>> hello and welcome to gb news saturday. i'm emily carver for the next three hours, i will be keeping you company on tv, onune keeping you company on tv, online and digital radio. i've been away for a wonderful week on holiday and i'm back, raring to go. i'll be keeping you up to date the stories that date on all the stories that really to you. this really matter to you. this afternoon. up afternoon. so coming up this hour and what a week it has been , police forces have promised to investigate every crime. that's nice of them , including low nice of them, including low level offences in a bid to tackle sky high crime rates. this comes as the co—op supermarket reported that petty theft shoplifter ing had risen by a third in their stores. so i'll be asking why the police weren't looking into every incident in the first place and has shoplifting effectively become decriminalised in this country? you cannot barrage the farage without facing consequences. so i'll be

discussing this as well as in the wake of the latest woke war. is it time for a radical bank shake—up or even a new bank that's free from the politically motivated establishment and six figure salaried diversity and inclusion managers will be discussing that. and then a former australian prime minister has sparked a debate by describing british colonisation as the luckiest thing that happened to his country. controversial maybe, but is he right? that's coming up later in the programme. and as ever, i want to hear all your views. great british views on all these topics and all the other big news of the day. of course. please them gb please do email them over gb views gbnews.com or tweet me at gb but first, let's get gb news. but first, let's get the headlines as . good afternoon. >> 12:02. i'm ray addison in the >>12:02. i'm ray addison in the newsroom. and our top story this houn newsroom. and our top story this hour, rail service is are being disrupted again with thousands of workers walking off the job over a long running dispute. rmt

members at 14 train operating companies are striking over pay and conditions as people are being advised to check before travelling. some areas . only travelling. some areas. only half of services are running while others have none at all. unions senior assistant general secretary eddie dempsey told us there have been no negotiations since april. >> we're out on strike today because we're now coming up to four years without a pay freeze. the government is planning to strip thousands of jobs out of our and shut down our industry and shut down ticket offices right across the country looking the country. we're looking at the managed of the railway managed decline of the railway and our members are determined to a settlement on to achieve a fair settlement on pay to achieve a fair settlement on pay they want pay job security, and they want to protect terms to protect their terms and conditions. that's what we're conditions. so that's what we're doing we haven't any doing here. we haven't had any negotiations since mid—april and we round the table we want to get round the table and our members a deal they and get our members a deal they can support. >> well, disruption with >> well, more disruption with holidaymakers passing through the facing waits the port of dover facing waits of up to two hours this morning, queues nine lanes wide have built up as families wait for french border officials to check their passports . slow traffic

their passports. slow traffic was also backing up all along the a20 and almost back to folkestone as well. over 35,000 people passed through the port yesterday day and many thousands more are expected today in the us . more are expected today in the us. republican presidential candidates shared the stage for the first time as they fought for support at a rally in iowa . for support at a rally in iowa. no one could end up going to prison on despite facing new criminal charges. donald trump was the one to hit out at rival ron desantis, telling the crowd not to take a chance on the florida governor. will hurd was the only candidate to criticise mr trump . he the only candidate to criticise mr trump. he was the only candidate to criticise mr trump . he was booed after mr trump. he was booed after saying the former president is running to stay out of prison . running to stay out of prison. donald trump still claiming he's the victim of a witch hunt . the victim of a witch hunt. >> if i weren't running, i would have nobody coming after me or if i was losing by a lot, i would have nobody coming after me together. we will crush crooked joe biden the most crooked president in the history

of our country by far. and also grossly incompetent , doesn't grossly incompetent, doesn't know what he's doing. he's destroying our country. we will win the election big and we will make america great again. thank you . you. >> well, back here, labour has accused the government of an unforgivable lack of urgency over the needs of rape victims . over the needs of rape victims. as he says, the tory party has failed to implement key recommendations made in two reports dating back as far as july 2021. the criminal justice joint inspectorate has urged the government to launch special rape courts and give victims the opportunity to make a personal statement at at least four people are feared dead after an australian army helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of queensland. the chopper was taking part in military exercises between the us and australia. that's now been suspended while a search and rescue operation takes place . rescue operation takes place. australia's defence minister, richard marles is saying that

the search began straight away. >> the helicopter was engaging . >> the helicopter was engaging. in a two helicopter mission . in a two helicopter mission. there were four air crew aboard . because there was another helicopter present, a search and rescue was able to commence immediately . as we speak to you immediately. as we speak to you now, the four aircrew are yet to be found. the search and rescue continues . continues. >> environmental groups are warning the prime minister that they won't stand by if ministers attempt to, quote, water down environmental and climate commitments . a joint letter has commitments. a joint letter has been sent to rishi sunak from organisations including the national trust and the rspb . national trust and the rspb. they say they could mobilise their members and are demanding an urgent meeting. it comes after conservative success in the uxbridge and south ruislip by byelection led some mps to call for a rethink over the push

for net zero by 2050 and the emmy awards have reportedly been postponed until next year due to strikes by thousands of writers and actors in the united states set . simoni was originally set. simoni was originally scheduled to take place in mid—september. now, multiple reports suggest it's likely to be moved to next january. however disputes will need to be solved between the studios and guilds. hollywood actors went on strike earlier this month over pay strike earlier this month over pay and residuals , whilst film pay and residuals, whilst film and tv writers have been on picket lines since may. this is gb news. we'll bring you more as it happens. now let's get back to gb news saturday and . to gb news saturday and. emily thank you very much. >> so let's get stuck into our top story. police forces have pledged to investigate low level offences. that's in a bid to

tackle the scourge of crime across the country. chief constables have promised to look into cases including shoplifting as car and bike theft as well as car and bike theft that have essentially become decriminalised in certain communities around the country. this comes as co—op the supermarket have seen crime rise by a third, just over the past yeah by a third, just over the past year. now, as you can see on the screen, the stats are shocking. if you compare charge rates for common crimes, they have plummeted since 2015. so shoplifting , for example, had shoplifting, for example, had a charge rate of 36% in 2015. this year it's just 14% harassment. another example had a charge rate of 28% in 2015. now that is only 4. but the company has revealed this is the co—op i'm talking about now, has revealed that almost 1000 incidents occurred every single day in shops in the first six months of 2023. that's an astonishing total of more than 175,000. so this begs a number of questions, really. but should the police

have been doing this investigating low level crimes investigating low level crimes in the first place? so joining me to discuss this is former brexit party mep ben habib, former editor of labourlist peter edwards, and former scotland yard detective peter bleksley. so peter bleksley, thank you very much indeed for coming in for the beautiful flower corsage you've got there. looking very nice for the occasion. ian. mean, it's occasion. ian. i mean, it's quite interesting that this has made news, isn't it? chief constable saying they will investigate what they consider to be low level crimes. so things like shoplifting and things like shoplifting and things like shoplifting and things like car thefts, things like burglaries that sort of thing, they should have been doing this all along. >> well, first of all, let me say none of those crimes are low level. you speak to the retail owner that runs their own independent store and has £1,000 worth of goods stolen. that's not anything near low level, and i detest that expression. >> why do we use that expression

? >> because some university educated buffoon in senior policing came up with it as an excuse for the police to manifestly not do their job. and you try telling the carpenter or the electrician or the plumber who has his tools stolen out of the van and therefore can't work. you try telling them that that's a minor matter. try telling the family who come home to find their house burgled and their treasured possessions stole ian. try telling them that it's a minor matter that is not worthy of investigation for finally, perhaps the police are actually going to get a grip and do their job. but i've heard so do theirjob. but i've heard so much nonsense coming out of the national police chiefs councils over the years that i will hold my breath. i'd like to come back here in a year's time and instead of pouring scorn and contempt upon them, i am singing their praises. we shall wait and see. you're absolutely right that there isn't anything wrong. >> well, we shouldn't call

crimes low level crimes, because it does act as a bit of an excuse because the police are saying they're blaming pressure on resources. they're saying they harm they need to focus on high harm cases and the most vulnerable victims . and that seems to be. victims. and that seems to be. yes, use as an excuse. well, we need to focus on these crimes, which they don't seem to be doing that well with anyway. and, you know, if your car gets robbed at the weekend, well, good luck to you. >> here's a number >> yeah. here's here's a number for insurance company. i for your insurance company. i mean, utterly appalling, mean, it's utterly appalling, the contempt that senior police have shown for the moderate majority of the country by not investigating the crimes that so many millions of us become victims of is utterly appalling. and of course, one force will say, well, this is a priority. and another force will say , and another force will say, well, we have that as a priority . and there's a bit of an old saying in policing that when everything's a priority, nothing is a priority. everything's a priority, nothing is awell,ity. everything's a priority, nothing is awell, quite , ben. it's quite >> well, quite, ben. it's quite stark that since 2015, the rates

of charge have just plummeted and a lot of these low level crimes or everyday crimes that people have to put up with up and down this country. i mean, car robberies, for example , my car robberies, for example, my family, they've had a number of cars just nicked out of their drive. don't anything drive. they don't get anything apart insurance number apart from that insurance number that just mentioning. that peter was just mentioning. there it does like what do there it does seem like what do you is going wrong? you think is going wrong? because they claim it's resource is buy that? is do you buy that? >> i think it's a complete >> well, i think it's a complete breakdown in management of resources as opposed to resources as opposed to resources . there's shortage resources. there's no shortage of thrown at of money being thrown at problems by government. we problems by the government. we know that government know that because government borrowing at an all time high borrowing is at an all time high and taxes are an all time high. so the government taking its and taxes are an all time high. so the of yvernment taking its and taxes are an all time high. so the of flesh1ent taking its and taxes are an all time high. so the of flesh from taking its and taxes are an all time high. so the of flesh from the king its and taxes are an all time high. so the of flesh from the british pound of flesh from the british taxpayer it's that they're taxpayer. it's just that they're not wisely . and that not spending it wisely. and that appues not spending it wisely. and that applies the police as applies to the police force as much other public sector much as any other public sector . and i couldn't have put it better than peter, obviously, who's experience who's got fantastic experience in this, having worked in the police force for 21 years. but but there's an economic aspect to this as well. you know, the small retailers can go out of

business if they have low level crime , so—called low level crime, so—called low level crime, so—called low level crime, perpetrate against them. the larger retailers may survive, but they'll put costs up. insurance companies will put insurance premiums up if they're the if they're the arbiter, if you like. very good point. you know, so all of us will suffer inflation and a hike in our cost of living as a result of these low level crimes. and the other thing i just want to forewarn the british public about is that if you tolerate this kind of thing, you end up in the sort of dystopian environment that california now finds itself , california now finds itself, where anything under $950 is regarded as low level crime, shoplifting a misdemeanour. police don't investigate it. so people don't even bother concealing the crime. now they just walk into a shop, they pick up what they want and they walk out. >> we're already there , ben. and >> we're already there, ben. and that's the situation we're in right now. yeah, and that's and that's shocking. >> and security in in in california won't tackle them because they then put themselves

in harm's way. third party liability concerns kick in. so you're getting a complete breakdown in the social fabric of our retailing industry as a as a result of these low level crimes. and just before i finish a massive lack of trust, massive lack of trust, and i walk down the street, yesterday i was walking down german street behind fortnum and mason's yesterday. behind fortnum and mason's yestenice. behind fortnum and mason's yestenice place to be. and i saw very nice place to be. and i saw two very large black guys manhandle ing, a little japanese lady. she looked japanese to me and. and. and i thought, what the hell is going on here? there's a whole crowd of people with cameras filming it. there's a whole crowd of people with cameras filming it . and i with cameras filming it. and i sort watched and i asked sort of watched and i asked those. they took her into fortnum and mason's and much to the chagrin of the people who were filming her, they marched her and i asked one of the her in and i asked one of the other guys who had fortnum and other guys who had a fortnum and mason's what's mason's thing on what's going on. they're on. he said, well, they're security been security guards. she's been caught shoplifting. now now fortnum masons is a rich fortnum and masons is a rich retailer, so it has the ability to have security force, you know, security staff dealing

with this, but not all retailers can do that. but think about the position of those two guys who had to challenge this lady. they had to challenge this lady. they had the crowd against them. i don't know where the right and wrong of this is, by the way, all over tiktok now. yeah, it probably is. i mean, people can search it. i don't know search for it. i don't know where rights wrongs of where the rights and wrongs of this incident this particular incident are because into it. because i didn't delve into it. but explained to me but the chap explained it to me as she shoplifted. have to as she shoplifted. we have to deal with it. these guys are trained. their job. deal with it. these guys are traine was their job. deal with it. these guys are traine was convinced their job. deal with it. these guys are traine was convinced that' job. deal with it. these guys are traine was convinced that that's and i was convinced that that's what happened . but why is it what had happened. but why is it that we're having to do more of our own securing? because the police aren't doing their job. it's a very interesting point. >> i mean, peter, peter edwards, we've two. peter's here we've got two. peter's here today. but peter edwards, i have seen quite a lot of people on the left making excuses for low level crime , talking about, oh, level crime, talking about, oh, well, if vulnerable people are stealing from big corporations , stealing from big corporations, nafions stealing from big corporations, nations or big supermarket chains like the co—op, it must be because as they're in such a vulnerable position that

therefore, you know, they should be let off. >> no, people should not be let off. i've never been homeless, so i've never had to beg for food. >> i can understand the desperation in, but we should all follow the law . and i want all follow the law. and i want to mention the a word which no one has. so far, although the other at austerity other hinted at it. austerity yes, there's a requirement for cultural change in some parts of the police , as peter spelt out the police, as peter spelt out from his own experience. but i looked into some of the stats this morning. so despite boris johnson's recruitment drive , johnson's recruitment drive, we're still, as i understand it, about 8000 officers short of where were in 2010. and where we were in 2010. and several different statistical bodies have said we've lost more than 600 police stations in the last 13 years as well. so yes, we have to look at the priority of the police. but let's be clear. roots of this clear. the roots of this are in austerity. >> wonder where money >> i do wonder where the money is spent, because is being spent, though, because i've also done my research on the amount public spending i've also done my research on the amowinto public spending i've also done my research on the amowinto theylic spending i've also done my research on the amowinto the police.�*|ding i've also done my research on the amowinto the police. and] that goes into the police. and it has been rising since 2010. so in 2015, 16, £12.1 billion

spentin so in 2015, 16, £12.1 billion spent in england and wales on policing. it's gone up every year. perhaps not by enough. i mean the tories, not by enough. it's gone up from 12.1 in 20 1516 to now £17 billion. so is the money just not being spent in the right way ? in the right way? >> the people in charge have manifestly ruined so much of policing record numbers of people left policing last year, 9000. okay, record numbers of police officers voluntarily resigning because policing is in such a dreadful state. and yet those who preside over policing , who prowl the corridors of power, they get their kings police medals, they go off to the palace or windsor castle and get their knighthoods and their damehoods. they have their position, they have their pay cheques , they have their cheques, they have their pensions. huge salaries. commissioner of the met quarter of £1 million a year. and look at the state of british policing. it is scandal less.

>> do you think we've seen too much politicisation of the police? >> ben oh yeah, for sure. i mean, you know , i mean during mean, you know, i mean during the pandemic there were sort of policing our thoughts and whether we were wearing masks and stuff they find time and stuff. they could find time for they can't find for that, but they can't find time crime. but i time for proper crime. but i just back to the just want to come back to the austerity point. i understand just want to come back to the austypeteryoint. i understand just want to come back to the austypeter says i understand just want to come back to the austy peter says whatierstand just want to come back to the austy peter says what he tand just want to come back to the austy peter says what he says. why peter says what he says. peter elle says what he peter elle edwards says what he says austerity because says about austerity because the conservatives going on conservatives keep going on about they keep about austerity. they keep saying party that will saying we're the party that will manage a fiscally manage the economy in a fiscally prudent way, but they haven't practised any austerity . there practised any austerity. there hasn't a single year since hasn't been a single year since 2010 they over that we 2010 when they took over that we haven't run a massive deficit as a country. they keep saying, oh, well, the deficit down to well, the deficit came down to start goodness, start with, but my goodness, it's last 3 or it's ballooned in the last 3 or 4 years. we haven't had austerity in this country. they have sprinkled money like confetti . it is a complete confetti. it is a complete breakdown in management. and it's not just the police. it is also the nhs, the teaching services , the law, the legal services, the law, the legal profession itself. you know, we've had lawyers on strike because of the ineptitude of the

management of their of their service. it's right across the board. we've had massive government spending, record amounts of spending, and we've got a complete breakdown in the pubuc got a complete breakdown in the public sector. and that is a fundamental failure in governance. >> peter, i'll let you come back on yeah on that austerity point. yeah i mean, i always try not to personalise things. >> it's just it's not reality. it's not factual at all to say we've not had austerity. if your neighbourhood police station has been shut down and you've had austerity, you're on austerity, if you're on universal credit and you lost a temporary had temporary uplift, you've had austerity, with your austerity, same with your hospital closure. everyone left or right speak to the length or right can speak to the length of time to get a gp's of time it takes to get a gp's appointment say not had appointment to say we've not had austerity , i'm afraid is austerity, i'm afraid is approaching la land. approaching la la land. >> but how do you explain records, levels of debt and the records, levels of debt and the record of taxation that record levels of taxation that we think the we have? if you think the government has managed in government has managed this in an fiscally prudent an austere fiscally prudent manner, don't think the manner, i don't think the government has been at all. >> and as you know, i'm an opponent of government. opponent of the government. >> so has the government spent a lot of money? >> course, the >> well, of course, the government a lot of government has spent a lot of

money. not austerity government has spent a lot of moneis not austerity government has spent a lot of moneis it? not austerity government has spent a lot of moneis it? so, not austerity government has spent a lot of moneis it? so, ben,usterity government has spent a lot of moneis it? so, ben,ustercan then, is it? so, ben, you can you ask your questions and you can ask your questions and answer we can answer them as well, or we can have the series of have it was the series of yes, no and you're not the no questions and you're not the interviewer. okay one interviewer. okay ben raises one point at which is a point or hints at which is a valid point, although didn't valid point, although he didn't let which was, i let me answer it, which was, i would tory mismanagement of would say tory mismanagement of the depressed tax the economy has depressed tax revenues. so tories say there is less money but they less money to spend, but they could done a more. could have done a lot more. >> perhaps there's been >> well, perhaps there's been too the too much micromanagement of the economy and people haven't been allowed to pursue their businesses as much as they would like. not enough freedom in this country, perhaps. but it is true that public continues that public spending continues to as a proportion of gdp to go up as a proportion of gdp . you could argue that cuts have been in the wrong places been made in the wrong places through the austerity years, but you that the debt has you can't deny that the debt has gone up because public spending has and there's has been so high and there's only so much you squeeze out only so much you can squeeze out of people's payslips when it comes to taxes . peter, just comes to taxes. peter, just lastly from you now, the home secretary, she's planning to announce reforms to reduce bureaucracy that police officers

face and to try and improve the system that way. so presumably police officers can spend more time investigating all crimes, which is what we all want to see. that is what the average person on the street wants to see. they want their crime to be investigated and they to investigated and they want to feel where live and feel safe where they live and where work . obvious. do you where they work. obvious. do you think this can be done in think that this can be done in this top down way coming from think that this can be done in this home )wn way coming from think that this can be done in this home secretary oming from think that this can be done in this home secretary ,ming from think that this can be done in this home secretary , you from think that this can be done in this home secretary , you needi think that this can be done in this home secretary , you need to the home secretary, you need to reduce the amount of paperwork. for example, there are savings to be made. >> there are efficiencies that can be carried out without a shadow of a doubt. i hear stories these regularly, but stories of these regularly, but but in addition to that, they've got to get out behind got to get cops out from behind the desks. they've got to get police officers doing police work. and as much today as i've poured scorn and contempt on senior police officers, it would be truly remiss of me if i didn't have some praise. and thanks for the brave cops for the good cops, for the cops that don't accept the unacceptable within their ranks and those who face danger almost on a daily

basis. i sincerely hope that they get home to their loved ones today and every day . ones today and every day. >> well, there you go, ben , what >> well, there you go, ben, what would you like to see from suella braverman when it comes to the police? to me, it just seems that they're getting a lot of mixed messages. liz, i also wonder peter's point there, i wonder to peter's point there, i wonder to peter's point there, i wonder whether we've got too many graduate police officers who'd rather spend their time behind a desk than actually out on the front line. do you think there's any truth to that? well i think peter would testify to that the case, because we that being the case, because we were chatting before we came in and he was saying, you know, the art of peter speak for himself, but the art being a good but the art of being a good detective being on detective is actually being on streets, having first hand experience deal with experience of how to deal with this, showing cunning the this, showing cunning with the criminals, they think and understanding how they think and deaung understanding how they think and dealing them and i mean, dealing with them and i mean, the problem police the problem with the police force like so much of the other pubuc force like so much of the other public services , is that public sector services, is that you in downward spiral. you end up in a downward spiral. >> paying them >> you're not paying them enough, training them enough, you're not training them enough. they get a bad reputation. it doesn't become attractive to work for the police force. end up with

police force. they end up with poor recruits down the poor recruits and down the spiral and you look at spiral goes. and if you look at it's not the only metric one should look at, but if you look at one metric and again, it appues at one metric and again, it applies across public applies across the public services, average wage of services, the average wage of a police officer in the united kingdom is £31,000. the average wage of a police officer in the us is $67,000. that's £51,000. and the cost of living in the us is two thirds of what it is here. so in real terms, american police officers are paid twice what our police officers are paid. that cannot be right. there's something gone wrong in our whole public approach to the management of the public sector. yes, i do agree. >> people need to be rewarded for hard work. it for their hard work. it certainly is one of the biggest motivations comes to motivations when it comes to employment. thank you very much indeed. former brexit party mep ben habib, former editor of labourlist edwards with us labourlist peter edwards with us and former scotland yard detective bleksley . thank detective peter bleksley. thank you indeed for you very much indeed for your expertise know expertise there. let me know what of that what you make of that conversation. you think conversation. what do you think needs to happen with the police? those out

those statistics that i read out at the are really shocking at the top are really shocking in of those charge rates. in terms of those charge rates. essentially are essentially we are decriminalising , decriminalising shoplift, fighting and petty crimes as they're known, as you are watching and listening to gb news with me, emily news saturday with me, emily carville. got much more carville. we've got much more opinion, debate and analysis to come 2.5 so come over the next 2.5 hours. so don't . but let's don't go anywhere. but let's take at the weather take a look at the weather first. the temperature is rising. >> boxt solar proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> hello there . i'm jonathan >> hello there. i'm jonathan vautrey here with your latest gb news weather forecast provided by the met office. so today is a day of dodging showers for many of us. they're being brought in by this area of low pressure centred to the northwest of the uk. generally, the closer you are towards that area of low pressure, the more frequent showers throughout showers you'll see throughout the particularly the day. so particularly northern parts of northern ireland parts of scotland, here we scotland, and it's here where we could some heavier showers, could see some heavier showers, some torrential with some torrential downpours with some torrential downpours with some thunderstorms as some hail and thunderstorms as well. further the south well. further towards the south and those showers be and east, those showers will be more nature . so more scattered in nature. so some spells in between and

some sunny spells in between and some sunny spells in between and some dry some areas may stay largely dry as into this afternoon as we head into this afternoon in spots. as well. in those sunnier spots. as well. temperatures highs temperatures climbing to highs of 24 c, but some quite of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustery winds, particularly along western coastal areas up around the irish sea. that will make quite cool in make it feel quite cool in places . showers continuing places. showers continuing overnight the north and west. overnight in the north and west. but england wales , the but for england and wales, the bulk of showers will fade bulk of those showers will fade their provide some their way out and provide some clear spells overnight . the clear spells overnight. the blustery are still going blustery winds are still going to place, though, to be in place, though, so that's helping the air that's helping mix up the air and will prevent our temperatures far temperatures dropping too far overnight. holding overnight. most holding up around 12 14 c. but we could around 12 to 14 c. but we could drop into single figures some drop into single figures in some rural north—east rural glens of north—east scotland. showers from the scotland. it's showers from the word go again for central southern scotland down into northern england. some sunnier spells for the southeast to begin but the cloud will begin with. but the cloud will begin with. but the cloud will be building the southwest begin with. but the cloud will be welding the southwest begin with. but the cloud will be we seeg the southwest begin with. but the cloud will be we see these the southwest begin with. but the cloud will be we see these outbreaks west begin with. but the cloud will be we see these outbreaks of st as we see these outbreaks of rain spreading to wales, southwest england, northern rain spreading to wales, southwelaterlgland, northern rain spreading to wales, southwelaterlglaas, northern rain spreading to wales, southwelaterlgla as well, hern rain spreading to wales, southwelaterlgla as well, where ireland later on as well, where they . persistent they could. persistent temperatures will held temperatures will be held back underneath in underneath that cloud in the southwest , but degrees southwest, but 22 degrees possible the east by by the possible in the east by by the temperatures rising . temperatures rising. >> boxt solar proud sponsors of

weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> you are with emily carver on gb news. coming up in just one moment. in the wake of the farage banking scandal, we will be discussing, is it time for a radical bank? shake—up or even a new bank that's completely free from the politically motivated establishment? i want to know the answer to that, and we will cross over to australia following comments from a former prime minister that british colonisation was the luckiest thing to happen to them. what do you make of that? all of that and more to come. i'm emily carver. you're watching and listening news,

channel >> join me camilla tominey from 9.30 on sunday morning . in >> join me camilla tominey from 9.30 on sunday morning. in an exclusive interview, i'll be quizzing former home secretary priti patel on everything from the government's rwanda plan to whether the tories should ditch net zero and after the sensational resignations of the heads of both coutts bank and the natwest group , i'll be the natwest group, i'll be joined by nigel farage, who'll tell me what's next for him in his fight against woke banks. all that and more with me camilla tominey from 930 on sunday morning . sunday morning. >> good afternoon. it's 1230. i'm ray addison gb news saturday. coming up in just a moment . but first, our top moment. but first, our top stories . rail services are being stories. rail services are being

disrupted again with thousands of workers walking off the job over a long running dispute . rmt over a long running dispute. rmt members at 14 train operating companies are striking over pay and conditions. people are being advised to check before travelling. in some areas only half of services are running. while others have none at all. houday. while others have none at all. holiday. makers passing through the port of dover are facing waits of up to two hours now, queues nine lanes wide built up this morning as families waited for border officials to for french border officials to check their passports . slow check their passports. slow traffic also backed up all along the a20 and almost back to folkestone. officials say almost 17,000 passengers have passed through the port so far. 17,000 passengers have passed through the port so far . one through the port so far. one could end up going to prison on and in the us republican presidential candidates shared the stage for the first time as they fought for support at a rally in iowa . despite facing rally in iowa. despite facing new criminal charges , donald

new criminal charges, donald trump was the one to hit out at rival ron desantis, telling the crowd not to take a chance on the florida governor will hurd was the only candidate to criticise mr trump at the event . he was booed after saying the former president is running to stay out of prison . you can get stay out of prison. you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website gbnews.com now let's get back to . now let's get back to. emily >> welcome back to gb news saturday with me, emily carver on your tv on line and digital radio. now lots of you have been getting in touch with your views about that conversation we just had the apparently had about the police. apparently they will be now investigate getting low level crimes , which getting low level crimes, which is things like shoplifting, which is things like car thefts, burglar salaries, all of those everyday crimes that essentially ruin lives. and cost people

dearly . anthony has written in. dearly. anthony has written in. he says the police are useless if you've got a gang of kids chucking bricks, stones and fireworks at your windows. police won't touch them because they're frightened of reprisal from children and their from those children and their parents. strong stuff there. i hope haven't bricks hope you haven't had bricks chucked your but let me chucked at your home, but let me know have. that sounds know if you have. that sounds dreadful. paul says peter hit on something. i think you're talking bleksley talking about peter bleksley there. something there. peter hit on something to many fast tracked many public school fast tracked sociology the top sociology graduates at the top of the police. enough thief of the police. not enough thief takers that have come through the ranks . i takers that have come through the ranks. i think that's quite a good point, actually. not a good point, actually. i'm not sure you need to sure why necessarily you need to be be a decent be a graduate to be a decent police officer, but you could say the same about many, many police officer, but you could say twhere ne about many, many police officer, but you could say twhere at about many, many police officer, but you could say twhere a degree many, many police officer, but you could say twhere a degree seems�*nany police officer, but you could say twhere a degree seems to ny jobs where a degree seems to have become essential , at least have become essential, at least on paper. and what else have we got from you? george says, as your man says , that policing is your man says, that policing is being grossly mismanaged by those at the top. fair enough. but no one ever seems to blame nhs management misspending but no one ever seems to blame nhseyewatering nt misspending but no one ever seems to blame nhseyewatering amount sspending but no one ever seems to blame nhseyewatering amount of)ending the eyewatering amount of taxpayers money they are given. yes, it's either people tend to

either blame austerity or mismanagement. it could be a mixture of the two. if you believe that the police force is underfunded , or perhaps it is underfunded, or perhaps it is actually genuinely mismanaged. but i also think the government have a lot to say. they make policing very, very complicated. all these new laws, all these new hate crime laws, hate speech laws, etcetera , etcetera, laws, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, very difficult for the police to perhaps know what to focus on. but anyway , we'll move focus on. but anyway, we'll move on to something different. the government has vowed to clamp down on account closures after the farage banking the nigel farage banking scandal. comes after the scandal. this comes after the closure his coutts bank closure of his coutts bank account , which farage argued account, which farage has argued was based on political was based on his political views. week we have seen views. this week we have seen the resignation of the chief executive of natwest, dame alison rose, followed closely by the ceo of coutts, peter flavel. nevertheless natwest has revealed that their profits have soared to rising soared owing to the rising borrowing costs. so i'm asking is it time for a radical bank? shake—up or even a new bank that's free from the politically

motivated establishment? joining me now is the chief economic adviser at the centre for economic and business research , economic and business research, vicky pryce. thank you very much indeed for joining vicky pryce. thank you very much indeed forjoining me. vicky, indeed for joining me. vicky, what do you make to that question i just posed ? is it question i just posed? is it time for a radical bank shake up? learnt that big up? have we learnt that big changes needed from the nigel farage scandal ? farage scandal? >> well, the interesting thing is that even as some of the newest banks , the ones which newest banks, the ones which perhaps don't even have any branches, are also exercising similarjudgements branches, are also exercising similar judgements as the ones that we've heard from natwest and coots. in other words, accounts are being closed for particular reasons, which not everyone necessarily understands . so it depends what we mean by a new bank. is it one which is run maybe by the community? so is it one that isn't really looking at making profits necessarily? whichever bank it is, which still need to make sure that it doesn't allow money laundering, for example, that is quite careful about you know, bad practises that the bank may be used for. so all that needs

to be in any case done because one has to be compliant with whatever regulations there may be which the banks be under which the banks operate, just depresses operate, but it just depresses me a little bit when you see that actually , you know, that actually, you know, different and newer banks, which are new way in which are now the new way in which digital currencies are being exchanged and we're using just credit cards and we're moving or debit cards, we're moving things around so much more easily , are around so much more easily, are still the same still falling into the same pattern of behaviour as perhaps the bigger ones too. so it all depends what we mean by new bank really. in this case, are you referring gina miller's the referring to gina miller's the case of gina miller? >> she said that her bank account has been closed and that's newer that's with one of these newer onune that's with one of these newer online only digital only banks . online only digital only banks. >> i was and think in that case, if i understood this correctly, because obviously we only got that reported out in the in the press and radio generally is that that particular bank would not accept having an account for a political party. well, if that is the case, as gina miller, i

think responded , then, you know, think responded, then, you know, where does one fund a party where does one fund a party where is democracy? in that case? i think those are the issues. now of course, we mustn't exaggerate the entire situation as it is at present . situation as it is at present. it is true that there are quite a lot of people who were complaining even before nigel farage's issue was made so pubuc farage's issue was made so public that their accounts were being closed. i mean, there has been a facebook group, if you like , since earlier this year, like, since earlier this year, which is called i think natwest closed my account, which has been collecting loads and loads of people. i think there's 8500 people who already signed themselves up for this because they had their account closed and who knows if you put hsbc closed my account or any other bank, close my account mean and ihave bank, close my account mean and i have to declare an interest. i mean, i work for the for now natwest . it's the beginning of natwest. it's the beginning of my career so i'm in favour my career so i'm all in favour of what banks do. finance is so, so important in the economy, but those cases are clearly there

and the government and i presume the financial conduct authority are now looking into whether perhaps the compliance that is meant to take place has been oven meant to take place has been over. jealous yes, there must be many banks who are quite worried about the potential for, well, thousands of subject access requests and huge amounts of paperwork to go through to give people. >> the reason why their bank account was closed. i'm sure they'll have it all on record and ready to go, but i imagine these things take a lot, a lot of time and a lot of stress as well for a lot of bank managers now, a lot has been made of natwest's, so soaring profits is it fair to say that banks are profiting from our misery? many people will highlight how we don't receive high interest rates when it comes to our savings and our deposits. but when it comes to our mortgages, well, we see those rates go up sky high as soon as the bank rate changes. >> well, it's interesting , of

>> well, it's interesting, of course, the government has held very significantly in making sure the bank survived through covid. they had, of course, contributed to them surviving covid. they had, of course, contributhe to them surviving covid. they had, of course, contributhe financialurviving covid. they had, of course, contributhe financial crisis ng covid. they had, of course, contributhe financial crisis .; through the financial crisis. and we still have natwest , which and we still have natwest, which you referred to now in terms of its being partly state its profits being partly state owned. so what has indeed been happening is that when interest rates are increasing , then your rates are increasing, then your net margins increase as well. that's what typically happens . that's what typically happens. and of course, the banks could say it is because they're making up for the problems that they had interest rates had before when interest rates were close to zero. but nevertheless, what the savers get proportion , if you get is not proportion, if you like, to the increase, that stake that has taken place in interest rates more generally. so go up your so lending rates go up your savings rates do not go up the same way. what you've is same way. what you've seen is that overall it is true net that overall it is true that net margins for natwest had gone up. if you compare it with the previous with a half year of the previous with a half year of the previous year. but in reality within the two quarters, if you look them carefully, look at them more carefully, you've net margins coming you've seen net margins coming down. a lot of it, i'm assuming, is of the pressure that

is because of the pressure that the government put the government has already put to banks, as know, or to on the banks, as you know, or the called in by the the banks were called in by the treasury committee and treasury select committee and others explain why why it is treasury select committee and othe they're plain why why it is treasury select committee and othe they're notn why why it is treasury select committee and othe they're not givingnhy it is treasury select committee and othe they're not giving the it is that they're not giving the saving the savers, the interest rates that they should get. they are there now rates that they should get. they are really there now rates that they should get. they are really good'here now rates that they should get. they are really good interest now rates that they should get. they are really good interest rates some really good interest rates out take out there and people should take advantage of that before interest start coming interest rates start coming down. i'm guessing so what, of course, has happened is that those banks have benefited generally from the situation as it is going to get, it is now. it is going to get, i think, a little bit worse the think, a little bit worse in the future. there already future. there are already you know, putting know, banks are putting provisions debts and so provisions for bad debts and so on on the side as well, because obviously is not obviously the economy is not doing well. doing particularly well. but yes, the banks have yes, i think the banks have benefited from from government policy . policy basically. >> you very much >> well, thank you very much indeed talking us through indeed for talking us through that. vicky pryce chief that. vicky pryce there, chief economic centre economic adviser at the centre for and business for economic and business research. i say an research. and i must say an absolutely fabulous backdrop there see sign of a there you can see a sign of a true intellectual when the room is covered, covered books is covered, covered in books from bottom . i have from top to bottom. i have a statement a spokesperson statement from a spokesperson for natwest who has said the following response to this following in response to this story. like all uk regulated

banking institutions, we are subject legal and regulatory subject to legal and regulatory requirements and we treat compliance with them as a matter of priority. may mean we of priority. this may mean we are required to delay or refuse to act on a customer's instructions and or suspend or restrict a customer's account. well there you go. let me know if you think we need a new bank thatis if you think we need a new bank that is free from any political establishment. stitch up or whatever you like to call it. you are watching listening you are watching and listening to with me, to gb news saturday with me, emily carville. we've got lots more coming today's show. more coming up on today's show. we crossing over to we will be crossing over to australia. actually, that's following from former australia. actually, that's follow minister from former australia. actually, that's follow minister that from former australia. actually, that's follow minister that british former prime minister that british colonisation was the luckiest thing to happen to australia. we've got that and much more. i'm emily carver on gb news,

channel welcome back to gb news saturday with me, emily carver on your tv, online and radio show. so lockdowns of course, meant that children were taught remotely for a significant amount of 20, 20 and 2021. that was in the government's effort to help stop the spread of the virus . since the spread of the virus. since then, around 22% of children were classed as persisting , were classed as persisting, absent from school in the 20 2223 academic year, 22. that has more than doubled since 20 1819, the last full year before the pandemic. now, the think tank centre for social justice has warned that around 9000 children who are currently missing from school altogether could turn to

a life of crime . so let's speak a life of crime. so let's speak to someone from the think tank herself, jessica prestage, who is their deputy policy director. thank you very much indeed, jessica, for joining thank you very much indeed, jessica, forjoining me thank you very much indeed, jessica, for joining me this afternoon. now, you've drawn a link between these missing children who haven't returned to school since the pandemic, essentially. and a potential crime wave . how have you come to crime wave. how have you come to that conclusion ? that conclusion? >> well, basically, we've looked at published government data which tells us about the characteristics, the educational characteristics, the educational characteristics of young offenders, and from that data, we've been able to establish the kind of risk factor associated with persistent absence . as with persistent absence. as we've taken that risk factor and appued we've taken that risk factor and applied it to potential future scenarios , one in which scenarios, one in which persistent absence returns to pre—pandemic levels by 2025 and one in which it remains elevated

at current levels. the difference between the two numbers you end up with is the additional 9000 young offenders that we're talking about now . that we're talking about now. and that's because persistently absent pupils are around three times more likely to go on to commit an offence than their classmates who attend school full time . full time. >> now, jessica, in your view , >> now, jessica, in your view, was the closure of schools as an absolutely catastrophic policy failure ? failure? >> i think the consequences of school closures are going to be felt for a very long time. we know that the group of children that are disproportionately affected by elevated absence rates are disproportionately likely to be vulnerable . so likely to be vulnerable. so they're more likely to be on free school meals, they're more likely to be living in disadvantaged they're disadvantaged areas. they're more likely to have special educational needs. so this is a group of children who have a huge amount to from a good huge amount to gain from a good education and a lot to education session and a lot to lose from missing education because absence is only ever going to compound disadvantage. >> the report

>> i was looking at the report and there are some shocking statistics . absent, absent since statistics. absent, absent since rates rise with age and a third of year 11 pupils now missing on at least 10% of school days, i mean, you talk about the consequences on crime , but the consequences on crime, but the consequences on crime, but the consequences on crime, but the consequences on those schools as well, and teachers being able to teach and dealing with parent rights, all the extra help that's needed from potential socially social care services , socially social care services, from the schools themselves is just getting in touch with these pupils , trying to get in touch pupils, trying to get in touch with them and find out why they're not at school, in the classroom where they should be. it's amount work . it's a huge amount of work. >> yes, exactly. and that's why the centre for social justice is recommending that the department for education accelerates the national rollout of attendance. mentors who are kind of dedicated key workers who work with schools and families to get to the bottom of what's driving absence on a case by case basis so they can provide that kind of

target targeted, tailored support . and it doesn't fall to support. and it doesn't fall to teachers who we know are already really under the cosh . really under the cosh. >> it's hard to understate how massive an issue this is. and i was talking earlier in the show about crime and said, well, very low charge rates for petty crimes, things like shoplifting, etcetera , does seem that perhaps etcetera, does seem that perhaps this crime wave has already begun. >> i mean, very possibly i the work this piece of work in particular is looking at two potential futures. so because we really wanted to isolate the specific impact of persistent absence , we're not really absence, we're not really looking at the here and now . but looking at the here and now. but absolutely if there's a negative story at the moment, absolutely if there's a negative story at the moment , this is story at the moment, this is only going to compound that and getting on top of youth crime is going to become a whole lot harder if this risk is allowed to materialise . absolutely. to materialise. absolutely. >> thank you very much indeed to the centre for social justice for highlighting an for highlighting this as an issue. you . jessica issue. thank you. jessica prestige, is the deputy

prestige, who is the deputy policy director at the centre of social justice, very worrying indeed. if these absences in schools lead to crime . i mean, schools lead to crime. i mean, it's not exactly a stretch, is it? if children aren't going to the classroom, then they are more likely to be getting up to mischief . now to the land down mischief. now to the land down unden mischief. now to the land down under. a former prime minister, john howard in australia has said that british colonisation was the luckiest thing that happened to australia. he made the remarks in relation to the country's historic referendum taking place this year on indigenous recognition, which , indigenous recognition, which, if successful, will change australia's constitution to give first nations peoples a stronger say over the laws and policy issues that affect them . joining issues that affect them. joining me now is australian historian and political commentator james roe, who joins us from perth in australia. thank you very much indeed, james, for joining australia. thank you very much indeed, james, forjoining me. indeed, james, for joining me. so has the reaction been to so what has the reaction been to these presumably quite controversial remarks from a former prime minister >> thanks very much for having me . there does seem to be two me. there does seem to be two sets of reactions at the moment.

mr howard's comments around the indigenous voice referendum. many people believe that there are valid concerns around the success of the referendum , but success of the referendum, but his comments around colonialism being very fortunate , it do seem being very fortunate, it do seem to have caused some great outrage both at home and also in terms of international reaction as well. i've been reading articles from both the bbc in the uk and also from the new york times as well. so definitely been picked up at an international level. >> it's interesting because he said not that the british were perfect any means , but they perfect by any means, but they were successful were infinitely more successful and beneficent colonisers than other european countries. i mean, that is true, is it not? >> i think it's not very healthy to get into a hierarchy of colonialism because for people who are able to benefit from the system and i'm certainly saying that for those who are able to have an agricultural sector or to be able to start an industrial company, then they've

definitely been able to benefit from over time. but when you look at the people who essentially were the victims of either massacres or the stolen generation where their children were taken away from them and forced into custody for no apparent reason, i doubt they would be suggesting anything similar to mr howard's comments. >> yes, james, just very quickly, while i've got you this referendum, the campaign that's going on in australia, huge divisive, it's called the australian indigenous voice referendum, can you just give me a very quick overview of how exactly this is going down in the country? are things shifting towards the no campaign , no . towards the no campaign, no. >> there does seem to be a lot of uncertainty at the moment. the australian government hasn't locked in a date for the referendum yet. the intent behind the referenda is to have an advisory body of elected first nations people to be able to advise the government on matters that affect them. the composition and the structure of

the body would be legislated after the referendum . but after the referendum. but because there's a lot of uncertainty in terms of that structure, what the voice might be able to deal with in terms of policy, many people feel uncomfortable going to a referendum at this stage . so as referendum at this stage. so as a result of that, the lack of clear information, it looks as in opinion polling at the moment that the voice would not be successful. >> that's very interesting. we'll be keeping a eye on we'll be keeping a keen eye on developments in australia. this is interesting referendum is very interesting referendum indeed.thank is very interesting referendum indeed. thank you very much for joining giving your take joining us and giving your take all the way from perth in australia. that's roe. australia. that's james roe. thank much indeed. now thank you very much indeed. now i've got some views coming in on the well on all sorts of things that we've been talking about, particularly on the banks, whether we need a new bank. ian has written in emily, the post office banking service should be resurrected. the sites are in place with staff and should be easy to provide a politically unbowed , biased service. well, unbowed, biased service. well, maybe . i'm unbowed, biased service. well, maybe. i'm not unbowed, biased service. well, maybe . i'm not sure, john says maybe. i'm not sure, john says this is time for a reviewing the

whole banking system and regulations and laws. natwest should be fully national ized and branch networks reopened to the post office should also be renationalised . and there are renationalised. and there are certain things that should be under the control of the government, including all utilities a utilities where there is a national and interest. i national need and interest. i don't know. i quite like that there is quite a lot of competition in the banking world. there are new banks opening all time, opening up all the time, providing different services . i providing different services. i quite level of quite like that level of competition, but of course worth reminding that natwest is very much partially owned by us. the british public, after being bailed out and td well, there you go. please keep sending in all your views on that and on that. australia question is it right for a former prime minister of australia to say that british colonisation was the thing that ever the luckiest thing that ever happened, but that's all for this hour. but not to worry. we have a bumper next two hours for this show. we'll be having a debate on whether climate change can responsible the can be held responsible for the recent wildfires we have seen across parts of southern europe

and they actually and africa. or are they actually nothing new? be debating nothing new? we'll be debating that. all of that and more to come. emily carver and you come. i'm emily carver and you are watching and listening to gb news, britain's news channel. >> like things are heating >> looks like things are heating up . boxed boilers, proud up. boxed boilers, proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. sponsors of weather on. gb news. >> hello there . i'm jonathan >> hello there. i'm jonathan vautrey here with your latest gb news weather forecast provided by the met office. saturday is a day of dodging showers for many of us. they're being brought in by this area of low pressure centred to the northwest of the uk. generally, the closer you are towards that area of low pressure, more frequent showers you'll see throughout the day. so northern so particularly northern ireland, scotland and ireland, parts of scotland and it's here where we see it's here where we could see some heavier some some heavier showers, some torrential downpours with some hail thunderstorms as well. hail and thunderstorms as well. further towards the and further towards the south and east, will be more east, those showers will be more scattered so some scattered in nature. so some sunny between and some sunny spells in between and some areas largely dry as areas may stay largely dry as we head into afternoon in head into this afternoon in those spots as well. those sunnier spots as well. temperatures to highs temperatures climbing to highs of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustery winds, particularly of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustewestern , particularly

of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustewestern coastal|larly of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustewestern coastal areas up along western coastal areas up around irish sea. that will around the irish sea. that will make feel quite cool in make it feel quite cool in places. showers continuing overnight the north and west. overnight in the north and west. but for england wales , the but for england and wales, the bulk those showers will fade bulk of those showers will fade their and provide some their way out and provide some clear overnight . the clear spells overnight. the blustery still going blustery winds are still going to place, though, so to be in place, though, so that's helping up air that's helping mix up the air and will prevent our temperatures far temperatures dropping too far overnight. most holding up around 12 to 14 c. but we could drop into single figures in some rural glens north—east rural glens of north—east scotland. from the scotland. it's showers from the word go again for central southern scotland down into northern england . some sunnier northern england. some sunnier spells for the southeast to begin will begin with. but the cloud will begin with. but the cloud will be building the southwest be building from the southwest as these outbreaks of as we see these outbreaks of rain wales, rain spreading to wales, southwest northern southwest england, northern ireland later on as well, where they could persistent temperatures be held back temperatures will be held back underneath that in the underneath that cloud in the southwest. but 22 degrees possible east by by looks possible in the east by by looks like things are heating up. >> boxed boilers proud sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> hello and welcome to gb news saturday. i'm emily carver. for the next two hours, i will be keeping you company on tv, onune keeping you company on tv, online and radio. so i'll keep you up date on all the you up to date on all the stories that matter to you.

coming up this hour, following the wildfires the devastating wildfires which have many parts of have engulfed many parts of southern and africa. southern europe and africa. we're discuss whether we're going to discuss whether climate change is responsible for blazes or are they for the blazes or are they really nothing new? also coming up, former prime minister and gb news favourite sir tony blair has said that the uk will eventually the eu . he eventually rejoin the eu. he seems very sure as a new poll has revealed, support is at a five year high. we'll be debating this and discussing brexit and whether there really is a desire for us to return to the superstate. can you trust the superstate. can you trust the polling? what do you think? also this hour, crime, shoplifting, antisocial behaviour. increased by behaviour. it's all increased by over a third co—op shops in over a third in co—op shops in the past year, roughly equating to around 1000 incidents every day . you've been getting in day. you've been getting in touch with your views on how to deal with this. we'll get to those says the those later. but that says the police to police have pledged to investigate single investigate every single crime that nice. so i'll be that would be nice. so i'll be asking, has shoplifting effectively become decriminalised in this country? and why haven't police been and why haven't the police been doing along, doing this all along, investigating the crimes, that is. and ever, want to hear

is. and as ever, i want to hear your great british views on all of these topics and all the other the day. other big news of the day. please them gb please do email them over gb views. at gbnews.com me views. at gbnews.com or tweet me at gb news. but let's get at gb news. but first, let's get the news headlines ray the news headlines with ray addison . addison. >> thanks, emily. 1:01. our top story this hour, rail services are being disrupted again with thousands of workers walking off the job over a long running dispute. rmt members at 14 train operating company are striking over pay and conditions. people are being advised to check before they travel in some areas , only half of services are running , while others have none running, while others have none at all. the union's senior assistant general secretary, eddie dempsey, told us there have been no negotiations since april. >> we're out on strike today because we're now coming up to four years without a pay freeze. the government is planning to strip thousands of jobs of strip thousands of jobs out of our and shut down our industry and shut down ticket offices right across the country. we're looking at the managed railway managed decline of the railway and our members determined

and our members are determined to a fair settlement on to achieve a fair settlement on pay to achieve a fair settlement on pay security , and they want pay job security, and they want to protect terms and to protect their terms and conditions what we're conditions. so that's what we're doing haven't had any doing here. we haven't had any negotiate mid—april, doing here. we haven't had any negwanta mid—april, doing here. we haven't had any negwant to mid—april, doing here. we haven't had any negwant to get mid—april, doing here. we haven't had any negwant to get roundapril, doing here. we haven't had any negwant to get round the l, doing here. we haven't had any negwant to get round the table we want to get round the table and a deal. they and get our members a deal. they can support holidaymakers passing through the port of dover are facing waits of up to two hours now for queues , nine two hours now for queues, nine lanes wide built up this morning as families waited for french border officials to check their passports. >> slow traffic also backed up all the way along the a20 and almost back to folkestone . almost back to folkestone. officials say almost 17,000 passengers have passed through the port so far today in the us . republican presidential candidates shared the stage for the first time as they fought for support at a rally in iowa. one could end up going into prison on despite facing new criminal charges. donald trump was the one to hit out at rival ron desantis , telling the crowd ron desantis, telling the crowd not to take a chance on the florida governor. will hurd was

the only candidate to criticise mr trump himself. the only candidate to criticise mr trump himself . he was booed mr trump himself. he was booed after saying the former president is running to stay out of prison. donald trump still claiming that he's the victim of a witch hunt. >> if i weren't running, i would have nobody coming after me or if i was losing by a lot, i would have nobody coming after me. together, we will crush crooked joe biden, the most crooked president in the history of our country by far, and also grossly incompetent, doesn't know what he's doing. he's destroying our country. we will win the election big and we will make america great again. thank you . you. >> a cargo ship carrying thousands of cars has been burning off the dutch coast since tuesday night. one crew member was killed . seven others member was killed. seven others were injured when they jumped overboard to escape the flames. the dutch coastguard saying the cause of the fire is not yet known. however, in a recording released by broadcaster rtl , an

released by broadcaster rtl, an emergency responder can be heard saying it started in the battery of an electric car. the vessel, which was travelling from germany to egypt, is now drifting off the coast . back drifting off the coast. back here, labour has accused the government of an unfair , government of an unfair, forgivable lack of urgency over the needs of rape victims . it the needs of rape victims. it says the tory party has failed to implement key recommendations made in two reports dating back as far as july 2021. the criminal justice joint inspectorate has urged the government to launch special list rape courts and to give victims the opportunity to make a personal statement . at least a personal statement. at least four people are feared dead after an australian army helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of queensland. the chopper was taking part in military exercises between the us and australia. that's now been suspend while a search and rescue operation takes place . rescue operation takes place. environmental groups are warning the prime minister they won't

stand by if ministers attempt to water down environmental and climate commitment . this, water down environmental and climate commitment. this, a joint letter has been sent to rishi sunak from organised nations, including the national trust and the rspb. they say they could mobilise their members and are demanding an urgent meeting. it comes after conservative success in the uxbndge conservative success in the uxbridge and south ruislip by—election led some mps to call for a rethink over the push for net zero. by 2050. we and the emmy awards have reportedly been postponed until next year due to strikes by thousands of writers and actors in the united states. the ceremony was originally scheduled to take place in mid september . now, multiple reports september. now, multiple reports suggest it's likely to be moved to january 20th, 24. however, disputes will need to be solved between the studios and guilds, hollywood actors went on strike earlier this month over pay and residuals whilst film and tv writers have been on picket lines since may. this is gb

news. we'll bring you more as it happens. now let's get back to emily and gb news. saturday >> welcome back to gb news saturday with me, emily carver. so with wildfires sweeping across some of the most popular destinations in greece and spain , many british tourists have seen their flights and holidays cancelled . experts say it could cancelled. experts say it could be leading to a boost in domestic tourism as holidaymakers choose less risky options. closer to home, our south—east of england reporter ray addison has the story. >> footage makes for >> the footage makes for terrifying viewing once desirable holiday destinations turned into a hell on earth in just a matter of hours. turned into a hell on earth in just a matter of hours . and the just a matter of hours. and the dream of a relaxing vacation often left in tatters for hard working british tourists due to airline cancellations and the fear of being in the wrong place

at the wrong time. but could the mediterranean's loss be the uk's gain along england's south coast in industry, experts say they're heanng in industry, experts say they're hearing anecdotal reports of an increase in bookings for an downton is chief executive of tourism south east. she says staycations appear to be on the rise . rise. >> so in surveying our visitors to the south—east, we know that 38% of those will be returning back to the south—east this year . we also know a further 16% who would normally go abroad have chosen the south—east to take their days and short trips . it's their days and short trips. it's a known known quantity , a known known quantity, actually. those possible queues at airports travelling to maybe unbearably hot areas at the moment and the risk factor with that means that the uk is a really viable alternative with 66 sites across england , 66 sites across england, scotland and wales. >> parkdean resorts is the leading operator of holiday parks in the country . operations

parks in the country. operations director barry robinson says demand is suddenly up. >> in the last week we've seen a 20% spike in our booking rate year on year that is attributable, i think unfortunately to the events that have occurred in greece and in europe. so as at a park in the north—east this week and i spoke to a family that should have beenin to a family that should have been in rhodes for over a fortnight, they'd done think 4 or 5 nights of their holiday. they came back on sunday, tragically . but what they tragically. but what they managed to do because they had time portion of a holiday was to rebook that. so they're staying with us now for five nights, monday to friday. >> meanwhile, fran says in an unexpected twist , uk holiday unexpected twist, uk holiday destinations are being told to prepare for an increase in tourists from mediterra iranian countries as they search for their own safe havens to relax in britain's more moderate temperatures , certainly from temperatures, certainly from foreign nationals. >> yet there's a distinct possibility that actually it's seen as a safer bet. it takes

the risk out of perhaps cancellations. they might see or certainly getting stuck in a destination and at the moment, our weather is slightly changeable , but obviously it's changeable, but obviously it's warm. so it's a comfortable alternative. i think as a as a destination. ray addison gb news, thank you, ray. >> so a 20% increase in domestic holidays. that's a that's a good thing, i suppose, for the united kingdom. people enjoying our beautiful landscape, our countryside, our beaches. that's fantastic . but the hot weather fantastic. but the hot weather and wildfires have, of course, reignited a public debate over net zero and whether we should stick to it double down, get rid of it or whatever . the un of it or whatever. the un secretary—general antonio guterres has said the era of global warming has ended and the era of global boiling has arrived. he says we can still avoid the very worst of climate change, but only with what he calls dramatic, immediate climate action. at the same

time, tony blair has been slammed for suggesting that british carbon reduction efforts are irrelevant in the face of china's emissions. so should the government ditch its net zero pledge or double down? joining me to discuss this is former brexit party mep ben habib, former editor of labourlist peter edwards and senior meteorologist at british weather services, jim dale . thank you services, jim dale. thank you very much indeed. jim i'll start with you just to get our facts straight. when we begin this discussion , when we've seen discussion, when we've seen wildfires across europe, italy, greece , other countries have greece, other countries have they increased in recent years ? they increased in recent years? >> it's yeah , good afternoon, emily. >> i don't think it's a matter of counting them and seeing how many we've got here or how many we got there. i think there is a thought and the jury is out in terms of how this is actually going to play out by the end of the season. on the thought that they're actually occurring in not just this year, but in previous couple three years previous couple of three years in perhaps they in areas that perhaps they didn't occur before starting to

threaten the holiday resorts more than they did otherwise. and you don't have to go too far. let's just say the other side of the atlantic in california, pacific coast california, the pacific coast there remember the wildfires there to remember the wildfires that affecting conurbation. that were affecting conurbation. so i think that's what's happening . the conurbations so i think that's what's hapmoving. the conurbations so i think that's what's hapmoving more the conurbations so i think that's what's hapmoving more into :onurbations so i think that's what's hapmoving more into the rbations are moving more into the country, but at the same time , country, but at the same time, the and the heat the wildfires and the heat that's by record that's generated by record temperatures has sustained record temperatures is what's causing the problem. and what is driving those people who were going to go to these places , 40, going to go to these places, 40, maybe even 50 degrees back to the uk. ben when do you think you can draw a direct link between wildfires and climate change? >> rising temperatures? >> rising temperatures? >> well, i'm not a meteorologist. all i can do is look at the information that's available to me as a layman and i've been looking at my weather app i've been looking at my weather app every time they announce a sort of fire in rhodes or corfu or somewhere else, i look at my weather app and my weather app has shown the temperatures in

these to be what i these locations to be what i would regard as relatively moderate for time year. moderate for this time of year. i seen it once tick over i haven't seen it once tick over 40 c and, you know, have also been watching the bbc weather report and sky weather reports which paint europe and indeed the united kingdom in various shades of red, giving the impression that we're all burning up and certainly in the united kingdom, i know there's a rise. you described, emily, of 20% in tourist tourism in the uk as a result of what's going on in europe. certainly in the uk we have not had record temperatures. i've been considering putting on my coat just about every morning through july. so whatever they're experiencing in europe is not being reflected in my weather app being reflected in my weather app and whatever we're experiencing in the united kingdom doesn't sound doesn't feel to me like global warming. of course, you know, the minute you question the narrative of thatis you question the narrative of that is now established across mainstream media, political classes and indeed embedded in

the institutions of this country . and i don't want to digress into nigel farage de—banking, but the same regulations that gave rise to his de—banking are driving the net zero agenda the minute you question it, you're kind of vilified to some kind of, you know , right wing, swivel of, you know, right wing, swivel eyed lunatic, but i haven't seen the direct evidence for gutierrez claiming that we've moved from an era of global warming into global boiling. >> peter, do you think there's a risk of coming to conclusions, too quickly when it comes to wildfires , fires or weather wildfires, fires or weather events , extreme weather events, events, extreme weather events, high temperatures , and then we high temperatures, and then we suddenly we engulf ourselves in a discussion about net zero carbon emissions based on what has been reported as arson . has been reported as arson. >> there's a risk in any policy choice of action and inaction . choice of action and inaction. so i think your question is absolutely the right one, and i was very interested in the stats of what's happening in greece, because greek officials, as you

rightly said, have said the human behind of human hand is behind a lot of the wildfires. there what the wildfires. and there what leads coverage, leads to news coverage, understandably, because television medium television is a visual medium and scenes have been and the scenes have been horrifying. so three people dead in greece . three obviously in greece. three is obviously a tragedy . but in greece. three is obviously a tragedy. but i'll give you another stat, which was in europe the deaths of europe last year. the deaths of 61,000 people were attributed to extreme heat. so yes, what's happening in greece is very striking and horrifying in many ways . but the temperatures ways. but the temperatures changing across europe and across the world, and that's going to have an effect on us in britain as well. because you think longer term, this is maybe a topic for another day, but how we live, our are we live, how our homes are built, for older built, how we care for older people withstand high temperatures. >> jim, as a as an expert in in weather, can you tell me whether more people die due to cold temperatures or hot temperatures globally ? we i don't really globally? we i don't really think that makes a difference. >> you know what that does that that's like the race to the bottom . it's not about because

bottom. it's not about because you can't even in a globally warm world see cold temperatures. but i can tell you something that the 60,000 that your colleague the your colleague has, just the guest about is guest has just talked about is absolutely spot on. and then you admitted you're not a meteorologist, you're a million miles away from the truth in actual fact. so let me make this absolutely clear. as a profession meteorologist, profession, meteorologist, records have been broken left, right centre , right across right and centre, right across europe and the mediterranean . europe and the mediterranean. looking weather app, looking at your weather app, you'll nowhere . okay. we you'll go nowhere. okay. so we study this is science. this study this this is science. this is it's about . so is what it's all about. so you're doing it down and you're just doing it down and missing. forming people missing. missing forming people when the truth is out when actually the truth is out there , as you as you will see in there, as you as you will see in nonh there, as you as you will see in north africa where people north africa where 40 odd people have killed in algeria, in have been killed in algeria, in the there in north the wildfires there in north africa this weekend may well reach their record ever temperatures certainly above 50 degrees. so you know, there's no room for this misinformation and lies. what should we be doing, though, jim, if we accept that temperatures are rising and we're seeing extreme weather events around the world, if we accept all that, what should we

be doing? >> because my concern is that we have net zero policies which can be quite financially damaging to some people. take just the ulez scheme , for example . what do we scheme, for example. what do we do? will those policy changes make a difference to the global temperature? because i look around the world and people talk about, oh, we need to cooperate with china, and i just don't see that realistically happening . so that realistically happening. so should we be focusing more on mitigation because we do have ways of adapting to slightly higher temperatures ? do we not? higher temperatures? do we not? >> well, certainly you were in the right coloured dress in terms of the direction of travel, that's for sure, because it is a green way. it is an environmentally friendly way. i always say when i come on these programs, this is an evolution, not a revolution. it has to be in terms of what you've just said, we can't just drop everything tomorrow. unfortunately and i'll say this openly to you, i wrote a book

called whether or not which is which is here in front of me now, three years ago and in that book, i actually say we've already reached the tipping point, the titanic . is it the point, the titanic. is it the iceberg or the iceberg is sinking . it's going to take 30 sinking. it's going to take 30 or years to turn this around. or 40 years to turn this around. but you don't say that's but but you don't say that's impossible . this for your impossible. this is for your children, children's children, your children's children, your children's children necessarily children, not necessarily for ourselves. we're going to ourselves. sadly we're going to have to face consequences of have to face the consequences of what now come with a with a with a hotting world, not just in terms of the heat, but also the storms and other facets of weather. so that's to come. and weather. so that's to come. and we have to face it. >> it's quite interesting, though, ben, tony blair has though, ben, that tony blair has said something that that many climate it denialists climate deniers and climate sceptics have said in recent years . he have said in recent years. he said don't ask us to do a huge amount when, frankly, whatever we do in britain is not really going to impact climate change. that's a very interested thing thing for tony to blair say it

is. >> and tony blair is going to increasingly appear to pivot to a more sensible centre right position as we approach the general election . in that general election. in that statement from tony blair is absolutely vital . tony blair absolutely vital. tony blair getting starmer ready to occupy ground that the conservative party should be occupying . of party should be occupying. of course, it's not what tony blair thinks. if you look back at the legislation that tony blair put in his his and his subsequent administration under gordon brown , they brought in the brown, they brought in the climate act 2008. they embedded in the companies act 2006, the requirement for directors to have an eye on the environment . have an eye on the environment. and with the net zero agenda a completely already firmly in place. back in 2006, tony blair is squarely part of the problem, which i see as an emasculation, as a direct emasculation of the british economy in the pursuit of what is unsettled science and by the way, jim, the only thing

laymen have to go by by is their weather app. you know, when you see on mainstream media, the entire continent of europe painted in various shades of red telling us that this is some kind of crisis right across europe and in england. and i was in england at the time and it certainly was not boiling over. when you have the head of the un saying this is not global warming, this is global boiling. some with a degree of some of us with a degree of scepticism, been scepticism, having been accustomed to politicians, mainstream media and other outlets not telling the whole truth , you know, have a right truth, you know, have a right and an obligation to question what's going on. there is a massive cost associated with this incessant drive towards net zero in this country for the british electorate, cause easing inflation, embedding inflation, damaging our economy and we're absolutely right to question it when what we see with our own eyesis when what we see with our own eyes is not borne out by what we're being told. >> jim, i'll just yeah, the

colour of the maps is a complete red herring as far as it's not a red herring as far as it's not a red herring, it's what it is, is a scare tactic, though, isn't it, jim there's a reason why. there's a reason why news outlets are using red, isn't there? it is to. it is for political motivation . political motivation. >> no, it's signifies hotter colours. but the actual truth of the matter is not going to be in the matter is not going to be in the colours. it's going to be in the colours. it's going to be in the figures, the data that's actually shown . actually shown. >> and when the data doesn't add up, that's what counts, not up, 50, that's what counts, not colours. >> so this red herring used by deniers like ben just needs to be taken out of the equation. it's used as an excuse . well, it's used as an excuse. well, we're not going to agree on this one. one. >> one. >> but one. » but one. >> but i'm going to let >> but peter, i'm going to let you as do you you come in as well. do you think it's helpful for the un secretary—general that secretary—general to say that we're an of global boiling? >> yes, and i think we'll do okay. we're all at risk of mixing our metaphors, but but our suggest another one, which is international leaders. they can be weathervane and i follow. everyone else does. or they can set the weather. so he's in a

leadership role. he's used very stark language. it shocked me. but i think it right. it's right. but i think they need to one >> but i think they need to one up other. no, no. you up each other. no, no, no. you know, see you see un know, you see you see un secretary and diplomats secretary generals and diplomats and positions. and people in high positions. and always it's the last and it's always it's the last day or the last moment, the midnight tipping point. i'm a bit disgruntled by what jim said actually there about us having already passed tipping already passed the tipping point. absolutely point. surely then absolutely everything should be everything we do should be focussed on mitigation, whether it's conditioning or dealing it's air conditioning or dealing with floods dealing. >> pass >> well, actually, if we pass emily, we've the emily, if we've passed the tipping , there's point tipping point, there's no point doing it. doing anything about it. >> we're going down like the titanic. that's the titanic. i mean, that's the problem alarm , this problem with this alarm, this language. actually it language. you know, actually it deters people from wanting to take action because what you're saying ben , what if the saying is, ben, what if the world going become world is going to become absolutely un inhabitable? well, if is going to become if the world is going to become uninhabitable, as uninhabitable, un inhabitable as a of what the united a result of what the united kingdom doing , then it is kingdom is doing, then it is going become uninhabitable . going to become uninhabitable. well, is no way back. well, there is no way back. let's answer the question. >> jim, i'd like to give you give you come back on that.

>> yeah. they said, look, isolated in britain and saying, >> yeah. they said, look, isol.know,i britain and saying, >> yeah. they said, look, isol.know, we tain and saying, >> yeah. they said, look, isol.know, we shouldn't;aying, you know, we shouldn't do anything doesn't anything because china doesn't do actually, do anything. well, actually, china does things and so does the so does other places. we the us. so does other places. we need this rather need to be leading this rather than being jonny china. >> china have. sorry to interrupt, but china have been continuing to build a coal mines on a grand scale, have they not? they're doing nothing in equal measures. >> emily they've also been building their solar power so that they can actually now draw solar power and power the energy to virtually every house, every household in china. so, look, as i said to you before, it's an evolution, not a revolution. and by the way, it can't be an evolution we've hit the evolution if we've hit the tipping this tipping point, can it? this isn't working for you. isn't about working for you. it's about working for children and children. so this is the future . if we're 30, 40 years future. if we're 30, 40 years stuck into this now, then i'll tell you now. safety, survival become paramount, especially in places like the mediterranean and north africa, the united states and other . and north africa, the united states and other. and you seeing that those pictures left, right

and centre all this summer , i and centre all this summer, i just worry that this kind of language, global boiling , is language, global boiling, is going to stop people from having children. >> and i think children are the future and they will build the technology for the future, the green the green technology and all the innovation to be able to innovation we need to be able to live at higher temperatures. thank you very indeed , jim thank you very much indeed, jim dale there. meteorological meteorology oh, goodness. meteorology. oh, my goodness. meteorology thank you very much. at british weather . peter at british weather. peter edwards from labourlist and ben habib, brexit party mep. thank you very much indeed . fantastic you very much indeed. fantastic debate there. please do let me know at home what you made of that. whose team are you on? are you team? you on you on jim's team? are you on peter's team? are you ben peter's team? are you on ben habib's perhaps mine? habib's team? or perhaps mine? you're and listening to you're watching and listening to gb me, emily gb news saturday with me, emily carville. plenty more carville. we've got plenty more opinion you opinion and debate to bring you in moment. now, though, in just one moment. now, though, let's look the weather let's take a look at the weather for like are for looks like things are heating up. >> boilers proud sponsors >> boxed boilers proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. of weather on. gb news. >> hello there. i'm jonathan vautrey here with your latest gb news weather forecast provided

by the met office. saturday is a day of dodging showers for many of us. they're being brought in by this area of low pressure centred to the northwest of the uk. generally, the closer you are towards that area of low pressure , more frequent showers pressure, more frequent showers you'll throughout the day. you'll see throughout the day. so particularly northern ireland, of scotland. and ireland, parts of scotland. and it's could see it's here where we could see some showers, some heavier showers, some torrential downpours with some hail thunderstorms as well. hail and thunderstorms as well. further south and further towards the south and east, those showers will be more scattered some scattered in nature. so some sunny between and some sunny spells in between and some areas may stay largely dry as we head afternoon in head into this afternoon in those as well. those sunniest spots as well. temperatures climbing to highs of 24 c, some of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustery particularly of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustewestern particularly of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustewestern coastal|larly of 23, 24 c, but some quite blustewestern coastal areas up along western coastal areas up around the irish sea that will make feel quite in make it feel quite cool in places. showers continuing overnight in the north and west. but for england and wales , the but for england and wales, the bulk of those showers will fade their some their way out and provide some clear overnight . the clear spells overnight. the blustery are still going clear spells overnight. the bl|be3ry are still going clear spells overnight. the bl|be in are still going clear spells overnight. the bl|be in place, are still going clear spells overnight. the bl|be in place, though, going clear spells overnight. the bl|be in place, though, so ing to be in place, though, so that's helping mix up the air and prevent our and will prevent our temperatures dropping too far overnight. up overnight. most holding up around 12 to 14 c. but we could drop into single figures in some

rural north east rural glens of north east scotland showers from the scotland with showers from the word again for central word go again for central southern scotland down into northern . some sunnier northern england. some sunnier spells for the southeast to begin but cloud will begin with, but the cloud will begin with, but the cloud will be from the southwest be building from the southwest as these outbreaks of as we see these outbreaks of rain to wales, rain spreading to wales, southwest england, northern ireland where ireland later on as well, where they persistent . they could turn persistent. temperatures will held back temperatures will be held back underneath cloud the underneath that cloud in the southwest, but 22 degrees possible the east by by looks possible in the east by by looks like things are heating up with boxt boilers >> proud sponsors of weather on gb news as . you with me, emily gb news as. you with me, emily carver on gb news. >> we've got plenty more to bnng >> we've got plenty more to bring you on the rest of the show, including suggestions from former prime minister tony blair. he's back who has said that will eventually that the uk will eventually rejoin union. we'll rejoin the european union. we'll be there be discussing whether there really rejoin the really is a desire to rejoin the bloc. you believe the polls, bloc. do you believe the polls, all more to come. all of that and more to come. i'm you're i'm emily carver. you're watching to watching and listening to gb news,

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news. channel >> it's exactly 130. i'm ray addison in the newsroom. and our top story this hour, two motorbikes have been recovered by police investigating a fatal hit and run in walsall. by police investigating a fatal hit and run in walsall . seven hit and run in walsall. seven year old cat zelenskyy was taken to hospital in a critical condition following the collision on thursday night but died of her injuries. a 14 year old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving . he's now been dangerous driving. he's now been released on bail with strict conditions . well rail services conditions. well rail services are being disrupted again with thousands of workers walking off the job over a long running dispute. rmt members at 14 train operating companies are striking over pay and conditions. people are being advised to check before travelling . in some before travelling. in some areas, only half of services are running, while others have none at all. delays at the port of dover have now been reduced, with holidaymakers now waiting

up to 45 minutes for french border officials to check their passports. queues are nine lanes wide and traffic has been backed up along to the a20. this morning, almost to folkestone. officials say almost 17,000 passengers have passed through the port so far today . one could the port so far today. one could end up going to prison on. well, that's the music they played as he went on stage in the us . he went on stage in the us. republican presidential candidates shared the stage for the first time as they fought for support at a rally in iowa. despite facing new criminal charges. donald trump was the one to hit out at rival ron desantis, telling the crowd not to take a chance on the florida governor will heard was the only candidate to criticise mr trump. he was booed after saying the former president is running to stay out of prison. you can get more on all of those stories and more on all of those stories and more by visiting our website gbnews.com now let's get straight back to .

straight back to. emily >> welcome back to gb news saturday with me, emily carver on your tv online and radio now. lots of you have been getting in touch about that debate. we just had change. are had about climate change. are the wildfires due to climate change and what can we change and what on earth can we do stop climate change? if do to stop climate change? if you believe is having this you believe it is having this effect on the globe? judy has written in, says, i definitely agree with ben that was ben habib. i live in spain and everyone keeps asking us how we are well yes, it is are coping. well yes, it is extremely hot, but just like every summer and we've lived here for 17 years. yes, it does seem like there is a lot of alarming coverage and that may well for be a reason. nicolas says i'm tired of the establishment pushing an extreme doomsday doomsday narrative when it comes to the climate. the establishment and vested interests sees a revenue generating opportunity and is

exploiting it for all it's worth . but i also saw a view here from someone who's told me i need to read a book, he says. dave says i support gb news on a daily basis. thank you. keep watching, and the watching, but you and the channel wrong. dale channel are wrong. jim dale is correct. the book the correct. read the book the physics of climate change . you, physics of climate change. you, emily, change your mind emily, will change your mind after reading that book. i have actually read a few books about climate change, i'm climate change, but i'm not convinced that net zero policies in this country, this is my difficulty with this, that net zero policies in this country that punish people aggressively , i.e. they punish the poor more than the will actually have than the rich will actually have any impact on the temperature of the globe. but perhaps you disagree. now, moving on, brexit will be undone. that's according to arch—remainer and former prime minister sir tony blair. he's coming up this he's coming up a lot on this show. he a lot to say. he show. he has a lot to say. he says that eventually says that we will eventually rejoin saying a future rejoin the bloc, saying a future generation will take britain back political and back into the political and economic follows economic union. this follows a recent deltapoll survey. week recent deltapoll survey. a week ago which showed a total of 56%

of people would vote to rejoin if a second referendum was held . polling like this or not is there really a desire to re—enter the european union? so no. speaking with me now is deputy leader of the rejoin eu party, richard morley. thank you very much indeed, richard. you must be delighted by tony blair's intervention . blair's intervention. >> well, i mean, i was pleased that tony blair has put into the pubuc that tony blair has put into the public what a lot of us already know, that brexit basically has gone wrong . gone wrong. >> well, okay. to the point there. why has it gone wrong, richard? >> why ? >> why? >> why? >> well, i don't think that it had very good foundations in the beginning. >> and the basic problems that we have is that we without out the european trading bloc along side us, we are now forced to look around the world for other trade deals and that, of course, is straining the economy because we simply aren't finding them to

the same extent as we had with europe. and that has caused immense problems, but may i say this, at this stage, the biggest problem, i think is for small businesses, small businesses in britain have really been hit very, very hard by brexit. and, you know, there are thousands of them, tens of thousands of small businesses employing millions of people . and they have suffered people. and they have suffered enormously and perhaps the greatest move towards our party has been from people who are in small business and the young . we small business and the young. we hear that 86% of under 25 year olds, 86% are now wanting to rejoin the eu. and you said earlier on that children are the future in your previous debate, which i was listening did, i did, right. >> well , richard, did, right. >> well, richard, children are the future and young people are saying we want to go back in. >> and that's why the move is towards i think that reflects

the current state of things . the current state of things. >> so because the economy is having a difficult time at the moment, we've come out of a pandemic. nick, the cost of living inflation that people will say, oh, why not join the eu? because, you know, it might be better than the current status quo. i'm not sure. it's a massive, an enthused chasm, but i'm interested in the psychology of people like you who spend a lot of time campaigning to rejoin the eu. the vote was what, seven years ago now is it time to time to let it go and start looking at all the opportunities? would you have us out of the cptpp, for example, that new trade arrangement that we've joined ? we've joined? >> i wouldn't have us out of that trade arrangement. but let's look at this realist hinckley that trade arrangement is not going to give anything more than . 0.08% increase to our more than. 0.08% increase to our gdp , and that is forecasted in gdp, and that is forecasted in the mid 2030. we have to wait

years to draw any benefits from that trade deal, but richard, it doesn't come with it doesn't come. >> this is the issue. this is the issue. it doesn't come with the issue. it doesn't come with the political strings attached that the european union did. the reason why britain rejected the european union in that vote was in my view, because of this mantra of ever closer union talk of an army, talk of military coordination , talk of coordination, talk of essentially a superstate. and it's written throughout the literature on the european union. it's there in black and white. people aren't stupid . white. people aren't stupid. they saw it and said, if we don't get off now, we're to going lose our opportunity to veto policies we don't like. we're going to lose our own voice. we'd rather keep sovereignty in this country, so at least we can hold our own politicians to account rather than all the bureaucrats on the brussels gravy train . brussels gravy train. >> well, of course, had a one state of america decided the

same route before the united states was formed . then we would states was formed. then we would be in the same sort of position as that. but of course, there you go. >> you want a united states of europe, america for america was formed by the union of states , formed by the union of states, previously independent coming together and forming a collective union. >> and that has made america extremely powerful and extremely successful . and if we now opt successful. and if we now opt out of that european model, we are basically losing the opportunity of joining with europe and having their success. yes, being ours. you talk about sovereignty as if sovereignty, an actual fact is the key issue. i don't think it is. i think the key issue is the benefit for ordinary people in britain being able to live a decent life and not having to go through the problems that they're going through at the moment, which are legion. but you know what? >> i would challenge you on the european being this european union being this paradigm of virtue. i'm

presuming that you are not of the far right persuasion . ian the far right persuasion. ian richard but a lot of countries in europe, a lot of countries in europe are heading in that direction, which presumably obe you are quite worried about it. the rise of the far right, the rise of nationalist parties. do you wonder maybe that more countries might follow britain's path or at least try to put obstacles in the way of the european union and that there might not actually be something worth rejoining ? worth rejoining? >> well , you worth rejoining? >> well, you talk about the rise of the far right. it was that britain that led the way in the rise of extreme right wing rubbish . rubbish. >> richard rubbish. >> richard rubbish. >> richard rubbish. >> richard the tories now let me come in. the tory party under bons come in. the tory party under boris johnson was not really a standard conservative party that i had grown up with or that michael heseltine had grown up with. it had changed. it moved further to the right and that drift, you can see in europe as

well, in some countries because of course when there is a crisis , right wing methodology to solve it is an obvious solution for many people in their logic. however, you said about i don't think that europe is a paragon of virtue is what you said. i think europe does need to reform. i am completely in agreement with many people who say this and britain should be inside europe leading that reform . reform. >> but i don't think we ever were because it was always led by france and germany from its inception. so i don't think britain would leading the britain would be leading the reform . but i must pick you up reform. but i must pick you up just lastly , richard, before we just lastly, richard, before we 90, just lastly, richard, before we go, you up on boris go, i must pick you up on boris johnson being far right. that go, i must pick you up on boris joludicrousing far right. that go, i must pick you up on boris joludicrous assertion ht . that go, i must pick you up on boris joludicrous assertion that'hat go, i must pick you up on boris joludicrous assertion that i at go, i must pick you up on boris joludicrous assertion that i do a ludicrous assertion that i do see a lot of people of the remainer persuasion, you know, lobbing out their old boris johnson was far right. he absolutely was not far right. i mean, we record levels of mean, we had record levels of immigration. we had more net zero policies than you can shake a was not far. a stick at. he was not far. right. that's right. so that's just that's

just . but richard, i would just wrong. but richard, i would love to speak to you again, but that's we've time for that's all we've got time for this afternoon. speak this afternoon. lovely to speak to richard , there from to you, richard, there from the richard morley from the rejoin eu party, still banging the drum for us to head back into the european union. let me know what you that you think about that conversation watching conversation you're watching and listening news saturday conversation you're watching and liste|me. news saturday conversation you're watching and liste|me. emily news saturday conversation you're watching and liste|me. emily carver. yaturday conversation you're watching and liste|me. emily carver. we'vey conversation you're watching and liste|me. emily carver. we've got with me. emily carver. we've got lots more coming up on today's show. have show. police forces have promised every promised to investigate every crime excellent, including low level in a bid to level offences in a bid to tackle sky high crime rates. we were discussing whether low level offences actually exist or whether is just an whether every crime is just an offence. this comes as the co—op supermarket reported that petty theft had risen by a third. so i'll be asking why the police weren't looking into every incident in the first place. all of that to come in just one

so police forces have pledged to investigate low level offences investigate low level offences in a bid to tackle the scourge of crime across the country. chief constables have promised to look into cases including shoplifting thefts , bike shoplifting car thefts, bike thefts that have essentially become decriminalised in certain areas the country. so as you areas of the country. so as you can see the screen, the stats can see on the screen, the stats are absolutely shocking my are absolutely shocking in my view. compare charge view. if you compare charge rates for common crimes, they've plummeted since 2015. so shoplifting, for example, had a charge rate of 36% in 2015. this year it's just 14. harassment had a charge rate of 28% in 2015. now that's only 4. so this

begs the question, should the police have been investigating these types of crimes properly in the first place? and why are they telling us this now? so i can speak with former senior investigating officer at the metropolitan police , simon metropolitan police, simon hardy. who better? harding sorry, who better to talk to ? sorry, who better to talk to? simon what do you make of this chief constable's coming out to say we will be investigating these so—called low level offences ? surely they should offences? surely they should have been doing this all along . have been doing this all along. >> yeah. and you want to believe that's going to happen and you hopeit that's going to happen and you hope it does. but there is a there is a reality behind this. >> and, you know, we we've heard it for so many years, haven't we, about resourcing and finance and all those things that people are hiding behind a little bit. >> it's true because, you >> but it's true because, you know, have the know, you don't have the resources deal with every resources to deal with every single thing to its absolute nth degree. >> so, for example , you know, >> so, for example, you know, deaung >> so, for example, you know, dealing with one shoplifting in one shop that has cctv , you one shop that has cctv, you know, if you go if an officer

goes to that particular shop and downloads, goes back to the station. >> this is going to take hours and hours hours to do. and and hours and hours to do. and we many years we used to do that many years ago. but, you know, the volume and the level of crime seems to have got more complex. and it seems in other seems to have gone up in other areas. course, you areas. and of course, then, you know, be at know, people want you to be at burglaries. you to be burglaries. they want you to be at they want to at shoplifting. they want you to be doing other things. and i'm afraid know, this afraid that, you know, this is now the of those now the result of all those cutbacks and, you know, of cutbacks and, you know, lack of police so police stations now closing. so this is what the reality this is this is what the reality is, i'm afraid. >> i guess goes up, >> i guess if crime goes up, then it's self—perpetuating . so then it's self—perpetuating. so if is not getting investigated by police , that low level crime by police, that low level crime that they call it, then more people will part in those people will take part in those times, perpetrate those types of crimes. and so it goes on and on and on. so if i know that if i go into a shop and i nick something, i won't be caught or i be investigated, well, i won't be investigated, well, i'll tell my mates, won't i? and then continue then we'll continue and continue to higher levels to see higher and higher levels of so it really needs to

of crime. so it really needs to be a nonsense, approach be a no nonsense, basic approach from the get go, does it not? >> yeah, that's that's absolutely right. i mean, you know, you think about what's the fear of what's the repercussion of this. know, so is it is of this. you know, so is it is it being dealt with by the police properly? you know, obviously, police saying obviously, the police are saying no, neglected no, we've kind of neglected that. know, and we had to that. you know, and we had to because of other things where resources but resources were put into. but they say that's going to change. you know yes, course , you know, and yes, of course, you know, this this is shoplifting is about, you know, different things, really. if you look at that video you showed of them kicking the doors, i think it co—op. you know, it was the co—op. you know, these are people these these are a young people at back are smiling and at the back who are smiling and laughing isn't laughing about it. this isn't necessarily your organised criminal gang. you know, you have those who target those high level shops. you know, the very expensive boutique shops in london, for example. then you have people like this who is just purely and utterly thuggery, opinion. you thuggery, in my opinion. you know, something , know, to steal something, they're doing it for themselves. and then you have that, that kind low level, is kind of low level, which is which is increased huge within

this the last sort this country in the last sort of 3 or 4 years, due to 3 or 4 years, again, due to austerity that are austerity is those that are desperate. you know, i have a friend works at sainsbury's friend who works at sainsbury's and they were talking about, you know, shoplifters know, the amount of shoplifters that coming through as that they have coming through as just, you know, multiplied. but a lot of these people are stealing baby milk stealing things like baby milk and, powder, and, you know, baby powder, things like that, because there is of desperation which is a level of desperation which is a level of desperation which is know, we're is which is now, you know, we're seeing a lot more. >> there will be people >> well, there will be people who because who who are stealing because they can't afford the product for one reason or another. but there'll be also people who are stealing groups and then stealing them in groups and then wanting sell on for wanting to sell them on for a profit, of and some profit, of course. and some people know the difference people won't know the difference necessarily of it. necessarily on the side of it. but you very much indeed. but thank you very much indeed. sorry. got time sorry. that's all we've got time for. to speak to you sorry. that's all we've got time for. longer, to speak to you sorry. that's all we've got time for. longer, butspeak to you sorry. that's all we've got time for. longer, but unfortunately, for longer, but unfortunately, today is not the day. thank you very simon harding, former very much, simon harding, former former senior investigating officer police, officer at the metropol police, talking about that rise in talking to us about that rise in crime. so now to the land down unden crime. so now to the land down under. former prime under. as a former prime minister howard has said ministerjohn howard has said that colonisation was the luckiest that happened to luckiest thing that happened to australia. let's cross over australia. so let's cross over to melbourne in australia and speak writer the

speak with media writer at the australian newspaper , sophie australian newspaper, sophie ellsworth. thank you ellsworth. sophie, thank you very much indeed forjoining us this afternoon on the show. so why said this, do you why has he said this, do you think so? >> emily? great to be here. so mr howard has spoken in this article in the australian newspaper paper explaining that colonies nation in australia was not a bad thing. he's saying basically it was inevitable and if the british didn't , uh, you if the british didn't, uh, you know, settle here, who would have it been, the french or the spanish? we don't know. so he's saying while there have been some atrocities through colonisation, there's been some definite positives for this country . me and emily speaking country. me and emily speaking on this on the back of australia, having an upcoming referendum vote to change our constitution , to give indigenous constitution, to give indigenous populations, indigenous australians in effectively another voice , to have access

another voice, to have access to, to speaking to parliament and government on issues. this is incredibly divisive topic at the moment and at the moment it's heading on a downward slide for this to change as part of our constitution . ian so this is our constitution. ian so this is why he's talking about this at the moment . the moment. >> what do you suspect the impact of changing the constitution in this way would be on the way the law operates? but also on the way on culturally in australia ? what culturally in australia? what difficulties do you foresee . difficulties do you foresee. >> well, emily, basically the legal fraternity here in australia are incredibly divided , added some, arguing that this will be really like another, you know , effectively another know, effectively another chamber of parliament. others have debunked that and said that's a load of rubbish . that's a load of rubbish. they're concerned here is that there could be indigent australians having access to our elected politicians to speak on

their behalf, but also if this referendum is successful, what they will call a voice advisory group that will give indigenous representative representation on a whole range of issues are impacting them. so people who are arguing who are against this or why should indigenous australia have effectively two seats at the table as opposed to non—indian igenous australians who have access to their politicians? incredibly divisive, hugely divisive stuff. >> and just sophie, just very, very quickly as an outsider here in britain , i've never even been in britain, i've never even been to australia on fortunately, but are indigenous communities hard done by in australia? are they mistreated and. >> well emily, this is another divisive issue. there's been an argument that indigenous populations have been given an awful lot of funding. there's been so many bodies set up to help them, but there are a lot

of issues in remote indigenous australian communities that are yet to be resolved and that is why we are having this upcoming referendum to vote. >> thank you very much indeed. sophie ellsworth there , media sophie ellsworth there, media writer at the australian newspaper. thank you very much for your perspective on that. well that is all we've got this hour on the program. but not to worry, we have an action packed final hour to come. we'll be discussing the news that london mayor sadiq can go ahead mayor sadiq khan can go ahead with ulez expansion. of with his ulez expansion. all of that to come . emily that and more to come. i'm emily carver watching carver and you're watching and listening britain's listening to gb news, britain's news channel. >> warm feeling inside from >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> hello there. i'm jonathan . >> hello there. i'm jonathan. here with your latest gb news weather forecast provided by the met office . so today is a day of met office. so today is a day of dodging showers for many of us. they're being brought in by this area of low pressure centre to the northwest of uk. the northwest of the uk. generally, closer you are generally, the closer you are towards area of low

towards that area of low pressure , more frequent pressure, more frequent showers you'll throughout the day. you'll see throughout the day. so particularly northern ireland, parts of scotland and it's here where we could see some heavier some some heavier showers, some torrential with torrential downpours with some hail thunderstorms as well. hail and thunderstorms as well. further the south and further towards the south and east, showers will be more east, those showers will be more scattered some scattered in nature. so some sunny spells between and some sunny spells in between and some areas may stay largely dry as we head afternoon. in head into this afternoon. in those as well. those sunnier spots as well. temperatures those sunnier spots as well. te 23, eratures those sunnier spots as well. te 23, erature but those sunnier spots as well. te 23,5rature but some quite of 23, 24 c. but some quite blustery winds, particularly along western coastal areas up around the irish sea. that will make it feel quite cool in places. showers continuing overnight the north and west, overnight in the north and west, but england wales, the but for england and wales, the bulk those showers will fade bulk of those showers will fade their and provide some their way out and provide some clear overnight. the clear spells overnight. the blustery winds are still going to place, though, so to be in place, though, so that's helping mix up the air and prevent our and will prevent our temperatures far temperatures dropping too far overnight. up overnight. most holding up around 12 to 14 c. but we could drop into single figures some drop into single figures in some rural glens north—east rural glens of north—east scotland. the scotland. it's showers from the word go again central word go again for central southern scotland down into northern england and some sunnier spells for the southeast to begin with. but the cloud will be building from the

southwest see these southwest as we see these outbreaks to outbreaks of rain spreading to wales, ireland later on as northern ireland later on as well, where turn well, where they could turn persistent. temperatures will be held back underneath that cloud in 22 degrees in the southwest, but 22 degrees possible in the east by by that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. >> proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> the live desk with me , mark >> the live desk with me, mark longhurst and me pip tomson. >> it's here monday to friday on gb news. >> from midday we'll bring you the news as it breaks whenever it's happening and wherever it's happening from across the uk and around the world. >> refreshing, feisty , but with >> refreshing, feisty, but with a bit of fun too. >> if it matters to you, we'll have it covered on tv, radio and online. join the live desk on gb news. >> the people's channel. britain's news .

channel >> it's 2 pm. you're watching gb news. saturday with me, emily carver, for the next hour, i'll be keeping you company on tv onune be keeping you company on tv online and digital radio. so we've stories that we've got all the stories that really matter to you coming up this hour. london mayor sadiq

khan ahead with the khan is to press ahead with the caphaps khan is to press ahead with the capital's emission capital's ultra low emission zone conservative led zone after five conservative led councils failed in their high court legal bid to stop him from expanding the scheme . i'll speak expanding the scheme. i'll speak with cox from fairfield , with howard cox from fairfield, uk for thoughts on that uk for his thoughts on that development. and it's all as good as it seems for the man who will all but certainly be the next prime minister or yes, labour starmer labour leader, sir keir starmer has lost 10,000 party members in the past two months. what is turning them away? we'll find out. and former prime minister sir blair that sir tony blair has said that brexit undone and the uk brexit will be undone and the uk will eventually the bloc will eventually rejoin the bloc . we'll be debating this and .we'll be debating this and discussing whether there really .we'll be debating this and di aussing whether there really .we'll be debating this and di a desire whether there really .we'll be debating this and di a desire forether there really .we'll be debating this and di a desire for user there really .we'll be debating this and di a desire for us to there really .we'll be debating this and di a desire for us to return sally .we'll be debating this and di a desire for us to return to ly is a desire for us to return to the super states. your emails are flooding in on the discussion. i just had with someone eu , so keep someone from rejoin eu, so keep them coming. and as ever, i want to hear all of your views, your great the great british views on all the topics discuss. them topics we discuss. email them over views news dot over to gb views at gb news dot com or tweet me at gb news. >> good afternoon. 2:01. i'm ray

addison in the gb newsroom. and our top story this hour, two motorbikes have been recovered by police investigating a fatal hit and run in walsall. by police investigating a fatal hit and run in walsall . seven hit and run in walsall. seven year old catl's cells . chernihiv year old catl's cells. chernihiv was taken to hospital in a critical condition following the collision on thursday night, but she died of her injuries. a 14 year old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. he's now been released on bail with strict conditions as enquiries continue . rail services are being disrupted again with thousands of workers walking off the job over a long running dispute . rmt over a long running dispute. rmt members at 14 train operating companies are striking over pay and conditions. people are being advised to check before they travel. in some areas only half of services are running while others have none at all. the union's senior assistant general secretary, eddie dempsey, told us there have been no negotiations since april. we're

out on strike today because we're now coming up to four years without a pay freeze. >> the government is planning to strip jobs out of strip thousands of jobs out of our and shut down our industry and shut down ticket offices right across the country . we're looking at the country. we're looking at the managed the railway managed decline of the railway and are determined and our members are determined to settlement to achieve a fair settlement on pay to achieve a fair settlement on pay security , and they want pay job security, and they want to protect their terms and conditions . that's we're conditions. so that's what we're doing haven't had any doing here. we haven't had any negotiation and doing here. we haven't had any negwant on and doing here. we haven't had any negwant on get and doing here. we haven't had any negwant on get round and doing here. we haven't had any negwant on get round the and doing here. we haven't had any negwant on get round the table|d we want to get round the table and our members deal they and get our members a deal they can support. >> delays at the port of dover have been reduced with have now been reduced with holidaymakers now waiting up to 45 minutes for french border officials to check their passports. that's down from two hours earlier. queues had been up to nine lanes wide with traffic backed up along the a20 almost to folkestone. officials say almost 17,000 passengers have now passed through the port. that was up to midday today in the united states. republican presidential candidate gates shared the stage for the very first time as they fought for support at a rally in iowa . one could end up going to

iowa. one could end up going to prison on. well, despite facing new criminal charges, donald trump was the one to hit out at rival ron desantis, telling the crowd not to take a chance on the florida governor. will hurd was the only candidate to criticise mr trump. he was booed after saying that the former president is running to stay out of prison. donald trump still claiming he's the victim of a witch hunt. >> if i weren't running, i would have nobody coming after me or if i was losing by a lot, i would have nobody coming after me. together, we will crush crooked joe biden, the most crooked president in the history of our country by far, and also grossly incompetent. doesn't know what he's doing. he's destroying our country. we will win the election big and we will make america great again. thank you. >> a cargo ship carrying thousands of cars has been burning off the dutch coast since tuesday night. one crew

member was killed, seven others were injured when they jumped overboard to escape the flames. the dutch coastguard saying that the cause of the fire is not yet known. however, in a recording released by broadcaster rtl , an released by broadcaster rtl, an emergency responder can be heard saying it started in the battery of an electric car. the vessel , of an electric car. the vessel, which was travelling from germany to egypt , which was travelling from germany to egypt, is which was travelling from germany to egypt , is now germany to egypt, is now drifting . at least four people drifting. at least four people are feared dead after an australian army helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of queensland. the chopper was taking part in military exercises between the us and australia. that's now been suspended while a search and rescue operation takes place . rescue operation takes place. back here, labour has accused the government of an unfair , the government of an unfair, forgivable lack of urgency over the needs of rape victims. it says the tory party has failed to implement key recommendations made in two reports dating back as far as july 2021. the criminal justice joint inspectorate has urged the

government to launch specialist rape courts and to give victims the opportunity to make a personal statement . and personal statement. and environmental groups are warning the prime minister that they won't stand by if ministers attempt to water down environmental and climate commitments. a joint letter has been sent to rishi sunak from organisations including the national trust and the rspb . national trust and the rspb. they say they could mobilise their members and are demanding an urgent meeting. it comes after conservative success in the uxbridge and south ruislip by—election led some mps to call for a rethink over the push for net zero by 2050. this is gb news. we'll bring you more as it happens. now let's get straight back to . back to. emily >> thank you very much, ray, and welcome back to gb news

saturday. with me, emily carver on your tv and radio. so we have a bumper hour ahead , so a bumper bumper hour ahead, so let's crack on. so rail passengers are facing more disruptions. members of the rmt union are walking out once again today. 14 rail companies will be affected and a large part of the rail will see little to rail network will see little to no at all today . so no service at all today. so services do run today will services that do run today will finish earlier than usual. finish much earlier than usual. great stuff. joining us now is our political reporter, olivia utley olivia, tell me the rmt are back at it. >> the rmt are back at it and it doesn't look like there's going to be signs of a breakthrough. any time soon. >> fact, mark harper, >> in fact, mark harper, the transport even transport secretary, hasn't even met with the rmt since last november or december. >> mean, are those who >> i mean, there are those who will sympathise with him. of course, there were months and months before course, there were months and mon and before course, there were months and mon and they before course, there were months and mon and they didn't before course, there were months and mon and they didn't get)efore that and they didn't get anywhere mick lynch anywhere at all. but mick lynch is really digging his heels in here. only glimmer of hope is really digging his heels in herthe only glimmer of hope is really digging his heels in herthe governmentmer of hope is really digging his heels in herthe government iser of hope is really digging his heels in herthe government is that hope is really digging his heels in herthe government is that thee for the government is that the tsa, which is a slightly smaller rail union, is now saying that the chief of that, mike pendle, is now saying that there is sort

of in a fight with with mick lynch and saying that the rmt continuing to stage these walkouts is causing problems for him and his members. walkouts is causing problems for him and his members . they him and his members. they agreed. the tsa agreed to the pay agreed. the tsa agreed to the pay rise of 5% that the government offered in february, but they haven't actually realised they haven't actually had that 5% pay rise because the rmt is still on strike and the train operators operate as a group. >> okay . >> okay. >> okay. >> so it is possible that another union could end up putting pressure on the rmt and on mick lynch and eventually he could back down. >> but to be honest, i don't see that happening anytime soon. the rmt is much bigger than the tsa for a start, and mick lynch obviously a lot of obviously has quite a lot of sort of political clout . sort of political clout. >> yes, naively probably >> yes, i naively probably thought that the rmt, mick lynch had taken a step back and calmed things down a bit, maybe ready for a bit of negotiation and accept an offer from. but it doesn't seem that way at all, doesn't seem that way at all, does it? >> no, i think we're all feeling quite hopeful about that. >> but i think the problem is

that the issue of pay, which has been on for over a year been rumbling on for over a year now. strikes on and been rumbling on for over a year novfor strikes on and been rumbling on for over a year novfor over strikes on and been rumbling on for over a year novfor over a strikes on and been rumbling on for over a year novfor over a year, ikes on and been rumbling on for over a year novfor over a year, has on and been rumbling on for over a year novfor over a year, has now nd off for over a year, has now been of compounded this been sort of compounded by this issue closing ticket offices, issue of closing ticket offices, the the train the government and the train operators say that the only way to make train companies profitable again, because, of course , we saw their revenues course, we saw their revenues dip massively and never really recover after covid is to cut some of the costs to digital fees, etcetera. >> so of course, with the vast majority people buying majority of people now buying their theory majority of people now buying th closed theory majority of people now buying th closed . theory is closed. >> some of those ticket offices or or shorten their opening hours various stations and hours at various stations and you can save some money, but mick lynch says and you can see why that that is just a sort of screen more redundant screen for more redundant redundancies in the rail network. the government would argue, well, it's not really profitable at the moment. >> we're really, you know, >> we're not really, you know, it is in a pretty dire state, the network. and unless the rail network. and unless we stream line then it's just stream line it, then it's just not going to be for the 21st not going to be fit for the 21st century. and you say the transport minister hasn't met with for yonks. is he with the rmt for yonks. is he due to are we going to see some

he's been meetings a little bit mysterious there. you know, there are quite a lot of cabinet ministers taking their summer breaks at the moment. >> i'm not sure if mark harper is on summer break. is on a summer break. >> know if he's planning >> i don't know if he's planning that, we're not quite clear that, but we're not quite clear yet. he hasn't he hasn't arranged a date for meeting, arranged a date for a meeting, certainly. mick lynch is certainly. and mick lynch is really piling on the pressure now . as now gone on for now. but as it's now gone on for so and last strike so long and the last strike didn't didn't seem to break him, it doesn't sound like any sort of resolution in the form of a meeting is going to come any time soon. >> i think your everyday >> i think for your everyday person who likes to use the rail or needs to use the rail for whatever reason, leisure business, it business, commute, whatever it is , it's not too impressive . the is, it's not too impressive. the service that we have come to expect when i was using it for my commute , we'd have endless my commute, we'd have endless delays. sometimes you'd get to the platform and it would be cancelled or it would have been moved to a different platform and there was no time to get there. you're pushed off different hours. mean, pretty different hours. i mean, pretty

useless sometimes. useless service sometimes. well, yes. is also a problem yes. and there is also a problem on the railway networks at the moment fare dodging . moment of people fare dodging. >> and might be a result of >> and that might be a result of feeling that they're not getting the that they sort of the service that they sort of deserve. middle cost of deserve. middle of a cost of living crisis. they well, living crisis. they think, well, never to never mind, i'm just going to not obviously that's not pay. but obviously that's heaping even more pressure. not suggesting would suggesting that you would do that. sorry. >> that's the jump realise that's what it sounded like. >> it called? >> what's it called? >> what's it called? >> turn i've >> turn pal? turn pal. no, i've got word wrong. got that word wrong. >> turnstile . i do not jump the >> turnstile. i do not jump the turnstile. no no. >> but that is a sort of growing problem on the rail networks. and that is sort of compounding the problem of these networks just not making the money that they need to carry on surviving. and so the government sort of needs find way through . needs to find some way through. and you can see why the obvious opfion and you can see why the obvious option is to staffing at option is to cut staffing at ticket booths, which really aren't that anymore . aren't used that much anymore. >> well, yes, but perhaps those who cash absolutely who like to use cash absolutely won't like that at all. and there's difficulties, of course. but yes, most people are using their phones internet or their phones or the internet or whatever to get their tickets in

advance. very much advance. thank you very much indeed. reporter advance. thank you very much indechtley reporter advance. thank you very much indechtley there aporter advance. thank you very much indechtley there bringing us olivia utley there bringing us up date more rail strikes. up to date on more rail strikes. so lots of you have getting so lots of you have been getting in on that debate i had so lots of you have been getting in the on that debate i had so lots of you have been getting in the chap at debate i had so lots of you have been getting in the chap from bate i had so lots of you have been getting in the chap from rejoin had so lots of you have been getting in the chap from rejoin eu. with the chap from rejoin eu. you've had a lot to say, a lot of very nice complimentary emails, say , about our emails, i must say, about our discussion . for me anyway, john discussion. for me anyway, john says. interesting that tony blair has suggested we will rejoin the eu in the future. i don't remember the referendum to see if the british people would like rejoin. can we then like to rejoin. can we then assume that the labour party, if the party in next the labour party gets in next yeah they the labour party gets in next year, they would and year, then they would try and get without get us back in without a democratic vote? yes, it would be interesting there democratic vote? yes, it would be not interesting there democratic vote? yes, it would be not another ing there democratic vote? yes, it would be not another referendum. was not another referendum. i think would have be. think there would have to be. i think there would have to be. i think would have think there would have to be, although could slowly , although we could align slowly, creep slower and slower towards the without the european union without a vote, perhaps perhaps that's the european union without a voteidea'haps perhaps that's the european union without a voteidea . aps perhaps that's the european union without a voteidea . nevilleerhaps that's the european union without a voteidea . neville says; that's the european union without a voteidea . neville says remainers the idea. neville says remainers have to be careful because if we rejoin europe, how can scotland be denied a second referendum for independence? very good point. impact on scotland and what else have we got? so many of you have got in touch. ah,

yes, philip says the main reason that leaving the eu has not worked to lead the uk to a bigger and better future is the lack of our mps and lords, along with multinational businesses who, blair, want the who, like tony blair, want the uk inside the eu for their own financial benefit and not the benefit and people and businesses in the uk. yes, i think there's a lot truth to think there's a lot of truth to that. do wonder why tony blair that. i do wonder why tony blair is adamant we should is so adamant that we should rejoin the european union . he's rejoin the european union. he's a power hungry man. he had a successful as successful career as prime minister arguably. is it because he would have quite liked to have seen himself heading up the european commission or any other international organisation? i think there's quite a lot of that going around. let me know what you think, but we're going to turn to the capital now. that's london. the mayor, sadiq khan, to press ahead with the khan, is to press ahead with the caphaps khan, is to press ahead with the capital's ultra low emission khan, is to press ahead with the capit afteriltra low emission khan, is to press ahead with the capit after five low emission khan, is to press ahead with the capit after five conservative led zone after five conservative led councils in their high councils failed in their high court legal bid to stop him from expanding scheme. khan has expanding the scheme. khan has described judgement described the judgement as a landmark decision and pledged to do everything possible to address concerns londoners address any concerns londoners may about scheme's

may have about the scheme's expansion on august the 29th. it's due very quickly indeed. this drivers of vehicles this means drivers of vehicles which do not meet minimum emission standards are to be charged a £12.50 daily fee to just enter the ulez zone. so i'm delighted. i can now speak with the founder of fairfield, uk, howard cox. howard, thank you very this high court very much. this high court ruling, bit of an obstacle no to those who want to see the back of this ulez expansion. >> yes, i attended the ruling that was made yesterday at and quite honestly, when i listened to the judge actually dismissed three of the claims from the borough councils, the five borough councils, the five borough councils, the five borough councils that she brought this judicial review . brought this judicial review. >> he dismissed them completely . i was absolutely sick to the pit of my stomach. i could not believe what we were hearing. and i have to say i must blame the conservative borough councillors for not having teeth in their their with their in their in their with their barristers spoke. attended barristers spoke. i attended the actual court case a few weeks back and fundamentally

back as well. and fundamentally the most important thing is in all of this is that they didn't get across that we must get across that and we must remember that judicial reviews are about the actual process of getting decision , not the getting to the decision, not the decision and what we decision itself. and what we heard was that we didn't hear the fact that this dishonest mayor manipulated a public consultation process , actually consultation process, actually disregarded certain . people's disregarded certain. people's responses, and 5000 of those came from fairfield supporters who rejected it. and the fact that two out of three overall objected to this, and yet he still went ahead and the tfl themselves have actually said, emily, that this expansion will not make any demonstrable difference to the air we breathe. so we just don't understand how the judge arrived at this. but in procedural terms, he did the right thing because he was followed the law to the t. well that's very frustrating. >> what you've just said. i am, for one, i'm sick of these consultations, these public consultations, these public consult stations that don't seem

to have any impact on at all on decisions we see it all the time at the local council level. they go out to consultation , these go out to consultation, these policy changes and people write in and they say, i don't like this for x, y, z reason. and then you find out a couple of months later that the policy then you find out a couple of montthrough that the policy then you find out a couple of montthrough anyway. policy then you find out a couple of montthrough anyway. and :y then you find out a couple of montthrough anyway. and there's goes through anyway. and there's no there's no point at all. it's just part of the process. but what's next for the anti ulez campaign then ? campaign then? >> obviously the there is >> well, obviously the there is an appeal chance of an appeal. but the this issue is actually taxpayers funding one side and taxpayers funding one side and taxpayers funding one side and taxpayers funding the other side. so it's just more money taxpayers are throwing at this. so we will be looking at crowd funding do this. but funding to try and do this. but to honest, goes, to be honest, the way it goes, this judge, think, would throw this judge, i think, would throw out any appeal completely. i think got to get think what we've got to get across the people is to well across to the people is to well , to starmer and also mark , to keir starmer and also mark harper, the transport minister, that this ulez expansion is completely unnecessary and needless. i spoke to keir starmer about 5 or 6 weeks ago and i said , how can you actually

and i said, how can you actually keep a dishonest mayor? is a member of the labour party. he's brought your party into disrepute. he manipulated a pubuc disrepute. he manipulated a public consultation agreement to favour his own career driven approach to actually introducing ulez and basic ulez is a cash grab . grab. >> but howard, i mean, he he does a good job of, you know, pulling on the heartstrings and coming up with statistics , coming up with statistics, perhaps you'd say manipulating statistic x around all the children that are suffering from asthma . no one wants to see asthma. no one wants to see children suffering from pollution and adversely affecting their health. do you think that he's been manipulating what we're seeing in this respect? what do you think? >> absolutely . the health >> absolutely. the health fatality data uses the 4000 deaths in london every year is complete and utter lie. i actually did a freedom of information request of tfl and him personally say, please, could you send me the 4000 death certificates ? the fact is what certificates? the fact is what this was done was based on a

model. you remember those mri models, you know, covid modelling and all that sort of thing. this model was actually said that right across europe and imperial college was involved in this one as well. what it said was that actually they divided the number of people who actually potentially could die of air quality issues or breathing issues like asthma or breathing issues like asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease. those sorts of things, and work out in a modelling scheme. and i don't ask me the full details because i'm not a statistician, but the outcome was this was the operative word, premature and that premature death was something like a week over someone's lifetime. so this is a complete manipulation to get, as i repeat, a cash grab for an inept manager of our caphaps for an inept manager of our capital's budget. well we saw in uxbndge capital's budget. well we saw in uxbridge that most people can see through the political jargon i >> -- >> and all of this from sadiq khan. >> and all of this from sadiq khan . it really is. i do feel khan. it really is. i do feel for people and businesses who are to going really suffer from this huge cost . i've seen

this huge cost. i've seen stories of people, you know , stories of people, you know, £250 a month extra. it's going to cost them just to get to work . and families really, really , . and families really, really, really worried about this all. and people say, oh, it only and people just say, oh, it only affects people . it doesn't affects a few people. it doesn't matter. it's all for matter. you know, it's all for the benefit. it's all for the benefit. well at the same time, talking cost of living talking about the cost of living and cash strapped families, but not putting the two together. but indeed. but thank you very much indeed. howard founder of howard cox there, founder of fairfield, has been a fairfield, uk, who has been a very active anti ulez campaigner for a long time now. i wish him well. moving on, british gas has reported its highest ever first half profits of almost £1 billion as households continue to struggle the cost of to struggle with the cost of living crisis. the supplier's owner, centrica made a £65 billion profit in the first half of 2023, while earnings at its suppuer of 2023, while earnings at its supplier arm soared by 889. so poverty campaigners said the results were a sign of britain's broken energy system . um. i can broken energy system. um. i can now speak with a campaigner from the end fuel poverty coalition . the end fuel poverty coalition. simon francis. simon have you had a look at these profit

figures? what's your what's your take on them ? take on them? >> well, you know, they're absolutely ginormous, aren't they? >> they go above anything that we could have possibly expected them to come up with this this half year . them to come up with this this half year. let's not them to come up with this this half year . let's not forget them to come up with this this half year. let's not forget half year , this billion pound profit year, this billion pound profit in the whole of last year. british gas, the retail arm, just the retail bit that suppues just the retail bit that supplies energy into our homes, made 72 million. you know, these are absolutely huge increases that we're seeing from from british gas and it is built on people who are struggling . you people who are struggling. you know, energy bills are still high. they are still basically the same as they were last winter and they are expected the latest figures out the other day show that we're expecting these bills to be the same for until this time next year. >> so the energy bills crisis hasn't gone away . the amount of hasn't gone away. the amount of debt people into their debt that people are into their energy firms is increasing. >> 5.5 million households in debt energy firms. debt to their energy firms. and what concerned about what we're also concerned about is that as these bills stay high, people's ability to pay

them has been reduced because we've seen figures from the bank of about how people have we've seen figures from the bank of up about how people have we've seen figures from the bank of up a about how people have we've seen figures from the bank of up a lot out how people have we've seen figures from the bank of up a lot oft how people have we've seen figures from the bank of up a lot of their people have we've seen figures from the bank of up a lot of their savings have used up a lot of their savings in the last 12 months. >> people affected >> you know, people are affected by the wider cost of living crisis businesses are crisis because businesses are affected by bills too. so affected by these bills too. so your cafes, your hairdressers, your cafes, your hairdressers, your bakers , you know, they've your cafes, your hairdressers, y0l seen ers , you know, they've your cafes, your hairdressers, y0l seen theiryou know, they've your cafes, your hairdressers, y0l seen their prices ow, they've your cafes, your hairdressers, y0l seen their prices go they've your cafes, your hairdressers, y0lseen their prices go upzy've your cafes, your hairdressers, y0lseen their prices go up ."ve all seen their prices go up. we're paying for that as well. so ability pay these so people's ability to pay these pnces been prices and these bills has been massively diminished . so that's massively diminished. so that's a that people are a situation that that people are facing. and yet british gas is posting absolutely record profits. >> yeah, it's worth it's worth noting, though, that centrica say that the bulk of this profit growth is not due to any windfall from high energy prices, but rather it's to do with the price cap essentially a form of compensation for having to buy energy at a loss previously at the cap level. so that's how they explain this . that's how they explain this. but what do you see as the solution? do you think these energy companies shouldn't be able to make such large profits ? yes. >> well, i think let's just have

a look at those figures and what what british gas and ofgem have been saying about this, because we certainly have some concerns about that. so there has already beenin about that. so there has already been in the price cap a way of energy firms reclaiming bad debt from customers. so about if you're on standard credit terms, about 6% of your bill is essentially subsidising bad debt from other customers. >> there is already a supplier of last resort plan in place which has seen that collectively across the whole country our energy bills have gone up by £1.83 billion to cover the cost of failed energy firms during the pandemic and during the ukraine war. >> so we're very we we've got some very big questions for ofgem and as well essentially for the ministers about how energy firms have been allowed to profit this much through changes in the price cap because british gas hasn't made a loss. the retail arm has not made a loss in the last five years. so where are these losses that it says it needs to recover? we

can't see them . we would urge can't see them. we would urge ofgem and ministers to start asking some more questions about this and about how much we have paid for these for these profits and what tangible policies could the government implement now to make life easier for people who are struggling from fuel poverty? >> what would you like to see? you would like to see discussions with ofgem, of course, but what else ? course, but what else? >> well, mean, the main thing >> well, i mean, the main thing in the longer term we can see is things such as energy efficiency, allowing changes to the so that the moment the grid so that at the moment renewable energy is cheaper than gas electricity. yet gas fired electricity. yet there's a blockage on the cost savings coming our savings coming down into our bills that could be removed by the government and ofgem if the government and by ofgem if it regulations it changed the regulations around electricity pricing. so there's structural things there's some structural things that could do. it that the government could do. it could people with with could support people with with energy but energy efficiency measures. but ultimately, i think what we're going that are going to see is that there are as well who've up as well people who've built up so much debt through no of so much debt through no fault of their because energy prices their own because energy prices have high and that is have been so high and that is causing on causing people to cut back on their use. also their energy use. it's also causing back on causing people to cut back on

their spending elsewhere because they're repay their they're having to repay their energy know, british energy debt. you know, british gass energy debt. you know, british gas's profits could essentially wipe out the energy debt for all of its customers wanted of its customers if it wanted to. choice that it has to. that's a choice that it has to. that's a choice that it has to make. and what it does with these is obviously these profits is obviously a matter for them and their shareholders. but i think the taxpayer that the taxpayer and i think that the treasury will want to have a look those figures. look at some of those figures. >> well, that's interesting what you companies you say about the companies writing very writing off the debt. so very interesting indeed. thank you very much, simon francis from the end. fuel poverty coalition all the way from edinburgh talking this talking to us this morning. this afternoon, , it's not the afternoon, gosh, it's not the morning anymore. so gb news is campaigning to stop the uk becoming a cashless society. the campaign don't kill campaign is called don't kill cash and it's proving to be very popular indeed. already we have over 235,000 people signing up to it. the petition is on our website . remind you gbnews.com website. remind you gbnews.com forward slash cash if you've got a smartphone, you can use it now to click on the qr code on your screen that will take you to the petition, i believe. and help gb

news with our campaign. tell the authorities don't kill cash. we still need it. we still want it. people need to use it every single day. we don't want to kill cash. so sign our petition and let the government know what you're thinking. you're watching or listening to gb news saturday with me. emily carver. have with me. emily carver. we have an final part of an action packed final part of the starmer. the show coming up. starmer. keir has lost 50,000 keir starmer has lost 50,000 party members in the past year , party members in the past year, and tony says we're going and tony blair says we're going to the eu. now, though, to rejoin the eu. now, though, here is the whether the temperature's rising . temperature's rising. >> boxt solar are proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. of weather on. gb news. >> hello there. i'm jonathan vautrey here of your gb news weather forecast provided by the met office . the next few days met office. the next few days are going to retain the rather unsettled feel that we have had over much of july so far. low pressure is still with us through this weekend centre towards the north—west of the uk for isobars squeezing for now, those isobars squeezing together , allowing for some together, allowing for some quite blustery winds throughout today tomorrow well today and into tomorrow as well

, along and , particularly along western and northern areas. showers northern coastal areas. showers will continuing throughout will be continuing throughout the night for northern ireland, western , eventually western scotland, eventually into england western scotland, eventually intwell england western scotland, eventually intwell . england western scotland, eventually intwell . but england western scotland, eventually intwell . but for england western scotland, eventually intwell . but for the england western scotland, eventually intwell . but for the rest1gland western scotland, eventually intwell . but for the rest of and as well. but for the rest of england and generally, england and wales generally, some developing some clearer spells developing for most though, it won't for most of us, though, it won't be chilly overnight . be too chilly overnight. temperatures holding up around 12 14 c. but temperatures holding up around 1214 c. but might into 1214 c. but we might drop into single rural single figures in some rural areas north east scotland. areas of north east scotland. showers from the word go as we kick off sunday for central southern scotland and north—west england as well . some of those england as well. some of those could be heavy times. maybe could be heavy at times. maybe with the odd rumble of thunder causing surface spray causing some surface spray issues. the cloud be issues. then the cloud will be building from southwest building from the southwest later with outbreaks of rain later on, with outbreaks of rain spreading across wales, southwest england and into northern ireland later on as well. temperatures back well. temperatures held back underneath cloud and underneath that cloud and starting increasingly starting to feel increasingly humid and sticky, but 20s humid and sticky, but low 20s possible across the far east of scotland and england into monday, that rain will still be lingering in places generally, it'll a grey, drizzly it'll be quite a grey, drizzly day from the central belt of scotland, southwards some brisk day from the central belt of scotla acrossrthwards some brisk day from the central belt of scotla across the ards some brisk day from the central belt of scotla across the english ne brisk day from the central belt of scotla across the english coastal winds across the english coastal channels as well . we've got to channels as well. we've got to get used to it because there'll

be further showers as we end the month well. otherwise, month as well. otherwise, enjoy the day. bye bye. the rest of your day. bye bye. >> the temperature's rising . >> the temperature's rising. boxt solar proud sponsors of weather on gb news . weather on gb news. >> you're with me, emily carver on gb news. we've got lots more coming up on today's show. so the labour party membership is down massively. is this a bad sign for leader sir keir starmer 7 sign for leader sir keir starmer ? is he failing to inspire his membership , ? is he failing to inspire his membership, or is this simply former corbyn supporters suggesting left wing suggesting he isn't left wing enough? it might enough? i think it might be the latter. not worry , as we latter. and not to worry, as we will have debate will even have time to debate brexit. as tony blair says, we will. rejoin the in will. we will rejoin the eu in the future whilst expressing our exit bloc as a constant exit from the bloc as a constant sadness for tony. all of that to come. i'm emily carver. you're watching listening watching or listening to gb news, news

channel >> 2:30. i'm ray addison in the newsroom. and our top story this houn newsroom. and our top story this hour, two motorbikes have been recovered by police investigating a fatal hit and run in walsall. seven year old katniss celeste chernihiv was taken to hospital in a critical condition following the collision on thursday night. condition following the collision on thursday night . she collision on thursday night. she died of her injuries. collision on thursday night. she died of her injuries . a 14 year died of her injuries. a 14 year old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. he's now been released on bail with strict conditions while investigations continue . rail services are continue. rail services are being disrupted again with

thousands of workers walking off the job over a long running dispute . rmt members at 14 train dispute. rmt members at 14 train operating companies are striking over pay and conditions. people are being advised to check before they travel in some areas, only half of services are running, while others have none. at all. delays at the port of dover have now been reduced, with holidaymakers now waiting up to 45 minutes for french border officials to check their passports. queues have been up to nine lanes wide earlier and two hours long with traffic backed up along the a20 almost to folkestone. officials say almost 17,000 passengers had passed through the port by midday today. passed through the port by midday today . one could end up midday today. one could end up go into prison on. but in the us republican presidential candidates shared the stage for the first time as they fought for support at a rally in iowa . for support at a rally in iowa. despite facing new criminal

charges , donald trump was the charges, donald trump was the one to hit out at rival ron desantis, telling the crowd not to take a chance on the florida governor. will hurd was the only candidate to actually criticise mr trump. he was booed after saying the former president is running to stay out of prison . running to stay out of prison. you can get more on all of those stories and more by visiting our website, gbnews.com. now let's get straight back to . get straight back to. emily >> welcome back to gb news saturday with me, emily carver on your tv online and radio now. whilst westminster polling may look good for labour, the leader , sir keir starmer not necessarily down to him perhaps, and rather the raft of problems the created probably the tories have created probably his party membership is not quite so healthy. 10,000 members have left the party in the past yeah have left the party in the past year. i believe , and nearly year. i believe, and nearly 50,000 have left the party since

last august . are people simply last august. are people simply not by the leader of not inspired by the leader of the opposition ? well, i can now the opposition? well, i can now speak with former labour special adviser paul richards this. adviser paul richards on this. paul thank you much for paul thank you very much for joining this afternoon. is joining me this afternoon. is this just the type? the real socially ? it's the corbynistas socially? it's the corbynistas not wanting to align themselves and not seeing anything in keir starmer , who is shifting more to starmer, who is shifting more to the centre , isn't he? the centre, isn't he? >> well, to be honest, emily, i think that's exactly what it is happening. >> the a lot of people joined the labour party when jeremy corbyn became leader because they thought it was something different to what it was, and a lot joined to try and lot of people joined to try and change it into something different to what was. now different to what it was. now labour to its labour has gone back to its roots it's sort of on roots and it's back sort of on the centre they are the centre ground. they are leaving, many of them . some of leaving, many of them. some of them been expelled as well them have been expelled as well because of various discipline issues. >> but there's a sort of a sense that the party is now healing and going back to back to business. >> i would say, though, no correlation whatsoever between

the size of your party membership and how you do in the polls and whether you win elections. don't forget, boris won a huge landslide for the conservatives a few years ago and the tory party membership was way, way, way less than the labour party membership. who labour party membership. who labour party. you'll recall, did really badly. >> so there's no between >> so there's no link between the membership and the size of party membership and elected prospects. >> yes, that's quite interesting. so the smaller the membership, perhaps the more popularity you have with the general british public. but i do wonder , keir starmer , the wonder, keir starmer, the accusation is that he simply flip flops on issues. he's as vague as possible so as not to defend many people and to impress the most amount of people on every issue by not really committing to one way of thinking or one policy. we've seen this when it comes to ulez most recently, he's quite quiet on these things, not trying to upset too many people. so if he does win the next election , i does win the next election, i don't believe it will be a

resounding and enthusiastic vote for keir starmers. labour party, but rather simply people fed up of the conservative government. 13 years of tories. this is what will go now and it will just be sort of a little bit deflating . sort of a little bit deflating. >> well, they always say governments lose elections, oppositions don't win them necessarily. >> i mean , starmer is a man of >> i mean, starmer is a man of great convictions and of values i >> -- >> he's -_ >> he's got. >> he's got. >> give me some evidence of that. give me some evidence of that. >> he's giving an entire life to pubuc >> he's giving an entire life to public service and the pursuit of law and justice. >> and, you know, he's gone into politics to try and achieve those things. and you say he changes his mind on politics, on policies, but he does that when the circumstances change. and the circumstances change. and the opposite of that is to be an ideologue , to be somebody, you ideologue, to be somebody, you know, so wedded to ideology that you change your mind . his you never change your mind. his predecessor might be predecessor perhaps might be somebody that category who, somebody in that category who, as somebody who made his mind up in 1978 hasn't changed it in 1978 and hasn't changed it since, the very fluid, since, but in the very fluid, real world, you do need to

reassess policies in the light of circumstances because things are happening so fast as long as you are anchored in those values that i described earlier, then you know is right to reassess you know it is right to reassess . and people are saying labour's got no policy. i bumped into somebody this morning who said exactly but don't forget exactly that, but don't forget we've another at least we've got another year at least till election, and till a general election, and there will be manifesto and there will be a manifesto and all parties will produce all the parties will produce these and viewers can make their minds when those. minds up when they read those. but you know, it'd be but right now, you know, it'd be foolish publish a blueprint foolish to publish a blueprint for government because the tories will either trash it or nick it . nick it. >> so i'll listen to you very carefully there, paul. and you're very generous to keir starmer and, you know, saying that he's just being pragmatic and change and you don't and things change and you don't want to be too much of an ideologue, but i'm not sure i buy it. i think it's just it's just to get into power. and i mean, fair enough. he is a politician that is his job. that is his as leader of the is his job as leader of the labour party to into power . labour party to get into power. but genuinely think that he but i do genuinely think that he is flip flopping and going with

the that it does the wind and that it does demonstrate that principles demonstrate that his principles aren't fixed or that aren't exactly fixed or that he's just trying to dupe the pubuc he's just trying to dupe the public voting for him and public into voting for him and then he'll suddenly become again then he'll suddenly become again the socialist that he once was . the socialist that he once was. >> well, labour hasn't won an election since 2005. >> i don't know if you can even remember that far back , but it remember that far back, but it was a long time and labour hasn't been in power all that time since losing in 2010. and you know, to say, oh well, he's only trying to win an election, i mean, good, you know, labour doesn't need an election doesn't need to win an election for that. for the state of our politics, for our democracy. if nothing i don't think any nothing else, i don't think any of live one of us want to live in a one party state where one party just leads forever. like in russia or somewhere. so it is good that we have a healthy opposition, but i would refute your point. i don't think he hasn't you know, he hasn't of principle. hasn't he is a man of principle. he has got values. he has got some core beliefs. if you look at sometimes quite long at his sometimes quite long speeches on these topics, you know somebody can know, he is somebody who can articulate that . and labour's articulate that. and labour's

just a great big policy just had a great big policy making weekend where the sort of the bones of the manifesto are being laid out, the bones of the manifesto are being laid out , the so—called being laid out, the so—called national policy forum. and it's a you know, it's a private event. it doesn't capture the pubuc event. it doesn't capture the public but in event, public mood, but in that event, there lots lots of there were lots and lots of policies coming through and that will crystallised will get crystallised into a manifesto can all read manifesto that we can all read and vote accordingly. when the time comes. >> but i'm sure , paul, >> but i'm not sure, paul, you're putting a very strong case for how he's a principled leader and all this . leader and all this. >> and of course you want to see the labour power. so the labour party in power. so you you would do but you would you would do so. but i mean, refusing end the mean, refusing to end the two child on child benefit, child limit on child benefit, you know, scrapping tuition fees, that was u—turned on even increasing income tax on the top 5. these u—turned on that nationalisation of public services, which he was very much into. now he doesn't really fancy that any more freedom of movement acts that definitely no more second referendum to join the european union. £28 billion green schemes we've axed that can't afford that anymore . and

can't afford that anymore. and he's equivocated over oil and gas. so much and just stop oil and ulez and all this. i really do not know what the man stands for. you same crime and punishment. but then you know, you you you hear about actually his time when he was doing all that and how he was. well, you know, defending people to stay in this country, foreign criminals and all this. and people don't like the sound of that either. so i'm not sure how principled he really is as a man. i've never heard him truly speak from the heart . man. i've never heard him truly speak from the heart. he man. i've never heard him truly speak from the heart . he doesn't speak from the heart. he doesn't speak. he sometimes speaks about his his family and his dad a little bit. but i'm not sure anyone knows who the man is . anyone knows who the man is. >> well, that was a long question, wasn't it? >> yes, that was a bit of a rant. sorry about that . rant. sorry about that. >> no, of course. and that is what people are saying. >> it's an entirely reasonable point of and, know, point of view. and, you know, i knock lots doors do knock on lots of doors and i do hear this kind of thing coming through. one keir through. so i think one of keir starmer problems is he lost a year two to and so he year or two to covid and so he didn't get that chance to

introduce the public introduce himself to the public introduce himself to the public in a that a new leader often in a way that a new leader often does. he his speeches are does. and he his speeches are filled with his backstory, his his values, you know, learned in the family, his own experience is coming up through the law . is coming up through the law. and, you know, there is a core of belief there that i would draw people's attention to. now, i know people don't sit around reading speeches, but i mean, it is there for people to see. but, you know, he's done an awful lot to bring the labour party out of the doldrums. forget where the doldrums. don't forget where labour inherited it. labour was when he inherited it. and what it took. and he's done what it took. blair and kinnock and john blair and neil kinnock and john smith, eight, smith, you know, eight, nine years in about 18 months. years to do in about 18 months. he certainly kicked out some of the people who shouldn't be in the people who shouldn't be in the labour party. they brought disgrace and shame upon us. and he's now, as you said at the start of this item, you know , start of this item, you know, he's riding high in the opinion polls. that victory in yorkshire in the by—election overturned , in the by—election overturned, you know, multiple thousands of votes. i think that's a good . votes. i think that's a good. >> sorry to interrupt, paul, but

i that is a good point. of i think that is a good point. of course, he has read the party of quite a lot of the as it course, he has read the party of quite particularly as it course, he has read the party of quite particularly overas it course, he has read the party of quite particularly over the were, particularly over the accusations of anti—semitism within the party under jeremy corbyn's leadership, which can only be a good thing. i just think the number of u—turns before you've even got into government is quite shocking and it does show that he is desperate to appeal to absolutely everyone. and i do worry that he is simply benefiting from the fact that the conservative government has been long and been in office for so long and people aren't happy. >> but there is. can i just finish just very quickly point there is an overriding overarching , which is overarching principle, which is fiscal responsibility. that fiscal responsibility. so that long shopping list you gave of policies where they've been re—evaluated, because we re—evaluated, it's because we can't we don't know how to afford not afford them. and so he's not going to offer that we going to offer things that we can't everything is can't afford. everything is going costed. rachel going to be costed. rachel reeves rod of iron in terms reeves is a rod of iron in terms of and so of spending commitments. and so where there are issues that people we've had rowed people we've had sort of rowed back on, pledges and policies back on, on pledges and policies , because we to , it's simply because we want to show we can show the british people we can be trusted on the economy. and

without that , none of the rest without that, none of the rest of this happens. so that is overarching principle is run overarching principle is to run the economy soundly . the economy safely and soundly. no more. liz truss like budgets that money the drain that throw money down the drain and wreck things people, and wreck things for people, people are really suffering from cost crisis and what cost of living crisis and what we is a growing we need is a stable, growing economy now and that's his overarching principle. so if you seek , i would say look seek principle, i would say look to that. why to that. that's why he's prepared disappoint labour prepared to disappoint labour party who this and party members who want this and that shopping list actually , that shopping list actually, it's about running the economy. >> well, i think, paul, you put a fantastic case forward. >> i would argue perhaps there's a little bit of spin spin going on there, because i think, you know, perhaps a few too many u—turns to say he is very, very principle as politician. principle old as a politician. but very much indeed. but thank you very much indeed. paul richards, former labour special adviser also special adviser and also a columnist about columnist there, talking about keir starmer. let me know what you about that you think about that conversation. do you buy that analysis watching analysis there? you're watching listening saturday listening to gb news saturday with got with me, emily carver. we've got lots up just a moment, lots coming up just a moment, we'll be discussing the uk's future. well, future. is it european? well, arch—remainer sir tony blair

certainly thinks is certainly thinks so. but is there really a desire to go back into the bloc, or are you just fed hearing from tony fed up of hearing from tony blair? i mean, at this stage, really? next. really? we'll discuss this next. you're watching listening to emily carver on gb news britain's

channel welcome back to gb news saturday with me, emily carver, on your tv, online and radio. so lots of you have been getting in touch about my last conversation about keir starmer. we had a former

labour special adviser. well talking up keir starmer's prospects , saying that actually prospects, saying that actually he is a man of principle despite the many, many u—turns . i the many, many u—turns. i thought he gave a pretty good defence saying it's just pragmatism, fiscal prudence and the money situation has changed. i'm not sure you were convinced at home. who's this? deb said . at home. who's this? deb said. so it's okay for starmer to change when necessary , as he's change when necessary, as he's not an ideologue, but they are the scream u—turn if the first to scream u—turn if others it, nail him down. the others do it, nail him down. the hypocrisy of these labour supporters unbelievable. supporters is unbelievable. that's point. to that's a very good point. to be fair, do think we should have fair, i do think we should have some u—turn if some wiggle room to u—turn if things out differently things turn out differently to how or something how we expected or if something unfortunate or unforeseen happens. of course we need to change policy , but it does seem change policy, but it does seem like one rule for them, one rule for whoever else. who else have we got? oh, here, he says . i've we got? oh, here, he says. i've never understood the argument, andy. this is andy in manchester. i've never understood the argument that an opposition party don't want to say policies will say what their policies will be ahead general election in ahead of a general election in case of government

case the party of government steal believed the steal them if they believed the policies were best for the british surely they policies were best for the british want surely they policies were best for the britishwant surimplemented would want them implemented as soon possible . whoever the soon as possible. whoever the party of government ? well, i party of government? well, i think that would be very unlikely of a party to want another party to steal their policies. although labour has said that quite a lot. when the conservatives introduced windfall taxes, of course the labour party said that's a win. they've been listening to us. we've calling this for we've been calling for this for months for months and months. so the conservatives seem the conservatives do seem to sometimes the conservatives do seem to so least|es the conservatives do seem to so least when it comes to some at least when it comes to some of recent economic and net of the recent economic and net zero policies. but we're going to moving our final to be moving on to our final debate of the day. brexit will be undone . that's according to be undone. that's according to the and former the arch—remainer and former prime minister sir tony blair. he said that will eventually he said that we will eventually rejoin bloc . he says rejoin the bloc. he says a future will take future generation will take britain into the political britain back into the political and economic union. so let's get the view of political commentator matthew stadlen, another arch remainer . yes, correct. >> no, definitely not an arch remainer, not an arch remain not bothered. >> why have they got you on there? i have.

>> i am bothered. could i just >> i am bothered. could ijust say it was a very balanced introduction? >> the reflection of those of those tweets and the challenges that opposition parties that that opposition parties face of course, the face and, of course, the temptation talking keir temptation talking about keir starmer, course, starmer, you know, of course, the the challenge. the challenge is the challenge. >> face when i'm broadly >> like i face when i'm broadly supportive of the idea of a labour government is that it's important political important that political commentators such myself commentators such as myself hold keir starmer and labour to account. >> that we scrutinise them. and if , as i think >> that we scrutinise them. and if, as i think will happen, labour somehow get into power in some or other , then people some form or other, then people like are going to be like me are going to have to be noisy they things noisy when they get things wrong. you do need a wrong. i think you do need a little bit of wriggle room when you're opposition because you're in the opposition because you're in the opposition because you're charge of the you're not in charge of the finances, are you? for a start. >> and you very well >> and also, as you very well put, you simply you simply put, you you simply you simply don't want the party in power to nick your policies. and that's the that is the temptation for any government, isn't it? >> it's difficult, though, because you want what's for because you want what's best for the country. >> but if you immediately say, okay, this is we think okay, this is what we think should now and the should be happening now and the party in power, the conservatives take those policies, you? >> yeah, then surely you >> yeah, but then surely you can't that much about the

can't care that much about the country and you could care more about career , about your your career, arguably. get to tony arguably. but let's get to tony blair because he's been talking about the european union . he about the european union. he says it's almost inevitable that we will rejoin because that's the mood of the country. younger people will want to rejoin the eu more than the elderly people in this country. why do you think tony blair is talking about this? >> i think this is quite straightforward, actually. first of all, we are not going to rejoin the eu any time soon, i'm almost certain. well, that's a relief . uh, labour could be almost certain. well, that's a relief. uh, labour could be in in some form for ten years. i think the, the only rig room, to use that phrase again, that starmer has to. and we know that he was an arch remainer. i voted remain, i think with my head rather than my heart, just to put it like that. >> he he towards brexit with my head and my heart towards towards the end of the towards the end of those and i'm not somebody who thinks all somebody who thinks that all brexiteers are stupid or racist. >> not. the debate, >> of course not. the debate, but people are. i mean, the but some people are. i mean, the debate very chamber.

but some people are. i mean, the delcan't very chamber. but some people are. i mean, the delcan't it very chamber. but some people are. i mean, the delcan't it specifically chamber. but some people are. i mean, the delcan't it specifically on:hamber. he can't it specifically on twitter of twitter and other forms of social media towards the end of those years to labour those ten years were to labour achieve that dream and have a second term. >> you might argue that starmer, if , could if he's still around, could be moving us towards some sort moving us back towards some sort of of getting back into the of idea of getting back into the european union. why don't i think it will happen now? >> because be >> because it would be electorally toxic for labour for a start. >> i mean, did borisjohnson >> i mean, why did boris johnson get such healthy majority? >> i mean, why did boris johnson get let's healthy majority? >> i mean, why did boris johnson get let's notealthy majority? >> i mean, why did boris johnson get let's not forget majority? >> i mean, why did boris johnson get let's not forget only rity? >> i mean, why did boris johnson get let's not forget only what is >> let's not forget only what is it four years ago, it now? four years ago, a majority of 80, partly because people thought got to get people thought we've got to get out this gridlock, we voted out of this gridlock, we voted out. we've respect that, out. we've got to respect that, that british that mandate of the british people . and thought he people. and people thought he was person, rightly was the best person, rightly or wrongly, brexit done . wrongly, to get brexit done. there way on this earth there is no way on this earth that a political such that a political pragmatist such as will try and drag us as starmer will try and drag us back towards the european union. >> reason. second >> that's one reason. the second reason actually is quite difficult anything difficult to rejoin on anything like the terms that we had when we were a member state. >> remember we whether >> and remember we did, whether you're not, we you're a brexiteer or not, we did relatively favourable did have relatively favourable terms far as our membership terms as far as our membership of the eu is concerned . i cannot of the eu is concerned. i cannot imagine we go begging to get

imagine if we go begging to get back into the eu that there's any chance in hell or heaven that the eu will say, come back in come on your old in and come back in on your old terms. they'll say, sorry mate, you want to back in? you you want to come back in? you come in on terms. i come back in on our terms. so i think it's unrealistic. >> helpful for keir >> is it helpful for keir starmer tony blair, starmer that tony blair, labour's successful leader labour's most successful leader of all time, winning three elections, is still talking about brexit? >> at this point, i think it's unhelpful then, if asked unhelpful then, if he's asked a question, course has to question, of course he has to answer anything he said, answer it, but anything he said, you probably insight you probably have more insight than i do. >> i'm interested the >> i'm interested in the psychology who are psychology of people who are still the drum to rejoin still banging the drum to rejoin the european union who can't get over though the vote over it, even though the vote happened can't happened in 2016. why can't they?i happened in 2016. why can't they? i was talking to a perfectly nice chap earlier from the rejoin eu campaign. he seems to be based in berlin, or at least that's where he was now . least that's where he was now. he still can't get over it. he still desperate for us to join the european point out the european union. i point out that you know, the that actually, you know, the european this european union isn't this liberal, wonderful that he liberal, wonderful place that he believes it to be. >> i think the reason is strong feelings die hard once you've

spent as long as campaigning with such passion to keep us in the eu and then suddenly to sort of accept it when it's quite a narrow defeat is psychologically difficult. but also because we have lost real life freedoms . have lost real life freedoms. people like you and i, all of us, we could have gone and lived anywhere. we wanted within the eu, no problems , almost no eu, no problems, almost no questions asked. we could have gone exactly as we wished . we gone exactly as we wished. we can't do that anymore. that was seen as seen by some brexiteers as a privilege of the middle classes there. we have lost that. people are upset. they are upset, but we'll see. >> i think. i think tony blair isn't keir any isn't doing keir starmer any favours this up yet favours by bringing this up yet again. , that all again. but anyway, that is all for me. me today, this for me. from me today, this afternoon. but we have nana up next. you there? next. nana, are you there? what's up in show? what's coming up in your show? >> got to say one >> well, i've got to say one thing that we're going to be doing show a doing throughout the show is a really story about a guy who really sad story about a guy who left the ashes of son in a left the ashes of his son in a bag in his adidas bag in the back of a black cab somewhere in london. >> so we're going to be appealing to any cabbies out there. if you're listening on gb

news, to gb news to news, listen to gb news radio to check of your cab, check the back of your cab, because see we because we'd love to see if we could resolve before the could resolve this before the end show. so that's end of the show. so that's one of the things. and obviously all the that you've been discussing. >> fascinating. well, i hope everyone nana everyone stays tuned for nana show she'll show this afternoon. she'll be on next hours. so on for the next few hours. so you've watching and you've been watching and listening to gb news saturday with emily carver. i'll be with me, emily carver. i'll be back sunday back tomorrow for gb news sunday and for the and this evening for the saturday go saturday five. don't go anywhere. nana is up next. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> hello there. i'm jonathan vautrey here of your gb news weather forecast provided by the met office. the next few days are going to retain the rather unsettled feel that we have had over much of july so far. low pressure is still with us through this weekend centred towards the north—west of the uk. now, those isobars uk. for now, those isobars squeezing allowing for squeezing together, allowing for some blustery winds some quite blustery winds throughout into throughout today and into tomorrow particularly tomorrow as well, particularly along western northern along western and northern coastal . showers will be

coastal areas. showers will be continuing throughout night continuing throughout the night for western for northern ireland, western scotland eventually into parts of northwest england well. of northwest england as well. but the rest of england and but for the rest of england and wales generally, some clearer spells of spells developing for most of us, though, it won't be too chilly overnight. temperatures holding up around 1214 c. but we drop into single we might drop into single figures in some rural areas of north—east scotland . showers north—east scotland. showers from the word go as we kick off sunday for central southern scotland and north—west england as well. some those could be as well. some of those could be heavy , maybe with the heavy at times, maybe with the odd of thunder causing odd rumble of thunder causing some then some surface spray issues. then the cloud will be building from the cloud will be building from the southwest later on, with outbreaks rain spreading outbreaks of rain spreading across england across wales, southwest england and into northern ireland later on well. temperatures held on as well. temperatures held back that cloud and back underneath that cloud and starting feel increasingly back underneath that cloud and startingand feel increasingly back underneath that cloud and startingand sticky creasingly back underneath that cloud and startingand sticky ,reasingly back underneath that cloud and startingand sticky , butingly back underneath that cloud and startingand sticky , but low 20s humid and sticky, but low 20s possible across the far east of scotland and england into monday, that rain will still be lingering in places generally, it'll grey, drizzly it'll be quite a grey, drizzly day from the central belt of scotland, southwards some brisk winds across english coastal channels as well. got to get used to it because there'll be further showers as we end the

month otherwise enjoy month as well. otherwise enjoy the day by that the rest of your day by that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers >> proud sponsors of weather on

gb news. >> hello and welcome to gb news on tv online and on digital radio. i'm nana akua . and for radio. i'm nana akua. and for the next few hours , me and my the next few hours, me and my panel will be taking on some of the big topics hitting the headunes the big topics hitting the headlines right now. this show is about opinion. it's mine, is all about opinion. it's mine, it's theirs, and of course, it's yours. we'll be debating, discussing, we discussing, and at times we will disagree one will be disagree, but no one will be cancelled . so joining me in the cancelled. so joining me in the next hour , broadcaster and next hour, broadcaster and columnist cundy and also columnist lizzie cundy and also former labour party adviser matthew lazor . in a few former labour party adviser matthew lazor. in a few moments time, i'll be mucking the week with lewis schaffer. but before we get started, let's get your latest news headlines . latest news headlines. >> thanks, nana . good afternoon. >> thanks, nana. good afternoon. i'm ray addison. here's the latest at 3:00 from the gb news room. our top story, two motorbikes have been recovered by police investigating a fatal hit and run in walsall.

by police investigating a fatal hit and run in walsall . seven hit and run in walsall. seven year