our middle east correspondent yolande knell has the latest from jerusalem. well, after those comments by president biden in which he said he believed a ceasefire deal would be in place by the start of next week, we did hear a lot of caution being sounded by the israelis, by hamas, by the qatari mediators as well. but we know that there are delegations from israel and from hamas in the qatari capital, doha, who are continuing to work on details during indirect talks to try to come up with a new deal that could continue through the month of ramadan, lasting, as you said, for some a0 days. that's according to media reports. when it comes to the main sticking points, what we understand, there are reservations from hamas, which is yet to give its official response to the framework deal that was drawn up in paris, agreed with israel, with qatari and egyptian mediators and us involvement just last week. hamas wants to see some kind of plan to return displaced people to the north of the gaza strip. it's concerned, apparently, that the the framework deal doesn't involve the full withdrawal of israeli troops from gaza and doesn't show some kind of pathway to there being a full ceasefire down the line. at the moment, we're talking about an extended truce. on the israeli side, you know, hostage families very concerned as they begin another march from the communities around the gaza strip towardsjerusalem. they've just begun that in the past couple of hours and will be arriving injerusalem within a few days. this deal is only talking about a small number, a few dozen of the more than 130 hostages that are believed to remain in gaza. that number, 130, includes a number of bodies, people who have been killed. men of fighting age, and male soldiers are not included in this deal as far as we understand it. yolande knell in jerusalem. south korea's record low birth rate has fallen again. it's the lowest in the world 7 and politicians are warning of a national emergency. data for 2023 shows there were 0.72 births per woman in south korea, down from what was already a record low of 0.78 the year before. it's a similar trend in many developed nations. injapan, the figure was 1.26 in 2022. but new figures show the number of births fell 5.1% last year, the eighth drop in a row. and here in the uk, the birth rate in 2022 was 1.119 7 the lowest since records began. for a country's population to hold steady, there must be 2.1 births per woman. and falling birth rates are causing alarm for politicians, facing a future of ageing populations and shrinking workforces. here are the thoughts of two women in seoul about the prospect of parenthood in south korea. translation: there will probably be a situation when my child is sick - and i need to leave the office to take care of it. but under the current work environment, women can'tjust leave the office whenever they want to to take care of their sick kids. this could be disruptive to their careers. so i think this is the biggest reason why young people aren't having kids. translation: it would be good if the government. provided financial support as women could face financial difficulties due to a career break after giving birth. our correspondent yuna ku has more. south korea has once again broken its lowest birth rate record. according to new numbers released on wednesday by statistics korea, the country's last year birth rate recorded 0.72, which is an 8% decrease from the previous year. the capital city seoul recorded 0.55 which is the lowest among all the districts across the country. although the low birth trend is spreading all across the world, especially among developed countries, south korea is apparently showing significant downfall. after reaching its peak in 2015 with a birth rate of 1.24, the number has been falling for eight consecutive years. if this trend continues, the number of working age people in south korea is estimated to have by 2072 with half the population being over the age of 65. this is the reason why many politicians and experts are calling this situation a national emergency. but still, many young people are refusing to take part to reverse this trend. why? it is hard to give a one—size—fits—all type of answer to this question. soaring housing prices, expensive education, competitive workplace culture, career disruption, stagnating economy growth and more account for this. notably, more women in this country are trying to continue on with their career and when they are doing this, giving birth means facing a major hurdle in front of them. presidentjoe biden and donald trump have both been projected as the winners for their respective parties, in the latest us primary election. voters in the state of michigan have selected the current and former president as their nominees for the democrats and republicans. it strengthens the likelihood of another clash between the two men in this year's presidential race. but mr biden faced a rebellion within his own party over his support for israel in its war in gaza. activists urged democrats to vote "uncommitted" rather than cast a ballot for the president. so far more than 40,000 had chosen "uncommitted", however mr biden has received 80% of the vote — that's according to cbs news. a new report is warning councils in england are in financial crisis, with many facing bankruptcy in the next few years. the local government information unit spoke to local authorities across the country, with services like parks, libraries, the arts, and social care all at risk of cuts. and to fill the gap in funding, many authorities plan to raise council tax. our reporter vinny mcaviney has more. yay! well done. alex is about to turn 18, and on top of the regular worries parents have about their children, mum sylvia also has to think about alex's autism and the extra support he needs to gain independence. support that's under fire for her and other families as birmingham city council struggles with financial difficulties. what you get is families that are on their knees with a trauma presentation, traumatised kids, and they never get decent outcomes. theyjust end up constantly trying to get the basics, which everybody else's child gets naturally. and it's notjust birmingham that's struggling. across the country, councils are warning that front—line neighbourhood services like parks, leisure facilities and libraries are in jeopardy. despite government having recently provided emergency funding, a new survey of council management by the local government information unit has found 51% of senior figures warned their councils are likely to go bust in the next five years. 9% of respondents say they were likely to declare effective bankruptcy in the next financial year, representing 1a councils. and only 6% are happy with central government's performance of understanding the scale of the problem facing finances. councils say they're pulling out all the stops to stay afloat, but that means nine in ten survey respondents plan to cut back services whilst also raising people's council tax. almost every council in the country is putting up council tax by the maximum permitted, just under 5%. they're cutting services. so councils are making deep cuts to front—line services, particularly in discretionary spending areas — parks, business support, leisure services. and they're dipping into their reserves. so more than half of councils are dipping into their reserves year after year to fund services. so it's completely unsustainable. in response, the department for levelling up, housing and communities spokesperson says... "we recognise councils are facing challenges, and that is why we announced an additional £600 million support package for councils across england, increasing their overall funding for the upcoming financial year to £64] billion, a 7.5% increase in cash terms. "councils are responsible for their own finances and setting council tax levels, but we have been clear they should be mindful of cost of living pressures while controlling any unnecessary or wasteful expenditures. " nonetheless, council leaders will be hoping when the chancellor, jeremy hunt, takes to parliament next week to deliver his budget, more assistance will be on the way. vincent mcaviney, bbc news. stay with us here on bbc news. thanks for watching. hello. it's been a foggy start to the day, especially across central, southern and eastern areas but that is lifting and for many of us were looking at a cloudy day with some rain. that rain coming from the west is continuing to spread eastwards through the rest of the day. not arriving in some eastern areas until much later. so there is some brightness ahead of it but it is fairly transient because as the rain comes in, the cloud will build ahead of it, some of the rain will be heavy and it will also be windy through the irish sea, western and northern scotland, but it is a mild direction the wind is coming from so temperatures 712, a bit higher than they were yesterday. receiving evening and overnight, the first batch of rain pushes into the north sea, the second comes in hot on its heels, heavy rain embedded in this. cooler air follows behind so we will see showers, blustery showers across scotland and northern ireland, some of those wintry on higher ground. very windy across the far north of scotland. but still mild in the south—east. this is today a mild weather, this is the front bringing the rain south through the night. note how the blues following behind indicating the drop in temperature. tomorrow we hang onto all this cloud and rain across southern areas. it will be quite a cloudy day for england and wales. in the colder air, some squally showers across the north and west, particularly in scotland some hail and thunder. through the day the snow level will drop from 500 metres to about 200 metres and if you are exposed to this it will feel cold. there into friday we say goodbye to the weather front, than a complex area of low pressure pushes in bringing with it a mixture of rain, sleet and snow. you can see that pushing northwards across the lake district into the pennines and southern uplands and the hills of northern ireland. mainly a hello feature but we could also see some wintry weather coming out of the showers across parts of wales and into the moors. on friday it will be windy especially through the english channel. as we head into the english channel. as we head into the weekend, it does remain fairly unsettled. showers or rain at times, we could see some rain clipping the south—east during sunday. temperature wise, it is going to feel chilly wherever you are. green light for britain's biggest ev gigafactory. and it is there a crisis in the gaming industry as companies including sony and microsoft slashed jobs. welcome to the programme. we started in somerset where there has been confirmation of one of the most reported investments in a decade. this is the flagship gigafactory to be built in somerset. it will be built by tata and is a major boost for the uk's ambitions to become a player in the electric car market. it will create 4000 jobs and thousands more in the wider economy. tata is investing £4 billion in the project. let's speak to felix paige from auto car. just why is this investment so important? this is brilliant news. _ investment so important? this is brilliant news. the _ investment so important? this is brilliant news. the uk _ investment so important? this is brilliant news. the uk used - investment so important? this is brilliant news. the uk used to i investment so important? this isj brilliant news. the uk used to be investment so important? this is l brilliant news. the uk used to be a leader in car manufacturing globally but for a long time it looked like we were losing our grasp without a firm view of whether we would be able to produce batteries for the evs be built locally. by 2030 we need 100 gigawatts ear capacity and this investment takes us about half that. if you add nissan in sunderland which has roughly the same in addition, we are looking well on the way. it’s same in addition, we are looking well on the way.— well on the way. it's not 'ust important i well on the way. it's not 'ust important for i well on the way. it's not 'ust important for the i well on the way. it's not 'ust important for the ev i well on the way. it's notjust important for the ev market| well on the way. it's notjust - important for the ev market but the market as a whole?— important for the ev market but the market as a whole? definitely. 4000 “obs is no market as a whole? definitely. 4000 jobs is no small— market as a whole? definitely. 4000 jobs is no small fry _ market as a whole? definitely. 4000 jobs is no small fry and _ market as a whole? definitely. 4000 jobs is no small fry and that's - market as a whole? definitely. 4000 jobs is no small fry and that's in - market as a whole? definitely. 4000 jobs is no small fry and that's in a - jobs is no small fry and that's in a region that was hit by the departure of honda from swindon a couple of years ago. so, it's a huge investment in the uk industry as a whole and will create jobs around the supply chain and bodes well for the supply chain and bodes well for the future. ~ .. , ., the supply chain and bodes well for the future. ~ , ., i. the future. when exactly do you think we'll _ the future. when exactly do you think we'll feel _ the future. when exactly do you think we'll feel the _ the future. when exactly do you think we'llfeelthe impact- the future. when exactly do you think we'll feel the impact of. the future. when exactly do you | think we'll feel the impact of this boost in the industry? 50. think we'll feel the impact of this boost in the industry?— think we'll feel the impact of this boost in the industry? so, they are talkin: boost in the industry? so, they are talking about _ boost in the industry? so, they are talking about starting _ boost in the industry? so, they are talking about starting production i boost in the industry? so, they are talking about starting production in 2026 and that will ramp up to full output. we still need more. we need other manufacturers to invest locally. we need to secure a supply chain of raw material as well, building the batteries in the country is one thing but that's predominantly simply. we need to be able to source materials as well. it will be a few years before the framework is in place but if other manufacturers sign up will see a more secure picture, i think. {line manufacturers sign up will see a more secure picture, i think. one of the big factors _ more secure picture, i think. one of the big factors affecting _ more secure picture, i think. one of the big factors affecting the - the big factors affecting the take—up of evs is of course the cost. will this play into bringing down the costs?— cost. will this play into bringing down the costs? absolutely. it's hard to say- _ down the costs? absolutely. it's hard to say. we _ down the costs? absolutely. it's hard to say. we already - down the costs? absolutely. it's hard to say. we already seen . down the costs? absolutely. it's i hard to say. we already seen costs come down across the board as manufacturers look to boost demand and is battery supply globally and proves it becomes easier to build these cars profitably. being able to source batteries likely gives them an integration advantage the likes of which the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer in china has. we should see translate to the consumer, certainly.- to the consumer, certainly. thank ou. to the consumer, certainly. thank you- staying _ to the consumer, certainly. thank you. staying with _ to the consumer, certainly. thank you. staying with electric- to the consumer, certainly. thank| you. staying with electric vehicles, apple macro is abandoning its decade—long effort to build its own electric car. it's reportedly been wanting to focus instead on al projects. wanting to focus instead on al ro'ects. �* , , wanting to focus instead on al ro'ects. �* ,, , ., ., projects. apple started out with lofty ambitions. _ projects. apple started outwith lofty ambitions. for— projects. apple started out with lofty ambitions. for years - projects. apple started out with lofty ambitions. for years it - projects. apple started out with | lofty ambitions. for years it was really it wanted to build its own electric car. one without a steering wheel or any pedals, a true driverless experience. but after spending billions of dollars on the project it now appears the iphone maker is abandoning it altogether. we reached out apple for comment but haven't heard back from them yet. we were told that team were shifting its focus to ai. some of the people will be moved to the ai division according to bloomberg while those who can't find jobs elsewhere in the company face lay—offs. the shares rose nearly 1% on the news as one tech analyst said, by abandoning its dream to transform the auto industry it will increase pressure on apple to do something profound in the area of generative ai. what to do something profound in the area of generative ai.— of generative ai. what on earth is auoin on of generative ai. what on earth is going on in _ of generative ai. what on earth is going on in the — of generative ai. what on earth is going on in the gaming _ of generative ai. what on earth is going on in the gaming world? i of generative ai. what on earth is| going on in the gaming world? it's been a volatile few months for the industry with many workers laid off. on tuesday sony said it was going to cut 900 jobs in its playstation operation and earlier this month microsoft laid off almost 2000 people from its gaming division and that's on top of needs that unity is also losing almost 2000 jobs. let's speak to colin clark from gaining company boneloaf. is there a crisis in the industry? if company boneloaf. is there a crisis in the industry?— company boneloaf. is there a crisis in the industry? if you had asked me a few months _ in the industry? if you had asked me a few months ago _ in the industry? if you had asked me a few months ago i _ in the industry? if you had asked me a few months ago i would _ in the industry? if you had asked me a few months ago i would have - in the industry? if you had asked me a few months ago i would have said l a few months ago i would have said no but actually, as things continue i think it could be described as a crisis. ~ ., �* , , i think it could be described as a crisis. ~ ., v , ~ , crisis. what's behind the crisis? it's difficult — crisis. what's behind the crisis? it's difficult to _ crisis. what's behind the crisis? it's difficult to say. _ crisis. what's behind the crisis? it's difficult to say. a lot of - crisis. what's behind the crisis? it's difficult to say. a lot of it i it's difficult to say. a lot of it parallels a lot of conversations people are having in tech in general. increased interest rates are causing many companies to revise their predictions and particularly growth predictions. the gaming industry has historically been one thatis industry has historically been one that is relatively recession proof i suppose. in 2000 8002020 it saw growth in that time rather than many other industries —— in 2008, and 2020 it saw growth. it's quite a shocking period in many companies are starting to make cuts and people are starting to make cuts and people are starting to lose theirjobs. what are you seeing on the ground when you carry out your operations? i'm seeing a lot of my friends and people i really admire are losing theirjobs and it's kind of scary on that side of things. for many people i speak to they believe it's essentially 2024 and quite a lot of 2023 is being viewed as a course correction and once we hit 2025 things. to increase and growth will continue again. however, i don't think we can make accurate predictions until that time. what about consumer _ predictions until that time. what about consumer demand? i predictions until that time. what about consumer demand? are we slightly falling out of love with video games? hat slightly falling out of love with video games? not necessarily. i think ila video games? not necessarily. i think play a _ video games? not necessarily. i think play a council— video games? not necessarily. i think play a council on _ video games? not necessarily. i think play a council on the i video games? not necessarily. i think play a council on the up i video games? not necessarily. i l think play a council on the up and we are still reaching new players every single day. i think there is a chance that it was only three or four years ago that everyone was locked inside and gaming saw a massive increase in so everybody was playing games online with their friends. obviously now that the world has returned to normal, i suppose, people are going outside a bit more and video games are becoming perhaps played a lot less compared to that period but in general, people are very excited for games and new upcoming consoles. people are talking quite a lot about the new nintendo switch, for example. i don't think they're necessarily falling out of love with games but perhaps that growth is slowing compared to three or four years ago. slowing compared to three or four ears aio. ., ~' slowing compared to three or four ears aio. . ,, i. slowing compared to three or four ears aio. . ~ i. ., slowing compared to three or four ears aio. ., ~ ,, ., ., slowing compared to three or four earsaio. ., ., ., , years ago. thank you for “oining us. gibson guitars * years ago. thank you for “oining us. gibson guitars is i years ago. thank you for “oining us. gibson guitars is one i years ago. thank you for “oining us. gibson guitars is one ofi years ago. thank you forjoining us. gibson guitars is one of the - gibson guitars is one of the best—known guitar brands in the entire world and is favoured by musicians of all genres. it makes all sorts of guitars and they are still made in america. it'sjust opened its first shop outside the us, right here in london andjimmy page cut the ribbon. sally bundock has been speaking to the company boss. , , ,., has been speaking to the company boss. , ,,., ., . has been speaking to the company boss. , ., . ., ., has been speaking to the company boss. , ., ., , has been speaking to the company boss. , ., . ., ., boss. gibson grouch in london is a brand-new— boss. gibson grouch in london is a brand-new space _ boss. gibson grouch in london is a brand-new space where _ boss. gibson grouch in london is a brand-new space where we - boss. gibson grouch in london is a brand-new space where we are i boss. gibson grouch in london is a i brand-new space where we are really brand—new space where we are really looking forward to being part of the music community where you can come and explore anything about gibson. we've got all of our instruments, everything is available to be played, there are hundreds of instruments to be played all the way from amplifying is up to the premium offering we have. mini; from amplifying is up to the premium offering we have.— offering we have. why did it taking lont ? offering we have. why did it taking long? that's _ offering we have. why did it taking long? that's a _ offering we have. why did it taking long? that's a very _ offering we have. why did it taking long? that's a very good _ offering we have. why did it taking long? that's a very good question. you could say _ long? that's a very good question. you could say it _ long? that's a very good question. you could say it took _ long? that's a very good question. you could say it took us _ long? that's a very good question. you could say it took us 130 - long? that's a very good question. you could say it took us 130 years | you could say it took us 130 years since orville started making instruments. we wanted this to be a real experience. it's a curated experience, it's not about retail but about delivering this amazing experience. so, as such, we wanted the experience to be of the quality of gibson. so we opened in nashville two years ago. we tested the concept, we became part of the music community in nashville and we've anchored the garaged in the centre of nashville culture. so, we've learned from that and now we've brought it to london. london has been for decades at the forefront of music innovation. think about the beatles, led zeppelin, black sabbath, queen. the list goes on and on and on. all of these amazing bands that have come out of the music scene here that have become transformational in terms of music genres. so, we chose london and we really spent time curating the experience. really spent time curating the exoerience-— really spent time curating the experience. really spent time curating the ex-erience. ., ., ., , experience. some of the most famous musicians in — experience. some of the most famous musicians in the _ experience. some of the most famous musicians in the world _ experience. some of the most famous musicians in the world play _ experience. some of the most famous musicians in the world play gibson i musicians in the world play gibson guitars, it's a very strong brand but how do you make that accessible for all? you know, the feature musicians of tomorrow. the number one reason — musicians of tomorrow. the number one reason why _ musicians of tomorrow. the number one reason why any _ musicians of tomorrow. the number one reason why any fan _ musicians of tomorrow. the number one reason why any fan will - musicians of tomorrow. the number one reason why any fan will decide l one reason why any fan will decide what kind of guitar they are going to pick up is usually because their favourite artist play set. for us, it's a big responsibility to make sure we are making the best quality instruments we've ever made. that's our challenge. and then worked very closely with artists across the generations from all the icons all the way to the young generations of players. what we do is by having a place like this, by having a gibson garage in london, we can work individually with each music fan and see what is the best option for you. you grew up playing guitar, this company is over 100 years old and you say you are living the dream now as ceo of gibson. how did you get that position?— that position? yes, i am. this was not an accident. _ that position? yes, i am. this was not an accident. there _ that position? yes, i am. this was not an accident. there was - that position? yes, i am. this was not an accident. there was an i not an accident. there was an opportunity about 12 or 13 years ago to potentially become owners and take over the company. and i was with the group that made that happen. so, we have an amazing group of shareholders, we were able to take control of the company in 2018 and start working in going back to our call and making the best guitars we've ever made, really paying attention to our brands, to what we make, to how we make it and really empowering our team around the world to become what we are becoming now. i think this is a good start and i get to blend and put my business background with my biggest passion which is notjust music and guitars but gibson. which is not 'ust music and guitars but gibson.— but gibson. that is the boss of gibson speaking _ but gibson. that is the boss of gibson speaking to _ but gibson. that is the boss of gibson speaking to sally i but gibson. that is the boss of i gibson speaking to sally bundock. let's have a quick look at the markets. as you can see, mixed trade fair. —— mixed trade there. sport todayis fair. —— mixed trade there. sport today is next. hello from the bbc sport centre. "we are coming". that's the message manchester city striker erling haaland has sent after he scored five goals in his team's hammering of luton town in the fa cup fifth round. the norwegian scored a first half hat—trick, his eighth sincejoining the club in 2022 — he then added two more in the second half as city eventually ran out 6—2 winners as they look defend the trophy. four of his goals were assisted by de bruyne and their manager pep guardiola has been talking about their relationship. erling needs a guy with the vision, the quality, the generosity. so, kevin is the less selfish play in front of the goal. and kevin needs the movement from erling. newcastle made much harder work of getting through to the quarter—finals. it was 1—1 against blackburn rovers after extra time, but then their goalkeeper martin dubravka was the hero — saving two penalties in the shootout. the situation that we are in on the season we had, i don't think this was ever going to be an easy game. i think this was always going to be the type of cup tie that would go late in the match. we needed to be resilient and defend well. we did in the main, martin made a couple of really good saves for us but we had our chances as well and we missed some absolute golden opportunities especially in extra time. there's lots to work on but our season cracks on, we are still in there fighting and trying to win a trophy. full results and reaction on the website to tuesday's ties. there are four more ties later on wednesday. centre stage again will be chelsea manager mauricio pochettino — who's side lost at wembley to liverpool in the league cup final last weekend. they face leeds in the fa cup later. but after that defeat againstjurgen klopp's young side, there remains uncertainty around pochettino's future. it's not in my hands. we have a very good relationship with the owners, with the sporting director. it's up to them after to trust or not. you know, always it's about the... it's not in the coach decision. mclaren racing ceo zak brown says allegations of controlling behaviour by red bull boss christian horner are "very unsettling, very concerning and extremely serious". horner, who had been red bull's team principal since 2005, is the subject of an internal investigation by the team into his behaviour towards a female colleague. he has denied the allegations. brown says the sport needs a swift and transparent conclusion to the investigation. it's very unsettling, it's very concerning, the allegations are extremely serious. as formula 1 and the fia have rightly said, they want to see this investigation come to a swift and very transparent conclusion, where whatever that conclusion, where whatever that conclusion is the right actions are taken. there was a shock in the first round of the mexico open in acapulco as top seed alex zverev was knocked out. he was beaten by fellow german daniel altmeier — who took the opening set 6—3. the world number six recovered in the second set, but then altmeier came through to win it and beat zverev for the first time. fifth seed stefanos tsitsipas had a much more comfortable start to the tournament. he beat roman safiullin in straight sets — 6—3, 6—4 and will face italian flavio cobolli in the second round. at the wta event in san diego, caroline wozniacki was beaten in three sets by anna blinkova. the danish wild card, who came out retirement in august last year, easily took the opening set 6—1 but then blinkova produced a brilliant comeback to win to the following two and make the next round. the world number one currently in women's golf, lilia vu, has been talking about about the pressures of being the best in the world. the american is in singapore ahead of the women s world championship which sees 15 of the 20 ranked players taking part. i'm still learning to kind of manage that. i think that's definitely a new thing for me. i keep saying that the reason i got to this point was because i played each tournament trying to win that tournament and just one shot at a time. so, just not getting frustrated with myself. i feel like at the beginning of the season that was very quick for me to get frustrated whenever i didn't play perfect golf. golf isn't a game of perfect and i try to keep telling myself that. in the nba, how about this for a finish between the cleveland cavaliers and the dallas mavericks? with less than three seconds on the clock, this shot from 59 feet and he made it for 121—119 victory. that is officially the second longest in nba history. brilliant scenes. steph curry had a rare night for the golden state warriors but they beat washington. that's the sport for now. goodbye. a new report is warning councils in england are in financial crisis with many facing bankruptcy in the next few years. local government information unit spoke to local authorities across the country with services like parks, libraries, the arts and social care all at risk of cuts. to fill the gap in funding many authorities plan to raise council a reporter has more. alex is about to turn 18, and on top of the regular worries parents have about their children, mum sylvia also has to think about alex's autism and the extra support he needs to gain independence. support that's under fire for her and other families as birmingham city council struggles with financial difficulties. what you get is families that are on their knees with a trauma presentation, traumatised kids, and they never get decent outcomes. theyjust end up constantly trying to get the basics, which everybody else's child gets naturally. and it's notjust birmingham that's struggling. across the country, councils are warning that front—line neighbourhood services like parks, leisure facilities and libraries are in jeopardy. despite government having recently provided emergency funding, a new survey of council management by the local government information unit has found 51% of senior figures warned their councils are likely to go bust in the next five years. 9% of respondents say they were likely to declare effective bankruptcy in the next financial year, representing 14 councils. and only 6% are happy with central government's performance of understanding the scale of the problem facing finances. councils say they're pulling out all the stops to stay afloat, but that means nine in ten survey respondents plan to cut back services whilst also raising people's council tax. almost every council in the country is putting up council tax by the maximum permitted, just under 5%. they're cutting services. so councils are making deep cuts to front—line services, particularly in discretionary spending areas — parks, business support, leisure services. and they're dipping into their reserves. so more than half of councils are dipping into their reserves year after year to fund services. so it's completely unsustainable. in response, the department for levelling up, housing and communities spokesperson says... nonetheless, council leaders will be hoping when the chancellor, jeremy hunt, takes to parliament next week to deliver his budget, more assistance will be on the way. vincent mcaviney, bbc news. last year water companies discharged raw sewage into rivers in england more than 400 times. now several popular swimming spots are set to become official bathing water sites meaning the water quality will be regularly monitored. the stour where we live is an area of outstanding natural beauty. so it's full of wildlife, it's a bird—watching mecca, and we get to swim amongst all of that. manningtree is one of the smallest towns in the country. it also has its own beach on the edge of the tidal river. it looks beautiful, but there are sewer storm overflows here. for the last three years, these swimmers have campaigned to improve the water quality. now it could become an official bathing site. we feel very excited that we are through to this stage, but we are still apprehensive because we know that, you know, we have still got to do this public consultation. so we need to make sure that as many people as possible fill in that consultation and give us a chance of making it through and actually getting the bathing water status that we've applied for. the government says last year 96% of bathing waters in england met minimum standards, and 90% of bathing waters were rated as good or excellent, up from 76% in 2010, despite the classification standards becoming stricter. it's not going to clean up the water overnight, but it will make anglian water more accountable to the bacteria levels in the water. if this is designated an official bathing water site, the environment agency will monitor water quality during may to september, investigate sources of pollution and identify ways to deal with it. it'sjust over six degrees in here. i can't tell you how cold it feels. it is also murky. but with the monitoring, this water should become cleaner to swim in in the future. anglian water says it's pledged to make sure its operations will not be the reason for poor river health. we are trying to promote that water should be clean and safe, notjust for swimmers, for any other water users, but also for nature as well. we need to be looking after this really vital environment. it's so important with all the changes in terms of the climate change, everything else, it's, you know, it's a thing that we need to absolutely protect. a two—week consultation will now test the temperature to see if this will officially be declared a new bathing site. debbie tubby, bbc news. rishi sunak is in the commons for prime minister's questions. he's been criticised by labour for not taking a firm stand either islamophobia. overthe taking a firm stand either islamophobia. over the weekend, the prime minister removed the whip from lee anderson for refusing to apologise over his comments aimed at london mayor sadiq khan. let's speak to our political correspondent at westminster. presumably that's going to be one of the issues they talk about today. it’s to be one of the issues they talk about today-— about today. it's not been a particularly _ about today. it's not been a particularly easy _ about today. it's not been a particularly easy few - about today. it's not been a particularly easy few days i about today. it's not been a. particularly easy few days for about today. it's not been a i particularly easy few days for the prime minister, largely because of the behaviour of his backbenchers. it's notjust louis anderson, suella braverman also made comments over the weekend suggesting the extremists, the anti—semites were in charge now. the former prime minister liz truss was speaking at a far right conference in the us and she was talking about how the deep state in her words had derailed her premiership. cue accusations from her opponents of peddling conspiracy theories. she was so taking part in a key monday with steve bannon who at one stage was very close to donald trump. he described tommy robinson who founded the english defence league is a hero and she didn't call that out. we are expecting keir starmer to bring that “p expecting keir starmer to bring that up and also comments by paul scully who has apologised now but he suggested there were no go areas in both london and birmingham. so, we expect the labour leader to suggest that rishi sunak is struggling to keep his troops in line but of course there are problems for keir starmer too. a by—election tomorrow in rochdale which ought to have been fairly comfortable for labour but he's had to design the candidate because of comments the candidate made about the conflict in israel and gaza. remember, this is also the first pmqs since the chaos last week in the house of commons, a debate on the situation in the middle east that descended into fear —— if you're all right. he's lost the confidence —— the speaker has lost confidence —— the speaker has lost confidence of many mps, scrutiny on him today to see how he manages to handle a rowdy chamber. haifa handle a rowdy chamber. how dangerous _ handle a rowdy chamber. how dangerous is _ handle a rowdy chamber. how dangerous is it, _ handle a rowdy chamber. how dangerous is it, is _ handle a rowdy chamber. how dangerous is it, is his - handle a rowdy chamber. how dangerous is it, is his position at risk at all? it dangerous is it, is his position at risk at all?— risk at all? it doesn't seem like he's in immediate _ risk at all? it doesn't seem like he's in immediate threat i risk at all? it doesn't seem like he's in immediate threat at i risk at all? it doesn't seem like he's in immediate threat at the j he's in immediate threat at the moment but it certainly has done quite a lot of damage to his reputation. his argument was that he was trying to protect the security of mps by offering them as many choices as possible on the question of whether they should be an immediate ceasefire. that has prompted a debate about the protests that we have seen out there in the country and whether mps are being intimidated. the whole house will be with the friends and family of lord cormack, a dedicated parliamentarian. i had meetings with ministerial colleagues in addition to my duties in this house, i will have further meetings today. i house, i will have further meetings toda . ., ., , house, i will have further meetings toda. . ,, , ., ., today. i thank my honourable friend for his answer. _ today. i thank my honourable friend for his answer. i _ today. i thank my honourable friend for his answer. i am _ today. i thank my honourable friend for his answer. i am certain - for his answer. i am certain everyone _ for his answer. i am certain everyone in this chamber will agree, whatever_ everyone in this chamber will agree, whatever their political standpoint, they should be able to think, speak and vote _ they should be able to think, speak and vote without fear or favour. but today— and vote without fear or favour. but today i_ and vote without fear or favour. but today i need — and vote without fear or favour. but today i need to ask about the painful— today i need to ask about the painful subject of dental care in clactoni — painful subject of dental care in clacton, which is in crisis. ics has found _ clacton, which is in crisis. ics has found the — clacton, which is in crisis. ics has found the money and a private firm has found _ found the money and a private firm has found the students to massively increase _ has found the students to massively increase dental appointments in my patch, _ increase dental appointments in my patch, however paper pushers in the nhs england keep citing spurious reasons— nhs england keep citing spurious reasons to prevent this ground—breaking initiative from being _ ground—breaking initiative from being deployed. does my right honourable friend agree with me that this is— honourable friend agree with me that this is scandalous and should be dealt _ this is scandalous and should be dealt with— this is scandalous and should be dealt with and those people blocking it held _ dealt with and those people blocking it held to _ dealt with and those people blocking it held to account? are dealt with and those people blocking it held to account?— it held to account? are dentistry recovery plan — it held to account? are dentistry recovery plan will— it held to account? are dentistry recovery plan will make - it held to account? are dentistry recovery plan will make dental. recovery plan will make dental services faster, simpler and fairer for patients, including in clacton, and will fund around 2.5 million more appointments. on the matter my honourable friend raises, as he will know, this is a local matter so the integrated care board will determine if they wish to support the piler proposal in clacton but i know the minister for public health has written to live my honourable friend about the proposal and i hope her letter addresses his concerns. —— to support the pilot proposal. opposition leader keir starmer. thank— opposition leader keir starmer. thank you, ijoin the prime minister in his remarks about lord cormack and ronnie campbell. a tory claim last week that britain is run by a shadowy cabal made up of activists, the deep state and most chilling of all, the financial times. at what point did his party give up on governing and become the political wing of the earth society? —— of the flat earth society? mr wing of the earth society? -- of the flat earth society?— flat earth society? mr speaker, another week _ flat earth society? mr speaker, another week where _ flat earth society? mr speaker, another week where the - flat earth society? mr speaker, i another week where the honourable member is just another week where the honourable member isjust sniping another week where the honourable member is just sniping from the sidelines because he has absolutely nothing he can say about what we are doing. what we are getting on with, mr speaker, is delivering on the people's priorities, the number of small boats down by a third, nhs performance improving, inflation continuing to full, and, mr speaker, not only that, we are delivering a significant tax cut for millions of working britons. while his inquiry and energy plans would put taxes up for everyone across the country. mr speaker, his predecessor spent last week in america, trying to flog her new book. in search of fame, she is taken to slagging off... they made her prime minister, now they cannot bear talking about her! in search of fame and wealth, she has taken to slagging off and undermining britain at every opportunity. she claimed that as prime minister, she was sabotaged by the deep state. she also remains silent as tommy robinson, that right—wing thug, was described as a hero. why is he allowing her to stand as a tory mp at the next election? mr allowing her to stand as a tory mp at the next election?— allowing her to stand as a tory mp at the next election? mr speaker, i don't believe _ at the next election? mr speaker, i don't believe a _ at the next election? mr speaker, i don't believe a single _ at the next election? mr speaker, i don't believe a single member i at the next election? mr speaker, i don't believe a single member of l don't believe a single member of this house supports tommy robinson. mr speaker, if he wants to talk about former leaders and predecessors, the whole country knows his record because he sat there while anti—semitism ran rife in his party, and not once but twice backed a man who called hamas friends, mr speaker, but to their credit, to their credit, the shadow chancellor, the shadow home secretary and indeed the shadow foreign secretary refused to back the former labour leader, but he didn't because he is a spineless, hopeless and utterly shameless. mr speaker, mr speaker, i have changed my party for the better, he has been changed by his party. the reason he is _ has been changed by his party. the reason he is letting her stand is because he is too weak to do anything about it, it's the story of his leadership. when they refused to accept any blame for the ruin of the last 14 years, you wonder who they think has been running the country at all this time. thankfully the former prime ministers on hand again to help, turns out it's all the fault of the media, the corporate world, and bizarrely, the president of the united states. winston churchill once said the price of greatness is responsibility, i don't think the british public are expecting greatness from this prime minister, just a bit of accountability, so doesn't he think it would be great ifjust for once, the tories actually took some responsibility? mr the tories actually took some responsibility?— the tories actually took some responsibility? the tories actually took some res-onsibili ? ~ .,~ . responsibility? mr speaker, he talks about leadership _ responsibility? mr speaker, he talks about leadership and _ responsibility? mr speaker, he talks about leadership and change, i responsibility? mr speaker, he talks about leadership and change, but i about leadership and change, but when i learnt of something i didn't agree with, i suspended one of my mps straightaway. but when he, mr speaker, mr speaker, when he learnt of vile anti—semitic remarks made by a labour candidates, what did he do mr speaker? he instructed his team to defend him. he sent a shadow cabinet minister to campaign for him, and he personally backed him for days, and that is the difference between us. i act on my principles. he hasn't got any! shouting. i can't believe he's saying it was a straight face, the former prime minister continued on her american odyssey, thisjourney to minister continued on her american odyssey, this journey to the wild west of her mind, she also claimed, she also claimed, mr speaker, that nigel farage is the man to restore the tory party. the prime minister confirm whether he too would welcome mr verrard back into the tory fold? —— mr farae in our party, we have a proud tradition of diversity and accepting an order of any background, it's a record that puts the labour party to shame, this is the labour party to shame, this is the part the firstjewish prime minister, the first female prime minister, the first female prime minister, the first black chancellor, the first muslim home secretary, and now led by the first british asian prime minister. it seems he can only champion men from north london, but it's the conservatives that represent modern britain! shouting. so, this diverse tory party does welcome nigel farage. the prime minister, two months ago, the prime minister, two months ago, the prime minister said the tory party is a broad church, i welcome lots of people who want to subscribe to our ideals and our values. this is the same nigel farage who said he agreed with the basic premise of innard powell's the rivers of blood speech, and bemoaned influence of thejewish lobby —— agreed with enoch powell's rivers of blood speech. is he too afraid to stand up to the gaggle of mps who moonlight as db news presenters? or does he genuinely think nigel farage represents the ideals and values of the tory party? —— moonlight as gb news presenters. tomorrow in rochdale people have the choice of three former labour candidates, two of which are anti—semites, mr speaker. the truth is, his party is so mired in hate that in spite of three x labour candidates, he cannot endorsed a single one of them, we expel anti—semites, he makes the labour candidates! mr anti-semites, he makes the labour candidates! ~ ., ,, candidates! mr speaker, the truth is, these candidates! mr speaker, the truth is. these are _ candidates! mr speaker, the truth is, these are no _ candidates! mr speaker, the truth is, these are no longer— candidates! mr speaker, the truth is, these are no longer the - is, these are no longer the tories your parents voted for and the public can see it. the prime minister has lost control of his party to the hordes of malcontents, the tinfoil hat brigade over there, the tinfoil hat brigade over there, the extremists who wrecked the economy, all lining up to undermine him, humiliate him, and eventually to get rid of him. when will he ever stand up to them and end the pathetic spectacle of a tory party that used to try and beat nigel farage, now giving up and dancing to his tune instead? mr farage, now giving up and dancing to his tune instead?— his tune instead? mr speaker, mr s-eaker, his tune instead? mr speaker, mr speaker. utterly _ his tune instead? mr speaker, mr speaker, utterly shameless i his tune instead? mr speaker, mr speaker, utterly shameless from | speaker, utterly shameless from someone who stood by while anti—semitism ran rife in his party, oversaw the appalling situation in rochdale, and twice backed the member for islington north. rochdale, and twice backed the memberfor islington north. and in the last few weeks, mr speaker, we have seen members of parliaments' homes surrender, meeting is disrupted, and just last week we saw the very rules that govern as place broken because of intimidation. —— homes are surrounded. while he might want to bend to mob rule, we will face down the extremists and stand up face down the extremists and stand up for british value! shouting back. em -- shouting. mr speaker, i -- suourme. | mr speaker, two -- suourme. - mr speaker, two years -- suourme. _ mr speaker, two years ago -- shouting- _ mr speaker, two years ago last saturday russian forces launched their heinous attack on ukraine by their heinous attack on ukraine by the response of the british government and people has been magnificent and i want to pay my own tribute to all those who have done so much, not least in my own constituency of bracknell, where ukrainian people have been so warmly welcomed. mr speaker, we must never both attorney. so could the prime minister is a shirley house that our support to ukraine and all of our nato allies will continue to be unwavering? —— we must never bow to tyranny. ! unwavering? -- we must never bow to rann . ., y unwavering? -- we must never bow to rann . ., , ., ., ., , tyranny. i 'oin my honourable friend in tyranny. ijoin my honourable friend in thankint tyranny. ijoin my honourable friend in thanking people _ tyranny. ijoin my honourable friend in thanking people up _ tyranny. ijoin my honourable friend in thanking people up and _ tyranny. ijoin my honourable friend in thanking people up and down i tyranny. ijoin my honourable friend in thanking people up and down the j in thanking people up and down the country, including the people of bracknell, for welcoming ukrainian families into their homes and communities. during my visit to ukraine injanuary, i announced a major new package of support including £2.5 billion of military assistance, and last week we announced 50 new sanctions targeting individuals and businesses sustaining putin's illegal war machine. oursupport sustaining putin's illegal war machine. our support to ukraine will never waver. sin»?! machine. our support to ukraine will never waver-— never waver. snp leader stephen fl nn. mr never waver. snp leader stephen flynn. mr speaker, _ never waver. snp leader stephen flynn. mr speaker, 30,000 i never waver. snp leader stephen l flynn. mr speaker, 30,000 people dead, 70.000 — flynn. mr speaker, 30,000 people dead, 70,000 injured, _ flynn. mr speaker, 30,000 people dead, 70,000 injured, 1.5- flynn. mr speaker, 30,000 people dead, 70,000 injured, 1.5 million l dead, 70,000 injured, 1.5 million sheltering in wrath, 300,000 living in what is considered to be felt conditions in northern gaza —— 1.5 million sheltering in rafah, and of course hostages still tragically held by hamas. it is the horror of those numbers that that this house have its say, just as it is the of those numbers that show that this house should demand an immediate ceasefire. now, president biden has indicated that that ceasefire may take place from monday. does the prime minister share in his confidence? mr prime minister share in his confidence?— prime minister share in his confidence? ~ .,~ ., confidence? mr speaker, we have consistently _ confidence? mr speaker, we have consistently called _ confidence? mr speaker, we have consistently called for _ confidence? mr speaker, we have consistently called for an - confidence? mr speaker, we have i consistently called for an immediate humanitarian pause which would allow for the safe release of hostages including british nationals and more aid to reach gaza. we welcome progress on a deal, as the honourable gentleman said, there has been progress and we urge everyone on all sides to seize the opportunity, and i have been clear we must seize the momentum from this terrible tragedy to find of lasting resolution to this conflict, which delivers on the promise of a two state solution and ensures that israelis and palestinians can live in dignity and security. mr speaker, we are now — in dignity and security. mr speaker, we are now approaching _ in dignity and security. mr speaker, we are now approaching five - in dignity and security. mr speaker, | we are now approaching five months since this conflict first began. in that time this house has equivocate it and this government on three occasions at the united nations has abstained when it could have voted for a ceasefire. abstention is is not leadership. can i ask the prime minister, should this matter now come before the united nations, with a ceasefire potentially insight, will he use his government's vote in order to deliver that ceasefire? mr order to deliver that ceasefire? i�*j'i speaker, we support the united states' draft resolution that was discussed with colleagues at the next and nations last week, butjust calling for an immediate full ceasefire now, which collapses back into fighting within days or weeks andindeed into fighting within days or weeks and indeed does not release hostages including british hostages, is not including british hostages, is not in any one's interest. we must work towards a permanent ceasefire and that starts with an immediate humanitarian pause to get aid in an hostages out. i agree with the honourable gentleman about the suffering of the people in gaza, and in this country we should be proud of everything we are doing to help them and provide them with life—saving aid they deserve. them and provide them with life-saving aid they deserve. thank ou, mr life-saving aid they deserve. thank you. mr speaker- _ life-saving aid they deserve. thank you, mr speaker. i— life-saving aid they deserve. thank you, mr speaker. i am _ life-saving aid they deserve. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure - life-saving aid they deserve. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure we i life-saving aid they deserve. thank you, mr speaker. i am sure we are| you, mr speaker. i am sure we are all proud of the government we have, the availability of information and data, but with machine learning and ai data, but with machine learning and a! fast becoming more prevalent, does the prime minister agree that now is the time to look at licensing this information where it is going to be used for commercial gain to inform intelligence that's going to disrupt society and our economy? i join with my honourable friend and his passion for al, and like him, i am proud of our record at the forefront of the ai revolution, having created one of the world's first a! safety institute, establishing the state of ai first a! safety institute, establishing the state of a! report, and hosting the world's first—ever global ai and hosting the world's first—ever global a! safety summit. i will ensure my honourable friend meets with the relevant minister to discuss his proposal to ensure that we can harness the opportunities of ai and protect ourselves against the risks it poses. ai and protect ourselves against the risks it poses-— risks it poses. plaid cymru has sitned risks it poses. plaid cymru has signed the _ risks it poses. plaid cymru has signed the full _ risks it poses. plaid cymru has signed the full facts _ risks it poses. plaid cymru has signed the full facts pledge i risks it poses. plaid cymru has signed the full facts pledge for risks it poses. plaid cymru has i signed the full facts pledge for an honest general election campaign. laughter one of their... one of. �*s asks is to renounce deceptive campaigning tactics. —— one of full fact�*s asks. there is evidence of egregious misleading campaigning in wales and elsewhere by the conservatives in recent weeks. we all have a responsibility to campaign honestly, because the alternative is to be complicit in dismantling democracy. therefore, will the prime minister sign full fact�*s pledge for an honest election? but no was speaker, i was pleased to 'ust be in but no was speaker, i was pleased to just be in wales _ but no was speaker, i was pleased to just be in wales last _ but no was speaker, i was pleased to just be in wales last week _ but no was speaker, i was pleased to just be in wales last week and - but no was speaker, i was pleased to just be in wales last week and these | just be in wales last week and these are the facts on the ground. the labour run welsh nhs is performing the worst in the uk, small welsh businesses including pubs and restaurants are facing crippling rises in business rates, and indeed welsh farmers are being decimated by the plans of the welsh labour government. those are the facts in wales and we will continue to point them out at every opportunity. thank ou ve them out at every opportunity. thank you very much _ them out at every opportunity. thank you very much mr— them out at every opportunity. thank you very much mr speaker. _ them out at every opportunity. thank you very much mr speaker. there are 4000 patients in cotchap matt worthington facing uncertainty, after landlords pulled out a discussion of the day before the gp practice lease expired and then issued notice that were trespassing, and now the local icp has issued a weak statement, the local council is refusing to meet the practice and myself, and now we have 4000 patients unsure if they will have a surgery to go to sir can apply minister assured me that when these decisions are taken by landlords thatis decisions are taken by landlords that is appropriate infrastructure in place to support nhs patients before they are cast out to try to find somewhere else to go? mr find somewhere else to go? ii speaker, as my honourable friend the owner, gp leases are commercial agreements between landlords and tenants but he is right, everything that can be done should be done to ensure that gp surgeries do not have to close. that is why in march last year we commissioned a review into legislation governing these leases, and the review will create a new framework that will make leasing for tenants such as gp surgeries and other groups easier and more accessible but i know that as local residents would this sorted as soon as possible to take advantage of the extra point we are creating so that people can get access to the primary care they need. that's my extra appointments. care they need. that's my extra appointments-— care they need. that's my extra a- tointments. ., ., ., appointments. one of the few good thin t s to appointments. one of the few good things to come _ appointments. one of the few good things to come out _ appointments. one of the few good things to come out of _ appointments. one of the few good things to come out of the _ appointments. one of the few good things to come out of the stramash| things to come out of the stramash on wednesday was the house reuniting around a call for an immediate ceasefire, i welcome that, that is the prime minister has given an opportunity for the uk to commit to ourfriends in the un and elsewhere to articulate that position of this house, and if they are not going to do that, what would he say to those of us who say that this place is just a sick pantomime? mr speaker, as i noted previously, _ just a sick pantomime? mr speaker, as i noted previously, it _ just a sick pantomime? mr speaker, as i noted previously, it is _ as i noted previously, it is not right to call for an immediate ceasefire that would collapse insta ntly ceasefire that would collapse instantly into more fighting and not give anything to get more aid into gaza to alleviate the suffering people are experiencing, but also, to make sure that we can safely remove hostages including british hostages. that has been our consistent position. we have been calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire which would provide the conditions were lasting and sustainable peace. just them for something that will collapse back into fighting is not in anyone's interest, either all about diplomatic efforts at the un and elsewhere are targeted towards bringing that about, and i'm pleased that in recent days as has been made and we should keep pressure on all parties to come to a resolution. does my right honourable friend share my enthusiasm at monday's and i spent 27 new potential bathing water sites across the country, including three in shropshire, two on the river severn and one on the river in ludlow, and these welcome designations improve the quality of rivers in shropshire and in other areas under consideration. fin areas under consideration. on monda , areas under consideration. on monday, we would say consultation on your largest ever rule of new bathing water sites. 27 potential new bathing waters in england, including an extra one on the river including an extra one on the river in ludlow, in his constituency, and he is right, substantial improvements have been made in recent years. almost 90% of designated bathing waters in england meet the highest standards of good or excellent, 76% in 2010, mr speaker, all part of our plan for water which alongside this side allows voting for the strictest storm overflow targets and plans for unlimited penalties for polluting water companies, opposed by the party opposite. i5 water companies, opposed by the party opposite-— party opposite. is currently spending — party opposite. is currently spending over _ party opposite. is currently spending over £14,000 i party opposite. is currently spending over £14,000 a l party opposite. is currently i spending over £14,000 a year or party opposite. is currently - spending over £14,000 a year or on party opposite. is currently _ spending over £14,000 a year or on a full—time nursery place. last year the prime minister promised these parents are back in april 2024 there would be a new, free childcare offering, but only a month that met with only a month ago parents to not know if they can access is because of the lack of childcare spaces and staff shortages, so can i ask the prime minister, will the parents that he promised to do, be able to accept this childcare offer that he talked about last year, or is this another example of a broken tory promise? we another example of a broken tory iromise? ~ ., another example of a broken tory iromise? . . ., ., promise? we are delivering on what we said, promise? we are delivering on what we said. which _ promise? we are delivering on what we said, which is _ promise? we are delivering on what we said, which is 30 _ promise? we are delivering on what we said, which is 30 hours - promise? we are delivering on what we said, which is 30 hours of- promise? we are delivering on what we said, which is 30 hours of free i we said, which is 30 hours of free childcare a week for parents, working parents of children from nine months until they start school. it is the largest ever expansion of childcare in our country's history. what i would say to the honourable lady, she might want to have a conversation with her welsh labour colleagues, who had been given the funding to deliver childcare expansion in wales, and what have they done? we have pocketed the money instead of matching our plans to support parents in england. that to support parents in england. at the trust isjust outside orton my the trust is just outside orton my constituency is one of several major road safety harbour issues that have been ignored for decades by labour—controlled rotherham council. i want to petition this place telling rotherham council to end its chaotic mismanagement and can asked for the prime minister's support to urge the labour—controlled council and labour may are to listen to residents, get thisjunction and labour may are to listen to residents, get this junction sorted, stop the tailbacks, stabilise, and end this war against cars in my constituency? mi; end this war against cars in my constituency?— end this war against cars in my constituen ? g ., ., ., , constituency? my honourable friend raises an important _ constituency? my honourable friend raises an important point, _ constituency? my honourable friend raises an important point, and i constituency? my honourable friend raises an important point, and he i constituency? my honourable friend raises an important point, and he is| raises an important point, and he is right to champion his constituents in this way because when labour run things they do run them badly. and he can be assured that we have provided three quarters of £1 million of funding to rotherham council for safety improvements to local roads, and we are continuing to provide his constituents with a further £1 billion allocated to the local area and the second round of the city region sustainable transport plan and because of a decision be made on hs2, communities, towns and cities across the north and midlands will receive billions of pounds in funding for transport projects that will make a difference to him and his constituents far quicker than anything else that was planned. another 80 victims of the contaminated blood scandal have died, since the final recommendations on compensation were made, to the government, in april, 2020 the, -- 2023, 329 days made, to the government, in april, 2020 the, —— 2023, 329 days ago. will the prime ministerjoin families who are lobbying parliament here today to explain why his government has failed to implement any of those recommendations, 11 months on? i any of those recommendations, 11 months on?— any of those recommendations, 11 months on? . , ., ., ., months on? i am acutely aware of the strentth of months on? i am acutely aware of the strength of feeling _ months on? i am acutely aware of the strength of feeling on _ months on? i am acutely aware of the strength of feeling on this _ months on? i am acutely aware of the strength of feeling on this issue, i strength of feeling on this issue, add the suffering of all of those impacted by this dreadful scandal. we have consistently acknowledged thatjustice we have consistently acknowledged that justice should we have consistently acknowledged thatjustice should be delivered. i gave evidence to the public inquiry last year. the government has accepted the moral case for compensation, which is why, on monday in the other place, we committed to bringing forward amendments at report stage of the victims bill with a intention of speeding up the response to the infected blood inquiry.— speeding up the response to the infected blood inquiry. thank you, mr speaker. _ infected blood inquiry. thank you, mr speaker. i— infected blood inquiry. thank you, mr speaker, i would _ infected blood inquiry. thank you, mr speaker, i would like - infected blood inquiry. thank you, mr speaker, i would like to - infected blood inquiry. thank you, mr speaker, i would like to thank| mr speaker, i would like to thank the prime minister sincerely for the extra £244 million announced this week for transport investment in shropshire. this comes on top of £300 million from the organisation of local a&e services, levelling up plans to modernise shrewsbury town centre and fully funding the north—west relief road, the ring road ran shrewsbury, these infrastructure projects will have a major benefit notjust for us but for those who follow us, in shropshire. there is one issue i would like to still raise with the prime minister, which is how our local shropshire council responded, to deal with adult social care costs. we have a disproportionately ageing population in shropshire, and shropshire council is struggling to meet those additional costs. what more can be done to help councils like shropshire deal with rising aduu like shropshire deal with rising adult social care costs? mr speaker, can i -a adult social care costs? mr speaker, can i pay tribute _ adult social care costs? mr speaker, can i pay tribute to _ adult social care costs? mr speaker, can i pay tribute to our _ adult social care costs? mr speaker, can i pay tribute to our honourable l can i pay tribute to our honourable friend for the work he does representing his constituents? he is right about the pressures that are based particularly in rural areas, which is why the government provide a £600 million of additionalfunding for local government across the country, ensuring around 7.5% increase in resources available to invest in social care, but also for an extra addition to the rural services delivery grant, and acknowledging the challenges of providing services in rural areas, with more funding for those rural councils together. —— to deliver. michael stich in a senior standing charges and energy bills absolutely saw, on a communal heat network. the heat network three was introduced in 2021 but in a letter from the minister in the lords last week, he says his ambition, his ambition is that price regulation will only start in spring, 2026. so can i ask, is it his government's incompetence or ofgem's lack of powers that are letting down constituents who cannot afford to turn on the heating this winter? sets afford to turn on the heating this winter? �* , ., afford to turn on the heating this winter? . , ., ., , winter? as the other lady will know, standint winter? as the other lady will know, standing charges _ winter? as the other lady will know, standing charges are _ winter? as the other lady will know, standing charges are a _ winter? as the other lady will know, standing charges are a matter i standing charges are a matter for the independent regulator, ofgem, as we are looking at those things as part of a consultation and this government has provided considerable support forfamilies government has provided considerable support for families across the country, including in scotland, with their energy bills, and i'm sure that she willjoin me in welcoming the recent announcement about the fall in energy bills bringing them back to levels that we have not seen in a long time, on top of the cost of living support the chancellor has provided, so that everyone in our country gets the help that they need. ~ ~, country gets the help that they need. ~ ., , , ., . need. wellington fields is a much loved open _ need. wellington fields is a much loved open space, _ need. wellington fields is a much loved open space, cherished - need. wellington fields is a much loved open space, cherished by l need. wellington fields is a much i loved open space, cherished by local residents and used by the nearby school as playing fields. shockingly, peterborough city council proposed defence of almost the entire area, rejecting a compromise that most residents and the school are happy with. bizarrely, the local council seems to blame the secretary of state for education, myself and even the prime minister. will my right honourable friend get behind my campaign to save wellington fields and make it clear right here right now that this is a matter entirely for the local authority? is a matter entirely for the local authori ? . ,_ is a matter entirely for the local authority?— is a matter entirely for the local authori ? . , ., authority? can i pay tribute to mile honourable — authority? can i pay tribute to mile honourable friend _ authority? can i pay tribute to mile honourable friend for _ authority? can i pay tribute to mile honourable friend for his _ honourable friend for his championing of his constituents on this matter. the edges they can secretary rightly rejected peterborough city council's application to remove the playing field land, against its community school for educational land, the public open space, and that will ensure that children will have access to the open space that they deserve, but i am told by the department that the council can provide for some of that land to be, so the department really comfortable with that provided that the overall site remains an educational land. that is something he wants to see under the department are ready to work with him to make sure that that happens. work with him to make sure that that ha ens. �* work with him to make sure that that hauens.�* , , happens. after yesterday's revelation _ happens. after yesterday's revelation that _ happens. after yesterday's revelation that the - happens. after yesterday's revelation that the ceo - happens. after yesterday's revelation that the ceo of| happens. after yesterday's i revelation that the ceo of the happens. after yesterday's - revelation that the ceo of the post office is under investigation for an 80 page report written by the former head of hr at a post office, does the prime minister and his secretary have confidence in the leadership of nick reeves at the post office? it nick reeves at the post office? it would clearly be inappropriate for me to comment on an investigation before it has been completed. we work closely with the post office to ensure that it delivers justice more postmasters caught up in this historic scandal, and that is why we will bring forward imminently the legislation we promised.- will bring forward imminently the legislation we promised. thank you, mr speaker- — legislation we promised. thank you, mr speaker- a _ legislation we promised. thank you, mr speaker. a few _ legislation we promised. thank you, mr speaker. a few years _ legislation we promised. thank you, mr speaker. a few years ago - legislation we promised. thank you, mr speaker. a few years ago there l mr speaker. a few years ago there was a proposal to build nearly 7000 houses in a beautiful part of my constituency near the villages of nailsworth and castor, against the wishes of residents. i work with the community and we were able, together, to stop this development. however, efforts are now being made to build on this land in the revised peterborough local plan. with the prime minister agreed with me that it is very important that the voice of the local community is heard, and that it of the local community is heard, and thatitis of the local community is heard, and that it is unacceptable that developers —— developments can take place in this secretive way when there is other more suitable land available in and around the city of peterborough? ml; available in and around the city of peterborough?— available in and around the city of peterborou~h? g ., ., ., , peterborough? my honourable friend raises an important _ peterborough? my honourable friend raises an important issue. _ peterborough? my honourable friend raises an important issue. he - peterborough? my honourable friend raises an important issue. he is - raises an important issue. he is right that a local community should always have their voice heard. it is important that councils bring forward local plans, but this must be done in close consultation with local communities, because their voices matter. as i understand it the peterborough plan is still on the peterborough plan is still on the preparation and there are opportunities to provide comments on the draft plan so i commend my honourable friend for continuing to support his local community to make sure that their voice is heard. the prime minister _ sure that their voice is heard. the prime minister talks about things going backwards. the uk is the only western g7 power in recession. seven consecutive quarters of no growth. that is the worst since records began in 1955. so, can the prime minister tell the family is struggling to pay bills, businesses going bust, there's been made homeless by the recession, which has his name written all over it, that it is a good thing for our country? mr speaker, i would say to the honourable lady, she might want to check some of the fact she just outlined that aren't quite right. perhaps you would like to explain to the country why it is that her party is stuck with a completely incoherent energy policy that will settle working families with £28 billion of higher tax rises and higher energy bills. mr speaker, since 2019, _ higher energy bills. mr speaker, since 2019, the _ higher energy bills. mr speaker, since 2019, the prime _ higher energy bills. mr speaker, since 2019, the prime minister. higher energy bills. mr speaker, i since 2019, the prime minister has had our backs in stoke—on—trent north, with funding for our local transport, over2 north, with funding for our local transport, over 2 million to repair potholes, over 30 million to our bus network for cheaper fares and new extended roots, funding for railway stations, and this week we have seen stoke—on—trent and staffordshire see a tenfold increase in transport funding, year in, year out. i know the party opposite like to talk down stoke—on—trent north, but isn't it true that this conservative party are the only party with a plan to improve our communities and fix our broken roads and pavements? figs improve our communities and fix our broken roads and pavements? as ever, my honourable — broken roads and pavements? as ever, my honourable friend _ broken roads and pavements? as ever, my honourable friend is _ broken roads and pavements? as ever, my honourable friend is a _ broken roads and pavements? as ever, my honourable friend is a fantastic- my honourable friend is a fantastic champion for stoke—on—trent, and he is right, over the next several years, his area will receive ten times as much as they currently do to invest in local transport schemes as a result of this government's decision on hs2. but he is also right, after years of being neglected by the party opposite, it is this conservative government that is this conservative government that is levelling up across the country and in stoke—on—trent, championed by fantastic mps like him. mr and in stoke-on-trent, championed by fantastic mps like him.— fantastic mps like him. mr speaker, the advent of _ fantastic mps like him. mr speaker, the advent of the _ fantastic mps like him. mr speaker, the advent of the comely _ fantastic mps like him. mr speaker, the advent of the comely first - fantastic mps like him. mr speaker, the advent of the comely first green freeport is most welcome, i wonder what discussions the prime minister has had with the scottish government who will be responsible for ensuring there is a robust roads network associated with the freeport and sufficient housing for the influx of workers we hope will contribute our dream of offshore renewable structures —— the cromarty firth green freeport. l structures -- the cromarty firth green freeport.— green freeport. i welcome the su ort green freeport. i welcome the sunport for— green freeport. i welcome the sunport for the _ green freeport. i welcome the support for the freeport, - green freeport. i welcome the | support for the freeport, taking advantage of brexit opportunities to deliver two freeports in scotland which will attract jobs deliver two freeports in scotland which will attractjobs and investment in the industries of the future. with regards to infrastructure investment, not only do we provide the tax benefits for a free port, there are £25 million of seed funding available to the freeport in discussions with the government that can be used on local infrastructure improvements that make sense to develop the opportunities that the freeport provides. opportunities that the freeport rovides. . ., opportunities that the freeport rovides. ., ~ , ., ~ opportunities that the freeport rovides. ., ~ provides. thank you, mr speaker. the aukus programme _ provides. thank you, mr speaker. the aukus programme is _ provides. thank you, mr speaker. the aukus programme is not _ provides. thank you, mr speaker. the aukus programme is notjust - provides. thank you, mr speaker. the aukus programme is notjust a - aukus programme is notjust a national endeavour designed to keep us safe but also national and vicious partnership across the globe to keep contain security threats, so i think the prime ministerfor his engagement with the initiative bringing together senior civil servants, my counsel, bae and myself to try this programme forward, making sure we can deliver these to time and budget, meaning improving the local area considerably and investing in it, too. with that in mind, can i invite the prime minister to barrow to meet notjust the fantastic people building the boots of the future but also to see how this programme will uplift furnace for the future. —— building the second leg of the future. that a the second leg of the future. at a time of great _ the second leg of the future. git —. time of great instability around the world with the war in ukraine and the red sea, my friend is absolutely right that aukus is a game changing defence and security partnership that will keep us safe and create thousands ofjobs, in the uk, shipyards and supply chain, building on investments in places like barrow, derby and elsewhere. he is a fantastic champion of what this industry means in this area and the team barrow partnership is a crucial component of entering aukus is a success, that is why the chancellor provided millions of funding for the delivery board for barrow, we recently discussed this at cabinet and i look forward to visiting him in and his community and seeing the progress for myself.— progress for myself. thank you, mr seaker. progress for myself. thank you, mr speaker- this _ progress for myself. thank you, mr speaker. this last _ progress for myself. thank you, mr speaker. this last weekend, - progress for myself. thank you, mr speaker. this last weekend, the i speaker. this last weekend, the prime minister posed for photographs with a group that shares extremist conspiracy theories on climate change and campaigns against net zero. does the prime minister share their views?— their views? that's no way to talk about the welsh _ their views? that's no way to talk about the welsh farming - about the welsh farming community, mr speaker! shouting. my integrated karen bird tell me that only £2 million of the £120 million of capital which they receive annually is for primary care __ my receive annually is for primary care —— my integrated care board. that seems a small amount for our amazing family doctors and nurses who are from the front line of the nhs, so can the gps have a greater share of this? ! can the gps have a greater share of this? ., ~ , ., ., ., , this? i thank my honourable friend for his excellent _ this? i thank my honourable friend for his excellent and _ this? i thank my honourable friend for his excellent and continued - for his excellent and continued campaigning on health provisions for his constituents. on the specific point he raises, integrated care boards do have the power to increase their annual primary care capital management budgets as long as they keep within the overall budget. i understand my honourable friend recently met with the health minister earlier this week to discuss this further and i will make sure his proposals are very carefully considered. we will leave prime minister's questions are, we will of course followed and bring you any developments. let's welcome our guest for this part politics live, a government minister, labour shadow minister and deputy political editor. the exchanges were pretty heated between keir starmer and rishi sunak, labour leaderfocusing rishi sunak, labour leader focusing his rishi sunak, labour leaderfocusing his ire on why the prime minister was not taking action against the former prime minister, his predecessor, liz truss, saying the whip should be withdrawn her after, on a tour in america, she said she was sabotaged by the deep state and stayed silent an interview one far right tommy robinson, he said, was called a hero. in response rishi sunak said that he backed jeremy corbyn, the former labour leader, when labour was employed in accusations of allowing anti—semitism to flourish —— embroiled in accusations. it seemed like a competition for his predecessor was worse, was a very edifying? ! predecessor was worse, was a very edi inc ? ., . predecessor was worse, was a very edi inc? ~ ., , predecessor was worse, was a very edi in? ~ ., ,, , edifying? i think that probably is the problem _ edifying? i think that probably is the problem for _ edifying? i think that probably is the problem for keir _ edifying? i think that probably is the problem for keir starmer, i edifying? i think that probably is| the problem for keir starmer, he could obviously see there were some things he wanted to go on the attack over, but if you start talking about your predecessors as leaders, he must have realised that the inevitable comeback from the conservative leader was going to be aboutjeremy corbyn. and then after the week we have had, i suppose not surprising, it's likely became an issue of them saying, you know, i am better at rooting out racism in my party than you are. so in that sense it did feel pretty unedifying and i am not quite sure where the labour leader he thought he was going to go with it. ithink leader he thought he was going to go with it. i think we are weak from the budget, i think we are few from may local elections, a few months from a general election, and no policy questions there at all. in terms of the choice of subject i think people may raise their eyebrows. but obviously keir starmer feels the conservative party has a lot to answer, notjust on the issue of liz truss but the other things going on, too. in rochdale. again, he has got his own problems there. so it was an interesting one, but may be people watching might wonder where the policy questions were. i where the policy questions were. i suppose the point, keir starmerwas suppose the point, keir starmer was trying to make, is that your party has been major clash between sir keir starmer and rishi sunak was when sir keir starmer tried to bring up the comments by liz truss. he questioned why rishi sunak was allowing her to remain a conservative mp when he said she was at every opportunity criticising britain and had recently in the us remained silent as tommy robinson, as he put it a right—wing thug was described as a hero. rishi sunak replied that he didn't believe a single member of his house supported tommy robinson but he then pointed to, he said that the labour party, that anti—semitism run rife in the party and he had backed a man who called hamas friends. the labour party candidate for rochdale made comments about the labour —— israel's actions in gaza. if comments about the labour -- israel's actions in gaza.- israel's actions in gaza. if she could make — israel's actions in gaza. if she could make a _ israel's actions in gaza. if she could make a statement - israel's actions in gaza. if she could make a statement to i israel's actions in gaza. if she i could make a statement to what israel's actions in gaza. if she - could make a statement to what steps are being _ could make a statement to what steps are being taken to restore public confidence in the post office board and governance following evidence taken _ and governance following evidence taken out — and governance following evidence taken out yesterday's business and trade _ taken out yesterday's business and trade select committee. i sat there for five hours _ trade select committee. i sat there for five hours listening _ trade select committee. i sat there for five hours listening to _ trade select committee. i sat there for five hours listening to all i trade select committee. i sat there for five hours listening to all the i for five hours listening to all the evidence given to the select committee yesterday. there have now been several serious allegations made against the government, my department by henry staunton. his most recent revelation is that there is an ongoing investigation that involves both him and the post office ceo nick read. as a former chair i clearly found that statement to the select committee highly unprofessional. the fact nick read is being investigated as evidence that no one is untouchable and the post office culture is changing. an investigation is of course not evidence that allegations are accurate. while nick read has cooperated fully, mr staunton tried to block the investigation looking into his conduct. it was this action as well as his attempt to bypass the formal process to appoint a new directed to the board which led the secretary of state to lose confidence in mr staunton. as was said in the business and trade committee yesterday, board members felt so strongly about his conduct that they were going to resign. it was right that the government decided to act. mr staunton has now made a series of allegations which we strongly reject. he is using the nick read investigation to divert attention from the issues the select committee are discussing about his dismissal. the allegations are also proving to be a further distraction from the victims of this injustice. his central allegation is the government told him to slow down compensation payments, not a single person backs him up on this claim. my person backs him up on this claim. my officials are clear that they've never been instructed to do this. post office executives are clear that instruction was never passed on them. we provided a letterfrom my department to mr staunton telling him the opposite. his only evidence as a note of a conversation which is clearly about operational financing of the post office business. this is entirely different from compensation to sub—postmasters. the permanent secretary wrote recently to give a truthful account of what happened. we also released a contemporaneous note of that meeting. he alleged the secretary of state refused to apologise after he learnt of his dismissal from apologise after he learnt of his dismissalfrom sky apologise after he learnt of his dismissal from sky news. apologise after he learnt of his dismissalfrom sky news. this was not the case. he claimed the secretary of state told him someone has got to take the rap for the horizon scandal and that was the reason for his dismissal. this was not the case. the post office faces unprecedented challenges and needs to work at pace to deliver compensation to the thousands of postmasters that fell victim to a flawed it system as well as continuing essential work to implement cultural change is needed within the business. as we've repeatedly said, post office governance is a priority for the government. that is why we acted swiftly to remove a chair about whom there were serious concerns and allegations and why we are working at pace to appoint an interim chair. we of course recognise the seriousness of the investigation into individuals at the post office and i recognise parliamentary and public concern and need to make sure this confidence in the post office leadership. i asked the post office to provide me with the findings of the investigation once completed. it is right to wait for it to conclude before making any furtherjudgment. conclude before making any further judgment. —— it is right to wait. i'm disappointed that the secretary of state herself is not here. i thank the honourable memberfor everything he does for post offices and i'm happy to work with him going forward. prominent arise and victims are still seeing compensation, or rather, financial redress is far too slow. —— prominent horizon victims. they said yesterday that schemes are not working for victims and there is too much lawyering and obfuscation going on, no complete claims may have settled for less than they were entitled to and may need to be visited. thejewel entitled to and may need to be visited. the jewel suggested that this deadline target will not be met and current impasse could continue for another one or two years. henry staunton's claims persist. why has the prime minister refused to back up the prime minister refused to back up the secretary of state, refusing to repeat the claim that staunton lied. this is the third time we have been here to find out about the circumstances of mr staunton's departure. last time, the secretary of state mentioned investigations into staunton but failed to reveal an 80 page investigation into the current ceo, nick reed. with all we have seen about the secretary of state's past assurance is being undermined, i can we trust her firm assurances now? does the secretary of state have faith in the post office board which is clearly in total disarray? there were even claims that ceo nick reed had threatened to resign over pay. victims and the public have lost faith in the post office board and governance. when over £1.2 billion of public money is being spent on financial redress, the taxpayer ought to have confidence that costs will not be driven up further by mismanagement. the evidence from yesterday's business and trade committee shows that the public and victims have no reason to be confident as incompetence and confiscation is marred the process up confiscation is marred the process up until now. —— and obfuscation has marred. sub—postmasters sate redress schemes are not working and victims agree, the lawyers say they are not working and the former chair of post office says they are not working. why should we trust the government, and what are you going to do to fix this? around what is happening here. there will be fears about some _ around what is happening here. there will be fears about some prisoners that they could be wrongly released early. you mentioned a couple of measures. can you reassure the public that there will not be people released early who still pose a threat? cani can i say the secretary of state is abroad at a conference. interesting, her last point, yesterday, mr staunton in his evidence said he had no concerns around the speed of compensation which i think she and i were quite astounded by that because we have fought for years to try and improve the speed of compensation. i think that is one more concern people might have around his evidence but that was created in one of his responses. it is absolutely right that we constantly seek to improve the speed of compensation and make sure it is full and fair and make sure it is full and fair and signature be full and fair. one of the reasons i spent yesterday listening to the evidence given is to try to make sure that we are doing everything possible to accelerate compensation. interesting conversations yesterday in the evidence session itself, listening to ideas from those as to how we can accelerate compensation which is something we are very keen to do. as she is aware, and the figures quoted yesterday, on the gl 0 scheme, and hundreds for claims of beans admitted, 104 offers happy maid, 80 have been accepted. without reference to the independent panel which would tend to indicate that offers made are fair. she will also recognise the announcements made on monday that we have introduced £450,000 interim compensation figure for people who submit their full claim and the fact we would provide an offer of 80% of initial offer one another is made to claimants into the gl 0 scheme. interesting also that henry staunton seem to think his biggest concern around the compensation schemes was the overturning of convictions, when she knows and i think every member of this house knows that we announce legislation on monday and previously that will overturn convictions en masse, which is unprecedented. that is key to compensation so i think on all those reasons, i don't think we should take henry staunton's evidence at face value. henry staunton _ evidence at face value. henry staunton continues _ evidence at face value. henry staunton continues to - evidence at face value. henry staunton continues to insist l evidence at face value. henry i staunton continues to insist that he was told to delay compensation for postmasters but at the select committee yesterday, he said that the published notes of the meeting were not contemporaneous, unlike his own. can the minister undertake to provide a counter membrane is that conversation to put this accusation to bed once and for all. i conversation to put this accusation to bed once and for all.— to bed once and for all. i think it is one thing _ to bed once and for all. i think it is one thing to _ to bed once and for all. i think it is one thing to criticise - to bed once and for all. i think it| is one thing to criticise ministers, it is entirely another to sully the good name of a civil servant and sarah has been very clear in her letter that she published the honest matter that mr thompson is wrong —— mike mr staunton. she has been clear that she has contemporaneous notes of that meeting and we will publish those notes which absolutely clarify and back—up the fact that henry staunton is wrong and sarah mumby is right. staunton is wrong and sarah mumby is riuht. ~ . staunton is wrong and sarah mumby is ri. ht, . ., staunton is wrong and sarah mumby is rirht.~ ., , , staunton is wrong and sarah mumby is riuht. ., , , right. what we saw yesterday was unedi inc right. what we saw yesterday was unedifying and — right. what we saw yesterday was unedifying and at _ right. what we saw yesterday was unedifying and at points, - right. what we saw yesterday was unedifying and at points, a - right. what we saw yesterday was j unedifying and at points, a fiasco. sub postmasters watching will rightly be dismayed and will have felt, if anything, that they were moving further away from getting justice. the ongoing conflict at the top of the post office and the failure of the government to get a grip is helping no one and is only further eroding trust in this process. i do think the secretary of state should reflect on how her approach to the news of recent weeks has only exacerbated that. we, and especially victims, have all had enough of the, he said, she said. does the minster and recognise that the best way to recognise this is to fully clarify what the government has has not said through an independent investigation and can also pick up on some of the worrying evidence given yesterday by the director of the business resilience in the business department, where he said of the financial provisions set aside for the horizon conversation, that he personally thinks will end “p that he personally thinks will end up spending more money in compensation overall than the £1 billion figure which was modelled at an earlier stage stop this is incredibly serious so can i ask the minister, does he share this view and if so, what conversations has he had with government colleagues and will he see this being reflected in the budget next week. can he clarify whether here the secretary of state were aware of the fact that nick reed was under investigation as was allegedly stated in the 80 page document referred to by henry staunton yesterday and specifically in response to me, during an urgent question on the 29th ofjanuary, in response to me, during an urgent question on the 29th of january, the minister said that henry staunton's sacking was due, not to the failing, the following out that i referred to, but about very serious governance issues relating to the person who headed the board of the organisation which are obviously confidential human resources issues. can the minister confirm if he had sight of the confidential human resources report that was referred to yesterday and if so, why was he selective in his update to this house? finally, it is very important to make sure that we restore trust by urgently bringing forward legislation so i hope that rather than yesterday's unseemly events, our focus can return to make sure we exonerate the sub postmasters and deliver the recompense that they rightly deserve.— deliver the recompense that they rightly deserve. when she says she was selective _ rightly deserve. when she says she was selective about _ rightly deserve. when she says she was selective about what _ rightly deserve. when she says she was selective about what i - rightly deserve. when she says she was selective about what i said, i rightly deserve. when she says she | was selective about what i said, she accusing me of being economic with the truth? i take exception to that point. absolutely wrong that anybody in this house would disclose information that has not concluded and where the individuals concerned, the perception of innocence must apply. if she things i should come to this house and talk about those sensitive matters, she doesn't understand how the corporate world works. in terms of being an edifying... it works. in terms of being an edifying- - -_ works. in terms of being an edi inc... , ., works. in terms of being an edi inc... ., i] edifying. .. it is called a debate. i did find it on — edifying. .. it is called a debate. i did find it on edifying _ edifying. .. it is called a debate. i did find it on edifying but - edifying. .. it is called a debate. i did find it on edifying but around | did find it on edifying but around one single person. everybody else who gave evidence yesterday was clear there was no sense ever of trying to slow down compensation, nor do i think that she is right by saying that postmasters are further away from getting compensation. quite the opposite, and to imply that it's bugging questions around the compensation scheme and it could lead to people not coming forward. we welcome the fact 1,000 more people have come forward since the itv series. people are further to compensation, not further away and the actions we are taking, both in terms of the compensatory advisory board, the overturning of convictions, in terms of the horizon scheme which is nearly completed, and the gl 0 scheme, although things are moving on. if she wants to end, he said, she said, perhaps she should end it because we want to prove on and pay compensation. in terms of the £1 million, i don't think that is serious at all, of course we have no cabin conversation so the £1 billion is a maximum budget. if that needs to be increased, it should be. she is saying we should not increase it and people should deserve more, she should put that on record, but i think it would be entirely race irresponsible. on all counts on what she said, and every time i have dealt with this matter over the dispatch box with shadow ministers, it has been constructive and collaborative, and i do resent the tone she has taken in this particular case.— tone she has taken in this particular case. can i say in fairness — particular case. can i say in fairness to _ particular case. can i say in fairness to the _ particular case. can i say in fairness to the minster, i particular case. can i say in fairness to the minster, he | particular case. can i say in i fairness to the minster, he has particular case. can i say in - fairness to the minster, he has come here on— fairness to the minster, he has come here on more — fairness to the minster, he has come here on more occasions than anyone as i here on more occasions than anyone as l have _ here on more occasions than anyone as i have known and he has absolute ensured _ as i have known and he has absolute ensured that the house has been kept informed _ ensured that the house has been kept informed i_ ensured that the house has been kept informed. i must say it was without question _ informed. i must say it was without cuestion. ~ . , informed. i must say it was without cuestion. _, informed. i must say it was without cuestion. ~ , question. may i commend the minister not onl for question. may i commend the minister not only for the — question. may i commend the minister not only for the consistent _ question. may i commend the minister not only for the consistent and - not only for the consistent and compassionate approach she has taken to this matter but also for his attendance at the session yesterday that lasted for five hours and he was therefore the greater part of it. he is quite right to say that much of what we heard yesterday was a real distraction from the key objective of the government and the committee in making sure that there is a speedy compensation to our postmasters but it was clear that the former chairman and possibly the chief executive exhibited limitations and were perhaps unsuitable for the role to which they were appointed so ijust unsuitable for the role to which they were appointed so i just wonder if there they were appointed so i 'ust wonder if ther ~ . . they were appointed so i 'ust wonder if ther ~ ., . ., they were appointed so i 'ust wonder if ther . ., . ., , ., if there watching an urgent question on ublic if there watching an urgent question on public confidence _ if there watching an urgent question on public confidence in _ if there watching an urgent question on public confidence in the - if there watching an urgent question on public confidence in the post i on public confidence in the post office board and governance and kevin hollinrake business and trade minister saying there was no evidence of the central allegation by the former chairman of the post of his henry staunton that was given yesterday in parliament that he was told to slow down compensation to be postmasters involved in the horizon case and he went on to say that he didn't think that he could take mr staunton's statements at face value, whereas marion fellows said the whole incompetence and obfuscation had mired to the process. an urgent questionnaire about the post office. we had some breaking news that prince harry is to appeal the judgment in the police protection case. as you heard early this morning, we know that prince harry had lost his case and is now going to appeal against a high court ruling which has dismissed his challenge to take away his personal security when he visits the uk. now the weather. hello. it's been a foggy start to the day, especially across central, southern and eastern areas but that is lifting and for many of us were looking at a cloudy day with some rain. that rain coming from the west is continuing to spread eastwards through the rest of the day. not arriving in some eastern areas until much later. so there is some brightness ahead of it but it is fairly transient because as the rain comes in, the cloud will build ahead of it, some of the rain will be heavy and it will also be windy through the irish sea, western and northern scotland, but it is a mild direction the wind is coming from so temperatures 712, a bit higher than they were yesterday. receiving evening and overnight, the first batch of rain pushes into the north sea, the second comes in hot on its heels, heavy rain embedded in this. cooler air follows behind so we will see showers, blustery showers across scotland and northern ireland, some of those wintry on higher ground. very windy across the far north of scotland. but still mild in the south—east. this is today a mild weather, this is the front bringing the rain south through the night. note how the blues following behind indicating the drop in temperature. tomorrow we hang onto all this cloud and rain across southern areas. it will be quite a cloudy day for england and wales. in the colder air, some squally showers across the north and west, particularly in scotland some hail and thunder. through the day the snow level will drop from 500 metres to about 200 metres and if you are exposed to this it will feel cold. there into friday we say goodbye to the weather front, than a complex area of low pressure pushes in bringing with it a mixture of rain, sleet and snow. you can see that pushing northwards across the lake district into the pennines and southern uplands and the hills of northern ireland. mainly a hello feature but we could also see some wintry weather coming out of the showers across parts of wales and into the moors. on friday it will be windy especially through the english channel. as we head into the weekend, it does remain fairly u nsettled. showers or rain at times, we could see some rain clipping the south—east during sunday. temperature wise, it is going to feel chilly wherever you are. today at one — prince harry loses his high court challenge against the decision to remove his personal protection when he's in the uk. he claimed he was treated unfairly when the government downgraded his security arrangements four years ago. meanwhile mps are to get more personal protecton amid fears some are being targeted because of their views. an important ruling in northern ireland on plans to give an amnesty to suspects wanted for crimes during the troubles. alexei navalny, the russian opposition leader who died in prison, will be buried in moscow on friday. his widow had this message for the european parliament. putin killed my husband alexei navalny. on his orders, alexei was tortured for three years. and an exclusive report on the teams trying to preseve the wonders of the sistine chapel. and coming up on bbc news... two—time olympic champion andy murray tells the bbc he would like one last shot at further olympic glory before retirement. paris 2024 would be his fifth games.