Transcripts For GBN Good 20240703

And it is so nice to see you back, emily. Have you had a wonderful holiday . I have had a wonderful houday i have had a wonderful holiday , and in true british holiday, and in true british style, ive come back with a bit of a sunburn rather than a suntan. I roasted myself right up until the end of the holiday, before i got on to the, the transfer to the to the airport. So there you go. I made the most of it, but im feeling a bit of pain. Okay, okay, well, but at least refreshed. Refreshed . Refreshed. Refreshed. Relax on, what is going to be quite a busy week. Weve got, now, what is it, a week and a half until the local elections. Politics is hotting up. And elections. Politics is hotting up. And just just as you think things couldnt get any weirder. This morning, we had a horse rampage through Central London. You know, ive seen people saying perhaps this is an omen. Ihope saying perhaps this is an omen. I hope not, because it certainly wouldnt be a good one, would it . No, it . No, i , it . No, i, i it . No, i, i think it was more than four horse horses, though. It was. It was five. So it wasnt quite the four horsemen of the apocalypse, i think at least we can rest easy in our beds about that. But what dramatic images. Anyway, we will be talking to jonathan gullace, the conservative member of parliament for stoke on trent. He asked the first Prime Ministers question today in this deputy session of Prime Ministers questions, well be asking him on his thoughts of the rwanda legislation finally passing on monday. What might it mean . Yes, and well ask him why on earth he took so long to, ask a simple question, but there you go. Perhaps thats his right to do so. Send us your views. Yes, gbnews. Com yoursay. But lets get your News Headlines with sophia. Sophia. Emily. Thank you. Good afternoon. Its 1 02. Emily. Thank you. Good afternoon. Its1 02. Im sophia afternoon. Its1 02. Im sophia wenzler in the gb news room. The wenzler in the gb news room. The deputy Prime Minister took aim at for labour failing to back the governments increased spending on defence. Standing for rishi sunak, whos in germany. Oliver dowden began todays pmqs with a joke aimed at the labour deputys tax affairs, suggesting she might claim the house of commons as her main residence. On the matter of defence, however, mr dowden said labour had been silent on whether it backs investment in the armed forces investment in the armed forces in an increasingly dangerous world. The Prime Minister was able to announce his plan for the biggest strengthening of defence spending in a generation, but it should come as no surprise that the Party Opposite refused to say whether they back it or not, because this comes from the right hon. Lady who voted to scrap trident and install in downing street someone who wanted to change the army into a peace corps. There you have it. Angela rayner hit back, though , saying that mr dowden though, saying that mr dowden had been obsessing over her living arrangements while the government quietly cuts funds for the army. For the army. The difference is, is that we havent cut the army to its smallest size since napoleon. Smallest size since napoleon. And, mr speaker, i read with interest that the right honourable gentleman has been urging his neighbour in number 10 to call an election because hes worried they might get wiped out. Has he finally realised that when he stabbed bofis realised that when he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back to get his main into number 10, he was ditching their biggest election winner for a pint size loser. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says britain will continue offering what he called unwavering support for ukraine as he appeared moments ago next to his german counterpart. We meet as a war rages on our continent and new threats are rising around the world. And olaf, i want to congratulate you on your leadership in recognising the zeit and vendor and you taking the historic decision to increase germanys defence spending. And we stand here today together as the leading defence spenders in europe, unshakeable nato allies and the two Largest Military supporters of ukraine in europe. And together we will continue to provide unwavering support for our ukrainian friends. As you said, for as long as it takes. Said, for as long as it takes. Meanwhile, in the us, the senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a long awaited aid package for ukraine, israel and taiwan. Its expected to be quickly signed by president biden, ending months of uncertainty over whether the United States would continue supporting kyiv. Would continue supporting kyiv. It comes after the bill passed the house of representatives on saturday in a show of bipartisan support, despite considerable resistance among some republicans. Ukraines president zelenskyy says it reinforces the us as a beacon of democracy. The mother of one of the nottingham attack victims has written an open letter to police after graphic messages were shared in a whatsapp group. Barnaby weber, who was 19, was stabbed and killed along with two others by 32 year old Valdo Calocane in an open letter, barnabys mother emma says her son was described as properly butchered, among other phrases and has urged police to show the respect that was not given to her son. She says she chose to publish the letter in the Times Newspaper after requests to address the officers directly were denied. Officers directly were denied. Several military horses on the loose in Central London this morning have now been contained. Morning have now been contained. Video posted to social media appeared to show one of the animals covered in blood. At least four people were reportedly injured as the animals galloped their way through the busy city streets. Westminster police say theyll now be transported for care. The now be transported for care. The former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has been released on bail. Donaldson, has been released on bail. Northern irelands longest serving mp was suspended from the dup following his arrest last month for whats been described as historical sex charges, including one count of rape. His wife has also been charged with aiding and abetting in relation to the same investigation. In his investigation. In his resignation letter, he said he would be strenuously contesting the allegations and a 20 mile speed limit on residential roads across wales could be scrapped by the end of the year. A record breaking petition opposing the speed restrictions has received almost 500,000 signatures. The Welsh Government warns that reverting back to 30 miles an hour speed limits could cost up to £5 million. Ministers are urging people to have their say on the policy, which could see councils given powers to return limits to where they were. And limits to where they were. And for the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen , or the qr code on your screen, or go to gb news. Com slash alerts now its back to tom and. Now its back to tom and. Emily. Thanks, sophia. Thanks, sophia. Now good afternoon britain. Now good afternoon britain. Its 1 07 now good afternoon britain. Its1 07 and were on gb news. Yes, were going to start this hour with a little bit on rishi sunaks visit to berlin. Hes announcing more Security Cooperation with germany. Yes, it follows yesterdays announcement of a huge increase in uk defence spending up to 2. 5 of gdp. The Prime Minister said the uk and germany will provide unwavering support to ukraine, and urged other European Countries to stand up to russian aggression. To russian aggression. Well, joining us now is our Political Editor, Christopher Hope , christopher, now, i hope, christopher, now, i understand theres been quite a lot of interest in how rishi sunakis lot of interest in how rishi sunak is going to fund this increase in defence spending. Will it become from enormous cuts to the Civil Service, or indeed, can he afford tax cuts at the same time as increasing this . This . Well, thats right, tom and hi, emily. Welcome back from your holiday. Yeah, theres a bit of cakeism going on here. Having their cake and eat it is the old Boris Johnson expression in a sense, that rishi sunak is saying that he can increase defence spending and cut taxes. Now, thats a position which labour may dispute. But rishi labour may dispute. But rishi sunakis labour may dispute. But rishi sunak is trying to make clear that theres a choice to be taken here between the tory version of cutting the Civil Service to spend more money on defence, and labour wont commit to that. So we are seeing a bit of a bit of politics here from rishi sunak on the world stage. Hes making it very clear why he thinks that his plan to increase defence spending to 2. 5 of gdp is funded, he says it can be paid for from cuts to the Civil Service, labour correspondingly look a bit flat footed. Theyre saying that were going to wait until we can look at the numbers ourselves in a Spending Review in the first year of a labour government, and then decide to get there. Its an ambition, as it was for Boris Johnson back in 2022. But the pm has gone further. Hes saying we can get there and this is how we do it. I think thats quite interesting and quite political and the timing for him is important. And quite political and the timing for him is important. I timing for him is important. I think coming ahead of what could be difficult local elections next week, Mayoral Election results on saturday, of course. Results on saturday, of course. And hes saying to his backbenchers look, i can do politics, i can make labour. It may have to make a difficult choice on whether to cut spending and pay for more defence spending. Chris, you mentioned 2022. Of course you were in madrid with bofis course you were in madrid with Boris Johnson when he made that announcement , but it Boris Johnson when he made that announcement, but it seems like theres been a hokey cokey on this 2. 5 defence spending target. Boris johnson was for it. Liz truss was for it. Rishi sunak initially refused to then continue that commitment. But now were back for it again. Youd forgive the electorate for being a bit confused about all of this. Of this. Yeah, of course, tom, but i think times have changed even since 2022. And the threat from china , iran and russia, this china, iran and russia, this axis of adversity, which the pm talked about, i mean, hes in terms, as he saw in the speech yesterday, putting britain on a war footing, the peace dividend weve all enjoyed since the end of the cold war in the early 90s is nearly over. If not over already as as these as countries gear up to try and face each other, its alarming. But i think hes reacting to where we are at the moment. Of course, grant shapps telling the daily mail just last month he wants 3 of gdp on defence. James heappey of gdp on defence. James heappey of course hes saying the same thing, but both those two, james heappey, of course, the former armed forces minister, are they both seem happy with 2. 5. And as things stand, labour havent got an answer. So we are seeing the guardrails, the almost the lines opening up between labour and tories on defence. I do not think they will come together. I think they will come together. I think they will come together. I think labour are clear they will commit to spending after the election. The tories are saying election. The tories are saying before it is now an election issue. Issue. Yes, indeed. Well, thank you very much, christopher. Hope our Political Editor. And also congratulations on the marathon. I havent seen you since you were completed that feat. Good stuff. Lots of money raised. Anyway, shall we speak to the deputy chairman of the conservative party, Jonathan Gullis mp john, weve got to start with the elephant in the room. That extraordinary long question in Prime Ministers question in Prime Ministers question. What was all that question. What was all that about . You lost me halfway through. I must say. Well, emily, sadly, i was being heckled so loudly by the labour party, clearly living rent free in their head, something Angela Rayner im sure would dream of, in order to, so in order to actually get her, the speaker had to calm the other side down. But the key thing, emily, is that whilst labour want to shout down stoke on trent, they dont want to hear the facts of their disastrous record locally. Im proud to be standing up for the people in the town of tunstall, which has got the town hall back open. More cctv to keep the streets safe and making sure that the laws being to changed take on rogue landlords. And now its the council that needs to do their bit. Well, there were some political, stenographers who were guessing that it could have been the longest opening Prime Ministers question in the history of modern Prime Ministers questions. But we should get on to the substance now , jonathan, because of now, jonathan, because of course, on monday we saw the rwanda bill passed after two years since it was first, introduced since that First Agreement was announced, its not a good look for the government that its taken two, two long years for this piece of legislation to make its way through conception to actuality. Well, i think youll appreciate , well, i think youll appreciate, tom, that when this was first brought about by priti patel, the then home secretary and this world leading deal that many countries are looking to replicate, lets be perfectly clear, weve heard that from mainland european nations as well, but we didnt anticipate maybe just how many lefty lawyers and do gooders and the labour party were going to continuously stand in the way, despite this being a very important priority of the Great British public . Obviously, weve listened to judgements from the Supreme Court and reacted and responded , court and reacted and responded, which this piece of legislation specifically does deal with. And therefore i feel confident now that weve got the operational side of things ready to go, which i know that, Dame Priti Patel has been , working, patel has been, working, i believe, with the Prime Minister to make sure its all good to go. So we have this one stop shop rather than endless legal challenges. And the merry go round that has existed before. The Prime Minister said the planes have been chartered, the airfield is secured, the accommodation is ready in rwanda. And now we need to make sure that 10 to 12 week deadline we deliver those flights, not just one, not just two, but continuous flights to make sure we have that effective deterrent. Alongside the deal with france to stop 23,000 vessels supporting their shores last year and other returns agreements with countries like albania. Albania. Jonathan lots about priti patel. Shes not in her in the home office anymore, is she . So what sway does she hold on all this . Well, i think the fact that preeti herself did the deal with the Rwandan Government was something that was quite extraordinary. I dont think many people would be able to have got such a deal over the line. Lets not forget that rwanda indeed does have a dark past. But if you look at their current trajectory, i think 7 to 8 annual economic growth, theyve actually taken 130,000 refugees settled in their country via the un, themselves. How many a week are opposing us using it . Jonathan . Realistically, how many are we gonna actually send to rwanda . I mean, weve been to rwanda . I mean, weve been talking about accommodation on this channel. The challenge is there. Weve been talking about there. Weve been talking about the potential loopholes there are in this legislation that could allow lawyers to stop people from being deported. Doesnt seem to be an idea of actually how many, i mean, tens of thousands crossing per year or tens of thousands going to go to rwanda. Well, lets remember , emily, well, lets remember, emily, that in recent times around the government themselves, i think literally only a matter of a month ago said that there is no cap on this scheme. Yes there is an initial number of around 2 to 500, whilst the scheme gets up and running. Essentially the testing of the waters, but that there is no cap and therefore we will be able to have continuous flights going with a no amounts, no cap or limit on how many will be able to go there. And i do hope to see thousands of people being deported. And the sooner that we see that, the less likely those people are to go and give thousands of pounds into the hands of smuggling gangs who are profiteering off human life, only this week, tragically, people dying in the engush tragically, people dying in the English Channel because they are being taken advantage of by these ruthless criminal gangs and by having this deterrent, we will be able to break apart the smuggling gangs operational model, which is exactly what we want to see happen. Now, jonathan, i cant let you go without asking this one quick final question. Lots of news about priti patel, lots of 0p news about priti patel, lots of op eds, lots of, news about priti patel, lots of op eds, lots of , conversations, op eds, lots of, conversations, perhaps in the corridors of power , is she preparing for power, is she preparing for a leadership pitch . Perhaps after an unsuccessful election . And are you on her Campaign Team . Are you on her Campaign Team . Well, tom, first of all, i have absolutely no idea whatsoever. All i know is that priti patel was the architect of this scheme. And i think its good to have her voice alongside many other conservative voices in supporting the rwanda scheme and making sure that we get it to work because, as i say, this is a top three issue, particularly in red wall seats across the country, and when it comes to what they want to see the government doing and stoke on trent has been impacted by illegal migration, having been the fifth largest contributor to the fifth largest contributor to the asylum dispersal scheme. But tom, my focus is solely on getting re elected as the member of parliament for stoke on trent north, kidsgrove and talk. That in itself is a full time job and thats why ill continue to be doing well. Jonathan gullies, thank you very much for joining jonathan gullies, thank you very much forjoining us and talking through those issues and even that little bit of rumour. Yes, i mean, priti patel is rather popular with the tory party members. Yes. The faithful. Yes. The faithful. Yes, yes. yes, yes. Good at campaigning, but lets lets cross across to berlin now because our Political Correspondent Katherine Forster is there for us now. Catherine, youve been travelling with the Prime Minister. Youve been talking to the Prime Minister what have we learned on this two day trip around europe . Day trip around europe . Well, frankly, that the United Kingdom is going to prioritise defence spending, a big boost to it. Up to 2. 5 by the end of the decade. And rishi the end of the decade. And rishi sunak has told us that hes made a choice. Now hes been quizzed a choice. Now hes been quizzed on how its all going to be paid for. Now the government is saying theyre going to cut 70,000 Civil Service jobs to take those numbers in the Civil Service back to pre pandemic levels. But bodies like the levels. But bodies like the institute for fiscal studies, etc. Are saying that theres likely to be quite deep cuts to pubuc likely to be quite deep cuts to public services, and the Prime Minister will not be drawn on that. But hes here today in berlin and yesterday in poland, sending a message saying that he thinks we stand at an Inflection Point that the world is the most dangerous its been since the end of the cold war. And he said, today we will do whatever it takes to keep our country safe. Now yesterday, standing in safe. Now yesterday, standing in warsaw side by side with the nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg , and today with the stoltenberg, and today with the german chancellor praising the decision of germany to really ramp up defence spending. Because we know, dont we . Although though the uk has always paid a minimum of 2, which is supposed to be the absolute least that a nato member pays only 11 members actually do currently contribute that or more towards their defence spending. Germany for a very long time lagged hugely, hugely behind. But, chancellor schultz has made the decision since the invasion of ukraine, of course, to massively ramp up spending. So thats something that rishi sunak is welcoming. So sending a message basically that europe has to stand together and put the money in, reinforcing the message that the United States cant be relied on to sort of carry the burden of this alone. So he feels its a choice hes had to make. Hes quite upbeat, i would say, both yesterday and today, talking to him on the plane , hes got a bit him on the plane, hes got a bit of a boost. I feel this is important to him. And of course, we had the rwanda bill pass through parliament the other day. The welfare bill at the end of last week, lots of policies coming out now. And of course, just over a week until the local elections. Yeah the clock is ticking. Well, Katherine Forster, thank you for joining well, Katherine Forster, thank you forjoining us well, Katherine Forster, thank you for joining us there live from berlin. Excellent stuff. Now in other news, just over 400 migrants crossed the English Channel yesterday. Thats according to yesterday. Thats according to new home office figures. And this came on the same day that five migrants died after drowning in french waters. Though there is some confusion about precisely how some of these migrants died. Lets get the information now with gb news home and security editor mark white. Mark, first, lets talk about the numbers. But i do want to follow up on on some of the confusing reporting about the about drownings versus tramplings. Its all its all a bit murky, but but the numbers first. Yes. In terms of the numbers, its more than actually we were reporting yesterday and remarkable really that given five people had drowned in this tragedy off the french coast, that migrants kept on coming, including, 58 people on board the boat that was involved in that tragedy that were determined. It seems to ignore determined. It seems to ignore the french who offered to take them back to france. We understand, and instead , as you understand, and instead, as you can see from the exclusive pictures on screen there, that boatis pictures on screen there, that boat is out in the channel being shadowed by this french patrol boat as it made its way slowly towards uk waters , where it was towards uk waters, where it was picked up by the dover lifeboat. Picked up by the dover lifeboat. So 402 people in total made it to uk waters and were then taken to uk waters and were then taken to dover yesterday in seven small boats. So a very significant number takes the total, who have come across the channel this year to 6667, compared to about 5500 for the same period last year. Compared to about 5500 for the same period last year. So same period last year. So significantly up on last years total. Significantly up on last years total. And of course, coming total. And of course, coming just hours after that key rwanda bill finally passed in parliament, no deterrent as yet. Parliament, no deterrent as yet. But of course, no planes have yet got off the ground heading for rwanda, mark, sorry to break into you here, but there is some breaking news from wales. You can bring us, yes, a serious incident. Thats unfolding at a school in carmarthenshire , this school in carmarthenshire, this school in carmarthenshire, this school is a school. Duffryn eamonn , which is in ammanford , eamonn, which is in ammanford, in carmarthenshire, the school we understand and is on lockdown. There are air ambulances and police and other paramedic vehicles in attendance. We are told by a number of eyewitnesses that a teacher may have been stabbed in this incident. Not confirmed by Dyfed Powys Police at the moment, but they certainly have confirmed that a significant incident is underway, that they have resources there, that there are air ambulances and other medical personnel on scene. A worried parents at that school have been posting on social media and talking to members of the media, as well, about the situation. They are saying that they had heard that a teacher had been stabbed, but have no more detail than that. They are very concerned. Clearly, the very concerned. Clearly, the fact that the school, as of, 15, 20 minutes ago was still on lockdown with many policing resources at the scene. So a significant incident unfold , significant incident unfold, adding at this school in ammanford , gosh, well, thank you ammanford, gosh, well, thank you for bringing us that breaking news and please do bring us any updates when and if you hear them. Thank you very much. Mark wight, our Homeland Security editor. Really concerning stuff, editor. Really concerning stuff, very, very disturbing. Well well keep across that story and more still to come. Were debating whether the met is guilty of two tier policing after violence broke out at a Saint Georges day event, some say the level of policing doesnt happen for some other protests , including other protests, including pro palestinian ones youre watching. Good afternoon britain on. Gb news. Good afternoon. Britain. Its 1 27. Now, at least six people were arrested at a Saint Georges day event held in whitehall yesterday. Yes, the metropolitan police shared a number of videos on social media of people sporting the english flag, pushing past areas cordoned off by police. There you go. On our screens right now, mounted officers then intervened with horses to restore the cordon that had been established. But with the increase of pro palestine protests in the capital, some are questioning whether this particular form of policing is an example of so called two tier policing. Well, the director of the law and order foundation, Norman Brennan, says that there isnt two tier policing, while the managing director of the Public Safety foundation, oliver lawrence, says that there is. Lawrence, says that there is. Well, oliver, thanks for joining us. You have the case to make here. Why do you think there is a two tier policing going on in the capital . Well, i think the problem is, tom, emily, thanks very much indeed for having me, is the fact that for a number of years now, since, you know, the met has been in crisis for quite some time now. And the thing you needin some time now. And the thing you need in a crisis to get yourself out of it. Ever since the casey report dropped is Effective Police communications. The met doesnt have that. The met doesnt have that. And ultimately, what is happening is the public has no understanding or perception as to why the met is making the decisions. Its making to police two different events, quite apparently quite differently. And until such time as they come out and describe and provide some context around some of the policing decisions they make, naturally the public will form an opinion as to how this is going to affect and how theyre carrying out their operational duties, because when you watch it on a camera, when you watch it on a camera, when you see the result, when you see what happens on a weekend, you know, we deal with a lot of the Palestinian Protesters after the fact. Yesterday, we felt the need to deal with the sort of far right patriots at the time. And quite aggressively, you can see a visual representation , which a visual representation, which is quite dramatically different. And i think the public have every right to question why that is. But they dont seem to get any answers as well. Norman, i cant help but get the impression that the police are more comfortable getting tough with the types of people we saw yesterday at the Saint Georges parade there, the celebrations as theyre used to that type of policing. Perhaps you can compare it to some policing of football matches in the like. When it comes to pro palestinian protests or actively political ones which involve foreign conflicts, they get a little bit worried and they get a little bit softly, softly with their approach. Softly with their approach. Well, look, i dont disagree with much of what oliver has said, hes absolutely right. I see what he says. I see what he says. I see what he says. You see what i see, and so do the public. And people on social media. Id say its more akin to careful policing. And the reason i say that is that at every single demonstration, it appears that peoples anger, hatred, belligerence , division and belligerence, division and revenge is aimed at policing. Now policing are overseen in london by what is called gold command. That will be an assistant commissioner or Deputy Assistant commissioner or Deputy Assistant commissioner or Deputy Assistant commissioner up at the yard. Now, where the police where i say instead of two tier policing, is careful policing , policing, is careful policing, its pretty much like the black lives matter. When they came to town during covid. Now, i personally thought they should have been far more robust. However, i do actually see that there were elements within the black lives matter that wanted to push the police to the limit. So much so it would give them an excuse for all out public disorder and this is what the police have to balance themselves against the palestinian marchers, for example. I personally think they should be banned. Should be banned. Im sick of it. The public are sick of it. The public are sick of it. The public are sick of it. The victims are sick of it because they dont get the police that are policing these events. But what the police are doing are caught between a rock and a hard place. They cant win. And the abuse and the baiting is always directed at Frontline Police officers that sometimes dont know the law, as well as people like oliver and i do old sweats. So sometimes try and make it up on the moment. And im telling you now that the police are leaving in thousands out of the 20,000 newly recruited police officers, almost 5000 have already resigned and serving officers. The ones that are on the streets are phoning me and saying, norman, ive had enough. Im throwing him a ticket. I cant police like i want to do. The public blame me. Whatever i do. And for that im off now. One day when you havent got a police service, who is it . Thats going to police the streets . Who is it that the pubuc streets . Who is it that the public and those that that aim their anger and hatred. Where are you going to say a word from oliver here on that point, is it not the fault of the police here . The police have stuck between a rock and a hard place. Is this actually the fault of politicians . Fault of politicians . I, to be honest with you. Yes. I suppose weve got to look at the funding issues and the lack of police resources. And i think thats one of the biggest contextual items that the public arent probably aware of. You know, we see significant numbers of people coming into london on a saturday in comparison to the numbers that we saw yesterday of the saint george patriots, if we want to call them that. In terms of how the police could deal with that. But thats not communicated out to the public. And this two tier policing analogy grows strength every day. You know, the National Police chiefs council, sir mark rowley, it would appear theyve got their heads buried in the sand in terms of wanting to tackle this issue and being more transparent with the way that they go about their policing operations and ultimately , that operations and ultimately, that lack of communication only affects one group of people. And thats frontline cops who are out there day in and day out trying to keep londoners safe because, you know, the lack of communication coming from senior management, i wonder if theyre making a, a, a mistake by trying to be so transparent on social media, inviting this constant feedback from all quarters , from feedback from all quarters, from activists, and you dont get a rounded view of things on social media, of course, but thank you very much. Unfortunately, thats all weve got time for on that, and well speak again soon, im sure. Oliver lawrence, director of the Public Safety foundation, and Norman Brennan of the law and Norman Brennan of the law and order foundation. Oh, no, very interesting stuff. Lots to say on that. Lets come back. Absolutely come back. Lets revisit that issue. But still to come more on that disruption in Central London earlier , where a Central London earlier, where a number of horses rampaged through the capital colliding with traffic, one strewn with blood. But first the news with sophia wenzler. Thanks, tom. Its 133. Sophia wenzler. Thanks, tom. Its133. Im sophia wenzler and the gb newsroom. We start with some newsroom. We start with some breaking news. There are reports coming out of southwest wales of a stabbing at a secondary school. Police say one person has been arrested after three people were injured in an incident at Almond Valley school. The school is now in lockdown amid reports that a teacher is one of those whos been injured. Parents are reporting a Large Police Presence in the area, with two helicopters at the scene. This helicopters at the scene. This is a developing story. We will bnng is a developing story. We will bring you more as we get it. To other news, the deputy Prime Minister took aim at labour for failing to back the governments increased spend on defence, standing in for rishi sunak, whos in germany , Oliver Dowden whos in germany, Oliver Dowden said labour had been silent on whether it backs investment in the armed forces. Angela rayner hit back, though, saying that mr dowden had been obsessing over her living arrangement. While her living arrangement. While the government quietly cuts funds for the army. Funds for the army. The difference is , is that we the difference is, is that we havent cut the army to its smallest size since napoleon and mr speaker , i read with interest mr speaker, i read with interest that the right honourable gentleman has been urging his neighbour in number 10 to call an election because hes worried they might get wiped out. Has he finally realised that when he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back to get his men into number 10, he was ditching their biggest election winner for a pint size loser. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says britain will continue offering what he called unwavering support for ukraine as he appeared moments ago to next his german counterpart part. It comes after rishi sunak committed to spending 2. 5 of gdp on defence by 2030, which she says all nato allies should match. And for the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen or go to gb news. Com hertz. Com hertz. Cheers britannia wine club proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report. Financial report. And heres a quick snapshot of todays markets. The pound will buy you 1. 2434 and ,1. 1636. The price of gold is £1,860. 58 per ounce, and the ftse 100 are 8088 points. Cheers. Britannia wine club proudly sponsors the gb news Financial Report i its 139. Its139. Youre watching and listening to. Good afternoon , listening to. Good afternoon, britain. Now we have some breaking news to bring you. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and entering the uk illegally. As part of an investigation into the deaths of five people, including a child who died while trying to cross the channel. The National Crime agency has said. Yes. The men, two sudanese nationals aged 22 and 19, and a south Sudan National aged 22, were all detained last night and this morning by the nca and its partners in immigration enforcement. But now, will now be questioned by those investigators from the nca at a Police Station in kent. Yes, another 55 people who are believed to have been on board the boat, which arrived into the uk yesterday, have also been identified. Theyve now been identified. Theyve now been through initial interviews, with further interviews likely to take place over the coming days. So lets just reiterate that three men have now been arrested for facilitating illegal immigration into this country following the death of five migrants in the channel, all from sudan and south sudan. And this follows this slightly confusing picture that weve got , with some reports weve got, with some reports that there were drownings , but that there were drownings, but other reports that actually individuals on board this boat were trampled, were crushed, which is an incredibly concerning. Its not just the rickety nature of these boats. Rickety nature of these boats. Its also the overcrowding in and of itself that is, apparently, at least in this case, has been deadly. Well, if weve been listening to mark white over the past few weeks and months, hes been saying just how overcrowded these vessels are becoming, how people are being absolutely packed to the brim, all safety completely out of the window. Just in order for the people smugglers to essentially make as much money as possible. So there you go. Thats the breaking for news you this afternoon. And of course, well update you as that questioning goes on. But in other news, four people have been taken to hospital after military horses bolted right through Central London. Incredible scenes this. The incredible scenes this. The city of London Police confirmed that two escaped horses have been contained after they were seen running around the capital, covered in what appeared to be blood, quite extraordinary scenes. You dont often see that in Central London. You certainly dont. Well, a serviceman was thrown from his horse in Buckingham Palace road, and one of the loose animals smashed into a taxi waiting outside Claremont Hotel , outside Claremont Hotel, shattering the windows and likely causing that big splatter of blood. Indeed, its been reported that the horses were spooked dunng that the horses were spooked during a household cavalry training exercise, during which a soldier was injured. A horse also crashed into a parked double decker tour bus, smashing the windscreen, and one crashed into a taxi, but no one was hurt. This is truly crazy. I mean, imagine that youre walking down the road in Central London past a cafe there and you see a horse rampaging down the centre of the road coming at. You know, its amazing that more people havent actually been hurt here, but but an army horse box was requested to collect these horses and transport them to veterinary care. So just to repeat the situation is now over. But my goodness, what an event. Goodness, what an event. I must say, some of the tabloid headlines of this one have been, quite good, horses and carnage , thats the only one and carnage, thats the only one i can remember, actually. So they cant have been that good. No, they cant have been that good. Weve got horses loose in london that tells you what we mean. Yes, that tells you what you can see. You can see. You can see. It does , it does. Its an it does, it does. Its an extraordinary story, but moving on to whats going on in parliament today, the future of the no fault evictions ban. Well, thats hanging in limbo , well, thats hanging in limbo, but also Big Questions over what actually is this legislation trying to achieve. The conservative party of course, promised this ban in its manifesto. But what is a ban on no fault evictions . Indeed, what is a no fault eviction . Yes. What indeed is it now . Theres been a bit of a row, hasnt there, between the conservatives and the labour party over these reforms. Labour talking about how we need far, far more protections written into our law for tenants. But there is a lot of concern over what this means for landlords and what this might mean for the housing markets. There have been a Record Number of landlords just dropping out of the market altogether, havent there . There have indeed. But lets join now. A policy officer at the union acorn, ben leonard, to try and talk us through whats going on here. Ben, i think a lot of people hear the terms, no fault eviction and they think thats people being chucked out of their home in the middle of the tum, for which they agreed to rent that property. But thats not what the bill is trying to do, is it . The bills trying to do, is it . The bills trying to do, is it . The bills trying to abolish the concept of a fixed time tenancy at all. Well, yeah. Well, yeah. So i mean, the situation we have now is one in which the total tenancies, which is what youre talking about, time limited contracts are absolutely non. Thats not what they were intended to be. They were intended to be a solution for, a minority of cases in which that suited both landlord and tenant. What weve seen them is , what weve seen seen them is, what weve seen them being used for is just across the board with all tenancies, and that creates a situation in which once you, you know, come into the end of that contract, the landlord can uproot your life, and turf you out despite them not, you know, no fault and no reason, you know, communist conception. People think the end of a contract is the end of a tenancy. Its not, its just the end of the contract. Tenancies do continue. But, ben. Ben, why shouldnt a landlord be allowed to ask a tenant to leave at the end of the terms for which they have agreed to stay in that property . Surely if i rent a property for two years and the landlord asks me to leave at the end of that two year period, why are you calling that a no fault eviction . Because somebody is being evicted through no fault of their own, you know, lets, you know, lets look at why shouldnt that be a case, why that shouldnt be the case . Well, look at the impact this is happening. This is having on our families and our communities. Its very difficult to put down roots and create the kind of Stable Community life that we all want. When you can just do no fault of your own and through no, for no reason, be forced to uproot your life and be evicted. Ben. Very, very tell room for a week. I dont expect to stay in that hotel room longer than the week i book it for. Why is it any different for renting flat . Of course its different. I mean, youre comparing a holiday and somebodys life, but, you know, if you have children in the school, and you want their children to child to remain in that school, you know, thats dependent on you being able to remain in the catchment area for that school. We are talking about peoples lives. Were talking we are watching communities disintegrate. You know, we have seen levels of anti social behaviour rise. But, you know , you dont have but, you know, you dont have as much we need. Do you think we need more . Do you think we need more landlords, ben. Because i cant imagine many landlords would be happy, to just have to keep a tenancy forever , essentially tenancy forever, essentially dependent on, on whether they want to continue living in there. There has to be some kind of rules to protect landlords, Property Rights, surely. Well, thats not what were suggesting for this bill. You know, our suggestions in acorn and as part of the Reform Coalition is that if a landlord needs to sell the properties, they need to move themselves or a Family Member in, fair enough. But you shouldnt be able to uproot someones life for no reason. And through no fault of their own. If a tenants keeping up their end of the bargain, theyre paying rent. You know theyre not. You know theyre not. Theyre not acting in antisocial ways. And the landlord has no need for them to leave that property. Why should the tenant, why should they be able to get rid of that tenant through no fault of that tenant through no fault of their own and without reason . It often becomes a back door for discrimination in a back door for, you know, getting around other types of protections that tenants have, and what we want to see is secure and stable housing. We want people to be able to, you know, get to know their neighbours, to be able to build, you know, people often nostalgic for the kind of communities we had in the past. Those communities are predicated on stable and secure housing, and thats what were trying to get through this bill. And thats what this bill is. Sadly failing to deliver. We can all agree that long tum tenancies are good. You can plant roots and all of the rest of it. Why dont we just encourage more long term tenancies rather than abolishing the idea of a fixed time tenancy at all, rather than saying actually the property that this landlord owned isnt actually their property, theyre not allowed to do with their property what they would. Why dont we just say like they have in many other countries around the world, a standard tenancy isnt a year or two a standard tenancy for some forms of agreement could be ten years. Wouldnt that be a better solution . That doesnt do away solution . That doesnt do away with Property Rights . With Property Rights . Im confused why you think, a flexible tenancy and open ended tenancy does away with Property Rights . Nobody suggesting that whatsoever. For someone to sign a contract saying i want to rent this property for this period of time after which they may be removed, youre making that free choice illegal. I mean, this is reminiscent, frankly, of the arguments they had when the minimum wage was introduced. You know, why shouldnt you be able to sign a contract in which you get paid poverty wages when youre talking about a negotiation between two people in a situation of an imbalance of power, one person needs a home, the other person, you know, frankly , just needs to let their frankly, just needs to let their property out. The threat on one side is homelessness. Of course, that that kind of negotiation will tend towards the interests of the landlord. But were asking for then is protections so that tenants get a fairer deal so that tenants get a fairer deal. And you ask, there are millions of tenants in this country. You ask them if they think that we are in a fair and equitable situation, right now. Id be very surprised if you can find many who would right now, the system is totally rigged in favour of landlords, and one consequence of this, you know, theres plenty of research on this, and weve done our own that shows many tenants will not commit about repairs because they can be turfed out without reference to those repairs. They can be evicted from their home through no fault and with no reason. What this what these reforms, reforms we want would introduce would rebalance things. So that tenants would have more. I think the issue is its not its not specific. Its not specific enough. But im sure we can all agree that one solution would be to build more homes. So people have more choice. So it doesnt matter what type of contract they have because they could find somewhere else eafien could find somewhere else easier, thank you very much indeed. Ben leonard, policy officer at acorn. I just find it. Its just a conceit, isnt it . Saying that its an eviction at the end after the tenancy, after the fixed terms tenancy is over. Thats leaving then thats not an eviction. Thats just leaving at the end of your tenancy. No, i do get what he means. A lot of tenants are fearful of saying the wrong thing to their landlord, asking for too many things that they are actually legally, but they cant legally in the middle of their fixed terms. Its only at the end of their fixed terms they can be evicted. Yeah , yeah, but its not yeah, yeah, but its not a discussion. A lot of, you know, it depends on the landlord. There are nasty, evil landlords, but there are so lots and we need lots more in my view, so we cant make it too difficult. But next were going to get an update after the former dup leader Jeffrey Donaldson appeared in court accused of a number of historical sex offence charges. Well be back very soon with that. Now for the latest on Jeffrey Donaldson. Heres Dougie Beattie i west. Hello, tom. Hello, emily. Yeah. This was one of the biggest news days i have seen in Northern Ireland for many, many years. And it shows you the political weight of sir Jeffrey Donaldson. He is the longest serving mp from Northern Ireland. He arrived here in the media scrum this morning. And then, of course, he and his co accused , his wife lady co accused, his wife Lady Eleanor Donaldson , appeared in eleanor donaldson, appeared in the dock in the courthouse behind us. They faced 15 charges together. 11 of those were to sir jeffrey, one of rape, one of gross indecency and nine of sexual assault. His wife faces four charges of aiding and abetting the court will meet once again on the 22nd of may. Zigi. Thank you. What an zigi. Thank you. What an extraordinary story it is. Yes. Well come back to you for more updates later in the show, im sure. But first, lets get you quickly to the weather. A brighter outlook with boxt solar , the sponsors of weather solar, the sponsors of weather on gb news. Hi there and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news. The odd shower towards the south today, but otherwise its fine with sunny spells, especially for much of scotland and Northern Ireland where weve got an area of High Pressure towards the northwest of the uk. However, weve still got this northerly breeze bringing Cool Conditions countrywide and its going to feel especially cool on the nonh feel especially cool on the north sea coast. Any showers in the south will disappear into the south will disappear into the evening, but therell be further showers into the north and east of scotland, northeast england and 1 or 2 developing across wales and western england. Now where we avoid the showers, where we get some clear spells, temperatures will fall away at such a frost first thing on thursday, a chilly start especially for parts of scotland, Northern Ireland, central england. However, despite the chill, plenty of sunshine first thing and we keep the largely fine and sunny weather for western scotland. Northwest england, for example. Elsewhere a bit more cloud compared with today and a few more showers developing, particularly for parts of england and wales, eastern scotland. Still, that cool breeze for the north sea coast. 8 or 9 celsius at best for some nonh 8 or 9 celsius at best for some north sea areas, but otherwise elsewhere into the double figures. Now friday starts off gb news. Right. Its 2 00. Good afternoon. Britain, youre with me. Emily carver and tom. This houn well get an update on that breaking news story. In south wales, a school is in lockdown following reports of a stabbing. Three people have been injured and one arrested. And were getting new lines unked and were getting new lines linked to yesterdays tragedy in the channel in which five people died attempting to cross to the uk. Police have arrested three men suspected of facilitating illegal immigration and more reaction to rishi sunak, who is on his European Tour today in berlin, saying that uk and germany will provide unwavering support for ukraine. But is he troubled at. But is he troubled at. Home . But is he troubled at. Home . Do you know whats interesting about about this pledge for more defence spending . It is what a lot of people want to hear. Of course it is. Its something that senior military figures have been calling for years, and its ramped up recently , of course, ramped up recently, of course, with all the talk of a potential world war iii and all that, that were being fed almost every day , it seemed, is whether cutting 72,000 Civil Service jobs will pay 72,000 Civil Service jobs will pay for it. Because if its as easy as that , oh, well cut easy as that, oh, well cut 72,000 Civil Service jobs and well be able to fund all this defence spending. Why do we have these 72,000 Civil Service jobs to cut . Surely there should be an element of, efficiency before we get to this stage. Rishi sunak was saying that it would be a £75 billion investment in our defence. Are these Civil Servants being paid £1 billion each . No, that doesnt quite make sense. Thats diane abbott, master. Terrible maths. Thats really, really bad maths. Thats really, really bad maths. Ignore me. Thats diane abbott, maths. These are these abbott, maths. These are these Civil Servants being paid millions of pounds each is what i should say. Yeah. Well i mean potentially with all the, with all the pensions and all of that, basically what it boils down to is the 75 billion figure is an accounting trick because its, its pretending that the budget would have been flat anyway rather than matching 2 of gdp. The difference is about £20 billion. But even so, 72,000 Civil Servants does not cost £20 billion. £20 billion was the entire, contribute mission to the eu budget. But its not even that. Its if there are 72,000 Civil Servant jobs that could be cut to fund this defence spending pledge, why havent they already been cut to save us all money . Well, the extraordinary thing is the Civil Servants has been growing significantly by hundreds of thousands. So actually a cut of 72,000 might not even make up for the increase that weve seen. Let us know what you think about this, defence spending pledge and whether cutting 72,000 Civil Service jobs is the right move, will it fund it . But is it the right move . Anyway . Let us know. Gbnews. Com yoursay, should we get your headlines . Should we get your headlines . Good afternoon. Its 2 02. Im sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom. First to some breaking newsroom. First to some breaking news. Three men have been arrested following the deaths of five migrants, including a young girl in the English Channel. Yesterday. The National Crime agency says they arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and entering the uk illegally. Those detained include two sudanese men aged 22 and 19, and a 22 year old. South Sudan National. It comes as figures from the home office show more than 400 migrants crossed the channel yesterday. Crossed the channel yesterday. Now to that developing story coming out of southwest wales, three people have been injured in a reported stabbing at a secondary school. Police say one person has been arrested after the incident at Amman Valley School. Its now in lockdown amid reports that a teacher is one of those whos been injured. Parents are reporting a Large Police Presence in the area, with two helicopters at the scene. We will bring you more scene. We will bring you more information as we get it. Now to other news. The deputy Prime Minister took aim at labour for failing to back the governments increased spending on defence. Standing in for rishi sunak, whos in germany. Oliver dowden whos in germany. Oliver dowden began todays pmqs with a joke aimed at the labour deputys tax affairs, suggesting she might claim the house of commons as her main residence. On the matter of defence, however, mr dowden said labour had been silent on whether it backs investment in the armed forces investment in the armed forces in an increasingly dangerous world. The Prime Minister was able to announce his plan for the biggest strength of defence spending in a generation , but it spending in a generation, but it should come as no surprise that the Party Opposite refused to say whether they back it or not, because this comes from the right honourable lady who voted to scrap trident and install in downing street someone who wanted to change the army into a peace corps. There you have it. Peace corps. There you have it. Angela rayner hit back, though, saying that mr dowden had been obsessing over her living arrangements while the government quietly cuts funds for the army. The difference is, is that we havent cut the army to its smallest size since napoleon. Smallest size since napoleon. And, mr speaker , i read with and, mr speaker, i read with interest that the right honourable gentleman has been urging his neighbour in number 10 to call an election because hes worried they might get wiped out. Has he finally realised that when he stabbed bofis realised that when he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back to get his main into number 10, he was ditching their biggest election winner for a pint size loser. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says britain will continue offering what he called unwavering support for ukraine as he appeared next to his german counterpart in berlin this afternoon. We meet as a war rages on our continent and new threats are rising around the world. And olaf, i want to congratulate you on your leadership in recognising the zeit and vendor and you taking the historic decision to increase germanys defence spending. And we stand here today together as the leading defence spenders in europe, unshakeable nato allies and the two Largest Military supporters of ukraine in europe. And together we will continue to provide unwavering support for our ukrainian friends. As you said, for as long as it takes. Said, for as long as it takes. Meanwhile, in the us , the meanwhile, in the us, the senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a long awaited aid package for ukraine, israel and taiwan. Its expected to be quickly signed by president biden, ending months of uncertainty over whether the United States would continue supporting kyiv. It comes after the bill passed the house of representatives on saturday in a show of bipartisan support. Despite considerable resistance among some republicans. Ukraines president zelenskyy says it reinforces the us as a beacon of democracy. The us as a beacon of democracy. The former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party , sir jeffrey unionist party, sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has been released on bail. Northern irelands longest serving mp was suspended from the dup following his arrest last month for whats been described as historical sex charges, including one count of rape. His wife has also been charged with aiding and abetting in relation to the same investigation. In his resignation letter, he said he would be strenuously contesting the allegations and several military horses on the loose in Central London this morning have now been contained. Video posted to social media appeared to show one of the animals covered in blood. At least four people were injured as the animals galloped their way through the busy city streets. Westminster police says theyll now be transported for care. And for the latest story, care. And for the latest story, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen or go to gbnews. Com alerts. Now its back to tom and. To tom and. Emily. Good afternoon britain. Its 2 08 now. A person has been arrested after three people were injured at a Major Incident at a school in south wales. School in south wales. Yes, Amman Valley School went into lockdown as Emergency Services arrived at the scene following the reported stabbing. Well, joining us for more is home. Home and security editor for gb news, marc white. Marc, what do we know . Well, clearly a very worrying incident for parents. Dozens of parents turned up at this school outside wondering exactly what was happening and not being told an awful lot by the police. Pupils and staff were in lockdown in the school for quite some considerable time, and were still in lockdown until at least about half an hour ago. We dont know the current situation, but given that duffett powys police have now confirmed that they have now confirmed that they have arrested one person that theyre not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. I would else in connection with this incident. I would imagine else in connection with this incident. I would imagine that incident. I would imagine that if it has not already been lifted, then that lockdown will be lifting very soon indeed. But be lifting very soon indeed. But clearly, as i say, some concern and understandably from parents here given reports that three people have been injured. There are reports that a teacher may have been among those injured. We dont know at this stage the seriousness of the injuries sustained. But we do know that two air ambulances were sent to the scene, along with another a number of other paramedic vehicles to deal with those who were caught up in this incident. As i say, not a lot more detail in the form of what exactly it was. Depher powys police have put out a statement. They said one person has been arrested and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. They go on to say Emergency Services remain at the scene and the school has been closed while investigations continue. Were working closely with the school and carmarthenshire county council. Carmarthenshire county council. We are aware that there is footage, they said of the incident currently circulating on social media. They say we would ask that this is removed to avoid contempt of court because of course youve now got one person who is in custody, and clearly that, video is quite disturbing for those who might know, the people caught up in this incident as well. But, a serious incident, this incident as well. But, a serious incident , without this incident as well. But, a serious incident, without doubt, that unfolded at this school in amman valley , in west wales, we amman valley, in west wales, we believe that the school is in the process of that lockdown being lifted, although understandably, the school has closed as Police Investigate what happened. Thanks , mark, and if you thanks, mark, and if you dont mind, can we turn your attention to the English Channel because youve got some breaking news to bring us as well on three arrests . Yes. This three arrests . Yes. This has come from the National Crime agency who have confirmed that three men, all in their 20s, two from, two that are sudanese nationals , another are sudanese nationals, another from south sudan who have been arrested in connection, were told, with the deaths of those five migrants in this incident in the English Channel, just off the french coast north of boulogne yesterday morning. Now, boulogne yesterday morning. Now, these men were arrested, some last night. Another who was arrested this morning. And arrested this morning. And theyve been arrested on charges of facility being illegal entry to the uk and also of illegally entering the uk themselves. But entering the uk themselves. But were told by the National Crime agency that the arrests are specifically connected to that tragedy in the English Channel. Early yesterday morning. And it early yesterday morning. And it comes with the confirmation, of course, also from the home office, that 402 people crossed the English Channel yesterday in seven small boats, including 58 people who were caught up in this tragedy. Youre looking at this tragedy. Youre looking at exclusive images that gb news has obtained in the middle of the English Channel, showing that boat after the tragedy in which a number of people fell off the boat and into the sea, being escorted by this french patrol boat, because those on board had refused to come off and onto that patrol boat and be returned to france, they were determined, it seems , to make it determined, it seems, to make it to the uk. And indeed they did do that , and were picked up by do that, and were picked up by the dover lifeboat as is routine, as is highly controversial, of course , and controversial, of course, and taken to dover harbour, to the border force processing centre. We also saw as these people arrived in dover harbour yesterday , police were waiting yesterday, police were waiting on the quayside and they stopped photographing and questioned and searched all of those coming off that vessel. And of course we now know three subsequent arrests in connection with this tragedy, really concerning stuff there. Well, mark white, thank you for updating us on both those , for updating us on both those, new, home affairs stories. Really, really appreciate it. I really, really appreciate it. I should say that the home secretary has released a statement in the last minute or so, saying that he is being informed about the events in wales , with his thoughts with wales, with his thoughts with the school and all those involved, saying its important theyre giving space to carry out their investigations. Thats the police and Emergency Services. Yes, there must be and must be a number of very worried, concerned parents at that school, of course. But should we move on and get a little bit more on rishi sunaks visit to berlin, where hes been announcing more Security Cooperation with germany, this follows yesterdays announcement on a huge increase in uk defence spending. Well, the Prime Minister said the uk and germany would provide unwavering support for ukraine and urged other European Countries to stand against russian aggression. Joining us russian aggression. Joining us is Political Editor Christopher Hope. Christopher, we dont often see rishi sunak striding the international scene. How did you think he did . You think he did . I think hes done quite well. Viewed from westminster , my viewed from westminster, my colleague Katherine Forster is out with him in berlin and warsaw yesterday, the last time the pm went on a visit like this was to egypt to the cop climate summit. Hes was to egypt to the cop climate summit. Hes outsourced was to egypt to the cop climate summit. Hes outsourced lots of summit. Hes outsourced lots of the of the fun part of his job, which is frankly often travelling the world and doing the pr for this country. To former Prime Minister david cameron, who of course, has made the ground running with an energetic charged around the world trying to ensure that theres money raised for ukraine and the like. But i think the pm has done quite well. I think this announcement he made, yesterday in warsaw again and talking about it again in with, olaf scholz, the german chancellor about defence spending has hit the mark, certainly with tory mps ive spoken to. Hes facing problems next week already. If the local elections go, dont go so well, according to the polls , that according to the polls, that might be the case. And then youve got the Mayoral Elections. Two in some big cities results out next weekend. They feel theyve got a tory pm whos doing right by them. And labour havent really got an answer. He has been challenged though, as you say in berlin just now in the press conference he was asked, can you keep cutting taxes as well as spend more on defence . And heres what he had to say. It is the biggest strengthening of our National Defence in a generation when it is fully funded, and it is based on the fact that we have a Strong Economy and an economic plan that is working. And you can see that when i came into this office and inflation was at 11, its now 3 and Falling Energy bills coming down, Interest Rates to follow, growth returning. And its because our economic plan is working that im able to make these announcement. And they are announcement. And they are entirely consistent with our ability to keep cutting peoples taxes. They have a pm talking about cutting taxes. We are expecting cutting taxes. We are expecting probably an autumn statement when taxes should be cut, i imagine, in september, ahead of the probable november general election. What were seeing today, tom and emily, is opening up a major election dividing line. The labour party will not commit to spending 2. 5 of gdp on defence. Theyre saying wait for us to be elected, wait for a Spending Review. The tory party Spending Review. The tory party is going to go into the election with a with a cast iron as they would see it spending commitment, funded by Cutting Civil Service posts in house of commons in the past hour, its been debated by grant shapps and his opposite number, john healey. And grant shapps said at one point today in this debate that 11 members of the of the front bench of labour party voted against keeping trident. So i think you can see a clear attack line opening up here with the tory party. Vote tory and make the country more safe. Well, there you go. Thanks christopher. Christopher hope, our Political Editor there, live in westminster for tom. So you dont think hell be too bothered about the pint sized loser comment . No, but he might be. No, but he might be. Oh, so graceful. Oh, so graceful. Angela rayner might be bothered about something else. And i think weve got a picture of this. What, the flag layout at the conference. Lets see if we can get this up. Because the, former, chief brexit negotiator, lord frost has been commenting on the idea that there was an eu flag behind rishi sunak at that press conference. Shocker, a shock horror. Shocker, a shock horror. But normally you dont see this when rishi sunak is on stage with emmanuel macron. Its the uk flag alone. And yes, of course the french flag is next to the eu. But hes in berlin. But hes in berlin. I mean, theyre going to try and plonk the eu flag in there. Arent they. But but, but but as lord frost says here, poor staff work from the number 10 team. Would it be unsymmetrical wouldnt it . Or asymmetrical. Well, it often is when, when germany is on. So you think you could have the union jack, the german flag there, the eu there and then. So it would be on balance , so it would be on balance, wouldnt it. And balanced. There are lots of pictures of imbalance and unbalanced with rishi sunak, as i say, talking to other european leaders , to other european leaders, others where they dont put the eu flag next to the. Im not sure this is rishi sunaks biggest pr blunder, but itake sunaks biggest pr blunder, but i take your point. I take your point. Why is the eu flag there . It probably shouldnt be there , it probably shouldnt be there, although remember when we were watching lee anderson when he defected to reform and he had a flag right in front of his face . So that wasnt an eu flag . No, that was a british flag. No, that was a british flag. That was our flag. That was our flag. Perhaps a larger pr blunder, but its always flags, isnt it . It is always, always flags. Its always flags. Flags. Frogs and englishmen. Flags. Frogs and englishmen. Flags. Frogs and englishmen. Yeah. The nhs with its 40 gender flags, you know. Well, there you go, next well be getting an update after the former dup leader, Jeffrey Donaldson appeared in court accused of a number of historical sex offence charges. Youre watching. Good afternoon, britain on. Gb news. Good afternoon. Britain. Its 2 22. Now. The former dup leader, sir Jeffrey Donaldson, arrived at Newry Magistrates Court this morning. Accused of a number of historical sex offence charges, including one count of rape. Yes. He has now been released on continuing bail after a rather brief court appearance. Joining us now for the latest is our Northern Ireland reporter, Dougie Beattie, dougie would cut a little bit short earlier. Can you please tell us exactly what hes been accused of and his wife to. Well, good afternoon, tom and emily. And yes, i have been a member of the media for decades in Northern Ireland, and today was one of the biggest news days ihave was one of the biggest news days i have seen in a long, long way. That gives you an idea of the scale of this political , leader scale of this political, leader and the scale of the arrest and what shockwaves that have had through Northern Ireland. When sir jeffrey arrived here earlier on, he and his co accused , lady on, he and his co accused, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, arrived separately. They both had to run the gauntlet of the media as they went through and as they appeared in the dock together, they were flanked by two officers together. There is 15 charges, 11 of those on sir jeffrey , one of rape, one of jeffrey, one of rape, one of gross indecency and nine of sexual abuse. Eleanor donaldson faces four separate charges of aiding and abetting. And this all happened over a 21 year penod. All happened over a 21 year period. From 1985 to 2006. Now period. From 1985 to 2006. Now they were both released on bail and the court will meet again on the 22nd of may. But as they left the court and it was all over within about 5 or 10 minutes. But as they left the court, security was getting really quite edgy about what was going on because crowds of people had got in amongst the media and were shouting abuse and pushing and shoving surrounded the car at one stage and it was really the two of them were quite frightened and quite shaken by what had happened. So quite shaken by what had happened. So the trial will go on on the 22nd of may. I need to say at that point that is only to hear more evidence. Sir jeffrey and his wife will not be asked to appear at that trial , asked to appear at that trial, dougie, are there any conditions on their bail . Yes. Well, the condition was at the start, of course, when he was released or when he was arrested in the 24th of march, was that he and his wife had to leave our lives separately. And of course , sir jeffrey went to of course, sir jeffrey went to london to live. We do believe now that that that that has, been , rescinded and that he can been, rescinded and that he can now live in Northern Ireland along with his wife. But there is still conditions that they cannot contact any of those that are accused or any of the potential victims in this case, really concerning stuff. Dougie beattie. Thank you for being across it for us here on gb news. Yes , incredible story for yes, incredible story for Northern Ireland, well bring you the latest , when we get it. You the latest, when we get it. But lets move on to something a little bit different, one of britains big four accountancy firms is now hiring former prisoners. Thats in an attempt prisoners. Thats in an attempt to cut reoffending rates. Yes. To cut reoffending rates. Yes. Kpmg is one of the first businesses to take on ex offenders under a new scheme led by the ministry of justice. Led by the ministry of justice. Yes, the new hires have been joined in a range of positions and describe it as a lifeline. Well, joining us now is a former prisoner and founder of uservoice, mark johnson, mark, thank you very much for joining us. Why do you suspect kpmg is doing this . Doing this . Well, i think i think its the very easy thing to do in the whole grand scheme. I think therell be, all sorts of, government contracts available , government contracts available, for people who who have seen to hire , prisoners and stuff. But hire, prisoners and stuff. But heres the thing. Yesterday there was a really damning report from the ex, inspector of, prison. And, actually successive ex members, damning the prison conditions and stuff. And i think this is like a bit of a smokescreen, really, a bit of a smokescreen, really, a bit of a veneer. We know that 30 of all of first time, prisoners , wont first time, prisoners, wont reoffend on release. And the all of these schemes are targeted for this group of people. When weve got a group, i call them the subterranean group that exists within prison , you that exists within prison, you know, drug addicted, mentally ill. Repeat , offenders. Repeat, offenders. Repeat, offenders. And worst is the increase in sentences. I mean, sentences of ten years or more have tripled over the last ten years. So theres just a Massive Group of people that were not talking about. So this is like a bit of a its a bit of a smokescreen, really. I mean, the other thing is kpmg, the accountancy company, there are other companies that that offer employment, but all are not were not tackling the causes and the reasons that people are in prison. Mark, why was it if you if you dont mind talking a bit about your own personal story , about your own personal story, why was it that you were able to be reformed, that in a sense prison worked for you, but for so many people it hasnt . No. No, prison. Prison didnt work for me. Prison could have worked for me. Right. So thats a theres me. Right. So thats a theres a huge difference , when youve got huge difference, when youve got people who are a risk to society themselves and society, their children, their, you know, drug addicts , theyre just a menace, addicts, theyre just a menace, you know, to society and stuff. You know, to society and stuff. There is a theres an element of pubuc there is a theres an element of public protection. So we get you get sentenced, you get incarcerated, remove from society. Its that opportunity that youve got to help people to change. And im talking my help isnt what you know. You probably think that it is of pandenng probably think that it is of pandering to my need. My the help that i would offer is, denial bashing because all these people are so deluded that their lifestyles are successful, etc, that theyre just in this , as i said, just in this, as i said, subterranean existence of going in prison. In prison. And nobody tackles the reasons that theyre there or theyre thinking, so prison could offer that opportunity , could offer that opportunity, but it doesnt. So my personal story was i got out of prison. I lived on the streets of westminster as a drug addict for such a long time that the drugs stopped working, and it was a Community Action team worker with lived experience, i. E. Somebody whod got clean themselves that knows how to talk and knows how to engage with me, that they got me into, residential, with me, that they got me into, residential , detox. Now, let me residential, detox. Now, let me tell you about that. 60 of prisoners who are addicted to heroin in this country today. This is the moj statistic. Over this is the moj statistic. Over all the 120 odd prisons , 60 all the 120 odd prisons, 60 dont even make it to a gp surgery or a prescribing services on release from prison today. 60. So theres one prison in the north where its 85. Theyre coming out of prison after spending , the dame carol after spending, the dame carol blacks review of just the governments put 300 million into Drug Treatment Services in prison. Prison. And it was that and it was that detox Treatment Service that detox Treatment Service that then put you back. Well, got you back onto the right path. The three residential Treatment Centres i went to, Westminster Council paid £20,000. Now, three. Those three have closed. Right. If you dont have closed. Right. If you dont have family or money like £9,000, average figure , you will £9,000, average figure, you will not get a detox off, opiate addiction in this country. Okay. And you will not. And so all of this stuff around employment is like, if weve got an epidemic of very mentally ill, deluded group of people with very severe and chronic, addiction issues, which , which not only they which, which not only they suffer with, but we suffer with as a society because of their criminogenic the factors to it, you know, stealing, etc. This is just like tinkering. And its what ive got to say is like 25 justice ministers and prison ministers over the last, 12 years. And all you get is this real veneer, this rhetoric of going, yes , its employment. It going, yes, its employment. It isnt. Its addressing the causes of crime. Absolutely. Im sure youre right, mark. Im sure youre absolutely right. And great to hear a little bit about your story too. Were going to have to leave it there. But good to speak to you. Im sure well speak to you. Im sure well speak again. Mark johnson, former prisoner and founder of user voice. I mean, £20,000 for treatment for one person. Expensive, isnt it . No. And especially when councils are having to cancel weekly bin collections, it sort of puts it into perspective, doesnt it. Yeah. Well were going to discuss the impact of lockdowns next on School Children. Are we getting a bit, a bit thicker as a nation . Are we getting more stupid . Stupid . Oh goodness me, i couldnt possibly comment, the were also going to be talking about the 20 mile per hour u turn in wales, thats all. After your news with sophia wenzler. Tom. Thank you. Its 232. Im sophia wenzler in the gb newsroom. Three men have been newsroom. Three men have been arrested following the deaths of five migrants, including a young girl in the English Channel yesterday. The National Crime agency says they were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and entering the uk illegally. Those detained include two sudanese men, aged 22 and 19, and a 22 year old south Sudan National. It comes as figures from the home office show that more than 400 migrants crossed the channel yesterday. Crossed the channel yesterday. More on that developing story coming out of southwest wales. Three people have been injured in a reported stabbing at a secondary school. Police say one person has been arrested after the incident at Amman Valley School. Its now in lockdown amid reports that a teacher is one of those whos been injured. The home secretary is aware and says his thoughts are with the school and all those involved and to other news, the deputy Prime Minister took aim at labour for failing to back the governments increased spending on defence. Standing in for rishi sunak, whos in germany , rishi sunak, whos in germany, Oliver Dowden said labour had been silent on whether it backs investment in the armed forces. Angela rayner hit back, though, saying that mr dowden had been obsessing over her living arrangements while the government quietly cuts funds for the army. The difference is, is that we havent cut the army to its smallest size since napoleon and mr speaker , i read with interest mr speaker, i read with interest that the right honourable gentleman has been urging his neighbour in number 10 to call an election because hes worried they might get wiped out. Has he finally realised that when he stabbed Boris Johnson in the back to get his main into number 10, he was ditching their biggest election winner for a pint size loser. And for the latest story , and for the latest story, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen, or go to gb news. Com alerts. Well, its 237. Youre watching and listening to good afternoon, britain. Now, afternoon, britain. Now, researchers have warned that the damaging legacy of the pandemic will mean poorer gcse results. Well into the 2030s. Yeah, this is academics at the universities of exeter, strathclyde and the London School of economics predicting that fewer than 2 in 5 pupils in england will achieve a grade five or above in english and maths gcses now , for those of us maths gcses now, for those of us that have literally no clue what that have literally no clue what that means, thats roughly equivalent to a grade c, yes, and before that, the old o levels, which apparently were much harder, much tougher , much tougher. Let us know if you did the a levels, were they more difficult than the gcses . But yes, the question is, are young people now are pupils as a result of the lockdown getting stupider , or are they less stupider, or are they less educated . Are they less equipped to deal with the exams and the like . It does seem like it. If this study is correct. Joining us to discuss this is the principal of lvs ascot, christine cunniffe. I mean, the very worrying. Thanks, very worrying. Thanks, christine, for joining us. Very worrying. Thanks, christine, forjoining us. Very, christine, for joining us. Very, very worrying that lots and lots of pupils wont be achieving bafic of pupils wont be achieving basic grades in their gcses. Basic grades in their gcses. Yeah, and i think this was an issue when we came out of covid when everyone was saying about the children who missed her exams, for example. But back then there was a lot of debate about that. It would take decades to recover from covid, not just a couple of years. And its not about our young people and im really conscious about using the word like stupid and things like that, because its not the case. These kids have been through quite a lot. Been through quite a lot. Attitudes to education have changed. Theres a lot about our Education System that needs to be changed. For example, were still teaching a very antiquated curriculum in exam halls with exams that are not fit for purpose. And remember that 700,000 children during covid could not access their education because of they couldnt access onune because of they couldnt access online education. So how is it the case that something that is now sort of mercy , mercifully, so far back mercy, mercifully, so far back in the past two years ago, plus was the last lockdown , how is it was the last lockdown, how is it having this sort of rippling effect . Well into the future . Well, the thing is, the children had two years of disrupted education, and so therefore youre not going to gain that back in a couple of years. And so the, the, you know, children in schools and schools have had to play catch up over this time and also get back into the rigours of education. Theres also more children not in school than ever before now. And over 100,000 actually been homeschooled. So, actually been homeschooled. So, you know, were in a predicament here where weve got to get children back in class. We need them in front of specialist teachers because we cant lose sight of the fact there is a recruitment crisis in this country. And many children are in maths and english classes, where those teachers in front of them are not specialists in their subjects. So its nothing to do with the children. Its not their fault children come first. Its about time. You know, government, whatever government that is, gives an education to our children that is fit for purpose for the future. Christine, a lot of people are quite angry , of course, with are quite angry, of course, with the government for allowing schools to be shut down. But we have to remember that nearly all of the teaching unions , and of the teaching unions, and possibly all of the teaching unions were very keen to keep the lockdown ons on the schools for a long, long, long time. And for a long, long, long time. And is it now the case that they may have done irreparable damage to childrens future life outcomes as a result . As a result . I think nobody knew what the best way to deal with covid is. Its all very well as looking back and saying we should have done this and we should have done this and we should have done that. Nobody knew what the best thing was to do back then, but we have to look forward and we have to look forward positively as well and identify what those challenges are and maybe spend less time thinking about what happened and how we put it right for the future so it doesnt happen again. Wise words. Well, christine cunliffe, thats all we have time for. But thank you so much for joining us. The principal of forjoining us. The principal of lvs ascot school there. Thank you very much. Well, actually, i think we need to find out what who was wrong. What went wrong. Exactly. So that we can prepare for the future. Yeah. Otherwise you dont learn any lessons, do you . Its all well and good having positive forward looking, which is fantastic. And i agree. But you also need to work out were the teaching unions wrong to ask the teaching unions wrong to ask the government to keep those lockdowns . I think it is actually remarkable how quickly sort of pandemic preparedness discussion has just sort of evaporated from our conversation. I mean, its likely well see another pandemic in our lifetimes , what pandemic in our lifetimes, what with the sort of the way people are mixing now, the way that globalisation is rearing forwards. We should be having these conversations. And if you miss those crucial years of education, youre unlikely. Youre unlikely to build up that knowledge in the future. Which is why i use the future. Which is why i use the rather rude terms stupid. Thats rather rude terms stupid. Thats not what i meant. I meant sort of less educated as a result of these lockdowns, if you lose your crucial education at one age, youre unlikely to be able to, you know, get it all back. Well, still to come, the possible u turn on the welsh 20 mile an hour speed limit across all urban areas. Well, that could cost taxpayers millions. Plus a touching story about a chelsea pensioner and how he celebrated his 102nd birthday. All to come on. Good afternoon, britain. See you shortly good afternoon. Britain. Its 2 45 now. The welsh blanket. 20 mile. An hour speed limit could be raised back to 30 miles an hourin be raised back to 30 miles an hour in september of this year. You couldnt make it up, could you . You couldnt make this up so they introduced this deeply unpopular policy and then almost an immediate u turn, perhaps. Well, the welsh transport secretary, ken skates, revealed that the u turn could cost up to £5 million, but the government was unable to confirm how many speed limits will actually change as the decision was up to local councils. Was up to local councils. Although the council is going to do it or not do it if its up to them. More confusion. This comes as half a Million People signed as half a Million People signed a petition to rescind the 20mph law. Now that is quite a big petition. Theres lots of these petition. Theres lots of these little signature petitions that go around, but they rarely get half a Million People. The population of wales is about 3 Million People. Yeah, thats 1 in 6 people in wales signed this one petition. Its extraordinary. Unless the english or the Northern Irish are getting involved. Oh well, the scottish isuppose involved. Oh well, the scottish i suppose you have to put your postcode in. Yeah, thats true actually. Well, shall we speak to quentin wilson, the motoring journalist, to join us with this discussion . Quentin, i think everyone can agree 20 mile an hour zones outside schools, for example. Very very sensible. But in every urban area in the country, i mean, surely that way is insanity. Is insanity. Well, it was a bit of a lump hammer approach, and its a lot like the ltns, the local traffic neighbourhoods where it was done kind of on an ideological basis. And there was no kind of data or clear Empirical Research done. And the thing with speed limits on roads is that we know because weve got these killed and serious injury stats, csis which roads are really dangerous and which roads need a reduced speed limit , and which roads need a reduced speed limit, and to put a blanket speed limit over over all roads. All roads. As we can see with this unprecedented level of objection from, from from the public is not the right way of doing it. Not the right way of doing it. So, i mean, this is ken skates should be applauded for doing this u turn. I mean, its embarrassing for, for the Welsh Government, but it needs to be done. And this needs to be proportionate. We need to look proportionate. We need to look at roads on an individual basis because weve seen the kind of, you know, the rejection of this and the big problem here is that if you get the public rejecting road Safety Initiatives to reduce casualties, then the biggest tragedy of all, mick, quentin, if its now up to local councils to decide thats going to take forever , isnt it . To take forever, isnt it . You can imagine the local Councils Meeting to discuss this. Youll have representatives from different groups. Theyll have to do consult sessions and the like. Thats going to be costly as well. Well. Well hopefully not. Well hopefully not. And that data that i talked about, they should access that they should look at it. They should have that on file and be able to say this road for various reasons. It could be Road Engineering because its dangerous. It could because its dangerous. It could be, as you said in your intro, because of vulnerable pedestrian schools, old peoples homes, hospitals, all that sort of thing. You can make these decisions pretty quickly and we would hope to restore Public Confidence in this that they do it much, much quicker than youre supposing , with lots of youre supposing, with lots of committees and lots of steering groups and all that nonsense, it needs to be done fast so the pubuc needs to be done fast so the public get confidence back in road Safety Initiatives . Road Safety Initiatives . Well, no, it does seem like its a welcome u turn if indeed its a welcome u turn if indeed it is a u turn. Not all not all confirmed yet, but quentin wilson, thank you very much for joining us and talking through that significant issue for wales. It reminds me of new zealand when they immediately u turned on their tobacco policy, on their generational ban, which we are deciding to implement, but, yes, you sort of make this big, big, key flagship policy and then immediately, oops, this isnt really working out how we thought it was going to anyway. Do that, in the uk with our generation. Yeah, maybe. But, generation. Yeah, maybe. But, lastly, the last surviving member of a special forces regiment during world war ii has fulfilled his dream to dine at the ritz hotel in london, celebrating his 102nd birthday. In style. Are some lovely news. Chelsea pensioner john morris volunteered for the pensionerjohn morris volunteered for the raiding support regiment and took part in the allied invasion of italy. Well gb news correspondent Cameron Walker went to meet him. War is not glamorous. Cameron walker went to meet him. War is not glamorous. We war is not glamorous. We thought it was actually when you were young. Were young. John morris is the last surviving member of his sas regiment from the second world war. Before joining the special forces, his Service Began in kent, shooting down german bombers targeting london. The only thing i shot down, actually was a chimney kitchen chimney, actually, by mistake, nobody had any breakfast that morning. I wasnt very popular. John was one of the last people to receive a 100th birthday card from Queen Elizabeth ii, and old birthday cards from the children from Christ Church school , Christ Church school, celebrating his 102nd birthday this week. Local School Children this week. Local School Children made him cards thanking him for his bravery. I think kids should know more about the sacrifice their forefathers made. Not me. Im no forefathers made. Not me. Im no hero, but they like they were. The r. A. F. Boys had died and people like that. They dont people like that. They dont realise that they dont know much about it. They dont even know who hitler was. Half of them. John, whos now a chelsea pensioner, kindly agreed to share his wartime memories. In 1943 he was sent to north africa with the Royal Artillery and past special forces selection on taking part in the allied invasion of italy , 75,000 invasion of italy, 75,000 british and colonial troops were killed in italy. The germans fought back very well. Well. Ultimately the allies were successful, but a much more powerful natural threat was not far away. Mount vesuvius, famous for destroying the roman town of pompeii in ad 79. Eruption ad i woke up in the morning. I heard this rumble, looked outside and this wall of lava coming down. So never go on a volcanic island where i am, because its very dangerous. Because its very dangerous. That year, allied forces landed on the beaches of normandy, known as d day. Landed on the beaches of normandy, known as d day. The normandy, known as d day. The operation led to the liberation of western europe and was one of the most famous and widely praised successes of the war. Far away in italy , john and his far away in italy, john and his comrades were branded with a less than flattering nickname , less than flattering nickname, turned into a popular wartime song. Already done three days we did the north african landing , did the north african landing, we did the battle of britain , we did the battle of britain, and we did the italian landing. We did the yugoslav savoia, albania, and they called us d day dodgers. Oh well, la de de dodgers out it early i john celebrated his 102nd in style. First, a party with the Chelsea Pensioners followed by a champagne lunch organised by friend and irish guards ambassador frederick crum. The reds always had a wonderful relationship with the Chelsea Pensioners. We celebrate in style and hes never been to the ritz, so that will be worthy of the 102nd birthday, right, john . Thats right. Right. Cameron walker gb news heartwarming story there. Id love to live to 102. Oh yeah. No, it would be. Well, id like id love to live to 102 if i was living life as full as we could see on the screen there, i think, i think theres a, theres a question mark as to whether i would if i wasnt sort of if you were unwell and not living your life to dine out at the ritz. Im not sure not sure id like 102nd birthday. Well, there you go. Theres a golf for you. A life goal 102. Dining out at the ritz. We should all aim for that, guess. Well, thats it from us today. But dont worry, because of course, up next is the one and only Martin Daubney, who joins us now. Martin, whats joins us now. Martin, whats coming up on your program . Coming up on your program . Well, its whatever john morris is drinking at 102 to look that young. Id like a pint of it on my show today, yes. Last night we saw the police on horseback steaming into a Saint Georges day rally. And then they closed every pub in westminster. They closed every pub in westminster. I know they closed every pub in westminster. I know i was there, westminster. I know i was there, there was no trouble. What are there was no trouble. What are the police playing at . Ill be joined by a barrister who thinks now this is turning into a war on the white working classes. As we build up to yet another pro palestine march today at parliament, you can bet your nellie they wont get the same treatment. Plus, 55 people came treatment. Plus, 55 people came to britain yesterday on a dinghy fit for 20 and five die. Were paying fit for 20 and five die. Were paying half £1 billion to the french every year to protect our coast. They simply arent doing it. Is it time to stop the money . Plus our muslim gangs taking over british jails and, environmental activists say we dont need coal or gas anymore. I think theyre deluded. And ill be joined by an expert to tell you why thats all caught up on my show three till 6 pm. But first, its time for your latest weather forecast. Latest weather forecast. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hi there and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news. The odd shower towards the south today, but otherwise its fine with sunny spells, especially for much of scotland and Northern Ireland where weve got an area of High Pressure towards the north west of the uk. However, weve still got this northerly breeze bringing Cool Conditions countrywide and its going to feel especially cool on the nonh feel especially cool on the north sea coast. Any showers in the south will disappear into the south will disappear into the evening, but therell be further showers into the north and east of scotland, northeast england and 1 or 2 developing across wales and western england. Now where we avoid the showers, where we get some clear spells , temperatures will fall spells, temperatures will fall away at such a frost first thing on thursday. A chilly start, on thursday. A chilly start, especially for parts of scotland, Northern Ireland, central england. However, despite the chill , plenty of despite the chill, plenty of sunshine first thing and we keep the largely fine and sunny weather for western scotland , weather for western scotland, northwest england, for example. Elsewhere, a bit more cloud compared with today and a few more showers developing, particularly for parts of england and wales, eastern scotland. Still, that cool breeze for the north sea coast. 8 or 9 celsius at best for some nonh 8 or 9 celsius at best for some north sea areas, but otherwise , north sea areas, but otherwise, as elsewhere into the double figures. Now friday starts off frosty, a chilly start in the east of england in particular, but otherwise a few showers and some sunny spells expected. More unsettled weather arrives from the south through the weekend. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers , sponsors of boxt boilers, sponsors of weather on gb news. Way. Way. Way. A very good afternoon to you. Its 3 pm. Or welcome to the Martin Daubney show on gb news. And were broadcasting live from the heart of westminster. All across the uk. On todays show, well get an update on that breaking story in south wales, a school is in lockdown following reports of a school stabbing. Three people have been injured and one has been arrested. Well have all the all the latest. Elsewhere, three people have been arrested after five migrants died in the latest channel tragedy yesterday. And now its emerged that French Police stood by and simply allowed a dinghy crammed with a record 112 people to set sail for england and then the navy gave it an escort. The big question today is, is it time to pull the plug on the hundreds of millions of pounds we pay the french every year . Next up, french every year . Next up, after weeks of the metropolitan police being accused of soft soaping pro palestine protests yesterday , riot police and yesterday, riot police and mounted cops steamed into a Saint Georges day parade