he is the mayor of the west midlands. but he is not - west midlands., you are speaking for the west - speaking for the north, you are. speaking for the west midlands. speaking for the north, you are - speaking for the west midlands. he has been _ speaking for the west midlands. he has been a — speaking for the west midlands. he has been a good _ speaking for the west midlands. he has been a good representative - speaking for the west midlands. he has been a good representative and speaking for the west midlands. he i has been a good representative and a -ood has been a good representative and a good advocate — has been a good representative and a good advocate for— has been a good representative and a good advocate for his _ has been a good representative and a good advocate for his community. - good advocate for his community. obviously— good advocate for his community. obviously it — good advocate for his community. obviously it is _ good advocate for his community. obviously it is not— good advocate for his community. obviously it is not the _ good

in the _ recycled in the north and 10 billion in the midlands.— in the midlands.ndy street was livid that he felt the _ in the midlands. andy street was livid that he felt the government | livid that he felt the government was going back on his word. have you spoken to him? hat was going back on his word. have you spoken to him?— spoken to him? not today but have soken to spoken to him? not today but have spoken to him _ spoken to him? not today but have spoken to him in _ spoken to him? not today but have spoken to him in preceding - spoken to him? not today but have spoken to him in preceding days i spoken to him? not today but have l spoken to him in preceding days and weeks _ spoken to him in preceding days and weeks this — spoken to him in preceding days and weeks. this project will go to birmingham and connect to the west coast _ birmingham and connect to the west coast main— birmingham and connect to the west coast main line north of birmingham and there _ coast main line north of birmingham and there are benefits from money saved _ and there are benefits f

the mayor of the west midlands, andy street, extend the west midlands metro. and electrify the north wales main line and upgrade the ai, tram and electrify the north wales main line and upgrade the a1, a2, a5 and the m6. the government plans to better connect our union with the a75 boosting links between scotland and northern ireland. plus, there will be funding for the shipley bypass, the bligh relief road and the government will deliver 70 other road schemes. roads across the country will be resurfaced, there is a plan to bring back the don valley line and upgrade the energy coastline between carlisle and workington and barrow. finally, the prime minister pledged to keep the £2 bus fare cap across the country. let's explore more about what the prime minister has announced today and go live to nick yardley who is there in manchester for us at the conference. when we spoke little bit earlier, we talked about what it would take for the prime minister to announce to appease people unhappy at the loss of hs2 leg and to silence his critics, do think what he has an

yeah, about 30 years ago midland bank— ago. yeah, about 30 years ago midland bank was _ ago.ah, about 30 years ago midland bank was a _ ago. yeah, about 30 years ago midland bank was a bank- ago. yeah, about 30 years ago midland bank was a bank that l ago. yeah, about 30 years ago i midland bank was a bank that had very little capital, was barely making any money and because it didn't have much in the way of capital or money it was finding it difficult to make any money. i was involved in a project at the time to try to help it to make as good use as a good of the little capital letter got in order to grow itself and get out of the mess it was in, but in the end the solution turned out to be a takeover. it was taken over by hsbc. i out to be a takeover. it was taken over by hsbc-_ out to be a takeover. it was taken over by hsbc. i believe metro bank ist in: to over by hsbc. i believe metro bank is trying to sell— over by hsbc. i believe metro bank is trying to sell a — over by hsbc. i believe metro bank is trying to sell a third _ over by hsbc. i believe metro bank is trying

other fixes and midlands hub.rains in the north and the midlands, where disgracefully so many trains are still diesel trains that are slow lacking in power and acceleration . so they're short acceleration. so they're short few carriages . there's lots of few carriages. there's lots of congestion on those trains and overcrowding. if andy street accepts publicly plea that rishi sunak has a point and there is some logic in what he is doing , some logic in what he is doing, then rishi sunak will have a much easier time of selling that vision across the conservative party. the political class and the population as a whole . but the population as a whole. but if andy street in a high profile way, goes off in a huff, as i say, somebody who's very well known across the midlands and the north and as near to a national figure as a regional mayor, can get, as is andy burnham of course, as in manchester, as is ben houchen in the tees valley in the north—east so andy street's verdict on this really matters to rishi sunak. verd

i come fromi the midlands, obviously, and i go down _ the midlands, obviously, and i go down south —outh regular. i don't know where they get _ down south regular. i don't know where they get the _ down south regular. i don't know where they get the figures - down south regular. i don't know where they get the figures froml down south regular. i don't know. where they get the figures from to say that— where they get the figures from to say that the — where they get the figures from to say that the trains _ where they get the figures from to say that the trains are _ where they get the figures from to say that the trains are not - say that the trains are not being used _ say that the trains are not being used because _ say that the trains are not being used because they _ say that the trains are not being used because they are. - say that the trains are not being used because they are. i- say that the trains are not being used because they are. i mean, | say that the trains are not being | used because they are. i mean, i always— used because they are. i mean, i always have _ used bec

. . ~' , ., here in chesterfield and across the midlands. ., ~ . ., midlands.hat. i midlands. thank you so much for that- i think— midlands. thank you so much for that. i think we _ midlands. thank you so much for that. i think we will— head up to scotland now. where we are joined by our reporter louise cowie. what has been happening? so, i am in the town near— what has been happening? so, i am in the town near angus _ what has been happening? so, i am in the town near angus which _ what has been happening? so, i am in the town near angus which has - the town near angus which has really been and i of this storm over the last 2a or so. you can probably see the services are still out in full force behind me, they were deluged by floodwater last night, hundreds of people had to be evacuated from their homes after their river south just to my left burst its banks, people evacuated by the coastguard in small boats from the wee small hours. many of those were taken to a high number of evacuation centres which have been set up and many have been put up by relatives. t

the large parts of the north of england and midlands-_ and midlands.e north is not immune to flooding, we - and midlands. the north is not immune to flooding, we have l and midlands. the north is not - immune to flooding, we have seen hebden bridge in west yorkshire, york, selby, heavily impacted in previous years, how are the flood defences holding up in and around your area? defences holding up in and around our area? ., ,, defences holding up in and around our area? ., i. ., your area? yeah, you are right, there have _ your area? yeah, you are right, there have been _ your area? yeah, you are right, there have been significant - there have been significant incidence of flooding over a number of years in the north of england, i have covered several of them, and as a result of that, flood defences have been improved. it looks like the river done, flood defences are working, but clearly they can only withstand so much rain. at the moment, i have not seen reports of significant levels of flooding affecting large areas, which is what we are talking about

we just landed at east midlands web airport. is a man in his _ at east midlands web airport.nds web airport. i3 —. man in his 60s passed away at east midlands web airport. i3 5. man in his 60s passed away in shropshire and to people have passed away in scotland. derbyshire police is investigating the death of somebody... many would be lucky to get back in their properties before christmas. the clean—up operation could take days if not weeks. meanwhile, the environment agency has warned that revellers are at record levels in parts of the midlands and the north of england with water still rising, there is still a risk of further flooding. scotland's first minister humza yousaf visited people — in brechin, in angus, this morning. the town saw severe flooding when river south esk burst its banks. respite centres have been set up for those forced to leave their homes. mr yousef explained to the bbc what support is being offered to those affected. i wanted to come here to talk to residents, go to their homes and speak to them first. it's clear to see the devastation of the storm is

the east midlands because the idea of connecting them west midlands at the east midlands at the parkwayalking to people here about what they think about the scrapping of that northern leg. someone said it was a white elephant anyway, someone said they're not surprised, someone said it's a waste of money. a dog walker got quite an emotional because she said people around here have been facing years and years of disruption. we've been speaking to a man who runs a rescue centre for border collie �*s. he's facing some of his land being compulsory purchase. it's 11 miles north from where i'm talking to you. he says he's still in limbo. he doesn't know what the announcement means and whether the land is going to need to be compulsory purchase. he is obviously looking for answers as well. i think many people because my views on hs2 depend on who you are, where you live, if and when and how you travel —— people's views. ja you travel —— people's views. jo black, in lichfield they are, reflecting the fact that hs2 is not a straightforward decision. very much mixed views. let's go life to the may

earlier today, we've had outbreaks of rain working their way northwards through parts of the midlandswe do have a met office yellow warning for heavy rain through parts of the east midlands, in towards yorkshire and the humber. whilst in itself that wet weather not particularly heavy, it's falling on already saturated ground, so the potential for some further issues with flooding as a result. south of that band, drier with some sunshine through wales, in towards the south midlands and the south—east. wet weather pushing in towards the south—west later on. sunshine and showers for northern ireland and parts of scotland. brightest in the west through the highlands and islands. as we head into this evening, the wet weather across parts of the midlands clears and then heavy rain pushing in towards parts of the south of wales, in towards devon and cornwall and tracking east through dorset, hampshire, the isle of wight, in towards sussex and kent. a further met office yellow warning in force because of that. elsewhere, dry with clearest conditions in the west. chilly in glasgow at three deg

he pledged to reinvest every penny in other rail, road and bus projects in the north, the midlands ands the country. the speech was widely seen as an opportunity for the prime minister to revitalise his party ahead of a general election expected next year. political editor chris mason reports. manchester this lunchtime, and the prime minister's warm—up act — his wife. rishi and i are each other's best friends, and i could not imagine being anywhere else to show my support to him. rishi sunak began by thanking her, his daughters, his parents as he drew a link between himself and margaret thatcher. this conservative party, the party of the grocer�*s daughter and the pharmacist�*s son, will always be the party of enterprise, the party of small business. he said he's taken a look at how government works since he became prime minister, and not liked what he's seen. it isn't anger, it's an exhaustion with politics. we've had 30 years of a political system which incentivises the easy decision, not the right one. as for taxes, they will come down, he claimed, but didn't say when. and then, it

parts of northern england at the midlands are now bracing themselves for what is to come.s. 0ur reporter louise cowie is also in brechin and gave us this update. the rain has literallyjust stopped before we came on air, but it's been coming down thick and fast during the course of the morning. as you can see over my shoulder, a rescue operation, a substantial rescue operation, is under way, and teams have spent the morning evacuating people or trying to reach people who have been stranded, as you saw in the report. over in the course of the last half hour, we've been moved further and further up the street, because there are real concerns that the river esk, which burst its banks leading to the evacuations, is going to rise again. why? well, because we've had another red weather warning for angus and indeed other parts of scotland which were affected by yesterday's red weather warning. that means we are going to expect more rain and more wind, and that comes into effect from midnight and is expected to last for 2h hours. and as we've also heard, the storm has already sadly

parts of northern england and the midlands are bracing themselves for what is to come.in has what is happening at the moment? inez rain hasjust stopped before what is happening at the moment? “i1e: rain hasjust stopped before we what is happening at the moment? “i“1e: rain hasjust stopped before we came rain has just stopped before we came in it but it's thick and fast during the course of the morning and as you can see it in my shoulder, a rescue operation, a substantial rescue operation, a substantial rescue operation is under way and the morning evacuating people are trying to reach people who have been stranded as you saw in the report from the owner and in the course of the last half hour we've been moved further and further up the street because there are real concerns that the river esk which burst its banks leading to the evacuations is going to rise again. why? because we had another red weather warning for angus and other parts of scotland which were affected by yesterday's red weather warning which means we will expect more rain and more wind and that comes i

that speculation. _ back on the west midlands? that speculation. i— back on the west midlands?e in the proper— government decision will be made in the proper way, we must be mindful of value _ the proper way, we must be mindful of value for— the proper way, we must be mindful of value for money of all major in preceptor— of value for money of all major in preceptor projects including hsz. part of— preceptor projects including hsz. part of yourjob is to oversee this conference as conservative chairman. it feels a bit like you've lost control of the news narrative here because not everybody is wondering, what on earth is a government doing with this massive infrastructure project? with this massive infrastructure ro'ect? ~ �* , ., , , project? we've been absolutely clear that a decision _ project? we've been absolutely clear that a decision hasn't _ project? we've been absolutely clear that a decision hasn't been _ project? we've been absolutely clear that a decision hasn't been made - that a decision hasn't been made yet. that a decision hasn't been made et. ~ , that a decision

navtej benefit the people here in the midlands. navteonhal reported midlands.ne will not be extended hs2 rail line will not be extended to london euston unless enough private investment is secured for the project. it would mean the line would only run from birmingham to old oak common in west london. our transport correspondent katy austin is here with us.— this is a surprise isn't it? there is some uncertainty. when what's left of hs2 opens initially it will end at old oak common a west london for that was already the most recent plan to yesterday rishi sunak insisted it would still go on eventually to euston as planned, albeit with a station with six platforms rather than 11. the comet says its changes will mean £6.5 billion of spending will be freed up and it says this will be done by bringing in private sector investment. so i have to develop meant is the vision alongside the station. but it was confirmed today that means that the whole euston scheme will be entirely dependent on getting enough of that private sector investment. a government spokesperson in

-- of the west midlands. what we are saying will make a difference _ west midlands.nds. what we are saying will make a difference to people. i will make a difference to people. rishi sunak tomorrow hopes to make a inspiring call to his voters, he seems to have made a blunt calculation, act now otherwise he will become a former prime minister flogging his memoirs. what more do we know about what the prime minister is going to say in his big speech tomorrow lunchtime? as we have been reflecting, there will be this announcement as far as hsz will be this announcement as far as hs2 is concerned, but the framing of the argument that he will make will flesh out what he has been trying to say in the last couple of weeks, but the aim from those around him is that they put rocket boosters under it to try to shift his political prospects, and to give you a sense of some of the words described to me tonight about the tone of the speech, lots of takeaways, it will keep you busy, chunky staff, and he will argue and it is a bold claim, that for 30 years, there has been a political

great, midlands — special game for her. great, midlands massive _ special game for her.ave no | special game for her. great, - midlands massive i have no doubt will come — midlands massive i have no doubt will come out in big numbers. it is a wee _ will come out in big numbers. it is a wee special to play close to home, i a wee special to play close to home, i have _ a wee special to play close to home, i have not— a wee special to play close to home, i have not really have the opportunity to do that in nottingham yet, hopefully that is on the cards one day— yet, hopefully that is on the cards one day soon. hint hint, nudge nudge! — one day soon. hint hint, nudge nudge! but i thing obviously, leicester, that was the club i grew up leicester, that was the club i grew up playing — leicester, that was the club i grew up playing for as well. that was my centre _ up playing for as well. that was my centre of— up playing for as well. that was my centre of excellence. i know we don't _ centre of excellence. i know we don't call — centre of excellence. i know we don't call it _

— conservative mayor of the west midlands is hugely frustrated and angry— midlands is hugely frustrated and even considered whipping up his conservative party membership, he has been a memberfor decades_ membership, he has been a memberfor decades and _ membership, he has been a memberfor decades and decades. he chose not to be on _ decades and decades. he chose not to be on the _ decades and decades. he chose not to be on the edge. former conservative prime _ be on the edge. former conservative prime minister david cameron thinks the decision is wrong and whips up a 15 year— the decision is wrong and whips up a 15 year cross—party consensus which he thinks _ 15 year cross—party consensus which he thinks is — 15 year cross—party consensus which he thinks is very damaging —— and rips he thinks is very damaging —— and ribs uo _ he thinks is very damaging —— and rips up. on— he thinks is very damaging —— and rips up. on smoking, many conservatives think the idea of the state _ conservatives think the idea of the state banning things is deeply uncomfortable. another former prime minister. _

i have no doubt the midlands will come out in big numbers.e to home. i've not really had the opportunity to do that in nottingham yet. hopefully that is on the cards one day soon. hint hint, nudge nudge. but i think leicester, that was the club i grew up with, that was my centre of excellence. i know we don't call them centres of excellence any more, but that was the team i felt i did a lot of my developing in my younger years. so it's really special to go back in an england shirt. i'm really looking forward to it. my gran can come as well, so that's a huge bonus, i'm really excited about that. she never gets to come to games. today marks sarina wiegman's birthday, and whilst we weren't given exact details, mary earps said there were big plans in place for this evening and in fact celebrations got under way a little earlier this afternoon when our colleagues at bbc radio leicester delivered wiegman a regional food and drink camper to give her a real taste of the midlands ahead of that game at leicester, we're told, including pork pies. on to

midlands rail network.s in the region and a £1.5 billion potter funding for a future east midlands metro mayor who can spend that on transport as they wish. now the document announcing that funding said it could be spent on extending the existing nottingham tram network to gedling or clifton south. but the only problem with that is that the extension to clifton south was actually completed several years ago. so it is a bit unclear exactly how or when some of these projects will actually benefit the people here in the midlands. a theatre in norfolk has made an extraordinary discovery. while carrying out renovations, staff at st george's guildhall in kings came across an ancient stage and after some local detective work and forensics they say they've found that the hidden boards were once trodden by shakespeare himself. our entertainment correspondent colin paterson picks up the story. the boards of the bard. we know that these were definitely here in 1592, and in 1592, we think shakespeare is performing in k

so we've just basically landed at east midlands airport. four people are confirmed to have died. in his 60s passed away in shropshire and two people have died in scotland, including 57—year—old wendy taylor, who was swept away by river water. derbyshire police say it's investigating the death of a woman in her 80s who died in chesterfield after her home was flooded. many families are unlikely to be back in their properties before christmas. local authorities say the clean—up operation could take days, if not weeks. meanwhile, the environment agency has warned that rivers are at record levels in parts of the midlands and northern england. and with water still rising, there is still a risk of further flooding. greg mackenzie, bbc news. in scotland, there are fears that some residents in brechin — one of the most severely affected areas — could be unable to return to their homes for months. this morning, the first minister, humza yousaf, visited the town to see the damage caused when the river south esk breached flood defences. and in an interview with the bbc, he said that the gove

midlands.ands. ., ., ~' links across the north and the midlands. ., ., midlands. i will look at the detail but honestly _ midlands. i will look at the detail but honestly i — midlands. i will look at the detail but honestly i do _ midlands. i will look at the detail but honestly i do not _ midlands. i will look at the detail but honestly i do not believe - midlands. i will look at the detaili but honestly i do not believe that will deliver what the north needs. the north needs a new line. i think they will spin it that they are building a new line but i do not see how they can do that as well as the other thing is that they promise. sometimes in politics it is notjust what you do with the way you do it so announcing this decision in manchester i think itjust shows contempt for the place, the prime ministerfound time for contempt for the place, the prime minister found time for lots of things today but not to speak to the leader of manchester city council are not to speak to me and that is no wa

having said that, the west midlands police _ death. police issued _ death. having said that, the west midlands police issued a - death. having said that, the west i midlands police issued a statement saying they did conduct a thorough review and saw mo suspicious circumstances. how do you respond to that statement? it circumstances. how do you respond to that statement?— that statement? it simply, they didn't preperly _ that statement? it simply, they didn't properly investigate - that statement? it simply, they didn't properly investigate this. didn't properly investigate this case. to investigate a case such as this you would have to speak to all the people who have been left out in days before, you would have to go to his place of work, go to his property, and look at that. they simply didn't do this. they spent very little time on the case, they might not have appreciated it, the significance of the case, but they should have. because the national investigative agency from india... british police just in april this year, so they sh

. , ,, ., ~ england connecting data to the midlands. , ,, .,~ ., midlands.cement _ midlands. rishi sunak made the announcement at _ midlands. rishi sunak made the announcement at the _ midlands. rishi sunak made the i announcement at the conservative party conference accompanied soon after by a video on x formerly known as twitter but it looked like the video was recorded at downing street which must�*ve happened before rishi sunak left for manchester which implies the decision on hs2 have been taken even while he and his cabinet colleagues were saying it had not. confused? he asked the transport secretary just what had not. confused? he asked the transport secretaryjust what had been going on. the formal decision was taken by me as transport secretary on tuesday this week and it was agreed by the cabinet on wednesday morning. shortly after which, the prime minister announced in his conference speech. 50 minister announced in his conference seech. speech. so he filmed the cancellation _ speech. so he filmed the cancellation video - speech. so he filmed the c

you are i in the east midlands and andy street is in the west midlands.u ? ., about this and any idea what they are doinu ? . :, about this and any idea what they are doinu ? :, :, ::, :, , are doing? i have more conversations about the eastern _ are doing? i have more conversations about the eastern leg _ are doing? i have more conversations about the eastern leg which _ are doing? i have more conversations about the eastern leg which runs - about the eastern leg which runs through— about the eastern leg which runs through the middle of my region. it through the middle of my region. [i was through the middle of my region. it was supposed to go to leeds and is not now. ~ ., was supposed to go to leeds and is not now. ~ h was supposed to go to leeds and is not now. ~ . ., :, ~ h was supposed to go to leeds and is not now. ~ . ., :, ~ :, ., not now. what we are working out how it noes to not now. what we are working out how it goes to leeds- _ not now. what we are working out how it goes to leeds. it _ not now. what we are working out how it goes to leeds.

i have no doubt the midlands will come out in big numbers _ midlands will come out in big numbers.mbers. it's always special to play close to home. hopefully that is — play close to home. hopefully that is on— play close to home. hopefully that is on the cards one day soon — that is on the cards one day soon hint— that is on the cards one day soon. hint hint, nudge nudge. i think— soon. hint hint, nudge nudge. i think leicester, that was the club — think leicester, that was the club i — think leicester, that was the club i grew up with, that was my centre _ club i grew up with, that was my centre of accidents. i know we don't — my centre of accidents. i know we don't call them that any more. _ we don't call them that any more, but that was the team i felt i _ more, but that was the team i felt i did — more, but that was the team i felt i did my developing —— centre _ felt i did my developing —— centre of— felt i did my developing —— centre of excellence. it's really _ centre of excellence. it's really special to go back. i'm realty— really special to go back. i'm really looking for

earlier today, we've had outbreaks of rain working their way northwards through parts of the midlandsin through parts of the east midlands, in towards yorkshire and the humber. whilst in itself that wet weather not particularly heavy, it's falling on already saturated ground, so the potential for some further issues with flooding as a result. south of that band, drier with some sunshine through wales, in towards the south midlands and the south—east. wet weather pushing in towards the south—west later on. sunshine and showers for northern ireland and parts of scotland. brightest in the west through the highlands and islands. as we head into this evening, the wet weather across parts of the midlands clears and then heavy rain pushing in towards parts of the south of wales, in towards devon and cornwall and tracking east through dorset, hampshire, the isle of wight, in towards sussex and kent. a further met office yellow warning in force because of that. elsewhere, dry with clearest conditions in the west. chilly in glasgow at three degrees. perhaps a bit of mist and fog around as well

we will build the midlands rail hub connecting 50 different stations.he leeds tram. we will electrify the north wales main line. upgrade the a1, the a1, the a2, the a5, north wales main line. upgrade the a1, the a1, the a2, the as, the m6. cheering and applause there is more. there is lots more. we will connect our union with the a75, boosting links between scotland and northern ireland. we will fund the shipley bypass, the blyth relief road, and deliver 70 other road schemes. we will resurface roads across the country, we will bring back the don valley line, we will upgrade the energy coastline between carlisle, workington and barrow. we will build hundreds of other schemes and keep the £2 bus fare across the whole country. applause i challenge anyone to tell me with a straight face that all of that isn't what the north really needs. 0ur our plan will drive for more growth and opportunity here in the north than a faster train to london ever would. asjohn stephenson has long argued, east— west links are more important than north — south once. given how

earlier today, we've had outbreaks of rain working their way northwards through parts of the midlandsfor heavy rain through parts of the east midlands and towards yorkshire and the humber while in itself that wet weather not particularly heavy, following an already saturated ground, there is a potential for further issues with flooding as a result and south of that band, dryer with sunshine through wales and towards the south midlands and the southeast with wet weather pushing towards the south—west later on in sunshine and showers for northern ireland and parts of scotland brightest in us three highlands and islands. as we head into the evening, the weather across parts of the midlands clears and heavy rain pushing through parts of the south of wales through devon and cornwall tracking east through dorset and hampshire and then going into sussex and kent with a further weather warning in force because of that. elsewhere dry with clear conditions in us, chile and glasgow at three celsius with and fog around as well under clear skies. looking ahead to next week, wednesday you can see t

the conservative mayor of the west midlands, andy street, has urged the prime minister not to give upthe line between birmingham and manchester. it comes amid speculation that rishi sunak is about to announce that stage of the operation will be relaxed. andy street said he must not give up on a but the prime minister is right to get a grip of the situation. party conferences are cauldrons of gossip and whispers, denials and announcements. the whole question of h52, whether it will be built in hsz, whether it will be built in full between birmingham and manchester, as well as the connection between the west midlands and london, has dominated over the last couple of days here for a simple reason. the government will not answer that very simple question. the speculation has swirled again today and tonight downing street say that no final decision has yet been made. and yet that intervention from the mayor of the west midlands once again sparking off the discussion. that is the first reason why the chancellor of the exchequer�*s speech today was overshadowed. there was a second reason, qu

of the south and central midlands. of the south and central midlands. overnight in eight, the mild rain starts to drive back northwards into scotland, back where we have got those big flooding problems across angus and aberdeenshire. so further issues expected here. the rain continues to ease across parts of lincolnshire and across parts of the north midlands as well. babet still with us, still blocked from going anywhere by this big area of high pressure over scandinavia. rain starts to move back in across southern areas of england, it could be quite heavy the sun, but the main focus of the rain on saturday across eastern areas of scotland. raining for much of the day come up with further concerns of severe flooding for these areas. at the same time, less rain across the middle and so we might see conditions improve here. but maybe some rivers across northern england taking a bit longer to respond and there could be still issues through the course of the weekend, albeit with improving weather on sunday, many areas wil

>> he came in at quite a difficult time. >> this demand, the conservative mayor of the west midlands, pleaded to save hs2. >> i am obviously very disappointed he announced this today. i fought for it. >> and you lost? where does that live -- leave you? where you you carry-on? >> i will because i do think it is right that you should stand up and something is important to your region. >> this was not a speech of instant crown pleasers but instead ideas that will divide and provoke. it is a gamble. chris mason, bbc news, west manchester. christian: we will take a deeper dive into all the victory announcements. start with hs2. the northern areas cancel so pastors can only travel between manchester and birmingham. from there it will be linked with the slower west coast mainline. rishi sunak says the government will reinvest every penny. that is money that will go toward funding hundreds of new transport projects in the north, including a new manchester to bradford rail link, end full line from manchester to hold. the expansion of the west musto -- of the west metro system. us get the view

rainfall totals totting up, river levels rising, improving conditions all across the south—west midlands off a bit in parts of north wales and the midlands and across those flood hit areas of eastern scotland there will be respite from the rain this afternoon. sunshine developing, but strong winds remain in place across scotland. strong winds today across northern england, too. that only adds to enhancing the rainfall on the eastern side of the pennines and the peak district. lightest winds across the south where only one or two showers, sunny spells, it will feel warm and quite pleasant. into tonight, rain, then, to start with mainly across parts of north wales, northern england, but then increasingly so, edging its way into northern and eastern parts of scotland. once again, a few clear skies here and there, and it won't be a cold night, although the wind will make it feel pretty unpleasant across scotland once more into tomorrow morning. so this is the set—up for saturday. low pressure weather is held in place by this stubborn area of high pressure to the northeast, more in the way of

so we're just basically landed at east midlands airport. came together to support each other. before we knew it there was — support each other. before we knew it there was no _ support each other. before we knew it there was no way _ support each other. before we knew it there was no way out _ support each other. before we knew it there was no way out by _ support each other. before we knew it there was no way out by a - support each other. before we knew it there was no way out by a car - support each other. before we knew it there was no way out by a car and | it there was no way out by a car and lots of— it there was no way out by a car and lots of areas — it there was no way out by a car and lots of areas were flooding a lot. but you — lots of areas were flooding a lot. but you didn't quite make it home. | but you didn't quite make it home. almost but you didn't quite make it home. i almost made it home but unfortunately _ almost made it home but unfortunately i _ almost made it home butl unfortunately i got slightly engulfed _ unfortun

savings, he said, would be invested instead in transport projects across northern england and the midlandsmised fundamental reform to the way britain is run and to how the rest of us live. one eye—catching announcement, was a new and progressive age—related ban on smoking. there will be a new qualification — the advance british standard — which will combine a—levels and t—levels into one single qualification for school leavers. with the reaction from manchester our political editor chris mason. manchester this lunchtime, and the prime minister's warm—up act — his wife. rishi and i are each other's best friends, and i couldn't imagine being anywhere else to show my support to him. rishi sunak began by thanking her, his daughters, his parents as he drew a link between himself and margaret thatcher. this conservative party, the party of the grocer�*s daughter and the pharmacist�*s son, will always be the party of enterprise, the party of small business. he said he's taken a look at how government works since he became prime minister, and not liked what he's seen. it isn't anger, it's an exhau

, . ~ midlands? yes, i mean, i think there is something — midlands? _ midlands? yes, i mean, i think there is something about commuting - midlands? yes, i mean, i think there is something about commuting on i midlands? yes, i mean, i think there| is something about commuting on the pandemic and where we stand with commuting post—pandemic and what implications of that are for, you know, that the railways, so for example if you look at commuter lines going into london, there is no doubt that services have been cut because people are still commuting into london but they are commuting into london but they are commuting in less than they were before the pandemic. there are lots of people who have to work every day in an office or in service sectorjobs for example but there are lots of people doing hybrid working, but i think when it comes to looking at journeys, for example, from the north—west into london and vice versa, if you�*re looking at those sorts ofjourneys, i am unsure that that same logic stands up because you aren�*t talking about daily commute

jeremy bull, bbc east midlands today.aser was left paralysed from the shoulders down, after an accident on holiday in 2009 when he was just 17 years old. but since his injury he's gone on to inspire many people with his positive outlook on life. now he's become a successful artist, after learning to paint using only his mouth, and now his story is being told on the west end. tim muffett has been to meet him and the cast. told on the west end. tim muffett reports. henry fraser creates stunning works of art. and he lives by this motto. i was 17 years old, in 2009, just on holiday with group of mates. we went to praia da luz in the algarve in portugal. went to cool off in the sea. i went head first straight into a kind of sandbank and kind of blacked out for a bit and just totally unable to move anything. you know, severely damaged the spinal cord. causing the paralysis i have now. since his accident, henry has been paralysed from the shoulders down. the very first day i was put into a wheelchair, just sobbing and crying unc

hs2 will north and the midlands. hs2 will still run from euston in central london, but current management will no longer be responsible. he said. we'll reinvest every single . penny £36 billion in single. penny £36 billion in hundreds of new transport projects in the north and the midlands across the country. >> this means £36 billion of investment in the projects that will make a real difference across our nation . across our nation. >> well, in reaction to that, the former prime minister, david cameron has criticised the announcement , saying that cameron has criticised the announcement, saying that a once in a generation opportunity has been lost and the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, said the new investment plan simply doesn't create a coherent transport network. but mayor of the west midlands, andy street, while he's disappointed in the decision, said he believes it is a good compromise . now in his speech, the prime minister also reaffirmed his commitment to stop small boats crossing the english cha

hs2 will north and the midlands.s2 will still run from euston in central london, but current management will no longer be responsible. he said. we'll reinvest every single . penny £36 billion in single. penny £36 billion in hundreds of new transport projects in the north and the midlands across the country. >> this means £36 billion of investment in the projects that will make a real difference across our nation . across our nation. >> well, in reaction to that, the former prime minister, david cameron has criticised the announcement , saying that cameron has criticised the announcement, saying that a once in a generation opportunity has been lost and the mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, said the new investment plan simply doesn't create a coherent transport network. but mayor of the west midlands, andy street, while he's disappointed in the decision, said he believes it is a good compromise . now in his speech, the prime minister also reaffirmed his commitment to stop small boats crossing the english chann

now birmingham to manchester has also been scrapped, as well as the line to east midlands parkway. be getting reaction from all along the network tonight. our transport correspondent katy austin is in birmingham, our north of england correspondent danny savage is in leeds, but first let's go to our political editor chris mason in manchester. sophie, for at least three weeks the plug has been poised to be pulled on a big chunk of hs2. today, it was yanked out. the prime minister acknowledged it was a controversial decision, but he insisted it was the right call, even though there are plenty, including in his own party, who think it is a huge mistake. and all of this on a day of big announcements from rishi sunak. manchester this lunchtime, and the prime minister's warm—up. rishi and i are each other�*s best friends, and i couldn't being anywhere else to —— and i couldn't imagine being anywhere else to show my support to him. rishi sunak began by thanking her, his daughters, his parents as he drew a link between himself and margaret thatcher. this conservative party, the party of the

we are doinu lots do to level up the midlands. we are doing lots of— do to level up the midlands.s of that already, - doing lots of that already, investing _ doing lots of that already, investing in _ doing lots of that already, investing in local- doing lots of that already, - investing in local infrastructures and rait — investing in local infrastructures and rail. �* investing in local infrastructures and rail. . investing in local infrastructures andrail. ., , and rail. are you saying the money ou save and rail. are you saying the money you save should _ and rail. are you saying the money you save should be _ and rail. are you saying the money you save should be given - and rail. are you saying the money you save should be given to - and rail. are you saying the money you save should be given to local l you save should be given to local riders? it you save should be given to local riders? . you save should be given to local riders? , . , , ., riders? it is always the case for usina riders? it is always the case for using taxoayer _ riders? it is always the case for using taxpa

earlier today, we've had outbreaks of rain working their way northwards through parts of the midlandssaturated ground, so the potential for some further issues with flooding as a result. south of that band, drier with some sunshine through wales, in towards the south midlands and the south—east. wet weather pushing in towards the south—west later on. sunshine and showers for northern ireland and parts of scotland. brightest in the west through the highlands and islands. as we head into this evening, the wet weather across parts of the midlands clears and then heavy rain pushing in towards parts of the south of wales, in towards devon and cornwall and tracking east through dorset, hampshire, the isle of wight, in towards sussex and kent. a further met office yellow warning in force because of that. elsewhere, dry with clearest conditions in the west. chilly in glasgow at three degrees. perhaps a bit of mist and fog around as well under clear skies. looking ahead to midweek, this is wednesday, you can see that area of low pressure pulling away, taking the overnight rain with it. then, f