Transcripts For GBN The 20240703

Castle. But will it all be a little bit difficult to swallow . Tasters say it features medicinal characteristics. Ill have more on that. Medicinal characteristics. Ill have more on that. But first, have more on that. But first, the latest News Headlines with rhiannon. Rhiannon. Thank you, ali. Its just gone midday. Thank you, ali. Its just gone midday. Our top stories from the newsroom. A 15 year old from the newsroom. A 15 Year Old Girl has died after being stabbed in south london. Emergency services were called to wellesley road in croydon at around 8. 30 this morning, following reports of the stabbing. She was pronounced dead at the scene 50 minutes later. The met police says a boy who knows the victim was arrested just over an hour later. Five labour mayors from across the country have met in leeds to urge the Prime Minister to stay on track with hs2. They warn that failure failure to deliver in full leaf swathes of the north with victorian infrastructure unfit for purpose , rishi sunak faces political backlash over reports hes considering axing the link between birmingham and manchester amid soaring costs. London mayor sadiq khan says there are huge benefits to hs2. There are huge benefits to hs2. Im really pleased to have been invited by the cross party transport for north to their Board Meeting on this morning. We may be mayors from different regions, but we speak with one voice when we say we dont want cuts to high speed. Dont want cuts to high speed. Two. We see the benefits of high speed. Two in relation to Economic Growth, in relation to increasing capacity, increase in connectivity, increase in speed, and it means we can have the same sort of transport links that france has, that spain has , that germany has. Im worried that that cut in High Speed Two will cause huge damage to london and the south east the uks largest untapped oil and gas field, rosebank in scotland , has been approved for scotland, has been approved for development. Thats despite development. Thats despite a row over climate damage. Regulators say net zero considerations have been taken into account. The government says the plan has undergone an Environmental Impact assessment. Scotlands first minister, humza yousaf, says hes disappointed the projects being given the go ahead. Its owners nonnegian oil giant equinor, expects robust rosebank to bring over £8 billion in direct investment to the uk economy. The united the uk economy. The united nafions the uk economy. The United Nations has rejected the home secretarys calls for International Law on refugees to be changed. In a speech in washington, Suella Braverman suggested the un 1951 Refugee Convention needs updating. She argues fearing discrimination for being gay or a woman shouldnt be enough to qualify for International Refugee protection. Lucy frazer , protection. Lucy frazer, secretary of state for culture, media and sport , says it needs a media and sport, says it needs a Global Solution. Is , as the home secretary was is, as the home secretary was saying , a global issue that saying, a global issue that needs a Global Solution. The un has stated that since that by 20 the end of 2022, there are 108 Million People displaced. So we, Million People displaced. So we, as you will know as a government are working very carefully to make sure that we stop the boats coming over here through International Solutions. International solutions. The uks first drug consumption room, where users can take Illegal Drugs under medical supervision , has been medical supervision, has been approved. The facility planned for glasgows east end is backed by the Scottish Government as a way to tackle the countrys drugs deaths crisis. The £2. 3 million pilot will allow users to take their own Illegal Drugs in a hygienic environment with medical staff on hand. Domestic medical staff on hand. Domestic Abuse Victims may have been exposed to their alleged abusers following several data breaches as families have had to be relocated. And after several relocated. And after several organisations , including law organisations, including law firms, police and a government department, mishandled victims personal information , lack of personal information, lack of staffing and relaxed practise laws are being blamed for the leaks. The information leaks. The Information Commissioners Office is calling for stronger standards and policies. Yellow weather policies. Yellow weather warnings are in place for most of the uk from midday or are in place already as storm agnes makes landfall. The coast is expected to be whipped by winds as high as 75 miles an hour. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is advising people to keep a safe distance from water and cliff edges as high waves pose a potential threat to yellow rain. Warnings will also yellow rain. Warnings will also be in place in parts of scotland. And staying with with scotland whisky thought to be the oldest in the world, will be sold at auction for £10,000 a bottle. The tipple was found hidden behind the doors of blair castle in scotland. Around 40 de bottles are believed to have been distilled almost 200 years ago. Auctioneers say the bottles will likely have a more medicinal taste if you can bear to open one at that price, that is. This is gb to open one at that price, that is. This is gb news across to open one at that price, that is. This is gb news across the is. This is gb news across the uk on tv in your car, on Digital Radio and on your Smart Speaker by saying play gb news now its back over to mark and. Ellie rhiannon. Thanks. Welcome back to the live desk with the government welcoming the decision to open up the uks biggest untapped oil field, they say that rosebank. Field, they say that rosebank. Which is off the Shetland Islands, will raise billions and provide Energy Security for the country. But opponents have called it an act of environmental vandalism and morally obscene. Labours they are opposed to labours say they are opposed to the development, but they have added, crucially that they would not the licence if they not revoke the licence if they came to power. Lets get more now. The economic and Business Editor liam with the money Liam Halligan with on the money. Liam will come to the reaction in a moment. But first, some interesting facts and figures. A interesting facts and figures. A £3. 1 billion investment by two smaller firms, one of which is nonnegian. But start producing 20 2627 pretty quick. 20 2627 pretty quick. Pretty quick. This is a major announcement id say, by rishi sunaks government. I announcement id say, by rishi sunaks government. I think ahead of the Party Conference, which starts in manchester this weekend , theres a lot of weekend, theres a lot of politics going on. Theres Suella Braverman speech yesterday. Rishi sunak now really trying to reach out to the pro growth wing of his party. Liz truss will be maria boarding around Party Conference, doing the prime conference, not doing the Prime Minister so lets minister any favours. So lets have a at specifics of have a look at the specifics of this large oil and gas field. As you say , it is the largest under you say, it is the largest under helped oil and gas field in the north sea, or at least the largest one we know of. By by definition, its 80 miles west of the Shetland Islands there in the far north of scotland. The the far north of scotland. The two companies involved, the nonnegian state giant equinor and also the uks Ithaca Energy. Though ithaca also has an israeli ownership and were looking about 350 Million Barrels of oil in this field, an £8 billion investment and 2000 jobs. How much is 350 Million Barrels . Well, mark, the world uses around 100. The world as a whole uses around 100 Million Barrels a day. Quite astonishing barrels a day. Quite astonishing if you think of a barrel is about this tall and this round 100 million of them every single day. This field will do 350 million over its lifetime time. So you know, this isnt going to Impact Global oil markets. Its not massive. But by uk standards, it is pretty big. But it has encapsulated , but it has encapsulated, hasnt it, this decision to open rosebank. Its encapsulated that broader row about new domestic fossil fuel projects. There is a row and this is clever politics by rishi sunak. You know, even the Climate Change commission, which marks the governments homework on net zero progress, says that by we use about we use oil and gas for about 75 of our energy needs at the moment. The climate about 75 of our energy needs at the moment. The Climate Change Commission Says even on the best estimates of Renewables Coming through, it will be 50 by the mid 2030. Even when were at net zero, oil and gas will be 25 of our energy needs. And this is, you know, this is the very pro green Climate Change commission and it is clever politics by sunak because the snp dont know what to do. Theyve obviously , what to do. Theyve obviously, you know, there are many voters in scotland who want aberdeen to carry on being the oil and gas capital of europe and labour. Dont know what to do because labouris dont know what to do because labour is saying, oh, we dont like this, but were not going to reverse it. Lets have a look at quote here from gmb general at a quote here from gmb general secretary smith. Thats secretary gary smith. Now thats the union. The third Biggest Union. Obviously lots of obviously they back lots of labour is gary smith. Labour mps. This is gary smith. The must be honest about the uk must be honest about where were going get the where were going to get the gas. Up to 2050 and gas. We need up to 2050 and beyond responsibility beyond taking responsibility for more supply will more of our own gas supply will support union jobs, both support Good Union Jobs, both directly and in wider supply directly and in the wider supply chain. Theres gmb chain. So theres the gmb completely backing what a tory Prime Minister has just done. Yeah. And finally, heres Caroline Lucas. Caroline lucas says, as youd expect, shes a green party mp giving the green light to this huge new oil field, says Caroline Lucas is morally obscene. Morally obscene. But just in terms of the jobs numbers 1600 expected to get it constructed , then 450 longer constructed, then 450 longer term, in terms of the operator , term, in terms of the operator, but and ill apologise for this phrase. Lets drill down a little bit further into this, because theres some interesting points here in that neil grey, who is the scottish administrations energy secretary, says , look, the secretary, says, look, the majority of whats extracted is actually going to go overseas. So its not Energy Security for us. Theyre going to actually export it. Yes make money, but its not going to secure our our energy supply. Dont really buy that well, i dont really buy that if were producing more oil and gas waters , if need gas in our waters, if we need that oil then it can be that oil and gas, then it can be diverted uk markets. Its all diverted to uk markets. Its all about even when its a nonnegian company. Yeah, of course. Yeah, of course. Yeah, of course. I mean, look , its a lot i mean, look, its a lot better to produce your own oil and to not produce your and gas than to not produce your own oil and gas or have to ship it in and gas and it if you whats happened since the war in ukraine is weve weaned ourselves off russian gas western europe used 40 of its gas was from russia. Whats happened instead is that us happened instead is that the us has become the worlds biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas. Barely exported any 3 or gas. It barely exported any 3 or 4 years ago. Now its overtaken qatar, australia to become the worlds biggest exporter. The us is making huge amount of money is making a huge amount of money out of this war, by the way, and think about the Carbon Footprint of doing that. You have to get the gas in america. You have to liquefy it, which takes a huge amount of energy. You stick it amount of energy. You stick it on a tanker, diesel fuel tanker, 3000 miles across the pond , the 3000 miles across the pond, the atlantic. Then you have to regasify it do reprocessing here in the uk and then send it elsewhere. Massive Carbon Footprint when weve got our own gas in the north sea if we choose to use it. And thats thats the argument, isnt it . Sorry , sorry, mark. I mean sorry, sorry, mark. I mean its so complex to navigate at this time, isnt it . En route to net there is that argument net zero . There is that argument that have this energy that if we have this energy source, quite literally beneath our feet , why wouldnt we use it . Indeed. And again, i stress the Climate Change commission, which marks the governments homework on net zero progress, even , even, even they admit we even, even, even they admit we still be using millions of barrels of oil and gas every day, even in 2050, even when were at net zero. So why dont were at net zero. So why dont we use our own, which is less carbon intensive, to extract it than shipping it in from elsewhere . And how much will the Current Oil Price have fed into this decision . You know, getting towards 100 a barrel because, of course, it is massively expensive to extract from the north sea. Theyd have done the sums and thought, actually this is worth doing. Now. Id say id say not the oil price at say hugely not the oil price at a in time a particular point in time because is a long term project. But the fact mark that quietly the oil price has increased by 35 to 40 over the last three months is will have focussed ministers minds. Look, focussed ministers minds. Look, the Global Economy is not growing that fast. Its quite sluggish. Youd expect, therefore, oil demand to fall and then the price of oil to come down. But even though the Global Economy is sluggish, the oil price has rocketed since june. Thats why weve had big increases in petrol and diesel pfices increases in petrol and diesel prices , why its rocketed prices, why its rocketed because of opec, because of the squeezing supply, the opec exporters cartel , the exporters cartel, the organisation of Petroleum Exporting countries. Its trendy. You know, i hear all kinds of strategists and so called futurologists, oh, opec doesnt matter. These people know nothing about Global Energy markets. Controls half of markets. Opec controls half of all Global Supply , 80 of all all Global Supply, 80 of all reserves. Opec are now working reserves. Opec are now working handin reserves. Opec are now working hand in glove with the russians, a non member between them. They own they control 90 of global Oil Geopolitics going on. Very, very important aspect. Very important aspect. So you mentioned something quite interesting of what we know of now. Weve got offshore know of now. Weve got offshore energy uk saying 283 fields in the north sea at the moment, 180. Well have to stop production in the next decade. I mean, do we know if theres more out there . Will this argument continue and will they try and carry on exploration in . I think almost certainly , i think almost certainly, mark the easy oil and gas from the north sea has already been extracted. So as the years go by, were exploiting more and more marginal fields. By, were exploiting more and more marginal fields. Thats why more marginal fields. Thats why the Big Oil Majors dont arent really interested in the north sea anymore. It tends to be smaller , more innovative outfits smaller, more innovative outfits , tends to be uk outfits that are often heavily indebted. Are often heavily indebted. And this is, you know, its relatively close to shetland. Its not way out in by by, you know, its in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere. Obviously, youre not to going come across many cruise ships 80 miles west of the Shetland Islands. But by by oil Shetland Islands. But by by oil and gas standards , it is a and gas standards, it is a relatively accessible field. Thats why theres been so much speculation about it over many, many years. Is. But but lets be clear. You know , the uk and the clear. You know, the uk and the 80s was a serious oil producer. We were doing 3 Million Barrels a day. Were now more like 800,000, maybe maybe a million if were lucky. But this is if were lucky. But this is still really important. Still really, really important. Oil and for us in an oil and gas for us in an increasingly hostile world where Energy Security has come to the fore. And its because these north sea fields are quite marginal and difficult to extract, that these Smaller Companies that go for it, they are absolutely whacked in their view by the fact that 75 of their profits now is creamed off in a windfall tax when a lot of these projects were started. Profit tax on oil was 30. I mean, imagine that your Balance Sheet is just completely destroyed. Your ability to raise capital and service your capital is very, very tightly wound up with the level of taxation. With the level of taxation. Do we know how many jobs will actually be created by this . And then how long term will these jobs actually be . Well, the gmb are talking about 2000 marks, right . Were talking about 1000, 1500 to build the rig and get the thing going and then maybe 400 ongoing as you service that. But its not just the immediate jobs, its the whole supply chain. May remember earlier chain. You may remember earlier this summer i went up to aberdeen and made made a couple of films and one of the films was windfall tax kill was will the windfall tax kill the north sea . And the feeling up was very much it up there was very much yes, it will it stays at 75. And the will if it stays at 75. And the second film was can aberdeen become the net zero capital of the world, which is humza yousaf . The snp leaders phrase offshore wind. Offshore wind. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. And theres clearly many people that do oil and gas are really good at doing offshore renewable. Theyve got all the marine skills, the engineering skills. To me skills. But its clear to me that if you are going to maintain aberdeen as major maintain aberdeen as a major source high quality jobs in source of high quality jobs in scotland, you need oil and gas. Right . Last question then a political one. Clear clearly hes going to wave the flag at the Party Conference. Look what weve done and know, energy weve done and you know, Energy Security will be a huge security there will be a huge backlash from environmental backlash from the environmental lobby. Already lobby. And thats already started, you know, morally indefensible environmental vandalism. Thats going to be tough for the government. It is. But on the other hand, it is. But on the other hand, those never going to those people are never going to vote tory anyway. Mean, look, vote tory anyway. I mean, look, even even wont reverse even labour even wont reverse this, we not revoke the this, so we will not revoke the licence. If youve got the licence. If youve got the leader of the third Biggest Union who who bankrolls dozens of labour mps saying we agree with this. Keir starmer, what with this. Keir starmer, what are you doing . So with this. Keir starmer, what are you doing . So i think with this. Keir starmer, what are you doing . So i think the are you doing . So i think the real danger for sunak is opposition from within his own party because the tory party is a broad church or its nothing. Youve got the kind of pro business wing, the pro growth wing, you know, the redwood ites, the truss sites and so on. But youve also got the one nation, tories , many of the one nation, tories, many of whom are very, very into environmentalism , people in environmentalism, people in seats where theyre fighting the lib dems rather than voting laboun lib dems rather than voting labour. Those tories will oppose to this vocally. The question is to this vocally. The question is will sunak face a vote in parliament on this . That is the parliament on this . That is the big question. Question right. And big question. Question right. And i big question. Question right. And i suspect question right. And i suspect youll be booking your seat to the fairly soon, the shetlands fairly soon, shortly to do some filming for the souwester yeah, absolutely. Thank that. Doug pipe thank you for that. Doug pipe coming fab five on the coming up, the fab five on the rooftop. The latest live from leeds. I think that was who leeds. I think that was the who album on the beatles, labour mayors ask the mayors meeting to ask the government scale on mayors meeting to ask the govei latest. Scale on mayors meeting to ask the govei latest on scale on mayors meeting to ask the goveilatest on the scale on mayors meeting to ask the goveilatest on the weather on mayors meeting to ask the goveilatest on the weather foron hs2. Latest on the weather for you now that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on news. How hello, welcome to your latest gb news weather update from the met office. Now storm agnes is set to bnng now storm agnes is set to bring some disruptive and potentially damaging winds to areas of the uk today. There are wind and rain warnings in force, so make sure you take a further look at those. If youre in those areas. Storm agnes is area of low pressure, very deep area of low pressure, very deep area of low pressure thats going to be pushing in from the southwest of ireland , pushing up through be pushing in from the southwest of i irishd , pushing up through be pushing in from the southwest of i irish sea ushing up through be pushing in from the southwest of i irish sea and ng up through be pushing in from the southwest of i irish sea and affecting ugh be pushing in from the southwest of i irish sea and affecting many the irish sea and affecting many western and Northern Areas of the uk. Theres Wind Warnings in force for gusts of 45 to 55mph inland and up to 60 or 65mph along the coast. Some heavy rain will affect much of Northern Ireland and southern scotland as well as areas of cumbria and lancashire here. That rain will continue through this evening, bringing some pretty difficult driving conditions and also plenty of debris on the roads as well. The winds stay strong overnight, but much of the rain will clear to the north east and itll stay breezy for many through thursday as well. Its through thursday as well. Its dry across the southeast through a lot of today and overnight as well. But still, you will see the effects of those winds then through thursday, itll be a generally a calmer day, but still fairly breezy, but plenty of dry weather, at least to start and some decent sunshine in as well. However, as we head through the day, some pretty gusty wind will move into Northern Ireland once again, as well as northwest scotland and will cloud over in southwest will cloud over in the southwest. But head of further rain. But as a head of further rain overnight and into friday, that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on. Watching, britains watching. And were proud to be news. And were proud to be news. The peoples. Channel the peoples. Channel the peoples. Channel welcome back. Youre with the live desk. Its 12 22 now. Five labour mayors have gathered on a leeds rooftop today amid reports that rishi sunak is planning to scrap the northern leg of hs2. Scrap the northern leg of hs2. Well, theyve made a plea together to the Prime Minister not to scale that project back coming a day. Of course , after coming a day. Of course, after mayor of Greater Manchester, andy told here in gb andy burnham told us here in gb news out news he would not rule out taking legal action against the government if it goes ahead with its lets go live to liz its plans. Lets go live to liz now and speak to our Political Correspondent, catherine forster. Catherine. Not the fab four on the rooftop, but the fab five. Were they singing from the were they all singing from the same hymn sheet . Yes same hymn sheet . Yes yes, they really were. All labour mayors, four from the north of england , plus sadiq north of england, plus sadiq khan, whod come up from london all absolutely singing from the same hymn sheet. As regards hs2. They really fundamentally wanting three things. First of all, for the line from birmingham to manchester to go ahead because of course, its heavily rumoured its going to be scrapped. Its going to be scrapped. Second of for all, at the end in london, not to stop at Old Oak Common near acton in North West London, but to actually go on into euston and then third Northern Powerhouse rail, some have called that three. Of course, it doesnt exist yet. Weve been hearing about it for many, many years. But fundamentally, thats the east west route , which would connect west route, which would connect up with fast trains and liverpool through to manchester, through to leeds, and ultimately on to hull and to newcastle and really a feeling unanimous this that the government have to deliver. Lets have a look at what the mayor of Greater Manchester, andy burnham, had to say. A simple but powerful message coming back from the northern mayors, but also the mayor of london today who is with to us back to westminster and whitehall. And its this dont whitehall. And its this dont pull the plug on the north of england. Stop thinking you can treat people here like second class citizens when it comes to. Transport second class citizens. Citizens. Thats what he says. The thats what he says. The northerners are being treated like the 16 Million People in the north of england , and many the north of england, and many of them are frankly tired of heanng of them are frankly tired of hearing pledges and promises on what may happen with transport in the north. And then nothing being delivered. But sadiq khan at the other end down in london also had plenty to say. Lets have a look at him, please have been invited by the cross party transport for north to their Board Meeting on this morning. We may be mayors from different regions, but we speak with one voice and when we say we dont want cuts to High Speed Two, we see the benefits of high speed. Two in relation to Economic Growth, in relation to increasing capacity, increase in connectivity, increase in speed, and it means we can have the same sort of transport links that france has, that spain has , that germany has. Im worried that that cut in High Speed Two will cause huge damage to london and the south east a very united front there, catherine, from those five labour mayors. And the timing and the optics of this is all very significant, isnt it . When we when we think about the conservative Party Conference starting in manchester on sunday, are they trying to influence the decision or an announcement to be made then or ahead of that time . Ahead of that time . Well, yes, but its seeming unlikely now that an announcement or decision will be made around the time of Party Conference because of course, how would that look to go to manchester and announce that theyre scrapping the hs2 connection to that city . Now, the government appear to have been quite stunned by the backlash to this when it was first floated a week or so ago. First floated a week or so ago. It sounds like now theyre saying that no decision has been taken and its likely to be that we will get an announcement later in the year, a month or two on from conference. And of course, in the meantime, conservative conference, there are train strikes. There are no are train strikes. There are no trains running to manchester. The day before conference starts, or indeed the day that it finishes. So really, all the all mighty mess. But certainly these mayors are just saying, let us in the room. Theyre basically saying that theyve been shut out, that theres huge economic benefits, potential to hs2 and Northern Powerhouse railway, and consequently huge negative effects of it not going ahead if businesses have planned for years and years , assuming for years and years, assuming that this rail line is going to be up and running, that this rail line is going to be up and running , theyre be up and running, theyre saying, please just talk to us. We need to be in a dialogue with you. Dont make these decisions on your own. On your own. And catherine, of course, we had andy burnham indicating yesterday, certainly Greater Manchester might consider legal action. Are we getting the same from the other authorities as well, that there might be some combined legal action on behalf of all of them . Of all of them . Theyre not really being drawn on that at the moment. I think the feeling is theyre trying to be asking nicely, effective. They dont want to be effective. They dont want to be unhelpful. So theyre sort of unhelpful. So theyre sort of asking nicely , please talk to asking nicely, please talk to us. We want to be involved. We us. We want to be involved. We need to be involved. Lets have a conversation. I think if the government dont move , if you government dont move, if you know, if they dont do go on then to announce that they are pulling these sections of hs2, then potentially we could see a legal challenge. But i think were certainly some way off that at the moment. And to reflect it is not just labour authorities who are on the case, of course, a lot of very Senior Tories are still pressuring rishi sunak ahead of this conference. Behind the scenes, former chancellors , scenes, former chancellors, former Prime Ministers, former transport secretaries. Transport secretaries. Yes, thats right. This really does seem to have United People from across the political spectrum. Um, Boris Johnson is spectrum. Um, Boris Johnson is very concerned. George osborne, who of course was a northern mp and former chancellor, he sort of championed the Northern Powerhouse house, didnt he . Even david cameron, the former pm who tends not to involve himself in politics these days , himself in politics these days, has made it known that he thinks that this is a mistake. Even people like Philip Hammond as well. So not many people. Well. So not many people. William hague , former william hague, former conservative party leader , has conservative party leader, has said that this is the right decision to scrap it. But i would say hes very, very much in the minority. Okay. Catherine forster, our okay. Catherine forster, our Political Correspondent there in leeds for us. Thank you very much. Now, coming up, sir elton much. Now, coming up, Sir Elton John joins the chorus of criticism for home secretary Suella Braverman following that controversial speech in the us yesterday. Before that, lets yesterday. Before that, lets get your headlines with rhiannon. Ali. Thank you. Its exactly 1230. Your top stories from the newsroom. A 15 Year Old Girl has newsroom. A 15 Year Old Girl has died after being stabbed in croydon in south london. A teenage boy has been arrested. Police believe he may have known the victim. Emergency services were called to wellesley road at around 830 this morning following reports of a stabbing. The girl was pronounced dead at the scene. The uks largest the scene. The uks largest untapped oil and gas field, rosebank , in scotland, has been rosebank, in scotland, has been approved for development. Thats despite a row over climate damage regulators say net zero considerations have been taken into account. Scotlands first minister, humza yousaf , says minister, humza yousaf, says hes disappointed the projects being given the go ahead. The uk being given the go ahead. The uk government welcomed the decision , saying it will raise billions of pounds is okay and i just want to say five labour mayors from across the country have met in leeds to urge the Prime Minister to stay on track with hs2. They warn that failure to hs2. They warn that failure to deliver in full will leave swathes of the north with victorian transport infrastructure on fit for purpose. Rishi sunak faces political backlash over reports hes considering axing the link between birmingham and manchester amid soaring costs and the United Nations has rejected the home secretarys calls for International Law on refugees to be changed. In a speech in washington, Suella Braverman suggested the un 1951 Refugee Convention needs updating. She argues fearing discrimination for being gay or a woman shouldnt be enough to qualify for International Refugee protection. And you can refugee protection. And you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website gb news. Com by visiting our website gbnews. Com. Gbnews. Com. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on gb news hello , welcome to your latest hello, welcome to your latest gb news weather update from the met office. Now storm agnes is set to bring some disruptive and potentially damaging winds to areas of the uk today. There are wind and rain warnings in force , so make sure you take a further look at those if youre in those areas. Storm agnes is an area of low pressure, a very deep area of low pressure thats going to pushing in from the going to be pushing in from the southwest ireland pushing southwest of ireland and pushing up irish sea and up through the irish sea and affecting many western and Northern Areas of the uk. Theres Wind Warnings in force for gusts of 45 to 55mph inland and up to 60 or 65mph along the coast. And up to 60 or 65mph along the coast. Some heavy rain will coast. Some heavy rain will affect much of Northern Ireland and southern scotland , as well and southern scotland, as well as areas of cumbria and lancashire , where that rain will lancashire, where that rain will continue through the evening, bringing some pretty difficult driving conditions and also plenty of debris on the roads as well. The winds stay strong overnight, but much of the rain will clear to the north east and it will stay breezy for many through thursday as well. Its through thursday as well. Its dry across the southeast through a lot of today and overnight as well. But still , you will see well. But still, you will see the effects of those winds. Then the effects of those winds. Then through thursday, itll be a generally a calmer day, but still fairly breezy , but plenty still fairly breezy, but plenty of dry weather, at least to start and some decent sunshine in as well. However, as we head through the day, some pretty gusty wind will move into Northern Ireland once again, as well as northwest scotland. And itll cloud over in the southwest. As of southwest. But as ahead of further rain overnight and into friday, that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news sponsors of weather on. Gb news im andrew doyle. Join me at 7 00 every sunday night for free speech nation. The show i tackle the weeks biggest stories in politics and Current Affairs with the help of my two comedian panellists and a variety of special guests. Free speech nation sunday nights from seven on gb news the peoples channel, britains news channel. What you get for breakfast is something that if we do our jobs right, you will wake up to news that you didnt know the night before. Its a conversation nation. Its a conversation nation. Its a conversation nation. Its not just me and eamonn. Its notjust me and eamonn. We want to get to know you and we get to know us we want you to get to know us from six. Breakfast with eamonn its breakfast with eamonn and isabel monday to thursdays on gb news, britains news channel. Join me Camilla Tominey on sunday mornings from 930, taking the politicians to task and breaking out of sw1 to see how their decisions are affecting you across the uk, bursting the westminster bubble every sunday morning only on gb news the peoples channel, britains watching. Watching. Welcome back. Youre watching the live desk now. An extraordinary meeting of birminghams city council has led to a Recovery Plan being agreed to plug the authoritys huge financial deficit. Yes, of course, its europes largest local authority and declared bankruptcy earlier this month. The council are trying to raise capital to pay off debts worth £760 million and counting. Our West Midlands reporter jack carson has the latest for lis. Us. Us. Birmingham , the second city, birmingham, the second city, the heart of britains Industrial Heritage and a bankrupt council. The bunting bankrupt council. The bunting flies high above the high street, but an equal pay liability rising by £300 every minute is not something this city is celebrating. On monday, city is celebrating. On monday, Birmingham City councillors met for an extraordinary meeting where they voted to approve spending control measures and endorse a financial Recovery Plan. Already in progress. That includes a revised emergency budget to be announced next month and a review into the Councils Assets and ways to maximise income to fill the gap in the Council Chamber this week, leader of Birmingham City council john cotton, committed to protecting services across the city. The decision is now facing this council. Are not decisions that any one of us ever wanted to have to make, nor indeed were many of the decisions thrust upon councils across the country dunng upon councils across the country during the last decade of austerity. But just as we did austerity. But just as we did when we were faced with cuts amounting to almost £1 billion, we will do absolutely everything in our power to minimise the impact our citizens and impact on our citizens and protect the services that matter most to the communities of this city. For the birmingham conservatives and their leader robert theres anger that robert alden, theres anger that labour arent taking responsibility for this council so far is failing to put residents first. Its all been about protecting the labour brand. The protecting the labour brand. The council yet put council has not yet put a Business Plan to the government for funding this Labour Administration cant put a Business Plan together until they stop equal pay growing. They stop equal pay growing. Theyve got to act on equal pay liability. We or this is liability. We or this council is only to going drown in a mess of its creating this labour its own, creating by this Labour Administration Statutory Services Adult Social Care Services Like Adult Social Care and collection and Waste Collection are protected. Protected for now. But there is a worry, a review into authority owned assets could mean libraries and museums are or sold to museums are closed or sold to off raise money for the council on the streets of the city centre, residents are worried about what happens next. I mean, the cost of the of the council tax now is getting to the point where a lot of people are finding it really unaffordable. A unaffordable. So its a significant your significant chunk of your outgoings. And yeah, certainly i outgoings. And yeah, certainly i would consider perhaps moving to a different city if it was to go up any more. Yeah, am very worried about yeah, i am very worried about the because the the city because i like the library. For instance. I mean, library. For instance. I mean, im in the library and im always in the library and im always in the library and im very disappointed really with the council and i came from liverpool to come here and theyre going to think, well, we wont go to that dead city anymore. Well go somewhere else and im be better off going to another, another place than coming to birmingham government commissioners will arrive in birmingham in the next few weeks. But with such a huge black hole of debt to settle and further economic measures to come, the people of this city hold their breath. Jack carson gb news birmingham. Gb news birmingham. Of course well keep you updated about those events in birmingham. Now, Sir Elton John birmingham. Now, Sir Elton John has joined the chorus of criticism of home secretary Suella Braverman after her controversial speech in the united states. The singer and his husband, David Furnish, saying she risked further saying that she risked further legitimising and violence legitimising hate and violence against lgbt people. Yes, a speech in washington, dc called for rules to be tightened around who qualifies for refugee protection. Heres a reminder of what she said. Let me be clear. There are vast swathes of the world where it is extremely difficult to be gay or to be a woman. Where individuals are being persecuted. And it is are being persecuted. And it is right that we offer sanctuary. But we will not be able to sustain an asylum system if, in effect simply being gay or a woman or fearful of discrimination in your country of origin is sufficient to qualify for protection. Well, qualify for protection. Well, lets cross now to our political editor, christopher hope, whos in westminster for us this afternoon. One of the most hard line speeches is on the subject of immigration by a home secretary, chris. And now Sir Elton John joining in the chorus of condemnation when it comes to those comments on gay asylum seekers. Seekers. Thats right. Elton john and his husband David Furnish have rightly in their world spoken out about this because theyve experienced discrimination throughout their lives and theyve been standard bearers for how to deal with that. And i think its really concerning. But what the home secretary has said is in her, were she here, shed be saying shes not talking about people who are being persecuted. Course, being persecuted. And of course, they must allowed to flee the they must be allowed to flee the country in. More country theyre in. Its more people difficult to people who find it difficult to live somewhere where its okay. Thats what the point. Thats what shes the point. Shes trying to make. And thats part a wider argument about part of a wider argument about how scoped how widely scoped this convention human is. Convention of human rights is. 1951 treaty written, and 1951 treaty is written, and thats what shes trying to get to. Theres no question to. But theres no question that some remarks are very some of those remarks are very difficult and challenging. I think , for high profile gay think, for high profile gay people like David Furnish, elton john to hear about. And they are speaking john to hear about. And they are speandg course, went and of course, she went further about further then talking about multicultural ism and a misguided dogma. I mean, there misguided dogma. I mean, there might be those critics who say her remarks are ill thought out, but then theres another school of thought, i gather, and that is that she knows exactly what shes saying. And it might be part of a bid for the leadership of tory party by getting the of the tory party by getting the right her side. Right wing on on her side. Well, mark, youve been around this journalist. Well, as long as i have or longer than i have, maybe i mean, yes, everything is in viewed through the prism leadership. The the prism of leadership. The tory they lose the tory party, if they lose the election, as theyre forecast to tory party, if they lose the ele by an, as theyre forecast to tory party, if they lose the ele by theis theyre forecast to tory party, if they lose the ele by the polls,re forecast to tory party, if they lose the ele by the polls, ise forecast to tory party, if they lose the ele by the polls, is facing ist to do by the polls, is facing a leadership towards the leadership election towards the end suella end of next year. Suella braverman wanting to be braverman will be wanting to be the of the these the champion of the right. These this kind language this kind of language will be what to and shes what she wants to say and shes it i mean, its been it was quite i mean, its been quite interesting days quite an interesting few days for minister he didnt for the Prime Minister he didnt go to the un general assembly. Go to the un general assembly. He and rowed back he did stay here and rowed back on net zero pledges. He sent his home secretary to washington to call for a review of the 1951 convention on human rights. These are things that we havent seen from rishi sunak in the past ten months. Hes been quite safety first five targets. Judge him on those results. Suddenly hes a bit bananas hes gone a bit a bit bananas really, with his of really, with his kind of right wing this speech was wing approach. This speech was signed off by number 10. They knew happening. They joke knew it was happening. They joke about being a team about teamwork being a team player, know its player, but they know its happening. Helps happening. They know it helps both maybe both Suella Braverman and maybe also he tries to also mr sunak as he tries to appeal to the right of the party going into Party Conference weekend. Is fascinating, isnt but it is fascinating, isnt it, that theyve sign it, chris, that theyve had sign off from number 10 on this speech . It suella speech . Because in it Suella Braverman over braverman said immigration over the has too the past 25 years has been too much quick, too little much, too quick, with too little thought given integration and thought given to integration and the impact on social cohesion. But those comments are criticising herself and her own party. So thats it. Thats right, ellie. I mean, 25 years, half of that period, 13 of those years, her party was in power. And youve got to ask , why is that youve got to ask, why is that happened . You look at happened . I mean, if you look at the of small boats, the numbers of small boats, migrants channel, migrants crossing the channel, thats thousands, thats low tens of thousands, too but tens of too many, but low tens of thousands. But the big number is the 600,000 who came here net in the 600,000 who came here net in the 12 months to june last year. Thatis the 12 months to june last year. That is a figure allowed by the government, not stopped. She used the term uncontrolled and illegal migration. An illegal migration is one part of the story. A symptom of a story. Thats a symptom of a bigger issue of uncontrolled migration, she migration, leading to, as she says , the requirement for says, the requirement for 200,000 more places since 200,000 more School Places since 2020. Thats thats on on the tory party the governments watch. Theyre allowing this to happen and shes saying its not on and i know personally she told me if my podcast last october that she wants net migration down to tens of thousands, near thousands, its nowhere near that at the moment. And thats i almost seeing a debate being played in real time. And by played out in real time. And by the this like the way, this is like a political yesterday. The political speech yesterday. The Party Conference is next week. What will say next week . What will she say next week . Yeah. And of course, weve got now, think the hotel bill got now, i think the hotel bill up 8 million day instead got now, i think the hotel bill u|million. Illion day instead got now, i think the hotel bill u|million. Howi day instead got now, i think the hotel bill u|million. How is day instead got now, i think the hotel bill u|million. How is all instead got now, i think the hotel bill u|million. How is all thistead got now, i think the hotel bill u|million. How is all this going 6 million. How is all this going to play out in manchester at the Party Conference . Are there those behind the scenes and aetius perhaps that shes putting her head above the parapet a bit too much on this . Parapet a bit too much on this . I dont think she wont mind that. I mean, shell be very pleased to be a home secretary and having the front front page headunesin and having the front front page headlines in kind of right leaning papers, two days running and i think and shes had that. I think shell be pleased with the result done it a result but shes done it in a kind fallow before the kind of fallow period before the party season kicks Party Conference season kicks off. The speech gave off. I think the speech she gave yesterday absolutely yesterday is an absolutely defining moment. And maybe in tory Party Politics for suddenly for because is for the right because she is firmly stamp ended firmly planting her stamp ended on the right of the party and demanding their attention. Demanding their attention. I mean, is this anything more than rhetoric, though . I mean , than rhetoric, though . I mean, at the moment, the uk is an outlier in this. Theres no other countries that have buy in. Well what the uk is doing is going to the Strasbourg Court and trying to challenge the way this treaty is applied to allow this treaty is applied to allow this rwanda plan to happen. This idea of processing illegal arrivals here in rwanda , and theyre hoping to get a result back, i understand, in november, where if that happens, then next summer we could see smaller, fewer boat smaller, fewer smaller boat crossings if this so called Business Model is broken, well wait and see. But i think the uk is an outlier on and as is an outlier on this. And as a country which helped draw it up in first place, quite in the first place, thats quite interesting. Right thank you for that. In chris, thank you for that. In westminster. Well what westminster. And well see what emerges in manchester. If everyone there by train, of everyone gets there by train, of course. Thats the other course. Thats the other question thats a different story. Now. Weve got stormy conditions out in the irish sea. Well update you on that in a. Well update you on that in a moment. But lets reflect, moment. But lets just reflect, its stopped irish customs its not stopped irish customs officers. Seizing 2253 kilogram officers. Seizing 2253 kilogram officers. Seizing 2253 kilogram of suspected cocaine from a cargo vessel off the south east coast of ireland. Its got a street value or an estimated street value or an estimated street value or an estimated street value. Of ,157 million. Street value. Of ,157 million. Thats just coming through with an elite irish army unit stormed the panamanian cargo ship in an operation. Details just coming operation. Details just coming in. Yes, a senior officer with the irish Police Organised Crime unit has said a large shipment such as this would not have entered the states waters without out the involvement of an irish gang. And the assistant commissioner , justin kelly, has commissioner, justin kelly, has said there is a number of gangs in ireland at the moment with direct links to south america. Were being told a highly trained Army Ranger Wing descended with fast ropes from a helicopter onto the ship , which helicopter onto the ship, which became the focus of a Multi Agency Operation beginning last friday. So well see if weve got any pictures coming in. But as we say, stormy conditions out there at the moment. Well you on moment. Well update you on storm. Storm agnes shortly. Yep, three arrests as well have been made so far. And everyone on that ship will be interviewed. Well bring you up to date on that as we hear more on it. Now, the princess of wales took a personal pilgrimage yesterday, visiting a textile firm owned by her firm once owned by her ancestors. The family owned hainsworth near leeds, which has held a Royal Warrant since 2004. Suppues held a Royal Warrant since 2004. Supplies fabric to make ceremonial uniforms. Well, our ceremonial uniforms. Well, our royal correspondent Cameron Walker reports. Walker reports. What do these historical events have in common . More than 200 years of history with a special royal connection. The special royal connection. The princess of wales visited the worlds leading manufacturer of cloth , used to fashion cloth, used to fashion ceremonial uniforms yesterday. It also supplies big fashion houses like gucci. It has houses like gucci. It has a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth ii for providing furnishing fabrics to the Royal Household to renew the warrant under king charles. However, sustainable duty is key. According to amanda mclaren, the managing director. We have a huge focus on sustainability , and its part of sustainability, and its part of our strategy to continue on that journey. Weve got a lot to do. Its a very, very big and wide subject, but certainly were making good pace and our commitment to the Royal Warrant is commitment to our is as big a commitment to our sustainability go sustainability strategy. They go hand back to the hand in hand, dating back to the battle of waterloo. H. W. Hainsworth in the town of pudsey, near leeds , has a of pudsey, near leeds, has a special place in princess catherines heart. Thats because her great great grandfather sold William Lupton and co to the firm in 1958 and the burberry dressed princess got the chance to learn about her ancestors legacy. The princess was also reunited with the fabric used for her husbands wedding uniform, revealing she loves the smell of the wool used in the process and viewed a replica of a maternity dress she wore when she was pregnant. Made with fabric from the mill. Philip picard has worked for the firm for more than two decades. It was fantastic to meet her today. Firstly, it was really, today. Firstly, it was really, really nerve wracking thinking im going to meet royalty, but within the first couple of seconds made feel seconds she just made you feel so calm with all interests so calm with all the interests and knowledge actual and knowledge of the actual textile it great textile industry. It was great to. See outside the factory to. See outside the factory gates , a patient crowds waited gates, a patient crowds waited hours to catch a glimpse of the princess. Many have family links to the booming textiles industry in this part of yorkshire and are glad her Royal Highness made the effort. I think thats very important that in other that theyre seen in other places other than london and it is lovely have her here. Is lovely to have her here. Often get left and we we often get left out and we shouldnt have, you know, we shouldnt have, you know, we shouldnt be, but its lovely to see her today. The princess of wales travels to kent to highlight the importance of Early Childhood development at a Specialist Centre supporting children with disabilities. Cameron walker gb disabilities. Cameron walker gb news in yorkshire. Well lets news in yorkshire. Well lets return to our top story now. As we were saying, weve got the famous five on the rooftop up, not the famous four this time, and its live in leeds, which liam will remember was an album by the who rather than beatles. Anyway, away from rock history, weve got transport charlie watts, right. Who mick jagger called the wembley the drummer. He Wembley Whammer the drummer. He was from kingsbury, was actually from kingsbury, where. Right. Where i was born. Right. Kingsbury just the road. Kingsbury just up the road. Kingsbury just up the road. Of course, they yeah. And of course, they played west london. Played in south west london. Richmond. However, lets just update everyone with whats been happening in leeds. Update everyone with whats been happening in leeds. Weve got happening in leeds. Weve got these five labour mayors gathering to issue a joint plea to the Prime Minister. Its different language to what we heard yesterday from andy burnham, he was basically burnham, where he was basically threatening legal action. Theyve of been cap in hand theyve sort of been cap in hand today , but we still dont know today, but we still dont know what the government is planning or is not planning. I mean, is there anything behind the scenes going on about what they may say at the conference in manchester . Well, behind scenes , well, behind the scenes, theres theres a huge blazing theres a theres a huge blazing row behind the front row as there is behind the front door of many, many families. Of course , look, hs2 started in course, look, hs2 started in 2010. That was when it was first conceived. It was originally meant to go london to meant to go from london to birmingham and then from birmingham and then from birmingham to manchester via crewe, also from crewe, and then also from birmingham to via East Birmingham to leeds via the east midlands hub. That leeds leg was scrapped unceremoniously in 2021, and the speculation now as the tory faithful head up to for manchester their Party Conference gathering there this weekend. The speculation now is that the birmingham to manches branch will also be scrapped. Branch will also be scrapped. That, of course sent labour labours manchester mayor, andy burnham apoplectic with rage. A lot of rail experts have been saying if you dont do the birmingham to manchester thing, hs2 does, whats the point . It doesnt any sense. Weve doesnt make any sense. Weve already train lines from doesnt make any sense. Weve already to train lines from doesnt make any sense. Weve already to birmingham nes from doesnt make any sense. Weve already to birmingham perfectly london to birmingham perfectly serviceable. I think now now serviceable. But i think now now given that its a fluid moment with hs2, its understandable that people that want the leeds leg are sticking their or back in and saying, look, if we are going do this thing, youve going to do this thing, youve got leeds, do it properly got to do leeds, do it properly and the cost benefit and all the cost benefit analysis ive seen of hs2 obviously massive cost, it went from 30,000,000,000 in 2010. Its estimated more than 100 its now estimated more than 100 billion. All the cost benefit Analysis Shows that the london to birmingham bit you dont get any return on your investment there because weve already got two train lines. The birmingham to manchester bit get some to manchester bit you get some return investment return on your investment but once you birmingham once you have birmingham to Manchester Birmingham to manchester and birmingham to leeds, big economic leeds, youve got big economic gains for that massive state investment. And do we know whats happened to the figures , to the happened to the figures, to the sums . Is it inflation that concretes more expensive , that concretes more expensive, that steel is more expensive , that steel is more expensive, that labouris steel is more expensive, that labour is more expensive . And thats whats pushed the bill up. Theres a lot going on with this headline number. Mean , this headline number. I mean, ive ive heard credible testimony industry experts, testimony from industry experts, from mps that the original cost of hs2 was deliberately underestimated. And as you do underestimated. And as you do with all contracts in order to get the well, in order to ram it through to parliament, were seeing here some work going on in birmingham , curzon street. In birmingham, curzon street. Were seeing work also going on in euston, though a lot of this work has been curtailed because euston may not even be the terminus now, even though if you go to euston, huge amount of work has been done, which is why weve got sadiq khan in leeds. I guess thing, this thing may guess this thing, this thing may come in to Old Oak Common in acton, a so if acton, which is a suburb. So if you went birmingham you went from birmingham to acton, the to acton, got on the tube to euston, you using euston, take you longer using hs2 than would on the hs2 than it would on the conventional is it conventional railway, it is a it is a fluid moment. And so if there is going to be a rethink, it me that it doesnt surprise me that labour leeds in particular labour and leeds in particular are trying to say, look, dont forget the leeds bit. Theyve already bought loads of land, right . I mean, peoples houses have been comple purchased so much has gone on. And to reverse , to reverse this now would be egg on the face of the entire british political and media established moment whove backed it. But also it would it would demonstrate this thing the sunk cost fallacy. Do you keep putting more good money after bad money . But thats the difficulty. The heavy lifting and the big investment has already been done. I investment has already been done. I mean, rishi sunak himself saying week theres himself saying this week theres spades in the ground. Spades already in the ground. Theres been the theres already been the preliminary works at euston. I preliminary works at euston. I mean, it would be ludicrous, wouldnt it, some around some of the has done. The heavy lifting has been done. Spent i mean, hs2 we spent i mean, the hs2 keep the very, very close to the numbers very, very close to their chest, estimated 15 to 20 billion. But if the whole thing is going to be 100 billion, i mean, can can the work theyve done already be repurposed . Its a complete mess. A complete conundrum. Rishi sunak is trying to convey that he is the person whos big enough, whos brave enough on what many enough to call time on what many people think is a White Elephant i i i wonder what the season tickets are going to cost. Yeah. Anyway, liam, you for anyway, liam, thank you for taking through the latest taking us through the latest more it. But more from leas as we get it. But lets that the met lets reflect that the met office has issued weather warnings agnes on its warnings for storm agnes on its way already hitting warnings for storm agnes on its way and ready hitting warnings for storm agnes on its way and western ting warnings for storm agnes on its way and western parts of the ireland and western parts of the uk too. Strong winds, heavy yes, strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and even power cuts expected to sweep cuts are expected to sweep across parts of the across large parts of the country during the rest of the day. Well, go to our day. Well, lets go to our south west reporter south west of england. Reporter jeff moody. Good afternoon to you, geoff. Its looking okay so far on exmoor. Hows it looking to you . To you . Yeah, its not too bad so far , is it . But its a coming. The storm is definitely on its way. Were told that its reached parts of ireland at the moment. Weve been hearing reports of some roofs being blown off in Northern Ireland, but it is going to be coming to the rest of the uk, not so much in the east of the country, but in the west of the country and in the south west where now. South west where i am now. Thats going to be thats where its going to be particularly now it comes particularly bad. Now it comes with weather warnings. With three weather warnings. There weather there are only yellow weather warnings moment, two of warnings at the moment, two of them for rain. Theyre saying that up to 60mm in that we could get up to 60mm in places. So we are expecting some places. So we are expecting some sort of localised flooding, perhaps down on the somerset levels. But its the wind warning that the met office is particularly concerned about. Theyre saying gusts of winds up to 70, 75 miles an hour and theyre calling those winds violent. What that means is violent. What that means is theyre expecting that some trees will blow over. Were trees will blow over. Were going to have to shut down certain bridges in the country. Fair crossings will be affected to. And the rnli are saying try and avoid beaches, try and avoid coastal areas, particularly if youre down near the irish sea. Youre down near the irish sea. Thats parts of sort of northern cornwall, northern devon with the Bristol Channel and the irish sea. Just beyond. Thats where its going to be worse. And theyre saying, dont walk your dogs beaches because you your dogs on beaches because you could well, waves could actually sweep you out to sea. Theyre sweep you out to sea. Theyre saying this is the first named storm of the year. But you saying this is the first named storm of the year. But you may remember there was another one storm, anthony, just a couple of months ago. And that was called the first named storm the months ago. And that was called the fiandiamed storm the months ago. And that was called the fiand theed storm the months ago. And that was called the fiand the reasonn the months ago. And that was called the fiand the reason whythe months ago. And that was called the fiand the reason why theres year. And the reason why theres that discrepancy is because the meteorological year is a bit like the Academic Year actually starts in september. So were now new year meteor. Now in a new year meteor. Logically speaking, thats not easy to say. And that means this is the first storm of the area. Well, im going to be here on exmoor all afternoon. Things are starting to wobble a little bit exmoor all afternoon. Things are statheg to wobble a little bit exmoor all afternoon. Things are stathe cameraible a little bit exmoor all afternoon. Things are stathe camera front. Little bit exmoor all afternoon. Things are stathe camera front. Thee bit exmoor all afternoon. Things are stathe camera front. The wind is on the camera front. The wind is definitely up. And ill definitely picking up. And ill be any news. Storm be reporting any news. Storm related throughout the afternoon here on gb news. But youve made an important point, jeff, and is that point, jeff, and that is that the this , of course, the timing of this, of course, this is a time of day when people are out and about. Its not if this is happening not as if this is happening overnight. People not as if this is happening overn got. People not as if this is happening overn got. Heed people not as if this is happening overngot. Heed theseeople not as if this is happening overn got. Heed these warnings not as if this is happening over aret. Heed these warnings not as if this is happening over are beinged these warnings not as if this is happening over are being put. Hese warnings not as if this is happening over are being put in se warnings not as if this is happening over are being put in place� nings that are being put in place. Well, thats right. And the warnings are in place from midday today until around 7 00 tomorrow morning. So this storm isnt going to go anywhere fast once arrives , it should be once it arrives, it should be quite ferocious. It could be quite ferocious. It could be quite ferocious. It could be quite vicious to. Quite vicious to. And jeff, i hope youve got a rain jacket. You dont look very prepared right now. Prepared right now. I have got a rain jacket. Dont you worry. Ive got everything i need. Be be prepared. As the scouts say, jeff, back to you in exmoor throughout the afternoon and see how youre getting on of course. And those, as we say, yellow warnings for high winds and flooding place. And the flooding in place. And the experts saying , please do experts are saying, please do take them seriously. Coming up, take them seriously. Coming up, well be having the latest on that oil field open for business good afternoon. Its 1 00 and good afternoon. Its 1 00 and youre with the news desk here on gb news coming up for you this wednesday lunchtime. The uks biggest untapped oil field open for business. The government says it will generate billions provide energy billions and provide Energy Security , but opponents say its security, but opponents say its environmental vandalism and morally obscene. The fab five rooftop get together, the labour mayors urgent, urging the government to let it be and not scale back hs2 to rishi sunak is also facing growing pressure from within his own party. Were live in leeds and storm agnes already battering ireland. Well have the latest on the front line. Jeff moody on exmoor for us as the waves bash the coast and storm agnes is reaching the uk at any moment now, bringing with it three weather warnings. Weather warnings. Im up here on exmoor, on storm watch all day long for. Gb news and Queen Victorias favourite tipple up for auction. The 200 year old bottles of whisky found behind the cellar door of a scottish castle, but will it all be a bit difficult to swallow because the tasters say it features medicinal characteristics . More on that in characteristics . More on that in a bit. But first, the latest News Headlines with rhiannon. News headlines with rhiannon. Thank you, eddie. Good afternoon. Its coming up to 1 02. Your top stories from the gb newsroom. A 15 year from the gb newsroom. A 15 Year Old Girl has died after being stabbed in croydon in south london. A teenage boy has been arrested. Police believe he may have known the victim. Emergency have known the victim. Emergency services were called to wellesley road at around 830 this morning following reports of a stabbing. One eyewitness has described seeing the bus driver and a passer by trying to resuscitate the injured girl on the pavement. She was later pronounced dead at the scene. Pronounced dead at the scene. Five labour mayors from across the country have met in leeds to urge the Prime Minister to stay on track with hs2. They warn that failure to deliver in full will leave swathes of the north with victorian infrastructure unfit for purpose. Rishi sunak faces political backlash over reports hes considering axing the link between birmingham and manchester amid soaring costs. London mayor sadiq khan says there are huge benefits to hs2. Im really pleased to have been invited by the cross party a transport for to north their Board Meeting this morning. Board meeting this morning. We may be mayors from different regions, but we speak with one voice and when we say we dont want cuts to High Speed Two the benefits of high two we see the benefits of high speed. Two in relation to Economic Growth, in relation to increase capacity and increase in capacity and increase in capacity and increase in capacity and increase in connectivity, increase in connectivity, increase in connectivity, increase in speed. And it means we can have the same sort of transport links that france has, that spain has, that germany has. Worried that cutting has. Im worried that cutting High Speed Two will cause huge damage to london and the south east the uks largest untapped oil and gas field, rosebank in scotland, has been approved for development as despite a row over climate damage regulator otas say net zero considerations have been taken into account. Scotlands first minister, humza yousaf says hes disappointed the projects being given the go ahead the uk government has welcomed the decision, saying it will raise billions of pounds for the United Nations has rejected the home secretarys calls for International Law on refugees to be changed. In a speech in washington on Suella Braverman suggested the un 1951 Refugee Convention needs updating. She argues, fearing discrimination for being gay or a woman shouldnt be enough to qualify for International Refugee protection. Lucy frazer, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, says it needs a Global Solution on is as the home secretary was saying , a home secretary was saying, a global issue that needs a Global Solutions. The u n solutions. The un has stated that since that by the end of 2022 there are 108 Million People displaced. So we, as you will know as a government are working very carefully to make sure that we stop the boats coming over here through International Solutions i the uks first drug consumption room, where users can take Illegal Drugs under medical supervision , has been medical supervision, has been approved. The facility planned for glasgows east end is backed by the Scottish Government as a way to tackle the countrys drugs deaths crisis. The £2. 3 drugs deaths crisis. The £2. 3 million pilot will allow users to take their own Illegal Drugs in a hygienic environment with medical staff on hand. Domestic medical staff on hand. Domestic Abuse Victims may have been exposed to their alleged abusers following several data breaches. Family laws have had to be relocated after several organisations, including law firms, police and a government department, mishandled victims personal information , lack of personal information, lack of staffing and relaxed practises are being blamed for the leaks. The Information Commissioners Office is calling for stronger standards and policies. Yellow standards and policies. Yellow weather warnings are in place for most of the uk as storm agnes has made landfall. The coastis agnes has made landfall. The coast is expected to be whipped by winds as high as 75 miles an houn by winds as high as 75 miles an hour. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is advising people to keep a safe distance from water and cliff edges as high waves pose a potential threat to yellow. Rain. Warnings will also be in place in parts of scotland. And staying in of scotland. And staying in scotland. Whisky thought to be the oldest in the world, will be sold at auction for £10,000 a bottle. The tipple was found hidden behind the doors of blair castle. Around 40 bottles are castle. Around 40 bottles are believed to have been distilled almost 200 years ago. Auctioneers say the bottles will likely have a more medicinal taste, though that is, if you can bear to open one at that price. This is gb news across price. This is gb news across the uk on tv , in your car, on the uk on tv, in your car, on Digital Radio and on your Smart Speaker by saying play gb news now its back over to mark and. Now its back over to mark and. Ellie rhiannon. Thanks very much and welcome back to the live desk here on gb news. Now the government welcoming this mornings decision to open up the uks biggest untapped oil field. They biggest untapped oil field. They say that rosebank, some 80 miles off shetland, will raise billions and provide Energy Security for the uk. But opponents have called it an act of environmental vandalism and morally obscene labours say theyre opposed to the development, but have added crucially that they would not revoke the licence if they came to power. Lets get more with our economics and Business Editor Liam Halligan with on the money. And liam, first, in terms of the politics, this is interesting that the labour basically saying, well, we dont really like it, but were going to stay with it. If we come into power. Thats right. Because they know unless that happens, the trade unions will go absolutely ballistic. You know, the is the third Biggest Union in britain. They have massively backed this decision by by the conservative Prime Minister. This morning. It just you how careful just shows you how careful labour need to be. Lets have a look some the detail. Ls look at some of the detail. Ls on graphic. Mark anelli look at some of the detail. Ls on is graphic. Mark anelli look at some of the detail. Ls on is thephic. Mark anelli look at some of the detail. Ls on is the biggestirk anelli look at some of the detail. Ls on is the biggest untapped oil this is the biggest untapped oil and gas field in uk waters, we believe. Of course, there may be others, but we believe its 80 miles west of shetland island. So thats obviously a long way. But its, you know, relatively , but its, you know, relatively, relatively close in north sea terms. The two main actors, the nonnegian state Energy Giant Equinor and the uks Ithaca Energy , ithaca also has israeli energy, ithaca also has israeli ownership. And were looking at ownership. And were looking at 350 Million Barrels of oil over the lifetime of this field. An £8 billion investment, 2000 or so jobs 350 Million Barrels. Thats equivalent to three and a half days of global consumption. Wow. But look , Claire Coutinho. Wow. But look, Claire Coutinho is the Energy Security and net zero secretary sunak appointed her. She is somebody with big, strong green credentials. And strong green credentials. And yet sunak has put her in a job where its not a coincidence that the Energy Security bit of the title comes before the net zero part of the title. It does seem to me that in general and certainly ahead of their Party Conference, as they gather in manchester weekend , the manchester this weekend, the leadership conservative leadership of the conservative party to recalibrate. Party is trying to recalibrate. We that retreat from the we had that retreat from the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035 last week. Now we have this very high profile announcement about a huge oil and gas field in the uk. This is what Claire Coutinho had to say. Had to say. Well, firstly, the gas will be used domestically, as has been set out in terms of the oil. It gets exported initially, but overall the uk is a net importer of oil, so much of that makes its way back here. So this i think is an important thing thats happened today. Its good for Energy Security, its good for Energy Security, its good for jobs and investment in this country. And overall, it means lower emissions. She says something very now, she says something very interesting there, thats interesting there, and thats about not just about the gas. Its not just about the gas. Its not just about oil because, of about the oil because, of course, we had critics, neil grey, Scottish Energy secretary, saying, this is all going to saying, oh, this is all going to go abroad. Not going to go abroad. Its not going to help us. But the indication is we gas, even though we keep the gas, even though they able export they might be able to export the oil few bob on the oil and make a few bob on the side. Right. Oil and make a few bob on the sidiand right. Oil and make a few bob on the sidiand evenight. Oil and make a few bob on the sidiand even when youre an and even when youre an Energy Importer as Energy Importer eater, as we have been about the year have been since about the year 2000, it doesnt do your Energy Security any good if you dont produce your own oil and gas. It just doesnt that argument doesnt really make sense to me. But there a huge political but there is a huge political row. This is difficult for the labour party to deal with. Theyve come up with a rather unsatisfactory thing. Oh, this is terrible, but is absolutely terrible, but were to change it. Is absolutely terrible, but weilook to change it. Is absolutely terrible, but weilook at to change it. Is absolutely terrible, but weilook at this to change it. Is absolutely terrible, but weilook at this from ange it. Is absolutely terrible, but weilook at this from gary it. But look at this from gary smith, who is the head of the gmb, Biggest Union in gmb, the third Biggest Union in the uk. Gary smith says the uk must be honest about where were going to get the gas we need up to 2050 and beyond. Taking responsibility for more of our own gas will support good own gas supply will support Good Union Jobs both directly and in the wider supply chain. Very the wider supply chain. Very different to coming from the green party, of course, as you can imagine, their only mp is, of course, Caroline Lucas. She of course, Caroline Lucas. She doesnt hold back , giving the doesnt hold back, giving the green light to this new oil field, says caroline. Lucas is morally obscene and the political reaction there it does kind of encapsulate, doesnt it, just how complex this issue is, especially on route to 2050 and net zero, making our way there. It might have to be a mix of green and traditional energies. Absolutely will be. Theres no might about it, ellie. Look, when sunak in the first iteration of this policy earlier this summer i think it was the end of july in dictated that there will be new gas and Oil Drilling Licences in the north sea. Of course , the green lobby sea. Of course, the green lobby freaked out about that. Sunak made the point and i think its quite point that even quite a telling point that even the Climate Change commission, quite a telling point that even the cl is ate change commission, quite a telling point that even the cl is ate lgovernments ssion, which is the governments in house watchdog of progress towards net zero, they have legal powers to be able to chide ministers and chivvy them to do these things. Even the climate these things. Even the Climate Change commission , which a lot change commission, which a lot of people would say is very kind of people would say is very kind of overoptimistic about what renewables can do and how quickly they can do them. But even they say that in the mid 2030, well still be getting 50 of our energy from oil and gas down from about 70 now. And even by 2050 when were at net zero, if it goes to plan , still 25 of if it goes to plan, still 25 of our energy will come from oil and gas. So it would make sense. We use our own oil and gas. So you of a carbon you use less of a Carbon Footprint to actually transport it from elsewhere. And is this a geopolitical necessity at the moment, given that were heading towards 100 a barrel, were being squeezed by opec effectively because russia is on board. Im glad you said that, mark. This is a story thats been brewing ive brewing over the summer. Ive been writing columns about it, talking bit on gb talking about it a bit on gb news, barely been news, but its barely been noticed. News, but its barely been noficed. News, but its barely been noticed. The noticed. But its true. The price oil has gone up 35 price of oil has gone up 35 since early june. So 95 getting since early june. So 95 getting on for 100 a barrel, down from about 70 odd. And of course , about 70 odd. And of course, people have noticed that when theyre filling up their petrol and cars and vans, we saw and diesel cars and vans, we saw very steep price rises in august. But look , this isnt august. But look, this isnt because the World Economy is growing quickly, because it isnt. And theres a demand isnt. And theres a huge demand for there isnt. For oil because there isnt. This is because the opec exporters cartel who control one half of Global Production in and 9,080 of Global Reserves , 90, 9,080 of Global Reserves, 90, if you include russia , they are if you include russia, they are deliberately squeezing the oil market. They are deliberately pumping less to keep prices high. They are deliberately messing with the wests ability to escape from this cost of living crisis. That is the living crisis. That is the geopolitical reality we are facing. And anyone who denies facing. And anyone who denies that mark doesnt really know very much about Global Energy m arkets. Whats markets. Whats the reaction been to this locally . Because the discovery of black gold really did put aberdeen on the map, didnt it, in terms of becoming the oil capital of europe . And weve spoken about the 2000 jobs that will be available and many more in the supply chain, many more in the supply chain, many more in the supply chain, as you say. How term will say. But how long term will these how secure will these jobs be . How secure will they be . Well one reason this is clever politics is not only because it backs labour in corner. C0 rner. Corner. Youve seen their rather awkward response. It also backs the corner because awkward response. It also backs theyears corner because awkward response. It also backs theyears years corner because awkward response. It also backs theyears years under because awkward response. It also backs theyears years under alexiuse for years years under alex salmond and even under nicola sturgeon, for a while the snps claim independence was this claim to independence was this is scotlands oil. We are commercially viable as a country because of the tax revenues we get. If you give us this oil. And since then the snp have and yet since then the snp have done a kind of what we call a reverse ferret in journalism and theyre in coalition with the green party, course, thats green party, of course, thats the they command the only way they can command a majority the scottish majority in the Scottish Parliament and theyre saying now we want to make aberdeen, not the and gas capital of not the oil and gas capital of europe, which it currently is. Tens thousands of well paid tens of thousands of well paid jobs. We to it the jobs. But we want to make it the net capital of the world. Net zero capital of the world. Now saying there isnt now im not saying there isnt good going on with good work going on with renewables with offshore wind, with capture. Aberdeen with carbon capture. Aberdeen can play a huge role in that. But if you dont have oil and gas, aberdeen really ceases to be the vibrant commercial hub there on the east coast of scotland that it currently is. And that makes it very difficult for the snp to reject this extra licence from rishi sunak because it will be very popular in scotland. 1600 jobs probably in the original construction with production starts the platform, the drilling and 450 longer term, does it make a difference that its a nonnegian company thats going to be fronting the majority of that this this Equinor Company . The fact that it is a nonnegian i mean nonnays pretty much entire oil and gas complex is state owned. Right. And state run this money feeds into their Sovereign Wealth Fund and so on. The fact that youve got that very stable Patient Capital from equinor will encourage the private sector collaborators, not least ithaca and the likes ofithaca not least ithaca and the likes of ithaca will be able to pay less for their finance because the nonnegians are there with their deep pockets and their expertise and their long term capital. So in many , in many capital. So in many, in many ways, this is an interesting thing diplomatically, as well. We get a lot of our gas off of nonnay, the longest undersea gas pipeline domestic in the world is between nonnay and hull. Its called the llangollen excuse my pronunciation, ole gunnar solskjaer. If youre listening, i know hes a gb news fan is its a very important pipeline in and the fact that were tight and were building with the nonnegians the worlds biggest offshore farm at dogger offshore wind farm at dogger bank equidistant between the two countries in the middle of the north yet another north sea. So its yet another example that the uks Energy Security , to the extent we have security, to the extent we have it, does rely heavily not just on american lng crossing the atlantic, our long atlantic, but also our long stand aiding collaboration with nonnay. Good job. They send us that Christmas Tree year. Yeah. John mauger square in memory of our help for the second world war. Yes im just going bowl war. Yes im just going to bowl something you , which is just something at you, which is just a breaking coming. A bit of breaking news coming. Longworth googly former longworth googly ten former wilko stores set to reopen as poundland outlets on saturday after bought out of after being bought out of administration. Pepco the owners saying its encouraging former wilko staff to apply for it was a bit of good news. Mark small but good this story about but good as this story about wilko broke, obviously 400 stores, 12,000 employees, massive high street perennial, particularly in the midlands and the north. As this wilko story broke, a lot of journalists saying wilkos gone bust. Its all disappearing , all these stores. Disappearing, all these stores. And i was very , very careful. And i was very, very careful. And i was very, very careful. And i was very, very careful. And i know you were too, to say hang about. Yeah this is an administration situation. Theres a lot of assets here. They could easily be picked up by other discounters. And thats what were now seeing are all 400 wilko stores going to reopen under a different guise, under a different brand no, different brand name . No, because of them are because lots of them are marginal. Why the company marginal. Thats why the company hasnt well. Hasnt been doing very well. Lots of the high streets. There just isnt the demand from onune just isnt the demand from online and general online challenge and general lack of prosperity in the areas where they are 100 going to where they are are 100 going to reopen . Probably are 150 are reopen . Probably are 150 are going to reopen in maybe we dont know. But its good news that youve got b and m, the discounter are taking a big chunk 50. I think youve now got pepco, as we predicted, the pound land owners doing and pound land owners doing more and the privatisation of the wilko staff, which is a really could be to come. And these be more to come. And these little wilko jobs, theyre part time often mums are taking time jobs often mums are taking these jobs older people, its these jobs older people, its the Little Extras that you get from these retail jobs. Absolutely vital to local families and local communities. Good news. Well done, poundland. Lets hope that more of these wilko stores, many of them much loved , are picked up by other loved, are picked up by other providers. Providers. Liam, thank you very much indeed for that. Indeed. Coming up, are they revolting . Up up, are they revolting . Up north, its the mayors from across the country gathering in leeds and theyre protesting at those plans to cut back hs2. Those plans to cut back hs2. Well be updating you live from leeds shortly. Stay with us. Looks like things are heating up i boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Of weather on. Gb news. Hello again. Welcome to your hello again. Welcome to your latest weather update from the met office. Now storm agnes is set to continue to bring disruptive and potentially damaging winds to parts of the uk. Now this area of low uk. Now this area of low pressure has moved north eastwards throughout this afternoon and will continue to bnng afternoon and will continue to bring the strongest winds up through the irish sea, affecting northern and Western Areas of the uk. There are Wind Warnings the uk. There are Wind Warnings in force throughout this afternoon and overnight as well. The strongest winds over the next hours are to come next few hours are set to come in and affect eastern areas of Northern Ireland well as Northern Ireland as well as parts cumbria,lancashire Northern Ireland as well as parts cumbria, lancashire as parts of cumbria, lancashire as southern areas of scotland as well. Some really heavy rain well. Some really heavy rain paired that much of that paired with that much of that rain, though, will start to clear it will clear overnight. It will turn drier as the night continues, but will remain very but the winds will remain very strong then through strong now, then through thursday, winds start to thursday, winds slowly start to ease, but it will be a generally quite breezy day. But you can see a much drier and see its a much drier and brighter plenty of hazy brighter day. Plenty of hazy sunshine around , though. Rain sunshine around, though. Rain will arrive across Northern Ireland and northwest scotland once again and it will start to cloud over across the southwest as well. Ahead of this area of rain arrive into rain which will arrive into thursday evening. And friday. But temperatures around average for the time of year and then friday, that rain that was in the southwest, then sat across the southwest, then sat across the south east as some uncertainty as to how quickly that will clear. By and that will clear. But by and large, it will be a dry and bnght large, it will be a dry and bright day and that will us bright day and that will set us up a chilly start to up for a chilly start to saturday. But some decent sunshine around before some pretty windy weather arrives. Again on sunday. Looks like things are heating up. Things are heating up. Boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on. Christys on gb news. Im gb news radio. Radio. Welcome back to the live desk. The time is 1 24 now. Five labour mayors have gathered on a leeds rooftop today amid reports that rishi sunak is planning to scrap the northern leg of hs2. Well theyre all in tune with each other. They made a united plea indeed to the Prime Minister not to project back any to scale the project back any further. To scale the project back any further. Coming to scale the project back any further. Coming after further. Now, coming a day after the Greater Manchester, the mayor of Greater Manchester, andy left andy burnham, there on the left , gb news he would not rule , told gb news he would not rule out legal action against out taking legal action against the government if it went ahead with its plans to axe that route. Lets get the latest live from leeds and our Political Correspondent, catherine forster. Catherine slightly different language today from what we heard from andy burnham yesterday. Shes just coming up, yesterday. Shes just coming up, hopefully from leeds because clearly, yes, we are there. Weve got storm agnes playing all sorts of tricks on us. But in terms of the air, the weather warning from those two mayors on the rooftop , i mean, basically the rooftop, i mean, basically theyre saying a pretty pleased today rather than sort of banging the drum as they were yesterday. Yesterday. Yes , exactly. Theyre asking yes, exactly. Theyre asking in a rather nicer way for rishi sunak to please think again and ultimately not scrap hs2 from birmingham through to manchester and also sadiq khans plea not to scrap it, going all the way into euston and finishing instead at Old Oak Common. So yesterday we had the mayor of Greater Manchester, andy burnham, saying that no, he didnt rule out taking legal action against the government today , the tone is, as you say, today, the tone is, as you say, rather different. Theyre rather different. Theyre saying, please let us in the room. It seems quite astonishing, but it sounds like really they havent been involved very much at all in this Decision Making process. And of course , hs2, whether it and of course, hs2, whether it happens or whether it doesnt to leeds or to manchester or indeed to euston, well have a massive impact. One way or the other on the economies of these major northern cities and indeed of london itself. Andy burnham was talking, saying, let us in the room. Lets see what he had to say. So theres a simple but powerful message coming back from the northern mayors, but also the mayor of london today whos with to us back to westminster and whitehall. And its this dont pull the plug on the north of england. Stop the north of england. Stop thinking can treat people thinking you can treat people here like second class citizens when it comes to transport it. When it comes to transport it. Yes , rishi sunak seems to yes, rishi sunak seems to have united all most everybody, it seems, on all sides of the political spectrum because its not just these northern mayors and the london mayor on his own side , Boris Johnson, very side, Boris Johnson, very concerned. David cameron, who doesnt intervene publicly very often , has let it be known he often, has let it be known he thinks this would be a mistake. Ditto george osborne, who, of course , used to be chancellor. Course, used to be chancellor. He used to talk a lot about Northern Powerhouse. And of Northern Powerhouse. And of course, this is not just about hs2 and that y shape that it was supposed to originally be with one fork to leeds that was axed in 2021 and one fork from birmingham to manchester that seems in doubt. Theyre also talking about Northern Powerhouse rail and saying that that also now needs to be delivered in full. Weve had a lot of focus of getting in and out of london quicker north south connectivity , but we also south connectivity, but we also need from the east to the west now, Northern Powerhouse rail also being described as hs3. And also being described as hs3. And there seems to be no firm plans in place. It tends to be always in place. It tends to be always changing, but fundamentally its for high speed trains to go from liverpool to manchester on to leeds and then ultimately to connect with hull on the east coast and up to newcastle and to link all these Great Northern cities and to capitalise on all the economic benefits that that would bring. Now, Oliver Coppard would bring. Now, Oliver Coppard is the mayor of West Yorkshire. Is the mayor of West Yorkshire. Lets have a look at what he had to say. I think the message that were sending to the government today is invest in the north and give the certainty and the give us the certainty and the commitment that can rely on, commitment that we can rely on, that can rely on that our businesses can rely on and that our communities need about investment in about the investment in infrastructure and hs2 in particular, that we can then develop , so we can then develop develop, so we can then develop our economies, our communities and Economic Growth and get that Economic Growth into the north. Right into the north. Youre right about connections to south about the connections to South Yorkshire and then onto West Yorkshire and then onto West Yorkshire because this isnt just about connecting places up north with london. Is also north with london. This is also about up the great about connecting up the great cities of the north sheffield and leeds West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire have the opportunity be Economic Opportunity to be an economic powerhouse, but we need that connectivity. Need connectivity. We need infrastructure allows us infrastructure which allows us to and that is the same to grow and that is the same right the north. Right across the north. So we are saying to the government, dithering, stop government, stop dithering, stop delaying, uncertainty, delaying, stop the uncertainty, invest in the north. You want communities if you want our communities to the optics of this, to thrive, the optics of this, catherine, are pretty powerful. Five labour mayors, four of them up north and the london mayor as well, sadiq khan giving a very united front on this. The top and the bottom of the hs2 line. Surely theyre trying to influence the decision or at least an announcement ahead of the tory Party Conference on. Sunday well, yes, they certainly are. Now, the government are now saying that no decision has been taken. But only a few days ago it sounded pretty much like it was a done deal, that the decision had been made to scrap it. I think theyve been quite taken aback by the strength of feeling and by the backlash that has come their way from politicians. As ive said all politicians. As ive said all across the political spectrum and not just in the north, also and notjust in the north, also with the mayor of london over theissue with the mayor of london over the issue of hs2 potentially finishing at Old Oak Common in North West London and not going through to euston. He was also talking about that that. Lets have a listen. Im really pleased to have been invited by the cross party transport for north to their Board Meeting this morning. We may be mayors from different regions, but we speak with one voice. And when we say we dont want cuts to high speed, two, we see the benefits of high speed. Two in relation to Economic Growth, in relation to increasing capacity, increasing connectivity , increasing speed. Connectivity, increasing speed. And it means we can have the same sort of transport links that france has that spain has, that france has that spain has, that germany has. That france has that spain has, that germany has. Im that france has that spain has, that germany has. Im worried that germany has. Im worried that germany has. Im worried that cut in High Speed Two will cause huge damage to london and the south east. The south east. So sadiq khan, theyre stressing that other countries seem to be able to manage to build these high speed rail links. And so why cant we . So i think a very powerful message being sent to the government ahead of conservative conference, which starts , of conference, which starts, of course, this weekend in. Yes, manchester. And there are no trains because as there is a trains because as there is a train strike and steve rotheram, the labour mayor of liverpool, was late for the meeting by about 20 minutes because yes, youve guessed it , about 20 minutes because yes, youve guessed it, problems with trains. Trains. You cant make it up, can you, catherine . Thank you very, very much for being there for us. Catherine our us. Catherine foster, our Political Correspondent there in leeds. Hell be trying to from hell be trying to get from leeds to manchester for the Party Conference at weekend. Party conference at the weekend. Good too. Good luck with that, too. Now lets bring you some breaking news getting from news that were getting from mark white, our home and security editor on the security editor whos on the island lampedusa, the italian island of lampedusa, the italian island of lampedusa, the italian island efforts are undennay to urgent efforts are undennay to find two migrant boats that have been reported missing in the mediterranean with more than 200 people on board. Its understood to have left libya a day ago. Gb news being told that they heading or trying to head for southern italy , but a refugee southern italy, but a Refugee Network contacting the italian rescue services as the boats have not been heard of or seen in 24 hours. One reported to be carrying 145 people. Now, there are claims from those who have heard from passengers by telephone. They reported suffering engine problems. The charity then lost problems. The charity then lost contact with those passengers a short time later. Contact with those passengers a short time later. Some contact with those passengers a short time later. Some relatives short time later. Some relatives of those on board have reported their loved ones missing. And their loved ones missing. And the small vessel was reported to be carrying 90 people. But the charity has said the weather conditions in the area were deteriorating and there were strong winds blowing. And strong winds blowing. And theyve also contacted the Italian Coast Guard to alert them to this missing vessel. Well have a live update coming from mark from lampedusa shortly. But first, lets get an update all the headlines with rhiannon. Rhiannon. Mark, thank you. Its 133. Mark, thank you. Its133. Your top stories from the newsroom. A 15 Year Old Girl has newsroom. A 15 Year Old Girl has died after being stabbed in croydon in south london. A teenage boy has been arrested. Teenage boy has been arrested. Police believe he may have known the victim. Emergency services the victim. Emergency services were called to wellesley road at around 830 this morning following reports of a stabbing. The girl who was on her way to school at the time was pronounced dead at the scene. Pronounced dead at the scene. The uks largest untapped oil and gas field , rosebank, in and gas field, rosebank, in scotland, has been approved for development. Thats despite development. Thats despite a row over climate damage and regulators say net zero consideration have been taken into account. Scotlands first minister, humza yousaf, says hes disappointed the projects being given the go ahead. The uk government has welcomed the decision, saying it will raise billions of pounds. Hey everyone, today to this camera. Weve been hearing five labour mayors from across the country have met in leeds to urge the Prime Minister to stay on with hs2. Warn on track with hs2. They warn that failure deliver in full that failure to deliver in full will leave swathes the north will leave swathes of the north with victoria and transport infrastructure unfit for purpose. Rishi sunak faces political backlash over reports hes considering axing the link between birmingham and manchester amid soaring costs and the United Nations has rejected the home secretarys calls for International Law on refugees to be changed. In a speech in washington, Suella Braverman suggested the un 1951 Refugee Convention needs updating. She argues , fearing updating. She argues, fearing discrimination for being gay or a woman shouldnt be enough to qualify for International Refugee protection. And you can refugee protection. And you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website gb news. Com by visiting our website gbnews. Com. Gbnews. Com. Direct bullion sponsors the Financial Report on gb news for gold and silver investment. Gold and silver investment. Heres a quick snapshot of todays markets. The pound will buy you 1. 2138 and ,1. 1520. The price of gold is £1,558. 35 per ounce. And the ftse 100 is at 7617 points. Direct bullion sponsors the finance report on gb news for physical 7 00 this evening. Gb news is the peoples. Channel the peoples. Channel well, welcome back to the live desk. And lets update you now with more on this awful killing of the 15 Year Old Girl in croydon. Were now being told in croydon. Were now being told that the girl was a pupil at old palace of John Whitgift school near croydon, and the school has released a statement to say, we are deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much loved and valued friend and pupil. Yes, they go on to say it will take some time for the old palace community to come to terms with this terrible news. We will offer support to our pupils we do so. Above pupils as we try to do so. Above all, we send our love and deepest sympathies to the girls family. At this unimaginably distressing time. Um. Yeah. Distressing time. Um. Yeah. Its understood that she was attacked or an argument may have begun as she was on the bus going to this private school in croydon. A Forensic Team is at the scene there with Forensic Officers. Theyre now combing officers. Theyre now combing the area and sniffer dogs as well with the Police Operation well with the Police Operation well undennay, will update you as we get more details. As we get more details. A teenager has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of the 15 Year Old Girl in croydon. And Scotland Yard said he was known to the victim. Well, lisa hartle, we believe, is there for us in croydon for us this afternoon, so she can bnng us this afternoon, so she can bring us up to speed with the latest in this developing story. Police were called at 8 30 am. To reports of a stabbing on wellesley road. And we know that the girl died at the scene, 40 minutes later while our london reporter lisa hartle is with us now. Good afternoon to you, lisa. And this is a developing story. What is the latest. Story. What is the latest. So, as you say, the police say it was 8 30 am. This morning when that 15 Year Old Girl who was believed to be on her way to school was fatally stabbed. And you can just behind and you can just see behind me, the cordoned off me, theres the cordoned off area. Bus that the area. Theres the bus that the Forensics Team are examining there is the forensics tent. There and officers are carrying on with that examination. Police and paramedics were called to the scene, but it was less than an hour later when that girl was pronounced dead shortly after this at 9 45, a teenager was arrested in connection with the stabbing and police say at this early stage they believe that the victim was known to the teenage boy that has been arrested. Now witness has described seeing a bus driver and another woman trying to help the teenager by performing cpr on her on the pavement. And chief superintendent Andy Brittain of the met has said our immediate thoughts are with this young girls family who are facing the most tragic of news. Our officers are with the girls family to support them. So the crime scene will obviously remain here as investigate remain here as they investigate. Continues. Nation continues. Were expecting from the expecting an update from the police around 2 00. And the police around 2 00. And the police are urging anybody who may witnessed this attack may have witnessed this attack or any information to or has any information to contact them. And as we can see behind you, lisa, i mean, this is a very busy thoroughfare, one the busy thoroughfare, one of the main and think main roads there. And i think its entrance to the its the entrance to the Whitgift Centre , isnt it, which Whitgift Centre, isnt it, which is of main shopping Whitgift Centre, isnt it, which is there main shopping Whitgift Centre, isnt it, which is there microydon ing Whitgift Centre, isnt it, which is there microydon. Ng centres there in croydon. Yeah, i was talking to a man who has lived in the area, all of his life and he said its a very busy Shopping Centre for this road. He said, as you said, is also a very busy and he is also a very busy one. And he actually also me that he is also a very busy one. And he actuspeaking me that he is also a very busy one. And he actuspeaking to me that he is also a very busy one. And he actuspeaking to a me that he is also a very busy one. And he actuspeaking to a schoolchild was speaking to a schoolchild who witnessed the attack. Well, after the attack. And he was in after the attack. And he was in a very distressed state and said that they saw the teenage girl also trying to be helped by several members of the public. And he just said its a very tragic event and its something thats really shook people around here. And, lisa, youve been there since this news has been breaking. I mean, it must be absolutely so very distressing for the community there in croydon. Yeah croydon. Yeah and that man that i was talking to as well, you know, 15 Year Old Girl, what on earth does her family feel like at the moment and her School Friends does her family feel like at the monwitnessed er School Friends does her family feel like at the monwitnessed it School Friends does her family feel like at the monwitnessed it andyol friends does her family feel like at the monwitnessed it and theyveds that witnessed it and theyve lost yeah, its just lost her . Its yeah, its just the more people you speak to, theres a lot of people that are just that are local to the area and theyre theyre behind us. Theyre here because they theyre just here because they they they need be they feel like they need to be there have been some flowers that have left out. That have also been left out. And yeah. And as the story develops, more will obviously and yeah. And as the story develiyou more will obviously and yeah. And as the story develiyou more as. L obviously and yeah. And as the story develiyou more as we jviously and yeah. And as the story develiyou more as we findisly and yeah. And as the story develiyou more as we find out. Bring you more as we find out. Okay. Lisa hartle for us there in croydon. Thank you very much. And well catch up with you throughout the afternoon as that. That story develops. Now, we were telling you about the efforts undennay to find migrant boats more find two migrant boats with more than people on board now than 200 people on board now said to be missing in the mediterranean. The boats leaving western libya. Gb news has been told heading towards southern italy yesterday but have not been seen since in deteriorating weather conditions. Yes. Weather conditions. Yes. Meanwhile, the last of 11,000 migrants whove arrived on the italian island of lampedusa in the last week have now been taken the mainland. Lets taken to the mainland. Lets speak now with our home and security editor, mark white, whos on lampedusa for us now. And mark, before we talk about lampedusa with you, lets lets reflect that breaking news. The efforts are undennay to find those two migrant boats reported missing in the mediterranean. Missing in the mediterranean. And we understand there are up to 200 people. On board. To 200 people. On board. Yeah, this is an ngo that monitors these migrant departures in to the mediterranean and according to this ngo , these two boats left this ngo, these two boats left western libya , the benghazi area western libya, the benghazi area , a day ago. , a day ago. They were in contact the ngos said, with some of the passengers on board one of the boats, which had 145 people on board. And they were reporting that the boat was suffering from engine problems. And then engine problems. And then a short time later, the ngos said they lost contact with the boat out of range, probably , but they out of range, probably, but they have not heard from that boat since. They have contacted the italian coastguard to alert them. And then they have also alerted the Italian Coast Guard about a second boat. That according to the ngo, has gone missing as well. That boat was carrying around 90 passengers and relatives whod been in contact with the passengers on board that particular boat had contacted this ngo to report them missing. So, again , the them missing. So, again, the coastguard alerted to these two boats. I have to say it is not unusual for these migrant boats to go missing. They are crossing quite a significant stretch of sea. Its 200 plus miles from the tunisian coast to lampedusa and significantly farther from the libyan coast. And quite often these boats will be out there. They can drift for a significant number of days before they are eventually spotted or they wash up on one of the islands. It could be a greek island, an italian island. And sadly, we also know that some of these boats just dont make it. And that is actually more regular than you would think. It is not so infrequent that we get reports is that one of these boats has succumbed, that it has capped sized and that it has capped sized and that a number of people have drowned. Thats just sadly the nature of crossing these waters illegally into the European Union can be different vessels to what we see across the channel with the rigid inflatables that weve been used to seeing. Are larger boats, but, these are larger boats, but, you theyre pretty you know, theyre pretty decrepit and old, some of them from weve seen in the from what weve seen in the pictures previously. Pictures previously. Yeah, i was just a day ago actually at a position near the harbour where we could see some of these empty migrant boats and really they come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are clearly old fishing boats that have seen better days. Others have seen better days. Others appear to have been sort of purpose built. But there are, you know, rigid boats with carbon fibre, perhaps , that have carbon fibre, perhaps, that have been fashioned and shaped into boats that can hold 90, 100, 150 people. But there are also some of the boats that we are more used to seeing crossing the engush used to seeing crossing the English Channel. These inflate able boats that are quite long so that they stuffed 60, 70 odd people on board. So theres a few of them as well. Theyre coming in all shapes and sizes. But what they are doing, which is very different to the English Channel is very different to the English Channel, theyre making channel, is theyre making a very significant journey in comparison to the channel, which is 20 miles or so. If they go further down the to the blowing end of the channel, its a bit further , but nothing in further, but nothing in comparison to 200 plus miles just from tunisia , which is the just from tunisia, which is the closest point to lampedusa. Closest point to lampedusa. And mark, were speaking to you this time yesterday , and we you this time yesterday, and we reflect then that the eritrean migrant, 24 year old woman, we believe, found dead on a calais boat after falling off calais beach sorry, after falling off a small boat trying to cross over to the uk and were now hearing about these two boats that are missing in the mediterranean. It is a europe wide crisis , isnt is a europe wide crisis, isnt it . And youre on lampedusa right now, which is known migrant tragedy as in the past. And youve been at a Processing Centre where they are now trying to move out people because there is. Expecting another surge of is. Expecting another surge of migrants come through. They will be keen, wont they, to avoid further tragedies such as these. Yeah to be honest theres not a lot they can do though, to prevent the tragedies. If people are going to take to the sea in boats that are just not seaworthy , the majority just not seaworthy, the majority of them, then sadly, these tragedies will happen fairly frequently and thats what weve seen. Interestingly the home secretary, Suella Braverman , in secretary, Suella Braverman, in her speech in washington , her speech in washington, referenced the fact that thousands of people had died in the mediterranean. But, you know , in the English Channel as well , the routes across to the uk, be it by boat or in the backs of lorries, she said that 150 people had died in in recent years trying to make it to the uk. So both in the med and in the channel, theres a significant risk factor in these journeys. And youre right about journeys. And youre right about the Migrant Reception Centre here. We saw last night as the last night of the 11,000 migrants who had made it here last week were taken off the island. There are now none of the migrants who arrived in the past week here on lampedusa 101 was is the final cohort who left last night, mainly young men from sub saharan africa. And theyve gone to the italian mainland. And that has made room mainland. And that has made room in that migrant camp for the other expected arrivals as the wind starts to die down towards the end of this week. The end of this week. Mark on lampedusa, thanks very much for updating us. Of course, more from you as we establish the circumstance agencies with those two missing boats, with hundreds on board. And for the moment, thank you very much indeed. Now, five labour mayors have met a plea to the prime met to issue a plea to the Prime Minister not to scrap hs2 minister not to scrap the hs2 link between birmingham and manchester for rishi sunak has refused to guarantee the hs2 line will make it to manchester just days before the conference kicks off in the city. Lets get more now and speak to conservative mp for buckingham, greg smith, who can join us. And greg, it seems a strange situation where weve got five labour mayors joining the same sort of attack line as senior conservatives, including two former Prime Ministers a former transport secretary and former transport secretary and former chancellor, all having a go at rishi sunak. Former chancellor, all having a go at rishi sunak. Look i dont go at rishi sunak. Look i dont think its any surprise that labour politicians seek to have a jab at the government when were coming up to an election yean but theres a reality here. The hs2 was originally supposed to cost £38 billion. It very quickly ballooned to official numbers , 70 odd billion pounds. Numbers, 70 odd billion pounds. There are reports out there that range anything from £106 billion to lord balfe. A labour peer, lord barclays calculations of up to 160, maybe 100 and £7,080 billion for the project. We just cant afford it. The country cannot afford that sort of money on a project that actually isnt going to add a lot of value either. Who is going to choose . Either. Who is going to choose . Can i just challenge you on that . Thats not the view of people such as the institute for fiscal studies who say it may have been misguided to start with, but once youve started, youve to the job to youve got to finish the job to get value out of it. Get the value out of it. Well, i mean, to my mind that that analysis , respect them as that analysis, respect them as an institution is completely wrong. You dont throw good money after bad and there are calculations out there that of the land thats been taken already, the land thats been devastated, including in my constituency already , if you can constituency already, if you can repurpose that , you can get the repurpose that, you can get the losses to down still an eye watering amount of money, still a huge sum, £8 billion, but i would argue it is better to admit the mistake and to lose that 8 billion then go on to potentially be spending 100 billion plus more on something that in the post pandemic world where were all using video calls to do business meetings, just isnt needed and that we cant afford the timing couldnt be worse for your party, could it, with the tory Party Conference starting in manchester there of all places on sunday, youve got tory grandees coming out and criticising the current Prime Minister. Well, i mean this is minister. Well, i mean this is anissue minister. Well, i mean this is an issue that actually splits most most parties. The conservative party doesnt agree on hs2. There are voices in the on hs2. There are voices in the labour party against hs2. There are even voices , 1 or 2 voices are even voices, 1 or 2 voices in the lib dems that are against hs2. So this isnt an issue that everybody in a party has a united view on. But lets look at the reality. If there werent train strikes this weekend , train strikes this weekend, which are the far bigger problem that we need to crack , theres that we need to crack, theres already very fast trains that get you to manchester from london in a couple of hours, from milton keynes, which is closer to me and under two hours. And when i talk to my constituents, when i talk to people with my transport select committee hat on, theyre not crying out to get somewhere 20 minutes faster. They want Train Services where they can get a seat where theres wi fi or a decent mobile signal, the length and where the loos dont resemble the facilities tent on the last day of glastonbury, thats they are thats what they actually are crying out for. And we could have done that by improving signalling on west coast signalling on the west coast main line upgrades to the chiltern line. Maybe reopen , chiltern line. Maybe reopen, opening some of the old lines like the Great Central line. Greg, im sorry, weve reached our destination. Well reached our destination. Well have to call it there. Were out of time, thanks very much of time, but thanks very much indeed, view. Of time, but thanks very much indeecoming view. Of time, but thanks very much indeecoming up view. Of time, but thanks very much indeecoming up this view. Of time, but thanks very much indeecoming up this nextn. More coming up in this next houn more coming up in this next hour, including the latest from croydon with that 15 Year Old Girl have croydon with that 15 Year Old Girl latest have croydon with that 15 Year Old Girl latest from have croydon with that 15 Year Old Girl latest from the have croydon with that 15 Year Old Girl latest from the scene have croydon with that 15 Year Old Girl latest from the scene. Iave the latest from the scene. Feeling inside from that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. Proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Weather on. Gb news. Hello, welcome to your latest gb news weather update from the met office. Now storm agnes is set to bring some disruptive and potentially damaging winds to areas of the uk today. There are areas of the uk today. There are wind and rain warnings in force, so make sure you take a further look at those if youre in those areas. Storm agnes is an area of low pressure , very deep area of low pressure, very deep area of low pressure, very deep area of low pressure, very deep area of low pressure thats going to be pushing from the south west pushing in from the south west of ireland, pushing up through the affecting many the irish sea and affecting many western and Northern Areas of the theres Wind Warnings in the uk. Theres Wind Warnings in force of 45 to 55mph force for gusts of 45 to 55mph inland and up to 60 or 65mph along the coast. Some heavy rain will affect much of Northern Ireland and southern scotland as well as areas of cumbria and lancashire. Here. That rain will lancashire. Here. That rain will continue through this evening, bringing some pretty difficult driving conditions and also plenty of debris on the roads as well. The winds stay strong overnight, but much of the rain will clear to the north east and it will stay breezy for many through thursday as well. Its through thursday as well. Its dry across the southeast through a lot of today and overnight night as well. But still, you will see the effects of those winds then through thursday, itll be a generally a calmer day, but still fairly breezy. But plenty of dry weather, at least start out and some least to start out and some decent sunshine as well. However, as we head through the day, some pretty gusty wind will move into Northern Ireland once again, as well as northwest scotland and itll cloud over in the southwest as ahead of further overnight and into fri day. That warm friday. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news good afternoon. Its 2 00 and youre here with the live desk on gb news coming up for you this wednesday lunchtime. A 15 year old killed in a stabbing in croydon now identify as a pupil at the old palace of John Whitgift school. Police expected to update us this hour. Well have the latest from the scene as Forensic Officers search the area. The uks search the area. The uks biggest untapped oil field is open for business. The government says it will generate billions of pounds and provide Energy Security. Party provide Energy Security. Party opponents say its environmental vandalism and morally obscene. Vandalism and morally obscene. The fab five rooftop get together labour mayors urging the government to let it be and not scale back hs2. Rishi sunak not scale back hs2. Rishi sunak facing more pressure from within his own party to. Well have the latest live from leeds. Latest live from leeds. And a storms are coming. Its already battering ireland and jeff moody is to going be on the front line for gb news with storm agnes. All of that after your headlines with rhiannon. Ally. Rhiannon. Ally. Thank you. Good afternoon. Its one minute past to your top stories from the newsroom. A 15 stories from the newsroom. A 15 Year Old Girl has died after being stabbed in croydon in south london. She was on her way to school. Emergency services were called to wellesley road at around 830 this morning. One eyewitness described seeing a bus driver and a passer by trying to resuscitate a teenage girl. She was a student at the old palace of John Whitgift school. In a statement, theyve said theyre deeply shocked a teenage boy has been arrested and police say he was known to the victim. Five labour mayors the victim. Five labour mayors from across the country have met in leeds to urge the Prime Minister to stay on track with hs2. They warn that failure to deliver in full will leave swathes of the north with victorian infrastructure unfit for purpose. Rishi sunak faces political backlash over reports hes considering axing the link between birmingham and manchester amid soaring costs. London mayor sadiq khan says there are huge benefits to hs2. Im really pleased to have been invited by the cross party transport for north to their Board Meeting this morning. We may be mayors from different regions, but we speak with one voice when we say we dont want cuts to high speed. Two. We see the benefits of high speed. Two in relation to Economic Growth, in relation to increasing capacity, increasing connectivity, increasing in speed, and it means we can have the same sort of transport links that france has, that spain has, that france has, that spain has, that germany has. Im worried that germany has. Im worried that cutting High Speed Two will cause huge damage to london and the south east. The south east. The uks largest untapped oil and gas field, rosebank in scotland, has been approved for development. Thats despite a row over climate damage. Row over climate damage. Regulators say net zero consideration actions have been taken into account. Scotlands first minister, humza yousaf, says hes disappointed the projects being given the go ahead. The projects being given the go ahead. The uk government has welcomed the decision , saying it welcomed the decision, saying it will raise billions of pounds as the United Nations has rejected. The home secretarys calls for International Law and refugees to be changed. In a speech in washington, Suella Braverman suggested the un 1951 Refugee Convention needs updating. She argues, fearing discrimination for being gay or a woman shouldnt be enough to qualify for International Refugee protection. Lucy frazer, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, says it needs a Global Solution. Global solution. It is, as the home secretary was saying, a global issue that needs a Global Solutions. The un has stated that since that by the end of 2022 there were 108 Million People displaced. So we, Million People displaced. So we, as you will know, as a government are working very carefully to make sure that we stop the boats coming over here through International Solutions i the uks first drug consumption room , where users consumption room, where users can take Illegal Drugs under medical supervision , has been medical supervision, has been approved. The facility planned for glasgows east end is backed by the Scottish Government as a way to tackle the countrys drugs deaths crisis. The £2. 3 million pilot will allow users to take their own Illegal Drugs in a hygiene nick environment, with medical staff on hand. With medical staff on hand. Domestic Abuse Victims may have been exposed to their alleged abusers following several data breaches. Families have had to be relocated after several organisations, including law firms, police and a government department, mishandled victims personal information. A lack of personal information. A lack of staffing and relaxed practises are being blamed for the leaks. The Information Commissioners Office are calling for stronger standards and policies. Yellow standards and policies. Yellow weather warnings are in place for most of the uk today as storm agnes has made landfall. Storm agnes has made landfall. The coast is expected to be whipped by winds as high as 75 miles an hour. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is advising people to keep a safe distance from water and cliff edges as high waves pose a potential threat to yellow. Potential threat to yellow. Rain. Warnings will be in place in parts of scotland to and staying with scotland. Whisky staying with scotland. Whisky thought to be the oldest in the world, will be sold at auction for £10,000 a bottle. The tipple was found hidden behind the doors of blair castle. Around 40 doors of blair castle. Around 40 bottles are believed to have been distilled almost 200 years ago. Auctioneers say they will likely have a more medicinal taste than usual. And if you can taste than usual. And if you can bear to open one, well, youll find out this is gb news across the uk , on tv, on Digital Radio the uk, on tv, on Digital Radio and on your Smart Speaker by saying play gb news. Now its back over to mark and. Ellie rhiannon. Thanks very much and welcome back to the live desk. We are expecting a News Conference in croydon shortly after that fatal stabbing of a 15 Year Old Girl on a school bus. Its believed on a school bus. Its believed on her way to the old palace of John Whitgift school. This morning the school has released a statement to say were deeply shocked by the senseless and tragic death of our much loved and valued friend pupil. It and valued friend and pupil. It will take some time for the old palace community to come to terms with terrible and palace community to come to ten offer th terrible and palace community to come to terioffer our terrible and palace community to come to terioffer our supportle and palace community to come to terioffer our support to and palace community to come to terioffer our support to pupils nd we offer our support to pupils as to do so. As we try to do so. Well, a 17 year old boy has been arrested and is in custody. And we will bring you that press conference as soon as we are able to with the metropolitan police, updating us police, who will be updating us on lets remind on that. But lets just remind you of the metropolitan you of what the metropolitan police said in the police said about that in the past few hours. They said their immediate thoughts are with the young girls family, who are facing tragic of news. Facing the most tragic of news. They say officers are with they say our officers are with the girls Family Support the girls family to support them. Im in contact with the local community who are clearly as concerned we about as concerned as we are about this tragic incident. I shall continue update them continue to update them throughout the day. Throughout the day. London reporter lisa hartle is at the scene for us and lisa, weve seen the Forensic Officers behind and you and much activity. We think that they may be giving us an update fairly shortly. We yeah, any moment now were expecting that update to be given by police. But if i just step out of the way, you can see the police at work at the moment. After that 15 Year Old Girl was fatally stabbed at 8 30 this morning dunng stabbed at 8 30 this morning during hour. Stabbed at 8 30 this morning during hour. So the during rush hour. So the cordoned off area includes a bus and theres a Forensic Office and theres a Forensic Office and theres a Forensic Office and theres a forensic tent just at the side of it. And you can see the Forensic Officers there just carrying out their investigations after that 8 30 this morning, that that girl was fatally lost her life. Its fatally lost her life. Its believed she was on her way to school. As you say, she attended school. As you say, she attended the old palace of John Whitgift school. And in the statement school. And in the statement that the school released, they were saying that we are deeply shocked the senseless and shocked by the senseless and tragic our much loved tragic death of our much loved and friend and pupil. It and valued friend and pupil. It will take time for the will take some time for the School Community to come to terms terrible news terms with this terrible news and support to our and will offer support to our pupils. And will offer support to our pupils. Police and paramedics were called to the scene, but it was a witness. I spoke to said that he spoke to a schoolchild that he spoke to a schoolchild that also attended that school and that child witnessed members of the public rushing to try and help the girl to try and save her life before paramedics arrive. But it was within the hour of the attack that that girl lost her life just after this. At 945, a teenager , 17 this. At 945, a teenager, 17 year old boy was arrested in connection with the stabbing who police say at this early stage they believe may have known the victim. Another witness has described seeing a bus driver and another woman trying to save the girl on the pavement with performing cpr before the Emergency Services arrived. And chief superintendent andy britton of the met said our immediate thoughts are with this young girls family, who are facing most tragic of news. Facing the most tragic of news. Our officers are with the girls Family Support now this family to support them. Now this crime scene will remain in place as the investigation continues, but police are asking anyone who witnessed the attack or has any information that might be able to help to contact them. To help to contact them. And lisa, looking at the location , this is a busy location, this is a busy thoroughfare in the middle of croydon. Its near the entrance to the Whitgift Centre, the main shopping area there as well. And at this time in the morning, this would have been the rush houn yeah. As you can see, i dont know if you can see right now, but the Whitgift Centre , i was but the Whitgift Centre, i was talking to a man thats lived in the area for his whole life and he said thats a very busy Shopping Centre this is a very busy attack busy road. When the attack happened, that would have been dunng happened, that would have been during hour and he told me during rush hour and he told me that this has just completely shocked community there shocked the community and there are number of members the are a number of members of the community that are in the area. Theres flowers that have been left and some other people have been to. Theyre just been speaking to. Theyre just in they just in shock and they just here theyre because theyre here because they just feel to be here. Feel like they need to be here. Yes, im sure i mean, we can see camera crews that are gathering there and earlier on when you were speaking to us, there were people who were just gathering to watch what was going on. This really must have shocked community, shocked the local community, lisa. Hear from the lisa. And once we hear from the metropolitan police their metropolitan police with their update, expecting update, which were expecting shortly , im more and shortly, we im sure more and more will down and shortly, we im sure more and more to will down and shortly, we im sure more and more to pay will down and shortly, we im sure more and more to pay their down and shortly, we im sure more and more to pay their respectswn and shortly, we im sure more and more to pay their respects as and want to pay their respects as yeah, exactly. Its just, you know , some of its just, you know, some of them, as im sure everybody is thinking at the moment, why on earth does that family of that 15 Year Old Girl feel like at the moment . Police say they the moment . Police say that they are supporting family and are supporting the family and members the local councillor members of the local councillor and theres a local mp. Theyve also said theyre going to be supporting the community as they all come to terms with this tragic loss. Tragic loss. Now were getting details of the early reaction, the air ambulance involved, paramedic crews, but as you said, obviously the bus driver as well. We understand , was trying well. We understand, was trying to save her there at the scene in. Yeah, there was a lady who didnt wish to be named and she said she saw the bus driver and another woman trying to help the 15 Year Old Girl on the pavement. But there was an air ambulance that was called along with the paramedics and police, but it was within the hour that that 15 Year Old Girl lost her life. Year old girl lost her life. Well, were just getting a bit more reaction from someone called james watkins, whos from minus world. Now, this is a prevention and intervention project for children and young people. Now, he says there have been supporting this girls family. And he said hes been family. And he said hes been with the girls family at the scene between 9 and 10 00 this morning. James watkins saying, we came down to support the family and some of the young people. They were devastated. People. They were devastated. And i would to say more and i would like to say more importantly, shock, like importantly, in shock, like i dont it feels for real dont think it feels for real them. The girls family had been contacted by one of her friends. So clearly, i mean, the sort of scenario thats building up these says that literally this girl was on her way to school when this all erupted on the bus in the middle of croydon. Its just extraordinary circumstances i yeah, exactly. There would have been so many people around at that time. Its a busy area. And girl. Yep with her and that girl. Yep with her friends on the way to school when this incident, this attack took it must have been took place, it must have been absolutely harrowing to have witnessed it from from what people have told me, as many people have told me, as many people tried to save her life. People tried to save her life. But it was very quickly that that she lost her life less than i think 50 minutes after the attack. She was pronounced dead attack. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Yes absolutely tragic. Lisa hartwell there in croydon for us. Thank you so much. And just to explain the pictures youre seeing there, those blue overalls, those are the Forensic Officers there behind the bus. Clearly they are examining every inch of the location. Theyre outside the Whitgift Centre , as well as the Whitgift Centre, as well as the uniformed officers. So clearly, uniformed officers. So clearly, this is a very thorough Police Investigation thats going on there at the scene. And as we say, we are expecting an update from the police fairly shortly. Well bring that to you as we get it. Yes, we have had a statement from the school that this girl attended John Whitgift attended the John Whitgift school, the old palace of John Whitgift in croydon. Whitgift school in croydon. Theyve statement in theyve released a statement in the hour that says, the last half an hour that says, we deeply by the we are deeply shocked by the senseless death of senseless and tragic death of our loved and friend our much loved and valued friend and pupil. They say it will take time for the community to come to terms with this terrible news, and well offer support to our we do so. Our pupils as we try to do so. Above all, we send our love and deepest sympathies to girls deepest sympathies to the girls family at this unimaginably distressing time. Distressing time. The latest from the scene as police give more details. But lets reflect now that government ministers are welcoming the decision to open up the uks biggest untapped oil field. They say that rosebank, field. They say that rosebank, 80 miles off shetland, will raise billions and make britain secure Energy Secure against russia and other threats. Russia and other threats. But environmental groups have condemned it as a climate crime and morally obscene on the other hand, the labour party say theyre opposed to the development, but added they would not revoke the licence if they came to power. Lets get more with our economics and Business Editor Liam Halligan, been Liam Halligan, whos been following with on the following the story with on the money. And its yet again a mix money. And its yet again a mix of politics and business. Lets look at the business, first of all. I mean, weve got oil heading towards 100 a barrel oil. So clearly the black gold, as it used to be called, still very much in demand. How much is in this oil field . Do we know . This is the largest, most untapped oil and gas field in the uk that we know of . Ive got some details here for you to look at. Mark and ellie. So it is the biggest field in the north sea. Its about 80 miles west of the Shetland Islands. So relatively near by north sea standards is the nonnegian state Energy Giant Equinor is working on this project, along with the uks Ithaca Energy , a private uks Ithaca Energy, a private sector company. And we think there are about 350 Million Barrels of oil. Therell be an barrels of oil. Therell be an £8 billion investment from both equinor and ithaca, and we think this will provide about 2000 jobs in the building of the platform, the siting of the platform, the siting of the platform , the drilling and then platform, the drilling and then the routine work of extracting oil. Its a really big deal industrially and i think its also a big deal. Gop poetically. You said oil is up approaching 100 a barrel and it is sharply up from about 70 at the beginning of the summer. But thats not necessarily because of demand , because the global of demand, because the Global Economy is pretty weak. So economy is pretty weak. So demand for oil is relatively weak. Its because the opec exporters cartel working with the russians is angry at the wests response to russias invasion of ukraine. So the world kind of going into silos over that ghastly conflict. Opec over that ghastly conflict. Opec had deliberately squeeze in global oil markets. How do they do that . Because they produce half of Global Supply, right . They got the saudis , theyve got they got the saudis, theyve got uae, theyve got iran, theyve got got venezuela got iraq, theyve got venezuela , theyve got mexico. These really powerful energy exporting countries. Theyre working with the russians, not an opec member , but they formed this grouping, opec in order to opec plus, in order to deliberately extract more money for themselves , but complicate for themselves, but complicate the wests escape from inflation. We keep hearing inflation. We keep hearing inflation is coming down. Interest rates have peaked. All bets are off. If oil goes above 100 a barrel and stays there because you will have serious inflation again, feeds directly into it. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. And rose bank, it does encapsulate, doesnt this encapsulate, doesnt it, this broader new domestic broader row about new domestic fossil fuel projects. The labour partys reaction has been particularly interesting , quite particularly interesting, quite awkward, saying they dont approve of it, but they wouldnt revoke licences if they came revoke the licences if they came into power. Part sunak is thinking on part of sunak is thinking on this just before the Party Conference, throwing of conference, throwing the kind of truss wing the party, truss site wing of the party, the growth of the pro growth wing of the party, a red or should party, a bit of red or should that true blue meat . That be true blue meat . Black gold. Black gold. Lets drill. Lets lets drill drill. As sarah drill baby, drill. As sarah palin once said, the one time us Vice President candidate crikey, that seems a long time ago. That seems a long time ago. I remember it well. I remember it well. That was when the world was normal. Yeah. Yeah. But look, part of his thinking is his own party. Although there will be a backlash from the sort of one nafion backlash from the sort of one nation part of the party, the sort Zac Goldsmith types, the sort of Zac Goldsmith types, the more kind of prosperous shire tories who always competing tories who are always competing with the lib dems on these issues. But a lot of his thinking is to make life really, really difficult the labour really difficult for the labour party they to party because they they have to say their University Say to their university town, kind waitrose frequenting kind of waitrose frequenting supporters, oh, this is absolutely terrible. But then they have to say to the trade unions and their blue collar vote, but were not to vote, but were not going to reverse it. I you see reverse it. I mean, you can see i weve got quote here i i think weve got a quote here i can from gary can pull up from gary smith. Gary smith is particularly strategic general secretary of the of the gmb, which is the third Biggest Union in the in the uk. And there he is, the uk must be honest about where were going to get the gas we need up to 2050 and taking to 2050 and beyond. Taking responsibility for more of our own gas supply will support good union both directly and in union jobs both directly and in the wider supply chain. Here the wider supply chain. So here we we have the leader we have here we have the leader of a major trade union, one of labours biggest backers, bank rolling dozens of labour mps directly, and he is agreeing root and branch with a conservative Prime Minister on making the important observation. Its not just about oil, its about gas as well. And i think about gas as well. And i think Claire Coutinho weve got a clip from her in a minute. But basic really, its not just about exporting oil from here abroad. Its about ensuring our own gas supply. Indeed. And the word from the indeed. And the word from the government is that the gas thats drilled in this field will stay in. The uk. But, will stay in. In the uk. But, you know , i keep hearing about you know, i keep hearing about all this gas, oil and gas is going to be exported. But in a world where you lack Energy Security, its better to have the oil and gas. Then you can make the decision what you actually do about it. I think actually do about it. So i think thats important. That work . And how does that work . Because nonnegian because its in nonnegian company sort company thats got the sort of lions it. And you lions share of it. And as you say, its not far from shetland, but nonnay is what . But not far from nonnay is what . But do they deal with the uk but how do they deal with the uk in those . They are is in british but they are it is in british waters. The british waters. So the British Government has a lot of government still has a lot of say. Mean, mentioned say. I mean, you mentioned claire is the Claire Coutinho. This is the young mp whos sunak brought into very much very into his cabinet very much very close to the Prime Minister. Interesting that Claire Coutinho, she is now the Energy Security and net zero secretary in that order. In that order even that is a chain change in signalling from sunak. Even that is a chain change in signalling from sunak. But here signalling from sunak. But here is Claire Coutinho. Lets listen to what she had to say. Well, firstly , the gas will well, firstly, the gas will be used domestically , as has be used domestically, as has been set out in terms of the oil. It gets exported initially, but overall , the uk is a net but overall, the uk is a net importer of oil. But overall, the uk is a net importer of oil. So much of that importer of oil. So much of that makes its way back here. So this is i think is an important thing thats happened today. Its for energy its good for Energy Security, its good forjobs its good for Energy Security, its good for jobs and invest country. Invest in this country. It means lower and overall, it means lower emissions. Emissions. So Claire Coutinho there and just for balance, we should give a shout out to Caroline Lucas. The green partys own mp. Of course , never backward in coming course, never backward in coming fonnard with her views. So Caroline Lucas said in her view, given the green light to this huge new oil field is morally obscene. And look, thats a completely valid view. Lots of people in the country feel like that. Judge , though, and that. I would judge, though, and i the prime judging i reckon the prime is judging that a lot more people the kind of silent majority are thinking, you know what, we really need this oil and gas better that we produce it ourselves rather than importing it at higher cost and bigger Carbon Footprint from elsewhere around the world. But again, in terms of balance, i mean, humza yousaf saying, look, disappointed, saying, look, im disappointed, ed, its not climate leadership. Its they very its climate denial. They very much want the other industry, which is offshore wind. What they now, i mean, up until they do now, i mean, up until a few years ago, the snp, it was all about its scotlands oil. You know, i remember talking tax revenues, endless discussions with alex salmond about the importance of oil in the case of scottish independence, but now the snp, they can only stay have a majority at holyrood with the green party of course. So now theyve theyre sidling up to theyve theyre sidling up to the greens. Humza yousaf wants to make aberdeen the net zero capital of the world. Thats fair enough, but an awful of fair enough, but an awful lot of people particularly people in scotland, particularly those with well paid jobs in and around aberdeen, which there around aberdeen, of which there are of thousands, they are tens of thousands, they actually prefer if actually would prefer if aberdeen stayed oil and gas aberdeen stayed the oil and gas capital of europe, which it currently undoubtedly capital of europe, which it curithankindoubtedly capital of europe, which it curithank you ubtedly capital of europe, which it curithank you veryily capital of europe, which it curithank you very much for thank you very much for taking us through that and i think 2026 they start pulling it out of the ground. Maybe i set my watch. Yeah, exactly. Put your alarm on. Still to come, talking of alarms, storm agnes on the way, jeff moody risking all for us on exmoor, no less, will catching up with him. Will be catching up with him. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Weather on. Gb news. Hello again. Welcome to your latest weather update from the met office. Now storm agnes is set to continue to bring disruptive and potentially damaging winds to parts of the uk. Now this area of low uk. Now this area of low pressure has moved north eastwards throughout this afternoon and will continue to bnng afternoon and will continue to bring the strongest winds up through the irish sea, affecting northern and Western Areas of the uk. There are Wind Warnings in force throughout this afternoon and overnight as well. The strongest winds over the next few are set to come next few hours are set to come in and affect eastern areas of Northern Ireland, as well as parts of cumbria, lancashire , parts of cumbria, lancashire, southern areas of scotland as well. Some really heavy well. Some really heavy rain paired that. Much of that paired with that. Much of that rain, will to rain, though, will start to clear overnight. Will turn clear overnight. So it will turn drier as the night continues, but will remain very but the winds will remain very strong then through strong now, then through thursday, winds slowly start to ease, but it will be a generally quite breezy day. But you can see its a much drier and brighter plenty hazy brighter day, plenty of hazy sunshine around, though. Rain will arrive across Northern Ireland and northwest scotland once again. And it will start to cloud over across the southwest as of this area of as well ahead of this area of rain which will arrive into thursday evening and friday. But temperatures around average for the time of year and then friday, that rain that was in the southwest, then sat across the southwest, then sat across the south east as some uncertainty as to quickly uncertainty as to how quickly that will clear. But by and large, it will be a dry and bnght large, it will be a dry and bright day and that will set us up for a chilly start to saturday. Some decent saturday. But some decent sunshine around before some pretty windy weather arrives again on. Sunday again on. Sunday that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on gb news when getting a good nights sleep is a struggle, try nytol herbal. Made with natural Plant Extracts that have been used for decades. Owl hoots. Nytol herbal is used to help you drift off gently. For a refreshing, restful nights sleep, say good nytol. Right through until 7 00 this evening. Gb news the peoples. Evening. Gb news the peoples. Channel well , welcome back to channel well, welcome back to the live desk with the met office issuing, well, several all weather warnings for storm agnes, which is on the way for the uk. Its actually hit ireland already and due to hit Western Areas , particularly into the areas, particularly into the south west and wales in the coming hours. Yes, strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and even power cuts are expected to sweep across the western regions of the uk and ireland. The uk and ireland. We know its already hit the coast. In we know its already hit the coast. In ireland weve seen the winds and the rain coming in there and were expecting it to hit the west coast of the uk imminently. So we will have jeff imminently. So we will have jeff moody on exmoor for us, our reporter, when we last spoke to him, he didnt have his rain jacket on yet. No, i think he may be changing his mind fairly soon, but just to be serious about it , reason that the met office , the reason that the met office is issuing all these warnings, of timing thing, of course, is the timing thing, because people be because a lot of people will be out they are out and about and they are extremely concerned about the wind speeds in particular, 75 miles an hour and above in terms of the gusts, which could bring down trees. So thats why they are issuing these warnings and people to take some caution. You want to reflect that do you want to reflect that news of a 15 Year Old Girl who was stabbed death this was stabbed to death this morning in croydon . We have just heard from the croydon mp sarah jones in the past few minutes. Jones in the past few minutes. She says, im heartbroken that a child in my town has been killed on the way to school and i cannot imagine the grief that her family will be going through at this time, says, i want to thank the police and the Ambulance Services for trying so hard to save her life. They run into danger and i know they will be suffering today to the metropolitan police. Chief superintendent andy britton saying his officers had arrived within two minutes of being called. And, of course, we being called. And, of course, we heard earlier about the efforts of the bus driver and a passer by to try to save her life, giving cpr. By to try to save her life, giving cpr. But we have a 17 year old boy arrested in new addington, according to police , addington, according to police, within 75 minutes of the incident happening according to police remaining in custody and will be questioned by detectives. So now we have andy britton saying that we remain in the early stages of the investigation. However based on what we know so far, we believe we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the offence and we may believe the suspect may known the suspect may have known the victim, in victim, but were not in a position to release the victims identity at this time. Yeah, we do know that the girl at the old girl was a pupil at the old palace Whitgift School palace of John Whitgift school in and they have sent in croydon, and they have sent out sympathies out their deepest sympathies to the family at what they the girls family at what they say most unimaginably say is the most unimaginably distressing and we will distressing time. And we will have updates for you on that developing story with our london reporter hartle as and when reporter lisa hartle as and when we can get that to you. But for now, lets get a full news bulletin with rhiannon. Bulletin with rhiannon. Thank you, ellie. Good afternoon. Its just gone 230 on afternoon. Its just gone 230 on top stories from the newsroom. As weve just been hearing, a 15 Year Old Girl has died after being stabbed in croydon in south london. A 17 year old boy has been arrested. Police has been arrested. Police believe he may have known the victim. The Emergency Services victim. The Emergency Services were called wellesley road at were called to wellesley road at around 830 this morning following reports of a stabbing. The who was on her way to the girl who was on her way to school the time was school at the time was pronounced dead at the scene. Pronounced dead at the scene. The uks largest untapped oil and gas field, rosebank , in and gas field, rosebank, in scotland, has been approved for development. Thats despite a row over climate damage. Regulators say net zero considerations have been taken into account. Scotlands first minister, humza yousaf says hes disappointed the projects been given the go ahead. The uk government has welcomed the decision, saying it will raise billions of pounds for everyone today. So this camera five labour mayors from across the country have met in leeds to urge the Prime Minister to stay on track with hs2. They warn that failure to deliver in full will leave swathes of the north with victoria and transport infrastructure under infrastructure under infrastructure unfit for purpose. Rishi sunak faces political backlash over reports hes considering axing the link between birmingham and manchester amid soaring costs. Manchester amid soaring costs. This and the United Nations has rejected the home secretarys calls for International Law on refugees to be changed. In a speech in washington, Suella Braverman suggested the un 1951 Refugee Convention even needs updating. She argues, fearing discrimination for being gay or a woman shouldnt be enough to qualify for International Refugee protection. And you can refugee protection. And you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website at gb news. Com by visiting our website at gbnews. Com. Hour get revved up with me Patrick Christys on gb news. Im. G. G well, welcome back to the live desk. With urgent efforts undennay in the mediterranean to find two migrant boats with more than 200 people on board that are missing. Gb news learning are missing. Gb news learning that they left western libya heading towards southern italy yesterday but havent been seen or heard of since. Meanwhile, the last of 11,000 migrants whod arrived on the italian island of lampedusa in the last week have now been taken to the mainland. Lets taken to the mainland. Lets speak now with our Homeland Security editor, mark white, who is on lampedusa for us. And before we get into the situation on the island of lampedusa, mark, lets reflect on that news. The that you have sourced for us, which is these two missing boats in the mediterranean. And we believe theyre up to 200 people on board. Yes , this information has yes, this information has come via an ngo that monitors the departures of these migrant boats from the shores of libya , boats from the shores of libya, tunisia, morocco. And theyll tunisia, morocco. And theyll report that day ago, two boats left west in libya, the benghazi area , to head into the area, to head into the mediterranean and are probably heading towards sicily. Now, one heading towards sicily. Now, one of those boats , according to the of those boats, according to the ngo, they were in touch with some of the passengers on that boat and those passengers were reporting that the boat was experiencing engine difficulties. And then a short time later ,. And then a short time later, they lost phone contact with these passengers. Thats not uncommon when the boat gets further offshore , then clearly further offshore, then clearly that phone signal is going to go through. But the those migrants that were on board that boat were reporting that it was worsening weather conditions with significant winds blowing in the mediterranean. And when in the mediterranean. And when they were out there and experiencing these engine difficulties , then also the ngo difficulties, then also the ngo ngo reporting that the other boat apparently with 90 people on board is also being reported missing by the relatives of people on board because they were in contact with them. They lost contact with those individuals. So they have passed individuals. So they have passed that information on to the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Coast Guard will now, of course , be potentially putting course, be potentially putting assets down towards that area to see where these boats might be. But it is difficult because its a vast stretch of sea and these boats can be out in the water for seven days before coming across any land. And it all across any land. And it all depends, of course, on the winds and the tidal conditions as to where these boats sometimes end up. Yeah. And mark, youre updating us know, theres a vast difference in the type of vessels that are being launched from libya as well. And we understand that this ngo or Non Government Organisation saying that the areas weather conditions are deteriorating in terms of the strong winds starting to blow up. Yeah i mean starting to blow up. Yeah i mean i think the thing that most of these boats have in common is theyre just not seaworthy. Theres some old fishing boats in there that have definitely seen better days. We saw the harbour here a bunch of these empty boats the other day. Many of them with the old rubber inner tubes still inside the boats. Thats what the migrants use as makeshift life jackets. Use as makeshift life jackets. Not at all suitable. They might offer some kind of flotation, but they are not to the same level of course, as a proper life jacket. And as i say, these life jacket. And as i say, these boats , they range from these boats, they range from these kind of old, dilapidated fishing boats to others that are purpose built carbon fibre, glass , fibre built carbon fibre, glass, fibre type boats that can hold more than 100 people at a time. And then there are other boats which are the inflatable boats that are the inflatable boats that are very sort of similar to the boats that will cross the engush boats that will cross the English Channel on a regular basis. As long boat boats that basis. As long boat boats that they sit on, the sort of the sides of these boats, 70, 80 at a time. So lots of different a time. So lots of different boats. We dont know the type of vessel that is involved in the latest incidents , but certainly latest incidents, but certainly a large enough craft that it could take out, in one instance, 145 people and in another instance, 90 people. And mark, youve been covering in the past few days the huge operation thats been undennay by red cross officials on lampedusa , asa, where you are on lampedusa, asa, where you are now. There have been racing to clear up that migrant camp on the island to make room for what they expect to be another surge in boat arrivals later this week i the last of those migrants, 101, mainly sub saharan african men , left last night on a ferry men, left last night on a ferry bound for the mainland. So thats now all of the migrants who came here in this 11,000 surge a week ago who are now off the island and in that sense, things have returned to normal , things have returned to normal, although, you know, normality is relative here because there are Many Police Officers and police vans patrolling all around the island. Theyve been brought in island. Theyve been brought in in very significant numbers to prepare for what they believe will be another surge in the days ahead. Weve had also volunteers from the red cross being drafted in as well to help. And then you dont need to go far really on this island , go far really on this island, just at the entrance to the port, there is a boat, a migrant boat that didnt make it into the harbour that grounded on the rocks with a big gaping hole in the hull , just lying on the the hull, just lying on the rocks where that slammed into those rocks at the entrance to the harbour. Those rocks at the entrance to the harbour. In those rocks at the entrance to the harbour. In recent weeks, the harbour. In recent weeks, all around this island, you will see abandoned migrant boats that have not made the harbour but have not made the harbour but have landed on the rocks or the beaches as mark on lampedusa. Beaches as mark on lampedusa. Thanks very much for updating us there. And of course, as we get more details on those missing migrant boats, well update as well. Update people on that as well. As two missing at the as we say, two missing at the moment weather conditions are moment as weather conditions are deteriorating , being concern deteriorating, being concern from both the italian coastguard and ngo organisations to yes, those boats have not been heard from in 24 hours. But of course , if we get any but of course, if we get any more news on that, we will bring that to you here on the live desk on gb news. Now, the uks First Official consumption room for Illegal Drugs being approved by authorities in glasgow , the authorities in glasgow, the centre to allow those users to take the Illegal Drugs such as heroin or cocaine in a controlled setting is to try to reduce the nations rising overdose deaths. Well for more on how the centre could affect drug use and the number of drug related deaths is the associate professor of addiction at the university of york, ian hamilton i very good to see you this afternoon , ian. How will this afternoon, ian. How will this affect drug use in glasgow . Affect drug use in glasgow . Well, its a really significant step by the Scottish Government and all those agencies that have been brought together to make this happen and you know, the context of this as im sure youre fully aware, is that scotland has the highest rate of drug related deaths in europe, which is truly shocking position be in. Position to be in. So amongst many other initiatives, this new drug consumption facilities , we will consumption facilities, we will provide a safe place for people to use their own drugs. So the state isnt providing heroin or cocaine. Its the people themselves who will bring their own drugs in and be able to use them in a sterile, safe, safe and crucially observed way so that if they do overdose, theres someone there who has theres someone there who has the right training, the right skills to intervene and make sure that they dont die. And is this something that weve on board from the weve taken on board from the netherlands, who i understand have similar have had sort of similar schemes, this something schemes, or is this something that tailor made for that glasgows tailor made for its specific problems . Its specific problems . I think there will be a certain amount of making it very specific for glasgow, but in essence, the model itself has been tried and is used in many other countries , including other countries, including canada, denmark and as you say in some other european capitals as well, tends tends to be done in city centres where of course you have perhaps hotspots or areas that are known to have a higher density of people injecting drugs and injecting them on the streets rather than in their own homes or in somewhere thats a bit safer and a bit cleaner and the context of this is very important, isnt it, ian because drug laws, laws are usually reserved for the uk government and westminster has consistently rejected plans for consumption facility , but they consumption facility, but they have allowed this to go ahead. Theyre saying theyre not going intervene in this going to intervene in this scottish scheme and that is because scotland does have the worst drug death rate in the uk andindeed worst drug death rate in the uk and indeed the rest of europe, doesnt it . Doesnt it . Thats right. And its a shocking statistic. And of shocking statistic. And of course, statistics can sound very cold, but when youre talking about hundreds and thousands of people dying every year and, you know, scotland isnt a big population. So as a proportion of the population, its a really Staggering Number of people that are dying. So yeah, i think this this facility is really important. Youre right to kind of outline some of the in this, the politics involved in this, but interesting that the but its interesting that the scottish , although scottish conservatives, although theyve not approved or endorsed this, they havent stood in its way either. So i think politically, weve seen a significant move there. They could have stood in its way. They could have blocked it, as it were, or made more noise about it, as it were. And that political point being that it technically could encourage illegal drug use in terms of they still have to source the drugs from the streets. Streets. Yes. I mean, the facilities that weve just talked about in denmark, toronto and other places, the evidence doesnt support that. So this doesnt become , if you like, a magnet become, if you like, a magnet for people using drugs or even drug dealers preying on the vulnerable. And that just doesnt materialise. So i think doesnt materialise. So i think you can be reassured about that. Whats critical in this is. And whats critical in this is the Community Glasgow , as the community in glasgow, as with communities in every city that operate one of these centres needs to be brought with those agencies. They need to understand whats going on, be consulted, their fears , their consulted, their fears, their views and some kind of Knowledge Exchange going about exactly whats involved. So i think its an obvious concern to have. But actually the evidence, evidence doesnt support that happening. Doesnt support that happening. And what do you think the response will be like locally to this of facility . Because this sort of facility . Because even report acknowledges even the report acknowledges that this sort of facility is likely to polarise opinion in. Well, i think it already does. You dont have to look far to see what those opinions are either. But when you think about whats already without whats going on already without these centres or these facilities, you have discarded needles. And that raises the risk of infection of hepatitis ipsis, hiv and other things. So ipsis, hiv and other things. So i think to help reduce discarded and drug paraphernalia, whether it be needles, syringes or swabs or anything else thats used in the preparation of drugs for injection has to be a good thing for those local communities. Liz that said, i do fully understand what some of the fears might be from people, but i what we from some people, but i what we found in other city centres across the world is actually the communities are already feeling the impact of people using drugs on the streets, so they welcome something that actually helps reduce that and see these people be offered something more humane, safer and potentially with the option to recovery or the potential to recover. The potential to recover. Ian in hamilton professor or associate professor of addiction at the university of york, thank you very much indeed for joining us on gb news. Now, an extraordinary meeting of birminghams city council has led to a Recovery Plan being agreed to plug the authoritys huge financial deficit. Well, its europes largest local authority and had to declare bankruptcy earlier this month. The council trying to raise capital to pay off debts worth at least £760 million. And still climbing. Our West Midlands reporter jack carson has the latest. Latest. Birmingham is the second city. The heart of britains Industrial Heritage and a bankrupt council. All the bankrupt council. All the bunting flies high above the high street, but an equal pay liability rising by £300 every minute is not something this city is celebrating on monday, Birmingham City councillors met for an extraordinary meeting where they voted to approve spending control measures and endorse a financial Recovery Plan already in progress that includes a revised emergency budget to be announced next month. A review into the month. A review into the Councils Assets and ways to maximise income to fill the gap in the Council Chamber this week, leader of Birmingham City council john cotton, committed to protecting services across the city. The decisions now facing this council are not decisions that any one of us ever wanted to have to make , nor indeed were have to make, nor indeed were many of the decisions thrust upon councils across the country dunng upon councils across the country during the last decade of austerity. Butjust during the last decade of austerity. But just as we did when we were faced with cuts amounting to almost £1 billion, we will do absolute everything in our power to minimise the impact on our citizens and protect the services that matter most to communities of this city. For the birmingham conservatives and their leader robert anger that robert alden, theres anger that labour arent taking responsibility for this council so far is failing to put residents first. Its all been about protecting the labour brand. The protecting the labour brand. The council has not yet put a Business Plan to the government for funding this Labour Administration cant put a Business Plan together until they stop equal pay growing. They stop equal pay growing. Theyve got to act on equal pay liability or this council is only to going drown in a mess of its own, creating by this Labour Administration Statutory Services Adult Social Care Services Like Adult Social Care and collection are and Waste Collection are protected for now. Protected for now. But there is a worry, a review into authority owned assets could mean and assets could mean libraries and museums sold off museums are closed or sold off to raise money for the council on the streets of the city centre, residents are worried about what happens next. I mean, the cost of the of the council tax now is getting to the point where a lot of people are finding it really unaffordable. So its a significant chunk of your outgoings. And yeah, certainly i outgoings. And yeah, certainly i would perhaps moving to would consider perhaps moving to a different city if it was to go up any more. Yeah, i am very worried about the city because i like the library. For instance. I mean, im always in the library library. For instance. I mean, im veryys in the library library. For instance. I mean, im very disappointedtry library. For instance. I mean, im very disappointed really with the council. With the council. And i came from liverpool to come here and theyre going to think , well, we wont go to that think, well, we wont go to that dead city anymore. Well go somewhere else and be better off going to another, another place, then come into birmingham. Government commissioners will arrive in birmingham in the next few weeks. With a huge few weeks. But with such a huge black hole of debt to settle and further economic measures to come, of this city come, the people of this city hold their breath. Jack carson gb news birmingham. Gb news birmingham. Plenty of weather warnings out there. Lets give you a geoff moody warning because hes on exmoor. Hows your friend agnes . Agnes . Well, apparently shes angry now, saying that that shes angry. Agnes, i dont know why the met office is saying shes angry. Agnes theyve certainly upped their rhetoric in the last couple of hours. Although they havent their weather havent upped their weather warnings. Theres still three in warnings. Theres still three in place there. Yellow warnings, admittedly not much is happening here on a bit of wind, here on exmoor is a bit of wind, but nothing really to write home about of weather about in terms of weather anyway. But mainly at the moment it seems to be centred around the irish sea , around parts of the irish sea, around parts of ireland. Weve just heard that the manxman ferry from the isle of man to the mainland has been cancelled. So theres no ferries. The rnli is saying stay away from the coast because theres danger of winds whipping up and big waves coming and taking you out, out to sea. Taking you out, out to sea. Theyre also saying avoid big tall trees that could well come down. So there are a lot of warnings in place at the moment, but very little sign of anything. Definitely happening here in the south west of england. Just a lot of wind in places off. Jen has said in the last half an hour that there may well be some power cuts caused by angry agnes. And theyre saying that you should make sure that you write down any phone numbers that might be of use so that you can ring any emergency numbers in case you need to. Were also hearing that some roofs in Northern Ireland have come off. But apart from that, all good so far, but its only really just beginning. Weve got this storm for a good few hours to come and just to say that theyve calling it the first named storm of the year. And you may remember there was a named storm just a couple of months ago, storm anthony. There was also quite angry. The reason for thatis also quite angry. The reason for that is that the meteorological yearis that is that the meteorological year is a bit like the academic yean year is a bit like the Academic Year. It starts on the 1st of september. So were now in a new meteorological year. September. So were now in a new meteorological year. Angry angus meteorological year. Angry angus is the first storm of that year. But here on exmoor, its not too bad. A little bit windy, but i can cope with that. Yeah, but obviously , you yeah, but obviously, you know, the timing is the important thing that are know, the timing is the impand 1t thing that are know, the timing is the impand aboutg that are know, the timing is the impand about thistt are know, the timing is the impand about this afternoonare know, the timing is the impand about this afternoon ,e out and about this afternoon, which is why theyre so concerned these i concerned with these gusts, i think hour. But think 80 miles an hour. But well get back you later well get back to you later throughout the afternoon, of course, as those winds pick up. But the met office saying take the warnings aboard, you know, this could be serious. Jeff on this could be serious. Jeff on exmoor, thanks very much indeed i could rapidly intensify from wednesday until thursday. Thats the from the met the latest warning from the met office. Thats it from us today on the live desk. Well be back tomorrow its tomorrow at noon. Up next, its patrick christies. Yes, absolutely. Well, the yes, absolutely. Well, the storm clouds are definitely gathering over Suella Braverman over comments about over her comments about multiculturalism, about whether or not gay people should seek asylum et cetera. I am asking today what country do today what kind of country do you want to live in . Make sure you want to live in . Make sure you get your views coming in to me. Patrick christys gb news that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. Proud sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello, welcome to your latest gb news weather update from the met office. Now storm agnes is set to bring some disruptive and potentially damaging winds to areas of the uk today. There are areas of the uk today. There are wind and rain warnings in force, so make sure you take a further look at those. If youre in those areas. Storm agnes is an area of low pressure, a very deep area of low pressure thats going be pushing from the going to be pushing in from the southwest pushing up southwest of ireland, pushing up through the irish sea and affecting many western and Northern Areas the uk. Northern areas of the uk. Theres Wind Warnings in force for of 45 to 55mph inland for gusts of 45 to 55mph inland and up to 60 or 65mph along the coast. And up to 60 or 65mph along the coast. Some heavy rain will coast. Some heavy rain will affect much of Northern Ireland and southern scotland as well as areas of cumbria and lancashire. That rain will continue through the evening, bringing some pretty difficult driving conditions and also plenty of debns conditions and also plenty of debris on the roads as well. The winds stay strong overnight, but much of the rain will clear to the north east and it will stay breezy for many through thursday as well. Its dry across the as well. Its dry across the southeast through a lot of today and overnight as well. But still, you will see the effects of those winds. Then through of those winds. Then through thursday, itll be a generally a calmer day, but still fairly breezy , but plenty of dry breezy, but plenty of dry weather, least to start and weather, at least to start and some decent sunshine as well. However as we head through the day, some pretty gusty wind will move into Northern Ireland once again, as well as northwest scotland. And itll cloud over in the southwest as ahead of further rain overnight and into fri day. That warm friday. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers proud sponsors of weather on gb news, its 3 pm. Its Patrick Christys. Its gb news. Now. Yesterday, Suella Braverman stood up and told the world what they needed told the world what they needed to hear, but unfortunately the world did not want to hear it. The have the United Nations have basically her over basically batted her away over the the refugees the changing of the refugees definition. Asking is the definition. I am asking is the un for purpose . In other un fit for purpose . In other news, deeply distressing news coming out of croydon was a 15 year schoolgirl was fatally year old schoolgirl was fatally stabbed. We will take you to the scene. Ill also be talking as scene. Ill also be talking as well about whether its okay for us to drill for new oil. It looks like its definitely going to happen, isnt it . In the north sea, the eco mob, theyre not happy. And one final one for not happy. And one final one for you as well. Were going to go live to lampedusa because two migrant believed to be migrant boats are believed to be missing the missing somewhere in the mediterranean, missing somewhere in the mediofranean, missing somewhere in the mediofraneaiSuella Braverman light of what Suella Braverman said yesterday. We stop said yesterday. How do we stop this trade in human life . This vile trade in human life . And could possibly be true as and could it possibly be true as well . Its version of well . But its a version of modern warfare led by the wagner group of russians. Patrick christys. Gb news. Im going to christys. Gb news. Im going to be having a big discussion today throughout the course of the next three hours about what kind of country you want to live in. Its all very well and good. Suella braverman