You look at the five Qualification Levels which are broadly equivalent to the standard grades in scotland. We have seen more young people achieve it, but weve seen the gap between rich and poor almost half. Weve also seen the number of poor people who leave school with no qualifications halve as well, so there has been progress made, but i make no bones about the fact we need to seek more progress, which is why we have a Major Programme of reform under way in Scottish Education. We have a Major Programme of reform under way in Scottish Educationlj will under way in Scottish Education. will go on to education and the details in a minute, but overall, the former head of policy for alex salmond calls it a lost decade. He isa salmond calls it a lost decade. He is a former head of policy and i dont agree with that assessment. Its a damning criticism from inside your own party. I dont accept the fa cts your own party. I dont accept the facts and figures bear out the assessment. We said we wo
I am Francine Lacqua in london. Lots to get through. Politics filtering through your currency markets. First things first. Lets check in on your markets. Stocks down with the stoxx 600 down 2 10 of a percent. The euro slipping with most currencies against the dollar after draghis dumbest done vish message. At can see japan, the yen 111. 07 and the south african rand extending losses to a second session after the president jacob zuma survived a bid to oust him. Your data, but lets get to the bloomberg first word news with nejra cehic. Nejra the president at the st. Louis fed said the jury is still out on if the Trump Administration will meet wall street expectations. Some bullard said at point, the honeymoon period will come to an end and washington will need to deliver on policy promises that have driven the stock market. James the business numbers shot up after the election was perceived the president was perceived as more probusiness than the previous administration, washington does
Party representatives. Well have more from huw in a moment. The other main stories on bbc news at five. Jailed for 15 years the Breast Surgeon who carried out a series of unnecessary operations at hospitals in the West Midlands. He took everything away from me. Up until today its been going on since the 90s and only today ive got justice. He took away my youth. Preparations are underway at old trafford Cricket Ground for a concert honouring victims of the manchester bombing. And Arsene Wenger signs up to two more years as Arsenal Manager and says he wants to win next years Premier League title. Its 5 oclock. Were in cambridge at the senate house of the university the venue for one of the biggest debates of this Election Campaign, with just eight days to polling day. Seven Party Representatives will be taking part and they will include the labour Leaderjeremy Corbyn who announced earlier today that he was cancelling his campaign visit to the South West Of England to attend this debate.
To take part was unexpected he made that call at lunchtime challenging theresa may tojoin him. The Prime Minister visiting the west country today said she preferred to be meeting voters on the campaign trail. And that she would stick to her guns and not take part in that cambridge debate this evening. The audience are now taking their seats ready to ask their questions and weigh up the answers. Caroline lucas from the green party there and we have just seen leanne wood from plaid cymru. These are live pictures now ofJeremy Corbyn the Labour Leader. A lot of applause. As the Labour Leader arrives in cambridge. And he waves to quite a large crowd of supporters clutching labour Party Banners on this sunny evening in cambridge. And this sunny evening in cambridge. And this decision from Jeremy Corbyn very interesting, he had said he would not take part in the debate if theresa may was not taking part but had a change of mind. Alongside his communications chief seamus milne. Walking towards
Our audience was selected by a leading opinion Polling Company to ensure they are representative of the country as whole. They support different parties, some are undecided voters, and they are also equally split along the lines of last years Eu Referendum half voted to leave the eu and half to remain. And if youd like to join in the debate at home, you can do so on twitter using the hashtag bbcdebate. We start with Opening Statements from all seven politicians, the order of which was decided by the drawing of lots. First, the leader of plaid cymru, leanne wood. Theresa may called this election because shes taking you for granted. She wont turn up to these debates, because her campaign of soundbites is falling apart. Unlike theresa may, i am not afraid to defend my policies, my principles, my values. Plaid cymru exists to defend and build up our country. In wales, it is plaid cymru that stands for fairness and equality for everyone who chooses to call wales home. For a hundred years, w