it's a good idea if you are a wealthy parent. should taxpayers be picking up the bill to feed your kids? and get this, it's a year ago since liz truss was voted in as tory leader. year ago since liz truss was voted in as tory leader . what do voted in as tory leader. what do you reckon a year on with mr yard reflection? was she the right person for the job? the wrong person? would the country be better now or worse? and there's a bill going through parliament see parliament that could see property fined , get this, property owners fined, get this, £15,000 or get a one year prison sentence if you don't comply with net zero regulations. honestly i think this world is turning into some kind of clown zone. what do you make to it all? we've got it all to come and more. but before we do that, let's bring ourselves up to speed with tonight's latest headunes. headlines. >> very good evening to you. i'm aaron armstrong in the newsroom . birmingham city council is effectively declared itself bankrupt. europe's largest local

authorities issued a notice which prevents all but essential new spending after admitting it's unable to meet an equal pay claim of £760 million. the council has already paid £1.1 billion to settle historic claims . all new spending, with claims. all new spending, with the exception of protecting vulnerable people and statutory services, will stop immediately . more onshore wind farms are expected to be built as a result of a relaxation in the rules from the government. earlier today. the changes will see projects supported by local people approved more quickly . people approved more quickly. local areas will also have a greater say in how developments are considered, and they may even benefit from cheaper energy. now the new rules come amid of a tory rebellion amid fears of a tory rebellion over the issue. rishi sunak said back in october he planned to keep a ban on new onshore farms as the shadow energy secretary, ed miliband says reluctance to build more facilities has led to higher energy costs . higher energy costs. >> this government is being held to ransom by a bunch of tory backbenchers who since 2015 have

stopped onshore wind being built in england and that has raised bills for families by £180 for every family in britain, we're going through a cost of living crisis. surely now those individuals tools, those conservative mps can see that it's much better to have onshore wind built and cut bills for families . families. >> the schools minister says the government's been very proactive in dealing with the concrete crisis and has been issuing guidance since 2018. speaking to gb news nick gibbs comments come after the education secretary apologised for using strong language while expressing her frustration at the situation. both rishi sunak and gillian keegan are under growing pressure as schools across the uk have fully or partially closed . mr gibbs says gillian closed. mr gibbs says gillian keegan's comments were off the cuff . cuff. >> she was frustrated by the fact that the department for education , the civil servants education, the civil servants have been working very hard in terms of dealing with rake

issue. we've been very proactive in dealing with rack since 2018. we've issued very detailed guidance to responsible bodies and these are the bodies that are legally responsible for school buildings which are the local authorities. the academy trusts dioceses , but we provide trusts dioceses, but we provide them with the best advice based on the technical advice that we get about to how identify and monitor racks . monitor racks. >> however , the shadow >> however, the shadow paymaster, general jonathan ashworth, says the government's handung ashworth, says the government's handling of the matter is an abdication of responsibility. >> i think today look, when you've got sort of roofs at risk of collapse in various various schools across the country, pupils really worried. you've got the education secretary expecting to be thanked and congratulated and parents across the country, teachers who work in schools and pupils , because in schools and pupils, because some of these pupils are old enough to understand what is going on. want you to fix this and don't want any more of your saying, oh, nothing to do with me, guv. that is frankly an abdication of your

responsibilities . responsibilities. >> there have been a further 1300 redundant cases at the collapsed retailer wilko . the collapsed retailer wilko. the news comes after a discount store b&m agreed to buy up to 51. wilko outlets from administrators for £13 million. it's understood the majority of the new stores are expected to be rebranded as b&m , laughing be rebranded as b&m, laughing gas is to be banned and those caughtin gas is to be banned and those caught in possession of the popular drug will face unlimited fines or up to two years in jail . the new measures expected to be introduced this year will also see tougher penalties for the supply and production of the drug. officially known as nitrous oxide. laughing gas is the third most used drug amongst 16 to 24 year olds in england . 16 to 24 year olds in england. it's been linked to antisocial behaviour with heavy use possible leading to anaemia and in more severe cases, nerve damage or paralysis. in more severe cases, nerve damage or paralysis . ten people damage or paralysis. ten people have been taken to hospital after a 52 seater bus was

involved in a crash with another vehicle on the cleddau bridge in pembrokeshire . a fire and rescue pembrokeshire. a fire and rescue services say one driver, who was severely trapped had to be taken by air, ambulance to hospital and many of the bus passengers are suffering with a variety of injuries. spain's football federation has sacked jorge vilda, the coach of . its vilda, the coach of. its victorious world cup women's team. vilda was the only member of the coaching staff not to stand down in protest after midfielderjenni hermoso was kissed on the lips by the federation president luis rubiales . this is gb news. i'll rubiales. this is gb news. i'll be back with more at the top of the next hour. but now it's over to . michelle to. michelle >> hello there, i'm michelle dewberry with you till 7:00 tonight alongside with the ceo of first property group and the former brexit party mep, ben habib, and the political commentator joe phillips. welcome to both of you . you know

welcome to both of you. you know the drill as well on this programme, don't you? it's not just about us. it's about you guys at home well. what's on guys at home as well. what's on your mind? get in touch with me. vaiews@gbnews.com or you can tweet gb news. my first tweet me at gb news. my first email is gaynor in colchester. she says, michelle, why? why, why do so many media outlets basically focus on everything doom and gloom? you're saying that so many people now say britain is broken, but you reckon it's just those media that are basically relishing, pounng that are basically relishing, pouring petrol on the fire? you're saying that thank goodness, school building is and concrete doesn't seem to be featuring on today's agenda . featuring on today's agenda. ida, what do you make to that? do you agree with gaynor at home? i do desperately try to search, by the way, for positive news stories. if any of you know of any, you are always welcome to get in touch with me. i tried once on a friday to do positive news story. i had to abandon it after i think about one show because i genuinely could barely find any positivity that's going

on.and find any positivity that's going on. and i've decided not to talk about concrete tonight because everyone just wants to batter the government and gillian everyone just wants to batter the gov�*butfent and gillian everyone just wants to batter the gov�*but you and gillian everyone just wants to batter the gov�*but you knowiillian everyone just wants to batter the gov�*but you know what? this keegan but you know what? this stuff 30 year stuff only had a 30 year lifespan. about everyone lifespan. so what about everyone that was that went before that was building schools all the building schools and all the rest it with those concrete rest of it with those concrete matters? anyway matters? what about them anyway , just to move on , i've just decided to move on tonight other problems tonight because other problems are . so i'm sorry, gaynor, are afoot. so i'm sorry, gaynor, you're not going to be sitting here high fiving yourself because i do have more bad news here high fiving yourself becyou, i do have more bad news here high fiving yourself becyou, i'm) have more bad news here high fiving yourself becyou, i'm afraid,more bad news here high fiving yourself becyou, i'm afraid, especiallyiews for you, i'm afraid, especially if you're in birmingham, because birmingham have birmingham city council have said the largest said they're lurking the largest local authority in this country . it is the latest now in seemingly a long line that have issued what we call section 114 notices, basically to summarise that, it's like you're waving like a white flag of surrender. you put your hands up, you're basically saying, i've made a hash of managing ing my finances . as a council. you're basically reaching out to central government for a bit of assistance and all the rest of it. birmingham is the latest council and i think whilst i'm talking actually i might just

get up on the screen , i'm get up on the screen, i'm shrinking in my chair , my chair shrinking in my chair, my chair is going down. i know what is strange that is going to what a strange that is going to what a strange sensation i could feel myself going down. i do apologise if you're wondering what on is going on. i think my chair's a bit bossed like birmingham city council. quite frankly. if i can, i'll frankly. anyway, if i can, i'll get you a list of the councils on the screen before i bring ben in. so look at this just to in. so we look at this just to give you a little bit of context, because this is not just birmingham. um, you've got birmingham, got woking, birmingham, you've got woking, you've you've you've got thurrock, you've got croydon, got croydon, you've got northumberland, let's keep it rolling, move on to the next one because i assure you ladies and gents, there's more, there's more. keep going. you've got . more. keep going. you've got. we've just done ben, we've done this one. we've done. move on to page two. what's going on in the background? >> you've got kent, which is warning. i know they haven't declared yet, but they're warning they're in trouble. there's something like 26 councils. there's 26 that are on the cusp of it.

>> ben habib, let me start with you on this birmingham. they've been speaking out today. deputy leader speaking out leader has been speaking out today. blaming all today. they're blaming it on all kinds of things and it failed project. they're saying that aduh project. they're saying that adult social care is going up. business rates, income is going down. saying that business rates, income is going down. had saying that business rates, income is going down. had £1;aying that business rates, income is going down. had £1 billion:hat business rates, income is going down. had £1 billion worth of they've had £1 billion worth of cuts essentially from central government. what do you make to some this? some of this? >> it's a perfect storm, >> well, it's a perfect storm, an equal pay as well. >> that one. can't an equal pay as well. >> that.that one. can't an equal pay as well. >> that. that's|e. can't an equal pay as well. >> that. that's massive. forget that. that's massive. >> which in >> which is which is in a subject in itself. but, you know, this is a perfect storm for the vast majority of institutions in this country. the cost doing business has the cost of doing business has gone up. the cost of borrowing has gone up, and income levels are under pressure because the economy isn't growing . i know economy isn't growing. i know we're going to talk liz we're going to talk about liz truss later, but it's a classic example of why growth in the economy is so important. if the wheels come off your economy and growth doesn't keep up with the ever inexorable march of costs higher and higher, something has to give. and what we're seeing is this now manifesting itself

in the local authorities across the country. and as you said , the country. and as you said, joe, they're not alone. there are 26 others or and the number is going to rise. i read an estimate that around the country there's going to be a deficit of £2 billion over the next three months in in local council incomes . they've raided their incomes. they've raided their reserves to get over this hump. but there's only so much raiding you can do. of reserves and eventually you go bust and you you know, you, you provide the essential services that you have to and you scrap everything else . it's a disaster. it's a it's a real sign of broken britain . real sign of broken britain. >> you, gloria says she don't want people to use that phrase. >> would you not listening at the start of the programme. see gloria you was he wasn't paying attention, mr habib, i'm afraid britain is broken housewife's favourite. i might have to rescind that title from you because gloria reckons britain's not broken. she says it's the punst not broken. she says it's the pundits are putting that pundits that are putting that message out there. >> well, i can point to very many examples of why it is

broken, including of course, the border down the irish sea , which border down the irish sea, which literally constitutionally breaks the united kingdom. >> going to start on >> i'm not going to start on that because need to bring that one because i need to bring joe on the council. i tried, joe in on the council. i tried, gaynon joe in on the council. i tried, gaynor. tried. gaynor. i tried. >> so you mentioned the equal pay >> so you mentioned the equal pay thing. >> so that's £760 million. this is going back to 2010 when they were because were found ad wanting because they hadn't paid women working for the council the same rates as men. so they've got that , as men. so they've got that, that they've got to pay. but i think you know, when you look at some of these councils on the list and you look at croydon is a perfect example of a council that thought that it could do something amazing, that thought that it could do something amazing , that it could something amazing, that it could go and build and become go and build houses and become basically property developer basically a property developer and it launched this scheme called by brick. it called brick by brick. it was a total disaster and you can see that replicated across the country where councils , as many, country where councils, as many, many councils do amazing things and many councillors are there for the right reasons and they want to serve the people that they represent. but there are too many who think they want to

leave a lasting legacy with something that is very expensive. they're not business people by and large, and councils seem to veer between being risk averse , which means being risk averse, which means things don't get done and then make taking terrible decisions. i mean, one of the other reasons that birmingham is in this terrible pickle is because they got an it system that wasn't fit for purpose and they've now had to spend an enormous amount of money fixing it. so now, sir, before i was sitting on your tv screen as of an evening, my pnor screen as of an evening, my prior professional career, i used to be an it consultant, and what i used to do was i used to go in and i used to work at a board level with organisations, large organisations that were doing what we would call business transformation doing what we would call business tran so rmation doing what we would call business tran so huge)n doing what we would call business tran so huge technology, programmes, so huge technology, it projects. >> and i cannot for the life of me understand how a project. so this particular one, it was an oracle erp system. that's what they were trying to do. they were trying to make all of their

kind of hr systems and things like that a little bit more slicker. they estimated that that project would would cost something million. something like £19 million. they've three years worth of they've had three years worth of delays project now delays. that project is now looking likely to cost something like £100 million. and what i found fascinating is people just kind of go, oh we've got kind of go, oh yeah, we've got this failed it project. is to this failed it project. it is to me, it's an absolute scandal and you wouldn't let where is the audit, would you? >> well, i'm afraid it does happen. mean, it projects, as happen. i mean, it projects, as you probably know from time you probably know from your time in it, can be a black not in it, can be a black hole. not the i used to run. the ones that i used to run. >> then. >> then. >> then. >> then look at the post office. and mean that cost. yeah. and i mean that cost. yeah. >> horizon scandal. >> the horizon scandal. >> the horizon scandal. >> to many >> absolutely tragedy to so many postmasters postmistresses postmasters and postmistresses and their families. >> many of whom, you >> you know, many of whom, you know, prison . know, went to prison. >> yeah. i mean, often the pursuit just it projects, pursuit just on it projects, often pursuit of an it often the pursuit of an it project is for perfection and you end up fixing a problem that you end up fixing a problem that you never had or or seeking to fix a problem you never had. and creating a bigger problem. and we've seen that time and time again it. i'm not again with it. i'm not suggesting councils

suggesting that councils shouldn't the times, suggesting that councils sh0|itjn't the times, suggesting that councils sh0|it is.: the times, suggesting that councils sh0|it is. you the times, suggesting that councils sh0|it is. you know, the times, suggesting that councils sh0|it is. you know, the; times, suggesting that councils sh0|it is. you know, the but1es, but it is. you know, the but history, often what you have is you have an external consulting house that's very expensive. >> come they disconnect >> they come in, they disconnect from business. so what from the business. so what they're doing is they're saying, right, is what going they're doing is they're saying, rigdo, is what going they're doing is they're saying, rigdo, this is what going they're doing is they're saying, rigdo, this is what we're going to do, this is what we're going to do, this is what we're going to they're not very to do. they're not very integrated terms getting integrated in terms of getting the required points from the business and working with the proper they proper stakeholders. they don't have full stakeholder buy in. then wheels start coming off then the wheels start coming off slowly and slowly and then it just kind of it kind of just kind of it just kind of becomes like this out of control cat flying this cat that's flying down this track and no one can get a hold of just been reliably of it. i've just been reliably informed that i now have page two of the documents show two of the documents to show you that was to show you at that i was trying to show you at the start, which is the other councils have issued councils that have issued section notes says were section 114 notes says we were going these at going through some of these at the you've got the start. yes, you've got slough. spoke about slough. we've spoke about croydon and nottingham , croydon and nottingham, northamptonshire and this as we're saying, this is just kind of the current crop and there will be more. but what i want to see, because i'm pretty appalled by this, i have to say, so if i

just pick birmingham as an example, labour council, these guys had an investigation basically that said that there was a lot of problems in this council. so then the kind of central labour group then replaced the leader. yeah, he was removed. yeah. and the deputy leader . but then i sit deputy leader. but then i sit there and they're all crying saying that they've lost this billion from central billion pounds from central government. to government. they're trying to put the tories. but put the blame on the tories. but you've spent £1 billion to your point on this. equal pay situation. and i just think how can you have got yourselves into this much of a mess? and let me quote you this, everyone, because i was absolutely appalled by what she was saying because i was absolutely ashe led by what she was saying because i was absolutely ashe isi by what she was saying because i was absolutely ashe is sayingiat she was saying because i was absolutely ashe is saying that|e was saying because i was absolutely ashe is saying that sheas saying because i was absolutely ashe is saying that she is saying because i was absolutely ashe is saying that she is when] . she is saying that she is when i say she, this is the deputy leader of birmingham leader of the birmingham council. she's essentially saying that they started restricting spending in restricting their spending in july. they put in these , you july. they put in these, you know, proper spending controls in july. and i think excuse me, but this absolutely . but this absolutely. >> and you're absolutely right to draw attention to it. and i think the point you make about

things like it and it could apply to anything, michelle, that there's consultant who's that there's a consultant who's rigorous controls rigorous spending controls because they came in in because they only came in in may, these people. but what has been going on in the meantime and the trouble is that you've got who know the got people who don't know the right questions to ask and say, hang on minute, why it so hang on a minute, why is it so there's another report and then somebody on holiday and then we'll when that we'll have a meeting when that person's on. then so and so person's back on. then so and so is away and so time goes on. i mean, you see it all the time. and meanwhile, the real business of local authorities, you know, which they have to they're statutorily obliged to look after vulnerable people. you know , and the social care bill know, and the social care bill is going up all the time, but they're not they you know, frankly, they shouldn't be playing with business unless they know what they're doing. >> yeah, but it fascinates me because they do all this on other people dimes, don't they? so it's not this is not they're not speculating with their hard earned they're speculating earned cash. they're speculating with other people's money. >> well, mean, joe makes >> yeah. well, i mean, joe makes a very good point in the run up

to lockdowns, i think number to lockdowns, i think a number of councils had borrowed £6.5 billion to invest in commercial property , which is definitely property, which is definitely not their core business, but they were doing it because interest rates were so low. they they thought they could take advantage of low interest rates. they commercial property, they bought commercial property, which yielding which is yield was yielding ostensibly a reasonably ostensibly yielding a reasonably high for them. the cost high income for them. the cost of borrowing was much less than the income they were earning and they happy days. and they thought happy days. and then roughly year then little roughly a year later, lockdowns happened . they later, lockdowns happened. they lost they hit the lost their tenants. they hit the skids, now they've got skids, and now they've got a perfect storm with their commercial property portfolios because rates have gone because interest rates have gone up impacting of their up, impacting the cost of their borrowing , but also reducing the borrowing, but also reducing the value the assets they've got. value of the assets they've got. and what's going happen , and what's going to happen, michelle, central government is going bail them out. and what going to bail them out. and what does us? it means does that mean for us? it means our taxes to go up or our taxes are going to go up or national borrowing is going to go national borrowing is going to 9° up national borrowing is going to go up or central government will bail us out. >> what talking about bail us out. >> wist talking about bail us out. >> wis you, talking about bail us out. >> wis you, me, lking about bail us out. >> wis you, me, theg about bail us out. >> wis you, me, the taxpayer, there is you, me, the taxpayer, money that doesn't live in birmingham, is to bail money that doesn't live in birrthoseim, is to bail

money that doesn't live in birrthose councils. is to bail out those councils. >> and this is the social list spiral to which i've been referring for months and will referring for months and will refer talk refer to again when we talk about truss. you cannot tax about liz truss. you cannot tax your way to prosperity. you end up breaking the machine and these machines are now broken. we the whole thing was kicked off with lockdown , but we're in off with lockdown, but we're in a spiral out of which we're going to find it really difficult to emerge. well, john says britain's not broken. >> michelle absolute car >> michelle is an absolute car crash. even worse than crash. it's even worse than brooks. what brooks. steve says, what sanctions will sanctions and punishments will fall councillors and fall on these councillors and the council executives. he worries they will be worries that they will be rewarded for failure . i actually rewarded for failure. i actually agree with you there. what i would like to see is a little bit more focus on misconduct in pubuc bit more focus on misconduct in public office. how can you get something wrong and why something so very wrong and why would just be able to just would you just be able to just sail off into the sunset with your gold plated when your gold plated pensions when your gold plated pensions when you prison is where i you do so? prison is where i would like to see some of these people. would you probably think i'm harsh, but i do. i'm being a bit harsh, but i do. >> you've got some of us may end up in prison with the new laws. they're to pass. they're about to pass. >> he's talking about net

>> yeah, he's talking about net zero and sanctions he's zero and the sanctions he's laughing at me. >> think if some >> honestly, i think if some people actually properly people were actually properly held accountable their held accountable for their failings, think this failings, i think this world would better place would be in a better place anyway. that starts at the top. >> yes. government >> yes. government >> anyway, if i get told one more to a break, i'll more time to go to a break, i'll be in trouble. so i'd better listen to advice. when i come listen to my advice. when i come back, want ask you a simple back, i want to ask you a simple question.

radio. hi there . hi there. >> i'm michelle dewberry with till seven alongside me, the ceo of first property group and former brexit party mep ben habib, and the political commentator joe phillips habib, and the political commentatorjoe phillips . a few commentator joe phillips. a few of you mentioning about the council situation there and the bankrupt councils suggesting that will be raised that council tax will be raised to help bail out these councils. well, that ship has already sailed because in birmingham, for example , the highest award for example, the highest award without a referendum, so almost 5% of any brummies out there, you will already know that you have had your council tax hiked

already in that situation is replicated throughout the country. let's talk free school meals now. do you have children? if you do, you might think. well, yeah, quite frankly, taxpayers, yes, you should be paying taxpayers, yes, you should be paying to help me feed my kids. if you don't have children, you might be a little bit less sympathetic to that view. i found this interesting because in london, sadiq khan is very proud this initiative. all proud of this initiative. all stay primary school kids will stay at primary school kids will now get free school meals . uh, now get free school meals. uh, there's been calls to have this rolled out nationwide. joe, what do you make to that? >> well, all children in england in reception year one and two get free school meals anyway . get free school meals anyway. thenit get free school meals anyway. then it varies depending on where you live. it's slightly different in scotland and different in scotland and different in scotland and different in wales as well. the problem, i think, is that , you problem, i think, is that, you know, i care. as you know, we've discussed it before, i care very much about health and nutrition and good food. and i think if there are kids who are going to school without a proper breakfast with crisp sandwiches

and bars of chocolate and inappropriate stuff or nothing, then that has an impact on their learning. it has an impact on their fellow pupils and in the long term investment in children to have one decent meal, a day would be quite a good thing . the would be quite a good thing. the problem is that when you get into the means testing for free school meals after year three, the figure the threshold is so low , it's £7,000 a year. so you low, it's £7,000 a year. so you or being on universal credit . or being on universal credit. well at at a certain point but you've still got to be within this this low thing. so, you know, first of all, there's the concern that if you then take on a couple of hours work, are you going to tip yourself over? but not earn enough to pay for school dinners? the sensible thing to do would be, and i suspect that, you know, in a cost of living crisis , people cost of living crisis, people will not have the appetite for free school meals for every child at primary school. but i do think it would be an investment in public health. but

you raise threshold you could raise that threshold to bit more to something a bit more realistic, £20,000. mean, realistic, like £20,000. i mean, the reality is that there are people going to banks, people going to food banks, there people in there are people living in temporary accommodation and there are people living in temp> ben habib well, i think joe makes good points, but makes some good points, but but you have to take responsibility for your own children. >> if you bring children into this you've got to make this world, you've got to make sure that you've got the wherewithal after them. wherewithal to look after them. and notion that every child and the notion that every child should be fed at the state while they're at school, i don't think is a sound one. parents have got to take responsibility for their children. the state already spends a huge amount of money on educating these children . we educating these children. we already have the state now

running through , you know, running through, you know, nannying through parents, not the children, nannying, the parents taking away parental responsibility and a whole host of you increasingly of ways, you know, increasingly taking younger children away from their parents, encouraging parents to put them to in child day—care centres at the age of nine months. you know , jeremy nine months. you know, jeremy hunfs nine months. you know, jeremy hunt's budget. so i think hunt's last budget. so i think maybe the threshold should be increased . i was of i was of the increased. i was of i was of the understanding that anyone on universal credit gets a contribution towards their children's school fees, but a children's school fees, but a children's meals i'd have to check that but the 7000 per annum if that is the limit i agree is too low. ridiculous. it is too low, but a universal all. everyone gets a free meal. i just don't think is the right direction of travel. and it's for giving parents the responsibility city they have to their own children. it's a bit like the notion that was brought in suggested a couple in a suggested a couple of months that anyone who has months ago that anyone who has more than two children at the moment, universal credit, basically two children. basically stops at two children. that cap should be removed. and

no matter how many children you have, your benefits should go up.and have, your benefits should go up. and that is just daft as brushes. >> but but just to go back to your point, ben, about you know, parents responsibility, parents taking responsibility, which course, most which, you know, of course, most parents will try and take responsibility, but people's circumstances change. they get evicted. they find themselves, you homeless . they find you know, homeless. they find themselves out of work. they find they're, you know, suddenly their partner them their partner leaves them or they become bereaved . they become bereaved. >> a threshold issue. >> but that's a threshold issue. thenisnt >> but that's a threshold issue. then isn't it? >> but that's a threshold issue. the exactly. t? >> but that's a threshold issue. the exactly. yeah. >> exactly. yeah. >> exactly. yeah. >> but but, you know, i think this we have to get away from this we have to get away from this idea the sort of the this idea of the sort of the deserving and the non—deserving serving should in serving poor. we should be in a position support children position to support children whose parents are unable to do it for a variety of reasons. but you know, the idea that somebody cannot feed their child and the child is to going school hungry is appalling. it's child is to going school hungry is appalling . it's absolutely is appalling. it's absolutely shocking. and we know it is . shocking. and we know it is. >> but we're not talking about that. that's not the suggested policy. >> if policy. » if >> if someone is if someone is so poor they honestly, so poor that they honestly, truly can't feed their own

child, then that person would already be getting free school meals for that child. >> so that child would be taken care of. but we're not. what we're talking about now is a parent that ends. i don't know, whatever, 70 grand year now whatever, 70 grand a year now getting school meals for getting free school meals for their kids. >> always the argument >> that was always the argument about allowance, you about family allowance, you know, was actually it know, that it was actually it was wine fund for the for was the wine fund for the for the middle mummies who'd the middle class mummies who'd meet for the yummy mummies, meet up for the yummy mummies, who'd while other people who'd use it while other people . well, mean, whether or not . well, i mean, whether or not that's still the case. but, you know, but the idea of giving it to mother in the old days to the mother in the old days was so the mother had was so that the mother had actually got some money that she could the children in actually got some money that she coul(dad the children in actually got some money that she coul(dad was the children in actually got some money that she coul(dad was spendingen in actually got some money that she coul(dad was spending it ini actually got some money that she coul(dad was spending it in the case dad was spending it in the pub or at the betting shop. now, you know, one would like to think that those days have changed extent. but changed to a certain extent. but i think, of i just think, you know, of course problem is course it's the problem is always means testing. if always with means testing. if you means testing, you end up you do means testing, you end up with mean benefit. but £7,000 with a mean benefit. but £7,000 a year as a threshold is utterly ridiculous and it needs to be looked at. and that would seem to me to be sensible way

to me to be the sensible way round it that you you don't necessarily say everybody gets it, but you bring the threshold up to something that would also help people who are , you know, help people who are, you know, the poor, but working poor. >> and of course, the other thing they should do is cut taxes so people have more money in own pockets to decide in their own pockets to decide how spend it on their children. >> you're going to mention liz truss. >> i was on the verge of mentioning last. >> we're coming on to liz truss. >> we're coming on to liz truss. >> but but all roads lead back to it all, all, roads lead to it all, all, all roads lead back liz truss, he says, back to liz truss, he says, which is just as well then because i am talking about her because i am talking about her because it a year since she because it was a year since she was as leader of was announced as the leader of the tories. >> it's flown by, hasn't it? but before get on that, let's before we get on to that, let's have a little look at the weather, shall we? >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> hello again. as we go through the next 24 hours, some of us will have a bit of low cloud and fog overnight, but then it's the

return of the hot sunshine tomorrow, albeit with the chance of a few showers. looking at the big you see high big picture and you can see high pressure dominating weather pressure dominating the weather across we are going across the uk. but we are going to have something an easterly to have something of an easterly wind its way in. on wind pushing its way in. and on that easterly, we're going to drag low cloud, some sea drag in some low cloud, some sea fog the north sea, fog in from the north sea, affecting parts of affecting eastern parts of england and also eastern scotland, likely to scotland, where we're likely to see of drizzly see a little bit of drizzly rain overnight. further overnight. elsewhere, further south and clear skies, a south and west, clear skies, a few pockets of mist and fog, though, and temperatures not dropping some dropping a huge amount. some places staying above 20 celsius. tonight, night for tonight, a tropical night for some, a difficult night for some, but a difficult night for sleeping. a cloudy start. then down the eastern side of the uk on wednesday. but that low cloud , murk going to quite , that murk is going to quite quickly back towards the quickly burn back towards the coast for most of us, i say for most because across eastern parts scotland likely parts of scotland we're likely to some of that low to hold on to some of that low cloud. of cloud. otherwise, lots of sunshine but perhaps sunshine around. but perhaps a bit cloudier for some, particularly across parts of northern ireland. look at those temperatures, little temperatures, though, a little bit than likely bit higher than today, likely to see around 32 or 33 see highs around 32 or 33 celsius into thursday. and

there's the chance of some heavy thundery showers making their way western way northwards up the western side of the uk, central and side of the uk, more central and eastern parts of the country are likely to stay dry and sunnier and temperatures are going to be similar to tomorrow. really, again, likely to see highs of 32 or 33 before something perhaps cooler by the weekend. and that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers >> proud sponsors of weather on gb news . >> proud sponsors of weather on gb news. news radar could have saved him a job. >> it was the same as yesterday. basically. it's going to be absolutely. martin do you know what that word means? absolutely. martin absolutely. what? martin marketing the one marketing know, what was the one that said last time? that somebody said last time? >> we were ben and i were here, somebody from wales. >> we were ben and i were here, soni'll)dy from wales. >> we were ben and i were here, soni'll)dy from to les. >> we were ben and i were here, soni'll)dy from to that. what's >> i'll come on to that. what's marketing, you know? marketing, do you know? >> haven't got a clue. >> i haven't got a clue. >> i haven't got a clue. >> all right. both of you, >> all right. so both of you, you don't watch dewbs& co because watched it because if you watched it yesterday, know the yesterday, they'd know the answer that. i'm not happy. answer to that. i'm not happy. i'm going them off. i'll i'm going to kick them off. i'll get i'm going get a new get i'm going to get a new

panel get i'm going to get a new panel. got absolutely no panel. they've got absolutely no commitment can commitment to the cause. i can tell you you'll all know what it means, because went through means, because we went through this okay. peter says this yesterday. okay. peter says it's business it's not the business of the state to replace the responsibility parents. responsibility of the parents. michel sentiment michel that is a sentiment that's coming through thick and fast it comes asking fast when it comes to asking whether the state should whether or not the state should universally children. whether or not the state should uni\me3lly children. whether or not the state should uni\ me your children. whether or not the state should uni\ me your thoughts,|ildren. get me your thoughts, gbviews@gbnews.com one. get me your thoughts, gbvi habib|bnews.com one. get me your thoughts, gbvi habib says/s.com one. get me your thoughts, gbvi habib says all)m one. get me your thoughts, gbvi habib says all roads one. get me your thoughts, gbvi habib says all roads lead one. get me your thoughts, gbvi habib says all roads lead to e. ben habib says all roads lead to liz truss. what he said. liz truss. that's what he said. so we shall jump that so we shall jump aboard that road. shall travel in that road. we shall travel in that direction and reflect because direction an and reflect because it is a year since she was appointed as leader of the appointed as the leader of the tories. this country in tories. would this country be in a better place had she held those reins? you tell me

radio. >> hello there. i'm michelle dewberry with you till 7:00 today alongside the ceo of first property group and former brexit party mep ben habib and the political commentator joe phillips . one of my viewers has phillips. one of my viewers has just been in touch saying, mick, what a disgrace. suggesting that men do not look after and pay

for their children. i think he's on you. i wasn't on about you. i wasn't suggesting it. >> what i was pointing out was that the original introduction of family allowance was given to the in the days when very the mother in the days when very few had their own money few women had their own money and went to work because there were feckless husbands . and i'm were feckless husbands. and i'm sure i'm sure mick isn't one, but there are feckless husbands, feckless, doubled down. >> mick. she doubled down. what she makes of that? >> i've got to stand by. i've got to back it up on this. mick, i'm sure you're an upstanding, decent guy, but there's a lot of guys out there that, quite frankly, they don't pay for their sure you all their kids. i'm sure you all know of them, right. but know some of them, right. but should we on? today marks should we move on? today marks the year anniversary the one year anniversary that liz elected the leader liz truss was elected the leader of conservative i of the conservative party. i can't it was a year ago. can't believe it was a year ago. it feels like literally five minutes ago. anyway, she, of course, defeated rishi sunak . course, defeated rishi sunak. she had 81,000 votes there or thereabouts. he had about 60,000 votes. now obviously, she did not last long. 40 odd days. i do i do kind of when i get to these

anniversaries, take a second just to reflect on what the country perhaps might have been like had she continued. >> what do you think? >> what do you think? >> well, i'm very glad that you're reflecting on this because i think it was one it was it was it was tragic was it was it was it was tragic what happened. >> you redeemed yourself after blatantly not watching my programme you're not on it i >> -- >> it was tragic what happened to liz truss. liz truss had recognised for the first time in 25 years across tony blair's government all the way through to boris johnson in that actually for the country to prosper there, you have to grow the economy. that taxing , the economy. that taxing, borrowing and spending which is effectively the way the state has operated for that 25 year period, doesn't work. it's those that's that approach to economic management that got us into the trouble in which we are in. she recognised that it had to pay to work , that the working and work, that the working and middle classes needed the burden of both tax and regulation reduced cost, including small

and medium sized enterprises and independent traders. because she wanted to bin that ir35 if you might recall, i do, which was trapping them in the tax net. she also recognised a lot of people will a lot of people would push back on that and say that a lot of people in ir35 affects a lot of people unfairly, but there are a lot of people that misuse if for people that misuse if sure for their >> sure. >> sure. >> but she absolutely got the need for growth and she also got the mechanism to drive growth. sadly sadly , i was about to ask sadly sadly, i was about to ask you a question, but i thought i'd let you finish. sadly, the organism of the state didn't like because it would like it because it would necessarily have brought the state pressure. but why state under pressure. but why didn't the chops then didn't she have the chops then to up against that? that to stand up against that? that that the shame bank that is the great shame the bank of was against her. the of england was against her. the bank england was selling bank of england was selling government of and government bonds the day of and leading into the mini—budget. and by selling government bonds, they were taking cash out of the economy, pushing the cost of debt up. and it was partly

government. it was partly the bank of england action that brought the pension funds under pressure, then they said pressure, which then they said they had to bail out and they blamed all on mini blamed it all on the mini budget. they the collapse budget. they blamed the collapse of sterling on the mini—budget, but actually currencies across the world were going the developed world were going down quite at a pace at down quite at quite a pace at the time that the mini—budget came because the federal came out because the federal reserve was raising interest rates sucking capital in and rates and sucking capital in and they used all that as an they used all of that as an excuse effectively eject out excuse to effectively eject out liz truss from office. and they brought rishi sunak back in, who has done more of the same, which is do his best to keep interest rates down, which he hasn't succeeded in doing. by the way , succeeded in doing. by the way, keeping interest rates down. so the bloated state can go on affording its bloated debt levels and jeremy hunt hasn't got a view at all on the importance of reducing tax. and i want to say one last thing before i go. margaret thatcher inherited a broken economy. she inherited a broken economy. she inherited an economy with high inflation. but the first thing she did was cut income tax, all

bit from higher levels. but she recognised the tax burden had to be cut to get people into work. >> well , you say be cut to get people into work. >> well, you say you want to be cut to get people into work. >> well , you say you want to say >> well, you say you want to say one last thing before you go, but i've got bad news for you. you've got another 20 minutes here. >> i wondered where he was going anyway. >> joe, your thoughts? >> joe, your thoughts? >> you disagree >> well, you know, i disagree with this. with ben on this. >> liz truss was an >> and i think liz truss was an absolute, unmitigated disaster for only was elected for not only was she elected leader of the conservative party, she was prime minister as you say, for 49 days. so liz truss and rishi sunak , the most truss and rishi sunak, the most recent of our prime ministers, 5 or 6, we've had in umpteen years have been put in place by less than nought point 12% of the electorate, which i think is a shocking in dictment of the state of our democracy. now know. >> ben well hang on, because them's the rules and that is the framework and people will be looking in and shouting in about people like gordon brown. >> absolutely that completely. >> no. and i completely agree. i mean, there should be there should a proper should have been a proper election . however, one the election. however, one of the things that and i have

things that ben and i have discussed quite often, and i know would to have seen know ben would like to have seen the of budget responsible the office of budget responsible be completely , but be abolished completely, but they still there now and they are still there now and they are still there now and they were there. and one of the reasons that the markets got frit to use margaret thatcher's phrase, was because of kwasi kwarteng , the liz truss kwarteng, the liz truss chancellor and liz truss were refusing to share their information with the obr . now information with the obr. now that frankly is refusing. >> they weren't to move at speed. >> well then you could argue that if you go, i think that was a mistake. >> in hindsight i do think it was a mistake because they had this wretched organised in the obr, everyone now sort of obr, which everyone now sort of manifests sort of manifests into some sort of paragon fiscal rectitude. and paragon of fiscal rectitude. and what they should have done was manage the obr as a result of the pedestal on which it's been put. but the obr is a fundamentally failing organisation. >> yes, i know , but no, but it's >> yes, i know, but no, but it's important to get that out there. >> joe, at the time that she was doing her mini—budget, the obr was predicting the national

borrowing requirement for this year would be £177 billion. in that context , some of her budget that context, some of her budget moves may have been demanding. as it happens, it's turned out to be about 90 billion. they were out by a factor of 100. well, it's absolutely hopeless. >> nevertheless . what and we >> nevertheless. what and we know what you think about the obr. they were there. she should have had a conversation with them and so should her. chancellor if you go at things like a bull in a china shop, which i don't know the woman i've never met her, but she always. >> you didn't like her from the start? >> no, i did. well i remember a conversation with you and alex dean when you both went down my throat she was foreign secretary. >> because she used to. >> because she used to. >> i remember. >> i remember. >> only i remember it, >> not only do i remember it, i've got a clip of it. >> oh, i knew you were going to show that. >> don't let me down. back office my clip? office people. where's my clip? >> come. liz truss. who? >> it'll come. liz truss. who? our foreign secretary, seems our foreign secretary, who seems to different outfit every to have a different outfit every day barbie who is a day for a barbie doll who is a foreign secretary >> doll. >> barbie doll. >> barbie doll. >> and i and alex and michelle jumped down my throat and said,

you i was being sexist. you know, i was being sexist. the point i was making that she was more showing off was more keen in showing off a different outfit with a different outfit with a different backdrop, which is what is for. you know, what barbie is for. you know, barbie the hospital. barbie barbie at the hospital. barbie at barbie, barbie. at the airport. barbie, barbie. et et cetera . that you et cetera. et cetera. that you couldn't possibly take her seriously. and these were photographs that were taken by her official photographer. why do need a picture of do we need to see a picture of the foreign secretary? she then was running in a pink tracksuit across she across brooklyn bridge. she might be trying to connect a new audience sale. audience to a sale. >> she she was, but it was all. >> none of those are relevant. frankly, none of that's relevant. >> but they are relevant, you know, in the same way as you know, in the same way as you know, there are it's relevant to me because what i it me because what i think it reflects, i there's a lot reflects, i think there's a lot of people in society that before she office, people had she even took office, people had already made mind already made their mind up. >> made decisions about >> they'd made decisions about her it was. her based on whatever it was. they'd decided that she was going fail. and talk about going to fail. and we talk about the is primary school the ons. it is primary school level to your workings like level to show your workings like primary school children that are doing maths, always doing maths, they are always told exams or wherever it is

told in exams or wherever it is that you're doing stuff. how did you answer? you get to that answer? so i think actually she i did have a lot of regard what she was lot of regard for what she was trying to achieve, but there were basic schoolgirl errors. >> was only formed >> but the obr was only formed in 2010. it was formed by george osborne. relatively new osborne. it's a relatively new body and it hardly gets any forecast right. but and, but, but it's there. >> but the point about government is not to be in hock to the obr, not to be led by the nose by some ostensibly independent body which perpetua only gets things wrong. >> the job of government and the job of liz truss was to deliver the promises she made during the conservative election campaign , conservative election campaign, and that was to deregulate the economy, cut taxes and that's what we needed. we still desperate need it. >> but ben, make it a very short government is answerable to parliament, not the other way around. >> and she obe has got nothing to do with government. but even if you think it's flawed , it was if you think it's flawed, it was there. and i think like michelle says, should have done it. says, you should have done it. the thing i would say about

the only thing i would say about it, would be interesting it, it would be interesting to know not died the know how the queen not died the day after. and the government and everything and government and everything stopped weeks. whether stopped for two weeks. whether she would have gone quicker, well , well, even quicker than 40 well, well, even quicker than 40 odd days. >> paul. blimey. what do you think? right i will go to a break. when i come back, i want to ask you a question. do you think you should ever you, me, us, general public should ever have to go to prison or be fined a substantial amount of money simply because done simply because we've not done what government has told us what the government has told us to try

net zero. hi there michelle dewberry with you till 7:00 alongside me, ceo of first property group and former brexit party mep ben habib, and the political commentator joe phillips habib, and the political commentatorjoe phillips . clive, commentator joe phillips. clive, i've commentatorjoe phillips. clive, i've got your email about your new title for the obr. you did make me chuckle, but it is teatime, so i cannot read it out. he's got a good description of what he says obe could

potentially stand for or share it with you when we're not on air. speaking of former prime ministers, by the way, did you see the official portrait of theresa may that was unveiled? look at it . look at that fine look at it. look at that fine specimen in it was unveiled . specimen in it was unveiled. it's going to be in portcullis house. it talks about the interpretation . it says the interpretation. it says the portrait. the aim was to produce not just convincingly physical likeness, get it back on the screen as well, if i can, just so you can cast your eye over it while i'm describing it to you. so not just to portray a convincing physical likeness, but also a psychological characterisation . there you go. characterisation. there you go. apparent it should possess . it apparent it should possess. it goes.in apparent it should possess. it goes. in short, it should be a mr. lee. i wonder what theresa may when she looks at that, what she thinks. >> i don't know. well, it's. >> i don't know. well, it's. >> it is. it's an accurate depiction, but it is not very flattering . and it does have the flattering. and it does have the look of as she looks almost when you look at it quickly like one of the sort of a regency

soldier. >> well, she says she's absolutely thrilled with it. you want to wear what ben habib said about break, but about her in the break, but i won't tell you what she said. >> as the will shatter the illusions of him being a housewife's favourite he housewife's favourite because he was complimentary was not complimentary about it. >> i do to try and >> anyway, i do want to try and squeeze something else in before i go, if i may, because under government ministers government proposals ministers could create new could perhaps now create new criminal fines criminal penalties and fines for non—compliance with net zero targets. this is all basically be part of a big bill. some people say it might not come to pass, but the fact that it's even being considered and proposed in the first place concerns me. ben habib it's about to passed law . about to be passed into law. >> it's done all its readings and everything else. the and everything else. it's at the final in parliament. it's final stages in parliament. it's going law this going to go into law and this absolutely proves why net zero is being delivered in the worst possible way. if the move towards net zero was something that was beneficial for us generally as a nation , then we generally as a nation, then we would willingly adopt it. we would willingly adopt it. we would all do whatever was necessary because it would be

better for us. it would be cheaper for us. the economy would do well within it. but because it doesn't work for the nation, because it does burden us with costs, because most of us with costs, because most of us have been dragged into it kicking and screaming, even though the emissions from this country less than 1% of global emissions, we're being dragged into it kicking and screaming. and in to order absolutely drive the nail into the electorate, what the government's going to do is put us in jail for up to 12 months. if we don't comply with the regulations, it utterly proves net zero is a failed policy. >> maximum fine as well of up to 15 £15,000. >> yeah. custodial sentence. can you imagine? >> it is an absolute scandal that the government can give itself new powers for a new criminal offence without proper scrutiny in the house of commons and in the house of lords. now you say it's had its third reading. the energy bill, but this has still got to be debated in the lords before it goes back i >> -- >> it's been to the lords, been

to the lords. >> well, it'll go back on a ping pong. >> yeah. so it's following, it's following the following course. so it is not enshrined in law yet. >> it's pretty close to it. >> it's pretty close to it. >> well it's en route. it's en route maybe, but maybe when people talk about and say people talk about it and say that undemocratic, think that it's undemocratic, think it's wrong, that actually there that it's undemocratic, think it's ibe ng, that actually there that it's undemocratic, think it's ibe some at actually there that it's undemocratic, think it's ibe some amendmentszre that it's undemocratic, think it's ibe some amendments before will be some amendments before it we're only two it gets i mean, we're only two months away from king's months away from the king's speech what speech, so we'll see what happens. >> i mean, there are all sorts of penalties and enforcements about energy efficiency regulation already . the idea regulation already. the idea that you're going to make this a criminal offence is utterly ridiculous because what should have been happening for years and years and years is all new. build properties should have been much more energy compliant, much more environmentally sensible, with solar panels, electric heat pumps, that sort of thing . and that hasn't of thing. and that hasn't happened. we're still building houses on flood plains. we're still building houses that are ruining the water table. we're still building houses that have got none of these mitigations

in. and we've got the worst insulated , hard to heat insulated, hard to heat property. >> but the reality this is the reality is that net zero is economically emasculating . you economically emasculating. you can't deliver the kind of product that the government wants in an economic sensible way, particularly with an economy that is going down the tubes in ever decreasing circles because we're not growing as an economy. this is a massive burden on the british economy at a time that it can least afford. and we talk about the cost of living crisis. it is exacerbated by net zero. we're being taxed all over the place for net zero, and now we'll go to jail if we don't comply. >> well, no, we that's not wrong to say that. >> we're not going jail >> and we're not going to jail because it not become law yet. >> if passed, you could potentially go. yes i know. but there you go. >> i'll summarise. it might not be tony says you would need be like tony says you would need a lot of prisons. a heck of a lot of prisons. >> as tim completely agrees with that. you can go to that. i think you can go to prison. i think you've got all your priorities wrong in this country you country for the things that you

can prison about. and i can go to prison about. and i actually think it's pretty offensive started offensive really, that i started my program talking about the fact actually you've got fact that actually you've got these council leaders that literally cannot take control of their all of us their own finances. all of us taxpayers will have to pick up the bill. that's all right. no prison out prison sentence is dished out there. heaven forbid anyone there. but heaven forbid anyone actually in own spare time actually in their own spare time doesn't conform to this ridiculous agenda of insisting upon net zero when it suits people, lecturing us about net zero while simultaneous jetting off in their own private jet and all the rest of it to have conferences about net zero makes me laugh. you probably priorities are all wrong in this country anyway. joe ben, that's all i've got time for. do not go anywhere. itching to say anywhere. she's itching to say something she'll have to something else. she'll have to zip it because nigel farage zip it because it's nigel farage next can tell me in the next she can tell me in the break. nana the temperature's rising. >> boxt solar proud sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> hello again. as we go through the next 24 hours, some of us will have a bit of low cloud and fog overnight, but then it's the

return of the hot sunshine tomorrow, albeit with the chance of a few showers. looking at the big picture and you can high big picture and you can see high pressure dominating weather pressure dominating the weather across we are to across the uk. but we are to going have something of an easterly wind pushing its way in. we're in. and on that easterly, we're going some low cloud, going to drag in some low cloud, some sea fog in from the north sea affecting eastern parts of england also eastern england and also eastern scotland, likely scotland, where we're likely to see of drizzly rain see a little bit of drizzly rain overnight . elsewhere, further see a little bit of drizzly rain overniand. elsewhere, further see a little bit of drizzly rain overniand west,vhere, further see a little bit of drizzly rain overniand west, clear further see a little bit of drizzly rain overniand west, clear skieser see a little bit of drizzly rain overniand west, clear skies ,' see a little bit of drizzly rain overniand west, clear skies , a south and west, clear skies, a few pockets of mist and fog, though, temperatures not though, and temperatures not dropping some dropping a huge amount. some places above 20 celsius. places staying above 20 celsius. tonight tropical for tonight a tropical night for some, difficult night for some, but a difficult night for sleeping. a cloudy start. then down the eastern side of the uk on wednesday. but that low cloud, that murk is going to quite quickly burn back towards the for most of us, i say the coast. for most of us, i say for most because across eastern parts of scotland we're likely to to some of that low to hold to on some of that low cloud. otherwise, lots of sunshine around, but perhaps a bit cloudier for some, particularly of particularly across parts of northern those northern ireland. look at those temperatures, little temperatures, though, a little bit higher than today, likely to see or 33 see highs around 32 or 33 celsius into thursday. and

there's the chance of some heavy thundery making their thundery showers making their way up the western way northwards up the western side of uk , more central and side of the uk, more central and eastern parts of the country are likely to stay dry and sunnier and temperatures are going to be similar to tomorrow. really, again, likely to see highs of 32 or 33 before something perhaps cooler by the weekend . cooler by the weekend. >> the temperatures rising on boxt solar proud sponsors of weather on

gb news. good evening. >> the energy bill is being voted on in parliament as we speak. voted on in parliament as we speak . there are potential speak. there are potential provisions that could put you in prison. yes, you a private householder. if you don't meet up to net zero requirements, how on earth have we got to this

point? we also have an exclusive interview with a blade runner, somebody who was going around vandalising a huge number of ulez cameras. we'll find out his motivations and ask the moral question. is what they're doing right or wrong ? and it's not right or wrong? and it's not just coming home. it's come home. we've just won the world cup at football . you don't know cup at football. you don't know what it's about. you'll find out later on in this show. but before all of that, let's get the news with our karen armstrong . armstrong. >> very good evening to you. i'm karen armstrong in the newsroom. i'm the mayor of the west midlands . says the financial midlands. says the financial issues affecting birmingham city council deeply concerning. council are deeply concerning. and the people there deserve so much better. europe's largest local authorities declared its effectively bankrupt due to a £760 million bill for equal pay claims. the conservative mayor, andy street, says it raises concerns about the way the labour led council has been run.

all new spending,