A persistent Gender Pay Gap and � sexism in the city� as bad as ever, is there much for the Business World to celebrate . And, groomed for success how the pampered pooches at crufts are part of a booming pet economy tipped to hit half a trillion dollars by 2030. A very warm welcome to the programme. The greatest Comeback Story never told thats how President Biden has described his handling of the us economy, as he delivered his state of the Union Address in the last few hours. It is a Comeback Story for sure. Since the president took office in 2021, the us has put the pandemic firmly behind it, performing better than most other developed economies, with strong jobs growth and buoyant consumer spending. But that is not how Many Americans see it. Soaring inflation means the cost of living is simply much higher than when he took office. And the polls reflect that. President biden� s average Approval Ratings are at a record low ofjust 38 . When asked in an nbc poll who would do a betterjob handling the economy, just 33 chose President Biden. And 55 chose his likely election rival, donald trump. More on that in a moment. But lets just hear a bit of what the president had to say. Turning set back into comeback, Thatis Turning Set back into comeback, that is what america does, that is america does applause folks, i inherited an economy that was on the brink, now our economy is the envy of the world. 50 million newjobs in just three years, a record. A record. Unemployment. Applause at 50 year low. Applause. A record 60 million americans starting Small Businesses and each one is a little act of hope. Chris campbell is a former us Assistant Treasury Secretary during the trump administration, now ceo of the Strategic Advisory firm, incamera solutions. Thank you very much forjoining us here. Ijust want thank you very much forjoining us here. I just want to thank you very much forjoining us here. Ijust want to get your reaction to that speech and how convincing a performance it was. President biden making the reaches of society pay around 8 of tax, less than Sanitation Workers and Public School teachers. I think what is clear is the president has outlined the proposal today that clearly it is going to be a populist agenda. We are marching towards populist campaigns on both sides. They will be very long campaigns of each side talking to their base. I think with the president s speech tonight, here in the states, was that he has some challenges with his base and because of that he outline arrays in corporations, a novel raise on wealth on billionaires and putting those into a new government programmes. All of that would be inflationary which is something the president has one of the Biggest Challenges he has in the economy. There is an angel saying in the us, president s famously asking the question, are you better off today than you were four years ago . And that is the head when the president is going to have. Many americans feel worse off today because of inflation that has gripped our economy over the last 3. 5 years. He has gripped our economy over the last 3. 5 years. The last 3. 5 years. He also double down the last 3. 5 years. He also double down that the last 3. 5 years. He also double down that he the last 3. 5 years. He also double down that he was i the last 3. 5 years. He also i double down that he was on the last 3. 5 years. He also double down that he was on the side of the worker, the president of the autofocus mission, saying he was on the picket lines and we won taking on car companies. The president has clearly on car companies. The president has clearly tried on car companies. The president has clearly tried to on car companies. The president has clearly tried to work on car companies. The president has clearly tried to work to has clearly tried to work to try to transform the economy to more of a Green Energy Economy and with that change, suddenly with auto workers, and Electric Vehicles require fewer workers to put together than other vehicles put in danger their jobs but the president has tried to transform those jobs and to now the creation of the production of Electric Vehicle batteries which many of these workers have been retrained to do in the us and irrespective of what the president is, jobs is a good things. We want a better economy for us and the whole world and the us tends to be the economic engine of the world because of the American Consumer and were very grateful the consumer remains resilient even in the face of significant inflation. Ihe resilient even in the face of significant inflation. He needs to move the significant inflation. He needs to move the data significant inflation. He needs to move the data in significant inflation. He needs to move the data in terms significant inflation. He needs to move the data in terms ofl to move the data in terms of his popularity. How do you think his mentions of price gouging, talking about the sneakers but costing the same but getting smaller, blaming republicans for the woes in the economy. I republicans for the woes in the econom. ~ republicans for the woes in the econom. ~ ,. , economy. I think everyone is auoin to economy. I think everyone is going to want economy. I think everyone is going to want a economy. I think everyone is going to want a booking economy. I think everyone is going to want a booking man economy. I think everyone is going to want a booking man and everyone is going to want to blame for what has happened. Boogie man. The issue is around the kitchen table. They tend to be driven by the economy first on social issues at stake if the American People do not feel good about the economy or the economic outlook, it tends not to go well for the incumbent of the country and i think there are significant headwinds. 0bviously borne out by the 38 job approval rating. There is only one other president in this part of the cycle that has been this low and that president was unsuccessful in getting real action. President was unsuccessful in getting realaction. It president was unsuccessful in getting real action. It is certainly a significant issue and Many Americans are not feel the Economic Security they think they should have and deserve. ~ think they should have and deserve. , ~ ,. , think they should have and deserve think they should have and deserve. , ~ i. ,. ,. , deserve. Thank you for oining us. To the world of tech now, because a Us Congressional Panel has approved a bill that would force tiktok� s chinese owner to sell the app within six months or face a ban in the us. The measure is backed by the white house but would need to be approved in the senate to become law. Joao da silva has been following this in singapore. Joao, this is all about concerns over National Security . Thats right. This measure was approved unanimously by the energy and commerce committee, showing a huge political momentum behind this crackdown on tiktok in the United States. The bill is expected to go to a full house floor vote next week. The week past despite extensive lot by tiktok against it. Lawmakers in the United States and elsewhere they have beenin states and elsewhere they have been in the head went since donald trump singled it out. The parent company, there is concern that data owned by this company, tiktok uses in the us and around the world, is subjected to chinese law. There is via tiktok could be used as a tool to amplify chinas influence campaigns. All of this is of course denied by tiktok and by the parent company. Tiktok says it has taken steps company. Tiktok says it has ta ken steps to company. Tiktok says it has taken steps to ensure the data by us users is protected. A notification was sent Urging Tiktok as to call that representatives to vote against the measure. 0ne congressional aide told the office had received dozens of calls. All of this suggests there is a strong reaction from younger demographics which is the bulk of tiktok, 170 million users in the us, many of whom will not be too happy about this. Be too happy about this. Thank ou. Today march 8th is International Womens day, a global event celebrating womens achievements in every walk of life but also a Call To Action to reduce gender inequality. In the Business World there is still a lot of work to do. In Chief Executive Roles Men outnumber women by 17 to 1 according to data by morningstar. Just 15 of top us firms are run by women, although that is a major improvement on a few years ago. And it is far better than here in the uk, where over 90 of the Top Public Companies are run by men. Nicola downing is one of the exceptions. Ceo of Office Technology firm ricoh europe which has annual revenues of more than 3 billion euros. Thank you forjoining us this morning. Good morning. It is today about celebrating progress in the workplace or highlighting how much work is still to be done . I highlighting how much work is still to be done . Still to be done . I think a bit of both still to be done . I think a bit of both i still to be done . I think a bit of both. I think still to be done . I think a bit of both. I think we still to be done . I think a bit of both. I think we have still to be done . I think a bit. Of both. I think we have made massive progress. When i think back over my career of 25 years, i started as the only woman in the management team. Now, that is not the case. There is a much better balance of Gender Representation but we have still got a lot to do. I read a report yesterday from the un that said Gender Equality will be achieved in 286 years. Lets celebrate when we have come and where we are but there is still an awful lot to do. J~ ~ but there is still an awful lot todo. , but there is still an awful lot todo. � , but there is still an awful lot todo. 2 , to do. 286 years. Lets focus on the years to do. 286 years. Lets focus on the years rising to do. 286 years. Lets focus on the years rising up to do. 286 years. Lets focus | on the years rising up through the ranks at ricoh that how have things changed in those 20 years . Have things changed in those 20 ears . � ,. ,. ,. , have things changed in those 20 ears . � ,. ,. ,. ,. , years . Theres a lot more women in senior roles years . Theres a lot more women in senior roles and years . Theres a lot more women in senior roles and people years . Theres a lot more women in senior roles and people can in senior roles and people can look up and see themselves perhaps in those positions, whereas for me it was quite rare. I probably had to look externally to ricoh at that time. 40 women on our board and 40 in management so there is that representation. For us and more businesses, a lot more focus on feeble development programmes, particularly around boosting confidence, making women believe they are good enough and that they can do this. And also more balance between Family Responsibilities and progression at work and it is not necessarily a choice anymore, which is great. Why isnt it a choice . Anymore, which is great. Why isnt it a choice . Childcare isnt it a choice . Childcare is . The elephant in the room . Hybrid working, father is becoming more involved . What is changing and what needs to change well . Changing and what needs to chance well . ,. , change well . There is certainly an acceptability change well . There is certainly an acceptability that change well . There is certainly an acceptability that men an acceptability that men should play a greater part in the bringing up of their children. We have senior men in roles that work part time in order to support their Family Responsibilities, which certainly 20 years ago, when i was trying to get my to do that with my baby, it was a no go area and mans careers would be ruined. ~. Ruined. What were the conversations ruined. What were the conversations you ruined. What were the conversations you are | ruined. What were the conversations you are having with him, people would be interested particularly because of where you are now . My grand lan of where you are now . My grand [an was of where you are now . My grand plan was we of where you are now . My grand plan was we would of where you are now . My grand plan was we would work of where you are now . My grand plan was we would work four plan was we would work four days a week and my son would be in a nursery for three days. But my husband said that it would read my career, i would not look committed and look enthusiastic. And i think those barriers have disappeared the one that is a massive issue in the uk and particularly in countries to our other businesses and countries in europe is the cost of childcare is so extortionists here. I was talking to german colleagues and they spent about 5 of their Household Income on childcare and here it can be up to 50 , which is so of so until we can solve that problem, it is a massive barrier to women remaining in the workplace once they have children. You remaining in the workplace once they have children. They have children. You said about your they have children. You said about your company, they have children. You said about your company, we they have children. You said about your company, we counted on our management website, 11 men and four women, a bit less than a0 . Men and four women, a bit less than 40 . At men and four women, a bit less than a0 . At around 30 across europe so parity with that. Less than 50 . What specifically are you finding is making in your company that is changing that . I making in your company that is changing that . Changing that . I think it helps havin changing that . I think it helps having me changing that . I think it helps having me in changing that . I think it helps having me in the changing that . I think it helps having me in the top changing that . I think it helps having me in the topjob, changing that . I think it helps having me in the topjob, for. Having me in the topjob, for sure. It gives people more hope they can get there. We are very flexible around our working hours. 0ne flexible around our working hours. One of my Board Members does work part time, four days a week, who is a woman. We have people coming through all the time. It means we do not promote that it does not mean we do not promote good men and women only want to be promoted on capability and competence are not to be the token woman in the room, thats for sure but there is more flexibility these days but the states show, 30 on board level and 40 on management teams, there is still a long way to go. Still a long way to go. Take ou for still a long way to go. Take you forjoining still a long way to go. Take you forjoining us still a long way to go. Take you forjoining us so still a long way to go. Take you forjoining us so early. Still a long way to go. Take l you forjoining us so early in the morning. Lets stay with that theme because a reportjust out from the Uk Parliament has found that sexism in the city is still rife, with efforts to tackle harrassment and misogyny in the financial industry moving at quote a snail� s pace. Investment is also seen as a male preserve, with just a small fraction of Women Investing in the stock market, according to new research. Susannah streeter is head of money and markets at the Investment Company Hargreaves Lansdown. Thank you forjoining us. Why do you think, when it comes to sexism in the city and improving the comment is moving at a snail� s pace . Improving the comment is moving at a snails pace . At a snails pace . Well, i think, mainly at a snails pace . Well, i think, mainly as at a snails pace . Well, i | think, mainly as cultural. At a snails pace . Well, i think, mainly as cultural. And you look at the make up of tech heavy financial services, they are dominated by men and i think those and those issues started way back in the education system, with fewer people, fewer women taking the subject needed or showing interest in entering the profession potentially. And obviously this does require cultural change. This report is welcome, it is disappointing that it welcome, it is disappointing thatitis welcome, it is disappointing that it is moving so, so slowly. Its good to see this call for legislation to ban the use of Nondisclosure Agreements in Sexual Harassment cases, stronger protection for whistleblowers, however, ultimately it is just more handwringing about the state of sexism in the city without a concerted plan of action to stop it, to bring in greater protection, more penalties, and guardrails. Protection, more penalties, and guardrails guardrails. And i mentioneds tender guardrails. And i mentioneds Gender Pension guardrails. And i mentioneds Gender Pension the guardrails. And i mentioneds Gender Pension the gap guardrails. And i mentioneds Gender Pension the gap and l Gender Pension the gap and Gender Pension the gap and gender reassignment the gap, it all comes from women having the know how to invest, but not having the confidence to invest and that is something you have been looking into. Been looking into. Yes, the hargreaves been looking into. Yes, the Hargreaves Lansdown been looking into. Yes, the Hargreaves Lansdown whyl been looking into. Yes, the Hargreaves Lansdown why women invest report delves right into this, because only 16 of women in the uk hold stocks and shares, otherfindings in the uk hold stocks and shares, other findings find that two thirds is a that they believe that investing is presented as something a man and then around one third say theyjust and then around one third say they just dont and then around one third say theyjust dont have the confidence or know much about investing. But, actually, when we asked them lot of questions about investing the majority of women got it right. So it seems as if it is confidence Holding Women back and, certainly, that needs to change and thats what were to change without financially fierce campaign. In one sentence, what is your view one sentence, what is your view on Women Investing . Me one sentence, what is your view on Women Investing . On Women Investing . We hear a lot about leaning on Women Investing . We hear a lot about leaning into on Women Investing . We hear a lot about leaning into your lot about leaning into your career, it is now time to lean into investing. It really will help you become more financially resilient in the future. � ,. , future. All right, susannah streeter. Future. All right, susannah streeter, many future. All right, susannah streeter, many thanks future. All right, susannah streeter, many thanks for| future. All right, susannah streeter, many thanks for that. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Bbc news, bring you different stories from across the uk. They have arrived by the truckload in recent days to this farm on the outskirts of cardiff, thousands of wellies donated by farmers across wales. ,. , ,. , wales. So the aim of this is to talk about wales. So the aim of this is to talk about this wales. So the aim of this is to talk about this sustainable talk about this Sustainable Farming scheme and the Impact Assessment the Welsh Government has released is revealed there could has released is revealed there could be has released is revealed there could be a potential loss of 5500 could be a potential loss of 5500 jobs on farms. 5500 jobs on farms. This firure, 5500 jobs on farms. This figure, isnt 5500 jobs on farms. This figure, isnt it 5500 jobs on farms. This figure, isnt it a 5500 jobs on farms. This figure, isnt it a bit figure, isnt it a bit discredited now because the government says that analysis is out of date and doesnt take into account the scheme in full. ,. , full. This is the only Impact Assessment full. This is the only Impact Assessment that full. This is the only Impact Assessment that is full. This is the only impactl assessment that is available full. This is the only Impact Assessment that is available at the moment. Those are the only figures that are available to farmers to make a decision. 50. Farmers to make a decision. So, after weeks farmers to make a decision. So, after weeks of farmers to make a decision. So, after weeks of angry debate and protest, today a silent demonstration on the steps of the synod. They see if there is a bigger budget it could really work. They are saying paying farmers to increase tree cover and Wildlife Habitat will make them more resilient to the impacts of climate change. For more stories from across the uk, head of the bbc news website. Youre live with bbc news. Lets return to the us, because shares of electric truck maker rivian have jumped after the company unveiled a new mid size Sport Utility vehicle designed to widen the brands appeal beyond its heavy duty pick up trucks. Its a much needed boost rivian has lost half its Stock Market Value since the start of the year. Erin delmore reports from new york. The Electric Vehicle maker rivian gave shareholders to make pieces of good news wednesday. New ev models and 2. 25 billion in cost savings. The news sent share prices up 13 on the day and it offers rivians answer to two issues that have been dogging the company, its cash flow and the Consumer Demand for the companys evs. The new models are the r2 and are the r2 is being offered as a smaller and more affordable suv with a Sticker Price that will start around 45,000. That is actually a few thousand dollars less than the average new car in the us and weigh less than the 75,000 suv that Rivian Currently offers. Part of the cost savings comes from stopping a plan to build a new factory in georgia, despite billions in government incentives. And just last month we saw job incentives. And just last month we sawjob cuts, which the company chalked up to sinking demand thanks to high Interest Rates and economic uncertainty. The new models are macros efforts to Lorandi Budget conscious customers and hopefully win a foothold in the mass market. There is a lot riding on it, rivian has yet to turn a profit. Thanks to erin for that. Now to the Cannabis Industry, because governments which legalise its cultivation for Recreational Use are breaking international law. Thats the warning from the uns International Narcotics control board. In recent weeks, germany became the latest country to legislate to allow the use of cannabis. But the market for cannabis based products is now well established in the United States its three times the size of the european market. Jessie shannon is president of the cannabist company, a major us producer and retailer. He told the bbc� s Aaron Heslehurst that his biggest competitors are the unlicensed drug dealers. This industry, wejuggle the time, people ask us is cannabis going to be a 100 billion plus industry . The truth is it already is, it is only 30 some builyan legally, the rest is making its way through the black market or illicit infrastructure is. Until we can see continued expansion, which dancing across the country, and access to more products and more manufacturing through play, that is when you will ultimately see the cost for the safe and product to come down to if not below where the Illicit Market is. And you can get much more on the fast growing Cannabis Industry on this weeks Talking Business here on bbc news. Finally, if you are in any doubt about the devotion some of us have towards our pets you only have to take a look at the Crufts International Dog Show currently under way in birmingham here in the uk. Demand for pets soared during the pandemic, but that interest does not seem to be waning. Last year, the global pet industry was estimated at a value of 320 billion. It is expected to be worth half a trillion dollars by 2030. David palacios rubio is head of editorial at pets international, which describes itself as the leading publication for the global pet industry with 60,000 readers in 130 countries. Thank you very much forjoining us, david. Thank you very much for oining dani thank you very much for oining us, david. ,. , us, david. Good morning, thanks for having us, david. Good morning, thanks for having me. Us, david. Good morning, thanks for having me. So, us, david. Good morning, thanks for having me. So, the us, david. Good morning, thanks for having me. So, the pet for having me. So, the pet economy for having me. So, the pet economy keeps for having me. So, the pet economy keeps growing. L for having me. So, the pet. Economy keeps growing. We understand it is triggered by covid or accelerated by covid and companionship. Is there Something Else we need to know about young people, the different lifestyles now to u nd e rsta nd different lifestyles now to understand the growth. I think one of the understand the growth. I think one of the big understand the growth. I think one of the big things understand the growth. I think one of the big things for understand the growth. I think one of the big things for the i one of the big things for the pet industry was the pandemic and there was a big increase of people wanting to have pets to live with them and have them in their homes. The figures you presented, they have a very good future then in the industry, i think people what they want is if i want to go in the hairdresser, i also want to pamper my pet in the grooming service, this is why the industry is booming and why were going to see this happen in the next years. So grooming is booming in the next years. So grooming is booming. What in the next years. So grooming is booming. What other in the next years. So grooming is booming. What other areas | is booming. What other areas are lucrative in the 320 billion industry . Billion industry . So, the services billion industry . So, the services we billion industry . So, the services we can, billion industry . So, the services we can, not billion industry . So, the| services we can, not only billion industry . So, the services we can, not only the pet food for retailers and all that, but also the services they offer. For example, you can groom your pet, cut the nails of your pet, this is something they are using a lot. We were there last in 40 of pet owners are bringing their pets to the grooming centre every month. Americans, for example, a number bring their pet two times or more a month. Pet owners really want to have the best for their pet and this is why the industry is also growing a loss on that front. Are you worried about the threat from artificial intelligence, is not only that it could take away the need for companionship, but, as the producer of this programme pointed out, what about robotic pets was yellow it is something were looking at very closely as well. Its not the same, of course, as having a real pet where you could pet your pet and be with him like during the night and all that, but its there. I have to see that the industry is also harnessing the benefits from artificial intelligence, for example there are a lot of companies that are promoting events, promoting services that are harnessing as well ai. This is something that is happening, but they dont think it will go against the industry. I think it will empower more people wanting to have pets with them. Seeing lovely pictures from crafts, how big a deal is it internationally . It how big a deal is it internationally . It is a big event, and internationally . It is a big event, and i internationally . It is a big event, and i think internationally . It is a big event, and i think it internationally . It is a big event, and i think it is internationally . It is a big i event, and i think it is really a good facility for the world of pets and this is something that it of pets and this is something thatitis of pets and this is something that it is great for people wanting to have animals with them and also to see that the industry is really growing. So i think it is a good place and events to really see where the industry is. Events to really see where the industry is events to really see where the industry is. David, was reading 4696 of households industry is. David, was reading 4696 of households in industry is. David, was reading 4696 of households in europe l 46 of households in europe have a pet. We wonder if that could ever reach over 50 . Thank you forjoining us on bbc news. Forthe thank you forjoining us on bbc news. For the viewers in the uk breakfast is next. 0therwise stay with me and ill have had headlines at the top of the hour. Hello there. Generally speaking, therell be little change to the weather as we head into friday. However, what you will notice will be the strength of the wind itll be a cold, strong easterly wind blowing across all areas, but we should see more sunshine around than what weve had over the last few days. Now, theres some cold air wrapped around that area of High Pressure moving out of scandinavia, and that will be blown in. And that strong easterly wind across all areas, pushing some cloud again into eastern, particularly northeastern england and eastern scotland. The best of the sunshine, western scotland, parts of northern ireland, and a good deal of sunshine, i think, for england and wales, so that will compensate. However, the winds really will take the edge off the temperatures strong and gusty at times, 30 40mph in exposure, particularly strong along north sea and channel coasts. Temperatures 6 7 celsius you factor in the wind, it wont feel like that, itll feel colder than these temperatures suggest, despite the sunshine. As we head through friday night, it stays windy. Well see plenty of cloud again, eastern scotland, northeast england, and we could see this Weather Front bring some rain to parts of england and wales as we head through the night. Thatll also lift temperatures up a little bit in the south, but another chilly night to come further north. Now, for the weekend for saturday, looks like this area of low pressure will start to push its way eastwards into the near continent, but i think saturdays not looking too bad at this stage. We should see a little bit of cloud here and there, 1 2 showers, but actually quite a bit of sunshine for parts of england and wales, and also western scotland. Elsewhere, quite a bit of cloud, especially eastern scotland, northeast england. Here, it will be quite chilly, but well tap in some milder air across the south, from france could be up to 13 celsius there, given some sunshine. But its change, i think, as we head into sunday, this Weather Front pushes northwards it could bring a rather damp, dull, wet day for england and wales in particular, with some persistent and, at times, heavy rainfall. A lot of cloud around generally, probably the best of the sunshine again for western scotland, but grey and drizzly across eastern scotland, northeast england. And itll feel cooler for all, including the south thats because well have more cloud and rain there. Eventually, well see the back of that area of low pressure as we move into the new week, itll push off into the near continent. The winds will become lighter but i think it will leave quite a legacy of cloud. So, even as we head into next week, i think therell be further cloud and some spots of drizzle, particularly northern and eastern areas. The best of any brightness towards the south and the west. Take care. Good morning, welcome to breakfast with Naga Munchetty and charlie stayt. 0ur headlines today. A promise of more aid for gaza as President Biden confirms plans to build a Temporary Port in the territory. In his annual speech to the us, he says he wont put troops on the ground, but he will increase supplies to the territory. Mps say the Ministry Of Defence has no credible plan to buy the weapons it needs for the uks armed forces and the problem is getting worse. A rise in the number of official warnings that a lack of resources in the nhs is putting lives at risk. A crackdown on holiday rentals, with an end to tax breaks for second homes. But will it do anything to help priced out renters find somewhere to live
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