This is bbc news. The headlines. Quarantine consfusion as scotand and wales impose new restrictions, while theres no change in england and Northern Ireland. The Prime Minister says there is still an all uk approach. Overwhelmingly, the uk is proceeding as one, and i think you will find that when you dig beneath some of the surface differentiation, you will find overwhelmingly the same approach. People in leeds are being warned to follow coronavirus guidelines or face new restrictions. Rescuers in lebanon continue to search in the rubble to find someone who may still be alive. A month on from the blast which killed hundreds,
a minutes silence is held to remember those who died Virgin Atlantic plans to cut another 1,150 jobs the airline says its completed its £1. 2 billion rescue deal. Construction gets underway on the High Speed Railway from london to birmingham and beyond, the biggest single Infrastructure Project in europe. The Prime Minister has insisted that quarantine measures for arrivals
from countries deemed high risk will remain a vital part of the fight against coronavirus. He was speaking after the government admitted the difference in uk quarantine rules is confusing for travellers. Many holidaymakers and travel companies have said theyre frustrated and angry after wales and scotland imposed new restrictions on people coming back from portugal and parts of greece while england and Northern Ireland didnt make any changes. Gavin lee is at the airport in faro, in portugal. People going on holiday have become used to this weekly decision, usually the uk as a whole, whether it is for spain or france or croatia, people have to go back and quarantine. We have seen the rush weekly. Today, however, things are different, more complicated, because suddenly wales, scotland saying portugal is an absolute no go zone because of covid 19 and england and Northern Ireland say it is currently safe. The effect on the ground we have been taking a look. Back to britain from faro airport this morning. Where you are going back to now dictates whether you have to isolate. Theres been no indication from the government. This couple are heading to birmingham. They dont need to quarantine, but they bought early tickets home. We are not very happy. We feel we have lost two days of our holidays. It has cost us an arm and a leg. We are just very disappointed. Ron and his children are cutting their holiday short by four days when ultimately there was no need to. So we paid just over £1000 for three. Going back to manchester. And the flight on monday hasjust gone. It would be good if the government could all get together and come up with one set of policies which are applied reasonably consistently. As more british tourists return
home, it is clear to me how confusing many people find the new rules. For example, if youre an english traveller flying to cardiff today, you can drive back, wont have to self isolate. But if youre welsh and land in birmingham today, you will then go back and have to spend the next two weeks in isolation. This new way of travelling has just become even more complicated. So just how do the uk nations differ on quarantine . If you fly from six greek islands and live in wales you have to self isolate for 14 days. If you live in scotland, now the whole of greece is on the quarantine list. There are no restrictions in england and Northern Ireland. If you arrived from portugal and live in wales you will have to self isolate from today. It is the same for scotland. But the new rules come in tomorrow. Again there are no new restrictions for england and Northern Ireland. Portugal has seen a rise in coronavirus cases in recent days, going just above the uk margin of safety of 20 cases per 100,000 people. But the tourist destinations of the algarve are not the problem. So why are politicians taking such different approaches . We look at the data and then we do speak, but im different devolved administrations in the uk have different approaches to the problem, but overwhelmingly the uk is proceeding as one, and i think you will find that when you dig beneath some of the surface differentiation, you will find overwhelmingly the uk takes the same approach. It is estimated more than 30,000 uk holiday makers have headed out here since the travel corridor opened two weeks ago. Golf and good weather a magnet for all the travellers for so called silver season. But arrivals this morning were much quieter than usual. The money and complexity of taking an unpredictable break may now not be worth the gamble for many. We heard a reference they are to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson we heard a reference they are to the Prime Minister, borisjohnson went on to say that the quarantine measures are an important measure of stopping the spread of coronavirus. He said that testing at airports has limited value. I understand the difficulties that the airline have been going through. I understand how tough it is particularly for people facing the loss of theirjobs in the avian student said he accepted. Were going to do everything we can to put our arms around every business weve already put a0 billion into their furlough scheme, 160 billion altogether. Supporting business in our country. We will do more to support aviation. The particular problem is, everyone thinks he can have some test at the airport that will answer whether youve got it off. Unfortunately, it only works in 7 of the cases. 93 of the time you
could have a realfalse 7 of the cases. 93 of the time you could have a real false sense of security, a false sense of confidence when you arrive and take a test. Thats why the quarantine system that we have has got to be an important part of our repertoire of our tool box infighting covid 19. Weve got to a situation now, weve got the disease right down, weve got the disease right down, weve got that down, weve got hospital admissions down, we are getting schools back now. Its fantastic to see kids getting back into school in huge, huge numbers. And i pay tribute to teachers, parents, pupils for what theyre doing. Its happening all over the country. What we dont want to see it now is infection, reinfection coming in from abroad and quarantine is a vital pa rt abroad and quarantine is a vital part of that. We are going to be talking to wales we are going to be talking to
our Political Correspondent, leila nathoo joins momentarily. Us from westminster. Travellers would be forgiven for being confused. You have to look it up being confused. You have to look it up online before you do anything these days. Because different politicians are taking different approaches. Thats right. The chancellor actually acknowledged as much earlier today saying the situation, the discrepancy between the formation policies was confusing. I think it is worth reminding ourselves that the nations do have the powers to take different approaches on certain policies was that weve seen that throughout the pandemic. There been different rules, nations moving at different paces for at certain things. Face max for example. I think its important that we do find ourselves in this situation. Clearly scotland has taken a bit more of a cautious approach. Wells have taken a targeted approach to greece for example. England and Northern Ireland ta ken example. England and Northern Ireland taken a bit more of a blunt blanket policy on quarantine. Youve heard borisjohnson saying testing will not be a replacement for those quality doing that pointing
policies. All nations are looking at the same data but they are coming to different conclusions about what to do with that data. You heard the point made by chaps this morning saying its not just point made by chaps this morning saying its notjust about cases per hundred thousand that threshold number of 20,000 sorry, 20 cases per hundred thousand. That is what countries are being judged on what topic they go about that than quarantine measures have been generally reimpose was that he also said countries are testing more now for if you are testing more youre likely to find more cases. You want to look at how many positive tests are you getting out of the hold number of tas. I think different indicators are in the mix but very strong message from all governments is that look, if you are preparing to travel abroad this summer, this autumn you have to be prepared for quarantine measures to be introduced at short measures because the situation is changing all the time. Until the government can respond quickly. Yes. Before we let ego lets also quickly talk about tony abbott. Hes been in the
news a lot recently and more comments about him and whether he might be appointed to the brexit board. This is the former australian Prime Minister whose name has been in the mix for a number of days now. As being someone who is going to be appointed to the uk board of trade. This is an advisory body, and expert panel that is representing uk trade designed to promote uk trade. It hasnt met sense may 2019. But its expected the new composition of the board is going to be announced. We do understand that tony abbott is going to be appointed as an unpaid adviser to that board. Because his name has been in the mix for a number of days although thereve been no official confirmation, there has been a lot of criticism of his potential appointment. So far labour have criticised that hes been accused of been misogynist of being made homophobic comments. He was an opponent of same sex marriage in australia for the people is talked
about his record on climate change, hes expressed doubts about climate change. There is been strong criticism including the tory Party Select Committee has also expressed her concerns and reservations about it. But we do understand that he is going to be appointed to this board. We are expecting official confirmation to come as soon early this evening. I think it does go to show that ogle doing although the government have been taken a lot of criticism when it hasnt even been confirmed, they are prepared to go for the person they see fit to do thejob. Ministers have in recent days been pointing to his record on striking trade deals. He was a prominent brexit supportive. He has a personalfriendship prominent brexit supportive. He has a personal friendship with prominent brexit supportive. He has a personalfriendship with Boris Johnson was up i think the feeling clearly is in government that he has the right man for the job. Clearly is in government that he has the right man for thejob. He has beenin the right man for thejob. He has been in the uk in recent days i think it really is only a matter of time before we get that official confirmation. Well, we may well be back with you for that. In terms of staying with you and quarantines in terms of staying with you and quara ntines and travelling in terms of staying with you and quarantines and travelling lets speak to the health minister. Good afternoon. What is behind your decisions then to impose restrictions for travellers from certain countries including portugal . Well, two reasons. The first is that every government in the uk that has access to the report this week that sets up a rise in cases in portugal, gibraltar and french polynesia. It also sets up a slightly different picture increase. There is a combination of reasons why we take the approach there. The jvc telus a high risk to uk Public Health from travellers returning from a group of greek islands. They are the islands that we have taken quarantine measures in respect of. They do not we have specific information with a rising tide and avenged from one of those islands in particular. Weve
now had over the last two weeks more than 70 infections directly linked back. Given my responsible for Public Health ive come to the conclusion where i cant refuse to act to protect the people of wales. So my choices are all about keeping whales say. It is so curios, people watching this, thinking trying to get away. They will be struck with by what you say. Everyone, all politicians are looking at the same scientific evidence. Different people are coming up with different responses. There were a state why on earth is this happening . Why arent there some coordinated response . did ask for there some coordinated response . did askforan there some coordinated response . did ask for an early meeting from all four governments to discuss increase in particular. I dove waited to we have that report on wednesday unfortunately the meeting id arrange for it later on wednesday did not take place was up eight meeting on thursday did not ta ke eight meeting on thursday did not take place either. There may well be good reasons why the uk minister
couldnt attend but the next meeting date on sex in the evening on thursday was one that i could not attend. Of course every government had already made their choices by six and every event. The report is very clear and i think there is something here for us to learn about how we have a public facing document from thejoint how we have a public facing document from the joint Security Centre to underpin confidence in the choices we re underpin confidence in the choices were making. Its a very clear warning in the report the high risk, not moderate or medium but high risk to uk Public Health from a group of dispersed greek island. Thats why weve taken that approach in respect to those islands excluding mainland greece. Quarantine after all is a Public Health measure and the first wave of coronavirus was driven by a number of infections imported from mainland europe into the uk. Im not prepared to simply look at that rising tide of infections from greek islands and do nothing about it. Thats why ive acted to keep whales
say. So if someone is watching you right now, they are thinking of booking a holiday, going to visit rest fling acknowledges what is your message to them given how quickly things could change given these fluid circumstances . Any International Travel at this point in time comes with a risk. Because governments across the uk and across the world have to act to protect people against the potential of an increasing coronavirus it is possible that those travel could change your deed in the air travelling back. Our responsibility asa travelling back. Our responsibility as a group of ministries in the wells government has to be to do the right thing to keep whales say. I recognise that could well keep disruption. I dont think any one with thank giving to beat quarantine arrangements but introduce them properly to safeguard the health of all of us. Its notjust the family and friends on planes coming back as the community you live in. And we have to act. Thank you for your
time. Thank you for your time. People in leeds are being warned to follow coronavirus guidelines or face new restrictions. Cases in the city are rising and the local council says the community has reached a pivotal moment. It comes as the government says the reproduction, or r number, of covid 19 in the uk remains between 0. 9 and 1. 1 indicating that the rate of infection is either broadly stable or slightly growing. Heres our Health Correspondent richard galpin. Leeds is the latest in a growing list of cities across the country where infection rates have risen to the point where more action may need to be taken. Its expected the city will be added to Public Health englands watch list of areas of concern. And local officials are preparing for the possibility of imposing further measures. Well be keeping a very close eye over the next couple of weeks. And what we would expect
in the first place, if there is any change, is just restrictions of movement rather than, its premature to talk about lockdowns at this stage, but clearly if its felt there does need to be restrictions of movement, for example, then that is something of course that we will have to put into place. For those living here, the prospect of more restrictions is bleak. It cant be good for businesses, and the economy cant really afford us to go into another real lockdown. But health and safety has to come first. I know that if it was my grandparents at risk, i would want us to go into another lockdown to save them. Everybody has to be responsible. I dont know how things can really be helped or anything other than people taking ownership and getting on with, you know, following the rules and restrictions and things. The figures are clear. Cases of coronavirus in leeds have been rising steadily over the past week. 55 new cases, according to figures yesterday. And all this inevitable, say experts, due to the rising cases across West Yorkshire as a whole, particularly amongst young adults. Independent sage were calling, as were others, for a zero covid strategy over the summer, and that was to push the infection rates down as low as they could be, as has happened in scotland, and to get the test track trace and isolate system fully functional so that you could stamp down on these resurgencies. Now they didnt do that. So we are where we are. Alongside leeds there are other hotspots in the north of england, such as bolton. These areas have also seen cases of coronavirus rise recently. With winter approaching, the battle with the virus
is set to intensify. Richard galpin, bbc news. Our Health Correspondent richard galpinjoins me now. R number hotspots. Yes that we now got the uk statistics from National Statistics about infections. They are shown as over the past 25 was there 19a0 infections. That number seems to be pretty sta ble infections. That number seems to be pretty stable at the moment. Over a number of days. Then in terms of deaths uk why that is, the latest figure we have over the past 25 hours in the uk is that ten people died who tested positive for coronavirus. These people who died in hospital and were aged between a8 and 95. And had no known underlying conditions. They all had underlying conditions. They all had underlying conditions. Lets just touch conditions. They all had underlying conditions. Letsjust touch on the areas of local areas as well. We heard about it in the northeast and the government says there are
concerns in certain areas. Yeah, this is the idea of hotspots. And it seems to be very much focused right now in the north of england. Affecting a whole series of locations pentyl, bolton, rosendale and leads. As we were just hearing which is now been made in an area of concern as far as we understand it. We think that is already happening. So that is a fairly significant moment for leads. Bolton is also seeing a number of factions shooting up. Theyve had 220 new cases in the seven days to the end of august. At the moment they have the highest rate in england. So bolton is another one to watch. Big populations there potentially infected photo thank you very much. We are going to very much state with that because richard mentioning leads. We are going to talk to the leader of leeds city counciljudith blancojoins me leader of leeds city counciljudith blanco joins me now leader of leeds city counciljudith blancojoins me now along with
police and Crime Commissioner for leicestershire. An area that has dealt with issues in the past for sure. Thank you very much both for joining us. Judith, i like to come to you first because our Health Current despondent explaining that leedsis current despondent explaining that leeds is an area of concern. What is your understanding, what does this all mean for you . Yes we obviously follow the figures on a daily basis. Keep a very close eye on them. The way the numbers have been creeping up way the numbers have been creeping up over the last couple of weeks. We recognise that we would be in the area of being an area of concern. It hasnt gone public yet as far as im aware but were expecting an announcement any minute. We fully expect that we will be an area of concern. Of course that enables us to really go out and get the message across to the public of leeds of just how important it is that this town, that they must keep vigilant. Its very difficult, its very frustrating but everyone is really concerned. And i really want to
avoid a situation where we have to bring in additional restrictions. At the moment we dont have to bring in additional restrictions but if the numbers continue to go in the wrong direction then we fully expect in a couple of weeks that we will have to follow some of our neighbouring authorities and bring back some of the restrictions that so many people wa nt to the restrictions that so many people want to avoid. So in practical terms right now, area of concern is what . Is like a final warning, if youd like to people. Its not an imminent lockdown but its a warning that if you dont socially distance, keep Wearing Masks or face coverings where they are demanded then this is what we could be faced with as a city. Yes. I think the trend which is interesting and repeated across the country in large cities is that we are actually seeing a shift, if you like. There are more cases of young people spread right across the
whole city. And wards of quite high affluence. For example, its a real opportunity for us anticipating thousands of students coming back into our universities to really work with our colleges, universities as well as our schools to really get the message across to young people that the virus is still very much with us. Even if they are symptoms for the vast majority arent as surveyor, the risk that they are taking in terms of carrying it back into theirfamily taking in terms of carrying it back into their family and the more vulnerable memos of their household then getting ill with a double whammy of flu coming along and going into winter. We are asking everyone to recognise that they have the responsibility for their own health but also to the health of the whole population of leeds. Its those m essa g es population of leeds. Its those messages that we want to get across that, keep social distance, keep
using sanitiser and washing hands. But also to use face coverings where appropriate. And thats a very strong message that we are trying to get across. We know that in a city like leeds we have enormous collaboration across our communities that there will be a response and people will take notice of what eve ryo ne people will take notice of what everyone is saying. Okay. Thats very interesting all of that. Lets talk youve been through this, youve experiences, we all know about the local lockdown in leicester in some areas. Perhaps its advice forjudith blake but talk to us about your experience of that and the police role in all of this now. I wouldnt begin to give advice tojudith. I wish leeds well, of course. We all do. We have been through it but we are still in it, really. Thats as far as the city of lester is concerned. It was and
still remains a very difficult time. Obviously, i absolutely support the lockdown that is thought is necessary. But there has to be said that the way in which it was introduced lacked any clarity at all. And if it is to go elsewhere thanl all. And if it is to go elsewhere than i think its really important for example, the map is drawn properly in the first place. And secondly that the legislation is understood or known. Now dont nag neither of those things happened in lice or greater leister as it was in those first couple of weeks. The lack of clarity i think is been staggering, really. Rather it like im afraid a lot of decisions taken over government over the last few months. But here we are now and the figures are frankly fully snap frankly coming down. No one is complacent. The police have played an active salute crucial role here
as they will elsewhere in the country. Very High Satisfaction rate, 70 of people up and down the country have done an excellent or good job in terms of the virus in the way theyve dealt with it. 90 plus are satisfied. That would be true in leicestershire as it would be an leeds as well. The polices responsibility is absolutely enormous air. And im not sure theyve been given the credit that theyve been given the credit that they deserve for it. They are the ones who sometimes when the law isnt clear, whats guidance, what legislation, have to approach the public, talk to the public and in the very last analysis have to e nforce the very last analysis have to enforce if they are able to do so under the law. We absolutely need clarity. The police need clarity at all stages to know what their powers are after all they are dealing with are after all they are dealing with a lot of the normal freedoms that we
all enjoy in this country. And i think what theyre entitled to have is to know how the law protects them and where its guidance and where is law. I think probably everyone has learned sense leicestershire experience i very much hope so, because obviously, this is going to happen again and again. Your experience is very interesting and im sorry because we are quite tight for time. Judith id love a Quick Response from you on that foot up how confident on my are you what sort of conversations are you having with policing Crime Commission or . Where are you with the police role in all of this . I absolutely support his comments. Last weekend we had a real enforcement issue we issued seven of the £10,000 fines to organisers of illegal raves. I really have sympathy for the enforcement side. Because i dont think the powers and the resources that they are. That makes it a very difficult message to get across to
people. What we know is we are given the power and resources locally, on the power and resources locally, on the Decision Maker along what we do then we will get better outcomes. Its really all of us from the local authorities, the police saying to government, give us those powers, give us a resources. We know our communities we can do a really good job but we need to be trusted on the ground. We need to have control over testing, tracing all of those things that are so vital to enabling us to Work Together to do everything we can to make sure that the virus doesnt spread. We wish you all the very best. Both of you. Im sorry we have to leave it there. Breaking news to go to. Very appreciative of your time. The leader of city counciljudith your time. The leader of city Council Judith Blake your time. The leader of city counciljudith blake and the police and Crime Commissioner of leicestershire. Talking about experience that they have been through. Im going to break away for
a moment because we do have an update coming through from west minister. That story we were just talking about with our Political Correspondent confirmation that tony abbott has been invited to join the board of trade. The former australian Prime Minister tony abbott is going tojoin australian Prime Minister tony abbott is going to join the australian Prime Minister tony abbott is going tojoin the uk board of trade. Its all to do with brexit negotiations and preparations. Its not a paid world. Its an advisory role but as we were reflecting there has been a enormous controversy about his potential appointment. A lot of controversy about his attitudes towards climate change, about lots of comments that he has made in other areas. So there will be consternation in some quarters about this. But that confirmation just coming through. Tony abbott is pa rt just coming through. Tony abbott is part of the new board of trade. The board will engage with businesses across the uk says the government to try to help britain forge a stronger
consensus for free and fair trade across the world and to encourage british businesses to trade internationally. So much more reaction to come to that. I am quite sure. That board will meet four times a year. Ill leave that for now. There is a few more details, through and i think there are a few state m e nts through and i think there are a few statements or reactions about that appointment to tony abbott. Will have more on that. But tied up with that announcement about his appointment is the whole issue of brexit and also here today weve been talking a lot about the looming deadline. We are moving towards december the 31st doing at 31st of course and weve learned that haulage firms are very worried. They have written a letter warning of a looming crisis in border plans. When the transition period ends on the sist the transition period ends on the 31st of december. The rote Haulage Organisation says the supply chain of goods could become as they put it, a disaster area with rocket
boosters on. The firms want to meet ministers to discuss concerns about it systems, border infrastructure and the training of customs agents. Lets discuss all of that with peter ward. He is from the uk warehousing association. Hejoins me this afternoon from warwickshire. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. And your organisation has concerns i understand. Explain what your anxieties are at this stage. Well i think in summary the plans that the government made for this transition towards the end of the year have pretty much been derailed by coronavirus. It was always going to bea coronavirus. It was always going to be a very tight schedule to get businesses prepared through this transition period. Ending at the end of december. But all of those assumptions of course were made prior to covid 19. And covid 19 has com pletely prior to covid 19. And covid 19 has completely derailed the ability really business to get prepared. Also, link to what you had just discussing about the board of trade which of course is about the agreements and free trade agreements. They look as though they are stalling as well. And a combination of no trade agreement with the european union, leaves are something less than 80 working days now before we hit this deadline. So the Logistics Industry is speaking here as one voice. That i guess the a nswer here as one voice. That i guess the answer is to look for some sort of extension because Business Needs more what is the Practical Impact for those of you watching today for those who need food supplies, medicine supplies, from their perspective, what could happen . medicine supplies, from their perspective, what could happen . I am trying to do this in a practical and realistic sense without being
alarmist at think of you also understand that 50 of the food that we consume in this country, be it through what we purchase in the supermarket or eat in restaurants, or whatever form of consumption, supermarket or eat in restaurants, or whateverform of consumption, 50 of the food that we consume this country is imported in 75 of that comes to us from europe. That is thousands of trucks every day coming in from this country with basic foodstuffs that we very much take for granted. And of the last a0 yea rs, for granted. And of the last a0 years, that is just in a completely sea mless years, that is just in a completely seamless frictionless supply of food produce and those thousands of trucks are now calling for each and every one of them to have declarations and in the case of food particularly, plant products subject to secondary inspections, but for help and security purposes and
facilities simply do not exist as yet for those inspections and those customs checks to be carried out. It all points are to some form of disruption getting those goods off to the supermarket shelves. Thank you very much for your time. Peter ward from the uk warehousing association, one of the organisations that is written that letter to the government. Much more to come, but we will pause and catch up to come, but we will pause and catch up with all the latest sports news this afternoon. Sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. Lionel messi is staying at barcelona, just 10 days after telling the club he wanted to leave. The Sticking Point is a release clause in his contract of over 600 million pounds. Barcelona insisited that it could not be waived. That was contested by messi and his fatherjorge, who also acts as his agent. They said that he was entitled to a free transfer. Messi has now said that he wont take the club he loves to court so will stay. Although the six times world player of the year has attacked the barcelona hierarchy calling the management of the club under josep maria bartomeus presidency a disaster. Scotland are playing israel at hampden park this evening in the nations league. They meet again next month in a semi final playoff for next years delayed euros. Also in league b Northern Ireland are away in romania for ian barracloughs first match in charge. We are trying to get messages across the end if we see players doing that and we did a solid performance in that aspect, hopefully that will ta ke that aspect, hopefully that will take care of itself, but it is not guaranteed. The reference decision, things change and we can get a consistent solid performance and we will win games of football and that is what we are looking for two from the players. Great Britains Cameron Norrie is on court right now at the the us open. Hes facing the spaniard alejandro davidovitch fokina. Its the first time that norrie has appeared in the third round at a grand slam, the first set went to a tie break which norrie lost. But he has a break of serve in the second set, he currently leads a 2. Theres commentary of norries match on 5live sports extra now, following that is dan evans match against frenchman corentin moutet, that was interrupted by rain overnight at one set all. British rider adam yates has
retained the Yellow Jersey after stage seven of the the tour de france. There was a thrilling sprint finish in lavaur and jumbo visma rider wout van aert further strengthened his claim as rider of the season so far with a stunning burst to win the stage his second of the race so far. Yates kept up with the leading pack and has an overall lead of three seconds with the race heading into the pyrenees tomorrow Lewis Hamilton was fastest in second practice at the italian grand prix as mercedes dominated yet again. Hamilton was a quarter of a second quicker than team mate valtteri bottas. Hamilton heads into the weekend some a8 points clear of Max Verstappen in the championship and just two wins away from equalling Michael Schumachers all time record of 91 victories. Englands cricketers are back in the bio bubble
in southampton, they re in southampton, theyre all in the bubble and the action gets under way. Around 20 minutes time. Expect fireworks with jofra archer back in englands squad for what would be his first white Ball International since last years triumphant World Cup Final when you have someone looking both fast and both sides of bowl the second ball fast, it is Great Entertainment for the viewer and so hopefully, it provides that, given the circumstances that people cannot be at the ground watching it in person, i think of leah provides a spectacle. That is confirmed to face australia. Mo farah is going to try and break thei hour record this evening. The legendary ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie set the bar atjust over 21km in 2007 fa rahs attempt is going to take place at the Diamond League meeting in brussels, the four time,
olympic gold medallist says he thinks its possible. Its a return to the track for farah, three years after opting for road running. Thats all the sport for now. You can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. Catching up with that breaking news, news confirmation that the former australian Prime Minister is one of the new appointees to the board of trade. It is an advisory role but theres been enormous controversy about his potential appointment and now it has happened. Lets go to westminster and join our Political Correspondent. Confirmation on what has been speculated for a few days
now. Is pretty obvious that this was coming because coming in the days when his name was first in the mix for this role and now we discussed the official confirmation, ministers, including the Prime Minister have been strongly defending him and his record against criticism that has been leveled at him. It was safe to assume that he was always going to be appointed to this role, just a quick bit of background or what the board of trade is. It is an advisory body in the department of International Trade said it is comprised of figures from business, academia and government. Nine advisers, including tony abbott being one of them and them being the former conservative, but this is an unpaid role, so it is an advisory role in the committee is really by promoting trade internationally engaging with british businesses to get trade up on the domestic front too but i think theres been plenty of criticism leveled at tony because
the former australian Prime Minister, he has been criticised for his comments on climate change. Criticised as being homophobic and was ina criticised as being homophobic and was in a of same sex marriage. His critics of college and a misogynist and said that he is not fit to represent the uk in this way and have the sort of official government position, certainly the labour party had been very firm and that they would not have appointed him to that role if he was Prime Minister. But, we have been hearing for ministers in recent days is that he is an expert in trade, clearly post brexit trade deals with other countries are going to be crucially important and a focus for government and clearly, ministers feel the tony abbott has the expertise that they want to involve him in this role and he has beenin involve him in this role and he has been in the uk for recent days and i think that it does show that all that there has been plenty of space or criticism to circulate, ministers clearly feel that he is the right
person, the supporter of brexit, friend of Boris Johnson person, the supporter of brexit, friend of borisjohnson and has a personal relationship with him. So, the criticism doesnt seem to have deterred the government for making this appointment. Perhaps more direction to come, thank you very much for the breaking news tony abbott appointed to the board of trade. Looking at a few of the stories are tonight. Virgin atlantic is to cut another 1,150 jobs after completing a £1. 2 billion rescue deal. Virgin has said the job cuts were heart breaking but necessary to ensure its survival through the pandemic. Our Community Affairs correspondent sarah corker a minutes silence has been observed in beirut as the biddy marks one month since the deadly blast at the port. People gathered at the sight of the blast and families of the victims laid flowers. Nearly 200
people to the net explosion, rescue workers have today been continuing a search for survivor after possible signs of life were detected under some of the rubble. Borisjohnson has insisted that the High Speed Rail link hs2 will be crucial for the country, as he marked the formal beginning of construction. Its the biggest Infrastructure Project in europe and could cost more than 100 billion pounds. The government claims more than 20 thousand jobs will be created in the first phase which will link london and birmingham. But critics say the project will actually cost jobs and damage the environment. On a visit to to a contruction site in solihull the Prime Minister acknowledged that more people are now working from home, but says transport networks are critical of course, i think lots of people have the benefit of working from
home, it is been magnificent and enhanced peoples quality of life in many ways and i congratulate them on the hard work but ive got absolutely no doubt that the mass transit and transport infrastructure is going to be crucial for our country, not just now is going to be crucial for our country, notjust now the decades ahead in this incredible project is going to be delivering 22,000 jobs and tens of thousands more height skilletjobs, linking and tens of thousands more height skillet jobs, linking birmingham eight miles away there to london just 38 minutes behind me. You the jobs but that is an exaggeration, given that some of those probably include people already working the project and also this Campaign Says it will displace many amounts of jobs and a way. I profoundly disagree with that analysis. All of the experience i have with mass
transit projects is a compound benefit in Economic Impact is huge and just benefit in Economic Impact is huge andjust in benefit in Economic Impact is huge and just in this area here, we are at the heart of a motorway roundabout system and this will unleash development and Growth Potential in an area that has been totally unrecognised, are used, its potential never really exploited or brought forth and that will generate, i am absolutely certain, tens of thousands ofjobs in the decades ahead and transport connectivity is at the heart of the bill back better, build back greener recovery because dont forget, whatever people said, and they know the environmentalists have their points, but hs two is going to be significantly greener way to travel for me, for you, than going by plaintiff by