hugh pym, thank ou ve getting even higher.panel found he had carried out "serious sexual misconduct" while in office. the panel upheld two allegations against him made by a former member of his staff. he denies the allegations. the police have said human remains found in the loft of a house in milton keynes have been identified as the missing teenager louis croucher. a postmortem examination carried out last week has been inconclusive as to the cause of her death —— leah croucher. investigations are continuing. plaid cymru begin their party conference in llandudno today. the leader, adam price, will outline what he's calling his "people's plan" — to cut energy prices, freeze private rents, and make public transport cheaper — though the party hasn't yet outlined to the bbc how it would fund the proposals. plaid are in a cooperation agreement with welsh labour in the senedd and came third in last year's welsh parliament election. the united states says iran has sent military experts to russian—occupied crimea, to help launch dro

hugh pym, bbc news.e. a european night but an all british blockbuster. liverpool against rangers for, remarkably, the first time ever in a competitive match, and for the hosts, what a start... commentator: alexander-arnold takes! trent alexander—arnold putting liverpool ahead with one of the finest free kicks you'll ever see. talk about pinpoint precision. they would have extended their lead were it not for the evergreen allan mcgregor, now 40, but almost single—handedly he kept rangers in it. until after the break, this happened. luis diaz brought down and from the penalty spot mo salah showed his customary composure. liverpool were in control but with time running out, rangers finally stirred. matondo's effort brilliantly cleared off the line by tsimikas as the visitors so nearly found a late goal but it was ultimately liverpool's night after a comfortable 2—0 victory. tottenham, meanwhile, were in germany to face eintracht frankfurt, and their first half proved a frustrating one. plenty of chances but

hugh pym, bbc news.erritory in the south of the country, near the key city of kherson, in one of the regions illegally annexed by russia. president zelensky says fierce fighting continues in a number of areas in the south and east. at the weekend, ukraine retook the strategic eastern town of lyman, which the russians had been using as a logistics base. but both sides paid a price for the battles there. 0ur senior international correspondent 0rla guerin reports — and a warning that you may find some of her report distressing. driving into lyman — now liberated soil. ukraine is clawing back territory. it has the momentum. but among the ruins, victory can look bleak. further in, the wreckage of war. and among the pines, there is death. along the roadside, evidence of the human cost of russia's defeat. the bodies of fallen soldiers, still lying where they fell. ukrainian volunteers keep watch over the dead, trying to help identify the remains. unknown soldiers in vladimir putin's war. once, they were someone

hugh pym, bbc news, coventry.efugees have come to the uk under the homes for ukraine scheme which was launched in march. the refugees can come here if they're sponsored by a household who get £350 a month from the government for up to six months. nearly 30,000 ukrainians have been here for that time — according to analysis by bbc news. and now they and their host families are having to make difficult decisions about the future. the government says they have a number of options — like renting privately orfinding a new sponsor. it says councils have a duty to ensure families are not left without a roof over their heads. our special correspondent lucy manning reports. that's her. that's her, isn't it? yeah. march. sta nsted. safety. hello. claire and her family sponsored elena and her daughter, diana, from irpin. they couldn't let go of each other. but after six months in essex, it is time to go. but to where? what are you going to do? i've got no idea. i won't be kicking them out tomorrow because that would just be

hugh pym, bbc news.rce fighting near the southern city of kherson — after ukrainian forces made a key breakthrough, to retake the area which has been occupied by russia since early in the war. these are the latest pictures coming into us — where russian flags have been taken down and been replaced with ukrainian ones. the russian military has admitted its lost ground in the area. meanwhile, evidence has emerged of the speed with which russian troops were forced to flee from the eastern ukrainian town of lymaan. our correspondent orla guerin who's just arrived in the town, sent this report, and a warning it contains images some viewers may find upsetting. driving into lyman — now liberated soil. ukraine is clawing back territory. it has the momentum. but among the ruins, victory can look bleak. further in, the wreckage of war. and among the pines, there is death. along the roadside, evidence of the human cost of russia's defeat. the bodies of fallen soldiers, still lying where they fell. ukrainian volunte

from just over 1 million the previous week — an increase of more than a third. 0ur health editor hugh pymn scotland, wales and northern ireland, but these figures only go up until the 24th of september so they are a little bit backward looking, if you like, and it's almost certain that it's it's almost certain that its continued to increase since then and we have more timely actually for admissions in england showing a 33% increase in patients with covid up until the beginning of this week, early october. now, some of those patients will be there for other reasons and then tested positive. some will have come in with covid a5 some will have come in with covid as their primary condition, but it does increase pressure on hospitals well before the real winter season has kicked in and we've had warnings from health leaders about the impact possibly of a covid wave and a flue wave which hasn't started yet, it's not definitely going to happen but it's been widely predicted, which will really add to the normal winter pressures and certainly those hospital admission figures, 1300 a day roughly no

hugh pym, thank you.by a joint committee of mps and peers. it says britain's national security is being jeopardised. here's our environment correspondent, jonah fisher. this is the aftermath of storm arwen in november last year. mps and peers say it's an example of how the breakdown of one critical service can quickly affect another. in this case, the high winds and snow brought power cuts, which then meant digital phone lines stopped working, leaving some with no way to call the emergency services. 0ur warming climate will mean more heatwaves and droughts. and there will also be more intense storms and rain. the committee warns that it's likely to mean more damaged train tracks, flooded infrastructure sites, landslides and power cuts. their call is notjust for greater resilience, but forjoined—up thinking in government. what we found is that there are people who are trying to keep the phones working, say, and there are people who are trying to make sure that we have access to water. but they're not neces

hugh pym, bbc news. the health element in the inbox there.t employing people from overseas. our home editor mark easton has been investigating. the resort of scarborough has enjoyed a bumper summer, with millions of visitors opting for a staycation in north yorkshire, but many tourist businesses here are opening late and shutting early. why? they simply can't get enough workers. and i want mushy peas, please. this seafront chippy�*s been operating on reduced hours all season, with half of its restaurant closed off to customers. cod, chips and garden peas. perfect, thank you. when i started three years ago, for instance, we were on eight members of staff. the best i've had this year so far is three. three?! three. and that's really hitting your bottom line? yeah, definitely. i mean, obviously, the sad thing is, if there is people to be served, we don't have people to serve them. scarborough voted decisively for brexit and an end to free movement from the eu. but the new pm will know that since the referendum campaign, british attitudes to immi

our health editor, hugh pym, has the details. hugh. yes, reeta. more strain will covid and flu cases add to already overstretched hospitals. the latest survey from the office for national statistics suggests that million people in the uk had coronavirus in the week ending on october 10th. that was up nearly 15% on the week, but still below previous peaks in the spring and summer. but the figures for covid hospital admissions paint a less gloomy picture — these are from england, which has the most timely data. still above 1,000 a day but tailing off a little bit — officials think that's partly because of the latest booster jab roll—out. but there are new warnings about flu — this shows weekly hospital flu admissions in england relative to the population. this is the year before the pandemic. last year with limited social contact figures were very, very low. this time they've picked up a bit sooner than usual, expecially among the under—fives. flu is always a common cause of hospital admission in young children. i think what we're seeing is that the

our health editor, hugh pym, is here with the latest. infections based on regular household surveys. let's take a look at the chart for the uk, and you can see here that the total is still well below previous peaks in the spring and summer, at 1.3 million people infected in late september, but there's certainly an upward trend. it's partly down to more mixing, with schools and colleges going back, so is this the start of a winter wave? we are keeping an absolute laser focus on this at the moment. we are seeing that increase in england, and i think if we start to see increases in scotland and wales, to go with those that we've seen this week in england and northern ireland, then we will have a winter wave coming. so what about daily covid hospital admissions? well, this is the chart for england which has the most up—to—date data, and numbers are rising to over 1000 a day. but some of those are people with other conditions who also test positive for the virus. we are seeing an increase in admissions, and we're very worried about that, beca

hugh pym reports. at the chart for the uk and you can see here at the total is still well below previous weeks in the spring and summer at below previous weeks in the spring and summerat1.3 million below previous weeks in the spring and summer at 1.3 million people infected, but there is certainly an upward trend. the ons said it is too early to say whether it is a winter wave but officials are watching the data closely to see if scotland and wales record increases in line with england and northern ireland. what about daily covid hospital admissions? this is the chart for england which has the most up—to—date data and numbers are rising but some people with other conditions who tested positive for the virus. with an increase in cases among the over 70s, who are most at risk from serious illness, officials are urging all of those eligible to get their covid boosterjab when called and their flu jab. at 7.30 it's dateline london, but first a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's lizzie. good mo

let's| also talk to our health editor, hugh pym, who was at st mary's hospital in west london.ew prime minister? ., �* , �* , ., minister? that's right, ben. it is a riori in minister? that's right, ben. it is a priority in all— minister? that's right, ben. it is a priority in all the _ minister? that's right, ben. it is a priority in all the uk _ minister? that's right, ben. it is a priority in all the uk nations, i minister? that's right, ben. it is a priority in all the uk nations, in i priority in all the uk nations, in the nhs right across the country, with extreme pressure, but we are talking today of course about england because health is devolved, and the nhs in england is going to be a major challenge for the new prime minister. right now, with ambulances queueing outside many hospitals because they can't hand over patients, because of delays in a&e, and the reason there are delays is because it is difficult to find beds for patients to be moved into who need to be admitted, and that is because there are some patients in hospital wards who are fit to go but can't becau

our health editor, hugh pym is here with the latest.ld surveys. let's take a look at the chart for the uk — and you can see a here that the total — 1.3 million — is still well below previous peaks in the spring and summer — but there's certainly an upward trend. the ons says it's still too early to call this a winter wave — but officials are watching the data closely to see if scotland and wales record increases in line with england and northern ireland. so, what about daily covid hospital admissions? well, this is the chart for england which has the most up—to—date data — and numbers are rising — but some are people with other conditions who also test positive for the virus. with an increase in cases among the over—70s — who are most are risk from serious illness — officials are urging all those eligible to get their covid booster when called — and their flu jabs. reeta. hugh, many thanks. a belarusian activist and two human rights organisations have been awarded this year's nobel peace prize. the winners were ales bialiatski, the bann

our health editor, hugh pym, reports. ——joining me —— joining me now is christina pagel.u have to assessment of these numbers? 7m, have to remember that this is not relating to infections two weeks ago, so we're definitely in the middle of this new wave. we've also seen hospital admissions go up 33% in the last week, so there's more infection around it it's probably going to get worse. find infection around it it's probably going to get worse.— infection around it it's probably going to get worse. and why is that? so far, it's mainly _ going to get worse. and why is that? so far, it's mainly been _ going to get worse. and why is that? so far, it's mainly been about - so far, it's mainly been about waning immunity. about nine months out... but there's also, as of this month, some new variants that are much more immuno evasive. we aren't heafina much more immuno evasive. we aren't hearing much — much more immuno evasive. we aren't hearing much about _ much more immuno evasive. we aren't hearing much about it _ much more immuno evasive. we aren't hearing much about it from _ m

our health editor hugh pym has more details.ady know that it's happening in the north—east and yorkshire, another 2250. they will be balloted on the pay award in england, around 4% on average, between 4—5% depending on different types of health work. and these are ambulance staff and paramedics. no dates have been set yet for the ballot, but it follows on that news, as you were saying, about the royal college of nursing announcing that it's started a ballot right around the uk of 300,000 members, again over pay. they want a pay deal much higher than inflation, inflation running at 10%, rather than the award that's been announced by the government in england. in scotland, there's an offer of 5%. the rcn, royal college of nursing, members are going to be balloted there. wales have gone with 4%. there's been no formal offer yet in northern ireland. and another health union, unison, that represents some nurses and other health workers, they've said they will be balloting in all the uk nations in due course, but with no dates yet. ou

hugh pym, bbc news. now, to a potential breakthrough in getting rid of plastic in the environment.tic bag in the space of one hour. it's exciting business in the science world — with hopes these worms can one day be used to degrade plastic commercially. we can speak to dr federica bertocchini, molecular biologist at the spanish research council and researcher on the study. thank you for coming on the programme. how did you discover these things can help to break down plastic? these things can help to break down lastic? �* . . , these things can help to break down lastic? �* . ., , ., ., plastic? actually the original discovery happened - plastic? actually the original discovery happened a - plastic? actually the original discovery happened a few. plastic? actually the original. discovery happened a few years plastic? actually the original- discovery happened a few years ago. we observed at that time that these worms could break down polyethylene. it is more niche about the biodegradation of plastic, it was born a few years ago. we did not know in which manner it happened and now we

our health editor, hugh pym, outlined all the bodies involved and the significance of any industrialcise like that right across the country at any time in their history going back more than 100 years. so you can see how high feelings are running amongst the unions and their members. we will have to wait for the outcome of the ballots because that will not necessarily determine, evenif that will not necessarily determine, even if they get positive vote for strike action, that doesn�*t mean to say it will definitely happen because they might hope for further talks. what it is all about to commit essentially in england and wales, there hasn�*t been a formal offer in northern ireland is a a% pay, £1a00. now, the government at westminster, speaking for england says that�*s in line with an independent pay review about a, and urging union members to think very hard about this photo because of the possible impact on patients. in scotland, the government announced a higher offer of £2205 this year and that�*s why unison have called time off and whether that�*s an offer they can except, it�*s

with me is our health editor hugh pym.in northern ireland. unison, which represents some nurses and health workers, have said they will be balloting in all of the uk nations in due course but with no dates yet. is of the uk nations in due course but with no dates yet.— with no dates yet. is it possible to know whether _ with no dates yet. is it possible to know whether this _ with no dates yet. is it possible to know whether this is _ with no dates yet. is it possible to know whether this is strategic, . with no dates yet. is it possible to. know whether this is strategic, that we are all doing it at the same time? i we are all doing it at the same time? ., i, we are all doing it at the same time? ~' i, i, i, time? i think there are informal arrangements _ time? i think there are informal arrangements sometimes - time? i think there are informal arrangements sometimes and l time? i think there are informal. arrangements sometimes and also understandings between the different unions. we know the backdrop to it, high inflati

our health editor hugh pym joins me now. if this strike was to happen, what would patients see?ee? there is a big if the if would patients see? there is a big if they if there _ would patients see? there is a big if they if there is _ would patients see? there is a big if they if there is a _ would patients see? there is a big if they if there is a ballot - would patients see? there is a big if they if there is a ballot result. if they if there is a ballot result in favour of a strike, in early november, then presumably talks will continue and i think the royal couege continue and i think the royal college of nursing will hope there is more engagement from the government, the government will make the case for the pay offer it has already made and then we will see how that develops and there must be a chance given the normal notice for a chance given the normal notice for a strike. if we get to that point of something happening in november. the royal college of nursing has said if there is walk—out, they will affect routine nonurgent care, not emergency care. staff will stay in t

our health editor hugh pym joins me now in the studio. is under way, we expect a result in early november of that a strike ballot. on monday the gmb launched a ballot. on monday the gmb launched a ballot of its paramedic and ambulance staff and now we have cut unison, the biggest public service union with health workers, 350,000 workers in england, wales, northern ireland, those could be hospital porters, they could be paramedics, nurses and other stuff. so the fact that all of those three have launched these industrial action ballots shows the strength of feeling and the 4% on average which is an award in england and wales, there is no formal offer yet in northern ireland, of course the lower paid health workers will get more than that, there is £1400, but higher up the pay bands it is obviously less in percentage terms. the interesting thing is that in scotland they made a higher offer, discuss government last week of £2205 and unison have now said they will withdraw their strike ballots and go back to members to see whether that is acc

frankly, are overworked, feel undervalued by the government, and are underpaid. 0ur health editor hugh pymgger. that's right, earlier this week we had the gmb and another union starting a ballot of paramedics and ambulance staff, they hadn't been a widespread walk—out by ambulance teams since 1989, so if there is a vote in favour of industrial action, and it comes to it, that will be something we haven't seen, really, for quite some time. the royal couege for quite some time. the royal college of nursing has also began a ballot of its 300,000 member is around the uk, they had not lodged an exercise like that right across the country at any time in their history, going back more than 100. so, you can see how high feelings are running amongst the unions and their members, we will have to wait for the outcome of the ballot because that will not necessarily determine, even if they get a positive vote for strike action, that doesn't mean to say it will definitely happen because they might hope for further talks. what is is all about, essentially in england and wales, there hasn't been a formal

our health editor hugh pym is with me. our health correspondent, jim reed,.y send out tens of thousands of test to members of the public each week and they reply with their results and they reply with their results and they analyse them and then you get an idea about how many people are likely to have covid stop that's why it gives us a consistent measure because they've been doing this for ages. that's right. and it's not based on symptoms, it's based on the general public, so they send it to anyone. and that is where you get the figure, 1.3 million, and they think based on this across the uk would have it, so it's up in the week from roughly one in 60 21 in 50 in the most recent week and the caveat is it takes a while. so it's quite dated data, two weeks, the samples would have been taken so the situation could be different now. that figure, 1.3 million, it's going up that figure, 1.3 million, it's going up but significantly below where we were earlier this year so about a quarter of where we were and you remember in march, april when we had the high rates