who are already struggling with paying the bills. yeah, i have three thermal layers on almost all the time now. i was sat under four blankets last week because i didn't want to turn the heating on. and novak djokovic is back in serbia following his deportation, as the australian open begins without him. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. two teenagers have been arrested in manchester after a british man took four people hostage in a synagogue in texas on saturday. greater manchester police said the teenagers are being questioned as "part of the ongoing investigation into the attack." 44—year—old malik faisal akram from blackburn was shot dead by police after a ten—hour stand—off in dallas. the four hostages — who included a rabbi — were unharmed. downing street has described the incident as a "terrible and anti—semitic act of terrorism". from texas, our correspondent, sophie long, reports. this is the moment the three final hostages ran for their lives, more than ten hours after their ordeal began. a successful, but nonetheless terrifying end to the delicate, daylong operation involving negotiators and heavily armed police. the man, now identified as malik faisal akram, a 44—year—old british citizen originally from lancashire, was shot and killed. he'd claimed to have a gun and a bomb when he interrupted a peaceful morning service being streamed from the congregation beth israel in dallas. it didn't look good, it didn't sound good. we were very... we were terrified. and when i saw an opportunity where he wasn't in a good position, i made sure that the two gentlemen who were still with me, that they were ready to go. the exit wasn't too far away. i told them to go, i threw a chair at the gunman, and i headed for the door. and all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired. akram, who arrived in the united states two weeks ago, was heard ranting about religion and demanding the release of a pakistani neuroscientist with suspected links to al-qaeda currently serving a prison sentence in texas. people came here, a place of worship, to pray. but once again in america, a moment of peace became a moment of profound pain. as the people who were trapped, terrified, try to come to terms with what happened, synagogues across the country have increased security in fear of copycat attacks. this was an act of terror. we're not going to tolerate this. we have this capacity to deal with assaults on, particularly the anti—semitism that has grown up. and so i'll be talking with... i put a call into the rabbi. we missed one another on the way up here. but they should rest assured that we are focused. as soon as it became known that akram was a british citizen, the investigation became global. counter—terror police in manchester are assisting the us authorities and are now questioning two teenagers who were arrested in the city last night. sophie long, bbc news, dallas. our correspondent, danny savage, is in blackburn. we can speak to him now. what more do we know about this connection with lancashire? we do we know about this connection with lancashire?_ do we know about this connection with lancashire? we know that malik faisal akram — with lancashire? we know that malik faisal akram grew _ with lancashire? we know that malik faisal akram grew up _ with lancashire? we know that malik faisal akram grew up here _ with lancashire? we know that malik faisal akram grew up here and - with lancashire? we know that malik faisal akram grew up here and lived| faisal akram grew up here and lived here for much of his life. he has a large family who live in this area and during the siege on saturday his brother gulbar was here in the police station in blackburn trying to negotiate with him via the fbi and with british officers liaising with him as well. he was trying to persuade his brother to give himself up, albeit unsuccessfully, but he was involved with that and issued a statement after his brother died confirming his death and apologising to the victims, saying his brother had been suffering from mental health issues. there are, of course, all sorts of questions to answer. how did malik faisal akram managed to leave the country, travelled to the united states, be allowed into the united states, be allowed into the us and then buy a gun and get involved in what happened on saturday and carry out this hostagetaking incident? so that is where the investigation will focus, where the investigation will focus, where the investigation will focus, where the people helping him or was he suffering from mental health issues and acting alone? now, we know greater manchester police, who are the neighbouring faucet to lancashire, made two arrests of two teenagers in south manchester yesterday evening. we don't know whether they are male or female, we don't know their age either, so waiting for more information on that, but that is not unusual in these sorts of incidents. police, counterterrorism officers quickly look at the contacts and known people to whoever was involved in such an incident and often make arrests for people to be questioned and it is not unusual for them to be released without charge subsequently. we don't know whether that will happen in this case, but that will happen in this case, but thatis that will happen in this case, but that is often the pattern that this sort of thing follows, but was malik faisal akram being helped by anybody here in lancashire? so they will be looking closely at his connections after what has been a very shocking and upsetting weekend for his family and upsetting weekend for his family and friends, who knew this 44—year—old who had lived here until very recently, but who had then gone to the states. very recently, but who had then gone to the stam— very recently, but who had then gone to the states-— to the states. danny savage, thank ou ve to the states. danny savage, thank you very much. _ to the states. danny savage, thank you very much, danny _ to the states. danny savage, thank you very much, danny savage - to the states. danny savage, thank you very much, danny savage in i you very much, danny savage in lancashire there. our security correspondent, frank gardner, is here. what will be happening in the investigation now? we heard how absolutely terrifying it was for those who were held hostage and they will be quite keen to... get to the bottom of this, won't they? the? bottom of this, won't they? they will, es. bottom of this, won't they? they will. yes- we _ bottom of this, won't they? they will, yes. we have _ bottom of this, won't they? they will, yes. we have already - bottom of this, won't they? tie: will, yes. we have already had a very graphic account from the rabbi who was shown there and he has given an interview to the bbc�*s partner, cbs, in the united states, saying he had to throw a chair at the gunman, which is the first time i had heard that, in order to be able to get away. they will certainly be asked for an account of everything gunman said, his actions, his behaviour and so on, but the focus of the investigation is without question here in the uk. this is an fbi led investigation, which is quite frustrating for us in the media because it means that whitehall officials, who would normally be able to confirm or deny some of the details, are completely waiting for the fbi to release any details. they don't want to give out anything ahead of the fbi, which is actually very frustrating, but clearly that is a political decision, so this involves several agencies, this involves several agencies, this involves notjust involves several agencies, this involves not just the involves several agencies, this involves notjust the fbi, but counterterrorism policing north—west, focusing around lancashire, greater manchester police and of course mi5 and one of the questions i think we want to know the answers to fairly quickly is was malik faisal akram any kind of a watchlist? he obviously was not on the no—fly list because he flew to the united states two weeks ago, went in via jfk airport, spent a couple of weeks there in the us, bought a weapon, carried out his actions very close to the prison in fort worth, also in texas, where this lady, aafia siddiqui, is being held, after being convicted on terrorism charges. so the investigation, rather as danny savage says, will be looking at any associates and also the digital trail. who was he in contact with, what websites was he accessing, who was he in contact with, was he on the dark web, on various forums? they will want to see his comms if he has any, if they can recover his phone, things like that, all of which will help build up a composite picture of whether he was acting alone or did he have helped? frank gardner, alone or did he have helped? frank gardner. our— alone or did he have helped? frank gardner, our security _ alone or did he have helped? frank gardner, our security correspondent, thank you very much. tracy walder is a former cia and fbi special agent. she's now a professor of criminal justice and terrorism at texas christian university, close to where the stand—off happened on saturday. thank you very much forjoining us. the fbi have said this case has global reach. clearly, there are connections to the uk. where else? thank you so much for having me, martin? i would say the next step in those connections would be pakistan. that is where aafia siddiqui is from and there have been movements throughout pakistan to garner her release from prison. this throughout pakistan to garner her release from prison.— release from prison. this is aafia siddi . ui, release from prison. this is aafia siddiqui. who _ release from prison. this is aafia siddiqui, who has— release from prison. this is aafia siddiqui, who has a _ release from prison. this is aafia siddiqui, who has a very - release from prison. this is aafia | siddiqui, who has a very troubling history, doesn't she? tell us about her beliefs and her views and why there is a jewish connection or an anti—semitic connection to her? sure, so her history goes back pretty far. she was educated actually here in the united states. she is a neuroscientist with a phd in it as well. she became radicalised we think in 2002 and was ultimately arrested in 2008, trying to assassinate a governor in the —— is a province in afghanistan. when she was arrested there was a pocket of papers that were found on her, detailing a mass casualty attack here in the united states, the empire state building, new york city subways, those kinds of things and when she was ultimately questioned by the us military she actually tried to grab a gun and got off a few shots. she did not kill or harm anyone, but that is ultimately what she was arrested and tried four, seven counts of that, and she is serving 86 years in a prison in fort worth. additionally, during her trial, it was highly known and it is highly known that she is quite anti—semitic, asking her attorneys who were jewish anti—semitic, asking her attorneys who werejewish to be fired, asking forjurors to be dna tested to ensure they were notjewish, so this goes back quite a way with her. downing street here have described it as an anti—semitic attack. clearly, it would seem so because it was a synagogue that was the focus. what impact is that having, then, on synagogues across the country? i believe that you are a member of a synagogue not very far away from this one? w , , synagogue not very far away from this one? .. , , , this one? exactly. i fully believe that a synagogue _ this one? exactly. i fully believe that a synagogue was _ this one? exactly. i fully believe that a synagogue was the - this one? exactly. i fully believe that a synagogue was the targeti this one? exactly. i fully believe i that a synagogue was the target of this attack. there are many other things that malik faisal akram could have attacked along the way. i go to a synagogue about 20 minutes away from this particular one, just in the past few days since this has happened i have received about six orseven happened i have received about six or seven different types of security e—mails. some classes have been cancelled, security has been up to, if it wasn't already so at many synagogues and they are cancelling worship, moving it to virtual, when it was in person, for a bit, as well as sunday school classes. it it was in person, for a bit, as well as sunday school classes.- as sunday school classes. if you would, as sunday school classes. if you would. share — as sunday school classes. if you would, share some _ as sunday school classes. if you would, share some light - as sunday school classes. if you would, share some light on - as sunday school classes. if you | would, share some light on what as sunday school classes. if you - would, share some light on what the focus on the fbi investigation will be, in terms of how much of it will be, in terms of how much of it will be a digital investigation, looking at what has been happening online, as opposed to the real world? sure. as opposed to the real world? sure, that is an excellent _ as opposed to the real world? sure, that is an excellent question. - as opposed to the real world? sure, that is an excellent question. i - that is an excellent question. i think nowadays are really a lot of this is transpiring digitally. if this is transpiring digitally. if this is transpiring digitally. if this is some kind of a lone wolf al-qaeda one—off attack, i would imagine his digital trail is going to be quite significant, corresponding with the airlines, corresponding with the airlines, corresponding with the airlines, corresponding with his cell phone, trying to get some kind of a digital footprint as to what is movements are, really tracking back months, i think, will be incredibly important, building web is an charting that out to find out who his associates were, if he was acting alone or if he was acting with a group.— if he was acting alone or if he was acting with a group. thank you very much for talking _ acting with a group. thank you very much for talking to _ acting with a group. thank you very much for talking to us, _ acting with a group. thank you very much for talking to us, tracy - much for talking to us, tracy walder, former fbi agent. abolishing the bbc licence fee, the royal navy controlling migration and an end to plan b in england — just some of the potential government policies that emerged in the weekend newspapers. the education secretary, nadhim zahawi says there's no fightback plan — the government is simply delivering on the commitments it made at the election. he also dismissed suggestions that populist policies were being pushed by the government to enable the prime minister to survive. let's speak to the conservative mp, paul bristow, who won the marginal constituency of peterborough from labour in 2019. paul bristow, welcome, thank you very much forjoining us. previously you have said you are not going to comment on anything to do with the downing street party is until we get to grey�*s report, but now you are defending the prime minister. who; defending the prime minister. why the chance defending the prime minister. trashy the change of defending the prime minister. the�*ug' the change of heart? defending the prime minister. th�*e�*ug' the change of heart? 0h, defending the prime minister. th�*e�*ug' the change of heart? oh, i am waiting until the report from sue comes out and that is what i have said clearly in other media appearances, but i am very happy to talk about the way i felt when it came up because i understand why people are angry. my father died during lockdown and his grandchildren were unable to say goodbye to him, i was not able to say goodbye in the way that i wanted. and that will live with me forever and it is something that, you know, ifeel very upset forever and it is something that, you know, i feel very upset about, as you can imagine, so i understand why people are angry, but what i will say is the prime minister was then absolutely right to come to the house of commons to apologise and take responsibility for what happened at downing street and i think... but happened at downing street and i think... �* . happened at downing street and i think... �* e �* ,., happened at downing street and i think... �* e �* , ., ., , think... but mr bristow, i am very sor to think... but mr bristow, i am very sorry to hear _ think... but mr bristow, i am very sorry to hear about _ think... but mr bristow, i am very sorry to hear about your _ think... but mr bristow, i am very sorry to hear about your loss - think... but mr bristow, i am very sorry to hear about your loss and l think... but mr bristow, i am veryj sorry to hear about your loss and i think that a lot of people will be surprised that you are so willing to forgive the prime minister for a terrible lack of leadership and being tone deaf about this problem, which many, many other people across the country will have sadly been in your position as well... he has not taken any response ability at all yet. taken any response ability at all et. ~ . , taken any response ability at all et. ~ ., , .., ., yet. well, he has. he came to the house of commons, _ yet. well, he has. he came to the house of commons, he _ yet. well, he has. he came to the| house of commons, he apologised yet. well, he has. he came to the i house of commons, he apologised in front of members of parliament and actually add that to what keir starmer said this morning, and he says there is nothing for him to apologise for. says there is nothing for him to apologise for-— says there is nothing for him to apologise for. says there is nothing for him to aolouise for. ~ . ., ., ., apologise for. what have you got to a olo . ise apologise for. what have you got to apologise for? _ apologise for. what have you got to apologise for? he _ apologise for. what have you got to apologise for? he is _ apologise for. what have you got to apologise for? he is not _ apologise for. what have you got to apologise for? he is not the - apologise for. what have you got to apologise for? he is not the prime l apologise for? he is not the prime minister. this is the government of the day that is under scrutiny and quite rightly so. the day that is under scrutiny and quite rightly so-— quite rightly so. well, he said he can certainly _ quite rightly so. well, he said he can certainly apologise _ quite rightly so. well, he said he can certainly apologise for - can certainly apologise for hypocrisy because he is saying on the one hand it is wrong that the prime minister was out in a garden doing what he did, whereas he was doing what he did, whereas he was doing it probably even worse, he was swinging beer in an enclosed space... swinging beer in an enclosed sace... , ,., , swinging beer in an enclosed sace... , , ., ., space... this is a terrible amount of whataboutery, _ space... this is a terrible amount of whataboutery, isn't _ space... this is a terrible amount of whataboutery, isn't it? - space... this is a terrible amount of whataboutery, isn't it? look. space... this is a terrible amount i of whataboutery, isn't it? look over here, deflect from the matter in hand, which is that the leader of this country sets the tone and we now know that the tone has apparently got to change and there are not to be any more of these parties, but he thought that... they all seem to think they can get away with it. that is not leadership. t with it. that is not leadership. i don't think it is whataboutery to actually call out hypocrisy. i understand why people are concerned, i understand why people are angry, but in the wider realm of things i think what we want is a prime minister who has been successfully rolling out the vaccine programme a prime minister who is open to listening to people in the media, sage and several of us, we are still in lockdown, but this is the most open economy and society in the whole of europe. when i went to my constituency and i spoke at a coffee morning on friday, while there was concern and i totally understand that, and look, i have that personal experience, but what the people i met wanted to talk about the most was the fact they no longer have restrictions on their lives and we are not in lockdown. that is what is important. iterate are not in lockdown. that is what is imortant. ~ , ., ., important. we understand that backbenchers _ important. we understand that backbenchers are _ important. we understand that backbenchers are being - important. we understand that| backbenchers are being offered important. we understand that - backbenchers are being offered red meat, these somewhat popular sounding policies, which do look too many people again like they are a distraction tactic to keep boris johnson in office. why was it in your manifesto that the bbc licence fee was going to be abolished? that there would be no charter renewal in 2027? it does not seem to have landed well with a lot of people, certainly on social media.- landed well with a lot of people, certainly on social media. well, it has landed _ certainly on social media. well, it has landed well _ certainly on social media. well, it has landed well with _ certainly on social media. well, it has landed well with a _ certainly on social media. well, it has landed well with a lot - certainly on social media. well, it has landed well with a lot of - certainly on social media. well, it i has landed well with a lot of people in my constituency. if you asked me this question two or three years ago, i would this question two or three years ago, iwould have this question two or three years ago, i would have defended the bbc to the hilt. the bbc is an institution in this country, but the way people's viewing habits have changed, the way in my household we don't watch mainstream tv at all during the christmas period. we were watching netflix, amazon, all sorts of other things... 50 watching netflix, amazon, all sorts of other things. . ._ of other things. .. so your family won't be watching _ of other things. .. so your family won't be watching you _ of other things. .. so your family won't be watching you now? - of other things. .. so your family l won't be watching you now? well, of other things. .. so your family i won't be watching you now? well, i think the viewing _ won't be watching you now? well, i think the viewing habits _ won't be watching you now? well, i think the viewing habits of - won't be watching you now? well, i think the viewing habits of the - think the viewing habits of the population have changed, i don't... but they won't be watching you now? your family and children will surely be wanting to watch their dad on bbc television? ~ , , ., television? well, it depends how --eole television? well, it depends how people think _ television? well, it depends how people think this _ television? well, it depends how people think this interview - television? well, it depends how people think this interview goes! j people think this interview goes! but as far as i'm concerned, i don't think anyone could disagree that people's viewing habits have changed and i think it is right that the bbc change with the times. i would hope that those in the bbc, including yourselves, would embrace that because i think it is really important that we retain the bbc as our broadcaster, prolific it is absolutely fair that the way it is funded changes in order to reflect changing viewing habits. i don't think many people can disagree with that. ~ ., . think many people can disagree with that. ~ ,, ., ., ., , .,, that. well, i think a lot of people will, if you _ that. well, i think a lot of people will, if you are _ that. well, i think a lot of people will, if you are reading _ that. well, i think a lot of people will, if you are reading social - will, if you are reading social media today. you say the bbc needs to survive, but it can't survive in its current form and do those non—market—driven programming, such as... 0n non—market—driven programming, such as... on a sixpence, turned around and managed to educate country's children and they couldn't go to school. that will not happen if you want to make a subscription model that has got to make money. i don't think the vast _ that has got to make money. i don't think the vast majority _ that has got to make money. i don't think the vast majority of— that has got to make money. i don't think the vast majority of people - that has got to make money. i don't think the vast majority of people in l think the vast majority of people in this country understand that viewing habits have changed and i don't think there will be opposed to changing the way the bbc does things in order to try to compete in a modern age. again, as i say, a lot of what the bbc does is good. if it is valued and people like it, people will pay for it. people already pay for it. £159 is a lot of money for many families in my constituency and it is important that the bbc changes with the times. hour it is important that the bbc changes with the times.— with the times. how many of them have netflix, _ with the times. how many of them have netflix, though? _ with the times. how many of them have netflix, though? well, - with the times. how many of them have netflix, though? well, i - with the times. how many of them | have netflix, though? well, i think a significant _ have netflix, though? well, i think a significant number _ have netflix, though? well, i think a significant number have - have netflix, though? well, i think a significant number have netflix, l a significant number have netflix, bought £159 is a lot of money. paul bristow, thank _ bought £159 is a lot of money. paul bristow, thank you _ bought £159 is a lot of money. paul bristow, thank you for talking to us. well, let's get more from our political correspondent, helen catt, who is in westminster. helen, tell us a bit more about the idea that are coming forward from the government to try to keep the backbenchers happy. yes. the government to try to keep the backbenchers happy.— the government to try to keep the backbenchers happy. yes, there is a bit of a lull — backbenchers happy. yes, there is a bit of a lull in _ backbenchers happy. yes, there is a bit of a lull in westminster - backbenchers happy. yes, there is a bit of a lull in westminster this - bit of a lull in westminster this morning. we have had that massive regulations that have pushed party things on over the weekend, so there is a bit of time to pause and reflect about that, but as you say what we have had in their place is a number of suggestions of policy changes, which appeared to be designed to appeal to a particular part of the conservative party, things like the suggestion that the navy is going to be brought in to tackle small boat crossing is in the channel, which has of course been a problem that has plagued the government for years now, that it has not quite manage to get a grip on, so there's that suggestion and as you just talked about the idea of freezing or possibly even scrapping the bbc licence fee and there is a suggestion that this is a sort of strategy to try to go down well with some conservatives stop and there is even a name for it, we were told, or 0peration even a name for it, we were told, or operation of red meat, though i should say downing street absolutely deny that is the case and the prime minister's official spokesman said earlier that none of these issues are things we have not been seeking to address for some time and the government was continuing to deliver on those policy priorities. he also said he did not accept labour's characterisation that this was all a distraction tactic. but as i metropolitan police. and we are expecting that report from the senior civil servant, sue gray, that everyone is really waiting on in westminster is likely to come back at the end of nick this week or perhaps even into next week, so certainly not with gas and electricity bills set to soar. here's our social affairs correspondent, michael buchanan. i weigh six stone at the moment, so i'm cold all the time. and because i'm a wheelchair user and a lot of me doesn't move any more, my circulation is really very poor. anne vivian—smith has a neurodegenerative condition. she lives with her husband, a university manager, in a small, increasingly cold bungalow in nottinghamshire, and the rising cost of energy is harming her health. i have three thermal layers on almost all the time now. i was sat under four blankets last week. i no longer eat breakfast and lunch because it's too expensive. this morning, anne checked her energy bills and received an almighty shock. we found out today, our energy bill is usually £81; a month, and it's going up to £140. that's nearly doubled, and yet dave's salary is not going up, my benefits aren't going up, and i'm really distressed about it, and i've already had a little cry, and i'm likely to have another one! many more families will be similarly anguished by rapidly rising gas and electricity bills. the resolution foundation think tank calculates that, by april, over 6 million households in england will struggle with their energy bills, with costs set to increase on average from £100 to £150 a month. £50 a month increase is beyond the means of millions of families, especially coming at the same time as changes to the tax system, where national insurance contributions will increase. so, you know, we'll see a lot of families really struggling, come april. the government say it has put a range of measures in place to support households and will continue to listen to consumers and business on how to manage their energy costs. can i have £25 on that, please? james has already seen his costs nearly double in a year — each top—up lasting less time. i've put my postcode in. usually, he'd just change providers, but this time, there's no point. james cares for his daughter for half the week, so heats his flat when she stays. otherwise, the 33—year—old lives frugally, even limiting his use of the washing machine. it's come to the point where, if i'm a bit short on electric and it's close to the time i'm going to be paying to top up again, i have to be clever enough to say, "don't do that washing, cos you'll run out of electricity." so let it build up, get paid, top up, and then work through the washing, which is, again, a situation i've neverfound myself in until this year. low—income families, says today's report, should be offered a bigger and broader support package by ministers. but the scale of the looming price rises creates understandable worry. i have no choice but to use my hoist to change chairs and to use my power chairto getaround. i have no choice but to use my electric bed. and all of this is going to have an impact on the costs that our energy company is going to throw at us. michael buchanan, bbc news. tennis star novak djokovic has arrived in his home country of serbia after his deportation from australia. under australia's strict immigation laws, the men's number one can't be granted another visa for three years. but the country's prime minister has said he may be able to return sooner than anticipated. guy de launey is in the serbian capital, belgrade. what sort of welcome home is he getting? . what sort of welcome home is he getting? , i what sort of welcome home is he caettin ? ., ~e what sort of welcome home is he heflin ? ., ,, ., what sort of welcome home is he urettin? ., «e ., what sort of welcome home is he heflin? ., ,, ., , getting? , i would like to say it is a big hero's _ getting? , i would like to say it is a big hero's welcome, _ getting? , i would like to say it is a big hero's welcome, but - getting? , i would like to say it is a big hero's welcome, but it- getting? , i would like to say it is a big hero's welcome, but it was| a big hero's welcome, but it was really a very quiet affair. we saw may be a few dozen novak djokovic supporters turning up at grade's tesla airport with banners and placards and flags, some singing some songs and chanting support for novak djokovic, but ultimately they did not get to see him because novak djokovic arrived on his flight from dubai, which was a scheduled flight. he did not go through the regular arrival section, as you would probably expect he wouldn't, but he didn't come out of the vip terminal either, where a lot of people had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of their sporting icon. instead he actually went through the diplomatic channel and out of a special exit and that is all fair enough, novak djokovic would probably say, because he holds a diplomatic passport from serbia. that is his status in this country. but he left a small number of disappointed fans outside the airport today and quite a lot of disappointed media as well. yes. airport today and quite a lot of disappointed media as well. yes, i am sure, disappointed media as well. yes, i am sure. not _ disappointed media as well. yes, i am sure, not really _ disappointed media as well. yes, i am sure, not really the _ disappointed media as well. yes, i am sure, not really the story - disappointed media as well. yes, i am sure, not really the story we . am sure, not really the story we were after at the end of all this at this constant attention he has had. i want a close up, don't we! absolutely, we want certain things and we have not got them. tell us, the support for him across the country generally is pretty strong. how hard do you think serbia will fight for him to be allowed back within three years, which is... he is not meant to go back to australia before the three years are up. it would mean he wasn't able to compete in future 0pens, if that wasn't waived? it in future opens, if that wasn't waived? , . , waived? it is an interesting question — waived? it is an interesting question and _ waived? it is an interesting question and does - waived? it is an interesting question and does serbia i waived? it is an interesting - question and does serbia actually have any h? this is what the president was saying to me yesterday and the prime minister also suggested to me last week as well, that in this relationship between serbia and australia the power is clearly on the side of australia, in a much richer country and one that is several times larger as well in terms of its population. the serbian president even saying to him be that he didn't think all this would have happened to novak djokovic, had he not been serbian, so i think they actually did all they could during this crisis to represent their man and it wasn't enough to get him in the tournament, so what are they going to be able to do going forward? that is a very tricky task, i would suggest. it forward? that is a very tricky task, i would suggest-— i would suggest. it has kept you bus , i would suggest. it has kept you busy. hasn't _ i would suggest. it has kept you busy, hasn't it? _ i would suggest. it has kept you busy, hasn't it? it— i would suggest. it has kept you busy, hasn't it? it certainly- i would suggest. it has kept you busy, hasn't it? it certainly has! you know. _ busy, hasn't it? it certainly has! you know. it — busy, hasn't it? it certainly has! you know, it is _ busy, hasn't it? it certainly has! you know, it is a _ busy, hasn't it? it certainly has! you know, it is a story - busy, hasn't it? it certainly has! you know, it is a story that - busy, hasn't it? it certainly has! you know, it is a story that has| you know, it is a story that has fascinated people since the start of the year and i think the thing with novak djokovic is this. the whole thing but i take away from this at the end as people ask, why should we make an exception for novak djokovic? the answer from make an exception for novak djokovic? the answerfrom serbia make an exception for novak djokovic? the answer from serbia was because he is novak djokovic and in some ways that is not unreasonable. when you see the way that an elite tennis player like novak djokovic performs, there are very, very few human beings who can perform at that sort of level. to see it in the flash is really quite awe—inspiring and that is what the audiences in melbourne and the people watching around the world will have been deprived of. that, i think, around the world will have been deprived of. that, ithink, is around the world will have been deprived of. that, i think, is a real pity, whatever you think about novak djokovic's vaccination status, that we couldn't have found a way to square all of this so that the world could not have seen one of its great athletes doing what he does the best. . , . athletes doing what he does the best. ., , ., ., , ., athletes doing what he does the best. ., , ., ., ., «e best. that is the law for you. thank ou ve best. that is the law for you. thank you very much. _ best. that is the law for you. thank you very much. guy _ best. that is the law for you. thank you very much, guy de _ best. that is the law for you. thank you very much, guy de launey - best. that is the law for you. thank you very much, guy de launey in i you very much, guy de launey in serbia. time for a look at the weather forecast. louise. hello, there. after a frosty and foggy start for many, it's a glorious afternoon with sparkling blue sky and winter sunshine out there. little bit of fair weather cloud, potentially across northwest england and stretching up through north and west of scotland, but temperatures will top out this afternoon between 7—10 celsius. but, as darkness falls, so too will the temperatures — really like a stone — and we'll see with light winds fog reforming once again, some of it dense and possibly freezing in central and eastern england as those temperatures fall below freezing. milder start to the day on tuesday once again in the far north—west of scotland. there'll be some patchy rain arriving a little later on. the fog will readily lift. in one or two places if it lingers that could have an impact on the temperatures, but for many, there'll be a good slice of sunshine to look out for tomorrow. temperatures a little more subdued — between 5—9 degrees. a quiet story continues on wednesday, with weak weather fronts sinking their way steadily south. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... two teenagers have been arrested in manchester in connection with the texas synagogue siege. the british hostage—taker was a man from blackburn. the education secretary, nadhim zahawi dismisses claims that government is launching a series of policy ideas to help the prime minister survive the row over downing street parties. the brother of a british woman swept away by the tsunami in tonga says a body has been found in the search for her. with energy costs set to soar this year, we speak to families who are already struggling with paying the bills. and novak djokovic is back serbia following his deportation, as the australian open begins without him. sport now, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. hello, from the bbc sport centre. jane. hello! good afternoon. from the bbc sport centre. let's start at the australian open where british men's number one cameron norrie has been knocked out in the first round. norrie — who was seeded 12th — lost in straight sets to american rising star, sebastian korda. the 26—year—old looked a shadow of the player who enjoyed a steady rise up the rankings in 2021. he lost in straight sets 6—3, 6—0, 6—4. six more british players, led by emma raducanu and andy murray, are in action tomorrow. no such trouble for rafael nadal, though. the spaniard's bid for a men's record 21st grand slam title got underway with victory over marcos giron. the sixth seed — the only former champion left in the men's draw — beat american giron 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. nadal is making his return to grand slam tennis after five months out with a foot injury. also a winning start for the defending women's champion, japan's naomi 0saka. she beat camila 0sorio in straight sets to go through to the second round. number one seed and home favourite ashleigh barty is also through. she comfortably defeated ukraine's lesia tsurenko 6—0, 6—1. barty could face 0saka in the fourth round. novak djokovic has arrived in serbia after being deported from australia after losing a visa battle that centred on the fact he is unvaccinated. the build—up to the event was dominated by djokovic's fight to stay and compete to defend his title after his visa was cancelled. the world number one arrived in dubai this morning following his deportation, and has landed in belgrade. former tottenham midfielder christian eriksen could return to the premier league. brentford have confirmed that they've spoken to the danish international about the possibility of signing him. eriksen's contract was cancelled by inter milan last month, as he is not allowed to play in serie a with the implanted defibrillator he had fitted following his cardiac arrest at euro 2020. that was whilst playing for denmark. no such regulation exists in the premier league and a number of clubs are said to be keen to sign him. the search for a new manager at goodison park has begun in earnest. rafa benitez was sacked yesterday after fewer than seven months in charge. wayne rooney, graham potter and former boss roberto martinez have all been linked with the job. benitez�*s dismissal came after everton's 2—1 defeat at strugglers norwich city, prompting angry scenes from travelling fans. everton have lost nine of their previous 12 premier league games, sinking from fourth in the table to 16th. after a bitterly disappointing ashes tour in australia, england head coach chris silverwood says the packed schedule and lack of time to prepare impacted their performance. it comes after australia won the series 4—0. despite the humiliating loss, captainjoe root wants to stay on, which silverwood says is the right decision. the hunger is definitely there, the determination is certainly then you can see that in his eyes. i mean, he wants to see this team do well and he wants to lead them and when the team is doing well i think she is the right man to lead this team and i think we need to give the guys the opportunity to have him back to the structure again. we need to give him the opportunity to learn the skills we need so that you can eat them well on this field as well. equally, well on this field as well. equally, we have talked a lot about the structure but equally the schedule is mad as well. if you look at how closely the test matches are played there have been no opportunity to play in a first class games in between. it has been compounded so potentially the schedule needs to ease off a little bit and give these guys and breathing space so we keep in fits perform. —— so we keep them fit to perform. the international olympic committee has announced that tickets will not go on general sale in china for the winter olympics or paralympics. instead, the ioc will invite groups of selected spectators as part of an adapted programme to ensure the safety of athletes during the pandemic. it had already been decided that fans from outside of the country would not be sold tickets. now the general chinese public will not be permitted to buy them. more details on all of the stories on the bbc sport website. that's it for now though. martin. let's return now to that analysis into the rising cost of energy bills by the resolution foundation. it found the number of families in england struggling to pay energy bills will likely treble in april. one person, amongst many, affected is mum—of—one, rebecca in norfolk. thank you very much for taking time out of your busy day to speak to us. just tell us about the kind of struggles you are facing at the moment. end of october we have £80 cut to universal credit which was huge and then my energy bill went up almost double then and obviously we had the 0micron variant which is meant... had the omicron variant which is meant... . . had the omicron variant which is meant... ., ., ., .., �* meant... that meant that i couldn't work as much _ meant. .. that meant that i couldn't work as much of— meant... that meant that i couldn't work as much of the _ meant... that meant that i couldn't work as much of the christmas - meant... that meant that i couldn't l work as much of the christmas period doing hospitality work and so now in the new year i'm facing, you know, the new year i'm facing, you know, the national insurance hike which i am not too sure yet what that is going to look like and then this, you know, energy bills increasing even more and it is basically the case that i was struggling before of october but now with all of this struggling even more. so ijust don't really know what is going to happen now. iterate don't really know what is going to happen now-— don't really know what is going to hauen now. ~ ., , . happen now. we have expecting, as we said, rices happen now. we have expecting, as we said. prices to — happen now. we have expecting, as we said, prices to rise _ happen now. we have expecting, as we said, prices to rise again _ happen now. we have expecting, as we said, prices to rise again in _ happen now. we have expecting, as we said, prices to rise again in april- said, prices to rise again in april when the energy price cap goes up. what impact might that have a new, do? , ., , what impact might that have a new, do? , ,, , ., ., ., do? yes, i think it is going to have a devastating _ do? yes, i think it is going to have a devastating impact _ do? yes, i think it is going to have a devastating impact because - do? yes, i think it is going to have a devastating impact because i - do? yes, i think it is going to have a devastating impact because i am already struggling as it is with the bills right now and then just having that one trebling, you know, even a small increase, even something like £10 look, you know, would be devastating but the sorts of things that we are looking at, ijust don't know how i am going to cope. i will somehow, but it is really worrying. it is really, you know, obsessing and worrying. it is really, you know, obsessing and worrying-— it is really, you know, obsessing and wor inc. , ., ., , ., and worrying. yes, and it hangs over ou all the and worrying. yes, and it hangs over you all the time, _ and worrying. yes, and it hangs over you all the time, doesn't _ and worrying. yes, and it hangs over you all the time, doesn't it, - and worrying. yes, and it hangs over you all the time, doesn't it, when i you all the time, doesn't it, when you all the time, doesn't it, when you are having to do it all on your own and you haven't got a family network close by, in the stand. what are the difficult choices, then, that you are having to make and are likely to continue having to make? so it is 100% back to... the only variable i have is food so having to try and cut down on that. luckily my daughter goes to breakfast club and has lunch at school so i have got her meals in the salted but it is me that i will have to cut back on what i am eating —— she has got her meal salted. i'm not putting the heating on in the daytime when my daughter visit school, ijust on in the daytime when my daughter visit school, i just save on in the daytime when my daughter visit school, ijust save it on in the daytime when my daughter visit school, i just save it for when she is at home at night and then, you know, travel, but then evenin then, you know, travel, but then even in the winter there were times when i have to catch the bus so that is not even an option. and all of these things, they aren't saving me hundreds of pounds, they only save me, like, £10 or £20 so ijust, i reallyjust don't know, and i have already had the £140 warm home discount, which is amazing, but this hike is coming in april and i don't know any other source of support thatis know any other source of support that is there to help with bills after april so it is literally... really worrying because i don't know how i am going to afford it because i already cut back down to the very minimum i can. there is not much else i can cut back on.— minimum i can. there is not much else i can cut back on. many people like ou, else i can cut back on. many people like you. i— else i can cut back on. many people like you. i think _ else i can cut back on. many people like you, i think of _ else i can cut back on. many people like you, i think of a _ else i can cut back on. many people like you, i think of a becker, - like you, i think of a becker, hoping that there will be some kind of support for people who are struggling. thank you very much a talking to us. struggling. thank you very much a talking to us— scotland is welcoming back full crowds at large outdoor public events such as football matches. the holyrood government limited numbers to 500 people last month, as part of a series of measures to help slow the spread of the 0micron variant of covid. people must provide proof of covid vaccination or a recent negative test. celtic will be playing hibs here later on this evening 0ur scotland reporter alexandra mackenzie gave us this update from outside celtic park in glasgow. celtic will be playing hibs here later on this evening and because these restrictions have been eased there will be or could be a full capacity crowd inside. now, that's around 60,000 people and also some changes with the vaccine passport that will be in place here later today and more people than normal will have their vaccine status checked. that will now be around 50% and for the first time from today fully vaccinated will include having the booster. so, all those details will be on the phone if that's how you're showing your vaccine status, but you can also show evidence of a negative lateral flow test — but you must have taken that test within the last 24 hours. and the government and the club is also advising anyone who comes here tonight to have taken a negative lateral flow test. the advice is also to wear masks and also to turn up early. the gates here will be open two hours before kick—off. celtic will be playing hibs here later on this evening and because these restrictions have been eased there will be or could be from today, people in england with coronavirus can end their isolation after five full days — providing they test negative on days five and six. it's hoped the change will ease staff shortages across the economy. the latest phase of the covid vaccine programme in england also begins today — with boosterjabs available to all 16 and 17—year—olds. train operators have cut hundreds more services from today because of covid—related staff shortages. avanti west coast, c2c, east midlands railway and south western railway have all introduced emergency time tables. several other operators have taken the same measure in recent weeks. it was estimated earlier this month that around 10% of rail staff were absent from work. the chinese government is drawing up contingency plans to control the spread of covid as millions begin their chinese new year holiday. there are fears the 40—day travel season could see 0micron spread throughout the country. meanwhile, restrictions remain in place in parts of europe as the number of infections remains high. russell trott reports. with chinese new year and the winter olympics both set to trigger mass movement across the country, beijing is determined to keep covid in check. the spring festival is the biggest annual human migration on earth, and, as such, authorities are laying out plans to control mass transit. human migration on earth, and, as such, authorities are laying out plans to control mass transit. translation: we will coordinate with local authorities _ to adjust transport plans if local outbreaks occur. we will suspend or reduce passenger trains in the affected areas, restrict or halt ticket sales from stations, and strictly manage passenger movements. the chinese government expects around 1.5 billion trips, which will be made during the spring festival travel season. and with the 0micron variant present in several regions, there are fears to what degree it may spread over the coming weeks. in france, meanwhile, parliament there has approved the government's latest measures to tackle covid. the new law, which takes effect on thursday, requires anyone over 16 to have a vaccine certificate to enter public places, like restaurants, cafes, cinemas and long—distance trains. and in amsterdam, as infection numbers hit a new record, thousands packed city streets to protest against restrictions. the netherlands has relaxed some of the measures it implemented over the christmas holidays, but bars, restaurants and cultural venues have been instructed to remain closed until at least january the 25th. i think in fact we are one of the only countries, or maybe the only country, which is still in lockdown. countries around us are actually moving backwards, back to normal life, slowly. in response to the protests, riot police were deployed across the city, as almost two years on, countries around the world continue to grapple with the covid pandemic. russell trott, bbc news. amazon has reversed a decision to ban customers from using uk visa credit cards on its website after it had been expected to introduce the changes from wednesday. an amazon spokesperson said they were "working closely with visa "on a potential solution." the company said in november that it would ban visa's card because of the high transaction fees charged. the chair of the global banking giant, credit suisse, has resigned following allegations that he broke the uk's covid quarantine rules. antonio horta—0sorio reportedly attended the wimbledon tennis finals injuly at a time when the uk's covid rules required him to be in isolation. in a statement, he said he regretted that a number of his personal actions led to difficulties for the bank. it is just after 14:45. the headlines on bbc news... two teenagers have been arrested in manchester in connection with the texas synagogue siege — the british hostage—taker was a man from blackburn. the education secretary, nadhim zahawi dismisses claims that government is launching a series of policy ideas to help the prime minister survive the row over downing street parties. the brother of a british woman swept away by the tsunami in tonga says a body has been found in the search for her. the parents of a young woman who was fatally stabbed in derbyshire last year are campaigning to get a new law in her memory. it's thought gracie spinks was killed by a former work colleague, whom she had previously reported for stalking her. he was found dead near the murder scene. now, a petition calling for more support for stalking victims has received 100,000 signatures and will be debated in parliament. luxmy gopal has been speaking to gracie's parents. go on, gracie! woohoo! just full of life and energy, and just lived for her horses, didn't she? such a beautiful young girl, with her whole life ahead of her. she did light up the room wherever she went. gracie spinks was stabbed in the neck as she was looking after her horse lastjune. it's believed the killer was a former colleague, who was found dead shortly afterwards nearby. gracie had reported him to derbyshire police for stalking her. a bag of weapons had been found and reported to police near the spot where, just a week later, gracie was killed. the force is being investigated by the police watchdog over its handling of the case. christmas was particularly difficult, and her birthday on 19th october. notjust the family, but close friends and people beyond. it's been the worst christmas we've ever had. so painful. and just... just getting worse. the pain's getting worse, not better. a petition in gracie's name to improve support for victims of stalking has now passed 100,000 signatures. how does it feel that this is now going to be potentially discussed in parliament? one of my work colleagues actually sent me a screenshot of a football stadium and said, "just to put it into perspective, this is how many people, you know, loved gracie and have signed for gracie." and i thought, yeah, that puts it into perspective, really, when you see... see those numbers. yeah, amazing. the campaigner who set up the petition wants police forces to allocate specific funding for stalking cases. i'd like a separate pot - for stalking, for investigations, for the cps, for the courts, in . order to prioritise stalking cases. in response to the petition, the government said... it says it's also made a commitment to work with police to make sure they're making proper use of stalking protection orders. for gracie's parents, it's about making a lasting difference. to make girls, women and men feel safer when they're out. this will go on. this will be gracie's law, gracie's legacy. it's like a message from gracie saying, "it's time for change." 0ne young woman's life cut short by violence. but now, in her memory, a mission to try to protect others from suffering the same fate. luxmy gopal, bbc news. there's been a significant increase in the number of fatal collisions on uk roads. a bbc panorama investigation has found that hundreds of speed cameras are switched off, police are doing fewer breathalyser tests — and there are fewer dedicated traffic police officers. richard bilton reports. something is happening on our roads. for the first time in 40 years, there has been a significant rise in the fatality rate, the deaths per mile. uk roads are getting more dangerous. the thing is, it shouldn't be like this. cars are getting safer, roads should be getting safer. but that is not what is going on. panorama has found there has been a sharp reduction in the number of dedicated police traffic officers. we got figures from 34 of the 44 police forces. they had 5,000 dedicated traffic officers in 2016. but 757 officers have been lost in just five years. that's a fall of 15%. the police watchdog is concerned. there are some police forces that have got negligible presence on the road. that has happened because, in general, it's been given a low priority. you have a scenario where the fatality rate has risen for the first time in 40 years. yeah. is that because there are fewer police officers out there? yeah, we think so. 1,600 people die on uk roads every year. the police say roads policing remains a priority. but panorama found key methods of catching offenders have been reduced. in the last decade, the number of breathalyser tests have been cut by more than 50%. and freedom of information responses from 26 forces reveal almost half of their fixed speed cameras are not switched on. if there's less chance of being caught, some drivers, and i say some, will take those risks. they will be reckless, they will speed, they will cause deaths. the government says our roads are among the safest in the world. they add that deployment of resources is a matter for individual police forces. but it's investing an extra £1.1 billion in police funding next year. but what panorama has found is a road network with fewer checks and increased danger. richard bilton, bbc news. and you can watch richard's panorama investigation in full tonight at 7.30 on bbc one. it'll be avaliable afterwards on the iplayer a 29—year—old man from london has been receiving thousands of messages from women all over the world, to his billboard ad to help him find a wife. hi, i'm malik. you might have seen my face on a billboard somewhere. i'm an entrepreneur, and i am religious. i am looking for someone who is working on her deen. i am open to any ethnicity. if you're interested, fill out the form or check out my details. 29—year—old muhammad malik from hounslow in west london decided to advertise himself on billboards in a quest to find a wife. malik decided to take this unconventional approach after years of struggling to find a life partner through other methods, including dating apps. the kernel of an idea was presented to me by a friend who i know in marketing. and it was me kind of complaining about, man, you know, i'm doing so many things, i'm so busy with work, with a side hustle, with hobbies. on top of that, events are closing because of the pandemic, right? so how can you get out there? the conversation led to something quite extreme, literally getting yourself out there, oldschool billboards, and the billboards are dotted around manchester, birmingham and london, in particular those areas with more ethnic minorities. hey, i'm malik and that's my billboard. why do you have a problem with arranged marriages? i am definitely not against arranged marriages. if anything, i think the evidence and the research goes to show this is probably one of the best ways to find a spouse, because you go beyond face value, to real values. but i thought, you know what, let's try this route. if not, i'm definitely not against going through the good old grapevine. so far, malik has received over 1,000 messages from women and his story has travelled all over the world. i'm getting messages from tanzania, america, overseas. it's phenomenal. friends and people who know me really well have said to me, mate, what is going on? this is absolutely... you were playing football with us the other day, just chilling, and now you are being spoken about on forums, you're being spoken about on news channels and stuff like that. the 29—year—old has been following in his dad's footsteps, who also did something similar when he was searching for a wife. this is going back 30—odd years, somebody mentioned there is an urdu paper, you don't have to worry about it, just put it in the paper and get some response. and i did that. and that is how i got married. so it runs in the family, i suppose. how are you going to filter these messages, and how are you going to find the one? i've got a spreadsheet and i am going through with all of the messages that have come through. so, whittling it down initially with questions. i've got some personality questions. like, what type of person are you in this scenario? and then getting it to the next stage, which is kind of skype calls, zoom calls with the person and their family as well. romance in a spreadsheet. one of the most decorated african—american military pilots, charles mcgee, has died at the age of 102. he was an original member of the tuskegee airmen, an all—black us air force unit formed during the second world war, charles mcgee flew 409 combat missions spanning world war two, and the korean and vietnam conflicts. he also fought passionately against segregation in the us military. many believe the sacrifices of black service members, including the tuskegee airmen, helped lay ground for the civil rights breakthroughs of the 1950s and �*60s. being brought up, you know, as they were, african—american, or black, but we're american. and the country was at war. we were just as interested in supporting that effort as anyone else at that time. and so we turned our back on the fact that there was segregation, if you will, and took advantage of the opportunity to prove that we can fly aeroplanes, we can maintain aeroplanes, and that we can do whatever our education and aspirations, where those things lead us. charles mcghee. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise. hello. a settled week of weather lies ahead with a cold and at times frosty and foggy one. it led to a stunning start for many this morning with hardly a cloud in the sky, but quite a significant frost out there. the exception was the far north west, because although high pressure is keeping things quiet, a few more isobars across the top of that high means a little more cloud for the northern isles in general today. more cloud into the north of england and north west midlands at times but a dry, subtle story, and temperatures will recover, ranging from 7—10 as we go through the afternoon. but we keep those clear skies through the night and fog is likely to reform once again with light winds across central and eastern england. some of it dense and freezing in places, as temperatures fall below freezing. the exception again out towards the west, particularly the north—west of scotland. but there is a weather front that will gradually push on. winds will strengthen, gust of gale force are likely we will see some rain toppling across that high somewhat erratically through the day. the fog will readily lift as we go through the morning, slowly and surely for most of us. if it lingers on one or two spots, that could have an impact on the feel of the weather. that wet weather sitting out of the west of scotland, gradually moving erratically eastwards, so that is the story as we get through tuesday. those weather fronts still have to sink south as we move through the day on wednesday. weakening to a band of cloud and drizzle, just like we had on sunday afternoon across england and wales, but it will clear, and then quite a clearance behind with a cold, northerly wind, sunny spells and scattered showers, with the risk of them turning wintry to higher ground as they fall away. so a cool afternoon for scotland on wednesday. highest values further south of 10 degrees. high pressure sits out in the atlantic. winds swinging round to a northerly direction, so a cooler start on thursday. colder still for many. chilly start to thursday morning. widespread frost across the country, but largely fine. the strongest winds moving down through the north sea. they could have an impact and will make it feel cool, particularly on exposed east coasts. that's it. take care. this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the headlines at 3:00pm: two teenagers have been arrested in manchester in connection with the texas synagogue siege. the british hostage—taker was a man from blackburn. a dramatic escape — among the hostages who fled unharmed, the rabbi, who says he was praying when he realised what was going on. i heard a click, and it could have been anything, and it turned out that it was his gun. the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, dismisses claims that government is launching a series of policy ideas to help the prime minister survive the row over downing street parties. the brother of a british woman swept away by the tsunami in tonga says a body has been found in the search for her. —— her body has been found. angela was the... ..heart of ourfamily, she was the emotional heart of ourfamily and i think, you know, that heart is now... it's now gone. with energy costs set to soar this year, we speak to families who are already struggling with paying the bills. i have three formal layers on almost all the time now. i was sat under floor blankets last week because i didn't want to turn the heating on. —— underfloor blankets. and novak djokovic is back in serbia, following his deportation, as the australian open begins without him. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. two teenagers have been arrested in manchester after a british man took four people hostage in a synagogue in texas on saturday. greater manchester police said the teenagers are being questioned as "part of the ongoing investigation into the attack." 44—year—old malik faisal akram from blackburn was shot dead by police after a ten—hour stand—off in dallas. the four hostages — who included a rabbi — were unharmed. downing street has described the incident as a "terrible and anti—semitic act of terrorism." from texas, our correspondent, sophie long, reports. this is the moment the three final hostages ran for their lives, more than ten hours after their ordeal began. a successful, but nonetheless terrifying end to the delicate, day—long operation involving negotiators and heavily armed police. the man, now identified as malik faisal akram, a 44—year—old british citizen originally from lancashire, was shot and killed. he'd claimed to have a gun and a bomb when he interrupted a peaceful morning service being streamed from the congregation beth israel in dallas. it didn't look good, it didn't sound good. we were very... we were terrified. and when i saw an opportunity where he wasn't in a good position, i made sure that the two gentlemen who were still with me, that they were ready to go. the exit wasn't too far away. i told them to go, i threw a chair at the gunman, and i headed for the door. and all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired. akram, who arrived in the united states two weeks ago, was heard ranting about religion and demanding the release of a pakistani neuroscientist with suspected links to al-qaeda currently serving a prison sentence in texas. people came here, a place of worship, to pray. but once again in america, a moment of peace became a moment of profound pain. as the people who were trapped, terrified, try to come to terms with what happened, synagogues across the country have increased security in fear of copycat attacks. this was an act of terror. we're not going to tolerate this. we have this capacity to deal with assaults on, particularly the anti—semitism that has grown up. and so i'll be talking with... i put a call into the rabbi. we missed one another on the way up here. but they should rest assured that we are focused. as soon as it became known that akram was a british citizen, the investigation became global. counter—terror police in manchester are assisting the us authorities and are now questioning two teenagers who were arrested in the city last night. sophie long, bbc news, dallas. i asked our correspondent, danny savage, about the connection between this incident and lancashire. we know that malik akram grew up here and lived here for much of his life. he has a large family who live in this area and during the siege on saturday his brother, gulbar, was here in the police station in blackburn trying to negotiate with him via the fbi and with british officers liaising with him as well. he was trying to persuade his brother to give himself up, albeit unsuccessfully, but he was involved with that and issued a statement after his brother died confirming his death and apologising to the victims, saying his brother had been suffering from mental health issues. there are, of course, all sorts of questions to answer. how did malik akram manage to leave the country, travel to the united states, be allowed into the us and then buy a gun and get involved in what happened on saturday and carry out this hostagetaking incident? so that is where the investigation will focus — were there people helping him or was he suffering from mental health force here to lancashire, made two arrests of two teenagers in now, we know greater manchester police, who are the neighbouring force here to lancashire, made two arrests of two teenagers in south manchester yesterday evening. we don't know whether they are male or female, we don't know their age either, so waiting for more information on that, but that is not unusual in these sorts of incidents. police counterterrorism officers quickly look at the contacts and known people to whoever was involved in such an incident and often make arrests for people to be questioned and it is not unusual for them to be released without charge subsequently. we don't know whether that will happen in this case, but that is often the pattern that this follows, but was malik akram being helped by anybody here in lancashire? so they will be looking closely at his connections after what has been a very shocking and upsetting weekend for his family and friends, who knew this 44—year—old, who had lived here until very recently, but who had then gone to the states. danny savage there. 0ur security correspondent, frank gardner, said the investigation is being led by the fbi, and evidence from hostages will be key to understanding what happened. we have already had a very graphic account from the rabbi who was shown account from the rabbi who was held there and he has given an interview to the bbc�*s partner, cbs news, in the united states, saying he had to throw a chair at the gunman, which is the first time i had heard that, in order to be able to get away. they will certainly be asked for an account of everything the gunman said, his actions, his behaviour and so on, but the focus of the investigation is without question here in the uk. this is an fbi—led investigation, which is quite frustrating for us in the media because it means that whitehall officials, who would normally be able to confirm or deny some of the details, are completely waiting for the fbi to release any details. they don't want to give out anything ahead of the fbi, which is actually very frustrating, but clearly that is a political decision. so this involves several agencies. this involves not just the fbi, but counterterrorism policing north—west, focusing around lancashire, greater manchester police and of course m15 and one of the questions i think we want to know the answers to fairly quickly is was malik faisal akram on any kind of a watchlist? he obviously was not on the no—fly list because he flew to the united states two weeks ago, went in via jfk airport, spent a couple of weeks there in the us, bought a weapon, carried out his actions very close to the prison in fort worth, also in texas, where this lady, aafia siddiqui, is being held, after being convicted on terrorism charges. so the investigation, rather as danny savage says, will be looking at any associates and also the digital trail. who was he in contact with, what websites was he accessing, who was he in contact with, was he on the dark web, on various forums? they will want to see his comms, if he has any, if they can recover his phone, things like that, all of which will help build up a composite picture of whether he was acting alone or did he have help? frank gardner there. the family of a british woman who went missing after the tsunami in tonga on saturday say her body has been found. angela glover was swept away by the waves, as her husband james clung to a tree. her brother, nick eleini, said she died trying to save her dogs. waves higher than a metre crashed into the pacific island nation following the eruption of an underwater volcano. angelo was the heart of our family. she was the emotional heart of our family and, you know, that heart is now... is now gone. we are going to miss her so much. i haven't got the vocabulary to describe any better than that. ., , ., ., than that. could you tell me a little bit about _ than that. could you tell me a little bit about your _ than that. could you tell me a little bit about your sister? i than that. could you tell me a | little bit about your sister? she sounds like an extraordinary person, but... ,.,, sounds like an extraordinary person, but... up just sounds like an extraordinary person, but- - --just try _ sounds like an extraordinary person, but- - --just try to _ sounds like an extraordinary person, but. . .- just try to give - sounds like an extraordinary person, but... gash! just try to give me a but... gosh! just try to give me a flavour of — but... gosh! just try to give me a flavour of what _ but... gosh! just try to give me a flavour of what she _ but... gosh! just try to give me a flavour of what she was - but... gosh! just try to give me a flavour of what she was like - but... gosh! just try to give me a flavour of what she was like and l flavour of what she was like and what she meant to you. she flavour of what she was like and what she meant to you. she was a beautiful woman. _ what she meant to you. she was a beautiful woman. a _ what she meant to you. she was a beautiful woman. a beautiful - what she meant to you. she was a l beautiful woman. a beautiful child, beautiful woman. a beautiful child, beautiful young woman, beautiful woman. she would walk into a room and would just light it up with her presence. she loved people and she loved animals and... this went right back to her childhood. and when she started her charity in tonga, you know, it was to help the stray dogs that they have their and the strange thing was the uglier the dog, —— like the more she loved it and she would post photographs of different dogs of facebook and we would all look at it and go to! you know? but she would just, she loved them all and she was totally dedicated to it. she also loved the ocean. her initial call to go to tonga was to swim with whales, which she did and... ya. a beautiful girl. she is irreplaceable and... because i am her brother, yes, i have a strong bond with her. yes, we loved each other dearly. she... she came to see us in our home in sydney quite often and my, i have three daughters and theyjust and my, i have three daughters and they just loved and my, i have three daughters and theyjust loved her so much and they are as well just, theyjust loved her so much and they are as welljust, you know, beyond grief. are as well 'ust, you know, beyond arief. w' abolishing the bbc licence fee, the royal navy controlling migration and an end to plan b in england — just some of the potential government policies that emerged in the weekend newspapers. the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, says there's no fight back plan — the government is simply delivering on the commitments it made at the election. he also dismissed suggestions that populist policies were being pushed by the government to enable the prime minister to survive. 0ur political correspondent, helen catt, has more on the government policies that were announced over the weekend. there is a bit of a lull in westminster this morning. we have had that no massive revelations that have things on over the weekend, so there is a bit of time to pause and reflect about that, but as you say what we have had in their place is a number of suggestions of policy changes, which appear to be designed to appeal to a particular part of the conservative party, things like the suggestion that the navy is going to be brought in to tackle small boat crossings in the channel, which has of course been a problem that has plagued the government for years now, that it has not quite manage to get a grip on, so there's that suggestion and as you just talked about the idea of freezing or possibly even scrapping the bbc licence fee and there is a suggestion that this is a sort of strategy to try to go down well with some conservatives. and there is even a name for it, we were told, 0peration red meat, though i should say downing street absolutely deny that is the case and the prime minister's official spokesman said earlier that none of these issues are things we have not been seeking to address for some time and the government was continuing to deliver on those policy priorities. he also said he did not accept labour's characterisation that this was all a distraction tactic. but as i said, there is a bit of a lull because mps have spent the weekend talking to their constituents, getting a bit of a sense of how events last week went down. here's what education secretary nadhim zahawi had say. people, in my postbag, feel upset that the _ people, in my postbag, feel upset that the people who make the walls look like _ that the people who make the walls look like they haven't been following the rules. some say, you know, _ following the rules. some say, you know. we — following the rules. some say, you know, we want to make sure that the investigation is thorough, they want to know_ investigation is thorough, they want to know if_ investigation is thorough, they want to know if it— investigation is thorough, they want to know if it is going to be thorough and i reassure my constituents that, you know, sue gray— constituents that, you know, sue gray is _ constituents that, you know, sue gray is a — constituents that, you know, sue gray is a very senior civil servant, very— gray is a very senior civil servant, very well— gray is a very senior civil servant, very well able to conduct this investigation and will do an absolutely thorough job. investigation and will do an absolutely thoroughjob. she investigation and will do an absolutely thorough job. she will follow _ absolutely thorough job. she will follow the evidence wherever it takes _ follow the evidence wherever it takes her — follow the evidence wherever it takes her and if she finds any form of lawbreaking, criminal activity, then— of lawbreaking, criminal activity, then that — of lawbreaking, criminal activity, then that will be submitted to the metropolitan police. find then that will be submitted to the metropolitan police.— metropolitan police. and we are exectin: metropolitan police. and we are expecting that _ metropolitan police. and we are expecting that report _ metropolitan police. and we are expecting that report from - metropolitan police. and we are expecting that report from a - metropolitan police. and we are i expecting that report from a senior civil servant, sue gray, that everyone is waiting on here in westminster is likely to come back at the end of this week, perhaps even into next week, so certainly not immediately. and of course today we have heard from sir keir starmer, who said he was not prepared to apologise for a picture of him drinking beer in the office because he said he did nothing wrong. he said, it was a very busy time, we were working in the office and stopped for a takeaway. he insisted they did not break any rules. helen catt there- — one of those policies calls for the armed forces to take charge of operations to try to limit the number of migrants crossing the channel. the move is intended to allow home office officials to focus on the government's reforms to the asylum system. 0ur defence correspondent, jonathan beale, is here. iam assuming i am assuming it is the navy, the channel, what are they going to be doing? channel, what are they going to be doinu ? ~ . channel, what are they going to be doinu ? . ., ., channel, what are they going to be doinu ? ~ ., ., ,, ., channel, what are they going to be doin. ? . ., ., e' ., , channel, what are they going to be doinr? ~ ., ., ,, ., , ., ., doing? what we do know is that a rear admiral, _ doing? what we do know is that a rear admiral, mike _ doing? what we do know is that a rear admiral, mike arkley, i doing? what we do know is that a rear admiral, mike arkley, has i doing? what we do know is that a i rear admiral, mike arkley, has been asked to look at what the ministry of defence, the armed forces might do to help the home office. i think what they will do is coordinate activities, what is called command and control. they have skills in that, so bringing together agencies involved like the home office, the border force, the coast guard and then we are not clear as to what assets they might bring, whether they would actually put ships on the channel, for example, whether they may use some of the army's drones, some of the raf�*s observation aircraft that have been used in the past at key points, high of migrants crossing over the summer months. so the armed forces have been used in the armed forces have been used in the past, but is it going to be a bigger role for them, essentially, and as far as the ministry of defence are saying, they are saying the government is exploring every avenue to prevent further crossings and detail of how that can be achieved will be made in due course. so we don't have the detail yet. 35,000 sailors and marines in the navy, how many of them are really going to be deployed to this? mellie going to be deployed to this? well, as i said before, _ going to be deployed to this? well, as i said before, the _ going to be deployed to this? well, as i said before, the key— going to be deployed to this? well, as i said before, the key is- going to be deployed to this? -ti as i said before, the key is the sort of operational roles they have and that is pulling together the different agencies, so planning and then operational control that they have, ratherthan then operational control that they have, rather than necessarily the assets that they have like warships, so it could well be that warships would be used, but i think what is going to be interesting is there is some nervousness in the navy about being more directly involved in this because i havejust heard being more directly involved in this because i have just heard the being more directly involved in this because i havejust heard the home secretary priti patel once again saying that the government's policy is to push back boats. they have not done it yet and it is certainly illegally grey area and i think that would be controversial and i have heard nothing from the ministry of defence that suggests they will be doing that, but clearly the government feels they have got to do something. they have, in the past, for example, during covid, they have called in the military to sort out a problem. they have done pretty well and i think that was the thinking behind it. these talks have been going on for a number of weeks, i understand. going on for a number of weeks, i understand-— going on for a number of weeks, i understand. ~ ., ., , , , , understand. what happens if there is a conflict of the _ understand. what happens if there is a conflict of the royal— understand. what happens if there is a conflict of the royal navy - understand. what happens if there is a conflict of the royal navy is - a conflict of the royal navy is required to attend?— a conflict of the royal navy is required to attend? well, i don't think ou required to attend? well, i don't think you are _ required to attend? well, i don't think you are going _ required to attend? well, i don't think you are going to _ required to attend? well, i don't think you are going to see i required to attend? well, i don't i think you are going to see thousands and thousands of sailors, you're not going to see aircraft carrier simply parked in the english channeljust to look out for migrants because one of those carriers is already committed to nato and we see tensions in ukraine at the moment. the navy are doing operations up north later this year, they will continue to do those operations, the main bread—and—butter, essentially, of the armed forces, protecting the nation from threats outside. though clearly this is a problem the government house, needs to deal with and they believe the military can have a role. as i said, i think there are some nervousness in the armed forces about this and it is not clear exactly what they will do. jonathan beale, thank you very much. let's get more on one of our top stories. aid agencies have warned that up to 80,000 people could be affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami that hit the pacific nation of tonga. there's been significant damage to several islands and the capital has been blanketed with ash. emma liu is a volcanologist from university college london — shejoins me now. emma, over the last few days, what more have you learnt about this particular volcano at the damage it has caused? this particular volcano at the damage it has caused?— particular volcano at the damage it has caused? , .,, , . , , has caused? this has been incredibly damauuin has caused? this has been incredibly damaging volcanic _ has caused? this has been incredibly damaging volcanic eruption. - has caused? this has been incredibly damaging volcanic eruption. we i has caused? this has been incrediblyj damaging volcanic eruption. we have been monitoring this volcano now over several decades and it has been bubbling away. we have had a number of small eruptions. this was on a very different scale. but if we look backin very different scale. but if we look back in the geological record, researchers have observed evidence that this volcano has been capable of these very large explosive eruptions back in its history, thousands of years ago. now, this eruption was particularly explosive because of the nature of the volcano, the fact that it is below the surface of the sea. 0ften volcano, the fact that it is below the surface of the sea. often we can see a small volcanic island that represents the very tip of this volcano, but up to 90% of the volume of the volcano is below the ocean. this means that when it erupts we get interaction between the magma and vichy water and this creates an explosion. bc water is evaporated very quickly and this creates an extreme explosion, much more than we would see from a volcano above the waves. satellite images arejust coming to light several days after this eruption and the island that was above the ocean has now been completely blasted apart, so the volcano has once again gone down beneath the waves, but the impact of this eruption will be long lasting for weeks to months, for the local population of tonga.— population of tonga. what sort of state of activity _ population of tonga. what sort of state of activity is _ population of tonga. what sort of state of activity is it _ population of tonga. what sort of state of activity is it in _ population of tonga. what sort of state of activity is it in right i state of activity is it in right now? �* ., .,. , state of activity is it in right now? �* ., , now? at the moment, activity has dro ed now? at the moment, activity has dropped down. — now? at the moment, activity has dropped down. it _ now? at the moment, activity has dropped down, it is _ now? at the moment, activity has dropped down, it is much - now? at the moment, activity hasj dropped down, it is much quieter, now? at the moment, activity has i dropped down, it is much quieter, so we are observing very small steam and ash plumes from the volcano itself. 0nly and ash plumes from the volcano itself. only time will tell whether this large eruption was all the volcano has to give. certainly, there was enough pressure released during this eruption that it should have relieved at least most of the pressure in the magma reservoir, but we know very little about the past activity of this volcano, given that it has not erupted in this way for almost 1000 years. so we will be keeping our eye very much on the monitoring data available and the regular satellite, to see whether this eruption is coming to an end or whether we have more to see. iltrui’hat whether we have more to see. what sort of measurements _ whether we have more to see. what sort of measurements are _ whether we have more to see. what sort of measurements are available to you, processes to try to work out when it could go again? so to you, processes to try to work out when it could go again? 50 it to you, processes to try to work out when it could go again?— when it could go again? so it is a very difficult _ when it could go again? so it is a very difficult volcano _ when it could go again? so it is a very difficult volcano to - when it could go again? so it is a very difficult volcano to monitor. very difficult volcano to monitor because it is mostly submarine, so we are relying very heavily on satellite measurements, remote sensing data, so at the moment the search activities are focused on quantifying the amount of organic gases released into the atmosphere. there has been a lot of talk about whether enough gas was released, of course any climactic implications. at the moment, it looks like the amount of gas that was released, although this is their explosives, there is very limited suggestion that this might cause any grammatical implications, but in terms of monitoring the ongoing activity and whether the eruption will continue, we rely very heavily in looking at earthquake data, the number and type of earthquakes each day, but unlike other volcano such as we would see along the coast of south america, for example, it is very difficult to go and take in situ measurements. the situation in tonga is very difficult. the geological survey as they are doing their very best to make observations on situ, but communication are challenging. on situ, but communication are challenging-— challenging. emma, we really appreciate — challenging. emma, we really appreciate you _ challenging. emma, we really appreciate you talking - challenging. emma, we really appreciate you talking to i challenging. emma, we really appreciate you talking to us, | appreciate you talking to us, fascinating stuff. emma liu from university college london, thank you a lot. the number of families in england struggling to pay their energy bills is set to treble in april — according to new analysis by the resolution foundation. april is when changes are due to the energy price cap, which sets the maximum that firms can charge customers on a standard tariff. the think tank, which focuses on people on lower incomes, predicts that more than 6 million households could suffer — with gas and electricity bills set to soar. here's our social affairs correspondent, michael buchanan. i weigh six stone at the moment, so i'm cold all the time. and because i'm a wheelchair user and a lot of me doesn't move any more, my circulation is really very poor. anne vivian—smith has a neurodegenerative condition. she lives with her husband, a university manager, in a small, increasingly cold bungalow in nottinghamshire, and the rising cost of energy is harming her health. i have three thermal layers on almost all the time now. i was sat under four blankets last week. i no longer eat breakfast and lunch because it's too expensive. this morning, anne checked her energy bills and received an almighty shock. we found out today, our energy bill is usually £84 a month, and it's going up to £140. that's nearly doubled, and yet dave's salary is not going up, my benefits aren't going up, and i'm really distressed about it, and i've already had a little cry, and i'm likely to have another one! many more families will be similarly anguished by rapidly rising gas and electricity bills. the resolution foundation think tank calculates that, by april, over 6 million households in england will struggle with their energy bills, with costs set to increase on average from £100 to £150 a month. £50 a month increase is beyond the means of millions of families, especially coming at the same time as changes to the tax system, where national insurance contributions will increase. so, you know, we'll see a lot of families really struggling, come april. the government say it has put a range of measures in place to support households and will continue to listen to consumers and business on how to manage their energy costs. can i have £25 on that, please? james has already seen his costs nearly double in a year — each top—up lasting less time. i've put my postcode in. usually, he'd just change providers, but this time, there's no point. james cares for his daughter for half the week, so heats his flat when she stays. otherwise, the 33—year—old lives frugally, even limiting his use of the washing machine. it's come to the point where, if i'm a bit short on electric and it's close to the time i'm going to be paying to top up again, i have to be clever enough to say, "don't do that washing, cos you'll run out of electricity." so let it build up, get paid, top up, and then work through the washing, which is, again, a situation i've neverfound myself in until this year. low—income families, says today's report, should be offered a bigger and broader support package by ministers. but the scale of the looming price rises creates understandable worry. i have no choice but to use my hoist to change chairs and to use my power chairto getaround. i have no choice but to use my electric bed. and all of this is going to have an impact on the costs that our energy company is going to throw at us. michael buchanan, bbc news. peter smith is director of policy and advocacy at fuel poverty charity, national energy action. we can speak to him now. peter, a lot of people really worrying about making ends meet at the moment and thatis making ends meet at the moment and that is before the price cap goes up again. what kind of conditions are are some people facing who you are talking to? are some people facing who you are talkin: to? ~ ,, �* are some people facing who you are talkin: to? ~ i. �* ., , , talking to? well, you're absolutely riuht. talking to? well, you're absolutely right- even — talking to? well, you're absolutely right. even prior— talking to? well, you're absolutely right. even prior to _ talking to? well, you're absolutely right. even prior to what _ talking to? well, you're absolutely right. even prior to what will i talking to? well, you're absolutely right. even prior to what will be i talking to? well, you're absolutely right. even prior to what will be a l right. even prior to what will be a very grim increase in april, anything between a 500— £600 increase on where energy prices are now. people are already struggling and making desperate choices about everyday essentials and whether or not their limited funds can go that much further, given the soaring energy prices. sadly, many of the households we work in and work with are facing that much repeated daily dilemma of not being able to heat and eat, but it is much more bleak than that. we have sadly found lots of people who have not been able to heat their homes for years, people that are in some instances barbecuing in sinks because they cannot afford the gas, only eating cold food or are covering up windows with newspaper because they are trying to trap in more heat that leaks out straightaway through windows. so this is a desperate time already for people and we are hoping that part of those huge increases which are very likely in april, the government do set out some additional support that can mean that he most vulnerable people can survive next winter.— survive next winter. what impact does it have _ survive next winter. what impact does it have on _ survive next winter. what impact does it have on health? - survive next winter. what impact does it have on health? well, i survive next winter. what impactj does it have on health? well, for --eole does it have on health? well, for people with _ does it have on health? well, for people with existing _ does it have on health? well, for people with existing health i people with existing health conditions, living in a cold home can be life—threatening. people with existing circulatory problems, respiratory diseases like long covid or pulmonary disease are very, very badly impacted by living in a cold home. it essentially makes those health conditions significantly worse, putting you at significant risk of repeated hospital admission, which as well as the cost of that human terms, places an enormous strain on our stretched health services at exactly the wrong time of the year. services at exactly the wrong time of the year-— of the year. peter, we spoke a little while _ of the year. peter, we spoke a little while ago _ of the year. peter, we spoke a little while ago to _ of the year. peter, we spoke a little while ago to rebecca, i of the year. peter, we spoke a i little while ago to rebecca, who is a mum of one from norfolk and she is really struggling to pay her bills and she told us about the choices she is having to make and the support that she has already received. let's just have a listen. i have already had v1 hundred _ just have a listen. i have already had v1 hundred £40 _ just have a listen. i have already had v1 hundred £40 home i just have a listen. i have already i had v1 hundred £40 home discount, which _ had v1 hundred £40 home discount, which is _ had v1 hundred £40 home discount, which is amazing, but this hike is coming _ which is amazing, but this hike is coming in april and i don't know any other— coming in april and i don't know any other sort— coming in april and i don't know any other sort of— coming in april and i don't know any other sort of support that's will hetp— other sort of support that's will help with — other sort of support that's will help with the bills after april, so it is literally... i really worrying because — it is literally... i really worrying because i— it is literally... i really worrying because i don't know howl it is literally... i really worrying because i don't know how i am going to afford _ because i don't know how i am going to afford it _ because i don't know how i am going to afford it because i am already cut back — to afford it because i am already cut back down to the very minimum i can. cutback down to the very minimum i can there's— cut back down to the very minimum i can. there's not much else i can cut back— can. there's not much else i can cut back on _ can. there's not much else i can cut back on. , , , , , back on. immensely stressful, then, and that is before _ back on. immensely stressful, then, and that is before prices _ back on. immensely stressful, then, and that is before prices go - back on. immensely stressful, then, and that is before prices go up. i and that is before prices go up. what advice would you give to rebecca? .. , what advice would you give to rebecca? ,,., , ., what advice would you give to rebecca? , ., ., ,., what advice would you give to rebecca? , ., ., ' rebecca? sadly, there are about 1.5 million people _ rebecca? sadly, there are about 1.5 million people like _ rebecca? sadly, there are about 1.5 million people like rebecca, - rebecca? sadly, there are about 1.5 million people like rebecca, who i rebecca? sadly, there are about 1.5| million people like rebecca, who has to apply for the warm home discount scheme manually to their energy supplier each year. if you are a poorer pensioner that is on the guaranteed pension credit, you automatically get that support and we want to see the government extend the warm home discount scheme, so that everybody who is eligible does get that discount, irrespective of their ability to apply via their supplier, but in rebecca's in case there are more things like the warm homes discount scheme available. the uk government in october put in place a household assistance fund, which provides two local authorities some additional provision for the cost of essentials like energy, but also food and clothing. and i believe rebecca is from norwich and norfolk have a scheme available called the norfolk assistance fund and i would certainly urge her to even get directly in contact with the local authority or seek out the support of her local councillor or mp who could perhaps on her behalf make an application or at least find out what support is available. but about £6 million has been provided to norfolk county council to support people like rebecca, so i hope that is of use. the final thing i would say is although it is counterintuitive and it sounds like she is very proactive in seeking out the support that is available, is to have a conversation with her energy supplier if she feels like she is struggling and particularly if she feels she is at risk of falling into energy debt. in a very welcome way, energy debt. in a very welcome way, energy suppliers have to work with people who are in that position to make sure that any repayment plans are affordable and provide further information about support. our charity does directly to support vulnerable households and we would welcome working off—line, independent of this programme, to see if we can better support rebecca and improve her circumstances. that is a ve , and improve her circumstances. that is a very. very _ and improve her circumstances. that is a very, very welcome offer, i am sure, peter, and i hope rebecca takes you up on that. peter smith are from national energy action, thank you very much for your time. time for a look at the weather forecast. time for a look at the weather forecast. hello, there. after a frosty and foggy start for many, it's a glorious afternoon with sparkling blue sky and winter sunshine out there. little bit of fair weather cloud, potentially across northwest england and stretching up through north and west of scotland, but temperatures will top out this afternoon between 7—10 celsius. but, as darkness falls, so too will the temperatures — really like a stone — and we'll see with light winds fog reforming once again, some of it dense and possibly freezing in central and eastern england as those temperatures fall below freezing. milder start to the day on tuesday once again in the far north—west of scotland. there'll be some patchy rain arriving a little later on. the fog will readily lift. in one or two places if it lingers that could have an impact on the temperatures, but for many, there'll be a good slice of sunshine to look out for tomorrow. temperatures a little more subdued — between 5—9 degrees. a quiet story continues on wednesday, with weak weather fronts sinking their way steadily south. hello. this is bbc news. the headlines... two teenagers have been arrested in manchester in connection with the texas synagogue siege. the british hostage—taker was a man from blackburn. the two teenagers were confirmed as his sons. the brother of a british woman swept away by the tsunami in tonga says her body has been found. angela was the heart of our family. she was the emotional heart of ourfamily, and, you know, that heart is now gone. the education secretary, nadhim zahawi dismisses claims that government is launching a series of policy ideas to help the prime minister survive the row over downing street parties. with energy costs set to soar this year, we speak to families who are already struggling with paying the bills. and novak djokovic is back serbia following his deportation, as the australian open begins without him. spot now. the australian open may have been overshadowed by novak djokovic but it has gone under way without him in british men's number one, norrie is out already, knocked out in the first round. norrie, he was seeded 12th, lost in straight sets. the 26—year—old looks a shadow of the pair that had enjoyed this steady rise up the rankings in 2021. he lost in straight sets 6—3, 6—4 and 6—1. seven more british players in action tomorrow. including americana and andy murray. no such trouble for rafael nadal though. the spaniard's bid for a men's record 21st grand slam title got under way with victory over marcos giron. the sixth seed — the only former champion left in the men's draw — beat american giron 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. nadal is making his return to grand slam tennis after five—months out with a foot injury. also a winning start for the defending women's champion, japan's naomi 0saka. she beat camila 0sorio in straight sets to go through to the second round. we will bring you up—to—date with the rest of the spotlight about the know it is back to martin. let's cross to the house of commons where home secretary priti patel is updating mps after m15 issued an alert earlier in the week over a chinese agent allegedly intefering in political activities in parliament this kind of activity has become more common with states who have malign intentions operating covertly and below criminal thresholds in an attempt to interfere with our democracy. members of both houses of parliament should ensure that they are aware of the threat of foreign interference. state threats and malign influence to the uk are growing in diversifying. a systematic competition intensified. state vets are the tisch dam and persistent and take many, many funds and in fact we have discussed many times in this house of the terrible incidents that have taken place including espionage, interference, political interference as well, sabotage and threats to individuals. the home—working has been working with cps sometime on potential measures to help secure successful prosecutions for this kind of activity and i am unequivocal in the tasking that takes place whither our security partners to protect our institutions from hostile state activity and foreign influence. in relation to the m15 security alert issued last speaker, you will be aware that parliamentary authorities following careful and detailed discussions with m15 issued an alert to members of parliament and that was mps and peers alerting them about specific individuals involved in direct political interference. in this case, the individual has well—established links to parliamentarians and facilitated political donations, mr speaker, to serving and aspiring politicians. with funding coming from foreign nationals in china and hong kong. this was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments. the individuals have links to the united front work department which is the chinese communist party. they had not been open about the nature of these links. m15 concluded that this person acted covertly in coordination with the united front work department is involved in political interference activities in the uk. as anybody would expect, these investigations continue and are still ongoing. in this case, the aim was to make the uk political landscape favourable to the chinese authorities agenda. to challenge those in particular mr speaker no doubt i wouldn't question this those that raised concerns about the chinese authorities activities on very pressing and purse stern on issues such as human rights. of course, this action is not new which is why our agencies are so diligent in the work they undertake. mr speaker, we can expect to see these kinds of alerts become more commonplace as a result of the work of our world—class intelligence agencies who have adapted to counter these new and emerging threats. security service interference alerts are just one of several tools m15 can use to highlight and thus robustly mitigate state vets like malign political divisions activity. now, decisions to prosecute individuals are made by the crown prosecution service independently of politicians so i cannot comment in detail about the work that was under way here but all members should know that we already have strong security structures in place across the uk to identify foreign interference in any potential threats to our democracy and that this case in particular demonstrates the robust action that was undertaken and it is of course the structures that enable our world leading intelligence and security agencies to issue the particular warning that they did. protecting the uk from foreign interference mr speaker is absolutely crucial. i the most recent integrated review highlighted the importance of strengthening our defence when it comes to state threats and we have at the forefront of this activity. to build on the strong safeguards already in place we are developing new national security and legislation to make it even harder for malign states to conduct such activities. we are also taking further steps to protect the integrity of our democracy, tackling electoral fraud and preventing foreign interference in elections through the legislation and electoral roll. we will introduce new legislation to provide the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to disrupt the full range of state threats and of course mr speaker i have already touched on questions early run that together working with our allies were taking steps to safeguard our open democratic society to promote an international rules —based system that underpins our security stability and put verity. we will also always take proportionate and necessary action in a political situation when it comes to state vets and always acts in the interest of our country —— our security, stability and prosperity. i commend this statement the house.— stability and prosperity. i commend this statement the house. thank you, mr speaker- — this statement the house. thank you, mr speaker- can _ this statement the house. thank you, mr speaker. can i _ this statement the house. thank you, mr speaker. can i thank _ this statement the house. thank you, mr speaker. can i thank the _ this statement the house. thank you, mr speaker. can i thank the home i mr speaker. can i thank the home secretary for her statement in advance sight of and she will know that such an important national security issue the labour party always stands ready to work with the government and country to protect it from foreign interference. can i just take a moment to also think of those in the congregation beth israel synagogue community in texas will still be reeling for their terrible ordeal. people must be free to worship synagogue and other religious sites free from fear of violence across the world and reminds us we must be unrelenting in ourfight against anti—semitism reminds us we must be unrelenting in our fight against anti—semitism and extremism. it has of course emerged that the hostage taker was a british citizen and i want to give thanks to intelligence agencies are working in cooperation with their us counterparts in other international partners and for the investigation into this issue. turning to the home secretary's statement the information received by the speaker from the security services last week was obviously extremely... we condemn in the strongest terms the thames from china to interfere with the democratic process. i support the democratic process. i support the home secretary's work on this important issue and thank the security and intelligence services for their work on this and obviously there are important questions about there are important questions about the extent of deception and interference that took place in this case and also the ongoing risks of malign activity from foreign states in our parliament and across our democracy but i appreciate the home secretary will be in what she can say in the chamber and i'm grateful to her on to the security service for the further briefing that has been arranged. but can i raise concern about one point in her statement. she says that this alert shows that our system is working. clearly the work is important that has been done but i would be very concerned if that meant that the home secretary under the home were complacent in the survey because we have seen a series of important warnings about attempts by both russia and china to interfere in both the russian report and also in the report from the committee on standards in public life. particularly about the risks from foreign money and lord jonathan evans has said i don't think we should assume that this would be the only case. i would be astonished if they want similar cases for instance from russia. and they have raised concerns that loopholes for foreign money had not been closed and described this as a live and present threat to our democracy. the russian report was obviously published in july 2020 and it was involved in implementation and we have not yet had a proper response to the recommendations from the committee on standards in public life chaired by the former m15 head as well. can she share was that she is not complacent about threats to our national security and to our democracy as well. can she tell me when the russian report recommendations will be implemented in full and also when the results of the consultation that closed last summer state interference will be published and then on the crucial recommendation on funding digital campaigns, when will there be a response to the committee on public life and also there are other important recommendation about moore needing to be done on identifying the source of donations and the role of shell companies. given that labour has put forward a common—sense amendment to the election spell this very afternoon, clause nine, to close the loophole on allowing foreign companies —— oven bonus to hide behind shell companies. will she now support that important amendment to the elections bill to ensure that donors to uk political parties have a connection to the uk? . ., political parties have a connection to the uk? ., «e i. ~ political parties have a connection to the uk? ., «e , .«e to the uk? thank you, mr speaker. first of all if — to the uk? thank you, mr speaker. first of all if i _ to the uk? thank you, mr speaker. first of all if i may _ to the uk? thank you, mr speaker. first of all if i may take _ to the uk? thank you, mr speaker. first of all if i may take issue i first of all if i may take issue with the right honourable lady's overall comment. there is no complacency and there is never any complacency and there is never any complacency at all and on issues of national security i think it is absolutely vital important that all parties and respectful of their opposition as well and protecting against the adversity against a country come together. she has us a series of questions and they are important questions notjust important questions not just protecting important questions notjust protecting adversaries relying on adversaries in straight sets but also some thoughts and she also gave also some thoughts and she also gave a full report of the ioc russia report injuly 2020 and many of the recommendations were also in train coordinating her majesty's government and work across the treasury but also all aspects of government work led by the cabinet office as well. that also mr speaker comes in... much of the work which the speaker will be well aware that sits the cabinet office and is coordinated through our agencies in terms of understanding whether threats are, calling out malicious cyber working further on global anti—corruption sanctions regime, cracking down on illicit finance and that work is clearly coordinated at that work is clearly coordinated at that particular level. she also makes reference to aspects of new legislation. of course, i touch on that myself in my own statement in opening remarks. she is right to say that the consultation took place last year. work is under way and, in fact, there will be announcement in due course in terms of the approach the government is taking about new legislation and state threats but my final comments, mr speaker, is of course when it comes to state interference it is absolutely vital that notjust interference it is absolutely vital that not just all interference it is absolutely vital that notjust all members of this house but members of the public and we have had many debates around this in terms of previous elections in the past, but officials across government as well, local authorities, etc, are highly attuned to the implications of state that interference. yes, that is in a democracy and when it comes to cyber which is why across the whole of government there is such extensive work on systematic integration and cooperation to ensure that institutions of the state are protected when it comes to hostile state interference.— state interference. thank you, mr seaker. state interference. thank you, mr speaker- the _ state interference. thank you, mr speaker. the home _ state interference. thank you, mr speaker. the home secretary, i state interference. thank you, mr| speaker. the home secretary, my right honourable friend will undoubtedly be aware of the important distinction between agents... studio: that is where we will leave the house of commons of the main. we were hearing there for the home secretary priti patel regarding the mis secretary priti patel regarding the m15 alert about christine lee who allegedly carried out interference in british parliament on behalf of china and then for the labour party yvette cooper also condemning actions of china in their attempts to interfere with british democracy. we are expecting to be back in the house of commons around half past four this afternoon when the crunch gaelic culture secretaryjean licence fee. —— when the culture secretary nadine dorries makes a statement about the bbc and the licence fee. scotland is welcoming back full crowds at large outdoor public events such as football matches. the holyrood government limited numbers to 500 people last month, as part of a series of measures to help slow the spread of the omicron variant of covid. people must provide proof of covid vaccination or a recent negative test. our scotland reporter alexandra mackenzie gave us this update from outside celtic park in glasgow. celtic will be playing hibs here later on this evening train operators have cut hundreds more services from today because of covid—related staff shortages. avanti west coast, c2c, east midlands railway and south western railway have all introduced emergency timetables. several other operators have taken the same measure in recent weeks. it was estimated earlier this month that around 10% of rail staff were absent from work. thousands of people in ireland and the uk have been attending vigils in memory of the murdered primary school teacher ashling murphy. the 23—year—old was attacked and killed on the banks of the grand canal in tullamore, co offaly in ireland last wednesday. police have identified a person of interest in the investigation, who is currently in hospital. from tullamore, here's our ireland correspondent emma vardy. there is an atmosphere of deep sadness in this town in rural ireland. ashling murphy not only was a local primary school teacher, she was also a talented musician, played violin in traditional irish groups and she was an irish speaker and very involved in this community and it is the brutal nature of what happened to her that people are struggling to comprehend. she had been for a run after school that day in broad daylight along the banks of the canal here which is a very popular vote and police believe it was a random attack, that she had been strangled and that she had struggled with her chiller —— popular vote, struggled with her killer. support has been ongoing and that has been our own outpouring of grief not only across ireland but more widely than that because what happened actually nothing has been felt very deeply, particularly by women. it has led to growing calls for an end to violence against women and girls and similar to the way that in the wake of the sarah everard murder in the uk last year there has been growing calls now for a change in the culture and society so that women can feel safe. emma vardy reporting. emma vardy reporting. tennis star novak djokovic has arrived in his home country of serbia, after his deportation from australia. under australia's strict immigation laws, the mens number one can't be granted another visa for three years. but the country's prime minister has said he may be able to return sooner than anticipated. our correspondent guy de launey is in the serbian capital belgrade and watched the star's homecoming. well, i would like to say it was a big hero's welcome, but it was really a very quiet affair. we saw maybe a few dozen novak djokovic supporters turning up at belgrade's nikola tesla airport with banners and placards and flags, some of them singing some songs and chanting support for novak djokovic, but, ultimately, they didn't get to see him because novak djokovic arrived on his flight from dubai, which was a scheduled flight. he didn't go through the regular arrivals section, as you would probably expect he wouldn't, but he didn't come out of the vip terminal either, where a lot of people had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of their sporting icon. instead he actually went through the diplomatic channel and out of a special exit, and that's all fair enough, novak djokovic would probably say, because he holds a diplomatic passport from serbia. that's his status in this country. but he left a small number of disappointed fans outside the airport today and quite a lot of disappointed media as well. of disappointed media, too. yes, i'm sure. it's not really the story we were after at the end of all this after this constant attention he has had. we want closure, don't we! absolutely, we want certain things and we have not got them. tell us, the support for him across the country generally is pretty strong. how hard do you think serbia will fight for him to be allowed back within three years, which is... he is not meant to go back to australia before three years are up. it would mean he wasn't able to compete in future opens, if that wasn't waived? it's an interesting question, and does serbia actually have any leverage? this is what president aleksandar vucic was saying to me yesterday and prime minister ana brnabic also suggested to me last week as well, that in this relationship between serbia and australia the power is clearly on the side of australia — a much richer country and one which is several times larger, as well, in terms of its population. president vucic even saying to me that he didn't think all this would have happened to novak djokovic, had he not been serbian, so i think they actually did all they could during this crisis to represent their man and it wasn't enough to get him in the tournament, so what are they going to be able to do going forward? that is a very tricky task, i would suggest. it has kept you busy, hasn't it? it certainly has! you know, it is a story that has fascinated people since the start of the year, and i think the thing with novak djokovic is this. the whole thing that i take away from this at the end is people ask, "why should we make an exception for novak djokovic?" and the answer from serbia was, "because he's novak djokovic." and, in some ways, that's not unreasonable. when you see the way that an elite tennis player like novak djokovic performs, there are very, very few human beings who can perform at that sort of level. to see it in the flesh is really quite awe—inspiring and that is what the audiences in melbourne and the people watching around the world will have been deprived of. and that, i think, is a real pity, whatever you think about novak djokovic's vaccination status, that we couldn't have found a way to square all of this so that the world can seen one of its great athletes doing what he does the best. guy de launey in serbia. amazon has reversed a decision to ban customers from using uk visa credit cards on its website — after it had been expected to introduce the changes from wednesday. an amazon spokesperson said they were "working closely with visa on a potential solution". the company said in november that it would ban visa's card because of the high transaction fees charged. there's been a significant increase in the number of fatal collisions on uk roads. a bbc panorama investigation has found that hundreds of speed cameras are switched off, police are doing fewer breathalyser tests — and there are fewer dedicated traffic police officers . richard bilton reports something is happening on our roads. for the first time in 40 years, there has been a significant rise in the fatality rate, the deaths per mile. uk roads are getting more dangerous. the thing is, it shouldn't be like this. cars are getting safer — roads should be getting safer. but that is not what's going on. panorama has found there has been a sharp reduction in the number of dedicated police traffic officers. we got figures from 34 of the 44 police forces. they had 5,000 dedicated traffic officers in 2016. but 757 officers have been lost in just five years. that's a fall of 15%. the police watchdog is concerned. there are some police forces that have got negligible presence on the road. that has happened because, in general, it's been given a low priority. so you've got a scenario where the fatality rate has risen for the first time in 40 years. yeah. is that because there are fewer police officers out there? yeah, we think so. 1,600 people die on uk roads every year. the police say road policing remains a priority. but panorama found key methods of catching offenders have been reduced. in the last decade, the number of breathalyser tests have been cut by more than 50%. and freedom of information responses from 26 forces reveal almost half of their fixed speed cameras are not switched on. if there's less chance of being caught, some drivers — and i say some — will take those risks. they will be reckless, they will speed, they will cause deaths. the government says our roads are among the safest in the world. they add that deployment of resources is a matter for individual police forces. but it's investing up to an extra £1.1 billion in police funding next year. but what panorama has found is a road network with fewer checks and increased danger. richard bilton, bbc news. hello. a settled week of weather lies ahead with a cold and at times frosty and foggy one. it led to a stunning start for many of us this morning with hardly a cloud in the sky, but quite a significant frost out there. the exception was the far north and west, because although high pressure is keeping things quiet, a few more isobars toppling across the top of that high and that means a little more of a breeze, of cloud for the northern isles in general today. more cloud into the north of england and north west midlands at times but a dry, subtle story, and temperatures will recover, ranging from 7—10 as we go through the afternoon. but we keep those clear skies through the night and fog is likely to reform once again with light winds across central and eastern england. some of it dense and freezing in places, as temperatures fall below freezing. the exception again out towards the west, particularly the north—west of scotland. but there is a weather front that will gradually push on. winds will strengthen, gusts of gale force are likely we will see some rain toppling across that high somewhat erratically through the day. the fog will readily lift as we go through the morning, slowly and surely for most of us. if it lingers on one or two spots, that could have an impact on the feel of the weather. that wet weather sitting out of the west of scotland, gradually moving erratically eastwards, so that is the story as we get through tuesday. those weather fronts still have to sink south as we move through the day on wednesday. weakening to a band of cloud and drizzle, just like we had on sunday afternoon across england and wales, but it will clear, and then quite a clearance behind with a cold, northerly wind, sunny spells and scattered showers, with the risk of them turning wintry to higher ground as those temperatures fall away. so a cool afternoon for scotland on wednesday. highest values further south of 10 degrees. high pressure sits out in the atlantic. winds swinging round to a northerly direction, so a cooler start on thursday. colder still for many. chilly start to thursday morning. widespread frost across the country, but largely fine. the strongest winds moving down through the north sea. they could have an impact and will make it feel cool, particularly on exposed east coasts. that's it. take care. this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the headlines at 4pm: two teenagers have been arrested in manchester in connection with the texas synagogue siege — the british hostage—taker was a man from blackburn. the brother of a british woman swept away by the tsunami in tonga says her body has been found. angela was the... ..heart of ourfamily, she was the emotional heart of ourfamily and i think, you know, that heart is now... it's now gone. the government is denying its launching a series of policy —— the home secretary priti patel tells mps they face increasing threats to democracy, after m15 warned a chinese agent infiltrated parliament. downing street are trying to survive a row over downing street parties. what's the future of funding for the bbc? we'll take you live to the house of commons, where culture secretary nadine dorries is due to make a statement on the licence fee. and novak djokovic is back in serbia following his deportation, as the australian open begins without him. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. two teenagers have been arrested in manchester after a british man took four people hostage in a synagogue in texas on saturday. greater manchester police said the teenagers are being questioned as "part of the ongoing investigation into the attack." 44—year—old malik faisal akram from blackburn was shot dead by police after a ten—hour stand—off in dallas. the four hostages — who included a rabbi — were unharmed. downing street has described the incident as a "terrible and anti—semitic act of terrorism". from texas, our correspondent, sophie long, reports. this is the moment the three final hostages ran for their lives, more than ten hours after their ordeal began. a successful, but nonetheless terrifying end to the delicate, daylong operation involving negotiators and heavily armed police. the man, now identified as malik faisal akram, a 44—year—old british citizen originally from lancashire, was shot and killed. he'd claimed to have a gun and a bomb when he interrupted a peaceful morning service being streamed from the congregation beth israel in dallas. it didn't look good, it didn't sound good. we were very... we were terrified. and when i saw an opportunity where he wasn't in a good position, i made sure that the two gentlemen who were still with me, that they were ready to go. the exit wasn't too far away. i told them to go, i threw a chair at the gunman, and i headed for the door. and all three of us were able to get out without even a shot being fired. akram, who arrived in the united states two weeks ago, was heard ranting about religion and demanding the release of a pakistani neuroscientist with suspected links to al-qaeda currently serving a prison sentence in texas. people came here, a place of worship, to pray. but once again in america, a moment of peace became a moment of profound pain. as the people who were trapped, terrified, try to come to terms with what happened, synagogues across the country have increased security in fear of copycat attacks. this was an act of terror. we're not going to tolerate this. we have this capacity to deal with assaults on, particularly the anti—semitism that has grown up. and so i'll be talking with... i put a call into the rabbi. we missed one another on the way up here. but they should rest assured that we are focused. as soon as it became known that akram was a british citizen, the investigation became global. counter—terror police in manchester are assisting the us authorities and are now questioning two teenagers who were arrested in the city last night. sophie long, bbc news, dallas. let's talk to our correspondent, danny savage, who's in blackburn. this is sophie was saying there at the end of her report, this is an investigation that spans two continents.— investigation that spans two continents. , ,, , , continents. yes, i think it probably sans a continents. yes, i think it probably spans a large _ continents. yes, i think it probably spans a large part _ continents. yes, i think it probably spans a large part of— continents. yes, i think it probably spans a large part of the _ continents. yes, i think it probably spans a large part of the world i continents. yes, i think it probably. spans a large part of the world now. we have this man, malik faisal akram, who comes from here, blackburn in lancashire, who a couple of weeks ago travelled to the united states, entered the us through jfk united states, entered the us throuthfk airport in new york. he then managed to get hold of and buy a gun, which we all know about the gun restrictions in america and how liberal edges when it comes to owning guns. he has then got himself into this hostage situation on saturday in a siege that lasted ten hours, and which resulted in him being shot dead. so many questions to be answered. what was the state of his mental health? because his family here in blackburn say that he did suffer from family here in blackburn say that he did sufferfrom mental family here in blackburn say that he did suffer from mental health problems. so that is one strand they will be looking at. his family here also say the fbi are expected here in the uk today to continue their investigations to find out a bit more about him and how it came to this. one of his brothers, gulbar, we understand, said he was here in this police station blackburn working with the british intelligence officers during the siege to try to get his brother to give himself up. that ultimately was unsuccessful. his family say they are devastated and have apologised to the victims, saying his brother had been suffering from mental health issues, but there will be investigations also in other countries where he would have travelled to. it is understood he has been in pakistan recently, so there will be investigations there as well, to try to get to the bottom of whether this was a man operating alone or whether there was a network around him helping him along, helping with finances to buy tickets, perhaps helping with ideology or something like that, so that will be where this investigation is focusing on now. who else is and who else, if anyone, was involved?— who else is and who else, if anyone, was involved? danny, thank you very much. was involved? danny, thank you very much- danny — was involved? danny, thank you very much. danny savage _ was involved? danny, thank you very much. danny savage reporting i was involved? danny, thank you very much. danny savage reporting there | much. danny savage reporting there from blackburn. the family of a british woman who went missing after the tsunami in tonga on saturday say her body has been found. angela glover was swept away by the waves, as her husband james clung to a tree. her brother, nick eleini, said she died trying to save her dogs. waves higher than a metre crashed into the pacific island nation following the eruption of an underwater volcano. angela was the heart of our family. she was the emotional heart of ourfamily and, you know, that heart is now... is now gone. and we are going to miss her so much. i haven't got the vocabulary to describe any better than that. could you tell me a little bit about your sister? she sounds like an extraordinary person, but... gosh! just try to give me a flavour of what she was like and what she meant to you. yeah. she was a beautiful woman. a beautiful child, beautiful young woman, beautiful woman. she would walk into a room and would just light it up with her presence. she loved people and she loved animals, and this went right back to her childhood. and when she started her charity in tonga, you know, it was to help the stray dogs that they have there and the strange thing was, the uglier the dog, the more she loved it, and she would post photographs of different dogs on facebook and we'd all look at it and kind of go, "ugh!" you know? but shejust, you know, just loved them all and she was totally dedicated to it. she also loved the ocean. her initial, you know, her call to go to tonga was to swim with whales, which she did and... yeah. beautiful girl. she's irreplaceable and... because i'm her brother, yes, i have a strong bond with her. yes, we loved each other dearly. she came to see us in our home in sydney quite often, and my, i've got three daughters and theyjust loved her so much and they too are just, you know, beyond grief. nick eleini. let's bring you the latest coronavirus figures for the uk. today they do include the figures for scotland over the weekend. they had been missing because the code of a technical problem that could not be reported. today the uk has recorded 84,429 new cases of covid—19 and also 85 new deaths. that is people who died within 28 days of the positive covid—19 test. priti patel made a statement in the last hour in the house of commons about chinese agent christine lee, who was attempting to carry out political influence. ih who was attempting to carry out political influence.— political influence. in this case, the aim was — political influence. in this case, the aim was to _ political influence. in this case, the aim was to make _ political influence. in this case, the aim was to make the i political influence. in this case, the aim was to make the uk i political influence. in this case, i the aim was to make the uk political landscape favourable to the chinese authorities agenda and to challenge those, and in particular, mr speaker cone, no doubt and i want to question this, those with concerns about the chinese authorities�* activities on very personal and present issues such as human rights, but of course there activity is not new, which is why our agencies are so the work they undertake. mr speaker, we can expect to see these kinds of alerts become more commonplace as a result of the work of our world—class intelligence agencies, who have adapted to counter these new and emerging threats. ., ,, . ., , threats. the home secretary, priti patel. thousands of people in ireland and the uk have been attending vigils in memory of the murdered primary school teacher ashling murphy. the 23—year—old was attacked and killed on the banks of the grand canal in tullamore, co offaly in ireland last wednesday. police have identified a person of interest in the investigation, who is currently in hospital. from tullamore, here�*s our ireland correspondent, emma vardy. there�*s an atmosphere of deep sadness in this town in rural ireland. ashling murphy not only was a local primary school teacher, she was also a talented musician. she played violin in traditional irish groups and she was an irish speaker and very involved in this community, and it is the brutal nature of what happened to her that people are struggling to comprehend. she�*d been for a run after school that day in broad daylight along the banks of a canal here, which is a very popular route, and police believe it was a random attack, that she�*d been strangled, and that she�*d struggled with her killer who then fled the scene, and there�*s a number of lines of enquiry still ongoing. what we�*ve seen in the last few days is this outpouring of grief, not only across ireland, but more widely than that, because what happened to ashling, i think, has been felt very deeply, particularly by women. it�*s led to growing calls for an end to violence against women and girls and, similar to the way that in the wake of the sarah everard murder in the uk last year, there�*s been growing calls now for a change in the culture in society so that women can feel safe. emma vardy reporting. tennis star novak djokovic has arrived in his home country of serbia, after his deportation from australia. under australia�*s strict immigation laws, the mens number one can�*t be granted another visa for three years. but the country�*s prime minister has said he may be able to return sooner than anticipated. our correspondent, guy de launey, is in the serbian capital belgrade and watched the star�*s homecoming. well, i would like to say it was a big hero�*s welcome, but it was really a very quiet affair. we saw maybe a few dozen novak djokovic supporters turning up at belgrade�*s nikola tesla airport with banners and placards and flags, some of them singing some songs and chanting support for novak djokovic. but, ultimately, they didn�*t get to see him because novak djokovic arrived on his flight from dubai, which was a scheduled flight. he didn�*t go through the regular arrivals section, as you would probably expect he wouldn�*t, but he didn�*t come out of the vip terminal either, where a lot of people had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of their sporting icon. instead he actually went through the diplomatic channel and out of a special exit and that is all fair enough, novak djokovic would probably say, because he holds a diplomatic passport from serbia. that is his status in this country. but he left a small number of disappointed fans outside the airport today and quite a lot of disappointed media as well. yes, i am sure, not really the story we were after at the end of all this the end of all this, this constant attention he has had. we want closure, don�*t we! absolutely, we want certain things and we have not got them. tell us, the support for him across the country generally is pretty strong. how hard do you think serbia will fight for him to be allowed back within three years, which is... he is not meant to go back to australia before the three years are up. it would mean he wasn�*t able to compete in future opens, if that wasn�*t waived? it is an interesting question and does serbia actually have any leverage? this is what president aleksandar vucic was saying to me yesterday and prime minister ana brnabic also suggested to me last week as well, that in this relationship between serbia and australia the power is clearly on the side of australia, a much richer country and one that is several times larger as well in terms of its population. the serbian president even saying to me that he didn�*t think all this would have happened to novak djokovic, had he not been serbian, so i think they actually did all they could during this crisis to represent their man and it wasn�*t enough to get him in the tournament, so what are they going to be able to do going forward? that is a very tricky task, i would suggest. it has kept you busy, hasn�*t it? it certainly has! you know, it is a story that has fascinated people since the start of the year and i think the thing with novak djokovic is this. the whole thing that i take away from this at the end is people ask, "why should we make an exception for novak djokovic?" the answer from serbia was, "because he is novak djokovic." and in some ways that is not unreasonable. when you see the way that an elite tennis player like novak djokovic performs, there are very, very few human beings who can perform at that sort of level. to see it in the flesh is really quite awe—inspiring and that is what the audiences in melbourne and the people watching around the world will have been deprived of. that, ithink, is a real pity, whatever you think about novak djokovic�*s vaccination status, that we couldn�*t have found a way to square all of this so that the world can seen one of its great athletes doing what he does the best. our reporter in belgrade fair. you�*re watching bbc news. it is for 16 pm. our headlines. two teenagers in the uk have been arrested in relation to the siege in texas. a woman who died in tonga as a result of a volcano, her body has been found. m15 warned of a chinese agent infiltrating parliament. there has been a speech in the house of commons. downing street says there are "encouraging signs" in the latest covid data ahead of a decision on whether england�*s plan b restrictions can be lifted a week on wednesday. that would mean dropping the requirement to wear masks and work from home. meanwhile, cabinet colleagues say borisjohnson is safe in hisjob, despite anger from the public over lockdown parties at downing street. six conservative mps have now called on the prime minister to resign over gatherings held during restrictions. on the prime minister to resign over one on the prime minister to resign over conservative i the one conservative mp has said that the odds are 60—1 against the prime minister. let�*s get more from our political correspondent, helen catt, who is in westminster. that is quite a statistic? , ., ., a statistic? yes, we have heard va in: a statistic? yes, we have heard varying things _ a statistic? yes, we have heard varying things from _ a statistic? yes, we have heard varying things from ministers i a statistic? yes, we have heard i varying things from ministers having come back from their constituencies, where they were over the weekend hearing from people who live there about what they think about what happened last week about the prime minister�*s apology and the parties themselves. you have some of them saying actually the backlash was not as bad as they were expecting, but others saying they have had hundreds of e—mails and as you have said steve baker who is an influential figure on the conservative backbenches, part of you covid recovery group, a very influential group on the conservative backbenches. he was giving an indication earlier about the scale of things he is seen coming into his inbox. i am very optimistic— coming into his inbox. i am very optimistic we — coming into his inbox. i am very optimistic we will _ coming into his inbox. i am very optimistic we will see _ coming into his inbox. i am very optimistic we will see all- coming into his inbox. i am very optimistic we will see all of i coming into his inbox. i am very optimistic we will see all of the | optimistic we will see all of the plan— optimistic we will see all of the plan b — optimistic we will see all of the plan b restriction lifted on the 2tith— plan b restriction lifted on the 26th of— plan b restriction lifted on the 26th ofjanuary. i think the data now supports that with cases come down _ now supports that with cases come down and _ now supports that with cases come down and i— now supports that with cases come down and i would very much like to see that _ down and i would very much like to see that happen. actually on this bil see that happen. actually on this big call— see that happen. actually on this big call of— see that happen. actually on this big call of not closing down over christmas — big call of not closing down over christmas boris was right and i am very pleased he kept society open on christmas _ very pleased he kept society open on christmas open. it was a brave call and i'm _ christmas open. it was a brave call and i'm glad — christmas open. it was a brave call and i'm glad you made it. you think the prime minister _ and i'm glad you made it. you think the prime minister is... _ and i'm glad you made it. you think the prime minister is... from i and i'm glad you made it. you think the prime minister is... from mpsl the prime minister is... from mps like yourself now, given the recent controversies? l like yourself now, given the recent controversies?— controversies? i think it is inevitable _ controversies? i think it is inevitable that _ controversies? i think it is inevitable that the - controversies? i think it is inevitable that the prime l controversies? i think it is - inevitable that the prime minister will be _ inevitable that the prime minister will be more willing to listen to colleagues in the current circumstances. of course, we did have _ circumstances. of course, we did have a _ circumstances. of course, we did have a big — circumstances. of course, we did have a big rebellion, 99 conservative mps, plus... version against _ conservative mps, plus... version against conservative... and i am very— against conservative... and i am very proud — against conservative... and i am very proud they did so because it is always— very proud they did so because it is always a _ very proud they did so because it is always a big deal to rebel, but it wasn't _ always a big deal to rebel, but it wasn't enough to defeat the government. we have had a bit of revisionist— government. we have had a bit of revisionist history recently, but i won't _ revisionist history recently, but i won't let— revisionist history recently, but i won't let them get away with it, but i do think_ won't let them get away with it, but i do think the prime minister is more _ i do think the prime minister is more likely to listen. we i do think the prime minister is more likely to listen.— i do think the prime minister is more likely to listen. we are 'ust reflectinu more likely to listen. we are 'ust reflecting on fl more likely to listen. we are 'ust reflecting on the i more likely to listen. we are 'ust reflecting on the news �* more likely to listen. we are 'ust reflecting on the news about h more likely to listen. we are just . reflecting on the news about various parties happening in downing street. do you still have confidence in the prime minister, after listening to constituents this weekend? today we are here to present _ constituents this weekend? today we are here to present the _ constituents this weekend? today we are here to present the together- are here to present the together declaration and position. my constituents at the moment are about 60-1 constituents at the moment are about 60—1 against the prime minister and i have _ 60—1 against the prime minister and i have listened very carefully to members — i have listened very carefully to members of my association as well. there _ members of my association as well. there are _ members of my association as well. there are some very strident voices in my— there are some very strident voices in my constituency demanding that i support— in my constituency demanding that i support the prime minister. what i would _ support the prime minister. what i would say— support the prime minister. what i would say is i made my views very clear— would say is i made my views very clear at_ would say is i made my views very clear at the — would say is i made my views very clear at the of december, that there must _ clear at the of december, that there must be _ clear at the of december, that there must be one rule for all, that the rule makers _ must be one rule for all, that the rule makers must obey the rules they apply others and i am really clear about— apply others and i am really clear about that. but i think at the moment— about that. but i think at the moment all conservative mps are waiting _ moment all conservative mps are waiting for sue gray's report and therr— waiting for sue gray's report and then to — waiting for sue gray's report and then to decide what they are doing. my heart _ then to decide what they are doing. my heart goes out to sue gray. i know — my heart goes out to sue gray. i know her— my heart goes out to sue gray. i know her briefly from when she was a minister. _ know her briefly from when she was a minister. she — know her briefly from when she was a minister, she is only human as well and let's— minister, she is only human as well and let's hope everything turns out well when — and let's hope everything turns out well when she comes up comes up with her report. steve baker. allen, _ comes up with her report. steve baker. allen, there _ comes up with her report. steve baker. allen, there is _ comes up with her report. steve baker. allen, there is a - comes up with her report. steve baker. allen, there is a lot - comes up with her report. steve baker. allen, there is a lot of i comes up with her report. steve i baker. allen, there is a lot of talk about the sum of the policies that are being put forward like the lifting of plan b restrictions, the future of the king funding, the royal navy being brought into coordinate —— the future of bbc licence fee funding. what sort of range of opinions on keeping the prime minister and hisjob? yes. prime minister and his 'ob? yes, there have i prime minister and his 'ob? yes, there have been _ prime ministerand hisjob? 13:3 there have been suggestions that there have been suggestions that there is a sort of strategy of rushing out a lot of these announcements or putting out a lot of these announcements that would be likely to appeal to some sectors of the conservative party, in particular, all in one go. this has been even given a name, operation red meat, according to some reports in the papers. downing street has denied that, the prime minister's official spokesman earlier saying none of these are issues that have not been talked about before and hitting back about any suggestion that this is a distracting tactic, so certainly those policies and we will be hearing more about those this afternoon, as they are being discussed in the commons, butjust to go back to the parties for a second there are also fresh claims this afternoon in terms of what borisjohnson this afternoon in terms of what boris johnson knew about that party on the 20th of may 2020. you remember when he apologised in parliament? he said he had implicitly believed it was a work event. this was a drinks party in the gardens of downing street. over the gardens of downing street. over the weekend, there were claims by columnists in the sunday times, dominic lawson, that the prime minister had been warned this was a party before it went ahead, then dominic cummings has this afternoon, the prime minister's former age, as this afternoon tweeted to say that he was told it was a party. cash former age. he was told it was a party. cash formerage. he he was told it was a party. cash former age. he does not give any more details though about who apparently told the prime minister and there has also been in strenuous denials of downing street, the plan is to's official spokesman pressed about this several times earlier today byjournalists and he said it wasn't accurate, it is untrue, the claims are not true.— wasn't accurate, it is untrue, the claims are not true. helen catt in westminster. _ thank you very much. one of those policies calls for the armed forces to take charge of operations to limit the number of migrants crossing the channel. the move is intended to allow home office officials to focus on the government's reforms to the asylum system. i have been speaking to our defence correspondent about this, jonathan beale. a rearadmiral, mike, has been asked to look at what the ministry of defence, the armed forces might do to help the home office. i think what they will do is coordinate activities, what is called command and control. they have skills in that, so bringing together agencies involved like the home office, the border force, the coast guard and then we are not clear as to what assets they might bring, whether they would actually put ships in the channel, for example, whether they may use some of the army's drones, some of the raf�*s observation aircraft that have been used in the past at key points, high points of migrants crossing over the summer months. so the armed forces have been used in the past, but this is going to be a bigger role for them, essentially, and as far as the ministry of defence are saying, they are saying the government is exploring every avenue to prevent further crossings and detail of how that can be achieved will be made in due course. so we don't have the detail yet. 35,000 sailors and marines in the navy, how many of them are really going to be deployed to this? well, as i said before, the key is the sort of operational roles they have and that is pulling together the different agencies, so planning and then so planning and then operational control that they have, rather than necessarily the assets that they have like warships, so it could well be that warships would be used, but i think what is going to be interesting is there is some nervousness in the navy about being more directly involved in this because i havejust heard the home secretary priti patel once again saying that the government's policy is to push back boats. they have not done it yet and it is certainly a legally grey area and i think that would be controversial and i have heard nothing from the ministry of defence that suggests they will be doing that, but clearly the government feels they have got to do something. they have, in the past, for example, during covid, they have called in the military to sort out a problem. they have done pretty well and i think that was the thinking behind it. these talks have been going on for a number of weeks, i understand. what happens if there is a conflict the royal navy is required to attend? well, i don't think you are going to see thousands and thousands of sailors, you're not going to see the aircraft carrier suddenly parked in the english channeljust to look out for migrants because one of those carriers is already committed to nato and we see tensions in ukraine at the moment. the navy are doing operations up north later this year, they will continue to do those operations, the main bread—and—butter, essentially, of the armed forces, protecting the nation from threats outside. nation from threats outside, though clearly this is a problem the government has, needs to deal with and they believe the military can have a role. as i said, i think there is some nervousness in the armed forces about this and it is not clear exactly what they will do. jonathan beale. our defence correspondence, speaking to me a little earlier. let's go to the house of commons now. the culture secretary nadine dorries is due to make a statement on the media very shortly, specifically about the future of the bbc licence fee. currently it is the speaker of the house, lindsay hoyle, who is in full flow, so let's listen.— flow, so let's listen. more extensive _ flow, so let's listen. more extensive if _ flow, so let's listen. more l extensive if announcements flow, so let's listen. more - extensive if announcements are flow, so let's listen. more _ extensive if announcements are made to the _ extensive if announcements are made to the media first and i would say, i to the media first and i would say, i have _ to the media first and i would say, i have the — to the media first and i would say, i have the greatest respect for the select— i have the greatest respect for the select committee. i have a great respect — select committee. i have a great respect also for the secretary of state. _ respect also for the secretary of state. but — respect also for the secretary of state, but please can we make sure in future _ state, but please can we make sure in future it — state, but please can we make sure in future it is— state, but please can we make sure in future it is done through here? and if. _ in future it is done through here? and if, which i may believe, that if it was— and if, which i may believe, that if it was leaked and you felt you had to respond, secretary of state, please — to respond, secretary of state, please let us do the leak enquiry because — please let us do the leak enquiry because we have got a major colander i’ilht because we have got a major colander right across _ because we have got a major colander right across government that i don't want to— right across government that i don't want to see — right across government that i don't want to see again. secretary of state — want to see again. secretary of state. . .. want to see again. secretary of state. . ~' , ., want to see again. secretary of state. . ~' ,, ~ want to see again. secretary of state. . ,, ~ .«r ., state. thank you, mr speaker and may i ersonall state. thank you, mr speaker and may i personally give _ state. thank you, mr speaker and may i personally give you — state. thank you, mr speaker and may i personally give you my _ state. thank you, mr speaker and may i personally give you my apologies, - i personally give you my apologies, mr speaker? i actually refused every invitation to media, both yesterday and today. with permission, mr speaker, i would like to make a statement. under article 43 of the bbc�*s royal charter, i am required to determine a funding settlement for the level of the bbc licence fee for the level of the bbc licence fee for a period of at least five years from the 1st of april 2022. i am legally required to make my determination is far in advance of april as possible. i would also like to highlight that this year the bbc licence fee settlement has featured 54c licence fee settlement has featured s4c prominently for the first time. in line with the recommendation from the dependent view of s4c completed in 2018. the licence fee will be the sole source of public funding for s4c. negotiations back in november 2020, they began back in november 2020, they began back in november 2020 and both i and my predecessor has met with the bbc on several occasions during this period to discuss the settlement. as part of those negotiations, the charter requires that i assess both the bbc�*s commercial income and activities and the level of funding required, so that the bbc can effectively fulfil its mission and public purposes. in addition, this government has set out our own relevant factors to consider during the charter review in 2015 and 2016. evasion, commercial income, household growth and industry costs. mr speaker, as the prime minister has said, the bbc is a great institution. it has a unique place institution. it has a unique place in our current cultural heritage. and beyond our shores, the bbc broadcasts are values and identities all over the world, reaching hundreds of millions every day. likewise, the welsh broadcaster, s4c, plays a unique and critical role in promoting the welsh language and in supporting our wider public service broadcasting landscape. however, mr speaker, in reaching settlement have to be realistic about the economic situation... inaudible committed to supporting families as much as possible during these difficult times. given that climate, we had to think very carefully about imposing potential increase on the tv licence, particularly given that any increase would expose families to the potential threat of bailiffs knocking on their door or criminal prosecution. when it comes to monthly bills, this is one of the few direct levers that we have in our control as a government. and in the end, mr speaker, we simply could notjustify putting extra pressure on the wallets of hard—working households. every organisation around the world is facing the challenge of inflation. i simply do not believe that those responsible for setting household bills should instinctively reach into the pockets of families across the country for just a little more every year, to cover those costs. so today i am announcing that the bbc licence fee will be frozen for the next two years. and that it will rise in line with inflation for the following four years. the bbc wanted the fee to rise to over £180 by the end of the settlement. instead it will remain fixed at £159 until april 2024. that is more money in the pockets of pensioners, in the pockets of pensioners, in the pockets of pensioners, in the pockets of families who are struggling to make ends meet. mr speaker, we are supporting households at a time when they need that support the most. and this settlement sends... an important message about keeping costs down, while also giving the bbc what it needs to deliver on its remit. this approach to funding will be the same for bbc and for s4c. however, i can also announce that s4c will receive an additional £7.5 million in funding perannum an additional £7.5 million in funding per annum from 2022 to support the development of the digital offering. this is a 9% increase for s4c, following five years of frozen funding. mr speaker, we believe this is a first settlement for the bbc. it is the first settlement of s4c and most importantly it is the first settlement for licence the players across the united kingdom. and let's not forget, the bbc will continue to receive billions in annual public funding, allowing it to deliver its mission and public purposes and to continue doing what it does best. and to support the bbc even further, in what is a fast changing broadcasting landscape, the government will more than double the borrowing limit of the bbc�*s commercial arm to £750 million. this will enable bbc to access private finance, as it pursues an ambitious strategy, boosting investment in the creative economy across the uk. but, as tim davey said in his first speech as director—general of the corporation the bbc must be a simpler lean organisation that offers better value to licence the players and we agree with this. ultimately, the settlement strikes the right balance between protecting households and ii the broadcaster to deliver their vital public responsibilities while also encouraging them to make further savings and efficiencies. mr speaker, the licence fee settlement is only one step in our road map for reform of the bbc. in the last few months, i have made it clear that the bbc needs to address issues around impartiality and groupthink. those problems were highlighted definitively by the recent review and the bbc�*s own leadership rightly recognised those findings in full and committed to deliver all of the reviews, recommendations in its ten point action plan on impartiality under editorial standards. and i have had constructive discussions with the bbc about these issues in recent months but the bbc now needs to put those words into action. it needs to convince the british public that those changes are in fact been made and to provide regular and transparent out like accounts of his progress. we will shortly begin the mid—term review of the bbc�*s charter which will consider the overall governance and regulation of the bbc and a key part of that review will look at whether the bbc�*s action plan on impartiality has in fact materially contributed to improving the internal governance of the organisation. but it is also time to look further into the future. mr speaker, as any serious commentator will tell you, the broadcasting landscape has changed beyond all recognition over the past decade. we are living in a world of streaming giants, of on demand and on pay per view and smart tvs. technology is changing everything. 97% of homes already have superfast broadband. a family in cumbria can stream five different rooms in its house at any one time and our gigabit roll—out is transforming those networks even further. over 65% of uk households now have access to the fastest connection on the planet. as the tech has changed, so have audience habits, particularly amongst younger viewers, so it is time to begin asking those really serious questions about the long—term funding model of the bbc and whether a mandatory licence fee with criminal penalties for individual households were still appropriate. as we have said before, we will therefore undertake a review of the overall licence fee model and those discussions will begin shortly. mr speaker, the bbc has been entertaining and informing us for 100 years and i want it to continue to thrive and be a global beacon in the uk and in the decades to come. but this is 2022, not 1922. we need a bbc that is forward—looking and ready to meet the challenges of modern broadcasting. the bbc that can continue to engage the british public and that commands the support from across the breadth of the uk, notjust from across the breadth of the uk, not just the from across the breadth of the uk, notjust the london bubble. a bbc that can thrive alongside netflix and amazon prime and all of its other challenges which attract younger viewers. the licence fee settlement represents a significant step in thatjourney and in our wider reform of the bbc. i look forward to continuing working with the bbc and others across the industry over the coming years to secure the future of these vital british services. i commend the statements of the house. i british services. i commend the statements of the house.- british services. i commend the statements of the house. i now come to the shadow _ statements of the house. i now come to the shadow secretary _ statements of the house. i now come to the shadow secretary of _ statements of the house. i now come to the shadow secretary of state - to the shadow secretary of state lucy powell. to the shadow secretary of state lucy powell-— to the shadow secretary of state lu powell. . , . ~ lucy powell. thanks very much mr seaker lucy powell. thanks very much mr speaker and _ lucy powell. thanks very much mr speaker and l _ lucy powell. thanks very much mr speaker and i completely - lucy powell. thanks very much mr speaker and i completely agree i lucy powell. thanks very much mr l speaker and i completely agree with you that it is a disgrace that an announcement of this importance was not first made to parliament and i look forward to the leak enquiry that you mentioned as well. may i take this opportunity to congratulate the secretary of state for coming top of the teachers pet list. she was the first cabinet minister to tweet support for the prime minister, she was the first to volunteer to do a broadcast round, and now she has been the first to throw per distraction and in finding someone else to blame for the prime minister's disintegrating leadership. the bbc�*s reporting. of course. the licence fee deal must be fair to fee payers whilst ensuring the bbc can do what it does best. that should be no blank cheques. however, the government ship claims this is all about the cost of living crisis. i mean, pull the other one! what is it about the £13.57 a month that marks it out for such immediate and special attention to address the cost of living over the £1200 a year increase in energy and household bills. all the £3000 a year taxes increase that her government has imposed. is the licence fee really at the heart of the cost of living crisis? of is this really about their long—standing vendetta against their long—standing vendetta against the bbc�*s now it is part of operation red meat to save the prime ministerfrom becoming dead meat. apparently, negotiations with the bbc haven't even been finalised when the culture secretary gave the details to the sunday newspaper and live every weekend the prime minister's position was most in peril. i leave it to you and others mr speaker tojudge the timing peril. i leave it to you and others mr speaker to judge the timing of that. she has proven today the conservatives may know the price of the licence fee but not its value. the last time they targeted it, the over 75 paid the price. so what assessment has she made of the impact of this two—year freeze on bbc output and commissioning and on the wider creative industries more broadly? is she happy to become the secretary of for repeats? laughter 0h, laughter oh, there is more coming! laughter oh, there is more comine! . oh, there is more coming! there is more coming- _ oh, there is more coming! there is more coming- ! _ oh, there is more coming! there is more coming. ! we _ oh, there is more coming! there is more coming. ! we have _ oh, there is more coming! there is more coming. ! we have got - oh, there is more coming! there is more coming. ! we have got lots . oh, there is more coming! there is| more coming. ! we have got lots of fun to be had with this, don't worry. but this isn't enough red meat for the culture secretary. she won't stop until her cultural vandalism has destroyed everything that's great about britain. vandalism is exactly what it is to tweet on a sunday with no notice, no discussion of thought, the end to the unique funding of the bbc altogether without any clue as to what will replace it. so perhaps she will explain how the bbc will continue valued services thatjust wouldn't be commercially viable? first, how can it continue to support local journalism first, how can it continue to support localjournalism where so many have recently failed? in many areas, the bbc is the last local news desk standing. second, how would a commercial only bbc be able to play such a crucial role as it has done to levelling up and growing the creative industries across our regions and nations? from cardiff to salford and elsewhere stop their silent on one. support the increased funding for s4c but they claim to support the union so what assurance can she provide for the continuation of distinct broadcasting in wales, scotland and northern ireland when there is no licence fee? bird, would be a cutback bbc be able to continue with the world service and its global soft power which her government's review only last year described as the most trusted broadcaster worldwide. would it? finally, what would happen to bbc learning, biocides and children's educational programming which, frankly, did much betterjob than the government did of getting high quality education into children's home during lockdown when they couldn't even provide an let me reassure you, if you want to id let me reassure you, if you want to go out _ let me reassure you, if you want to go out early. — let me reassure you, if you want to go out early, don't let me hinder you~ _ go out early, don't let me hinder you~ l _ go out early, don't let me hinder ou, . , go out early, don't let me hinder ou. . q ., go out early, don't let me hinder ou. ., ., ., you. i actually know that the honourable _ you. i actually know that the honourable member - you. i actually know that the honourable member is - you. i actually know that the honourable member is a - you. i actually know that the honourable member is a bigi you. i actually know that the - honourable member is a big fan of mine, but he isjust honourable member is a big fan of mine, but he is just trying to honourable member is a big fan of mine, but he isjust trying to hide it. the impartiality of the bbc is crucial to trust in it, by explicitly linking the charter renewal to the bbc�*s editorial decisions, the government sounds like more of a tinpot dictatorship and a healthy democracy. the bbc creates great quality which is produced programming, from royal weddings to strictly come dancing, two great british drama and championing of new music. it is at the cutting—edge of harnessing the digital age. the cutting—edge of harnessing the digitalage. 0f the cutting—edge of harnessing the digital age. of course it needs to change with the times and review its output and reach, but it is a well loved, trusted british treasure. it is the envy of the world. but the government is in trouble, mr speaker. the prime minister is casting around for people to blame and the culture secretary has stepped up to provide some red meat. well, it won't work. this is not how the future of ourjewel in the crown and the cornerstone of our world leading creative industries should be determined. she will have a fight on her hands if she wants to destroy it. thank you. cheering secretary of state. cheering secreta of state. ., ,, cheering secreta of state. . ,, ~ secretary of state. thank you, mr seaker. secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker- i — secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. i think _ secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. i think they _ secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. i think they were - secretary of state. thank you, mr speaker. i think they were aboutl secretary of state. thank you, mr l speaker. i think they were about 30 questions in that statement, so i will try to just questions in that statement, so i will try tojust address questions in that statement, so i will try to just address the top points. so first of all, mr speaker, it is nobody�*s intention to destroy the bbc. in fact, i completely agree with the honourable lady, it is the beacon. but the bbc licence fee is not a small amount of money for families who are working hard across the uk, struggling to meet to pay that bill orface bailiffs the uk, struggling to meet to pay that bill or face bailiffs at their door or a court appearance in a magistrates�* court. who are we to say that it is a small amount of money. that is a disgrace. it is a significant sum. it is also regressive. whether you are getting by on a minimum wage or a multi—million pound presenters salary, you fork out the same amount of money. that is not right! only those who have not faced hard choices on work they can —— what they can or cannot afford for their families on a weekly basis would claim it is a small amount of money. asa as a point of principle, we cannot add to that bill at a time when every family is facing pressure on their wallets with the honourable ladylike to indicate from a sedentary position does she support freezing the licence fee for two years in helping us had better family. does she support it? is better know? is she shaking her head? so the honourable lady does not support freezing the licence fee to help those hard pressed families who need every bit of help in the face of rising global energy costs and rising pressures on inflation. the honourable lady has declined to help those hard—working families. and, mr speaker, mr speaker, what we are saying is that moving forward we need to decide and discuss and debate so bringing on everybody in this house let�*s discuss what the bbc in 2027 will look like. it is not a policy announcing a debate and discussion. let�*s all get involved positively. discussion. let's all get involved ositivel. . ., discussion. let's all get involved ositivel . . ., ., , positively. father of the house, said peter— positively. father of the house, said peter bottomley. - positively. father of the house, said peter bottomley. can - positively. father of the house, said peter bottomley. can i - positively. father of the house, said peter bottomley. can i sayi positively. father of the house, i said peter bottomley. can i say to m riaht said peter bottomley. can i say to my right honourable _ said peter bottomley. can i say to my right honourable friend - said peter bottomley. can i say to my right honourable friend that i i my right honourable friend that i don�*t and i�*m not impressed and was like to process the proposal and i�*m not necessarily begin to process either. i would not necessarily begin to process either. iwould be not necessarily begin to process either. i would be grateful to know whether there is an assessment of alternatives when they were put to the cabinet subcommittees and when the cabinet subcommittees and when the cabinet subcommittees and when the cabinet consider this proposal and why it is that this is the one thing that the government will shake down a claim that you can�*t have any kind of interest, increase because of people being short of money. other things being run are linked to rp! or cpi. seems to me it would be rpi or cpi. seems to me it would be better to have a discussion in this house as to whether we should have a moderated increase during the remaining years of this charter and also that if she didn�*t say it is the last time there was going to be charter with a subscription, could she please put the options in front of this house so that people like me to say if the choice is between the united states or the state, public broadcasting for the bbc and channel 4 is better in my view than having everything go to some of the big media people than the world whose work is maintained by the bbc which we have had the last years? white maxso, mr speaker, the decision as to what the future funding model looks like is for discussion. it isn�*t even... some others may not even be here by the time 2028 advice but it is up for discussion and that is what we need to decide moving forward and i have the greatest respect for the father the house. he knows that. i have known him for 20 years. but honestly, i cannot agree with the point that the bbc can just year after year after year continue to ask for more money from the british public. ijust do not agree with that premise. i�*m afraid that the bbc, do not be under any, if they�*re going to continue to receive billions of pounds under the settlement, £23 billion over the course of this charter to 2027 of public money, i cannotjustify, we cannotjustify in the face of rising inflationary pressures global energy increases, we cannot go to the british public and say they more and if you don�*t a bailiff will be on your door. if you don't a bailiff will be on your door-— if you don't a bailiff will be on our door. . , . your door. thanks very much indeed, mr speaker— your door. thanks very much indeed, mr speaker and _ your door. thanks very much indeed, mr speaker and thanks _ your door. thanks very much indeed, mr speaker and thanks also - your door. thanks very much indeed, mr speaker and thanks also to i your door. thanks very much indeed, mr speaker and thanks also to the i mr speaker and thanks also to the secretary of space for a rights copy of the statement, not that we needed an advance copy because the secretary of state shared her thoughts with twitter. we all know the timing is to distract from the prime minister. the secretary of state claims this will protect pensioners from court cases and this is of course disingenuous nonsense. it was this conservative government which abolished the automatic free license fees for the over 75 is. if sentences are struggling with the current bbc fee rate of 43p a day imagine how they will cope with the cost of a netflix— sky subscription model. everybody knows it, lest programming is a greater cost. now, the secretary of state has spoken about exploring the options of the bbc but in reality, i expect, her mind is well made up. she let this slip in the select committee when she said to me, and i quote, how do i even know if the bbc is going to be going in ten years time? some custodian of public service broadcasted! the hostility towards the bbc in its future does not stem from a desire to protect pensioners but rather from a visceral loathing of the prime minister�*s predicts. now, the tory right hates the bbc almost as much as it takes channel 4. that is why the culture secretary, a doting finalist cereal loyalist is so determined to destroy both. she doesn�*t want to see fish in a guru murthy presents her channel 4 news or nick robinson, a former chair of the young conservatives no less, and only present on the today programme blame the prime ministerfor his present on the today programme blame the prime minister for his slippery apology. she knows, she not, that the tory right once the broadcast media to be as sycophantic as most of the print press, offering fawning adulation to their leader. if the bbc is felt and channel 4 privatised free speech will be the victim and we know, don�*t meet mr speaker, that the result will be yet more obsequious unquestioning news. mr obsequious unquestioning news. ie’i speaker, i obsequious unquestioning news. m speaker, i have no idea how anyone can make the leap from let�*s have a debate and discussion in this house for how the future of the bbc looks to privatisation. i have no further comment. we to privatisation. i have no further comment-— to privatisation. i have no further comment. . ., ., . ., ., comment. we now come to the chair of the select committee _ comment. we now come to the chair of the select committee julian _ comment. we now come to the chair of the select committee julian knight. i the select committee julian knight. mr speaker, speaking strictly personally i welcome the freeze and the overt commitment to the licence fee. nearly £160 is nothing to gary lineker that is a lot to our constituents. i am the house would like more details please to whether the licence fee. in 2020 will be phased out. the letter in my view gives the best chance of preserving the bbc�*s status national culture and how is moving to alternative funding model is going to work given first of all the positive broadband coverage, all technology like 3d being embedded in the system and with central government funding which has been muted can send up legally and also measure the key issue of impartiality. mr legally and also measure the key issue of impartiality. mr speaker, i thank my friend _ issue of impartiality. mr speaker, i thank my friend back _ issue of impartiality. mr speaker, i thank my friend back to _ issue of impartiality. mr speaker, i thank my friend back to his - issue of impartiality. mr speaker, i i thank my friend back to his comments and his support on the freeze. i just have to take issue there. 97% of homes in the uk have superfast broadband and, as i said, 97% of homes have super superfast broadband and we�*re rolling out gigabit. if we are in a house in config you can download five videos, five movies in five different rooms in the house. so we don�*t have a... and with regards to whether the licence fee will be phased out with the future funding model and what that will look like this discussion and analysis hasn�*t even begun but everybody in the house is to be house of those discussions and should be part of this discussions and will be and i imagine that the dcms select committee will be doing them of important work on this moving forward in terms of establishing a future funding medal and his work that will continue in the future. and his work that will continue in the future-— and his work that will continue in the future. ., ,, ~ ., ,, the future. thank you, mr speaker. secretary of — the future. thank you, mr speaker. secretary of state _ the future. thank you, mr speaker. secretary of state say _ the future. thank you, mr speaker. secretary of state say what - the future. thank you, mr speaker. secretary of state say what impact | secretary of state say what impact assessment she has done tells her about the impact that this change will have on households but if the fees were not increased but also on what the impact is going to be on services provided by the bbc as a consequence of these freezers on their income on top of a 31% of income over the past ten years and how that will affect the services provided by the bbc and how will they survive their plans for the bbc? mr they survive their plans for the bbc? ~ ,,, ., ~ ., ., ., bbc? mr speaker, we have negotiated with the bbc and — bbc? mr speaker, we have negotiated with the bbc and so _ bbc? mr speaker, we have negotiated with the bbc and so has _ bbc? mr speaker, we have negotiated with the bbc and so has my _ with the bbc and so has my predecessor over a period of time. the bbc will be meeting its mission and core purpose. in terms of impact assessment i think the most important impact assessment is that fewer families will end up important impact assessment is that fewerfamilies will end up in important impact assessment is that fewer families will end up in the magistrates�* court. like fewer families will end up in the magistrates' court.— fewer families will end up in the magistrates' court. like many of the best thin . s magistrates' court. like many of the best things in _ magistrates' court. like many of the best things in this _ magistrates' court. like many of the best things in this country, - magistrates' court. like many of the best things in this country, the i magistrates' court. like many of the best things in this country, the bbc| best things in this country, the bbc licence fee is something that may not work in theory but works really well in practice, as shown by very low levels of evasion. there are of course many alternative ways of funding it but as the select committee my right honourable friend refer to concluded last year the government... is either needs to come out with a strong alternative to the licence the that it can put to the licence the that it can put to parliament or strongly support the current model for at least the next chart of david, 2028 to 2038. does she have that alternative on offer? i does she have that alternative on offer? .. �* does she have that alternative on offer? ~ �* ., ., ., does she have that alternative on offer? ~' �* . . ., , offer? i think i'm above and for his contribution _ offer? i think i'm above and for his contribution and _ offer? i think i'm above and for his contribution and i _ offer? i think i'm above and for his contribution and i am _ offer? i think i'm above and for his contribution and i am afraid - offer? i think i'm above and for his contribution and i am afraid we i contribution and i am afraid we differ in our opinion and i think we have five or six years which is plenty of time to decide what the future funding model would look like. . ~' future funding model would look like. . ~ ~ future funding model would look like. . ~ future funding model would look like. ., ~ . like. thank you, mr speaker. we abolished the _ like. thank you, mr speaker. we abolished the radio _ like. thank you, mr speaker. we abolished the radio licence i like. thank you, mr speaker. we abolished the radio licence fee i like. thank you, mr speaker. we abolished the radio licence fee in 1979 and moved to a tv licence fee so i myself am loss against moving towards an internet licence fee or something like this but we need to know the details, the threshold, the amount of money that will be raised from those things. does the secretary of state accept that her announcement that this would be the last licence fee without going through the consultation first was reckless? mr through the consultation first was reckless? ~ ,, , ., ,, through the consultation first was reckless? ~ .«r through the consultation first was reckless? ~ reckless? mr speaker, as i said, in 2027 or 28 — reckless? mr speaker, as i said, in 2027 or 28 when _ reckless? mr speaker, as i said, in 2027 or 28 when it _ reckless? mr speaker, as i said, in 2027 or 28 when it starts _ reckless? mr speaker, as i said, in 2027 or 28 when it starts many i reckless? mr speaker, as i said, in 2027 or 28 when it starts many of. reckless? mr speaker, as i said, in i 2027 or 28 when it starts many of us may not even be here. we�*re talking six years away. i welcome my honourable friend�*s contribution and look forward to him being part of the debate of what we do in the future. ,, . ., ,., future. the select committee report that my honourable _ future. the select committee report that my honourable friend _ future. the select committee report that my honourable friend just i future. the select committee report that my honourable friend just refer| that my honourable friend just refer to acknowledges its very first recommendation the government will need to act to ensure public service broadcasting remain sustainable in today�*s global media marketplace in that sense i�*m very glad that we have having a debate even fight and... as to where it came from this weekend. and my right honourable friend given that the port is also clear the government need to have this credible view on an alternative licence fee might be and indeed we say what their visions for the future of public service broadcasting and ijust asked my right honourable friend what are her instincts as she kicks off this welcome national debate? 50 i instincts as she kicks off this welcome national debate? so i think my honourable _ welcome national debate? so i think my honourable friend _ welcome national debate? so i think my honourable friend for— welcome national debate? so i think my honourable friend for his - my honourable friend for his contribution. my instincts are let�*s start the discussion. let�*s have a look. this is where, this is what i�*m starting, mr speaker. unless, of course, members of the house would just like us to decide not have the debates and not have a discussion but that is where we are going. we�*re going to start that discussion, we are going to start that... well, the honourable lady is speaking from a sedentary position mr speaker which may be she would like to say and confirm, does she support the feed so might freeze to the licence fee? does she support a yes or no, not of a shake would be great. no, there we go, we have it there, no. —— note ora shake. sorry, mr speaker. thank you very much. despite the removal of the free licence fee for over 75 is being the result of her own parties actions the secretary of state�*s tweet yesterday indicated that her attack on the bbc was due to the over 75 is being threatened with prison sentences and bailiffs knocking on their doors. yet less than two weeks ago she told this house that no enforcement action has been taken against anyone over 75 years of age. i know, mr speaker, that the secretary of state would not make such claims are that evident so can she please now share with the house what data she found to support yesterday�*s comments? the to support yesterday's comments? iie: honourable lady linked to support yesterday's comments? i““ie: honourable lady linked directly between two different parts of my... when there is no direct link. it is just one of many reasons why i want to look at how we fund the great british institution moving forward in the future.— in the future. freeze the licence fee but the _ in the future. freeze the licence fee but the conversation - in the future. freeze the licence fee but the conversation over i in the future. freeze the licence l fee but the conversation over the future of the licence fee is far from over. what steps of the secretary of state take to protect the bbc�*s local services, services that those who paid for it watch and enjoy, before knives are sharpened within the bbc? 50. enjoy, before knives are sharpened within the bbc?— enjoy, before knives are sharpened within the bbc? so, the conversation hasn't actually _ within the bbc? so, the conversation hasn't actually started _ within the bbc? so, the conversation hasn't actually started and _ within the bbc? so, the conversation hasn't actually started and that... i hasn�*t actually started and that... my hasn�*t actually started and that... my friend... local radio is a very important point. someone made a point about local bbc news coverage. i would just say, many of us in our constituencies used to have lots of independent news coverage as well in the past which is no longer there which some may say the dominance of the bbc help to contribute to that but we haven�*t and i would urge my honourable friend he has a very important points to make and experiences of locally radio. i would urge him to be part of the discussion and to help anyone moving forward. . ., discussion and to help anyone moving forward. , ., , , discussion and to help anyone moving forward. . ., , , , , forward. growing up, my cousins overseas always _ forward. growing up, my cousins overseas always told _ forward. growing up, my cousins overseas always told me - forward. growing up, my cousins overseas always told me they i forward. growing up, my cousins i overseas always told me they listen to the bbc when i don like they want to the bbc when i don like they want to know the truth. i know that somewhere cold bbc brother because there are that many ex including myself as around. can you tell us where was this in the conservative manifesto? i also have fond members memories of her in my constituency on reality tv on channel 4 because it does hurt slashing public service broadcasting a buy to them to? absolute question. i�*m not going to conflate channel 4 to the bbc. i�*m here to talk about this element of the licence fee but the second part of the question... settlement of the licence fee, but... and i... the second part of the question... but i didn�*t, there was no... she made an important point about the bbc world service. and we have, the bbc has, will be able to promote the billions of pounds and billions of funding, £23 billion, it�*s receiving, it will still be able to meet its mission and purposes. my my right honourable friend must be right that the bbc can�*t stand still while the rest of the world moves along, but will she accept that when we think about the future funding of the bbc we have to consider both the content that is marketable and which is going to be commercially successful and the content that is not but which will act as the beacon she describes, notjust to this country back to the