here's our health editor hugh pym.ealth provider in surrey and she wears an nhs badge. alison, it'sjulie. i'm just coming in. here, she visits alison, who has a lung condition, to carry out tests and check her oxygen intake. 0k, and are you using the canisters at a higher level than the concentrator? i use it at five. five litres if i'm walking around. julie used to work directly for the nhs, but the local contract since been transferred to a non—profit making independent employer. she's on the same pay and conditions deal as before. but she's one of thousands who've missed out on a special extra payment to nhs staff. i feel completely demoralised. i'm totally demoralized. our team worked throughout the pandemic. we worked incredibly hard. we were treating patients in the community trying to keep them out of hospital. we worked tirelessly, we're nhs when we're working with the nhs patients and then for this, suddenly we're not nhs. i don't understand how it suddenly doesn't count. the pay deal in england involved a 5%

our health editor hugh pym is here. sunak when he was the chancellor in 2020 to get people to eat out in restaurants to help the economy —— eat out to help out. asked about that, the expert said he was still angered by that because of the link it had to direct infections. he said it was really the message it sent out to the public about behaviour, more than the actual link to a spike in infections. the message convened —— meeting convened in 2020 by boris johnson, with experts, some in favour of lockdown, some against, deciding what to do next at the time, and that included professor edmund, dame maclean and the inquiry was shown whatsapp messages between them in which she referred to doctor death the chancellor and she was asked, was that referring to eat out to help out? he said he couldn't remember but he thought it might be and of course dame angela is a the chief scientific adviser worshipping with the sunak administration. thank ou ve with the sunak administration. thank you very much. _ with the sunak administrat

our health editor hugh pym reports. protect the nhs. we are the nhs.year, although junior doctors and consultants are now in talks over resolving their pay dispute. the prime minister has blamed the strike action by the doctors union the bma for keeping waiting lists higher than expected. very nice to see you. but a health think tank says the action explains only a small amount of the increase. and it says the overall waiting list will keep rising till next summer, close to a possible date for the next election, raising doubts about mr sunak�*s pledge to cut the number. the health foundation says even without more strikes, the total will get to around 8 million in august 202a. and with some further action by doctors, it could get to 8.1 million. in a worst—case scenario, the total could reach 8.4 million in august next year. we recognise the health foundation's figures and, if anything, we think these numbers could go even higher than the 8 million people the health foundation are suggesting. since about april of this year, lists have been increasing a

hugh pym, bbc news.the uk this week, at a conference organised by the british government to discuss how to maximise the benefits, and guard against the dangers, of artificial intelligence. one issue they'll be considering is the use of so—called deepfakes — videos of people that have been altered or created using al to spread false information. their use is increasing in online scams and in general election campaigns, as fiona bruce reports. just ahead of the labour conference a few weeks ago, an audio clip was circulated of keir starmer berating an assistant. it is completely fake. and then there is this. britons won't have to work any more. elon musk has unveiled his new project in which he has already invested more than $3 billion. no other project has ever given this kind of opportunity. we asked elon musk about the news and here are his comments on it. spot the difference. that is not me. did you think it was me? it is pretty convincing, it's very disconcerting to find yourself deepfaked in this way

hugh pym, bbc news.day — causing disruption to thousands of travellers. the blaze, which is believed to have been accidental, caused the building to suffer a "significant structural collapse". up to 1500 vehicles are thought to have been in the car park at the time. a crane will today remove the trunk of the historic "sycamore gap" tree from hadrian's wall. it comes two weeks after it was deliberately chopped down. the national trust is asking people to stay away because of the complexity of the task. the much anticipated feature film featuring taylor swift's current sell—out concert tour has had its red—carpet premiere in hollywood. taylor swift: the eras tour was shot over the course of three shows in los angeles during august and has already broken records for advance ticket sales. 0ur north america correspondent, peter bowes, was at the premiere. welcome to the eras tour. the phenomenon that is taylor swift. a cultural touchstone. music's biggest name and soon to be queen of the box office. this shop

hugh pym, bbc news.leaded not guilty to her manslaughter. constance marten and mark gordon are charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of the girl, referred to as baby a, between january 4th and february 27th. they face four other charges related to their treatment of the child, all of which they deny. a trial has been scheduled forjanuary. it's one of the best selling books of all time, but what happens when a charity shop decides it doesn't need any more donations of the da vinci code? well, six years ago, the artist david shrigley had a novel idea for repurposing surplus copies of dan brown's thriller. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin paterson explains: more than 6,000 copies of the da vinci code, one of the best—selling books of the century, being pulped in the name of art. this is a story which begins back in 2017, in an 0xfam shop in swansea. around that time, there was one particular donation that we were getting kind of a little more than we could use, which was the da vinci code,

hugh pym, bbc news.chley park this week, organised by the government to discuss how to maximise the benefits and guard against the dangers of artificial intelligence. one issue being discussed is the use of so—called deepfakes. they're videos of people which have been altered or created using ai to spread false information or are used in online scams, as as my colleague fiona bruce has discovered. just ahead of the labour conference a few weeks ago, an audio clip was circulating of keir starmer berating an assistant. it's completely fake. and then there's this. britons won't have to work any more. elon musk has unveiled his new project in which he has already invested more than $3 billion. no other project has ever given this kind of opportunity. we asked elon about the news, and here are his comments on it. spot the difference — that's not me. did you think it was me? i mean, it's pretty convincing. it's very disconcerting to find yourself deepfaked in this way. this is a financial scam trying to get pe

hugh pym, bbc news.urder of a man shot dead in a police operation is to be named. 24—year—old chris kaba died from a single gunshot wound to the head after being hemmed in by a police vehicle in south—east london last year. a judge dismissed concerns about the "real and immediate risk" to the officer, named only as nxi2i, if his identity was made public. the met said the decision would be "hugely concerning" for officers. the former spanish football federation president luis rubiales has been banned from all football—related activities for three years by fifa. it comes after he kissed spanish playerjenni hermoso on the lips following the nation's victory at the women's world cup this summer. a bbc panorama investigation has been told that the portuguese police have apologised to the parents of madeleine mccann for the way they handled the three—year—old's disappearance in 2007. kate and gerry mccann were at one point named as suspects in the case which remains unsolved. richard bilton has the details. it

hugh pym, bbc news, sussex.st breakthrough in treating cervical cancer in 20 years. it involves using a course of cheap, existing drugs ahead of the usual radiotherapy treatment. trials show this approach cuts the risk of women dying from the disease or of the cancer returning by 35%. cancer research uk, which funded the work, has called the results "remarkable". there's been a downing street summit with police and retailers on how to tackle the soaring rate of shoplifting. in the yeartojune, more than 300,000 shoplifting offences were recorded in england and wales. that's 25% more than the year before. but the number of prosecutions has fallen. only around one in 20 shoplifters ends up in court. our home affairs correspondent june kelly reports. every day between five and ten shoplifters steal from this convenience store, says the owner. they are caught on cctv. one shop in south london, but it could be anywhere in the country. shoplifting at businesses both big and small is once again on the rise. and this sto

hugh pym, bbc news.y with their owners in britain — almost all of them pitbulls. currently, four breed types are officially banned, but that list could soon be expanded for the first time in more than 30 years. the government plans to add xl bullys to the list, following a spate of attacks. danny savage reports. an xl bully—type dog with a temperament problem. this animal was handed to police after it attacked its owner. it can never be rehomed and will be put down. i'm a dog lover. i don't want to see dogs put down, but i'm also a dad and i've got to think about public safety, you know? and is it right for a dog that has done that to someone who is strong themselves, you know, physically capable, is it right that that dog is then rehomed? what's this? police assess dogs to see if they're a banned breed. so, we can go in here... this is a pit bull. the decision is made on looks and measurements. there's another xl bully here, too. she's a bit uncomfortable, aren't you, darling? they aren't banned yet, bu

hugh pym, bbc news.shut down nigel farage's coutts bank account showed "serious failings" in its treatment of the politician. the controversy culminated in the resignation of chief executive dame alison rose. she was found to have made what is described as an "honest mistake" in disclosing details of the former ukip leader's bank account. joining me now is our business correspondent, theo leggett. remind us of how we got to this point? this tipped off a political row and focused a pretty harsh spotlight on the decisions banks take on who they do and do not choose to do business with. it all started with nigel faraj who injune said that his bank accounts had been closed, and he thought it was because of his political views. thought it was because of his politicalviews. he thought it was because of his political views. he claimed he was being persecuted. true, that would have been illegal. a few days later, a bbc report was published which had a bbc report was published which had a different version of eve

hugh pym, bbc news, sussex.were more than 300,000 shoplifting offences recorded in england and wales. that's 25% more than the year before. the number of prosecutions, though, has dropped — and only about one in 20 of shoplifters ends up in court. our home affairs correspondent, june kelly, has more. every day between five and ten shoplifters steal from this convenience store, says the owner. they are caught on cctv. one shop in south london, but it could be anywhere in the country. shoplifting at businesses both big and small is once again on the rise. and this store is seeing all sorts of people stealing its profits. recently, there has been a big increase in pensioners and mums with prams. so people who are vulnerable, may be suffering from the cost—of—living crisis and using shoplifting as a tool to bridge the gap. we also have a big increase in organised criminal gangs who are coming in stealing to order. today came an announcement that 13 major retailers, among them john lewis, orjoining forces with the po

hugh pym, bbc news.tion that artificial intelligence poses should be a global priority. in a speech this morning, rishi sunak also said the technology could be transformational, leading to newjobs, new opportunities for growth and help to develop cancer vaccines. next week, the uk will host a global summit at bletchley park to look at the risks posed by ai. mr sunak says people shouldn't be losing sleep over it, but warned that the concerns need to be taken seriously. they are doing the right thing, not the easy thing, and it means being honest with people about the risks from these technologies. so i won't hide them from you. that's why today, for the first time, we have taken a highly unusual step of publishing our analysis of the risks of ai, including an assessment by the uk intelligence communities. these reports provide a stark warning. get this wrong and ai could make it easier to build chemical or biological weapons, terrorist groups could use ai biological weapons, terrorist groups could use al

hugh pym, bbc news.have carried out early morning raids on the homes of several journalists and other employees of the independent newsclick website, which is known to have been critical of the government. the operation is reported to be in connection with alleged illegal funding from china something the website denies. there are no reports of arrests, though journalists have been questioned at delhi police stations, and laptops, phones, and computers were seized. india's information and broadcasting minister denied any involvement of the government, saying that the investigative agencies were merely doing theirjob. critics say it's an intentional attack on press freedom. earlier, i spoke to siddarth vadharajan, the editor of the wire website, in india, who says he was targeted by police with defamation charges himself. well, the strange thing about the charges that they've levelled against newsclick is these are old charges. there's already an ongoing case filed by the enforcement director, which is a f

hugh pym, bbc news.his conference speech. instead they'll study for a new qualification called the advanced british standard, or the abs. 0ur education editor branwenjeffreys is here with more details. these would be radical changes to how 16 to 19—year—olds in england study. it would take until 2033 to put the new qualification in place. the advanced british standard would replace current a levels in academic subjects, and the new vocational t—levels, which are just getting under way. everyone would study maths and english to 18 in some form. a—level students at the moment take three subjects. under these plans they would study five subjects. some in education have welcomed the idea of broadening the post—16 curriculum. it's absolutely clear that young people in england follow a narrower curriculum, they study fewer subjects, than their counterparts in other countries around the world. not only that, but they get taught for fewer hours per week to learn those subjects. so we need to do something about t

our health editor, hugh pym, reports.arch. he was told the potentially life—saving drug abiraterone was not available on the nhs in england, so he's opted to pay for it privately. but in scotland and wales, the drug is provided to nhs patients. i feel very, very fortunate that i can afford it. i think it's outrageous that there are men in england who aren't getting this, who can't afford it. it's not about cost, no—one seems to be disputing the science. it seems that it is just a bureaucratic process, which is kind of unbelievable. the drug abiraterone is only available to the sickest patients. that's what it was originally licensed for. now it's a lot cheaper, and new research shows it can be effective for men like giles, whose cancer hasn't spread. the drug was originally developed at this cancer research institute, which now wants it more widely available. the scottish and welsh governments have cut through the red tape and given the go—ahead for more men to get it. it's in a grey area. it's classed as repurposing of d

hugh pym, bbc news.uiry was announced. carwyn , do you have disappearing messages on on your crucial whatsapp groups? no, i don't. on on your crucial whatsapp groups? no, idon't. i on on your crucial whatsapp groups? no, i don't. i don't use whatsapp muchi _ no, i don't. i don't use whatsapp much, i_ no, i don't. i don't use whatsapp much, i haven't used it much in years— much, i haven't used it much in years gone _ much, i haven't used it much in years gone by. but the question people — years gone by. but the question people ask is, where on earth is the sense _ people ask is, where on earth is the sense that _ people ask is, where on earth is the sense that some people had in government? of course it made no sense _ government? of course it made no sense to _ government? of course it made no sense to hold a party in the middle of covid _ sense to hold a party in the middle of covid. why would anyone think that was— of covid. why would anyone think that was in— of covid. why would anyone think that was

here's our health editor hugh pym. radical new plan, the legal age for buying cigarettes and tobacco will rise by one year every year from 18. there will be varying impacts and there are varying views on bridgwater in somerset today. probably a good idea, to be fair. why do you think it might be a good idea? . , why do you think it might be a good idea? ., , ., �* , ., ., idea? cigarettes aren't very good for peeple- _ idea? cigarettes aren't very good for people. either _ idea? cigarettes aren't very good for people. either bring - idea? cigarettes aren't very good for people. either bring it - idea? cigarettes aren't very good for people. either bring it to - for people. either bring it to nobody smokes _ for people. either bring it to nobody smokes or— for people. either bring it to nobody smokes or let - for people. either bring it to - nobody smokes or let everybody be equah _ nobody smokes or let everybody be equah i _ nobody smokes or let everybody be e . ual. ~ ., nobody smokes or let everybody be e . ual. ~' .

hugh pym, bbc news.n by the powerlist 2024. the editor—in—chief of british vogue, topped the annual list of the most powerful people of african, african—caribbean and african—american heritage in britain. others on the list include actor sir lenny henry, grime musician stormzy and comedian mo gilligan, who makes his list debut. here's sarah with a look at this morning's weather. good morning. looking really mixed out there. you are probably waking up out there. you are probably waking up to showery rain or fog patches. the unsettled theme continues today and into the weekend as well. more rain at times, quite a breezy spell of weather. all dominated by the fact we have a big area of low pressure setting out to the west. we have showers and frontal systems rotating around an area of low pressure, bringing plenty of showers from the word go. really wet for the next few days. there could be problems with brisk easterly winds across northern and eastern scotland. some brighter spells for northern ireland but

here's our health editor, hugh pym.l new plan, the legal age for buying cigarettes and tobacco will rise by one year every year from 18. there will be varying impacts and there are varying views on bridgwater in somerset today. probably a good idea, to be fair. why do you think it might be a good idea? cigarettes aren't very good for people. either bring it to nobody smokes or let everybody be equal. i think the age should stay at 18, . it should be legal for people to buy cigarettes, disease stress relief. it is better than people i buying illegal substances. smoking rates have come down a lot with things like the ban in public places. back in 1980, 40% smoked. in recent years, it is less than half of that. medical experts say there is still a serious health problem. around one in four cancer deaths in the uk are linked to tobacco usage. the annual cost of smoking to the nhs and social care in england has been put at £3 billion. but there are taxes on cigarettes. the great majority of people who smoke do not want, wish

our health editor hugh pym reports. remembering loved ones lost to covid.ideo messages played at the start of proceedings. there's so many unanswered questions. we need answers. hopefully, they will learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on anybody. it's not just the fact _ that my dad died, it's the how and the why he died. some of the key questions were set out at the inquiry. in the momentous decisions that the government took concerning the control of the virus, the lockdowns, the social restrictions, the shutting of businesses and schools, did the government serve the people well, or did it failthem? the inquiry counsel said borisjohnson, rishi sunak and other ministers would be called to give evidence, and he quoted from a diary kept by the former chief scientific adviser sir patrick vallance, at one point saying number ten was "in chaos as usual". the families' lawyer highlighted breaches of lockdown rules by those in authority. the families urge the inquiry not to ignore the undermining of public messaging that these crass and disgraceful event

hugh pym, bbc news.n economic boost for liverpool, according to new figures. more than 700,000 people descended on the city earlier this yearfor the event — bringing in more than double the council's orginal prediction. what was it like? it was busy. fundamentally, this is about money and people went there and spent money. they were going out and buying things and eating and drinking. often we hear stories about sporting events particularly. do they make money? in the round, has it cost money or did they make money? this sounds like a situation where money was made. here's sarah. it feels cold and then it feels mild. we are in the transition period. we are. good morning. temperatures have been up and down. for the rest of october, it is looking reasonably mild. we are not expecting frosty nights, which is because we have a lot of wind, rain and cloud around. it will be unsettled for the next few days. rain and welcome particularly in eastern scotland where it will be wet the next five days. we have a wea

our health editor hugh pym reports. are so many _ at the start of proceedings. there are so many unanswered - at the start of proceedings. there i are so many unanswered questions. we need answers. are so many unanswered questions. we need answers-— need answers. hopefully they will learn from it, _ need answers. hopefully they will learn from it, because _ need answers. hopefully they will learn from it, because i _ need answers. hopefully they will learn from it, because i wouldn'tl learn from it, because i wouldn't wish _ learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this— learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on— learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on anybody. it�*s learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on anybody.— learn from it, because i wouldn't wish this on anybody. it's not “ust the fact that �* wish this on anybody. it's not “ust the fact that my i wish this on anybody. it's not “ust the fact that my dad i wish this on anybody. it's not “ust the fact that my dad died, i wish this on anybody. it's

hugh pym, bbc news.gh the latest. figures just out show the economy grew by 0.2% in august. that was in line with expectations. that means the total value of all the goods and services produced in the uk increased. when the economy is growing it means we're making more, building more, buying and selling more. it should make it easier to find a job or get a pay rise and the government gets more in taxes. the office for national statistics says the main growth was from services. but manufacturing and construction activity fell. a growing economy is a move in the right direction but we're only talking very slight growth. one factor holding it back is inflation or price rises. yes, it slowed in august but that things on average still cost significantly more than a year ago. that leaves households and businesses with less to spend after paying for essentials like food and bills and that hits economic growth. and to try to bring down inflation down the bank of england has raised interest rates to 5.25%. that s