round of diplomacy in israel and the rest of the region. the talks come amid fears of a wider conflict. it's mr blinken�*s second visit since the war began. he's thought to be talking to israeli officials about how to pursue their military and security goals in gaza while limiting civilian casualties. meanwhile the israeli military says its ongoing ground offensive has now "completed the encirclement of gaza city" — which was the most densely populated part of the palestinian territory before the war began last month. with the fighting intensifying there's been strongly worded criticism of the humanitarian situation emerging from the united nations. seven human rights experts have said that they believe that the palestinian people in gaza are at risk of genocide. israel has accused them of repeating hamas propaganda. and people across the region are waiting to hear from the leader of the lebanese islamist group, hezbollah. hassan nasrallah's speech in the coming hours will be closely watched and could have huge consequences for the future of the conflict. well, the us seretary of state antony blinken also met the israeli president, isaac herzog. after those talks, he reaffirmed his solidarity with israel alongside hopes for a pause in the fighting. it's always good to be back in israel. these are difficult these but we're here, as we've been, as we will remain, in solidarity with israel. we stand strongly for the proposition that israel has not only the right but the obligation to defend itself and to do everything possible to make sure that this october 7th can never happen again. and at the same time, and as you've just made clear, how israel does this matters and it is very important that when it comes to the protection of civilians who are caught in a crossfire of hamas�* making that everything be done to protect them and to bring assistance to those who so desperately need it, and who were not in any way responsible for what happened on october 7th. so we are working on all of that together, but we have a shared determination and that determination will not wane. we also are thinking every single moment of our hostages, so many israelis, americans, other nationals. and we are determined to do everything that we can to bring them back safely, to bring them back to be with their families and loved ones. thank you. the us secretary of state antony blinken there. some braking is to bring you. the scottish first minister humza yousaf�*s mother—in—law and father—in—law have left gaza via the rafah crossing those that they had visited gaza to visit family prior to those attacks by hamas on the 7th of october. just before, in a statement they said, "we are grateful to all of those who have assisted our parents over the last few weeks including the fc deal crisis team. these last four weeks have been a living nightmare for our family. we are so thankful to all of the messages of comfort and a prayer is that we have received from across the world and indeed from across the political spectrum in scotland and in the uk". they were among the 600 orso in the uk". they were among the 600 or so people, 127 of them on the uk list today who have been able to leave gaza through the rafah crossing. we have been talking about antony blinken�*s visit, the us secretary of state, but there is also notable event in the next hour or so, the leader of the lebanese islamist shia group hezbollah. hassan nasrallah's speech is likely to... indicate the group's next moves, as its fighters and the israeli army are engaged in intense attacks on the lebanon—israel border. this has raised fears the area could become another front in the conflict. before we go any further, let's talk about who hezbollah are and why they are so important in the israel gaza conflict. hezbollah is the largest political and military force in lebanon, operating both as a party as well as a militia. it opposes israel and western powers operating in the middle east and is heavily influenced by iran — its largest benefactor. hezbollah�*s leader is lebanon's hassan nasrallah who, as i mentioned, is expected to break weeks of silence about israel and gaza later on friday. that is due in an hour or so. this is important. for israel, hezbollah�*s stock of sophisticated missiles represents a much greater potential threat than hamas. it's all in gaza. —— its ally in gaza. but, so far at least, it doesn't appear that it has the appetite for direct conflict with israel. live now to barcelona to speak tojulian barnes dacey, middle east and north africa programme director at the european council on foreign relations think tank. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. this will be an interesting speech because i think certainly most lebanese do not want to see a war with israel. israel has been preparing for it but hassan nasrallah's remarks will be significant whatever he says? thank ou, es. i significant whatever he says? thank you. yes- i think _ significant whatever he says? thank you, yes. i think everyone _ significant whatever he says? thank you, yes. i think everyone has- significant whatever he says? t�*ié'iaz you, yes. i think everyone has been waiting to hear from you, yes. i think everyone has been waiting to hearfrom hassan nasrallah for some weeks now. the critical northern front, the potential kind of escalation there that would really drag israel into a much broader conflict and risk igniting a wider regional war, and as you've said i think the sense for the moment is that hezbollah and iran does not want to escalate this conflict further. they want to distract israel, they want to show solidarity with hamas, but the indications are that hezbollah and iran don't want to get dragged into a direct conflict they could suffer a direct conflict they could suffer a very heavy price for. just a direct conflict they could suffer a very heavy price for.— a very heavy price for. just be mine, a very heavy price for. just be mine. as _ a very heavy price for. just be mine. as we _ a very heavy price for. just be mine, as we have _ a very heavy price for. just be mine, as we have seen, - a very heavy price for. just be mine, as we have seen, lotsl a very heavy price for. just be. mine, as we have seen, lots of simmering tensions in the region. we have seen attacks on us troops in iraq and syria, and we have seen houthi rebels in yemen firing missiles in the direction of israel. a lot of concern about the wider region as well?— a lot of concern about the wider region as well? a lot of concern about the wider reuion as well? _, . . ., region as well? huge concern. we are in a very difficult _ region as well? huge concern. we are in a very difficult moment, _ region as well? huge concern. we are in a very difficult moment, very - in a very difficult moment, very difficult moment where things could suddenly spiral out of control. i think people do fear that israel's northern front, the potential conflict with lebanon, with hezbollah, is the one where the risk is most acute and could really provoke a wider unravelling. i think we have seen already the biggest escalation from israel and hezbollah since the 2006 war, and certainly if we were to see a willingness from hassan nasrallah to step it today and say we are taking this right up the ladder of escalation, we would likely see wider conflict occurring in lebanon, syria, iraq, the us being drawn into direct conflict, so it is a very fragile moment and we are seeing lots of effort, particularly by the us, to prevent that wider escalation happening. they are afraid of being drawn into the conflict themselves as well. let's talk a little bit more about that. there have been strong words from the us presidentjoe biden but also we have seen military actions in the form of back—up in the middle east as well, haven't we? we in the form of back-up in the middle east as well, haven't we?— east as well, haven't we? we had seen two naval _ east as well, haven't we? we had seen two naval fleets _ east as well, haven't we? we had seen two naval fleets in _ east as well, haven't we? we had seen two naval fleets in the - east as well, haven't we? we had l seen two naval fleets in the eastern mediterranean, we have seen more missiles into the gulf, we have seen trips coming into the region. the us is very much sending a message, says it is sending a message to iran and its regional allies that this is about preventing original escalation. open what we are upping our game in the region to tell you we are ready for a fight but we don't want a fight, we don't want to be drawn into a conflict —— that we are upping our game. if you are hezbollah or others obviously you see this as a us escalation and you are fearful there could be pre—emptive strikes against you and you want to act in turn. so we have seen already the missiles flying back and forth between lebanon and israel, we have seen attacks between us military forces in syria and iraq and iranian backed militias. who is escalating? art losing control in a sense of that narrative and there is a risk things spiral with one wrong missile, if one attack does cause casualties on the israeli side or american side we may see an inevitable kind of response that leads us further down this pathway towards regional conflict. i leads us further down this pathway towards regional conflict.— towards regional conflict. i think it's an important _ towards regional conflict. i think it's an important point _ towards regional conflict. i think it's an important point you - towards regional conflict. i think| it's an important point you make towards regional conflict. i think. it's an important point you make as well. it is what we have been seeing for several weeks. well. it is what we have been seeing forseveralweeks. i've well. it is what we have been seeing for several weeks. i've been up on the northern border as well and that regular exchange of fire, it's always a tense border but not to the extent that anti—tank missiles are being exchanged across the border. this in itself, what we are seeing already, is a real escalation to what we see in normal times, isn't it? ~ , ~ , what we see in normaltimes, isn't it? ~ , it? absolutely. as i said, the bi . . est it? absolutely. as i said, the biggest escalation _ it? absolutely. as i said, the biggest escalation since - it? absolutely. as i said, the biggest escalation since the l it? absolutely. as i said, the - biggest escalation since the 2006 war between the two. much more significant fire going back and forth across the border. we have seen a number of casualties, fatalities, certainly on the lebanese side. i'm not sure about the israeli side. that being said, there is a certain kind of rules of there is a certain kind of rules of the game being played out here and it is being restricted to a certain geographical zone. we haven't seen any kind of strategic targeting that would cause larger fatalities or strikes are more important infrastructure, so it is a delicate balance where hezbollah is trying to show solidarity with hamas, it is trying to show to its popular backing it is engaged in this fight, it is trying to distract israel and force it to divert forces away from gaza and towards the northern front but it is trying to do all of this up but it is trying to do all of this up to a limit that doesn't provoke an overwhelming israeli response that creates the necessity for a broader war.— that creates the necessity for a broader war. g . 1, , , broader war. julian barnes dacey, thank ou broader war. julian barnes dacey, thank you for _ broader war. julian barnes dacey, thank you forjoining _ broader war. julian barnes dacey, thank you forjoining us _ broader war. julian barnes dacey, thank you forjoining us from - broader war. julian barnes dacey, thank you forjoining us from the l thank you forjoining us from the european council on foreign relations think tank. israel has begun expelling gazans who were working in israel and the occupied west bank before the hamas attacks on the 7th october. thousands were sent back into the besieged territory, which is under constant bombardment and suffering acute shortages, through the keren shalom crossing in gaza's south—east. our gaza correspondent rushdi abualouf gave us the latest from on the ground. the fighting is in five different areas in gaza city and the north, where the israeli ground operation has been expanding yesterday for a bit. and fighting is going on in the north—west part of gaza, where the biggest incursion is going on, about five, six kilometres. the israeli army is engaging with guns, but with gunfire and from air, sea and land with the hamas militants. the group has issued statement by statement since yesterday saying that they are fighting the israeli army using anti—tank missiles. also, the air strikes were continuing overnight, especially around the al-quds hospital in the neighborhood called tel al—hawa. it's south west of gaza city, where the israeli army keep calling the people inside. about 111,000 people who are taking the hospital as shelter. they ask them to leave the area as well as 100 patients — the hospital said eight of them were connected to the life—saving machine and they said it's impossible to move them because most of the road around the hospital is damaged. and also the area where the hospital is is now is one of the five areas that has experienced heavy fighting with the hamas militants about 500 metres away from the hospital. and israel is in control of both lines. the salahadin road, which is the main access to gaza and the north, and the al—rasheed road, which is also known as the coastal road. so access in and out of gaza is extremely difficult. sometimes people are risking their life to leave this area to the southern area. i saw footage yesterday filmed by an ambulance driver in the area. cars were burned behind the road. buildings were collapsing. heavy gunfire in the area. real, real war in this area in the coastal side of gaza city. that was from the southern garrison city, talking about the ongoing israeli military action happening there. —— the southern gazan city. let's look at these images of the rafah crossing between gaza and egypt, once again open for a very limited number of dual passport holders, foreign nationals to pass out. we are seeing around 7500 coming out that each it says will be given permission and access to cross in the next couple of weeks ago, but still just a in the next couple of weeks ago, but stilljust a small fraction of in the next couple of weeks ago, but still just a small fraction of those more than 2 million people who live in gaza, the vast majority of whom doubt have a way out of the enclave at the moment as the bombardment continues. i think that is one of the key discussions that will be happening as well as the us secretary of state antony blinken talks to the israeli war cabinet. we heard him talking to the israeli president isaac hertzog a little earlier and we are expecting to hear from antony blinken very soon. he has been having that meeting so we will bring you that as well when it happens here in bbc news. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. we will be back with an eye just a little later. —— we will be back with anna. let's look at some other stories making news. kharkiv, in the north east of ukraine, has come under russian air attacks overnight. the mayor of the main city of kharkiv said civilian infrastructure in one district had been hit and a fire had broken out. the regional governor added that the russians were carrying out drone strikes and reported an attack on a settlement. the un says more than 25,000 people have been displaced across myanmar by a week—long conflict between the ruling military and ethnic insurgents in the north—eastern shan state. reports suggest dozens of military outposts have fallen. the three rebel groups say their goal is to overthrow the military dictatorship. at least one person has been killed in flooding in northern italy. the tuscany region was badly hit by storm ciaran which swept through north west europe on thursday. the storm brought strong winds and driving rain, forcing the closure of schools, airports, rail and ferry services. you're live with bbc news. let's return to the conflict in the middle east. let's get more now on the latest visit to the region of the us secretary of state antony blinken. he is there, on the second trip to israel. live to tel aviv and cbs corresponent ian lee. hello, i'm tanya beckett. keir starmer has come under fierce criticism on his stance on the conflict in gaza. he has been speaking in county durham. let's listen to what he has to say... this is not the — listen to what he has to say... this is not the first _ listen to what he has to say... this is not the first chamber of commerce speech— is not the first chamber of commerce speech i_ is not the first chamber of commerce speech i have made this year, but it's the _ speech i have made this year, but it's the first — speech i have made this year, but it's the first time i've addressed the reigning uk chamber of the year, so before _ the reigning uk chamber of the year, so before i_ the reigning uk chamber of the year, so before i go any further i'd like to congratulate all of you on that. because _ to congratulate all of you on that. because it's no exaggeration to say that labour's ambitions for government, our most important mission, _ government, our most important mission, to— government, our most important mission, to get britain building again. — mission, to get britain building again, grow ourway mission, to get britain building again, grow our way out of the suffocating cost of living crisis, will depend on your future success. before _ will depend on your future success. before you — will depend on your future success. before you build up that fantastic palatial— before you build up that fantastic palatial drive outside, some of you may have — palatial drive outside, some of you may have travelled here today —— before _ may have travelled here today —— before you — may have travelled here today —— before you pulled up. some of you may have — before you pulled up. some of you may have travelled here today along the at, _ may have travelled here today along the a1, rode absolutely critical to doing _ the a1, rode absolutely critical to doing business in this region, indeed — doing business in this region, indeed for the whole of the east side of— indeed for the whole of the east side of england. but, as many of you will know. _ side of england. but, as many of you will know. a — side of england. but, as many of you will know, a little bit further up from _ will know, a little bit further up from here, _ will know, a little bit further up from here, between morpeth and ellington, — from here, between morpeth and ellington, there is a stretch of the a1 ellington, there is a stretch of the al that— ellington, there is a stretch of the al that the — ellington, there is a stretch of the a1 that the prime minister has ai that the prime minister has recently— a1 that the prime minister has recently promised to upgrade. but there's— recently promised to upgrade. but there's a _ recently promised to upgrade. but there's a catch. because he announced he would upgrade it in 2020. _ announced he would upgrade it in 2020, when he was chancellor, just like theresa — 2020, when he was chancellor, just like theresa may's government did in 2017. _ like theresa may's government did in 2017, and _ like theresa may's government did in 2017, and david cameron did in 2014, 'ust 2017, and david cameron did in 2014, just like _ 2017, and david cameron did in 2014, just like the _ 2017, and david cameron did in 2014, just like the conservative manifesto promised _ just like the conservative manifesto promised in 2010. and it's a metaphor— promised in 2010. and it's a metaphor for how our country has been _ metaphor for how our country has been run — metaphor for how our country has been run for— metaphor for how our country has been run for the last 13 years. the cameras _ been run for the last 13 years. the cameras get — been run for the last 13 years. the cameras get called, the press release — cameras get called, the press release is _ cameras get called, the press release is written, all smiles for the photos, and then it's back to westminster, job done, rinse and repeat _ westminster, job done, rinse and repeat it's— westminster, job done, rinse and repeat. it's a story you see right across _ repeat. it's a story you see right across britain. infrastructure projects. _ across britain. infrastructure projects, some with billions already committed, businesses planning around _ committed, businesses planning around them, strategies developed in rooms— around them, strategies developed in rooms like _ around them, strategies developed in rooms like this, but the projects and investment get stuck, blocked, by objections, consultations, legal challenges, ballooning costs, delays, — challenges, ballooning costs, delays, delays, delays, until in the end its— delays, delays, delays, until in the end it's easierjust to pack up and move _ end it's easierjust to pack up and move on — end it's easierjust to pack up and move on. we all know about hsz, a project _ move on. we all know about hsz, a project for— move on. we all know about hsz, a project for conservatives couldn't -et project for conservatives couldn't get built— project for conservatives couldn't get built even at the cost of £400 million _ get built even at the cost of £400 million per mile, the most expensive railway— million per mile, the most expensive railway in_ million per mile, the most expensive railway in the world, ever. and i'm afraid _ railway in the world, ever. and i'm afraid to _ railway in the world, ever. and i'm afraid to say — railway in the world, ever. and i'm afraid to say that all the hallmarks of that _ afraid to say that all the hallmarks of that project, the waste, the stagnation, the short sticking plaster— stagnation, the short sticking plaster politics, the inability to roll our— plaster politics, the inability to roll our sleeves up and get things done _ roll our sleeves up and get things done that— roll our sleeves up and get things done that will actually grow our economy— done that will actually grow our economy can be seen right across the country _ economy can be seen right across the country i_ economy can be seen right across the country. i mean, right now the number— country. i mean, right now the number of— country. i mean, right now the number of businesses going under has soared _ number of businesses going under has soared to— number of businesses going under has soared to its _ number of businesses going under has soared to its highest level in years. — soared to its highest level in years, and as you will all appreciate, every single one a personal— appreciate, every single one a personal tragedy, and ambition, a dream, _ personal tragedy, and ambition, a dream, and — personal tragedy, and ambition, a dream, and investment in a better future _ dream, and investment in a better future gone. now i'm not here today to hit— future gone. now i'm not here today to hit you _ future gone. now i'm not here today to hit you over the head about this. you can— to hit you over the head about this. you can see — to hit you over the head about this. you can see the countryjust as clearly— you can see the countryjust as clearly as— you can see the countryjust as clearly as i_ you can see the countryjust as clearly as i can. but next week is the kings — clearly as i can. but next week is the kings speech, and we can already see that _ the kings speech, and we can already see that it— the kings speech, and we can already see that it will only bring more of the same. — see that it will only bring more of the same, a manifesto for the 14th year of— the same, a manifesto for the 14th year of tory— the same, a manifesto for the 14th year of tory failure and the starting _ year of tory failure and the starting gun fired on the next general— starting gun fired on the next general election, a choice between a conservative party with no plan for the future, — conservative party with no plan for the future, hurtling down the only high—speed project it's ever managed to build. _ high—speed project it's ever managed to build, the highway two british decline. — to build, the highway two british decline, orthe labour to build, the highway two british decline, or the labour alternative, a party— decline, or the labour alternative, a party that— decline, or the labour alternative, a party that understands the potential that lies in regions like this, _ potential that lies in regions like this, that — potential that lies in regions like this, that has a plan to grow every corner— this, that has a plan to grow every corner of— this, that has a plan to grow every corner of this country, will work with— corner of this country, will work with you — corner of this country, will work with you to— corner of this country, will work with you to get the north—east building — with you to get the north—east building again, get our future back with a _ building again, get our future back with a decade of national renewal. because _ with a decade of national renewal. because mark my words, britain needs this king's _ because mark my words, britain needs this king's speech to kick—start a bil this king's speech to kick—start a big build. — this king's speech to kick—start a big build, we need to focus on the real problems that face businesses and communities of this region. that's_ and communities of this region. that's why— and communities of this region. that's why a labour king's speech would _ that's why a labour king's speech would rip — that's why a labour king's speech would rip up the red tape in our planning — would rip up the red tape in our planning system that stops us building — planning system that stops us building the infrastructure you need. — building the infrastructure you need, would establish a new generation of technical colleges, a plan for— generation of technical colleges, a plan for the higher skills that you need _ plan for the higher skills that you need and — plan for the higher skills that you need and would bring forward a modern — need and would bring forward a modern industrial strategy, work hand _ modern industrial strategy, work hand in— modern industrial strategy, work hand in glove with the private sector, — hand in glove with the private sector, invest in the potential of regions — sector, invest in the potential of regions like this and win the race for the _ regions like this and win the race for the jobs of the future. that is the job— for the jobs of the future. that is the job of— for the jobs of the future. that is the job of government as i see it. we have — the job of government as i see it. we have to — the job of government as i see it. we have to provide the businesses, communities and people of this nation — communities and people of this nation with the conditions to succeed _ nation with the conditions to succeed. a fundamental deal, if you like, succeed. a fundamental deal, if you like. that— succeed. a fundamental deal, if you like, that we serve the country while — like, that we serve the country while you _ like, that we serve the country while you drive it forward. the tories — while you drive it forward. the tories can't do this. rishi sunak is too weak— tories can't do this. rishi sunak is too weak to— tories can't do this. rishi sunak is too weak to stand up to the block is on his— too weak to stand up to the block is on his backbenches. two haunted by the ghosts— on his backbenches. two haunted by the ghosts of conservative imagination to see the country's problems— imagination to see the country's problems as you see them. if you'll indulge _ problems as you see them. if you'll indulge me. — problems as you see them. if you'll indulge me, iwant problems as you see them. if you'll indulge me, i want to set out e> built quicker and cheaper. and with that the price for your business, a path _ that the price for your business, a path to— that the price for your business, a path to a — that the price for your business, a path to a stronger skills base, a happier— path to a stronger skills base, a happier workforce, path to a stronger skills base, a happierworkforce, more path to a stronger skills base, a happier workforce, more dynamism, more _ happier workforce, more dynamism, more demand, more growth. i mean let me just _ more demand, more growth. i mean let me just give _ more demand, more growth. i mean let me just give you a couple of examples. the thames tunnel in east london. _ examples. the thames tunnel in east london. a _ examples. the thames tunnel in east london, a project with the planning application 30 times longer than the complete _ application 30 times longer than the complete works of shakespeare, 60.000 — complete works of shakespeare, 60,000 pages, 800 million pounds of taxpayer— 60,000 pages, 800 million pounds of taxpayer money spent without even breaking _ taxpayer money spent without even breaking ground. 0rtake taxpayer money spent without even breaking ground. 0r take the next generation nuclear power station in suffolk, _ generation nuclear power station in suffolk, a _ generation nuclear power station in suffolk, a £20 billion project of national— suffolk, a £20 billion project of national importance, vital for british— national importance, vital for british energy, security and independence. this had 40,000 pages of its planning application devoted to data _ of its planning application devoted to data on the environment, and yet it's being _ to data on the environment, and yet it's being held up on the courts on account— it's being held up on the courts on account of— it's being held up on the courts on account of a — it's being held up on the courts on account of a failure to assess the environmental impact. i could go on and on _ environmental impact. i could go on and on and — environmental impact. i could go on and on and on. the examples are countless — and on and on. the examples are countless. but as a country we can't afford _ countless. but as a country we can't afford to — countless. but as a country we can't afford to go _ countless. but as a country we can't afford to go on, not like this, because _ afford to go on, not like this, because the challenges this inertia creates— because the challenges this inertia creates for business and communities like yours. _ creates for business and communities like yours, they are enormous. it's why our— like yours, they are enormous. it's why our roads are so congested compared — why our roads are so congested compared to other countries, by millions— compared to other countries, by millions are denied the security of homeownership, why you can't take up the opportunity of clean british energy. — the opportunity of clean british energy, the cheaper bills that would reduce _ energy, the cheaper bills that would reduce your cost base and protect us from the _ reduce your cost base and protect us from the whims of tyrants like putin — from the whims of tyrants like putin. and yet back in the 505 and 605 putin. and yet back in the 505 and 60s we _ putin. and yet back in the 505 and 605 we built the backbone of our entire _ 605 we built the backbone of our entire motorway 5y5tem 605 we built the backbone of our entire motorway system in less time than entire motorway 5y5tem in less time than it— entire motorway 5y5tem in less time than it has— entire motorway system in less time than it has taken to talk about turning — than it has taken to talk about turning the stretch of the a1 individual carriageway. the national grid was— individual carriageway. the national grid was completed in about eight years. _ grid was completed in about eight years, le55 grid was completed in about eight years, less time than it takes some year5, less time than it takes some entrepreneurs to get a grid connection today, but you don't even have to _ connection today, but you don't even have to go _ connection today, but you don't even have to go that far back. the last labour _ have to go that far back. the last labour government delivered high—speed one on time and under high—5peed one on time and under budget— high—5peed one on time and under budget so— high—5peed one on time and under budget so i— high—speed one on time and under budget so i have no time for tory excuses — budget so i have no time for tory excu5e5. politic5 budget so i have no time for tory excu5e5. politics is about choices. do you _ excu5e5. politics is about choices. do you face — excu5e5. politics is about choices. do you face up to tough deci5ion5 excu5e5. politics is about choices. do you face up to tough decisions or duck them? — do you face up to tough decisions or duck them? that has always been a test if— duck them? that has always been a test if you _ duck them? that has always been a test if you take only one thing away today— test if you take only one thing away today let _ test if you take only one thing away today let it — test if you take only one thing away today let it be this, wherever we find barrier5 today let it be this, wherever we find barriers to british 5ucce55 today let it be this, wherever we find barriers to british success we will build — find barriers to british success we will build through them —— bulldoze through— will build through them —— bulldoze through that. you develop a corporation, you plan regimes for national— corporation, you plan regimes for national infrastructure, consequences for council5 national infrastructure, consequences for councils that drag their feet. — consequences for councils that drag theirfeet, reform5 consequences for councils that drag their feet, reforms to consequences for councils that drag their feet, reform5 tojudicial review. — their feet, reform5 tojudicial review, whatever it takes we will find a _ review, whatever it takes we will find a way — review, whatever it takes we will find a way. no 5tone review, whatever it takes we will find a way. no stone unturned. no detail— find a way. no stone unturned. no detail overlooked. no fight5 done. step two. — detail overlooked. no fight5 done. step two, a new direction for skills because _ step two, a new direction for skills because a — step two, a new direction for skills because a future mu5t step two, a new direction for skills because a future must be trained as well as— because a future must be trained as well as built and the generation of young _ well as built and the generation of young people that 5acrifice so much during _ young people that 5acrifice so much during the _ young people that 5acrifice so much during the pandemic, their potential mu5t during the pandemic, their potential must be _ during the pandemic, their potential must be that it —— mu5t during the pandemic, their potential must be that it —— must be back. they— must be that it —— must be back. they use — must be that it —— must be back. they use the _ must be that it —— must be back. they use the cost of inaction on this cannot _ they use the cost of inaction on this cannot be overstated. £120 billion— this cannot be overstated. £120 billion worth of economic outlook could _ billion worth of economic outlook could be — billion worth of economic outlook could be lost by 2030 if the needs of businesses are not met. so we will transform our further education will tran5form our further education systems— will transform our further education systems with technical excellence colleges. — systems with technical excellence colleges, colleges that will have a college5, colleges that will have a stronger— colleges, colleges that will have a stronger link to their local 5tronger link to their local economies, more connections to local economie5, more connections to local schools— economies, more connections to local schools improvement plans, 5chool5 improvement plans, univer5itie5, bu5ine55e5, room5 like this. _ univer5itie5, bu5ine55e5, room5 like this. all— univer5itie5, bu5ine55e5, room5 like this, all around the table and setting — this, all around the table and setting the direction. and in doing so grounding our education system more _ so grounding our education system more firmly, notju5t in young people — more firmly, notju5t in young people plu5 more firmly, notju5t in young people plus my a5piration5 but also in the _ people plus my a5piration5 but also in the pride, the pill on the badge on the _ in the pride, the pill on the badge on the shirt, the ambition you feel when _ on the shirt, the ambition you feel when building a lasting legacy for your community. so here in the north-east. _ your community. so here in the north—east, for example, it could mean _ north—east, for example, it could mean technical excellence colleges that 5peciali5e mean technical excellence colleges that specialise in construction, that 5peciali5e in construction, health— that specialise in construction, health and social care, the clean energy— health and social care, the clean energy revolution we want to see up and down _ energy revolution we want to see up and down the east coast. welders in the tees— and down the east coast. welders in the tees valley. i know there is a skills— the tees valley. i know there is a skills 5hortage for welders here and 5kill5 5hortage for welders here and i 5kill5 5hortage for welders here and i have _ 5kill5 5hortage for welders here and i have seen— 5kill5 5hortage for welders here and i have seen that in the local schools _ i have seen that in the local schools improvement plan that this 5chool5 improvement plan that this chamber— 5chool5 improvement plan that this chamber wrote. 5chool5 improvement plan that this chamberwrote. i 5chool5 improvement plan that this chamber wrote. i know you don't want that plan _ chamber wrote. i know you don't want that planju5t chamber wrote. i know you don't want that plan ju5t gathering chamber wrote. i know you don't want that planju5t gathering dust. you want _ that planju5t gathering dust. you want to— that planju5t gathering dust. you want to see it drive the course is delivered — want to see it drive the course is delivered in— want to see it drive the course is delivered in your local fet colleges, and that is exactly what we will _ colleges, and that is exactly what we will guarantee —— further education _ we will guarantee —— further education colleges. because we want to end _ education colleges. because we want to end the _ education colleges. because we want to end the years of businesses feeling — to end the years of businesses feeling hopele55 about missing skills. — feeling hopele55 about missing 5kill5, give you the tools to do something about it. you should have more _ something about it. you should have more say— something about it. you should have more say over how you invest in your work— more say over how you invest in your work places— more say over how you invest in your work places and at the moment is everybody— work places and at the moment is everybody here knows the apprenticeship levy simply isn't flexible — apprenticeship levy simply isn't flexible enough. your hands are tied. _ flexible enough. your hands are tied, unable to deliver the full breadth — tied, unable to deliver the full breadth of skills you need so will transform — breadth of skills you need so will transform it into a new growth and skills _ transform it into a new growth and skills level — transform it into a new growth and skills level giving you more power to the _ skills level giving you more power to the manpower of the training your money— to the manpower of the training your money can— to the manpower of the training your money can buy. but it's notjust new _ money can buy. but it's notjust new. government has to step up as well. _ new. government has to step up as well. too— new. government has to step up as well. too many young people are leaving _ well. too many young people are leaving education without basic skills — leaving education without basic skills. maths, digital skills, communication and teamwork, skills we know— communication and teamwork, skills we know every business needs. so labour— we know every business needs. so labour would deliver higher standards in our schools, every child _ standards in our schools, every child taught by expert teachers, a broader— child taught by expert teachers, a broader curricula, real—world maths from _ broader curricula, real—world maths from an— broader curricula, real—world maths from an early stage, preparing the next generation to make sure they are ready— next generation to make sure they are ready for work and ready for life _ are ready for work and ready for life that's— are ready for work and ready for life. that's what ending the tax breaks — life. that's what ending the tax breaks on— life. that's what ending the tax breaks on private schools will deliver. — breaks on private schools will deliver, opportunity forall, skills for business, growth for the nation. finally, step three. a modern industrial— finally, step three. a modern industrial i5 strategy on an industrial i5 strategy on an industrial footing. an emblem of our determination to move away from the stand _ determination to move away from the stand aside _ determination to move away from the stand aside states that fails to set direction — stand aside states that fails to set direction. now, if you go to the government website to find out about their industrial strategy scratched across _ their industrial strategy scratched across the top is one word. i kid you not — across the top is one word. i kid you not. archived. archived! doesn't thatjust _ you not. archived. archived! doesn't that just tell— you not. archived. archived! doesn't thatjust tell you you not. archived. archived! doesn't that just tell you everything? you not. archived. archived! doesn't thatjust tell you everything? they think— thatjust tell you everything? they think that — thatjust tell you everything? they think that britain's days of high growth — think that britain's days of high growth over, but they are not. labour— growth over, but they are not. labour will— growth over, but they are not. labour will get britain growing again. — labour will get britain growing again, bring back industrial strategy, provide the institution, the incentives and above all the stability— the incentives and above all the stability you need to invest in future — stability you need to invest in future. because in the world is riven _ future. because in the world is riven with— future. because in the world is riven with insecurity hazzard, with challenges like climate change, technologies like artificial intelligence, scientific advances like gene — intelligence, scientific advances like gene editing, constantly overturning the economic apple cart you need _ overturning the economic apple cart you need a — overturning the economic apple cart you need a government that gets involved. — you need a government that gets involved, that rolls up its sleeves, that offers —