which is pretty spice—y... ..by all accounts. good evening. in his first speech to the party conference as tory leader, rishi sunak said he is only too happy divide opinion — and seemingly his own party — if that's what it takes to put britain on a long—term path to success. but his first big change is to scrap the northern leg of h52, the high—speed railway that was supposed to link london with manchester — a decision his predecessor david cameron said the country would come to regret for years to come. perhaps after promising the north a programme for levelling up, it is a gamble the conservatives may come to regret much sooner. mr suank has also promised a new qualification for further education. that willl a—levels and the more vocational t—levels will be combined that will combine a—levels and the more vocational t—levels into one single qualification, which in future will be known as the advanced british standard. and to enhance the future, health, of the nation, he is proposing a progressive ban on smoking which would mean that today's 14—year—olds will never be legally eligible to buy a packet of cigarettes. we'll get the panels view on all those proposals but before we do that, let me play for you for the first the bit of the speech, that focused on the much trailed decison on hsz. i am ending this long—running saga. i am cancelling the rest of the h52 project. and in its place... applause ..and in its place, we will reinvest every single penny, £36 billion, in hundreds of new transport projects in the north and the midlands across the country. this means £36 billion of investment in the projects that will make a real difference across our nation. applause that descision has angered many. the mayor of greater manchester andy burnham told reporters it had been a "frustrating week". i don't see how you can take a plan that goes beyond the life of any individual government or goes beyond the interest of any one political party, given it goes all the way through the country, how you can take that plan and basically tear it up at a party conference. but i think we were entitled to better than what we've had. i think this city region was entitled to more respect than it's been given. i said the decision was brave — here is why it is a gamble in the north of the country where the conservatives took a slew of labour's red wall seats in the 2019 election. a survey found almost three quarters — or 72% — of the public already think london and the south east get much more money spent on them than the rest of the uk. that feeling is even stronger in the northern half of england where 83% agreed. nearly 69% of adults in the survey comissioned by the west midlands combined authority agreed that a "failure to complete hs2 would be a failure to level up the rest of the uk". as was proposed in the 2019 conservative manifesto. so where is the £36 billion for network going, spoiler alert, not all in the north. that money will be used for what he called _ that money will be used for what he called network north. this is a series— called network north. this is a series of— called network north. this is a series of transport projects across england~ — series of transport projects across england. here we see the previous hsz route — england. here we see the previous hsz route to end here bc, what was promised, _ hsz route to end here bc, what was promised, improved railways, bus and rail links_ promised, improved railways, bus and rail links across england. but what about _ rail links across england. but what about money behind it? we know that £198 _ about money behind it? we know that £19.8 billion will be allocated to the north. this will be used on projects— the north. this will be used on projects such as a new station in bradford — projects such as a new station in bradford for example at a new connection to manchester. it will not all_ connection to manchester. it will not all be — connection to manchester. it will not all be used in the north. in fact, _ not all be used in the north. in fact, the — not all be used in the north. in fact, the midlands will be given £98— fact, the midlands will be given £9.8 billion. this will be used on things— £9.8 billion. this will be used on things like — £9.8 billion. this will be used on things like improving connections between — things like improving connections between 50 local stations that will cost 517 _ between 50 local stations that will cost £1.7 billion. in the wider uk, there _ cost £1.7 billion. in the wider uk, there will— cost £1.7 billion. in the wider uk, there will be £6.5 billion allocated. spent on projects such as tletter— allocated. spent on projects such as better rail— allocated. spent on projects such as better rail routes between exeter and plymouth, also promised better access— and plymouth, also promised better access to _ and plymouth, also promised better access to dover on the a2. the government want to keep the £2 bus cap irr— government want to keep the £2 bus cap in england. he also found out interestingly that a 3p will be spent — interestingly that a 3p will be spent on pothole repairs. this is around — spent on pothole repairs. this is around 25% _ spent on pothole repairs. this is around 25% of the total allocated budget — around 25% of the total allocated budget. crucially, in addition to this budget, the government will also spend £12 billion and proving links between liverpool and manchester. that is not part of the network _ manchester. that is not part of the network north plan. 8.3 manchester. that is not part of the network north plan.— network north plan. 8.3 billion for othole, network north plan. 8.3 billion for pothole. there — network north plan. 8.3 billion for pothole, there was _ network north plan. 8.3 billion for pothole, there was pothole - network north plan. 8.3 billion for pothole, there was pothole on - network north plan. 8.3 billion for pothole, there was pothole on my role that would spoil all of that. justine, let me take you back to 2012 11 years justine, let me take you back to 201211 years ago when you were transport secretary and told the country in spite of the costs, this was the right decision. 0ur victorian predecessors would have had immense pride to see their railways providing massive benefit today, over 100 years later. but as a result of today's announcement, the railway revolution they started is happening again. your boss at the time, justine, david cameron says the country will regret it for some time. do you feel betrayed? i the country will regret it for some time. do you feel betrayed? i think it is a huge — time. do you feel betrayed? i think it is a huge mistake _ time. do you feel betrayed? i think it is a huge mistake for rishi - time. do you feel betrayed? i think it is a huge mistake for rishi sunak to cut high—speed to. there seems to be a misconception in number ten that the transport strategy was solely about connecting up cities. it was part of a much bigger strategy to connect up the uk. i think the second thing i heard the prime minister say today that i felt was a misunderstanding of the project, was that part of the reason it was being cancelled was because of covid and the impact on passenger numbers. the reality is, there was one leg of hs2 that was about adding capacity onto the west coast main line but the leg from birmingham to manchester was never about capacity, it was about econ activity and improving travel times and also about connecting the north and cities with this ability to have a broader integrated high—speed rail network. so i think it is a real mistake to cancel hs2 above birmingham in the same way i think it would have been a mistake to just have a motorway network that went to birmingham, ijust cannot understand how the government can think it can be credible on levelling up when it has taken such a dramatic decision today. has taken such a dramatic decision toda . . . has taken such a dramatic decision toda . ., , ,., ., today. the framing is important because when _ today. the framing is important because when i _ today. the framing is important because when i went _ today. the framing is important because when i went home - today. the framing is important because when i went home to l today. the framing is important l because when i went home to the north—west, which is an aerospace hub, of course they move a lot of stuff to the airports in the midlands and they looked towards the united states, the desperately need this high—speed network. and have talked about it for a long time. the concern you hear today is that from birmingham to manchester, the plan is for it to run along what is existing and that is the west coast main line. that will be the spine. if you imagine, that will be the top and, but as we know west coast main line is pretty old and it needs replacing, so how much can we trust the northern part of the spine is going to hold?— going to hold? exactly. it is deeply frustrating. — going to hold? exactly. it is deeply frustrating, promises _ going to hold? exactly. it is deeply frustrating, promises were - going to hold? exactly. it is deeply frustrating, promises were made l going to hold? exactly. it is deeplyl frustrating, promises were made on northern powerhouse rail, the connection between manchester and leeds. those were rolled back on. now we are hearing there is going to be more investment as someone who grew up in yorkshire, that leg was already cut. so it does really feel like every time there are savings to be made, they come out of the strategic projects that are really going to be able to transform the north. i think it is interesting today to see david cameron, the former pm come out very publicly after this decision and criticise. i guess the final point to make is, overnight, numberten guess the final point to make is, overnight, number ten was briefing out that this was going to be a new kind of politics and of the third years of politics in britain have failed and get to me this felt like just another political speech, it was almost gordon brown, the spending commitments to various communities but i think there is an open question about what is the overriding vision that rishi sunak has for this country. in particular, how people tried levelling up in the north. �* . . v how people tried levelling up in the north. ., ., �*, . north. amanda, it's infrastructure week. it north. amanda, it's infrastructure week- it was _ north. amanda, it's infrastructure week. it was always _ north. amanda, it's infrastructure| week. it was always infrastructure week. it was always infrastructure week in the united states, was not? there is an issue here and that is the ballooning of the costs, three times over what was forecasted regionally. there is another issue, we will talk about what is happening in the us house of representatives shortly, but if you look at the markets today, bond prices are starting to rise. the interest payments on the spending or the debt that our two countries have is starting to climb and i think the chancellor obviously sees that, the reason he cannot cut taxes in the uk. and it is the reason why in both our countries these big infrastructure spends become problematic. taste infrastructure spends become problematic.— infrastructure spends become problematic. we have seen this ha en problematic. we have seen this happen also _ problematic. we have seen this happen also in _ problematic. we have seen this happen also in the _ problematic. we have seen this happen also in the united - problematic. we have seen this| happen also in the united states problematic. we have seen this - happen also in the united states and the 0bama administration, there was a bi- the 0bama administration, there was a big effort— the 0bama administration, there was a big effort for high—speed rail, connecting different regions of the country. _ connecting different regions of the country, some of that went forward, some _ country, some of that went forward, some of— country, some of that went forward, some of it _ country, some of that went forward, some of it did not. it required a state _ some of it did not. it required a state additional investment. certainly, the biggest news for many years— certainly, the biggest news for many years in— certainly, the biggest news for many years in the — certainly, the biggest news for many years in the state of california is the high—speed rail here. it's on the high—speed rail here. it's on the same — the high—speed rail here. it's on the same thing for certain pieces .ot the same thing for certain pieces got cut— the same thing for certain pieces got cut off. i will say, the people spoke _ got cut off. i will say, the people spoke and — got cut off. i will say, the people spoke and said, we want at least a piece _ spoke and said, we want at least a piece of— spoke and said, we want at least a piece of what high—speed rail. i think— piece of what high—speed rail. i think the — piece of what high—speed rail. i think the biggest issue and politics i’ilht think the biggest issue and politics right now— think the biggest issue and politics right now is that people do not have the patience to wait. —— base. people — the patience to wait. —— base. people are _ the patience to wait. —— base. people are worried if this will really— people are worried if this will really come to fruition so people are seeing — really come to fruition so people are seeing infrastructure projects under— are seeing infrastructure projects under the — are seeing infrastructure projects under the bite and administration were _ under the bite and administration were how— under the bite and administration were how can you quickly get wins to prove _ were how can you quickly get wins to prove whether you're driving down the street — prove whether you're driving down the street or railway today and i think— the street or railway today and i think that — the street or railway today and i think that the sum of the unfortunate realities were partisan politics— unfortunate realities were partisan politics have left us because if you are up _ politics have left us because if you are up for— politics have left us because if you are up for election and you're one of your— are up for election and you're one of your presidency, you really cannot— of your presidency, you really cannot build out those long—term projects — cannot build out those long—term projects. people want to see the pothole — projects. people want to see the pothole down the street fixed. people — pothole down the street fixed. people want to see the railway get a little bit _ people want to see the railway get a little bit nicer or a little bit better _ little bit nicer or a little bit better. it is harder to have the patience — better. it is harder to have the patience to go, if we just wait a decade. — patience to go, if we just wait a decade, we will have this high—speed rail. decade, we will have this high—speed rail in _ decade, we will have this high—speed rail i'miust— decade, we will have this high—speed rail. i'mjust not decade, we will have this high—speed rail. i'm just not sure the people, whether— rail. i'm just not sure the people, whether it — rail. i'm just not sure the people, whether it is _ rail. i'm just not sure the people, whether it is there or here in the united _ whether it is there or here in the united states, have that kind of patience — united states, have that kind of patience and trust in government to wait for— patience and trust in government to wait for those reports. and i think that is— wait for those reports. and i think that is was— wait for those reports. and i think that is was difficult when you think about— that is was difficult when you think about levelling up a country's a company — about levelling up a country's a company or even a states economy. the big — company or even a states economy. the big difference is that there are big sweeping roads in america, state to state. and the united kingdom we do not have that. our roads are already chopped up with freight and articulated lorries moving north particularly on that link from liverpool to hold. can you have a modern—day economy without a fast speed line going through the country —— hull. i speed line going through the country -- hull. ~' . . speed line going through the country -- hull. ~' , ., ., speed line going through the country -- hull. ~ , ., ., ., ~ -- hull. i think it is hard to make what is a — -- hull. i think it is hard to make what is a victorian _ -- hull. i think it is hard to make what is a victorian classic - -- hull. i think it is hard to make| what is a victorian classic network and if he had taken this attitude back then in victorian times, none of our railways would have ever been built. there would have been someone in treasury with a spreadsheet that or whatever they had, saying, this is old —— all far too expensive. the reality is you have to plan and on the classic network we have put more train and carriages on trains and there comes a time when it is just full. now is the time we have reached. that is what we took a decision in the cameron government that we had to strategically invest in the second leg, but also that we should take that opportunity to do a proper high—speed rail line as we see across so much of the rest of europe to connect up those northern cities. it was not the only thing that we needed to do to rebalance the economy. but it was one of the key infrastructure decisions that we needed. i think the conservatives will i think live to regret backing off that promise to deliver on hs2 and i think it will be much harder to convince people that these other areas and projects are going to be delivered when we have seen such a strategic project taken off of the table. with actually very little consultation with all of the mariners and that committee and in spite of the obvious opposition to this position —— mayor. spite of the obvious opposition to this position -- mayor.— this position -- mayor. trust is certainly _ this position -- mayor. trust is certainly an _ this position -- mayor. trust is certainly an issue _ this position -- mayor. trust is certainly an issue because - this position -- mayor. trust is certainly an issue because all. this position -- mayor. trust is| certainly an issue because all of the money we will not fully be divested until 2040. we have seen promises and what has happened to them that are 13 years old and that is what a lot of people will be thinking about. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. police are investigating possible corporate manslaughter at the hospital where child serial killer lucy letby worked. the former nurse, 33, was found guilty in august of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others at the countess of chester hospital. a safeguarding review will take place into the death of sara sharif. the 10—year—old's body was found at her home in woking on the 10th august. herfather, stepmother and uncle appeared at the old bailey, last month, they will face a murder trial next autumn. laurence fox has been sacked by gb news after an outcry about comments he made on air about a female journalist. the former actor and political activist sparked controversy last week when he asked what "self—respecting man" would "climb into bed" with ava evans. new analysis shows petrol and diesel prices surged last month, as the rising cost of oil hit drivers at the pumps. figures from the motoring firm rac show a litre of petroljumped by an average of 4.5 pence. you're watching bbc news. let's turn to this proposed ban on smoking. amanda, this is a straight lift from new zealand's decision last year to ban the next generation from ever being able to buy cigarettes. a progressive band that would mean today's14—year—olds would never be legally entitled to buy cigarettes. is that something that would float in the united states? i is that something that would float in the united states?— in the united states? i think in some states — in the united states? i think in some states it _ in the united states? i think in some states it would _ in the united states? i think in some states it would but - in the united states? i think in i some states it would but overall, people _ some states it would but overall, people are — some states it would but overall, people are beginning to become comfortable not having smoking areas and certainly in the state of california, that would be something probably— california, that would be something probably welcomes. but largely, you are beginning to see people move away— are beginning to see people move away from — are beginning to see people move away from smoking here more than i think i_ away from smoking here more than i think i saw— away from smoking here more than i think i saw when i was visiting the uk. think i saw when i was visiting the uk it— think i saw when i was visiting the uk. it really was a huge campaign here to _ uk. it really was a huge campaign here to get the young people, when those _ here to get the young people, when those laws — here to get the young people, when those laws came into place, to get young _ those laws came into place, to get young people to really move forward and say, _ young people to really move forward and say, we — young people to really move forward and say, we should stop this. i will say is _ and say, we should stop this. i will say is vaping — and say, we should stop this. i will say is vaping has been on the rise here~ _ say is vaping has been on the rise here there — say is vaping has been on the rise here. there has been a lot of discussion— here. there has been a lot of discussion about that so there is a question of— discussion about that so there is a question of if you been one thing, does _ question of if you been one thing, does it— question of if you been one thing, does it move people to the next? that part — does it move people to the next? that part has been harder to really regulate _ that part has been harder to really regulate in — that part has been harder to really regulate in that same kind of way and that— regulate in that same kind of way and that has been a lot of the discussion here in the us about what young _ discussion here in the us about what young people are doing now that they are not— young people are doing now that they are not smoking cigarettes as much. are you _ are not smoking cigarettes as much. are you seeing higher levels of the pin, cannabis and other options that are now— pin, cannabis and other options that are now available. —— vapes. let pin, cannabis and other options that are now available. -- vapes.- are now available. -- vapes. let me 'ust are now available. -- vapes. let me just compare _ are now available. -- vapes. let me just compare our — are now available. -- vapes. let me just compare our two _ are now available. -- vapes. let me just compare our two countries - are now available. -- vapes. let me| just compare our two countries when it comes to tobacco. in the last yearin it comes to tobacco. in the last year in the uk 12.9% of people aged 18 years or over smoke cigarettes around 6.4 million. e—cigarette use was highest amongst 816—24 years, using daily or occasional vaper has increased. in the us there is an estimated 28.3 million people in the us. in 2022, one in ten or one and 2.5 million middle and high school students used e—cigarette steadily points to that issue that amanda was talking about. the difficulty with this is how do you police it. first of all, as soon a you band something, as soon as you have prohibition there is a black market. people still buy these things and the government does not patrol them, the government loses taxation. more than that, you have —— will have a situation soon where you will have middle aged adults one can go to the pub and buy cigarettes and one cannot.— and one cannot. how'd you police that? i and one cannot. how'd you police that? i think _ and one cannot. how'd you police that? i think many _ and one cannot. how'd you police that? i think many people - and one cannot. how'd you police that? i think many people will. that? i think many people will probably welcomes what the prime minister has a today and it feels to me like it is sensible to progressively raise the age. it needs to go hand—in—hand with stronger action on vapes and we have seen a very young people getting essentially addicted to vapes and having them as part of their life. we note that there are health dis— benefits for that. so i think it will have to go hand—in—hand with some enforcement, better education, you can't do not on its own. i was part of a parliament that was voting to ban smoking in public places. those of us the much more straightforward in terms of how it was going to be policed. but it forced a culture _ was going to be policed. but it forced a culture change, - was going to be policed. but itj forced a culture change, didn't was going to be policed. but it forced a culture change, didn't it? that undoubtably forced a culture change. people, you would see something out of you saw people smoking in a pub.— something out of you saw people smoking in a pub. absolutely and we all member going — smoking in a pub. absolutely and we all member going out _ smoking in a pub. absolutely and we all member going out to _ smoking in a pub. absolutely and we all member going out to the - smoking in a pub. absolutely and we all member going out to the pub - smoking in a pub. absolutely and we all member going out to the pub and then you would get up the next day and have to wash all of your close because this melt so much. so i think it is different to that i think it is different to that i think the prime minister is right to put it on the table but it will need careful thought. put it on the table but it will need carefulthought. it put it on the table but it will need careful thought. it will need to be donein careful thought. it will need to be done in the round action on vaping. i remember that, they would throw on the light in it was all yellow wallpaper. since we havejustine with us and she was of course a former education secretary we should talk about his education plan. let's listen to what he said first and then we will get your thoughts. students don't spend enough time in the classroom. a quarter of our children leave education without the basic literacy and numeracy they need to fulfil their potential. and, our students study to narrow a range of subjects. today, i am changing all of that. pulling one of the biggest levers we have to change the direction of our country. quickly here, justine took us who want to get into what's happening in america, you campaign for equality, there is a attitude among some employers around t—levels and vocational skills and qualifications, do you think this might help, those who are from a less advantaged by can't get into the workplace? i less advantaged by can't get into the workplace?— less advantaged by can't get into the workplace? i think it is a very lona the workplace? i think it is a very long term — the workplace? i think it is a very long term plan — the workplace? i think it is a very long term plan for _ the workplace? i think it is a very long term plan for government i the workplace? i think it is a very i long term plan for government and the workplace? i think it is a very - long term plan for government and in fact probably the most important thing in the short term is to get on with introducing t—levels which are still very new exams. i think in relation to employers, there has been a real adoption of more apprenticeship so i think there is a steady shift under way that actually is getting that what we want to see. it will be interesting to see more details from the government on what this new qualification will exactly it looks like and how it will obviously be introduce. more teachers will be needed for it. this teachers will be needed for it. as ou teachers will be needed for it. as you say at the moment, when you look at the recruitment statistic of 48% short of where we should be. that is clearly going to be a challenge. let's talk about kevin mccarthy because he is the first speaker in us history to be ejected from the chair. which underscores with the republican party has become in the age of donald trump. the the party emblem is an elephant, the symbol of strength and steadiness, but they have evolved this past ten years into a party riven by division, led by ideologues, defined by ever more worrying extremes. and their unwillingness to walk away from donald trump, who on the very same day was placed under a gag order in new york, poses a further threat to the smooth running of american government. yes, a search is under way to replace mccarthy, but it won't happen quickly. the house is on recess for a week and it could tak some time to find someone who can command a stable majority. here's what kevin mccarthy had to say last night after the vote was counted. my fear is the institution fell today. because you can't do the job if eight people — you have 94%, or 96% of your entire caucus, but eight people can partner with the whole other side. how do you govern? this evening president biden also weighed in, and expressed his concen over the threat this poses to continued funding for ukraine. more than anything we need to change the poisonous atmosphere in washington. you know, we have strong disagreements, but we need to stop seeing each other as enemies. i know there are a majority of members of the house and senate, in both parties, who have said that they support funding ukraine. i'm going to be announcing very shortly a major speech i'm going to make on this issue, and why it is critically important for the united states and our allies that we keep our commitment. amanda, the people's assembly paralyse. we've already talked what degree that is forcing up bond prices notjust in america but perhaps around the world as well. the big picture here is that the united states is the world leader in so many areas. if there is a crisis, who is taking the decisions? this is a new territory. _ who is taking the decisions? this is a new territory, a _ who is taking the decisions? this is a new territory, a new— who is taking the decisions? this is a new territory, a new path - who is taking the decisions? this is a new territory, a new path for - who is taking the decisions? this is a new territory, a new path for us. | a new territory, a new path for us. in a new territory, a new path for us. in terms— a new territory, a new path for us. in terms of. — a new territory, a new path for us. in terms of, where the house of representatives are. what i will say is you _ representatives are. what i will say is you can _ representatives are. what i will say is you can look to the senate who is actually _ is you can look to the senate who is actually increased their bipartisanship. i think what you will see — bipartisanship. i think what you will see over the coming weeks is, who can _ will see over the coming weeks is, who can actually bring together the entire _ who can actually bring together the entire republican party. the hard part here — entire republican party. the hard part here is democrats do not actually — part here is democrats do not actually have an ability to influence the rules when it is a majority— influence the rules when it is a majority party, republican party leading — majority party, republican party leading the way. even house speaker mccarthy— leading the way. even house speaker mccarthy could not work with the democrats because he would get fired and/or— democrats because he would get fired and/or he _ democrats because he would get fired and/or he just did not have the capacity— and/or he just did not have the capacity to lead in that way. so we are redefining what leadership actually— are redefining what leadership actually means in the house of representatives. but there is no doubt _ representatives. but there is no doubt everyone looking into this, it is a precarious time for how does the country— is a precarious time for how does the country move forward on some of these _ the country move forward on some of these key— the country move forward on some of these key items. i hope i have, again. — these key items. i hope i have, again. is— these key items. i hope i have, again, is that you see the senate stepping — again, is that you see the senate stepping up in a different kind of weight— stepping up in a different kind of weight throughout the debt negotiations and you will continue to see _ negotiations and you will continue to see the — negotiations and you will continue to see the senate take a very important and big leadership role and the _ important and big leadership role and the white house has a pretty good _ and the white house has a pretty good relationship. ithink and the white house has a pretty good relationship. i think that will .et good relationship. i think that will get stronger because we will need that in— get stronger because we will need that in a _ get stronger because we will need that in a house that is as tumultuous as it is right now. it's new _ tumultuous as it is right now. it's new. ., ,., ., new. the reason it will not get solved quickly _ new. the reason it will not get solved quickly is _ new. the reason it will not get solved quickly is because - new. the reason it will not get - solved quickly is because whoever doesn't step forward, steve scalise, the majority leader in the house has said he is up for despite the fact that he's being treated for blood cancer, he said he's up for it. he has to know that he has a stable majority. ticket through, and 42 days' time, a new spending bill to keep government open, before we even talk about ukraine spending, does he have the assurance or could he say, if it's increased spending we will do this all over again, matt gaetz. it will be interesting to see in particular— it will be interesting to see in particular how he navigates the situation — particular how he navigates the situation because it will be a big test in _ situation because it will be a big test in 42 — situation because it will be a big test in 42 days. everyone was expecting _ test in 42 days. everyone was expecting a shutdown. the truth is, people _ expecting a shutdown. the truth is, people were preparing, agencies all across— people were preparing, agencies all across the _ people were preparing, agencies all across the administration were already— across the administration were already working on those plans. so i think— already working on those plans. so i think you _ already working on those plans. so i think you have quite a few people ready for. — think you have quite a few people ready for, will there be a shutdown, do we _ ready for, will there be a shutdown, do we need — ready for, will there be a shutdown, do we need to go to a shutdown in order— do we need to go to a shutdown in order to _ do we need to go to a shutdown in order to then be able to negotiate in every— order to then be able to negotiate in every way across the different parties — in every way across the different parties. this is a big test for us. so in _ parties. this is a big test for us. so in 42 — parties. this is a big test for us. so in 42 days, people will be tuning in. so in 42 days, people will be tuning in but— so in 42 days, people will be tuning in but i_ so in 42 days, people will be tuning in but i will— so in 42 days, people will be tuning in. but i will say is, but i do is there — in. but i will say is, but i do is there is— in. but i will say is, but i do is there is generally, people want to .et there is generally, people want to get out _ there is generally, people want to get out for the holidays. that is how the — get out for the holidays. that is how the last shutdown got killed. thanksgiving is a book and and it definitely helps. no question about that. we will go to a short break but will make about who will talk about a dividing issue in america, migration and a summit to take place tomorrow in mexico. and that new come documentary which i have not get seen. hoping one of our panelists might have. stay with us. hello. for many of us, it's been quite a cloudy day and across scotland, really quite wet, persistent rain, particularly in the west and also in the highlands, through the central lowlands. here's that weather front. really overcast here, but to the south, the clouds have been a little more broken, some bright spells and just the odd shower. the forecast for this evening, then — that band of rain is starting to fizzle away early in the morning on thursday, but the next weather front is approaching. north of that weather front, quite chilly in the north and the east of scotland, around 4 degrees in aberdeen, but to the south with the south—westerly winds, it's going to be rather humid in the morning — temperatures around double figures in most towns and cities. so, here's the weather map for thursday. high pressure trying to build in from the south, with the warm southerlies coming our way. but, before that happens, this weatherfront, this bulk of cloud and damp weather, if not wet weather, needs to sweep through, initially through northern ireland, wales, then northern england gets the rain and also scotland. despite the cloud and the rain, 17 in belfast, 18 in hull, but in the south and the south—east, this is where the best of the weather will be on thursday and thursday evening, and temperatures mayjust nudge up to about 20 celsius. again, thursday evening, overall, a lot of cloud. we have to wait for that warm southerly to develop, at least till friday. still rain in the north—west of the country, so not warm and sunny everywhere by any means. in fact, that sunshine is probably going to be reserved for the southern half of the uk, but still, temperatures nearly 20 degrees in belfast and newcastle on friday, about 22 or so in the south. and here's the all—important weekend. so, the weather fronts and all the rain—bearing cloud, that's moving northwards, whereas to the south, high pressure is building. now, the north of scotland, it's a different wind direction here, it'll be colder — stornoway only 12 celsius. but look at northern ireland — the bulk of england and wales all in the 20s, perhaps as high as the mid—20s in the south of the country. that is around 10 degrees above the average for this time in october. scotland, though, in the north, will be closer to the seasonal norm. look at this outlook for cardiff, for london. it looks like the middle of summer. in belfast, also the high teens, possibly exceeding 20 celsius at some point during the weekend. that's it for me. have a good evening. hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. and a new documentary about one of the most famous couples in the world — david and victoria beckham has come out. it's called, appropriately enough — beckham.