i would expect claire ward as the east midlands mayor to absolutely put the east midlands first.ngle person who didn't vote for her in the east midlands. if we are able to form a labour government, that is actually a massive advantage for the east midlands because it means we will have a government under mayor able to work together, but do i expect her to fight for the east midlands, absolutely. that is what she would do and i intend to fight with her. the whole point of having an east midlands mayor is to fix the fact that the east midlands has been consistently bottom of the charter public spending per head of population for years now, can you commit now to that changing under a labour government?— labour government? there will be a fundamental — labour government? there will be a fundamental change _ labour government? there will be a fundamental change under - labour government? there will be a fundamental change under a - labour government? there will be a fundamental change under a labour| fundamental change under a labour government because i believe in devolution, more po

. the first mayor of the east midlands-_ the first mayor of the east midlands. ., ., midlands.e was asked about the london mayoral _ midlands. he was asked about the london mayoral contest. - midlands. he was asked about the london mayoral contest. sadik- midlands. he was asked about the l london mayoral contest. sadik khan was absolutely the right candidate. he has got two terms of delivery behind him and i'm confident he's got another time of delivery in front of him but, that, if you look across the country, i am standing here in mansfield, in the east midlands where we find a significant victory in the team here but that is the pattern across the country. we have been winning in blackpool, north yorkshire, true blue tory territory and tear on the west midlands with a very many constituencies that match acutely in the general election so all that this is done with a purpose. i want a labour government to serve our country and this is effectively the last stop on the journey to the general election and i am really pleased that we have been able to show we are making progress.

sir keir starmer celebrating east midlands. in some laces, we celebrating east midlands.ces. we did _ celebrating east midlands. in some places, we did not _ celebrating east midlands. in some places, we did not get _ celebrating east midlands. in some places, we did not get all - celebrating east midlands. in some places, we did not get all of - celebrating east midlands. in some places, we did not get all of the . places, we did not get all of the votes we wanted and of course we will fight to get those votes back but if you look at the overarching picture and the purpose, the purpose is to serve our country. this is the last stop before the general election and we have made very real progress. i election and we have made very real rouress. ., _ . ., ., progress. i do hereby declare that steve rotherham _ progress. i do hereby declare that steve rotherham is _ progress. i do hereby declare that steve rotherham is duly - progress. i do hereby declare that | steve rotherham is duly elected... celebrations in liverpool... south yorkshire... celebrations in liverpool... sou

sir keir starmer there in the east midlands celebrating their new mayor claire ward.irmingham — and my colleague rajini vaidyanathan is at the count. we're waiting for the results that are just counting for the mayor of the west midlands. it's been a good day for sir keir starmer in the east midlands, but this seat here is one that the conservatives are really hoping they can hold onto for another term. the incumbent mayor has already served two terms here and he is well known here and is hoping he can bank on his personal popularity and throughout the campaign he has effectively distanced himself from the conservative party if you look at his campaign literature and that kind of thing. this isjust one of his campaign literature and that kind of thing. this is just one of a number of races that continue to be counted throughout saturday. i'm joined by my colleague nick eardley, in the london newsroom. nick, you have been monitoring the other races that are still under way when it comes to counting. tell us more about what we can expect. irate comes to counting. tell u

— east midlands mayo accounting. s valley, but this one in the east midlands will also give a really interesting indication of where the parties are at nationally. lots of attention on this one, it is a straight two horse race between labour and the conservatives. at the moment, it's labour sounding much more confident than the tories, the conservatives i've spoken to this morning pointing to a much more difficult national picture, they believe they have a strong candidate in the mp for mansfield, ben bradley, but he is feeling a little despondent at the moment. labour much more confident with claire ward, a former labour mp during the layer and brown years, covering derbyshire and nottinghamshire. not necessarily the whole of the region, leicestershire not included in that, but a huge area, 2.2 million people. a large geographic one stretching from the peak district to south nottinghamshire. lots of attention on this one nationally, we will get the counting under way in about half an hour's time, the result due betwe

east midlands result if that goes the - of credit for the east midlands result if that goes the way ben won _ a conservative. in terms of the read across, first, ben won every - a conservative. in terms of the read | across, first, ben won every borough across _ across, first, ben won every borough across the _ across, first, ben won every borough across the region. _ across, first, ben won every borough across the region. that _ across, first, ben won every borough across the region. that was - across, first, ben won every borough across the region. that was an - across, first, ben won every borough across the region. that was an area i across the region. that was an area that was— across the region. that was an area that was labour— across the region. that was an area that was labour for— across the region. that was an area that was labour for decades. - across the region. that was an area that was labour for decades. i - across the region. that was an areal that was labour for decades. i would argue _ that was labour for decades. i would argue they— that was labour for decades. i

the east midlands and york and nonh the east midlands and york and north yorkshire, their new mayoraltiesso that's going to be really interesting . and the be really interesting. and the nonh be really interesting. and the north east will also be getting that in narrow time currently laboun that in narrow time currently labour, but they had a sort of battle over who was going to be the candidate. so the existing labour mayor was barred from standing and he's standing as an independent against a kim mcguinness, the official labour candidate. keep up. if he can. >> well that's all very exciting. it was all very exciting. it was all very exciting. it was all very exciting. i promise you, because the local council results, they're coming in thick and fast . everything is going on on this show between 12 and 3. so many results are going to come in and they're going to shape potentially the results of the general election . general election. >> so joining us for the next few hours of our special local election coverage is none other than the legendary journalist gb news news's alastair stewart

north east england may well brighten up a much brighter day tomorrow for the midlands , east anglia andagain the west coast of scotland doing okay for sunshine. not quite as warm as today, but 1718 likely here. cool on some of these nonh here. cool on some of these north sea coasts , particularly north sea coasts, particularly in the far north—east, where it stays fairly murky . that's going stays fairly murky. that's going to be an issue, i think, on sunday as well. mist and low cloud around the coast in the north—east could be some heavy showers developing through the day over central and eastern scotland, but again, many areas fine on sunday, some spells of sunshine increasing chance of seeing cloud and showers coming up from the south. but with a bit of sunshine. temperatures getting into the high teens once more, that'll feel pretty pleasant. so a brighter day on sunday. certainly across northern england. we'll keep that mixture of some places staying fine and sunny on monday, but it will still be some showers around. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. sponsors of weath

we've the east midlands, where we've won a significant victory in the mayoral team here. country. we've been winning in blackpool in a by—election with a 26% swing. we've won in york and nonh swing. we've won in york and north yorkshire, true blue tory territory and here in the east midlands, where there are very many constituencies that matter hugely in that general election. so you know, all of this is done with a purpose. i want a labour government to serve our country. this is effectively the last stop on the journey to the general election. and i'm really pleased that we've been able to show we're making progress. we've earned the trust and confidence of voters and we are making progress towards that general election. so a very, very good set of results for us. >> okay. well all heating up in london. thanks for that, olivia . london. thanks for that, olivia. but jack, we've had an email from jan who says, come on ben, i know you think the world ends at the m25, but here in greater manchester we are under just as manchester we are underjust as much threat. we have the

should be proud of what it's done in winning in every part of the country north east, north west, east midlands, west midlands, in peaks across the country, west midlands . country, west midlands. >> do you think labour is going to win, i doubt it, because they're not winning. they're no. >> look labour won in redditch. won in big time in redditch. it looks as though it looks it looks as though it looks it looks as though all of the incumbent mayors are going to

he says that he is told sir keir starmer was in the east midlands watching the football in a pub, and's move on to the israel gaza war, as efforts to secure a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in gaza are intensifying. the head of the us�*s cia, william burns, is in cairo to help try to mediate a ceasefire deal between israel and hamas. hamas negotiators have also arrived in egypt for talks. and this is where things stand. foreign mediators have been waiting for a response from the group to an israeli proposal to halt the fighting for 40 days, and to exchange hostages for palestinian prisoners. unconfirmed reports in us media say israel has given hamas one week to agree to the current proposal or it will begin its offensive in rafah — an offensive that benjamin netanyahu has been threatening despite criticism from allies. there has been widespread international concern over the fate of more than one million palestinians sheltering there. a hamas official has said the group is meeting egyptian and qatari mediators and listening to their proposals in full seriousness. but

sir keir starmer has been in the east midlands today, where labour secured a mayoral victory.d this to say in the last few hours . in the last few hours. >> i think the message here is very, very clear and i think across the east midlands there's been a sending of that message to the government, which is we're fed up with your division , we're fed up with your division, with your chaos, with your failure. 14 years and i'm sorry, i don't care which political party you support if you leave your country in a worse state than when you found it 14 years later, you do not deserve to be in government for a moment longer . longer. >> well, joining me now to discuss this is gb news very own senior political commentator, nigel nelson . nigel, thank you nigel nelson. nigel, thank you for your time. as ever. this is quite seismic in and of itself, the east midlands, because ben bradley, who has ended up with more political positions than goodness, only knows what he was actually seeking that that job in order to actually strengthen the conservative outlet there and was bitterly disappoint

mayors be chosen for the first time in the east midlands, the north—east and york and north yorkshireice and crime commissioners which will also be chosen across england and wales, and we've already mentioned it, there is a westminster by—election in blackpool south. we will be there live in a moment. but first with what we can expect, here is our political editor chris mason. millions of decisions have been taken and thousands of aspiring decision—makers, politicians, white their fates. decision—makers, politicians, white theirfates. this is a patchwork set of elections running in and wales with a long tail of results. that goes on until saturday night. let's talk councils in england. these purple splodges is for councillors are being elected to 107 councils, many in the north west of england, also in the midlands and in towns around london. this is the scene in harlow and essex, a classic spot for a tussle between the conservatives and labour. plenty of counting for them to do. results expected in the middle of the night. there have also been elections for police and crime commissio

tim parker, bbc east midlands today, market bosworth.t raising the tax thresholds for all groups, one of the criticisms of the prime minister todayis the criticisms of the prime minister today is that by offering pensioners and another boost, he's giving up on younger voters after that policy earlier in the week, national service. is that something that's a fair criticism and has he responded to that? he fair criticism and has he responded to that? . , . fair criticism and has he responded to that? ., , ., ., ,~ fair criticism and has he responded to that? ., , ., ., ., to that? he has, and i asked about that today- — to that? he has, and i asked about that today. rishi _ to that? he has, and i asked about that today. rishi sunak _ to that? he has, and i asked about that today. rishi sunak has - to that? he has, and i asked about that today. rishi sunak has two - that today. rishi sunak has two young daughters himself, i asked him, would that be a service he would push them into? and he told me that yes, they are excited about it and oth

speaking at a rally to celebrate the election of claire ward as east midlands mayor he cited the winies in the blackpool south by—election and the york and north yorkshire mayoralty, as evidence the party is on the "last stop on the journey" to power in westminster. we have won significantly in all places across the country, whether that's by—elections, whether that's mayoralties, whether that's councils, and of course the police and crime commissioners. now, in some places we didn't get all the votes that we wanted, and of course we will fight to get those votes back, but if you look at the overarching picture and the purpose, the purpose is to serve our country, it's the last stop before the general election, and we have made significant and very real progress everywhere that we needed to do so, so i'm very pleased with that. my colleague rajini vaidyanathan and bbc political editor, rob mayor are now in birmingham at the count. we are expecting the result of the mayoral contest here in the west midlands. sometime this afternoon. we don't know when exactly but what we do know is th

but there is a greater risk across the east midlands, east anglia, and southeast england by the middleou catch one of them, well, they could bring a lot of heavy rain. now, further west, we will see the best of the sunshine. fewer showers here, 19—20 celsius not out of the question. a pleasant afternoon for northern ireland on the whole, fewer showers generally through scotland. and, if you get more in the way of sunshine, fewer showers here, 19—20 — again, it's quite possible in sheltered western areas. now as we go through thursday evening and overnight, those showers will ease away. but that northerly wind always just feeding in a little more cloud off the north sea. a relatively mild start to our friday morning. and with clearer skies out to the north and west, there will be some early morning sunshine around. but, because of the wind direction, we always run the risk across eastern england, down towards the southeast of seeing a few scattered nuisance showers. and if you don't get the showers, you could have quite a grey day. further north and west, there'll be a lot of sunshine,

the east midlands loads the red wall seats there. to be the favourites there, but until we hear the result, which you will in mine and emily's air time, you know, we don't know. >> got loads of great guests on actually during our show we've got, we're going to be hearing from rishi sunak at the top of the show, we're going to have richard tice on to explain what reform are up to, what are they expecting at the general election? have they actually done very well? they're saying they have. we've also got wes streeting on. oh, i think we're going to have to ask him. ask him? >> yes, please. that awful, awful week it had occurred to emily to ask about that. >> it's very on wes streeting. i can't wait to ask him. >> actually, he's done other ones that were bad, though. remember, gloria, before i should go outraged. >> you go disappointed? yes. >> you go disappointed? yes. >> i was going to say. where's tom? he's probably asleep. he should be asleep. >> he should be asleep. >> he should be asleep. >> just a quick one for you, gloria. as a a

jeremy ball, bbc east midlands today, loughborough.ome international students in wales are sleeping rough on campuses because of difficulties in finding accommodation and jobs, the bbc has been told. students are struggling to find affordable accommodation near universities — meaning some travel in from miles away and sleep rough in university buildings — including libraries and study rooms — on the days they are studying. sanjana idnani has more. university can be your home away from home. but there are concerns that some international students have been sleeping rough at university buildings due to difficulty securing somewhere to live. at bangor university, the students union say some students have been found staying in the university's 24—hour study space in the pontio building. this is very concerning. like, even if students are sleeping in pontio, using washrooms, for example, early in the mornings, trying to get ready for the classes. and again, if students are coming from liverpool and manchester, they are travelling as well, t

sir keir starmer celebrating in the east midlands...me places, we did not get all the votes we wanted and of course we will fight to get those votes back but if you look at the overarching picture and the purpose, the purpose is to serve our country, this is the last stop before the general election and we have made significant and very real progress. i do hereby declare that steve rotherham is duly elected... celebrations in liverpool... south yorkshire... manchester... and west yorkshire. and london. susan mary hall, the conservative party candidate, 812,397. where intense rumours of a conservative upset turned out to be, well, wrong. sadiq khan, labour party, 1,088,225. frankly, we have run an incredibly underwhelming campaign over the last year. we have not articulated any sense of mission, itjust has all been what we are seeing at the moment very much an anti—khan campaign. as the final count trickled in, the liberal democrats made strides into traditional tory territory. in terms of strategy... this morning, conservatives were cal

tonight, we're in leicester in the east midlands with tom parker, but first, from selby in yorkshire,nty where traditionally on election night, the conservative vote was way rather than county, such was the tory dominance here. but it appears some cracks have started to show in that control, the first when the party nearly lost control in the first ever elections to the new north yorkshire council, then nearly a year ago, where i'm standing now in the seat of selby and ainsty, labour overturned the massive conservative majority, thenjust overturned the massive conservative majority, then just a few weeks ago, labour won the first ever north yorkshire mayoral election. never discount the conservatives, there are still really strong here, but other parties fancy their chances too. up the road in harrogate over the liberal democrats are eyeing a seat, the greens are doing well after a breakthrough on the north yorkshire council elections, and reform are busy at grassroots level and fancy their chances as well. it will be in the early hours ofjuly the 5th when the prime minister arrives a

but there is a greater risk across the east midlands, east anglia, and southeast england by the middlell see the best of the sunshine. fewer showers here, 19—20 celsius not out of the question. a pleasant afternoon for northern ireland on the whole, fewer showers generally through scotland. and, if you get more in the way of sunshine, fewer showers here, 19—20 — again, it's quite possible in sheltered western areas. now as we go through thursday evening and overnight, those showers will ease away. but that northerly wind always just feeding in a little more cloud off the north sea. a relatively mild start to our friday morning. and with clearer skies out to the north and west, there will be some early morning sunshine around. but, because of the wind direction, we always run the risk across eastern england, down towards the southeast of seeing a few scattered nuisance showers. and if you don't get the showers, you could have quite a grey day. further north and west, there'll be a lot of sunshine, maybe some cloud continuing to linger in the northwest of the great glen. but where we get

the east midlands, what is labour ”romisin ? ~ the east midlands, what is labour promising?omising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the success _ promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the success of - promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the success of that i promising? well, look, we think and acknowledge the success of that in l acknowledge the success of that in the 2019— acknowledge the success of that in the 2019 election, i think what you're — the 2019 election, i think what you're any— the 2019 election, i think what you're any results, though, after 14 years— you're any results, though, after 14 years of— you're any results, though, after 14 years of conservative government, with huge — years of conservative government, with huge amounts of money taken out of local— with huge amounts of money taken out of local public services and local authorities, yes, top ups of 20 million — authorities, yes, top ups of 20 million here and there, based on factors— million here and there, based on factors that were not so objective in terms — factors that

temperatures up to 20 celsius cooler on the east coast, with a brisk breeze here and obviously much cooler than yesterday, where we've got the cloud and rain over the midlands and east anglia. the far south seeing a much brighter day compared to yesterday . staying compared to yesterday. staying generally fine here through this evening as the rain starts to edge further northwards, staying pretty soggy over parts of northwest england. north wales we'll see more showers developing through the night across parts of scotland, temperatures mostly dipping down to about 5 or 6 degrees across the south, staying up at 9 or 10 celsius in this cloudier zone over northern england, southern scotland. that's making for a grey start to the long weekend. but more rain to come here. although it is tending to fizzle out again, highlands western parts of scotland generally looking dry and bright. there will be some sunny spells on saturday across the south, but we are expecting a few scattered showers to develop through the afternoon, but with a bit more brightness. should feel a touch warmer. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on . gb news. on

well, hello there in the east midlands. thank you very much.ave finally got round to demolishing that ice cream . cream. >> indeed. good afternoon again darren. it's i would say it probably took me the best part of 20 minutes there, but 19.5 of those minutes were certainly trying to clean my hands. after the fact. because of today. we're up here talking about the age old question of ice cream. ice cream ? you scream, we scream ice cream? you scream, we scream it. the astronomical price of ice cream these days. and of course, you know, to give you some thing of a sense of the regional, you know, breakdown of how much it costs for ye olde soft serve with your little flake. and at the top, you know , flake. and at the top, you know, one of the cheapest regions actually ends up being east anglia for £2, which isn't isn't too shabby here in scotland you're looking at about 330 for your mr whippy and, you know, all the way down, in the, the midlands. well, it's looking at about £2 down at the cheaper end of the scale east anglia. sorry. 450 and indee

but there is a greater risk across the east midlands, east anglia, and southeast england by the middleunshine. fewer showers here, 19—20 celsius not out of the question. a pleasant afternoon for northern ireland on the whole, fewer showers generally through scotland. and, if you get more in the way of sunshine, fewer showers here, 19—20 — again, it's quite possible in sheltered western areas. now as we go through thursday evening and overnight, those showers will ease away. but that northerly wind always just feeding in a little more cloud off the north sea. a relatively mild start to our friday morning. and with clearer skies out to the north and west, there will be some early morning sunshine around. but, because of the wind direction, we always run the risk across eastern england, down towards the southeast of seeing a few scattered nuisance showers. and if you don't get the showers, you could have quite a grey day. further north and west, there'll be a lot of sunshine, maybe some cloud continuing to linger in the northwest of the great glen. but where we get the best of the sunshin

ranges of powers so city can in london is responsible for quite a lot but less so here in the east midlandsmain kind of areas there will be responsible for our public transport, housing provision, skills and training, so further education. ultimately they will be responsible for hundreds of pounds of central government funding and we are going to get more metro mayors, being elected to the very first time. i'm detecting a lot of scepticism talking to voters in this part of the world about the idea of having another elected politician and that may well be borne out in the low turnout we get it eventually but that once people understand what a mayor does and we have seen that in greater manchester and the midlands, and those politicians tend to be very well known and they tend to be very well known and they tend to do and perform quite well and in many respects this is different was happening in the west midlands and the tees valley where you have two conservative incumbents that have quite successfully managed to create a sense of them being apolitical, really, standing up for the region and

but there is a greater risk across the east midlands, east anglia, and southeast england by the middleot out of the question. a pleasant afternoon for northern ireland on the whole, fewer showers generally through scotland. and, if you get more in the way of sunshine, fewer showers here, 19—20 — again, it�*s quite possible in sheltered western areas. now as we go through thursday evening and overnight, those showers will ease away. but that northerly wind always just feeding in a little more cloud off the north sea. a relatively mild start to our friday morning. and with clearer skies out to the north and west, there will be some early morning sunshine around. but, because of the wind direction, we always run the risk across eastern england, down towards the south east of seeing a few scattered nuisance showers. and if you don�*t get the showers, you could have quite a grey day. further north and west, there�*ll be a lot of sunshine, maybe some cloud continuing to linger in the northwest of the great glen. but where we get the best of the sunshine, again, we could see temperatures into

midlands, north east and york and north yorkshire. ere's no doubt this poses existential questions for the party. but the now former mayor of the west midlands, andy street, amidst the backdrop of his electoral loss, rather interestingly warned against the party's drift to the right. but is mr street right.7 is the problem that the conservatives are too right wing.7 well, let's break this issue down. issue by issue. the numbers of channel crossings so far this year are at an all time high for this point in the year, which would suggest we could be on track for another record total this year . another record total this year. and this is all in spite of the prime minister repeatedly saying the first time since the small boats crisis emerged. >> numbers are down. i just want to say that again, numbers are down. they're down because of all the things we're doing. the new deal i signed with albania, we've returned almost 3000 illegal migrants to albania. and, you know what.7 they've stopped coming. i'm pleased that we've made progress last

faisal islam, bbc news, in the east midlands. trail and in barnsley, making a speech this evening. let's listen in. �* , ., speech this evening. let's listen in. absolutely, and america, the way it works - if — in. absolutely, and america, the way it works - if you _ in. absolutely, and america, the way it works - if you get _ in. absolutely, and america, the way it works - if you get the _ in. absolutely, and america, the way it works - if you get the call - in. absolutely, and america, the way it works - if you get the call from - it works — if you get the call from the secretary of state, newly appointed by the president, it is part of your civic duty and national obligation that you'll take a pay cut and go into government and help out. you'll do that for some years, then go back out into the private sector or charitable sector, or whatever. i think that's the right way of doing it. it should be part of our civic duty. if you get the call up — there are great people across all walks of life, we've made mistakes and learn from

affecting parts of the midlands, east anglia and northern england. 0therwise, east anglia and northern england. otherwise, a fair bit of cloud knocking around. we start to see something of a change in the weather pattern through tuesday and wednesday as an area of high pressure builds in, the strongest high but there will be weather systems coming around either side of that, and for tuesday it should be more in the way of dry weather, some spells of sunshine, just a few showers across western areas. a bit of high cloud in the sky will make the sunshine hazy at times. there is temperature starting to come up a little bit, 16 in belfast, england and wales, high teens to the low 20s in more areas. that trend to a warming weather continues through the rest of the week ahead. there will be a lot of dry weather, the exception is scotland where they could be some rain at times. but even here, it should start to feel warm as the week goes by.

the midlands, east anglia and south—east england.here the sunshine comes out, it should feel quite pleasant. heading into bank holiday monday, low pressure to the south of the uk with this weather front still bringing the threat of some rain across southern counties of england. the rain may turn more showery in nature through the afternoon but those showers could be heavy and thundery. further north, we are likely to see some thunderstorms break out across parts of scotland and northern england as well but that still leaves part of wales into the midlands and parts of northern england where we will have the best of the day's sunshine breaking through. temperatures not doing too badly. highs between 15 and 17 degrees but then as we look at the forecast deeper into next week, high pressure is going to start to dominate the weather picture. not the strongest high you have ever seen so there will still be some showers around. and for tuesday, those showers are most likely to form across western areas of the country. the best of the sunsh

pretty dull and damp across parts of eastern england through to the east midlands.th having a fine evening, just a bit of a breeze. picking up along the south coast and say maybe 1 or 2 showers here. we'll continue to see some outbreaks of rain and keep the generally pretty drab conditions across the east coast of england, and that will last through the night and into thursday morning, temperature wise. well, we may dip to single figures overnight, but most towns that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on . gb news. sponsors of weather on. gb news. >> ooh, lots of you getting in touch about the king's portrait. this morning. lots of views. what are they saying, eamonn? >> well, here's this linda is good.i >> well, here's this linda is good. i think she sums it up well for me. she says i love the portrait. it's a fresh, modern take. and for all those deriding it, they do say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. >> this one from paul farrow made me laugh. the picture of the king is the background of the king is the background of the painting su

not just here but across the east midlands and the country. reporter: the prime minister faces.attles ahead and not just with the weather. tim parker. christian: love a bit of bowling. i know there's lots of politicking going on where my dad does it. hannah made a really good point. the liberal democrats are talking about raising the thresholds for all groups. one of the criticisms of the prime minister today is that by offering pensioners another boost, he's giving up onioninger voters -- younger voters after that policy about national service. is that something that is a fair criticism and has he responded to that? tip: yes, he has. i did ask about that today, bearing in mind sunak has two young daughterses himself. i asked him, would that be a service he'd push them into and he told me, yes, they're excited about it and other young people he's spoken to are excited about this. can't say i've spoken to many young people myself yet who have said the same thing. but yes, he wanted to reflect today both the fact that young people, the younger vote is very much in the forefront of

if you live in the east midlands, north east or york and north yorkshire area you'll get to elect a mayoral chief constable and police force to account. in blackpool south, voters will be choosing a new mp. the by—election there was triggered by the resignation of the former conservative mp scott benton. he was suspended from parliament for 35 days after being involved in a lobbying scandal. when you vote you'll now have to show photo id. there are 22 acceptable forms of id, including: passports, driving licences, some, bus passes and a blue parking badge. voting closes at 10pm tomorrow and results will start to come in overnight into friday and continue throughout the weekend. thank you. the most powerful telescope in space has captured images of the horsehead nebula, one of the most distinctive objects in our skies. this was the image captured more than a decade ago by the hubble telescope. compare it to this, the latest pictures from nasa's james webb telescope which show red wisps of the horse's mane curling up into space as ultraviolent light evaporates from the dust cloud. into spac

as well, this afternoon across parts of norfolk, into lincolnshire, stretching up through the east midlandsst of england bringing outbreaks of rain here. but there will be a lot of dry weather around. one or two isolated showers. sunny spells developing, variable amounts of cloud and highs in the best of the sunshine of 20 or 21 degrees celsius. through this evening and overnight, outbreaks of rain will continue to spread their way further northwards. it's quite a wet night to follow with plenty of cloud, a milder night than we saw last night. temperatures for the most part will stay in double figures as we head into sunday morning. on sunday, well, it's quite a disappointingly wet start to the day. we've still got these weather fronts around, so we are likely to see further outbreaks of rain. we'll see some some thundery showers spark off where we get the brightest spells. for much of the northern half of the uk there will be a lot of cloud around through the morning, with some outbreaks of rain. if we do see those brighter skies, then watch out for some cloud building, heavy, thundery dow

faisal islam, bbc news, in the east midlands.farage, has used a speech in dover to criticise both conservatives and labour for not doing enough to stop migrants coming to britain. he said reform — previously known as the brexit party — was offering a "distinct" message and that he would be campaigning for his party untill polling day — even though he himself is not standing for election. 0ur political editor chris mason sent this report from dover. maybe you love him... sorry to keep you. ..maybe you really don't. but make no mistake, nigel farage is one of the most influential politicians of his generation. i've got a brolly, rishi, i've got a brolly! he's never been an mp, he's not even standing himself at this election. but he's going to have plenty to say. welcome to dover. welcome to the front line of the great national debate on immigration. and it's the front line of this campaign that mr farage is attempting to get onto, arguing he was first to warn a few years ago about people crossing the channel in small boats. so i sa

faisal islam, bbc news, in the east midlands.other day, another pledge, the conservatives will be promising to boost apprenticeships and labour will be promising to clear nhs waiting lists. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. lawyers for the prosecution and defence have wrapped up their closing arguments in the fraud trial of the former us president, donald trump. they did so at length, with the court sitting more than three hours longer than scheduled. prosecutors say he engaged in a fraud against the american people. mr trump's lawyers said the case was based on lies. with the end of the trial now in sight, donald trump repeated his claim that the whole things a political sham. make no mistake about it. pop i'm here because of crooked joe biden. while inside the court with his family watching on, his defence lawyers rested their case. their closing arguments were focused on mr trump's former lawyer and fixer, michael cohen. just before the 2016 election, he paid stormy daniels to silence her allegation that sh

if you live in the east midlands, north east or york and north yorkshire area, you'll get to elect a local chief constable and police force to account. in blackpool south, voters will be choosing a new mp. the by—election there was triggered by the resignation of the former conservative mp scott benton. he was suspended from parliament for 35 days after being involved in a lobbying scandal. when you vote, you'll now have to show photo id. there are 22 acceptable forms of id, including passports, driving licences, some bus passes and a blue parking badge. voting closes at 10pm tomorrow, and results will start to come in overnight into friday and continue throughout the weekend. and finally to a 98—year—old ukrainian woman who walked six miles in her slippers to escape russian shelling in her village. she's been telling her story to our ukraine correspondent james waterhouse. the moment lidia lomikovska was picked up after there's nothing left, she tells her much—needed ride. this is what lidia left behind. the closer russian forces got, the heavier the artillery fire became. she says

june kelly, bbc east midlands today.he european union will elect members of the european parliament. the pole will determine who leads the eu at a crucial time, amidst wars on its doorstep and a cost of living crisis. we've been reporting from different countries across europe looking at the issues at play in this election. after france and spain, we're turning to italy. our correspondent mark lowen went to latina, just south of rome, to look at what's concerning voters there. the big beasts of italian politics are lining up for their european battle. �* ,., ., are lining up for their european battle. �* ., ., battle. and here, south of rome, which rears _ battle. and here, south of rome, which rears 1800 _ battle. and here, south of rome, which rears 1800 buffaloes, - battle. and here, south of rome, which rears 1800 buffaloes, the l which rears 1800 buffaloes, the question is whether changes afloat. it's a very italian family business, turning out exceptional mozzarella and ricotta. the grandson of the founders as the

pretty dull and damp across parts of eastern england through to the east midlands, much of the south a fine evening, midlands, much of the south having a fine evening , just having a fine evening, just a bit of a breeze picking up along the south coast and say maybe 1 or 2 showers here. we'll continue to see some outbreaks of rain and keep the generally pretty drab conditions across the east coast of england. and that will last through the night and into thursday morning, temperature wise . well, we may temperature wise. well, we may dip to single figures overnight, but most towns and cities staying in double digits. onto the details for tomorrow. again a fairly grey start across much of northern england. rain at times here. more of it though, to the west of the pennines and we'll see a bit more of that rain just heading into parts of northern ireland south west scotland through the day. a few more showers in the south tomorrow. some heavy showers likely to develop by the afternoon . plenty of sunshine afternoon. plenty of sunshine away from those showers and again a good looking day

labour is buoyed up after winning over 1000 council seats and key mayoral contest in the east midlandsis what we can expect over the next few hours. results are expected in the six remaining regional mayoral races today and that includes greater manchester and the west midlands where the tories will be hoping andy street can cling on. all eyes will be on the capital

north east england may well brighten up a much brighter day tomorrow for the midlands, east anglia andand and wales. fine tomorrow with some sunny spells and again the west coast of scotland doing okay for sunshine. not quite as warm as today, but 1718 likely here. cool on some of these north sea coasts, particularly in the far north—east where it stays fairly murky. that's going to be an issue, i think, on sunday as well. mist and low cloud around the coast in the north—east could be some heavy showers developing through the day over central and eastern scotland, but again, many areas fine on sunday. some spells of sunshine, increasing chance of seeing cloud and showers coming up from the south but with a bit of sunshine , temperatures getting sunshine, temperatures getting into the high teens once more, that'll feel pretty pleasant. so a brighter day on sunday, certainly across northern england . we'll keep that mixture england. we'll keep that mixture of some places staying fine and sunny on monday , but that will sunny on monday, but that will still be some showers around. >> looks