And welcome to bbc news. A senior cabinet minister has said the government should consider borrowing money to invest in hundreds of thousands of new homes. The secretary of state for communities and local government, sajid javid, said ministers should take advantage of record low Interest Rates to deal with the housing crisis. Speaking on the andrew marr show, mrjavid said he was sure the forthcoming budget would have announcements that would cover housing. What i want to do is make sure we are using everything we have available to deal with the housing crisis, and where that means, for example, that we can sensibly borrow more to invest in infrastructure leading to more housing, take advantage of record low Interest Rates that we have, i think we should consider that. That is interesting, because it is a change in tone. Not long ago, we were told we could not borrow more for anything, but you say housing is such a big infrastructure crisis in the country that we should borrow more to solve it. I would make a distinction between the deficit, which needs to keep coming down, and that is vitally important for economic credibility, and we have seen excellent progress and good news on that this week, but investing for the future, taking advantage of record low Interest Rates, can be the right thing if done sensibly, and that can help notjust with the housing, but Infrastructure Investment needed alongside housing. By sensibly, do you think things like housing bonds and other ways of raising money long term would be a good idea . I will not get into what i think would be the method, but i think we have to be involved in this area, we set out a lot during the conference and there is more to do, but this is the biggest barrier to social progress in our country today. Our Political CorrespondentJonathan Blake is here. Why is the biggest barrier to social progress in our country today, quite a strong statement. It fits into the mood and thrust of what theresa may was saying, what, more than a year ago when she stood on the steps of downing street about radical change is downing street about radical change is the government seriously looking at this . It appears to be, yes, and we have seen a shift in policy from sajid javid this morning in terms of how the government will approach what it has continually referred to as the housing crisis. It freely admit that the Housing Market in england is broken and there is a need for far more market in england is broken and there is a need forfar more new houses being built and there are at the moment. So we heard sajid javid there talking about the possibility of borrowing money to fund House Building programmes. Now, that is perhaps something of a shift, because as we have heard from the government for a long time, getting the deficit down, the gap between taxes and spend spending, is the priority, and Philip Hammond had to lose in the rain because things got more difficult of the brexit, but sajid javid saying this morning that the government may well be prepared to borrow money to fund the Something Like 300,000 new houses being built here, which is what they seem to be aspiring to. That is about double what is being built at the moment. Very interesting, because in a sense, i suppose, it underlines the frustration that ministers have felt they have set targets, and this government is not the only want to try this but they have not been delivered, and it has proved difficult to deliver them, not least because all you can do is say, local authorities, not least because all you can do is say, localauthorities, Housing Developers, these are targets, go ahead and do it, but you cant make them build houses. No, that is right, and it would take the government to take on a programme of its old or provide extra incentives to Housing Developers and free local authorities do borrow more money to build houses and flats themselves to do that. So we are talking about a big increase here, as i say, 160,000 new homes in england last year. Well, around double that is what would be required to meet the aspirations of the government, and consistently the government has tried to act, but we saw theresa may, ina tried to act, but we saw theresa may, in a conference beach, talking about an extra £2 billion for affordable housing, which might sound like a lot of money, but it tra nslates sound like a lot of money, but it translates to about 25,000 homes over five years, which translates to about 25,000 homes overfive years, which is translates to about 25,000 homes over five years, which is a very small fraction of the requirement which is needed. So big promises from the government, big aspirations, but building new homes isa aspirations, but building new homes is a tricky thing, and we will have to see if they meet those demands. And sajid javid was also announcing ways of consulting, considering consulting on ways of making buying and selling houses faster, cheaper and selling houses faster, cheaper and less stressful. Hes launching a consultation for england and wales, which will look at whether its possible to reduce moving costs and end practices like gazumping. Our Business Correspondent joe lynam reports. Moving home is often compared to getting divorced in terms of stress and worry. Picking your new home is the easy part of the process, before venders, surveyors, solicitors, banks, agents and removal vans get involved. Currently, it can take three months on average to move home. Getting the mortgage offer from your bank alone takes around 50 days. And a quarter of all transactions fall through. And so the government will be consulting estate agents, solicitors, as well as buyers and sellers, to find out how best to speed up the process and cut costs for households. I think you can use technology to gather as much information about the proposed sale, about the proposed property, to be conveyed at an early opportunity. A purchaser or seller wont talk to his lawyer or conveyancer until after hes agreed the sale. That information can be gathered digitally. I know the Land Registry is working on this to improve it. So the more we can have ready, oven ready sales, the quicker it can become. While some people involved in the house buying process welcomed the consultation, labour said it was a feeble effort and would not tackle the real issue of insufficient homes being built. Joe lynam, bbc news. The home0wners alliance, an organisation that gives advice on property matters, said both buyers and sellers typically feel they can pull out of a deal without repercussions. What were calling for is a reservation agreement, at point of agreed, when you agree a price, both sides put in a bit of money and say they will pay for each others costs if they pull out. It gets rid of the whim of the people, so its actually being more consistent, and especially for first time buyers, when its very hard to put up front £5,000 and then find out they are still not moving, they dont have that home. The shadow brexit secretary, sir keir starmer, has warned that unless the government makes changes to the eu withdrawal bill, labour will side with conservative rebels to block it. Hundreds of amendments have already been tabled to the legislation, which aims to transfer eu law onto the british statute books. It is important for people to talk and work across parties, but at its heart we must make sure that we get this bill through to provide legal certainty, but also to ensure that the results of the referendum that millions of people took part in is properly implemented. Are you confident a deal is going to be done with the eu, or are you more concerned about the risks of a no deal and having to leave the eu without any kind of formal arrangement . I believe there is a strong chance we will reach an agreement, in terms of. There are two questions, the basic exit agreement, measures on air travel and security, and there is a separate question of a trade deal, delivering a trade deal in the Time Available certainly is more of a challenge, but i think eu leaders were very much signalling this week they had knowledge it will be in their interests as well as ours to reach a sensible trading arrangement. I remain optimistic that is what is going to be achievable. That was theresa villiers, talking to me earlier. The shadow foreign secretary, emily thornberry, outlined why she was concerned about the prospect of a no deal. Intransigence is on theresa mays side, because she doesnt have the strength to control her backbenchers, let alone her cabinet, and i think we are heading for no deal, and i think that there is a serious threat to britain, and it is not in britains interests for that to happen. We will stop it. Demonstrations took place in barcelona last night, as the political crisis in spain deepens. The Spanish Government has said it plans to impose some aspects of direct rule in catalonia and sack the regional administration, following a disputed independence referendum. The catalan president compared the government in madrid to that of the fascist dictator, general franco. 0ur correspondent in madrid guy hedgecoe says the political debate in spain has soured in the last few weeks. Thats been the case in the last few months, particularly so in the last two or three weeks since the 0ctober1st referendum on independence which the Catalan Government staged and which the Spanish Government opposed and the courts opposed. The situation has really deteriorated since then, tensions have risen. The two sides have become as entrenched as ever, really, and its very difficult to see a way out of it. What form of civil disobedience do we think there is likely to be by people supporting the catalan authorities when the madrid government finally takes these powers in what, a weeks time . I suppose the obvious form will be for Civil Servants to refuse to obey the of those ministers and those departments in madrid giving orders as opposed to the ministers in catalonia, the Catalan Government. They could possibly refuse to obey and not carry out their duties. We are told that those measures being implemented by madrid would mean there are punishments for Civil Servants, but nonetheless, that seems to be a possibility. Of course, we have the other issue of demonstrations out on the street, the possibility people might block government buildings, Pro Independence campaigners may block government buildings to prevent the Spanish Government from implementing this very drastic measure to take control of their institutions. How risky is this for the Prime Minister to go through this process, to effectively call regional elections, which he says will happen following this within six months, if the result could be simply to strengthen the hand of the separatist parties . Well, i think its risky when you look at the overall picture, because its going to draw a backlash. We saw that backlash yesterday on the streets in barcelona, and i think were certainly going to see more demonstrations out on the street and other kinds of reactions against this measure by the Spanish Government. But theres also a feeling that the Spanish Government didnt really have much other choice, felt it did not have any other choice. A lot of pressure on Mariano Rajoy to take this route, pressure from the voters, media in madrid, from sections of his Popular Party who insisted this was the only way to prevent the Independence Movement from going any further. I think he felt it was his only option. How have, you know, the media on sunday being reporting this . Sunday papers in spain are as important as they are here in the uk are they taking the governments side so far, or are there any notes of caution . Well, in madrid, the National Paper is published in madrid, they tend to take the line of the government, even if they are not government supporters. On this issue, many newspapers say order is being restored to catalonia, finally, after all these weeks and months of tensions and chaos. In catalonia, the media has a different view, not all of them, newspapers are saying that this measure by the Spanish Government is going to cause a backlash, it is very risky. The new head of the world health 0rganisation says hes rethinking his decision to appoint the president of zimbabwe, robert mugabe, as a goodwill ambassador. Mr mugabe has led his country for 37 years, but he has been condemned over his human rights record. Britain and the United States warned the decision could overshadow the work of the global agency. Parts of britain have been hit by storm brian with violent winds and rough seas. Gusts of more than 120 km h were recorded in some places. Strong Wind Warnings and flood alerts remain in place across much of wales, the south of england storm brian unleashes its worst, as waves crash against the coast of wales. The ferocity of nature showing its hand. Its taken the whole side of the rnli offices out. Buildings damaged and roads flooded. The picture in the south west of england is similar. Beaches empty. Advice from the Environment Agency has been to stay away from the coastline. But walkers in the north west of england couldnt resist watching the awesome scenes storm brian has provided. Thats the power of nature. I was hoping to go for a nice coastal walk this morning, but i think ill put that on hold. The destruction hasnt been as widespread as predicted, and storm brian is expected to ease over becoming ours. Only then will the true impact be revealed. Communities secretary sajid javid said the government should think about borrowing more to invest in housing. Ministers are considering ways to make buying and selling houses faster, cheaper and less stressful. Labours breakfast spokesman, sir keir starmer, says the party will back conservative rebels to force changes to the repeal bill. I nearly called keir hardie, takes me back sport now, and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre, heres jessica creighton. Former fa board member Dame Heather Rabbatts has told the bbc she thinks that dan ashworths position as technical director at the fa is untenable. The fa apologised on wednesday for racially discriminatory remarks made by former womens manager mark sampson to striker eni aluko. Rabbatts says things need to change, starting with ashworth. I think its untenable. I think his position is untenable. He has been there since 2012, these issues have been raised, the lack of diversity, the lack of black coaches, clearly the lack of black coaches, clearly theissues the lack of black coaches, clearly the issues of mark sampson, you know, these have all happened, and when you talk about leadership and organisations, when people talk about bringing about culture, and ive heard people argue there has to be rude and branch reform, well, who is going to lead that . It cant be the leadership who have been there. Manchester united manager Jose Mourinho has criticised his players, describing their attitude in their defeat at huddersfield as worse than a friendly match. Uniteds first loss of the season leaves them five points behind premier League Leaders manchester city, after they won at home to burnley. Of course, i have to give them credit, at least i give them the credit, at least i give them the credit to have the attitude and motivation that they had. So they deserve, but everybody at the stadium will feel that wanted to compete and one wanted to be aggressive, and one team was ready to give absolutely everything. Another team was not ready for that, so another team was not ready for that, so the best team want. Won. There are two Big Premier League games today in the late kick off liverpool travel to wembley to face spurs in their temporary home. But before that, struggling everton host arsenal, with toffees boss Ronald Koeman under pressure the position on the table is not the position where everton, where we need to stay on the position in the table, and that is what we need to change. I still believe in the players, and i still believe in the signing is what we did in the summer. Is this the day Lewis Hamilton wraps up a fourth formula one world title . Hes given himself a great chance, hell be on pole position for this evenings us grand prix in texas. His main championship rival, sebastian vettel, will be right alongside him on the front row. Hamilton must finish at least first or second to stand a chance of wrapping up the title with three races to spare. Australia have won the opening one day game of the womens ashes series by two wickets. The hosts were set a target of 228 in brisbane, which they achieved with with five balls remaining. The win gives austailia a 2 0 lead in the multi format series, ahead of the second one day game on thursday. Two time olympic champion jade jones praised the loud london crowd as she won her first title of the year. Competing for the first time in the capital since london 2012, jones produced a confident display to win her world grand prix final against the world champion. It avenges her defeat to the south korean in the world chamionships injune. What a win too for bianca walkden, really underlining her status as one of the best in the world, with a gold medal in the over 67kg class. She easily beat her polish opponent to claim her third grand prix win of the season. Thats all the sport for now. Ill have more in the next hour. Prison officers in fourjails are to trial the use of parva spray, which is similar to pepper spray, to defend themselves against aggressive inmates. The ministry ofjustice will also issue more than 5000 body cameras to officers in england and wales, as well as handcuffs. Violence in prisons rose significantly last year, with assaults on staff reaching record levels. The prisons minister, sam gyimah, violence against prison officers is up violence against prison officers is up 34 this year, we have a particularly violent goalward, and prison officers need the tools to do theirjob. Now, we need to obvious theirjob. Now, we need to obvious the pilot it to see how it works, but if a prison officer is attacked, surprisingly, then as a last resort, having this could make a difference, then they should have it. Millions of people injapan are casting their votes in the snap general election called by the Prime Minister, shinzo abe. If mr abe wins, it would be his fourth term in office. 0ur correspondent Rupert Wingfield hayes is following the election and spoke to us from tokyo. Mr abe called this snap election over a year before he needed to go to the polls. In fact, it has not been a popular decision. About two thirds of japanese people said they disapproved of them calling an election now. Despite all at that, and despite the fact that mr abe is not usually personally popular, it looks like he is going to win. It looks like he has taken advantage of disarray injapans opposition parties, which have been fighting amongst each other over the last few months. A slight bump in his own opinion support amongst the japanese public to go for this election, and it does look like its going to pay off. It looks like he will get a majority in parliament today, and that will give them in the four years in power and an opportunity to push ahead with what he wants to do in his final term to changejapans constitution and get rid of the clause that makes japan a pacifist nation. It is an important election, because that would be a huge change for this country. Regulators have told several hundred Online Gambling operators to remove casino games which may appeal to children. The move follows claims that operators are using cartoons and characters such as peter pan to encourage children to take part in games. Last year, the industry regulator found 450,000 children in england and wales were gambling every week. Americas five living former president s have gathered in texas for a benefit concert to help the victims of the hurricanes which have hit the United States this year. Barack 0bama, george w bush, his father, george hw bush, bill clinton and jimmy carter came together to support the one america appeal, following the hurricanes harvey, irma and maria. The appeal has so far raised more than 30 million. Bill clinton had this message for americans. There is still work to be done in texas and florida, and ourfriends in puerto rico and the Us Virgin Islands have already begun to dig their way out of what can still be a calamitous disaster. There can be a new beginning if we just do what we ought to do and prove that the heart of america, without regard to race or religion or political party, is greater than our problems. Bill clinton there, and you may have been with us earlier when im used out loud on how many former president s have been alive at one time, what the record was, and my collea g u es time, what the record was, and my colleagues in the gallery, fiona, gainfully did some research. Ive been sitting on this for a while, i have to confess, she is much quicker than that she found out that, from march 1861 to january 1862, there we re march 1861 to january 1862, there were five president s alive at the same time, and a couple more occasions, more recently, it is usually just after a president occasions, more recently, it is usuallyjust after a president has taken office, usuallyjust after a president has ta ken office, you usuallyjust after a president has taken office, you have somebody at the start of a new term. So this is a joint record with that, now that donald trump is in the white house and hejoins donald trump is in the white house and he joins carter, donald trump is in the white house and hejoins carter, bush, clinton, busch ii, 0bama and if he does not hang around to fight a second term, it could be a record seven. At the age of 21, alex tew had a brainwave. Aiming to become a millionaire, he set up a website and sold the pixels it contained to advertisers for a dollar each. By 2005, hed achieved his dream. But what came next for the young entrepreneur . 0ur correspondent robert hall has been to meet him. 0n the streets of san francisco, alex tew has travelled a long way from the day he made a million. 21 year old alex tew set up the website in his bedroom after spending a restless night working out how he could become a millionaire before going to university. Every computer image is made up of tiny dots or pixels. Alex sold a million of them, in blocks at 1 each, just enough screen space for advertisers to show their own logo or a link to their website. Alex, and this happens while youre sleeping, effectively . Yeah, thats the beauty of the internet. I am sitting here right now and i have probably made a few more dollars since i woke up. That idea and that time of my life was really at turning point. The true value of the Million Dollar homepage was not the money it made me, but actually the relationships that formed as a result. 12 years on, with a string of successful projects behind him, alex has embarked on another, but this time the high flyer is trying to persuade the rest of us to slow down. I was actually working on something to do with meditation and the internet combined, even when i was about 16. It was always in the back of my mind to combine those two interests. Well over eight Million People are now using the website and app. We are on track to do about 20 million of revenue this year. Mental Health Issues are on the rise. What is more important is the value its creating in the world. A trip back home to gloucestershire offers a chance to draw breath and to reflect on the past. He had always been an ideas guy, even from seven or eight. All these experiences opened doors he never imagined. What he has also shown is he is really committed to continuing with ideas. Alex may have found a new direction of travel, but what advice had he for todays would be entrepreneurs . We live in a culture where everything is instant. People expect things to happen and go perfectly for them, and its not the case. Be doggedly persistent and go after your goals with relentless focus and drive, he may be a little more thoughtful, but alex tew is not slowing down. There are so many more challenges down the track. Robert hall, bbc news. That elusive moneymaking idea, one day i wonder if nick miller has got it . I suspect he will keep it to himself storm brian did its worst, it has passed away, but plenty more weather on the map for us. Thats right, storm brian just sitting to the east of the uk at the moment, Still Producing a pretty blustery picture for many of us at the moment, and over the next few hours just a gradual easing of that wind this afternoon. But also the rain has attracted a lot of attention so far, around parts of scotland, northern england, working through the east midlands into east anglia, so not just windy, wet for some of us to start the day. But this will see an improvement through the day, turning dry and brighter, holding onto showers in northern and western scotland, wales and the south west, but try elsewhere, variable cloud, some sunshine, feeling cooler, 11 14 degrees. Mainly dry or time tonight, turning chilly. Under clear skies, especially eastern scotland, but milderaircoming especially eastern scotland, but milder air coming back to the west with cloud and outbreaks of rain as the night goes on, so we gets to a wet start, but mild in the morning, and arraigned tomorrow will push eastward across the uk, but it will clear away and get a gradual improvement from the west. Temperatures are edging up, a sign of things to come, more about that in halfan of things to come, more about that in half an hour. Hello, this is bbc news. The headlines communities secretary sajid javid says the government should think about borrowing more to invest in housing. The governments considering ways of making buying and selling houses faster and less stressful in england and wales. The shadow brexit secretary, sir keir starmer, has warned that unless the government makes changes to the eu withdrawal bill, labour will side with conservative rebels to try to inflict a defeat. Spains foreign minister has dismissed claims that his government is carrying out a coup by stripping the Catalan Government of its powers