By the senior tory mp tobias ellwood. Soaring energy bills. A large part of the rise in the cost of living. Well look at where help is being provided. Schools not out in wales, with a trial to lengthen the school day by five hours a week. And the start of the Winter Olympics torch relay heralding the official start of the games in two days� time. And coming up on the Bbc News Channel how green is your club . How tottenham and liverpool find themselves top of footballs sustainability table. Good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. The government is this lunchtime announcing its plans to close the gap between rich and poor areas of the country, as part of its so called levelling up agenda. The policy, which the Prime Minister has described as a defining mission, will take until 2030 to deliver, and aims to tackle regional inequalities and help overlooked communities. There are 12 missions or targets which include. Increasing regional devolution with plans to create more mayors with london style powers, improving public transport to bring it up to londons standards. Refocusing Education Spending on the most disadvantaged areas. And providing access to sg broadband to most households. And there will be increased Public Investment in research and development away from the south east. But there is no new money attached, and labour says there is little fresh thinking. Heres our Political Correspondent damian grammaticas. We area we are a government committed to levelling up. It is we are a government committed to levelling un we are a government committed to levelling lip levelling up. It is absolutely what levellin levelling up. It is absolutely what levelling up levelling up. It is absolutely what Levelling Up Is levelling up. It is absolutely what Levelling Up Is all levelling up. It is absolutely what Levelling Up Is all about. Levelling up. It is absolutely what Levelling Up Is all about. What. Levelling up. It is absolutely whati Levelling Up Is all about. What we are doinu Levelling Up Is all about. What we are doing is Levelling Up Is all about. What we are doing is levelling Levelling Up Is all about. What we are doing is levelling up. Levelling up is all about. What we are doing is levelling up. It Levelling Up Is all about. What we are doing is levelling up. It was i are doing is levelling up. It was the promise are doing is levelling up. It was the promise made are doing is levelling up. It was the promise made in are doing is levelling up. It was the promise made in the are doing is levelling up. It was the promise made in the 2019 l the promise made in the 2019 election, to make this a more equal country. This is a place like wolverhampton, one of 20 parts of england that will share £1. 5 billion to invest locally. I england that will share £1. 5 billion to invest locally. To invest locally. I think wolverhampton to invest locally. Ithink wolverhampton needsl to invest locally. I think. Wolverhampton needs to to invest locally. I think wolverhampton needs to spend to invest locally. I think wolverhampton needs to spend the money on more youth engagement, just so that the youth has something to go to. It so that the youth has something to no to. ,. , so that the youth has something to i o to, ,. , so that the youth has something to aoto. , go to. It seems to be delays of the dela s in go to. It seems to be delays of the delays in the go to. It seems to be delays of the delays in the transport. Go to. It seems to be delays of the delays in the transport. Up go to. It seems to be delays of the delays in the transport. Up until. Delays in the transport. Up until the Christmas Period they werent working the Christmas Period they werent working for six weeks. A the Christmas Period they werent working for six weeks. A lot the Christmas Period they werent working for six weeks. Working for six weeks. A lot of eole working for six weeks. A lot of Peeple Travel working for six weeks. A lot of People Travel to working for six weeks. A lot of People Travel to birmingham l working for six weeks. A lot of people Travelto Birmingham because People Travel to birmingham because more shops People Travel to birmingham because more shops in People Travel to birmingham because more shops in birmingham People Travel to birmingham because more shops in birmingham are People Travel to birmingham because more shops in birmingham are open. J more shops in birmingham are open. Round more shops in birmingham are open. Round here more shops in birmingham are open. Round here is more shops in birmingham are open. Round here is quite more shops in birmingham are open. Round here is quite nice, more shops in birmingham are open. Round here is quite nice, they more shops in birmingham are open. Round here is quite nice, theyjust. Round here is quite nice, theyjust need round here is quite nice, theyjust need to round here is quite nice, theyjust need to have round here is quite nice, theyjust need to have more round here is quite nice, theyjust need to have more shops round here is quite nice, theyjust need to have more shops open. I round here is quite nice, theyjustl need to have more shops open. The needs are need to have more shops open. Needs are many and varied. Areas that need investment range from schools to skills, transport to Job Opportunities. Every part of the country is different. Irate opportunities. Every part of the country is different. Opportunities. Every part of the country is different. We are excited about this but country is different. We are excited about this but the country is different. We are excited about this but the problem country is different. We are excited about this but the problem we country is different. We are excited| about this but the problem we have had in the West Midlands and wolverhampton is decades and decades of underinvestment which is held us back. We have always known we have loads of potential but things around our education, health and businesses, it needs the pump priming and we need power is likely to deliver some of that. Home priming and we need power is likely to deliver some of that. Priming and we need power is likely to deliver some of that. None of the investments to deliver some of that. None of the investments involved to deliver some of that. None of the investments involved new to deliver some of that. None of the investments involved new money, l to deliver some of that. None of the investments involved new money, it has all been earmarked by the treasury before. Instead there is a strategy overseen by michael gove to try to direct where the investment will go, and it will take years to deliver. I will go, and it will take years to deliver. , � ~ will go, and it will take years to deliver. , � ,. ,. ,. , deliver. I dont think anyone would sa that deliver. I dont think anyone would say that these deliver. I dont think anyone would say that these ambitions deliver. I dont think anyone would say that these ambitions are say that these ambitions are anything other than noble and right. What government will be judged by is our ability to deliver over the course of the next two years, and then onto 2030. Then onto 2030. Investing in transport then onto 2030. Investing in transport is then onto 2030. Investing in transport is part then onto 2030. Investing in transport is part of then onto 2030. Investing in transport is part of it then onto 2030. Investing in transport is part of it as then onto 2030. Investing in transport is part of it as well| then onto 2030. Investing in transport is part of it as well but will it really bring change . Many of the ideas are not new, they were part of previous strategies. Labour says it is not a new departure, just new slogans. Areas of england will be offered the chance to their own mayors. If be offered the chance to their own ma ors. , mayors. If we are genuine about levellin mayors. If we are genuine about levelling no. Mayors. If we are genuine about levelling no. I mayors. If we are genuine about levelling up, i really mayors. If we are genuine about levelling up, i really dont mayors. If we are genuine about levelling up, i really dont think| levelling up, i really dont think this white paper will do what we wanted to do, but if we were, it will be about addressing regional inequalities like health conditions, life expectancy, Educational Attainment skill levels, Job Opportunities and certainly transport connectivity and thats not what this paper does. But it does offer some opportunity for areas that have not got devolution. That might be the key to it all, whether local areas really have the power to direct local spending. The ambition is spot on. I think michael gove ambition is spot on. I think michael gove is ambition is spot on. I think michael gove is right that we need a Devolution Revolution to level up. But if Devolution Revolution to level up. But if you Devolution Revolution to level up. But if you look underneath the pledges, but if you look underneath the pledges, and we still need to see the detail, it feels like they are pushing the detail, it feels like they are pushing out the same old remedies that have pushing out the same old remedies that have failed to close the divide between that have failed to close the divide between places. For that have failed to close the divide between places between places. For an embattled Prime Minister, between places. For an embattled Prime Minister, the between places. For an embattled Prime Minister, the levelling between places. For an embattled Prime Minister, the levelling up. Prime minister, the Levelling Up Strategy is also part of his political survival strategy. A way to shift the focus from the ongoing calls for him to resign. Aha, to shift the focus from the ongoing calls for him to resign. A wonderful moral and economic calls for him to resign. A wonderful moral and Economic Mission calls for him to resign. A wonderful moral and Economic Mission to calls for him to resign. A wonderful. Moral and Economic Mission to level p moral and Economic Mission to level up and give opportunity across the whole country. A fantastic vision for this country, mr speaker. Governments have made many and similar promises before. The difficulty, changes to the face of the country will take years to be seen. Damian grammaticas, bbc news. Borisjohnson spoke of his aim of tackling regional inequality when he first entered Downing Street, and last year, the communities secretary michael gove said to view levelling up in reality, come to teesside. Our north of england correspondent, fiona trott, reports from middlesbrough. An area thats asked to be levelled up. More than four in ten children live in poverty here and people are likely to live five years less than those in london. Does todays announcement make them feel that all that will change . I wouldnt trust the government as far as i could throw them, and thats not far. The government is saying today it wants to bring the rest of the countrys transport up to the same standard as london. She laughs does that mean they are going to stop all the cars from coming in to middlesbrough . Because that wont work. They have got it going on down there and it would be nice to reciprocate what is going on in middlesbrough, basically, it would be beneficial for everything. Do you think that will happen . Do you trust the government to deliver . Hopefully. We know what these things are like, promises, promises, but you never know. I believe the government will do that, yeah. I believe in them. At the other side of town, students are learning about renewable energy, a sector that is receiving millions of pounds� worth of investment here. Weve got a reading of 6. 36. I am pretty excited for being in this field of work because i think that it is perfect for the change from steel to green energy now, and i dont have to travel for work. Im in the perfect place, it is happening in teesside where i live, so i dont have to move away. I want to go down the property route, so the whole levelling up will, like, improve that, building new houses, newjobs, the whole infrastructure created. Mums like jane sayjobs like those are out of her reach. Instead, Levelling Up Meansjust having somewhere nice to live. On the inside of our house is really nice but as soon as you come out of our front door, it lets us down. We look like scum. I think that money more money needs to be spent on education in this community or in the communities that need it, to help them respect our area and learn more respect ready| for when they have i children in the future. The development of the former steelworks is at the heart of teessides levelling up agenda. But like todays announcement, people cant yet see or feel the change. The question is do they have the patience to wait . Fiona trott, bbc news, middlesbrough. Lets get reaction to the proposals from across the country. Our south west correspondent, jenny kumah, is in camborne in cornwall, but first lets speak to our midlands correspondent, phil mackie, whos in wolverhampton. Yes, this is the new wolverhampton market, they spent £5 million moving it here, building it and market, they spent £5 million moving it here, Building Itand making it quite a nice and attractive place to visit but if you walk around the city centre, its looking quite desolate and desperate at the moment. Lots of businesses have moved out during the pandemic. Its notjust moved out during the pandemic. Its not just about making moved out during the pandemic. Its notjust about making things look pretty and attractive to come to, its about opportunities. Wolverhampton has suffered because of education over the years, it has some of the lowest attainments for the parliamentary constituencies, and one of the problems is retaining talent. Lots of famous people come to wolverhampton and havent had to leave the city to become successful and what they really want to see and what they really want to see and they have had to leave the city to become successful. And they want to become successful. And they want to see people based here ten or years down the line. They want to see the detail, they know they are getting some money, people here would welcome it but they want something to change quite quickly. Now lets go to cornwall and the selfless correspondent for the bbc. South west correspondent. I am here south west correspondent. I am here at south west correspondent. I am here at the south west correspondent. I am here at the camborne campus of cornwall here at the camborne campus of cornwall college, Playing A Key Role In Skilling cornwall college, Playing A Key Role In Skilling up people and helping with regeneration. This has one of the highest rate of deprivation in cornwall the highest rate of deprivation in cornwall and england in this area. Local cornwall and england in this area. Local Business Leaders say that the elliptical local Business Leaders say that the elliptical conversation on that has been elliptical conversation on that has been elliptical conversation on that has been political conversation on levelling been political conversation on levelling up has been concentrating on the levelling up has been concentrating on the north and midlands. They welcome on the north and midlands. They welcome announcements today to targets welcome announcements today to targets on transport, housing and Education Targets on transport, housing and education but they want more detail, particularly education but they want more detail, particularly around funding. They are keen particularly around funding. They are keen to hear about the pledge the government has made to replace eu funds the government has made to replace eu funds that helped with regenerating cornwall. Also cornwall is one regenerating cornwall. Also cornwall is one of regenerating cornwall. Also cornwall is one of nine areas which is being invited is one of nine areas which is being invited to is one of nine areas which is being invited to apply for more devolution powers. Invited to apply for more devolution powers, they are keen to find out what powers, they are keen to find out what powers they can get from westminster and how they can use that to westminster and how they can use that to control their own destiny. Jenny, that to control their own destiny. Jenny, thank you. Our economics editor, faisal islam, is here. Levelling up is a major policy but no new money . Its a significant moment, a very big mission and it started identifying something which has occurred in this country and just happened, and identifying that is a problem which the government seeks to sell, this issue of inequality. Amongst the biggest inequality. Amongst the biggest inequality in any major economy and this is a crucial issue. The past 30 years show that the figures have got worse between the highest and lowest performing regions in the united kingdom. In other countries, they have made choices which close the gap, they have widened here. Lets give one little example of Policy Levers which is spending on transport. I will show you a chart here which are treasury numbers, showing just how much per head is spent in yorkshire and humber on transport, £309. It is nearly treble in london, £882. There are reasons why you would expect that, london has a bigger transport system, a bigger population. But the logic, you spend more and the system gets bigger, that is why you get divergence. The government says it wants to bridge the gaps. It doesnt wants to bridge the gaps. It doesnt want to level them up, that isnt part of the policy completely, there will still be gaps but they want to make them closer. You are absolutely right, there is no new spending over and above what was in the spending review. Where you look at germany where they achieved economic that economic similarity between east and west generally, they are talking about £70 billion a year on that. Thank you very much. A senior conservative mp, tobias ellwood, has become the latest tory to announce hes submitting a letter of No Confidence in the Prime Minister over the row over Downing Street gatherings. Our Political Correspondent, jonathan blake, joins us from westminster now. Whats he said . On what should be a showpiece day for the government when it talks about its Flagship Policy of levelling up that we have heard so much about and we all digest the detail of that attempt to deliver on the promise made at the 2019 election, there is a Running Commentary and a big question over hanging all of that. Uncertainty around the Prime Ministers leadership. And since the findings of the Sue Grey Report were made public earlier this week, Conservative Mps have been asking themselves and each other have what they have made about the identification of a failure of leadership in Downing Street, and also the Prime Ministers response to it. And today, one has decided to add his name to a handful of Conservative Mps who have gone public with their decision that enough is enough. Tobias ellwood, the former defence minister, now chair of the Defence Committee in the House Of Commons, confirming he will write to the chairman of the backbench 1922 will write to the chairman of the Backbench1922 Committee Calling For A vote of confidence in Boris Johnsons leadership, saying, in the nicest way, possible, he doesnt think he is up to the job. Its absolutely right that we praise the Prime Minister for his energy and enthusiasm that got us up to this point. But the domestic and international challenges, i think, now require a new leader and thats why i have submitted a letter. The Prime Minister was confronted with this move at Prime Ministers questions in the House Of Commons just a short while ago. The leader of the Scottish National party in westminster Ian Blackford asking what he made of this decision. Boris johnson replied that it was more vital than ever to get on with the job and deliver on the governments recovery plan. The question is, how long will he be able to do that without this Running Distraction taking peoples attention elsewhere . Thank you, jonathan. The defence secretary, ben wallace, says President Putin of russia will be judged by his actions not his words on ukraine. It comes after borisjohnsons visit to kyiv yesterday where he warned that Russian Forces massed on the border represented a Clear And Present Danger to ukraine. The Prime Minister is also due to talk to President Putin today in a phone call that was delayed from earlier this week. New figures suggest shoppers are seeing the highest price rises in almost a decade. Figures from the trade body, the british retail consortium, and the Research Company nielsen, show that annual shop inflation in january almost doubled compared with december. The increase was caused by a big jump in the cost of non food items, such as furniture and flooring. The Energy Regulator ofgem will tomorrow announce a steep hike in energy bills starting in april for 15 million households in england, scotland and wales, as it confirms the new level of the price cap which limits what suppliers can charge. With worries about the cost of living, the government is under significant pressure to provide Financial Support for low income families. But right now, its councils, charities and Community Groups which are stepping in to help. Our Consumer Affairs correspondent, colletta smith, reports. Ive got your tap here. Finally, at last. The plumber has arrived, and not a minute too soon for sian and her two teenage girls. The bath tap has not been working for months but she couldnt afford to get it fixed. Now its not going to cost her a penny. It is a life saver, an absolute life saver. Jamess Plumbing Company works for free or at cost for People Living on benefits or low incomes. It is now getting to a stage where charities like myself are the ones that are keeping the country running, that are the backbone of the country, and without us, a lot of people would be in severe poverty right now. That is why chef adam is doing his bit to help out too. These are going to cook right down before we had our seasonings and. Using his spare time in a pub to teach People Living on a really tight budget. He is helping them make Theirfood Stretch further without racking up high energy bills. Now is the time to dust the slow cooker off. It costs about 25p to run a slow cooker overnight for eight hours. Everything we can do in the household to just save that extra quid here, an extra 50p there, because thats what its going to come down to. But it is the government who are under increasing pressure to step in with a much bigger solution as the Energy Price Cap is announced. Ive just worked out a gas bill that was 259 for the last two months. On the next one, it will be, like, 359, so where is that £100 coming from . Sian is not the only one feeling the heat already but there are rules to protect you if you are struggling to pay. Your Energy Company have to give you ten days notice before they increase your direct debit, so if you are worried about paying them, that is the moment to get in touch. And nobody should be worrying that the gas and electricity will be turned off, whether you are on direct debit or prepayment. As long as you contact your energy supplier, there are lots of options that they have to go through with you first. While charities and Community Groups can help, sian knows looking after her children in the months ahead is going to get even harder. I remember my childhood and i remember sitting in front of the gas fire with my mum with parker coats on. And i dont want that. Im sorry. Its difficult. It is really, really difficult. Really difficult. Colletta smith, bbc news. Well, two Energy Company bosses have told the bbc they understand the government does have a plan to cut everyones energy bills by £200 and extend support for the poorest households. Our business editor, simonjack, is with me. What more do we know . Well, the Energy Bosses have told me that they had been largely kept in the dark about the government plans to mitigate this massive price rise. Reports that they are going to cut £200 of everyone � s bill price cap rise they describe as credible and likely. It would work this way, the government would lend billions of pounds to energy companies, that would pass immediately through to everyones energy bills at a cost of five to £6 billion and that money would be repaid over the next three, five, longer. In the end, consumers will foot the bills for this. The problem is Energy Bosses Say £200 wont matter much to some but the other £500 rise will cripple millions of households. There has to be another bit which is expanding or increasing some other discounts for the neediest households. Remember, Citizens Advice just today said that they have had Record Numbers of inquiries about energy debt and that is before the price rise, just an illustration of how acute this might be. We might get something tomorrow along with the announcement of the new cap. Along with the announcement of the new ca. , ~ along with the announcement of the newca. ~ i. Along with the announcement of the newca. Y along with the announcement of the newca. ,. The time is 13 20pm. Our top story this lunchtime. Ministers set out their plans to close the gap between rich and poor areas of the country with a new focus on transport, education, and better broadband. Coming up, well be live in twickenham as the duchess of cambridge takes over the roles of patron of the Rugby Football Union and the rugby football league. Coming up on the Bbc News Channel shortlisted for another award. The us open champion Emma Raducanu is in the running for the Prestigious Laureus World Breakthrough Of The Year award. A trial to lengthen the school day in wales has begun, with pupils offered an extra five hours a week to take part in more activities and learning. Its part of a reform which could also bring changes to the Academic Year and an end to the long summer holiday. The National Association of headteachers is critical, saying schools shouldnt become childcare providers. Our wales correspondent, hywel griffith, reports from abertillery. Ifeel excited because i can make new friends and its an opportunity for me to learn new skills. I was quite lonely during the pandemic because i was by myself in my house, but i think this extra hour will help our socialisation, make friendships better. Best foot forward, followed by a fist. This lesson in Mixed Martial Arts is the first taste the pupils here at the six bells primary campus are getting of their new extended school day. The extra hour at the end of every day will mean taekwondo, dance, cooking and lego building all become part of the timetable for the next ten weeks. Its going to be all right. Ill get to see my friends, but it will be a bit tiring. I think ill be fine. Being with friends and things always makes me a bit happy. Todays number of the day is 36. So all the possibilities around on your whiteboard. But not everyone is pleased by the prospect of reform. The National Association of head teachers warn schools arent childcare providers, and staff shouldnt be expected to take on extra work. Diane . At this school, most of the activities will be taken by companies coming in to offer something different. We want them to re engage with learning. We want them to have the opportunity to develop their friendships and generally seek out something in the Wider Community that they can go forward and use. Hello, morning, welcome to the lego club. Ministers in wales are also lining up a potential change to the school year that could mean ending the long Summer Holidays that have been in place for over a century, and having longer breaks in autumn and winter. So what do parents make of that . I find the six week holiday really difficult to cover because im self employed, and its a real struggle to try and cover for six weeks. Its hard youve got to pay for private childcare. It makes sense to have it in the summer because the winters bad weather anyway, isnt there . So keep the long holiday . Yeah, kids cant really do much in the winter. With so many routines revolving around school times, adding an extra hour mayjust be the first step in changing the pattern of family life across wales. Hywel griffith, bbc news, abertillery. A man who walked 28 miles before stabbing his ex partner and her nine year old son to death has been sentenced to life in jail with a minimum term of a0 years. 30 year old Daniel Boulton had admitted killing 26 year old Bethany Vincent and Darren Henson at their home in louth in lincolnshire but denied their murders. Our correspondent, luxmy gopal, was in the court in lincoln for the sentencing. What was said . Here at Lincoln Crown court in the what was said . Here at Lincoln Crown court in the past what was said . Here at Lincoln Crown court in the past hour, what was said . Here at Lincoln Crown court in the past hour, mr what was said . Here at Lincoln Crown court in the past hour, Mrjustice Court in the past hour, Mrjustice Pepperell described mr boulton as a dangerous man. He stabbed to death his ex partner Bethany Vincent and her nine year old son Darren Henson in their home in laos last may. The judge said the attack on the boy was particularly ferocious with m stab wounds. It was motivated by boultons hostility towards their childs severe autism. Boulton had sent Bethany Vincent 900 Facebook Messages despite a Restraining Order Put in place after his violent behaviour ended their relationship. Thejudge said he had chosen to carry out the killing at that time because he had learnt of the familys intention to be moved to a secret safe address just a few days later. Lincolnshire county council said a joint Child Safeguarding Practice and domestic Homicide Review is being carried out. Boulton has been sentenced to Life Imprisonment with a minimum of a0 years. Imprisonment with a minimum of 40 ears. , ~ imprisonment with a minimum of 40 ears. , ~ ,. , the Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood has been released on bail pending further investigation, following his arrest on suspicion of rape and assault. The 20 year old striker was detained by police on sunday, before being further arrested on allegations of Sexual Assault and making threats to kill. Manchester united previously said he would not return to training or matches until further notice. Hormone replacement therapy, which is used to treat common side effects of the menopause, could be made available over the counter, without the need for a prescription. The uks Health Regulator is to hold a Public Consultation on the proposal. Last year it was announced that the cost of Repeat Prescriptions for hrt would be significantly reduced in england. Our health correspondent, catherine burns, is here. Is this all forms of hrt . No. This mornin is this all forms of hrt . No. This morning there is this all forms of hrt . No. This morning there were is this all forms of hrt . No. This morning there were news is this all forms of hrt . No. This morning there were news reportl morning there were news report suggesting it could be all hrt being available over the counter, that is not the case. What is happening here is the drugs regulator, the mhra, is doing a consultation on one specific product. It is used to treat soreness, itching and dryness as well as some issues going to the loo. Around 80 of Women Experiences Problems and the regulator wants to hear as many of those as possible as well as gps and vomitus. If they decide to re pharmacies. If they decide to re pharmacies. If they decide to re pharmacies. If they decide to reclassify, they can pick it up from the pharmacy instead of waiting for a prescription. This is not all hrt. This product can only help with those problems. They wouldnt help with other menopausal symptoms, hot flushes, anxiety, now sweats night sweats. Maybe hrt could help you but really go and speak to your gp and get some advice about the risks and benefits of these medications. About the risks and benefits of these medications. Beijing has kicked off the Winter Olympics torch relay, 48 hours ahead of the Opening Ceremony on friday. The relay will be shorter than usual and, because of covid fears, china has encouraged audiences to follow events online rather than in person. Lets joins our sports correspondent, laura scott, in beijing, now where the first sport of the olympics has started. Yes, im here outside the National Aquatic centre which in 2008 at the Summer Olympics in beijing was known as the water cube. It was a scene of Rebecca Adlingtons two goals in the swimming but it is a lot colder inside this time and it has been re nicknamed the ice cube. It will be home of the curling for the next couple of weeks, beginning tonight with the mixed doubles events. Great britain are represented by World Champions and they are currently leading sweden in their opening round robin match. There isjust so much curling to fit into the schedule. That is why they have had to start some two days before the Opening Ceremony which will take place on friday at the birds nest behind me. That will mark the official start of a controversial games beset by concerns over covid, human rights and the environment. Of course, the organisers and the International Olympic committee are hoping that now the sports have started, that will take centre stage. Started, that will take centre staue. ,. , started, that will take centre staue. , ~ started, that will take centre staue. ,. Started, that will take centre staue. ,. , stage. Thank you so much. Laura scott reporting stage. Thank you so much. Laura scott reporting from stage. Thank you so much. Laura scott reporting from beijing. The duchess of cambridge has taken over prince harrys former roles as patron of the Rugby Football Union and the rugby football league. Kensington palace says the high profile Sporting Appointments closely align with kates passion for sport. Our royal correspondent, sarah campbell, is at twickenham for us this lunchtime. I think it is fair to say that the players here were impressed with the performance on the pitch of their new royal patron. She was lifted up for a line out, she scored a try, obviously, and she even took part in a scrum with the mens team which i have to tell you was a pretty impressive sight. To give you a bit of background, prince harry was the patron of english rugby. He stepped back as a working royal, as have Mirga Grazinyte tyla and sandro, so those are being divvied up by the royal family. Those are being divvied up by the royalfamily. As has meghan. It was decided this was a good fit for her. I spoke to the captain of the winnings Rugby Union Team sarah hunter and she told me that she felt that the duchess coming on board was going to really give a boost to womens rugby in particular. There was a definite Talking Point on the pitch and that was about competitiveness. Of course Prince William is the royal patron of the welsh rugby union, she is the patron of the english rugby union, so when the two teams get together, Which Royal Patron is going to be the winner . I think that should be a good watch. Winner . I think that should be a good watch winner . I think that should be a aood watch. ,. ~ ,. , winner . I think that should be a aood watch. ,. , i. Good watch. Yes indeed. Thank you so much. Sarah campbell there. Time for a look at the weather now. Heres sarah keith lucas. Most of us Have Cloud Today but there are glimpses of sunshine. This picture off the coast of east sussex. Some blue
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