Transcripts For GBN The 20240704

Grades is going down. And gb news has a downing street shortly to hand in our dont kill cash petition calling on the government to protect the status of cash in the uk in an ever growing digital society. Were live from westminster. Were live from westminster. And dont forget you can still sign a petition on our website. Were almost at 300,000. Were almost at 300,000. Thats a qr code on the screen there. Please get screen there. Please get involved and make them listen. Involved and make them listen. Plus, prince Harrys Netflix documentary about the Invictus Games confirms its release date i we want emma we want to know, will you be watching it. 7 do let us know. Do let us know. Email us at gb views at gb news. Before we start, here are your latest headlines now with Aaron Armstrong. Good afternoon Aaron Armstrong. Good afternoon to you. Its a minute past 12. Im Aaron Armstrong in the newsroom. Tributes to being paid to the legendary broadcaster sir Michael Parkinson, whos died at the age of 88. His family have said sir michael passed away at home last night after a brief illness. Known as parker , he illness. Known as parker, he became one of the countrys most famous faces through his long running chat show, interviewing the stars, the worlds biggest stars, including connolly , including Billy Connolly, madonna and muhammad ali. Comedian stephen fry said he was impossibly thrilling , and matt impossibly thrilling, and matt lucas has described him as a titan of television. Gb news can titan of television. Gb news can reveal 550 people have crossed the English Channel in ten small boats over the last 24 hours. It bnngs boats over the last 24 hours. It brings the number of migrants whove made the journey this year to more than 17,000 uk border force. Yesterday spent border force. Yesterday spent the day on red alert during what they have described as an extremely busy time for Asylum Seekers. A significant surge in crossings is expected this weekend as weather conditions improve. Chancellor jeremy hunt improve. Chancellorjeremy hunt will be presented with almost 300,000 signatures later, calling for the protection of cash as legal tender. Its part of the gb news dont kill Cash Campaign , which wants to make campaign, which wants to make sure its a widely accepted form of payment until at least 2050. Reform uk adviser ben habib says those who still use cash are being discriminated against. You know, there are 5 Million People in this country who rely on cash trades, who dont have bank account and credit cards and so on, and theyve been marginalised and their continually being marginalised. Continually being marginalised. And if we move to a society where cash is discriminated against, where restaurants refused to take it, shops refused to take it, shops refused to take it, shops refused to take it, in effect, that promise on the back of a £10 note and all other legal tender becomes a meaningless promise. Promise. You can watch that petition being handed live to downing street on gb news from 2 00. Top a level results across england. Wales and Northern Ireland have fallen almost back to pre pandemic levels. The pre pandemic levels. The proportion of candidates receiving top grades is down by almost 10 from last year and almost 10 from last year and almost 18 from 2021. Around 73,000 fewer a or a stars have been awarded compared to last yeah been awarded compared to last year. Its part of a plan to tackle grade inflation during covid, when results were based on Teacher Assessment, covid, when results were based on Teacher Assessment , the on Teacher Assessment, the number of students accepted for a place at university is also down. Thats 2. 6 on last year. But Clare Marchant from ucas says the overall picture is positive. Positive. 79 of students today are actually going to their first choice. University which is to be really celebrated. Its up around 5 in 2019, slightly down on last year, but thats what we expected is return to normal grading. So a day to celebrate, as you say, for them. Our job at as you say, for them. Ourjob at ucas is to support those that change their mind or indeed didnt quite get the grades they wanted. Well, education secretary Gillian Keegan says students shouldnt be disappointed and insists the changes are fair. The Actual University places and the access to university is still exactly the same as it was. So if they were going to if theyd have got to be and gone to university in 2019, theyll get a, b and go to university in 2023. So all weve done is and this is really important because our exams both gcses and a levels, are highly regarded across the world and we just want to make sure they keep that value. And obviously we needed to go back from teacher assessed grades did that last grades and we did that last yeah grades and we did that last year. Now were back year. But now were going back to normal grading system and to the normal grading system and that make sure these that will make sure that these hold when. Hold their value when. Question on labours policy of getting 50 of all students into university, the shadow education secretary, bridget phillipson, told us its more important young people have choices. Choices. If i were education secretary, id make sure that under Labour Government under the next Labour Government its once again. I its a big focus once again. I mean, that does mean making sure that people to go that young people who want to go to University Get that opportunity to do so and for all people talk about that people tend to talk about that number 50, its number in terms of 50, its often far less in places like sunderland where im an mp, while young people have those opportunities. The opportunities. Its about the range of opportunities its range of opportunities and its about people having real about young people having real choices whats best for choices about whats best for them and apprenticeship universities see world of universities see the world of work further, study authorities work further, study. Authorities in tenerife say wildfires on the Spanish Island are out of control. Five villages on the northeast coast of the island have been evacuated. The fire spread some seven square miles in 24 hours. I broke out at a National Park near the mount tabor volcano that spains highest peak hampering access to the area. And thousands of the area. And thousands of canadians have been evacuated from parts of the north west territories, including the provincial capital, yellowknife, because of wildfires. Canadas endunng because of wildfires. Canadas enduring its worst wildfire season with more than 1000 active fires burning across the country. 230 of those are in the remote northwest territories. Remote northwest territories. This is gb news across the uk on tv , on Digital Radio and on your tv, on Digital Radio and on your smart speaker. Thats it for the moment. Now its over to martin moment. Now its over to martin and. Pip and. Pip thanks very much, aaron. Thanks very much, aaron. Tributes are pouring for in the legendary broadcaster and beloved chat show host sir Michael Parkinson , whos died Michael Parkinson, whos died peacefully at the age of 88 after a brief illness. After a brief illness. Yeah, hes iconic and sometimes infamous. Interviews include, of course , muhammad include, of course, muhammad ali, Dame Helen Mirren , meg ali, Dame Helen Mirren, meg ryan, David Beckham and stephen fry. My favourite was brian clough, who said stephen fry said being interviewed by him was impossibly thrilling. So michaels family in a statement said this after a brief illness , sir michael brief illness, sir Michael Parkinson passed away piece at home last night in the company of his family. The family requests that they are given privacy and time to grieve. Joining joining us now to reflect on the life of this titan of british broadcasting is our National Reporter paul hawkins. The tributes , they just keep the tributes, they just keep on coming. And one of the things that people do keep saying is that people do keep saying is that he was always himself. He was so authentic. The interview was so authentic. The interview was never about parky. It was about his guest. Yeah, thats exactly what stephen fry has said. The genius of parky was that unlike most people, he was always himself. He was all authentic and he listened as much as he spoke, actually. I mean, if you watch his interviews, he says he probes the way using his fuel words as possible. And the really interesting thing is that he listens. He actively listens he listens. He actively listens as opposed to waiting for your turn to speak. And thats why he got the best out of so many of his guests. And thats why at the moment, trending on on twitter, if you look twitter, twitter, if you look at twitter, its parkinson, its its not just parkinson, its all people hes interviewed. All the people hes interviewed. And some the and you mentioned some of the interviews. They actually havent mention. Havent had many people mention. Nigel clough. Was that the one where said, have a chat where he said, we have a chat about decide i was right and about it, decide i was right and then move on that interview. Then we move on that interview. And cliffy, the thing about parky as a coal parky right now, as a coal miners from nottinghamshire miners son from nottinghamshire myself, miners myself, he was a coal miners son yorkshire. He had myself, he was a coal miners son thing. Yorkshire. He had myself, he was a coal miners son thing. You yorkshire. He had myself, he was a coal miners son thing. You cant1ire. He had myself, he was a coal miners son thing. You cant put he had myself, he was a coal miners son thing. You cant put pricead that thing. You cant put price on. They have the common touch. Yeah. And he spoke he yeah. And when he spoke he sounded a bloke in the pub, sounded like a bloke in the pub, a bloke in the street. People dont but what people dont, dont understand was understand about porky. He was a proper, proper journalist. Yeah, he did all the footwork. He was. He did all the footwork. In the newspapers he started in the newspapers and moved into and then he moved into broadcasting actually broadcasting and it was actually when granada, the itv regional show, itv region, up up in the north west, gave him a screen test. And he actually said, i went for the screen test and i was all ready to write a really cynical review this new cynical review about this new thing television. But thing called television. But when i got there and i was in the studio and they gave me the screen test, i actually found it quite was quite taken i quite i was quite taken by i quite i was quite taken by i quite liked actually, quite quite liked it actually, quite like showbiz about away like the showbiz about went away and to do the show and then agreed to do the show and then agreed to do the show and that his and then that launched his Career Television career into television and anybody who anybody was anybody who was anybody was interviewed michael interviewed by sir michael parkin. Parkin. And were they were they and they were they were they felt it was a privilege to be interviewed by sir Michael Parkinson. I watched a clip of George Michael this morning, and thats exactly said. He thats exactly what he said. He said, to be allowed to said, i used to be allowed to stay up to watch you and stay up late to watch you and how how what a privilege it is. I saw that clip you tweeted. It was. P p the next bit we yeah. And the next bit we wont go into we wont go into that bit. Yeah, but but there was a reason why he was on the show which alludes to yeah he which he alludes to but yeah he said that a lot of said absolutely that a lot of guests felt was a privilege guests felt it was a privilege to interviewed him. To be interviewed by him. And i also want to pick up on something that has been coming through tributes as well, through in the tributes as well, which hes he obviously which is that hes he obviously hes hes interviewed over 2000 people. Of the most people. Yes. Some of the most famous in the world. And famous people in the world. And he interviewed about he was then interviewed about those in his those interviews later on in his career. And really career. And whats really interesting self aware, interesting is how self aware, aware was of aware and reflective he was of those chats. So if we those famous chats. So if we talk about mirren, for talk about helen mirren, for example, interview he did example, famous interview he did with where he alluded her with her where he alluded to her physical appearance said, physical appearance and he said, did talking about did your equipment talking about her physical appearance hinder your career . And she and she obviously hits back at that. And we wont we wont go into it. But she says no, basically, you know, im an actress and i dont think how you look matters about about your reputation. He then reflecting on that, he said he admitted that rewatching the interview cringe interview made him cringe because, in his words, he behaved like a and then behaved like a prat and then talking about meg ryan, who actually. Can i just interrupt . Yeah, go on, meg ryan, well get to because that was infamous but also one of Michael Parkinsons favourite interviews he always said was with muhammad ali and he met him four times. Lets just listen to it to one of the interviews. I suppose the question people ask themselves about, you and i think its out of their love. They have for you is that they dont want you to go and getting hurt in the ring never got hurt. Its strange. Its strange. Oh, you must have got hurt in the ring. Yeah, well, i mean, i saw you fight joe frazier. Yeah. You didnt know you did a very good actor. No. Are you calling me a liar . No. No. Right youre not as if had a low iq. I can enjoy this interview. Oh, yeah . Yeah no, you must mean, you know yourself. Ive been here a couple of times, but ive never been knocked out. I havent been stopped like joe frazier , george stopped like joe frazier, george foreman, ken, on leon spinks, arnie shavers. I mean, guys just arnie shavers. I mean, guys just knocked down this i mean, out for the count of 25. If they counted that long. And ten is the limit for some state. Now for the count of 100 people, hospital ive never been hurt and have a broken jaw once, but otherwise ive never been beaten in the whole. So i wouldnt just be that bad. They still have to fight because i wasnt looking good and wasnt feeling right. I mean, are you serious about wanting to fight again . Return. I shall return. I shall return. Shall return. You shall return. You shall return. You shall return. You heard me. You heard me. Heard you. Indeed i did. I mean. But. Well, first i will prove them well, that im going to take on a couple of tough and knock my homes. I want to knock on my homes. I want to take a couple of top tenants and show them that i am well, im not hurt. And after that, ill go home as i said, that if i can prove myself qualified and still can fight it look so bad that night until it looked like i couldnt find no more. I couldnt find no more. I couldnt move. I didnt hit him one first man dehydrate 11 rounds and 110 degrees heat and no sweat came round by just two legends chatting. Legends chatting. Yeah. Yeah. And having a real connection. That was one of the later interviews that he did with parkinsons. So he got to know him pretty well. Probably one of the most famous clips is from an interview in 1971 where the most famous clips is from an interview in 1971where muhammad ali was saying, why is everything so white . To everything so white . Alluding to racism . But when parkinson was racism . But when parkinson was asked about what it was like to interview muhammad ali, he said it was one of his favourite interviewees. And he said he do you a kipper . Completely you up like a kipper . Completely overwhelm with huge overwhelm you with this huge personality. But it shows. It speaks a lot about the skill set of parkinson that he was able to keep keep a hold of someone who was so huge and who would completely overwhelm you, somebody who overwhelmed him in a different a slightly different way. Did become infamous, and this did become infamous, was with ryan. Was the interview with meg ryan. We were yeah, yeah. Which we were going mention before. Yes. So going to mention before. Yes. So meg ryan done a film meg ryan had just done a film there a nude scene in it and there was a nude scene in it and he kind talking to her he was kind of talking to her about it and she completely closed up, didnt like that, didnt interviews. And didnt like the interviews. And at she basically told at the end, she basically told him, wrap this him, you need to wrap this interview up. Later on, she interview up. And later on, she was asked about that interview and she said it was like he came across like a like a disapproving dad. And it felt disapproving dad. And it felt like he was berating me for appearing in the movie. And then parkinson was asked about it and he said, i came across as kind of pompous and felt that i could have done better. Now that just speaks that, someone whos have done better. Now that just speakzreviewingsomeone whos have done better. Now that just speakzreviewing their ne whos have done better. Now that just speakzreviewing their work hos have done better. Now that just speakzreviewing their work and whos reviewing their work and admits that it wrong. Admits that i got it wrong. Thats quite humble and thats quite humble of you. And thats someone with that thats and for someone with that kind level of profile, that kind of level of profile, that kind of level of profile, that kind says a lot kind of personality says a lot about him. And dont forget my favourite interview wasnt an interview. Its when he was attacked, he was attacked rod hull and he was attacked by rod hull and he remember it. Yes. Had that yes, yes, yes. You had that face he sort of made his face where he sort of made his beat go like that and he ends up on the floor, doesnt he . Park wrestling on floor on the floor, doesnt he . Ibits wrestling on floor on the floor, doesnt he . Ibits ofastling on floor on the floor, doesnt he . Ibits of furing on floor on the floor, doesnt he . Ibits of fur flying. Floor on the floor, doesnt he . Ibits of fur flying. And loor on the floor, doesnt he . Ibits of fur flying. And its and bits of fur flying. And its absolutely hilarious. And its a morose you watch morose day. But if you watch that now, guarantee you its that now, i guarantee you its going to make you laugh. Its stood of time. Another stood the test of time. Another thing parkinson, he had he thing about parkinson, he had he had beautiful of had a he had a beautiful turn of phrase. He had a great way of writing. He spoke very, very movingly own father movingly when his own father died of coal dust inhalation. You dont lung disease. You dont have a lung disease. And this. Id never seen and he said this. Id never seen anybody. And i saw anybody. I loved die. And i saw my die. You could see him my dad die. You could see him withering away. For man withering away. For a man as vigorous was, it was like vigorous as he was, it was like watching leaves fall from a tree. I think thats incredible. Yeah. Just that. That emotive phrase. Learned that phrase. And he learned that journalistically speaking to journalistically by speaking to ordinary in yorkshire and ordinary people in yorkshire and barnsley. He journalistically treaded the boards. He got to know communities as he was out there as a grassroots reporter who then went national, then went to tv. He earned his place on big stage. On the big stage. He wasnt gifted it. Yeah. And doing that, doing that, it helps to build connections helps you to build connections with very quickly and with people very quickly and quite easily. And you can see muhammad ali and him come from two different backgrounds. Two very different backgrounds. Youd possibly only youd argue possibly the only thing in common was thing they had in common was that they were both came from working other that they were both came from work that other that they were both came from work that diverse other that they were both came from work that diverse and other that they were both came from work that diverse and yeter than that very diverse and yet they still bonded four on tv. Yeah. Connection. Oh, brilliant. Well, we will we will brilliant. Well, we will we will continue paying tribute to smuggle parkinson throughout the show. Though. Paul show. For now though. Paul thank youyeah i just think on days yeah i just think on days like this i think people want to look back and feel joyful. Its obviously really sad. Yeah. Although there are some young people who this sounds young people who who this sounds i dont mean this to sound patronising, but there is a little bit of Michael Parkinson. Whos that . Whos that . And its like of the greatest like he is one of the greatest interviewers for older ones. He listened he and he listened and he reacted to answers in real time and made it like a conversation that hadnt been done before. It felt quite staccato, quite scripted, look easy. But it really, really wasnt. Her colleague, Eamonn Holmes , her colleague, Eamonn Holmes, has thatit her colleague, Eamonn Holmes, has that it was a privilege has said that it was a privilege to know him on and off screen and to learn from him. And to learn from him. Yeah, rest in peace. Well have more of throughout the have more of that throughout the show. To our next show. Moving on to our next story now, a students across england, wales and Northern Ireland receive their ireland start to receive their a level the education a level results. The education secretary, Gillian Keegan , says secretary, Gillian Keegan, says the grading system will return to pre pandemic levels in to order keep up with international standards. But will not impact on university places. The total number of students accepted onto uk degree courses has fallen 2. 6 on the same point last year , with 414,940 point last year, with 414,940 taking up places so far. Thats according to initial ucas figures. Figures. Well, joining us now is the founder of education and skills, tom richmond. Hello to you , tom. So weve hello to you, tom. So weve seen a substantial drop in the top grades combined a and the a styles down from 36 to 26. But theres still above pre pandemic levels. So the big question is, levels. So the big question is, are a levels past their sell by date . Date . I hope not. They are very well respected qualifications. Theyve been around since 1951. So i think there is still good reason to look at them and say theyve got a lot of credibility. Credibility. But youre right, weve had a very turbulent few years. You mentioned the number of a is and stars. Last year, if you went a couple of years, 44 went back a couple of years, 44 of the grades that were awarded to students and as to students were as and as stars. Really put stars. And that really put a huge strain on universities and employers to figure out which students done students actually had done better than others. This year. Better than others. Finally, ar. Better than others. Finally, after some very turbulent years, we have gone back which looks back to something which looks pretty like you say, pretty similar, like you say, not pretty not identical, but pretty similar where we were in 2019. And i think most people in the education profession, parents, students parents, teachers and students are you move are hoping that as you move forward we dont have forward now, we dont have anything like the disruption we had the pandemic. Had during the pandemic. Little bit unfair, is it a little bit unfair, though, students wales though, that students in wales and Northern Ireland, theyre not suffering from this so called grade deflation so that doesnt seem right to me. That doesnt seem right to me. Yes , theyve taken a slightly yes, theyve taken a slightly different journey. What wales Northern Ireland is doing is that they are going back to pre pandemic grading levels, doing a bit levels, but theyre doing a bit more levels, but theyre doing a bit mo so theyve decided to take an so theyve decided to take an extra year that england hasnt taken. So in england we are pretty much to pre pandemic levels so in england we are pretty nbut to pre pandemic levels so in england we are pretty nbut in to pre pandemic levels so in england we are pretty nbut in wales, re pandemic levels so in england we are pretty nbut in wales, northernzmic levels so in england we are pretty nbut in wales, Northern Irelandels. But in wales, Northern Ireland we slightly above we are still slightly above them. Should sort itself them. That should sort itself out next year. Them. That should sort itself out but1ext year. Them. That should sort itself out but the year. Them. That should sort itself out but the fact . Them. That should sort itself out but the fact that weve got but the fact that weve got a different system scotland different system in scotland again different of again with a different set of exams, it does mean that i can imagine some students will be looking system going, looking at this system going, did a fair deal for me . Did i get a fair deal for me . And of course, as grades and of course, as the grades were and the were higher last year and the grades were a lot higher two years think i can years ago, then i think i can understand why parents and students will look at that and say doesnt quite say potentially it doesnt quite feel but ultimately feel right. But ultimately we do need system for any need a grading system for any exams to be able to separate out those who did better than those who worse. We need to who did worse. We need to get back pre pandemic system back to that pre pandemic system pretty soon. A lot, a lot of so, tom, a lot, a lot of students today will feel theyve been marked and they been marked down and they suffered unfair compared to dunng suffered unfair compared to during pandemic when people during the pandemic when people were mean, in 2021, during the pandemic when people werewere mean, in 2021, during the pandemic when people werewere achieving1ean, in 2021, during the pandemic when people werewere achieving aan, in 2021, during the pandemic when people werewere achieving a or in 2021, during the pandemic when people werewere achieving a or a1 2021, during the pandemic when people werewere achieving a or a star21, 45 were achieving a or a star thats grade super inflate nation. But my question to you again is when we see such rampant fluctuate in the top grades , does it not say that the grades, does it not say that the whole thing is just absolutely chaotic and we need a new system . Well, 7 well, it 7 well, it certainly was chaotic. Im a former teacher myself , and chaotic. Im a former teacher myself, and if id been doing that job a couple of years ago, it would have been slightly alarmed when the government turned around. All the teachers in so all the teachers in schools colleges the schools and colleges across the country and said, its to country and said, its up to you as teachers to decide what grades your students should get. That a lot of chaos and that caused a lot of chaos and it huge amount of it put a huge amount of pressure, i would unfair pressure, i would say unfair pressure, i would say unfair pressure teachers to simply pressure on teachers to simply guess students would pressure on teachers to simply guessgot. Students would pressure on teachers to simply guessgot. And students would pressure on teachers to simply guessgot. And thatsjents would pressure on teachers to simply guessgot. And thats why; would pressure on teachers to simply guessgot. And thats why; ithink have got. And thats why i think the government the exam the government and the exam regulator are right to regulator quual are right to be working hard over these working very hard over these past get us back a past years to get us back to a system where the grades were much like where they were much more like where they were before pandemic. Yes, before the pandemic. So yes, i can understand there might be a slight of unfairness for slight sense of unfairness for todays but the todays students, but the important is, think important thing is, as i think we heard just a little while ago, that 4 in 5 students whove appued ago, that 4 in 5 students whove applied to university have got their choice. Thats their first choice. Thats actually slightly than it actually slightly higher than it was pre pandemic. That was pre pandemic. So at that point, id say most students seem to be going on the good seem to be going on to the good destination them at destination for them be at university Apprenticeship University or an apprenticeship or trying to get a or maybe even trying to get a job. Like we might job. So it looks like we might have come through the worst of it. But i wouldnt take away from disruptive the last few from how disruptive the last few years have been for teachers and students do think of the what do you think of the education secretarys comments this morning . Keegan this morning . Gillian keegan said students in ten years said that students in ten years time will not be asked about their a level results. Now shes coming in for a bit of criticism about this because some people think that actually this was really insensitive of her to say it on the day pupils get their results. Results. I was a bit surprised to hear it. Like you say, it was a slightly odd thing to say on the day where students get the results that actually it wont be too long before no one cares about them as a small employer myself, i would absolutely look at someones Previous Qualification to how well qualification to say how well theyve particularly if theyve done, particularly if theyve done, particularly if theyve just few years university, just a few years ago. So i dont think it was really the right kind of positive we want be positive message. We want to be going are lots going out there. There are lots of whove done very of students whove done very well not in well today, not just in a levels, but in levels also in btecs and other vocational courses, they deserve courses, and they deserve a lot of credit very hard couple of credit for a very hard couple of credit for a very hard couple of years. Of years. They experienced they havent experienced a level School Closures that we level of School Closures that we saw a years ago during the pandemic. So it has been a slightly different experience for them. So it has been a slightly diffbutt experience for them. So it has been a slightly diffbut of xperience for them. So it has been a slightly diffbut of course, e for them. So it has been a slightly diffbut of course, the r them. So it has been a slightly diffbut of course, the students but of course, the students who sitting their a levels who are sitting their a levels and levels and vocational and t levels and vocational qualifications their qualifications now had their gcse badly disrupted gcse is very badly disrupted and so very smooth so it hasnt been a very smooth year at all. So i think we really want to focus on the positive. Sure we want positive. Im not sure we want to say to students right now it wont mean awful in the future. I think for a lot of them it really will. And i think thats hopefully a very good thing. Okay. Tom richmond, thanks for today on the show. Well, it wouldnt be a level results without jeremy results day without Jeremy Clarksons topic. Yeah, and this year, the motoring and loud motoring broadcaster and loud mouth, course, of course, mouth, of course, and of course, former this. Former has gone with this. The end of the its not the end of the world. If your a level results arent what you hope for. I got to see to and use. And here i am with brewery and in with my own brewery and in perhaps surprise move. Perhaps a surprise move. Mean, fair, he hasnt i mean, to be fair, he hasnt done badly at all as he the Prime Minister, responded to jeremy saying Jeremy Clarkson tweet saying Jeremy Clarkson tweet saying jeremy a career of jeremy has made a career of being the exception, the being the exception, not the rule. But does have a good rule. But he does have a good point results day is point here. Results day is important, but not necessarily a deal breaker. Whatever results you got today, there are lots of opfions you got today, there are lots of options available to you and there rishi sunak completely kills the buzz and it was quite funny until he sort of came back with a rather headmaster reply. But i guess hes the Prime Minister. Sensible sunak indeed. Sensible sunak indeed. Yeah. So after the break well live in westminster as well be live in westminster as our cash petition our dont kill cash petition heads street. See you heads to downing street. See you shortly. Shortly. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. Proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Weather on. Gb news. Hi there. Its Aidan Mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast. Another fine day for most of us and feeling warm where we get some sunshine coming through. It wont be entirely sunny though, and it wont entirely dry. And it wont be entirely dry. There be the odd shower, there will be the odd shower, mostly for scotland and for much of the rest of the country. Weve got High Pressure in place thats keeping things settled. The High Pressure moving a bit to the east with low pressure approaching from west that approaching from the west that tightened isobars and approaching from the west that tight� tozd isobars and approaching from the west that tight� to a isobars and approaching from the west that tight� to a bit isobars and approaching from the west that tight� to a bit isof ars and approaching from the west that tight� to a bit isof a s and approaching from the west that tight� to a bit isof a breeze lead to a bit more of a breeze through the afternoon compared with last couple days. With the last couple of days. But many but nevertheless, for many places a fine bright places its a fine day. Bright or sunny spells, odd shower for wales, western england. But more especially for scotland, where we get the sunshine coming through low 20s fairly through low to mid 20s fairly widely. 23 for tomorrow and 25 there or 26 for london into the evening. Well see the showers disappear for a time. Therell be a lot of cloud remaining and it will be increasingly breezy in fact becoming rather windy for west wales with gusts of 50 miles an hour developing. Miles an hour developing. Therell be some showers in the west , but otherwise, for most west, but otherwise, for most its a dry night. However, it will be a warm night with temperatures in the mid to high teens and then the humidity rises as we start off friday, some showers or even some thunderstorms developing. Some thunderstorms developing. The of intense the greatest risk of intense thunderstorms would be across the midlands, southern and south east england. They during the morning. They disappear afternoon. Disappear into the afternoon. A lot cloud remains and a lot of cloud remains and its to feel muggy before its going to feel muggy before further heavy arrives further very heavy rain arrives overnight. Overnight. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on join the live desk on gb news. The peoples channel. Britains news. News. The peoples channel. Britains news. Channel news. The peoples channel. Britains news. Channel welcome britains news. Channel welcome back to the live desk on gb news. More than 5 million adults still rely on cash in the uk and it is used in 6 billion transactions every year. But there are strong vested interests pushing for it to be permanently replaced by debit and credit cards and other electronic payments. Electronic payments. Now these costs you more in the long in the long run and enable third parties to track you and your spending. Well gb news petition which you can see on your screens right now to introduce legislation to protect the of cash as legal the status of cash as legal tender and as a widely accepted means payment the uk until means of payment in the uk until at 2050 has now reached at least 2050 has now reached the live amount here is 291,791. Fantastic and gb news will be handing this into downing street. The afternoon and ahead of this we can go to westminster and speak with gb news economics and speak with gb news economics and Business Editor Liam Halligan and gb news presenter bev turner. We will be speaking to them very shortly. There they are. Good to see you both are. Good to see you both outdoors rather than in the studio though. So youre handing this petition in. We must make clear youre not actually meeting rishi sunak, but you are knocking on the door. Well you knocking on the door. Well you never know what might happen when gb news gets onto downing street. Street. If we can see somebody, we will absolutely grab them. But its a very important day for this channel. Were really representing what british representing what the british people need and want, but dont feel that they have a voice to be heard about the need to keep cash in our lives. There are about how many billion transactions every day, liam that dont use cash. Theyre across the year there are about 20 billion transactions about 30 of the transactions about 30 of the transactions in this country now are still used in cash, but its fast diminishing. Are still used in cash, but its fast diminishing. And the fast diminishing. And the problem is that there are over a million households in this country with no bank account. There are 1 in 10 households in britain that dont have regular access to the internet. They cant shop online. They cant make digital payments. Not only lower income, more vulnerable households , a lot of the elderly households, a lot of the elderly as well. Thats why its absolutely essential theres a legal requirement to keep cash. Shops should be have to take cash for people who want to use cash. Absolutely. Its about having the choice, isnt it . Were big proponents of having a choice of how you want to life on gb news. To live your life on gb news. And i think what im noticing as well if youve got well this summer, if youve got children or youve got grandchildren you want to grandchildren and you want to give them a couple of pounds to go and ice cream at the go and buy an ice cream at the ice cream van, people are finding frustrating finding it really frustrating now have that now that we dont have that choice. And i now that we dont have that choice. And i understand choice anymore. And i understand the pressure that some businesses not use businesses are under to not use cash, we havent discussed cash, but we havent discussed it. Parliament havent debated it. Parliament havent debated it. It feels like this is being pushed without any sort pushed through without any sort of there vested there are big vested interests want to promote interests who want to promote this Cashless Society. There are the banks who dont want the the big banks who dont want the hassle of dealing with cash. There are big retailers who dont want the cash handling charge is there are big internet companies, tech firms who want to follow surveillance of everything that we buy, all our purchasing patterns so then they can market stuff to us. Look, a lot of people rely on cash. We want to keep cash in this society and actually, since we started this petition , not more started this petition, not more than a month ago, were about to hit 300,000 signatures. Ive heard rumours from within government. There will be some move on this. There will be efforts made by the chancellor, by the Prime Minister to introduce new regulations, legislation to make sure that cash stays legal tender. Well, that will i mean, that will be a triumph for gb news. It will be a triumph for our viewers and our listeners if we can retain cash, keep it in the system. Weve had lots of people coming down here this morning as well how much they well saying how much they love the saying how much the channel and saying how much more halligan more beautiful Liam Halligan is in than on the in real life than is on the telly, which we say sign the petition gb news come forward, slash petition gb news come forward, slazthank you both. Thank you both. Thank you both. No one can miss you with that inflatable pig there, can they . Well, can well, i think brilliant can charm way in. Charm your way in. You can shoulder and liam, you can shoulder your they dont open your way in if they dont open the door to number 10, we will come back to you. We need a name for the pig. The current frontrunner. The current the current frontrunner. The curioink a for coin, oink with a c for coin, pound, pound. Whole. Whole. Right. With us here on right. Stay with us here on the gb news. Plenty the live desk on gb news. Plenty more about plus netflix more about that. Plus netflix has announced new documentary has announced a new documentary about and the about prince harry and the invictus. But we to Invictus Games. But we want to know whether will be know whether you will be watching. Discussing watching. Well be discussing that after your that and much more after your headunes that and much more after your headlines with our. Its that and much more after your headlines with our. Its 1233. Headlines with our. Its 1233. Lets get you up to date with the headlines from the gb newsroom. Tributes are being paid to broadcaster sir paid to the broadcaster sir Michael Parkinson, who died at the of 88. He became the age of 88. He became a household name, interviewing the age of 88. He became a houseofld name, interviewing the age of 88. He became a houseofld niworlds erviewing the age of 88. He became a houseofld niworlds biggest|g some of the worlds biggest stars on chat show and said stars on its chat show and Said Muhammad was his favourite. Muhammad ali was his favourite. The monty python star eric idles described sir michael as a yorkshireman cricket fan a great yorkshireman cricket fan and a lovely interviewer. And a lovely interviewer. Comedian stephen fry says it was impossibly thrilling to be a guest on parkinson described sir michael as a genius. Top a level results across england, wales and Northern Ireland have fallen almost back to pre pandemic levels. The proportion of candidates receiving top grades is down by almost 10, from last year and almost 18 from 2021. Around 73,000 fewer a or a stars have been awarded compared to last year. Its part of a plan to tackle grade inflation during covid, when results were based on Teacher Assessment. Gb news on Teacher Assessment. Gb news can reveal 550 people have crossed the English Channel in ten small boats over the past 24 hours. It brings the number of migrants whove made the journey this year to more than 17,000 uk border force yesterday spent the day on red alert during what they called an extremely busy time for Asylum Seekers. A significant surge in crossings is expected this weekend as the weather improves. Gb news. Dont weather improves. Gb news. Dont kill cash. Petitions being kill cash. Petitions being delivered to the chancellor later this afternoon, jeremy hunt will receive more than 290,000 signatures on behalf of viewers and listeners whove joined the campaign. The latter is calling on the government to protect the status of cash as legal tender and as a widely accepted form of payment until at least 2050. And you can watch that petition being handed to downing street. Itll be live on gb news from 2 pm. More on all of our stories on our website. As always. Gb news. Com. Im gb news radio. Welcome back to the live desk on gb news legendary broadcaster and Television Host sir Michael Parkinson has died after a brief illness. His parkinson has died after a brief illness. His iconic interviews included muhammad ali, David Beckham, peter kay, helen mirren, brian clough and other countless celebrities and sports stars, sir michaels family said in a statement that after a brief illness, sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve now, sir michaels career spanned some 50 years as anybody who was anybody was on sir Michael Parkinsons chat show and so many people have been paying and so many people have been paying tributes, including, for example , stephen fry, who said example, stephen fry, who said it was impossibly thrilling to be interviewed by him. Then we be interviewed by him. Then we have our own colleague, Eamonn Holmes, who says it was a privilege to know him on and off screen and to learn from him. Screen and to learn from him. And diamond said , i worked and diamond said, i worked with him at tv. And diamond said, i worked with him at tv. Am and with him at tv. Am and i absolutely loved him. He taught the world to interview with fun, integrity and no fawning. Im proud to have known him and worked with him. I send all my love and deepest sympathies to his family and especially mary, one of his biggest interviews , one of his biggest interviews, and there were many, but one of his biggest ones and most talked about an interview he did about was an interview he did with the legendary boxer muhammad ali. Lets just listen and watch this. This. I suppose the question people ask themselves about, you and i think its out of their love they have for you. Is that they dont want you to go and getting hurt in the ring never got hurt. Its strange. Its strange. Oh, you must have got hurt in the ring. Yeah well, i mean, i saw you fight joe frazier. Yeah, you didnt. You did very good actor. Are you calling me a actor. No are you calling me a liar . No. No youre not as if had a low iq. I can enjoy this interview. Oh, yeah . Yeah. Well no, you must mean, you know yourself. Ive been here a couple of times, but ive never been knocked out. I havent been stopped like joe frazier, george foreman, ken me , on spinks, foreman, ken on me, on spinks, arnie shavers. I mean, guys just arnie shavers. I mean, guys just knocked on this. Im out for the knocked on this. Im out for the count of 25. If they counted the loan. And ten is the limit for loan. And ten is the limit for some state. Now for the count of 100 people, got hospital. Ive 100 people, got hospital. Ive never been hurt and ive broken jaw once. But otherwise ive never been beaten in the whole. So i wouldnt just beat a bad. They stopped the fight because i wasnt looking good and wasnt feeling. I mean, are you serious about wanting to fight . Shall return. Shall return. You shall return. You shall return. You shall return. You shall return. You heard me. You heard me. I heard you. Indeed i did. I mean. But first i will prove them well, that im going to take on a couple of top ten rental homes. I want to take a couple of top ten notes and show them that i am well, im not hurt. And after that , ill go am well, im not hurt. And after that, ill go home. I said that if i can prove myself qualified and still can fight and look so bad that night until it looked like i couldnt find no more. I like i couldnt find no more. I couldnt move. I didnt hit him. Ive won first man. Dehydration 11 rounds and 110 degrees heat and no sweat came. By and no sweat came. By so many memories. What are yours of Michael Parks and your favourite interview . Well, my all time hero apart from my dad, is brian clough, and he interviewed brian clough when derby county when he just left derby county in 1973, then went on to be manager of Nottingham Forest and it his and his it was cliff in his pomp and his prime, he went on to be prime, and he went on to be a legend. And they were lifelong friends. They love cricket. They bonded. Football fans. fi well, we will be tastic well, we will be reflecting on life of sir reflecting on the life of sir Michael Parkinson during the show paying for the show and paying for the tributes. Over 2700 people tributes. Now. Over 2700 people a year in the uk are diagnosed with massive glioma, a terminal cancer that affects the inner chest, wall and abdomen. With chest, wall and abdomen. With nine out of ten cases down to exposure to asbestos, campaigners are calling for better management of asbestos , better management of asbestos, even though its supply and use was banned in 1999. Its estimated as many as 1. 5 million buildings in britain may contain it. And oreilly has this report. This report. Michael staniforth died at the age of 64 after a nine month battle with mr glioma. He was unknowingly subjected to asbestos whilst working as an apprentice plumber. But the symptoms of the cancer were only diagnosed in 2021. We had a very short period of time to get his heads around mesothelioma. What it was, how hed got it , and obviously losing him in that way. Our lives are just that way. Our lives are just never going to be the same again. Dad was just a kind ,. Dad was just a kind, hardworking family man. Now michaels daughter, lisa is campaigning for more to be done to stop the spread of asbestos so families like hers dont have to suffer the loss of a loved one. Its really important to raise awareness of this because it could affect anybody , it could affect anybody, anybody, you know, a Family Member , a friend, the government member, a friend, the government should be doing more to help remove asbestos from our buildings and help protect future generations from suffering and having the same diseases. You know that unfortunately my dad and many other people have experienced it. The charity mesothelioma uk is supporting a petition for a central register to catalogue where asbestos is and what condition its in, along with campaigning for the government to set a time frame for the safe removal of asbestos. Removal of asbestos. Got to remove asbestos. Got to remove asbestos. Because if we dont, theres always going to be a risk of some airborne asbestos and people breathing it in or ingesting it and then going on to develop me. So sadly theres no safe level of exposure to asbestos and shamefully, the uk, we have the highest incidence of this disease in the world. And thats shocking really. When you think its a completely preventable cancer. Preventable cancer. The health and safety executive is Britains National regulator for Workplace Health and safety of the proposals it said there is currently no evidence a central register would lead to improvements or provide more protection from asbestos exposure than the current requirement for sharing information. Asbestos should be information. Asbestos should be removed where it is in Poor Condition or cannot be safely managed. The dont let the dust managed. The dont let the dust Settle Campaign petition runs until. The 30th of september and until. The 30th of september and aims for cross Party Support in helping to prevent asbestos related deaths. Anna riley gb related deaths. Anna riley gb news well , we related deaths. Anna riley gb news well, we can speak now to conservative mp for loughborough jane hunt, who, as you heard there, is organising this petition. Petition. Thanks for joining petition. Thanks forjoining us on the thanks for joining us on the live desk, jane. A laudable move to get the petition going. But heres my question. Asbestos has heres my question. Asbestos has been legislated against since the 1960s in the uk and it was outlawed altogether in 1999. How come its taken so long for this register to even exist in the first place . Well, i think the difficulty is with asbestos is it takes a long time to come out. So actually , you may have so actually, you may have contracted it decades before and then you dont find it out until right towards the end of your life. And its absolutely an awful , awful life. And its absolutely an awful, awful disease. And we need to do something about it. Its the National Charity mesothelioma uk, which is based in loughborough and im helping them with their petition in actual fact and, and all power to them. Please sign the petition. Petition. Okay. So when you reach 10,000 signatures, is it the usual usual case that this is debated in parliament . What are you hoping to achieve during that debate . That debate . Well, ive already held Westminster Hall debate in parliament a few months ago, and that was cross Party Supported. Actually, i was very grateful to all members of parliament that were involved in that that debate because it drew attention to the fact that we are all interested in trying to get rid of asbestos either. Firstly, by setting up a National Register and secondly , by setting and secondly, by setting a timetable to eradicate it. What seems astonishing is the number of public buildings, jane, the number of schools , the jane, the number of schools, the number of hospitals that that have traces of asbestos. I mean, 21,500 schools are open today with asbestos. As one figure that i read, 1200 hospitals also contain it. Contain it. Yes, the estimate is that 81 of schools and 90 of hospital buildings have some form of asbestos within them. A Solicitor Firm called Irwin Mitchell have looked at public buildings in general and extrapolated from a survey they did of Council Buildings and they reckon around 87,000 Council Buildings across the country. Also have asbestos within them. So we really need to be able to do something about this. Well, jane hern, fantastic initiative. Good luck with it. Initiative. Good luck with it. Its just astonishing, isnt it, just how widespread asbestos still is. I mean, im a i grew up with this as a talking point and im no spring chicken. This has been around. So many of us will gone so many of us will have gone to schools theres asbestos. Yeah, astonishing. Anyway, yeah, astonishing. Anyway, lets on. Prince harrys lets move on. Prince harrys new Netflix Documentary about the Invictus Games has confirmed its release date. The film titled heart of invictus , titled heart of invictus, explores the sporting events and foundation which the duke of sussex founded in 2014, giving fans a behind the scenes insight i joining us now is gb news royal correspondent Cameron Walker. So how do you royal correspondent Cameron Walker. So how do you think, cameron its going to be received this documentary . Received this documentary . I think well have to wait and see. But if you remember back to the foundation of the Invictus Games prince Invictus Games in 2014, prince harry, having served two tours of afghanistan on founded the games, really to give wounded veterans purpose again and veterans a purpose again and really helped them their really helped them with their rehabilitation the rehabilitation. At the time, everyone loved prince harry. His opinion, the opinion polls on him sky high. Perhaps even him were sky high. Perhaps even slightly more than Prince William. Of course, totally william. Now of course, totally different story. Isnt it . Hes no longer working member of the royal to america royal family moved to america and of it. I think this and the rest of it. I think this is perhaps a sense, the sense that im getting is theyre trying to change the narrative of prince harry and his pr team. We have had the complaining about of the royal about members of the royal family book spare , and family and the book spare, and this him really trying to get this is him really trying to get back to the perhaps the old prince harry. And thats what im getting here, of course, i think a trailer , if we do think from a trailer, if we do have clips of trailer , but we have clips of a trailer, but we can see that theres a big focus on the athlete rather than prince harry himself. He only appears in about 20s of it. Prince harry himself. He only appears in about 20s of it. And appears in about 20s of it. And if you remember to pictures back in last year, the Invictus Games in last year, the Invictus Games in the netherlands, there was a netflix camera crew following both harry and meghan around all the time. So in these in this the time. So in these in this five parts, one hour long, each episode documentary series, perhaps we will see some of that footage come to light. But the big question for me is this trailer focuses, as i said, on the athletes and prince harry. There is not one single shot of meghan , and im not sure what meghan, and im not sure what thats telling us yet. What do we read much into that . Because it was harry that founded the games in 2014. You know, meghan was nowhere to be seen at that time. Why would she seen at that time. Why would she appearin seen at that time. Why would she appear in it . She wasnt because we have seen footage of her being filmed by the netflix camera crew at the Invictus Games. Perhaps shes only in one episode. You might right course, might well be right of course, the focus very much on prince the focus is very much on prince harry and very much on the Invictus Games and the athletes and perhaps producers didnt Invictus Games and the athletes and iterhaps producers didnt Invictus Games and the athletes and iterhthat producers didnt Invictus Games and the athletes and iterhthat meghan|cers didnt Invictus Games and the athletes and iterh that meghan would dnt see it fit that meghan would appear trailer. Perhaps see it fit that meghan would arwould trailer. Perhaps see it fit that meghan would arwould have trailer. Perhaps see it fit that meghan would arwould have detractedrhaps see it fit that meghan would arwould have detracted from the it would have detracted from the main point of the Invictus Games and documentary, but it its and the documentary, but it its again, its playing into this narrative, perhaps for some of harry critics , that Harry Meghans critics, that theyre much going their theyre very much going their separate ways terms of their separate ways in terms of their media engagements. Interesting one, its an interesting one, cameron, because has cameron, because harry has become divisive, even become very divisive, even within and the within the veterans and the forces community itself. I spoke to a couple of vets this morning and they of them think, and they say some of them think, well, be of well, hell always be one of ours. He did tours. Good on ours. He did two tours. Good on him, but others are saying his taliban revelations spare taliban revelations in spare betrayed that code that betrayed that kind of code that that band of brothers ethic, putting other lives in danger. So i guess my bigger question to you, cameron, is historic. You, cameron, is historic. Harrys involvement was was magic dust to things like this. But is harrys reputation and pubuc but is harrys reputation and public image now actually going to be a barrier to ordinary people watching this, which would be a dreadful shame. Yeah. Theres no doubt that i mean, theres no doubt that he of criticism from he got a lot of criticism from the comments he made in his book about killing of the about killing members of the taliban, harrys taliban, the prince harrys statements which accompanies this trailer were he says that the Invictus Games represents some of the bravest and most dedicated individuals from 23 nafions dedicated individuals from 23 nations across the globe. And hes really shining a light. I think hes trying to at least shine the light on the plight of those veterans, the rehabilitate nation. And prince harry has always since way before he met meghan, when he was a working member of the royal family and even before that has been trying to perhaps shine a light on mental and trying to give Mental Health and trying to give people a purpose again, particularly veterans particularly in the veterans community. I think to be honest, well wait and see what well have to wait and see what the response is from those veterans, those soldiers who watched documentary and see watched the documentary and see if they can change their mind or indeed make up their own minds, even if people those those even if people think those those comments book were ill comments in his book were ill judged. Im not sure that anything can really take from what can really take away from what he by by founding he has achieved by by founding these done so these games, which have done so much disabled war veterans much for disabled war veterans and help them in so many different ways. Absolutely. And it has been an incredibly successful initiative. Founded in 2014. It happens every two years involving many Different Countries. And if you remember , countries. And if you remember, there was a lovely video in 2016 involving the late queen and the obamas when they were still president of united states. Boom, boom, boom. The boom, the boom, boom, boom. The boom, the mic drop moment, if you remember it, trying to pit the uk and the us against each other in a joking way , trying to get a lot joking way, trying to get a lot of Media Attention for the games. And i think its the first one really thats happened since the publication of his memoir spare. But this is, as i said earlier, trying to change the narrative perhaps of trying to really put the spotlight back on what prince harry is known for back in the day with wounded veterans. Question fi veterans. Brother stion his veterans. Brother ,tion his veterans. Brother , prince his veterans. Brother , prince of his veterans. Brother , prince of wales. Older brother, prince of wales. Its emerged that Prince William will not be going to sydney to watch the womens world cup final. How much of a surprise is that . Because he would go to the mens or is australia that little bit too far . See, lots of people are saying he would go to the mens. Im not so sure being quite so far away. You know across across the ocean as it were. The boss has spoken in the last hour. Mark bullingham and he is saying that it was never on the cards that it was never on the cards that Prince William would attend, but hes still very much supporting them. And he will be watching, on sunday. Watching, im told, on sunday. Okay. Okay. Well, so okay. Weu, well, like so many millions of will, too, that it for the of us will, too, that it for the moment. Stay with us here gb moment. Stay with us here on gb news. More come. The news. Much more to come. The temperatures rising , boxt solar, temperatures rising, boxt solar, proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hi there. Hi there. Its Aidan Mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast. Another fine day for most of us and feeling warm where we get some sunshine coming through. Wont be entirely sunny it wont be entirely sunny though, and wont be entirely though, and it wont be entirely dry. Will the odd dry. There will be the odd shower , mostly for scotland and shower, mostly for scotland and for much of the rest of the country. Weve got High Pressure in place thats keeping things settled, the High Pressure moving bit to the east with moving a bit to the east with low approaching from low pressure approaching from the that tightened up the the west that tightened up the isobars lead a more isobars and lead to a bit more of breeze through of a breeze through the afternoon last afternoon compared with the last couple days. Couple of days. But nevertheless, for many places its a fine day. Bright or sunny spells, odd shower for wales, western england. More especially for england. But more especially for scotland, get the scotland, where we get the sunshine through low to sunshine coming through low to mid s fairly widely. 23 for mid 20 s fairly widely. 23 for tomorrow and 25 there or 26 for london into the evening. Well see the showers disappear for a time. Therell be a lot of clouds remaining and it will be increasingly breezy in fact becoming rather windy for west wales with gusts of 50 miles an hour developing. Therell be some showers in the west , hour developing. Therell be some showers in the west, but otherwise, for most its a dry night. However, it will be a warm night with temperatures in the mid to high teens and then the humidity rises as we start off friday, some showers or even some thunderstorms developing. Some thunderstorms developing. The greatest of intense the greatest risk of intense thunderstorms would be across the midlands, southern and southeast england. They gb news away. Good afternoon. It is 1 00 and youre watching the live desk here on gb news with Pete Thompson and martin daubney. The question people ask themselves about you and i think its out of their love they have for you is that they dont want you to go and getting hurt in the ring. I never got hurt. Its strange. Oh, you must have got hurt in the ring. Yeah, well, i mean, i saw you fight joe frazier. You didnt know. You did. Very good actor , know. You did. Very good actor, legendary broadcaster sir Michael Parkinson dies at the age of 88. His phenomenal career spanned seven decades and saw him interview some of the worlds most famous and influential people, including muhammad ali, Sir Elton John and madonna will pay Sir Elton John and madonna will pay tribute to this giant of british broadcasting and its a level results day for hundreds of thousands around the country , 79 of students bag a place at their first choice. University. But the number of top level grades is down this year , and gb news has a downing year, and gb news has a downing street surely to hand in our dont kill cash petition calling on the government to protect the status of cash in the uk in an ever growing digital society. Were live from westminster. You can still sign up petition of course, which is on our website. Were currently at about almost 300,000. Plus. Were talking about prince Harrys Netflix documentary about the Invictus Games, which has confirmed its release date. Wed like to know whether you will be watching. Do get in touch with us. Usual address gb views at gb news. First, heres your latest headlines with Aaron Armstrong. Armstrong. Good afternoon to you. Its a minute past one here in the gb newsroom. Chancellor jeremy hunt newsroom. Chancellor jeremy hunt will newsroom. Chancellorjeremy hunt will be presented with almost 300,000 signatures later calling for the protection of cash as legal tender. Its part of the gb news dont kill Cash Campaign, which wants to ensure its a widely accepted form of payment until at least 2050. Reform uk adviser ben habib says those who still use cash are being discriminated against. You know, there are 5 Million People in this country who rely on cash trades , who dont have on cash trades, who dont have bank account and credit cards and so on, and theyve been marginalised and theyre continually being marginalised. Continually being marginalised. And if we move to a society where cash is discriminated against, where restaurants refuse to take it, shops refuse to take it, in effect, that promise on the back of a £10 note and all other legal tender becomes a meaningless promise. Becomes a meaningless promise. And you can watch the petition being handed to downing street on gb news live in an hours street on gb news live in an hours time. Tributes are being hours time. Tributes are being paid to the legendary broadcaster sir Michael Parkinson , whos died the age parkinson, whos died at the age of 88. His family said sir michael passed away at home last night a brief illness well night after a brief illness well known as he became one of known as parky. He became one of the countrys famous faces the countrys most famous faces through chat through his long running chat show interviewing some of the show, interviewing some of the worlds biggest billy worlds biggest stars, Billy Connolly, and, of connolly, madonna and, of course, famously with muhammad ali, comedian stephen fry said he was impossibly thrilling. A he was impossibly thrilling. A comedian, matt lucas, described him as a titan of television. Him as a titan of television. The education secretary says students shouldnt worry about lower a level grades. This year because employers wont ask about their results in a decade. Around 73,000 fewer a or a stars have been awarded compared to last year. Its part of a plan to return grades to pre pandemic levels results in 2020 and 2021 were based on Teacher Assessment. While the number of students accepted for a place at university is also down at 2. 6 from last year. But Gillian Keegan is standing by her comments, saying exam results arent everything. A levels are really important. Part of the journey that theyre on and the destiny that theyre on and the destiny that theyre going to get to now. So theyre going to get to now. So the really important thing for them is getting to their next destination. Whether thats destination. Whether thats going on to do an apprenticeship, into the apprenticeship, going into the world of going to world of work or going to university. Im saying and world of work or going to urisersity. Im saying and world of work or going to uris true,. Im saying and world of work or going to uris true, it im saying and world of work or going to uris true, it is im saying and world of work or going to uris true, it is justn saying and world of work or going to uris true, it is just realling and world of work or going to uris true, it is just real and and it is true, it is just real and it is true, it is just real and it was actually relation to an employer that been on and he employer that had been on and he was me. Was saying it before me. He said, look, you know, thats what we look at later thats not what we look at later on. So its an important step to get next destination. Get to your next destination. But youre couple but when youre a couple of destinations on, destinations further on, therell other things that therell be other things that they look at. However, the shadow education secretary, phillipson, however, the shadow education secrethe, phillipson, however, the shadow education secrethe governments ipson, however, the shadow education secrethe governments failed says the governments failed students Gillian Keegans says the governments failed students addillian keegans says the governments failed students add insult i think the comments from the secretary state secretary of state are incredibly rude dismissive. Incredibly rude and dismissive. This is nerve wracking day for this is a nerve wracking day for young people whove worked incredibly last thing incredibly hard. The last thing that is a secretary of that they need is a secretary of state comments like state offering comments like that. It really does add that. And it really does add inqu that. And it really does add insult from insult to injury coming from a government that can completely fail to put in place the kind of support people support that our young people needed out of the needed coming out of the pandemic. After all the pandemic. After all of the disruption theyd experienced. Gb news can reveal 550 people have crossed the English Channel in ten small boats over the past 24 hours. It brings the number of migrants whove made the journey this year to more than 17,000. Uk border force says theyre on red alert during an extremely busy time asylum extremely busy time for Asylum Seekers. A significant surge in seekers. A significant surge in crossings is expected this weekend as the weather improves. Well, firefighters are struggling to contain wildfires on the Spanish Island of tenerife as they burn out of control. Five villages on the control. Five villages on the north east coast of the island have been evacuated as the fire has spread seven square miles in 24 hours. It broke out at a National Park near the mount tabor volcano , spains highest tabor volcano, spains highest peak and is hampered access for Emergency Services as thousands of canadians have been evacuated from parts of the northwest territories, including the provincial capital, yellowknife, because of wildfires. Canadas endunng because of wildfires. Canadas enduring its worst season with more than 1000 active fires burning across the country. Almost a third of those in the remote northwest territories. Remote northwest territories. This is gb news on tv , on your this is gb news on tv, on your Digital Radio and smart. Speaker Digital Radio and smart. Speaker two thats it for the moment. But now it is back to martin and. Pip and thanks for the update. And thanks for the update. Aaron well, as students across england, wales and Northern Ireland start to receive their a level results, the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, says the grading system will return to pre pandemic levels in order to keep up with international standards, but will not Impact University places. Lets take a listen. Places. Lets take a listen. Well, first of all, the grading system will not impact the university places, so its very, very normal that the predicted grades that people get, i think only 1 predicted grades that people get, i think only1 in get, i think only 1 in 5 actually get their predicted grades or above. So this is a very normal part of the system. So the Actual University places and the access to university is still exactly the same as it was. So if they were going to if theyd have got to be and gone to university in 2019, theyll get a, b and id go to university in 2023. So all weve doneis university in 2023. So all weve done is and this is really important because our exams, both gcses and a levels , are both gcses and a levels, are highly regarded across the world and we just want to make sure they keep that value. And obviously we needed go back obviously we needed to go back from assessed grades and from teacher assessed grades and we did that last year. But now were going back to the normal grading will grading system and that will make these hold their make sure that these hold their value they do true value. Education secretary Gillian Keegan, speaking a little earlier. Keegan, speaking a little earlier. Well, the keegan, speaking a little earlier. Well, the total keegan, speaking a little earlier. Well, the total number of students accepted onto uk degree courses has fallen 2. 6 on the same point last year with 449. Sorry, ill start that again. 441,940 taking up places so far, according to initial ucas figures. Well, lets go to our reporter jack coulson, whos at a sixth form college in wales. Good afternoon, jack. How have students there then been reacted to the results . Well there was to the results . Well there was some really good, positive reaction to their results this morning. There was a little bit of a problem with with the colleges own kind of admin portal system because, of course, when it was back in my day, we used to get a brown envelope with the arrival of a level results, technologies moved on a little bit more. Now and so theyve been using this digital so some students digital portal. So some students did trouble accessing did have some trouble accessing that a lot of that this morning. But a lot of them, course, getting those them, of course, getting those emails from the universities, confirming but of confirming their places. But of course , we do know that this course, we do know that this this of exams is very much this year of exams is very much that transition period, isnt it . Its trying get the exam it . Its trying to get the exam levels back to where they were in before the pandemic back in 2019. And when you look at the results and those top level grades the country, you grades around the country, you can see that that its working. And Gillian Keegan saying, of course , this morning that its course, this morning that its not necessarily fault of not necessarily the fault of students, how those students, its just how those grade boundaries and those grades being brought in grades are being brought back in line. Look at the line. When we look at the proportion of a levels marked at a start and a and a here in wales, it was 34. Thats down from around 40. 9 back last year in 2022. But of course its also different in wales because unlike england, a lot of students here still sit those as levels. They were, of course, taken last year when marking was a little bit more lenient. And so around 40 of lenient. And so around 40 of that level grade has gone towards the final grade in their a levels. So when you look at the how much those average grades are above pre pandemic levels, wales and Northern Ireland still sitting around 7 or 8 compared to england, which went a bit more drastic with their move back to those pre pandemic levels of grading thats standing around around 1. 3 for those grades in england. But i did speak to the welsh Education Minister , jeremy welsh Education Minister, jeremy miles, earlier today , who said miles, earlier today, who said he was pleased with the results that hes seen. That hes seen. Actually, weve had really, really good grades here this yeah and for those who are choosing to go on to university, that isnt everybody, obviously. But for those who are the overwhelming got overwhelming majority have got what to to on the what they needed to go to on the course they want. Thats course that they want. So thats really good what we really good news. What we thought were, we would thought we were, we would see this are planning this year what we are planning on, if you like, is grades at the midway point between 2019 and 2022. Thats roughly the same approach taken in scotland and Northern Ireland as well. You know, on a journey back by next summer to an approach which is more like the pre pandemic approach. Approach. Yeah. So of course, keen to stress this morning when i spoke to him, jeremy miles said of course there are a lot of opfions course there are a lot of options for students. This is the second year that t levels have taken place. So thats where essentially one course combines the whole three a level subjects. So a lot of students subjects. So a lot of students have been taking those and getting those results today. But of boundaries, of course, the grade boundaries, they be moved because they had to be moved because of they had to be moved because of the pandemic levels. Of course, we know there were the we know that there were the highest this cohort of a level students were the highest grades for gcse because of course for gcse level because of course they were very much teacher graded assessment and recommended to the recommended assessments to the bodies in the Different Countries of the of the uk as to what those grades should be in. So naturally we have to come back to a more level Playing Field with the grades and they arent going to be as leading force is when across the country well see really the first year of exams which are going to be completely kind of back to normal and judged on those pre pandemic levels. So this transition period has left some students disappoint with the grades got. But of grades theyve got. But of course, there are plenty of opfions course, there are plenty of options for students there options for students out there and has and thats what the minister has been keen to stress to me today. Okay, jack carlson , thank you okay, jack carlson, thank you for joining us from and for joining us from wales. And joining now our reporter, joining us now is our reporter, will university will hollis, at the university of dalby. Good afternoon to you, will. Gillian keegan says dont worry about your grades, nobodys care about nobodys going to care about them years anyway. Whats them in ten years anyway. Whats them in ten years anyway. Whats the dalby . The mood in dalby . Not sure. Weve got. Hes im not sure. Weve got. Hes come in. Oh come in. On we have here he is brilliant here in derby. Its a hive of activity here at the university of derby. Its at the university of derby. Its so busy actually, that if you can see the background that can see in the background that people been eating their people have been eating their lunch their desks because lunch at their desks because theyve all theyve been taking calls all morning clearing morning since 8 00 when clearing hot open , as soon as those hot lines open, as soon as those a level students , former a level a level students, former a level students, university applicants, got their results. And now those got their results. And now those results might have been really good. And theyve done better than expected. Theyd than expected. So theyd be calling hotline try and get calling a hotline to try and get into a university maybe is into a university that maybe is more preferable or maybe its not as high as they not quite as high as they thought it was going to be, and theyre considering their opfions theyre considering their options down the country options up and down the country now. Mcclay, youre in now. Keith mcclay, youre in charge learning charge of teaching and learning here the university of derby. Here at the university of derby. Were getting on to the mid afternoon. Just explain to me how it been today and how how has it been today and how busy your team been here at busy have your team been here at the university . Busy have your team been here at the well, ersity . Busy have your team been here at the well, great. Thanks very much well, great. Thanks very much for on. Well, for having me back on. Well, its really busy this its been really busy this morning this Early Morning into this early afternoon weve taken afternoon period. Weve taken over a thousand calls by lunchtime weve an lunchtime and weve made an unprecedented of offers unprecedented number of offers already. And so were really pleased briskness of the pleased the briskness of the activity this morning in activity here this morning in the clearing room, we might see a paddle go up saying university of derby. It means basically come over and help i need a little bit and help me. I need a little bit of help with this person on the other youve other side of the phone. Youve been and helping been going up and helping people. Top brass is in people. The top brass is all in here making sure that the people get information need. Get the information they need. What are you hearing from the people saying, id like people that are saying, id like to university of to come to the university of derby . Can we make this work derby . How can we make this work with my grades . Well, were seeing pattern is twofold. The pattern is twofold. Firstly, we are seeing, yes, those that have not performed as well as would well as they would have expected, and theyre folding the understand which the hotline to understand which programme, programme the hotline to understand which progra be1e, programme the hotline to understand which progra be suitable programme the hotline to understand which progra be suitable for programme the hotline to understand which progra be suitable for progand ne might be suitable for them. And thats the opportunity in which might be suitable for them. And thatanother portunity in which might be suitable for them. And thatanother member in which might be suitable for them. And thatanother member of| which might be suitable for them. And thatanother member of the ich i or another member of the senior team go up and help senior team can go up and help advise that student to make the right choice come to the right choice to come to the University Derby. We are also university of derby. We are also seeing, interestingly large seeing, interestingly and large number from students seeing, interestingly and large number overperformed|dents seeing, interestingly and large number overperformed perform that have overperformed perform better than their expectations and are responding. I think to last weeks publication of the National Student survey satisfaction results for 2023, where the university of derby, for example , was in the top 20 for example, was in the top 20 for example, was in the top 20 for assessment and feedback and more particularly, and this is feeding through into the calls over 33 programmes of study were rated 90 positivity plus by the students on those programmes and we see that feeding through as well. So yes, its those that well. So yes, its those that have underperformed. We give have underperformed. We give them the advice and counsel to come on to another programme , come on to another programme, but also those that have performed beyond the expectations are seeing the expectations and are seeing the quality markers driven the quality markers driven by the National Student Satisfaction Survey is back to where survey grading is back to where it was before the pandemic. Using that kind of a system rather than the uplift, that means that results are actually down compared to the last couple of years. Actually a little of years. But actually a little bit better than where they were in keegan though in 2019. Gillian keegan though the education secretary says dont worry about your grades now because in ten years nobody will care. When been will care. When youve been through university youve through university and youve got behind you, got some employment behind you, does grades does that matter . Your grades right now or in ten years . Is it all just a bit of a memory from when you were at school . Well, of course, the grades are a point of entry into university. So at this point in time, yes, of course , you do time, yes, of course, you do need a series of grades which we can discuss in a clearing hotline as to what programme is appropriate for you. In appropriate for you. But in another the secretary of another sense, the secretary of state is right. You come on to a University Programme and its a fresh start. You on that fresh start. You are on that programme the world is your programme and the world is your oyster of that oyster in terms of that programme and success on programme and your success on that programme is driven by the quality education experience that you get. For example , here that you get. For example, here at university of derby is at the university of derby is what will matter in ten years time that you have a successful outcome you can be supported outcome and you can be supported in that aspiration that in that career aspiration that you so dearly want. You so dearly want. Keith, thank you for talking to us again on gb news really busy here in the clearing hotline room, doesnt hotline room, but it doesnt show signs of slowing. If show any signs of slowing. If anything, actually the pace seems to have picked up as people make those calls to people make those phone calls to figure where theyre going figure out where theyre going to university when that to go to university when that Academic Year starts again in september. Okay, well hollis live from the university of derby. Thanks for joining us. Lets get the forjoining us. Lets get the opinion now of head teacher of ascot. Christine cunliffe, who joins studio. First of joins us in the studio. First of all, i could your national all, i could see your National Teeth when Gillian Keegan was saying, nobodys going to saying, oh, nobodys going to care results care about your a level results in anyway. First, in ten years anyway. First, lets start with that. What do you of comments on this you make of her comments on this day days . Day of all days . No, no doubt the right sentiment it was sentiment was there, but it was probably thing you probably the worst thing you could probably say. I can actually say that and i can actually say that any that i might apply any position that i might apply for, im still asked. And im 56 and i hope they do forget because in ten years time my results were appalling. But the wrong say but the wrong thing to say today. Yeah how did your school do . Its a private school how did your school do . Its a ascot. Private school how did your school do . Its a ascot. How private school how did your school do . Its a ascot. How did private school how did your school do . Its a ascot. How did youate school how did your school do . Its a ascot. How did you get;chool how did your school do . Its a ascot. How did you get on . l in ascot. How did you get on . Were grades lower than last year . Yes, they they were the top grades, stars were down. They were about the same. But i think nationally we were told there 100,000 less top there would be 100,000 less top grades year , but the pass grades this year, but the pass rate up. Rate went up. Were pleased, you know, so were pleased, you know, there will some there will be some disappointments nationally. Are some and i know there are some children who are feeling very disappointed today because this is its probably the is the first its probably the great reset, isnt it . It should have do you think it should have happened this year . Should it have been held to next year have been held back to next year in england . I think theres never the right time. Although this cohort did mistake in their gcse exams. Which makes it seem so which makes it seem a little bit it does, but little bit unfair. It does, but when . When . When are we going to do it . You have to step back you know, we have to step back at but i do feel for at some time. But i do feel for those children because they will compare and speaking compare each other and speaking with have twins with parents who have got twins today, competitive, today, highly competitive, those poor absolutely poor children are absolutely distraught poor children are absolutely distchristina, want to look at christina, i want to look at the results going back to 2019. Theyve been up and down like a yo� yo theyve been up and down like a yo yo, 25 in 2019, up to 38 a year later at the height of the pandemic, 2021, 45 got a and a stars 36. 20, 22, 26. 5. This yeah stars 36. 20, 22, 26. 5. This year. Theyre up and down so much. Is this devaluing what, a levels actually are . Do we need to start again with the new exams system, for example . Well, obviously we had the huge grade inflation during covid, has had a knock on covid, which has had a knock on effect from it. And i do think its like the Education System in general. I think were taking exams victorian exams in in a victorian era. Were at desks when were were still at desks when were using technology. So nows the time for a big review and time maybe for a big review and its job and is what its a huge job and it is what its a huge job and it is what it is today, but weve got to celebrate the pupils success because theyve really well. Thing that the Education One thing that the education secretary is keen to push is that dont have to go to that you dont have to go to university. There are plenty of other options out there is that something you push at your school or. I remember when i was doing my a levels, it was very much about youve got to apply and they looked down on me when i didnt even apply and i was told it looked bad for the school statistics. Whats your attitude towards that . Everybodys got well, i think everybodys got to place theyre to find the place where theyre most where most comfortable and where theyre going to do well, because if got to enjoy because if youve got to enjoy that journey, otherwise that learning journey, otherwise youre and if youre going to drop out. And if youre going to drop out. And if you at the dropout rates in you look at the dropout rates in university, really high, university, its really high, especially where especially on courses where children struggling and children are are struggling and they of the they struggle because of the grade theyve grade inflation theyve got onto courses hard and courses that are too hard and then fall fallen short then they fall fallen short of what expectations but what they expectations are. But also, if you look on the website, theres equally amount of apprenticeships website, theres equally amount of degreeenticeships website, theres equally amount of degree apprenticeships, website, theres equally amount of apprenticeships,ceships, website, theres equally amount of apprenticeships, andips, work apprenticeships, and i think were beginning to think were were beginning to gradually shake off that apprenticeship because apprenticeship thing because when i was younger, the apprenticeship meant working with and doing with your hands and doing certain and its not like certain jobs and its not like that anymore. There are things out for everyone out there for everyone and its interesting as well. Hear about, for example, you hear about, for example, the foreign counterparts of a levels tougher than a levels being much tougher than our and know that our a levels, and we know that that universities now are favouring students favouring foreign students because more because they pay so much more for for fees. So because they pay so much more for for fees. So is for their for their fees. So is going soft on british students is making their exams too easy . Just nobody at all. Just just helping nobody at all. I dont think the exams are too but i think we do have too easy, but i think we do have too easy, but i think we do have to back to realistic grades to go back to realistic grades about they actually mean. About what they actually mean. And this year its going and i think this year its going to hurt. But its something thats to done and thats got to be done and hopefully we can move forward from there. And advice do give from there. Your advice do give from there. Your students ice do give from there. Your students then, give from there. Your students then, when give from there. Your students then, when it e to your students then, when it comes to results day, how to deal with disappoint ment . So my advice has been, one, stay calm , be sure what you want to do because six months ago, when they applied to a ucas, they wanted to do x, y and z. Well, six months down the line and suddenly you might think, i dont want do this. Think, i dont want to do this. And worst thing you do and the worst thing you can do is a University Course is go on a University Course where not going be where youre not going to be happy. Where youre not going to be happy 6 where youre not going to be happy. A huge financial happy. Its a huge financial commitment as well. And i say be confident. Want to confident. Do what you want to do, what other people want do, not what other people want you to because its your life you to do because its your life and got choose make and youve got to choose make options. That are going to options. Now that are going to be able for to diversify and be able for you to diversify and change. But you know what . Number happy. Change. But you know what . Numberif happy. Change. But you know what . Numberif remembery. Change. But you know what . Numberif remember when i got see if i remember when i got my a levels, four. My a levels, i got four. I passed. They got two as and two cs. Nobody expected me to do that was bit of a that because i was a bit of a class clown. I had one pint of beer each exam and i down beer for each exam and i down the mall like that. I wouldnt recommend. Well, stay with you in by the end of that. Martin was the end of that. Martin it was the happiest my life because happiest day of my life because nobody me to nobody expected me to pass. The first boy in my i was the first boy in my family to university. Family to go to university. Coal miners proud moment. Brilliant, brilliant. And also, 18, you dont also, when youre 18, you dont have to know what youre going to career. No, i know to do for a career. No, i know people did degrees. They people that do did degrees. They came university. They came out of university. They still didnt know. Well, life has way working has a funny way of working itself out. Thing i ever thought the last thing i ever thought id was teacher. Never mind id be was a teacher. Never mind a teacher. This was not in a head teacher. This was not in my life plan. So go out there, grab take every grab life, take every opportunity, life opportunity, and see where life takes like Jeremy Clarkson, and like Jeremy Clarkson, dont end not dont worry. You can end up not having a levels a brewery. That sounds like a good one. That sounds like a good one. He tells that every year. He tells that every year. Lets move on now. Yeah. Lets move on now. Yeah. Lets move on now. To come on gb news, still to come on gb news, these dont kill campaign. These dont kill Cash Campaign. Were because these dont kill Cash Campaign. We petition because these dont kill Cash Campaign. We petition has because these dont kill Cash Campaign. We petition has almost because these dont kill Cash Campaign. We petition has almost reachede the petition has almost reached downing with us. Downing street. Stay with us. Looks like things are heating up. Boxed boilers, proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hi there. Its Aidan Mcgivern here from the met office with the news forecast. Another fine day for most of us. And feeling warm where we get some sunshine coming through. It wont be entirely sunny though, and it wont be entirely dry. There will be the shower, mostly will be the odd shower, mostly for scotland and for much of the rest of the country. Weve got High Pressure in place thats keeping things settled. The High Pressure bit to the pressure moving a bit to the east low pressure east with low pressure approaching west that approaching from the west that tightened isobars and tightened up the isobars and lead a bit more of breeze lead to a bit more of a breeze through afternoon compared through the afternoon compared with last couple of days. With the last couple of days. But many but nevertheless, for many places its a fine day. Bright or sunny spells onshore for wales, western england. But more especially for scotland, where we get the sunshine coming through low to mid 20s, fairly widely, 23 for tomorrow and 25 there or 26 for london into the evening. Well see the showers disappear for a time. Therell be lots of clouds remaining and it will be increasingly breezy , it will be increasingly breezy, in fact becoming rather windy for west wales with gusts of 50 miles an hour developing. Miles an hour developing. Therell be some showers in the west , but otherwise, for most west, but otherwise, for most its a dry nights. However, it will be a warm night with temperatures in the mid to high teens and then the humidity rises as we start off friday, some showers or even some thunderstorms developing. The thunderstorms developing. The greatest of intense greatest risk of intense thunderstorms would be across the southern and the midlands, southern and south east england. During the morning. The morning. They disappear into the afternoon. A lot of cloud remains and going feel remains and its going to feel muggy further very heavy muggy before further very heavy rain overnight. Rain arrives overnight. Looks like things are heating up. Boxed boilers, proud sponsors of weather on. This evening. Gb news the peoples channel. Britains watching. Britains watching. Britains watching. Welcome back to the live desk. More than 5 million adults still rely on cash in the uk and its used in 6 billion transactions every year. But there are strong vested interest pushing for cash to be permanently replaced by debit and credit cards and other electronic payments. Electronic payments. These cost you more in the long run and enable third parties to track you and your spending will gb news this petition, which you can see on your screens to introduce legislation to protect the status of cash as legal tender and as a widely accepted means of payment in the uk until at least 2050 has reached over. 292,000 signatures. Amazing effort and well done for all involved. Involved. If you havent got involved, you still can sign that ahead of the 2 pm. Delivery because gb news will be handing this petition into downing street this afternoon at 2 00 and ahead of this , lets cross over to of this, lets cross over to westminster and speak with gb newss economic economics and Business Editor Liam Halligan and gb news presenter bev turner i bet youre getting plenty of attention there, guys, arent you, with your with your dont kill cash inflatable pig . Kill cash inflatable pig . Thats right. We are talking about bringing home the bacon and making sure that more of it is in cash form because it might be all right if you you hang out in that building behind us. Okay. And you can always just okay. And you can always just tap in and tap out for whatever it is that you want. But actually, there are a lot of people in this country who still rely on cash. They want to use cash. They want to be able to transact in private. Im all right with that. Liam absolutely. There are lots of households in this country, pip, over a million households where no one has a bank account because they cant get a bank account. There are many, many people who rely on cash, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable. They dont have smartphones, 10 of households cant get on the internet regularly, so they cant shop online. They cant get all those good online deals. And thats why weve been saying over the last month since we launched this campaign that the government should legislate to make sure cash stays legal tender. Make sure cash stays legal tender. Cash make sure cash stays legal tender. Cash must make sure cash stays legal tender. Cash must accepted by tender. Cash must be accepted by all shops until 2050. Were moving to a Cashless Society, but we need to take the rest of the society with us. Yeah, and theres been so little debate about this issue. It kind of got rushed through, didnt it, under lockdowns , because suddenly lockdowns, because suddenly people didnt want to be using money. And yet normally if the government had said, were going to were going to get rid of cash, that would have been a debate on every chat debate on every single chat show around country. But because around the country. But because its we its happened very slowly, we havent conversations havent had those conversations except this channel. Except for on this channel. And we are so grateful for all of our viewers and our listeners whove signed our petition bodies. Much of what we believe almost 293,000. Come on, lets get to 300,000 in the next half an hour or so before we go and see the chancellor number 11 downing street gbnews. Com forward slash cash. Its really easy. Press the button and your name will be added to that petition. We need added to that petition. We need to show the powers that be that across britain, across our regions, there are people who follow the same view as us. Dont kill cash and if number 11 is watching , get the kettle on is watching, get the kettle on because it wont be long. Well be there. In fact, maybe Something Else a little rosy in the afternoon, perhaps give us welcome that we give us the welcome that we deserve on a day like this because we are represent the british today. And what british people today. And what most believe want is, most people we believe want is, well, bev, if you charm your way and liam, if you muscle your way and liam, if you muscle your way and what are you going to say to rishi when he opens that door . Rishi when he opens that door . Oh, well, were going to ask him what he thinks. Oh, dont kill kash picture. Cool. Because gb news viewers have been emailing like below. Weve got all kinds of names have been suggested. Lolly and jacob rees, hogg, nigel, even if we can get a little cigar in the little pigs mouth, theyre guinea pig. Guinea pig. Bit clever, that one, isnt it . And percy, as in you, you are esa. So yeah, lots of are esa. So yeah, lots of things. But we would just really want to think that were sparking a debate that were making people in that building behind things about this really genuinely think about the implications of losing cash for our society, what it would mean. The politicians are under pressure because there are lots of big vested interests. The banks, they dont like handling cash. Banks, they dont like handling cash. A lot of big retailers cash. A lot of big retailers dont like the cost of handling cash. The tech cash. A lot of the Big Tech Companies that know are so companies that we know are so powerful behind the scenes lobbying , they like lobbying governments, they like us were shopping online us when were shopping online because then they can follow what spend , follow our what we spend, follow our patterns consumption and then patterns of consumption and then they market things us and they can market things to us and i should be human i think we should be human beings, data set, beings, not just a data set, which it feels we are which is what it feels we are moving towards. Moving towards. So theres a huge amount of issues all summed in this issues all summed up in this particular campaign. I, for one, im incredibly proud of our channel and our viewers and our listeners were listeners of what were achieving this and really achieving with this and really waking people up gbnews. Com forward slash cash super bev turner and Liam Halligan. Thank you very much. Rishi. If youre listening, get that rose on the chill. I hope theyre only taking the petition to downing street and theyre picking the and theyre not picking up the inflation pick and trying to get that the gates as well. That through the gates as well. Can you imagine . That through the gates as well. Cani ou imagine . That through the gates as well. Cani think1agine . That through the gates as well. Cani think they e . That through the gates as well. Cani think they probably will i think they probably will probably as you probably throw it anyway as you know, the know, you can still sign the petition, is our petition, which is on our website, gbnews. Com forward website, gb news. Com forward slash website, gbnews. Com forward slash cash or if youve got a smartphone , use it to click on smartphone, use it to click on the qr code on your screen right now to take you to that petition. Help gb news our petition. Help gb news with our campaign and tell the authorities dont kill cash right. Right. Lets get a round up of the News Headlines now. Heres Aaron Armstrong. Armstrong. Its 132. Armstrong. Its132. Im Aaron Armstrong. Its 132. Im Aaron Armstrong in the newsroom. Tributes are being paid to the broadcaster sir Michael Parkinson, whos died at the age of 88. He became a household name, interviewing some of the worlds biggest stars on his chat show, he Said Muhammad ali was his favourite. The monty python star eric idle has described sir michael as a great yorkshireman, a cricket fan and a lovely interviewer. Fan and a lovely interviewer. Comedian stephen fry said it was impossible , thrilling to be a impossible, thrilling to be a guest parkinson , describing guest on parkinson, describing sir as a genius. Tens of sir michael as a genius. Tens of thousands of students have missed out on top. A level results as a result of the governments plan to return grades to pre pandemic levels. The proportion of candidates receiving a or a star has fallen by almost 10 from last year. 73,000 fewer awarded. Its down almost 18 from 2021 during covid. Results were based on Teacher Assessment rather than exams. Gb Teacher Assessment rather than exams. Gb news can reveal Teacher Assessment rather than exams. Gb news can reveal 550 exams. Gb news can reveal 550 people have crossed the English Channelin people have crossed the English Channel in ten small boats over the past 24 hours. It brings the number of migrants whove made the journey this year to more than 17,000. Uk border force yesterday spent the day on red alert during what they have called an extremely busy time for Asylum Seekers and a significant surge in crossings is expected this weekend as the conditions improve. And as conditions improve. And as youve just been hearing , conditions improve. And as youve just been hearing, gb news dont kill cash petition will be delivered to the chancellor in the next half an hour or so. Jeremy hunt will hour or so. Jeremy hunt will receive upwards of 292,000 signatures on behalf of viewers and listeners who have joined the campaign. The letter wants the campaign. The letter wants the government to protect the status of cash as legal tender and a widely acceptable form of payment until at least 2050. And you can watch that petition being handed to downing street. Being handed to downing street. Its live on. Gb news from 2 00 its live on. Gb news from 2 00 and our website will have more on all of our stories. Gb news. Com. Com. Direct bullion sponsors the Financial Report on gb news for gold and silver investment. Gold and silver investment. Lets bring a quick update on the markets. The pound will buy you 1. 27, five, 8 and ,1. 1706. The price of gold. £1,488. 98 per the price of gold. £1,488. 98 per ounce. The ftse 100 is at 7335 points. Direct bullion sponsors the Financial Report on news for physical Investment News the peoples. Channel news the peoples. Channel welcome back to the live desk. Gb news understands 550 people have crossed the English Channel in ten small boats in the past 24 hours, with british authorities bringing the migrants to dover harbour and dungeness. Dungeness. It takes the number of people that have illegally reached uk shores. So far this year to more than 17,300. And journalist kim roy says people in kent are sick to the back teeth of the number of migrants arriving on their shores. And she joins us now. We shores. And she joins us now. We have some exclusive footage that you sent us earlier on in the day. And can you explain to us what that footage is and what you saw yesterday in dungeness . You saw yesterday in dungeness . Kim yes. Well, that boat came in yesterday morning. There were 52 yesterday morning. There were 52 people on it, including seven children. Most of whom were quite small. Quite small. This is one of the bones of content that ive got with this , because to put children on one of those vessels is extremely foolhardy. Ive seen children get off those boats screaming in fear. One child i saw once was a toddler on a boat full of men that were obviously not related to him. And ive never seen an expression like that before on a childs face. Theres not enough attention being paid to that. These children are just plonked in these by the plonked in these boats by the traffickers. You know, to sort traffickers. You know, to sort of give it a little of added of give it a little bit of added impetus in terms of being picked up. And impetus in terms of being picked up. And theyve been used as bargaining chips. And thats one of main bones of contention. Of my main bones of contention. And it needs to be stopped. And so , ken, were seeing and so, ken, were seeing footage on the screens now for those see it on the those who cant see it on the radio, its of ostensibly men being taken off an rnli craft. Theyre being marched across the shingle there at dungeness, and they appear to be going towards some sort of processing area. Can you explain what happened next . Yes, thats the lifeboat station at dungeness and what normally happens is theyre taken up the beach and theyre told to stand by the wall alongside the lifeboat station or sit down, depending on how long theyre going to be there. Theyre given refresher sometimes care for calais are there, but they havent been recently. And then sometimes it recently. And then sometimes it can be quite some time before the coach takes them away. And in that time, quite often there isnt an awful lot of personnel on that beach, which is another bonus contention of mine that i was standing there once and there were just two Police Officers and the lifeboat crew came very up close and personal with with the men coming off this boat. What was the mood amongst them . Did they seem happy to be arriving in the uk . I would say arriving in the uk . I would say very entitled, to be honest , very entitled, to be honest, because this is what this is the usual demeanour you get. You dont get if these people were actually refugees , you were actually refugees, you would get humility, you get gratitude. But what you get is gratitude. But what you get is an attitude of entitlement. Sometimes they come in. They didnt do this yesterday , but didnt do this yesterday, but sometimes they do gangland signs at each other. They make at each other. They make comments at the locals. Thats happened as well. I wont repeat one particular comment that was made to a colleague of mine and they just seem to be, you know , they just seem to be, you know, were here and lets get on our phones and tell everybody we here no doubt theyve done the tiktok video on on the on the way across. And then quite often they all sit on the shingle. They all sit on the shingle. They didnt do this yesterday, but ive seen them going on their phones to report to the people on the other side that theyve okay theyve landed. Okay i just wanted to ask you, you came in terms of from the landing on the beach to when they were taken off on coaches, how long did all that take . Was it quite a quick process, a quick process of security and safety checks . Safety checks . Surprisingly not. Its very patchy. What happened yesterday. I think the whole thing was over and done within about an hour and done within about an hour and a half. Some times there, police searched by the police, patted down. I didnt see them being patted down yesterday. I saw them being they were having a risk perhaps put on them a bit like those. But you go if you go to one of these these big fairgrounds or something, you get a risk tag. It seemed to be, you know, those kinds of tags they were putting on. But i didnt see any patting down being done. Usually they queue them up and pat them down and then escort them onto the coach. But this doesnt the coach. But this doesnt always happen, which to me is a huge Security Risk because they could be carrying well , ill could be carrying well, ill leave it to your imagination. What they could be carrying. What they could be carrying. There was an incident two years ago where guns were actually found. This wasnt widely publicised, but we knew about it round here because the whole area was cordoned off by the police. Theres a big pile of it. Kim, i have to interject. Kim, i have to interject. They were joining the studio now by mark white, our Homeland Security editor. But before i go to him quickly, could you tell me other when youve me about other times when youve seen dinghies landing directly ashore, people getting off ashore, when people getting off those craft and running into the town without there town with that without there being any authorities at all to stop them . I personally havent seen what we call Beach Landings , but what we call Beach Landings, but i people who have. I know people who have. Have them. However, i have seen them. However, coming town via the coming into the town via the army road, weve got a live army camp road, weve got a live army camp road, weve got a live army here with there was army camp here with there was a ukraine soldiers being trained there, lots of live fire going on the beach down there is an mod beach. They have landed on it before. It was reported a couple of years ago in the national press. Theyve landed on it since. But we dont talk about that. And its very dangerous. And its very dangerous. Okay. Can we have leave it okay. Can we have to leave it there . You for sending there . But thank you for sending that us that exclusive footage to us at gb news. White, gb news. Mark white, were joined this will joined by you now. This will come as no surprise to you. This is just happening so routinely now. Now. Yes. I mean, its unusual, i have to for there to be the have to say, for there to be the lifeboat coming to in dungeness these days because of some protests that have been done. The home office, border force have changed the policy and they do encourage the lifeboat wherever possible to go to dover to unload those people that are picked up from the boats and then go through that dover processing centre. But it does processing centre. But it does still happen from time to time that we get the lifeboat going up onto the beach. As far as the kind of the other Beach Landing such directly by the people in the small boats themselves , they the small boats themselves, they are far, far less frequent than they used to be because clearly those images were very bad for the uk government to see people go on to the beach. And youre right, quite often, especially if they were albanian, they would run off because for the albanian diaspora they didnt really want to go into the asylum system. Many of those asylum system. Many of those albanians coming through realised that they didnt have a strong case as Asylum Seekers, but they wanted to go off work in the construction industry. Sadly, many of them actually into the hands of criminal gangs working in cannabis farms and the like. It was interesting what kim was saying about the whole process and what she saw of it that took place in terms of security checks. Security checks. What what can you tell us about what happens when they reach dungeness . Well , as i reach dungeness . Well, as i understand it, they are initially searched when they are initially searched when they come on to the border force vessels. Youll have border vessels. Youll have Border Force Staff on those vessels who will be able to sort of part them down, check from weapons. Its different, of course , on its different, of course, on the lifeboats because you dont have the Border Force Staff on the lifeboat , but it is the lifeboat, but it is volunteers going out there. So then theyre greeted by border force and often Police Officers as well. They go through checks, then they go on the buses occasionally of course, weapons might get through. It happens not just with small migrants, but anybody going through checks. And mark, many people seeing this footage on gb news exclusively today will be shocked about how quick this process is. I mean, it can take longer to get back through customs you come back from customs if you come back from marbella if you rock up to marbella than if you rock up to the shingle and dungeness and youre luxury coach or a youre on a luxury coach or a hotel within 90 minutes. Well, yes, but remember, in terms process the terms of the process and the processing is not happening there, are effectively just there, they are effectively just taken as quickly as possible away from a public space, he the beach , to processing. If you the beach, to processing. If you land at dover, then that initial processing is at the border post processing is at the border post processing centre. There and then you move on to manston , then you move on to manston, which is a much more detailed processing procedure. So these people in the bus at dungeness would probably then just taken directly by the bus to manston where they go through all of the proper detailed checks there. Its quick because they dont want clear early. Lots of people , mainly young men just sitting there on a beach in an area where they have had protests before be you know, from people that are concerned. And also, that are concerned. And also, lets be fair , some activist lets be fair, some activist groups that come down as well from time to time. From time to time. Okay. Thanks for that, expert insight. And just quickly , the tragedy and just quickly, the tragedy that happened on saturday day when six people died and more than 50 were rescue food when a boat sank in the English Channel. Four people we are now heanng channel. Four people we are now hearing have been detained in france over that. France over that. Okay. Moving on now, legendary broadcaster and tv host, sir Michael Parkinson has died after a brief illness. His iconic interviews include that, of course, muhammad ali, David Beckham, kay , helen David Beckham, peter kay, helen mirren and other countless celebrities and sports stars. So celebrities and sports stars. So michaels family, in a statement , said after a brief illness , said after a brief illness, sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve. Joining us now is the broadcast journalist john stapleton. Good to see you, john. This afternoon on news. Now, i understand you worked with Michael Parkinson in the early days of tv. What are your early days of tv. What are your memories of him . There must be many. Many. Go back a lot further than that , back to the 1960s when that, back to the 1960s when i was doing my a levels in manchester at a College Opposite granada tv studios. Mike was the presenter of a wonderful programme called scene at 630, which was a and kind of which was a news and kind of programme that programme and programme and that programme and michael the Michael Parkinson. And the reason would attempted anyway reason i would attempted anyway to climb up the slippery to climb up the same slippery slope in television. So yeah, slope in television. So yeah, i am a great deal. And he became not a close friend but a good mate in later years when our paths cross at various studios, first of all at thames tv where, mary, youre looking out there, made it Afternoon Programme made it an Afternoon Programme called and mike called good afternoon. And mike used a chat used to pop by and have a chat with always ready for with us all, always ready for chatting and not particularly with us all, always ready for chattirfootball, t particularly with us all, always ready for chattirfootball, although. Arly about football, although the man united city no united fan and man city no shortage conversation with shortage of conversation with mike. Then later, as you mike. And then later, as you rightly at tva because rightly say at tva and because mike the founding mike was one of the Founding Fathers tv, along angela fathers of tv, along with Angela Rippon and manafort and a couple of others , and although i didnt of others, and although i didnt work on exactly the same programme, we were in the same studio. We used to enjoy our chats. And of many chats. And one of the many things about mike was he things id say about mike was he was guy to work was a great guy to work alongside because he always had time runners in the time for even the runners in the research the Producers Research and the producers didnt star. Didnt come. The big star. But you know, one of the team you know, he was one of the team and a great, journalist and a great, great journalist and a great, great journalist and chat show host. And a fantastic chat show host. John, as well as being now, john, as well as being a very highly trained and experienced journalist, what in your , gave parky that your opinion, gave parky that special quality to make people just open up to him and converse as if theyd known him for years . Thats very easy, i can tell you, because unlike some of its successors, Mike Parkinson was genuinely was actually genuinely interested in his guests and he didnt himself to be the didnt want himself to be the star. Wanted el e e to be the star he wanted them to be the star that, given his journalistic background, he started off in barnsley newspaper in barnsley on a local newspaper in barnsley, went to the guardian in course, in manchester. Then, of course, the express and then into the daily express and then into television. But journalistic background the ability background gave him the ability to serious to actually ask serious questions, sit back and most important all, to to important of all, to listen to what guests actually had to what the guests actually had to say as youve say in that show. As youve rightly said, some fantastic guests. You know, muhammad ali, to name. But one georgie to name to name. But one georgie best. I remember morecambe and wise, Billy Connolly. Best. I remember morecambe and wise, Billy Connolly. Hes one of the few programmes in my era that youd actually leave the pub watch. I can tell you it pub to watch. I can tell you it really was that, that and that was, absolutely was, that was absolutely must see anyone on a see television. Anyone on a saturday night. And one of those moments which was a must watch john, was when he talked to Hollywood Star meg ryan. She didnt necessarily meg ryan. She didnt necessarily though talk back. Lets just remember this. Remember this. Now that youre now that youre wary of journalists, i mean , does it give you an mean, does it give you an insight into what theyre after now that im wary of them, yes. You are wary of journalists. You are wary of journalists. Youre wary of me. You worry the interview. Like being interviewed. You can see it in the way that you sit and the way you are that you sit and the way you are that you sit and the way you are that you dont like doing so that you dont like doing it. So therefore. Mean, therefore. Well, i mean, its perfectly easy. Question a decent about decent question to ask you about being i mean, in being a journalist. I mean, in other words, if you were me, what would you do now . Well, wrap it up. Well, i just wrap it up. Well, i just wrap it up. Well, i just wrap it up. We laugh, john, but i think in later years. Michael parkinson did maybe regret the way he conducted that interview, didnt he . I think i think youre absolutely right. I think i think he did. But she wasnt obviously obviously being very provocative. And, know, provocative. And, you know, i have to say, if i would have been mark on that show to come off and said who booked for her gods sake . Booked you gods sake . Who booked her . You know, you clearly wasnt know, because you clearly wasnt interested. What . Interested. But, you know what . Possibly the only failure he had on because of on that show, because most of the time, as i indicated, he was brilliant at actually bringing the time, as i indicated, he was brilthet at actually bringing the time, as i indicated, he was brilthe best ctually bringing the time, as i indicated, he was brilthe best andlly bringing the time, as i indicated, he was brilthe best andlly tworstg the time, as i indicated, he was brilthe best andlly tworst of out the best and the worst of people listening to people and also listening to some fantastically amusing anecdotes , particularly from anecdotes, particularly from Billy Connolly and john, one of the fantastic moments , of the fantastic moments, of course, rod hull and course, was when rod hull and emu attacked when emus emu attacked him, when emus beak did that, you knew youre in trouble. In trouble. Did ever talk to you about did he ever talk to you about that . And i mean, how much did you enjoy that . Thats my favourite all time moment. It much i enjoyed it very much indeed. Until i am not with mike indeed. Until i am not with mike in with alongside in attendance with alongside nick owen, we had rod holland him you on on the on the sofa and the emu did exactly the same to me. I can tell you its not funny. It is not. Then he ripped up all the scripts and of course we where were going next. We know where were going next. He was a nightmare. But it was fun. Mean, it was all all done fun. I mean, it was all all done it. Knew exactly what was it. And we knew exactly what was going sure. Im going to happen. Im sure. Im sure exactly what was sure mike knew exactly what was going happen. I the going to happen. As i say, the great about mike was that great thing about mike was that he experience he could he had the experience to those sort of to overcome even those sort of difficulties. I dont think he particularly rod emu, particularly enjoyed rod emu, though. Did i . And what would you say and what word would you say best john, best described him . John, quickly. He empathetic. Quickly. He empathetic. I mean , just willing to i mean, just willing to listen. And he was one of the listen. And he was one of the few guys i know. I mean, one of my greatest nights was running very kindly invited me to interview him about his life and times front viewers times in front of viewers and listeners association. And he was absolutely fantastic. Took us all out to dinner afterwards. And at of the dinner,. And at the end of the dinner, he found out the runner,. And at the end of the dinner, he 1lowest ut the runner,. And at the end of the dinner, he 1lowest ut the the runner,. And at the end of the dinner, he 1lowest ut the low runner,. And at the end of the dinner, he 1lowest ut the low rurthe the lowest of the low on the team , as it were, live nearby. Team, as it were, live nearby. And gave him a lift home. And he gave him a lift home. Thats thats the thats my box. And thats the sort guy who was wonderful. Sort of guy who was wonderful. Your reflections and i love your reflections and memories. Thank memories. John. Thank you so much talking us this much for talking to us this afternoon gb news. Afternoon on gb news. Emotional , afternoon on gb news. Emotional, isnt its very emotional, isnt it . When you get it . You know, when you get people like people so close to him, like john those anecdotes, john telling those anecdotes, it really is incredible. And i really is incredible. And i dont really is incredible. And i dont think he yes. And i dont think he realised brilliant he was. Realised how brilliant he was. Michael parkinson thats right. Anyway, on the next anyway, maybe on the next houh anyway, maybe on the next hour, kill Cash Campaign hour, dont kill Cash Campaign reaches downing street. You can, of back it. But of course, still back it. But first, heres the weather. A brighter outlook with boxt solar proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hi there. Its Aidan Mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast. Another the gb news forecast. Another fine day for most of us and feeling warm where we get some sunshine coming through. Feeling warm where we get some sunsh be coming through. Feeling warm where we get some sunsh be entirely through. Feeling warm where we get some sunsh be entirely sunny h. Feeling warm where we get some sunsh be entirely sunny though, wont be entirely sunny though, and it wont be entirely dry. There will the odd shower there will be the odd shower most for scotland and for much of the rest of the country. Weve got High Pressure in place thats keeping things settled. The moving bit the High Pressure moving a bit to with low pressure to the east with low pressure approaching from the west that tightened isobars and tightened up the isobars and lead bit more of a breeze lead to a bit more of a breeze through the afternoon compared with the last couple of days. Nevertheless, many but nevertheless, for many places fine day. Places its a fine day. Bright or sunny spells odd shower for wales. Western england , but more especially for england, but more especially for scotland, where we get the sunshine coming low to sunshine coming through low to mid 20s fairly widely. 23 for tomorrow and 25 there or 26 for london into the evening. Well see the showers disappear for a time. Therell be lots of clouds remaining and it will be increasingly breezy in fact, becoming rather windy for west wales with gusts of 50 miles an hour developed. Therell be some hour developed. Therell be some showers in the west , but showers in the west, but otherwise for most its a dry nights. However, it will be a warm night with temperatures in the mid to high teens and then the mid to high teens and then the humidity rises as we start off friday. Some showers or even some thunderstorms developing. Some thunderstorms developing. The greatest risk intense the greatest risk of intense thunderstorms would be across the midlands , southern and the midlands, southern and south east england during the morning, they disappear into the afternoon. Lot cloud afternoon. A lot of cloud remains and its going to feel afternoon. A lot of cloud remainzbeforets going to feel afternoon. A lot of cloud remainzbefore further; to feel afternoon. A lot of cloud remainzbefore further veryeel afternoon. A lot of cloud remainzbefore further very heavy muggy before further very heavy rain arrives overnight. Rain arrives overnight. A brighter outlook with boxt solar prowled sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Well. Good afternoon. It is 2 00 and youre watching the live desk here on gb news with pip thompson and martin daubney. And any minute now jimmys presenters will be in downing street very shortly to hand in our dont kill cash petition. Our dont kill cash petition. Heres a live shot now of 11 downing street and the gb news stalls will be rocking up there with your 293,000 signatures now to present them to hopefully rishi sunak, who bev turner hopes has some rose on. Jill who people ask themselves about you and i think its out of their love. They have for you is that they dont want you to go and getting hurt in the ring. Ive never got hurt. Its strange. Oh, must have got hurt in oh, you must have got hurt in the ring. Yeah well, i mean, i saw you fight joe frazier. Yeah. Didnt. Oh, yeah. You didnt. Oh, yeah. You didnt. You very good actor. You did a very good actor. You did a very good actor. Legendary interviewer, sir Michael Parkinson dies at the age of 88. His phenomenal career spanned seven decades and saw him interview some of the worlds most famous and influential people, including muhammad ali. Sir elton john and madonna. Will pay tribute to this giant of british broadcasting and its a level results day for hundreds of thousands around the country 79 of students bag a place at the first choice university. But the numbers of top level grades is down this year. Plus, prince Harrys Netflix documentary about the Invictus Games has confirmed its release date. We want to know whether date. We want to know whether you will be watching. Do let us know the address is always gb views at gb news. Before we start your latest headlines with Aaron Armstrong. Aaron armstrong. It has been a past two here in the newsroom. The chancellor, jeremy hunt, will be presented with almost 300,000 signatures shortly calling for the protection of cash as legal tendeh protection of cash as legal tender. It is part of the gb news dont kill Cash Campaign, which wants to ensure its a widely accepted form of payment until at least 2050. Reform uk adviser ben habib says the millions of people who rely on cash are being discriminated against. You know, there are 5 Million People in this country who rely on cash trades who dont have bank account and credit cards and so on, and theyve been marginalised and they continue being marginalised. And if we move to a society where cash is discriminated against, where restaurants refuse to take it, shops refuse to take it, in effect, that promise on the back of a £10 note and all other legal tender becomes a meaningless promise. And you can watch the petition very shortly being handed to downing street. That will be live here on gb news. Now tributes to being paid to the legendary broadcast sir michael died at Michael Parkinson, who died at the age of 88. Sir michael became one the countrys most became one of the countrys most famous through his long famous faces through his long running show in reviewing running talk show in reviewing some of the worlds biggest stars, including muhammad ali and connolly , his friend and Billy Connolly, his friend and Billy Connolly, his friend and former cricket umpire dickie bird said therell never be a chat show host like him. Comedian stephen fry described him as an authentic genius and said was impossible , said it was impossible, thrilling to be a guest on parkinson. Sir david parkinson. Sir David Attenborough said he was beyond region class. Attenborough said he was beyond region class. He was himself region or class. He was himself. The education secretary says students shouldnt worry about lower a level grades this year because employers wont ask about their results in a decade. Around 73,000 fewer a or a stars have been awarded compared to last year. Its part of a plan to return grades to pre pandemic levels now results in 2020 and 2021 were based on Teacher Assessment rather than exams. The number of students accepted for a place at university is also down by 2. 6 from last yeah also down by 2. 6 from last year. But Gillian Keegan, standing by her comments. A levels are really important part of the journey that theyre on and the destination that theyre going to get to now. So the really important thing for them is getting to their next destination. For them is getting to their nexwhethertion. Going on do whether thats going on to do an apprenticeship, going into whether thats going on to do an. World ticeship, going into whether thats going on to do an. World tic whether thats going on to do an. World tic whether thats going on to do an. World tic what im saying, and is what im saying, and it is true, just real and was true, it is just real and it was actually in relation an actually in relation to an employer that had been on and he was it before was saying it before me. Look, you know, he said, look, you know, thats we look later thats not what we look at later on. Its an important step to on. So its an important step to get your next destination. On. So its an important step to get when|r next destination. On. So its an important step to get when youre destination. On. So its an important step to get when youre aestination. On. So its an important step to get when youre a coupleyn. On. So its an important step to get when youre a couple of but when youre a couple of destination further therell destination further on, therell be look at. However , the shadow education however, the shadow education secretary, bridget phillipson, says failed says the governments failed students and Gillian Keegans comments helpful. Comments arent helpful. I think the comments from the secretary of state are incredibly rude and dismissive. This nerve wracking day for this is a nerve wracking day for young people whove worked incredibly last thing incredibly hard. The last thing that need is a secretary of that they need is a secretary of state offering comments like that, really add that, and it really does add inqu that, and it really does add insult injury coming insult to injury coming from a government that completely failed in place kind failed to put in place the kind of support that our young people needed coming out of the pandemic. The pandemic. After all of the disruption theyd experienced. Disruption theyd experienced. Gb news can reveal 550 people across the channel in ten small boats over the last 24 hours. It bnngs boats over the last 24 hours. It brings the number of migrants whove made the journey this year to more than 17,000. Uk border force says theyre on red alert during what is an extremely busy time for Asylum Seekers and theyre expecting a significant surge in crossings this weekend. Firefighters are this weekend. Firefighters are struggling to contain wildfires in the Spanish Island of tenerife as they burn out of control. Five villages on the control. Five villages on the north east coast of the island have been evacuated. The fire has spread some seven square miles in just 24 hours. It broke out at a National Park near the mount tabor volcano that spains highest peak and that has hampered Emergency Service and their access to the area. And their access to the area. And thousands of canadians have been evacuated from parts of the northwest territories, including the provincial capital, yellowknife, because of wildfires. Canadas enduring its worst season with more than 1000 active fires burning across the country. Almost a third of those in the remote northwest territories. This is gb news territories. This is gb news says, across the uk on tv , on says, across the uk on tv, on your radio, and also smart speakeh your radio, and also smart speaker. Thats it for the moment. But now it is. Back to martin and. Pip thank you very martin and. Pip thank you very much for that update. Aaron. Much for that update. Aaron. Well, we can now bring you live pictures of downing street, where gb news presenters will be shortly handing over our dont kill petition. 295,000 kill cash petition. 295,000 people now have signed that and gb news stars will be there, including bev turner Liam Halligan weve already seen also dunng halligan weve already seen also during them Patrick Christys Michelle Michelle dewberry and the man himself, nigel farage, will be marching down downing street and images that many will love to see and well have others pip clutching their pearls. Yes, a little earlier , our yes, a little earlier, our colleagues unveiled a giant piggy colleagues unveiled a giant piggy bank outside of parliament wanting mps to take action, as do so many of you, because although there is such a huge swell of support, obviously for the Digital Economy , its about the Digital Economy, its about choice. Its about people being able to use cash if they want to , and a move towards a Cashless Society would have a damaging effect on so many people. Thats what youre telling us, because more than 4 million adults still rely on cash in the uk. Thats still a huge figure. Yeah. Liam halligan saying 6 billion cash transactions annually. Of course, governments dont like that because cash cant be traced , cant be cant be traced, cant be monitored. Track and trace. And monitored. Track and trace. And of course those are words that are appropriate because this came in on mass under the pandemic when businesses didnt like handling cash. But theres been an erosion of cash. And been an erosion of cash. And were hearing from so many of you out there thats just you out there that thats just not cricket. We want the choice. We want the option, particularly elderly people and the disabled and , of course. And infirm, of course. Yes. And cash is still used yes. And cash is still used in 6 billion. Transact every year. In 6 billion. Transact every year. So if in 6 billion. Transact every year. So if thats in 6 billion. Transact every year. So if thats the case, why year. So if thats the case, why should it be permanently replaced by debit and credit cards . It shouldnt. And we will cards . It shouldnt. And we will be returning to downing street very shortly when gb news presenters arrive with that petition. Knock on number 11 petition. Knock on number 11 door and its a fancy tastic example of how we listen to you and we put your opinions to those in Power Holding power to account. This is all thanks to you , this is all thanks to you, the viewers out there, to thank you for signing that dont kill cash petition. Cash petition. Tributes are pouring in for the legend , broadcaster and the legend, broadcaster and beloved chat show host sir Michael Parkinson, who has died peacefully at the age of 88. After a brief illness. His iconic and sometimes infamous interviews include muhammad ali, Dame Helen Mirren , meg ryan, Dame Helen Mirren, meg ryan, David Beckham and stephen fry, who said being interviewed him by being interviewed by him was impossibly thrilling. Sir michaels family , in a statement michaels family, in a statement said after a brief illness, sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family requests that their given privacy and time to grieve. Privacy and time to grieve. Well, parkinson was rarely caught off guard, but this is one of his funniest moments. On his last show with the one person who could get him to break his cool, the wonderful peter kay. Peter kay. Oh, shes fancy. Ive got your present for you. Oh, shes great. Shes found mint is down. Shes found mint is down. There you go. There you go. She sent you that. She sent you that. Come. Go with us. Come. Go with us. What is it . What is it . 66 now. Is she. 66 now. Is she. 66 now. Is she. Is she well . Yes, shes cracking you to watch the programme. Programme. Yeah. She watches. Yeah. She wont be. What next week. Because arent you. Wont be. What next week. Bec. Thats arent you. Wont be. What next week. Bec. Thats it. Arent you. But thats it. Not a look. Shes got ill not a look. Shes got you this specialist. She had one of these spur for you. What is it. What is it. What is it. Its what is it. Its when what is it. Its when you what is it. Its when you put it on, when your neck, you know, when a ward and. Can when youre in a ward and. Can oh, whoa, whoa. Oh, whoa, whoa. Youre not mister. When youre in a ward and control flat pusher at bolton, there , flat pusher at bolton, there, thats what you do. Thats what you do. Oh, just. Just wonderful. And one of the people sitting there, one of the people sitting there, one of the guests was sir David Attenborough, and hes been paying attenborough, and hes been paying tributes this morning saying it was like meeting a friend. When you were interviewed by him. And what a great compliment that is. Yes, its pretty much the best you can get, really. He called him the best in the business. Tim davie, director general of the bbc. King of the chat show. Oh, paul, im afraid we have to. Were just going cross to. Were just going to cross the where the the downing street where the petition, is. Dont petition, the gb news is. Dont kill petition is handed in kill kash. Petition is handed in by our colleagues. Bev turner Michelle Dewberry Liam Halligan, Patrick Christys and nigel farage are about to head down downing street to hand in that petition, which so far martin has 295,195. Thats the entrance to downing street. So theyre inside the compound, as it were, there through security. Theres there through security. Theres nigel, the last time he was at downing street, of course, was dunng downing street, of course, was during the 2019 general election. Marching down election. Theyre marching down now. Theyre going now. Here they go. Theyre going to them to account. Nigel to hold them to account. Nigel is looking poised as ever. A lot of people will be quite thrilled to see downing street. To see him on downing street. Some chilled. Some maybe chilled. This petition, its all and this petition, its all thanks to you, our viewers. So thanks to you, our viewers. So thank you for getting behind. I thank you for getting behind. I dont kill kash petition because so many of you have contacted us saying that youre really unhappy about how were moving towards a Cashless Society. Millions of people affected by this and millions of people still relying on cash. So martin still relying on cash. So martin has the petition in his hands. Theyre not. Martin youre. Theyre not. Martin youre. Martin nigel, as the petition in his hands and they are making their way to number 11 with the petition, not quite sure whos going to answer the door. Dont know whether jeremy hunts going to answer the door. Dont know whetherjeremy hunts in, know whether jeremy hunts in, but somebody will be there to receive it. They going number they going past number 10, their bev turner was hoping that rishi sunak has some rose on show. Gone his door show. Theyve gone past his door. Ladder there. Theres a step ladder there. Theyre hoping to. Rishi is going there. Jeremy hunt going to be there. Jeremy hunt there go. Theyre knocking there they go. Theyre knocking on forget, this on the door. Dont forget, this is gb news news. Holding power to. Thanks you, the to account. Thanks to you, the viewers whove piled into the petition, we know important petition, we know how important and cash to you. There goes and cash is to you. There goes nigel thundering door. Nigel thundering on the door. Its been answered. He sent out its been answered. He sent out a policeman. A lackey. Can we hear anything. Good can we hear anything. Good can we hear anything. Good there you go. Handing over the envelope. Gb news envelope. There to security as bev and liam looking proud as punch. And it would be lovely just if this as this petition has been handed in. If we could get to that magic 300,000 signatures. Right . Not far off. You havent signed yet. Please do get involved as michelle. Theres patrick. Patrick by the way, will be with us at 3 pm. I understand hes going to be whisked into a taxi straight after this to get back here for Patrick Christys live from 3 pm. He wont miss a beat and have the full inside story of been going on on the of whats been going on on the ground there downing street. Ground there at downing street. We that they open we can only hope that they open this petition. They listen to the the news the people, to the gb news viewers, and actually do viewers, and they actually do something about it. Yes. Thank so much to you yes. Thank you so much to you for getting behind this petition. And well just stay on these pictures for a few moments. Ive got a few photographers there, arent there wanting to take their picture as that petition just handed in. But then it is quite a moment and theres and its a talismanic moment that nigel farage is there , a man nigel farage is there, a man whos become increasingly involved in the financial sector, the de banking scandal, and of course , cash is a part of and of course, cash is a part of that because banks dont like handung that because banks dont like handling this stuff. Its dirty. Its time consuming. Expensive. They consuming. Its expensive. They want to try and phase it out. But let them do that. But we wont let them do that. Many of you still want to so many of you still want to handle cash. So many of you rely on it for your everyday purchases or if you go to the pub or to your local shop and its something that we obviously grew up with. I remember when my grew up with. I remember when my grandparents used to put coins in my in my christmas and birthday cards. A memory birthday cards. Its a memory that cherish. Whereas nowadays that i cherish. Whereas nowadays you transfer money into into your familys account at christmas. Christmas. Yeah. Yeah. And it helps kids budget. But what i think is lovely they are these security looking these security goals. Looking on at all got at nigel farage, theyve all got at nigel farage, theyve all got a big on their faces. Its a big smile on their faces. Its almost like they they nigel a big smile on their faces. Its al|be;t like they they nigel a big smile on their faces. Its al|be;t ldowningthey nigel a big smile on their faces. Its al|be;t ldowning street. Nigel a big smile on their faces. Its al|be;t ldowning street. Hereel a big smile on their faces. Its al|be;t ldowning street. Here we to be at downing street. Here we go. Marching now. Go. Theyre marching away now. Maybe a cash maybe theyll be making a cash transaction. Theyre transaction. Oh, theyre knocking ten. Knocking the door. Number ten. Theyre approaching them, knocking theyre approaching them, knock doing another picture . Oh, doing doing another picture . Oh, theyre doing another picture. To be the and this is going to be the picture sends shivers down picture that sends shivers down the of people perhaps who the spine of people perhaps who voted nigel farage voted remain. Nigel farage outside the door of number ten Patrick Christys get an enclosed sos bath, then jobs. Sos bath, then wear jobs. Probably having a picture taken with with the police Liam Halligan might be she might be talking the tubes. Talking to larry the cat tubes. Larry the is usually larry the cat is usually around downing street is around 10 downing street is every time ive paid visit. Every time ive paid a visit. That picture tube. Get in that picture tube. Youre the moment. Youre missing the moment. This is a theyre away. Is a theyre walking away. Nigel, very nigel, youre looking very composed home, it has to composed and at home, it has to be downing street, be said on downing street, people keep tally he does actually which many people will not want to see right the many will when was when was he last at the door of number 10 . Nigel farage well. Nigel farage well. Well, went with the well, he went with the petition richard when well, he went with the petibrexit richard when well, he went with the petibrexit party hard when well, he went with the petibrexit party. Ard when well, he went with the petibrexit party. Do when well, he went with the petibrexit party. Do you when the brexit party. Do you remember when they stood down in those 300 seats . Right. And they they felt and hope theyll they they felt and hope theyll get some respect and love from the conservative party. I dont think really came. Think they ever really came. Nigel little bit kind of nigel was a little bit kind of cheesed that. But cheesed off about that. But there today , looking a lot there he is today, looking a lot happier now, looking a lot happier. But dont forget, hes there you, the there on behalf of you, the viewers , hes holding viewers, hes Holding Power to account because you guys out there signed that petition. There have signed that petition. Whats the whats the and whats the whats the latest . Whats the latest figure . Nearly at 300,000 figure . We are nearly at 300,000 signatures, 295,411, please keep piling in and we will hold their feet to the flames. Yes. And feet to the flames. Yes. And thank you so much for your support. One of those presenters whos handed over the dont kill cash petition. This is why she wasnt in the photo, because Michelle Dewberry was dashing over to talk to us. Michelle whats it like then being in being in downing street this afternoon . Are you there . Afternoon . Are you there . Michelle, can you can you hear us . Shes shes coming back. Shes shes coming back. So this explains, michelle, why you werent in the selfie picture outside 10 downing street. We thought, oh, wheres michelle . Of course youre put in before pleasure. What in work before pleasure. What does feel like, michelle does it feel like, michelle delivering historic lesson . Delivering this historic lesson . Some are grafters. Some of us are grafters. Martin. Some of us are grafters. Were here. Were doing the work. Were doing the work. Were doing the work. Were not just the were not just doing the photo opportunities. What can i say . Youre asking, does it say . Youre asking, what does it feel well, you feel like . Well, ill tell you what feels feel like what it feels like. I feel like im were here im here. Were here collectively as news. We are collectively as gb news. We are representing all of those viewers. 300,000 of them, and still coming in thick and fast. Still coming in thick and fast. And all of those people, perhaps, that are watching thinking, oh, no, i wish id got my signature in we representing each and every one of them. They go to work, they get their money, they graft hard, and they want to be able to want the ability to be able to spend their money wherever and however they choose. Some however they choose. Some people, for whatever reason. People, for whatever reason. Martin and pip, theyre not on board with all of these electronics. And do you know what . Blame they what . I dont blame them. They just be able to deal just want to be able to deal with in this with the legal tender in this country. We feel its very country. We feel its very important and were going to keep fighting those people. Keep fighting for those people. Think bev was hoping that i think bev was hoping that she chilled she might have got a chilled glass rose at the door , but glass of rose at the door, but that didnt quite happen. But it has to be said, there was a very, very warm reception to yourself on yourself and nigel farage on downing. Downing street. Well, ive got to say, actually, before you come into downing street, there was a lot of people outside. A lot of people pleased to see people were very pleased to see gb news were shouting messages of support to us, telling us, keep going. They know that some of the forces out there are trying very hard to operate against gb news. We all know that. Lets be honest, urging us all to keep going. And you know this. We all operate for the same reason because we believe that our viewers deserve a voice , their opinions, their views. Were worthy of being heard. Were worthy of being heard. Were worthy of respect. Were worthy of being listened and worthy of being listened to. And for weve been for a long time, weve been ignored. Were not having it. Ignored. Were not having it. When it comes to this and when it comes to this campaign, michelle, all our viewers want and deserve choice. Yes. If they want to use their debit card, your debit card, but have the choice to use the cash in your pocket as well. In your pocket as well. Absolutely. And that is the thing. This is the whole crux of it. Cash is a legal tender in this country. No problem whatsoever. If you want to use your phone, if youre very quick, if you want to get someone else to pay, quite frankly, you. But if frankly, good for you. But if you to sit there, you want you want to sit there, you want to hard earned cash to pull your hard earned cash out and by the way, out of the way. And by the way, you in these of you know, in these cost of living , its to living crisis, its so easy to lose track of your spending when you cant lose track of your spending when you cant and you just cant take this and contact that. Of people, contact that. A lot of people, they have that luxury of they dont have that luxury of having this cash in the having all this cash in the bank. They have their bank. They have to have their money them so they money in front of them so they can see this is what ive got, this is what im spending and this is what im spending and this im with. For this is what im left with. For some its a budgetary this is what im left with. For someand its a budgetary this is what im left with. For someand know budgetary this is what im left with. For someand know what . Tary this is what im left with. For someand know what . Ity tool. And you know what . It just, you say, rightly just, as you say, quite rightly , comes down to choice. This , it comes down to choice. This is a democracy. Cash is a legal tender. Is a democracy. Cash is a legal tender. Stop trying it. Tender. Stop trying to kill it. And these businesses by the and all these businesses by the way, i want to say this. You all sit with cashless sit there with your cashless stickers as though its a badge of are free of honour. We are a cash free zone. Well, i actually think youre pretty disgrace taking the choice of the people in this country. We at the dont kill Cash Campaign, we say no and we call on this government to make sure that people have choice sure that people have the choice to use cash if indeed they want to. Well, jibes, no doubt you were making a cash transaction over lion in over at the red lion in a moment. And then youre back here some ground. Here doing some ground. Going can i go i was going to say, can i go to pub now . To the pub now . Cant. Youre back, you cant. Youre back, youre er youre back on er 6 or 7 tonight. Dewbs co right . Tonight. Dewbs co right . Oh definitely, yes. Theyve got a great, a great team coming up got a great, a great team coming up well be discussing got a great, a great team coming up topic well be discussing got a great, a great team coming up topic aswell be discussing got a great, a great team coming up topic as well be discussing got a great, a great team coming up topic as well on discussing got a great, a great team coming up topic as well on dis showg got a great, a great team coming up topic as well on dis show at this topic as well on my show at 6 00 starkey keeping 6 00 David Starkey keeping me company as Frank Freddie company, as does Frank Freddie as im looking forward as well. So im looking forward to good work. Great job, good work. Great job, michelle, of you. Michelle, and all of you. Brilliant to see you there in downing this afternoon. Downing street this afternoon. Go to and permission to go to the pub. Pub granted. All right. Youll be joining them. Them. Superb stuff. Superb stuff. You know, it feels so good. Theyre holding theyre actually Holding Power to on behalf of you, the to account on behalf of you, the viewers. Brilliant. Now do stay with incredible. Now do stay with us here on gb news, because theres plenty more to come, including exclusive pictures of migrants on the kent migrants arriving on the kent coast. Well be joined by our Homeland Security editor, mark white to discuss all that that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on news. Hi there. Hi there. Its Aidan Mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast offshore power for some of us this afternoon, but for most its fine. Some warm , most its fine. Some warm, bright spells as well. Before for some wet weather. Later tomorrow. Weve got High Pressure to the east thats keeping things settled for the time being. Low pressure , though, out to the pressure, though, out to the west. Thats to going bring some interesting weather during friday and the weekend for the time being. Time being. However, most its a fine however, for most its a fine night. There will be some low cloud creeping into eastern night. There will be some low cloud aeeping into eastern night. There will be some low cloud a fewng into eastern night. There will be some low cloud a few drizzly eastern night. There will be some low cloud a few drizzly showers and parts, a few drizzly showers and some other showers , perhaps some some other showers, perhaps some heavy downpours into Northern Ireland, wales, southern and Central England by the central parts of england by the end the night, the cloud end of the night, the cloud picks the wind picks up. Picks up the wind picks up. Its a humid night with someone comfortable conditions for sleeping. Places for sleeping. Some places temperatures staying at 18 celsius. And with that humidity and low pressure edging ever closer , weve got the risk of closer, weve got the risk of some thunderstorms across northern central Northern Ireland into central and southern england during friday morning, and southern england during friday morning , especially for friday morning, especially for central southern england. Central and southern england. Could be tricky conditions. Could be some tricky conditions. For example, roads for example, on the roads as those move through. Those storms move through. Frequent lightning possibility as they the as well. But they ease in the afternoon. Many places turn dneh afternoon. Many places turn drier, a lots of cloud still windy, especially for parts of west wales, gusts of 50 miles an hour here. There on into friday night and saturday. Weve got heavy rain sweeping through risk thunderstorms, through risk of thunderstorms, especially eastern especially across Eastern England and some strong winds and high humidities. But once thats out of the way, a return to sunny spells and showers for the weekend. Still some in any sunny still some warmth in any sunny spells that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on this evening. News the people. Channel welcome back to the live desk. Well, gb news understands 550 people across the English Channelin people across the English Channel in ten small boats in just the past 24 hours alone with british authorities bringing the migrants to dover and harbour , dover harbour and and harbour, dover harbour and dungeness. And of course , we dungeness. And of course, we have some exclusive footage earlier of those boats earlier on of one of those boats dropping off. Earlier on of one of those boats dro it ing off. Earlier on of one of those boats dro it takesf. Earlier on of one of those boats dro it takes the number of people it takes the number of people that reached uk that have illegally reached uk shores this year to more shores so far this year to more than 17,300. Our home and security editor mark white is here to tell us more. And theyre calling it, arent they . Is it red . Red alert days that are now coming up, mark . Yeah, theyre known as red days. Yeah, theyre known as red days. I mean, its an internal days. I mean, its an internal process. Its really a border process. Its really a border force just to make sure that they all of the assets in they have all of the assets in place. Should there be a big surge in small boat crossings. Surge in small boat crossings. So yesterday was very much considered a red deer red alert day going into well, today it is pretty choppy out in the channel. So we had a couple of small boat arrivals that really came overnight into this morning. And its taken the number to 550 since yesterday and over the weekend. Its going to be a bit, i think, windy and thundery tomorrow , turning into thundery tomorrow, turning into weather forecasts here. And then i think again, a bit hit or miss on saturday. But then things really start to improve next week and we could have a run of very good weather next week in which case clearly those red days will be in abundance during that week. Now, mark, we saw in the exclusive footage we were sent of a boat people coming off at dungeness on the shingles yesterday , about 60 ostensibly yesterday, about 60 ostensibly young men came ashore and were processed very quickly within 90 minutes, they were on a luxury coach and whisked away. And this coach and whisked away. And this is happening, of course, mark, despite the fact that that six perished on saturday, four miles from the french guys. I from the french guys. I understand theres been a development in that case. Some arrests have been made. Yeah. So the french authorities confirming to us that four men were one actually a teenage boy , but four males a teenage boy, but four males arrested in connection with that , facing charges of manslaughter. And also being involved in a peoples smuggling conspiracy. Now, of those conspiracy. Now, of those arrested, it is two iraqi kurds. And we know that the cards control much of the people smuggling operation across the coast in northwestern france and also to sudanese nationals. 29 year old man and a 17 year old teenage boy. Well, theres teenage boy. Well, theres certainly not the mr biggs of the people smuggling world at 70 mean, but what you often find is that people within the camps to pay that people within the camps to pay for their passage across will act as lookouts and have some sort of subordinate rules in the jungle itself that that has to be obvious , borne out in has to be obvious, borne out in the fullness of time. Their likely to face a trial at some point facing those charges but arrested and initially charged. So some progress in the Ongoing Investigation into the deaths of six people. One other person missing. Missing. And there have been reports in the times this week of the kurdish gangs running amok in the encampment at dunkirk and calais with firearms letting off rounds of ammunition. So an increasingly precarious and lawless situation out there. Is lawless situation out there. Is this arrest, a token arrest or i mean, because we constantly heah mean, because we constantly hear, dont we, about about about stopping the criminal gang masterminds, the labour party are majoring on that. The tories are majoring on that. The tories are also saying we havent really of those arrests really seen any of those arrests coming though, we, mark . We have had arrests over the last year or two, occasionally we get big operations. Last year or two, occasionally we get big operations. We had we get big operations. We had one a year ago in which police in germany , in france and in germany, in france and belgium were all involved along with the National Crime agency here in the uk that did smash people smuggling ring and made it seems a bit of an impact for a while because we did notice a sort of dip in the numbers coming. But these things are always short lived. Theres always short lived. Theres always another people smuggling gang move in for what gang willing to move in for what is a very lucrative business. They can get. I mean, yesterday, they can get. I mean, yesterday, for instance , with about 500 for instance, with about 500 people crossing the channel, thats £1 million adds to the people smugglers for what they charge to get on these boats. And just in terms of the lawlessness , i mean, there has lawlessness, i mean, there has always been fights and disputes the very territorial the kurdish gangs. They try to vie for control. They use weapons. Ive control. They use weapons. Ive been across there many times and have actually been threatened by people smugglers at knifepoint a couple of times. Never seen guns. But that has become relatively new. I was speaking bizarrely as it seems to a couple of well, three iraqi kurds who were in dover yesterday having a picnic. Two had come over in a lorry eight years ago. One in had come overin eight years ago. One in had come over in a small boat. Eight years ago. One in had come over in a small boat. Just two over in a small boat. Just two years ago. There cousins there in different parts of the country. But the meet up occasion and they like to meet in dover to overlook the channel that they came across. They are that they came across. They are in contact with people on the other side. They tell me that the people smugglers are carrying guns now to sort of reinforce their dominance in the camps. And when we look at these exclusive pictures as we are now, yes, they are predominantly men, but we also are seeing their women and what many of us will find very difficult is Young Children who must be absolutely terrified. Yeah. What absolutely terrified. Yeah. What i will say about this particular boatload of about 60 or so on dungeness here, there are more women and children there than we would normally see. Quite often what happens is for the totality of any given year, its about 80, 85 male. But you will get a proportion who are a small proportion who are a small proportion who are women and children. Its unusual to see quite as many on one boat because the authorities tell me that they get hived out effectively to different boats. So youll always well , not so youll always well, not always, but quite often on a boat you might see a couple of women and children and they do that so that they can call authorities and say, weve got women and children on board and the people traffickers tell them they get a quicker response. Maybe they do. But just i just find it really hard saying that seeing the little kids coming really coming off those tours really did okay. Theres plenty well, theres plenty more to come first, its the come now. But first, its the news armstrong. Its news with Aaron Armstrong. Its 233. Aaron armstrong here in the newsroom. Gb news dont kill newsroom. Gb news dont kill cash petition has been delivered to downing street in the last few minutes. The chancellor jeremy hunt, has received more than 296,000 signatures on behalf of listeners and viewers who are part of the campaign. The letter is calling on the government to protect the status of cash as legal tender and a widely acceptable form of payment until at least 2052. Tens of thousands of students have missed out on top. A level have missed out on top. A level results as part of the governments plan to return grades to pre pandemic levels 73,000 fewer stars have been awarded. Thats down by almost 10 from last year and almost 18 from 2021, when grades were determined by teachers. However, the numbers of top grades are still up by almost 2 compared to before the pandemic. Tributes to before the pandemic. Tributes are being paid to the broadcaster. Sir Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88. He interview some of the biggest stars of the 20th century on his long running chat show. Muhammad and show. Like muhammad ali and david bowie and john lennon describing the process an describing the process as an unnatural act between consenting adults in public. Comedian stephen fry said it was impossibly thrilling to be a guest on parkinson, describing sir michael as a genius. Sir David Attenborough said he was a proud yorkshireman but was beyond region or class. He was himself. And as youve been himself. And as youve been hearing, gb news can reveal 550 people have crossed the English Channelin people have crossed the English Channel in ten small boats over the past 24 hours. It brings the total number of migrants making the journey this year to more than 17,000. Uk border force were on red alert yesterday. Were on red alert yesterday. They say its a very extremely busy time for Asylum Seekers and a significant surge in crossings is expected with the Better Weather this weekend. More on weather this weekend. More on all of our stories on our website as always, gb news. Ill be back with another bulletin in about half an hours time. Christys on gb news. Im gb news radio. Christys on gb news. Im gb news radio. And im gb news radio. And welcome back to the live desk on gb news of students across england, wales and Northern Ireland start to receive their a level results. The education a level results. The education secretary, Gillian Keegan , says secretary, Gillian Keegan, says the grading system will return to pre pandemic levels in order to pre pandemic levels in order to keep up with international standards. Will not impact standards. But will not impact on university places. Lets take a listen. A listen. Well, first of all, the grading system will not impact the university places, so its very, very normal that the predicted grades that people get, i think only 1 predicted grades that people get, i think only1 in get, i think only 1 in 5 actually get their predicted grades or above. So this is a very normal part of the system. Very normal part of the system. So the Actual University places and the access to university is still exactly the same as it was. So if they were going to if theyd have got to b and gone to university in 2019, theyll get a, b and go to university in 2023. So all weve done is and this is really important because our exams, both gcses and a levels , are highly regarded a levels, are highly regarded across the world and we just want to make sure they keep that value. And obviously we needed value. And obviously we needed to back from teacher assessed to go back from teacher assessed grades did that last grades and we did that last yeah grades and we did that last year, now were going back year, but now were going back to grading system and to the normal grading system and that will make sure that these hold they do hold their value and they do have value. Have true value. The total number of students accepted onto uk degree courses has fallen 2. 6 on the same point last year with 414,940 students taking up places so far. Thats according to initial ucas figures. Ucas figures. Lets cross over now to our reporters , will hollis, who is reporters, will hollis, who is at the university of dalby, and jack coulson , who is a sixth jack coulson, who is a sixth form college in wales. Jack, can we start with you . So whats the mood on the ground or the welsh students feeling happy or they feel hard. Marks have feel a bit hard. The marks have been year at dalby. Well , this morning certainly well, this morning certainly there were a lot of happy students here getting their results, getting those emails from their universities to say that they had been confirmed for those places. But of course the fact is that the whole system is trying to get those grades back to more pre pandemic levels. Its very much a transition penod its very much a transition period between those grades , period between those grades, those inflated grades that we saw during the pandemic. And of course, getting back to a system where those grades are before pre pandemic levels. Of course, this current cohort of a level students was in that pandemic doing their gcses, getting those high grades in the pandemic. And it means that these a levels that they sat over the last year may well have been the first formal exams that theyve actually set their life. So actually set in their life. So thats also having an impact as well on the grades that were seeing. When youre looking at the marked a to star the top grades marked a to star a here in wales, its dropped to 34 of students getting a star. Thats down from 40. 9. But wales is a little bit different to the rest of the uk because most students here still do an ace level. Thats not the case necessarily in england. So those necessarily in england. So those levels were taken still in that lenient period of marking last yeah lenient period of marking last year. The as level here in wales contributes this year around 40 to the total grade of the a level, which does mean that we are seeing some still slightly more inflated grades than in england , which has been than in england, which has been a little bit more harsh in balancing those grades back to pre pandemic levels in 2019. To kind that into context on kind of put that into context on those levels, those pre pandemic levels, grades in in in england are around 1. 3 Percentage Points higher for the top grades, whereas here in wales, in Northern Ireland, its still 7 to 8 points. So very much a transition period. But. Jeremy miles , the wells education miles, the wells Education Minister , earlier was telling me minister, earlier was telling me that hes happy with the results that hes happy with the results that seen today. That hes seen today. Okay, jack, thats superb. Okay, jack, thats superb. Okay, jack, thats superb. Lets well, actually, weve had really, really good grades here this year. And for those who are choosing to go on to university, that isnt everybody. Obviously for everybody. Obviously but for those are overwhelming those who are the overwhelming majority they majority have got what they needed go on to the course needed to go on to the course that they want. So thats really good we thought good news. What we thought we were year what were we would see this year what were we would see this year what we planning on, like, we are planning on, if you like, is grades. The midway point is grades. The midway point between 2019 and 2022. Thats roughly the same approach taken in scotland and Northern Ireland as well. You know, on a journey back by next to an approach which is more like the pre pandemic approach. Pre pandemic approach. Yeah, the minister there in wales particularly keen to stress, of course, that students do have options here in wales. Weve also got something called the young person guarantee, which provides everyone under the age of 25 the the age of 25 with the opportunity enrol still in opportunity to enrol still in education and training. But as you mentioned at the top there, 79 of students are getting their results today, getting their results today, getting their university option. Okay, jack carlson, thank you very much for that. And lets cross now to will holly at the university of derby. So todays a day when people start applying for cases , those those for those cases, those those places university. How kind places on university. How kind of is it there . Of manic is it there . Yes, well, it was six hours ago that the clearing hotline opened here at the university of derby. And theres still quite a healthy hum in the background. Healthy hum in the background. People have been working all day, people from across the university sector. So people that work in lecturing or people that work in lecturing or people that work in student finance all come together in this massive room and they give advice to people that have ever done better than they expected and are about coming to the are thinking about coming to the university maybe they University Derby or maybe they didnt quite so well and didnt do quite so well and theyre what theyre looking at what their opfions theyre looking at what their options are and one of the people is helping make that people that is helping make that process smoothly as process work as smoothly as possible is john hughes. Youre the registrar here at the university. Just describe for me whats been the atmosphere when youve been listening into those phone helping phone calls and helping guide your right your staff to make the right decisions well its decisions for people . Well its been brilliant day. Been a brilliant day. Such a positive its been such a positive atmosphere and weve taken a lot of calls from students who are actually wanting to trade up to the of derby, which the university of derby, which is think part of is great. And i think part of the reason for that, and its a lot calls from within the lot of calls from within the region and i think cost of living is probably a consideration that a number of our and families are our students and families are thinking it and therefore thinking about it and therefore theyve got good grades and theyre looking for a university thats going to give them a great Student Experience. Were top in uk for student top 20 in the uk for Student Experience and so weve been able to help numerous students and find them places for the great qualification that theyve achieved. You say within the region thats the east midlands. So nottinghamshire, leicestershire as as derbyshire in the as well as derbyshire in the wider area , you said the cost of wider area, you said the cost of living. Why does play into living. Why does that play into this year and how is it different to maybe other years this year and how is it differ well, i think the cost of living affected everybody and living is affected everybody and for in particular, for students in particular, travel , accommodation travel costs, accommodation costs, if theyre thinking of moving home to join university. Whereas finding a great university, a Quality University nearby, then you can still choose to live at home if thats something that works for you. Something that works for you. But the advice i would give to any students is search for that Quality University. Look at the Quality University. Look at the performance. Great graduate outcomes is something that we pride ourselves on as well as that fantastic Student Experience here at the university of derby. Youre talking about staying locally, maybe getting the train from another local city rather than moving to manchester or london. For some of our viewers that are listening on radio, as well as watching on tv, they might be thinking, well, i didnt need to go to university. I did an apprenticeship. And of course, there of different there are lots of different options. But what the options. But but what is the reason for why reason that you give for why young are choosing to young people are choosing to Come University of derby come to the university of derby , universities , as well as other universities right now . Right now . Okay, here and now coming back cost of living back to that cost of living issue , we run massive freshers issue, we run a massive freshers welcome week for students and its free and usually thats up to £100 worth of cost. And why are we doing that . Because we want all experience , all want all experience, all students to experience that in immigration, make friends early in their student life because theyll stick together and get that sense of belonging. So thats one reason we also work from day one with students about careers and career options. Weve got placements , weve got weve got placements, weve got links with industry , we work links with industry, we work with the nhs, we work with rolls royce, we work with toyota , and weve got great graduate outcomes. So its about careers outcomes. So its about careers for the future. And all of the for the future. And all of the Research Says that graduates do go on in their lifetime to earn more than people who dont have that graduate experience and live healthier , happier lives as live healthier, happier lives as well. So great choice to make to come to the university of derby. June hughes, registrar here for the university of derby, thanks for speaking to us on gb news particular hotline news this particular hotline is open and it stays open right open now and it stays open right up until the Academic Year. So even if youre not calling today , even if youve still got a few questions about where you might want to go, this phone line is open right up until so that you can take questions to the can take those questions to the people the university of people here at the university of derby might be able help derby who might be able to help guide to your next stage guide you on to your next stage in. In life. Okay. The university of okay. Well, the university of derby and, of course, jack carson there in wales, thank you very much for that update on a level you, guys. Now , not long ago, we saw our now, not long ago, we saw our colleagues, some of your favourite gb news presenters in downing street delivering the dont kill cash petition and weve had plenty of comments coming in from you all. So thank you. Including from john b, you say the big banks and corporations and other bully boys must be resisted. Cash is legal, tender and its essential. Viera says. Brilliant seeing presenters at downing street. I was refused cash at a shop providing School Uniform hard to pay with a card as they dont take cash. This is so wrong. And then jean in lincolnshire, this made me laugh. Have we just seen the new government cabinet standing outside . Number ten . Wouldnt that good . That be good . Now there is food for thought. And i did say the thought. And i did say at the time, you know, a lot people time, you know, a lot of people will delighted to see will be will be delighted to see nigel farage outside number 10. A people also be a lot of people also might be clutching their pearls because, you brexit is but you know, mr brexit is back, but they petition they delivered that petition with thank with aplomb. And thank you, everybody is now 296,402 who signed that . Lets make it 300,000 before the end of the day. Keep going. We can remind ourselves of what happened a few minutes ago in street. There are our in downing street. There are our colleagues, you can see Liam Halligan bev turner nigel farage, Michelle Dewberry and Patrick Christys arriving to handin Patrick Christys arriving to hand in that petition just after 2 00 this afternoon and almost 300,000 of you have signed it. Yes, we appreciate that. Some yes, we appreciate that. Some people do want to use debit cards and credit cards. That is absolutely fine. But what this is about is people having the choice to use cash if they want to, because millions of us still rely on it for purchases. Yeah. And thank you to everybody out there who signed this petition, because this is gb power to account gb news Holding Power to account on your behalf. This can only happen because so many of you have signed the petition and it could be number 10. Worst nightmare hearing a knock on the d00h nightmare hearing a knock on the door. And whos outside . Heres nigel. Notice he didnt get ianed nigel. Notice he didnt get invited in, but its delightful to see power in action. I think Patrick Chris is dashing back. He shows at three might not make it in time. Well have to wait it in time. Well have to wait and see. But there they are doing the job on behalf of you, the viewer, we must talk now about prince harrys new Netflix Documentary. Documentary. Its about the Invictus Games, and it has confirmed its release date. Yeah, the film titled heart of invictus explores the sporting events and foundation which the duke of sussex founded. Of course, in 2014, giving fans a behind the scenes insight. Insight. Joining us is gb news royal correspondent Cameron Walker here in the studio. So, cameron, have you seen the trailer . Is it excite . Should we be tuning in . Excite . Should we be tuning in . Oh, ive watched the trailer many times now in fact, it was deleted on on netflixs twitter account last night. Im told it was only a technical error before it was quickly re uploaded. But five episodes coming out on the 30th of august about prince harrys Invictus Games, which is just a week. And a half until dusseldorf 2023. Invictus games, which we are expecting. Harry and meghan to attend in germany. So perhaps its a little bit of a promotional promotion for that to get people interested in its around the world. But i noficed its around the world. But i noticed that its like the old prince harry back isnt it, talking to veterans supporting veterans. He of course served two tours of afghanistan himself. He founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to help wounded veterans really have another purpose in life. A lot of them, of course, feeling very lost after the wars in iraq and afghanistan. And hes now created as part of our 12 productions, his Production Company , five episodes, talking company, five episodes, talking all about it now. Cameron, do you that as cameron, do you think that as noble a cause as it is, which obviously it is, is harrys involvement becoming something of a barrier, do you think, to the Invictus Games now . Because i a of veterans i spoke to a couple of veterans earlier and theyre very earlier on, and theyre very divided on him. Course, he divided on him. Of course, he did terms. Hes earned his did two terms. Hes earned his spurs, some say. Others say im so fed up with the guy because of said. The of what he said. The revelations, of course, about the the body count. The taliban and the body count. There some thoughts that there are some thoughts that hes betrayed. That band hes kind of betrayed. That band of is that an of brothers code is that an issue is this quite outside issue or is this quite outside of him as a person . Will you say veterans are quite think prince quite divided . I think prince harry the last couple of harry has in the last couple of years become a bit of a divisive figure , to be perfectly honest. Figure, to be perfectly honest. He make some very he did make some very controversial comments during his memoir, spare how many his memoir, spare about how many members the taliban he killed members of the taliban he killed. But if you look at the trailer and look at what he says in and you look at what he says in the is the trailer, the spotlight is firmly those veterans rather firmly on those veterans rather than himself. You look back to last year in the hague in 2022. Yeah, 2022, a netflix camera crew was filming harry and meghan as they were going around the games last year. But in the trailer we dont see any of meghan whatsoever. Now that doesnt necessarily mean that shes not in the documentary. There are 5 1 hour episodes, of course, but i think it is quite telling that the spotlight was just veterans and just firmly on the veterans and a little bit of prince harry as well. And it does sound like all things it sounds like it things aside, it sounds like it will be an uplifting will be quite an uplifting documentary, seeing what these veterans have achieved despite all the obstacles they face. And i think for many people, maybe you, too, martin, you might be able to separate that from the whole furore surrounding prince harry and what he said. I think its a shame that were having the conversation about harry and not about fact its the not about the fact its the invictus which Invictus Games, which is an amazing, life amazing, incredible life building thing. But i just think that his involvement has gone from star dust making things a must dust and making things a must see to being a barrier. Weve seen at spotify they completely bombed. And you remember back in 2016 there was that wonderful video of harry his of prince harry with his grandmother, late queen, and grandmother, the late queen, and Barack Michelle obama , of barack and michelle obama, of course, president of the united states. That states. Barack obama was at that time. And does he have that kind of anymore . Is of influence anymore . Is a non working of the royal non working member of the royal family . Well to wait and family . Well have to wait and see. Clearly, trailer see. But clearly, this trailer is uplifting and well have is very uplifting and well have to wait see. Whats the full to wait and see. Whats the full series about on november , series is about on november, august series is about on november, augnot long to wait. Not long to wait. Not long to wait. Then. Its only a week next week. Next wednesday. Yeah. Yeah yeah. Yeah cameron, thank you very much. Cameron, thank you very much. Superb. Superb. Superb. Well, is almost it. From well, that is almost it. From the live desk here on gb news. Next up, it should be Patrick Christys. He is racing back from downing street. Maybe hes gone downing street. Maybe hes gone via the pub. Who knows . But he is on his way. We are assured to join you here on gb news with his show. He will, of course be talking about this. Dont kill kash petition. That was this afternoon handed in by our colleagues. Some of your colleagues. Some of your favourite presenters handed in to 11 downing street. Do stay with us. More still to come , the with us. More still to come, the temperatures rising. Boxt solar the proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Of weather on. Gb news. Hi there. Its Aidan Mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast. Odd shower for some of us this afternoon, but for most its fine. Some warm, bright spells as well. Before for some wet weather. Later tomorrow. Weve got High Pressure to the east thats keeping things settled for the time being. Low pressure , though, out to the pressure, though, out to the west. Thats to going bring some interesting weather during friday and the weekend for the time being. Time being. For most its a fine however, for most its a fine nights. There will be some low cloud creeping eastern cloud creeping into eastern parts, drizzly showers and parts, a few drizzly showers and some other showers , perhaps some some other showers, perhaps some heavy downpours into Northern Ireland, and ireland, wales, southern and Central England by the central parts of england by the end of the night, the cloud picks wind picks up. Picks up the wind picks up. Its a humid night with someone comfortable conditions for sleeping. Some places temperatures staying at 18 celsius. With that humidity celsius. And with that humidity and low pressure edging ever closer, weve got the risk of some thunderstorm storms across northern central Northern Ireland into central and southern england during friday , especially for friday morning, especially for central and southern england. Central and southern england. Could be tricky conditions. Could be some tricky conditions. For example, the roads as for example, on the roads as those storms move through. Frequent possibility those storms move through. Frequentbut possibility those storms move through. Frequentbut easesibility those storms move through. Frequentbut easesib the as well. But they ease in the afternoon. Many places turn afternoon. Many places turn dneh afternoon. Many places turn drier. A lots of cloud still windy, especially for parts of west wales. Gusts of 50 miles an hour here. Then into friday night and saturday, weve got heavy rain sweeping through risk of thunderstorms, especially across thunderstorm s, especially across eastern thunderstorms, especially across Eastern England and some strong winds and high humidity. But once thats out of the way, a return to sunny spells and showers for the weekend. Still some warmth in any sunny spells i the temperatures rising. Boxt the temperatures rising. Boxt solar proud sponsors of weather on. Im gb news radio. Where. Im gb news radio. Where. Hello, welcome to the show as you can see, i am definitely not Patrick Christys patrick is on his way to gb news hq and well be here very, very shortly. Be here very, very shortly. Hes hot, footing it from downing street, where he was one of a posse of gb news stars who have just handed in dont kill cash petition. Almost 300,000 of cash petition. Almost 300,000 of you have signed it. We are almost there. So thank you so much. Weve got the rest of the days news as well. Find out why plans to house 1700 migrants at raf wethersfield by the autumn look doomed to fail. Raf wethersfield by the autumn look doomed to fail. More than look doomed to fail. More than 400,000 teenagers are on their way to university after getting their a level results today. But it is very much a case of foreign students. First, at many foreign students. First, at many unis and tributes have been pounng unis and tributes have been pouring in for the greatest chat