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nearly half of young syrians have had a close family member or friend killed during ten years of civil war — according to the international red cross. questions still remain after the palace responds to harry and meghan�*s damaging allegations about life in the royal family — almost 50 million people around the world watched their tv interview. the brother of the british socialite, ghislaine maxwell tells the bbc the conditions of her detention in a us federal prison are degrading and amount to torture. it's the start of a 4,000—mile journey for black rhino chanua, who is leaving her home in yorkshire to travel to tanzania as part of a conservation programme. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. a serving police officer has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a woman in south london. 33—year—old sarah everard was last seen leaving a friend's house in clapham last wednesday. the met�*s assistant commisioner has called the development �*shocking and deeply disturbing' — and told reporters they really hope sarah is still alive. our home affairs correspondent june kelly reports. yesterday evening, police issued two new pictures of sarah everard. in one, she was wearing the coat she had on when she disappeared. she vanished after she left a friend's house in clapham last wednesday. she was walking home alone to brixton. she was captured on a camera at about 9:30, the last confirmed sighting. and during yesterday evening, as the police teams continued their work in london, officers were in kent making arrests. just before midnight came the announcement that a police officer was in custody in connection with sarah's disappearance, and that a woman had been detained with him on suspicion of assisting an offender. scotland yard issued a statement from one it is both shocking and deeply disturbing. i it is both shocking and deeply disturbing-— disturbing. i recognise the significant _ disturbing. i recognise the significant concern - disturbing. i recognise the significant concern this - disturbing. i recognise the | significant concern this will disturbing. i recognise the - significant concern this will cause. over the past week, police have been scouring clapham common, including searching a pond. in a statement announcing the arrest, they said they were doing everything they could to find sarah. june kelly, bbc news. �*there's no clear evidence that it has led to a reduction in coronavirus infection�*. that's the damming assessment of the test and trace system by a group of mps. the commons public accounts committee has urged the government to justify what it calls the staggering investment of taxpayers' money into the system. this morning we want to hear your own experience. nhs test and trace in england has received £37 billion in funding since it was set up last spring. the report says the purpose of the test and trace system was to help prevent further lockdowns — the uk has since had lockdown 2 and lockdown 3. and, there has been an over—reliance on the use of consultants — with some paid over £6,500 a day. the transport secretary grant shapps said the report on test and trace �*defies logic�* becasue it is helping to bring down the number of infections. here�*s our health correspondent anna collinson. identifying the infected, locating their contacts and isolating — a well—functioning test and trace programme is seen as crucial in the fight against the coronavirus. but a damning report is questioning whether england�*s system is effective enough to justify its cost — £37 billion over two years. it�*s an eye—watering sum of money that�*s been spent. and for that, we need to see better results and a better, clearer connection between testing and stemming the spread of the virus. and so far the data on that is not very strong. the budget for test and trace was £22 billion when it was set up last may. a few months later, the person in charge, dido harding, requested a further 15 billion — claiming the main driver would be to avoid a second national lockdown. but two lockdowns followed, and a group of cross—party mps say the service must demonstrate its worth. the public accounts committee has particularly questioned test and trace�*s continued reliance on consultants, with some paid more than £6,600 a day. and it�*s claimed the system was unable to cope when schools returned in september, and there was a surge in demand. but dido harding disagrees. nhs test and trace is an absolutely essential component in the fight against covid. we�*re hitting all of the targets that sage set us and, you know, as we speak today, we�*re providing an extra layer of security and confidence. despite the vaccine roll—out, new variants mean we can expect test and trace to continue to play a key role in our lives. but many will be watching closely to ensure taxpayers�* money isn�*t wasted. anna collinson, bbc news. 0ur chief political correspondent, adam fleming says the uk government are vehemently defending the sucess of the test and trace programme in england. what is interest is that they actually quote a report prepared by the government itself and published last month but i only saw today looking at the effectiveness and test and trace and it says their best guess is reduces the number, the number of people that get coronavirus from each infected person and the government thinks that number is reduced by 18 to 33% which is quite a big range and they say within that, the contact tracing part might only be responsible for two to 5% of that. so it really is not clear just how well the whole programme works but that was not the message from the transport secretary who has been doing interviews today. ask yourself this, had they not contact and to a 9.1 million people and told them that they had been potentially exposed and asked them to quarantine and self—isolate, where would we have been without it? just yesterday alone, for example, there were over 1.5 million test that took place, including all of those schoolchildren that went back, including my children that went back to school. again, if you are not testing people, you wouldn�*t know what was going on. so, yes it has been very expensive. coronavirus has been enormously expensive to society and to our economy, but the idea that we would be somehow better off without it, is crazy. i mean, the numbers are staggering. it�*s £37 billion over two years that have been allocated to the programme. and according to test and trace, they do something like 1000 swabs per minute every day. but it does have plenty of critics. i�*m just looking at twitter and nick mcpherson, who is the former most senior civil servant in the treasury who left a few years ago, says the prize for the most wasteful, inept, public spending programme of all time goes to test and trace. 0k, right, tell ouraudience what the latest is in this row over vaccines between the eu and the uk. so charles michelle who is the president of the european council, who chairs the summits of eu leaders which have virtual at the moment, published a newsletter last night where he said the uk had a ban on exporting vaccines to other countries. now, the uk government says that is absolutely not true and it has said this in a letter from the foreign secretary to charles michelle last night. what is happening this morning is that an eu diplomat in london has been summoned to the foreign office to speak to a top civil service dared to give a diplomatic dressing down, and in terms of what the eu has said, they will be gradually downgrading what charles michelle meant. first festival they started off by saying there was a ban, and then last night they were telling journalists that it was more like something that was tantamount to a de facto ban and now this morning they say it was more of a tactic to rattle the cage of the uk media to get them talking whether astrazeneca than matt knew factor as the oxford vaccine is sending enough doses of the vaccine to the eu. for me, last week i was picking up people suggesting that last week in brussels it�*s time for a bit of a reset of eu and uk relation so that they get more of an even keel and a bit more friendly. that does not seem to be happening at all. dr david nabarro is the special envoy on covid—19 at the world health organisation. uk learn from other countries when it comes to testing and tracing people? in it comes to testing and tracing eo - le? , , it comes to testing and tracing neale? , , , ., ., people? in every single situation where countries _ people? in every single situation where countries have _ people? in every single situation where countries have been - people? in every single situation where countries have been ablel people? in every single situation i where countries have been able to get it, you need a system that works and the system has to be able to detect people with the disease and also be able to manage those who are at—risk so that the spread of this is really reduced as much as possible. all parts of the system have to be able to work so it is testing in order to identify people who have the disease, but to do that, we have to be on the alert. 0nce that, we have to be on the alert. once we have identified people, make sure they are isolating and then treated if they are sick while sat the same time, their contacts are traced and they, too, are isolated. those not ill need to be protected because otherwise they might get sick and die and they need to be vaccinated so that they can have a greater chance of survival if they do get the disease. all these different pieces have got to be able to work together. that is happening in australia, japan, china, thailand, singapore and also it is happening in china. it is happening in parts of europe, they are building up their capacity. germany have good experience of doing so and so, gradually, we are seeing all of the world, different approaches are being adopted and they are enabling communities everywhere to be able to get on with life despite the constant threat of the virus. this country has _ constant threat of the virus. this country has never _ constant threat of the virus. this country has never had _ constant threat of the virus. this country has never had to have a system like this before so it has been set up from scratch, there are huge upfront costs but hopefully they are one—off costs. could we still learn from those countries you cited, australia, china and so on? there is a lot of experience in the uk. what really matters with these kinds of systems is that essential capacity and what is happening locally are really well joined together and i have learned of some extraordinary experiences in parts of britain where local authorities have linked up with central government, district public health officers have taken on a totally new roles and the testing system, together with the response system, particularly isolation, are all being done in a joint way. i don�*t want to say from where i said that britain is in some way not moving in the direction that others are, of course i don�*t know the basis of this report you are talking about but i do want to encourage people in britain to be conscious that actually, britain, like every other country, is building a totally new systems from scratch and they are starting to work and certainly we are seeing evidence of that. we would not have the numbers of cases in the uk coming down in the way that they have over the last few weeks if there wasn�*t something good happening and part of that is the test and trace and isolate and treat capacity that you put in place. julie says, they messaged me everyday to thank me for isolating. they called me three times and they only wanted to chat about themselves. i was telling them i got two from a supermarket, they were not interested. michelle from york says i recently had positive results from track and trace after spending two days in hospital. a woman tested positive in my ward and we were all told to be isolated. 0nce positive in my ward and we were all told to be isolated. once at home, the app on my phone gave me the information and counted the days on until the day end of isolation. i was impressed. the international red cross says that nearly half of young syrians have had a close family member orfriend killed during ten years of civil war. that is one of the findings of one of the most comprehensive surveys on the damage done to a generation of young men and women. the research, which questioned fourteen hundred people aged 18 and 25 in syria, lebanon and germany, suggests that more than 70% suffered anxiety in the past year. educations were cut short or never happened. and almost 40% said they were illiterate, never went to school, or at best only reached primary level. the one positive is that 70% of those surveyed said they were optimistic about the future. wafa moustafa is a syrian journalist and activist — earlier we asked her if she was surprised by the findings. it�*s not surprising at all, but still it is shocking to see it in numbers. i mean, although i know it and i live it, and i know that every single person from syria i know is actually living part of that suffering, for years now, but it is still terrifying to read it and to know that by today, the whole world knows about it, but we are still doing nothing to change that. 0n the 2nd ofjuly 2013, my father was forcibly disappeared by the assad regime in syria, and the only information we got from him since then is through the neighbours who actually witnessed a group of armed men attacking our place and then kidnapping my father. and the only information we got is that a friend of his who was with him that day was actually forcibly disappeared with him, and his family was told years ago that he got killed in a security branch in damascus. while we�*ve never heard from my father, we�*ve never heard why he was taken from us, what is he being charged of. for years now... i mean, today he completes 2808 days. for almost eight years we have been trying to get one single information — is he alive or not? but no one is telling us, and this is unfortunately the case of millions of syrians in syria. european council president, charles michelle, accused britain of imposing bans on the movement of jabs to hit back at criticism of the european union the�*s vaccine roll—out. the foreign secretary has sought to set the record straight. last night he wrote that any references to any restrictions on vaccines are completely false and today, representative from the european union�*s delegation in london has been summoned to whitehall. a spokesman for the eu delegation said this morning deputy ambassador of the eu to the uk attended a meeting the request of the foreign and development of us. we have no further comment at this stage. in exclusive interviews with the bbc, police officers from myanmar have said they escaped across the border into india — after refusing to carry out the orders of the military, which seized power in a coup overfive weeks ago. speaking for the first time to the bbc, the officers — now considered defectors told us they left, fearing they�*d be forced to kill or harm civilians. 0ur south asia correspondent rajini vaidyanathan reports. i am standing in the north—east indian state of mizoram butjust on the other side of the banks here is the country of myanmar. this river that runs for some 400 kilometres separates the two countries. it is across here that dozens of people fleeing the military crackdown in myanmar have fled. we met a group of them, policemen and women, all in their 20s, who say they fled the country after refusing to use violence against protesters. the military officer in charge ordered us to shoot at groups of more than five people. they said they�*d take responsibility for it. i had to desert the police department as i couldn�*t open fire on innocent people, one officer said. authorities in myanmar have written to some local officials here in mizoram asking that police officers are sent back to the country. now, the ones we have spoken to are living in fear at the moment but they believe that they are far safer here in india even though many are separated from their families as the violence continues. now, we are also hearing that security is being stepped up along this border, but from what we have seen, it looks fairly easy for people to make thatjourney. some locals say that they are expecting more and more people to cross over into india as the military crackdown in myanmar continues to worsen. what sort of violence do your members face?— what sort of violence do your members face? ., ~ , ., ., ., members face? thank you for having members face? thank you for having me on the programme. _ members face? thank you for having me on the programme. festival, - members face? thank you for having me on the programme. festival, i i me on the programme. festival, i belike to say how sad i hear of many losses of life that has occurred during the demonstrations my heart was head to the families. our medical workers, was head to the families. our medicalworkers, it was head to the families. our medical workers, it is a dangerous time. i am sure like me, you have seen shopping photos and videos, three medics who were pulled from an ambulance and beaten but i have heard stories of a doctor trying to splinter a limb during a demonstration while the police were still shooting at him and the public were trying to protect him with their bodies. also another story of one of the gps i have worked with whose clinic was surrounded by the military and she was unable to go to work. ~ ., ., ,, military and she was unable to go to work. ~ ., ., , ., ~' military and she was unable to go to work. ~ ., ., ,, ~ ., w work. what do you think of the fact that they are _ work. what do you think of the fact that they are being _ work. what do you think of the fact that they are being stopped - work. what do you think of the fact that they are being stopped from i that they are being stopped from doing theirjob? i that they are being stopped from doing theirjob?— doing their “ob? i would like to stronal doing theirjob? i would like to strongly condemn _ doing theirjob? i would like to strongly condemn the - doing theirjob? i would like to strongly condemn the brutal i doing theirjob? i would like to - strongly condemn the brutal attack on health care workers and i would like to call on them and the police to stop all further attacks on health care workers. i am sure you are talking about the government doctors as well, the doctors and nurses have decided not to work in government hospitals and they are participating in the civil disobedience movement in protests at the recent military coup. find disobedience movement in protests at the recent military coup.— the recent military coup. and you tell me why _ the recent military coup. and you tell me why you _ the recent military coup. and you tell me why you think— the recent military coup. and you tell me why you think the - the recent military coup. and you | tell me why you think the military would target medics? i tell me why you think the military would target medics?— would target medics? i think civil disobedience _ would target medics? i think civil disobedience movement - would target medics? i think civil disobedience movement which i would target medics? i think civil. disobedience movement which has would target medics? i think civil - disobedience movement which has been started by the doctors, the doctors and nurses are like teachers in myanmar, they are very much respected. even though the doctors are not working in government hospitals, they are working in alternative sectors and so it is ongoing. hospital doctors are working together with gps in charge of clinics funded by the local community but as you said, the military are occupying health care facilities and emergency departments and denying us access to the doctors so that myanmar doctors are working but all they ask for is to be allowed to work without the fear of intimidation or arrest. [30 allowed to work without the fear of intimidation or arrest.— allowed to work without the fear of intimidation or arrest. do you think ou or intimidation or arrest. do you think you or your— intimidation or arrest. do you think you or your members _ intimidation or arrest. do you think you or your members could - intimidation or arrest. do you think you or your members could ever. intimidation or arrest. do you think i you or your members could ever work with the monetary government? —— military government? i with the monetary government? -- military government?— military government? i hear many stories from _ military government? i hear many stories from my _ military government? i hear many stories from my colleagues - military government? i hear many stories from my colleagues in - stories from my colleagues in myanmar and it is a very difficult situation to work collaboratively the moment but like my other 50 million myanmar countrymen, i hope and pray they will be a peaceful resolution to this crisis and we can all get back to working towards a democratic and prosperous country. thank you for talking to us today. almost two days after it first aired, buckingham palace has responded to the explosive interview with prince harry and meghan. almost two days after it first aired, in a short statement, the palace said the issues raised, particularly around race, were "concerning" and "will be addressed" privately. almost 50 million people around the world have now watched the interview. keith doyle reports. by any standards, this has been a bitterfamily feud played out in the full glare of the media, with every word dissected and analysed for meaning and implications. and so it was from the head of the family, her majesty the queen, that a statement came last night — balancing a conciliatory tone with firmness, while making it clear this is a private family matter and issues will be addressed accordingly. the statement said... yesterday, prince charles was continuing with royal duties, ignoring the question everyone wanted an answer to. sir, can i ask, what did you think of the interview? thank you very much. one of the areas the interview with harry and meghan touched on was the role of the british tabloid media — which in the couple�*s view has a racist undertone. there�*s a reason that these tabloids have holiday parties at the palace. they�*re hosted by the palace. the tabloids are. you know, there is a construct that�*s at play there. and because, from the beginning of our relationship, they were so attacking and inciting so much racism, really — i mean, it changed the risk level because it wasn�*tjust catty gossip. it was bringing out a part of people that was racist and how it was charged. britain's queen elizabeth has broken her silence on the allegations of racism within the palace. if anyone thought this row was going to die down quickly, they�*re wrong — on both sides of the atlantic, it�*s ignited debate. i think meghan was a huge missed opportunity because harry and meghan were obviously screaming into their pillows, you know, not being heard. and, you know, first of all... i thought, initially after the interview, i thought, "oh, that�*s it. the royal family have really, really quite blown it." they have a chance to claw some of that back a bit, depending on how they deal with it. thejourney from harry and meghan being the bright, modern faces of the royal family, to their split from the family, the move abroad, and now these damaging claims has been rapid. now, with this statement, buckingham palace will hope that things will calm down and that the issues that it admits are serious can be dealt with privately. however, with such incendiary claims now firmly in the public domain, that may not be so easy. keith doyle, bbc news. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph is at buckingham palace — and says we�*re unlikely to hear much more from the royal household. well, it is definitely it from buckingham palace, for now at least. and we have also heard from a spokesperson for the duke and duchess of sussex saying that they have no further comment to make either. so i think perhaps both sides are hoping that that statement from buckingham palace will sort of take this sting and the intensity out of the debate for the time being. but there is no question, it will lead to some lasting damage in terms of the reputation and issues that the royal family now need to deal with, front and centre. i think, in terms of how you view that statement, it really depends what camp you are in. it has become a really polarising issue what you think of harry and meghan, and what you think of that interview. if you are in their camp, as it were, you will look at that statement as being a bit undercooked perhaps and not dealing with some of the substantive criticisms that they talked about within the interview, especially around race and mental health. 0n the side of buckingham palace, they have made it very clear in the tone of that statement that they view this largely as a private family fallout, and it needs to be dealt with within the family itself, and they don�*t want to have any further public debate, really, on some of the issues that were raised. i think, for now, it has taken the sting out of things, but there are some lasting issues there that will continue to be discussed. piers morgan has said he stands by his criticism of the duchess of sussex following his departure from itv�*s good morning britain. he left the show yesterday after saying he "didn�*t believe a word" meghan said in her interview with oprah winfrey. in a tweet as the programme was beginning this morning, piers morgan said: "on monday, i said i didn�*t believe meghan markle in her 0prah interview. i�*ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and i still don�*t." he added: "freedom of speech is a hill i�*m happy to die on." piers morgan spoke to reporters this morning. i believe in freedom of speech, i believe in the right to have an opinion. if people want to believe meghan markle, that is entirely their right. he also said it was amicable with itv, i had a good chat with them and we agreed to disagree. the headlines on bbc news... a serving metropolitan police officer has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of 33—year—old sarah everard in south london. the uk government defends the use of the test and trace system following a report by mps which finds its impact is still unclear — despite billions of pounds of investment nearly half of young syrians have had a close family member orfriend killed during ten years of civil war —according to the international red cross. questions still remain after the palace responds to harry and meghan�*s damaging allegations about life in the royal family — almost 50m people around the world watched their tv interview. presenter piers morgan defends his comments about the duchess of sussex after his abrupt departure from the itv breakfast programme good morning britain the brother of the british socialite, ghislaine maxwell tells the bbc the conditions of her detention in a us federal prison are degrading and amount to torture. and coming up... it�*s the start of a 4,000—mile journey for black rhino chanua, who is leaving her home in yorkshire to travel to tanzania as part of a conservation programme current and former staff at the sellafield nuclear site in cumbria have told the bbc a "toxic culture" of bullying and harassment could let serious safety concerns go unreported. a leaked letter sent to the company�*s senior management outlines dozens of examples of racial abuse at what is the largest industrial site in the uk. sellafield said it was committed to eradicating unacceptable behaviour from the workplace. 0ur reporterjim reed has more details. it�*s the largest and most complex nuclear site in western europe, home to 10,000 staff. the people we have spoken to say some of its working practices are stuck firmly in the past. allison mcdermott was a consultant in the hr team in sellafield until late 2018. many people have contacted me sharing stories of bullying, harassment, racism. i�*ll never forget an employee saying to me when i was asking him questions about the culture, he said," at sellafield, you have got two really dangerous elements, you�*ve got toxic materials and you�*ve got a toxic culture." she is now taking sellafield to court, alleging her contract was terminated for whistle—blowing. sellafield is contesting the case. the bbc has also seen a letter from a group representing ethnic minority workers cataloguing dozens of racist incidents. 0ne muslim man said an instructor at a training course told the class the main threat to the site was bearded men in flip—flops. none of my colleagues intervened or supported me. sellafield said... it has not ignored or tried to cover up concerns about bullying. it said it has developed a company—wide improvement programme and this work is continuing. the worry from people we�*ve spoken to is that the culture here at sellafield could make it difficult for workers to come forward if they have concerns and that could have a knock—on effect on safety in what is the largest nuclear waste site in western europe. in one case, a member of the underwater diving team alleged he was bullied after he raised raising safety concerns. in another, a worker received an internal dose of plutonium after a bag of nuclear waste was opened. redacted e—mails linked to the incident and the follow—up investigation referred to allegations of threatening behaviour and claims of a cover—up. an internal report said new measures were put in place to prevent a similar accident in the future. somebody has to do something. somebody has to stand up. carl connor resigned injanuary after 13 years at sellafield. he says he had a breakdown caused by bullying. those dedicated professionals deserve to be treated properly. i don�*t feel they are as it stands. i feel that it�*s a major risk so i�*m coming forward as a whistle—blower in the hope that i can change that. sellafield said it is working to improve its processes so staff can have confidence that when issues are raised, they are dealt with. it says it accepts it has more work to do but remains committed to eradicating unacceptable behaviour from the workplace. the brother of the british socialite, ghislaine maxwell — has told the bbc that the conditions of her detention in a us federal prison are degrading and amount to torture. ms maxwell is awaiting trial, accused of helping the convicted sex offender, jeffrey epstein, to groom young girls. she denies the charges. in an interview with radio 4�*s mishal hussein ian maxwell has called for her to be released on bail. she is under 24—hour round—the—clock surveillance. with ten cameras including one that moves and tracks her movements and on top of that, there are four guards that are looking at her and presumably there is another guard looking at the camera feeds. she is not allowed to move into the corners of her sale and she is not allowed to be with an 2.5 feet of the cell door. that is her existence. every day. the water thatis her existence. every day. the water that is provided through the prison is brown and the food that she is given is very highly microwaved and basically an edible. 0n the conditions that she is held under, the authorities say that what you describe is in place to prevent other inmates from harming her and to stop her harming herself, hence the cameras and isolation. weill. the cameras and isolation. well, this is ridiculous. _ the cameras and isolation. well, this is ridiculous. she _ the cameras and isolation. well, this is ridiculous. she is - the cameras and isolation. well, this is ridiculous. she is not - the cameras and isolation. well, this is ridiculous. she is not a i this is ridiculous. she is not a suicide risk and has never been a suicide risk and has never been a suicide risk. there are daily mental evaluations of her and she has shown no indication that that is her intention. she is being completely over managed. why is that? because jeffrey epstein who was under federal custody at the time of his death died in federal custody. so this is a grotesque overreaction. do you think she has been unfairly perceived or portrayed because of her name, because of the maxwell name and the notoriety surrounding it in the wake of your father�*s death? it in the wake of your father's death? ., , it in the wake of your father's death? , ,., ., ,., , death? the most important point is that she is not _ death? the most important point is that she is not jeffrey _ death? the most important point is that she is not jeffrey epstein - death? the most important point is that she is not jeffrey epstein but i that she is notjeffrey epstein but she is paying the price that he should have paid or could have paid. like many countries around the world, singapore has started a coronavirus vaccination programme. but, perhaps uniquely, the island state is dependent on the outside world and foreign nationals for much of its economic prowess. so it�*s taking a unique approach to giving out the jabs — as karishma vaswani reports. the crowds are back at singapore airport, but they are not here to fly. this terminal has now transformed into a vaccination centre for front line workers. but in singapore, that doesn�*t mean only nurses and doctors. everyone today is from the aviation sector. that includes yanti who works in customer service. she is considered a front line worker here. it is why she is among the first in line. it is very sad to look at the situation now because it�*s very quiet. if everybody plays their part to actually get vaccinated, it will be safe for everyone to travel and we can start going back to how the normal is. aviation workers aren�*t the only ones at the top of the list. along with the elderly and health care workers, singapore is also putting maritime workers and transport workers at the front of the queue. it may look like business as usual, but it�*s not. there is something missing, tourists. this is not enough to get singapore�*s economy back on track. it has got to open borders and the economy to survive. borders have been closed for over a year because of the pandemic. jobs have been lost and businesses have shut for good. that is why the government spent close to 80 billion us dollars to support workers, a huge amount for a population of 6 million people. in our case, our society infection rates are very low but we are at risk from our borders, from the front line, front line workers, at the airport and land borders. so, for us, that was our first priority, to take care of them. the hope is that strategy could help fill these empty planes with travellers once more. so singapore�*s economy can take off, but it needs the rest of the world to open their doors too. karishma vaswani, bbc news. more than 70 women in a small english town have had their private, often nude, images stolen and shared online by people living in their community. the indecent images, including some of underage girls, are thought to be taken via hacking or provided by people known to them and uploaded anonymously on a website which features women from across the world. we are not naming the town or the website to protect the victims. 0ur reporter patrick clahane has been speaking to those affected. it felt quite threatening like a personal attack even though there were tens, maybe hundreds of girls from my local area. ruby is one of around 70 women living in her town who has had her private images stolen and shared online by people they probably know. the images themselves, they were taken from one of my private friend�*s facebook album when i was actually under 18. the images of ruby were not explicit but they were put on a website where people anonymously request and trade private, often naked images of women who live in their area. it is thought the images are often taken via hacking or uploaded by people known to the victims. charities say online forums like this are becoming commonplace. these are some of the comments that are on the website, not much of a looker, but i love bumping into her boyfriend at the pub and knowing i�*ve seen his girlfriend naked. this one is post number 72,000 and something. news of the website quickly spread around the town. it just started to snowball. everyone just started knowing about it and alerting each other. jess was told she was on there. her images were taken from a private website she had uploaded them to. my heart literallyjust sank. i literally felt like someone had shot me. what was even more disturbing that these are people who know who we are. we have gone to school with them. we have shopped at the same supermarket as them. the police response was varied. some didn�*t get a follow—up call at all and still haven�*t to this day, nearly ten months later. itjust seemed like it was already a closed case. so we felt quite alone. so we started taking things into our own hands and we decided to establish a whatsapp support group. we really banded together. we have written letters to mps. we have written letters to the head of the police force. the police involved told us it has met with a number of the victims and is working with the national crime agency to investigate the reports. in england and wales, it is illegal to show private sexual photographs of someone without their consent — if the intent is to cause distress. but authorities often struggle to prove that and prosecute anonymous perpetrators. the law commission has just published proposals to change these laws, but while they are being looked at, ruby and jess say they won�*t stop fighting for victims. this is a time to start fighting back and get our power back again. we are moving forward together as a collective. we are teachers, nurses, work in retail, we are mothers and we are real people and we will not be silenced. piers morgan has defended what he said about meghan markle which led to him leaving itv�*s good morning britain. this is what he said this morning — "i believe in freedom of speech, i believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion, if people want to believe meghan markle then that is entirely their right, i dont believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth and i think the damage shes done to the british monarchy and the queen, with prince philip lying in hospital is enormous and frankly contemptible, so if i have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly held opinion about meghan markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in the interview, then so be it." one of the most shocking claims made by meghan markle in her tv interview with 0prah was that �*she didn�*t want to be alive anymore�*. she said she�*d had suicidal thoughts which were �*scary�*. she said she told harry one evening that she couldn�*t be left alone. let�*s speak to alastair campbell, mental health campaigner — he�*s spoken openly about his own mental health and author of living better: how i learned to survive depression. he is also a friend of piers morgan. how are you? is it ever acceptable to express to someone who has had to die suicidal thoughts that you do not believe them? , ., ., , thoughts that you do not believe them? i. ., , ., ._ thoughts that you do not believe them? i. ., , ., ., them? everyone would steer away from doinu so. i them? everyone would steer away from doing so- i have — them? everyone would steer away from doing so. i have had _ them? everyone would steer away from doing so. i have had suicidal _ doing so. i have had suicidal thoughts and it is horrible. when we watch someone like meghan markle speaking at as possible, i�*ve got nothing against people saying they do not like her or that they think she is doing wrong are manipulated, the things that people are saying, and i know no more than anybody else what went on in her head in the incident is that she was describing. none of us do. i would never pass judgment on that either way. when people are talking about their mental... forwhat people are talking about their mental... for what it�*s worth, as someone who has experienced suicidal ideation, i sensed the resonance that they are, there was sincerity, i do not know her, i know harry abbott, i do not know her at all. we can all havejudgments abbott, i do not know her at all. we can all have judgments and piers morgan hasjudgments can all have judgments and piers morgan has judgments about her as a person and the damage she may or may not be doing to the institution of the monarchy, but call me a friend of piers morgan we have had a very up of piers morgan we have had a very up and down relationship over many years, but something in his defence, he is one of the few broadcast journalist who has tried to hold the government to account on covid—19, but part of what makes him do that, do it well is also what makes him go over the top sometimes and with meghan and other situations he goes over the top. he is framing it as a freedom of speech issue. i he is framing it as a freedom of speech issue-— he is framing it as a freedom of speech issue. he is framing it as a freedom of seech issue. . ~ ., ., speech issue. i am thinking to get a t-shirt saying _ speech issue. i am thinking to get a t-shirt saying proud _ speech issue. i am thinking to get a t-shirt saying proud to _ speech issue. i am thinking to get a t-shirt saying proud to be - speech issue. i am thinking to get a t-shirt saying proud to be walk, - t—shirt saying proud to be walk, this thing about freedom of speech, people who complain about it being limited, they do still live on television, live on radio 2a hours a day. i do not buy that. piers morgan is never going to be silenced. he will find a platform for his voice. again, just as we don�*t know what happened between meghan and the palace, we do not know what the discussions were between what is the effect of influential as piers morgan calling meghan markle a liar? ., , ., , .,, piers morgan calling meghan markle a liar? ., , ., , ., ~ ., liar? lots of people talk about that. i liar? lots of people talk about that- i am _ liar? lots of people talk about that. i am more _ liar? lots of people talk about that. i am more interested - liar? lots of people talk about that. i am more interested inl liar? lots of people talk about i that. i am more interested in the mental health agenda. there are questions for the royals to answer. 0ne questions for the royals to answer. one of the best thing they had done at any time in recent years was william and harry and the heads together campaign. they have had a massive impact on the mental health debate. there is a problem f as that is happening and it was going on, they were doing amazing work, if at that time, somebody in the midst of the whole thing is actually saying i cannot get help and i am struggling. the impact of the interview on me, i could hear echoes of princess diana in both of them. i could hear echoes of princess diana when harry said he was not supported by his father and eccles and meghan saying she was made to feel like an outsider and she was struggling and she did not know where to turn. it is possible to say, as i do, i like what piers morgan has done on covid—19, but i do not like what he has done on meghan are some of what he has done, so it is possible to say i like what the royals have done on mental health but it is possible that institutionally they are not up to speedin institutionally they are not up to speed in terms of how to deal with people when cani can i ask you? thejoe biden administration said it was courageous of meghan to speak out about the suicidal thought. do you agree? is it courageous? i about the suicidal thought. do you agree? is it courageous?— agree? is it courageous? i really like joe biden's _ agree? is it courageous? i really like joe biden's secretary, - agree? is it courageous? i really like joe biden's secretary, and i | likejoe biden�*s secretary, and i really like joe likejoe biden�*s secretary, and i really likejoe biden, but shades of grey, as a mental health campaigner i do not like carriage when speaking about mental health. i do not feel that it about mental health. i do not feel thatitis about mental health. i do not feel that it is brave for me to talk about psychosis or depression or anxiety, it is not brave to say that any more than it is bred to say i get asthma and have to have an inhaler or you take insulin stop i want to normalise, and it is good for people to talk about it, to normalise the discussion about mental health so that we feel we can be open about our if you normalise it, it diminishes the statement. a more political question, there seems to be in this country a generational divide regarding how people feel about the interview. 0ver people feel about the interview. over 60% of under 25 telling pollsters that meghan and harry have been treated unfairly. 15% over those over 65. we also have politicians on the left, president joe biden, hillary clinton, who have made statements in support of the couple were as we have politicians on the right like donald trump expressing support for the queen. do you think the harry and meghan interview could be the new culture war in britain? the interview could be the new culture war in britain?— war in britain? the right are trying to make at — war in britain? the right are trying to make at that. _ war in britain? the right are trying to make at that. in _ war in britain? the right are trying to make at that. in relation - war in britain? the right are trying to make at that. in relation to - war in britain? the right are trying to make at that. in relation to the | to make at that. in relation to the failure on brexit and catastrophic handling of covid—19, they�*d rather we were not focusing on that so a massive news sponge where people can take sides, it comes right out of the polarised world that suits the populist right. it helped donald trump become president and helped borisjohnson become prime minister. today, the whole of the country should be asking the country has the spent £37 billion on a track and trace question that hasn�*t worked. the point i�*m making as the populist right want the culture wars. that is why i say it is entirely possible to see for example the government has handled the vaccination programme well and has done everything else really badly. what we want in our public debate, not you, but generally in our public debate exacerbated by social media, we want rage, anger, you are right, you are wrong, and anything that happens, we take it to that present. it is wrong with our culture and our at the moment. the meghan interview has shown you have any culpability when you are director of communication for tony blair and are director of communication for tony blairand para? we are director of communication for tony blair and para?— are director of communication for tony blair and para? we are with the culabili tony blair and para? we are with the culpability like? _ when you are director of communication and were unhappy with new stores. ., ., , new stores. doing that “ob, communications * new stores. doing that job, communications officer - new stores. doing that job, communications officer for| new stores. doing that job, i communications officer for the government, it is easy for the government, it is easy for the government at the moment because you get an easy ride. palace communications have to deal with the media, and they love dishing it out but they don�*t like it when they are held to account. i do not accept it. what i never did was assume... let�*s take a rack. finally i get grief about a rat. i never disagree with people who disagreed. what happens now is that people who disagree with us on fundamental things, we want to go to social media and say they are terrible. i think borisjohnson is a terrible. i think borisjohnson is a terrible prime minister and has characteristics that i do not like but if you said he was struggling mentally i am not going to say he is a liar. thank you very much for talking to us. ministers here in the uk are introducing tougher rules to make appliances such as fridges, washing machines and tvs cheaper to run and last longer. from this summer, manufacturers will be legally obliged to make spare parts available to consumers, with the aim of extending the lifespan of their products. the move is designed to reduce electrical waste and cut carbon emissions from making new goods. 0ur energy and environment analyst roger harrabin has been giving me more details. it is new legislation in the uk previously signed up to and agreed it would continue when the uk let the eu and the eu set and place these rules from january and the uk is lagging a bed but the ministers are now promising they will be in place by the summer. as you suggested, the idea as there are many reasons to the idea of the policies they are pursuing and one is to increase the life span of goods by ten years, to reduce the amount added to the e—waste mountain, millions of tonnes of e—waste in the uk, to reduce household bills, ministers think they should go down about £75 over they should go down about £75 over the life span of an appliance, and to reduce c02 the life span of an appliance, and to reduce co2 emissions so there are lots of objectives and this legislation, but i think the one people will be most interested in as we all have the centre where you buy a gadget, and it breaks down and what you consider to be a ridiculously short amount of time and you phone up the manufacture and you tell them you need a spare part and they tell you it is in a sealed unit and you have to send it back to the factory and that will cost you one zillion pounds. and you think, 0k, one zillion pounds. and you think, ok, i one zillion pounds. and you think, 0k, iwill one zillion pounds. and you think, ok, i will buy you another one. campaigners have been fighting for this, in us, in europe and the uk, the right to repair, something basic goes wrong you can get onto the manufacturer and tell them you need the part, and instead of giving you an excuse they have to you the part. for free? not for free. at the moment _ for free? not for free. at the moment you _ for free? not for free. at the moment you cannot - for free? not for free. at the moment you cannot get - for free? not for free. at the moment you cannot get the l for free? not for free. at the - moment you cannot get the part. they will put you onto an approved dealer and they will do it for you at exorbitant cost. now you will be able to do it yourself supposing it is doable. 1.5 able to do it yourself supposing it is doable. ' ., ., , ., is doable. 1.5 million tonnes of electrical products _ is doable. 1.5 million tonnes of electrical products we - is doable. 1.5 million tonnes of electrical products we throw i is doable. 1.5 million tonnes of. electrical products we throw away every year two it is electrical products we throw away every year two— every year two it is an awful lot. there has _ every year two it is an awful lot. there has to _ every year two it is an awful lot. there has to be _ every year two it is an awful lot. there has to be more _ every year two it is an awful lot. there has to be more done - every year two it is an awful lot. there has to be more done to i every year two it is an awful lot. | there has to be more done to try every year two it is an awful lot. - there has to be more done to try to reduce that but at the moment, the system is really haphazard. i have got a box that i need to get rid of but to get rid of it i need to go to my waist centre because of covid—19, and book an appointment, and i have other e—waste to get rid of but i do not have a car and the only way to get into the centre is by car so do i hire a taxi to go to the recycling centre? from an environmental point of view it is crazy. there are no street deliveries in most places are for batteries so the whole system is a mess at the back end of it. the government is trying to put things right at the front end of it. a black rhino is embarking on a 4,000—milejourney from the uk to tanzania. chanua who is eight is leaving her home at flamingoland in yorkshire as part of a plan to increase the numbers of her species. there are only five—thousand black rhinos left in the world . you�*re watching bbc news. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. good morning. the big atlantic weather making machine has awoken from its slumber to bring some very lively condition through today and tomorrow. gales and severe gales at times, the worst of those winds will be through tonight and tomorrow morning. with it will come some heavy rain and increasingly rough seas across western areas. the charts show weather fronts where we see the rain across the country through today and tomorrow, but it is this deepening area of low pressure with lots of lines around it, an indication where we will see some of the strongest of the winds. it is still blustery today and further rain at times for england and wales, fairly cloudy through the rest of today. the heaviest of the rain on the hills on the west, but not as bad as we have seen this morning. after the morning sunshine in scotland, particularly mainland scotland and the hebrides, outbreaks of rain pushing its way north. 0rkney and shetland, the brightest spots, but rather cool here, six or 7 degrees. mild elsewhere because the winds are coming from the south. these are the wind gusts. the peak wind strength today around a0 to 60 mph for some of you. as we go through this evening and overnight, the wind will pick up even further. outbreaks of rain across most parts, most persistent during the second half of the night in the west and during the second half of the night and into tomorrow morning, we will see the strongest of the winds. notice now more wildly a0 to 60 mph and across western parts of wales and south—west england, we could see those winds speak at around 70 or 80 mph. damage, destruction possible and the waves will be pounding the coast as we start to see some very rough seas. early rain tomorrow, more persistent rain across northern england, midlands and north wales will quickly clear through and tomorrow it is a story of the weather changing every hour, every few minutes potentially for some. strong winds pushing through batches of showers, some of those heavy and thundery and wintry over the high ground, but a better chance of sunshine between the showers than we will see today. overall, a cooler—feeling day. as you go through thursday night and into friday, low—pressure to the north of us feeding in the winds from the north atlantic around the area of low pressure. it is going to rain, on the cool side, another blustery day, nowhere near as strong winds as we are seeing over the next 2a hours and showers will be moving from west to east so another changeable day with some of those showers wintry over the higher ground. temperatures for most are a little bit below where they should be for the time of year. as we go into the weekend, we continue with a similar story. temperatures staying in the region of around seven to 11 degrees with a mixture of sunshine and showers and some longer spells of rain at times. this is bbc news. i�*mjoanna i�*m joanna gosling. the headlines at 11am: a serving metropolitan police officer has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of 33—year—old sarah everard in south london. this is a serious and significant development in our search for sarah and the fact that the man who has been arrested is a serving metropolitan police officer is both shocking and deeply disturbing. the uk government defends the use of the test and trace system following a report by mps which finds its impact is still unclear — despite billions of pounds of investment. ask yourself this, had they not contacted 9.1 million people and told them they had been potentially exposed and asked them to quarantine or self—isolate, where would we have been without it? the brother of the british socialite ghislaine maxwell tells the bbc the conditions of her detention in a us federal prison are degrading and amount to torture. questions still remain after the palace responds to harry and meghan�*s damaging allegations about life in the royal family — almost 50 million people around the world watched their tv interview. the broadcaster piers morgan defends his comments about meghan after his abrupt departure from the itv breakfast programme good morning britain — saying, "freedom of speech is a hill i am happy to die on." i believe in freedom of speech. i believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion. if people want to have an opinion. if people want to believe meghan markle, that is entirely their right. and coming up... it�*s the start of a 4000—mile journey for black rhino chanua, who is leaving her home in yorkshire to travel to tanzania as part of a conservation programme. hello, good morning. a serving police officer has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a woman in south london. 33—year—old sarah everard was last seen leaving a friend�*s house in clapham last wednesday. the met�*s assistant commisioner has called the development "shocking and deeply disturbing" — and told reporters they really hope sarah is still alive. our home affairs correspondent june kelly reports. yesterday evening, police issued two new pictures of sarah everard. in one, she was wearing the coat she had on when she disappeared. she vanished after she left a friend�*s house in clapham last wednesday. she was walking home alone to brixton. she was captured on a camera at about 9:30pm, the last confirmed sighting. and during yesterday evening, as the police teams continued their work in london, officers were in kent making arrests. just before midnight came the announcement that a police officer was in custody in connection with sarah�*s disappearance, and that a woman had been detained with him on suspicion of assisting an offender. this is a serious and significant development in our search for sarah and the fact that the man who�*s been arrested is a serving metropolitan police officer is both shocking and deeply disturbing. i recognise the significant concern this will cause. over the past week, police have been scouring clapham common, including searching a pond. in a statement announcing the arrest, they said they were doing everything they could to find sarah. june kelly, bbc news. "there�*s no clear evidence that it has led to a reduction in coronavirus infection". that�*s the damming assessment of the nhs test and trace system in england by a group of mps. the house of commons public accounts committee has urged the government to justify what it calls the staggering investment of taxpayers�* money into the system. nhs test and trace in england has received £37 billion in funding since it was set up last spring. the report says the purpose of the test and trace system was to help prevent further lockdowns — the uk has since had two. and, there has been an over—reliance on the use of consultants — with some paid over six and half thousand pounds a day. the transport secretary grant shapps said the report on test and trace �*defies logic�* as it is helping to bring down the number of infections. here�*s our health correspondent anna collinson. identifying the infected, locating their contacts and isolating — a well—functioning test and trace programme is seen as crucial in the fight against the coronavirus. but a damning report is questioning whether england�*s system is effective enough to justify its cost — £37 billion over two years. it�*s an eye—watering sum of money that�*s been spent. and for that, we need to see better results and a better, clearer connection between testing and stemming the spread of the virus. and so far the data on that is not very strong. the budget for test and trace was £22 billion when it was set up last may. a few months later, the person in charge, dido harding, requested a further 15 billion — claiming the main driver would be to avoid a second national lockdown. but two lockdowns followed, and a group of cross—party mps say the service must demonstrate its worth. the public accounts committee has particularly questioned test and trace�*s continued reliance on consultants, with some paid more than £6,600 a day. and it�*s claimed the system was unable to cope when schools returned in september, and there was a surge in demand. but dido harding disagrees. nhs test and trace is an absolutely essential component in the fight against covid. we're hitting all of the targets that sage set us and, you know, as we speak today, we're providing an extra layer of security and confidence. despite the vaccine roll—out, new variants mean we can expect test and trace to continue to play a key role in our lives. but many will be watching closely to ensure taxpayers�* money isn�*t wasted. anna collinson, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake, is at westminster. it isa it is a huge amount of money that�*s been spent and is ready to be spent, and now this debate about whether it�*s been worth it. and now this debate about whether it's been worth it.— it's been worth it. yes, the government _ it's been worth it. yes, the government has _ it's been worth it. yes, the government has spent - it's been worth it. yes, the | government has spent huge it's been worth it. yes, the - government has spent huge amounts it's been worth it. yes, the _ government has spent huge amounts of money on the test and trace system in england and made big claims about its importance in the general response to coronavirus. at one point borisjohnson promised it would be a world beating system, ministers and officials running test and trace claim it could identify and trace claim it could identify and contain local outbreaks, therefore reducing the need for national lockdown as you have heard, the committee of mps looking at this, the public accounts committee, raised concerns not least about the cost but the number of consultants that are involved, being paid large amounts of money, not meeting their targets to turn around to within 2a hours and the complexity of the system, how many companies are involved and how many contracts they are working to, but the government has defended the system. this morning the transport secretary grant shapps said this report defied logic and pointed to the system working in many ways and the health secretary matt hancock has been denying that test and trace had been a waste of money.— a waste of money. there is 1.5 million tests _ a waste of money. there is 1.5 million tests done _ a waste of money. there is 1.5 million tests done yesterday i a waste of money. there is 1.5 i million tests done yesterday and a waste of money. there is 1.5 - million tests done yesterday and the team have _ million tests done yesterday and the team have built this testing capacity from nothing a year ago so they have _ capacity from nothing a year ago so they have done an amazing job and i'm grateful to them. so they have done an amazing “ob and i'm grateful to themh they have done an amazing “ob and i'm grateful to them. so there is an acknowledgement _ i'm grateful to them. so there is an acknowledgement in _ i'm grateful to them. so there is an acknowledgement in government i i'm grateful to them. so there is an i acknowledgement in government that this test and trace system has cost a huge amount of money but the argument is that it is worth it. one interesting factor that has played a big part in the effectiveness of this system is compliance, whether people have followed the instructions they were given after getting a positive test were having symptoms to isolate, whether they had come into contact with someone or had symptoms or being tested them self, that is the one factor which has obviously had a big important role in the effectiveness of test and trace and it�*s something that perhaps we�*ll going forward continue to influence just how effective the system can become despite the huge amounts of money set up and invested in it. dr billy palmer is senior fellow in health policy at the nuffield trust — an independent health think tank. we have two completely divergent views this morning, the committee of mps saying it has not been worth the money, it has not made enough of a difference and the government says it has. ~ ., , ., difference and the government says it has. ~ ., i. , ., it has. where do you stand? the agreement _ it has. where do you stand? the agreement is — it has. where do you stand? the agreement is on _ it has. where do you stand? the agreement is on the _ it has. where do you stand? the agreement is on the size - it has. where do you stand? the agreement is on the size of - it has. where do you stand? the agreement is on the size of the l agreement is on the size of the money that has gone into this, it�*s a huge cost. the budget is equivalent to being out a general practice twice over, in reality they spent slightly less but still the equivalent of £200 per household in 2020 so substantial amount of money. i can fully understand they delivered quite a lot in that he would come when we are talking about now having 800,000 lab tests available per day, which is a huge step forward from what was available in may, the fact they have been able to contact 3 million cases and then of course all the close contacts on top of that, they have done quite a lot but has it been effective? welcome they are missing their turnaround targets in terms of the speed of tests, they failed to avoid the second or third national lockdown which was part of the justification for this spent and the initial suggestion from the scientific advisers on what would have to be achieved for this to be a good functioning test and trace contact tracing system, they have been missed as well so there are real questions on whether this does deliver value for money and is a cost effective services to no—one is arguing that it has to be there, we need a contact tracing programme, the question is could we do it for less and more efficiently?- the question is could we do it for less and more efficiently? when you look at some — less and more efficiently? when you look at some of— less and more efficiently? when you look at some of the _ less and more efficiently? when you look at some of the stats, _ less and more efficiently? when you look at some of the stats, 83 - look at some of the stats, 83 million covid tests carried out, it is an expensive business putting in the infrastructure so i guess there will be a large chunk of the cost that you cannot mitigate that much but one of the things that always causes eyebrows to be raised is the cost of the consultants on it, some paid, the highest paid £6,621; per day and last month 2500 consultants paid an average of £1100 a day, which is £2.75 million a day. what are the consultants delivering, how do they command such high fees? the government says they are competitive fees. ., government says they are competitive fees. . . ., , fees. there are certainly issues around this. — fees. there are certainly issues around this, especially - fees. there are certainly issues around this, especially in - fees. there are certainly issues around this, especially in the i around this, especially in the current debate around affordability when it comes to the nhs pay settlement, laptop figure at fort consultants�* daily rates is the equivalent to it costing the taxpayer the same in a week as it would cost an average nurse salary over the course of a year so these are huge amounts of money and as mps outlined in the report, there is a need to wean ourselves off these consultants. in terms of what they are doing, this is an issue around a lack of transparency in the contracts and what is contained in them because currently we don�*t know what they are delivering for these huge numbers and huge costs for individual consultants. find huge numbers and huge costs for individual consultants.— huge numbers and huge costs for individual consultants. and in terms of how much — individual consultants. and in terms of how much test _ individual consultants. and in terms of how much test and _ individual consultants. and in terms of how much test and trace - individual consultants. and in terms of how much test and trace has - of how much test and trace has delivered, grant shapps is where would we have been without it, if we weren�*t testing people we wouldn�*t know what was going on, yet if it had been completely successful tracing every case, why would we have had more lockdowns? it�*s tracing every case, why would we have had more lockdowns? it's tricky because there _ have had more lockdowns? it's tricky because there are _ have had more lockdowns? it's tricky because there are mixed _ have had more lockdowns? it's tricky because there are mixed messages | because there are mixed messages from the scientific here research so the one that is often referred to by government, they published it on their website, government, they published it on theirwebsite, if government, they published it on their website, if you take the contact tracing element it has had a marginal effect, may be 2— reduction in the r number the new compared to other academic work which looked at the effect of when contact tracing was working badly so an error with an excel spreadsheet meant they didn�*t follow up on cases, it suggested that ever caused about 1500 additional deaths so that suggests there is quite a big effect of it being run well, it�*s unfortunate that evidence comes out because of an error in estimating that so it�*s difficult to unpick what is really the effect of this test and trace programme compared to other things like people self isolating anyway, and i guess that isolating anyway, and i guess that is the main issue with the performance, it was alluded to in the piece beforehand about the test and trace programme itself being hamstrung by the fact they cannot control people�*s ability to self—isolate. control people's ability to self-isolate.— control people's ability to self-isolate. ., �* , ., self-isolate. doctor billy palmer, thank you- _ self-isolate. doctor billy palmer, thank you. and _ self-isolate. doctor billy palmer, thank you. and do _ self-isolate. doctor billy palmer, thank you. and do let _ self-isolate. doctor billy palmer, thank you. and do let me - self-isolate. doctor billy palmer, thank you. and do let me know i self-isolate. doctor billy palmer, i thank you. and do let me know your experiences of the test and trace system, you can tweet me. now an update on our headlines... a serving metropolitan police officer has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of 33—year—old sarah everard in south london. the uk government defends the use of the test and trace system following a report by mps which finds its impact is still unclear — despite billions of pounds of investment the brother of the british socialite ghislaine maxwell tells the bbc the conditions of her detention in a us federal prison are degrading and amount to torture. this morning pa media is reporting that the duchess of sussex formally complained to itv about presenter piers morgan before the good morning britain co—host quit yesterday. mr morgan left the breakfast show after an on—air row with a colleague who criticised him for "continuing to trash" the duchess, after he said earlier this week he "didn�*t believe a word" of her oprah winfrey interview. pa says it understands the duchess�*s concern was not about the personal attacks on the validity of her racism allegation made against the royal family, or her claims she was not supported by the institution when experiencing suicidal thoughts, but how morgan�*s comments may affect the issue of mental health generally and those attempting to deal with their own problems. this morning, piers morgan said he stands by his criticism of the duchess of sussex. he spoke to reporters this morning — here�*s what he had to say. i believe in freedom of speech. i believe in the right to have an opinion. if people want to believe meghan markle, that�*s entirely their right. i don�*t believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth. i think the damage she has done to the british monarchy and the queen and to prince philip who was in hospital is enormous and frankly contemptible so if i have to fall on my sword for expressing an honesty held opinion about that diatribe of build she came out within the interview, so be it. it's came out within the interview, so be it. it�*s all very amicable, i had a good chat with itv and we agree to disagree. meghan markle? just stop trashing the royal family. disagree. meghan markle? just stop trashing the royalfamily. you made enough money of the titles they gave you. although the woke crowd will think that they�*ve cancelled me, i think they�*ll be rather disappointed when i re—emerge. re—emerge...? well, call it a temporary hibernation. of course my opinions remain my opinions, they can�*t silence that. and your daily mail column, is that still a thing? yeah, of course it is. i�*ve got lots of otherjobs. if you�*re worried about me going hungry, you don�*t need to worry. good to see you again, by the way. i had better get going. well, when she came on air this morning, piers morgan�*s co—host on good morning britain for many years, susannah reid, addressed the subject of his departure. a number of people of course will know the news and many of you will not and will be surprised that piers morgan is not here this morning. now, piers and i have disagreed on many things and that dynamic was one of the things that viewers loved about the programme. he is without doubt an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster. he has many critics and he has many fans. you will know that i disagreed with him about meghan�*s interview. he himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday. there are many voices on gmb and everyone has their say but now piers has decided to leave the programme. some of you may cheer and others will boo. he has been my presenting partner monday to wednesday for more than five years and during brexit and a pandemic and other issues he has been a voice for many of you and a voice that many of you have railed against. it is certainly going to be very different but shows go on and so on we go. alastair campbell is a former labour director of communications and now a mental health campaigner. earlier my colleague victoria derbyshire spoke to him and was asked about his views on piers morgan. we can all have judgments and he certainly hasjudgments we can all have judgments and he certainly has judgments about her as a person, the damage she may or may not be doing to the monarchy but i come you call me a friend of piers morgan, we have had an up—and—down relationship over many years but i�*ll say something majorly in his defence, i think he has been one of the few broadcast journalist who really has tried to hold this government to account on covid, i think he had done a good job on that but part of what makes him do that and do it well is also what makes him sometimes go over the top and with meghan and other situations he goes over the top. he is with meghan and other situations he goes over the top.— goes over the top. he is framing it toda as goes over the top. he is framing it today as a — goes over the top. he is framing it today as a freedom _ goes over the top. he is framing it today as a freedom of— goes over the top. he is framing it today as a freedom of speech - goes over the top. he is framing it i today as a freedom of speech issue. this whole _ today as a freedom of speech issue. this whole thing about, i'm thinking this whole thing about, i�*m thinking of getting a t—shirt getting saint proud to be well, i don�*t even know what it means and it seems that people who complain about their freedom of speech being limited to so live on tv and radio 2a hours a day. i don�*t buy that. piers morgan is never going to be silenced, he will always find a platform for his voice —— proud to be awoke. yesterday the palace said the issues raised by meghan and harry�*s interview, particularly around race, were "concerning" and "will be addressed" privately. we can speak now to ken wharfe, former royal protection officer and personal protection officer to diana, princess of wales for six years until 1993. thanks forjoining us. as i mentioned there, you worked for diana, you protected her, you knew harry as a little boy. what were your thoughts and feelings as you watched that interview? i�*m your thoughts and feelings as you watched that interview?— watched that interview? i'm glad that i watched _ watched that interview? i'm glad that i watched it, _ watched that interview? i'm glad that l watched it, it _ watched that interview? i'm glad that i watched it, it was - watched that interview? i'm glad i that i watched it, it was compulsive viewing for me. in a way i felt rather sad for both of them and for the monarchy. there were a lot of issues raised in that talk with 0prah issues raised in that talk with oprah winfrey and you mentioned there the race issue and thankfully that will now be dealt with privately by the queen, which is the right way. we will have to wait to see what the outcome of that is that it is a very topical and delicate issue nationally and internationally now and also for the impact it may have on the british royal family. now and also for the impact it may have on the british royalfamily. i was more concerned as a former protection officer with the issues over her protection and harry�*s protection and i think she may have not quite understood how the protection issue works in so far as it does for her and harry come and harry certainly would know that because he has had it from birth to the problem here is that harry and meghan have chosen to depart the royal family and that departure came with a full and i believe a sincere blessing from her majesty, who said we understand, there are problems and it�*s not easy, you have made that choice and you will get our support and we wish you well, and i believe that to be genuine but then here comes the final sentence, you cannot have it both ways, and they went to canada and for a short while they�*re at the metropolitan police and a home office was able to provide some protection until finally their move to la, giving the other side of the atlantic presents a huge problem and to provide protection to a nonworking royal in a foreign land isjust... it�*s unacceptable, it�*s certainly unprecedented, we saw this and there is a parallel with what happened in 1936 with the abdication crisis, looking at that time was insistent that the government gave him and wallis simpson protection and they said hang on, who�*s going to pay for this? and that is where we are at now, protection is a very costly business and i�*m under the impression that the prince of wales was prepared to make a contribution to that protection, that sits now i�*m not certain. fin to that protection, that sits now i'm not certain.— to that protection, that sits now i'm not certain. on that, what with the outcome _ i'm not certain. on that, what with the outcome in _ i'm not certain. on that, what with the outcome in the _ i'm not certain. on that, what with the outcome in the end, _ i'm not certain. on that, what with the outcome in the end, was - i'm not certain. on that, what with the outcome in the end, was the i the outcome in the end, was the protection paid for by the taxpayer, by the crown for them? i protection paid for by the taxpayer, by the crown for them?— protection paid for by the taxpayer, by the crown for them? i think where the went by the crown for them? i think where they went to — by the crown for them? i think where they went to canada... _ by the crown for them? i think where they went to canada... no, _ by the crown for them? i think where they went to canada... no, edward i they went to canada... no, edward and mrs simpson _ they went to canada... no, edward and mrs simpson commit - they went to canada... no, edward and mrs simpson commit becausel they went to canada... no, edward i and mrs simpson commit because you made that link. in and mrs simpson commit because you made that link.— made that link. in the end they didn't at that _ made that link. in the end they didn't at that time, _ made that link. in the end they didn't at that time, there - made that link. in the end they didn't at that time, there was l made that link. in the end theyj didn't at that time, there was a didn�*t at that time, there was a great deal of correspondence between the king and via his protection officer at the time with handwritten correspondence with the government of the day saying the king is concerned about the protection and the government in return saying 0k the government in return saying ok but who�*s going to pay for this? in the end initially the monarchy did make a contribution but finally there was no protection, but going back... fin there was no protection, but going back... ., there was no protection, but going back... . ., ., back... on that, there are two thins back... on that, there are two things that — back... on that, there are two things that are _ back... on that, there are two things that are rows _ back... on that, there are two things that are rows on - back... on that, there are two things that are rows on that i back... on that, there are two i things that are rows on that issue from harry in the interview, one was he said the fact he was born into thatis he said the fact he was born into that is not a choice he made and therefore the threat to him remains, and in that context he drew parallels with the situation with his mother and it came across loud and clear in that interview when he talked about his concern about history repeating itself, is feeling vulnerable if there were not enough protection for him and his family if they were out in the cold. i protection for him and his family if they were out in the cold.- they were out in the cold. i think that's a valid _ they were out in the cold. i think that's a valid point _ they were out in the cold. i think that's a valid point and _ they were out in the cold. i think that's a valid point and that - they were out in the cold. i think that's a valid point and that is i they were out in the cold. i think| that's a valid point and that is the that�*s a valid point and that is the one area of the interview that i felt wholeheartedly for him because he was speaking the truth and i�*ve spoken at length on what happened with diana when she abandoned her security in 1993 and what happened in paris in 1997 has been well discussed but what hasn�*t been heard about that and i have certainly spoken at length about it was the failure of the protection privately that was afforded her, which in my view was a contributing factor to her death in that car crash. where is the comparison? harry and meghan will rely upon a private security firm in america that do not have that expertise and style that scotland yard had worked on for many years and i�*m not suggesting that i fear the same would happen but it�*s a different level of security and this is their dilemma, i don�*t think it�*s possible that the yard will give that protection purely on the grounds of cost and the fact he�*s no longer a british working world, so it is a dilemma, ijust sincerely hope it doesn�*t come to the same conclusion. hope it doesn't come to the same conclusion-— hope it doesn't come to the same conclusion. kenilworth, thank you very much- _ the brother of the british socialite ghislaine maxwell has told the bbc that the conditions of her detention in a us federal prison are degrading and amount to torture. ms maxwell is awaiting trial, accused of helping the convicted sex offender, jeffrey epstein, to groom young girls. she denies the charges. in an interview with radio 4�*s mishal hussein ian maxwell has called for her to be released on bail. she is under 24—hour round—the—clock surveillance. with ten cameras including one that moves and tracks her movements and on top of that, there are four guards that are looking at her and presumably there is another guard looking at the camera feeds. she is not allowed to move into the corners of her cell and she is not allowed to be within 2.5 feet of the cell door. that is her existence. every day. the water that is provided through the prison is brown and the food that she is given is very highly microwaved and basically inedible. 0n the conditions that she is held under, the authorities say that what you describe is in place to prevent other inmates from harming her and to stop her harming herself, hence the cameras and isolation. well, this is ridiculous. she is not a suicide risk and has never been a suicide risk. there are daily mental evaluations of her and she has shown no indication that that is her intention. she is being completely overmanaged. why is that? because jeffrey epstein, who was under federal custody at the time of his death, died in federal custody. so this is a grotesque overreaction. do you think she has been unfairly perceived or portrayed because of her name, because of the maxwell name and the notoriety surrounding it in the wake of your father�*s death? the most important point is that she is notjeffrey epstein but she is paying the price that he should have paid or could have paid. the lawyer gloria allred is acting for 20 women in jeffrey epstein related civil cases. some of them had contact with ghislaine maxwell. she was asked by my colleague mishal if she thought the difficult conditions ms maxwell was living in meant she should be allowed to leave prison on bail. a cell is not a palace, a cell is not a wealthy estate with all the amenities in it, but she is injail and she is going to have her trial injuly and the court has determined earlier this year, michelle, that she was a flight risk and that was a main reason why dale was denied. i am not convinced at this point that anything has changed, that she�*s no longer a flight risk and i think she needs stay where she is, in custody. she can prepare her trial there, she can meet with her attorneys and i understand that she has access to information that she can read in order to be prepared for trial, so i do not think that any new request for bail should be granted. lawyer gloria allred. _ for bail should be granted. lawyer gloria allred. now _ for bail should be granted. lawyer gloria allred. now time _ for bail should be granted. lawyer gloria allred. now time for - for bail should be granted. lawyer gloria allred. now time for a - for bail should be granted. lawyer gloria allred. now time for a look| gloria allred. now time for a look at the weather with matt. some very disruptive weather today and tonight, we see strong winds and heavy rain, even today very blustery, outbreaks a time to england and wales, heavier burst here and there in the west, brightening up for northern ireland but after this morning�*s sunshine in scotland, more rain widely although parts of 0rkney and shetland will stay dry throughout. winds coming from the south, very strong and gusty, around 30—50 mph. this evening and overnight further rain at times, more persistent rain in the second half of the night in the west and at that stage we see the wind really ramp up, 40—60 mph wind gusts widely across the uk as across western england and wales, potential for 70 or 80 mph gusts and some rough seas, that could cause damage and disruption it�*s worth keeping an eye on the forecast, we will have more details here on the bbc news channel. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines — a serving metropolitan police officer has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of 33—year—old sarah everard in south london. this is a serious and significant development in our search for sarah, and the fact that the man who has been arrested as a serving metropolitan police officer is both shocking and deeply disturbing. the uk government defends the use of the test and trace system following a report by mps which finds its impact is still unclear, despite billions of pounds of investment. the team have built this testing copacity— the team have built this testing capacity from nothing a year ago, and so _ capacity from nothing a year ago, and so they've done an amazing job, and so they've done an amazing job, and i'm _ and so they've done an amazing job, and i'm incredibly grateful to them. the brother of the british socialite ghislaine maxwell tells the bbc the conditions of her detention in a us federal prison are degrading and amount to torture. the duchess of sussex is believed to have formally complained to itv over comments made by broadcaster piers morgan after her interview with 0prah. morgan quit the itv breakfast programme good morning britain, saying "freedom of speech is a hill i am happy to die on." sport, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here�*s chetam. good morning. wales manager ryan giggs will be missing again for their upcoming world cup qualifiers against belgium and the czech republic, as well as a friendly against mexico. he�*ll remain on leave, with robert page continuing in his caretaker role. the welsh fa says it was a mutual decision. giggs was arrested on suspicion of assault at the start of november, and last month his bail was extended until the 1st of may. everton have confirmed that their goalkeeper robin 0lsen and his family were the victims of an armed robberty at their home over the weekend. they were threatened with machetes as a masked gang stole jewellery from the house in greater manchester. 0lsen, who�*s on loan from roma, was at home with his wife and two young children when the attack occurred. they were said to be shaken but not physically harmed. everton are offering the family their full support. liverpool may be on a dreadful run in the premier league, but they�*re going well in europe, and they�*re on course to reach the quarterfinals of the champions league tonight. they�*ve only won once in their last seven league games — their latest defeat was at home to fulham at the weekend — but they take a 2—0 lead into their last 16 match against rb leipzig in budapest. it is half time, and we have to play the game — it is half time, and we have to play the game to— it is half time, and we have to play the game to give us the opportunity to go— the game to give us the opportunity to go to _ the game to give us the opportunity to go to the next round. if we play that good, — to go to the next round. if we play that good, then we can do that, and we deserve — that good, then we can do that, and we deserve it, and if not, then not. that— we deserve it, and if not, then not. that is— we deserve it, and if not, then not. that is the — we deserve it, and if not, then not. that is the situation, sol we deserve it, and if not, then not. that is the situation, so i have no doubt _ that is the situation, so i have no doubt about— that is the situation, so i have no doubt about us. i do not know the people _ doubt about us. i do not know the people go— doubt about us. i do not know the people go through 100%, but we will -ive people go through 100%, but we will give rb _ people go through 100%, but we will give rb leipzig a proper fight, that is the _ give rb leipzig a proper fight, that is the only— give rb leipzig a proper fight, that is the only thing i need to know at the moment. there is no guarantee for nothing. — the moment. there is no guarantee for nothing, not for them, not for us. it�*s been confirmed that hege riise will take charge of team gb�*s women�*s team at the tokyo 0lympic this summer. riise will combine the job with her current role as interim england boss. she said she was "enormously proud" and hoped the power of the games would help women�*s football continue to grow. riise is leading england until the netherlands head coach sarina wiegman takes permanent charge in september. roger federer returns to competitive tennis today for the first time in over a year. at the age of 39, he says he feels the story�*s not over yet. he plays british number one dan evans in the last 16 of the qatar 0pen, one of his regular practise partners. federer has had two knee operations in his time away. it iam i am curious to see how it is going to go. there are still a number of questions surrounding my comeback for me personally, i don�*t know what to expect, i know expectations from my side are extremely low, and i�*m just very happy that i�*m playing a tournament again, regardless of the outcome of this event. para swimmer ellie challis was just 16 months old when she developed meningitis, and it resulted in her having all four limbs amputated. but after winning bronze at the 2019 world championships, she�*s heading to tokyo this year, for the paralympics. challis is 16 now, and says sport transformed her life. i think sports definitely for me was the way— i think sports definitely for me was the way to— i think sports definitely for me was the way tojust i think sports definitely for me was the way to just be involved with people. — the way to just be involved with people, and it's definitely helped me to _ people, and it's definitely helped me to make friends, be social, and i want _ me to make friends, be social, and i want to— me to make friends, be social, and i want to do— me to make friends, be social, and i want to do things that everyone says i want to do things that everyone says i can't _ want to do things that everyone says i can't. just— want to do things that everyone says i can't. just to prove them wrong. hopefully, _ i can't. just to prove them wrong. hopefully, more people like me can see this _ hopefully, more people like me can see this and think they can do it, any sport. — see this and think they can do it, any sport. it— see this and think they can do it, any sport, it doesn't have to be swimming. _ any sport, it doesn't have to be swimming, and any sport i have done, but any— swimming, and any sport i have done, but any sport. — swimming, and any sport i have done, but any sport, because it has definitely harder for disability athletes to get involved, but i think— athletes to get involved, but i think once you are involved, you do really— think once you are involved, you do really enjoy — think once you are involved, you do really enjoy it. that�*s all the sport for now. i�*ll have more for you later. more now on a damming report by a group of mps into the test and trace system in england. the public accounts committee said the billions spent on the contract tracing system was "eye—watering" and warned taxpayers could not be treated like an atm machine. the health secretary has defended the test and trace system, and said the team had done an amazing job. ——contact tracing. the british medical association provided evidence to the public accounts committee report into test and trace. let�*s speak to the chair of the bma council, dr chaand nagpaul. thank you forjoining us. both of these sentences make sense. grant shapps saying, if you are not testing people, we wouldn�*t know what was going on, where would we be without it? but the mps�* committee saying it has had no clear impact because we had two lockdowns after it began. how do you see it? first of all, this — it began. how do you see it? first of all, this is _ it began. how do you see it? first of all, this is an _ it began. how do you see it? f “st of all, this is an independent committee, a select committee, so i would certainly consider their output seriously. and there are two issues. first of all, the cost of this programme, £37 billion earmarked, orsome this programme, £37 billion earmarked, or some of it has already been spent, which is a huge sum of money. it is about a quarter of the nhs budget. but more importantly, as the report has outlined, it did not achieve its objective in being able to control and contain the virus, and that is why we ended up with two further lockdowns. now, the test and trace system was beset with problems right from the beginning, and we at the bma made that very clear. the first and was it didn�*t have the capacity, so if you remember, it was about six or seven months ago, there were people waiting up to a week to be able to be tested. some had to travel 100 miles to a testing centre. so the whole point of test and trace as it should be accessible, you should get a test done quickly, and you should get the result of them 24—hour. that is the sage recommendation. in october, only 15% of tests came back in 2a hours, so in fact, even if you tested, it didn�*t fulfil its objective because you needed to then contact people and isolate those who may have been in contact. that�*ll take a week to ten days, you miss the whole purpose of the programme. the other issue was about... one of the key skills in a test and trace system is to identify those who have beenin system is to identify those who have been in contact with an infected person, and the test and trace system was woefully poor at doing that. it was unable to contact about 60% of people, even in october, whereas the national and local teams, the public health england teams, the public health england teams, were able to contact 97%. so what this really shows was that the government has invested heavily in a private system outsourced, the system is not connected with our national system, system is not connected with our nationalsystem, it system is not connected with our national system, it was fragmented, and it did not deliver the efficacy that was needed for test and trace to work. , ., ., _, to work. sorry, i want to come in there, because _ to work. sorry, i want to come in there, because you _ to work. sorry, i want to come in there, because you just - to work. sorry, i want to come in there, because you just give - to work. sorry, i want to come in there, because you just give us i there, because you just give us those statistics, and what you said does not match up with what dido harding said about the success of test and trace. she said that it successfully which 92.6% of —— successfully which 92.6% of —— successfully reached 93.6% of the contacts of positive cases. if successfully reached 93.6% of the contacts of positive cases.- contacts of positive cases. if i'm not mistaken, _ contacts of positive cases. if i'm not mistaken, the _ contacts of positive cases. if i'm not mistaken, the statistics - contacts of positive cases. if i'm not mistaken, the statistics in i not mistaken, the statistics in october did not show that. at the 0ctober did not show that. at the time, we publicised and highlighted that there was a great disparity between the test and trace system operated at as compared to local public health teams. i don�*t know whether dido harding is quoting figures that include local public health teams�* efforts, but the public health teams were able to contact about 97%, compared to about 60% of the test and trace outsourced system back in october. 50 it 60% of the test and trace outsourced system back in october.— system back in october. so it is a hue system back in october. so it is a huge amount _ system back in october. so it is a huge amount of— system back in october. so it is a huge amount of money _ system back in october. so it is a huge amount of money to - system back in october. so it is a huge amount of money to have i system back in october. so it is a i huge amount of money to have been spent on this infrastructure and the testing, and a lot of tests are being carried out as a result, 83 million. but i use saying you prepare that money not to have been spent? —— are you saying you prefer that money not to have been spent? it was excessive, it was funding a system that was disconnected from our local public health systems, it had huge delays when we needed the results within 2a hours, it had a poor record of getting the results back, it wasn�*t accessible, and if you look at public health england, their budget is less than £400 million, and if you contrast that with the £37 billion spent on the system, you can see that the taxpayer, i believe, would have been far better served with investing more in a tried and tested systems that have been operating for decades through public health england, and our national public health system of contact tracing and surveillance. so the pandemic might have been new to us, the coronavirus pandemic, but the system of test and trace and has operated for decades through our local established public sector public health service, and that is where we believe the money should have been spent. dr where we believe the money should have been spent.— where we believe the money should have been spent. dr chaand nagpaul from the bma. _ have been spent. dr chaand nagpaul from the bma, thank— have been spent. dr chaand nagpaul from the bma, thank you. _ a new survey about the impact of coronavirus in the uk has highlighted differences between how men and women have experienced the pandemic. the study from the office for national statistics says the death toll has been higher among men,while women have taken on more unpaid housework and childcare duties. let�*s speak to our health correspondent dominic hughes. tell us more about what the 0ns has identified here. we tell us more about what the ons has identified here.— identified here. we knew that the death toll from _ identified here. we knew that the death toll from covid _ identified here. we knew that the death toll from covid has - identified here. we knew that the death toll from covid has been i death toll from covid has been higher among men compared with women. so if you lookjust at england and wales, 63,700 men died compared with 53,300 women between march 2020 eight january 2021. but these figures from the 0ns really highlight how the experience of men and women has been very different throughout the pandemic. so, for example, women were much more likely to be furlough, women have consistently spent more time on childcare and housework than men, and have also taken on the bulk of home—schooling. i know that you and i probably hear in our imaginations thousands of women shouting at the tv at the moment, tell us something we don�*t know, but the 0ns says the personal well—being of women has also suffered over the past year, and particularly that burden of home—schooling. now, by february of this year, more than half of those surveyed felt that that burden of home—schooling is affecting their well—being, and women have also experienced feelings of anxiety, of loneliness, depression, and fears about the virus throughout the pandemic, according to the 0ns, often much more so than for men. the ons often much more so than for men. the 0ns obviously shines a light on the stats around things, but is it possible to ascertain the reasons for the differences between how the sexes have been affected? bside for the differences between how the sexes have been affected? aside from the rather traditional _ sexes have been affected? aside from the rather traditional breakdown - the rather traditional breakdown still that is evident in terms of housework, looking after children, home—schooling, i think that is a massive factor. and when you add in that to all the other elements, particularly that burden of home—schooling, anyone who has been involved in home—schooling knows how difficult it is that it i think it is little wonder that there are other anxieties that build up. and of some men have perhaps distance themselves from that a bit, they�*re not filling those anxieties quite as much. �* much. and what about more men being likel to die much. and what about more men being likely to die than _ much. and what about more men being likely to die than women _ much. and what about more men being likely to die than women to _ much. and what about more men being likely to die than women to men - likely to die than women to men being more likely to die than women? men are the weaker sex, we are more prone to illness, and men are more likely to die younger than women. that isjust a likely to die younger than women. that is just a genetic thing that we have known about for many years. but also, i think perhaps there�*s something about men�*s attitudes towards lockdown, maybe women were more, because they were more anxious, were more willing to stick to lockdown rules. i don�*t know, we will have to wait and see for much more detailed information before we can say for certain, but men do historically die younger than women, there has to be a big element to that. ., ., there has to be a big element to that. . ,, , ., there has to be a big element to that. . ,, i. . current and former staff at the sellafield nuclear site in cumbria have told the bbc a "toxic culture" of bullying and harassment could let serious safety concerns go unreported. a leaked letter sent to the company�*s senior management outlines dozens of examples of racial abuse at what is the largest industrial site in the uk. sellafield said it was committed to eradicating unacceptable behaviour from the workplace. 0ur reporterjim reed has more details. it�*s the largest and most complex nuclear site in western europe, home to 10,000 staff. the people we have spoken to say some of its working practices are stuck firmly in the past. allison mcdermott was a consultant in the hr team in sellafield until late 2018. many people have contacted me sharing stories of bullying, harassment, racism. i�*ll never forget an employee saying to me when i was asking him questions about the culture, he said, "at sellafield, you have "got two really dangerous elements, you�*ve got toxic materials "and you�*ve got a toxic culture." she is now taking sellafield to court, alleging her contract was terminated for whistle—blowing. sellafield is contesting the case. the bbc has also seen a letter from a group representing ethnic minority workers cataloguing dozens of racist incidents. 0ne muslim man said an instructor at a training course told the class the main threat to the site was bearded men in flip—flops. none of my colleagues intervened or supported me. sellafield said... it has not ignored or tried to cover up concerns about bullying. it said it has developed a company—wide improvement programme and this work is continuing. the worry from people we�*ve spoken to is that the culture here at sellafield could make it difficult for workers to come forward if they have concerns and that could have a knock—on effect on safety in what is the largest nuclear waste site in western europe. in one case, a member of the underwater diving team alleged he was bullied after he raised raising safety concerns. in another, a worker received an internal dose of plutonium after a bag of nuclear waste was opened. redacted e—mails linked to the incident and the follow—up investigation referred to allegations of threatening behaviour and claims of a cover—up. an internal report said new measures were put in place to prevent a similar accident in the future. somebody has to do something. somebody has to stand up. carl connor resigned injanuary after 13 years at sellafield. he says he had a breakdown caused by bullying. those dedicated professionals deserve to be treated properly. i don�*t feel they are as it stands. i feel that it�*s a major risk, so i�*m coming forward as a whistle—blower in the hope that i can change that. sellafield said it is working to improve its processes so staff can have confidence that when issues are raised, they are dealt with. it says it accepts it has more work to do but remains committed to eradicating unacceptable behaviour from the workplace. ministers are introducing tougher rules to make appliances such as fridges, washing machines and tvs cheaper to run and last longer. from this summer, manufacturers will be legally obliged to make spare parts available to consumers, with the aim of extending the life span of their products. the move is designed to reduce electrical waste and cut carbon emissions from making new goods. 0ur energy and environment analyst roger harrabin has been giving me more details. it�*s part of eu legislation the uk previously signed up to and agreed it would continue when the uk let the eu, and the eu set in place these rules from january and the uk is lagging a bit but the ministers are now promising they will be in place by the summer. as you suggested, t there are many reasons to the idea of the policies they are pursuing and one is to increase the life span of goods by ten years, to reduce the amount added to the e—waste mountain, 1.5 million tonnes of e—waste in the uk, to reduce household bills, ministers think they should go down about £75 over the life span of an appliance, and to reduce co2 emissions, so there are lots of objectives in this legislation, but i think the one people will be most interested in is we all have the syndrome where you buy a gadget, and it breaks down in what you consider to be a ridiculously short amount of time and you phone up the manufacturer and you tell them you need a spare part and they tell you it is in a sealed unit and you have to send it back to the factory and that will cost you one zillion pounds. and you think, "ok, i will buy another one." now there is the right to repair. campaigners have been fighting for this, in us, in europe and the uk, the right to repair, something basic goes wrong you can get onto the manufacturer and tell them you need the part, and instead of giving you an excuse they have to give you the part. a government feasibility study is to examine the possibility of building either a bridge or tunnel between northern ireland and scotland. the transport expert sir peter hendy was asked by the government to examine connections between the different parts of the uk. he�*s said further work should now be undertaken to look at a "fixed link" across the irish sea. two engineering professors will assess the potential project. for one special resident in north yorkshire, today marks the start of a 4,000 milejourney. black rhino chanua is leaving her home at flamingoland to travel to tanzania as part of a plan to increase the numbers of her species. luxmy gopal has been speaking to her keepers about her voyage. making sure the animal is fit to travel, then getting her to the next stage of herjourney. it is just making sure she is happy in the crate. and there is a very important reason for this as well, isn�*t there? because she is a black rhino, and they are one of the most critically endangered species and their population was nearly wiped out in the space of about 30 years. what role can chanua play in bringing the species back then or reviving the population? well, she is a healthy young female, so hopefully when she gets out there, she meets a male rhino in the male wild population and hopefully that�*s where it starts and she is able to breed and bring the new generation. and she has been specially chosen, hasn�*t she, as a fitting part of this project? yes, the breeding programmes, it is notjust pick a rhino and send them, it is very scientific, there are a lot of people that do an awful lot of important work to make sure the right animal goes to the right place at the right time. we just need to fit in with it really and do what we can do. you have been working with her for so long, it must be difficult to have to say goodbye forever. it is difficult, but we will keep in touch with wherever she meets, wherever she goes, they are not our pets, we are not here to keep them forever. obviously, we get very fond of them and you do form a bond with them. as all the staff do, the guys that work with these guys. it is what we are here to do. it is important work in conservation and it is our bit that we can do in a little way. in a few minutes, borisjohnson be answering questions from mps at prime minister�*s questions. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is at westminster. what are you expecting, jonathan? i think we can expect the topic of nhs pay to come up, quite possibly dominate this session of prime minister�*s questions. it is the first pmqs since the government announced last week after the budget that it was proposing a 1% increase for nhs staff, including nurses in england for the coming year. that is now being considered by the independent pay review body, but it is something that labour has seized upon and attempted to draw something of a political dividing line between them and the conservatives. sir keir starmer has so far said that nurses and other nhs staff should get an above inflation pay increase, given that the cost of living is forecast to rise above the current 0.7% in the coming year. and that all public sector workers should get a pay increase of some sort. the government�*s argument is that most public sector workers have seen their pay frozen, they have made an exception for nhs staff given the work that they�*ve put in over the last year, the conditions they have had to work on it during the pandemic, and that 1% in the current economic climate is all they can afford. but i would be very surprised if we do not have questions to the prime minister from sir keir starmer on that. the prime minister may note that sir keir starmer has not said exactly what the pay rise should be, or indeed how labour would fund public sector pay rises. beyond that, there is the ongoing issue of test and trace. we have had that report this morning from a committee of mps saying that the impact of that hugely expensive project is not yet clear, there is a lot of concerns about the complexity of contracts, the number of consultants involved, and how much they are paid, and public compliance with the whole thing as well. and there is also the spat that is continuing between the eu and the uk over the export or lack of exports of vaccines from the uk to other countries around the world, most notably in europe. something of a diplomatic war of words which the uk has got involved in. i don�*t think it will do borisjohnson any harm to bring that up, because i think the government is quite enjoying or perhaps relishing pointing out where the president of the pin council has got his facts wrong from their point of view, talking about a band, as he put it, and vaccines from the uk to other countries in the world, which the government denies is its policy. so could be an interesting session ahead. ., ., so could be an interesting session ahead. ., ~' ,, so could be an interesting session ahead. ., ,, ., ., ., ahead. thank you, jonathan. coming u . ahead. thank you, jonathan. coming u- in a ahead. thank you, jonathan. coming up in a few— ahead. thank you, jonathan. coming up in a few minutes. _ ahead. thank you, jonathan. coming up in a few minutes. first _ ahead. thank you, jonathan. coming up in a few minutes. first let's - up in a few minutes. first let�*s just catch up with the weather. very lively weather conditions today and tomorrow. worst of the winds will be tonight through tomorrow morning, coming with it some heavy rain, and increasingly rough seas across western areas. the charts show weather fronts where we see the rain just tangled across the country through today and tomorrow, but the steepening area of low pressure with lots of lines around it an indication that we will see some of the strongest winds. even out there today, still blustery, further rain at times for england and wales, fairly cloudy through the rest of today. brightening up a bit for northern ireland, but after the sunshine in the morning in scotland, outbreaks of rain pushing its way northwards, 0rkney and shetland the brightest spots, but six or seven celsius here. winds coming from the south, these are the peak when strength today, around 40 to 60 mph for some of you. going through this evening and overnight, the wind will pick up even further. 0utbreaks evening and overnight, the wind will pick up even further. outbreaks of rain across most parts, persistent during the second half of the night in the west, and during the second half of the note on into tomorrow morning we will see the strongest of the winds. more widely 40 to 60 mph, and across western parts of wales and across western parts of wales and south—west england, we could see those winds big at around 70 or 80 mph. damage or disruption possible, and the waves will be pounding the coast as we start to see some very rough seas. earlier into more persistent rain, that will quickly clear, then tomorrow, the story of the weather changing every hour. every few minutes potentially for some, strong winds pushing through batches of showers, some heavy with pale, wintry of a higher ground, but a better chance of sunshine between the showers than today. 0verall, a better chance of sunshine between the showers than today. overall, a cool feeling day. thursday night and into friday, low—pressure to the north of us still, feeling and the north of us still, feeling and the north atlantic around that area of low pressure, so it will rain on the cool side. another blustery day, nowhere near as strong winds as we are seeing of the next 24 hours, showers will be moving from west to east, so an ever changeable day, but some of those showers again wintry over the higher ground. temperatures for most at where they should be for the time of year, on a little bit below. run into the weekend, a similar story, temperatures are staying in the region of around seven to 11 celsius, a mixture of sunshine and showers, and longer spells of rain at times. this is bbc news. the headlines: a serving metropolitan police officer has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of 33—year—old sarah everard in south london. this is a serious and significant development in our search for sarah and the fact that the man who has been arrested is a serving metropolitan police officer is both shocking and deeply disturbing. the government defends the use of the test and trace system following a report by mps which finds its impact is still unclear — despite billions of pounds of investment. the team have built this testing capacity from nothing a year ago so they have done an amazing job and i�*m grateful to them. and we�*ll be live in the house of commons for prime minister�*s questions. 0ver 22.5 million people have received their first dose across the uk and we can be proud of that support the uk has given to the international covid response, so i wish to correct the suggestion from the european council president that the european council president that the uk has blocked vaccine exports. let me be clear, we have not blocked the export of a single covid—19 of axial or vaccine component. this pandemic has put us all on the site and side in vaccine health and we oppose vaccine nationalism in all its forms and i trust both sides willjoin me in rejecting this suggestion and join me. i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and will have further such meetings later today. and will have further such meetings later toda . �* , ., and will have further such meetings later toda . h ., ., and will have further such meetings latertoda. �*, ., ., _ later today. let's go to daisy coo er. later today. let's go to daisy cooper- the _ later today. let's go to daisy cooper. the government - later today. let's go to daisy cooper. the government is l later today. let's go to daisy - cooper. the government is doing a stat uterin cooper. the government is doing a staggering £37 _ cooper. the government is doing a staggering £37 billion _ cooper. the government is doing a staggering £37 billion at _ cooper. the government is doing a staggering £37 billion at a - cooper. the government is doing a staggering £37 billion at a test - cooper. the government is doing aj staggering £37 billion at a test and trace _ staggering £37 billion at a test and trace system — staggering £37 billion at a test and trace system that _ staggering £37 billion at a test and trace system that we _ staggering £37 billion at a test and trace system that we know- staggering £37 billion at a test and trace system that we know has - staggering £37 billion at a test and i trace system that we know has barely made _ trace system that we know has barely made any _ trace system that we know has barely made any difference _ trace system that we know has barely made any difference yet _ trace system that we know has barely made any difference yet it _ trace system that we know has barely made any difference yet it says - trace system that we know has barely made any difference yet it says it - made any difference yet it says it cannot _ made any difference yet it says it cannot afford _ made any difference yet it says it cannot afford to _ made any difference yet it says it cannot afford to give _ made any difference yet it says it cannot afford to give more - made any difference yet it says it cannot afford to give more than i made any difference yet it says it| cannot afford to give more than a pitiful— cannot afford to give more than a pitiful 1%— cannot afford to give more than a pitiful i% pay— cannot afford to give more than a pitiful 1% pay rise _ cannot afford to give more than a pitiful 1% pay rise to _ cannot afford to give more than a pitiful 1% pay rise to nhs- cannot afford to give more than a l pitiful 1% pay rise to nhs workers. the prime — pitiful 1% pay rise to nhs workers. the prime minister— pitiful 1% pay rise to nhs workers. the prime minister said _ pitiful 1% pay rise to nhs workers. the prime minister said he - pitiful 1% pay rise to nhs workers. the prime minister said he it - pitiful 1% pay rise to nhs workers. the prime minister said he it wasl the prime minister said he it was his life _ the prime minister said he it was his life to— the prime minister said he it was his life to them. _ the prime minister said he it was his life to them. he _ the prime minister said he it was his life to them. he stood - the prime minister said he it was his life to them. he stood on- the prime minister said he it was his life to them. he stood on the| his life to them. he stood on the steps _ his life to them. he stood on the steps of— his life to them. he stood on the steps of number— his life to them. he stood on the steps of number 10 _ his life to them. he stood on the steps of number 10 and - his life to them. he stood on the i steps of number 10 and applauded them, _ steps of number 10 and applauded them, so _ steps of number 10 and applauded them, so will— steps of number 10 and applauded them, so will he _ steps of number 10 and applauded them, so will he do _ steps of number 10 and applauded them, so will he do more - steps of number 10 and applauded them, so will he do more than - steps of number 10 and applauded them, so will he do more than payj them, so will he do more than pay lip service — them, so will he do more than pay lip service and _ them, so will he do more than pay lip service and pay— them, so will he do more than pay lip service and pay them _ them, so will he do more than pay lip service and pay them the - them, so will he do more than pay lip service and pay them the wage | lip service and pay them the wage they deserve? _ lip service and pay them the wage they deserve? mr— lip service and pay them the wage they deserve?— they deserve? mr speaker, she is indeed right _ they deserve? mr speaker, she is indeed right that _ they deserve? mr speaker, she is indeed right that we _ they deserve? mr speaker, she is indeed right that we are - they deserve? mr speaker, she is indeed right that we are now - they deserve? mr speaker, she is indeed right that we are now a . they deserve? mr speaker, she is i indeed right that we are now a huge amount to art nurses, an incalculable debt and that�*s why i am glad we delivered a 12.8% increase in the starting salary for nurses and are asking the public pay review body to look at increasing their pay, exceptionally of all professions in the public sector, and as for test and trace, it is thanks to nhs test and trace that we can send kids back to school and begin cautiously and irreversibly to reopen our economy and restart our lives. �* , ., ., ., reopen our economy and restart our lives. �*, ., ., ., | lives. let's go to dagenham. i recently visited _ lives. let's go to dagenham. i recently visited long _ lives. let's go to dagenham. i recently visited long marston l lives. let's go to dagenham. i i recently visited long marston and birkenhead — recently visited long marston and birkenhead to _ recently visited long marston and birkenhead to seek— recently visited long marston and birkenhead to seek the _ recently visited long marston and birkenhead to seek the damage i recently visited long marston and - birkenhead to seek the damage caused to work— birkenhead to seek the damage caused to work communities. _ birkenhead to seek the damage caused to work communities. in _ birkenhead to seek the damage caused to work communities. in the _ birkenhead to seek the damage caused to work communities. in the prime - to work communities. in the prime minister— to work communities. in the prime minister is — to work communities. in the prime minister is sure _ to work communities. in the prime minister is sure this _ to work communities. in the prime minister is sure this house - to work communities. in the prime minister is sure this house that - to work communities. in the prime minister is sure this house that is i minister is sure this house that is the weather— minister is sure this house that is the weather gets— minister is sure this house that is the weather gets better, - minister is sure this house that is the weather gets better, we - minister is sure this house that is the weather gets better, we willl minister is sure this house that is i the weather gets better, we will not lose the _ the weather gets better, we will not lose the momentum _ the weather gets better, we will not lose the momentum of— the weather gets better, we will not lose the momentum of finding i lose the momentum of finding long-term _ lose the momentum of finding long—term solutions _ lose the momentum of finding long—term solutions to - lose the momentum of findingl long—term solutions to prevent flooding — long—term solutions to prevent flooding in _ long—term solutions to prevent flooding in the _ long—term solutions to prevent flooding in the future _ long—term solutions to prevent flooding in the future and i long—term solutions to prevent flooding in the future and givel flooding in the future and give residents— flooding in the future and give residents the _ flooding in the future and give residents the security - flooding in the future and give residents the security they. flooding in the future and give i residents the security they deserve all year— residents the security they deserve all year around _ residents the security they deserve all year around irrespective - residents the security they deserve all year around irrespective of- residents the security they deserve all year around irrespective of the i all year around irrespective of the weather— all year around irrespective of the weather outside? _ all year around irrespective of the weather outside? i— all year around irrespective of the weather outside?— weather outside? i thank my honourable _ weather outside? i thank my honourable friend _ weather outside? i thank my honourable friend for - weather outside? i thank my honourable friend for what i weather outside? i thank my| honourable friend for what he weather outside? i thank my i honourable friend for what he is doing for his local area and the environment agency for their tireless work to find solutions and we are investing five 2p to build 2000 new flood defences over the next six years. we 2000 new flood defences over the next six years-— 2000 new flood defences over the next six years. we now come to the leader of the _ next six years. we now come to the leader of the opposition, _ next six years. we now come to the leader of the opposition, keir i leader of the opposition, keir starmen _ leader of the opposition, keir starmer. ~ ., ., , ~ , starmer. who does the prime minister think deserves — starmer. who does the prime minister think deserves a _ starmer. who does the prime minister think deserves a pay _ starmer. who does the prime minister think deserves a pay rise _ starmer. who does the prime minister think deserves a pay rise more, i starmer. who does the prime minister think deserves a pay rise more, an i think deserves a pay rise more, an nhs nurse or dominic cummings? the; i nhs nurse or dominic cummings? as i said earlier nhs nurse or dominic cummings? " i said earlier on, nhs nurse or dominic cummings? " i said earlieron, a nhs nurse or dominic cummings? " i said earlier on, a massive debt as a society and i personally to the nurses and our nhs and that is why we are asking the public pay review body to look at their pay. the starting salary for nurses has gone up starting salary for nurses has gone up 12.8% over the last three years and it is thanks to the package this government has put in place that we now have 10,600 more nurses in our nhs then there were one year ago and 60,000 more in training. he nhs then there were one year ago and 60,000 more in training.— 60,000 more in training. he says nurses pay — 60,000 more in training. he says nurses pay has — 60,000 more in training. he says nurses pay has gone _ 60,000 more in training. he says nurses pay has gone up, - 60,000 more in training. he says nurses pay has gone up, i - 60,000 more in training. he says nurses pay has gone up, i know i 60,000 more in training. he says| nurses pay has gone up, i know he 60,000 more in training. he says i nurses pay has gone up, i know he is desperate to distance himself from the conservatives record but since 2010, nurses�* pay has fallen in real terms by more than £800 and he didn�*t answer my simple question. he has been talking about affordability. he could afford to give dominic cummings a 40% pay rise. he could afford that but now he is asking nhs nurses to take a real terms pay cut. how on earth does he justify that? how on earth does he justify that? i repeat the point that i have made. i believe we all owe a massive debt to our nurses, indeed all of our health care workers, and one of the things they tell me when i go to hospitals, as i know the right honourable gentleman does, that in addition to pay one of their top concerns is to have more colleagues on the boards to help them with the undoubted stress and strains of the pandemic, which is why we provided another £5,000 in bursaries for nurses and another £3000 to help them with the cost of training and with childcare, and it�*s because of that package that this year i believe we are seeing another 34% increase in applications for nursing, and we are on target. this government, of this party of the nhs, is on target to deliver 50,000 more nurses in our nhs. mr deliver 50,000 more nurses in our nhs. ~ ,,, ., ~ deliver 50,000 more nurses in our nhs. ~ w ., deliver 50,000 more nurses in our nhs. mr speaker, he talks about recruitment. _ nhs. mr speaker, he talks about recruitment. there _ nhs. mr speaker, he talks about recruitment. there are _ nhs. mr speaker, he talks about recruitment. there are currently| recruitment. there are currently 40,000 nursing vacancies, and 7000 doctors vacancies. how on earth does he think a pay cut is going to help solve that? and frankly, i would take the prime minister a bit more seriously if he had not spent £2.6 million of taxpayers money on a downing street tv studio, or £200,000 on new wallpaperfor his flat. mr speaker, they say charity starts at home, but i think the prime minister is taking it a bit too literally. let me try something very simple. does the prime minister accept that nhs staff will be hundreds of pounds worse off a year because of last week�*s budget? ida. because of last week's budget? no, and we will — because of last week's budget? no, and we will look at what the independent pay review body has to say, exceptionally about the nursing profession who we particularly value, but what he should also know which he should reflect on a house is that under this government we not only began with a record increase in nhs funding, £33.9 billion, but because of the pandemic we put another £63 billion into supporting our nhs on top of the £140 billion of spending, and it�*s because of this government that in one year alone, mr speaker, there are another 49,000 people working in our nhs and that i think is something that is of a massive benefit notjust to patients but hard—pressed nurses as well. mr patients but hard-pressed nurses as well. ~ ,,, ., ~ , ., , patients but hard-pressed nurses as well. ~ ., ~ , ., , ., well. mr speaker, my mum was a nurse. well. mr speaker, my mum was a nurse- my — well. mr speaker, my mum was a nurse. my sister— well. mr speaker, my mum was a nurse. my sister was _ well. mr speaker, my mum was a nurse. my sister was a _ well. mr speaker, my mum was a nurse. my sister was a nice. i well. mr speaker, my mum was a nurse. my sister was a nice. my i well. mr speaker, my mum was a i nurse. my sister was a nice. my wife works in the nhs. i know what it means to work for the nhs. when i clapped for carers, i meant it. he clapped for carers, i meant it. he clapped the carers and then shut the door in theirface clapped the carers and then shut the door in their face at the first opportunity. and the more you look at the prime minister�*s decision, the worse it gets. because it is not just a pay cut, it�*s a broken promise as well. time and time again, he said that the nhs wouldn�*t pay the price for this pandemic. two years ago, he made a promise to the nhs, here in black and white, his document. it commits to a minimum pay rise of 2.1%. it has been budgeted for and now it is being taken away. he shakes his head. his mps voted for it. so why, after everything the nhs has done for us, is he now breaking promise after promise? mr speaker, he voted against the document in question, to crown the absurdity of his point. under this government, we have massively increased funding for our amazing nhs with the result, as i said, that there are 6500 more doctors this year than there were last year. 18,000 more health care workers, and 10,600 more nurses, and we are going to go on and we will deliver our promises, i can tell the right honourable gentleman, we will go on and build 40 more hospitals and recruit 50,000 more nurses and we are going to get on and deliver on our pledges to the british people and we will do that because of our sound management of the economy and the fastest vaccine roll—out programme of any comparable country, which, frankly, if we had followed his ideas we would certainly not have been able to achieve. iie his ideas we would certainly not have been able to achieve. he says he voted for _ have been able to achieve. he says he voted for it, _ have been able to achieve. he says he voted for it, he _ have been able to achieve. he says he voted for it, he did, _ have been able to achieve. he says he voted for it, he did, and - have been able to achieve. he says he voted for it, he did, and now- have been able to achieve. he says he voted for it, he did, and now he| he voted for it, he did, and now he has ripped it up. 2.1% ripped up. and if the prime minister won�*t listen to me, he should listen to what his own conservative mps are saying about this, his own side. this is what they say. behind you, prime minister. it�*s inept. it�*s unacceptable. it�*s pathetic. these are conservative mps about the prime minister�*s pay cut for nurses and that�*s before his answers today. a number of mps said this, mr speaker, and perhaps this is the most telling of all the comments. this mp said, sitting behind him, the publicjust here 1% and they think how mean we are. mr speaker, even his own mps know he has got this wrong. why is he going ahead with this? iloathed know he has got this wrong. why is he going ahead with this? what the ublic know he going ahead with this? what the public know is _ he going ahead with this? what the public know is that _ he going ahead with this? what the public know is that we _ he going ahead with this? what the public know is that we are - public know is that we are increasing pay for nurses, starting pay by 12.8% over the last three years. they know that this government over the last year has put another £5,000 bursary into the pockets of nurses because we support them, and as well as the 3000 extra for training. them, and as well as the 3000 extra fortraining. of them, and as well as the 3000 extra for training. of course, them, and as well as the 3000 extra fortraining. of course, is them, and as well as the 3000 extra for training. of course, is very important number public sector pay review body should come back with proposals and we will study them, but it�*s thanks to the investment made by this government that there are 49,000 more people in the nhs this year compared to last year, 10,600 more nurses helping to relieve the burden on our hard—pressed other nurses. that is what this government is investing in. , , , in. he says we support them, we will reward them- — in. he says we support them, we will reward them. he _ in. he says we support them, we will reward them. he is _ in. he says we support them, we will reward them. he is cutting _ in. he says we support them, we will reward them. he is cutting their i reward them. he is cutting their pat’- reward them. he is cutting their pay. mr speaker, not true, he says. not true. prime minister, a 1% rise versus 1.7% inflation rise is a real terms cut, and if the prime minister doesn�*t understand that, we are really in trouble. they promised honesty, but the truth is they can afford to give dominic cummings a 40% pay rise and they cannot afford to reward the nhs properly. the mask really is slipping and we can see what the conservative party now stands for. cutting pay for nurses, putting taxes up on families. he has had the opportunity to change course, but he has refused, so if he is so determined to cut nhs pay, will he at least show some courage and put it to a vote in this parliament?— and put it to a vote in this parliament? ., , and put it to a vote in this parliament? . , , parliament? the last time we put in a vote, he voted _ parliament? the last time we put in a vote, he voted against _ parliament? the last time we put in a vote, he voted against it, - parliament? the last time we put in a vote, he voted against it, as i i a vote, he voted against it, as i said before. we are increasing pay for nurses. we are massively increasing our investment in the nhs. we are steering a steady course and i see we were sound wobbles from one week to the next. one week he is attacking us and saying we should be doing more testing, the next week he is denouncing us for doing it and spending money on testing. one week he calls for a faster roll—out of ppe, and the next week he says we spent too much. he has got to make up spent too much. he has got to make up his mind. one week he calls for a faster vaccination roll—out when he voted, although he claims to have forgotten it, to stay in the european medicines agency. perhaps he would like to confirm that he voted to stay in the european medicines agency would —— which would have made the vaccine roll—out impossible. we vaccinate, we get on with delivering to the people of this country. we vaccinate, he vacillates. that is the difference. the incredible success of our vaccination programme for which the prime minister and this government deserve immense credit now means that tourism businesses in blackpool candelon look forward to a successful summer season —— can now look forward to a successful summer season when the town reopens. when the time is right, will the prime minister support a campaign to encourage people to holiday in the uk this summerand encourage people to holiday in the uk this summer and will he law —— join me in blackpool to launch that campaign and showcase everything we have to offer? i campaign and showcase everything we have to offer?— have to offer? i will look very carefully _ have to offer? i will look very carefully at — have to offer? i will look very carefully at my _ have to offer? i will look very carefully at my diary - have to offer? i will look very carefully at my diary to i have to offer? i will look very carefully at my diary to see i have to offer? i will look very i carefully at my diary to see whether i can get up to blackpool. i have many happy memories ofjoyful evenings speculate —— spectating on the illuminations. and i hope to participate in the tourism recovery this summer if we continue on the road map. we this summer if we continue on the road ma -. ~ . this summer if we continue on the road map-— this summer if we continue on the roadma. . . ,, , road map. we have technical issues with the leader _ road map. we have technical issues with the leader of _ road map. we have technical issues with the leader of the _ road map. we have technical issues with the leader of the snp - road map. we have technical issues with the leader of the snp so - road map. we have technical issues with the leader of the snp so i - road map. we have technical issues with the leader of the snp so i will| with the leader of the snp so i will ask kerstin oswald as the deputy leader_ ask kerstin oswald as the deputy leader to — ask kerstin oswald as the deputy leader to standing. yesterday the prime minister published his plans for his erasmus replacement without any consultation or discussion with devolved governments. the replacements game offered no travel support, no tuition fee support. what is this tory government taking opportunities away from young people? mgm. tory government taking opportunities away from young people?— away from young people? well, mr seaker, away from young people? well, mr speaker. she _ away from young people? well, mr speaker, she is... _ away from young people? well, mr speaker, she is... a _ away from young people? well, mr speaker, she is... a delightfully i speaker, she is... a delightfully good ties —— what am concise question, may i say. the turing scheme, unlike the erasmus scheme, which over went to kids from better off homes, the turing project is designed to help kids across the country of all income groups get two fantastic universities around the world. mr fantastic universities around the world. ~ .,~ ., �*, fantastic universities around the world. ~ , ., world. mr speaker, that's 'ust not the case. we * world. mr speaker, that's 'ust not the case. we know h world. mr speaker, that's 'ust not the case. we know we _ world. mr speaker, that'sjust not the case. we know we can't - world. mr speaker, that'sjust not the case. we know we can't trust | world. mr speaker, that's just not| the case. we know we can't trust a word of the prime minister says on this. he told us there is no threat to the erasmus scheme, and it's not just us seeing it, is on scottish colleague told mps last week young people won't benefit from brexit. they have saddled students with a generation of debt, now he is closing the doors on erasmus. it is no wonder students are choosing the snp and independence. will you do the right thing, engage with our eu friends and rejoin erasmus? thank friends and re'oin erasmus? thank ou, mr friends and rejoin erasmus? thank you. mr speaker- _ friends and rejoin erasmus? thank you, mr speaker. students - friends and rejoin erasmus? thank you, mr speaker. students should choose the turing project because it is fantastic and it reaches out across the whole country. i believe they should reject the snp because it is totally a scottish nationalist party, mr speaker. because it is failing the people of scotland. failing to deliver on education. failing to deliver on education. failing on crime and feeling on the economy. i hope very much that the people of scotland will go for common sense and instead of endlessly going on about constitutional issues, instead of endlessly campaigning for a referendum, which i think is the last thing the people of this country need right now, i think people want a government that focuses on the issues that matter to them. including a fantastic international education scheme like turing. international education scheme like turin . . international education scheme like turin . �* , ., international education scheme like turin. �*, ., ., international education scheme like turin. v ., , turing. right, let's go to jeremy wri . ht. turing. right, let's go to jeremy wright. thank _ turing. right, let's go to jeremy wright. thank you _ turing. right, let's go to jeremy wright. thank you very - turing. right, let's go to jeremy wright. thank you very much, i turing. right, let's go to jeremy| wright. thank you very much, mr seaker. wright. thank you very much, mr speaker- my _ wright. thank you very much, mr speaker. my right _ wright. thank you very much, mr speaker. my right honourable - wright. thank you very much, mr i speaker. my right honourable friend will recognise that while covid restrictions have been in place, children have not only had to learn online rather than in the classroom, but have also missed out on cultural, artistic and sporting activities with their peers. at the same time cultural, artistic and sporting organisations have remained restricted in what they can do, despite the considerable help offered to them, are still in need offered to them, are still in need of government support. can i ask him to consider how he might put those two things together and provide for enrichment activities available to all young people over the coming months, funded by government and provided not by hard—pressed teachers, but by our outstanding culture and sports sectors, while they are unable to reopen to the wider public? my they are unable to reopen to the wider public?— they are unable to reopen to the wider ublic? g ., ., ., , wider public? my right honourable friend has been _ wider public? my right honourable friend has been a _ wider public? my right honourable friend has been a great _ wider public? my right honourable friend has been a great champion l wider public? my right honourable | friend has been a great champion of the arts and culture sectors and he is completely right about the role they can play for young people in they can play for young people in the recovery. that's why the massive £2 billion recovery fund that we have given to thousands of theatres, orchestras, choirs music venues and others, we hope will be used for the benefit and the cultural enrichment of young people up and down the country. of young people up and down the count . ~ , �* , country. the prime minister's fantasy bridge _ country. the prime minister's fantasy bridge to _ country. the prime minister's fantasy bridge to northern i country. the prime minister's - fantasy bridge to northern ireland could cost £33 billion. they swear our road and rail networks have been absolutely decimated from decades of underinvestment. the conservative party got a grand total of 2399 votes at the last assembly election. what mandate does he think he has to override the democratic mandate of the people of northern ireland to impose a bridge that goes through miles of unexploded munitions and on —— radioactive waste? mr miles of unexploded munitions and on -- radioactive waste?— -- radioactive waste? mr speaker, actuall if -- radioactive waste? mr speaker, actually if he _ -- radioactive waste? mr speaker, actually if he wrote _ -- radioactive waste? mr speaker, actually if he wrote the _ -- radioactive waste? mr speaker, actually if he wrote the article - -- radioactive waste? mr speaker, actually if he wrote the article i - actually if he wrote the article i wrote this morning the daily telegraph, he will have seen that the things we set out in the review, i think, would the things we set out in the review, ithink, would be the things we set out in the review, i think, would be a massive benefit to northern ireland, including upgrading the a75, which is the single biggest thing the people in northern ireland wanted, by the way, which the scottish nationalists have totally failed to do. as well as better connections east, west within northern ireland, which we should be doing as well. as well as better connections north, south, within the island of ireland. it is a fantastic union connectivity review. he should appreciate it. it is the way forward and i'm amazed, frankly, that is negativity. and i'm amazed, frankly, that is negativity-— and i'm amazed, frankly, that is negativity. despite the claims of liberal democrats, _ negativity. despite the claims of liberal democrats, my - negativity. despite the claims of. liberal democrats, my constituents will be delighted to know that a concrete section of the 27 will start to be resurfaced this summer. does the prime minister agree this shows it as conservative governments that invest in infrastructure, and that invest in infrastructure, and that if elected in may, conservative candidates like jerry that if elected in may, conservative candidates likejerry hall would deliver for the people of eastleigh and west end? ll is deliver for the people of eastleigh and west end?— deliver for the people of eastleigh and west end? it is absolutely true, mr speaker- — and west end? it is absolutely true, mr speaker- lt _ and west end? it is absolutely true, mr speaker. it is _ and west end? it is absolutely true, mr speaker. it is conservative - mr speaker. it is conservative governments to invest in infrastructure. £640 billion into an infrastructure. £640 billion into an infrastructure revolution. i congratulate jerry hall infrastructure revolution. i congratulatejerry hall on what he is doing to resurface the road and to make it quieter. and i hope that he will be duly elected in may. david linden.— he will be duly elected in may. david linden. ., ~ , ., , . david linden. thank you very much, mr speaker- — david linden. thank you very much, mr speaker- ln _ david linden. thank you very much, mr speaker. in extending _ david linden. thank you very much, mr speaker. in extending the - david linden. thank you very much, mr speaker. in extending the £20 i david linden. thank you very much, | mr speaker. in extending the £20 of lift in universal credit —— uplift, the prime minister was conceding benefits aboard new care is inadequate. can you tell the house why, if it was so inadequate, why wasn't it extended to legacy benefits such as disabled people? mr speaker, throughout the pandemic we have done whatever we can to look after people throughout the country, whether on benefits or those who have lost their job whether on benefits or those who have lost theirjob slightly because of the pandemic. that's what mike sally. i'm very proud of what universal credit has been able to achieve. i think that he should perhaps take it up with his friends in the labour party wants to abolish universal credit.— in the labour party wants to abolish universal credit. leah nietzsche. mr seaker, universal credit. leah nietzsche. mr speaker. last _ universal credit. leah nietzsche. mr speaker, last week _ universal credit. leah nietzsche. mr speaker, last week brinsley - speaker, last week brinsley celebrated the chance's announcements of the humber freeport. it is clear to the people of grimsby that it is this government that is determined not to elect —— neglect the town like labour predecessors. would the prime minister outline how people can take advantage of the new lifetime skills guarantee that he is launching next month? . ~ guarantee that he is launching next month? ., ~ ,, guarantee that he is launching next month? . ~' ,, ~ guarantee that he is launching next month? ., ~ ~ .,~ month? thank you. mr speaker, the fantastic thing _ month? thank you. mr speaker, the fantastic thing about _ month? thank you. mr speaker, the fantastic thing about the _ month? thank you. mr speaker, the fantastic thing about the lifetime - fantastic thing about the lifetime skills guarantee is that in very tough circumstances there are many people, froud, who are having to find ways of retraining, finding new jobs in a changing economy. it offers everybody, adults over 23, the opportunity, £3000 on a level or equivalent qualification. i think it will be absolutely instrumental in helping young people beyond the school age to retrain and get the jobs they need. the lifetime skills guarantee, the first time it has been done, mr speaker.- been done, mr speaker. claire hannah. thank _ been done, mr speaker. claire hannah. thank you _ been done, mr speaker. claire hannah. thank you very - been done, mr speaker. claire| hannah. thank you very much, been done, mr speaker. claire - hannah. thank you very much, mr speaker. it takes 16,000 dedicated nurses to staff northern ireland's health service, costing about £380 million a year. that is less than 2% of uk sales forjust one internet giant, amazon, whose revenues doubled during lockdown. what possible reason can the prime minister and his chancellor, who both talked about the need to pay for this pandemic, have to not apply a modest windfall tax on those businesses who have benefited so much from the pandemic in order to properly pay those staff who have worked so hard to bring us through the pandemic?— worked so hard to bring us through the pandemic? actually, i think that she is making _ the pandemic? actually, i think that she is making an _ the pandemic? actually, i think that she is making an important - the pandemic? actually, i think that she is making an important point. she is making an important point about the discrepancy of the tax paid by some online businesses. and some concrete businesses. that is an issue which the chancellor is trying to progress in an equitable way —— address. working with colleagues in the g7 and around the world. mr the g7 and around the world. m speaker, we have seen the disgraceful way the eu have responded to uk fish exports. part of the answer is for uk consumers to buy british fish. as chairman of the appg for fisheries, buy british fish. as chairman of the appg forfisheries, could i invite the prime minister tojoin a fantastic british chef to show how easy it is to prepare and cook a dish using british court to face? == dish using british court to face? -- corked dish using british court to face? —— corked face? i'm very happy to take up my corked face? i'm very happy to take up my honourable friend's suggestion. i am up my honourable friend's suggestion. iam not up my honourable friend's suggestion. i am not a great chef myself but i have made and can make from memory a fish pie with haddock and prawns, which i undertake to do. thank you, mr speaker. prime minister, people like my constituent tessa stevens have had to keep their salons shot despite shrinking government support, unchanged overheads and a decreased profits. i am urgently seeking the prime minister's support to protect the immediate and long—term recovery of beauty businesses and the jobs it supports. will the prime minister explain why his government refuses to listen to the beauty industry, who are calling for vat to be temporarily reduced 5% for hair and beauty businesses, similar to what has happened to other sectors, like hospitality, tourism and culture businesses? she hospitality, tourism and culture businesses?— hospitality, tourism and culture businesses? ,, , ., , , businesses? she is absolutely right in what she says _ businesses? she is absolutely right in what she says about _ businesses? she is absolutely right in what she says about the - in what she says about the importance of beauty businesses. they do an amazing job. and we want them to bounce back very strongly from the pandemic. i want high street beauty salons to be opening up street beauty salons to be opening up in the way they were in the past, rather than people going around giving services, cutting hair at home. it is important to reside —— for revive high street salons. that is why we are continuing with the cautious but irreversible road map out of this, which will enable a full recovery for the entire sector. but in the meantime, as she knows, the chancellor has extended furlough with all the other provisions that are necessary. flan with all the other provisions that are necessary-— with all the other provisions that are necessa . . ., , .., are necessary. can i warmly welcome the union connectivity _ are necessary. can i warmly welcome the union connectivity review - the union connectivity review announced this morning? it is brilliant news to connect the whole of the uk. but in west dorset, mr speaker, we have single—track railway lines. we have a three hourly rail frequency, yet we have the highest level of roadside pollution anywhere in the uk. with my right honourable friend kindly support a levelling up rail proposal that would not only look to support west dorset, but some of the most deprived areas in the south—west? my honourable friend knows what he's talking about. he is probably one of the greatest expert on rowers in this house. we are certainly determined to follow his lead and create services in the west country and in dorset. he knows what is happening at dawlish and elsewhere. network rail have identified improvement of the performance of the western england line, which is currently being assessed. he is knocking at an open door, mr speaker. knocking at an open door, mr seaker. ., ~ i. ~ knocking at an open door, mr seaker. ., ~ ~ .,~ knocking at an open door, mr seaker. ., ~ ~ speaker. thank you, mr speaker. back in 2012, commissioning _ speaker. thank you, mr speaker. back in 2012, commissioning for— speaker. thank you, mr speaker. back in 2012, commissioning for alcohol - in 2012, commissioning for alcohol and drug addiction treatment was taken out of the nhs and handed to local authorities. those services are now overwhelmed after a decade of cots and fragmentation. last year the uk recorded the highest number of alcohol specific deaths since records began. addiction is an illness that can be treated. 50 will the prime minister urgently investigate the rise in deaths and bring addiction treatment back into the nhs within mental health services and give it the funding it requires? he services and give it the funding it re u uires? , , services and give it the funding it reuires? , , ., requires? he is entirely right to draw attention _ requires? he is entirely right to draw attention to _ requires? he is entirely right to draw attention to the _ requires? he is entirely right to l draw attention to the importance requires? he is entirely right to - draw attention to the importance of addiction treatment and its relationship to mental health, and that's why the government is investing record sums in mental health, £13.3 billion, mr speaker. and of course treatment for alcoholism is part of that. theo clarke. thank _ alcoholism is part of that. theo clarke. thank you, _ alcoholism is part of that. theo clarke. thank you, mr - alcoholism is part of that. theo | clarke. thank you, mr speaker. alcoholism is part of that. theo - clarke. thank you, mr speaker. i've seen first-hand _ clarke. thank you, mr speaker. i've seen first-hand visiting _ clarke. thank you, mr speaker. i've seen first-hand visiting the - clarke. thank you, mr speaker. i've seen first-hand visiting the saint i seen first—hand visiting the saint georges and county hospital and staff at the great work that is being done to support people in —— including veterans with their mental health. but does my right honourable friend agree with me that sadly, the covid—19 pandemic is likely to have a negative impact on people's mental health, and will he commit to working with me and the staff at mental health network to improve and increase the mental health in stafford? , ~ ., stafford? yes, mr speaker. i am certainly very — stafford? yes, mr speaker. i am certainly very happy _ stafford? yes, mr speaker. i am certainly very happy to _ stafford? yes, mr speaker. i am certainly very happy to discuss i stafford? yes, mr speaker. i am i certainly very happy to discuss that with my honourable friend and make sure she gets access to the relevant ministerial authority. but what we are doing, in addition to the 33 billion i spoke about, we will be supporting mental health charities throughout the pandemic, particularly focusing on the mental health needs of children and young people, which is why i am appointing doctor alex george to be our youth mental health ambassador. this government _ mental health ambassador. this government is _ mental health ambassador. try 3 government is failing young people. before the pandemic apprenticeship starts were down, £313 billion levy on spent back to the treasury. this month i will be holding my fifth apprenticeships and jobs fair in bristol south. williejohnny and bristol south. willie johnny and urging bristol south. williejohnny and urging all young bristol south. willie johnny and urging all young people to support that fair in bristol south? and willie apologised to them for failing them so far? mr willie apologised to them for failing them so far? mr speaker, i think 'obs failing them so far? mr speaker, i thinkjobs fairs _ failing them so far? mr speaker, i thinkjobs fairs are _ failing them so far? mr speaker, i thinkjobs fairs are an _ failing them so far? mr speaker, i thinkjobs fairs are an important l thinkjobs fairs are an important thing and i know that colleagues across the house do them, but i also think the government can be proud of the record that we have had in getting record numbers of young people into employment. we are now faced with a very severe problem caused by the pandemic, and that is why we are addressing it notjust with the lifetime skills guarantee that i mentioned earlier on, but also with the kick—start funds, the restart funds, £2 billion going into kick—start a long, to help young people into the jobs that they need. after putting in a fantastic bid, south park got... this will be transformational and represents the levelling of gender under the prime minister and his government. when his diary allows willie come to southport to see these projects as they unfold and the impact they will have on the -- the lives of my constituents?— yes, mr speaker, and i'm told the boulevard of light rivals its french counterpart. ih boulevard of light rivals its french counterpart-— counterpart. in this house we all know the importance _ counterpart. in this house we all know the importance of - counterpart. in this house we all know the importance of people i counterpart. in this house we all. know the importance of people who have looked after our vulnerable loved ones over the past year and we have found ourselves unable to do so. will the prime minister explained to me why, in this country, we have 375,000 care workers on a zero—hours contract? i am proud of what the government has done to increase the wages of care workers across the country with record increases in the living wage. this country, unlike most others in the world, the speed in which we have vaccinated care home workers and their elderly charges. first have vaccinated care home workers and their elderly charges.— and their elderly charges. first of all, ma i and their elderly charges. first of all, may i thank— and their elderly charges. first of all, may i thank the _ and their elderly charges. first of all, may i thank the prime i and their elderly charges. first of i all, may i thank the prime minister for his commitment to levelling up the north. the benefits of which we are already beginning to see with a £50 million allocation from the government's transforming cities fund, enabling the plans to open the station in my constituency of leeds west. will the prime minister not only welcome the progress put back my campaign to provide constituents with a vital rail connection between liverpool and manchester and ensure that lee is no longer one of the largest towns in the uk without a railway station. i largest towns in the uk without a railway station.— largest towns in the uk without a railway station. i am very happy to su ort railway station. i am very happy to sunport my _ railway station. i am very happy to support my honourable _ railway station. i am very happy to support my honourable friend's i support my honourable friend's initiative and i understand that i understand the constituency he represents was the sight of the world's first railway junker. represents was the sight of the world's first railwayjunker. == world's first railway 'unker. -- junction. * world's first railwayjunker. -- junction. anthonyjones, a ferociously bright student at university was looking to do a masters in amsterdam. finding that the course of these were £2168, masters in amsterdam. finding that the course of these were e2168, and now the fees are the course of these were £2168, and now the fees are £14,000 post—brexit. the scheme presented won't touch the sides of what is necessary. with the prime minister like to apologise to anthony and countless hundreds of thousands like him for limiting their life horizons against their will. i him for limiting their life horizons against their will.— against their will. i think the maturing — against their will. i think the maturing scheme _ against their will. i think the maturing scheme is - against their will. i think the maturing scheme is fairer i against their will. i think the l maturing scheme is fairer and against their will. i think the i maturing scheme is fairer and is something that will enable students on lower incomes to have access to great courses around the world and i think it is a highly beneficial reform to the way we do this. it's a truly global scheme in its ambitions. s, truly global scheme in its ambitions.— truly global scheme in its ambitions. . , ., ., ., ambitions. a new station and investing _ ambitions. a new station and investing in _ ambitions. a new station and investing in longton - ambitions. a new station and investing in longton station | ambitions. a new station and i investing in longton station and also restoring the stoke relief line, so will the prime minister agree with me that investment from this government has the potential to reverse the beeching cuts, and restore local railways in stoke—on—trent and cement our position as one of the best connected places in the uk. yes, and i thank my honourable _ connected places in the uk. yes, and i thank my honourable friend. i i connected places in the uk. yes, and i thank my honourable friend. i notel i thank my honourable friend. i note he supported the bid for the line and it's currently being assessed by the department for transport as one of the beeching reversals which are so popular around the country, and so popular around the country, and so right, and he can expect an outcome in the summer. ii so right, and he can expect an outcome in the summer. if the prime minister is serious _ outcome in the summer. if the prime minister is serious about _ outcome in the summer. if the prime minister is serious about levelling i minister is serious about levelling up minister is serious about levelling up the country, does he honestly think that favouring the chancellor's richmond sure constituency over barnsley for financial support is the best way to do it? mr financial support is the best way to do it? ~ ,,, ., ,, ., ., ., do it? mr speaker, we are devoted to levelling up — do it? mr speaker, we are devoted to levelling up across _ do it? mr speaker, we are devoted to levelling up across the _ do it? mr speaker, we are devoted to levelling up across the entire - levelling up across the entire country and that goes for barnsley as well as everywhere else. i know the prime minister _ as well as everywhere else. i know the prime minister shares - as well as everywhere else. i know the prime minister shares my i the prime minister shares my commitment to conservation around the world and i'm sure he particularly agrees that we have got to reverse the tide of deforestation. will he ask ministers to look seriously at my proposal for a kitemark scheme for food products in the uk so consumers can see clearly whether or not the products they buy come from sustainable sources or whether they are coming from producers who are doing further damage to our environment? iéerr; damage to our environment? very ha - to damage to our environment? very happy to look— damage to our environment? very happy to look at — damage to our environment? very happy to look at my _ damage to our environment? very happy to look at my right honourable friend's very interesting suggestion for a kitemark scheme, but in the meantime the government is leading the world in tackling deforestation with a £3 billion investment investment being led across whitehall. is investment being led across whitehall.— investment being led across whitehall. , ., ., whitehall. is the point of order relevant to _ whitehall. is the point of order relevant to prime _ whitehall. is the point of order relevant to prime minister's i relevant to prime minister's questions? if relevant to prime minister's questions?— relevant to prime minister's questions? , ., ,, ~ questions? it is. thank you, mr seaker. questions? it is. thank you, mr speaker- the — questions? it is. thank you, mr speaker. the prime _ questions? it is. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister. questions? it is. thank you, mr. speaker. the prime minister twice from that dispatch box said that the labour opposition voted against the nhs funding billand labour opposition voted against the nhs funding bill and the 2.1% increase for nhs staff. this is not the case. indeed, in the debate, as hansard will show, i was explicit that we would not be dividing the house, so can you, mr speaker, use your good offices, to get the prime minister to return to the house to correct the record and do you agree, mr speaker, that if the prime minster wants to cut nurses pay, he should have the courage of convictions to bring a vote back to the house. flan convictions to bring a vote back to the house-— the house. can i 'ust say, first of all, that the house. can i 'ust say, first of an, that is _ the house. can i 'ust say, first of all, that is not i the house. can i 'ust say, first of all, that is not a i the house. can ijust say, first of all, that is not a point _ the house. can ijust say, first of all, that is not a point of- the house. can ijust say, first of all, that is not a point of order. i all, that is not a point of order. it is _ all, that is not a point of order. it is certainly a point of clarification. that part has been achieved, — clarification. that part has been achieved, but i'm certainly not going — achieved, but i'm certainly not going to — achieved, but i'm certainly not going to be drawn into a debate, as the shadow secretary of state well knows _ the shadow secretary of state well knows i_ the shadow secretary of state well knows. i am the shadow secretary of state well knows. lam now we will be back in three minutes with an urgent question from the shadow northern irish secretary. let's just get some thoughts from jonathan blake. as you accurately predicted, jonathan, the questions from sir keir starmer were about that pay rise for nurses.- from sir keir starmer were about that pay rise for nurses. yes, the only subject _ that pay rise for nurses. yes, the only subject really _ that pay rise for nurses. yes, the only subject really up _ that pay rise for nurses. yes, the only subject really up for - that pay rise for nurses. yes, the only subject really up for debate | that pay rise for nurses. yes, the i only subject really up for debate of any substance at prime minister's questions today, and sir keir starmer using all of his allocated time to press the prime minister on that issue. and taking a slightly different approach, that issue. and taking a slightly differentapproach, using that issue. and taking a slightly different approach, using shorter, pithy questions than usual, which gave the exchange, i think a different feel, and perhaps a pcr feel than we normally get on a wednesday afternoon, there was interest i think, from the prime minister, amid a blizzard of figures that came back from borisjohnson, about the number of thousands of nurses the nhs will see added under this government, a couple of significant sentences. he did not deviate from the policy of a 1% pay rise been the recommended offer, but he did say that the government would look at what the independent pay review body had to say. especially, he said, that the nursing profession, who we particularly value. ijust wonder if profession, who we particularly value. i just wonder if that profession, who we particularly value. ijust wonder if that is the first chink of light maybe, the first chink of light maybe, the first signal that the government's position is perhaps about to shift, if the independently body were to come back with recommendation higher than the government has made, ministers would not oppose that. and it may be that the government looks to single out nurses among nhs staff who they have said until this point should be getting that 1% pay increase. 50 we will have to see on that, but sir keir starmer challenging the prime minister to put the issue of nurses and nhs staff's in england to a vote in the house of commons that was not something the pro—minister was willing to do there and then command as you heard at the end, a bit of a procedural complaint from labour about what the prime minister said over that party's support for the nhs funding bill, which went through parliament last year, wallace johnson had suggested that labour opposed it, and in fact as it turned out, there was not a vote. —— boris johnson. this becomes happy to see that issue settled there, it will not be asking for borisjohnson to come back and clarify it. —— the was happy. sir keir starmer not be able to resist a couple ofjibes about the amount of money downing street has spent on equipping number ten with a tv studio for the new on camera briefings we are going to see in the coming months, and also clearly believing that dominic cummings still has currency for an attack on the government raising his pay before he left the government at the end of last year, something like a 40% pay rise for the prime minister's former senior aide received while he was in post. just set us u- received while he was in post. just set us up for _ received while he was in post. just set us up for the urgent question that's coming up next on the northern ireland protocol. it is a very important situation of that has been having quite an impact since brexit. just remind us of what is going on with this. it is brexit. just remind us of what is going on with this.— going on with this. it is the mechanism _ going on with this. it is the mechanism that _ going on with this. it is the mechanism that is - going on with this. it is the mechanism that is in i going on with this. it is the mechanism that is in place | mechanism that is in place post—brexit, and i think we can trust to be house of commons now. the temp won. the government is committed to _ the temp won. the government is committed to giving _ the temp won. the government is committed to giving effect i the temp won. the government is committed to giving effect to i the temp won. the government is committed to giving effect to the | committed to giving effect to the protocol in a passionate way which is needed. we will continue to work with colleagues in westminster and businesses to support our sensible approach. as i announced last wednesday, the government has taken several temporary steps to avoid disruptive cliff edge as the engagement with the un continued —— with the eu continues. appropriate time must be provided for businesses to implement requirements. action was needed in the immediate term to avoid disruption to critical goods into northern ireland. since that statement, further guidance has been provided. the protocol was agreed as a unique solution to the complex challenges that are before us. its core aims include upholding the brothers good friday agreement and all its dimensions, south, east and west. ensuring that the implementation of the protocol can be effective and amazing the effect on communities in northern ireland, as the protocols are pledges today. this government is committed to meeting its obligations and doing so in a pragmatic and proportional way as was always attentive —— intended. thank you very much, mr speaker. in recent weeks we have seen the threat of instability returned to northern ireland, without responsible leadership, the brexit deal the prime minister negotiated always had the potential to unsettle the delicate balance across these islands. on the 24th of february, one mp said we are committed to finding joint solutions to making protocol work. seven days later the secretary of state undermined that, sending a clear message that this governmentwhat cannot be trusted. it raises serious questions whether the government have the strategy at all to do with the complex realities facing northern ireland. a stop gap is not a solution. 50 what precisely is not a solution. 50 what precisely is the intention of this government? is it to push the protocol to breaking point and undermine the cast—iron commitment to avoid a hard border on the island of ireland also to find solutions businesses are crying out for? if the latter, can give us something tangible? what kind of agreement is being sought for instance that we deliver the long—term solution is needed to prevent disruption. does he think the northern ireland government saying we are no longer a partner that can be trusted make such solutions more likely or less? does he think the behaviour of lord frost make support from the eu more likely or less? does he think this process makes the chance of a good relationship with president biden more likely or less? does he think this actionable breach international law for second time cut this is an extraordinary position for government to bn, having to break the law and trash krypton's international reputation to renew checks they claim never existed. is it not time to show the people of northern ireland solidarity, be honest about the brexit deal the prime minister negotiated and commit to working with the eu to find a long—term solution that we desperately need? long-term solution that we desperately need?- long-term solution that we desperately need? thank you, mr seaker. i desperately need? thank you, mr speaker. i would _ desperately need? thank you, mr speaker. i would note _ desperately need? thank you, mr speaker. i would note from i desperately need? thank you, mr speaker. i would note from her. speaker. i would note from her comments that she did not from memory, at any point disagree with the substance of the message we have put forward, which are critical to protect the flow of goods to northern ireland so i presume she does inherently support what we have done. she would be in good company because the actions we took last week a bin bag by range of businesses and communities in northern ireland. the northern ireland retail consortium said, the retail industry welcomed the extension of grace periods even unilaterally to give northern ireland's associate choice and affordability they need. many others have said this action was needed in relation to these immediate grace period deadlines. i would say to the honourable lady, she was able to engage, and i spent a lot of time over the last couple of months talking to businesses who were very clear, if we had not taken this action last week, we would have seen disruption to food supplies and ex—cop of week. underlining the point she made about stability, it was important for the stability of people in northern ireland and the future of the protocol to not have us in the situation where because of how things are being implemented, we would have empty shelves and a couple of weeks. i am sad she was arguing that is something that could be acceptable, it is not. terms of the action we have taken, these measures are lawful and consistent in good faith with the protocol. they are temporary measures introduced where additional delivery time is needed, they do not change our legal requirements. we will continue to discuss implementation in the committee. some of the issues she has raised we are working on in the committee. we would have liked to get this agreement with the eu, sadly that was not possible within the timeframe in which we had to make a decision to ensure the people of northern ireland would not suffer a loss of trade and products into northern ireland and the next couple of weeks which is why we take the simple operational and pragmatic decisions last week. i am just a bit disappointed although not surprised to see the labour front bench defending the eu rather than defending the eu rather than defending the eu rather than defending the actions of the uk government, standing up for the people of united kingdom and making sure we do the right thing by the people of northern ireland. as a unionist, i would as carriage she is on the right place at this time. letters cottage of the select committee. could i said to my friend back it is not the what about the how. the government didn't reluctantly inherit the protocol but itjointly authored it with the eu and all its modus operandi. can i ask my honourable friend whether the government understands the very destabilising effect on trust that such unilateral action brings on both uk, eu relations and only uk irish relations. can i urge the government to desist from a narrative of unilateral action and debate, get back around the joint committee table and make sure the protocol works, that everybody understands it is here to stay and it can benefit very significantly the people, economy and communities of northern ireland? the the people, economy and communities of northern ireland?— of northern ireland? the protocol was agreed _ of northern ireland? the protocol was agreed as — of northern ireland? the protocol was agreed as a _ of northern ireland? the protocol was agreed as a unique _ of northern ireland? the protocol was agreed as a unique solution i of northern ireland? the protocol. was agreed as a unique solution to complex and unique challenges, recognising the situation of northern ireland, but i would say we wanted to work these things through in agreement with the eu. the reality is the eu did not come to an agreement, these are as we go through, these are pragmatic, operational, temporary. we have seen the irish government take temporary flexibilities without giving an end date, without anyone criticising them just a few weeks ago in a similar way to what we are talking about. we want to work with the eu, we recognise there focuses on the single market. we have got to make sure our focus is always clear with our commitment to the good friday agreement to all areas of ireland. has go to the snp spokesperson. i would has go to the snp spokesperson. would like has go to the snp spokesperson. i would like to echo the words of the select committee that it is not the objective of protecting the flow of goods that is the issue but rather the provocative and belligerent manner which the government seems determined to go about trying to achieve it. the chancellor of the duchy of has to has said previously he believed northern ireland was getting the best of both worlds with protocol and any issues from the new arrangements could be resolved. at a time when flexibility is needed, this action will ensure the goodwill towards the uk government needed to secure changes to the arrangement it took so long to negotiate in shorter supply than ever before. the conduct of the negotiations came at the expense of the uk public green reputation. isn't this development one that will come at the expense of any lingering trust there may be in the uk government as a trustworthy international partner that can be relied upon to keep its word? ladle international partner that can be relied upon to keep its word? we are very trustworthy _ relied upon to keep its word? we are very trustworthy partner _ relied upon to keep its word? we are very trustworthy partner that - relied upon to keep its word? we are very trustworthy partner that has i very trustworthy partner that has always been clear about what we do and being clear about the reasoning. for what we have taken far worse, like the irish government themselves last week, when they took a sensible flexibilities, these are flexibilities, these are flexibilities, given a timeline, temporary, operationaland flexibilities, given a timeline, temporary, operational and the right thing to do for the people of northern ireland. one of the challenges around stability in northern ireland, one is undoubtedly the case to any engagement across the case to any engagement across the entire community is the action the entire community is the action the eu took when they talked about and implemented article 16 on the friday night had a huge impact in communities across northern ireland and the lingering issue is still there. we need to recognise and understand the sense of identity and the tension created and the impact on identity in northern ireland as a result of that action. these actions are showing we don't have a further problem because there could have been according to businesses, if we hadn't taken action urgently last week, there would have been empty shelves in northern ireland. that is not what the protocol is about and thatis not what the protocol is about and that is not fair on the people of northern ireland. i that is not fair on the people of northern ireland.— northern ireland. i share the determination _ northern ireland. i share the determination to _ northern ireland. i share the determination to protect i northern ireland. i share the determination to protect the | determination to protect the integrity of the good friday belfast agreement in terms of north—south, and east—west. the eu decision to invoke article 16 was in complete contradiction of the spirit of the protocol and shamefully plays to the eu protection of their single market over the protection of the good friday agreement. seriously undermined cross community confidence in its operation. does the minister agree it is now incumbent on the eu to remedy their mistake and restore trust in the protocol in northern ireland? mt; protocol in northern ireland? my honourable friend makes it an important powerful point, he is right it is important we remember the good friday belfast agreement is about the entire community, it has a north—south, and an east—west dimension and people need to understand that. i was pleased the vice president from the eu agreed to meet with businesses a few weeks ago when he heard across communities and businesses their concerns and fears about the action taken and the need for fixes, about the action taken and the need forfixes, some of about the action taken and the need for fixes, some of which the honourable lady asked us to do quicklyjust a few honourable lady asked us to do quickly just a few weeks honourable lady asked us to do quicklyjust a few weeks ago. that is what we have done the best interest of people in northern ireland and ensure the protocol can work and function in the way it was intended to do. ladle work and function in the way it was intended to do.— work and function in the way it was intended to do. we welcome support even the limited _ intended to do. we welcome support even the limited measures _ intended to do. we welcome support even the limited measures that i intended to do. we welcome support even the limited measures that the i even the limited measures that the government have to protect businesses in northern ireland. even an extended grace period still leaves us with a reality that in the words of the permanent secretary of the department of agriculture 20% of all the checks taking place on all boaters across the european union are now taking place in the irish sea. and that will increase substantially lets go to our political correspondentjonathan blake has correspondent jonathan blake has been correspondentjonathan blake has been muscling in. what are your thoughts on what you are hearing there? —— listening in. you thoughts on what you are hearing there? -- listening in.— there? -- listening in. you have summed — there? -- listening in. you have summed up _ there? -- listening in. you have summed up the _ there? -- listening in. you have summed up the main _ there? -- listening in. you have summed up the main thrust i there? -- listening in. you have summed up the main thrust of. there? -- listening in. you have i summed up the main thrust of what brand of northern ireland secretary was saying, an urgent question about the northern ireland protocol, which was part of the post—brexit trade deal, negotiated between the uk and the eu, and allowed for special arrangements in northern ireland. it largely stays within the european union single market for goods, meaning that things crossing the border between the northern ireland and the republic of ireland do not have to checks, and also stays largely in line with a lot of the customs checks for goods coming into northern ireland. the rest of the uk is of course now outside of those two operating systems, so good crossing between the uk and northern ireland, great britain and northern ireland, great britain and northern ireland rather, do now have to be subject to some checks. and what we were hearing about today is the extension of grace periods which had beenin extension of grace periods which had been in place since the beginning of the year, and the deal was in force, to allow businesses to get up to speed, to allow the system as a whole to take effect. but the concern from labour and from others is that those checks which have become necessary have led to hold—ups in goods crossing into northern ireland from the rest of the united kingdom, and has led to some of the shortages that we have seenin some of the shortages that we have seen in terms of food in supermarkets, and other difficulties that businesses have faced. so the government has acted to extend those grace periods, it has been trying with the eu to come to an agreement on whether they should be extended and for how long they should be extended jointly, and for how long they should be extendedjointly, but and for how long they should be extended jointly, but they have not been able to come to an agreement there, which is largely why we have seen that the government acting on its own. i think overall, the general body and the concern is from labour and others that the system as it is is not workable, and the government needs to come to a broader agreement and a more lasting sustainable agreement with the european union in terms of the northern ireland protocol and how it will work. from here on. the government has defended its actions as temporary, technical, and necessary. for how long they will be able to keep doing that and making those extensions, we will have to see. ., ~' those extensions, we will have to see. i, ~ , ., those extensions, we will have to see. . ~ ., ., pa media is reporting that the duchess of sussex formally complained to itv about presenter piers morgan before the good morning britain co—host quit yesterday. mr morgan left the breakfast show after an on—air row with a colleague who criticised him for "continuing to trash" the duchess, after he said earlier this week he "didn't believe a word" of her oprah winfrey interview. pa says it understands the duchess' concern was not about the personal attacks on the validity of her racism allegation made against the royalfamily, or her claims she was not supported by the institution when experiencing suicidal thoughts, but how morgan's comments may affect the issue of mental health generally and those attempting to deal with their own problems. this morning, piers morgan said he stands by his criticism of the duchess of sussex. he spoke to reporters this morning — here's what he had to say. i believe in freedom of speech. i believe — i believe in freedom of speech. i believe in — i believe in freedom of speech. i believe in the _ i believe in freedom of speech. i believe in the right _ i believe in freedom of speech. i believe in the right to _ i believe in freedom of speech. i believe in the right to be - i believe in freedom of speech. i| believe in the right to be allowed to have _ believe in the right to be allowed to have an— believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion. _ believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion. if— believe in the right to be allowed to have an opinion. if people i believe in the right to be allowed l to have an opinion. if people want to have an opinion. if people want to believe — to have an opinion. if people want to believe meghan _ to have an opinion. if people want to believe meghan markle, - to have an opinion. if people want to believe meghan markle, that. to have an opinion. if people want to believe meghan markle, that isi to believe meghan markle, that is entirely— to believe meghan markle, that is entirely their— to believe meghan markle, that is entirely their right. _ to believe meghan markle, that is entirely their right. i _ to believe meghan markle, that is entirely their right. i don't - entirely their right. i don't believe _ entirely their right. i don't believe almost _ entirely their right. i don't believe almost anything . entirely their right. i don't . believe almost anything that entirely their right. i don't - believe almost anything that comes out believe almost anything that comes oul of— believe almost anything that comes oul of her— believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth. _ believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth. i _ believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth. i think— believe almost anything that comes out of her mouth. i think the - believe almost anything that comes i out of her mouth. i think the damage she has_ out of her mouth. i think the damage she has done — out of her mouth. i think the damage she has done to — out of her mouth. i think the damage she has done to the _ out of her mouth. i think the damage she has done to the british _ out of her mouth. i think the damage she has done to the british monarchyi she has done to the british monarchy and to— she has done to the british monarchy and to the _ she has done to the british monarchy and to the queen _ she has done to the british monarchy and to the queen at _ she has done to the british monarchy and to the queen at a _ she has done to the british monarchy and to the queen at a time _ she has done to the british monarchy and to the queen at a time when - and to the queen at a time when prince _ and to the queen at a time when prince philip— and to the queen at a time when prince philip is— and to the queen at a time when prince philip is lying _ and to the queen at a time when prince philip is lying in— and to the queen at a time when prince philip is lying in hospital. prince philip is lying in hospital is enormous, _ prince philip is lying in hospital is enormous, and _ prince philip is lying in hospital is enormous, and frankly- is enormous, and frankly contemptible. _ is enormous, and frankly contemptible. so - is enormous, and frankly contemptible. so if- is enormous, and frankly contemptible. so if i - is enormous, and franklyi contemptible. so if i have is enormous, and frankly- contemptible. so if i have to is enormous, and frankly— contemptible. so if i have to follow my sword _ contemptible. so if i have to follow nry sword for— contemptible. so if i have to follow my sword for expressing _ contemptible. so if i have to follow my sword for expressing and - contemptible. so if i have to follow i my sword for expressing and honestly held opinion _ my sword for expressing and honestly held opinion about _ my sword for expressing and honestly held opinion about meghan _ my sword for expressing and honestly held opinion about meghan markle, . held opinion about meghan markle, and that_ held opinion about meghan markle, and that diatribe _ held opinion about meghan markle, and that diatribe of _ held opinion about meghan markle, and that diatribe of build _ held opinion about meghan markle, and that diatribe of build that - held opinion about meghan markle, and that diatribe of build that she . and that diatribe of build that she canre _ and that diatribe of build that she canre out— and that diatribe of build that she came out within _ and that diatribe of build that she came out within that _ and that diatribe of build that she came out within that interview, . and that diatribe of build that she | came out within that interview, so be it _ came out within that interview, so be it it _ came out within that interview, so be it it was — came out within that interview, so be it it was all— came out within that interview, so be it. it was all very— came out within that interview, so be it. it was all very amicable, - came out within that interview, so be it. it was all very amicable, i l be it. it was all very amicable, i had a _ be it. it was all very amicable, i had a good _ be it. it was all very amicable, i had a good chat— be it. it was all very amicable, i had a good chat with _ be it. it was all very amicable, i had a good chat with itv, - be it. it was all very amicable, i had a good chat with itv, and l be it. it was all very amicable, i i had a good chat with itv, and we agreed _ had a good chat with itv, and we agreed to— had a good chat with itv, and we agreed to disagree. _ had a good chat with itv, and we agreed to disagree. shall- had a good chat with itv, and we agreed to disagree. shall we - had a good chat with itv, and we agreed to disagree. shall we go. had a good chat with itv, and we. agreed to disagree. shall we go to school? _ agreed to disagree. shall we go to school? just — agreed to disagree. shall we go to school? just stop _ agreed to disagree. shall we go to school? just stop trashing - agreed to disagree. shall we go to school? just stop trashing the - agreed to disagree. shall we go to. school? just stop trashing the royal fenrily, _ school? just stop trashing the royal fenrily, meghan— school? just stop trashing the royal family, meghan markle. _ school? just stop trashing the royal family, meghan markle. you - school? just stop trashing the royal family, meghan markle. you makei family, meghan markle. you make enough _ family, meghan markle. you make enough nroney— family, meghan markle. you make enough money of— family, meghan markle. you make enough money of the _ family, meghan markle. you make enough money of the titles - family, meghan markle. you make enough money of the titles that . family, meghan markle. you make i enough money of the titles that they -ive enough money of the titles that they give you _ enough money of the titles that they give you the — enough money of the titles that they give you the woke _ enough money of the titles that they give you. the woke crowd _ enough money of the titles that they give you. the woke crowd will - enough money of the titles that they give you. the woke crowd will think. give you. the woke crowd will think they have _ give you. the woke crowd will think they have cancelled _ give you. the woke crowd will think they have cancelled me, _ give you. the woke crowd will think they have cancelled me, but- give you. the woke crowd will think they have cancelled me, but i- give you. the woke crowd will think they have cancelled me, but i think there _ they have cancelled me, but i think there will— they have cancelled me, but i think there will be — they have cancelled me, but i think there will be rather— they have cancelled me, but i think there will be rather disappointed i there will be rather disappointed when _ there will be rather disappointed when i _ there will be rather disappointed when i re—emerge. _ there will be rather disappointed when i re—emerge. i— there will be rather disappointed when i re—emerge. i would - there will be rather disappointed when i re—emerge. i would call. there will be rather disappointed| when i re—emerge. i would call it there will be rather disappointed . when i re—emerge. i would call it a temporary— when i re—emerge. i would call it a temporary hibernation. _ when i re—emerge. i would call it a temporary hibernation. of- when i re—emerge. i would call it a temporary hibernation. of course i when i re—emerge. i would call it a . temporary hibernation. of course my opinions _ temporary hibernation. of course my opinions remain— temporary hibernation. of course my opinions remain my— temporary hibernation. of course my opinions remain my opinions, - temporary hibernation. of course my opinions remain my opinions, they. opinions remain my opinions, they cannot— opinions remain my opinions, they cannot silence _ opinions remain my opinions, they cannot silence that. _ opinions remain my opinions, they cannot silence that. find _ opinions remain my opinions, they cannot silence that.— cannot silence that. and your daily mail column. _ cannot silence that. and your daily mail column, is _ cannot silence that. and your daily mail column, is that _ cannot silence that. and your daily mail column, is that still— cannot silence that. and your daily mail column, is that still a - cannot silence that. and your daily mail column, is that still a thing? | mail column, is that still a thing? of course it is, i have lots of other— of course it is, i have lots of otheriohs _ of course it is, i have lots of otherjobs. if you're worried about me going — otherjobs. if you're worried about me going hungry, you don't need to worry _ well, when she came on air this morning, piers morgan's co—host on good morning britain for many years, susanna reid, addressed the subject of his departure. a number of people will know the news, and many of you will be surprised that piers morgan is not here this morning. piers and i have disagreed on many things, and that dynamic was one of the things that viewers loved about the programme. he is without a doubt an outspoken challenging opinionated disruptive broadcaster. he has many critics and he has many fans. you will know that i disagreed with him about meghan's interview. he himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday. there are many voices on good morning britain, and everyone has their say. but now pearce has decided to leave the programme. some of you may cheer, and others will boo. he has been my presenting partner monday to wednesday for more than five years, and during brexit and the pandemic and during brexit and the pandemic and other issues, he has been a voice for many of you and a voice that many of you have railed against. it is certainly going to be very different, but shows go on, and so on the go. the news that one coming up, but first the weather. the wind potentially strong enough to cause some damage and disruption in the next 2a are as, when it is likely to peak. gale is pretty much widespread across the uk, very gusty winds courtesy of this area of low pressure rolling towards us from the atlantic. continuing to deepen, that means that the wind will continue to strengthen as we head through this evening and overnight. further spells of heavy rain sweeping across the uk, the figures in black show you the gusts of wind. those of the important figures, really, because it is the gusts that do the most damage when we see these powerful lows come rolling through. 70, 80 mph around the coast of wales through the evening. overnight, a member of the low is deepening, so we will be strengthening, more persistent rain perhaps isn't in the south of the uk, some showers around here suddenly looking very wet further north. and i think it's probably through the middle of the night into the early part of thursday that the winds will actually reach their peak. and as they do so, becoming increasingly rough as well, the sea particularly looking turned up thanks to that strong wind as we move into thursday morning. —— the irish sea particularly. it will not look too bad in some areas on thursday, but some of these showers that get fed in only one could have hail and thunder wrapped up in them, could turn a bit more wintry across the higher ground of northern ireland and scotland. feeling cooler than it has through wednesday afternoon. and actually, if we compare like for like, thursday afternoon with wednesday afternoon, if anything tomorrow could see stronger gusts of wind during our daylight hours. and even on into friday, well, yes, still low pressure driving the story. we are left with a more direct westerly flow, lessen the bands of rain, but some of these showers pushing on across england and wales could really mean business on friday. and again for scotland and northern ireland may amid increasing whistle for northern and would come a chance of things turning wintry. and that wind is not to be underestimated, later that will be in the next 2a our spot still in notable breeze, the showers will be scrolling. and it stays windy into the weekend, perhaps becoming just a little less windy by sunday. so can the secretary of state confirm, he touched on in his early answer, was the police officer was detained in kent last night. this is a serious and significant development in our search for sarah and the fact that the man who has been arrested is a sober and the fact that the man who has been arrested is a serving metropolitan police officer is both shocking and deeply disturbing. we'll have the latest from scotland yard. also this lunchtime: despite a £37 billion budget, the impact of the test and trace scheme is unclear say mps who've criticised unimaginable spending. broadcaster piers morgan says he stands by his criticism of the duchess of sussex.

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