fantastic— supplied at last by britain, and fantastic duty cuts on welsh lamb and everything else stop at us presidentjoe biden announces and everything else stop at us president joe biden announces the launch of an eu— us covid launch of an eu- us covid vaccine partnership _ launch of an eu- us covid vaccine partnership and — launch of an eu- us covid vaccine partnership and says _ launch of an eu- us covid vaccine partnership and says it _ launch of an eu- us covid vaccine partnership and says it will- launch of an eu- us covid vaccine partnership and says it will also . partnership and says it will also donate 500 million more doses of the pfizerjab to developing nations. irate pfizerjab to developing nations. - commit to donating to him and not selling, donating, not selling doses to lower and lower income countries, and that the donations come with no political strings attached. ?a high court injunction to stop the protestors who've been causing chaos on the m25 — they could now face imprisonment a catalogue of errors that led to thousands of people, mostly women, being underpaid by a billion pounds in state pensions. as china pledges not to build a new qualifier projects abroad, we look at how indiana can transition to more environmental friendly sources of energy. hello, good afternoon. two energy suppliers, avro and green, have become the latest firms to go out of business as soaring gas prices continue to put pressure on the market. the boss of the uk's energy regulator, ofgem, says "well above" hundreds of thousands of customers will have to be moved to new suppliers as more firms go bust due to the spike in wholesale gas prices. 0fgem said it would ensure that the 580,000 customers who have their gas and electricity supplied by avro. and the 255,000 households with green would be protected and should wait to be contacted by their new supplier. it means in total 1.3 million customers have seen their supplier go bust in the last fortnight. also this afternoon, igloo said it is working with restructuring consultants but has not appointed administrators. that firm has around a hundred thousand customers. speaking to mps just hours before the latest two firms announced they would cease trading — the boss of the uk's energy regulator 0fgem said he expected more firms to go bust, with huge numbers of people affected. gas prices are almost six times the level it was last year and indeed, it rose 70% in august. so we are in unprecedented cost territory. i'm afraid there are many factors that have contributed to that, including an increase in international demand, potentially some restrictions around supply, so it's very hard to predict how long that will last. the sector has faced shocks and in fact we have talked about how we managed through the covid crisis which had a big impact on the energy sector overall but when you see that change, and i encourage you to have a look at the change in gas price, it really is something we don't think we have seen before, at this pace, we have seen exit from this market before, we have had up to double digit numbers of companies exiting the market at a time so it's not unusual for supplies to go out of the market. i think what is different this time is the dramatic change in costs the suppliers are facing. we have had around, you know, we have had five roughly over the past few months, a number more at the start of the year. we do expect more, we expect more to not to be able to face the circumstances we are in but it's genuinely hard to say more than that, partly because that means predicting what may happen to the gas price. what i want to say here is this is a significant impact on the sector and it's something we are working with government to manage but we can't make predictions as to how it will play out. speaking to the same committee, the business secretary kwasi kwarteng said prices were only going to rise in the long term the price has spiked considerably, i've got a chart in front of me, i think it's quadrupled in the last six months, seven months. and you would expect normally that the price would revert to the mean. it's not something we think will be sustainable but of course, mrjones, we have to prepare for a longer term high prices. shadow business secretary, ed miliband, gave his view on what the next steps should be. look, i think the first thing you need _ look, i think the first thing you need to— look, i think the first thing you need to do, you need to keep the energy— need to do, you need to keep the energy price cap, because the energy price cap _ energy price cap, because the energy price cap is _ energy price cap, because the energy price cap is an essential protection for consumers up and down the country — for consumers up and down the country. you then need to look at what _ country. you then need to look at what resources are going to be required — what resources are going to be required to stabilise the market? you don't — required to stabilise the market? you don't want to end up with just six energy— you don't want to end up with just six energy companies at the end of all of this — six energy companies at the end of all of this. what resources are going — all of this. what resources are going to — all of this. what resources are going to be required to stabilise the market? and web to be a call should _ the market? and web to be a call should customers, for example, the green _ should customers, for example, the green energy customers, what vehicle should _ green energy customers, what vehicle should they— green energy customers, what vehicle should they go into? should they be absorbed _ should they go into? should they be absorbed back into the big six energy— absorbed back into the big six energy suppliers, for example, and i'm energy suppliers, for example, and i'm quite _ energy suppliers, for example, and i'm quite sceptical about putting taxpayers money towards suppliers so they can _ taxpayers money towards suppliers so they can concentrate their share of they can concentrate their share of the market. should we look at, for example. — the market. should we look at, for example. a — the market. should we look at, for example, a public option, so you have _ example, a public option, so you have a _ example, a public option, so you have a separate option where those customers — have a separate option where those customers were housed until the market— customers were housed until the market stabilises and they can be reabsorbed into other companies, but ithink— reabsorbed into other companies, but i think that's why i say to you, until— i think that's why i say to you, until the — i think that's why i say to you, until the government levels with us atrout— until the government levels with us about the _ until the government levels with us about the scale of the crisis and went— about the scale of the crisis and went off— about the scale of the crisis and went offjam and saying to them about _ went offjam and saying to them about the scale of the crisis, it's hard _ about the scale of the crisis, it's hard to— about the scale of the crisis, it's hard to know what the scale of resources _ hard to know what the scale of resources are going to be needed and what we done deal. let's have a look at what happens when your supplier goes bust. hundreds of thousands more —— our business correspondent alice baxter is in west london. green energy and avro going bust — not hugely unexpected. either likely to be more companies going under?— either likely to be more companies going under? well, that is what the boss of off jam _ going under? well, that is what the boss of off jam is _ going under? well, that is what the boss of off jam is saying, _ boss of offjam is saying, that there is more to come, but you are right this afternoon, afro and green become the latest small to medium—sized energy companies to go by. —— that is what 0fgem is saying. collectively, they've got 800,000 customers who are now going to be transferred to new energy companies, new tariffs, those tariffs may well be more expensive than the tariffs that they were on previously. but they are now the latest in a relatively long line. we have already had people's energy go under, utility planes, psp energy, together, the recently failed companies account for more than 5% of the market, about 1.5 million customers. meanwhile, the uk sixth's largest energy company with 1.7 million customers is seeking financing. ego has set its working with restructuring consultants. it has told the bbc that it hasn't yet appointed administrators. so there is definitely more to come for the energy and business secretary also saying that he thinks it is inevitable that customers here in the uk will have to get use to higher energy prices. the industry is saying this is an unprecedented situation. wholesale energy costs have increased sixfold since last year. some critics are pointing to the energy price cap which was put in place injanuary 2019 as the reason why these companies have folded, but we are being told today that that is a good thing that that price cap is in place, it is protecting consumers. writer questions going forward, why where the smaller energy companies not required, not mandated by offjam to hedge against price rises on the wholesale markets, which would've protected them from folding and putting consumers in this position and well we now see a reversion to the big six energy companies, which will mean less competition and a less agile competitive market for which consumers can choose from. none of which bodes well for the consumer at the end of the day. {lilia consumer at the end of the day. 0k, alice, thank— consumer at the end of the day. 0k, alice, thank you _ consumer at the end of the day. 0k, alice, thank you very much indeed. let's have a quick look at what happens when you're energy goes past. your account will be —— let's have a look at what happens when your supplier goes bust. don't panic — you will not stop receiving gas and electricity. your account will be moved to a new supplier by energy regulator 0fgem — although this may take a few weeks. unfortunately, you may end up on a more expensive tariff if you are switched to a new supplier. i'm joined now by dhara vyas, head of future energy services at citizens advice. thank you very much for being with us. what is the advice to consumers, obviously hundreds of thousands more than a million people have already been affected by this. you than a million people have already been affected by this.— been affected by this. you are absolutely _ been affected by this. you are absolutely right. _ been affected by this. you are absolutely right. we - been affected by this. you are absolutely right. we have - been affected by this. you are | absolutely right. we have seen been affected by this. you are - absolutely right. we have seen about one half million people affected by energy failures in the last six weeks. there is quite a lot of concern and worry for people, the most important thing is to really reassure people that you won't lose electricity or gas supply, as he said, if you are with a supplier that has gone bust, do just take an metre reading and 0fgem will appoint a new supplierfor you metre reading and 0fgem will appoint a new supplier for you and they should be contacting you within the next couple of weeks. if you are on credit, that credit will get carried over to your new supplier and b are also working with government and the regulator to ensure that like in the previous circumstances where this has happened, people who have been in receipt of discount, support to help pay bills are people who have had a debt repayment plan, that is honoured as well. so we are working with government regulators to try to ensure that those things get honoured. ensure that those things get honoured-— ensure that those things get honoured. ,, ., . ., honoured. sega supply want change, but ou honoured. sega supply want change, but you may — honoured. sega supply want change, but you may pay _ honoured. sega supply want change, but you may pay more _ honoured. sega supply want change, but you may pay more money? - honoured. sega supply want change, but you may pay more money? it's i but you may pay more money? it's likel . we but you may pay more money? it�*s likely. we are looking at prices going up for everyone, really, and thatis going up for everyone, really, and that is why we are so concerned about the impact that this winter is going to have on people. it's the reason that we have been calling on government to maintain that increased £20 a week for people who are in universal credits because we know that 2.3 million people all on universal credits would go into debt once they paid their essential bells that they lose this extra £20 a week. , . , ., , that they lose this extra £20 a week. , . , .,, .., that they lose this extra £20 a week. , . , week. they reality has come as we were “ust week. they reality has come as we were just tearing _ week. they reality has come as we were just tearing there, _ week. they reality has come as we were just tearing there, that - week. they reality has come as we were just tearing there, that more | were just tearing there, that more of the reality is, as we were just tearing there, that more of these smaller companies are likely to go out of business. it’s smaller companies are likely to go out of business.— out of business. it's a really unprecedented _ out of business. it's a really unprecedented time. - out of business. it's a really unprecedented time. your. out of business. it's a really . unprecedented time. your help out of business. it's a really - unprecedented time. your help he said it is very volatile time in the market right now, and i think the most important thing is to reassure people that there is help. organisations like citizens advice exists to help and support people if they are concerned about being able to pay for things like energy or other essential bills. so seek that help and support. to contact your energy supplier, because they are under a number of obligations to help support consumers who are struggling. help support consumers who are stru: culin. ., ., help support consumers who are stru~lin~. ., ., �* struggling. you mentioned you're nettina struggling. you mentioned you're caettin a struggling. you mentioned you're getting a lot _ struggling. you mentioned you're getting a lot of — struggling. you mentioned you're getting a lot of calls _ struggling. you mentioned you're getting a lot of calls about - struggling. you mentioned you're getting a lot of calls about this. l getting a lot of calls about this. people must be pretty worried, despite all the reassurances that they have had that for me you know, it won't affect your supply, people are understandably worried about what is going to happen. absolutely. i worked what is going to happen. absolutely. i worked on — what is going to happen. absolutely. i worked on policy _ what is going to happen. absolutely. i worked on policy for _ what is going to happen. absolutely. i worked on policy for over _ what is going to happen. absolutely. i worked on policy for over a - i worked on policy for over a decade, and i've never seen anything like this. i think it's really important to reiterate that there is a tried and tested process. people want to lose supply, they will be able to keep the lights on and keep warm, and wait in care for your new supplier and take it from there. gill supplier and take it from there. all right, thank you very much indeed for all of that advice. let's join pete, class is about all of this at prime minister's questions. talk us through what happened. an awful lot for the government to deal with on this, obviously in the short term, these lots of smaller suppliers close to the brain, some having gone already, then there is the kind of longer—term question about what the government can do to better increase our energy security, more reliance on renewable energy, that kind of thing, but then what happens to the markets is met because there's been a long—running debate about the need for lots of competition in the energy market for lots of competition in the energy marke— for lots of competition in the ener: marke- ., , ., , ., energy market with lots of smaller firms going _ energy market with lots of smaller firms going to _ energy market with lots of smaller firms going to the _ energy market with lots of smaller firms going to the wall. _ energy market with lots of smaller firms going to the wall. that - firms going to the wall. that potentially leads us back to everywhere a few years ago with just a big six dominating the market. at the big political concern is over cost of living. it's notjust gas prices and electricity prices going up, but there is the universal credit uplift that was brought in at the start of the pandemic that is about to go. there are national insurance rises on the way because of the need to put extra money into the nhs and the long—term plan for social care. it was announced by the government a couple of weeks ago. so labour is putting this altogether —— later, and really suggesting that it will be a very, very difficult winterfor many people, will be a very, very difficult winter for many people, particularly those on lower incomes. —— labour. we have a feisty session of deputy prime minister as questions stay because brycejohnson is on the other side of the pond, so it was the deputy leaderfor other side of the pond, so it was the deputy leader for the labour party angela rayner who kicks things off. abs. party angela rayner who kicks things off. �* , , . ., party angela rayner who kicks things off. ., , party angela rayner who kicks things off.~ ., , ., ., off. a typical family facing a tough winter this year, _ off. a typical family facing a tough winter this year, universal - off. a typical family facing a tough winter this year, universal credit i winter this year, universal credit down _ winter this year, universal credit down 1000 cred, rent up 150 quit, -as down 1000 cred, rent up 150 quit, gas does _ down 1000 cred, rent up 150 quit, gas does up 150 quid, taxes up and food prices — gas does up 150 quid, taxes up and food prices are soaring. working people _ food prices are soaring. working people will have to choose whether to feed _ people will have to choose whether to feed their kids are heat their homes — to feed their kids are heat their homes. that choice for the deputy prime _ homes. that choice for the deputy prime minister is will he make their lives easier — prime minister is will he make their lives easier or harder? so what will he choose, — lives easier or harder? so what will he choose, mr speaker? will the governments cancel the universal credit— governments cancel the universal credit cut? ., , governments cancel the universal credit cut? . , ., ., ., credit cut? the answer to that from dominic raab _ credit cut? the answer to that from dominic raab was, _ credit cut? the answer to that from dominic raab was, no, _ credit cut? the answer to that from dominic raab was, no, the - credit cut? the answer to that from | dominic raab was, no, the universal credit uplift was always meant to be a temporary measure. he's got a new title, of course. he was for the secretary of state just a week ago, he is now deputy prime minister, that kind of agreement was stretched out between him and the prime minister also accepting a bit of a demotion from the foreign secretary to justice secretary. demotion from the foreign secretary tojustice secretary. he took a amount of flack from angela rayner for being on holiday while the taliban were taking control of afghanistan earlier on in the summer, but he launched quite a staunch defence of the government's handling of the economy, saying there are more people and work, and pages were also going up. the most disastrous thing for energy bells of hard working people across this country would be to follow labour �*s plan to nationalise the energy companies which the cbi say what cost as much as £2000 on bills. mr speaker, this government is that one taking action to take the country forward with a plan for the nhs, a plan for covid, and our plan is working. employment optima job vacancies optima wages up. if we would've listened to the party absent rare would've listened to the party absen- ., ., would've listened to the party absen- ., . . ., would've listened to the party absen- ., . .., ., absent we would have never come out of lockdown- — absent we would have never come out of lockdown. we _ absent we would have never come out of lockdown. we are _ absent we would have never come out of lockdown. we are the _ absent we would have never come out of lockdown. we are the ones - absent we would have never come out of lockdown. we are the ones taking, | of lockdown. we are the ones taking, we are _ of lockdown. we are the ones taking, we are the _ of lockdown. we are the ones taking, we are the ones taking the difficult decisions, — we are the ones taking the difficult decisions, getting on with the job and our— decisions, getting on with the job and our plan is working. that decisions, getting on with the “ob and our plan is workingi and our plan is working. that will be the last— and our plan is working. that will be the last p.m. _ and our plan is working. that will be the last p.m. he _ and our plan is working. that will be the last p.m. he is— and our plan is working. that will be the last p.m. he is before - and our plan is working. that will. be the last p.m. he is before party conference season, parliament goes into recess later on this week. the question is when that party returns to westminster after those party conferences whether people are barely starting to feel the impact of all of these factors going on at gas prices and everything else in their back pockets because this could be that thing that dominates our politics this autumn and winter. all right, thank you very much indeed. the united states is lifting its ban on imports of british lamb. the prime minister, who is in the us for talks with un leaders and presidentjoe biden, said it would mean british farmers can export to the us for "the first time in decades". meanwhile borisjohnson's hopes of a free trade agreement with the united states seem to be fading, because the white house has made it clear such a deal isn't a priority for the us administration. and this afternoon, downing street has dismissed a suggestion that the uk could instead try to join an existing trade arrangement between the us, canada and mexico. here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. this was boris johnson's first trip to the white house as prime minister — only the second time he has met the president in person. the relationship seemingly bound for now by a shared love of america's trains. you went down on amtrak? idid. you are a living deity. i travelled millions of miles. they love you! on travel, climate and security, there was much agreement, but on the prospects of a free trade deal between britain and the us, the president was downbeat. we are going to talk about trade a bit today and we are going to have to work that through. and crucially, he made it clear how any trade deal was dependent on the uk not unwinding the northern ireland protocol to the brexit deal. the protocols, i feel very strongly about those, we spent an enormous amount of time and effort in the united states, it was a major bipartisan effort made, and i would not at all like to see, nor, i might add, would many of my republican colleagues like to see a change in the irish accords, the end result having a closed border again. mrjohnson said nobody wanted to see the good friday agreement interrupted or unbalanced, and before his meeting with the vice president, remained optimistic about trade. i think on trade, we are seeing progress, the ban on beef, your curious ban on british beef has been removed, a wonderful thing, and the tariffs on scottish whisky, but, and there's a great deal of progress to be made and i hope we can make. we still want to do a trade deal with the united states. we would like to progress those discussions but obviously if it is not a priority for the biden administration at the moment, that is the position that we, that we understand. one idea being considered by ministers is britain instead trying to join an existing trade deal between the us, canada and mexico. but this was dismissed by some as unlikely. i serve on the committee that would have to vote on it, i haven't heard one word about that. it is not a subject that comes up here, it does sometimes in the context of northern ireland. aside from that, though, frankly it is not an issue that comes up. later today in washington, the prime minister will meet other members of congress and they matter because their votes will ultimately decide if the uk's ever to have a trade deal with the us. james landale, bbc news. let's speak with westminster. thank you for being with us. that was one of the big promises of practice that. fit of the big promises of practice that. .., , ., ,, , ., that. of course, clement takes two to tanao, that. of course, clement takes two to tango. at _ that. of course, clement takes two to tango. at the — that. of course, clement takes two to tango, at the united _ that. of course, clement takes two to tango, at the united states - that. of course, clement takes two to tango, at the united states side| to tango, at the united states side under a democratic president are less keen on it, then it's less likely to happen. the democrats are generally less pro—free trade down the republican counterparts, but you also have to remember that dynamic here, the united states is our single biggest trading partner has a country, but we represent only 2.5% of us trade. so they see it in a slightly different dynamic. i think that's the first thing to say. the second thing to say is that i think the benefits of a us uk free trade agreement is limited because the federal government in america doesn't have the authority to negotiate over the full range of issues in a free—trade agreement and the way that our government would, for example. the debate around services and access to services in the united states is primarily a responsibility of state governments, that something long missed in this debate. ., ., that something long missed in this debate. ., . , debate. you are saying it is limited a otential debate. you are saying it is limited a potential deal. _ debate. you are saying it is limited a potential deal. a _ debate. you are saying it is limited a potential deal. a couple - debate. you are saying it is limited a potential deal. a couple of- debate. you are saying it is limited a potential deal. a couple of years| a potential deal. a couple of years ago, you said a deal with america is ago, you said a deal with america is a big ambition, a big prize, it could be a trailblazer setting a global benchmark on how two leading economies trade with each other. it economies trade with each other. it is, but it has to go beyond what we can do with the federal government, for example. as trade secretary, it was very keen that we looked at service agreements with the four biggest states, california, texas, new york, making up about half of us gdp. many of those states don't want the federal government to have the authority in that negotiation, so you really need a twin track approach. that could be really quite trailblazing, but if you are have a limited negotiation to finished manufacturing goods in agriculture, thatis manufacturing goods in agriculture, that is not really the level of ambition that the united kingdom once, because we are a major services exporter, and getting access to the us market either by federal government, which is unlikely, are more likely the state governments is better. and you got the alternative altogether of the united states rejoining the transpacific partnership, which, of course, president obama and president biden as vice president oversaw. that would actually be another vote to proving uk us trade. that there was a suggestion that perhaps the uk might try and join this trade agreement between canada, mexico and the states. downing street has kind of shot that down this afternoon. it doesn't look like that's going ahead either. it this afternoon. it doesn't look like that's going ahead either.- that's going ahead either. it faces the same problem, _ that's going ahead either. it faces the same problem, doesn't - that's going ahead either. it faces the same problem, doesn't take? that's going ahead either. it faces i the same problem, doesn't take? at the same problem, doesn't take? at the american administration is in very keen trade agreements, doesn't look like they are, then they would have chris have to give the same amount of work and political attention to uk and united states mexico canada agreement as they went to a bilateral agreement, and in fact, with the amount of work that's already been done on a bilateral agreement, that would seem to be more progressed, so i think that pretty uk, the most promising route for wider experts primarily of services is to look at that other track of what can we do with american states?— track of what can we do with american states? , ., , american states? some people might be confused. — american states? some people might be confused, this _ american states? some people might be confused, this is _ american states? some people might be confused, this is not _ american states? some people might be confused, this is not so _ american states? some people might be confused, this is not so long - american states? some people might be confused, this is not so long ago i be confused, this is not so long ago been trumpeted, the president himself saying there was a massive trade deal between united states and uk but, i think that was the rate massive, bricejohnson sounded very optimistic about it, but now you know, just reading all the mood music from washington, it isn't going to happen. music from washington, it isn't going to happen-— music from washington, it isn't going to happen. there's been a chance of going to happen. there's been a change of government _ going to happen. there's been a change of government in - going to happen. there's been a - change of government in washington, and the new democratic government is less keen on doing trade agreement. he did have time to get it under way, donald trump, didn't he? did way, donald trump, didn't he? d c get under way, way, donald trump, didn't he? li c get under way, but it wasn't concluded. i think the description of it as massive deadness this point that it was a relatively level of trade, important, yes, removing any tariffs as a bonus and a world where there is too much protection, but from the united kingdom's many of you, what we really need is my agreements on exporting services bilateral agreements, sure, agreements on exporting services bilateralagreements, sure, but agreements on exporting services bilateral agreements, sure, but of course, the real price for us would be liberalisation at the wto of services in general. after britain would be the great prize in trade. in terms of the other trade deals that we have done since brexit, are you happy with the number and quality of those trade agreements? yes, and i think the agreement that rarely was the change was the japan agreement because it did something that we were never able to do inside the european union, which was to bring data into that agreement, and i think it's a fact of life that you cannot move goods and services but not data in this day and age, so i think that was the really important thing. it was in many ways of reluctant, but i think as a stepping stone to future trading agreements that allow greater movement of data, that allow greater movement of data, that was very key. i think that japan agreement well in time be seen as a much more important agreement than many others.— than many others. liam fox, thank ou ve than many others. liam fox, thank you very much _ than many others. liam fox, thank you very much for _ than many others. liam fox, thank you very much for being _ than many others. liam fox, thank you very much for being with - than many others. liam fox, thank you very much for being with us. i you very much for being with us. let's talk more about the trade situation we have been hearing plenty about it from leon, and indeed from the prime minister as well, let's talk to our reality check chris morris, how do you think reluctant they are going to be to make it a priority, of a us uk trade deal v make it a priority, of a us uk trade deal. �* , , make it a priority, of a us uk trade deal h , , make it a priority, of a us uk trade deal. �* , , , ., deal. it's interesting listening to liam. because _ deal. it's interesting listening to liam, because his _ deal. it's interesting listening to liam, because his successor, i deal. it's interesting listening to| liam, because his successor, liz trask, the foreign secretary certainly set out her style from wanting a deal. 18 months ago she told parliament we aim to have 80% of uk trade in free trade deals within three years, so by 2023, and the greatest opportunity to do that lies at the united states, so that is not going to happen, certainly not by 2023. so there will be disappointed about that, but they have been getting on with doing other deals. if you listen to ministers at the moment, they will tell you when talking about trade at every opportunity. we have been 60 trade deals with all sorts of country since leaving the eu. now, this is true, and it's quite an achievement to have done so many in achievement to have done so many in a short time, but the key thing about these deals is that nearly all of them are at rollover deals, and that means essentially that copying terms that the uk already have with those countries as a member of the eu. in terms of actually increasing the sum of uk trade around the world, they have done very little. have they done new deals apart from rollover deals because marginally i think is the honest answer to that. they have been deals with japan where it is slightly different than the rollover deal with the eu. lsailfish the rollover deal with the eu. which liam fox is — the rollover deal with the eu. which liam fox isjust _ the rollover deal with the eu. which liam fox isjust mentioning - the rollover deal with the eu. which liam fox isjust mentioning there. l liam fox isjust mentioning there. he was, indeed. it is also been a deal signed the summer with norway, liechtenstein, which again goes a little further than their deal with the eu. and then there is an agreement in principle with australia which the eu does not have. it's not a done deal yet it won't come into force until next year, at least, and again, the key thing about all these things as they are pretty small fry compared to the big fish, the big deals that are out there with the united states at the top of the last. edit there with the united states at the top of the last-— top of the last. of course, there is the eu a- — top of the last. of course, there is the eu a. there _ top of the last. of course, there is the eu a. there is, _ top of the last. of course, there is the eu a. there is, which - top of the last. of course, there is the eu a. there is, which is- top of the last. of course, there is. the eu a. there is, which is another one of the — the eu a. there is, which is another one of the big _ the eu a. there is, which is another one of the big fish, _ the eu a. there is, which is another one of the big fish, of _ the eu a. there is, which is another one of the big fish, of course - one of the big fish, of course commander is a trade deal, i free—trade deal with the european union. your member of the debate about whether we were going to leave with no—deal. we did have a free—trade deal, but very clearly, the terms of that deal give us less access, less access to british exporters to the eu single market. and if you look at the numbers that have come out recently, they are pretty striking. in the first seven months of this year, these are statistics coming from the eu statistics coming from the eu statistics office, and the first seven months of this year, british experts to the eu fell by 17.1% compared to the same period last year. that is roughlyjust under £14 billion worth of trade that british exporters are no longer sending to europe. and you might say, "well, the pandemic may have had something to do that." but all other major economies exporting into the eu, those numbers have gone up, not down. so if you look at british trade at the moment what the big blocks around the world, welcome to china free—trade is obviously going to be difficult for all sorts of political reasons. the united states, president biden, has not reemphasized what we already knew already, there is no free—trade deal coming soon coming in but the european union, we have less than we used to have, so that they brexit their promise of bucking hearing trade deals around the world, part of that was talking about focusing in the longer term on fast—growing markets in asia, but in the next few years because of that deficit but the european union, it is highly likely that we will be doing less trade with the rest of the world rather than more. mil trade with the rest of the world rather than more.— rather than more. all right, christmas. _ rather than more. all right, christmas, thank _ rather than more. all right, christmas, thank you - rather than more. all right, christmas, thank you much | rather than more. all right, - christmas, thank you much indeed. the government has released its daily coronavirus data for the uk. it shows a further 34,460 people have confirmed first—time infections; and another 166 people have died within 28 days of a positive test result. just over 44.5 millon people have now had their second vaccine dose. —— chris morris. president biden has been hosting a covid—19 summit — speaking in the last hour president biden re—affirmed the american committment to provide more vaccines to poorer countries globally. he has urged global leaders to pledge to vaccinate 70% of the world's population against covid by this time next year. we world's population against covid by this time next year.— world's population against covid by this time next year. we have already shi ed this time next year. we have already shipped nearly _ this time next year. we have already shipped nearly 160 _ this time next year. we have already shipped nearly 160 million _ this time next year. we have already shipped nearly 160 million doses - this time next year. we have already shipped nearly 160 million doses to i shipped nearly 160 million doses to 100 countries, more than every other country has donated combined. america's donations of about half a billion pfizer vaccines through kovacs that i have announced before the g7 summit injune have already begun to shift. today, i am announcing another historic commitment. —— covax. the united states is buying another half—billion doses of pfizer to donate to middle income countries around the world. this is another half a billion doses that will all be shaped by this time next year. it brings our total commitment of donated vaccines to over 1.1 billion vaccines to be donated. that donated vaccines to over 1.1 billion vaccines to be donated.— donated vaccines to over 1.1 billion vaccines to be donated. that is joe biden. our correspondent nada tawfik is in new york. big promises there from joe biden. that's absolutely right. love, this summit has been held on the sidelines of the un general assembly, and throughout here, we have been hearing criticisms from member states along with from the un secretary—general that richer countries have not done enough to help get the world vaccinated. they have been hoarding vaccines. so, here we are able to hear from presidentjoe biden of the united states saying that he, you know, was simply not apologetic about the fact that as the american president, his priority was getting americans vaccinated, but saying that his administration understands that in order to and this pandemic you have to beat it everywhere. so he is urging other countries, high income countries, tojoin the united states to step up their commitments. this is a big boost from america's previous commitment. he's basically doubled the amount of vaccines that they will donate to low income countries, and he is also focusing hundreds of millions of dollars to support the logistical challenge of administering those vaccines. so, you know, a lot of criticism that this is a little too late, but certainly it is an attempt here by the us president, joe biden to get everyone on the same page in order to, you know, quickly ramp up their efforts. he said the united states would also be launching a new partnership today with the eu. let me ask you a separate question about a separate story stop there was that diplomatic fights between united states and france with the french pulling out their ambassador over that security pact between the states and britain. the cancellation of the french submarine contract. we are adjusting president mack of france ascending back and he agreed to send back his ambassador to washington. why is that? that's ri . ht. yes washington. why is that? that's right. yes president _ washington. why is that? that's right. yes president joe - washington. why is that? that's right. yes president joe biden i washington. why is that? that's l right. yes president joe biden just right. yes presidentjoe bidenjust had a conversation with the french presidents. we know that this was, of course, long awaited phone call between the two between —— things that issue. france had been saying for them, that issue. france had been saying forthem, even that issue. france had been saying for them, even though this negatively impacted france, for them, this was about the breakdown of trust between allies. they didn't like that they were kept in the dark. they have put out a joint statement following their discussions, they has said the situation would have benefited from open consultation with matters of strategic interest to france and european partners. remember, france had called on eu to support them. so president biden has conveyed his ongoing commitment moving forward to do that. to be more open in their consultations. so both leg agreed that they would have in—depth consultations, and as part of that, they are, france, extending their ambassador to washington. it seems as though these two leaders have got to discuss this issue. they have now look forward about how to resolve their differences. we also do expect that foreign minister of france to meet with the us secretary. not necessarily in a one—on—one meeting, but they will see each other at a meeting of the five permanent members of the security council. in other words a friend say next time talk to us. thank you very much indeed. let's see what the weather is doing. that is a beautiful blue sky you've got there. very good afternoon to mediterranean light. that wasn't my comparison thanks to that viewed nearby hastings. but yeah, i've got to get a but in that it wasn't like that everywhere. and it will be for a while because we better weather front that's been all of his calling, northern ireland too. that's the gradually slump its way down to the north of vega, north of wales over the course of an eye. gaps in the cloud north of that a really stormy night particulars so to the shetland isles, gusts of 65 mph. it will be on the cold side and will be a real rattle of showers with longer spells of rain. that's how you start thursday. that front eventually slumps its way away from the shetland isles, the winds gradually easing but you see it links back to the western side of scotland with a wee bit more the way of rain here. afterfeeling scotland with a wee bit more the way of rain here. after feeling tells dark i am hopeful that some of the sunshine of the afternoon we found through wales, the midlands and parts of eastern england baby is in scotland too. temperatures really responding away from the north facing we see a high of 23 and as we work our way to weekend, it turns pretty mild for many parts. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. i'm ben brown. avro energy and green become the latest energy suppliers to go out of business because of the spike in gas prices. it comes just hours after the energy regulator ofgem warned that hundreds of thousands of customers will have to move suppliers. no trade deal insight for the us playback united states. the us playback united states. says america will lift its ban on british lamb, for the first time in decades. the kebabs, the lamb burgers the people of the united states will be supplied by britain at lastjuicy cuts of lamb like everybody else. us presidentjoe biden announces the launch of an eu—us covid vaccine partnership and says it will also donate 500 million more doses of the pfizerjab to developing nations a high court injunction to stop the protestors who've been causing chaos on the m25 — they could now face imprisonment sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's sarah malkerrins. derby county have entered administration and been deducted 12 points by the english football league. owner mel morris has spent the past two days talking to players and staff, whose jobs are now uncertain. the 12 point deduction means that wayne rooney's team drop to the foot of the championship table, on minus two points. administrators from the firm quantuma have been appointed, who say they are looking for interested parties and want to ensure the club continues to fulfill it's fixtures. owner, morris says the club has lost him "in excess of £200m" to date. english premier league and championship clubs will be able to offer licensed standing areas at their grounds from 2022, as part of a pilot programme. it would mean an end to the ban on standing in the top two divisions which has been in place for more than 25 years. laura scott has more. well, while bosses from the premier league clubs have been meeting at this hotel in london behind me, a matter not on the agenda but hugely significant came from the sports ground, safety authority, which is being called an historic announcement that they will invite expressions of interest from premier leagues and championship clubs to be part of a pilot of licensed safe standing areas for the 1st of january. this is all part of the 2019 government manifesto to introduce safe standing at football grounds if it could be seen to be done safely, and there has been research carried out, and covid has delayed the plans for these pilots but from the 1st of january, after more than 25 years of all—seater stadium in the top two divisions in england, fans will be allowed to stand on the grounds. now we know that thousands of fans have been standing during matches, sometimes to the detriment of those fans behind them, and the football supporters association has been running more than a 30 year campaign on this matter, and they said they were beyond delighted. they said this announcement brought to an end a farcical situation, and the premier league bosses will now need to decide whether they want their club to be part of it, by the beginning of october and then it will be decided which clubs will be part of these pilots from new year's day. one other line of football news for you... one other line of football news for you... james rodriguez has completed his move to al—rayyan from everton for an undisclosed fee. the colombia international travelled to the middle east at the weekend with the transfer window in the region still open until the end of the month. everton boss rafael benitez described the anticipated departure of rodriguez as a "special situation" after his side were beaten in the league cup on tuesday. us ryder cup captain steve stricker has urged home fans to be respectful and to not cross the line, at the competition against europe, which gets underway at whistling straits on friday. with the pandemic impacting travel from europe, there will be little support for the visitors. the us are favourites to win with all 12 of their players ranked inside the world's top 21. ian poulter is no stranger to upsetting the odds on foreign soil though, he was part of the miracle in medinah back in 2012, the last time europe won in america. it's on you as an individual and a player to work out how you can harness what they are given and obviously they are going to be given 99.9% of the volume to the us team. so i think it's on each player to work out how he's going to use that energy. it spur them on to get the best out of them. it's different, we don't always have it that way and this is good to be a but i think there is the ability to use their juice. in netball, england have drawn level with new zealand in their three match series after victory in the second match in christchurch. the world champions held a narrow lead for the majority of the first half but the england roses rallied in the third quarter, and by the fourth they were in control. the final score was 55—45 in favour of england. the final match of the series takes place on friday. england are using the series to help them prepare for next years commonwealth games in birmingham. we'll have more for you in sportsday at half past six. environmental campaigners have been banned from blocking the m25 — after the government successfully obtained a high court injunction to stop them. the group �*insulate britain' have blocked parts of the m25 five times injust over a week. they're calling for more action on home insulation, but many drivers have been angered by what they've done. the government says the protests have cost motorists half a million pounds. in the house of commons earlier, the home office minister kit malthouse said he believed the protests had gone too far and the government had been forced to take action. with our full support, national highways has now won an interim injunction to prevent protesters from occupying the m25. as colleagues will know, an injunction is a judicial order made, in this case, by the high court, which can either require someone to do something or to refrain from doing something. this injunction prohibits people from blocking, endangering, slowing down, obstructing or otherwise preventing the free flow of traffic on the m25. if they breach the injunction or encourage or help others to do so, people will be held in contempt of court and may be imprisoned orfined. the fine, mr speaker, is unlimited. this should act as a major deterrent and recognises that this lawbreaking is serious, with consequences that match the offending. mr speaker, the police should be fighting crime in our neighbourhoods, not chasing activists across busy motorways. that is why we have taken this action now and we are working with national highways on obtaining a full injunction later this week. surrey�*s police and crime commissioner lisa townsend says the injunction will give the police more power. unfortunately, the cps are on my ability— unfortunately, the cps are on my ability to— unfortunately, the cps are on my ability to press charges because it does _ ability to press charges because it does not — ability to press charges because it does not carry an impressionable offense — does not carry an impressionable offense. we know that it be carried out other— offense. we know that it be carried out other offences criminal damages with the _ out other offences criminal damages with the paint on the road, of course — with the paint on the road, of course public nuisance. i think it's very— course public nuisance. i think it's very important at the police are able _ very important at the police are able to— very important at the police are able to arrest them and take these charges _ able to arrest them and take these charges forward and the advance of the injunction is that it allows the police _ the injunction is that it allows the police to act quicker and they're sent— police to act quicker and they're sent to — police to act quicker and they're sent to hold them in raman. it keeps those _ sent to hold them in raman. it keeps those people off our streets because you may— those people off our streets because you may be aware, they are being released — you may be aware, they are being released in— you may be aware, they are being released in coming back onto the m 25 to _ released in coming back onto the m 25 to recommit crimes. so being able to keep _ 25 to recommit crimes. so being able to keep them away from the m 25 and off our— to keep them away from the m 25 and off our streets and out of sorry is of course — off our streets and out of sorry is of course what we all want. a man has appeared in court charged with the murders of a woman and three children in a house in killamarsh in derbyshire on sunday. our correspondent danny savage gave us this update. the manning questions name is damien brendel, his 31 years old. he appeared via video link for the hearing earlier this afternoon. he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth. he is being held in police custody at the moment and police headquarters in derbyshire. he is accused of murdering four people, they are terry harris who is 35 years old, her daughter lisa bennett who is 11, john bennett who was 13 years old and another girl, 11. she was lazy his friend and was staying at the house for a sleepover that night. those bodies were found on sunday morning which was when damien brendel was first arrested. police announced he was charged early this morning the court appearances taking place today. we are some 30 miles or so from kila marsh where those bodies were found on sunday morning. at the scene they are obviously people very shocked in the community who been leaving hundreds of flowers and messages at the scene in memory of those three children and terry harris who died there over the weekend. the next stage in the legal process surrounding damien brendel as he was remanded in custody and he will now appear before darby trial court at about ten o'clock on friday morning. more than 100,000 people many of them women have been underpaid a total of £1 billion in state pensions. that's the finding of a report by the national audit office — which blames years of repeated mistakes and outdated computer systems at the department for work and pensions. sarah corker reports. for nearly a decade, irene from worcestershire was underpaid her state pension. she is one of thousands of women in their 70s and 80s who missed out on large sums of money because of government errors. i think it's scandalous. i think that the fact that you have to battle for something that's rightfully yours is awful, because i was lucky, i've got richard to help me, but anybody who's a widow, and perhaps not financially up with it, and they're perhaps struggling on the breadline, it could make a tremendous difference. irene has now been paid the £7,000 she was owed, but it was a battle, and she is far from alone. these errors relate to married women who had small state pensions. they were eligible to claim 60% of their husbands contributions, but complex rules and errors by the dwp meant that for decades they were underpaid. the errors date back to 1985, affecting an estimated 134,000 pensioners, including some married women, widows and the over—80s. they are collectively owed more than £1 billion. the national audit office found there were repeated human errors over many years at the department for work and pensions, blamed on complex pension rules and unautomated outdated it systems. most of the people affected were women, not all but most. 90% of those that take this type of state pension lift are women, and unfortunately i'm afraid that many of them will have died before they receive the money they are owed, so actually, in a significant minority of cases, this money will go to their next of kin. the department for work and pensions said it is fully committed to ensuring the historical errors made by successive governments are corrected, and it's improved training to make sure it doesn't happen again. a team of 500 civil servants is now working to trace women like irene, who were short changed, but it will take years to complete. sarah corker, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... avro energy and green have become the latest energy suppliers to go out of business because of the global spike in gas prices. no trade deal is in sight for the united states but the prime minister has said that america is lifting its ban on british lamb for the first time in decades. president biden says the united states will donate 500 million more doses of the pfizerjob to developing nations. an 18—year—old inmate who lost her baby after giving birth alone and herself. the prisons and probation but it's been found that staff who were responsible for her care were unclear about the estimated due date and were not aware she could give birth imminently. as the woman went into labour she pressed her cell bell for help and nobody responded. the report says she appeared to be regarded as difficult rather than vulnerable. our home affairs reporter has more details. ,., ., , , details. the report was while she was regarded _ details. the report was while she was regarded as _ details. the report was while she was regarded as difficult - details. the report was while she was regarded as difficult what . details. the report was while she l was regarded as difficult what you should be regarded as a vulnerable teenagers who is frightened that a baby was going to be taken offer. the situation became very, very desperate indeed for this young woman because no one in the entire system had herfall pregnancy record. and no one on the block that she was on knew that she might give birth imminently. so the night she went into labour, she pressed her cell belt twice, no one came. she then passed out with the pain and when she woke up her daughter had been born but she realised that the baby wasn't breathing and she realised the baby was dead. the next morning a male prison officer went into herself and she was in bed, this is a teenager, she pulled back the duvet and the police officer could see the babies head. it wasn't clear whether the baby have read for a short time or was stillborn. today we've had apologies from the prison, the nhs, the digestive secretary dominic raab they've all said the root of invasions in the report been accepted and the changes have been made. the person behind the report the present and president augments fun did acknowledge frustration this morning that there had been no internal disciplinary process was up she said every pregnancy and prison has to be regarded as high risk. the famil ofa has to be regarded as high risk. the family of a primary school teenager who was murdered and say they are dead and two devastated by her death. attracted about 830 at a time in the park was likely to have been used by many people. a man in his 40s who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released underfurther released under further investigation. sabina's cousin zubel ahmed spoke this afternoon to pay tribute to the 28—year—old and to plead for witnesses to come forward. we are still in shock, it's been a few days but... still has not sunk in yet. and we are truly devastated. her parents are absolutely, absolutely shocked, their inconsolable still full and understandably so to hear their daughter being taken away from them. it's just horrific. she honestly was the most caring person, kindest, sweetest girl you can meet. it's been is horrible. she never had a bad thing to say about anyone. her sisters are going to miss her so much because she's a family oriented person. well educated, grew up well and she loved teaching, she loves kids. she's got a couple of cats at home. shejust loves caring for people, for animals, she isjust a beautiful soul. we just want justice for sabina. we want this man caught and if anyone has any information please inform the police. pick up the phone, go on the website, go on twitter, dm's, social media whatever little information which may seem insignificant, just some information to bring to peace to her and herfamily, just bring some closure. and put it up before he does something to someone else. one of its goals will be to persuade industrialised nations on its dependence on coal. china has pledged not to build new coal—fire projects abroad — a move that could be pivotal in tackling global emissions. many economies around the world are still depended on the fossil fuel such as india where new plants continue to be built. how do fast developing nations satisfy the demand for energy balls at the same time trying to curb emissions? our south asia correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan has this special report. india's coal belt helps power this vast nation. more than two thirds of the country's energy production still depends on it. such is the demand that the country is planning and building or expanding dozens of mines in the coming years, and also continues to import coal. there is pressure on india to reduce its emissions, but cutting coal use is a tricky balance. a major pollutant in the country, the dirtiest of fuels, coal is also a major source ofjobs in these communities. which are some of india's poorest. india cannot live without coal. our country is a developing country. coal is one of the major resources of indians. if we stop coal production under the pressure of the world community then how can we maintain our livelihood? how can india meet the energy needs of the population of more than 1.3 billion? a growing middle class is driving that demand. although the average indian still uses far less energy than the average brit or american. india is already shifting to cleaner sources like solar. experts say the country needs more investment to make the switch to renewables. india has already set out some of the most aggressive renewable energy targets in the world. the more rapidly we can get more investment, more capital, more money, into solar, wind, bioenergy and so forth, the quicker we can keep shifting away from the older energy infrastructure. but making that shift means reaching communities like these where the oldest and most basic forms of energy are the only option. this woman is one of the tens of millions of indians who still don't have access to power. "there is no electricity, there is no water. if we don't have coal, we can't cook. if it's harmful, what can we do about it? " she tells me. "we have no other option. at night we burn coal, keep it in the house, so we also have some light. " what people here want so badly is what so many in the west have long taken for granted. in india, progress comes at a price. it means cutting the cord with coal could take time. the actor robert fife is died at the age of 90. his best—known roles in the tv comedy last of the summer wine. scottish by birth robert played the much loved your chairman howard for over 25 years until the final episode in 2010. his long and varied career and compassed stage, television and film. his manager described him as a truly talented and versatile actor who was much loved by everyone he worked with. clive is up next with the bbc news at six first of all the check out the weather prospects. they look rather good. it does actually it's got two shot from a garden. if only it we re were my garden. it wasn't quite like that everywhere. many central, southern eastern parts quite a long way from the weather front enjoyed a spectacular day. that was not the case and parts of scotland and indeed northern ireland where for a time at least these guys were a good deal more like that. that's because you are much closer to this weather front which is spent the day checking its way ever further towards the south and east. and will continue its journey overnight. there the theories where the skies are not clear by any means at all. the first weather front keeps on coming for the south overnight, the wee small hours across the north of england, north of wales following behind a real raft of raft of showers if not longer spells of rain and a really strong wind as well. not a cold night ahead of those weather fronts, not a cold night ahead of those weatherfronts, the not a cold night ahead of those weather fronts, the cloud and breeze keeping temperatures, 13, 15 for some. but further north they went to a realfeature. it can be a rough night for the ferry for aberdeen of george chapman, 65 miles an hour gusts they are for the better you start to do day on thursday in scotland. the weather front tries to get away but a portion of it hangs back to the northwest of scotland see the return of rain later on. will be quite a cloudy, deck start in the southwest but i am hopeful that as the day progresses the sun will break out through wales, midlands and over towards these ganglia and linkage are and the temperatures really responding to that sunshine. further north it will stay a wee bit cooler because it the northeastern corner of scotland even though the wind begins to ease somewhat. the rain kept its way up as we end thursday. that's because we've got the set of weather front and a new low pressure is still squeezing up those isobars was of the wind quite a noticeable feature in the north but no longer the north and northwest. it's more about weston southwesterly. that can help to boost the temperatures ate little where it has just taken that dip in the northeast and northwest. it's more about weston southwesterly. that can help to boost the temperatures ate little where it has just taken that dip in the northeastern quarter. but the doing that part of scotland may be northern ireland here for the eastern scotland, not wall—to—wall such a way to get the sunshine, 22 at 23 degrees. having clock that wind around from that northwestern quarter and into western south west come the weekend we are into a self and southwesterly. that is going to do wonders for the temperature. it is not wall—to—wall sentient and there could be one or two —— sunshine. but with that wind coming in from the south we could well be looking at temperatures quite widely through the course of the weekend into the upper teens if not the low 20s. into the upper teens if not the low 205. i into the upper teens if not the low 20s. i will have more later on. today at six, two more energy firms collapse — the latest casualties of the spike in wholesale gas prices. as firms go to the wall, millions of customers are left looking for new suppliers and the regulator warns the worst is not over. we are in unprecedented cost territory. and i'm afraid, you know, there are many, many factors that contributed to that, so it's very, very hard to predict how long that will last. as energy and food costs look set to rise, we'll take a look at the wider cost of living. also on the programme... the catalogue of errors that let to hundreds of thousands of women the catalogue of errors that led to hundreds of thousands of women losing out on pension payments. india's love affair with coal. the environmental costs of the country's energy needs. and the return of fans cheering on their football teams, while standing on the terraces. coming up in sportsday, later in the hour on bbc news channel,