Transcripts For GBN The 20240703

Tamsin mark, thank you and good afternoon from the gb newsroom. Its 12 01. Alder hey, Childrens Hospital in liverpool has declared a Major Incident after school bus overturned on after a school bus overturned on the m50 three. One person has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. 50 others are being assessed at the scene. The bus was carrying pupils to Calday Grange Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School. Its west kirby Grammar School. Its collided with a car and struck a central reservation. According to police, eyewitnesses say they saw children climbing out of the back window. The incident happened at around 830 this morning between huyton and bebington and parts of the motonnay in both directions are closed. University birmingham closed. University Birmingham Hospitals has been named as the trust where a 19 year old woman died after a legal battle with the nhs. Sadiq ramales wanted to travel to north america for a potential Clinical Trial to treat a rare disorder. But the treat a rare disorder. But the trust disagreed with the teenagers family over what was in her best interests. The 19 year old died on the 12th of september University Birmingham hospital says the illness was incurable and that sadiq didnt understand her condition. Theyve offered their heartfelt condolences to her family. A 17 condolences to her family. A 17 year old boy charged with the murder of a 15 Year Old Girl has been remanded in custody after appearing in court. Ltn arade dam was stabbed to death in croydon on wednesday while she was on her way to school. Tributes have been pouring in for her family, including from actor idris elba. He says actor idris elba. He says tougher deterrents and punishments need to be put in place for people who carry weapons. A teenage boy arrested weapons. A teenage boy arrested in connection with the cutting down of one of the uks most photographed trees has been released on bail. The tree at released on bail. The tree at sycamore gap next to Hadrians Wall, close to northumberland , wall, close to northumberland, was made famous in the 1991 film robin hood. The National Trust robin hood. The National Trust says it was shocked and saddened to see the iconic tree cut. Down to see the iconic tree cut. Down the chancellor says the economy recovered from the pandemic faster than expected after it grew by 0. 3 in the First Quarter of this year. The office for National Statistics initially expected it to rise by 0. 1. The government says it will stick to its plan of halving inflation this year. More people are cashing in their pension early and labour says its due to the cost of living crisis. To the cost of living crisis. New figures show more than 900,000 people took their pensions early in the last Financial Year. A 45 rise on the year before. Labours shadow work and pensions secretary liz kendall says the Living Standards of future retiree keys has been put at risk by the governments economic mismanagement. Governments economic mismanagement. Dame governments economic mismanagement. Dame priti patel mismanagement. Dame priti patel is calling for a tax cut for hard pressed brits around the country. In an exclusive country. In an exclusive interview with gb news Political Editor chris hope , the former editor chris hope, the former home secretary says the government should cut public spending to ease the tax burden. Her comments add pressure on the Prime Minister and chancellor ahead of the conservative Party Conference in manchester tomorrow. Tomorrow. Burden is now at a 70 year high that is unsustained bill and the people that pay the taxes are hard pressed. Brits around the country as concern lives. We believe in lower taxes. As conservatives. We believe being on the side of hard working households and families. As conservatives, we believe in hope and aspiration. So what does that look like now . That should mean lower taxes. The burden tax has to start to burden of tax has to start to come down, the size of come down, reduce the size of the state, and ensure that people will keep more of their income. Income. Meanwhile , labour leader sir meanwhile, labour leader sir keir starmer says the government cant grow the economy. Cant grow the economy. I think theres a driving reason why weve got the highest taxes pretty well on record and thats because of the dismal failure of this government on growth and having failed on growing our economy , they have growing our economy, they have chosen to put up tax over and over again on working people. And now that is the burden that they are carrying because the governments failure there is a different choice, which is to have a mission to grow the economy right across the United Kingdom. Thats the mission. The labour party has put out and thats the choice that we would make. Make. Rail passengers will see chaos over the next two days as train drivers begin industrial action. Aslef members begin a ban on overtime today ahead of a strike at 16 Train Companies tomorrow. The union says tomorrow. The union says tomorrows walkout will force operators to cancel all services. Aslefs general secretary mick whelan argues members havent had a pay rise for four years. The government and Rail Delivery Group says theres a fair and reasonable offer on the table. This is gb offer on the table. This is gb news across the uk on tv in your car, on Digital Radio and on your Smart Speaker by saying play your Smart Speaker by saying play gb news now its back to. Play gb news now its back to. Mark thompson. Thanks very much and welcome back to the live desk. So lets update you with this situation on merseyside. Alder hey, on merseyside. Alder hey, Childrens Hospital in liverpool are declaring a Major Incident after that school bus with more than 50 pupils on board overturned on the m53 motonnay at merseyside this morning. One woman taken to hospital what were described as major trauma injuries following this accident near junction five. But 50 others had to be assessed at the scene with two air ambulances. Is in attendance. Its reported that some of the children were trapped inside the bus. These pictures taken by those travelling past the scene a little earlier. But lets get the very latest now with our north west of england. Reporter sophie reaper, whos there at the scene. And sophie, this is the scene. And sophie, this is junction five, i gather, at huyton on the motonnay. It is indeed. You can see behind me that the motonnay does remain closed and we know that Emergency Services were called here this morning, shortly after 8 00, after reports of that bus crash. Now, this is one of those stories that is so rapidly moving and it will continue to develop. But heres a little bit about what we know so far. We know that that bus, according to police , has collided with a car police, has collided with a car and then hit the central reservation close to junction five here on the m50 three. We also know that bus was carrying School Pupils from Calday Grange Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School for girls. Now, Grammar School for girls. Now, both of those schools are high schools with a sixth form, meaning the pupils will be aged around 11 to 18. And we also know from the North West Ambulance service, who have also declared a Major Incident. We know from them that the 50 people aboard the bus were assessed at the scene and that one female was taken to a nearby hospital , having suffered major hospital, having suffered major trauma related injuries. Local hospital. Alder hey, Childrens Hospital. Alder hey, Childrens Hospital have put out a statement online saying following an incident on the m53, we have called a Major Incident our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy and would ask parents to only bring their children to the department if it is urgent. So clearly there theres been reaction from across the north west. All Emergency Services have been here. As you said, two air ambulance is also involved. And as i said before, this is one of those stories that will continue to develop as the day moves on. So well be bringing you all the latest on it as we get it. Yeah, now weve got merseyside crime Merseyside Police and crime commissioner Emily Spurrell asking to not speculate asking people to not speculate about whats happened and whats continuing to happen. But what we instance, is we do know, for instance, is that staff have actually that nhs staff have actually come the picket lines come off the picket lines elsewhere in wirral, elsewhere in the wirral, indicating the sort of Emergency Response has had to be absolutely. Absolutely. And this is one of those stories where speculation will be rife. People will hear chinese whispers and it will become it will snowball almost. And thats why Emily Spurrell is asking people not to do so, because, of course , family, because, of course, family, parents, friends of those who have children at those schools, will of course, be concerned. So it makes sense that actually people stay away from posting onune people stay away from posting online with whatever they think may have happened and instead wait for people such as the media or official outlets such as the Emergency Services to bnng as the Emergency Services to bring us the latest and tell us a little bit more about this particular area. Particular area. We think this was the northbound carriageway , say 8 00 northbound carriageway, say 8 00 in the morning. Clearly at the height of rush hour when this happened. Height of rush hour when this happened. We assume that this is happened. We assume that this is going to be a really busy stretch motonnay. It would stretch of motonnay. It would have been. Indeed. This is its really quite close. You can hear cars still making their way around this ring road. Were quite close to chester and liverpool, somewhere in the middle near to birkenhead. So this road will birkenhead. So this road will have been both in both directions. People travelling around the north west. Its a major thoroughfare for people on the commute in the morning. So youre absolutely right. I would imagine traffic will have imagine the traffic will have been quite busy at this point in the morning on a working day. So we can only imagine exactly what would have been going on and a worrying time, of course , for worrying time, of course, for all parents and families. What do we know about the two schools involved . Theyve been schools involved . Theyve been named as Calday Grange Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School, which i think is a school for girls. School for girls. It is indeed as i as i mentioned, those are both high schools in this area that also have a sixth form which will mean its year 7 to 11, plus the sixth form age, which is year 12 and 13, meaning the pupils will be aged 11 to 18. Of course , be aged 11 to 18. Of course, its not the entirety of a school that will be on board. It will only be a select few pupils. So were yet to find out exactly what the age range is of those pupils who were on board. But im sure that will be some information the information that we get as the dayand clearly looking there and clearly looking there behind you, we expect this stretch of motonnay to be closed for some time yet the rescue for some time yet as the rescue and recovery operation continues i absolutely. And police have advised people to avoid this area completely and to find other routes, because, of course, with something as large as a bus, this isnt as simple as a bus, this isnt as simple as perhaps as a normal car crash with something as large as a bus. Of course, weve seen the pictures. A rescue operation pictures. A rescue operation will now be undennay to try and move the bus itself. But of course, theres many people involved who will now have to be potentially taken to other locations. So youre absolutely right that this will now take some time to try and clear it up. Sophie for the moment, thank you very much for joining us there at the scene there on the m53. Back to you. Of as we back to you. Of course, as we get more to share with you get more just to share with you that two schools, calday that the two schools, Calday Grange kirby have grange and west kirby have posted a tweets to say we are aware of the situation involving one of our school buses. Were one of our school buses. Were actively gathering details and assisting affected students at and their families and clearly, as the police and crime commissioner is asking people not to speculate on social media, we will update you as we get more details from the Emergency Services. Now to the Emergency Services. Now to the other news today with the former home secretary priti patel , home secretary priti patel, saying the government should cut pubuc saying the government should cut public spending and ease the tax burden. With the uk now looking on course to be the highest taxed country since records began. Taxed country since records began. Speaking exclusively to began. Speaking exclusively to gb news ahead of the conservative Party Conference this weekend in manchester, conservatives, we believe in lower taxes. As conservatives , we believe as conservatives, we believe being on the side of hard working households and families as conservatives, we believe in hope and aspiration. Hope and aspiration. So what does that look like now . That should mean lower taxes. The to start the burden of tax has to start to down. However look at to come down. However look at the cycle that were in right now more fiscal now. Weve got one more fiscal cycle potentially before a general election. How and its not about being bold or not just about being bold or ambitious. Its about being conservative and ensuring that the public keep more of the money earn rather than money that they earn rather than seeing the size of the state continue which which continue to grow, which which chopper has done. Sure chopper it has done. Im sure youve about this and youve written about this and youve written about this and youve about this before. Youve spoken about this before. Thats the space that we need to be reduce the of be in. Reduce use the size of the state and ensure that people keep more of their income. This is just a fundamental conservative principle that we must stand by. The chancellor says that cutting inflation is the as cutting inflation is the same as a is that acceptable or a tax cut. Is that acceptable or do well, not than that. I well, its not than that. I actually think have to actually think you have to separate the two. Now, number one, we why there are one, we know why there are a range of inflation pressures, but the same time, i do but at the same time, i do recall a rather, you know, successful conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was able to tackle inflation while while growing the economy, speaking about economic growth, letting the public keep more of their money. You know, their income and on top of that, she was also a Prime Minister and a conservative leader. But had high levels of taxation, high levels of inflation. You have to calibrate what you do. If you were chancellor. If you were chancellor. Well, first of all, i think we have to be conservative act as conservatives in government. As conservatives in government. The inflation conundrum is one that being tackled and that is being tackled and challenged now. I think that is being tackled and cha government now. I think that is being tackled and cha government should think that is being tackled and cha government should carry on that is being tackled and cha gthat. |ment should carry on that is being tackled and cha gthat. Bylnt should carry on that is being tackled and cha gthat. By the hould carry on that is being tackled and cha gthat. By the way,i carry on that is being tackled and cha gthat. By the way, asxrry on with that. By the way, as we know, of that is monetary know, a lot of that is Monetary Policy not always policy, not always fiscal policy. Policy is tax. So policy. Fiscal policy is tax. So the government must strain every sinew right now to look at how they can be on the side of hard working families right now because they are you know, theyre under the car cutting taxes. That letting them taxes. That means letting them keep more of their earnings taxes. That means letting them keep rthan of their earnings taxes. That means letting them keep rthan of tistateirnings taxes. That means letting them keep rthan of tistate taking rather than the state taking that then literally that slice and then literally saying , we know, we know how saying, we know, we know how best to spend your money. So lets get more now with chris, Political Editor who chris, our Political Editor who spoke former home spoke to the former home secretary chris, secretary now, i think, chris, im you did im right in saying you did speak to her before the institute of fiscal studies of lit. Touch with lit. The blue touch paper with the latest figures coming out, which really is going to ignite some unease , shall we say, at some unease, shall we say, at the Party Conference this weekend. And yeah , i mean, the weekend. And yeah, i mean, the tory party is always about tax. Tory party is always about tax. Thats if you boil the entire party down in a petri dish to nothing else. Theres basically the word tax left there. Thats what party is about. Theyve what the party is about. Theyve got to cut taxes. Thats what theyre to be doing. And theyre meant to be doing. And theyre meant to be doing. And they ifs they arent doing that. This ifs report, overnight shows report, mark, overnight shows that the of National Income on tax gone up from 33 four tax has gone up from 33 four years ago to 37 in 2024. Thats next year. Of course, theres a war on ukraine. Of course, covids happened and brexit happened too, which some would say hasnt been executed very well by the government, and that hasnt helped the situation. But hasnt helped the situation. But theres question that priti theres no question that priti patel right on the money here patel is right on the money here in of appealing to the in terms of appealing to the partys shes partys grass roots. Shes saying all well for saying its all very well for the jeremy hunt, to the chancellor. Jeremy hunt, to say and indeed rishi sunak, the prime cutting Prime Minister, to say cutting inflation a tax cut. Inflation is like a tax cut. Yes, but the point is, politics is about how do you help people. And many people, i think, who have voted tory in the past are wondering what are the tories done they making done for me . How are they making my easier . What political my life easier . What political choices are they making away from controlling inflation that make my life better . And that hasnt happened yet. They want to see more that to see more of that this weekend. To see more of that this we yeah, course that yeah, and of course that feeds labours line. Feeds into labours attack line. Do better after do you feel better after 30 years tory government . And years of tory government . And weve griffith , of weve got Andrew Griffith, of course the business minister this morning seeming to double down it, saying, this morning seeming to double down it , saying, look, this morning seeming to double down it, saying, look, its down on it, saying, look, its not to rule out not responsible to rule out further tax rises. Further tax rises. Well, thats right. Well, thats right. They. Jeremy hunt has made they. Jeremy hunt has made very clear in an interview, i think with bloomberg last week, they cant push up or cut taxes as you in the autumn as you say in the autumn statement. But i think what this statement. But i think what this weekend all to at the weekend is all about to at the party up in Party Conference up in manchester pm rishi manchester is the pm rishi sunak, showing something, an indication cuts probably indication of tax cuts probably indication of tax cuts probably in march next year ahead of what could be an election in may or june or october, november. They june or october, november. They want to see an idea of why. Why should we vote for these guys, not i mean , labour not those guys. I mean, labour would and control would also try and control inflation, but the point of the tory has to be to tax. Tory party has to be to tax. Thats why the priti patel there talked about Margaret Thatcher, how she controlled inflation and cut taxes. I was around in the 80s as you were, mark. I mean, she controlled inflation first and then and then cut taxes. So and then and then cut taxes. So there was an order there. But this inflation issue has gone on for bit now. I think that the for a bit now. I think that the Party Faithful want to see something tax. Something on tax. Yeah, housekeeping as yeah, Good Housekeeping as she course, remembered yeah, Good Housekeeping as she fathersse, remembered yeah, Good Housekeeping as she fathers lessons mbered yeah, Good Housekeeping as she fathers lessons innered yeah, Good Housekeeping as she fathers lessons in terms of her fathers lessons in terms of looking after the shop. But looking after the shop. But lets actually sort of look fonnard. I mean, is there any chance that they could pull a rabbit out of the hat in manchester . Weve got the economy doing maybe slightly better than people were fearing. It is still flatlining. And weve got the november statement to come from the chancellor. I mean , is there any wriggle room mean, is there any wriggle room for them . Well, there is one for them . Well, there is one more money tipping in inflation, of course, peoples pay packets have gone up by by a lot more because of high inflation that has brought more people than there into the there might be expected into the various tax bands. 20, 40, 45 is something called fiscal drag. I dont want called fiscal drag. I dont want to use that term on gb news. Its quite its over complex. What it means is they hold these levels, these income levels where you pay the tax and as you get a pay rise, you fall into it and you do find doctors and nurses, others on on lower incomes historically shouldnt be higher are be paying the higher rate, are now the 40 tax rate. And now paying the 40 tax rate. And thats how they may there may be a fiscal picture for the a better fiscal picture for the pm and for the chancellor to do these tax cuts. But what they might inheritance tax has might be inheritance tax has been mooted, but arguably that doesnt affect as many as they may want and 1 or off may want it. And 1 or £0. 02 off income tax in the budget next yearis income tax in the budget next year is idea. But theyve year is one idea. But theyve got to do something to show they mean and how to get got to do something to show they meifaithful and how to get got to do something to show they meifaithful out. And how to get got to do something to show they meifaithful out. The|d how to get got to do something to show they meifaithful out. The bigow to get got to do something to show they meifaithful out. The big issue get the faithful out. The big issue is dont knows to bring is dont knows how to bring those knows and those dont knows and the polling the tory party polling back to the tory party the last week on net zero the stuff last week on net zero that but where where that has helped but where where can he go next indeed and im very glad you mentioned fiscal drag because weve got a man shortly explaining exactly what it means. Chris, for the moment. Thank you, halligan. You, Liam Halligan. All. Indeed. You, Liam Halligan. Liam all. Indeed. You, Liam Halligan. Liam will all. Indeed. You, Liam Halligan. Liam will beall. Indeed. You, Liam Halligan. Liam will be here1deed. You, Liam Halligan. Liam will be here ineed. You, Liam Halligan. Liam will be here in the studio to explain where the economy is heading indeed economy is heading and indeed whether drag is a bit of whether fiscal drag is a bit of a drag. Stay with gb news radio. Well, welcome back to the live desk. Lets just update you with the Emergency Response to this incident. With the Emergency Response to this incident. Up on with the Emergency Response to this incident. Up on merseyside this incident. Up on merseyside in the wirral with 50 pupils on board that bus that overturned on the m53. Were now learning on the m53. Were now learning the Second Hospital in the area has declared a Major Incident. This is Arrowe Park Hospital on the wirral in addition to alder. Hey, Childrens Hospital. A spokesperson for the Wirral University Teaching Hospital group saying we have clear plans in place to deal these types of emergencies. Our services are ready to receive casualties with a trust declaring a Major Incident with a Major Incident team now being stood up to manage that situation. So well update you as we get more, of course confirmation at least one person has suffered major injuries as 50 others been injuries as 50 others had been assessed at the scene. More details as we get them. Now, we were discussing the tax with chris hope and where that leads the tory party ahead of their conference this weekend. But there has been some good news or more encouraging, at least news on today because on the Economy Today because growth the economy, gdp growth in the economy, gdp actually rose by 0. 3 for the First Quarter of the year, more than expected, according to the office for National Statistics. What does it mean . Liams here with on the. Money and as with on the. Money and as promised, well explain yet more what fiscal drag means. Butjust to look at this bigger picture, i mean, it is growth, but i guess were still flatlining as such. Yeah. So the ons, the office for National Statistics , put out for National Statistics, put out its gdp revision figures this morning. And we were here at morning. And we were here at 7 00 in the morning reporting on them. These are important numbers. They set the context for whole economic for the whole of our economic life, turn drives life, which in turn drives politics. And its pretty good news for the tories. On the eve news for the tories. On the eve of their conference for the tory leadership, the first leadership, because in the First Quarter, months quarter, the first three months of you say, growth of the year, as you say, growth has been revised up from 0. 1 compared to the last quarter of 2022 to 0. 3. Quite a chunky upgrade. Al fayed and then upgrade. Al fayed and then growth from april to june the 2nd quarter, that was nought point 2. Now now theyre still quite low numbers as but if you combine them with last year in 2022, the uk grew by 4. 2. Yeah. And there was the yeah. And there was the reassessment on that. Thats up from 4. 1. And if you add that together with the reassessment of previous years, 2020 and 2021, which we had over the summer as it happens, as it happens , the uk since the happens, the uk since the pandemic, has now grown by 1. 8. Thats more than france. Yeah, thats more than france. Yeah, 1. 7 and certainly more than germany. Nought point 2. Its not up there with the states. Theyve got lots of cheap energy in america or japan or italy or japan, but its better than we thought and its in the middle of the pack and it means no one whos honest can say, oh , whos honest can say, oh, brexit, britain cant grow where is the resilience coming from . Is the resilience coming from . And does it indicate that jeremy hunt can try and work out a bit of headroom, as they call it, in terms of the resilience is coming from Consumer Sentiment . Yes. Mortgage rates have gone up. You know, all borrowing up. Yes. You know, all borrowing costs have gone up for consumers andindeed costs have gone up for consumers and indeed for businesses. But and indeed for businesses. But the Consumer Sector remains quite resilient. Weve heard a lot about those savings that were made during the pandemic. That helping to keep that money is helping to keep the going. Were still the economy going. Were still getting a lot of inward investment despite all the negative headlines. And i think negative headlines. And i think on top of that, the real standout resilin part of the economy. Its 10 of the british economy. Its 10 of the british economy. Its 10 of the british economy. Its the manufacturing sector. We are now still the eighth biggest manufacture in the world, still making stuff. Were still making a lot of stuff. You know, we make a lot of cars. We make a lot of petrochemicals. We make a lot of specialised textiles. We make a specialised textiles. We make a lot of components, tools. You lot of components, tools. You know, the uk is still a major, you know, were not the workshop of the world as we were at the start of the industrial revolution, but were still an important economy. Revolution, but were still an imptwhats economy. Revolution, but were still an imptwhats happeningeconomy. Revolution, but were still an imptwhats happening innnomy. And whats happening in manufacturing. Mark interestingly, if you look at the of these numbers, the fine print of these numbers, manufacturing inputs , the cost manufacturing inputs, the cost of them isnt now slowing down. Its actually falling. Oh, right. And you know, in the past ive said to you, look at the Producer Price index, that is the real bellwether. The cost of the real bellwether. The cost of the firms need to the inputs that firms need to produce the goods and services they then timber in they then sell timber coming in and cement Producer Price and cement the Producer Price inflation is negative. Thats going to feed through into Lower Consumer prices, too. Where does that leave jeremy hunt then this weekend , as hes facing the weekend, as hes facing the music up in manchester at the Party Conference because hes got statement, Party Conference because hes got aint statement, Party Conference because hes got aint farstatement, Party Conference because hes got aint far away. |ent, Party Conference because hes got aint far away. Its, which aint that far away. Its not away. Not that far away. The books hes balance the books hes got. Balance the books hes got. Institute fiscal the institute of fiscal studies knowingly, studies never knowingly, you know, mischief, know, lacking in mischief, undersold, we say. And undersold, should we say. And theyve produced a report, you know, its unanswerably true what fiscal the institute of what the fiscal the institute of fiscal studies. In experience fiscal studies. In my experience and a lot of respect and ive got a lot of respect for them, theyre not very good at forecasting right. Thats at forecasting right. But thats not really what they do. Theyre really good at telling you where we yeah, they can read we are. Yeah, they can read the national way national accounts, the way almost no one else. We should make plain , you and we should make plain, you know, allegiance in know, no political allegiance in any just tell it it any way. They just tell it as it is ish ish. And i speak with massive fondness organisation fondness for an organisation that ive been associated with and work with all my career. And work with all my career. Look, the institute for fiscal studies mainly state money, studies is mainly state money, right . Quite right . Theyre mainly quite statist people. You dont go and work in the institute of fiscal studies if youre a free marketeer , if youre a really marketeer, if youre a really smart economist, when you could go and work in the city of london, you generally go and work at the institute. Youre work at the institute. If youre really committed to state really committed to the state and be and you tend they tend to be instinctively high instinctively more high tax people. Let tell you people. But let me just tell you what they said, what theyve said, its unanswerably said, and its unanswerably true. Brilliantly true. And its brilliantly timed analysis , if i may say so. So analysis, if i may say so. So shapo to them. Theyre saying shapo to them. Theyre saying that this parliament, the tax that in this parliament, the tax burden is going to go up from 33 of gdp to 38, 39, which is a 70 year high. So the tories have a tax problem. And lets talk about fiscal drag, because there are those who say, look, this is a bit of a stealth thing. You know, they think to going notice think youre not to going notice it basically tax it because basically its tax allowances up with the allowances not going up with the rate word rate of inflation. The key word is threshold. Rate of inflation. The key word is tthe hold. Rate of inflation. The key word is tthe taxi. Rate of inflation. The key word is tthe Tax Threshold. So gb news the Tax Threshold. So gb news viewers and listeners may not know because most adults in the uk dont know. But you dont pay tax up to about 12. 5 grand, right . That is starting rate right . That is the starting rate of when you pay, when you of tax. When you pay, when you earn more than 12. 5 grand above that threshold that tax free allowance, start paying allowance, then you start paying income tax at 20. Now whats happening is that threshold is frozen and the top rate of tax, the 40 rate of Tax Threshold is frozen at all. Also around 50 grand. And then the upper rate above that is frozen as well at about 125 grand. So because it used to be 150, theyve actually brought that threshold. Absolutely. Absolutely. But you freeze tax but if you freeze Tax Thresholds as your wages go up year after year, more and more of your income is dragged into that upper Tax Threshold and people who arent paying tax or arent paying at the at the top rate, suddenly theyre paying at the top rate. Thats why chris rightly says and weve pointed out many times youve now got middle ranking teachers, middle ranking officers, middle Ranking Police officers, middle middle managers, wealthy middle managers, not wealthy people , and theyre paying the people, and theyre paying the top rate of tax. Thats mad. Okay, so rabbit out of the hat, would that be inheritance tax possibly. Hat, would that be inheritance tax pos i bly. Hat, would that be inheritance tax pos | think the downing but i think the downing street have floating that street have been floating that idea week or so. But idea in the last week or so. But a lot of have been a lot of people have been saying, so. View, saying, rightly so. In my view, if richest prime if youre the richest Prime Minister, country has ever minister, this country has ever known and your chancellor is also a multi, multi millionaire, also a multi, multi millionaire, a good look, its not a good look to basically cut tax for not i wouldnt say the richest households in britain because the richest households in britain, theyre far too grand to pay inheritance tax. You know, they theyve know, they use theyve got tax advisers. They buy forests. Yes. Advisers. They buy forests. Yes. But it would be a gift to labour politically. It would a gift to labour it would be a gift to labour politically. Yeah. And in the end in the end, i think its end and in the end, i think its too i think will see too early. I think we will see a rabbit the hat. Jeremy rabbit out of the hat. Jeremy hunt cuts are hunt is saying tax cuts are virtually impossible , but virtually impossible, but hes saying he reverse saying that so he can reverse that in say the spring if there are going to be tax cuts. And i think they will theyll be at the as when the the spring as and when the general Election Campaign really gets general Election Campaign really getyeah, a little little yeah, a little little sweetener the way. Sweetener on the way. Maybe an interesting also mark you know were in Party Conference season now. Im off to just couple to manchester in just a couple of hours tories are of hours where the tories are meeting. Its labour the following weekend , but of course following weekend, but of course weve had the lib dem conference and the dem conference. For and the lib dem conference. For me is the most important thing about dem conference was about the lib dem conference was that the dems whose that even the lib dems whose whole usp is a penny on tax , whole usp is a penny on tax, right . Paddy ashdown i remember when he first told me about that policy 20 odd years ago on a battle bus in then battle bus in his then constituency of yeovil, the late the west country, the late lib dem leader. Yeah i was sitting on the battle bus with him. We got idea. What do think got this idea. What do you think . This has been around. . And so this has been around. This the mid 90s. This has this was the mid 90s. This has been around a long time. Will this was the mid 90s. This has bee a around a long time. Will this was the mid 90s. This has bee a penny a long time. Will this was the mid 90s. This has bee a penny on. Ong time. Will this was the mid 90s. This has bee a penny on income e. Will this was the mid 90s. This has bee a penny on income tax, will this was the mid 90s. This has bee a penny on income tax, say ll put a penny on income tax, say the lib dems, and we will spend it education and health, it on education and health, potholes, whatever, whatever they to a particular they want to say to a particular audience a particular time. Audience at a particular time. But lib are but if even the lib dems are shying penny on shying away from their penny on tax, theyre leaping motif policy. You know, tax is too high. Youve now got the lib dems. Crikey i cant believe im saying this. Outflank the tories on low tax. On low tax. On that note, thank you very much indeed. More analysis, of course , as we get the figures course, as we get the figures coming through and indeed those conferences to coming up. Were live at Croydon Youth Court after the 17 year old appeared being charged with the murder of ltn arade dam. More from outside the court. First, the headlines with. Tamsin with. Tamsin mark, thank you. Here are the headunes mark, thank you. Here are the headlines at 1232. A Major Incident has been declared after a school bus overturned on the m. 53 in the wirral. A number of people are being treated at alder. Hey Childrens Hospital. One person has suffered serious injuries as around 50 others have been assessed at the scene. The bus was carrying pupils to Calday Grange Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School. West kirby Grammar School. Police say it collided with a car and struck a central reservation. Eyewitnesses say reservation. Eyewitnesses say they saw children climbing out of the back window. The incident happened at around 830 this morning between huyton and bebington and parts of the motonnay in both directions remain closed. A 17 year old boy remain closed. A 17 year old boy charged with the murder of a 15 Year Old Girl has been remanded in custody after appearing in court. Elian in custody after appearing in court. Elian arade dam was stabbed to death in croydon on wednesday while she was on her way to school trip routes have been pouring in for her family , been pouring in for her family, including actor idris elba. Including from actor idris elba. He says tougher deterrence and punishments need to be put in place for people who carry weapons. A teenage boy arrested weapons. A teenage boy arrested in connection with a cutting down of one of the uks most photographed trees has been released on bail. The tree at released on bail. The tree at sycamore gap to next Hadrians Wall, close to northumberland , wall, close to northumberland, was made famous in the 1991 film. Robin hood. The National Trust says it was shocked and saddened to see the iconic tree cut down. The chancellor says the economy recovered from the pandemic faster than expected after it grew by 0. 3 in the First Quarter of this year. The office for National Statistics initially expected it to rise by 0. 1. The government says it will stick to its plan of halving inflation. This year. Stick to its plan of halving inflation. This year. Well, you inflation. This year. Well, you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website, gb news. Com stories by visiting our website, gbnews. Com. From three on gb news choose. From three on gb news choose. Welcome back to the live desk. Plenty of figures are flying about today. Weve talked about tax. Weve talked about growth in economy. Should we talk in the economy. Should we talk about your fuel bill if we must, because were being warned energy bills could be 31 higher than last winter. Thats despite than last winter. Thats despite the new Energy Price Cap being introduced late next week. On october the 1st. Meanwhile, new figures the taxman figures from the taxman revealing more people are having to dip into their pension pots early by because early just to get by because according to hmrc, 300,000 more people have cashed in their pensions early last year than in 2020 to 21. Thats a 45 increase. Lets get more with our Political Correspondent, Catherine Forster and catherine indication perhaps that those i think theyve described it economically inactive who maybe are not of pensionable age as yet still have to dip into their savings. Savings. Yes , were going into another yes, were going into another winter and last winter was very difficult for many people with Energy Prices having soared, the cost of food is etcetera and strikes. And it seems like here strikes. And it seems like here we go again , because despite the we go again, because despite the fact that the Energy Price Cap has fallen to below £2,000, the government are not offering that Energy Price Guarantee that they did last year in terms of giving a £400 of extra support to families. So warnings today from a letter has been sent to rishi sunak from 140 charities bodies, consumer groups, businesses and mps flagging this and asking for further support. And meanwhile, as youve just said, far more over 55 dipping into their pension pots earlier , presumably pension pots earlier, presumably because theyre finding it hard to make ends meet. So this cost of living crisis has been going on quite a long time now. And okay, inflation action is coming down. But of course, all that means is that prices are rising less fast. Prices are still much higher than they were a year ago for many things. And people are struggling. Yeah. And a lot of people will be a bit confused where theyre being told, oh, the price cap is coming down. Fuel inflation is coming down a bit as well. And then suddenly here comes the warning. Oh you could be paying yet more than you were last winter. Last winter. Yes. It seems weird, doesnt it . And i think its because , as it . And i think its because, as now, the government are very keen to stress the things that they are doing. Of course , they are doing. Of course, theres the fuel payment theres the winter fuel payment for citizens. Thats for senior citizens. Thats between about 250 and £600 a yean between about 250 and £600 a year. Thats been going on for many years. The government are also doing these cost of living payments for the most vulnerable households, but thats not targeted aid to energy specific. But yes, theyre saying that the average cost of gas and electric last year was £141 per month and that that could well. Month and that that could well. Be £160 per month. So it is sort of counter intuitive, isnt it . And it seems like last winter when people for the first time in many cases were really worrying about when they could put their heating on and for how long, we have expected long, we might have expected that with Energy Prices having dropped quite significantly since theyd spiked after the russian invasion of ukraine, that things would have eased. But of course , the suppliers buy but of course, the suppliers buy their gas and electric are long time ahead and there is no sign whatsoever of an end to this war. And also, i think its a reflection of the fact that we havent focussed on Energy Security in this country for many years. Weve thought for a many years. Weve thought for a long time that we can get whatever we need from wherever we want, whenever we need it, and what the war in ukraine has proved is that we cant , but we proved is that we cant, but we dont have the necessary infrastructure in place now to be self sufficient. And okay, were going to focus more on nuclear. Theres more gas and oil licences being granted. But these things are going to take a long, long time to feed through. And it does sound like gas and electric prices are going to be high for a long time to come and certainly there , you know, way certainly there, you know, way over 50 more than they were just a couple of years ago. Yeah. And of course, all that feeding into that decision on the rosebank oil and gas field. But where does this leave the government now for the Party Conference weekend . Bit government now for the party co good|ce weekend . Bit government now for the party co good news, weekend . Bit government now for the party co good news, aseekend . Bit government now for the party co good news, as we end . Bit government now for the party co good news, as we were bit of good news, as we were discussing there with liam in terms of growth in the economy, not that much, though, the not that much, though, but the tax were tax burden high. And now were being told the fuel burden high. I its , you know, not i mean, its, you know, not really to make for really going to make for pleasant reading for them as they try and encourage people to get to the ballot box in less than a year, maybe. Than a year, maybe. Yes. Not a good start than a year, maybe. Yes. Not a good start going into conservative Party Conference in manchester, which opens on sunday. First of all, there are no trains to manchester to morrow. There the trains strikes are still ongoing. Yes that small amounts of good news about the revised forecasts of economic growth. But i think to most people its simply we will not feel like that. And the news, of course, from the institute for fiscal studies that the tax burden is at the highest level since 1948. We think of the conservatives, dont we, as a party of small state and low tax choices. But it hasnt been like that for a good few years. Were at a very good few years. Were at a very high tax point and a very big state point. Now, of course, the government would say thats not their fault. Theyve been responding to events. Weve had the invasion of ukraine. Weve had covid, the global shutdown , had covid, the global shutdown, having to pay peoples salaries dunng having to pay peoples salaries during furlough. This has all been massively expensive. Weve got a National Debt of £2. 6 trillion and simply the government doesnt have much money and a lot of people will feel like they dont either. Feel like they dont either. Catherine, for the moment, thank you very much. As you say, coverage from that Conference Starting on sunday. Now lets update you with more. Were getting emergency getting on the Emergency Reaction to this incident in merseyside with that school bus having overturned this morning. Weve got more now from alder hey, Childrens Hospital up in liverpool saying it is currently treating a number of patients following that School Bus Crash. A statement on its website saying we can confirm we are treating a number after the incident morning. Will incident this morning. We will continue support and liaise continue to support and liaise with directly , are with families directly, are unable to share any further details of individual patients at this time. It had declared a Major Incident earlier with some 50 pupils on board this bus, which overturned and confirmation that stage that one female adult had received trauma to injuries, serious injuries and was being taken to hospital with two air ambulance on standby. But clearly the standby. But clearly the indication is that at least two hospitals in the area on this emergency. Standby for a major emergency. Standby for a Major Incident and those are being treated there at the moment. Well update you as we get more from both the hospital and emergency sources. But at least emergency sources. But at least some of those kids are now being treated in hospital safely. Now, treated in hospital safely. Now, 17 year old boy charged with the murder of 15 year old elian arade dam, who was stabbed to death on her way to school in croydon on wednesday, has been remanded in custody. Lets get remanded in custody. Lets get more with our reporter ray addison, whos at croydons youth court. Court part of the Magistrates Court complex there, just to explain to people, ray, because of his age, he has to be treated as a juvenile through the court system. The court system. Absolutely, mark. Absolutely, mark. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. The defendant, who cannot be named due to his young age, appeared here at the youth court just after 1030 this morning. And he was dressed in a grey pnson and he was dressed in a grey prison issue tracksuit suit. Now, initially he was placed in the dock. However, the judge asked that he be moved to the main part of the court due to the fact, as said, that he is the fact, as he said, that he is just years old now , during just 17 years old now, during the hearing, the defendant spoke only to his name and his only to confirm his name and his date of birth. He kept his head bowed as prosecutor nicola grindy described how on wednesday morning, 15 year old schoolgirl euan morning, 15 year old schoolgirl elian arade dam had arranged to meet the defendant with two female friends. Female friends. Now, the idea, allegedly was for the boy to hand over some personal items to one of the girls. Now, however, when they girls. Now, however, when they met the Prosecutor Says the defendant was wearing a mask and gloves and refused to hand over the belongings. At some point, some kind of scuffle ensued and there was a chase and elian was repeatedly stabbed. Now , all members of the now, all members of the pubuc now, all members of the public did try to provide Aid Assistance to elian. Assistance to elian. And however, she died at the scene and the defendant was arrested just over an hour later on. Now, no pleas were entered at this time to either charge of murder or possession of a bladed item. The defendant was, however, remanded to youth detention and the judge said the next hearing would be scheduled to be held at the old bailey on tuesday, the 3rd of october, which of course will be a crown Court Hearing effectively, despite his age. Despite his age. But ray, for the moment, thank you for updating us there in croydon. And of course we will update people as the Legal Proceedings continue. Now lets proceedings continue. Now lets reflect that someone is diagnosed with cancer , at least diagnosed with cancer, at least every 90s in britain. Well, today people across the country taking part in whats being called the worlds biggest Coffee Morning to raise to money try to beat the disease. Our yorkshire reporter anna riley joins us now from one of those Coffee Mornings in in selby. And anna, clearly people come together and they share cake and coffee. But of various serious intent behind all this effort. Intent behind all this effort. Good afternoon, mark. Yes, there certainly is. We know with there certainly is. We know with the figures that have come out that cancer is certainly on the rise. So charities like macmillan and macmillan Coffee Morning really do appreciate support from communities across the uk to help them fundraise for the nurses and for the support that they give. Im now at one Coffee Morning at Armenia Health and wellbeing in selby and im joined by diane and hannah. Diane, just tell me a little bit about why youve decided to run this Coffee Morning at the Business Today in terms of running the Coffee Morning this morning in the business predominate currently this is about a personal journey regarding my father and hannahs grandad and it would have been his today. His 81st birthday today. And he had end of life and he had his end of life care ended journey in april this year. Care ended journey in april this year. So we thought it was year. So we thought it was a really fitting tribute to give back to people who gave to us in terms of being in the business. Were involved in the delivery of apprenticeships within health and wellbeing. And as a training academy. And again as a therapist, even pre your journey. Its important that we open our doors for clients living with through or beyond cancer and that we are there. They can have support and treatments and care and some way to go where they can feel safe and secure in what they do. And we can all work as sort of multidisciplinary teams to help them and their families. Them and their families. And cancer has touched a lot of families across the uk. You of families across the uk. You know, with the diagnosis coming out and it must have been a real shock first to hear that. But how did Macmillan Support you through that . Well, they obviously well, firstly, they obviously supported us. My dad, an supported us. My dad, as an individual , supported us. My dad, as an individual, and yes, the diagnosis was a shock and that was just as we were kind of coming out of the covid lockdowns and things. And wed lost my mum in at the beginning of 2020. So his of covid in 2020. So his individual personal support had had been taken away, if you like, that support blanket. And it was very important to us that he had the journey he wanted and macmillan allowed us to do that. He wanted to be in his own home and their support, we were and with their support, we were able to make that happen for him. Whilst also they were supportive to us as individuals because everybody wants to protect everybody else. And what protect everybody else. And what they do is give that they do do is give that independent listening ear where you can talk about those, those natural fears and concerns and accepting to some degree for him personally , his treatment, his personally, his treatment, his journey and then ultimately his end of life care. And you said yourself before he loved cake himself and hed be very pleased with this spread that youve got on today. Just tell us a little bit about all these fantastic cakes that are for sale. Yeah, he loved cake and fortunately were blessed with a daughter and a granddaughter who is making and is very good at making them and coordinating. So had coordinating. So weve had weve got and also got 400 home bakes and also donations from local businesses. Weve got raffles and yeah, so, so this again, celebrating his birthday , we cant give him birthday, we cant give him a cake, but were giving him a cake, but were giving him a cake in a different way for a different purpose. And there are 400 bakes here for 400 individual bakes here for people purchase donate people to purchase and or donate. And if they cant get into the Coffee Morning, they can on Coffee Morning, they can go on to twitter or our instagram to our twitter or our instagram and theres a donation link there can continue to there so that we can continue to pass that work to other people. Thank you. And hannah, youve been part of this. How been a big part of this. How much are you wanting to raise today . Well, were hoping for about £1,000, well if we can £1,000, so well see if we can get there. Fingers if youre fingers crossed. So if youre in selby area, certainly in the selby area, certainly pop here plenty of here and theres plenty of coffee still going on Coffee Mornings still going on this pop in this afternoon to pop in and give a donation macmillan. Give a donation to macmillan. Cancer support indeed. Great to hear how theyre and great to hear how theyre helping out there with those tasty treats as of course, they are across the country. Thank you very much for updating us there in selby with the macmillan Coffee Morning. Now less than half of all rail stations in the north of england have acceptable level of step have an acceptable level of step free platform as a free access to platform as a report finding that despite strict guidelines to make transport accessible for all, not has been done at many not enough has been done at many of stations. Our of these stations. Our north west of england. Reporter of these stations. Our north ireaper england. Reporter of these stations. Our north ireaper hasland. Reporter of these stations. Our north ireaper has the. Reporter of these stations. Our north ireaper has the details er sophie reaper has the details for us. Sophie reaper has the details for im used to getting on the im used to getting on the train here and anywhere else i probably wouldnt feel the most confident. Around 3 Million People in the north of england have a disability and yet because of access issues, something as simple as catching a train can be a near impossible task. A train can be a near impossible task. Public transport should be task. Public transport should be as accessible for all people as possible. And the fact that theres a few stations that i just cant get on at because of my disability and because im in a wheelchair like , like really a wheelchair like, like really isnt fair. And it really like adds a lot of anxiety to, to travelling according to new figures on rail accessibility , figures on rail accessibility, less than half of stations in the north have a design level of step free access access. The data also showed that 41 dont have help points 62 dont have physically accessed waiting shelters and 65 dont have staff on the platform. Now, staff on the platform. Now, mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, has had enough in 2023 to have a situation where some local people cant use a train station. I just dont find that acceptable at all. And there is some progress , but its like the some progress, but its like the trains, its moving far too slow. And at some places its not turning up at all. This has been a long standing issue in the north, but now many are demanding action. They are bread and butter issues. They should be fixed without any delay. And be fixed without any delay. And thats why were pleased to be making this call via gb news to the ministers and the rail industry. This ability access to all of our stations is not a luxury that can be afforded some point in the future. Its an essential for now, get it sorted i in response, a spokesperson from the department of transport says that everyone should be able to travel with confidence and we continue to work with experts and disability groups to ensure everyone has access to our railways. Of the 600 our railways. Of the 600 stations in the north of england. And 467 of them are run by northern trains, we have 98 million passenger journeys a year and we recognise that accessibility means Something Different for different people. Different for different people. Its one of our top priorities. We shouldnt restrict peoples ability to travel, particularly in the north and were doing everything that we can to improve those facilities. 91 of our stations are fully accessed able. However, for the 9 that arent, we do have a passenger assist facility where customers can call us, and if they cant access a station , we will get access a station, we will get them a taxi to where theyre going. However, for many they simply feel as though rail is still not a viable option on. And although progress is being made familiar onesin progress is being made familiar ones in the north of england, it may not be fast enough. Sophie may not be fast enough. Sophie reaper gb news, whos sophie reaper gb news, whos sophie reaper updating us there as she will now actually from the scene of this crash on the m 53 after that school bus overturned. And earlier today, the latest that we have from alder. Hey Childrens Hospital is that it is treating a number of patients after that School Bus Crash having declared a Major Incident. Another hospital also incident. Another hospital also in the wirral with its Hazardous Area Response team and air ambulances involved, at least 50 were on board that bus , many were on board that bus, many being treated at the scene. But being treated at the scene. But clearly, given the numbers involved , this is a major involved, this is a major operation for the Emergency Services. Well have gb news. Very good afternoon. Its 1 00 here with a live desk here on gb news. And coming up this friday lunchtime, a Major Incident declared by the Ambulance Service and hospitals. At least service and hospitals. At least one person seriously injured after this school bus overturned and carrying 50 children on the 53 in wirral. The latest live as alder hey Childrens Hospital says it is handling a major emergency treating a number of patients in taxing times as priti patel warning tory leaders that bills are unsustainable as it revealed our tax burdens the highest of any post war government is tax set to become the battleground for this weekends Party Conference. And yet more pressures on our pocket with a warning, our fuel bills could be 13 more expensive even than last year. Could it be than last year. Could it be another winter of discontent on the way. The way. Also coming up, a 17 year old boy remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of 15 year old elian arade dam, stabbed to death as she went to school in croydon on wednesday. Well have the from well have the latest from outside youth court outside croydons youth court before that, the latest headunes before that, the latest headlines with. Tamsin headlines with. Tamsin mark, thank you and good afternoon from the gb newsroom. At 1 01, northwest Ambulance Services and alder. Hey children. Hospitals are declaring Major Incidents after a school bus overturned on the m50 three in the wirral. One person has suffered serious injuries and around 50 others have been assessed at the scene. The bus was carrying pupils to Calday Grange Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School. Police say kirby Grammar School. Police say it collided with a car and struck a central reservation. An struck a central reservation. An eyewitnesses say they saw children climbing out of the back window. The incident happened at around 830 this morning between hutton and bebington and parts of the motonnay in both directions are closed. University of birmingham closed. University of Birmingham Hospitals has been named as the trust where a 19 year old died after a legal battle with the nhs. Sir deeksha tirumalai wanted to travel to north america for a potential Clinical Trial to treat a rare disorder. The trust disagreed with the teenagers family about what was in her best interests. The 19 in her best interests. The 19 year old died on the 12th of september University Birmingham hospital says the illness was incurable and that siddiqa didnt understand her condition. They have offered their heartfelt condolences to her family. A 70 year old boy family. A 70 year old boy charged with the murder of a 15 Year Old Girl has been remanded in custody after appearing in court at ltn. Arade dam was stabbed to death in croydon on wednesday while she was on her way to school. Tributes have been pouring in for her family, including actor idris elba including from actor idris elba. A teenage boy arrested in connection with the cutting down of one of the uks most photographed trees, has been released on bail. The tree at sycamore gap next to Hadrians Wall close to northumberland, was made famous in the 1991 film. Robin hood. The National Trust says it was shocked and saddened to see the iconic tree cut down. The chancellor says the economy recovered from the pandemic faster than expected after it grew by 0. 3 in the First Quarter of this year. The office for National Statistics initially expected it to rise by nought point 1. The government says it will stick to its plan of halving inflation this year. More people are cashing in their pension. Early labour says its due to the cost of living crisis. New figures show more than 900,000 people took their pensions early in the last Financial Year , a 45 rise on Financial Year, a 45 rise on the year before. Labours shadow the year before. Labours shadow work and pensions secretary, liz kendall says the Living Standards of future retirees has been put at risk by the governments economic mismanagement. Governments economic mismanagement. Dame governments economic mismanagement. Dame priti patel mismanagement. Dame priti patel is calling for a tax cut for hard pressed brits around the country. In an exclusive interview with gb news Political Editor chris hope, the former home secretary says the government should cut public spending to ease the tax burden. Her comments add pressure on the Prime Minister and chancellor ahead of the conservative Party Conference in manchester tomorrow. Manchester tomorrow. This burden is now at a 70 year high that is unsustainable and the people that pay the taxes are hard pressed. Brits around the country. As around the country. As conservatives, we believe in lower taxes. As conservatives , lower taxes. As conservatives, we believe being on the side of hard working households and families. As conservatives, we families. As conservatives, we believe in hope and aspiration. Believe in hope and aspiration. So what does that look like now . That should mean lower taxes. The tax has to start the burden of tax has to start to come down, reduce the size of the and ensure that people the state and ensure that people keep of their income. Keep more of their income. Meanwhile, labour leader sir keir starmer speaking in rutherglen in glasgow this morning, says the government dont have the capacity to fix the economy. The economy. I think theres a driving reason why weve got the highest taxes pretty well on record and thats because of the dismal failure of this government on growth and having failed on growing our economy , they have growing our economy, they have chosen to put up tax over and over again on working people and now that is the burden that they are carrying because the governments failure. There is a different choice, which is to have a mission to grow the economy right across the United Kingdom. Thats the mission. The labour party has put out, and thats the choice that we would make. Rail passengers will see chaos over the next two days as train drivers begin industri al action. Members begin action. Aslef members begin a ban on overtime today ahead of a strike at 16 Train Companies tomorrow. The union says tomorrow. The union says tomorrows walkout will force operators to cancel all services. Aslef general secretary mick whelan argues members havent had a pay rise for four years. The government and Rail Delivery Group say theres a fair and reasonable offer on the table. 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 over to. Play gb news now its over to. Mark thomson. Thank you so lets update you with the latest were getting on this School Bus Crash up on Wirral Merseyside and alder. Hey Childrens Hospital confirmed its now treating a number of patients after it overturned on the m53 motonnay about 8 00 this morning. Both alder hey and the North West Ambulance service declaring Major Incidents. And declaring Major Incidents. And these aerial pictures now starting to come in show ing the scene there with the bus on its side nearjunction scene there with the bus on its side near junction five of the motonnay, northbound and one woman taken to hospital with what were described as major trauma injuries earlier on. But then the medical and rescue teams is assessing 50 that were on board that bus. Lets get the very latest with our north west of england. Reporter sophie reapen of england. Reporter sophie reaper, whos there at the scene. And, sophie, were getting indications both from the hospitals and from fire and rescue and ambulance about the scale of the operation to get these kids safely out. These kids safely out. Absolutely. Several of them absolutely. Several of them have already announced that theyre treating this as a Major Incident. But after this incident. But after this morning, Emergency Services were called here to junction five of the m53 after reports that a bus had crashed. Police believe that had crashed. Police believe that it collided with a car and then hit the central reservation. Now this story is moving constantly. Just a few minutes ago , we saw just a few minutes ago, we saw several Police Vehicles exiting here at junction five. Now, as far as we know, the motonnay is still closed. But of course, the story is still developing. But ill bring you a few things that we do know. As it stands. We know that the bus was carrying pupils from cold Grange Grammar School as well as west kirby Grammar School for girls. Now, those two school girls are both high schools with sixth forms, meaning the pupils could have been aged aged 11 all the way up to aged 18, ranging from year seven all the way up to year 13. So its quite an age range and we dont know yet exactly what the age ranges are that were looking at, but well be bringing you that as we know more. We also know from the North West Ambulance service that there were least 50 that there were at least 50 people on board the bus that many of were at the many of whom were treated at the scene, one female was scene, and that one female was taken to hospital having suffered major trauma related injuries. Weve also heard from alder, hey, Childrens Hospital , one of the hospitals in the local area. Theyve said following an incident on the m53, we have called a Major Incident. Our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy and we would ask parents to only bring their children to the department if it is urgent. Theyve also recently is urgent. Theyve also recently added , we can confirm that we added, we can confirm that we are treating a number of patients following the incident this morning. We will continue to support and liaise with families direct shortly and are unable to share any further details of individual patients at this time. So we are still waiting for further information. This is a developing story that will continue to move throughout the day and well be bringing you all of the latest from here in the local area as we get the latest lines and just to indicate the extent of the response there, sophie, we understand that nhs staff who are on various picket lines up there in the wirral have come off those picket lines to go into various hospitals to stand by and treat the injured. We by and treat the injured. We believe that is indeed the case. Of course weve heard there from alder, hey, that they say theyre incredibly busy , as you theyre incredibly busy, as you would imagine they would be if there are several people who potentially have been brought into the hospital. We only have one confirmed patients in hospital, yet one female who they say had those major trauma related injuries. But im sure related injuries. But im sure as this story moves on, we will we will be hearing from the various hospitals in the local area that potentially other people have been treated there as well. Now, you identify the two schools concerned. I mean , schools concerned. I mean, theyre saying that or theyve theyve been in contact with parents to say if you need to talk or seek guidance, please reach to our teaching and reach out to our teaching and pastoral teams. I mean, clearly, therell many therell be very many traumatised families, but we assume this was a regular run to school on this stretch of motonnay. But clearly at a very busy time in the morning, one would imagine that is the case. Yes , these two schools are yes, these two schools are not far from one another geographically. So you would imagine this was a Typical School run, especially given the time of day that it occurred at as well. So i would imagine, as you say, there will be many, many families who are concerned. Im sure, given the time of day, that most families, if not all, will now be aware of whether or not their was aboard the not their child was aboard the bus. But sure well be bus. But im sure well be heanng bus. But im sure well be hearing from those families potentially later on in the day, as well as im sure well hear more statements from the various Emergency Services , the various Emergency Services, the various hospitals, as well as both of the schools well. The schools as well. Yeah. Now, i think weve got a statement come through a statement thats come through from gillian keegan, the education that education secretary saying that obviously shes extremely concerned, but were in contact with the local authority to offer our support. And i want to thank services for thank the Emergency Services for working at the scene. But i think in addition to that, we were saying that the local crime and Police Commissioner has asked people not speculate on asked people not to speculate on social about what might social media about what might have and yes, she has have happened and yes, she has indeed. I think this is one of those stories where it is so easy to speculate. People are clearly very interested as people are driving past here on the road that open. Theyre that is still open. Theyre clearly very intrigued about what on. Its always what is going on. Its always one of those things that its easy to talk about and yet its people are now being told not to speculate online because, as we say, those families who may not know exactly the extent of what has happened to their child yet , not wise for , its really not wise for people to be speculating about this online because it can just cause more concern for those involved. Sophie at the scene for the moment. Thank you very much indeed. And of course, well update everyone as we get more details from the Police Emergency from the police and Emergency Services. Now to other news with services. Now to other news with the former home secretary, priti patel, warning that the government should cut public spending to ease the tax burden with the uk on course for what seems to be the highest tax burden since records began after the second world war. Shes spoken exclusively to our Political Editor ahead of the conservative Party Conference in manchester this weekend. Manchester this weekend. Conservatives, we believe in lower taxes as conservatives , we lower taxes as conservatives, we believe being on the side of hard working households and families as conservatives, we believe in hope and aspiration. Believe in hope and aspiration. So what does that look like now . That should mean lower taxes. The burden of tax has start the burden of tax has to start to down. However look to come down. However our look at cycle were right at the cycle that were in right now, weve one more fiscal now, weve got one more fiscal cycle potentially before a general how . Its general election. How . And its not about bold or not just about being bold or ambitious. Its about being conservative and ensuring that the public keep more of the money they earn rather than money that they earn rather than seeing the size of the state continue which which continue to grow, which which chopper done. Sure chopper it has done. Im sure youve about this and youve written about this and youve written about this and youve about before youve spoken about this before. Thats the space that we need to in right . Use size of to be in right . Use the size of the state and ensure that people keep more of their income. This is just a fundamental conservative principle that we must stand by. The chancellor says that cutting is the as cutting inflation is the same as a tax is acceptable or a tax cut. Is that acceptable or do you . Well, its not than that. Well, its not than that. I actually think have i actually think you have to separate now, number separate the two now, number one, we know there are one, we know why there are a range inflationary pressures range of inflationary pressures , but at the same time, i do recall a rather, you know, successful conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was able to tackle inflation while while growing the economy , speaking about economic growth, letting the public keep more of their money or, you know, their income. And on top of that, she was also a Prime Minister and a conservative leader that had high levels of taxation, high levels of inflation. You have to calibrate what you do. If you were chancellor. Well ill first of all, i think we have to be conservatives act as conservatives in government. The inflation conundrum is one that being tackled and one that is being tackled and challenged right now. I think the should carry on the government should carry on with that. By way, we with that. By the way, as we know, a of that is monetary know, a lot of that is Monetary Policy, always fiscal policy, not always fiscal policy. Policy tax. So policy. Fiscal policy is tax. So the government must strain every sinew right now to look at how they can be on the side of hard working families right now because they are you know, theyre cutting theyre under the car cutting taxes letting them taxes that means letting them keep their earnings keep more of their earnings rather state taking rather than the state taking that then literally that slice. And then literally saying, we know, we know how best your money. Well best to spend your money. Well lets get more with chris now. In our westminster whos in our westminster studio for us. And, chris, we should point out down at westminster itself, i should add , priti patel , you spoke to priti patel before these figures came out from the institute of fiscal studies identifying an additional £100 billion tax burden on us , this government burden on us, this government since 2019, introducing more tax rises than any other government. Thats right. The biggest set of tax rises since the second world war. The institute for fiscal studies. Institute for fiscal studies. And thats thats seen as the most authoritative forecast out there that isnt in the government. I think the government. I think the government. I think the government listened to all the welcomes and listened to what they have got to say. The key figure, i thought was the taxes are track to be 37 of are on track to be 37 of National Income is now paid back in tax to the government, up from 33 just four years ago. Thats by next year. Thats an extraordinary increase of course, the government would say, here now with say, if they were here now with the pandemic , theres been the covid pandemic, theres been a war on the brexit hasnt gone very well, has it . Because theyve taken advantage very well, has it . Because thnsome taken advantage very well, has it . Because thnsome of taken advantage very well, has it . Because thnsome of some advantage very well, has it . Because thnsome of some of antage very well, has it . Because thnsome of some of the age very well, has it . Because thnsome of some of the ideas of some of the some of the ideas of some of the some of the ideas of freedoms that people voted for back in 2016. And thats why i is the theme of this i think tax is the theme of this conference over this weekend going to next week. We hear jeremy hunt saying, i want to cut tax. I cant do it. Im kind of cutting inflation. Thats a tax cut for everybody. But thats not a political thats not really a political choice. What priti choice. And thats what priti patel me just patel was saying to me just earlier. Theyre saying that margaret to Margaret Thatcher was able to bnng Margaret Thatcher was able to bring cut bring down inflation and cut taxes. And why cant that happen taxes. And why cant that happen with rishi sunak and jeremy hunt . Is she likely then to be the standard bearer, if you like , at standard bearer, if you like, at the conference this weekend on this issue . Because of course, weve Andrew Griffith, weve got Andrew Griffith, a business minister just this morning saying it would be morning saying it would not be responsible to rule out further tax rises. I mean , this could be tax rises. I mean, this could be pretty divisive. Pretty divisive. Thats right. I mean, she has got some freedom. Priti patel, of course, shes out of the government. Shes shes standing bearer of the right. She didnt run, did not run for leadership last year. Surprisingly she Suella Braverman became the standard bearer for the right and was rewarded with and then was rewarded with replacing priti patel in the cabinet as the home secretary. And its almost protected there for that for that role as being the right standard bearer. But i think shes got the freedom over the next year before looks the next year before it looks like tory party like a loss for the tory party at election. If the polls at the election. If the polls are to set stall are right to set out her stall for the for the grass roots. In the interview, she made very clear she supports the grass clear how she supports the grass roots appalled roots members. Shes appalled the liz truss and boris the way that liz truss and Boris Johnson the way that liz truss and boris johnsn roots, were out by grass roots, were forced out by mps. Grass roots, were forced out by mp5. Of grass roots, were forced out by mps. Of course, mr sunak was appointed mps last october appointed by mps last october and she herself as a and as she sees herself as a way, i think becoming this way, i think of becoming this totem, this this lightning rod , totem, this this lightning rod, i think for disaffection on the right. Why cant the tories talk more about cuts . Shes been more about tax cuts . Shes been saying the weekend. Saying over the weekend. , well speak liam in yeah, well speak to liam in a about the latest a moment about the latest snapshot on the state of the economy. But we have got a bit of growth. The ons saying that january least january to march at least official figures revised. I mean, that buy them a bit mean, does that buy them a bit of time, a bit of relief as they meet in manchester . Thats right i inflation helps helps the chancellor because, of course, bigger pay rises mean more of us fall into these higher and very high tax rates. 40, 45. Thats now the 40 rate certainly is paid by nurses and doctors, teachers in a way, it wasnt in the old days, and thats because of something called fiscal drag. Liam knows more more about that. That that that. Liam knows more more about that. But that that that. Liam knows more more about that. But by that that that. Liam knows more more about that. But by not1at that that. Liam knows more more about that. But by not increasingat there but by not increasing these these thresholds more of us are caught by these bigger tax rates and that means more money for the exchequer of course that is debt course set against that is debt and the debt the debt debt burden its burden increases too. So its difficult and liam will explain more but the hope from more on that. But the hope from the right, from people like priti why why cant you priti patel is why why cant you give us why cant you give tory voters some, some, some hope and some reason to vote for the conservatives . And thats what theyre waiting for this weekend. And thats what priti theyre waiting for this weekeisi. And thats what priti theyre waiting for this weekeis trying thats what priti theyre waiting for this weekeis trying to its what priti theyre waiting for this weekeis trying to makeiat priti theyre waiting for this weekeis trying to make theriti patel is trying to make the ground that. Patel is trying to make the gro indeed. That. Patel is trying to make the gro indeed. And i guess then the indeed. And i guess then the other equation, other part of that equation, this warning our fuel this warning that our fuel bills, our energy bills could be 13 were 13 higher than even they were last i guess this last winter. And i guess this feeds into to labours narrative. Do you feel better after 13 years of tory government . Yeah mark, youre totally right. To me it comes down to a simple question. What are the tories done for me or for you or for any people . How are they . How are their choices . Made life how are their choices . Made life easier and it feels they havent done much in the past ten years. 13 years. And thats the question i think the pm. Mr sunak, must answer at this conference. Okay, chris, thank you very much indeed forjoining us okay, chris, thank you very much indeed for joining us there at westminster. More to come, as we say from manchester at the weekend, on sunday. Also more coming up liam on those coming up from liam on those figures as well. Could it be another winter of discontent warnings, those bills could be ever higher. All the latest shortly. A. M. Till noon on gb news, britains news channel. Britains news channel. Well, weve been discussing the tax position, of course, with chris hope, whos been speaking to priti patel ahead of that tory Party Conference. But what about the rest of the state of the economy . Well, to according the latest figures, weve actually done perhaps better than expected in terms of growth in the economy. Chancellor jeremy growth in the economy. Chancellorjeremy hunt, of chancellor jeremy hunt, of course, saying data once again proving doubters wrong up proving the doubters wrong up nought point, nought 3. So what does that mean . Our economics and Business Editor Liam Halligan here with on the money. And were talking about the First Quarter of the year the three months up to the march. We were expecting a little bit of growth but it is better nought point 3. It is two sets of figures out from the ons this morning. Firstly the gdp numbers, the size of the whole economy, all the transactions in economy the transactions in the economy dunng the transactions in the economy during the first three months of the year, the First Quarter, january to march , we thought it january to march, we thought it had gone nought point 1 had gone up by nought point 1 compared to the previous quarter from october to december 2022. Actually it went up not by 0. 1, but 0. 3. So a big percentage rise if you like as well, tripling , but still quite small tripling, but still quite small numbers. And then weve also got numbers. And then weve also got numbers. And then weve also got numbers out for the second quarter, april , may numbers out for the second quarter, april, may and june, and that was 0. 2. Look, these are quite small numbers, mark, but at least theyre positive. Yeah. The uk is not in recession, unlike europes biggest economy. Germany which unfortunately is brings me no pleasure to say that we need a strong germany. We need a strong eu for our own economic prosperity. Interestingly, prosperity. Interestingly, though, since the end of the pandemic, the uk economy has now grown by 1. 9. Okay and thats bigger than france, bigger than germany , not as big as america, germany, not as big as america, but very much as far as the g7 is concerned , middle of the is concerned, middle of the pack. So no one can say brexit. Britain is suffering unduly because of the fact that we left the European Union and where is that not growth . But, you know, the fact that its rising. Audience where does that come from . Can we identify whats working . Whats been working . Yeah. So Service Sector yeah. So the Service Sector has pretty resilient. Has been pretty resilient. Consumer sentiment has been quite the fact quite resilient despite the fact that consumers have been hammered with 14 successive Interest Rate rises. The ons Interest Rate rises. The ons doesnt mention it specifically , but i suspect a lot of what were seeing in terms of ongoing consumer resilience is stemming from savings that were squirrelled away during the pandemic. I think thats important. But also good old, you know, much derided british manufacturing. We had a report from make uk a very distinguished analytical body within our manufacture sector that the uk is now the eighth biggest manufacturing manager sector in the world, just gone up from ninth, again overtaken. So were still making stuff. So were still making stuff. We make a lot of cars, we make a of pharmaceuticals, make a lot of pharmaceuticals, we lot of special we make a lot of special textiles. Make a lot of textiles. We make a lot of components , make lot of components, we make a lot of stuff. Its not the workshop of the anymore, were the world anymore, but were still this still pretty good. And this manufacturing sector, its showing not only showing a lot of resilience, what were also seeing and this is good news for inflation, ian, were seeing the pnces inflation, ian, were seeing the prices of inputs that manufacture us use the raw material, the Raw Materials , the material, the Raw Materials, the components, the secondary goods that into manufactured that go into manufactured products then sell us. Products that they then sell us. Were seeing not just lower inflation in among producer pnces inflation in among Producer Prices , as we call them. Were prices, as we call them. Were seeing actual negative inflation. Were seeing price falls mark, in the pipeline line along the supply chain. Producer along the supply chain. Producer Price Inflation is now negative five. And that will that is a good bellwether for future lower inflation for consumers. Inflation for consumers. So where does this leave the chancellor jeremy so where does this leave the chancellorjeremy hunt, so where does this leave the chancellor jeremy hunt, for this weekend . Of course, as the tory Party Conference gets undennay, weve talked about tax for chris hope and the difficulties thats posed does this posed to the party. Does this give bit of a light at the give him a bit of a light at the end of the tunnel to promise tax cuts in the future . Lets flesh out well, lets just flesh out a little of what chris said. Little bit of what chris said. Ive graphic here. You can ive got a graphic here. You can see call the tax burden. See what we call the tax burden. Thats tax take as a thats the total tax take as a share gdp. And it is pretty share of gdp. And it is pretty eye watering stuff. Now, this is eye watering stuff. Now, this is since the end of the second world war. And you see there to the right of the graph, weve gone over. We will were set to gone over. We will were set to go over 37, up to 38 of gdp, which is a 70 year high. And its up from 33 of gdp. When bofis its up from 33 of gdp. When Boris Johnson won the last election in 2019. So thats a four percentage point rise of gdp in tax in one parliament. Mark thats the fastest increase in tax of any parliament on record. Were talking about a tax hike since 2019 under a conservative government out of Something Like three and a half grand a year per household, per household. Yeah. Household. Yeah. So no wonder people are feeling it in the astonishing. And it isnt just headline rates tax, though. Some rates of tax, though. Some headune of rates of tax, though. Some headline of tax have headline rates of tax have gone up. Corporation its mainly up. Corporation tax. Its mainly what call fiscal drag. Its what we call fiscal drag. Its the stealthy freezing of Tax Thresholds, even when inflation and wages are going up, dragging more people into higher tax brackets. Brackets. And the political equation to thatis and the political equation to that is that labour can come along and say , do you feel along and say, do you feel better after 13 years of tory government and a lot of people say, well actually perhaps i dont. So what can actually jeremy hunt do . I mean, hes got a november statement the a november statement after the conference, although maybe not until next spring. Might we get the rabbits out of the hat . I think. Has he got any wriggle room. Certainly got some well hes certainly got some good can talk he good news. He can talk about he can about the fact that can talk about the fact that inflation down. Inflation is coming down. And this what says response this is what he says in response to these gdp numbers. This morning. Ever so slightly pushing back against his critics. We know that the british economy recovered faster from the than anyone the pandemic than anyone previously thought, said jeremy hunt. Today these hunt. And data out today these gdp once again proves gdp numbers once again proves the doubters wrong. Were among the doubters wrong. Were among the doubters wrong. Were among the fastest countries in the g7 to recover from the pandemic , to recover from the pandemic, and 2020, grown and since 2020, weve grown faster than france and germany. Okay, all true warm words, but the fact is that the tory faithful are gathering in manchester this weekend. The envelope stuffers, the door knockers , the canvassers, the knockers, the canvassers, the bloops on the ground, the blue army that the tories need to get their vote out to have any hope. And they are wondering why it is under a conservative government. The at a 70 year the tax burdens at a 70 year high. Theyre wondering why even the lib dems mark are saying were not going to put a penny on income tax because tax is already too high. Got griffith and weve got Andrew Griffith this business this morning, the business minister that would minister saying that it would not responsible to rule out not be responsible to rule out further rises. Further tax rises. Well, what think is well, what i think is happening here is theres lot happening here is theres a lot of expectations management going on politics going on. On and politics going on. Theres theres a lot theres you know, theres a lot of chat in our newsroom at the moment tories are about moment that the tories are about to big on tax to announce Something Big on tax this weekend. Inheritance tax. Inheritance tax. Potentially order well, potentially in order to knock hs2 off the front pages. The fact that theyre you know, someone leaked the fact that theyre scrap theyre going to scrap Birmingham Manchester as they theyre going to scrap birto ngham manchester as they theyre going to scrap birto theirn manchester as they theyre going to scrap birto their conferenceester as they theyre going to scrap birto their conference in er as they go to their conference in manchester, i dont actually think this big tax announcement will happen this weekend. I really put my neck on the line because i think theyre going to save it. Theyre going save save it. Theyre going to save it next before the it for next spring before the general election. Between it for next spring before the gene and zlection. Between it for next spring before the gene and nexton. Between it for next spring before the gene and next spring, between now and next spring, theyre going think look at going to say, i think look at these other parties. Labour typical, irresponsible, even the lib dems, irresponsible. We cant afford tax cuts. Its all about bringing down inflation for now , we are the responsible for now, we are the responsible party. We are competent and get that message across for the next six months. Save up the rabbit and the hat. The lower tax rates for just before the election next spring. Yeah. Okay. Liam, thank you for us through that. And for taking us through that. And well taking through a few well be taking through a few more as well about your well be taking through a few mor bill. As well about your well be taking through a few mor bill. Could well about your well be taking through a few mor bill. Could itell about your well be taking through a few mor bill. Could it be about your well be taking through a few mor bill. Could it be 13 ut your fuel bill. Could it be 13 higher than it was last year . And could that be another winter of discontent . More on that coming up after the headlines with. Tamsin with. Tamsin mark, thanks very much. Here are the headlines at 131. Northwest Ambulance Services and alder. Hey, Childrens Hospitals are declaring Major Incidents after a school bus overturned on the m53 in the wirral. One person has suffered serious injuries and around 50 others have been assessed at the scene. The bus was carrying pupils to both Calday Grange Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School. Police say it collided school. Police say it collided with the car and struck a central reservation. Central reservation. Eyewitnesses say they saw children climbing out of the back window. The incident happened at around 830 this morning between huyton and bebington , a 17 year old boy bebington, a 17 year old boy charged with the murder of a 15 Year Old Girl has been remanded in custody after appearing in court. Ltn arade in custody after appearing in court. Ltn arade dam was in custody after appearing in court. Ltn arade dam was stabbed court. Ltn arade dam was stabbed to death in croydon on wednesday while she was on her way to school. A teenage boy arrested school. A teenage boy arrested in connection with the cutting down of one of the uks most photographed trees has been released on bail. The tree at sycamore gap next to Hadrians Wall, close to northumberland , wall, close to northumberland, was made famous in the 1991 film robin hood. The National Trust robin hood. The National Trust says it was shocked and saddened to see the iconic tree cut down. The chancellor says the economy recovered from the pandemic faster than expected after it grew by 0. 3 in the First Quarter of this year. The office for National Statistics initially expected it to rise by 0. 1. The government says it will stick to its plan of halving inflation this year. Stick to its plan of halving inflation this year. Well, those inflation this year. Well, those are the headlines and you can get more on all of those stories. Just visit our website gb news. Com stories. Just visit our website gbnews. Com. Gbnews. Com. Direct bullion sponsors the finance report on gb news for gold and silver investment. Well gold and silver investment. Well heres a quick snapshot of todays markets. Todays markets. The pound will buy you 1. 225, 6 us. At and the pound will buy you 1. 225, 6 us. At and ,1. 1566. The price 6 us. At and ,1. 1566. The price of gold is £1,525. 88 per ounce. And the ftse 100 is. At 7649 points. Direct bullion sponsors the finance report on gb news for physical gb news the peoples. Channel gb news the peoples. Channel gb news the peoples. Channel and welcome back to the live desk. Now, this week, a series of revelations are being made in a new book by myra cahill. Shes a new book by myra cahill. Shes claimed to have been sexually abused by her aunts partner, who was alleged to have been part of the ira. Well, the book documents an alleged cover up intimidation on and continuing issues surrounding legacy and reconciliation. Northern ireland at a time when the Northern Ireland legacy bill, of course, has just become an act of parliament. Gb news is Arlene Foster began by asking myra to a counter experience at the age of 16, and there are some scenes and details that viewers and listeners may find disturbing. Listeners may find disturbing. I think i had 2 or 3 tins and i was drinking half of them to try and keep up and putting them down, and i became groggy and fell asleep and woke up then to i was being abused by this individual and i was extremely frightened by it. I think it took a seconds catch on, took a few seconds to catch on, really. Was happening. And really. What was happening. And i tried explain in the book i tried to explain in the book that kind of dilemma that you have in your head that you have to your brain almost races in a split second and a few moments because you have to decide very quickly what youre going to do. And automatically i decided then that was going to pretend to that i was going to pretend to be that was my be sleeping so that that was my method, if you like, of just getting through each incident. And became a pattern of and it became a pattern of behaviour. Then as that went on, the actually come to the ira didnt actually come to me until 1999. So it was october , november and they knew that there were children in and out of that house at that time, but they decided in their own kind of morality they of warped morality that they couldnt really approach me before 18. They before i turned 18. So they waited and i turned 18 in may and they came then in october, november. So just finished november. So i just finished doing when a woman doing my a levels when a woman appeared. Didnt make a so you didnt make a complaint the ira . Ira complaint to the ira . The ira came to you and decided that they were going investigate they were going to investigate it in inverted commas. What had happened. Tell our listeners and viewers what what form that investigation took. They actually tell me they didnt actually tell me initially when they did come know, they asked or told me , know, they asked me or told me, rather, to come to a meeting that i asked that night. And when i asked what was she wouldnt that night. And when i asked wha me. Vas she wouldnt tell me. So this investigation went on. Sometimes you were interrogated every day, went on for months. And then i think the for months. And then i think the pinnacle of it all is when youre brought into a room with your abuser, into a small room , your abuser, into a small room, and he faces you. The millennium had just happened and were into march, and they decided that they were going to give me these options, if you like. And thankfully i wrote them down at the time. You know. And so there were a few know. And so there were a few things that i could withdraw the allegations could and allegations as they could go and put allegation opens and put the allegation opens and this is all their terminology to them. And one of the things which they decided as an option, which they decided as an option, which then decided they which they then decided they took , so they chose it, if you took, so they chose it, if you like. So they said, oh, we had a number of options that weve been considering, but actually this going this is what were going to do was called was what they called a confrontation. And in again, the iras warped kind of world, they decided that sometimes they could read peoples body language to see who was telling the truth. Now, that sounds completely ridiculous. Now but in all seriousness, at the time, that was, you know , what . They that was, you know, what . They were. So bring people were. So bring two people together read together and then try and read how they react to each other, almost and almost like a court. And the first was he took first thing he did was he took his his trainer off, and his shoe, his trainer off, and he joked with the other individual said, dont be individual and said, dont be mad hope youre not going to mad and hope youre not going to joke feet or joke about my smelly feet or some cuff comment. You some off the cuff comment. You know, sat with a pen and know, briege sat with a pen and a piece of paper and basically then this confrontation happened between me and him where he was basically allowed to tear strips off me. So he was he was shouting, you know, youre calling youre shouting, you know, youre ciliar. ; youre shouting, you know, youre ciliar. And youre shouting, you know, youre ciliar. And have youre shouting, you know, youre ciliar. And have you. Youre shouting, you know, youre ciliar. And have you. Thise a liar. And what have you. This didnt whatever. So didnt happen. Whatever. So i found damaging. And found that hugely damaging. And i find it hugely damaging. I still find it hugely damaging. I still find it hugely damaging. I sought justice i mean, you have sought justice through a system and this book is a real credit to you because youve told the whole story in a very moving way. Very moving way. But if they wont come fonnard and say that that investigation took place and what happened to you took place, what happened to you took place, what does it mean for the wider situation in Northern Ireland . Indeed, the fact that sinn fein is on course to be in government in the republic of ireland, the point when i then did go public, gerry adams wrote a blog where he admitted that the ira had moved and shot and expelled sex offenders , in his words, and offenders, in his words, and that was something which i had been saying for quite a long time. Time. And really there had been a lid kept on that. So that exposed that working within the republican movement. But he used a particular where in a particular phrase where in that blog where he said there was quote, corporate, way that blog where he said there waverifying te, corporate, way that blog where he said there waverifying my orporate, way that blog where he said there waverifying my claims, 3, way that blog where he said there waverifying my claims, as way that blog where he said there waverifying my claims, as heay of verifying my claims, as he called them, because the ira had gone away, because the ira had left state. And i think that left the state. And i think that that poses a huge problem now left the state. And i think that thathe ses a huge problem now left the state. And i think that thathe british uge problem now left the state. And i think that thathe British Government now left the state. And i think that thathe British Government who for the British Government who have through have just brought through a legacy relation to legacy bill in relation to Northern Ireland they Northern Ireland where they are relying cooperation relying on the cooperation of former to provide former paramilitaries to provide evidence or information to people who are nursing their hurt quietly at home, who have been bereaved and or seriously injured as a result of the conflict. There if the ira have gone in, i dont believe they have. But gerry adams is arguing that they have. If they have gone and we follow the republican movements logic here and theres no corporate way, then of verifying anything anybody been involved in, anybody has been involved in, then one, no republican will then no one, no republican will come fonnard any legacy case come fonnard in any legacy case to provide any meaningful information or resolution for anybody. And the British Government have gone on a huge exercise here which really has protected its own, um , army protected its own, um, Army Veterans. I think. I mean, that veterans. I think. I mean, that was obviously the reason that the legislation was brought in because they felt it was unfair. And think what they have. And i think what they have done quite stupidly, in my view, is their own veterans is put their own Army Veterans now with the ira now on a par with the ira members who were fighting them. So they have put them on an equal playing field. Officialdom equal playing field. Officialdom has really treated victims shabbily in Northern Ireland for decades , as you know. But then decades, as you know. But then when then try to seek some when you then try to seek some sort justice resolution or sort of justice resolution or accountability it, every accountability for it, every dooris accountability for it, every door is closed to you. And i think that that a really, think that that is a really, really unfortunate state of events. Events. Apologies, of course, if you did find some of those alleged incidents destroyed. But clearly incidents destroyed. But clearly a very dramatic story there being brought to us by arlene. Being brought to us by arlene. Now, as if last winter wasnt bad enough for many households, a warning that our energy bills could be 13 higher this year , could be 13 higher this year, despite the new Energy Price Cap being introduced next week. And new figures from the taxman reveal that more people are having dip their pension having to dip into their pension pots. Just make pots. It seems just to make ends meet according to hmrc, 300,000 more people cashing in their pensions early last year than in 2020 to 21. Thats a 45 increase. Lets get more from westminster and our Political Correspondent Catherine Forster with what it seems to be a thickening financial soup for the tory party ahead of their conference this weekend. Catherine with with the tax situation , then a bit of good situation, then a bit of good news for the growth in the economy and now bad for news fuel bills. Fuel bills. Yes, a bit of a mixed picture, but overall , we had picture, but overall, we had a very difficult winter last year, didnt we, with the cost of living crisis , with strikes, living crisis, with strikes, etcetera. And at the moment, going into this winter , it looks going into this winter, it looks like were going to have another very difficult winter. Now sure, the government are very keen to big up the fact that growth was bigger than expected and bigger than was expected and that in fact weve been growing more quickly than countries like france and germany and that weve recovered much better from the pandemic than previously thought. The problem is, i think that most people wont feel like that. A lot of people will still feel much worse off than they were a couple of years ago because, of course, inflation, energy bills rocketed now , sure, energy bills rocketed now, sure, the Energy Price Cap is falling to below £2,000 at the beginning of october , where we might think of october, where we might think that our energy bills are going to fall dramatically. But it to fall dramatically. But it seems likely that thats not the case. And thats partly because last year the government, of course, stepped in with a massive of intervention in terms of energy bills and also gave every household in the country £400, which was split over about six months to further support people. Now theres 140 charities and businesses , charities and businesses, organisations, people like mark lewis and money saving expert at scope age, uk have written to rishi sunak asking for more targeted support this winter. Targeted support this winter. Now the government will say theyre already giving cost of living payments to the most vulnerable. There is winter fuel payments to senior citizens, as there has been for many years. But clearly many people are struggling and so lots of over 55 are dipping into their pension pots earlier than they might othennise have done to make ends meet. So a might othennise have done to make ends meet. So a really make ends meet. So a really difficult picture. And the difficult picture. And the government, of course, up against it financially, too. Lots of pressure for tax cuts. Lots of pressure for tax cuts. But meanwhile, we hear that the tax burden is the highest since 1948. And we have a whopping National Debt now of about 2. 6 trillion. And the Interest Payments alone are are huge. So difficult picture and a difficult picture and a difficult picture and a difficult picture for rishi sunakin difficult picture for rishi sunak in manchester this weekend as tory conference begins. And of course, no trains to manchester tomorrow for people trying to get there. Yeah, he says hes driving of course, to just look at the specifics on the fuel situation at cornwall insight, the Consultancy Firm says its looking at bills increasing to 1996 under the official price cap, and its blaming wholesale Energy Prices. And of course , Energy Prices. And of course, this is the issue that no matter what the government tries to says say, is a cap. Weve got says say, is a cap. Weve got the wholesale market still dictating gas and heating dictating both gas and heating fuel and other prices for court pnces fuel and other prices for court prices going up as well for diesel and petrol. Diesel and petrol. Yes. And prices are still very volatile, arent they, because the war in ukraine thats had such a massive effect on all of us is still going on. There is no end in sight of that at all. And really, it seems like we sort of hope, didnt we, a year ago, that these prices might be very temporary and they would fall subside financially. But it does seem like Energy Prices, petrol prices are going to be high for a long time to come. And of course, all the lack of focus really on energy, self sufficient over the last decades , really all that is now decades, really all that is now being reversed. But its going to take a very long time to build the Nuclear Power plants. Build the Nuclear Power plants. These new gas and oil licences in the north sea all this is going to take many, many years to work through the system. So it does look like were going to be stuck with high prices for quite time. Quite some time. Catherine, in our westminster studio , thank you very much studio, thank you very much indeed. Course, more from indeed. And of course, more from that Party Conference this that tory Party Conference this weekend on sunday in weekend starting on sunday in manchester. Now, 17 year old boy charged with the murder of 15 year old elian arade dam, who was stabbed to death on her way to school in croydon on wednesday, has been remanded in custody. Lets get more with our custody. Lets get more with our reporter addison , who at reporter ray addison, who is at croydons court there at croydons youth court there at the court explain the Magistrates Court to explain. Ray, of course, because of his age, had to be dealt with as age, he had to be dealt with as as a juvenile. As a juvenile. Absolutely , yes. Mark, good absolutely, yes. Mark, good afternoon. The defendant who, as you were saying, cannot be named due to his young age , appeared here to his young age, appeared here at croydon Magistrates Court of at croydon Magistrates Court of a special hearing of the youth court, and he was dressed entirely in a grey prison issue tracksuit. Now, initially when they brought him in to the court, they placed him in the dock. However, the judge asked that he be removed and placed in the main area of the court due to his age. Of course, he main area of the court due to his age. Of course, he is only 17 years old now. During the hearing, the defendant spoke only to confirm his name and his date of birth. He kept his head bowed as the prosecutor, nicola ghndy bowed as the prosecutor, nicola grindy described how on wednesday morning at around about 8 30 am, 15 year old euan about 8 30 am, 15 year old elian arade dam had arranged to meet the defendant with two school friends. The idea for was for the boy to hand over some personal items. We were told to one of those girls, however, when they met, the Prosecutor Says the defendant was wearing a mask and gloves and refused to hand over the belongings. Now , at that point, some kind now, at that point, some kind of scuffle allegedly ensued. The defendant allegedly removed a knife. There was a chase and euan knife. There was a chase and elian was repeatedly stabbed. Now, members of the public who witnessed this incident taking place tried to provide assistance to elian. However, assistance to elian. However, she did die at the scene an hour later. The defendant was arrested by police. Now, no arrested by police. Now, no pleas were entered at this time. This morning to the charge of murder or possession of a bladed item. And as you were saying, mark, he was remanded to youth detention. The next hearing has been scheduled at the old bailey on tuesday, the 3rd of october. Now, of course, this hearing this morning follows a vigil which was held last night. Elians family visited the scene where she died in south london and a statement was read out on behalf of the family which said, we as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and our beloved sister, elian. Our hearts are broken. Ive been speaking to residents here as well in croydon , and theyve well in croydon, and theyve been calling it a tragic waste of life. They say that it makes them scare to approach people on them scare to approach people on the street in case perhaps they might have a conceal weapon. And they told me that theyd like to see a Greater Police presence on the streets to improve safety and public confidence. Ray outside Croydon Youth Court, thank you very much indeed for updating us on those proceedings today. Thank you. Proceedings today. Thank you. Now, less than half of all rail stations in the north of england have an acceptable level of step free access to platforms. A free access to platforms. A report finding that despite strict guidelines to make transport accessible for all, not enough had been done at these many stations in our north west of england. Reporter sophie reaper has the details. Im used to getting on the train here and anywhere else i probably wouldnt feel the most confident. Around 3 probably wouldnt feel the most confident. Around 3 Million People in the north of england have a disability and yet because of access issues , because of access issues, something as simple as catching a train can be a near impossible task. Public transport should be as accessible for all people as possible. And the fact that possible. And the fact that theres a few stations that i just cant get on at because of my disability and because im in a wheelchair like it, like really isnt fair. And like it really isnt fair. And like it really like adds a lot of anxiety to, to travelling according to new figures on rail accessibility , 80 less than half accessibility, 80 less than half of stations in the north have a desirable level of step free access. The data also showed that 41 dont have help points 62 dont have physically accessible waiting shelters. And accessible waiting shelters. And 65 dont have staff on the platform. Now, mayor of greater platform. Now, mayor of greater manchester, andy burnham, has had enough in 2023 to have a situation where some local people cant use a train station. I just dont find that acceptable at all. And there is some progress , but its like the some progress, but its like the trains, its moving far too slow and at some places its not turning up at all. This has been a long standing issue in the north, but now many are demanding action on they are bread and butter issues. Bread and butter issues. They should be fixed without any delay. And thats why were pleased to be making this call via gb news to the ministers and the rail industry. Disability access for all of our stations is not a luxury that can be afforded at some point in the future. Its an essential for now, get it sorted. Now, get it sorted. In response, a spokesperson from the department of transport said everyone should be able to travel with confidence and we continue to work with experts and disability groups to ensure everyone has access to our railways. Of the 600 stations in railways. Of the 600 stations in the north of england, 467 of them are run by northern trains. We have 98 million passenger journeys a year and we recognise that accessibility means Something Different for different people. Its one of different people. Its one of our top priorities. We shouldnt our top priorities. We shouldnt restrict peoples ability to travel, particularly in the north and were doing everything that we to can improve those facilities. 91 of our stations are fully accessible , all, are fully accessible, all, however, for the 9 that arent, we do have a passenger assist facility where customers can call us, and if they cant access a station, we will get them a taxi to where theyre going. However, for many , they going. However, for many, they simply feel as though rail is still not a viable option. And although progress is being made for millions in the north of england , it may not be north of england, it may not be fast enough. Sophie reaper gb fast enough. Sophie reaper gb news is well, still to come here on the live desk, well update you on the situation as regards that School Bus Crash on the wirral and merseyside alder. Hey, Childrens Hospital now saying its deescalated from a Major Incident. However, saying a e remaining extremely busy. All the casualty casualties, apart from one adult in the crash, have been treated. Theyre saying that they had brought emergency procedures in to call staff into work who were on leave. And we do know that elsewhere, nhs staff that were on picket lines had also gone in to help with the Emergency Response. At least 50 were on response. At least 50 were on board the bus. Being treated at board the bus. Being treated at the scene is the aerial shot there showing it on its side near junction 5 5 on the northbound carriageway way and this. Was at 8 00 this morning this. Was at 8 00 this morning in the middle of the rush hour as the children were on their way to school. In terms of the way to school. In terms of the schools involved , Calday Grange schools involved, Calday Grange grammar and west kirby girls grammar and west kirby girls grammar on the wirral and those schools saying they have managed to contact all parents and saying that they have special communication staff on hand to help with any further enquiries. But it does appear now that at least in terms of the initial Emergency Response, that is as we say, being deescalated by alder us very good afternoon. Its 2 00 and youre with a live desk here on gb news. And coming up for you this friday afternoon , you this friday afternoon, Authorities Say that the School Bus Crash on the m53 has now deescalated from a Major Incident, but 50 children were treated after the bus overturned on the m50 three in the wirral, a News Conference due shortly in the next half hour, well have all the details live for you. Taxing times. Priti patel. Piles of pressure on tory leaders over tax, arguing that the burden is now unsustained all is tax set to become the battleground at this weekends Party Conference and yet more pressures on our pocket with a warning that fuel bills could be 13 more expensive than last year. Could expensive than last year. Could it be another winter of discontent . Dont also coming up, a 17 year old boy remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of 15 year old elian arade dam, stabbed to death as she went to school in croydon on wednesday. Well have the latest live from croydons court before we croydons youth court before we start, though, latest start, though, the latest headunes start, though, the latest headlines with. Tamsin headlines with. Tamsin mark, thank you. Good afternoon from the gb newsroom. Its one minute past to one person has suffered major trauma related injuries and others been taken to hospital after a school bus overturned on the m53 on the wirral. The bus was taking wirral. The bus was taking pupils to both colgate Grange Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School. At around 830 Grammar School. At around 830 this morning, police say it collided with a car and struck a central reservation between huyton and bebington. Huyton and bebington. Eyewitnesses say they saw children climbing out of the back window parts of the motonnay in both directions. Motonnay in both directions. Lanes remain closed. University lanes remain closed. University Birmingham Hospitals has been named as the trust, where a 19 year old died after a legal battle with the nhs. Sadiq ramesh wanted to travel to north america for a potential Clinical Trial to treat a rare disorder. Trial to treat a rare disorder. But the trust disagreed with the teenagers family about what was in her best interests. The 19 year old died on the 12th of september. University Birmingham Hospitals trust said the illness was incurable and that sadiq didnt understand her condition. They have offered their heartfelt condolences to her family. A 17 heartfelt condolences to her family. A17 year old boy family. A 17 year old boy charged with the murder of a 15 Year Old Girl has been remanded in custody after appearing in court. Elian arade dam was stabbed to death in croydon on wednesday while she was on her way to school. The teenager, who cant be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with possessing knife. A with possessing a knife. A teenage boy arrested in connection with the cutting down of one of the uks most photographed trees, has been released on bail. The tree at released on bail. The tree at sycamore gap next to Hadrians Wall close to northumberland, was made famous in the 1991 film robin hood. The National Trust robin hood. The National Trust says it was shocked and saddened to see the iconic tree cut down. The chancellor says the economy recovered from the pandemic faster than expected after it grew by 0. 3 in the First Quarter of this year. The office for National Statistics initially expected it to rise by 0. 1. The government says it will stick to its plan of halving inflation this year. More people are cashing in their pension. Are cashing in their pension. Early labour says its due to the cost of living crisis , as the cost of living crisis, as new figures show more than 900,000 people took their pensions early in the last Financial Year. A 45 rise on the year before saw labours shadow work and pensions secretary liz kendall says the Living Standards of future retirees has been put at risk by the governments economic mismanagement. The governments economic mismanagement. Dame the governments economic mismanagement. Dame priti patel mismanagement. Dame priti patel is calling for a tax cut for hard pressed brits around the country. In an exclusive country. In an exclusive interview with gb news Political Editor chris hope, the former home secretary says the government should cut public spending to ease the tax burden. Her comments add pressure on the Prime Minister and the chancellor ahead of the conservative Party Conference in manchester tomorrow. Manchester tomorrow. The burden is now at a 70 year high that is unsustained viable and the people that pay the taxes are hard pressed. Brits around the country as concern lives. We believe in lower taxes. As conservatives. We believe being on the side of hard working households and families. As conservatives, we believe in hope and aspiration. So what does that look like now . That should mean lower taxes. The burden of tax has to start to come down, reduce the size of the state ensure that people the state and ensure that people keep more of their income. Keep more of their income. Well, meanwhile, labour leader sir keir starmer speaking in rutherglen in glasgow this morning, says the government dont have the capacity fix dont have the capacity to fix the economy. The economy. I think there is a driving reason why weve got the highest taxes pretty well on record and thats because of the dismal failure of this government on growth and having failed on growing our economy , they have growing our economy, they have chosen to put up tax over and over again on working people. And now that is the burden that they are carrying because the governments failure there is a different choice, which is to have a mission to grow the economy right across the United Kingdom. Kingdom. Thats the mission. Thats the mission. The labour party has put out and thats the choice that we would make. Would make. Rail passengers will see chaos over the next two days as train drivers begin industrial action. Aslef members begin a ban on overtime today ahead of a strike at 16 Train Companies tomorrow. The union says tomorrow. The union says tomorrows walkout will force operators to cancel all services as aslefs general secretary mick whelan argues, members havent had a pay rise for four years. The government and Rail Delivery Group says theres a fair and reasonable offer on the table. This is gb news across table. 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 to. Mark thompson. Now its back to. Mark thompson. Thank you very much indeed and welcome back to the live desk. Now, we are expecting a News Conference in about 20 minutes time on the wirral there on this School Bus Crash. Were being told that Merseyside Police in in detail, the chief superintendent , Graham Robson, superintendent, Graham Robson, whos head of local policing for the wirral in addition, the North West Ambulance service and merseyside fire and rescue service will be giving us an update on the crash at birkenhead town hall. Our birkenhead town hall. Our correspondent sophie reaper is on the way there, but these are the latest pictures were getting of the m50 motonnay where this crash happened on the north bound carriageway at about 8 00 this morning at hooton junction, five. And clearly there was a huge Emergency Response with a bus going onto its side there. And the bottom of your picture there as a result, one woman was taken to hospital with what was called major trauma injuries and then the effectively trauma team at the effectively trauma team at the scene was doing a major triage operation with at least 50 students on board from the west. Kirby Grammar School, the girls Grammar School, and Calday Grange Grammar School as well. And the fire brigade and two air ambulances then coming in to help treat those at the scene, but also. Alder hey, childrens but also. Alder hey, Childrens Hospitals being put into a Major Incident mode with staff being brought in from their days off and also nhs staff coming off picket lines to join the hospital. But we are now being told that alder hey has deescalated, as they say , from deescalated, as they say, from a Major Incident. However they say a e remaining extremely busy. So asking people only to attend in cases of emergency. But clearly cases of emergency. But clearly the two schools involved would have also been trying to reassure parents and get as much information out as quickly as possible. All the labour mp dame possible. All the labour mp dame angela eagle, who represents wallasey, saying that over the coming days well find out what actually happened. But my thoughts with all of those who have pupils at both schools and families and with the Emergency Services, she said, who have been having to respond to the incident as its unfold. And incident as its unfold. And clearly, given the number of Emergency Personnel , it has been Emergency Personnel, it has been a huge operation up there on the wirral. These pictures taken by wirral. These pictures taken by bystander or people passing by in cars as it unfolded at about 8 00, rush hour time. Of course, 8 00, rush hour time. Of course, on the m53 this morning. And then those shots coming in, then showing the coach on its side on its way to school and following reports of a collision with a car and the central reservation. But those details, of course, yet to be established by police. More coming up in about 20 minutes for you on that. Well, to other news now in the former home secretary priti patel says the government should cut public spending and ease the tax burden as the uk is on course for the highest tax burden since records began. According to the institute for fiscal studies. Institute for fiscal studies. Well, she spoke to our politics editor ahead of the conservative Party Conference in manchester this weekend. This weekend. Conservatives, we believe in lower taxes as conservatives , we lower taxes as conservatives, we believe being on the side of hard working households and families as conservatives, we believe in hope and aspiration. Believe in hope and aspiration. So what does that look like now . That should mean lower taxes, the burden of tax has to start to however, at the burden of tax has to start to cycle however, at the burden of tax has to start to cycle that however, at the burden of tax has to start to cycle that wereever, at the burden of tax has to start to cycle that were in r, at the burden of tax has to start to cycle that were in right at the cycle that were in right now. Weve more fiscal now. Weve got one more fiscal cycle potentially before a general election. How . And its general election. How . And its not just about bold or not just about being bold or ambitious. About being ambitious. Its about being conservative and ensuring that the public keep more of the money earn rather than money that they earn rather than seeing the size of the state continue which which continue to grow, which which chopper done. Im sure chopper it has done. Im sure youve written about this and youve written about this and youve before youve spoken about this before. The that we need. Thats the space that we need to in. Reduce the size of the to be in. Reduce the size of the state and ensure that people keep more of their income. This is just a fundamental conservative principle that we must stand by. The chancellor says that cutting inflation is the same as a cut. Is that acceptable or a tax cut. Is that acceptable or do its not. Well, its not. Well, its not. I actually think you have to separate the two. Now, number one, know why there are one, we know why there are a range of inflationary pressures , but at the same time, i do recall a rather, you know, successful conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was able to tackle inflation while while growing the economy , speaking about economic growth, letting the public keep more of their money, you know, their income, and on top of that, she was also a Prime Minister and a conservative leader that had high levels of taxation, high levels of inflation. You have to calibrate what do you do if you were chancellor . Well, first of all, i think we have to be concerned. Natives we have to be concerned. Natives act as conservatives in government. The inflation government. The inflation conundrum is being conundrum is one that is being tackled and challenged right now. Government now. I think the government should carry on that. By should carry on with that. By the as we know, a lot of the way, as we know, a lot of thatis the way, as we know, a lot of that is Monetary Policy , not that is Monetary Policy, not always policy. Fiscal always fiscal policy. Fiscal policy the government policy is tax. So the government must strain every sinew, right now to look at how they can be on the side of hard working families right now because they are you know, theyre under the car taxes. Means car cutting taxes. That means letting of their letting them keep more of their earnings rather than the state taking then taking that slice. And then literally saying, know, we literally saying, we know, we know how spend your money. Lets get more with chris lets get more now with chris at westmin , peter and chris, at westmin, peter and chris, again, we should reiterate, of course, that she was speaking to you the came you before the details came out from Institute Fiscal from the institute for fiscal studies identifying this biggest tax post war tax burden since post war governments. Thats right. Governments. Thats right. Thats right. The ifs is the most important. As you know, mark think tank in western minster independent of government. What it really counts. And it says really counts. And thats those numbers there wont surprise many of us been surprise many of us whove been watching the past watching tax policy for the past few they found there few years. But they found there that the are taxes. The that the taxes are taxes. The tax take from the government is on track to hit 37 of National Income. Thats up from 33 for years ago when the tory party was elected with that landslide majority of 80 back in 2019. Now, of course, the government were they here would say, well, weve covid, weve had a war weve had covid, weve had a war in ukraine thats thats made the crisis worse. The cost of living crisis worse. Weve had weve had brexit hasnt been delivered in the way it should have been, some would say, 2016. But say, since the vote in 2016. But even so, many will be thinking this as the tories this weekend as the tories gather westminster. What have this weekend as the tories gathndonewlestminster. What have this weekend as the tories gathndonenesme . Ster. What have this weekend as the tories gathndonenes me . Whatiihat have this weekend as the tories gathndonenes me . What are. Have this weekend as the tories gathndone nes me . What are these they done for me . What are these tory really since tory party done really since 2010 . They made my life 2010 . How have they made my life better . Theyve held better . Theyve theyve held these on when you pay these thresholds on when you pay more tax for 20, 40 and 45 nurses doctors are now paying these higher rates of tax than it was never the case in the past. It was never the case in the past. Should it be the case in past. Should it be the case in the future . Thats a political debate. Those on the right, priti patel being a standard bearer. That bearer. Now, given that interview today , interview with gb news today, shes saying, why are we doing this . Cant government shes saying, why are we doing thistax cant government shes saying, why are we doing thistax as cant government shes saying, why are we doing thistax as well government shes saying, why are we doing thistax as well as government shes saying, why are we doing thistax as well as control1ment cut tax as well as control inflation as you use those that she brought, she raised up the issue of Margaret Thatcher, who was almost a shortcut for this kind of policy and how how vocal will they be . How difficult will it be for rishi sunak and jeremy hunt in manchester this weekend . Bearing in mind, i think Andrew Griffith, the business minister already this morning saying it would not responsible to rule would not be responsible to rule out further rises. Well out further tax rises. Well i mean, thats not thats going against the grain because we have got these figures out a few weeks ago showing, in fact, the uk economy did a lot better than was previously thought during the covid pandemic. History. Thats thats history. Thats not looking even if looking fonnard. But even so, if people reasonably could look at that and well, why cant the that and go, well, why cant the government afford these tax cuts, big, the big cuts, this big, the big inflation pay rises, many people are getting now because of inflation that people are getting now because of inflpaid that people are getting now because of inflpaid more. That people are getting now because of inflpaid more. More people eople are getting now because of inflpaid more. More people arele are paid more. More people are paying are paid more. More people are paying the top of the higher rate tax. Why cant that rate of tax. Why cant that money be cut . Thats whats what the particularly the big debate is particularly with inflation due go back to with inflation due to go back to 3 this time year. So 3 or this time next year. So they why they cant do they wonder why they cant do more. Certainly, more. I mean, certainly, mr griffiths, there that School Expectations , i would expectations management, i would say given given the pressure on the chancellor, i mean, therell be no tax cuts in the autumn statement in november. Weve been told the chancellor been told that by the chancellor already, all eyes, already, but all eyes, im afraid, march afraid, are on march in a massive election year. How much tax is going to be cut next march . Thats what the debate this conference will be about march . Thats what the debate this a nference will be about march . Thats what the debate this a nfemore will be about march . Thats what the debate this a nfe more expectation ut and a bit more expectation management on sunday. Management to come on sunday. For the moment, chris indeed, for the moment, chris at thank you for at westminster, thank you for that. At westminster, thank you for that. Well, was that. Well, as chris was alluding there, the uks economy did unexpectedly grow by 0. 3 for the First Quarter of this yean for the First Quarter of this year, according to the latest official figures from the ons. Lets get more now with our economics and Business Editor liam on money Liam Halligan with on the money. And we should add to liam a bit of growth in this past three months, up to the end of the summer. So a bit more encouraging, perhaps than many had feared , given all those had feared, given all those warnings about recession and so on, but does it by the chancellor at any time or any wriggle room these are encouraging numbers. Mark. Weve got to take our good Economic News where we can get it. In the first half of this year. The uk economy has grown. And in mind that grown. And bear in mind that this last year the bank of this time last year the bank of england was saying britain would be recession in the be in deep recession in the first half 2023, the imf was first half of 2023, the imf was saying the uk would be in deep recession in the first half of 2023. It just hasnt happened since the end of the pandemic , since the end of the pandemic, which is when brexit was enacted as well. So the end of 2019, the uk has grown faster than france andits uk has grown faster than france and its grown a lot faster than germany. That is just the scores germany. That is just the scores on the doors. And they cant that cant be denied. And in terms of these specific numbers, which came out this morning, youre right, in the First Quarter, march , the quarter, january to march, the uk economy expanded by 0. 3, compared to the quarter before. And in the second quarter, april to june, by 0. 2. These arent massive numbers, but at least theyre positive. At least there theyre positive. At least there is some growth and manufacturing in particular has held up better than many people expected , not than many people expected, not least because the cost of the inputs that manufacturers use in the First Six Months of this yean the First Six Months of this year, theyve not only started to slow down those price increases for producers , these increases for producers, these price increases for producers are now going negative as supply chain issues are sorted out. The long tail of the pandemic finally fades into the distance. The Global Economy is starting to reboot. Manufacturers are to reboot. Manufacturers are benefiting from that with with actual price falls for inputs which should feed through into headune which should feed through into headline inflation. Has all this resilience been by luck or judgement . I mean, by luck orjudgement . I mean, have our manufacturers , our have our manufacturers, our firms, you know, really cut their cloth accordingly . Im prepared for difficult times to get through to what, as you say, people were feeling would be a recession. I think a lot of businesses is do what businesses do. You know they they survive you know bnng know they they survive you know bring on is full of very very resilient, determined, dogged entrepreneurs for years, particularly our small and medium sized businesses, which drive most of our growth. And account for most of our employment point. So i think we have done okay. I do think these 14 in successive Interest Rate rises are starting to bite, but despite that, consumer resilience, is there. I think a resilience, is there. I think a lot of the pandemic savings that were made people squirrelling money away when theyre on furlough, put that back into theyre starting to come. Theyre now starting to come. But , as we go to but look, as we go to manchester, im about to go on a train to go to manchester. Of course, the tory conference starts weekend. Lets starts this weekend. So lets have situation on have a look at the situation on tax because the tories do have a tax because the tories do have a tax problem. Take look at this tax problem. Take a look at this graph. This shows the burden graph. This shows the tax burden since 1948. Mark and you can see that it came down very strongly. But now were going back up above a record. So the tax burden is set to hit 37 of gdp, according to the institute for fiscal studies. Thats higher than at any time mark, since the end of the second world war. Its a 70 year high. And this is happening under a tory government. Government. And just to explain what that means to people, £100 billion, thats 3500 pounds per household , per year, per year, per year. Extra tax per year. Yeah. Yeah. Thats big money. Yeah, thats big money. I mean thats a new car for a lot of households, right. Thats certainly, you know, a family houday certainly, you know, a family holiday for a lot of well heeled at a time. And of course when their Mortgage Rates if theyve got a mortgage, have been going up through the roof. Absolutely. So what does the chancellor play in chancellor have to play with in terms happy terms of keeping everyone happy at manchester and the at manchester and keeping the rest country for rest of the country happy for the the year . The rest of the year . I mean, hes got a november state. I mean, hes got a november staihes i mean, hes got a november stai hes november hes got a november statement, and then hell have another budget which another budget in march, which will big will probably be the last big fiscal event before an election expected summer the expected in the summer or the early do think early autumn. What do i think will happen . Well who knows . This anything can this is politics. Anything can happen. I was advising happen. But if i was advising the chancellor, if i was a tory strategist i would be strategist now, i would be signalling to my Party Faithful that really want to cut taxes that i really want to cut taxes , but i cant for now. But i will come the spring. I think hes going to wait until the spnng hes going to wait until the spring to pull a tax cutting rabbit out of the hat. Yeah. Or even out of that red box. And could that. Could there be a rabbit this weekend in terms of inheritance tax, which theyve been trying theyve been trying to sort of theyve been trying to sort of theyve been been road testing been theyve been road testing that been flying that kite. And, you know, theres a lot of pushback in sense of pushback in the sense that does is it really does it really make is it really good politics for the richest Prime Minister weve ever had . And wealthy chancellor and a very wealthy chancellor who of money in who made a lot of money in business to implement a tax cut that good look. That basically not a good look. It wealthiest it doesnt help the wealthiest families because they never pay inheritance because inheritance tax, because they, you forests and use you know, buy forests and use land and offshore trusts or whatever. But, you know, for hardworking families who have done well , well, is really done well, well, is that really the constituency he wants to appeal to or does he want to appeal to or does he want to appeal to or does he want to appeal to red wall voters . You know , lower, lower and middle know, lower, lower and middle income voters , the striving income voters, the striving classes, the alarm clock classes. Look, even the lib dems, mark, are now saying the tax burden is so high. I they said at their conference last weekend theyre abandoning their penny on income tax for education, health, whatever it whatever it is in a particular day. Its lib dems are day. Its even the lib dems are now saying tax burden now saying this tory tax burden is too high. But i dont think he can cut it now. I dont think it makes political sense to cut it makes political sense to cut it now though he has to single signal strongly to push back against the kind trust wing against the kind of trust wing of the the red redwood of the party. The red redwood wing of the party that he is a tax cutter. He is a conservative, but not now. Conservative, but not now. Wait till the spring and youll be finding out more with chris hope up in manchester for lis. Us. Us. Well be marauding around the bars and the. Well, yeah , the corridors of well, yeah, the corridors of power. Thats a given. But the power. Thats a given. But the politics, we might do a bit of work as well. Liam, thank you very much indeed. More to come, of course, from manchester here very much indeed. More to come, of gbrse, from manchester here very much indeed. More to come, of gb news. M manchester here very much indeed. More to come, of gb news. Also anchester here very much indeed. More to come, of gb news. Also cominger here very much indeed. More to come, of gb news. Also coming upere very much indeed. More to come, of gb news. Also coming up ,re on gb news. Also coming up, weve got update due from weve got our update due from police on school crash police on that School Bus Crash on m5 three. Well have that on the m5 three. Well have that for as happens. Stay with for you as it happens. Stay with us on. Christys on gb news. Im gb news radio. Radio. Welcome back to the live desk with more figures coming from the tax man to reveal that people are having to dip into their pension pots early just to try to make ends meet. Now, to according hmrc, 300,000 more people cashed in their pensions early last year than in 2021. 22, 2021, rather. A 45 increase. Lets get more with our Political Correspondent Catherine Forster, whos in westminster for us. And catherine indication perhaps that those who are said to be more economically inactive are having retired as such, having to access those pension pots early to get by. Yes , thats right. The yes, thats right. The government changed the rules , government changed the rules, didnt they, a few years ago on access , private pensions made it access, private pensions made it easier to access those pensions if people wanted to early. So if people wanted to early. So theres been a very steep rise in the number of over 55, some 31 billion has been taken out of pension loans in the last year , pension loans in the last year, and thats up about 45 on 2021 to 22. So 2020 to 2021. Pardon me. So i think a real reflection me. So i think a real reflection of how hard people are finding it to get by. And we also know, dont we, that after the pandemic, a lot of the over 50s had left the workplace and quite a lot of them simply did not and have not come back. Now, initial plea, they may have found that their new regime, that they may have started during covid suited them better and that they could manage. Okay. But i think the manage. Okay. But i think the reflection that so many people are cashing in money early really shows that, you know, with the cost of living crisis , with the cost of living crisis, this with energy bills going up , food going up, its not proving as easy as perhaps some of them might have thought. Yeah, and it is, of course, politically important because these are silver voters as these are the silver voters as such. Those people who take time to go vote at a general to go and vote at a general election are. Election are. Yes, thats right. I election are. Yes, thats right. I mean, we know, dont we, that the triple lock is almost certain , only lock is almost certain, only sacrosanct for the moment, not because it makes economic sense. Its wildly expensive , lviv and its wildly expensive, lviv and very controversial. But of course , older voters vote. And course, older voters vote. And particularly, i think the average age to vote conservative for the first time is about 51 now. Now the conservatives clearly have a general election coming. Theyre desperate to narrow. The polls are about 20 points behind. So they are very points behind. So they are very mindful about what will appeal to older voters. I think thats one of the reasons theyve been floating the idea of a possible scrapping of inheritance tax, because they think that would play because they think that would play very well with older voters. Lets see what happens. I dont think theres going to be any imminent tax cuts announced. The government are very short of money, but maybe in the spring. Yeah. And this sort of financial or economic soup theyre having to swim through at manchester this weekend. Bad news on tax slightly better news on the growth in the economy. But now this warning if thats the right word that our energy bills could be 13 higher than last winter. Even with this last winter. Even with this price cap. And, you know, again, price cap. And, you know, again, that can hurt these people directly in the pocket. Directly in the pocket. Yes, absolutely. I think last winter, everybody assumed that it was really awful and that it would probably be better this yean would probably be better this year. But here we go again. Energy prices are still very high. The train drivers are still going on strike. And although the Energy Price Cap is falling from the 1st of october to just under £2,000, theres 140 different charities and businesses and mps have written an open letter to rishi sunak asking for greater support for the most vulnerable because of course, last year at huge expense , the government had expense, the government had their Energy Price Guarantee. The average bills were capped at 2500, but then they also gave every household in the country an additional £400, which was split over six months, to help people make ends meet. Now that is currently not happening. The is currently not happening. The government are saying they are giving cost of living payments to the most vulnerable. There to the most vulnerable. There is, of course, winter fuel payments to people over the age of 65, but it does sound like yet again, were going into a winter where many people will be worrying and wondering about if they can afford to keep warm. They can afford to keep warm. Yeah, as i was asking liam, i mean, does this mean that either rishi sunak or jeremy hunt will be trying to bring some good news in manchester this weekend . And you know, produce any sort of out of the hat . Of rabbits out of the hat . Id be surprised if we heard anything, to be honest , id be surprised if we heard anything, to be honest, on energy, simply because the government is not exactly awash with money, to put it mildly. When rishi sunak pledged to cut the debt as one of his five pledges when he came in the National Debt was 2. 2 trillion. Now its up at 2. 6 trillion. And of course the government have been on these massive spending sprees over the last few years with the Energy Price Guarantee. Last year because of the war in ukraine. Then during covid, paying in ukraine. Then during covid, paying people to not work because of furlough. And then because of furlough. And then further back to the financial crisis. So governments have spent massive amounts of money and now were in huge amounts of debt. And the Interest Payments just on servicing those loans are absolutely eye watering so given that will, jeremy hunt have to take the flak , if hunt have to take the flak, if you like, for rishi sunak , you like, for rishi sunak, clearly theres going to be some unease at the very least on the conference floor. Yes, there is. And you think yes, there is. And you think theyve got to have some sort of positive message, havent they . Theyve got to have something a little bit upbeat to sense of things are going to get better. But of course, rishi sunak and jeremy hunt both pride themselves on being fiscal conservative and balancing the books. Conservative and balancing the books. And i think its going to books. And i think its going to be very difficult and also mindful weve got an election maybe next spring, more likely next autumn. I think any major next autumn. I think any major good news in terms of tax cuts and i think they will find some tax cuts somewhere at some point. Theyve got to have some sort of sweeteners. But i suspect those are likely to be kept for the spring. So lets see whats positive news emerges from the conference. Yes, i dont think the Economic News at the moment is all that great. Catherine, thank you very much indeed for that. More to come, of course, from manchester on you much. On sunday. Thank you very much. Now expecting now coming up, were expecting this conference from this News Conference from birkenhead hall on the m53 birkenhead town hall on the m53 crash. Well have that live for you. First, the headlines with tamzin. Mark. Tamzin. Mark. Thank you. Here are the headunes thank you. Here are the headlines at 232. One person has suffered major trauma related injuries and others have been taken to hospital after a school bus overturned on the m50 three on the wirral. The bus was taking pupils to Calday Grange Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School and west kirby Grammar School at around 8. 30 this morning. Police say it collided with a car and struck a central reservation between huyton and bebington. Eyewitnesses say they saw children climbing out of the back window. Parts of the motonnay in both directions are now closed and well bring you the press conference at any update on that story just as soon as it starts. A 17 year old boy charged with the murder of a 15 Year Old Girl has been remanded in custody after appearing in court. Elian arade dam was stabbed to death in croydon on wednesday while she was on her way school. A was on her way to school. A teenage boy arrested in connection with the cutting down of one of the uks most photographed trees has been released on bail. The tree at released on bail. The tree at sycamore gap next to Hadrians Wall, close to northumberland , wall, close to northumberland, was made famous in the 1991 film robin hood. The National Trust robin hood. The National Trust says it was shocked and saddened to see the iconic tree cut down. The chancellor says the economy recovered from the pandemic faster than expected after it grew by 0. 3 in the First Quarter of this year. The office for National Statistics initially expected it to rise by 0. 1. The government says it will stick to its plan of halving inflation this year. Well, those are the headlines. You can get are the headlines. You can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website, gbnews. Com i thompson thank you very much indeed. I thompson thank you very much indeed. I think we can now shortly go to birkenhead town hall, where were expecting this News Conference being held by the Wirral Police force. Chief superintendent Graham Robson. Merseyside police joanne clegg of North West Ambulance service. Here it is for you. Now, we understand there were 54 people, including the driver on the bus. Sadly , i can confirm that and sadly, i can confirm that the driver and a 14 year old schoolgirl have died. Schoolgirl have died. Two children were taken from the scene to alder. Hey, Childrens Hospital. All 50 of Childrens Hospital. All 50 of the children were taken to an Emergency Training centre where they were medically assessed. They were medically assessed. And eight of those children have been taken to the countess of chester and Arrowe Park Hospitals. Hospitals. Our thoughts and condolences are very much with their families and friends at this tragic time. Family Liaison Officers are providing specialist support to both families and we are working with the schools and Wirral Council and Cheshire West Council and Cheshire West Council to ensure the necessary trauma support is in place for the children on the bus. We also know that other children from both schools were on buses travelling in convoy with the bus involved in the incidents and they witnessed the incidents and they witnessed the incidents and they too will be provided with specialist trauma support at the motonnays expected to be closed for a number of hours. Whilst investigative work is carried out. And we would like to thank motorists for their patience while the investigation is ongoing. Diversions are in place ongoing. Diversions are in place and we encourage people where possible, to take alternative routes. I would also like to routes. I would also like to remind people that there is an investigation ongoing and would ask people to refrain from posting anything on social media that could hamper the investigation and not to speculate. I will now hand you speculate. I will now hand you over to mark thomas, the area manager for merseyside fire and rescue service. Rescue service. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I can confirm that to date merseyside fire and rescue service attended the incident. Graham describes on the m50 a3 northbound carriageway. We northbound carriageway. We mobilised two appliances from local station and our search and rescue team to report of a school bus which had overturned. Firefighters worked with Emergency Services colleagues at scene to stabilise the vehicle. Scene to stabilise the vehicle. We ensured the student was safe and we assisted casualties. Exiting the bus. Working jointly exiting the bus. Working jointly with our police and ambulance colleagues shortly after we were able to assist the casualties onto a second coach to receive care away from the scene. Our care away from the scene. Our operations are currently scaling down and currently we stay at the scene and attendance to preserve the scene with Merseyside Police. While an investigation is conducted. The investigation is conducted. The thoughts of everyone at merseyside fire and rescue service are with the friends, the colleagues and the families of all of those involved in this terrible incident. At. Good terrible incident. At. Good afternoon, im joanne craig, area director for the North West Ambulance service. First, i would like to pass on our condolences to all those involved in this incident. Involved in this incident. Following reports of a crash involving a coach this morning, we declared a Major Incident. This was due to the potential number of casualties involved. As a result, we number of casualties involved. As a result , we sent a as a result, we sent a substantial number of ambulance. His senior clinicians and our Hazardous Area Response team as a Critical Care doctor was also dispatched to to the the scene. Dispatched to to the the scene. Tragically, we can confirm that there were two fatalities as a result of this crash. A further result of this crash. A further two patients were taken to alder hey Childrens Hospital with serious injuries. In addition , serious injuries. In addition, an we have taken a number of patients to surrounding hospitals to be treated for minor injuries. Hospitals to be treated for minor injuries. 50 children were minor injuries. 50 children were transported to a Casualty Clearing Centre at the Emergency Service Training Centre in wallasey. Of those. 5039 have wallasey. Of those. 5039 have now been discharged. The now been discharged. The remainder have been taken to hospital for further treatment and assessments have taken place by our clinicians at the Emergency Service centre and patients there are being discharged, as i say, into the care of their parents and a small number taken to hospital for further treatment. What for further treatment. What i would like to thank our Emergency Services colleagues for their support in ensuring that the scene was safe so we were able to identify the most seriously injured while safeguarding all those involved in this incident. And again, i would like to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of those affected. Thank friends of those affected. Thank you. You. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Simon white, director, children , families and education children, families and education from wirral borough council. From wirral borough council. I would very much like to start again by offering my sincerest condolences ipsis to everybody affected by this tragic incident today. Tragic incident today. Council staff were working closely with the schools and have been doing so since they were informed of the incident this morning. Im sure everybody will understand that the moment our focus and the focus of the schools is on supporting the pupils, families and wider School Community who will have all who have been affected by this incident. As the council, this incident. As the council, we will continue to work with other local areas and all those who are affected. And as we wish who are affected. And as we wish to provide support and assistance as needed to the families who have been involved in this. We are supporting the in this. We are supporting the Emergency Services and will continue to respond to this incident and will do whatever we need to do over time to help again. Can i stress our deep sadness at the tragic loss and the impact on the families , the impact on the families, friends, pupils and schools out there . Thank you. So there . Thank you. So that is the Emergency Team at birkenhead town hall giving us the update on this crash with the awful news that a 14 year old schoolgirl and the coach driver have died after this crash with the bus overturned. The bus overturned. Turning on the m53 at about 8 00 this morning. Detective 8 00 this morning. Detective chief. Chief superintendent Graham Robson indicating that other children on the buses had witnessed the incident. They were travelling in convoy. In were travelling in convoy. In terms of the details from joanne clegg from the North West Ambulance service, the 14 year old schoolgirl dying with a coach driver. But two other children were taken to alder hey with serious injuries. And then with serious injuries. And then in addition to that, Graham Robson indicating eight had been taken with injuries to the countess of chester and Arrowe Park Hospitals. In terms of the park hospitals. In terms of the 50 casualties overall , all 39 50 casualties overall, all 39 were then discharged and joanne said with treatment being offered before they were returned to their parent, its with minor injuries , but 11 with minor injuries, but 11 still being treated and clearly , as a result of this awful incident. Graham robson saying incident. Graham robson saying special family Liaison Officer and trauma support staff were helping those families involved in this. These pictures showing in this. These pictures showing the coach there on its side. The coach there on its side. Just to remind you, the reports initially were that the coach was involved in a collision with a car near the central reservation of the motonnay. But clearly, police are indicating those investigations are still continuing with the motonnay still closed. And as these still closed. And as these officers try to establish the details. But certainly it seems details. But certainly it seems that this was the convoy of school buses on their way to Calday Grange Grammar School, west kirby girls Grammar School as well. The first report as well. The first report suggesting that one female in a car had been taken to hospital. The major trauma injuries. But no details on that at this News Conference. Just the coach driver and this school girl. But clearly, the scale of the Emergency Response indicates how bad the collision was in that we had two air ambulances as many fire and rescue Service Vehicles as well as we heard there from mark thomas from merseyside fire and rescue and indeed, these medical teams and including sir joanne clegg , a Critical Care joanne clegg, a Critical Care doctor. But despite their heroic doctor. But despite their heroic efforts at the scene. Two efforts at the scene. Two fatalities and the 50 other casualties then taken to an ambulance Training Centre at wallasey nearby , where a triage wallasey nearby, where a Triage Centre , i think effectively was centre, i think effectively was set up. 339 of those have been discharged, but clearly we have some 11 others, eight we believe, at the countess of chester and harold park hospitals and two seriously injured at alder. Hey, the Childrens Hospital in liverpool. So clearly the details coming through on a very difficult day for those two schools. And the parents involved. And as graham involved. And as Graham Robertson was saying , air robertson was saying, air Liaison Officers and trauma support staff helping those more details , of course, as they come details, of course, as they come through and reaction as well. But certainly local politicians andindeed but certainly local politicians and indeed the education secretary indicating that all their thoughts are with the families involved. A 17 year old families involved. A 17 year old boy charged with the murder of 15 year old elian arade dam, who was stabbed to death, of course, on her way to school in croydon on her way to school in croydon on wednesday, now been on wednesday, has now been remanded custody. Lets get remanded in custody. Lets get more with our reporter ray addison, been at croydons addison, whos been at croydons youth court at the Magistrates Court buildings there in croydon, because ray, as weve been indicating to people , these been indicating to people, these circumstances hes dealt circumstances that hes dealt with as as a juvenile so that the Legal Process is slightly different. Different. Thats absolutely correct, mark. Yes. He the defendant who cant be named because of his young age, appeared here at croydon magistrates for a heanng croydon magistrates for a hearing of the youth court just after 1030. A m this morning. He was dressed head to toe in a grey prison issue tracksuit. Now initially he was placed in the dock. However, the judge asked for him to be moved out to the main part of the court, and that was due to his age. Of course, he is just 17 years old now. He is just 17 years old now. Dunng he is just 17 years old now. During the hearing, the defendant spoke to only confirm his name. He also confirmed his date of birth as well, and he kept his head bowed as the prosecutor described some of the details of what went on, allegedly on wednesday morning. She described how 15 year old euan she described how 15 year old elian arade dam had arranged to meet the defendant with two other female school friends. Now, the idea of that meeting was allegedly for the defendant to hand over some belongings to one of those girls. However, one of those girls. However, when they met, according to the prosecutor , the defendant was prosecutor, the defendant was wearing a mask. He was wearing gloves, refused to hand over the belongings. And some kind of scuffle ensued. The defendant scuffle ensued. The defendant allegedly took out a large knife. There was allegedly a chase. And then elian was repeatedly stabbed. Now, several repeatedly stabbed. Now, several members of the public tried to provide help to elian, but she did die at the scene. And the defendant was arrested around an hour after that in incident. Now, no pleas were actually entered this morning to either the charge of murder or possession of a bladed item. And possession of a bladed item. And the judge remand the defendant to youth detention. The next heanng to youth detention. The next hearing has been scheduled to take place this coming tuesday at the old bailey. Thats the 3rd of october. Now, of course, well have seen footage on gb news of the vigil that was held last night at the scene where euan last night at the scene where elian died. Her family went there and a statement was read out on their behalf. It said, we as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister. Our hearts are broken. Sister. Our hearts are broken. Ive been speaking to people here as well, residents of croydon , and theyve been croydon, and theyve been talking about the fear that this incident has sparked in them. Of course, elian was the 15th teenager to be killed in london so far this year. Theyre calling it a tragic waste of life. They say that it makes life. They say that it makes them actually terrified to approach people just in case they might be wearing some kind of concealed weapon. And they of concealed weapon. And they say there should be a Greater Police presence on the streets. Police presence on the streets. Now, the next stage will be, we understand, at the old bailey, which effectively is a crown court. But obviously beanng crown court. But obviously bearing his age again , we may bearing his age again, we may have a rather differentjudicial have a rather different judicial process to what we normally normally sort of giving the people details about identity and so on. That is a difficulty in this case. Yes absolutely. Because of the age of the defendant and several other potential considerations, you know , we cannot go into too many know, we cannot go into too many details about this , this young details about this, this young man and this tragic incident which happened on wednesday. It will be interesting of course, to see if at that stage on tuesday , pleas are entered to tuesday, pleas are entered to either or both of those two charges of murder and possession of a bladed item. Ray, outside croydon Magistrates Court. Of course, at the youth court. Effectively, thank you very much for updating us on that. More coming up, of us on that. More coming up, of course , from this 53 bus crash. Course, from this 53 bus crash. Just to reiterate that breaking news we brought you, that a schoolgirl aged 14 and the driver of the coach has been killed in that crash. Weve just killed in that crash. Weve just had the details given from the Emergency Services and News Conference. Well have more with Richard Porter sophie reaper. There fairly shortly. But but lets reflect now on an interview with our Political Editor with former home secretary priti patel , newly secretary priti patel, newly invested as a dame whos called for the government to be bold and stick with the controversial rwanda plan while speaking to chris hope, she told us it was legal and that we needed it as a deterrent. Deterrent. Dame priti patel, youre now a dame. Was okay for you. I mean , its a very, very humbling experie audience. And certainly from , you know, and certainly from, you know, from my point of view, i was at Windsor Castle just yesterday for my investiture. I was with my parents. And i actually think its more about them, the sacrifices theyve made to effectively support me and, you know, becoming a public figure and doing what ive done over the years. So it was incredibly humbling. And plus, on a big day humbling. And plus, on a big day , such as a day of being invested, youre with others that have just given so much, you know, to our country and pubuc you know, to our country and Public Servants and it is really a great leveller to be with people that have also contributed to our country in many ways. And thats its mark, your Public Service is being a long standing tory mp and a cabinet minister. When you were home secretary. You look now at the record on migration and the government has failed migration. Failed to control migration. Does that upset you . So think there are number so i think there are a number of things first of all, of things here. First of all, brexit, ive always brexit, you know, ive always been champion for leaving been a big champion for leaving the eu. Brexit people know i was also involved in, you know, before even being a, you know, a tory mp. The Referendum Party and the work to at least have a referendum our relationship referendum on our relationship with have look at with europe. We have to look at context, context so yes context, context matters. So yes , we left the eu famously so oven ready, deal, withdraw all act, but then look at the state of the world and what has happened since. We cant just happened since. We cant just send hollow about net migration figures and basically say its a disgrace. The point about brexit and migration is control. And we said that we would control migration and that brings me to my point about the legal system that we have so safe and legal routes. Bring in people over here and also people that come here and also people that come here come to the here to work. People come to the United Kingdom legal United Kingdom through legal routes , visas, for example, to routes, visas, for example, to technology visas, investor visas. They come here for good reasons. And also students who reasons. And also students who come to study in over a thousand people came here in the year to june last. Right. Is that uncontrolled or is that acceptable . Well, its controlled because they legally. So we they are here legally. So we cant because cant start saying because the numbers its totally numbers are high. Its totally uncontrolled. Now, you can have a it. A conversation about capping it. Thats course, thats different. And of course, the levers. The government has levers. Absolutely levers to bring absolutely has levers to bring in caps. You can cap student numbers. You can cap people that come in through various visa routes. And clearly its right. Routes. And clearly its right. I think its absolutely right. I started the work on this before i left government last year. Remember, i left government out of choice. Started the work remember, i left government out of theice. Started the work remember, i left government out of the home started the work remember, i left government out of the home office� d the work remember, i left government out of the home office as. He work remember, i left government out of the home office as. He how remember, i left government out of the home office as. He how to in the home office as to how to look caps and controls look at the caps and controls around different cohorts of people come to our country legally. And rwanda. The rondo and can rwanda. The rondo plan stopped, so i very pro plan stopped, so i am very pro rwanda, obviously. Set your well, i set up your idea. Well, i set up an negotiated the economic and Development Partnership going through the courts. Im absolutely certain that its legal. I worked on the legalities of it. Rwanda will be a tremendous deterrent, and thats what we need. We only slogans. We dont need platitudes. We need a deterrent. And rwanda is a powerful deterrent. And fact , ive had deterrent. And in fact, ive had many conversations still with my former counterparts in rwanda and their teams. They are doing tremendous work as a country in terms of resettling refugees. And point about rwanda and i and the point about rwanda and i remember going to the united nafionsin remember going to the United Nations in geneva , speaking to nations in geneva, speaking to unhcr about this last year, is that raises the bar when it that it raises the bar when it comes to how we and the world can change this whole issue of illegal migration in and small boats and all the rest of it by having third countries that we work with to resettle people rather than fuelling this trade in illegal migration and people trafficking. Chris hope, our Political Editor, speaking to priti patel. Of course, ahead of that, tory Party Conference this weekend. Party conference this weekend. Now lets update you with that breaking news that we have on that m 53 School Bus Crash this morning. Confirmation in the past few minutes that a 14 Year Old School Girl and the School Bus Driver have been killed in that crash. Our north west of england, reporter sophie ripa was at that News Conference at birkenhead town hall. Awful circumstances, sophie, despite what were clearly huge efforts by the Emergency Services to save everybody , i absolutely save everybody, i absolutely horrendous here. Mark, we heard in that press conference condole condolences offered by all three of the Emergency Services, who of course were present on the scene as of 8 00 this morning. We heard first from the police. Were all chief superintendent graeme robson. He told us there were 54 people aboard that coach and that tragically, the driver and that tragically, the driver and a 14 Year Old Girl had been killed in the incident. He also told us that the bus was travelling in convoy with other pupils on other buses. From those two schools. He said that they can confirm that other pupils had witnessed the accident and they will now be offered support as well. He also confirmed that the motonnay will be it will remain closed for a number of hours because that investigation is still undennay. They told us this morning they believed that the coach had collided with another car and then hit the central reservation. But that is of course, still to be confirmed with that investing nation ongoing from the North West Ambulance service , joanne clegg, she said that it was originally declared a Major Incident because of the potential number of major injuries, that there could have been. She said she tragically can confirm there were two fatalities. Also that two patients were taken to alder. Hey, with serious injuries and then that a number of other people aboard the bus were taken to other nearby hospitals with minor injuries. So it is, in effect, a Major Incident with with a huge number of people injured in the incident itself. Yeah, we also heard from a member of Wirral Council. They talked about working with members of the local community, the families, the schools, the pupils themselves. As we now pupils themselves. As we now move fonnard , she said. We will move fonnard, she said. We will do whatever we need to do over time to help. And the two schools involved called grange grammar, west kirby on the wirral, the girls school. Of course theyll be trying to help all those other families as you say, other buses in the convoy witnessing this. But in terms of the reaction of the Emergency Service buses, we had, i think from joanne clegg , had, i think from joanne clegg, the indication they set up this Triage Centre effectively at the Training Centre to cope with the numbers involved and absolutely thatis numbers involved and absolutely that is indeed the case. They obviously needed to move the people who were aboard the bus to as close by as they possibly could in order to try and treat them as effectively and treat them as effectively and as appropriately as possible. We know that many of those have now been charged, she said. 50 were taken there, 39 have now been discharged from that Triage Centre. So and the that Triage Centre. So and the others have been taken to hospital to receive treatment for whatever level of injuries they may have. Of course , well they may have. Of course, well know more in the coming hours this remains to be a developing story. Butjust to confirm once story. But just to confirm once again that tragically two people have been killed in that bus incident this morning on the m53 sophie, there at the town hall, birkenhead town hall after that News Conference. Thank you for updating us. Just to confirm that breaking news, very sadly, a 14 year old schoolgirl and the bus driver killed that crash. Killed in that crash. The investigations us good afternoon. Its 3 pm. Its patrick christys, gb news. And we start with this devastating news that a 14 year old schoolgirl and a bus driver have died in that School Bus Crash. Tragedy m53. Crash. Tragedy on the m53. Reports of as many as 50 other injured. A Major Incident declared. This in a declared. More on this in a couple of minutes time. In other news, got priti patel on news, weve got priti patel on immigration action thats going to your very, very to come your way very, very shortly. Interviewed shortly. Shes been interviewed by editor. It by our Political Editor. It comes the same that a new comes on the same day that a new poll that fears poll has revealed that fears over migration at their over mass migration are at their highest since 2017. Ill highest level since 2017. Ill also be talking about this story as well. A good news story. The uk has beaten france and germany in the economy stakes. Does this prove that we were right to leave the European Union . What does all of this really mean . Lets crunch the numbers and the bbc. Yes, if they caved to in gary lineker over the presenters twitter issues, what does all of this really mean for things like bbc impartiality going fonnard and finally, what is the latest when it comes to the rotterdam shooting . Three the rotterdam shooting . Three people dead as it currently stands. We will give you more information , including a information, including a potential motive very, very shortly. Patrick christys. Gb news. You yeah, we will be starting with the devastating scenes on the m53. Of