migrated over to the cabinet office. yep. migrated over to the cabinet office. ye -. �* migrated over to the cabinet office. ye . _ �* ., , migrated over to the cabinet office. ye -. ~ ., , ., yep. and at the beginning of the pandemic. _ yep. and at the beginning of the pandemic. it _ yep. and at the beginning of the pandemic, it was _ yep. and at the beginning of the pandemic, it was the _ yep. and at the beginning of the pandemic, it was the disability i pandemic, it was the disability unit, and then by september 2020, if i understand your written evidence, it became part of the equality help. is that a fair summary? yes, it became part of the equality help. is that a fair summary?— is that a fair summary? yes, it is. and the equality _ is that a fair summary? yes, it is. and the equality help, _ is that a fair summary? yes, it is. and the equality help, as - is that a fair summary? yes, it is. and the equality help, as an - and the equality help, as an umbrella, covered discipline to unit, race disparity unit, and also the government equalities office. yep. the government equalities office. ye -. �* , , the government equalities office. ye. �* , , ., the government equalities office. ye. , , ., yep. and there is is of course a minister for— yep. and there is is of course a minister for equality. _ yep. and there is is of course a minister for equality. that's - yep. and there is is of course a i minister for equality. that's right. and our minister for equality. that's right. and your role _ minister for equality. that's right. and your role was _ minister for equality. that's right. and your role was to _ minister for equality. that's right. and your role was to assist - minister for equality. that's right. and your role was to assist with l and your role was to assist with that migration.— and your role was to assist with that migration. yep. perhaps you may have not heard _ that migration. yep. perhaps you may have not heard but lord sedwill touched on the rationale behind perhaps why the discipline to unit was brought into existence and brought into the cabinet office, and see if you agree with this, the rationale was to bring some stubble at the to coverage of those interests, to counterbalance ministerial change or turn, not his words. that is the context we've had, perhaps you could tell your understanding of...? mr; understanding of...? my understanding _ understanding of...? my understanding and my recollection is, understanding and my recollection is. cabinet — understanding and my recollection is, cabinet office is the eyes and ears _ is, cabinet office is the eyes and ears of— is, cabinet office is the eyes and ears of the — is, cabinet office is the eyes and ears of the machinery of government, and whilst _ ears of the machinery of government, and whilst i _ ears of the machinery of government, and whilst i was based in dwp, any stakeholder engagement would invariably bring up issues that were beyond _ invariably bring up issues that were beyond dwp tuners go and responsibility, and it was more efficient— responsibility, and it was more efficient from a cabinet office ahgte — efficient from a cabinet office angle to — efficient from a cabinet office angle to then go and chase up the relevant _ angle to then go and chase up the relevant departments to either flag the issue. — relevant departments to either flag the issue, sick resolution et cetera _ the issue, sick resolution et cetera. and so it was a move i was very— cetera. and so it was a move i was very supportive. —— seek resolution. and also— very supportive. —— seek resolution. and also being part of the equality help and also being part of the equality hetp also— and also being part of the equality help also made sense because there was a _ help also made sense because there was a lot— help also made sense because there was a tot of— help also made sense because there was a lot of co—working, particularly around data and sharing that. particularly around data and sharing that so _ particularly around data and sharing that so it— particularly around data and sharing that. so it made sense. it was a differeht— that. so it made sense. it was a different building, so as a minister there _ different building, so as a minister there was— different building, so as a minister there was the inconvenience of being spread _ there was the inconvenience of being spread across two but i absolutely understood the decision behind that and understood the decision behind that ahd it— understood the decision behind that and it was— understood the decision behind that and it was one i supported. and understood the decision behind that and it was one i supported.- and it was one i supported. and in terms of your— and it was one i supported. and in terms of your role, _ and it was one i supported. and in terms of your role, you _ and it was one i supported. and in terms of your role, you had - terms of your role, you had oversight of the disability unit, did you have direct responsibility for the disability unit? yes, though it did sit within, — for the disability unit? yes, though it did sit within, ultimately - for the disability unit? yes, though it did sit within, ultimately within l it did sit within, ultimately within the equality hub, which was the responsibility of a different secretary of state to my own. so, i would _ secretary of state to my own. so, i would not — secretary of state to my own. so, i would not have done the operational, day-to-day_ would not have done the operational, day—to—day things, but certainly in any stakeholder engagement, the disability unit would have been present. — disability unit would have been present, and they would have taken the responsibility of chasing that ”p the responsibility of chasing that up with— the responsibility of chasing that up with the relevant departments, relevant _ up with the relevant departments, relevant ministers. and i have to say they— relevant ministers. and i have to say they were an impressive unit who were very. _ say they were an impressive unit who were very, very efficient at taking up were very, very efficient at taking up any— were very, very efficient at taking up any of— were very, very efficient at taking up any of the challenges and issues that were _ up any of the challenges and issues that were raised. the up any of the challenges and issues that were raised.— that were raised. the last aspect of this art that were raised. the last aspect of this part one _ that were raised. the last aspect of this part one of— that were raised. the last aspect of this part one of your _ that were raised. the last aspect of this part one of your evidence - that were raised. the last aspect of this part one of your evidence is, i this part one of your evidence is, with two hats on, you are now outside government... with two hats on, you are now outside government. . .- with two hats on, you are now outside government... yep. and with lessons learned, on how we can improve things going forward, with that mindset, do you think, was there, at the time, or looking back, a drawback that you were a minister, not a minister of state, in the dwp and not a minister within the cabinet office?— and not a minister within the cabinet office? �* ~ ., , cabinet office? and i think that is fair to dig into _ cabinet office? and i think that is fair to dig into because _ cabinet office? and i think that is fair to dig into because i - cabinet office? and i think that is fair to dig into because i have - fair to dig into because i have looked — fair to dig into because i have looked at _ fair to dig into because i have looked at many of the submissions that have _ looked at many of the submissions that have come in and this has been raised _ that have come in and this has been raised and — that have come in and this has been raised. and it's a difficult... i can't — raised. and it's a difficult... i can't give _ raised. and it's a difficult... i can't give a _ raised. and it's a difficult... i can't give a definitive answer because _ can't give a definitive answer because there are advantages and disadvantages. disability benefits is £156 _ disadvantages. disability benefits is {13.6 billion, at the time of covid. — is £13.6 billion, at the time of covid. it— is {13.6 billion, at the time of covid. it is— is {13.6 billion, at the time of covid, it is greater now, 2.1 million _ covid, it is greater now, 2.1 million people. and so, for many people _ million people. and so, for many people with disabilities and long—term health conditions, that would _ long—term health conditions, that would be — long—term health conditions, that would be the absolute priority for a minister. _ would be the absolute priority for a minister, because if financial stability— minister, because if financial stability was not in place, the consequences could be catastrophic. but counter to that, cabinet office is better— but counter to that, cabinet office is better placed across government work because it is the eyes and engines — work because it is the eyes and engines. so i cannot give a definitive answer because there is advantages and disadvantages to bothi _ advantages and disadvantages to both, both can work, but having stepped — both, both can work, but having stepped out, i think probably a disability— stepped out, i think probably a disability minister probably would be better placed in cabinet office and i_ be better placed in cabinet office and i think disability benefits can be run _ and i think disability benefits can be run still from dwp as part of the wider— be run still from dwp as part of the wider benefits but there would be some _ wider benefits but there would be some downside to that because there would _ some downside to that because there would be _ some downside to that because there would be less focus. 30, some downside to that because there would be less focus.— would be less focus. so, what would we would have _ would be less focus. so, what would we would have in _ would be less focus. so, what would we would have in this _ would be less focus. so, what would we would have in this alternative - we would have in this alternative structure would be a minister for equalities which ideally would be somebody who is a secretary of state. 50 at cabinet office level, and then underneath that, the minister for that abilities, and then underneath that, the ministerfor that abilities, and minister for that abilities, and then ministerfor that abilities, and then with liaison between the minister of disabilities and the dwp to ensure the important financial support remains?— to ensure the important financial support remains?- last - to ensure the important financial support remains? yeah. last point in terms ofyour— support remains? yeah. last point in terms of your involvement _ support remains? yeah. last point in terms of your involvement during the covid response. as a minister of state but not a cabinet secretary of state. it is right, isn't it, that you, on the whole, there are some exceptions which we will turn to, you did not attend cobra, cabinet or ministerial implementation groups or the covid—o groups, overall that was the covid—o groups, overall that was the position? the covid-o groups, overall that was the position?— the position? yep, that's right. there are _ the position? yep, that's right. there are exceptions, - the position? yep, that's right. there are exceptions, which . the position? yep, that's right. i there are exceptions, which we the position? yep, that's right. - there are exceptions, which we will turn to. in terms of the interests of disabled people, how were they represented and raised at cobra, at the relative covid—o or mig? 50, the relative covid-o or mig? so, there are a _ the relative covid—0 or mig? so, there are a number of strands, first of all— there are a number of strands, first of all nty— there are a number of strands, first of all my secretary of state to raise — of all my secretary of state to raise coffee was exceptionally hard working. _ raise coffee was exceptionally hard working, took her role very seriously, _ working, took her role very seriously, so she was keen to attend cobra _ seriously, so she was keen to attend cobra as— seriously, so she was keen to attend cobra as the — seriously, so she was keen to attend cobra as the senior member of the department. she would have daily meetings, so, all ministers within dwp _ meetings, so, all ministers within dwp could — meetings, so, all ministers within dwp could flag issues. was very receptive — dwp could flag issues. was very receptive to issues being raised which _ receptive to issues being raised which she — receptive to issues being raised which she would then take up if they needed _ which she would then take up if they needed to— which she would then take up if they needed to be. there were occasions where _ needed to be. there were occasions where i_ needed to be. there were occasions where i attended where there were specific _ where i attended where there were specific disability... we where i attended where there were specific disability. . ._ specific disability... we are listening — specific disability... we are listening to _ specific disability... we are listening to justin - specific disability... we are i listening to justin tomlinson, listening tojustin tomlinson, former list of state for disabled people, work and health, giving evidence to the code inquiry which is taking place in central london. earlier we heard from the phobe former cabinet secretary mark sedwill who was the chief civil servant during that period. you can follow develop months on the live pages on our website now i am going to hand you back to my colleague. situation in gaza is increasingly dire, with the number of aid trucks entering no any other numbers which are needed. the un said this week that 569 aid trucks had entered gaza since the 21st of october but aid agencies say many more are required. 50 agencies say many more are required. so far most aid has been entering overland via the rafah crossing which connects southern gaza to egypt. to discuss this further i am nowjoined by hannah bond, the deputy director of advocacy at the international charity actionaid uk, which works in the gaza strip. thanks very much forjoining us. we've been reporting that israel has temporarily opened what it says is a safe corridor, how if at all does this impact the ability to get aid into places in gaza which desperately need it? into places in gaza which deseratel need it? ., . desperately need it? thanks so much for having me- _ desperately need it? thanks so much for having me. the _ desperately need it? thanks so much for having me. the aid _ desperately need it? thanks so much for having me. the aid is _ desperately need it? thanks so much for having me. the aid is absolutely l for having me. the aid is absolutely essential in gaza at the moment. as you said, 569 trucks have gone insofar, they are prior to the 7th of october, there were 500 a day, so in a month we have seen in a month what previously we were seeing per day. so, it's absolutely essential that that gets in, people need food but they need water, in order to survive, and of course medical supplies, because the bombardment has been so significant that all of those things are absolutely necessary and they needed not only to get in but to be able to get across the gaza strip. and to get in but to be able to get across the gaza strip. and hannah, what are your _ across the gaza strip. and hannah, what are your colleagues _ across the gaza strip. and hannah, what are your colleagues on - across the gaza strip. and hannah, what are your colleagues on the - what are your colleagues on the ground saying to you and how are they doing as well?— they doing as well? yeah, so, we have both — they doing as well? yeah, so, we have both colleagues _ they doing as well? yeah, so, we have both colleagues and - they doing as well? yeah, so, we have both colleagues and partneri have both colleagues and partner organisations in gaza, communication is really difficult, some days it is very much about their safety, of course, people's survival is absolutely essential at the moment, so there was supplies that i already mentioned, around water and fuel and food, are in really desperate supply now. we are seeing dehydration, we're seeing malnutrition. you imagine if that was your children or yourfamily, in desperate need for water, in desperate need for food, and thatjust not coming in and not coming in at the sufficient levels. and of course there are so many needs that you have described there, hannah, what are the priorities in terms of what you would load onto a truck that is waiting to get in from the rafah crossing into gaza? fuel is absolutely _ the rafah crossing into gaza? hat is absolutely essential, so, no fuel has gone in yet whatsoever. on any of those trucks that we have already spoken about. fuel is important of course for bakeries, bakeries are a cornerstone of palestinian life, they need to be able to run, and they need to be able to run, and they need to be able to run, and they need fuel to run. you need fuel to cook from but also you need fuel to cook from but also you need fuel to run hospitals. 16 hospitals have already closed and other hospitals are on the brink of closure, warning that that could happen at any minute. you need that for incubators, for example, imagine if you have a small baby who needs critical care and the fueljust isn't there my doctors are literally operating under the light of a phone, in order to do really, really needed operations, and that fuel is absolutely essential, but it has to go alongside water, it has to go alongside food and it needs to go alongside food and it needs to go alongside medical supplies. had a bond from actionaid, _ alongside medical supplies. had a bond from actionaid, thank- alongside medical supplies. had a bond from actionaid, thank you very much for bringing us up—to—date on the situation on the ground in gaza. now, there are still thousands of palestinian civilians living in the northern part of gaza, where the israeli military operation and the fighting with hamas has been at its most intense. during the conflict the israeli authorities have advised civilians to move out but many of those who thought moving further south would be safe, in some cases they have heard that their homes have been destroyed and their neighbours killed. we can now go live to dr abdul qadir hammad, a transplant surgeon based at the royal liverpool hospital, who has just returned from gaza, having arrived there on the 6th of october, to train fellow doctors. thank you so much forjoining us here on the bbc. you are now back in liverpool but it has been a very traumatic few weeks for you, first of all, just tell as how you are doing and about how you were able to leave? goad how you were able to leave? good afternoon- — how you were able to leave? good afternoon- it _ how you were able to leave? good afternoon. it has _ how you were able to leave? good afternoon. it has been _ how you were able to leave? good afternoon. it has been a _ how you were able to leave? (ems afternoon. it has been a terrible four weeks in gaza, with continuous air strikes and shelling just across the road from where we are. so, i'm naturally very relieved to be back home with my family, but still, i can't remove from my thoughts those who are left behind, my colleagues, my patients, who are still in that situation there, and i'm trying all the time to phone them or message them, to make sure that they are still alive in that situation. and still alive in that situation. and of course _ still alive in that situation. and of course it's — still alive in that situation. and of course it's a _ still alive in that situation. and of course it's a challenge making contact with people in gaza than moment as well. we're showing some pictures which i believe are ones that you took while you were in gaza and of course while you were leaving across the rafah crossing. just tell us about how difficult thatjourney was for you? us about how difficult that “ourney was for you?* us about how difficult that “ourney was for you? obviously for the first week we were _ was for you? obviously for the first week we were in _ was for you? obviously for the first week we were in gaza _ was for you? obviously for the first week we were in gaza city - was for you? obviously for the first week we were in gaza city itself - was for you? obviously for the first week we were in gaza city itself in | week we were in gaza city itself in a un facility. and obviously the bombardment was intense, so, during that period we were really at risk of getting killed from one of these airstrikes. and then we moved to a place in the south, still there was a shelling and airstrikes around us but not as intense as it was in gaza. and then we were hoping to be able to get out from gaza through rafah crossing, and that didn't happen until the crossing was opened last wednesday, and because we are with the un, my work is co—ordinated in gaza by the who, so, my name was on that list, but on wednesday, we couldn't cross because the crossing was so chaotic that people are panicking, they are trying to get out, and we couldn't get out on wednesday, so, we went back on thursday morning, and we were lucky to be able to get out in time, before the border was again closed the next day. and it took a long time to get through the crossing. i mean, we started ourjourney about six o'clock in the morning, we were at the crossing about seven. and we only left the egyptian side of the crossing seven o'clock in the evening, to start ourjourney to cairo. evening, to start our “ourney to cairo. . ., ., , ., ., , cairo. wow, that is quite a “ourney. we cease cairo. wow, that is quite a “ourney. we many * cairo. wow, that is quite a “ourney. we cease many images _ cairo. wow, that is quite a “ourney. we cease many images of_ cairo. wow, that is quite a journey. we cease many images of gaza, . cairo. wow, that is quite a journey. | we cease many images of gaza, but you've seen this firsthand, just describe what it looks like when you were there? the describe what it looks like when you were there?— were there? the night i arrived there, were there? the night i arrived there. the _ were there? the night i arrived there. the day _ were there? the night i arrived there, the day i _ were there? the night i arrived there, the day i arrived - were there? the night i arrived there, the day i arrived to - were there? the night i arrived i there, the day i arrived to beast, we had a dinner in one of the restaurants in gaza, and then when i left gaza, i couldn't recognise the area. it's not one building, its not one neighbourhood, it's all neighbourhoods has been flattened to the ground. the roads has craters, they are broken, you can smell the death in gaza, because i think there is many bodies still under the rubble there. so, it's change, i think the right term, or should i say, the geography has been changed, with these bombardments of gaza. dr abdul qadir hammad, thank you so much for sharing that very personal story without here on the bbc and we really do hope that you're doing ok and we're glad that you're safe and back home. and we're glad that you're safe and back home-— this is bbc news. a new drama about the real issues teenagers face with input from some of those who have had first—hand experience. today 16—year—old luca is in charge of wardrobe, but this time last year their depression was so bad, they were off school for a month. i so bad, they were off school for a month. . ., �* ., so bad, they were off school for a month. _, �* ., ., , month. i couldn't get out of bed. i 'ust s-ent month. i couldn't get out of bed. i just spent in _ month. i couldn't get out of bed. i just spent in my — month. i couldn't get out of bed. i just spent in my bed _ month. i couldn't get out of bed. i just spent in my bed staring - month. i couldn't get out of bed. i just spent in my bed staring at - month. i couldn't get out of bed. i j just spent in my bed staring at the ceiling, _ just spent in my bed staring at the ceiling, i_ just spent in my bed staring at the ceiling, i wasjust that sad. my friends — ceiling, i wasjust that sad. my friends at _ ceiling, i wasjust that sad. my friends at school stopped talking to me afterwards but i got friends again— me afterwards but i got friends again now, and that's really good. so, again now, and that's really good. so. there — again now, and that's really good. so, there rehearsal is all done now and now it is time for the filming, and now it is time for the filming, and the teenagers get to do every part of the production. they are on the sound, on the clapper, and they are even starring in the production itself. �* . . , itself. it's helped me we with my self-esteem _ itself. it's helped me we with my self-esteem and _ itself. it's helped me we with my self-esteem and my _ self—esteem and my confidence overall, i've become a more accepting person. for overall, i've become a more accepting person.— accepting person. for more stories from across _ accepting person. for more stories from across the _ accepting person. for more stories from across the uk, _ accepting person. for more stories from across the uk, head - accepting person. for more stories from across the uk, head to - accepting person. for more stories from across the uk, head to the i accepting person. for more stories i from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. yafai live with bbc news. the european commission has recommended there should be formal talks with ukraine on itjoining the european union. the step takes the country closer to the eu membership — five months after the 27 member states gave it candidate status. commission chief ursula von der leyen praised its "excellent progress, even as it's fighting an existential war." we can go now live to our reporter in brussels, sofia bettiza, tell it how significant this is today? well. how significant this is today? well, it is very significant, _ how significant this is today? well, it is very significant, in _ how significant this is today? well, it is very significant, in the - how significant this is today? ,ii it is very significant, in the sense that this brings ukraine one step closer tojoining the that this brings ukraine one step closer to joining the european union, which is something that kyiv really wants. now, today in brussels, the president of the european commission, ursula von der leyen, said that ukraine made excellent progress even during a war, and it said that it implemented more than 90% of the reforms that are needed to join the more than 90% of the reforms that are needed tojoin the eu. and this will be very good news for president zelensky, because he said that this positive decision today will give fresh motivation to his troops that are fighting russia, especially at a time when there are concerns about ukraine fatigue because of everything that is going on in the middle east. in reality, the eu is facing a dilemma, because on the one hand they want to send a strong, positive political signal to the ukrainian people. i spoke to an eu diplomat who told me that if ukraine does notjoin the eu, ukraine will be lost to russia, so, this is very important for the eu. but on the other hand, it would be very challenging to bring in a country thatis challenging to bring in a country that is currently at war. ukraine is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, it is awash with weapons, and about 18% of its territory is currently controlled by russia. 50, in reality, yes, today, a very strong political message from the eu, but in reality, joining the european union is a very long and complicated process, which could take about ten years, so, it could take about ten years, so, it could take about ten years, so, it could take a long time before ukraine finally becomes a member of the european union.— european union. sofia bettiza, our re-orter european union. sofia bettiza, our reporter in — european union. sofia bettiza, our reporter in brussels, _ european union. sofia bettiza, our reporter in brussels, thank- european union. sofia bettiza, our reporter in brussels, thank you - european union. sofia bettiza, ourl reporter in brussels, thank you very much for bringing us up to date on that story. eu's climate change service copernicus says this year is almost certain to be the warmest on record. its scientists say that october was exceptionally hot with average global temperatures 0.4 celsius warmer than the previous highest set in october 2019. we can now go live to dr chloe brimicombe, an extreme heat specialist for the heat indicator for global health project. chloe, thank you very much forjoining us here on the bbc. how much does this support surprise you or does it not at all? it’s much does this support surprise you or does it not at all?— or does it not at all? it's not surprising. _ or does it not at all? it's not surprising, more _ or does it not at all? it's not surprising, more so - or does it not at all? it's not. surprising, more so worrying. or does it not at all? it's not - surprising, more so worrying. so, although previously in the year we were expecting this year to possibly be the hottest on record, it is worrying because of the impacts that it relates to, so, we have seen a number of extreme weather events occurring around the world and we can directly relate their recurrence and their likelihood of occurrence, to human induced climate change, so it's a very worrying time to see this record being broken and that link to the extreme weather without waiting. link to the extreme weather without waitin. .. . . link to the extreme weather without waitin. ., , , ., ., ., waiting. there has been a lot of talk this year— waiting. there has been a lot of talk this year when _ waiting. there has been a lot of talk this year when we've - waiting. there has been a lot of talk this year when we've been | talk this year when we've been reporting on the extreme temperatures about the el nino weather event, how much does that play into one of this? 50, weather event, how much does that play into one of this?— play into one of this? so, el nino is an atmospheric— play into one of this? so, el nino is an atmospheric ocean - play into one of this? so, el nino i is an atmospheric ocean oscillation and people will hear about it increasingly, and basically what that means is, it warms our average temperatures up to a higher baseline thanif temperatures up to a higher baseline than if we are in what is called a la nina phase or in a neutral zone. 50, this year, the world moved into so, this year, the world moved into an el nino warm phase of this atmospheric ocean oscillation, and this raised the baseline. so, this is very worrying going into the next year because it means that we could see an increase in extreme weather events, more so in the next year when it reaches its peak, then we have even seen this year. pin, when it reaches its peak, then we have even seen this year. an, and we are a few weeks _ have even seen this year. an, and we are a few weeks ahead _ have even seen this year. an, and we are a few weeks ahead of— have even seen this year. an, and we are a few weeks ahead of the - have even seen this year. an, and we are a few weeks ahead of the ceop i are a few weeks ahead of the ceop summit, what other think people need to be discussing in terms of changing behaviours to try and curb these extreme temperatures? 50, changing behaviours to try and curb these extreme temperatures? so, it's really important _ these extreme temperatures? so, it's really important because _ these extreme temperatures? so, it's really important because this - these extreme temperatures? so, it's really important because this cop - these extreme temperatures? so, it's really important because this cop we | really important because this cop we will see whether countries are meeting their commitments to reduce carbon emissions, to reduce baseline temperature warning, which also reduces the increase in these extreme weather events. 50, things we are talking about is people reducing their emissions, there are things that everybody can do, but the focus of cop will really be on countries and governments and what they can do and then stop investing in fossil fuels because we know that that causes a rise in emissions and instead doing a transition to green energy solutions, and also there is a massive focus on those that are the richest in society, because we know that they contribute most to carbon emissions, more so than the rest of us combined, really. so, it's very important.— rest of us combined, really. so, it's very important. sorry to stop ou it's very important. sorry to stop you there _ it's very important. sorry to stop you there but — it's very important. sorry to stop you there but dr— it's very important. sorry to stop you there but dr chloe _ it's very important. sorry to stop i you there but dr chloe brimicombe, thank you very much for bringing us your analysis on that story. the authorities in delhi have shut all schools in the indian capital for an extended period in the latest response to hazardous air pollution. the government had already banned all construction work in the city. air quality in delhi worsens every year before winter due to emissions from traffic and industry. and the burning of stubble crops by farmers in neighbouring states. live now to bhavreen kandhari, founder of warrior moms, a mother—led movement in india battling air pollution for all their children. good to talk to you. i was only recently in delhi on a short holiday and i could taste and see the smog in the air. every year people discuss this, is anything going to change? discuss this, is anything going to chane? ~ .. .. ~ discuss this, is anything going to chane? . ., ., ,. ,., discuss this, is anything going to chane? . ., ., ,. y., ., change? well, ra'ini, thank you for reaching out. — change? well, rajini, thank you for reaching out, and _ change? well, rajini, thank you for reaching out, and yes, _ change? well, rajini, thank you for reaching out, and yes, you're i change? well, rajini, thank you forj reaching out, and yes, you're right, and many years we've been together at exactly this time, and you know, it is a blend of fog and smoke and it is a blend of fog and smoke and it engulfs the city, it is terribly choking, it is like a gas chamber. and of course, as parents, we are very, very, upset and distressed at the situation of the same situation coming again and it's almost like we're giving up hope because nothing seems to work because everything thatis seems to work because everything that is being done is more reactive and not working on the sources of pollution, and so, itjust goes wrong, whether you are talking about small towers or you're talking about green trackers, and then bio decomposition, everything is put in and then it doesn't work, so... also, i would like while the pollution is now visible, it is worth noting that for the majority of people... at i am so sorry to stop you there, bhavreen kandhari, we have run out of time.— we have run out of time. bhavreen kandhari speaking _ we have run out of time. bhavreen kandhari speaking to _ we have run out of time. bhavreen kandhari speaking to us _ we have run out of time. bhavreen kandhari speaking to us about i we have run out of time. bhavreen kandhari speaking to us about the | kandhari speaking to us about the worsening pollution in delhi. there is plenty more on that one of the bbc news website so do stay with us here on the bbc. hello. for many of us, wednesday has brought a dose of wet weather and blustery winds in places as well. clearing to brighter skies but also with some hefty showers. you can see our frontal system continuing its journey eastwards. low pressure still very much in charge, sending lots of showers in from the atlantic. it has been really windy, too, in the north—west of scotland. those winds only slowly easing through the rest of the day. some pretty heavy rain lingering across shetland. also some outbreaks of rain lingering towards the south east of england. but elsewhere as we head into the first part of the evening it is that mix of clear spells and some pretty hefty showers, those showers continuing overnight. a band of showers moving eastwards across england and wales, further showers into western scotland, northern ireland, wales, the south—west. some of those heavy and thundery turning increasingly windy actually across southern and western parts. temperatures dropping close to freezing in parts of scotland. i think most of us will avoid a frost because of the strength of the breeze. now into tomorrow it is a sunshine and showers day. most of the showers where you're exposed to quite a brisk breeze. south—west england, wales, north—west england, the isle of man into northern ireland, not as many showers further east or further north. those winds gusting to 40 or 50 miles per hour around some southern and western coasts. and actually a chillier feeling day than we've been used to of late, temperatures north to south, 8 to 11 degrees. low pressure still very much with us as we move out of thursday into friday. notice the ice is just squeezing together across the south—west corner as a small weather feature moves its way through. that will bring some outbreaks of rain and some strong winds again across south—west england and the channel islands with a change in the wind direction. northerly winds, that means more showers across northern and eastern parts. not as many showers across western parts by the end of the day, but still a slightly chilly feel, seven to 12 degrees. this low swings away eastwards for the start of the weekend. there is another one waiting in the atlantic, but in between, a brief gap between those weather systems. so we could well see some fog on saturday morning. that will tend to clear then actually it's a dry—looking day. some spells of sunshine, temperatures between seven and 12 degrees. but as we head into remembrance sunday, it looks like outbreaks of rain will try to push in from the south and the west. of disability rights within government?— live from london, this is bbc news. israeli troops fighting hamas reach the heart of gaza city — the idf say they've destroyed more than 100 entrances to tunnels and captured thousands of weapons. thousands more palestinians flee gaza city, as israel temporarily opens what it says is a safe corridor. the us secretary of state antony blinken says gaza and the west bank should be united under the palestinian authority, and warns israel against any occupation of gaza. it is imperative that the palestinian people be central to governance in gaza, and in the west bank, as well, and that again, we don't see a reoccupation. and ivanka trump, daughter of the former us president donald trump, testifies at her father's civil fraud trial. hello, welcome to verified live — three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we begin with news that the israeli military says its forces have reached the centre of gaza city and have destroyed more than 100 entrances to a vast network of hamas tunnels. a spokesman said israel had also captured about 4,000 weapons — including rockets hidden in civilian infrastructure — and killed a major hamas arms manufacturer.