have had to be paused. but what they did give us your right is this timeline. and it's fascinating and worrying as well as on the air. they tell us that the complainant, a family member , complainant, a family member, attended a bbc building where they sought to make a complaint

about the behaviour of a bbc presenter. then they say on the 19th of may, the complainant then contacted the bbc audience services as the details of that contact were then referred to the bbc's corporate investigations unit. again on the 19th of may. that corporate investigations unit emailed the complainant to say just how seriously they take these investigations , these investigations, these allegations, and also show that they were looking for more in they were looking for more in the way of information on from the way of information on from the complainant. but they say that they got no reply from the complainant at that time. then we effectively just jump to on and a half weeks later to the 6th of june, where the bbc say that they're investing allegations team having got no reply to that initial email on

the 19th of may tell phoned the contact number given by the complainant that number or that call did not connect according to what the bbc management say. now now after that one phone call, no further attempts throughout this whole period of time, right up until the allegations were made by the sun and no further phone calls were made , no other emails sent, no made, no other emails sent, no attempt to contact this family member , making what the bbc member, making what the bbc acknowledged themselves was a very serious allegation on then jump very serious allegation on then jump forward again to the 6th of july. and this is the point where the sun newspaper contacts the bbc and tells them that they have these very serious allegations that they're about to splash in the paper. the very next day, the 7th of july, only at that point, almost two months after the initial allegations were made, did a senior bbc

manager speak to the bbc presenter at the centre of these allegations . so some presenter at the centre of these allegations. so some very significant and serious questions, i think, for bbc management to answer. we haven't fully got their explanation in as to what's gone on yet and particularly, mark, as we've now got the prime minister involved speaking to reporters as he was travelling to vilnius . travelling to vilnius. >> i mean, his analysis shocking and concerning allegations , but and concerning allegations, but then saying that the bbc had assured him that the investigation would be rigorous and swift . and one wonders about and swift. and one wonders about those two terms in terms of, you know , nothing happening in terms know, nothing happening in terms of talk to the presenter directly until the 6th of july. yeah well, i mean, it may be rigorous and swift from here on in, but it's clear it was not rigorous or swift before we got to this point. >> in some explanation that tim davie gave as to why perhaps the

presenter was not spoken to before the 6th of july. they say that the initial allegations made by the complainant did not not include an allegation an of criminality . however, they did criminality. however, they did say that they took the allegation jordon's what was being alleged by that family member very seriously . so given member very seriously. so given that chris, venality aside, if they deem it to have been a very serious allegation, one might have thought that the presenter at the centre of the allegations would have been spoken to at some point in the almost two months since that initial allegation was made. mark at new broadcasting house for the moment , thank you very much moment, thank you very much indeed for updating us on that issue . issue. >> the bbc is also under the spotlight today over salaries. >> well, they've released the annual report, including the pay of top talent . our national

of top talent. our national reporter theo chikomba is here with the facts and, well, some pretty eye—watering figures as well. one has to say they are indeed. >> gary lineker at the top of the list. he has been for some time . we know he's a former time. we know he's a former professional footballer, but now presents on match of day and presents on match of the day and some big football some of those big football matches cup finals and matches like fa cup finals and so on. but there are plenty of names in there, some names. names in there, some new names. interestingly, though , who have interestingly, though, who have come rick edwards . come on there. rick edwards. he's now presenter on five live breakfast programme. but there have also been some increases for some stars for including victoria derbyshire, who's increased by £50,000 to 295,000. justin webb from radio . for justin webb from radio. for 25,000 to 280,000. and rachel burden has risen her salary to 195,000. so some eye—watering figures there and there are some bbc stars that we instantly think of like tess daly, for example , all michael mcintyre, example, all michael mcintyre, they're not on the list. >> just explain to us why

they're not on it. yes. >> so those are just a few names we can have some other stars from places like eastenders, casualty and so on. but that's part of the commercial side of bbc. they look after that and they with other production they work with other production companies, so they may earn those figures, but we those kind of figures, but we don't get to see they're not direct salaries as such. direct bbc salaries as such. exactly. don't them exactly. so you don't see them in this annual report. >> okay. and course, we've in this annual report. >> thisy. and course, we've in this annual report. >> thisy. ar debate urse, we've in this annual report. >> thisy. ardebate goingve've in this annual report. >> thisy. ardebate going on'e got this big debate going on about service pay and about public service pay and what are paid what people are being paid in terms increases. have we got terms of increases. have we got any roughly what the any indication roughly what the figures are like compared to last year? mean, have they had last year? i mean, have they had 10% increases, for instance? well when it comes to pay some, it's not everybody who has received pay rises and it's not across the board as such. >> no, it's not across the board. so it depends on the programming. do. so some programming. they do. so some presenters will be on 4 or 5 days a week and others may be just one and they may have lots of other projects and of other different projects and chop programmes. chop and change programmes. exactly. there's been a lot exactly. so there's been a lot of changes and of those of changes and some of those presenters, for example, steve wright, who we see on there, he presenters, for example, steve wrighis who we see on there, he

presenters, for example, steve wrighis who iin see on there, he presenters, for example, steve wrighis who iin september. e, he left his show in september. so although he's reflected on there, he's no longer there in there, he's no longer there in the same way that he was on radio two during the week, just getting bob for sunday show. >> yeah, exactly. thank you very much indeed . well, let's get much indeed. well, let's get some response now. joining us as the head of campaigns at the taxpayers alliance, elliot elliott . i guess you've been elliott. i guess you've been going through figures as going through the figures as well. response ? well. what's your response? >> good afternoon. well to put it lightly , the bbc is not it lightly, the bbc is not having a good week , but it's having a good week, but it's also taxpayers who are not having a good week because they're down the barrel they're staring down the barrel of potential of a significant potential increase in the licence fee next yeah increase in the licence fee next year. and that increase in the licence fee is going to go towards paying fairly towards paying for a fairly dramatic the number dramatic increase in the number of bbc stars on the biggest, biggest salaries . so as your biggest salaries. so as your reporter noted there, there are bbc stars on well over £1 million. this compares to the average median salary the uk average median salary in the uk . people are paying the . the people that are paying the licence fee for these stars, which is more like £28,000. so it's scandalous . it's pretty scandalous. >> yeah. the director general, tim davie, does say the bbc

tim davie, does say that the bbc has enjoyed an excellent year and it remains a period of change. financial pressures and great competition in the media market. we have had to make some difficult choices. we know that the bbc is needed now more than ever. >> eveh >> well, i think an excellent yearis >> well, i think an excellent year is to put it very, very generously. i think most viewers , most taxpayers have seen the bbc mired in one controversy after another . whether it's after another. whether it's inviting someone like missy onto newsnight or the reports that we've seen this week, i think the bbc is not going through a good time. and ultimately only people that are frustrated with the bbc, people that are not happy with its programming and people that want to opt out do not have the choice to do so because it's funded through essentially taxation. a licence fee which is mandatory. and i think the only answer is from 2027 to move to some sort of subscription service. and for the that don't want to the people that don't want to pay the people that don't want to pay the bbc aren't forced to. >> yeah. should we, however,

reflect when we look at the overall figures, the salaries of the top ten highest on air earners , notably lower than on earners, notably lower than on average than last year , a average than last year, a majority of those making more than 400,000in 2122 this year, a significant number earning less than 400,000. i know it's still, you know, a huge figure, but it's come down in well, you know, a huge figure, but it's come down in well , now it's come down in well, now they'll be facing a cost of living crisis , it seems. living crisis, it seems. >> but the overall number that are receiving over £150,000, which is a huge salary, as i said, far, far more than the median salary of the british taxpayer. that is , you have to taxpayer. that is, you have to pay taxpayer. that is, you have to pay for talent, don't you ? pay for talent, don't you? >> pardon? you have to pay for talent . talent. >> well, you do have to pay for talent. and ultimately, you know, if people think that the bbc has the sufficient talent, if people think that the bbc has the quality programming, if people think that the bbc has the quality programming , they the quality programming, they will of course choose to pay for it. that's what people do with netflix. what do netflix. that's what people do with think that with sky. people think that shows for shows like succession, for example high quality

example, or high quality programming willing programming that they're willing to big bucks for. and if to pay the big bucks for. and if that's going to be case with that's going to be the case with the so be it. but the bbc, then so be it. but it should test. should be put to the test. >> commercial, i'll fight >> so a commercial, i'll fight to death then in terms of to the death then in terms of all broadcasters ? all broadcasters? >> well, i certainly think that there's some parts of the bbc that you could consider public service broadcasting and you might look at something like the world service might look at world service, you might look at something four and something like radio four and there's discussion to something like radio four and the had discussion to something like radio four and thehad about discussion to something like radio four and the had about whetherussion to something like radio four and the had about whether or.ion to something like radio four and the had about whether or not to be had about whether or not those aspects of the bbc, which are very , you know, important to are very, you know, important to whether our soft power or whether it's our soft power or to broadcasting , maybe to our news broadcasting, maybe do be funded through do need to be funded through some of scheme of taxation some sort of scheme of taxation . but the vast bulk of the bbc, something match day, something like match of the day, which has it's what gary lineker earning almost £1.4 million a yeah earning almost £1.4 million a year, despite the fact that he can't keep some of his often controversial views to himself. people that firstly may not even like football, alone like like football, let alone like gary lineker, have to pay for that absolutely exorbitant salary. and that's the sort of thing that we do need to look at commercialising. thing that we do need to look at conokayialising. thing that we do need to look at conokay ,|lising. thing that we do need to look at conokay , there's quite a big

>> okay, there's quite a big debate there. >> okay, there's quite a big detelliot,3re. >> okay, there's quite a big detelliot, but thank very >> elliot, but thank you very much us. elliot keck much forjoining us. elliot keck from taxpayers alliance . from the taxpayers alliance. stay with us here on the live desk on gb news. we will be with nato as it gathers in vilnius. but president zelenskyy is angry about a lack of clarity over if and when ukraine can join the alliance . see you soon. alliance. see you soon. >> the temperature's rising . >> the temperature's rising. boxed solar proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> i'm alex deakin and welcome along to your latest weather update from the met office for gb another day of heavy gb news. another day of heavy showers across the country . some showers across the country. some big downpours in a few spots . big downpours in a few spots. most of us seeing some sunny spells. so a good chance there'll be some rainbows around. pressure has been around. low pressure has been dominating weather front around. low pressure has been dominatquite weather front around. low pressure has been dominatquite a weather front around. low pressure has been dominatquite a lot'eather front around. low pressure has been dominatquite a lot ofther front around. low pressure has been dominatquite a lot of heavy)nt brought quite a lot of heavy rain across the south yesterday evening. it's been out, evening. it's been fizzling out, but providing quite a lot but still providing quite a lot of showers already over of cloud showers already over wales, northern england. they'll of cloud showers already over walheavierhern england. they'll of cloud showers already over walheavier through land. they'll of cloud showers already over walheavier through thei. they'll of cloud showers already over walheavier through the day ey'll of cloud showers already over walheavier through the day asll get heavier through the day as they across northern they will across northern scotland. slow moving

thunderstorms here could cause some problems with a lot of rain falling in a short space of time. we should see some sunny spells particularly spells developing, particularly for ireland. 20 degrees for northern ireland. 20 degrees here into the low 20s here may be up into the low 20s across south—east, but for across the south—east, but for most it feels cool with the brisk breeze, which will at least move the showers through this lighter this evening. lighter winds across scotland means across northern scotland means the slow moving downpours will continue here well into the night and we'll more wet night and we'll see more wet weather to northern weather returning to northern ireland through night ireland through the night as well. good chunk of well. but for a good chunk of england will england and wales, it will turn dry clear . temperatures dry and clear. temperatures mostly up at about 13 or mostly holding up at about 13 or 14. as for wednesday , it's 14. as for wednesday, it's another day of sunshine and showers. it'll be a brighter start across east anglia in the south—east. good chance of a sunny start to wednesday , but sunny start to wednesday, but then the showers will get going once more, especially over northern england . again, parts northern england. again, parts of northern scotland , more of northern scotland, more tomorrow for northern tomorrow probably for northern ireland, but a chance of a drier afternoon and afternoon across wales and southwest . and again, southwest england. and again, temperatures mostly in the high teens and low 20s.

>> the temperatures rising , >> the temperatures rising, boxed solar proud sponsors of weather on gb news

>> as you're listening to gb news radio . well, welcome back news radio. well, welcome back to the live desk. >> and another extraordinary development in this story about the bbc presenter and the inquiries that are going on. tim davie, the director general, is being interviewed by the bbc itself on radio this lunchtime and has now revealed that he, as director general still hasn't spoken to the presenter involved directly . we were hearing from directly. we were hearing from mark white, our correspondent earlier. the bbc said it only spoken to the presenter on 6th july. it now appears that was by some management figure, not tim davie , the director general. davie, the director general. >> tim davie says he feels that he is playing the right role in overseeing the situation . he's overseeing the situation. he's also been asked whether he knows categorically whether the

unnamed presenter paid for the legal fees. tim davies says that is not information that i am to . party and he adds that the information came to him on the 6th of july and we acted swiftly. meanwhile downing street saying the authorities should be given time to investigate the allegations surrounding the bbc. >> presenter of course with the prime minister having earlier said that the allegations were shocking and concerning , but shocking and concerning, but he'd been given reassurances from the corporation that the process was vigorous and swift . process was vigorous and swift. apart from obviously tim davie , apart from obviously tim davie, it seems in terms of his inquiries . it seems in terms of his inquiries. but we'll it seems in terms of his inquiries . but we'll update you inquiries. but we'll update you as we get more on that. >> prime minister is at >> the prime minister is at a major nato summit in lithuania and will today tell world leaders to increase their military budgets to deter vladimir putin. >> well, rishi sunak backing further support for ukraine with indeed pressure growing on president biden and germany also to signal a pathway for ukraine

to signal a pathway for ukraine to join nato . meanwhile, to join nato. meanwhile, president zelenskyy calling it absurd that nato had not granted ukraine membership . ukraine membership. >> oh, well, joining us from the summit in vilnius is our political editor, darren mccaffrey . darren there is mccaffrey. darren there is plenty to be discussed there, but we do know that president zelenskyy is not a happy man about this timeline for nato membership . yeah he really isn't membership. yeah he really isn't pip at all. >> he's clearly, as you said on his way here to vilnius, put out that statement on twitter calling decision by nato not calling the decision by nato not to fast track his and his country's membership of this alliance as absurd . he talks alliance as absurd. he talks about how being invited to join nato now was a window of opportunity and that it's been left to bargain ukraine's membership in nato in negotiations with russia, he said . for russia, this means said. for russia, this means motivation to continue to its terror. and he goes on to effectively argue that this is bad news for the alliance and

for ukraine. now, in essence, again, there are a lot of people here who kind of agree with president zelenskyy. we got a shuttle bus . if you come to shuttle bus. if you come to these summits, you spend an awful lot of time on shuttle buses to someone's like this with all the security that is involved and plastered on those lithuanian was a sign lithuanian buses was a sign saying that while you wait for this bus, ukraine is waiting to become a nato member. reminder become a nato member. a reminder that the baltic states like lithuania or like latvia, like estonia, poland as well, want to see ukraine join nato as quickly as possible. there are other countries, though, like the united states and france and others who are a bit more hesitant about all of this. first of all, they would argue , first of all, they would argue, and to be fair, nato have now confirmed said that the war is going to have to come to an end before ukraine can join, even though in principle they are in favour of ukraine. joining but also they want to sort out things like corruption and the governance of ukraine as well. so there is divisions not

necessarily on the principle, but certainly on how when, what the process would look like . and the process would look like. and that slightly overshadowing that is slightly overshadowing this summit, not least of all, because zelenskyy is because president zelenskyy is going to face these going to have to face these leaders the 24 or leaders in the next 24 hours or so. and darren, very quickly, give us an idea of what pressure rishi can actually place rishi sunak can actually place on the us president and germany as well. >> indeed, try and get this >> indeed, to try and get this pathway for ukraine down, sort of hardened up, if you like . of hardened up, if you like. well, so the big sort of thing is having kind of tried to work my way through what the uk position actually is on this. >> i think it is actually in many ways quite aligned to the united states in the end. i mean, we spent of time on mean, we spent a lot of time on the today talking to the the plane today talking to the prime this, about the plane today talking to the prin nato this, about the plane today talking to the prin nato summit, this, about the plane today talking to the prin nato summit, about;, about the plane today talking to the prin nato summit, about ukraine's the nato summit, about ukraine's membership. there is an acceptance from britain that this going happen any this is not going to happen any time soon. as i say, the war is 500 old with russia. it is 500 days old with russia. it is not to end , potentially not likely to end, potentially not likely to end, potentially not even the next 500 days. and so i don't think there is that much division in the uk's place.

but clearly he wants and britain wants to see the alliance firm up the support for ukraine because in many ways this is also a moot point that even know , you know, obviously it would be a big moment of ukraine joined because effectively nato would be at war with russia and that's going that's why it's not going to happen day, happen in at the end of the day, ukraine being wholly ukraine is being wholly supported by nato at the moment in terms financial support, in terms of financial support, military it is the military equipment. it is the alliance really that is ensuring that ukraine has the ability to carry on fight against russia. >> darren in vilnius , thank you >> darren in vilnius, thank you very much indeed for updating us. >> us. >> joining us now is peter caddick—adams, who is a nato historian . good afternoon to historian. good afternoon to you, peter. thanks forjoining us on gb news. it does sound like all these nato countries, they're walking quite a difficult tightrope at this summit, aren't they? because there's lots of understanding and sympathy with ukraine's demand for that firm timetable . demand for that firm timetable. but the debate, it's just very, very complicated . very complicated. >> it's complicated because

there are several different speeds at which the various nato members are racing. >> basically , if you're close to >> basically, if you're close to russia , the closer you are, the russia, the closer you are, the more hawkish you are and the more hawkish you are and the more you would like nato to absorb ukraine into the alliance. but the further away you go where the threat seems less imminent. you go where the threat seems less imminent . united states, less imminent. united states, certainly the united kingdom, france , there is more of france, there is more of a measured tone on that. ukraine needs to sort out its governance s its ideas of corruption , and s its ideas of corruption, and therefore that will take time. and of course, overriding this is the famous article 5, which states that an attack on one nato nation is an attack on all of them. so ukraine comes straight into nato. that puts nato at war with russia, which is what no one wants. and so that really is the major stumbling block at this moment in time . in time. >> and, of course, i guess that goes forward even into if a

ceasefire was established. you know, if ukraine is admitted into nato during a ceasefire, would that ceasefire hold or would that ceasefire hold or would russia try and complicate matters? because clearly a lot of signals being sent here from vilnius to the kremlin . hello vilnius to the kremlin. hello peter, can you hear us? >> that's the whole point. the war has really got to finish before for ukraine. can come into nato. we've got to we've got to remember here, everybody is aware of this tension. this isn't something new. and what president zelenskyy is very good at doing is messaging around the world and waving his flag, as indeed he should . but really, indeed he should. but really, we've got to remember that these are his own are messages for his own population that he is reassuring the nation. he's doing everything he can to ensure their future security so these are problems that have been talked about behind the scenes for weeks and weeks and months. and months. and there is nothing new. i mean, far more

significant is the fact that turkey has backed down and sweden will come into the alliance as soon as possible. and that's 32 nations on the honzon and that's 32 nations on the horizon now that are lined up and makes russia's job even more difficult. and the security of europe far more firm than it was before. >> indeed. and we've just seen that handshake between the prime minister and turkey's president there in vilnius. peter, thank you very much. updating us. of course, we'll keep updating people from that nato summit. thank you. well let's just bring you a little bit of breaking news because former prime news because the former prime minister, johnson, his minister, boris johnson, and his wife , carrie, have welcomed wife, carrie, have welcomed their third child and md carrie has posted on her instagram saying a week of frankie. >> welcome to the world, frank. alfred odo , silas johnson, who alfred odo, silas johnson, who was born on the 5th of july at 915, a m, she jokes, can you guess which name my husband chose ? chose? >> frank. plenty more to come here. the headlines with . aaron

here. the headlines with. aaron >> hi, there it is. 130 for aaron armstrong here in the newsroom . the bbc's director newsroom. the bbc's director general says the suspended presenter should have been spoken to by a very senior management , spoken to by a very senior management, but that he has not spoken to the unnamed presenter himself. in an interview with the bbc's radio four, tim davie said he didn't think it was odd the presenter was only contacted last thursday . last thursday. >> what was his response when he was spoken to? >> has he denied it? >> has he denied it? >> i'm not going to get into the specific conversations with the presenter. >> have you spoken to him personally ? personally? >> he's been spoken to by >> no. he's been spoken to by a senior manager. >> has he offered to resign? again that is a matter that i think we have to respect the privacy of employee , except privacy of an employee, except we're a very strange we're in a very strange situation , aren't we, that situation, aren't we, in that he's not been named, but everyone this building knows everyone in this building knows who is . and there are an who it is. and there are an awful lot of people who you also

have a duty of care to male presenters are having presenters on air who are having to on to say that they to go on air to say that they are it's not them. it's not a sustainable situation, is it? it is a very difficult and complex situation. >> and we're trying to calmly and judiciously navigate our way through quite difficult circumstances . circumstances. >> well, separately, the bbc's published details of its highest paid stars as part of its annual report. gary lineker remains the corporation's top paid presenter for taking home more than £1.35 million. zoe ball is the highest paid female presenter, earning more than £980,000 and the prime minister is at the nato summit in lithuania , where leaders have in lithuania, where leaders have been criticised for the delay in bringing ukraine into the military alliance. president zelenskyy says it would be absurd not to set a timeframe for membership over the next two days and uncertainty provides motivation for russia to continue its terror. rac sunak

is in favour of ukraine joining nato , but not while the war nato, but not while the war against russia continues. more on all of our stories on our website gbnews.com . direct website gb news.com. direct bullion website gbnews.com. direct bullion sponsors the finance report on gb news for gold and silver investment . quick look at silver investment. quick look at today's markets for you. the pound will . buy $1.2909 and pound will. buy $1.2909 and ,1.1747. the price of gold. £1,499.66 per ounce. and the ftse 100 is . at 7255 points. ftse 100 is. at 7255 points. >> direct bullion sponsors the finance report on gb news for physical investment

>> you're listening to gb news radio .

radio. >> welcome back to the live desk . let's update you now on the situation at the bbc. its director general has now admitted that he has not spoken directly to the presenter at the centre of the allegation . centre of the allegation. >> a home affairs correspondent mark white, has been following all the latest developments at new broadcasting house. mark, quite an extraordinary interview that tim davie has just done . that tim davie has just done. the bbc interviewing the bbc. >> yes. and some key points i think coming out that are of interest that are slightly different to what he was able to answer in terms of the press briefing . so he was pushed on briefing. so he was pushed on the issue of whether the processes worked , given what we processes worked, given what we now know, which is that the family had contacted the bbc on the 18th of may initially to complain that an email was sent the next day to the family. but after getting no contact , no

after getting no contact, no other email was sent and only one phone call was was made to that family , i.e. one phone call was was made to that family , he the contact that family, he the contact number that was given to them. two and a half weeks later. well, tim davie said that as far as the processes are concerned , as the processes are concerned, he believes that they did work in the sense that the allegation were passed to on the corporate investigations team . now it's investigations team. now it's clear that the corporate investigator team, i think with what information they had, which tim davie himself described as very serious allegations, perhaps should have red flagged that further up the chain with a bit more urgency . see, and bit more urgency. see, and that's what he is saying, that the corporation is now looking at as a matter of urgency. those people processes for assessing complaints and determining if they are of a very serious nature to like this allegation, then quickly escalating it to more senior management to get a more senior management to get a more urgent response. some other

parts in that interview that was on bbc radio four fs the world at one when he was asked if he had met as you said in your introduction and spoken to the presenter himself as director general, this being a very high profile presenter, we're told he confirmed that he hadn't. but again, he said he thought that was the right thing to do, that he was fulfilling his role as the director general and overseeing this process , but overseeing this process, but allowing a very senior manager to speak to this presenter for the other aspect, the other issue that he was asked about is whether any other allegations , whether any other allegations, phones had been made against this presenter. now on this point , he this presenter. now on this point, he could have just said, no, i'm not aware of any, but he actually said it would be inappropriate for me to comment out on anything like that

because the ongoing police investigation has brought a halt to the investigation that is taking place here at the bbc. >> and mark, very quickly , just >> and mark, very quickly, just on that aspect, just remain joined us again. what has happened, because the met has come in now saying it is making inquiries and what they termed a scoping investigation. i mean, what is that exactly ? do we know what is that exactly? do we know a scoping investigation or a scoping process ? scoping process? >> this is an initial assessment , really, of the allegations that have been made. the evidence that's there to determine whether they think this meets the threat hold for a criminal offence that may have occurred , in which case they occurred, in which case they would launch a formal investigation. but while this scoping exercise is underway, which may indeed lead to a criminal investigation , the bbc criminal investigation, the bbc have been asked to halt their own internal investigations as of course any potential criminal

investigation . nye bevan has investigation. nye bevan has primacy . primacy. >> mark at new broadcasting house. thanks very much indeed for updating us with the latest. more course as we get it. the ringleader of a people smuggling group is due to be sentenced today for the manslaughter of 39 vietnamese migrants who were tragically found dead in a lorry in essex in october 2019. >> the accused from romania plead guilty at the old bailey last month . last month. >> well, the victims, including ten teenage buyers, had paid the smuggling gang for what was called a vip journey on the lorry, which had travelled to purfleet in essex. but they suffocated in the back of the lorry in a container. authorities expected draghi of having coordinated a lucrative network, describing him as a people smuggling kingpin. london reporter lisa hartle outside the old bailey and lisa, the sentence is expected to start on about 15 20 minutes time .

about 15 20 minutes time. >> yeah, that's right. so marriage jukichi is due to be sentenced at around 2:00 pm today. as you said, last month , today. as you said, last month, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter of those 39 people, men, women and children whose bodies were found in the lorry trailer in essex on the 23rd of october 2019. the bodies of the vietnamese nationals were found in the container after they were transported by ferry from belgium to purfleet, and they died after running out of air in temperatures that reached 38.5 c. the 50 year old and alleged leader of a people smuggling gang was detained in last august. in romania and he was charged with manslaughter as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration in. other people have been prosecuted for their parts in these deaths and their parts in these deaths and the court was previously told how the operation was a long running one with people smugglers set to make as much as £1 million in october 2019 alone. in june , in draghi trial, alone. in june, in draghi trial, the prosecution said that they

didn't believe that he they found it hard to believe that he didn't make any monetary gain from this, even though they couldn't pinpoint any cash actually being handed over the fee for the journey was said to be between 10 and £13,000 for the so—called vip journey, which brought them to the uk , brought them to the uk, something that they said whoever was driving the lorry would have been that there were been aware that there were people in the back between may 2018 and october 2019, as many as seven trips were were found to be happening. though the court did hear that it was likely there were more, but it wasn't until the bodies of those 39 those men , women and 39 people, those men, women and children, only children, two of whom were only 15 old, were discovered in 15 years old, were discovered in october 2019, that the trips came to a halt. lisa thank you for the moment. >> back to you. of course, as that begins shortly that sentencing begins shortly at old bailey. thanks very at the old bailey. thanks very much , news. much indeed, gb news. >> kill cash campaign is >> don't kill cash campaign is highlighting to the government the importance of keeping cash payments society . the importance of keeping cash payments society. it the importance of keeping cash payments society . it is payments in society. it is currently more than 203,000

currently at more than 203,000 signatures, more than 5 million adults still rely on cash in the uk and it's used in 6 billion transactions every year. but there's strong vested interests pushing for it to be permanently replaced by debit and credit cards and other electronic payments. let's bring in our yorkshire reporter anna riley , yorkshire reporter anna riley, who has been speaking to people about this issue and anna, you've been struggling , i think, you've been struggling, i think, with a car park payment machine, as a lot of us do. >> i definitely mark, for me, it's always remembering my registration when you go to pay. >> but yes, i'm here at york. there are 30 in council car parks here in york. they all take a mixture of cash and card payment , but take a mixture of cash and card payment, but other than this one that i'm at now, mary gate car park, it's only the only one currently that is complete , currently that is complete, completely cashless. so you need your card if you're a driver and your card if you're a driver and you want to come and park here. but also today , the city of york but also today, the city of york council is looking into plans to

make the all of the car parks completely cashless across the city centre. and they say because that's going to save them money, they say that card only machines are cheaper to buy and easier to maintain. they say that it also removes the risk of people trying to break in and steal money from them. and they also say it will save money as well on saving council employees going around the car parks to remove the cash. and as well, it's de—man . and so last year in it's de—man. and so last year in 2022, £159 million was made by the council from those 13 car parks charging people for parking. but of that, only 12% of payments were made in cash, 39% were made via the phone and 49% were made via card . so the 49% were made via card. so the council is saying it's about demand as well as to why they're looking at going completely cashless for all their car parks and i've been out speaking to drivers here about this car park

being cashless and about the wider potential plans to make more car parks here cashless this is what they had to say. >> i think my preference is we need to cater for everybody. i think we're moving too much towards a cardless culture now where people are expected to have to have to carry a card or have to have to carry a card or have to have to carry a card or have to carry a phone. and it shouldn't be an obligation that you have to do that every single day. >> i really don't carry cash anymore , not for anything anymore, not for anything at all. everything's contactless now, so a lot of people seem to think there's something sinister behind but i just find it behind it. but i just find it much more convenient . much more convenient. >> there are so many things like banks closing and local post offices . offices closing. >> so actually what we're doing is away all of the is we're taking away all of the opfions is we're taking away all of the options that older options that the older generation actually use and don't comfortable with. don't feel comfortable with. they don't feel comfortable with digital at point digital payments at this point in so i think it's in time. so i think it's absolutely critical, to be honest. >> i'm not really that bothered. honest. >> i'rarely really that bothered. honest. >> i'rarely realcashat bothered. honest. >> i'rarely realcash anyway.ed. honest. >> ialways realcash anyway.ed. honest. >> ialways got cash anyway.ed. honest. >> ialways got my1 anyway.ed. honest. >> ialways got my1 anyand ed. honest. >> ialways got my1 anyand with i've always got my card and with smartphones and watches, it's just easy to use your card and contactless , so it doesn't

contactless, so it doesn't really bother me . really bother me. >> so a mixture of opinions from people here, some people saying yes , cash is still king. we do yes, cash is still king. we do still need the option to pay via cash, especially for the older generation . but other people generation. but other people still quite happy to pay via card for their parking. but i have been speaking to people about our don't kill cash campaign as well, and the absolute majority of people that ispoke absolute majority of people that i spoke to did still say they think there is still a crucial need for cash in society , need for cash in society, whether that's at a car park , at whether that's at a car park, at a restaurant or at a bar. so perhaps some more signatures being signed today in york park. >> anna, thanks very much indeed . and good luck with the registration number. yeah, i hope you don't get a ticket. now, news just in the battle of waterloo , one of the most famous waterloo, one of the most famous battles in european history. but it doesn't mean it's not stopped giving up its secrets , it seems. yeah. >> new dig at the waterloo battlefield has uncovered two unrecognised features for the

first time, which is giving new insights into the opening moments of the battle as french soldiers advance on hougoumont farm on the morning of june the 18th, 1815, you could well have studied that at history. history o—level. >> oh, i remember the maps. yeah i remember the maps. the very famous farmhouse. let's get more now with mark evans , chief now with mark evans, chief executive officer of waterloo uncovered leading the dig. and you really have uncovered something, seems , mark. something, it seems, mark. >> we have. >> we have. >> we've been very, very, very lucky that we've found and two brand new features that have previously not been not been spotted before. one is a chapel and one is a quarry to the south of hougoumont farm. we noticed them on a map and then we did some geophysics, which is sort of radar work, to see what's under the ground. and then we got in there the last week with our team of archaeologists and veterans and they've been exploring and excavating those features since , which is really features since, which is really helping us better understand the

battle and changing, changing history. >> so what do we think will change in terms of the narrative? i mean, hopefully napoleon still loses . does he? napoleon still loses. does he? yeah there is. >> there is no fear of us changing that around. that's for sure. but what what the archaeology does is it allows us to really better understand and the detail and the human experience. so so the features that we've found now , now are that we've found now, now are some way 200, 300m in front of hougoumont farm during the battle, who hougoumont farm was heavily defended outpost of the british, and it was thought to be key to the battle. so the british managed to hold it against this. these waves and waves of french assault and the information that we've got is really helping us understand why this quarry that we've found at the front, at the front of the farm just is another reason as to it was so for the to why it was so hard for the french there. these sort french to get there. these sort of obstacles that they had to cross before they before they reached itself . reached the actual farm itself. and the chapel is a similar is a

similar of and they similar sort of thing. and they were features that the were they were features that the british who were defending the farm defensive features farm used as defensive features so that they could actually harass the french during their attack. and it's and all these sort of things, these tactics , sort of things, these tactics, they're they're sort of things that are brought to life by the they're they're sort of things thethee brought to life by the they're they're sort of things thethe veterans: to life by the they're they're sort of things thethe veterans thatife by the they're they're sort of things thethe veterans that we )y the they're they're sort of things thethe veterans that we haves by the veterans that we have taking part in the excavation who are always keen to point out that at these sort of these these phase defences that we're now seeing we're now or now seeing and we're now or we're now uncovering, are the kind of tactics that they would have themselves have used themselves in places like afghanistan on. like iraq and afghanistan on. and they're really helping us understand how how wellington was an even more canny commander at the battle of waterloo then i think we sometimes give him give him credit for and mark, in terms of this discovery where doesit terms of this discovery where does it rank with all your other discoveries? >> how exciting is it for the historians? >> it's incredibly exciting for the world at large. last year, we found the only the second

full skeleton that you've ever found at at waterloo . and that's found at at waterloo. and that's one of the most incredible finds finds we've found this year. the finds we've found this year. the finds we've found are absolutely pivotal in really understanding the detail of the battle and then the kind of things that waterloo is one of those battles. there's been a lot written about it. but until you get and do the archaeology, get in and do the archaeology, you don't really have detail you don't really have the detail and don't really have the and you don't really have the opportunity understand and opportunity to understand and what like for the people what it was like for the people on the ground. so like if you now know that the approach of the french was through this the french made was through this quarry through to quarry, then through a wood to the farm, it really helps you under stand the history and put yourself in the shoes of the french. when they were attacking or the british when or the british soldiers when they getting there. just they were getting there. it just makes more , ever makes it ever, ever more, ever more visceral. >> excellent . mark, thank you >> excellent. mark, thank you very for updating us. the very much for updating us. the history have be history books will have to be rewritten because of your work. so we are. thanks so there we are. thanks for updating gb news. so there we are. thanks for upda that gb news. so there we are. thanks for upda that , gb news. so there we are. thanks for upda that , more gb news. so there we are. thanks for upda that , more on gb news. so there we are. thanks for upda that , more on the news. with that, more on the bbc scandals still to come, including the startling revelation that the director

general has yet to speak to the unnamed prisoner at the centre of the allegations . of the allegations. >> stay with us. >> stay with us. >> a brighter outlook with boxed solar. >> a brighter outlook with boxed solar . proud >> a brighter outlook with boxed solar. proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. on. gb news. >> afternoon . i'm alex deakin >> afternoon. i'm alex deakin with your latest forecast from the met office for gb news. sunny spells again tomorrow and again you will be dodging the downpour. some very heavy showers around and a fairly cool breeze. it's low pressure that continues to dominate. this one's been across the one's been tracking across the country . this weather front country. this weather front clearing away from the south—east, but its wake, south—east, but in its wake, still plenty of showers moving through for most on a fairly brisk breeze, slow moving. brisk breeze, but slow moving. heavy downpours across northern scotland bringing some torrential rain for a time. more rain will push back across northern ireland into southern scotland and northern england through night. good through the night. but a good chunk england and will chunk of england and wales will actually clear with actually turn dry and clear with temperatures dropping about temperatures dropping to about 13 or 14 degrees. now, much of the midlands, eastern and

southern england will start off with some sunshine tomorrow , but with some sunshine tomorrow, but there be a of there will already be a lot of cloud rain over cloud and showery rain over northern england and southern scotland. stay fairly scotland. it will stay fairly wet scotland with an wet in northern scotland with an increasing breeze here. more heavy showers developing and they'll also develop elsewhere for northern ireland and parts of england and wales. although perhaps more scattered perhaps a bit more scattered than a better chance than today. so a better chance of some lengthier dry of seeing some lengthier dry spells, chance of seeing spells, better chance of seeing a sunshine. a bit more sunshine. but still on side , especially in on the cool side, especially in the breeze, temperatures around or below average still , or a touch below average still, thursday's a similar story, but not as many showers and some areas may have a completely dry day on thursday. still 1 or 2 heavy ones, especially in eastern parts come the afternoon . but parts of wales, south—west england looking at a bit england looking at least a bit dner england looking at least a bit drier thursday . drier on thursday. >> a brighter outlook with boxed suella proud sponsors of weather on .

him at all. >> tim davie also admitted the bbc only made two attempts to contact the family over the same penod contact the family over the same period of time . their period of time. their investigation is now on hold at the request of the met police as

well . well. >> the bbc reveals it only spoke to the presenter at the centre of allegations almost two months after a complaint. first made. the director general hasn't spoken to him at all. >> tim davie also admitted the bbc only made two attempts to contact the family over the same penod contact the family over the same period of time. there investigation is now on hold at the request of the met police . the request of the met police. it's all smiles as leaders gather in vilnius for the nato wmmw >> but president zelenskyy is not happy, calling the lack of a time frame for ukraine. joining as absurd . as absurd. >> plus, the row over his tweets about migration took the bbc off

air in return , though the air in return, though the corporation paid him a salary of over £1 million. stay with us to find out who's in the money at the corporation. before that , the corporation. before that, all your headlines with . aaron all your headlines with. aaron >> very good afternoon. it's 2:02. aaron armstrong here in the gb news room now, the bbc's director general has admitted he hasn't spoken to the suspended presenter at the centre of recent allegations and the corporation attempted to contact the family on just two occasions. the bbc has paused its investigation while police look into possible criminal activity . obe. in an interview activity. obe. in an interview with radio four, tim davie said he didn't think it was odd. the presenter was only contacted last thursday despite a complaint being made in may. >> it was his response when he was spoken to . has he denied it? was spoken to. has he denied it? i'm not going to get into the specific conversations with the presenter. have you spoken to him personally? >> no. he's been spoken to by a

senior manager. >> has he offered to resign ? >> has he offered to resign? >> has he offered to resign? >> again, that is a matter that i think we have to respect the privacy of an employee , except privacy of an employee, except we're very strange we're in a very strange situation, aren't that situation, aren't we, in that he's not been named, but everyone in this building knows who it is. >> and there are an awful lot of people who you also have a duty of male presenters on of care to male presenters on air who are to go on air of care to male presenters on airsayo are to go on air of care to male presenters on airsay that to go on air of care to male presenters on airsay that they to go on air of care to male presenters on airsay that they are 0 go on air of care to male presenters on airsay that they are it's) on air of care to male presenters on airsay that they are it's not air to say that they are it's not them . it's not a sustainable them. it's not a sustainable situation , is it? situation, is it? >> it is a very difficult and complex situation and we're trying to calmly and judiciously navigate our way through quite difficult circumstance stances separately , the bbc has separately, the bbc has published details of its highest paid stars as part of its annual report. >> gary lineker remains the corporation's top paid presenter , taking home more than £1.35 million. zoe ball is the highest paid female presenter, earning more than £980,000 . the prime more than £980,000. the prime ministers at the nato summit in lithuania, where leaders have

been criticised for the delay in bringing ukraine into the military alliance. president zelenskyy says it would be absurd not to set a time frame for membership over the next two days and uncertainty provides motivation for russia to continue its terror. well rishi sunakisin continue its terror. well rishi sunak is in favour of ukraine joining nato, but not while the war against russia continues. secretary general jens stoltenberg says ukraine will be given security guarantees . given security guarantees. >> i also expect that allies will send a clear and positive message on the path forward towards eu membership for ukraine. i have proposed a package of three elements with more practical support, with a multi—year programme to ensure full interoperability between the ukrainian forces and the nato forces. this is moving. this will move ukraine closer to nato . nato. >> the government is attempting to get its illegal migration bill through the house of commons after making a number of concessions. a changes include

limiting the detention periods of unaccompanied children and pregnant women and the legislation will no longer be used. retrospect actively against people already in the uk . the changes have been recommended by peers. after the draft bill suffered 20 defeats in the house of lords. mortgage rates have hit their highest rates have hit their highest rate in 15 years. surpass icing figures seen in the aftermath of last year's mini—budget. the average rate on a two year fixed dealis average rate on a two year fixed deal is now 6.66. that's the highest level since the financial crisis of 2008. the bank of england raised its benchmark rate to 5% last month in an effort to bring down inflation. however the pace of wage growth has risen again, prompting fears of a further hike in interest rates next month . average weekly pay is month. average weekly pay is 7.3% higher in the three months to may compared with last year matching the joint highest figures since records began in 2001. the office for national

statistics also revealed that unemployment rose unexpectedly over the 3:45% castus semenya has had some good news from the european court of human rights. they've ruled the two time olympic champion has been discriminated against by world athletics. the 800 metre runner has a condition, which means she produces higher levels of testosterone . she was banned testosterone. she was banned from competing after refusing to take drugs that would lower her testosterone levels . the court testosterone levels. the court ruled this violated her human rights and she was not given sufficient safeguards. when she complained and train fares could be reduced under a plan to encourage more competition on britain's railways. new research says allowing multiple operators to run services on the same line will lead to better services. newer trains and cheaper fares . newer trains and cheaper fares. rail partners, which represents private companies, is calling for open access to allow more train networks to compete for

customers. the same way it happensin customers. the same way it happens in many european countries . that's it for the countries. that's it for the moment. we'll have more in our later bulletins here on gb news. but now back to mark and . pip >> aaron, thanks very much and welcome back to the live desk with the latest twists and turns in the bbc presenter saga , with in the bbc presenter saga, with the director general admitting he has yet to speak to that presenter alleged to have paid a young person for sexually explicit photos. tim davie also revealing no member of the bbc management team had spoken to the presenter about the allegations for almost two months after the first complaint with a conversation on only happening then on july the sixth, our home affairs correspondent mark white has been following all the latest developments . developments. >> he is at new broadcasting house. mark so tim davie giving

that interview effectively the bbc interviewing the bbc, and he said he doesn't think it's odd that he has not spoken to the presenter, the unnamed presenter, the unnamed presenter, about this many people would beg to differ. i mean, this scandal is unfolding on his watch . on his watch. >> yeah, well, he says that he believes that he is actually fulfilling his role as a director general, fulfilling his role as a director general , that he is director general, that he is overseeing this investigation and that it was appropriate, he believes , then for a very senior believes, then for a very senior manager to speak to the presenter here at the centre of the allegations . but, yes, a lot the allegations. but, yes, a lot of questions for the bbc to answer now in light of what has been revealed today in terms of that timeline and a timeline that timeline and a timeline that confirms that a complaint was first made on the 18th of may, that initially an email was sent out by the corporate investigation team to the

complainant. it a day later , but complainant. it a day later, but then two and a half weeks passed before someone from that investigate team, then telephone , phoned the complainant . that , phoned the complainant. that number failed to connect and then no further attempt at communicating with the complaint . infant occurred until the sun article on on the 6th of july, or at least the notification from the sun that they were going to be publishing the article on the 7th of july. and it was at that point and only at that point that despite tim davie acknowledging that there was a very serious allegation being made here, it was only at that point that the sun contacted them that they then spoke to this presenter here at the bbc. and as you say and as you said to me at the beginning there, yes, he confirms that he himself has not spoken to the presenter. he was also asked whether there were any other

allegations that had been made against this presenter , and he against this presenter, and he effectively side swerved that question. he said that it would be inappropriate idiot to comment on that particular issue because of the potential of an ongoing police investigation in they have suspended their internal investigation until that police process has ended. he was speaking on the bbc's world at one programme on radio four. we have reached out to the bbc asking for an interview ourselves with the director general that has not been forthcoming . in the absence of forthcoming. in the absence of that, we can bring you part of that, we can bring you part of that interview too, with radio four, where he acknowledges that there are some questions and perhaps improvements that need to be made in the way that they deal with these very serious allegations. this is what he said , that we need to attempts

said, that we need to attempts made to contact the family one by email, one by phone. >> does that or does that seem fine to you ? fine to you? >> i think one of the things i've today is i think that i've said today is i think that is a fair question. and as director want make director general, i want to make sure look at a couple of sure and look at a couple of things. actually, the first things. actually, the first thing , do we thing is immediately, do we raise flags quick enough raise the red flags quick enough on complaints of this nature and the second is the processes and protocols . there may well be protocols. there may well be some learnings from this case. the one thing linked to your introduction is the case was kept open , so that does not mean kept open, so that does not mean we'd finished. we have a process where we keep going back. we leave a bit of time and then we go back. so the case was kept open an awful lot of time when you consider that was from what the 18th, 19th of may through to last thursday . well, as you can last thursday. well, as you can see from the timeline, they were contacted. there was no response . we can debate how many times that should have happened, but the allegations were taken seriously. okay. >> do you think it's odd that the presenter spoken to

the presenter was only spoken to last thursday? not because. >> no, because what it has happened have you, is simple . happened have you, is simple. >> is that and what was his response when he was spoken to? has he denied it? >> going to get into the >> i'm not going to get into the specific with the specific conversations with the presenter , the well, an update presenter, the well, an update from scotland yard. >> now, i think that's worth bringing to you. confirmation of what tim davie was saying about the internal investigation here. they say that we have asked the bbc to pause its own investigation while we continue our assessment to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence being committed . and now they say that assessment is being led by detectives from the met's specialist crime command. and following a virtual meeting that took place between scotland yard detectives and personnel here at the bbc yesterday . now they the bbc yesterday. now they stress at the end of this very short statement there remains no police investigation known at

this time. now, that doesn't mean that in the fullness of time, there won't be an investigation. but they just want to stress that at this moment in time, they have not yet launched a criminal investigation. >> mark, thank you very much indeed for updating us on that. more, of course, as we get it in those twists and turns, let's head to lithuania because the prime minister is at a nato summit telling world leaders to increase their military budgets, to deter vladimir putin. well, rishi sunak backing further support for ukraine, recommending that all members spend 2% of their gdp on defence, which is, of course, they're undertaking for nato membership. currently, though, only 1 in 3 nato leaders are actually keeping to that. and it all comes as turkey's president recep tayyip erdogan , announced recep tayyip erdogan, announced he will be dropping his veto of sweden's entry to the alliance. meanwhile president zelenskyy calling it absurd that nato had not granted ukraine quicker

membership. >> joining us from the summit in vilnius is our political editor, darren mccaffrey . a very strong darren mccaffrey. a very strong , badly worded statement from president zelenskyy, who says the delay is providing russia with the motivation to continue its terror . its terror. >> yeah, indeed. and his argument is that he fears that nato membership, ukraine's membership of nato, will be on the table if and when we get to negotiations with russia . his negotiations with russia. his fear is that it will be given away as a bargaining chip to potentially to bring the conflict end . that is why conflict to an end. that is why he's saying absurd not to he's saying it's absurd not to have a timetable for ukraine's accession to the nato alliance . accession to the nato alliance. frankly, he may well be right about that. we don't know. but he's pretty angry and he's on his way here to vilnius and he's going he says, a pretty going to have, he says, a pretty frank discussion with nato leaders on that very, very issue . he clearly is quite upset, using the word absurd , absurd to using the word absurd, absurd to describe it at all. leaders

here, though, would say, hold on a minute, we are committed to not just supporting ukraine, but also to providing military support for years potentially to come , and that in principle, come, and that in principle, ukraine will be able to join nato. the problem is, they said that back in 2008 and nothing much has changed. and there are slight divisions, it must be said, within the nato alliance. certainly here in lithuania, they want see ukraine join as they want to see ukraine join as soon as possible. the bosses are on the the media bosses on the way. the media bosses that take us to this venue have got saying got a sign on them saying that while this bus, while you wait for this bus, ukraine to become ukraine is waiting to become a nato. remember, there is much more hesitancy, it must be said , in places like the united states and france , who frankly states and france, who frankly do not want to see this war potentially escalate. and that's the big issue at the centre of all this. the reason that ukraine will not be able to join all this. the reason that ukrairanyill not be able to join all this. the reason that ukrairany timet be able to join all this. the reason that ukrairany timet be a because n all this. the reason that ukrairany timet be a because if nato any time soon, because if it did and that war with russia was still carried on, will in theory then more than theory in reality , you would have to

reality, you would have to activate article five, which means that nato would then be at war with russia . so there are war with russia. so there are these divisions. we'll see what happens tomorrow when president zelenskyy is physically in the room with these world leaders . room with these world leaders. but they are determine , they but they are determine, they say, to carry on the military support of ukraine for however long it takes as the prime minister will put it. >> yeah, we're told zelenskyy has actually landed, so he might be shortly. i'm be there fairly shortly. but i'm just looking at the language that rishi sunak used. and of course you were the plane course you were on the plane going wanting full going over with him wanting full membership, keen to membership, reaffirmed keen to try and get this over the line. how he to push how much is he going to push president biden on this ? president biden on this? >> yeah, i think it's fair to say that britain an has been at the forefront of trying to argue along with the baltic states and poland , that support from nato poland, that support from nato should be as strong as possible when it comes at ukraine. now that does mean the uk that does not mean that the uk is at the position of trying to say that, you know, it should be allowed to join nato tomorrow on that very issue. the uk and the

us clearly are on the same page and while the us have been hesitant, let's not forget this, they , sorted and they have supported, sorted and provided the lion's share of munitions and weapons and training. if you like to ukrainian troops. training. if you like to ukrainian troops . so i think it ukrainian troops. so i think it would be wrong to say that the united states in its current form is not supporting ukraine to degree, but there is to a large degree, but there is also new remarked upon this also a new remarked upon this a little on. there is little bit earlier on. there is also a kind of an element of good news, if you like, from nato leaders , as they would see nato leaders, as they would see it in the sense that they managed to convince president erdogan , turkey is a nato member erdogan, turkey is a nato member to finally back down when it comes sweden's membership of comes to sweden's membership of nato. will join the nato. they will join the alliance pretty quickly . quite alliance pretty quickly. quite an extraordinary move given the fact sweden has been fact that sweden has been effectively since the effectively neutral since the second world war. so there has been progress here and there will be announcements of further military support for ukraine. will be announcements of further mili asy support for ukraine. will be announcements of further mili as you pport for ukraine. will be announcements of further mili as you say,: for ukraine. will be announcements of further milias you say, president1e. but as you say, president zelenskyy has now landed . so zelenskyy has now landed. so we'll have to see how far and how tough he gets in this language to those leaders

i >> -- >> darren in vilnius, thank you very much indeed for that. joining us now is former chief of staff to joe biden, susan platt . platt. >> good afternoon, susan . thanks >> good afternoon, susan. thanks for talking to us on gb news. what's your response, though , to what's your response, though, to president zelenskyy's view that it's absurd that no time frame has been set for ukraine to join nato? d0 has been set for ukraine to join nato? do you think there should be more of a time frame? well good morning and thank you. >> i think i agree with with with our president, obviously. and i think your prime minister, where we do have to take things one step at a time . i'm not a one step at a time. i'm not a foreign policy expert , but if foreign policy expert, but if article 5 goes into effect, then we would all be at war with russia . and i don't think that's russia. and i don't think that's anything we need to doing anything we need to be doing at this us has done this moment. the us has done everything can in support everything they can in support of the war in ukraine against putin's army and we'll continue to do that. i think there's time for everything and i think it's great that we now have really a

pretty much of a brick wall by including finland and sweden. thank you to mr erdogan joining the nato alliance against russia . so i think in due time it will happen. and i understand mr zelenskyy position, but i think we need to take it step back a little bit , but we need to take it step back a little bit, but perhaps we need to take it step back a little bit , but perhaps stress little bit, but perhaps stress lines two with london on this indications, perhaps rishi sunak wants to go further and faster. >> and of course, a disagreement on the use of cluster weapons. now, why is it that joe biden and the pentagon and the white house are so keen to advance cluster bombs and cluster munitions as well ? munitions as well? >> he said it was a difficult decision that he made, but it was clearly something that president zelenskyy asked for that believes he's needed and i believe that president biden and our military believe it's something that could aid in the war against russia. and that's why they're doing it. >> is it because those indications that the supply of ordinary munitions, artillery shells and so on is actually drying up? >> well, i can't imagine that it

is in the united states. maybe it's getting a little short supply in ukraine, but certainly the united states is not going to leave ourselves shy of those weapons . but to leave ourselves shy of those weapons. but i'm sure to leave ourselves shy of those weapons . but i'm sure we'll have weapons. but i'm sure we'll have plenty to send both ways. >> yeah. now, the other aspect is how will president biden is how much will president biden have to reassure nato have to reassure all these nato figures of a long term commitment to ukraine? because, of course, in the states there is now this question mark. what happens if there's a change in the administration and the republicans come in? they are certainly not wedded to the idea of supporting ukraine further ? of supporting ukraine further? >> well, i think leadership matters and i think joe biden has shown his leadership on this issue.i has shown his leadership on this issue. i think the republicans are just so busy circling in their three ring circus around donald trump and his legal problems and his his other issues that it right now the american people are behind joe biden. and i think we all agree that we need to do all we can to support ukraine. >> and are the american people

behind the behind ukraine? that's the big question. . question. of course. >> i think the american people are at the moment. but i think we've seen great. but vladimir putin clearly is in a very vulnerable situation right now and we want to keep the pedal to the metal so that he stays that way. >> is there a chance, though , >> is there a chance, though, that attention could very soon shift to the pacific . shift to the pacific. >> i don't know. i can't tell you that. i don't know. we'll just have to see. >> okay . susan, thank you for >> okay. susan, thank you for joining us there in virginia. and of course, we'll see what emerges at that in emerges at that summit in vilnius a little later. we're expecting an update in the communique. we'll update you, of course we more coming up course, as we get more coming up very soon. very 500“. >> very soon. >> you can not keep the bbc out of the news. we will have all the details . tales of stars, the details. tales of stars, salaries. that's come out in the last few hours . stay with us. last few hours. stay with us. >> the temperature's rising . >> the temperature's rising. boxed solar proud sponsors of weather on . gb news.

weather on. gb news. >> i'm alex deakin and welcome along to your latest weather update from the met office for gb news. another day of heavy showers across the country . some showers across the country. some big downpours in a few spots . big downpours in a few spots. most of us seeing some sunny spells. so a good chance there'll be some rainbows around. has been around. low pressure has been dominating weather front around. low pressure has been dominatquite weather front around. low pressure has been dominatquite a weather front around. low pressure has been dominatquite a lot'eather front around. low pressure has been dominatquite a lot ofther front around. low pressure has been dominatquite a lot of heavy)nt brought quite a lot of heavy rain south yesterday rain across the south yesterday evening. it's been fizzling out, but providing quite a lot but still providing quite a lot of showers already over of cloud showers already over wales, northern england. they'll get through the as get heavier through the day as they northern they will across northern scotland slow scotland. and slow moving thunderstorms here could cause some problems with a lot of rain falling in a short space of time, we should see some sunny spells developing, particularly for northern ireland. 20 degrees here into the low 20s here may be up into the low 20s across the south—east, but for most cool with the most it feels cool with the brisk breeze which will least brisk breeze which will at least move showers through this move the showers through this evening. winds across evening. lighter winds across northern means the slow northern scotland means the slow moving downpours will continue here well into the night and we'll more wet weather we'll see more wet weather returning ireland returning to northern ireland through but through the night as well. but for chunk of england and for a good chunk of england and wales, turn dry and

wales, it will turn dry and clear. temperatures mostly holding up at about 13 or 14. as for wednesday , it's another day for wednesday, it's another day of sunshine and showers . it'll of sunshine and showers. it'll be a brighter start across east anglia in the southeast, good chance a sunny start to chance of a sunny start to wednesday , but then the showers wednesday, but then the showers will get going once more, especially over northern england . again, of northern . again, parts of northern scotland , more tomorrow probably scotland, more tomorrow probably for northern ireland, but a chance of a drier afternoon across southwest across wales and southwest england and again, temperatures mostly in the high teens and low 20s . 20s. >> the temperatures rising , >> the temperatures rising, boxed solar proud sponsors of weather on

>> you're listening to gb news radio . radio. >> welcome back to the live desk. plenty on the bbc today because they've also released their annual report today, including the pay of their top talent. >> gary lineker has topped a list of the bbc's best paid

stars for a sixth year in a row, earning £1.35 million in the last financial year. >> well, south—east england reporter ray addison has been looking enviously at the list, as you all have . i think it's as you all have. i think it's a pretty eye—watering figures , pretty eye—watering figures, aren't there? yeah, it's massive. i mean, for the top ten alone, we're looking at a total of maximum total up to 5.6 of maximum total of up to 5.6 million divided by the ten you mentioned. >> gary lineker. he's this is his sixth year in the number one spot match the day presenter . spot match the day presenter. >> of course, he's the only star to actually earn more than 1 million at the bbc, although of course have to caveat that by saying the commercial arm of the bbc may he may end up paying presenters and actors more than that. but that that information isn't actually disclosed yet. >> but i sort of did a little bit of adding and division . bit of adding and division. >> it would cost 8500 licence fee payers to pay for gary's salary . salary. >> 1.355 million. >>1.355 million. >>1.355 million. >> and how does it compare to

what the director general is on? because we only ask the question because he's been all over the bbc today. what is his salary compare to his stars? >> yeah , well, he's on 528,000, >> yeah, well, he's on 528,000, so that would put him in third place if he was added into this between zoe ball and alan shearer. >> absolutely . the list of top >> absolutely. the list of top talent. absolutely. just below zoe ball. >> and that's you know, it's a pretty eye—watering sum in its own way . own way. >> yeah. other aspect, >> yeah. and the other aspect, of course given the cost of of course is given the cost of living crisis , all the debate living crisis, all the debate about public service salaries and the fight of inflation, have we got an indication as to how the figures compare this year to last year? well, we know that the average salary is down compared to last year. now, the majority of people in the last top ten earned more than 400,000. >> now five people earn less than 400,000 this year. so 400,000 rather, this year. so it is decreasing in terms of some

of the biggest increases that we've seen in at ten, we've got sophie raworth . sophie raworth. >> she's on up to £370,000. >> she's on up to £370,000. >> that's a 60 k increase for her. lauren laverne has seen an increase of ten k ken, ken, bruce five k increase and hugh edwards as well has gone up 25,000. >> right. and an indication then that there has been some housekeeping in terms of reducing the overall wage bill then? absolutely. i mean, we have lost some people out of the top ten as well. we've lost steve wright . steve wright. >> we lost vanessa feltz . she's >> we lost vanessa feltz. she's dropped out of the top ten and scott mills as well. i think steve wright's now just literally just out of the top ten because he's on just the sunday programme. >> he's gone to daily >> yeah, he's gone from to daily just the sunday. just on the sunday. >> and tim davie, director general the has enjoyed general says the bbc has enjoyed an excellent year. >> yeah . he says he is proud of >> yeah. he says he is proud of the content that they've delivered, but acknowledges delivered, but he acknowledges that a period of change. that it is a period of change. >> there are financial pressures, of pressures, maybe, hence some of these down,

these salaries coming down, other coming into the top ten. >> and he says had to make >> and he says he's had to make some choices , some some difficult choices, some more difficult choices to make some difficult choices, some more (moment hoices to make some difficult choices, some more (moment for:es to make some difficult choices, some more (moment for him.» make at the moment for him. >> ray, thank >> absolutely. ray, thank you very much for explaining all that let's bring you some that to us. let's bring you some breaking getting from breaking news we're getting from lincoln a man has been found >> and a man has been found guilty jury of the killing of guilty by jury of the killing of a nine year old girl by stabbing her through the heart in broad daylight as she played in the street. this was lilia valutate , who'd suffered the stab wound to chest as she was playing to her chest as she was playing with hula boston in with a hula hoop at boston in lincolnshire last year. lincolnshire in july last year. davidas schabas was unanimously determined to have killed her just 15 minutes of deliberation by the jury after a two day trial at lincoln crown court. yeah, the 23 year old had been deemed. >> unfit to plead or face a conventional trial due to his mental health. earlier this yeah mental health. earlier this year, he wasn't at the hearing. he didn't play any part in proceedings , and he is expected proceedings, and he is expected to be sentenced to a hospital order later today.

>> yeah, just to explain the legal process, the jury could not deliver their verdict of guilty or not guilty to murder because, of course , they could because, of course, they could not decide whether he intended to kill because of his mental condition, but instead had to make a determination as to whether committed whether he physically committed the act of killing. mrs. justice mcgowan. the judge expected to sentence him to that order later today. we'll update you, of course , as we get more on that. course, as we get more on that. >> stay with us here on gb news don't kill cash campaign and petition has passed to hundred thousand signatures . coming up thousand signatures. coming up now, though , a news roundup with now, though, a news roundup with . aaron hi there. >> it's 231. aaron armstrong here in the newsroom. the bbc's director general has admitted he hasn't spoken to the suspended presenter accused of paying a teenager thousands of pounds for explicit images . tim davie also explicit images. tim davie also confirmed the corporation john lydon only attempted to contact

the young person's family twice . s after their initial complaint at the bbc's paused its investigation . while police its investigation. while police look into possible criminal activity. mr davie also defended the corporation's failure to address the matter with the presenter himself until last thursday, despite the complaint being made in may, saying he didn't think that was odd . didn't think that was odd. separately the bbc's published details of its highest paid stars, as you've been hearing, as part of its annual report. gary lineker remains the corporation's top paid presenter, taking home more than £1.35 million. and zoe ball is the highest paid female presenter. she earns more than £980,000 . the minister for £980,000. the minister for immigration says some of the changes to the illegal immigration bill demanded by the house of lords are little short of wrecking amendments. the government is attempting to get the legislation through the house of commons after being forced to make a number of concessions . but robert jenrick concessions. but robert jenrick

is warning that criminals and smugglers will seek to exploit the uk's borders if the legislation continues to be delayed . meanwhile the prime delayed. meanwhile the prime minister is at the nato summit in lithuania , where leaders have in lithuania, where leaders have been criticised for the delay in bringing ukraine into the military alliance. president zelenskyy says it would be absurd not to set a timeframe for membership over the next two days and uncertainty provides motivation for russia to continue to its terror . now the continue to its terror. now the uk is in favour of ukraine joining, but not while the war against russia continues. more on all of our stories on our website. that's gb news dot com

>> as you're listening to gb news radio . and welcome news radio. and welcome back to the live desk, let's update you on the illegal migration bill

and the what's described as ping pong between the lords and the commons , as mps voting today on commons, as mps voting today on 20 changes made to that bill by the lords after it was, well, pretty much mauled in the upper chamber . chamber. >> government responded >> the government has responded by concessions around by offering concessions around safeguarding for children and pregnant in an attempt to pregnant women in an attempt to ensure the bill's passage through parliament, including reducing immigration bail to eight days rather than the current proposed 28. well, politico reporter catherine forster joins us now. and catherine, i think robert jenrick has just been been speaking as well about this and he said that he's the immigration minister obviously saying some changes made by the house of lords are little short of wrecking amendments because they did make a lot of changes, didn't they? well, they tried to make 20. >> and i mean, let's face it, it was always going a very was always going to get a very rough house of lords rough ride in the house of lords where government, where the government, the conservatives, have conservatives, do not have a majority. >> so 20 changes the government are going to make four

concession motions . basically concession motions. basically the 10,000 people that have arrived since march are not going to be subject to these new rules that will come in retrospective early and they will kick in at the point that this bill gets royal assent, which the government is hoping will be the end of next week. and the detention of and then the detention of unaccompanied read children . unaccompanied read children. many people have been very concerned about that. the house of lords had wanted that to be a maximum of 24 hours. the government are saying, okay, well within eight day limit and also pregnant women, there's going to be a limit on how long they can be detained . for 72 they can be detained. for 72 hours. what the government is not budging on is the modern slavery legislation in which they say is allowing people to game the system and use that as a loophole to get to stay here. now people like theresa may, that was a flagship policy of hers, is going to be very upset

about this. so they're likely to be some conservative rebels. but the thinking is they'll get this through by the end of next week. and goodness , they need to get and goodness, they need to get it through because they're having no success elsewhere. >> that's interesting, of course, because prime course, because the prime minister's , downing minister's spokesman, downing street, declining to set a deadune street, declining to set a deadline on a hard fast deadline on a hard and fast deadune deadline on a hard and fast deadline for the passage of the bill these problems . bill because of these problems. and terms of the bigger and in terms of the bigger picture, still picture, you know, we've still got assertion the got this assertion stop the boats. is what the boats. is working is what the prime i'm prime minister said. but i'm just these latest just looking at these latest figures. had another 1600 figures. we've had another 1600 people in the boats in the last four days. so clearly , they're four days. so clearly, they're not stopping. >> and it's not very long >> no. and it's not very long since sunak was saying, since rishi sunak was saying, look, 20. this plan is look, it's down 20. this plan is working . of course, the weather working. of course, the weather had very , very bad. and now had been very, very bad. and now we're about 13,000 this year. we're at about 13,000 this year. that's roughly where we were at this point last year. i think it's only down about 4. so no , it's only down about 4. so no, they are not having much success of course, their argument will be, well, we are doing lots of things. i mean, we're giving 500 million to the french for a start, over three years. the

french are intercepting a lot of boats . so the government's boats. so the government's argument is it would be even worse if we weren't doing all of these things. but of course , to these things. but of course, to people looking they're still people looking on, they're still seeing hundreds hundreds seeing hundreds and hundreds of people crossing every day. and today , of course, we get the today, of course, we get the news that government are news that the government are spending half a million a day on empty hotel rooms because they need to have a buffer zone in case there's a huge surge in numbers because, of course, they don't want have . don't want to have. >> these not people being housed. >> they're just empty hotel rooms . rooms. >> they're keeping them >> they're just keeping them empty in case they have a rush, because, of course, there was a scandal last year about the asylum, the detention centre that was massively overcrowded . that was massively overcrowded. and so it's but, you know , this and so it's but, you know, this is just so expensive . half is just so expensive. half a million a day on empty rooms. so the stop the boats pledge all rishi sunak pledges are looking in doubt at the moment, but this more than any really, i mean, if he manages to get the numbers

down in any significant way before the next election, i think that's will be the most they can hope for. >> catherine, thank you very much indeed. let's now take you back to the old bailey sentencing there under way for the ringleader of a people smuggling group, a romanian, marius mihai draghici from romania, being sentenced for the manslaughter of 39 vietnam migrants . they were found dead migrants. they were found dead in the back of a lorry in essex in the back of a lorry in essex in october 2019. and the migrants paid the smuggling gang for a vip journey where they were transported to the belgian border in taxis before they were put on the lorry which travelled to essex. >> they sadly all suffocated to death in the container. >> let's get more with our london reporter lisa hartle, who's outside the old bailey and lisa. an indication, of course , lisa. an indication, of course, that there were a huge number involved after what was termed very substantial payments .

very substantial payments. >> yeah. so that sentencing is underway in the old bailey of marius tokuchi right now. last month, he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 39 people, men , manslaughter of 39 people, men, women, children. the bodies of whom were all found in the back of the lorry container in essex on the 23rd of october. in 2019, the vietnamese nationals were found after being transported from belgium on a ferry to purfleet . and of course, like purfleet. and of course, like you said, they died because they ran out of oxygen. they suffocated to death in temperatures as high as 38.5 c. now, the 50 year old, an alleged ringleader of a people smuggling gang, was detained by police in august last year in romania. he was charged with manslaughter, but also no conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration . now, other unlawful immigration. now, other people have also been prosecuted for their parts in the deaths of those people in 2021. four other men were jailed for their parts in the deaths of the victims, two of whom were as young as 15

years old and two other men were convicted in 2020, while lorry driver maurice robinson and haulage boss ronan hughes admitted manslaughter. haulage boss ronan hughes admitted manslaughter . the court admitted manslaughter. the court was previously told how this was a long running operation and in october 2019 alone, those people smugglers could have made as much as £1 million. in june, patrick christys trial, the prosecution said that they were disinclined to believe that he didn't make any money from this, even though they couldn't pinpoint any cash that had actually been handed over. now, the for the journey, the the fee for the journey, the so—called journey was so—called vip journey was between 10 and £13,000, bringing those people straight to the uk is something they said the lorry drivers would have been aware of, with people being in the back of the lorry. now between may 2018 and october 19th, 2019, a total of seven on smuggling trips were discovered. but the court heard at the time at jokic's trial that there was likely more than that . and it likely more than that. and it wasn't until the bodies of those 39 people were discovered that

the trips came to a stop . the trips came to a stop. >> okay, lisa, thank you very much indeed . of course, that much indeed. of course, that underway will be back to the old bailey as we hear from judge bailey as we hear from the judge as sentence is being as to what sentence is being passed you very much i >> -- >> now, it sounds on the surface like news. uk wages rising like good news. uk wages rising for millions . that's according for millions. that's according to official figures from the national for the from the office for national statistics but it's not as good as it sounds because it sparked fresh fears that inflation will remain high with the potential for further interest rate rises from the bank of england. >> rate of unemployment also up slightly to 4, but still pretty tight labour market, which may cause problems. as we heard from the chancellor and the governor of the bank of england. the mansion house speech last night. let's latest let's get the latest now, economics editor economics and business editor liam halligan with on the money . so as we were saying, liam, you know on the face value, pretty good indication that the economy is robust, unexpected

resilience, i think was the term that they used at this mansion house speech. but the consequences are it's stoking up inflation. we're in that kind of world where good news is bad news. >> you know, wages are up strongly and unemployment is historic . hinckley pretty low, historic. hinckley pretty low, albeit ever so slightly, up 4. crikey, remember in the early 80s we'd given our eye teeth for 4% unemployment when unemployment was was ten and 11 and even 12% at one stage. but what's going on here is the labour market is tight as you say, there are still a lot of companies out there who want to take people on. the labour isn't always there. wages are going always there. so wages are going up and we can have look at up and we can have a look at these numbers which came out from this morning. the from the ons. this morning. the private is up 7.7. private sector pay is up 7.7. that's between march and may compared to march and may 2022. so it's that three month period, year on year , and that's the year on year, and that's the fastest on record. that's 7.7% rise for private sector pay . 80% rise for private sector pay. 80% of us work in the private sector. the 20% or so of us who

work in the public sector, state school teachers , nhs workers, school teachers, nhs workers, their pays up by a bit less, but still up by 5.8. and that's actually the fastest for 22 years. the fastest since 2001. and this is what's spooking the bank of england, because this points to what we call a wage price spike . while inflation is price spike. while inflation is still 8.7. these are actually negative wage rises in real terms, but they're still chunky enough.the terms, but they're still chunky enough. the bank of england worries to push inflation up, which means more interest rate rises. >> and we've had the prime minister and the chancellor banging on about inflation in terms of the public sector pay deals. a lot of economists deals. but a lot of economists will , look, the private will say, look, it's the private sector really stokes sector that really stokes inflation up, which is why this figure significant. figure is so significant. >> partly that. but on the >> it's partly that. but on the other hand, mark, public sector wages are for the state, wages are paid for by the state, so have to borrow to so you don't have to borrow to pay so you don't have to borrow to pay for those public sector wage increases, which of course pushes up what we call the gilt yield we've been talking about so much really isn't what investors charge the government

to borrow. and it's gilt to borrow. and it's that gilt yield , which the yield, which then is the benchmark those mortgage benchmark for those mortgage costs. and you and i were talking , pip, weren't talking earlier, pip, weren't we, a of ago we, a couple of hours ago that the average mortgage the average two year mortgage now over 6.6. so blimey, it now is over 6.6. so blimey, it was only 2 or 3% a few months ago. >> could rates peak at 7? you'll be saying more than blimey if they do that, won't you. >> well, we've got to delineate between what rates we're talking about. the of england's between what rates we're talking abou�* rate e of england's between what rates we're talking abou�*rate is of england's between what rates we're talking abou�*rate is by of england's between what rates we're talking abou�*rate is by definitionind's between what rates we're talking abou�*rate is by definition the; base rate is by definition the lowest interest rate in the economy. the government pays a bit borrow the great bit more to borrow the great unwashed, and i, we pay unwashed, you and i, we pay a bit more to borrow on top of that, whether it's for a mortgage or a company loan or a personal loan or whatever. the bank personal loan or whatever. the bel k personal loan or whatever. the bel think personal loan or whatever. the bei think it's nailed on now 5. i think it's nailed on now with these wage increases that we're going to look at 5.2, 5, maybe even 5.5% when the monetary policy committee, the bank of england's group of economists meet to decide rates . their next meeting is the 3rd of august, thursday or the 3rd of august, thursday or the 3rd of august. having said that, i don't see the bank of england going up to 6 or 6.5. i know

financial markets say that's where they're going to go. i don't buy that because actually i'll say it here now, i think inflation is to going come down i'll say it here now, i think inflat sharply going come down i'll say it here now, i think inflat sharply in)ing come down i'll say it here now, i think inflat sharply in the come down i'll say it here now, i think inflat sharply in the nexte down i'll say it here now, i think inflat sharply in the next month quite sharply in the next month or two. so i actually think that 5.25, 5.5 will be the peak, which will mean the average mortgage rate will probably peak at about six and three quarters. i'm not qualified to give to financial advice, halving it by the end of the year you still think achievable? well, think could be achievable? well, that's halving of inflation. that's the halving of inflation. yeah, do think that yeah, i do. i do think that could be achievable. when he said to halve said he wanted to halve inflation, was in january inflation, that was in january and we were at 10.7. so he needs to it somewhere near 5. to get it somewhere near 5. i think we will have inflation of about 5% quite soon though there'll be nothing to do with rishi be global rishi sunak. it will be global trends that are driving nothing near the target the near the 2% target which the bank england has now. bank of england has now. >> other part of the >> the other part of the equafion >> the other part of the equation is what damage will be donein equation is what damage will be done in trying to drive down inflation. an and of course we had this worry about about some kind recession or growth kind of recession or growth stopping debt. i mean, what are the signals we're getting on

that bit? because that particular bit? because obviously rises obviously all these rate rises take time, you've said, to take time, as you've said, to feed through the system. >> that's right . and that's >> that's right. and that's why i bank england i think the bank of england should stop raising interest rates should rates now. i think it should have stopped months ago. have stopped a few months ago. it to start raising it was too late to start raising interest to interest rates and it's going to be to stop raising be too late to stop raising interest now what interest rates because now what the bank of england is doing, it's beatings , it's just punishment, beatings, putting up the main rate of interest from 5 to 5.5. that is really going to do damage to the economy . that's going to start economy. that's going to start closing down businesses. you're going to get some young couples who can't who simply, tragically can't keep hold of the home that they've worked so hard to buy. so i would say that the bank of england is raising rates to england now is raising rates to try regain gain some try and kind of regain gain some of credibility that it lost of the credibility that it lost when off the mark to when it was slow off the mark to start raising rates because it didn't spot inflation early enough. didn't spot inflation early enough . so i'm hoping i do think enough. so i'm hoping i do think there'll be a rate rise on the 3rd of august, but i'm hoping, hoping, hoping it will be the last you very much >> okay. thank you very much indeed, taking through those indeed, taking us through those figures . indeed, taking us through those figures. talking of indeed, taking us through those figures . talking of of figures. talking of which, of

course, we've got our don't kill cash campaign highlighting to the importance of the government the importance of keeping payments in keeping cash payments in society. currently, more than 204,000 signatures on that petition . petition. >> liam will be very happy about that. more than 5 million adults still rely on cash in the uk and it's used in 6 billion transactions every year. but there are strong vested interests pushing for it to be permanently replaced by debit and credit cards and other electronic payments. >> well, we left our yorkshire reporter anna riley, still trying to get her ticket for her car in that car park in york. did you remember what your registration number was , anna? registration number was, anna? >> luckily , mark, the car's >> luckily, mark, the car's parked very close to the pay station, so yes, i can have a glance over and see and make sure that i don't get charged. but yes , we're here today at but yes, we're here today at this car park , mary gate car this car park, mary gate car park in york , because it's park in york, because it's currently the only cashless car park in the city of york. the other 12 car parks here, they

accept a mixture of cash and card. but currently the council today are looking at plans to make all car parks in york complete cash free, meaning that you'll need a debit card or your apple pay to come and pay for parking. and they say they're doing this to save money. they say that cashless payment machines save them money and they're also cheaper to maintain. they say there's no risk with cashless machines for people trying to break into them and steal cash. and they also say it saves money as well on council employees coming to empty those machines and take that money to the bank. and it's also about the use of cash as well. so they've looked at their figures for last year, 20, 22, £519 figures for last year, 20, 22, £51.9 million was made from the charging as at council car parks. but of that, only 12% of payments were made in cash. 39% of those payments were made via a phone app. and then the other

49% were made via card. so they say it's about demand as well. but i've been out speaking to people at this car park here about what they make to it being cashless and about the further plans across the city to potentially make the rest of the car parks here cashless. and this what they had to say at this is what they had to say at my preferences. >> we need to cater for everybody. moving everybody. i think we're moving too much towards a cardless culture now where people are expected to have to have to carry a card or have to carry a phone. and it shouldn't be an obugafion phone. and it shouldn't be an obligation that you have to do that every single day. >> really don't carry cash >> i really don't carry cash anymore not anything anymore, not for anything at all. everything's contactless now, so a lot of people seem to think there's something sinister behind it. but i just find it much more convenient . much more convenient. >> there are so many things like banks closing , local banks closing, local post offices, . so actually offices, closing. so actually what we're doing is we're taking away all of the options that the older actually older generation can actually use comfortable use and don't feel comfortable with. don't feel with. they don't feel comfortable digital comfortable with digital payments point in time. payments at this point in time. so think it's absolutely

critical. >> to be honest. i'm not really that bothered. >> use cash anyway. >> i rarely use cash anyway. i've always got my card with i've always got my card and with smartphones watches , it's smartphones and watches, it's just use your card and just easy to use your card and contactless doesn't really contactless so it doesn't really bother me . bother me. >> so for a mixture of opinions there, but a lot of people still saying even though they don't carry cash , they should still be carry cash, they should still be the ability for, say, the older generation that aren't as happy using their card to have that option. >> still at car parks like this one. and certainly a lot of people that i spoke to as well did back our don't kill cash campaign, saying that they'd been adding their signature to it because they still do feel the real need for cash in society . there's something . society. there's something. >> thank you very much indeed . >> thank you very much indeed. and good luck with whatever you're going to pay there. any idea what the hourly rate actually just put you the actually just put you on the spot at it is? >> it's £2.75 an hour. but if you've gone over five hours, which will be for me , £16, it'll

which will be for me, £16, it'll be. so yeah, luckily i'll hopefully get that on expenses. yeah >>i yeah >> i was going to say it's a lot of money for a car park , but of money for a car park, but we'll check with the boss, anna, that you can do that. we'll all have a chip in for you. yeah. >> don't don't cross. >> don't don't cross. >> indeed. thank you very much indeed expensive, indeed. oh, that's expensive, isn't absolutely . isn't it, anyway, absolutely. >> is everywhere, >> well, but it is everywhere, isn't >> well, but it is everywhere, isn'yeah. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> we e welcome to the >> should we say welcome to the to world, frank arthur odysseus . who? he. he is boris and carrie johnsons new child. >> they're third child. a sibling to wilfred, who's three, and romy, 18 months. he was born last wednesday . and some very last wednesday. and some very cute pictures are doing the rounds at the moment. >> going to be known as frankie for short. just better than odysseus, one might think. anyway, congratulations to them. and of course, mrjohnson's and of course, mr johnson's eighth child carries second son. that's going to be a big christmas list. >> absolutely. thank you so much for your company on the live desk this lunchtime. it's been extremely busy, hasn't it, mark? indeed. >> thanks for being with us.

we're tomorrow. patrick is next. >> the temperature's rising . a >> the temperature's rising. a boxed solar proud sponsors of weather on . gb news afternoon. weather on. gb news afternoon. >> i'm alex deakin with your latest forecast from the met office for gb news sunny spells again tomorrow and again you will be dodging the downpour. some very heavy showers around and a fairly cool breeze. it's low pressure that continues to dominate . this one's been dominate. this one's been tracking across the country. this weather front clearing away from south—east. in its from the south—east. but in its wake, still plenty of showers moving through for most on a fairly brisk breeze , but slow fairly brisk breeze, but slow moving, heavy downpours across northern scotland, bringing some torrential rain for a time . more torrential rain for a time. more rain will push back across northern ireland into southern scotland northern england scotland and northern england through the night. but a good chunk will chunk of england and wales will actually dry and clear with actually turn dry and clear with temperatures dropping about temperatures dropping to about 1314 degrees. now, much of the midlands, eastern and southern england will start off with some sunshine tomorrow, but there will a of cloud

will already be a lot of cloud and rain over northern and showery rain over northern england and southern scotland. and showery rain over northern eng|stay and southern scotland. and showery rain over northern eng|stay fairly outhern scotland. and showery rain over northern eng|stay fairly wetern scotland. and showery rain over northern eng|stay fairly wet in| scotland. it'll stay fairly wet in northern scotland with an increasing breeze here, more heavy showers developing and they'll also develop elsewhere for northern ireland's parts of england and wales, although perhaps a bit more scattered than a better chance than today. so a better chance of seeing some lengthier dry spells, chance of seeing of seeing some lengthier dry sjbit s, chance of seeing of seeing some lengthier dry sjbit more chance of seeing of seeing some lengthier dry sjbit more sunshine. of seeing of seeing some lengthier dry sjbit more sunshine. but;eeing of seeing some lengthier dry sjbit more sunshine. but stillg a bit more sunshine. but still on the cool side, especially in the around on the cool side, especially in th(a around on the cool side, especially in th(a touch around on the cool side, especially in th(a touch below around on the cool side, especially in th(a touch below average around on the cool side, especially in th(a touch below average still, d or a touch below average still, thursday's a similar story, but not as many showers and some areas may have a completely dry day on thursday. still 1 or 2 heavy ones, especially in eastern parts come the afternoon . but parts of wales, south—west england looking at least a bit dner england looking at least a bit drier thursday . drier on thursday. >> the temperatures rising on boxed solar . proud sponsors of boxed solar. proud sponsors of weather on . weather on.

gb news, it's 3