Transcripts For GBN GB 20240703

With sam. Very good afternoon to you. Im sam francis. Very good afternoon to you. Im sam francis. The headlines im sam francis. The headlines at 12 00 to israel first, where Israeli Forces say they believe 100 hostages are still alive in gaza after recovering the bodies of three israelis whod been captured by hamas. Israeli forces say theyve been battling hamas fighters in northern gaza overnight in some of the fiercest engagement since returning to the area a week ago in the south of the territory, militants have also been attacking tanks around rafah. Attacking tanks around rafah. Meanwhile, here in the uk, thousands are expected to to take the streets in the capital this lunchtime to protest about the war with hamas. Demonstrators from stop the war and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are calling for an end to the conflict and a ban on arms sales from the uk to israel. A conservative mp has accused his local Water Company of being incompetent after supplies were contaminated by parasites. Anthony mangel says southwest waters response in south devon has put a lot of Peoples Health at risk. The number of confirmed cases of cryptosporidium in the brixham area have more than doubled, to now 46 cases, southwest water says the parasites were found in a water tank which is now being cleaned. Tank which is now being cleaned. Meanwhile, more than 30 demonstrate scenes are taking place at local beaches and rivers across the uk today in protest against poor Water Quality. Campaign group surfers against sewage are paddling out from beaches including brighton, falmouth, scarborough and in edinburgh, demanding more Government Action to stop sewage pollution. Water companies, though, say they are spending more than £14 billion this year to fix the problem in england and wales. Two albanian nationals who used a plane to smuggle migrants from northern france to essex have been jailed. Morteza hilal and kreshnik cadena, part of a major Crime Network, arranged at least nine migrant trips in 2016 and 2017. The National Crime agencys eight year long investigation revealed the two men had provided counterfeit documents and safe transport, charging £10,000 per migrant. Theyve £10,000 per migrant. Theyve received combined sentences of five years and two months at Southwark Crown court. Weve Southwark Crown court. Weve heard today that a former church of england priest has been charged with child sex offences dating back to the late 1990s. Eight year old wilfred whitaker , eight year old wilfred whitaker, who changed his name from Colin Prichard after he was convicted of a separate offence in 2008, has been charged with rape and gross indecency with a boy aged under 14. Now a man in his 30s, he was serving at church in east sussex at the time. Hell appear in court on the 10th of june. Almost 80 people over the. Yeah, almost 80 people over the age of 65 are dying each day in england while still waiting to receive social care, new figures suggest. Charities and campaigners are calling on politicians to address the problem , accusing the government problem, accusing the government of a lack of investment. However, the department for health and social care says up to £86 billion has been made available in additional funding over two years. The leader of the liberal democrats has claimed that the Scottish Government has neglected Mental Health services there. Ed davey, Health Services there. Ed davey, whos in scotland to address his partys conference, is calling for a tax paid by social Media Companies to be trebled to help fund services. He says that it would raise an additional £9. 5 billion for the uk over the next five years, of which 770 million would be allocated to scotland. And finally, some weather news. And finally, some weather news. A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the met office for parts of wales and southwest england. Slow moving heavy showers and lightning strikes could hit between 1 00 this afternoon and 8 00 tonight, potentially triggering some flooding, with some areas seeing up to 4 or 5cm of rain. Thats the latest from of rain. Thats the latest from the newsroom for now. Another update in the next half hour. Until then, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen, or go to gbnews. Com slash alerts. Gbnews. Com slash alerts. Thanks very much, sam. Now thanks very much, sam. Now labour are looking to introduce rent controls on private landlords. If they win power at the next election, but also insist that it wouldnt be a National Policy. The shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves , is chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is known to be a fan of the idea. It would allow councils to prevent landlords raising rents above a set amount every year, but trials in scotland found it reduced the supply of housing and actually forced up the rents. Well, joining me now is gb news Political Correspondent, olivia utley. Olivia i know for a fact therell be certain people in westminster who are pulling out their hair saying, its the supply you need to fix. I think youre absolutely right there , darren. Its not right there, darren. Its not 100 clear to what extent this is a sort of official labour policy. The labour party have categorically denied that it would be a National Policy across the country. It seems to across the country. It seems to be something that Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, is a fan of, in theory. And whats happenedis of, in theory. And whats happened is she has not ruled out allowing councils to introduce rent caps if they want to up and down the country. But of course , you know, even if of course, you know, even if its not National Labour policy at the moment, if it is a kind of pet project of the shadow chancellors , we can obviously chancellors, we can obviously see a world in which it is actually implemented and what would happen if it was. Well, in scotland, it has really backfired in in london, which is where rent has been rising, the highest in england over the past two years. Rents risen by 8. 4. In scotland, that figure is 10. 6, and in edinburgh and glasgow its even higher. Why is that . Well, it feels a bit counterintuitive, but what happens is when rent controls are put in, landlords simply leave the market. Its not worth it for lots of landlords anymore. So they back out. That means that houses go on the market, flood the market. You would hope that what would happenin would hope that what would happen in that situation is that houses flood the market. House pnces houses flood the market. House prices therefore go down and people who were renting are then able to buy in practice, that doesnt really happen because those people just dont have the deposits that they need to be able to afford to buy the house. So instead what happens is you have a smaller supply of houses up for rent, and just as many people renting , which up for rent, and just as many people renting, which means up for rent, and just as many people renting , which means that people renting, which means that in areas where a price cap hasnt been imposed , rent hasnt been imposed, rent actually goes up rather than down, which is exactly what weve seen happen in scotland. Its not clear if Rachel Reeves would implement a policy in a similar way. She might have completely different ideas of how she would go about it and of course, there are lots of young people who would be very in favour of this policy. We know that rental prices in london, in the south east and in big cities up and down the country are becoming completely crippling. Becoming completely crippling. So the question is whether this would actually do more harm than good. Yes, absolutely. That and thats the key question because i mean, case studies from ireland , you know, case studies ireland, you know, case studies from germany, you can go around the world and actually places where this policy has been implemented. It leads to what implemented. It leads to what youve just said. The marginal landlord who isnt this, you know, caricature of a fat cat landlord whos making vast sums of cash, actually leave the market because its just not worth them being in it anymore. And then that makes life a lot harder for the young people who are trying to get somewhere to rent. And weve also heard stories coming out of scotland. So these are sort of anecdotal stories, but they have built up of actually what happens is, as you say, the marginal landlord, someone who has, you know, worked hard their whole lives, owned their own home and have managed to scrape together the money to buy a second home, which they want to use towards their pension. Those landlords tend to be better landlords tend to be better landlords than the kind of big, Big Companies or, you know, the fat cats. You might call them, who own sort of hundreds of properties up and down the country and dont look after their tenants properly. The kind of smaller , poorer landlords, if of smaller, poorer landlords, if you like, can end up being can end up sort of having more time for their tenants. And doing a better job by them. So you have betterjob by them. So you have both a problem with the quantity of landlords, the quantity of homes up for rent, and also with the quality of those landlords. That can often be the issue , that can often be the issue, which, as you say, has been trialled quite a lot across the world in recent years. And that does tend to be the issue. Yeah. All right. Olivia utley, thank you very much for that expert analysis there. Thats our Political Correspondent olivia utley. For more analysis and opinion on that story and more, you can go to our website gbnews. Com. Now jeremy hunt has actually warned that labours School Spending plans will seriously hit taxpayers in the pocket. The taxpayers in the pocket. The chancellor says treasury analysis found labours private school vat raid could cost the taxpayer up to £650 million, but starmer has defended his promise to end private schools exemption from 20 vat by saying it would raise 1. 6 billion a year. But whos right there , hunt or whos right there, hunt or starmer . Well, joining me now is political commentator and playwright emma burnell and the broadcaster and Journalist Clare muldoon. Ill start with you, emma, because i imagine youre going to be in the red corner. And i assume youre of the view that actually this would be a net benefit to the taxpayer. It is of net benefit to the taxpayer. And if it is of net benefit to the taxpayer. And if labour are saying theyre going to put vat on something, then it is a reasonable thing for the tories to say that labour will raise a tax. But the problem to say that labour will raise a tax. But the problem is that to say that labour will raise a tax. But the problem is that tax tax. But the problem is that tax is when you hear labour will raise taxes. We think that appues raise taxes. We think that applies to all of us. Its actually not a tax that applies to more than the 7 of households that send a child to private school. So its actually a very small percent of the people who will end up paying a bit more tax. And those are the people who are, you know, some of them are more marginal than others, but they can afford to send their children to private school when a free option is available, so its this is i mean, anyone would think there was an election on and this is electioneering. The tories are going to say labour are going to raise your taxes, labour are going to say theyre going to raise some peoples taxes. So in their two they have the six, dont call them pledges this week, and two of them mentioned tax rises in very specific areas. One was the vat on private schools and one was a windfall tax on oil and gas giants to pay for gb energy. So, you know, there are obviously up front from labour things that you can call tax rises. So the tories can attack them on that. But what it isnt is a rise in income tax or the vat rate as a whole. So its not a tax rise whole. So its not a tax rise that the vast majority of us will feel. Im wondering if you actually agree on that, because if the way i look at it, the oil and gas thing as well will leave will lead to Energy Giants leaving the north sea, private schools are saying were going to have to hike our costs, which will exactly which will mean that parents go into the state sector. Thats an extra cost to sector. Thats an extra cost to the taxpayer. So where do you stand on that . Well, i dont think he should even be attacking private schools. I think thats an attack on class and social mobility. Ive got four kids. Everyone knows that, three girls went to state schools. My son went to state schools. My son went to state schools. My son went to a state school, but went to a private sixth form, on a scholarship. And the schools are are there because there is a definite need for that. And theres lots of overseas kids as well that go to these schools and their parents work abroad and their parents work abroad and send their children to private schools. And i think private schools. And i think private schools. And i think private schools. And i think private school is needed in certain cases. And i think the bulge theres a mooted point of 100,000 children will be squeezed out and that every child matters. It might you might think its a small number. It is a small number. Every child matters and every parents right to aspire to better schools, and instead of i mean, there was talk of starmer introducing a 2500 pound golden handshake for staff to move in to help with Mental Health for children instead of doing that, i would far rather he got this the schools that are failing children are failing. Families and pull them up, or put them in special measures and get them sorted, because its ridiculous that that School Attainment age, that that School Attainment age, that theyre not children are not reaching reading , writing, not reaching reading, writing, arithmetic. Theyre not meeting those key standards. I would far those key standards. I would far rather they, employed better, better teachers in better schools to actually take these schools to actually take these schools and make them better to help every single child, because education is a way out of poverty. And theres no other thing that helps people because poverty perpetuates it. Its education, education, education. I mean, claires absolutely right. It is education. Education for all. I dont disagree with claire that we need to vastly improve standards in the state sector, but you dont do that by taking kids out. And, you know , taking kids out. And, you know, if you youve just answered, i do not believe that people who go to private school are inherently cleverer than people who go to state school. I dont think i im way , way to the left think i im way, way to the left of the labour party. I would aboush of the labour party. I would abolish the whole thing. The labour party, youre never going to do that, but i do believe that if people are buying this advantage, asking them to pay vat is not an insane idea. Well, leslies written in, and leslie says its ridiculous. All it will do is flood state schools with more children and make classes even bigger. And classes are already saying we cant cope with the amount of children we actually have. The fabric of money goes into invest in those schools. It will bnngin invest in those schools. It will bring in 6500 new teachers that we need new schools. Emma. Emma. Emma. Well, they might build new schools. We dont know. I mean, we just dont know. I mean, you need the money to do it. You take the money from the sector. Youre not abolishing the whole thing. As i say i would, but you are asking them to pay a little bit back for the advantage theyre getting. Well, that is that fair enough. All youre saying to private schools is come on, like everybody else , were all in everybody else, were all in this together. Pay a little bit of a lot of private schools, offer a lot of bursaries, a lot offer a lot of bursaries, a lot of scholarships, and also offer their land to local state schools that are nearby. Dont generous of them, you peasants can come in and play football on our field this saturday and a lot of the state schools sold their land off in west london. They absolutely did, because they have absolutely had to fund under incredibly difficult circumstances. We have seen massive thats not cost. Thats not private schools. Thats not private schools. Thats not falling at the feet of private schools. Of private schools. As darren says, if were all in this together, so are the rich and they need to pay their way to the rich. That sends your child to a private school. You aint necessarily poor, though. Anecdotally, though, you your child in your case. Yeah, well, how did it change his life . Did it because he went to boarding school as well, which was even better for him because he was in a very dominant female house with three older sisters and me as a mum. As a mum. Well, so it let him go off and he got there on a rugby scholarship. It was a great school. He didnt leave with the best set of a levels because tom isnt that academic. But what it did, was it. It made him a much rounder, much more accomplished, charming young man, which he which he was. But the school just helped that along. And with your experience of that particular school, were they doing a lot of work in the community as well . Lords, lords of work in the community and it wasnt a very it wasnt, patronising. It it wasnt, patronising. It wasnt a mismanagement. It was just really good ethos, good morals and a good grounding for all of these children. That came from a lot of mixed abilities and a lot of mixed income houses. So dean sills how would you what would your argument be then to those who say, well, what youre doing here is levelling down by levelling the playing field, youre levelling down when actually we should be aiming for all schools to be of that standard. We absolutely should, what i would like to see ultimately is what happened until 2010, in terms of private health being far less utilised because the nhs got better and better and people didnt feel the need for it. Ultimately, if we invest properly , properly and this, all properly, properly and this, all sorts of things need to happen. Sorts of things need to happen. And i agree with claire on several of the things in terms of raising standards in state schools, if we do that , but then schools, if we do that, but then you dont need to send your child to private school because your state school, which should be a cathedral of education, is available to everybody, whatever the parental income. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, youre just removing choice. And i think in choice. And i think in a democracy, in a democracy, removing choice is youre removing choice is youre removing the choice still there, but you have to pay for it. Im saying you shouldnt have to pay for a good school. And the choice creates competition. And competition in education means higher standards. And then youve got schools competing with each other, which is surely a good thing. And a net benefit to the children. Is it not really not where i live because most of the people run my way. Couldnt even dream of sending a child to private school, so they want the choice between good local secondary schools that are free and they got in on scholarship, a rugby scholarship. Scholarship. So there are kids, there are some. Yeah, but and im really happy that your child is happy. I would never want to take that away from your child. I want to make sure that all children get the opportunity to be as happy as your son. As your 5011. As your son. Well , thats never going to well, thats never going to happen, because unfortunately, thats unambitious. No, its not unambitious because theyve got phones, theyve got social media, theyve got the internet. So the private school child , so the private school child, child deaths from suicide are on the rise. So its not where you the rise. So its not where you you its not where you send your child that makes your child mentally healthy. Its the parenting and those things that are and those people, the child surrounds themselves with. Were going completely off piste here. Actually, to be fair, i didnt want this into a debate about childs Mental Health. Clearly, there should be schools is a very High Standard available to all and again, thats mostly the faith schools. I would get rid of academy trusts, most of them. Im with you on that. I would stop the devolution of, of schools. I think the state has schools. I think the state has to take a larger chunk of responsibility in terms in terms of what they actually curriculum , behaviour, etc, etc. And i think that we cannot remove choice from parents who choose to send their children to private schools for whatever reason, whatever reason that may be, we are not there to police that and take that choice away. Its not taking a choice away. Its saying they have to pay away. Its saying they have to pay back some of the advantage they are buying. Thats all it is. All right folks, we will leave it there. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I enjoyed that enormously. That was emma burnell there. And Clare Muldoon now folks , its Clare Muldoon now folks, its the Great British giveaway and its your chance to win £20,000 cash in time for summer. What would you spend it on . A dream holiday . Get the garden done or perhaps treat the family well . You have to hurry as time is ticking on your chance to win and make it yours. Heres how. Its the biggest cash prize weve given away to date. An incredible £20,000 that you could use however you like. And could use however you like. And because its totally tax free, every single penny will be in your bank account to do whatever your bank account to do whatever you like. With £20,000 in tax free cash, really could be yours this summer. Hurry, youve got to be in it to win it for another chance to win £20,000 in tax free cash. Text win to 63232. Text cost £2 plus one Standard Network rate message or post your name and number two gbos, p0 post your name and number two gb05, po box 8690 derby rd one nine, jvt, uk only entrance must be 18 or over. Lines closed at 5 pm. On the 31st may. Full terms and Privacy Notice at gbnews. Com win. Please check the closing time if listening or watching on demand. Good luck i watching on demand. Good luck youre with me Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Lots more coming up on todays show. Russias invasion of ukraine started the deadliest war on european soil in more than 70 years. And as putins forces ramp up fighting in the northern kharkiv region, it looks to set get even worse. All of that and more to come. Youre with gb more to come. Youre with gb news, britains news channel. Were gb news, and we come from a proud tradition of british journalism. Thats why im so excited to be here. Its something so new. Its something so new. The first news channel to be launched in britain in over 30 years. Launched to represent the views of the british people. To go where other broadcasters refuse to go. How do you find out about the story in the first place . Launched with one aim to be the fearless champion of britain. Its an absolutely fantastic atmosphere here. This is gb news, the famous channel gb news britains news channel. Welcome back to gb news saturday with me, Darren Grimes on your tv, online and on digital radio. Now, lots of you have been sending in your thoughts. That debate has provoked lots of debate within gbnews. Com yoursay. Michael says parents who send their children to private school are also paying to private school are also paying tax to pay for state schools, essentially being double taxed. Andrew says my daughter is in a private school and out of a class of 22, two are leaving at the end of this term to go into state schools while they still can. Hes expecting a rush. Glenda says expecting a rush. Glenda says private schools do contribute by paying private schools do contribute by paying equal taxes, but not using state education. They pay twice that point. Keeps coming back time and again, mike says the families who are going to suffer are the ones that strive to be better. Labour ethos to be better. Labour ethos dictates that they continually level down. Parents paying for private education affect paying twice. Marianne. Surely the 6500 teachers starmer is promising would be taken up by the extra children that are going to move from private schools to state school, keep your thoughts coming in. As i say, lots of comments, lots of interaction there and someone suggesting pollyanna says darren, i bet you need a hearing aid. After that debate. It was rather lively , debate. It was rather lively, wasnt it . But thank you very much. Gbnews. Com yoursay is the address you need and were on socials too gbnews news now folks. Russias invasion of ukraine started the deadliest war on european soil in more than 70 years. And sadly, this summer it looks like itll get even worse. Russian forces have penetrated the border area north of ukraines second largest city of ukraines second largest city of kharkiv, and as britains forces ramp up, drone strikes across the north of the country. This comes as ukraines army , this comes as ukraines army, their chief, says that his country will face many tough battles ahead. Well, joining me battles ahead. Well, joining me now is the defence editor of the Evening Standard , robert fox. Evening standard, robert fox. Robert, thank you as ever for coming in to the studio. Just how much can ukraine withstand a bombardment of this kind . You know, drones that i assume are coming in collaboration with the likes of the iranians , for likes of the iranians, for example, there are its still very much a traditional sort of tank and Battle Ground at two. It strikes me that ukraine must surely. And it looks that way, be running out of road. Its running out of quite a few things. Yes. And the biggest problem is actually personnel, russia has, forces in depth, but theyre not infinite. And this is where theres a very subtle game at the moment. They have enough forces to push in theoretically , unexpectedly into theoretically, unexpectedly into kharkiv. They could see this. This is the amazing thing that the western allies supporting ukraine cannot not pretend surprise about this. They had an army group of 30,000 plus building up on the russian border inside russia, with about 12,000 or fewer, Ukrainian Forces in defence. And this is where i think that, you know, that a lot of the rhetoric , a that a lot of the rhetoric, a lot of the language really has to be called into question. The planning is not as coherent as it should be. There are very good weapons, but theyre not being used to the optimal effect. These great things that come from the west, there are no magic bullets. Sorry to use a very cheesy, cliche, about this. And i think it is a really testing time as you say, president zelenskyy has said a hot summers coming up, and were just at the beginning of that. Russia can do a lot. Its obviously planning to do a lot, but it cannot do everything. It cannot take. They said they cannot take. They said they cannot even take and hold the whole of kharkiv, for example. Yes. So i mean, will this be the summer in which actually something starts to happen . What something starts to happen . What i mean by that is something starts to happen in a negotiated settlement. I think that that, that for sure. And its the thing that zelenskyy himself has been rather poor at at the moment. And, Vladimir Putin appears to have had a tin ear about, but actually looks as if there is going to be some kind of muddled negotiation asian. But i go way back to vietnam in the end of the 60s, in the last century, in the 60s, in the last century, in the 70s, talks really got going in 68, and it was decided on the battlefield in the end in 75. Yes, seven years, lets hope. And this is europe. Were not in for that. But there is there are for that. But there is there are time constraints and there are time constraints and there are time constraints and there are time constraints for two reasons. And it all related to the americans. The americans the americans. The americans face a president ial election when things can change. And the americans are saying we cannot handle all three, conflicts or three, crises. Two of which are in conflict. One could go into conflict within the next 2 or 3 years, namely china, taiwan, come on europe, step up to it. And i think that thats the real test. What one hopes is that there is curiously , to turn there is curiously, to turn churchills great cliche on its head. Theres i would welcome less jaw jaw and to consider the realities of war, war and in between there has got to be serious practical thinking sticking my finger in it. I think there has been a deficiency , and im being polite deficiency, and im being polite about this in the way that the allies have worked. Theyve said various things. The ukrainians have not been good, by the way. Theyve not been transparent about what they were planning, what they would like to do, what they can do. And thats why the they can do. And thats why the offensive of last summer was a disaster. And its a disaster to the extent they cant plan one for this. All right. Thats, thats expertly put. I thank you very much for that contribution there. And well have to get you back on when everything starts to kick off this summer. Its going to be horrendous scenes, i imagine, robert, but robert foxier from the Evening Standard, defence editor of the Evening Standard, thank you very much. Now youre with me, Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Lots more coming up on todays show. First of all though, were going to get the news with sam. Darren, thanks very much. Darren, thanks very much. Good afternoon to you. Its 1232. Exactly. A recap of the headunes 1232. Exactly. A recap of the headlines this afternoon. Israels Prime Minister is promising to return all hostages, living or dead, after the bodies of three people were recovered yesterday in gaza. All recovered yesterday in gaza. All of them were thought to have attended the nova Music Festival on october the 7th. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence forces says its been battling more fighters in the jabalia refugee camp overnight. Here, thousands are expected to take to the streets in Central London this lunchtime to protest about the war with hamas. Demonstrators from stop the war and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign are calling for an end to the conflict and for an end to the conflict and for an end to the conflict and for a ban on arms sales from the uk to israel. The conservative uk to israel. The conservative mp representing brixham in south devon, says hell hold the local Water Company to account. Thats after supplies there became contaminated and confirmed cases of cryptosporidium have more than doubled to 46 cases, with another 100 people reporting symptoms. Southwest water have apologised and theyre giving affected residents compensation of £115 in the last hour or so. The firm has also said it is cleaning a water tank where those parasites were found. Meanwhile, protesters demanding more action to clean up the nations rivers and coasts have called on the regulator to step in Campaign Group surfers against sewage are paddling out from beaches in more than 30 locations, demanding more action to stop sewage pollution. Olympian and keen paddle boarder Dame Kelly Holmes is one of the famous faces joining a demonstration on the south coast. The leader of the liberal democrats has claimed the Scottish Government has neglected Mental Health services. Ed davey, whos in scotland to address his partys conference today, is calling for a tax paid by social Media Companies to be trebled to help fund services. He says it would fund services. He says it would raise an additional £9. 5 billion for the uk over the next five years, of which £770 million, he said, would be allocated to scotland. And finally, if you scotland. And finally, if you didnt see the Northern Lights last weekend, well, there could be another chance on the way. Be another chance on the way. The green, the purple and blue scenes are expected to light up uk skies again in around a fortnight. The huge sunspot cluster that hurled energy and gas towards earth last weekend is rotating back towards us in about two weeks time, releasing another solar flare. For the another solar flare. For the latest stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code there on your screen , or go to our website gb news. Carmelites. Carmelites. Thank you sam. Now remember folks, you can let me know your thoughts on all the stories weve been discussing today by visiting gbnews. Com yoursay. Join the conversation there and believe me, the conversation is going there. Or message me on going there. Or message me on our socials. Were gbnews now. Our socials. Were gbnews now. Coming up, well be bringing you the latest from the legendary annual fish and chips festival in whitby, celebrating the towns rich maritime and fishing heritage. All of that and more heritage. All of that and more to come. Im Darren Grimes and youre with gb news, britains news channel. 2024 a battleground year. 2024 a battleground year. The year the nation decides. The year the nation decides. As the parties gear up their campaigns for the next general election. Who will be left standing when the british people make one of the biggest decisions of their lives . Who will rise and who will fall. 7 who will rise and who will fall . Lets find out together. For every moment, the highs , for every moment, the highs, the lows, the twists and turns. Well be with you for every step of this journey in 2024. Gb news choose is britains election. Channel. Election. Channel. Welcome back to gb news saturday with me , Darren Grimes saturday with me, Darren Grimes on your tv, online and on digital radio. Now, if youre in nonh digital radio. Now, if youre in North Yorkshire this weekend, head over to whitby for their fish and chips festival. Celebrate the towns rich fishing heritage. Therell be some live cooking, therell be fish gutting demonstrations and plenty more. Well, joining me now is gb news yorkshire and humber reporter anna riley. Humber reporter anna riley. Anna, youre making me hungry, to be quite honest with you. To be quite honest with you. Good afternoon. Darren. Yes, im feeling hungry as well. I can smell fish and chips in the air. And its whether you go for cod or haddock. I prefer haddock myself, but as you said, theres plenty of stuff going on this whole weekend. The event has been organised by North Yorkshire council. Its a free event and thousands of people have turned out today to come along to it. Theres lots of different stands where businesses are selling their products. Theres also , as you products. Theres also, as you mentioned, the fishing industry here as well, promoting , saying here as well, promoting, saying that the lobster and shellfish industry , which is popular at industry, which is popular at the moment in whitby as well, and plenty of live music you might be able to hear in the background, lots of sea shanties going on and actors dressed up doing role play as well, and its a huge boost for business as well. I spoke to councillor crane earlier from North Yorkshire council and this is what he said about the event. What he said about the event. The idea is, as i say, to get pride into the people of whitby, but also to encourage more people to come to whitby to enjoy all that it has to offer and to encourage them to come back again and again. And i think these sort of festivals really make an impact and can really make an impact and can really encourage people to see what the area that they live in or live near really has to offer i so soa so a great boost for tourism here in whitby. So certainly if you are in the area, do come along. Whitbys got so many things its famous for as well as its fishing heritage. Theres as its fishing heritage. Theres captain cook, you might be able to see just behind me, the endeavour ship, a replica of the ship that captain cook went out on. And ship that captain cook went out on. And of course, dracula. The on. And of course, dracula. The whitby is well known for dracula, and its 199 steps as dracula, and its199 steps as well. So certainly well be here all afternoon covering this fantastic festival , and ill fantastic festival, and ill have to go grab myself some fish and chips. And chips. Absolutely, will. And are there many young people there as theyre bringing out a younger crowd as well . Is it just all families . Because thats what families . Because thats what the fishing industry is, an industry thats really struggled over recent years. Over recent years. Yes it is. And thats what i was speaking to an organisation this morning, actually, theyve launched a video that theyre showing in the fish tent just behind us, and theyre saying it is an industry that they want to get younger people into. The gentleman i was speaking to was saying he feels sometimes the fishing industry gets bad press, but certainly its a great industry to be in and something that younger people should be getting involved in. And yeah, it has brought out younger people. This event, families , people. This event, families, older people as well. Theres a real mix, but its a great way to showcase whitby and as well the fishing heritage and how it could be a good industry to get into as well. Into as well. Absolutely. Its a beautiful heritage and its a beautiful part of the country. Thats part of the country. Thats a well said, anna, thank you very much. Gb news, the yorkshire and much. Gb news, the yorkshire and humber reporter there, anna riley. Now, folks, youre with me , Darren Grimes on gb news me, Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Weve got lots more coming up on todays show. Now, if youre heading over to germany for euro 2024, get this right. Well you have to do like bafil right. Well you have to do like basil fawlty and not mention the war. German Authorities Say anyone causing offence by singing war related chants will receive an instant fine. And the fine sounds absolutely extraordinary. All of that and more to come. Youre with gb news, britains news channel we are proud to be gb news the peoples channel. And as you know, we always love to hear your views. Now , theres a new way of now, theres a new way of getting in touch with us at gbnews. Com win. Your say by gbnews. Com win. Your say by commenting, you can be part of a live conversation and join our gb news community. You can even talk to me , bev turner or any of talk to me, bev turner or any of the members of the gb news family simply go to gbnews. Com yoursay. Gbnews. Com yoursay. Welcome back to gb news. Saturday with me, Darren Grimes on your tv, online and on digital radio. Now lots of you have been sending in your thoughts. Kev has written in and kev says , before 1977 you had to kev says, before 1977 you had to have a job to get a council house. Thats an interesting concept. Well, pete says rent caps could lead to cheaper rentals increasing their rent up to the cap. Peter says private landlords have been penalised for years. Tax and rental laws have severely eroded the ability to maintain a buy to let property of any sort of a profit. Theres no financial benefit and if you sell, you have to pay full Capital Gains tax. Many accidental private landlords are trapped. Yeah, i think i think we are making things intolerable for many landlords , duncan says. For many landlords, duncan says. Rent caps. What we need is new council housing. When was the last time a Council Estate was built . I agree , i grew up on built . I agree, i grew up on a Council Estate and it was the best time of my life. Not sure if it would be the same now to be honest, Community Values seem to have disappeared. Well yeah, i think youre right there, duncan. Thank you very much for all of your thoughts and opinions there. Gbnews. Com yoursay send in all your thoughts throughout the show. Now, folks, if youre heading over to germany for euro 2024, dont mention the war. German authorities have briefed the British Home Office that anyone singing chants related to the world wars will receive an instant fine on the spot, with some fines expected to be up to a months wages, with supporters instructed to declare their income. Well, joining me now is sport broadcaster and journalist aidan magee aidan. Always a pleasure my friend. Well, i pleasure my friend. Well, i mean, thats an extraordinary sum of money, right . For if sum of money, right . For if someone has a few too many bevvies and makes a joke about the war to receive a months salary out of pocket, well, when i saw when i saw the story, i thought you were going to say, dont mention the var. That would be more appropriate, wouldnt it . That would have worked very well. But i mean, ive never heard such nonsense in my life. Now i can only i can only imagine that the British Police force and the german equivalent of German Council got together and thought, right, okay, how can we kind of just stir the nest a little bit and make people realise therell be more responsible for their behaviour . Because in the actual article, which appeared yesterday, i believe in the sun lower down in the in the piece it said that there would be English Police or British Police mingling among the supporters, issuing just gentle warnings. Theyll be, i imagine theyll be in plain clothed, but theyll have their badges with them and theyll say, listen, you know, we heard what youre singing. Just calm it down, lads, okay . You remember youre in a country that was affected badly by the war. It suffered bomb damage and so forth. Locals might be offended. Just calm it down. And then if they persist, then the German Police would go in and do their thing. German police would go in and do theirthing. However, German Police would go in and do their thing. However, even extended from that down, i mean, declaring income, i mean, whats to stop you lying . Whats to stop you saying, ive got nothing, ive got no money . Whats to stop you saying at two grand or im. Im worth £1 million . Its just ludicrous. And then the issue of being marched to an atm. Well, id like to see. Id like to see a minority of Police Officers marching. I mean, ive, ive beenin marching. I mean, ive, ive been in situations ive been following england since march, since since 98. And ive seen groups of fans. Theyre not groups of fans. Theyre not groups who tend to be. I mean, the demographic has changed slightly over the years, with england fans travelling abroad and the security is a little bit tighter now. But these arent groups of dozens of people. When they get going and, you know, people get caught up in by association as well. You can be association as well. You can be talking hundreds of people. The idea of marching them to a cash point in the early hours of the morning, two days before an england game, thats for the birds. Quite frankly, the German Police are a lot more , at ease police are a lot more, at ease with using their tools at their disposal than ours are, though, arent they . So they are. I mean, there is history there with some of the worst violence we ever saw involving english clubs. And indeedit involving english clubs. And indeed it was a whole european aggro fest was in euroasia that was in germany, and that was in some of the same cities that the tournament is going to host it, host the tournament, sorry, the same cities that are going to host the tournament this summer. So there are there are people who will remember that. Yes, it seems a long time ago, but there was serious damage done there. There were running battles fought between some, some of the major nations with within europe and in fact, all the firms, as we knew them at the time from all the top clubs over here, all the clubs who had a notorious reputation at the time converged on germany. There was huge aggravation in in cologne, for example, which is another euro venue, this time. So they dont want a repeat of that. Therell be older people there who remember that. And i guess they want to put them, put their minds at ease. There is a serious element to this as well, having said that, the actual in the, in the actual in the moment and given what theyve promised they will do, its unworkable. Now tyson fury, come on, weve got to talk about him. Yeah, i think were possibly a bit guilty, given that we look at this through a prism of british sport and british interests. I british sport and british interests. I think were possibly, possibly underestimating his opponent, Oleksandr Usyk. Are we i do i think hes hes unbeaten and he cant fight in his home country because hes from ukraine. Yeah. Hes extremely durable. Hes highly skilled down. I mean he just dispatched Anthony Anthony joshua was was beaten the first time comfortably. Second time round he was beaten. He just he was defeated man. He was walked in around around the ring not really knowing what to do with next. With his career. And he said to us he said im stronger than you, im bigger than you. But you beat me with skill and thats what it comes down to. And tyson fury will know that deep down he pretends he has no respect for ucb. Hes not. Hes a boxing man. He knows exactly what usyk is capable of. Hes a lot smaller. Hes about six inches smaller. Hes giving away a lot in terms of reach as well as height and weight as well. I mean, i think ive got the measurements down here. Uzi is coming in at 16 stone, £6. Right. Fury. Thats the lightest. Thats the heaviest hes ever been. Yeah. Fury, whos two stone heavier on the nights when they takes the ring at midnight tonight. Will be 18 stone seven. Thats two stone heavy. Thats the lightest hes been in four years. So theres still a big a big difference. The differentials heavier or more marked in heavyweight boxing. But what about that gash above the eye . Thats what im concerned about. And i think, concerned about. And i think, you know, thats why the fight was postponed recently when he takes the ring and when we see paul go up to protect it, the extent of the protection will determine how worried he is about. Well, well have to see it, but i cant wait to see what actually does happen. Midnight tonight . Yeah, exactly. Right, folks, youre with me. Darren grimes on gb news saturday. Lots more coming up on the show. First of all, were going to get a look at the weather with catherine. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello. Welcome to your gb news weather update from the met office. Sunny spells for some but heavy showers, especially in the south where they could turn thundery. Looking at the thundery. Looking at the pressure pattern, weve got higher pressure out towards the west, but notice the isobars really spread out, indicating light winds. So across parts of wales and the south west of england, we have got a weather warning in force for thunderstorms and slow moving showers. Theyll gradually ease through the night elsewhere, turning largely dry, but well start to see low cloud once more come in to northern parts and also across the east, holding up with temperatures around 10 or 11 degrees but feeling cooler in any clear spells, especially rural spots in the west. So to rural spots in the west. So to start sunday morning, quite a murky start for some of us with low cloud, mist and fog, especially across parts of the midlands, east anglia and the southeast to start sunday morning with a few showers, maybe clipping cornwall. Elsewhere further west. Lots of bright sunshine to start sunday, but across parts of scotland, especially across eastern areas , especially across eastern areas, once again were going to hold once again were going to hold on to a lot of low cloud mist and fog with some light rain and drizzle across parts of orkney and shetland, so through sunday morning we should see that low cloud mist and fog gradually breaking up through the later half of the morning to leave many places with plenty of sunshine on offer, well hold on to cloudier conditions for parts of scotland and also down the north east of england coast. Thats where it will be feeling cooler. But underneath all of the sunshine we will see temperatures reaching highs of up to 23, possibly even 24 degrees for the likes of the southeast through the rest of sunday evening. Then plenty of late evening sunshine on offer to end the weekend. A few showers may be possible across scotland, but otherwise a dry evening. Plenty of sunshine on offer on monday, but turning unsettled on tuesday and wednesday. Wednesday. Looks like things are heating up. Boxt boilers sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Weather on. Gb news. Thank you very much, catherine. Lots more coming up on todays show. The number of Illegal Migrants crossing the channel has reached a new record. Can you believe it . Join me later to find out how many have made the dangerous crossing so far this year. Its absolutely extraordinary levels of immigration coming to this country and you are tom moore all sick of it. Gbnews. Com yoursay let me know what you would do about this and what you would do about this and what it is you want to see done. Because, ill tell you right now, youll be offering a lot more solutions than any of our politicians do. They all say theyre going to stop the boats, but how are they going to stop the boats . Will we leave the echr i dont think so. All of that and more to come, my friends , youre with gb news. Friends, youre with gb news. And where britains news channel hello. And a very warm welcome to gb news saturday, im Darren Grimes, and for the next two hours, ill be keeping you company on tv, online and on digital radio. This show will keep you up to date on the stories that really matter to you. Coming up this hour. Could we see strict limits on how much a landlord can charge for rent . Labour seat shadow chancellor has opened the door to rent caps, arguing they could be beneficial in some but not all, local areas. Then data from the home office suggests the number of Illegal Migrants crossing the channel has reached a new record. Join me later to find out how many have made the dangerous crossing so far this year. Dangerous crossing so far this year. And Buckingham Palace has year. And Buckingham Palace has announced that his majesty king charles will take part in commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of d day. Commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of d day. But this anniversary of d day. But this show is absolutely nothing without you and your views. Let me know your thoughts on all the stories well be discussing today by visiting gbnews. Com yoursay to join the conversation there, or message me on our socials. Were me on our socials. Were gbnews. First of all though, were going to get the news with sam. Sam. Darren, thank you very much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Leading the news this lunchtime, pro Palestinian Protesters are holding a demonstration in Central London against the conflict in gaza. There are worries about a lack of aid there, despite a new american built floating pier where supplies can be shipped in. Campaigners, though , say in. Campaigners, though, say its not enough. Meanwhile, israeli troops say they have destroyed 70 militant targets in its latest operations in rafah and in jabalia, the largest refugee camp in the region. It comes after the bodies of three israeli hostages were recovered from gaza on friday. Israel says it believes 100 hostages are still alive. There a conservative mp has accused his local Water Company of being incompetent after supplies were contaminated by parasites. He says south west waters response in devon has put a lot of Peoples Health at risk. The number of confirmed cases of cryptosporidium in the brixham area have now more than doubled to 46. South west water say its now cleaning a water tank where the parasites were found , and the parasites were found, and meanwhile people are paddling out into waters around the uk to raise awareness of sewage pollution. 30 protests are pollution. 30 protests are taking place in places including brighton , in falmouth and brighton, in falmouth and edinburgh to demand tougher action from water firms. The companies, though, say they are spending more than £14 billion this year to fix the problem across england and wales. This year to fix the problem across england and wales. Weve across england and wales. Weve heard today that two albanian nationals who used a plane to smuggle migrants from northern france into essex have been jailed, montaser hillage and kreshnik cadena are part of a major Crime Network arranged at least nine migrant trips in 2016 and 2017. The National Crime agencys eight year long investigation revealed the two men provided counterfeit documents and safe transport, charging £10,000 per person theyve received combined sentences of five years and two months at Southwark Crown court. Months at Southwark Crown court. A former church of england priest has been charged with child sex offences dating back to the late 1990s. Eight year old wilfred whitaker , who old wilfred whitaker, who changed his name from Colin Pritchard after he was convicted of a separate offence in 2008, has been charged with rape and gross indecency with a boy aged under 14. Hes now a man in his 30s. He was serving at a church in east sussex at the time. Hell appear in court on the 10th of june. The health and social harms caused by alcohol in england cost the taxpayer more than £27 billion a year. Thats according to new estimates , and thats a 40 estimates, and thats a 40 increase in the last ten years. The institute of alcohol studies says the cost of crime and disorder links to drinking cost more than £145 disorder links to drinking cost more than £14. 5 billion alone on health. Alcohol related harms cost just under £5 billion, enough to pay for the salaries of almost half of nurses in england. However the drinks industry says that data doesnt consider the £46 billion in direct economic benefits to the uk. The triple lock on pensions will cost households an extra £10 billion a year by 2034. Thats according to reports in the telegraph. Pensioners are the telegraph. Pensioners are raised, pensions are raised rather every year by an amount unked rather every year by an amount linked to inflation, wages or minimum of 2. 5. The office for budget responsibility predicts spending on the state pension will exceed £150 billion annually in real terms within the next decade, economists are warning , though this will place warning, though this will place an unstable burden on taxpayers and possibly force people to work longer to pay for the increase. Almost 80 people over the age of 65 are dying each day in england, whilst still waiting to receive social care, new figures have suggested. Figures have suggested. Charities and campaigners are calling on politicians to address the problem and accuse the government of a lack of investment. However, the investment. However, the department for health and social care says up to £86 billion has been made available in additional funding over two years. The excuse me, the condition of slovakias Prime Minister has been described as stable but still serious after he was shot five times a point blank range , 59 year old robert blank range, 59 year old robert fico underwent another two hours of surgery yesterday. The man accused of attempting him to assassinate him on wednesday has appeared in court with officials suggesting that attack was politically motivated. And to politically motivated. And to the us, a man there has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for trying to kidnap nancy pelosi when she was the speaker of the us house of rep. Of the us house of rep. Resentatives david depape also used a hammer to beat her husband, whos in his 80s, causing serious head injuries. The court in San Francisco heard the 44 year old was caught up in conspiracy theories , and that he conspiracy theories, and that he believed news outlets were repeatedly lying about donald trump. And finally, before we trump. And finally, before we head back to darren, some weather news for you. A yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the met office for parts of wales and for southwest england. Slow moving heavy showers and lightning strikes could hit between 1 00 and 8 00 tonight, potentially triggering some flooding. Some areas could see up to 4 or 5cm of rain. For the latest stories, of rain. For the latest stories, sign up to gb news alerts. You sign up to gb news alerts. You can scan the qr code on your screen or go to our website gb news. Common alerts. News. Common alerts. Thanks very much, sam. Lets get stuck into todays topics. Get stuck into todays topics. Labours shadow chancellor has opened the door to introducing caps on rent and Rachel Reeves has said that there may be a case for controlling rent prices in some local areas. Rent controls could allow councils to prevent landlords raising prices above a set amount every year , above a set amount every year, but for trials in scotland found it reduced the supply of housing and actually forced up new, new rents, and led to some leaving the market altogether. Well, joining me now is gb news Political Correspondent olivia utley. Now olivia, some might well say, and im not suggesting that this is my opinion for a second, but some might say that actually to do this would be the path to madness , because all path to madness, because all its going to do is lead to the marginal landlord leaving the marketplace and then hiking up pnces marketplace and then hiking up prices for the rest of people without building any more supply. Therefore exacerbating the problem by a factor of ten. I think some people might say that obviously on a sort of ideological from an ideological perspective, you can understand where Rachel Reeves is coming from. There is clearly a crisis, a housing crisis , a crisis, a housing crisis, a crisis, particularly in the rental sector in london, for example , sector in london, for example, rents have risen by 8. 6 in just two years. But is this the right solution . Rent controls have been tried in scotland and it was a policy which backfired horribly. Nicola sturgeon introduced it in 2022 and as you say, darren, what happened was all sorts of landlords just left the market. Since 2022, 17 of scottish landlords have either sold or are very much considering selling over the next year. That means that their houses go up for sale. And you know, in the dream world, the people who were renting those houses are now able to buy them. There are more houses on the market, so the price goes down. In reality, thats not really what happens because people who are renting dont tend to have the deposit to be able to buy a house, even if it is slightly reduced in value. So instead, as you say, what happens is the supply of houses to rent goes down and there is exactly the same number of people renting now in the areas where price controls are introduced, you know, you might be able to get somewhere relatively cheaply, but everywhere else prices end up going up to make up for that shortfall. And that is a very serious problem. Now, we should serious problem. Now, we should say that this isnt official labour party policy. Say that this isnt official labour party policy. In say that this isnt official labour party policy. In fact, labour party policy. In fact, the labour party has categorically denied that it plans to introduce something similar to what Nicola Sturgeon did in 2022. But what Rachel Reeves has said is that she wouldnt be averse to the idea. She wouldnt rule out the idea of allowing councils to introduce their own rent controls if they wish to do so, and given so many councils, as we know after those local elections are now labour run, you could envisage a situation where it does become the norm. And olivia, we have seen calls from those with pretty big local parts of the country such as london. Sadiq khan has been calling for them rent controls, the power to actually bring about rent controls in london. Now that would be a seismic part of the country to actually introduce rent controls in, would it not . It would, and it is something that sadiq khan likes the idea of. Again its questionable whether it would work. London housing supply is so incredibly tight and there are so many marginal landlords, people who arent kind of not companies with hundreds and hundreds of properties, but people who have saved up their whole lives, have managed to buy their own house, and then very fortunately for them, have managed to buy a second house as well, which they are then renting out to save for their pension, or perhaps even to pay their pension if theyre a little bit older. It will be people like that who, if rent controls were introduced, would probably be forced to leave the market. And there are conservative mps who argue that, in actual fact, those are some of the best landlords , the big of the best landlords, the Big Companies or the individuals who own hundreds of properties tend to be a bit more laissez faire about their tenants , whereas about their tenants, whereas landlords who just own the one property are normally a little bit more hands on and are normally better sort of respected , have a better respected, have a better relationship with their tenants. So you could see an issue where not only are landlords leaving the market altogether, but the ones who remain are of lower quality, if you like, than than some of the ones that we have at the moment. Yes. I mean, olivia, michaels written in and michael says, lets be generous and hope that labours rent cap might be some sort of hat that landlord landlords are expected to wear instead of bringing about this policy, because it would be utterly ruinous. So theres one opinion for you, olivia. Thank you very much for that analysis there. Thats gb news Political Correspondent olivia utley. Now correspondent olivia utley. Now for all the best analysis and opinion on that story and more, you can go to our website, gbnews. Com. Now, the number of Illegal Migrants crossing the channel has reached a new record. I promised you that number. And here it is. 9861 have arrived in small boats so far this year. Those are the ones that we know about. Of ones that we know about. Of course, a new record was set for the number of migrants arriving in the country for the first five months of any calendar yean five months of any calendar year, after 171 people made the crossing on thursday. Well, joining me to discuss this story is the political commentator Matthew Stadlen and the writer and columnist journalist as well, emma woolf. Emma ill start with you, if i may. I mean, this is going to be a real ride this summer, surely, for getting across the english channelif getting across the english channel, if were already at record levels right now. Weather last year was pretty poor. If this year is better, youre going to see in a general Election Year rishi sunak having to contend with record numbers. Yeah. And thats, you know, the discussion about when hell go to the go to the country has been sort of predicated on does he want to avoid a summer with more and more small boats crossing every day . As you said, thursday was a record high. Weve already had probably over 10,000. Darren, since january. And perversely, the government, the home office, particularly every time theyre challenged on this, they they go back to this mantra about when we get rwanda flights off the ground. Well, frankly, the rwanda plan, which many of us feel is bankrupt anyway, the rwanda plan has almost seemed to spur on the people traffickers. Its not having the deterrent effect that it was meant to have. Its certainly not having that deterrent effect. Goodness knows if its spurring people on, but its certainly not preventing those crossings. And all were heanng those crossings. And all were hearing is this idiotic once we get rwanda flights off the ground. Well, where are i . Rishi sunak . He would say, oh, well, emma, look at ireland. You know, youve got examples of people going to Northern Ireland crossing the border into the repubuc crossing the border into the republic of ireland in order to escape the rwanda deterrent. And i would say to you, look at thursday, well over 100 people landed on our shores that we know about what which bit of working with the french dont they understand which bit of , they understand which bit of, you know, cooperating on the borders, which bit of cracking down on, on the illegal crossings and also working in with the french . I know weve sent billions over to france and its simply not working. All right. Thats emmas analysis. Matthew. What say you . This is a bad news story, isnt it . Its bad for rishi sunak. Its bad for rishi sunak. Its bad for rishi sunak. Its bad for the government. Its bad for the government. Its bad for people who are fed up with small boats arriving. Up with small boats arriving. Im not one of them, but a lot of people feel that. And by the way, i dont think theyre good that these crossings, because theyre very dangerous. Its bad for the people who are doing the crossing. Its bad for children who are being brought across by desperate parents. Its just a bad story all round. Its very disappointing. Emma, spot on. Disappointing. Emma, spot on. I think in, in a lot of people feel the election timing was possibly going to be linked towards where the fall was anticipated to happen and or not happenin anticipated to happen and or not happen in these crossings, but thats rishi sunak own fault. It thats rishi sunak own fault. It was. We keep coming back to this. He made himself a hostage to his own fortune at the beginning of january last year , beginning of january last year, with those five pledges telling us, amongst other things , that us, amongst other things, that he was going to stop the small boats. The end of last year came boats. The end of last year came and went, and hed got them down by a third. He hadnt stopped them. And now we are seeing a record. At this time of year there have been already more people crossing in mid may 2024 than there had been by the end of may. In the record year 2022. So, as emma says , whatever you so, as emma says, whatever you think of the small boat crossings and i think there probably is a consensus in this country that theyve got to stop the government of the day, which is rishi sunaks government, is simply failing to work it out. I mean, emma, do you do you have any, confidence that sir keir starmer would be able to stop the boats . Well, hes got a fancy name for his, what was it . Elite Border Security command control. Border command. That was it. Theres something very jazzy in there. I thought it was elite. But youre right. Its border command. Security control or something. Its rebrand effectively. Its what weve had already. And he talks a lot. His his his mantra is smashing the criminal gangs. And then he waves his kind of International Human rights law at people as though thats going to stop them , none of which is going to stop them. I think what we need to go back to is better returns agreements, so that we know that people who are coming here from countries where they should not be coming from are returned, and we have those agreements in place. And secondly, for all this money that were sending over to france, we need tougher action on the coast in france. Action on the coast in france. However we do that. And no, we dont like working with the french. I know we have appalling relations effectively with the french on down, but we need tougher action over there and over here. It isnt that it isnt beyond the wit of man to stop boats crossing. How are they getting down to the coastline and launching into the channel . Darren. Emmas, i think also right about that. And starmer is right in that theres a theres a nitty gritty to this. Youve got to get your hands dirty. Its no good with just gesture politics, gimmicky politics. And by the way i think cruel politics. But even if the majority in this country dont think its cruel to send people to rwanda for, i think most of them agree with emma that its not working. The emma that its not working. The hope with labour. Right. And there is a legitimate argument to be made that there isnt a huge amount of difference in quite a lot of areas between the tory party and the labour party , tory party and the labour party, for example, theres no great sign that keir starmer is going to raise taxes. We talked about that last week on this. You that last week on this. You might say theres not a huge amount of difference except that starmer, as well as saying hes not going to send anyone to rwanda because thats ridiculous and it doesnt work. And i hope he also agrees with me that its cruel. Starmer is, i think, better placed to work well with the french because he doesnt have the baggage of this conservative government that dragged us out of europe. Where do you think . I mean, because you are in favour of genuine refugees coming to the country, right. Where where do we put them . Thats what a lot of people are saying. Theyre saying, look, weve just today been discussing with olivier rent controls and the severe housing crisis. So where, matthew, do you put them . I think that where theres a will, theres a way for a start. So would you take i if i were a single man. If i were, if im not, if i didnt have a family, i absolutely would have done by now. I know thats easy to say. Talk is cheap. A lot of people i know are certainly some people i know are certainly some people i know have taken in refugees, and ive got nothing but respect for them. I think to according the ons and this needs to be checked. But in the, in the, in the last census there was Something Like 23, 24 million spare bedrooms in this country. So thats if individual us want to be generous. And i dont judge people who dont take people in because people have a right to their private life. But there is certainly the capacity to build more homes in this country. And ive said repeatedly that its so easy to other people, isnt it . And to and to and to blame minorities when actually successive governments and i include the labour party in this have not built enough homes. People are crying out for somewhere to live, and just because its tight doesnt mean we dont have a responsibility not to. A limitless number of people , but limitless number of people, but to a certain number of people we do not take. And this is an important point to make. We do not take the most Asylum Seekers or refugees in europe with something, i think Something Like fourth or fifth. So we moan a lot. Lets get building and lets make a better society. Lets make a better society. And a lot of people will be screaming at their television sets, at what matthew just said, because theyll be saying, hang on a minute, its mass migration thats exacerbated the housing crisis. Even the bank of england have said this now, and i think were extremely generous. I think the british people individually are generous when theres a humanitarian crisis, they give they give charitable donations despite the cost of living crisis. I think were very generous in our foreign aid budget, even though its badly, badly mismanaged. And i think weve been very, very generous at taking in ukrainian refugees. At taking in ukrainian refugees. The figure that you quote about empty bedrooms is powerful, but you know what . The majority of people who are coming over here illegally are single young men. You cannot expect older women. You cannot expect older women. You cannot expect single mothers, you cant expect families. You cannot expect a Vulnerable People or single people to take in Illegal Immigrants , young males who are immigrants, young males who are coming over here for goodness knows what reasons. And many of many of whom have committed crime. So i dont think that is a solution. But i agree with you about getting our hands dirty. Theres nothing, nothing that we do now could be worse than what sunak has done, which is just this idiotic mantra about when we get rwanda flights off the ground, anything could be better i what what we want to do and what i think everybody probably watching today agrees, is that we want to have control of our borders. I think a lot i voted remain, but i could understand on some level, while people were concerned about freedom of movement that a lot of people in this country want control of our borders. And what the small boats have shown is it doesnt matter about brexit. We dont have control of our borders. Once you have control of your borders by doing the hard work, by doing the nitty gritty, by working properly and effectively with the french and other European Partners , then you can European Partners, then you can have a grown up conversation about how many desperate and needy people should we be taking into this country . And i absolutely believe we should be taking some. All right. Okay, emma woolf. Thank you very much. And Matthew Stadlen, thank you. There. Now folks, its the Great British giveaway. Your chance to win £20,000 cash in time for summer. What would you spend it on . A dream holiday . Get the garden done or perhaps treat the family well . You have to hurry as time is ticking on your chance to make it yours. Heres how. Its the biggest cash prize weve given away to date. An incredible £20,000 that you could use however you like. And could use however you like. And because its totally tax free, every single penny will be in your bank account to do whatever your bank account to do whatever you like with £20,000 in tax free cash. Really could be yours this summer. Hurry, youve got to be in it to win it for another chance to win £20,000 in tax free cash. Text win to 63232. Text cost £2 plus one Standard Network rate message or post your name and number to gbos , p0 post your name and number to gb05 , po box 8690. Derby de1 gb05, po box 8690. Derby de1 nine, double t, uk. Only entrants must be 18 or over. Lines closed at 5 pm. On the sist lines closed at 5 pm. On the 31st of may. Full terms and Privacy Notice at gbnews. Com win. Please check the closing time if listening or watching on demand. Good luck i watching on demand. Good luck youre with me Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Lots more coming up on the show. Buckingham palace has announced that king charles will take part in commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of d day. All 80th anniversary of d day. All of that and more to come. Youre with gb news, britains news channel. Were gb news and we come from a proud tradition of british journalism. Thats why im so excited to be here. Its something so new. Its something so new. The first news channel to be launched in britain in over 30 years. Launched to represent the views of the british people. To go where other broadcasters refuse to go. How do you find out about the story in the first place . Launched with one aim to be the fearless champion of britain. Its an absolutely fantastic atmosphere here. This is gb news ofsted gb news news, britains news channel. Welcome back to gb news saturday with me, Darren Grimes on your tv, online and on digital radio. Now, Buckingham Palace has announced his majesty king charles will take part in commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of d day. The ceremonies are scheduled to take place at normandy in france next month. Hell be accompanied by queen consort camilla and prince william. Now this will be the first time he is to travel overseas since starting cancer treatment, marking another step forward in his return to public engagements. Well, joining me now is the royal broadcaster and commentator Rafe Heydel Mankoo rafe. Thank you very much for your company as ever. Why is it so important that his majesty is there to mark these commemorations 80 years on from d day . Yeah, its hugely important, i think, and its great news to see that he is going to be representing the nation there, because it simply wouldnt have been the same for our head of state and the commander in chief of British Armed forces not to be at this international event, which is going to gather together 25 heads of state. And for some of our viewers, it may not be too familiar with d day, june the sixth, 1944 d day, june the sixth, 1944 d day, formally known as operation neptune , saw the operation neptune, saw the largest seaborne invasion in World History when 150,000 british, canadian and american troops crossed the channel in 7000 vessels to land at a 50 mile beach in normandy and Start Operation overlord, which was the fight back against the nazis to liberate france, western europe and open up a second front and eventually lead to the defeat of nazi germany. So a hugely important event. There are events taking place on the fifth and 6th of june, both in the uk and in france, and ive been attending these events every decade since 1984 when i was a child. So for 40 years now and every decade, its sad to see the number of veterans diminishing. Just five years ago, there were 255 attending. Now there are only about 20 who are going over to france, and this will probably be the very last time youll have an event with veterans attending. So very important for the king to attend as you say, this is the kings first overseas visit since his cancer diagnosis. So another very important landmark in his treatment. And it comes on the back of a very busy few days, actually, when his majesty has been undertaking a huge raft of events, having been given the green light by his doctors. Yes. So can green light by his doctors. Yes. So can we take green light by his doctors. Yes. So can we take from yes. So can we take from this . Can we infer from this that his majesty the king, being fit well and ready to attend these very important commemorations that actually hes on the path to Getting Better . It would seem so. Although his consort, the queen, has said that if he behaved better, hed be improving far more rapidly. I think she might be a bit sort of stressed at a number of activities hes done. I mean, just in the last week he went to Middle Wallop in hampshire, to an airbase, to hand over to prince william, the colonel in chief of the army air corps. Hes presided at an investiture. Hes presided at an investiture. He has hosted a garden for party 4000 people from the creative industries. Hes attended a service at saint pauls cathedral for the order of the british empire. And he made a surprise visit to the Royal Opera House on thursday, when he seemed to be in very good spirits, too. So i think we should all take some some good heart from his majestys clear progress. Yeah, and just to touch on the d day once more. How important is the relationship between the armed forces , between the armed forces, veterans of the armed forces as well, and the head of state, the monarch . How important is that connection between those two bodies . Its vitally important because, of course, the king is the commander in chief of the armed forces. The oath of loyalty. The oath of allegiance is to the sovereign. It is the is to the sovereign. It is the Kings Commission that you take and essentially , you know, it is and essentially, you know, it is it is it is the monarch, not the government to whom loyalty is pledged. And thats vitally important in our country. And of course, its one of the great checks that we actually do have against against a potentially despotic government for example. And of course, because of that bond, thats why all members of the royal family or many members of the royal family serve in one of the royal family serve in one of the royal family serve in one of the one of the wings of the armed forces and of course, all members of the royal family serve as colonels in chief of the regiments. So that connection and that bond going back hundreds of years is very, very important. And of course, thats why you see royals present at all military commemorations and ceremonies. And the princess of wales has just been given a role recently. Right thats have i got that right . Yeah. Yeah. Well, yeah. I mean shes got many roles. Shes. Yes. Yes. But a new one within the armed forces with is it a regiment or that thats been given from, is it from prince harry. Did he have it initially . Thats right. Thats right. I cant remember the exact specifics of that. But shes also colonel in chief of the irish guards. For example, one of the questions is whether were going to be seeing the princess of wales at trooping the colour, which is, of course, when all of the guards regiments do take place. Last year she was there, resplendent in a green dress, and well wait to see whether she will also be attending this time or not. But theres been no mention of her attending the d day ceremonies , attending the d day ceremonies, although the prince of wales will be attending at the canadian beach, juno , and also canadian beach, juno, and also at the omaha beach, where the International Heads of state, but no word of the princess of wales attending that. So i think its rather unlikely well be seeing her at trooping the colour. Thats the news. Were all waiting for, isnt it . Were all excited for both his majesty the king and her Royal Highness being better in good health and back doing what they do incredibly well. Rafe. Thank you very much for your analysis and insight as ever. Thats Rafe Heydel Mankoo there. The broadcaster and commentator. Now broadcaster and commentator. Now folks, youre with me, Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Weve got lots more coming up on the show. First of all though, were going to get the news with sam. Sam. Darren, thank you very much. Good afternoon from the newsroom. Just after 1 30, a look at the headlines this hour. Israels Prime Minister is promising to return all hostages, living or dead. He says , after the bodies of three says, after the bodies of three people were discovered yesterday in gaza. All of those three hostages were thought to have attended the nova Music Festival on october the 7th. Meanwhile the Israeli Defence forces says its been battling more fighters in the jabalia refugee camp overnight. Here in the uk, thousands of pro palestinian supporters are currently holding a demonstration in Central London against the conflict in gaza. The conservative mp representing brixham in south devon, says hell hold the local Water Company to account after parasites were discovered in drinking water. He says south west water has failed to safeguard Public Health after 46 cases of cryptosporidium were confirmed and with more cases expected, the firm says its now cleaning a water tank where those parasites were found. Those parasites were found. Meanwhile, people are hitting the water on paddleboards around the water on paddleboards around the uk to raise awareness of sewage in our waters. Its been organised by surfers against sewage, who are demanding tougher action against Water Companies which pollute rivers and seas. 30 demonstrators are being held in places including brighton , scarborough and in brighton, scarborough and in edinburgh. Olympian and keen paddle boarder Dame Kelly Holmes is one of the famous faces whos joined the demonstrations. The joined the demonstrations. The leader of the liberal democrats claims that Scottish Government have neglected Mental Health services. Ed davey, whos have neglected Mental Health services. Ed davey, whos in scotland today to address his party conference, is calling for a tax paid by social Media Companies to be trebled to help fund services. He says it would raise an additional £9. 5 billion for the uk over the next five years, of which he says £770 million would be allocated to scotland. And finally, if you scotland. And finally, if you didnt get a chance to see the Northern Lights last weekend, well, there could be another opportunity on the way. The green, purple and blue scenes are expected to light up the skies in the uk in around a fortnight. The huge sunspot fortnight. The huge sunspot cluster that hurled energy and gas towards earth last weekend is rotating back towards us, which will release a solar flare in the next two weeks. Thats the latest from the newsroom. Another update at 2 00. Until then, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen , or go to gb on your screen, or go to gb news. Common alerts. News. Common alerts. Thanks very much, sam. Now remember, folks, you can let me know your thoughts on all of the stories weve been discussing today by visiting gbnews. Com yoursay ive got it open right here, right now. The conversation is very much being had, or you can join the conversation on our socials. Conversation on our socials. Where gbnews now theres lots more coming up on the show. Well be bringing you the latest from the legendary annual fish and chips festival in whitby that celebrates the towns rich maritime and fishing heritage, something i think we dont do enough. Something i think we dont do enough. All of that and more to enough. All of that and more to come. Im Darren Grimes and youre with gb news, britains news channel. 2024 a battleground year. 2024 a battleground year. The year the nation decides. The year the nation decides. The year the nation decides. As the parties gear up their campaigns for the next general election. Who will be left standing when the british people make one of the biggest decisions of their lives . Their lives . Who will rise and who will fall . Lets find out together for every moment. The highs, the lows, the twists and turns, well be with you for every step of this journey in 2024. Gb news is britains election. Britains election. Channel. Welcome back to gb news saturday with me, Darren Grimes on your tv, online and on digital radio. Now if youre in nonh digital radio. Now if youre in North Yorkshire this weekend, head over to whitby for the fish and chips festival, celebrating the towns rich fishing heritage. Therell be live cooking, therell be fish gutting demonstrations, plenty more and im sure lots of hungry bellies. Well, joining me now is gb news yorkshire and humber reporter anna riley. Anna, reporter anna riley. Anna, whats the latest . Whats the latest . Good afternoon. Well, the sun has come out which is fantastic news. And the crowds just keep growing. Im joined by matthew growing. Im joined by matthew and ryan. Theyre both fishmonger owners because this eventis fishmonger owners because this event is all about as well as celebrating the maritime history of whitby. Its all about celebrating the fishing industry at the moment. Just tell us about your role, matthew. I have, a small fish factory and smokehouse up in staiths, just above whitby. Its about just above whitby. Its about ten miles above whitby. And also we cut fish for lockers. A Larger Company in whitby, and we take about a ton and a half a day up to my factory. And about day up to my factory. And about 4 or 5 of us fill it out during the day. And ryan, what do you do . Whats your role, im a farmer at the local, fish filleting, processing factory in whitby. Lockers, fish, its been a family for business 30 years. Basically, we distribute fish all around the country , but all around the country, but predominantly whitby. Trying to be a proud Family Business that, you know, id like to see peoples smiles on faces when theyre eating the fish and chips, knowing that its produced by local people. Definitely. And why is it so important this weekend to push the fishing industry . Well its to keep it, keep people aware of it. We know that, that the fish and chips is a National Treasure , and were just trying to keep that alive. You know, its nice for it gives people an excuse to come out to the east coast for a nice day in the sunshine. Now that weve got it. Yes simple as that, really. And what are the benefits of working in the fishing industry . Well, you get to see what, from catching the fish to put it on peoples plates. A lot of the people who are in between all the hard work , its done over the hard work, its done over a fast period of time due to the freshness of the fish. And obviously its nice to obviously, whitby is known as a fishing town, so its nice to keep that many fish and chip shops going with Fresh Produce rather than frozen. So were just, today to show people that what we do and what we do every day just to make it happen, really, because it doesnt just happen overnight, you know, its a lot of work goes into it. So, yeah. A lot of work goes into it. So, yeah. So thats thats what its yeah. So thats thats what its all about. But it should things like this should happen more rarely because i think fishing and Fish Processing gets overlooked really. Because people its quite a demanding job to be honest. Many people would like to do it. Were very passionate as a factory in the Family Business to do it. So as as long as were willing to do that and hopefully it will keep kicking off. Yeah. Why is this weekend so important . Because, like you say, people probably just go to the chippy, dont they eat the meal and they dont really think about all thats involved . Its like several things in life you take for granted. You know, you dont understand. Well, you dont understand because you dont know what goes on behind the scenes. But you know, when youre getting up at 5 00 every morning, its freezing cold and you have to go and work at a freezing cold deal every day, cutting fish, if you understood that. And had a go at it, you would understand a little bit more , what was the little bit more, what was the question . Sorry. Thats it. No, youve answered it. Thats fantastic. Answered it. Thats fantastic. Thank you both so much. So, yeah, were live all afternoon here at the whitby fish and chips festival. And its certainly a fantastic one. Its really important. Anna to remind people of that Rich Heritage that weve got in parts of the country that i think are all too often forgotten. So gb news yorkshire and humber reporter anna riley there. Thank you very much for that. Update from the fish and chips festival. Now lots of you have been sending in your thoughts. I thank you very much for doing so. Marianne. Now marianne, you are very talented. I must tell you this. Marianne says on fish you this. Marianne says on fish and chips. Sounds very fishy in whitby. Looks like a nice place though. And if you haddock enough you could shrimp cod off. Well there we are very talented. Well there we are very talented. And on the raid on private schools, michael says what do labour plan to do with parents who home school . Thats a form who home school . Thats a form of private education, isnt it. Of private education, isnt it. And on the topic of dont mention the war susan says darren dont mention the war is a line from fawlty towers. Susan, i know that. Come on. And susan, i know that. Come on. And susan, i know that. Come on. And susan says its true the germans do not have a sense of humour. They still havent got over the fact that they lost twice. Well its going to be interesting to see what does actually happen at the euros and whether or not there are going to be Significant Police intervention , Significant Police intervention, because at that point we shall see. Let me know all your thoughts. So on all the stories weve been discussing today by visiting gbnews. Com forward slash york, join the conversation there or message me on our socials. Were gbnews now. Youre with me, Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Lots more coming up. Its been revealed that the weakest links Anne Robinson is dating the queens ex husband, Andrew Parker bowles. The queen consorts ex husband, Andrew Parker bowles can you believe it . Well bring you the latest on the new queen of mean. All of that and more to come. Youre with gb news, britains news channel. We are proud to be gb news the peoples channel. And as you know, we always love to hear your views. Now, theres a new way of getting in touch with us gbnews. Com. Forward. Slash your say by commenting. You can be part of a live conversation and join our gb news community. You can even talk to me, bev turner or any of the members of the gb news family. Simply go to gb news. Com forward slash your say. Say. Welcome back to gb news saturday with me, Darren Grimes on your tv, online and on digital radio. Thank you for your company. Now its been revealed that the queen of mean, Anne Robinson, is dating queen consort. Camillas ex husband, Andrew Parker bowles. The former weakest link presenter confirmed her relationship, saying her return to dating in her 70s was after being for single over a decade, was owed to the fact that she doesnt drink, which she says makes her less reckless as well. Joining me now is Showbiz Reporter Hayley Palmer. Showbiz reporter Hayley Palmer. Hayley, this is a turn up for the books. Is it not . Well, i actually did hear rumours at the end of last year. I think it was that they potentially could be together. Potentially could be together. But now it has been confirmed. Theres been an interview two where she has actually said, do you know what i dont want to say much more than that. I think her actual words was. Mind your own business. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so i mean, has Parker Bowles been single himself for a penod bowles been single himself for a period of time . Yes. I believe they have been. I believe they have been. Well, he got divorced in 1995. Yeah so theyve both been married twice before. But, you know, i think its really nice that people meet later on in life because we put so much focus on your love islands and actually thats boring. I think its great when you get a bit older. And i love what shes, said here. She actually said that dating at an older age, youre much more selective about what youre going to get in a tizz about. I think thats so true. Yeah so this is a shes very much enjoying her being in her 70s because shes had shes had shes admitted right to having worked on and things like that. So shes shes loving life. Shes looking after herself. Shes looking after herself. Shes getting things done to herself. So maybe shes just, you know, feeling more confident and happier than she has done in some time. Some time. Thats so true because i think as you get older, actually, you do feel more comfortable in your own skin. And why not look fabulous . And why not feel good . And why not have a new romance . I think its great. Im all for it. So how long has this been going on for . Did they say . Well, i think apparently they met at a lunch. It hasnt been completely confirmed, but i did some digging, and apparently it was a lunch that anne hosted for her brother and his school friends, which was actually back in 2022. So im thinking they met again maybe at the end of last year, and its kind of been just blossoming , but now its just blossoming, but now its been confirmed and were here for it. So are we expecting the queen consort to invite them over to Buckingham Palace for lunch . I mean, that would be the next step, but ive got a feeling were not going to get much from anne, especially as she said,. I dont want to talk about it, but lets face it, that makes the british public. We want to know more. Absolutely. Now tell me about the strictly come dance and drama. Whats going on . Well, im a massive strictly fan, and i also used to be a dancer and i used to run a dance school, so i know lots about the dance world. And its been said that giovanni has had too much of a strict, teacher method. Right. And Amanda Abbington , right. And Amanda Abbington, apparently two others as well have come forward and just said that, you know, we dont like that, you know, we dont like that they put in a formal complaint. But, ive got to say complaint. But, ive got to say that in most dances youll speak to, that is the method that you would get. Ive always had really strict dancers, teachers. I can remember at school being so scared to be going to my ballet teacher after school because she was, you know, those days theyd push you down into splits. Youre not allowed to do that now. But i think that is just his work, the way he works, you know, like, i mean, that might not be for everyone, but why have they come forward and said it now . Why didnt they say at the time . Because on camera theyre all like, oh, we love him. Its amazing. Its amazing. And now theyve all got together and said, oh no, hes the, you know, the worst thing even the, you know, the worst thing ever. And hes hes had to leave because he obviously feels that the pressure is too much to dubal is that right . Is that right . Khan to dubai, which i would probably do too. Yeah. Hes gone with his girl. Cant be bothered with his girl. Cant be bothered with this. Im out of here. Yeah. You know, but, you know, strictlys a massive program. Hes been one of the longest serving pros, and, you know, ive read all the comments in the papers, and people are very sad to see how long strictly been on for now, 20 years. 20 years. There hasnt been a complaint like this before. Exactly. And also , he won the exactly. And also, he won the competition with rose from eastenders. She was the deaf eastenders. She was the deaf girl and she was singing his praise. You know, he was he was wonderful. I also saw him with faye tozer , you know, so theres faye tozer, you know, so theres a couple of people that havent come forward, but theres three in particular that have and theres been a lot of pressure on him and i think hes just gone now. You know what, im out of here. But, you know, dancing is youre an athlete. You know, they dont get that good by just doing a few jazz hands. You know, youre working so hard and i remember when i used to dance, you know, it was never good enough. You training all the time. Blood, sweat, tears to be. Especially the competition you want to win. You know, i think these celebrities are just looking for a bit of press. Is that what it is . Well, they might have come together and gone. Oh, you know, but i just think personally, i think its unfair on him. And also what concerns me, darren is moving forward. How are they going to monitor what is too strict and what isnt . Strict and what isnt . Well, hayley, were going to have to see Hayley Palmer there. Thank you very much for coming in. Glamorous and fabulous as even in. Glamorous and fabulous as ever. Now, folks , youre with ever. Now, folks, youre with me. Darren grimes on gb news saturday. Theres lots more coming up on the show. First of all though, were going to get a look at the weather with catherine. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on gb news. News. News. News. Hello welcome to your gb news weather update from the met office. Sunny spells for some, but heavy showers , especially in but heavy showers, especially in the south where they could turn thundery. Looking at the pressure pattern, weve got higher pressure out towards the west, but notice the isobars really spread out indicating light winds. So across parts of wales and the south west of england, we have got a weather warning in force for thunderstorms and slow moving showers. Theyll gradually ease through the night elsewhere, turning largely dry, but well start to see low cloud once more come in to northern parts and also across the east, holding up with temperatures around 10 or 11 degrees but feeling cooler in any clear spells, especially rural spots in the west. So to start sunday morning, quite a murky start for some of us with low cloud , mist and fog, low cloud, mist and fog, especially across parts of the midlands, east anglia and the southeast to start sunday morning with a few showers, maybe clipping cornwall elsewhere. Further west. Lots of elsewhere. Further west. Lots of bright sunshine to start sunday, but across parts of scotland, especially across eastern areas , especially across eastern areas, once again were going to hold once again were going to hold on to a lot of low cloud mist and fog with some light rain and drizzle across parts of orkney and shetland, so through sunday morning we should see that low cloud mist and fog gradually breaking up through the later half of the morning to leave many places with plenty of sunshine on offer, well hold on to cloudier conditions for parts of scotland and also down the north east of england coast. Thats where it will be feeling cooler. But underneath all of the sunshine we will see temperatures reaching highs of up to 23, possibly even 24 degrees for the likes of the southeast through the rest of sunday evening. Then plenty of late evening sunshine on offer to end the weekend. A few showers may be possible across scotland, but otherwise a dry evening. Plenty of sunshine on offer on monday, but turning unsettled on tuesday and wednesday. Wednesday. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. Sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Thank you very much, catherine. Now lots more coming up on the show, folks. Would you live on mars . Well, elon musk is saying that you could be living in a city on the red planet in the next 30 years, but is this just a billionaires dream, or could it actually be reality . Could it actually be reality . All of that and more to come. Youre with gb news, where britains news channel. Hello and welcome to gb news saturday, im Darren Grimes, and for the next hour, ill be keeping you company on tv, online and on digital radio. This show, folks, keeps you up to date on the stories that really matter to you coming up this hour , could you coming up this hour, could we see strict limits on how much a landlord can charge for rent . Labours shadow chancellor has opened the door to rent caps, arguing there could be beneficial in some local areas and then, it seems every single week more exciting details come out about the former president Donald Trumps hush money trial. Donald trumps hush money trial. And this week its been no different. Well give you all the latest on whats happened later in the show and would you live on mars . Elon musk says you could be living on the red planet in the next 30 years, but is this just a billionaires dream, or could it be a reality . Dream, or could it be a reality . Now, this show is nothing without you and your views. Let me know your thoughts on all of the stories well be discussing today by visiting gbnews. Com. Forward slash york. Join the conversation there or message me on our socials. Were gbnews. First of all, its your news with sam. With sam. Darren, thank you very much and good afternoon to you. Its just coming up to 2 02 and we will start in devon, where a conservative mp has accused his local Water Company there of being incompetent after supplies were contaminated by parasites. The number of confirmed cases of cryptosporidium in the brixham area have now more than doubled to 46. The mp for totnes says south west waters response to the outbreak has been inadequate and that its put peoples pubuc and that its put peoples Public Health at risk. The firm , Public Health at risk. The firm, though, says it is now cleaning a water tank where the parasites were found. Meanwhile, olympian Dame Kelly Holmes has joined protesters today demonstrating about poor Water Quality surfers against sewage , the campaign against sewage, the Campaign Group, are demanding tougher action against polluting Water Companies. 30 protests are taking place across the country, including in brighton, falmouth and in edinburgh. The Water Companies, though, say they are spending more than £14 billion this year to fix the problem in england and wales. Two albanian nationals who used a plane to smuggle migrants from northern france to essex have been jailed. Morteza hilal and kreshnik cadena are part of a major Crime Network arranged at least nine migrant trips in 2016 and 2017. The National Crime agencys eight year investigation revealed the two men had provided counterfeit documents and safe transport, charging £10,000 per migrant. Theyve received combined sentences of five years and two months in court. The health and social harms caused by alcohol in england cost the taxpayer more than £27 billion a year, according to new estimates. According to new estimates. Thats a 40 increase since 2003, the institute of alcohol studies says the cost of crime and disorder linked to drinking costs more than £145 and disorder linked to drinking costs more than £14. 5 billion alone on Health Alcohol related harms cost the nhs just under 5 billion. Thats enough to pay the salaries of almost half of nurses in england. However, the dnnks nurses in england. However, the drinks industry says the data doesnt consider the £46 billion in direct economic benefits to the uk. Almost 80 people over the uk. Almost 80 people over the uk. Almost 80 people over the age of 65 are dying each day in england, while still waiting to receive social care, new figures have suggested. Charities and campaigners are calling on politicians to address the problem , and theyre address the problem, and theyre urging the government of accusing the government rather of a lack of investment. However, the department for health and social care says up to £86 billion has been made available in additional funding over two years. Next to israel, where pro Palestinian Protesters have been holding demonstrations, both in tel aviv and in Central London. Here in the uk , against the conflict the uk, against the conflict thatis the uk, against the conflict that is ongoing in gaza, there are worries about a lack of aid despite a new american built floating pier where supplies can be shipped in campaign us, though, say its not enough. Meanwhile, israeli troops say theyve destroyed 70 militant targets in its latest operations in rafah and also in jabalia, the largest refugee camp in the region. It comes after the bodies of three israeli hostages were recovered from gaza on friday. Israel now says at least 100 hostages are still alive. They believe the condition of slovakias Prime Minister has been described as stable but serious. After he was shot five times at point blank range, 59 year old robert fico underwent another two hours of surgery yesterday. The man accused of attempting to assassinate him has appeared in court with officials suggesting the attack was politically motivated. In was politically motivated. In the us, a man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for trying to 30 years in prison for trying to kidnap nancy pelosi , the to kidnap nancy pelosi, the former speaker of the us house of representatives. David depape, also used a hammer to beat her husband, whos in his 80s, causing serious head injuries. The court heard that the 44 year old was caught up in conspiracy theories and that he believed news outlets were repeatedly lying about donald trump. Some weather news for you now , and a yellow warning for now, and a yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the met office for parts of wales and southwest england. Slow moving heavy showers and lightning strikes could hit between now and 8 00 tonight, potentially triggering flooding with some areas seeing up to 4 or 5cm of rain. And finally , or 5cm of rain. And finally, some sports news. Tyson fury says that boxing fans should expect fireworks. He says when he takes on Oleksandr Usyk tonight as they finally go head tonight as they finally go head to head to become the undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion , both fighters, champion, both fighters, undefeated at professional level, had to be separated by security at an eventful weigh in last night, furys final interview before the showdown had so many expletives. Its not had so many expletives. Its not broadcastable. Around 3000 british fight fans have travelled to saudi arabia for tonights clash. For the latest stories , sign up to gb news stories, sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen or go to our website gb news. Common alerts. Thank you as ever, sam. Lets get stuck into todays topics. Labours shadow chancellor has opened the door to introducing caps on rent. Now Rachel Reeves said there may be a case for controlling rent prices in some local areas. Rent controls could allow councils to prevent landlords raising prices above a set amount every year. But trials folks in scotland have found it reduced the supply of housing and actually forced up new rents. Well, joining me now is gb news Political Correspondent, olivia utley. Olivia this is a policy that would surely go down well with young people who may be of the view that this is whats necessary in order to actually put the power and control back in their pockets. I think it probably will go down well with young people. And obviously you can see the ideological reasoning behind it. Rent has increased massively , rent has increased massively, across the whole of the uk, but particularly in big cities. And there are plenty of people simply being priced out of their homes by the exorbitant cost of rent. The question is whether rent. The question is whether rent controls would actually fix the problem , in scotland, the problem, in scotland, something similar was tried by Nicola Sturgeon in 2022, and its actually really badly backed fired. What happened was landlords , many of whom arent landlords, many of whom arent actually sort of spectacularly rich , found that with rent rich, found that with rent controls introduced, they simply werent able to meet their mortgage repayments on their second homes. And so they pulled out of the rental. The landlord sector altogether. That meant sector altogether. That meant that there was a reduced supply of places to rent. Now lots of those houses went up for sale and what Nicola Sturgeon hoped would happen is that those houses would then be bought by people who were previously renting in theory, that sounds like it might work, but in practice , even though the price practice, even though the price of houses went down a little bit because of the increase in supply, the people who were renting still werent able to afford them because of the cost of a deposit is just so phenomenal. So what actually ended up happening was there was a reduced supply of rental houses. Just as many people trying to rent. And in areas where rent controls hadnt been introduced , prices actually went introduced, prices actually went up. Rental prices in scotland are now up by 10. 6 from 2022, compared to Something Like 8. 4 here in england. So there is a huge risk that this policy could backfire. I should just say this isnt , as you explained well in isnt, as you explained well in your introduction, but this is not a National Labour policy by any means. In fact, the labour party have distanced themselves as an idea at all, but it does seem to be something that interests the shadow chancellor. And she hasnt ruled it out. She hasnt ruled out allowing councils, councils to introduce rent controls if they so wish. So you can see a situation, perhaps a few years down the line, with a lot of pressure from left wing backbench mps in the labour party who generally like this idea, you can see it could end up happening. I mean, olivia, i just worry about the, frankly, demonisation of landlords. I think actually, you know, landlords are painted as these extremely wealthy beasts of the Housing Market who actually are, you know, taking advantage of Vulnerable People who have got no other choice. Heres a bright idea to build some more houses. Right . Thats the way, actually, you increase supply and actually , you know, supply and actually, you know, reduce demand. And then therefore, the money, it just all it drives me round the twist. It really, really does. Twist. It really, really does. But olivia utley, thank you very much for that expert analysis. Much for that expert analysis. Gb news Political Correspondent there, fabulous as ever. Now joining me here in the studio is former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn, james schneider, and former special adviser to michael gove. Charlie rowley charlie , youre Charlie Rowley charlie, youre a renter. Where are you at on, on renter. Where are you at on, on rent controls. Are you, you know, sort of champing at the bit to get a bit of state intervention in your, in your rents. Rents. Im. No, im not chomping at the bit of anything. But as the bit of anything. But as olivia said, look, it might appeal to young people because there is a problem in the Housing Market. Rents are high, particularly in london. And to get young people onto the housing ladder thats, you know, it is an option. Renting is always tends to be the first opfion always tends to be the first option that young people take up. So you know, you dont want to see extortionate rents, so it might sound good, but the reality as olivia was just talking about there is that if you cap rents, you, see a load of landlords remove themselves from the market. If you have cats in particular areas, then people will just move slightly further outside of that area where there is that cap where rents would shoot up. So it wouldnt be as appealing as it sounds. It is detrimental to people who need to get on the housing ladder where renting is in the private sector. The first entry for a lot of people, james, i assume actually, you know, sadiq khan has been calling for these for a long while now. And, these powers are you of the view that actually they should definitely be given to london, for example . Yes. I am, i dont think that rent controls are enough to deal with our completely broken housing system, where average rents are over £1,200, where a month , where over 100,000 people month, where over 100,000 people are in temporary accommodation, where we have the highest level of homelessness, almost double the next highest developed country per capita. But rent controls are part of the solution. Rent controls the solution. Rent controls means that landlords cant increase rent. So, for example , in one so, for example, in one proposal that labour has rejected that was written by, i think it was the leader of hammersmith and Fulham Council that rents would not be able to rise above inflation, which seems to me to be an extremely sensible thing. But its not alone. The only issue. Yes, you mentioned you need to build homes and thats important, but its also the type of homes you build. There needs to be a mix of homes, including ones for social rent, but also we need to have intervention, the ability to intervene into the Housing Market. When you get situations like, for example , landlords like, for example, landlords feel like they need to sell because of not being able to meet their mortgage obligations for there to be funding for either local authority or the tenants to be able to take over the home and buy the landlord out. Theres a whole series of things that we need to bring in. Rent controls are a good thing. They need to be much more than we used to have them in this country. We used to have a, far less absurd Housing Market where people were able to buy much more easily. And a key element of that was rent controls. We had rent controls for most of the 20th century, and the gap between income and affordability of homes was hugely smaller, and thats got to be the key thing. I mean, housing is at the centre of community, and what we all want to have is stable, happy, functioning communities. And if you have a housing system where for way too many people the housing is unaffordable , its housing is unaffordable, its inaccessible and its of poor quality. You get the types of disruption where communities cant settle, and we cant have a thriving country. So there needs to be big intervention. Charlie, im assuming that youre you would say to james, well, look, scotland , ireland, well, look, scotland, ireland, germany, all examples where this has been tried, tested over recent years and it hasnt worked exactly. Yeah. Tried, tested and failed , look, london is an failed, look, london is an anomaly. Everybody lots of people. Its a freak show in london. The Housing Market, isnt it . The Housing Market, isnt it . It is because its the capital of the uk. Its the heartbeat of the uk economy. Its where everybody wants to be. So demand will always be high. Prices will always be higher than the way above the National National average. Its not necessarily the case, anywhere else around the country, though i take the point that in city centres in particular, there is there is demand there, there also. But i think , look, you know, there are think, look, you know, there are lots of things that we need to sort of address. It is building more homes, but you need local authorities to obviously approve those applications where they are appropriate. I personally want to see more, flats and apartments. You know, i think thatis apartments. You know, i think that is a way to deal with the housing crisis. I think weve got to be straight with the pubuc got to be straight with the public and straight with people, actually, particularly in the south east, if you want to live in the south east, if you want to live in london, youre not going to be living in a necessarily a three four bed apartment. You might just have to have more studio apartments, more smaller accommodation than what you might get for your buck elsewhere across the country. But that is the price you pay for living in the south east. So there has to be a compromise. But we have to build the homes. Absolutely to deal with people that are on the housing lists, people that want to rent, people that want to get on the housing ladden that want to get on the housing ladder. But rent controls, for all the reasons that weve talked about withdrawing supply from these land, these landlords withdrawing their supply, and in other areas where the rents will just go up is not its simply not. Its im afraid its simply not true that it doesnt work. Yes there are a couple of examples. Well, it doesnt work. Well hold on, hold. Weve just told me. Youve just told us what youve told us. One example of germany. Darren just mentioned germany does it. Germany does work. Germany does work. There are three examples. Charlie. Charlie. Fine. You might have said germany , but that doesnt said germany, but that doesnt mean that thats a correct example. In germany, the housing is more affordable and of higher quality. According to a recent quality. According to a recent report , they have rent controls. Report, they have rent controls. In vienna. We had rent controls and regulations on rents in this country for most of the 20th century, with more equitable housing outcomes. But were not theyre not in the 20th century. We didnt have your penchant for mass migration, did we . Thats actually exacerbated the housing demand. Demand. The housing per capita levels that we have today are relatively similar to what they were 40 years ago. There has been our population has increased not only because of migration, because we have because the population has been increasing, but also the supply of housing has been increasing. Now, we all think, i think the one thing that all three of us do agree on is that the supply of housing should have increased by more and should increase more going forwards. By more and should increase more going forwards. But my point is going forwards. But my point is that alone, the sort of nimby argument will just build some more flats, let developers rip , more flats, let developers rip, and that will sort everything out. That doesnt work because for two reasons. Firstly, the types of homes that are being built are not there, generally speaking, not affordable homes. So you get the redevelopment of areas which had some Affordable Housing and it tends to be replaced with higher cost flats, which doesnt deal with the underlying problem. And the second point is this if you do not control all what landlords can charge, then the market clearing rate will be close to the monopoly price, because you cant just walk across the street and rent an empty flat across the street. The reason why pens are not in a monopoly market . Because if i want to go in and buy this bic or whatever it is and they say this is £10, i can go and buy another pen, exactly the same thing. So thats how you get a market clearing price at equilibrium. You dont have that in the Housing Market, which is why you need regulation. You need regulation to prevent the rental price being being close to the monopoly price. And the way in monopoly price. And the way in which you do that in a slow way is you bring in, you cant have rent rises above inflation and you at the same time, you have the other reforms that we would all like with building more homes, and then you have more, more reforms along the lines like, i would like like a housing policy Bank Financed by private sector deposits. Whats terrifying here, though, is that, you know, even though, is that, you know, even though, labour have tried to distance themselves from rent controls, Rachel Reeves hasnt ruled it out. She said in some ruled it out. She said in some areas. And what were just seeing and hearing from the far left, from the corbyn wing of the of the labour party, because hes not a member anymore, because hes still suspended. Were seeing an increase this creeping in of more regulation. So whether its going to be state owned rail companies, whether its going to be a state owned energy sector, whether its now going to have rent controls in in the Housing Market, they are going to break the economy. This is all the things that the left, the far left will do to creep in. If labour come into government. This is really important that listeners here and viewers understand that when these policies come to fruition, when they come forward in the newspapers , people have to wake newspapers, people have to wake up to what a Labour Government would do. Those are three big sectors that they would nationalise and basically overregulate to crash the economy. People really need to be aware of that. I really, really wish that that were true, not the crashed economy. Not the crashed economy. Thats absolutely i mean, thats thats absolute nonsense. But please keep on telling people that those are labour policies because theyre all overwhelmingly popular. You might say that they are far left, but the majority of people, including hold on, hold on, hold on, hard working people, including taxes, would go up. Please. Thats what would happen, you know. Thats what. No, it is not at all. Lets take rail. This thing that you just pilloried at Public Ownership of rail being a silly thing. The overwhelming majority of people who voted for your party at the last election support the Public Ownership of rail , because it support the Public Ownership of rail, because it is support the Public Ownership of rail , because it is absolutely rail, because it is absolutely obvious the overwhelming majority of people support the pubuc majority of people support the Public Ownership of water because they are having sewage pumped into their water, and what is being taken out is dividends into it. So if we look at another thing thats popular, then james, they want to end mass migration. They want to say no to people coming here illegally. You disagree with that position. Should we do that because its popular with the public, i think that we should have elections and we should decide things democratically. But the point democratically. But the point that charlie is trying to make, well, we keep voting for Political Parties that say theyre going to reduce mass migration, but they never actually do. Thats exacerbating the housing crisis. So if were all housing crisis. So if were all agreed on that, surely we need to come together and do it. Well, i think that there should actually be democratic reform of migration where it is clear and transparent, who can, who can come in, how and then there can be some changes within parliament that can basically pull some levers up and down. But doing so in such a way that meets our commitments on refugees, that doesnt engage with the demonisation of minorities and so on. But to come back to charlies, you know , basically utterly spurious point that the, the regulating so that tenants are not as pred so that tenants are not as ripped off as they currently are , that commuters are not ripped off as much as they currently are, that bill payers for water and energy are not, are not pred and energy are not, are not ripped off as much as economy. It would crash the economy. It would crash the economy. And the sheer gall, the sheer gall of a representative of a representative of this government Labour Government, the sheer , the sheer. The the sheer, the sheer. The unemployment is up. Hang on, we cant hear you both. One at a time. The sheer gall of a representative from the government of the last 14 years, which has seen Living Standards fall, Public Services crumble, our infrastructure in many cases literally fall apart and also has increased the tax burden at the same time, saying that, oh no, if we, the country were able to manage and run things in the interests of the public, this would somehow be wrong. Its would somehow be wrong. Its just nonsense. Charlie. 14 years where a conservative government grew, the economy, where unemployment, the economy, unemployment is lower than its ever been before it got brexit done. It dealt with a huge pandemic and itll be doing many, many run on run on that many, many run on run on that many, many run on run on that many, many more things at the next general. So fantastic run on that election. Say it. The last 14 years have been bloody brilliant. Weve grown the economy. Everythings really good, everythings hunky dory and people should be grateful. Far worse. You should be. You should be great Labour Government. Well, i mean , james, you well, i mean, james, you wont be very excited when keir starmer gets in. No, not in the slightest. Its more of the same. Its more of the same. But i would say the country will continue its downward trend but at a slower pace. And i would rather a slower pace than the current, you know, headlong collapse that we are currently having. James schneider there, former adviser to Jeremy Corbyn and Charlie Rowley , the former Charlie Rowley, the former special adviser to michael gove. The battle of the former spads. Youre with me Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Lots more coming up on todays show. It seems every single week more exciting details come out of Donald Trumps hush money trial. This week has been no different. This week has been no different. Stay tuned to find out what happened. All of that and more to come with gb news, britains news channel a very warm welcome back to gb news. Saturday with me, Darren Grimes, on your tv, online and on digital radio. Now, folks, this is the Great British giveaway. Your chance to win £20,000 cash in time for summer. What would you spend it on . A dream holiday . Get the garden done. Perhaps treat the family well. You have to hurry because time is ticking on your chance to make it yours. Heres how. Its the biggest cash prize weve given away to date. An incredible £20,000 that you could use however you like. And could use however you like. And because its totally tax free, every single penny will be in your bank account to do whatever your bank account to do whatever you like with £20,000 in tax free cash, really could be yours this summer. Hurry. Youve got to be in it to win it. For another chance to win £20,000 in tax free cash. Text win to 63232. Text cost £2 plus one Standard Network rate message. Standard network rate message. Or post your name and number to gb05 , p0 or post your name and number to gb05 , po box 8690 derby rd one gb05, po box 8690 derby rd one nine double tee, uk. Only nine double tee, uk. Only entrants must be 18 or over. Lines close at 5 pm. On the 3ist lines close at 5 pm. On the 31st may for full terms and Privacy Notice gbnews. Com. Forward slash win. Please check the closing time if listening or watching on demand. Good luck. Watching on demand. Good luck. Well now folks, it seems every single week more exciting details come out of Donald Trumps hush money trial in the states. And this week has been no different. Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen , has been lawyer, Michael Cohen, has been on the stand this week being attacked by trumps lawyers over his credibility as a witness, highlighting his previous convictions for lying to congress and other criminal charges. Its been a whirlwind charges. Its been a whirlwind of drama, really. Well, joining of drama, really. Well, joining me now to discuss is the chair of republicans overseas uk, greg swenson. Greg, thank you very much for your company. Great to be here. Darren. Great to be here. Darren. Where does this end . You where does this end . You know, this this its sort of like a psychodrama , right . Like a psychodrama, right . Yeah. Yeah. I think its going to end in at least in this particular trial. It could very well end this coming week. It might go over the long weekend next weekend. But but more than likely this thing could end. I have a feeling the jurors want to get want to get out before the long weekend. So theyll finish. Theyll wrap up the counter, wrap up the witnesses on monday, tuesday and maybe go to summation even as early as wednesday. So they could be done with this in a few days. And how how bad could this be for the president . Well, if youd asked president . Well, if youd asked me a few months ago, i would have said pretty bad, because the jury is stacked against him. 88 of the jury pool in new york voted for biden. The judge is a hostile, progressive, left democrat. The prosecutor is a soros backed left winger who campaigned on the idea of getting trump. So, you know, this was not a good place for President Trump. But i think President Trump. But i think what weve learned in the in the trial in the last few weeks is that the case is a complete sham and that was pretty well understood by legal scholars at the beginning. But now the the beginning. But now the general public knows that. So 66 of the voters that were polled say that this is political, and 56 say that joe biden is behind it. So and only 30 disagree with that statement. So this is not going well for the democrat party. Lawfare complex that, you know, allegedly is trying to save democracy. But but subverting democracy. But but subverting the Constitutional Order to do it. So this is not a good moment for the democrats. And i think its helping President Trump. Well, i so i agree with that. And its certainly the maga base the make America Great again base are all very much enthused. Very much of the view that this is a witch hunt. Right. This was always going to happen. This is the liberal establishment gathering together to try and take out their man wears Middle America on this. Is there a sense of this . Is this is unfair. This this isnt right. Absolutely. And so the Middle America is following okay. Youre right. Absolutely right. The 25 of the Republican Party or Republican Voters , the maga or Republican Voters, the maga crowd, they were always behind trump. They saw this as a witch hunt right out of the gates. But the rest of the country is starting to understand that better. And youre seeing it also with the other three indictments. Those are crumbling and so the fact that the most obscene of the four indictments was this case, the alvin bragg case, the most obscene case was tried first, was actually to the great benefit of President Trump, because its shown that this is lawfare, this is the weaponization of the justice system. So again, i said 66 think its political. So the rest of the country is starting to understand this. The radical Progressive Left are going to stick with it. And say that its, you know, the equal justice under the law. And, you justice under the law. And, you know, i dont think americans in general are buying that anymore. General are buying that anymore. And how unhealthy has this lawfare been for american democracy, do you think . Because now it seems both sides are willing to actually use courts of law to make political debate and all the rest of it, i hope theres not payback for this. You know, thats my one concern, is that the president , if he wins in november, gets distracted with retribution. And ihope distracted with retribution. And i hope thats not the case. Id rather turn the other cheek. It didnt work. Rather turn the other cheek. It didnt work. It rather turn the other cheek. It didnt work. It shouldnt be didnt work. It shouldnt be used in the future by either party. And i hope that the republicans stick with that. But it doesnt mean that you wont find some red state prosecutor thatis find some red state prosecutor that is going to look at the last two years. Its quite obvious that, you know, theyve had this so called evidence of all these alleged crimes in this case, in the alvin bragg case. Theyve had it for eight years. And funny, they didnt say a word about it until 2023 when the president , President Trump was running for re election. So its quite obvious. I hope you dont see that from red state prosecutors. But this also shows the rot in the system from these soros backed das where hes funded these Progressive Left democrat district attorneys all over the country. Thats why over the country. Thats why youre seeing crime elevated in all of these blue state and blue cities as well. So i hope this corrects itself. All right, greg, thank you very much for coming in. Good to be with you. Well see what happens and follow that. Thats the chair of republicans overseas uk, greg swenson. Now overseas uk, greg swenson. Now folks youre with me Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Weve got lots more coming up on the show. First of all, were going to get a news update with sam. Sam. Darren, thank you very much. And good evening. Good afternoon to you. In fact, its certainly not evening yet. Its just after not evening yet. Its just after 2 30, the headlines a devon mp has said that the Regional Water suppues has said that the Regional Water supplies response to a water borne parasite outbreak has been contemptible. And, he says just generally incompetent. There are generally incompetent. There are now 46 confirmed cases of the diarrhoea introduced inducing cryptosporidium bug in the brixham area. South west water says it is working to resolve the issue and is now cleaning a water tank where the parasites were found. Meanwhile, people are hitting the water on paddleboards around the uk today to raise awareness of sewage in our waters. Its been organised by surfers against sewage, who are demanding tougher action against Water Companies which pollute rivers and seas. 30 demonstrations are being held in places including brighton in scarborough and edinburgh. Olympian and keen paddleboarder Dame Kelly Holmes is one of the famous faces whos joined the demonstrations. Pro Palestinian Protesters are holding a demonstration in Central London today against the conflict in gaza. It comes as israels Prime Minister is promising to return all hostages , he says, living or all hostages, he says, living or dead, after the bodies of three people were recovered in gaza yesterday. Meanwhile the Israeli Defence forces says its being battling more fighters overnight in rafah and in jabalia. The largest refugee camp in the region. A thunderstorm warning region. A thunderstorm warning has been issued by the met office for parts of england and wales this afternoon. Slow moving heavy showers could trigger flooding, with some areas likely to see up to 4 or 5cm of rain in just two hours. The yellow weather warning is in place until 8 00 tonight, and if you didnt see the Northern Lights last weekend, well, theyre due to return to uk skies in around a fortnight. We typically see the bands of pink and green light when solar flares on the surface of the sun are really active. The huge sunspot cluster that hurled energy and gas towards earth last weekend is rotating back towards us, paving the way for more geomagnetic, geomagnetic storms and displays of the natural wonder. For the latest stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts. Just scan the qr code on your screen or go to gb news. Common alerts. News. Common alerts. Thanks very much, sam. Now theres plenty more coming up on todays show. But before i tell you what weve got lined up for you, nana akua has joined me in the studio. Nana, whats coming up on your show . You look very summery, by the way. Thank you. Well, i thought id get into the vibe, you know, get into the summer vibe. Absolutely. But, you know, weve got some exciting stuff. Were talking about water, water, water everywhere. But dont dnnk water everywhere. But dont drink it for goodness sake, unless you want the runs. So were going to talk about whether it should be privatised or not. That was in the roundtable discussion. Plus Meghan Markle in my niggle today. I know that a lot of the British Press kind of represented that trip as though it was president ial, as though it was president ial, as though it was president ial, as though it was a really positive, great thing. A lot of them talked about how good she looked and the although some of her fashion faux pas, but ive actually got some clips from nigeria saying what the nigerians thought about her and her remarks that shes 43 nigerian, which are most entertaining. So youll stay for that. Entertaining. So youll stay for that. So yeah, entertaining. So youll stay for that. So yeah, on entertaining. So youll stay for that. So yeah, on the entertaining. So youll stay for that. So yeah, on the ground in nigeria, they werent convinced. No , no. And theres some no, no. And theres some question marks over what actually the heritage may well be. And because some genealogists are apparently saying its not nigeria going back through the family tree. Well, the thing is, my parents, theyre both from ghana. They may have other origins within my dna, but i am not ghanian. Im british. Yeah, not ghanian. Im british. Yeah, andifs not ghanian. Im british. Yeah, and its not about what my dna says. Its about my culture. And i think her claiming to be nigerian did get a few of the nigerians backs up. So its most entertaining what they were saying. Im talking about Meghan Markle. Yeah, and lots of things. The same stuff that youve been talking about. But well be debating. Great. All right. Well, nana, i look forward to it. Thank you very much. As i always say, Everyone Needs their nana folks. Everyone needs their nana folks. No one knows that better than me. Now remember to let me know your thoughts on all the stories weve been discussing by visiting gbnews. Com yoursay kwasi. Join the conversation there or message me on our socials. Where gbnews now theres lots more coming up on theres lots more coming up on the show. Well be bringing you the show. Well be bringing you the latest from the legendary annual fish and chip festival in whitby, celebrating the towns rich maritime and fishing heritage. Very important to do heritage. Very important to do all of that and more to come. Im Darren Grimes and youre with gb news, britains news channel welcome back to gb news saturday with me, Darren Grimes. Saturday with me, Darren Grimes. On your tv, online and on digital radio. Now if youre in the northeast this weekend, head over to whitby for their fish and chips festival. Celebrating the towns rich fishing heritage. Therell be some live cooking there. Therell be fish gutting demonstrations and plenty more to get stuck into. Well, joining me now is gb news, yorkshire and humber reporter anna riley. Oh, anna, has the sun gone in . Its in and out, darren. But the mist that we started off with this morning is clearing andifs with this morning is clearing and its certainly feeling a lot warmer. Thousands have turned out for this event. Its been put on by North Yorkshire council all for free. All to put whitby in the spotlight this weekend, both for its fishing heritage and both for its businesses as well. Im joined by lee fowler. If you can see behind us, he provides the children attractions and whats this weekend been like for you, lee . Today . So far . Up to now weve got some good starts, its been quite busy. Its been a lot of people coming through the gate over there, so well see how the weekend goes, but yeah, so far, so good. Theres a lot of people here. The weathers right, which is bringing them in. So and just tell us about these attractions. The sort of quaint british rides out there for children. Weve kept it traditional , weve kept it traditional, weve gone for things that we know work at a event like this. Weve got the traditional swing boats, the high striker for the little children there, the trampolines. And weve just kept it sort of subtle so that theres just something going on in the background for the kids, so we just wanted to , you know, keep just wanted to, you know, keep it. Keep it. Right . Really . We didnt want anything too big, for the adults or anything like that. For the adults or anything like that. Its all about the that. Its all about the children and keeping the children and keeping the children happy. And, lee, youre born and bred in whitby. What does this weekend mean to you . Really . Weekend mean to you . Really . Putting whitby on the map, like i say, i was born in whitby, so for us to be able to come to an event thats on our doorstep, is a lot better than sort of travelling to different, events that we go to. My sons involved, so he comes down and gives us a hand. Its all family. My partners there. My mum and dad are on something today. So its something weve always been into to and work with all the locals and people that we know , locals and people that we know, were all helping each other out. Weve all come together to, to bring this event. And how important is it to boost business . Because peoples spending habits have changed, havent they, with the cost of living . Yeah, i mean. Really, whitby. Yeah, i mean. Really, whitby. Its sort of all depending on the weather. If the suns out, people come to whitby, but we sort of try and keep the costs down, just try and keep things popular without, sort of, you know , we all have rent and know, we all have rent and Different Things to pay, so , so Different Things to pay, so, so weve just got to try and work the best we can, so that people can still afford, you know, a day out. I mean, the events free, so people can come here, enjoy themselves , get their fish enjoy themselves, get their fish and chips or whatever, and have and chips or whatever, and have a nice day out in whitby. Thank you so much, lee. Thank you. So. Yeah, definitely. If you. So. Yeah, definitely. If youre in the area this weekend, come to whitby for the fish and chips festival. Oh, i know it looks lovely and nostalgia. Youre making me really hungry. Ive been on air since 12, but that cloud behind you looks ominous. Anyway anna riley there yorkshire and humber reporter thank you very much for that update there, susan says whitby is a great place and delicious fish and chips, but i have to say, the best fish and chips i ever had was from saltburn by the sea. So weve got some competition there around the country now. On the migrant crisis. Around the country now. On the migrant crisis. As ann has migrant crisis. As ann has written in, and ann took umbrage with what Matthew Stadlen had to say about , the migrant crisis say about, the migrant crisis and whether or not he would take in migrants himself. He said he didnt have the spare room. Now, james snyder as well, hes got a penchant for bringing in all of these people. And anna asks, these people. And anna asks, more houses equal, more illegals , so that we need to ask these question. The question to these people, are you yourself willing to take them in . And if not, youre a hypocrite. Thats what ann says. Now june and allan ann says. Now june and allan have written in. Good evening. Good afternoon , rather, june and good afternoon, rather, june and allan, how to stop the boats. The Prime Minister should invite the heads of the special boat service, the sas , the royal service, the sas, the Royal Marines and naval Beach Landing craft to report him what on week with their plan to turn back the boats and people safely to the beach, they came from, that team will never fail. Prime minister tusk them today and stop 100 of the boats in just one month. Another viewer says the government need to stop giving Migrants Hotel rooms, Council Houses and putting them above the british people. And carol stopped start deporting one appeal after the deportation from country of origin. Free prison space deport the 10,000 waiting for deportation. Carol, waiting for deportation. Carol, do you know what . Just yesterday we had the sentencing of that fella who murdered Terence Carney in hartlepool. And i have to say, you know, it breaks my heart reading stories like that. It really does. So i think youre right, carol, thank you very much for your thoughts. Continue to send them in. Gb news. Com forward slash your say is the address that you need in order to do so. Now youre with Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Lots more coming up on the show. Elon musk says that the show. Elon musk says that you could be living in a city on mars in the next 30 years, but is this just a billionaires dream, or could he actually be right . Well, someone says, mars right . Well, someone says, mars might feel less alien than my country right now. Youre with that on a more coming up gb news britains news channel a very warm welcome back to gb news saturday with me, Darren Grimes on your tv, online and on digital radio. Now, will humans be living on mars by 2055 . Elon musk seems to think so. And some of my viewers actually think that thats where we need to go instead of rwanda with the migrant crisis. But the billionaire spacex chief, elon musk says we could be living in a city on mars in the next 30 years. It comes as musk outlined plans to extend consciousness ahead of the latest launch of his falcon nine rocket in may. Well, joining me now is the space expert andy lound. Now mars genuine prospect. In your view . View . Yes, i think the initial idea is, of course, youre going to have researchers, scientists and engineers going to be living out there rather than the general public, living out there. But i think there is a theres a real prospect for it. It all depends on his starliner rocket, which is actually developing at the moment, i must say, what what spacex have managed to achieve, i think is genuinely impressive. And we havent we dont focus enough on how thats managed to happen without actually its not nasa. You know, this is a private enterprise. No, i think its a good example of how private industry can get things going. I mean, hes the perfect example of George Bernard shaws statement. You know, i dream, why i dream, why not . And thats what he simply does. Why not . And thats what he simply does. I why not . And thats what he simply does. I mean, bear why not . And thats what he simply does. I mean, bear in mind his program for the moon are simply overtake nasas original program, which was dragging on for 30 years and getting nowhere, really, or getting nowhere, really, or getting slow. Hes just pushed getting slow. Hes just pushed it forward, and his his concept is much better. The starliner rocket, once it goes, once it works, hell be taking astronauts to the moon. But the design of it means it can be used as a cargo vessel, which can go to the moon or to mars. It can be refuelled, take more people to mars. So initially, hes designing a spacecraft that can do trips all over the solar system. And that has got to be the way forward. So once it works , the solar system is open works, the solar system is open to us. And thats something i think that what nasa needed to do, rather than bespoke mission, bespoke designs all the time, which is sort of slows things up, you know, you design to go to the moon with apollo, you scrap it, you design the space shuttle, you scrap that and start again. Hes actually gone on with, lets just do it properly. Yeah, well, its an answer to that. You know, the state doesnt always know best. It doesnt. And its the red tape and issues with the state where he can push things forward. Working in conjunction with the state of course, which is important. Youve got to Work Together for it. But it does together for it. But it does mean that if hes going to work on these kind of projects, state funded projects can actually be really targeted. Better or more efficiently. And i think thats what needs to be done. How many years do you think itll be before we actually are able to see a site like that . Because this is this is a replica. I see this is mars. Yeah, this is mars. I think if once he gets the space, his starliner working and gets astronauts on the moon with artemis , once that the moon with artemis, once that design is proven, then its just a question of the logistics of sorting out. Mars is a very different animal. Weve got mars on screen there. Now lets give mars. Does mars spin . No. Yeah, we can spin around. Yeah. There we go. Yeah. There we go. Yeah. There we go. Its. Its i mean, where. So explain to me what we know about the actual ability to survive on mars. Yeah, i mean, wed still have to create our own materials and resources. The atmosphere, of course, is unbreathable the atmospheric pressure is low. So were actually building artificial constructs there to actually survive it. But weve already proved with one of the rovers that we can generate oxygen from the surface of mars. We can generate it through, chemical reactions with the soil. We can actually pull our oxygen out so we can generate oxygen. Theres water ice there. So we can actually split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen then can be used for fuel, hydrogen then can be used for fuel , oxygen to breathe. Fuel, oxygen to breathe. Combined the two together for Hydrogen Fuel cells to generate electricity and power. So we can actually use the resources is there on the site. Once we get our main materials there , which our main materials there, which is why i said initially well be looking at engineers, scientists to actually go there to do the work. What would you say to those just briefly . Sorry, because were running out of time, but what would you say to those who say we should be concentrating on our own planet . Not. Its a good point, but the Space Program actually has feedback into our own systems. Feedback into our own systems. People keep talking about, oh, we need green tech and all that. You actually need green tech to do this kind of work. Thats what feeds back most of the medical breakthroughs that we had with equipment actually has come through the Space Program. Come through the Space Program. So the Space Program feeds back in, and then people say, oh, well, youre spending 10 billion on the Space Program. Yeah, youre spending well over 200 billion in the west on weaponry systems. Yeah. Well yeah thats a good yeah. Well yeah thats a good point. Thank you very much for your space expertise there and the props ive really enjoyed that. Its good. Ive never actually seen mars like that before. Right folks youve been with me Darren Grimes on gb news saturday. Thank you ever so for joining me. But folks dont go anywhere because theres plenty more coming up on gb news in just a moment. Its fiery debate with nana akua. And at 6 pm, im back, you lucky lot with the saturday five. First of all, though, were going to get a look at the weather with. Catherine. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello, welcome to your gb news weather update from the met office. Sunny spells for some, but heavy showers, especially in the south where they could turn thundery. Looking at the thundery. Looking at the pressure pattern, weve got higher pressure out towards the west , but notice the isobars west, but notice the isobars really spread out, indicating light winds. So across parts of wales and the south west of england, we have got a weather warning in force for thunderstorms and slow moving showers. Theyll gradually ease through the night elsewhere, turning largely dry, but well start to see low cloud once more come in to northern parts and also across the east, holding up with temperatures around 10 or 11 degrees but feeling cooler in any clear spells , especially any clear spells, especially rural spots in the west. So to start sunday morning, quite a murky start for some of us with low cloud, mist and fog, especially across parts of the midlands , east anglia and the midlands, east anglia and the southeast to start sunday morning with a few showers, maybe clipping cornwall elsewhere. Further west. Lots of elsewhere. Further west. Lots of bright sunshine to start sunday, but across parts of scotland, especially across eastern areas, once again were going to hold once again were going to hold on to a lot of low cloud, mist and fog with some light rain and drizzle across parts of orkney and shetland. So through sunday morning we should see that low cloud, mist and fog gradually breaking up through the later half of the morning to leave many places with plenty of sunshine on offer. Well hold on to cloudier conditions for parts of scotland and also down the north east of england coast. Thats where it will be feeling cooler. But underneath all of cooler. But underneath all of the sunshine we will see temperatures reaching highs of up to 23, possibly even 24 degrees for the likes of the southeast through the rest of sunday evening. Then plenty of late evening sunshine on offer to end the weekend. A few showers may be possible across scotland, but otherwise a dry evening. Plenty of sunshine on offer on monday but turning unsettled on tuesday and wednesday. Wednesday. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers. Sponsors of weather on gb news. Hello. Good afternoon, and welcome to gb news on tv online and on digital radio. Im nana akua. And for the next few hours , me and my panel will be taking on some of the big topics hitting the headlines right now. Now, this show is all about opinion. Its mine. Its now, this show is all about opinion. Its mine. Its theirs. Opinion. Its mine. Its theirs. And of course its yours. Well be debating discussing and at times we will disagree, but no one will be cancelled. So one will be cancelled. So joining me in the next hour, broadcaster and columnist lizzie cundy and also former labour Party Adviser matthew laza wright. In a Party Adviser matthew laza wright. In a few Party Adviser matthew laza wright. In a few moments Party Adviser matthew laza wright. In a few moments ill be mucking the week with comedian john martin. But coming up, my political spotlight , ill be political spotlight, ill be speaking with councillor rob mushowe, whos gone from a banana leaf thatched mud hut in uganda to being a rugby coach and a councillor in west london. Hell be here to shine a light on his incredible journey. Then the Great British debate this hour im asking, should rent caps be introduced . Labours shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has suggested that she should support introducing rental controls in some areas of the country. And my difficult conversation. Lots of exciting stuff happening there. Cynthias round will be here. My nigel with megan in nigeria. Some people didnt really like them at