cuts and reform in whitehall. ., ., ., , ., whitehall.hitehall. we have got to stave off recession. we _ whitehall. we have got to stave off recession, we have _ whitehall. we have got to stave off recession, we have got _ whitehall. we have got to stave off recession, we have got deliver- whitehall. we have got to stave off recession, we have got deliver on l recession, we have got deliver on the huge ambition that the british people have, having left the european union. we have got to catch up european union. we have got to catch up after covid. we have a war and we have a manifesto to deliver on standards and trust to restore. the portsmouth — standards and trust to restore. the portsmouth north mp claimed to be the candidate labour feared the most and emphasised her naval background, committing to maintain defence spending. not enough for some. the former soldier in the contest, tom tugendhat, says more money for the military is needed.— military is needed. when we are talkin: military is needed. when we are talking about — military i

so this is the challenge that we _ whitehall.the prime minister, whilst _ minister and the prime minister, whilst he — minister and the prime minister, whilst he is overseeing that process, _ whilst he is overseeing that process, will have to make sure they are listening — process, will have to make sure they are listening carefully, they are not saying things that cannot be unsaid, — not saying things that cannot be unsaid, as — not saying things that cannot be unsaid, as we pulled together as a party— unsaid, as we pulled together as a party and — unsaid, as we pulled together as a party and indeed as a government and deliver— party and indeed as a government and deliver for— party and indeed as a government and deliver for everybody up and down the uk _ deliver for everybody up and down the uk. ., ,., ., �*, ., the uk. final point, and it's one lots of mps _ the uk. final point, and it's one lots of mps were _ the uk. final point, and it's one lots of mps were asked - the uk. final point, and it's one i lots of mps were asked

_ tomorrow is about taking away those whitehall mandated targets and giving _ whitehall mandated targets councils can decide how many houses to— local councils can decide how many houses to build in that area, rather than it— houses to build in that area, rather than it being mandated from london. but the _ than it being mandated from london. but the point the express is making is she _ but the point the express is making is she wants to deliver an overhaul of mortgage rules, which could benefit — of mortgage rules, which could benefit england's 4.7 million renters _ benefit england's 4.7 million renters. so clearly a point that's maybe _ renters. so clearly a point that's maybe not— renters. so clearly a point that's maybe not targeted at the tory membership, many of whom will be homeowners, but younger people who might— homeowners, but younger people who might be _ homeowners, but younger people who might be looking to vote next general— might be looking to vote next general election in keeping to find a way— general election in keeping to find a way to— general election in keeping to

with us are sebastian payne who is the whitehall editor for the ft and anne mcelvoy — senior editor atent but let's look at today's front pages, starting with... the conservative leadership contest features heavily in many of the papers. all five remaining candidates have articles in the sunday telegraph — though the paper leads with rishi sunak�*s promise to review all eu law still in force in the uk. the sunday express goes with the same story — calling it a pledge to "torch eu red tape." it's a similar story in the independent — which says sunak is trying to appeal to brexit supporters in the conservative party. the observer reports that cop 26 president alok sharma may it's a similar story in the independent — which says sunak is trying to appeal to brexit supporters in the conservative party. the observer reports that cop 26 president alok sharma may quit his cabinetjob if the new tory leader dumps the plan for net zero. the sunday times splashes on fresh claims about penny mordaunt�*s views on trans rights. the mail on sunday has the same lead — claiming leaked documents show she

to - interrupt, the first paragraph, the political editor at the observer commencing concerns in whitehallcused of, is it?— political party wants to see himself accused of, is it? absolutely. and i think the conservatives _ accused of, is it? absolutely. and i think the conservatives will - accused of, is it? absolutely. and i think the conservatives will be - think the conservatives will be hoping — think the conservatives will be hoping that this is really too technical, and deals with minute details _ technical, and deals with minute details that most people won't be paid too— details that most people won't be paid too much attention to, they will hope — paid too much attention to, they will hope that the story well, if it does _ will hope that the story well, if it does look— will hope that the story well, if it does look like bad news for the government, there will be hoping, i assume, _ government, there will be hoping, i assume, that they can in effect just fronted _ assume, that they can in effect just fronted out~ — assume, that they can in effect just fronted out. but if a series

the experience i offer is not from whitehall — it's from the real world.ary, grant shapps... i can help you win your seat. ..and the runner—up last time is running again this time — jeremy hunt. they all want to replace this man, who will soon be looking for anotherjob. you need six months training. boris johnson's successor will be announced by monday 5 september. the business of whittling down the wannabes begins tomorrow. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. stay with us on bbc world news, still to come: it's arguably the most famous movie theme tune of them all we look back at the life of the man who wrote it, monty norman, who has died at 94. after months of talks and missed deadlines, a deal has been struck to keep greece within the eurozone. the immediate prospect of greece going bust in the worst crisis to hit the eurozone has been averted. emergency services across central europe are stepping up their efforts to contain the worst floods this century. nearly 100 people have been killed. broadway is traditionally called the 'great white way' by am

the experience i offer is not from whitehall — it's from the real world.ort secretary, grant shapps... i can help you win your seat. ..and the runner—up last time is running again this time — jeremy hunt. they all want to replace this man, who will soon be looking for anotherjob. you need six months training. boris johnson's successor will be announced by monday the fifth of september. the business of whittling down the wannabes begins tomorrow. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. let's turn to sri lanka, where the crisis appears to be deepening. after those extraordinary scenes we saw over the weekend with protestors storming the presidential palace, sri lanka's parliamentary speaker has said lawmakers will reconvene on friday, before electing a new president the following wednesday. our south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan is in colombo and sent this report. "open to the public" reads the graffiti scrawled outside the prime minister's official residence. in colombo, the occupation continues. police powerless, as the people's movement picks up

the experience i offer is not from whitehall — it's from the real world.anistan and iraq. ..the transport secretary, grant shapps... i can help you win your seat. ..and the runner—up last time is running again this time — jeremy hunt. they all want to replace this man, who will soon be looking for anotherjob. you need six months training. boris johnson's successor will be announced by monday the 5th of september. the business of whittling down the wannabes begins tomorrow. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. i'm joined now by our political correspondent ione wells. and what about borisjohnson — presumably he's in charge till then — what happens to him next? there's quite a long process between now and september when there's quite a long process between now and september when the there's quite a long process between now and september when the new there's quite a long process between now and september when the new prime minister and conservative parties will be announced first, they have until the end of tomorrow evening and any candidates that want to pu

the experience i offer is not from whitehall — it's from the real world.p you win your seat. ..and the runner—up last time is running again this time — jeremy hunt. they all want to replace this man, who will soon be looking for anotherjob. you need six months training. boris johnson's successor will be announced by monday the fifth of september. the business of whittling down the wannabes begins tomorrow. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. i have been looking forward to this because we have got an amazing picture to show you. what does the end of darkness look like? well, nasa has released the first color images of space taken by the newjames webb telescope, which can look further into the recesses of our universe than ever before. the first image shows an area depicting a massive group of galaxy clusters. the picture was announced during a nasa preview event attended by us presidentjoe biden and vice president kamala harris. nasa says its first images have targeted distant galaxies, bright nebulae and a faraway giant gas planet.) we can now speak to

it is, a cobra meeting is when key officials and ministers from across whitehall get together to workey are going to do, what the contingency plans are. how is the nhs going to cope? what will happen to the rail and road network? there was a briefing on friday, where the prime minister spokesman said these plans were long—standing, he talked about potentially there being speed restrictions put on the line on monday, so it will be going through those details but labour certainly see borisjohnson�*s absence from this as a sign that he is simply not focused on the job. angela rayner, deputy leader, has called it a zombie government. "he is not taking responsibility for thejob, he should leave now," says labour. unsurprisingly, but the prime minister is in chequers this weekend and i understand he is going to be hosting a private party as well tomorrow at chequers, for some of his supporters. joining me now is alex apati from ladbroke�*s to give us an insight into the favourites for the top runners in in the conservative leadership race. we describe it as if it is a horse race, don't we?

the experience i offer is not from whitehall — it's from the real world.transport secretary, grant shapps... i can help you win your seat. ..and the runner—up last time is running again this time — jeremy hunt. they all want to replace this man, who will soon be looking for anotherjob. you need six months training. boris johnson's successor will be announced by monday the 5th of september. the business of whittling down the wannabes begins tomorrow. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. as we mentioned earlier, most of the candidates have been making bold pledges to cut taxes as part of their campaign to become conservative leader and prime minister. but with the public finances in a fragile state, some experts say that significant tax cuts are unwise and simply unaffordable. our business editor, simonjack, is here with his thoughts on the tax cut debate. thank you. tax and spending is emerging as a — perhaps the — key battle ground in this leadership contest. and it is a fact that after recent policy decisions, by this government, the tax burden is on tr

so that was a signal from the whole of whitehall i suspect, that entire civil service was sending a message, because that is political business, so that probably should not have been on treasury paper and i know that is a mega—nerd point but that is my feeling. we were just in extraordinary territory, you know, we had the attorney general appear on the today programme under her own steam, as attorney general having been on the television last night saying borisjohnson should resign but shes wasn't resigning from government, and saying by the way if he goes because this was still at the point where it wasn't certain, i fancy being prime minister myself. so in that sense, every convention, every norm of how government ministers would normally behave, smashed by circumstances. chris, the other big story developing tonight quickly is who next? totally, that the big question, who will be our next prime minister, chosen by the thinnest sliver of the electorate, the 100,000ish members of the conservative party, if the contest lasts as far as them having a choice, there will be a whittling down of

sebastian payne, whitehall editor at the financial times, thank you for your time today.tehall editor at the financial times outlining a range of possibilities. let mejust pick outlining a range of possibilities. let me just pick up on one of the things he said. he said, watch out to sea of graham brady, who is the chair of the 1922 committee, that committee of backbench mps, arrives here at number 10 today. because if here at number 10 today. because if he does he may be going to the prime minister and saying, a majority of mps want you to go, just go, let's not go through the process of another confidence vote. that is in sebastian payne's view, which is that the prime minister will want to hang on if you possibly can. and he will be likely to refuse that if that was what indeed graham brady put to him later today. with me now is our political correspondent nick eardley. let's take is our political correspondent nick ea rdley. let's take a is our political correspondent nick eardley. let's take a moment to reflect of course that had boris johnson dealt with the chris pi

i'm joined now by the whitehall editor of the financial times, sebastian payne.t look? how worried are those mps who won seats under borisjohnson? these candidates may be very admirable but they are just not going to cut it in those places that, for the first time in some cases, gave their votes, lent their votes to the conservative party.— votes, lent their votes to the conservative party. you can imagine nearly every — conservative party. you can imagine nearly every contender _ conservative party. you can imagine nearly every contender is _ conservative party. you can imagine nearly every contender is probably l nearly every contender is probably going to say, i can keep together borisjohnson's going to say, i can keep together boris johnson's voting going to say, i can keep together borisjohnson's voting coalition, the last camp i've heard from today say that is liz truss who is expected to break to —— are expected to launch a bid tomorrow or monday. he is a northern mp, represents a seat of richmond in north yorkshire quite back to be fair to his critics, he

perhaps presumptuous to assume he will get time to do middle of that given what we are hearing in whitehall the last 2a hours? the constituency of high peak swung to the conservatives from labour at the last election. 0urjudith moritz has been talking to people there. the view from voters. 200 miles from westminster, whaley bridge feels far removed. the reputation of the prime minister matters here. has been lots of support for him but it is being severely tested. at the end of johnson street, this builders merchants where they a price on honesty. and where views are changing. l honesty. and where views are chan . in . honesty. and where views are changing-— changing. i felt sorry for him an a , changing. i felt sorry for him anyway. he _ changing. i felt sorry for him anyway. he has _ changing. i felt sorry for him anyway, he has had - changing. i felt sorry for him anyway, he has had a - changing. i felt sorry for him anyway, he has had a lot - changing. i felt sorry for him anyway, he has had a lot of. changing. i felt sorry for him - anyway, he has had a lot of pressure with coronavirus

and we are going _ reach across whitehall. and we are going to _ reach across whitehall.ve — we need to build a modern economy. you will have heard pitches on tax and spend. — you will have heard pitches on tax and spend, i am going to talk about growth _ and spend, i am going to talk about growth and — and spend, i am going to talk about growth and competition. my key fiscal— growth and competition. my key fiscal rule — growth and competition. my key fiscal rule is that debt as a percentage of gdp will fall over time _ percentage of gdp will fall over time my— percentage of gdp will fall over time. my monetary policy will be on controlling — time. my monetary policy will be on controlling inflation. our supply side reforms will yield a brexit dividend — side reforms will yield a brexit dividend on an investment, infrastructure, incentives and innovation. applause innovation. and - innovation. and we also need to let our innovation. — and we also need to let our citizens live well _ and we also need to let our citizens live well. from me, you're going to -et live well. fr

put paid to some of the managerialism we have seenin to some of the managerialism we have seen in whitehallieve that is what this country needs to get us through this incredibly difficult period.— incredibly difficult period. rachel maclean mp. _ incredibly difficult period. rachel maclean mp, thank _ incredibly difficult period. rachel maclean mp, thank you - incredibly difficult period. rachel maclean mp, thank you very i incredibly difficult period. rachel i maclean mp, thank you very much. five out of five! we will see how this story is captain tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30pm this evening in our papers. our guests training us tonight are... ..anne mcelvoy, senior editor at the economist and adam payne, political editor at politics home. are producers in the news you have worked their socks off in the last few minutes to get them, so thank you to them. let's move on to other news now, and investigators in northern greece have warned people living near the site of a plane crash to stay indoors because of fears the aircraft was carrying toxic material. the flight, which came do

cobra pulls together ministers and officials - together ministers and officials from across whitehall planning, to make sure all the emergency services are primed, to work out what the tactics should be. cabinet office minister kit malthouse chad today's meeting, and afterwards warned of severe disruption on monday and tuesday. —— chaired today's meeting. there are three key areas where we want to make sure that we are stood up and as ready as we can be. the first is obviously health and social care, where there has been a lot of work, first of all messaging those people who may be vulnerable, and making sure they take steps to help themselves and protect themselves, but also that hospitals, ambulances, and other areas of that service that may come under pressure are ready and prepared. the second area is schools, where obviously we want to make sure kids do continue to go to school, we think they are safer in schools, but those schools should have more help and guidance and all the support that they need, to keep those kids out of the sun and nice and cool and hydrated. and then thir

there is a scene in whitehall. a big crowd gathered outside the gates of downing street there.nt today. we have seen it playing out on bbc news - statement today. we have seen it playing out on bbc news in - statement today. we have seen it playing out on bbc news in the i statement today. we have seen it i playing out on bbc news in the last couple of hours that they are conservative mps who simply do not think it is tenable for boris johnson to continue until the autumn. and we have seen in response to that appointment after appointment from the cabinet to more junior positions. andrew stephenson appointed minister without portfolio. borisjohnson determined to make the case that he can assemble a functioning interim government until the autumn. you have a very — government until the autumn. you have a very good _ government until the autumn. you have a very good view of downing street with their flags flying above numbers ten and ii street with their flags flying above numbers ten and 11 downing st and the whip squatters over to the left. there you can see their decking and t

allegations coming to light of lockdown parties being held in downing street and other buildings in whitehall minister among conservative mps and when he was made deputy chief whip in a reshuffle in february, it was seen as something of a reward for his loyalty. that may have played a part in borisjohnson�*s reluctance to at least initially suspend the whip or take further action against chris pincher but yes, he is certainly seen as someone who has been close to borisjohnson and influential in maintaining his support among parliamentary colleagues. but his behaviour certainly earlier this week in the carlton club, where he was drinking with colleagues and others on wednesday night, fell short of the standards expected of conservative mps and he has now not only apologised, not only resigned as a government whip but now had the conservative party whip withdrawn from him. ithink conservative party whip withdrawn from him. i think this reflects the response we seem to these events definitely reflects a deep unease among a lot of conservatives themselves about the way the party has handled recen

there also the silo mentality whitehall which continues to persist.as hugely bruised by what happened in afghanistan, the morale across nato countries was very low indeed. there's a new regained sense of purpose there but we are still missing the bigger challenge, the bigger threat that's taking place because what's happening in ukraine won't stay in ukraine. we are in for a bumpy decade indeed. as i say, this is to do with russia and china recognising the weakness, the risk averse nice if you like of the west. they now feel it's their turn to govern in the way that the west hasn't done and we've step back from that. afghanistan was the start of that and in ukraine today we aren't leaning in hard enough to change events there. president zelensky makes an unannounced appearance in the ukrainian port of odesa — with the first grain shipment to leave a ukrainian port since the russian invasion still on hold. kyiv has denied russian allegations that its rockets destroyed a prison in the occupied part of the donetsk region. in a video statement, the defenc

it cobra meeting is when key officials and ministers from across whitehall could get together to worklans are, how the nhs is going to cope, what'll happen to the rail network, road network. there was a briefing on friday when the prime minister's spokesman said these plans are long—standing and in place. he talked about potentially speed restrictions being put on the line on monday. it will be going through that sort of detail, but labour suddenly see boris johnson's absence from this as a sign that he is not focused on the job. absence from this as a sign that he is not focused on thejob. deputy leader angela rayner has called it a zombie government, he is not taking responsibility for thejob, zombie government, he is not taking responsibility forthejob, he should leave now, says labour. unsurprisingly. but the prime minister is in the checkers this weekend and i understand he will be hosting a private party as well tomorrow at chequers as well for some of his supporters. ben tomorrow at chequers as well for some of his supporters. tim bale is a professor of politics at queen mary u

we've not had a cabinet construct that is working, whitehall has been floundering.ur uk political correspondent rob watson. it's interesting, i thought also with what mr frost was saying they are, do you think this whole process, whether it's between rishi sunak and penny mourdaunt, or others that we will get into in a moment, could it damage the party? i that we will get into in a moment, could it damage the party?- could it damage the party? i don't think there's _ could it damage the party? i don't think there's any _ could it damage the party? i don't think there's any doubt _ could it damage the party? i don't think there's any doubt about - could it damage the party? i don't| think there's any doubt about that. to have party leaders, party politicians who are not taking chunks out of each other is never a good look because we know the voters just don't like divided parties. and it must be said that even before this happened, i was checking out the latest polling before talking to you, so i think the last up—to—date polling was pretty much as boris johnson was

we've not had a candidate that's been working, whitehall has been floundering, we need to reboot and. it's one thing to win over your fellow _ task. it's one thing to win over your fellow mps, then - task. it's one thing to win over your fellow mps, then you've i task. it's one thing to win over i your fellow mps, then you've got task. it's one thing to win over - your fellow mps, then you've got to see the grassroots members of the conservative party and convince them. how will she appeal to them, do you believe? ilrrul’ith them. how will she appeal to them, do you believe?— do you believe? with that in mind, ou're do you believe? with that in mind, you're right. _ do you believe? with that in mind, you're right. it— do you believe? with that in mind, you're right, it is— do you believe? with that in mind, you're right, it is through - do you believe? with that in mind, you're right, it is through the - you're right, it is through the prism of the party membership. we've also got to remember there's a general election to win in a year or so's time, and it's time i hope every part in

she promised a relentless focus on the cost of living, tax cuts and reform in whitehall.off recession, we have got deliver on the huge ambition that the british people have, having left the european union. we have got to catch up after covid. we have a war and we have a manifesto to deliver on, standards and trust to restore. the portsmouth north mp claimed to be the candidate labour feared the most and emphasised her naval background, committing to maintain defence spending. not enough for some. the former soldier in the contest, tom tugendhat, says more money for the military is needed. when we're talking about defence spending, we have got to be clear, that we will never put the safety of our country in doubt because of bean counters or spreadsheets. security always comes before spreadsheets. that has been seen as a swipe at the front runner among mps, rishi sunak, who has not committed to increasing the defence spending target, but says tackling inflation was his priority. supporters of liz truss, the foreign secretary, have also taken aim at the former chancellor for

the energy minister has been seen here in whitehall where reporters asked him questions and this is whate prime minister? yes, i do- he is — should still be prime minister? yes, ido- he is the _ should still be prime minister? yes, i do. he is the prime _ should still be prime minister? is: i do. he is the prime minister and there is no vacancy at the moment. can ijust get to there is no vacancy at the moment. can i just get to where there is no vacancy at the moment. can ijust get to where i'm trying to get to please? let can i just get to where i'm trying to get to please?— to get to please? let speak to a liberal democrat, _ to get to please? let speak to a liberal democrat, formerly - liberal democrat, formerly conservative mp and was part of the 1922 committee. thank you very much forjoining us and i wonder what your emotions are as you watch this play out this evening. he your emotions are as you watch this play out this evening.— play out this evening. he does remind me _ play out this evening. he does remind me of— play out this evening. he does remind me of what _ play out this

we can speak now to seb payne, whitehall editor for the financial times.n defeats? period, not least the big by-election defeats? period, not least the big b -election defeats? ., ., �* by-election defeats? you don't need to listen to me _ by-election defeats? you don't need to listen to me to _ by-election defeats? you don't need to listen to me to look _ by-election defeats? you don't need to listen to me to look at _ by-election defeats? you don't need to listen to me to look at the - to listen to me to look at the pictures that came out of the cabinet meeting this morning, the cameras were let in, and you could see the faces of jacob rees—mogg and nadine dorries, they were stony at the situation, because many of them have gone out over the past couple of days to defend borisjohnson over the chris pincher affair, lines which have not been true in terms of what the prime minister knew about the affair before he was appointed deputy chief whip, and downing street has confirmed today that the prime minister was informed about some of the allegations toward

i've shown that i'm prepared to get difficult stuff done in whitehall, i am ready to hit the ground runningf delivery is needed to get the job done. thejob done. applause you said just now you wanted to be honest— you said just now you wanted to be honest about your plan for the economy _ honest about your plan for the economy. the government in which you serve _ economy. the government in which you serve as— economy. the government in which you serve as a _ economy. the government in which you serve as a plan to cut the rate of infant _ serve as a plan to cut the rate of infant tax — serve as a plan to cut the rate of infant tax by 1p by 2024. that's not enough. _ infant tax by 1p by 2024. that's not enough. is — infant tax by 1p by 2024. that's not enough, is it? what would you like to see _ enough, is it? what would you like to see income tax cut to? gn enough, is it? what would you like to see income tax cut to?- enough, is it? what would you like to see income tax cut to? on day one we would start _ to see income tax cut to? on day one we would start by _ to see income tax cut to? on d

i'm joined now by sebastian payne, whitehall editor of the financial times.ing news, he was 'ust late. , ., , 3 and bringing breaking news, he was 'ust tate.— and we h bringing breaking news, he wasjust late._ and we are i late. it is a busy time. and we are trateful late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for _ late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for some _ late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for some of _ late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for some of your - late. it is a busy time. and we are grateful for some of your time. i grateful for some of your time. first of all, the 1922 committee meeting today on the rules of this. how important is that?— how important is that? hugely important- _ how important is that? hugely important- we _ how important is that? hugely important. we know _ how important is that? hugely important. we know the i how important is that? hugely i important. we know the timetable which is that nominations will open tomorrow morning, close at the end of tomorrow and the first round of shortlisting wil

we can speak now to anna isaac, the economics editor at the independent and sebastian payne, whitehallt. what will be the most important issues? quite clearly, they are all facing the cost of living crisis but it didn't figure that highly in the debate, did it? oh, we can't hear in for some 0h, we can't hear in for some reason, so we will come back to him. you're there, but we can't hear you. anna, what about the issues for you? i think that is absolutely crucial. what we were talking about and what came across in the debate is the grand plan for the economy, not the day—to—day experience that people are having of it. so, the discussion was, will big tax cuts around 30 billion that were promised by liz truss, will they be inflationary? pretty soon act came back and it did feel like the gloves had come up. it did feel like he had been coached a lot and he was able to ram home the points without it seeming like too much of an attack but genuinely are not too polished and that came across and he was able to say debt is debt. he did the first name game which is where you say there are firs