led to a global mass coral bleaching event, the fourth ever recorded. and it's easy to see why. this grey area shows the range of average global sea temperatures over the last a0 years. now, look at this. the red line shows the sea temperature last year and this is how warm they've been this year. as you can see, the oceans are significantly warmer than in earlier years. should people be concerned? very much so. i mean, this is... these are real signs of the environment moving into areas where we really don't want it to be. and if it carries on in that direction, the consequences will be severe. it isn'tjust tropical seas that are changing. in cardigan bay, off the coast of wales, scientists have been using traces of dna to track the progress of this — an invasive sea squirt that carpets the sea floor,

preventing the growth of native organisms. scientists say it appears to thrive in our warmer waters. it shows just how fragile some of our marine ecosystems can be. justin told us more, from anglesey in wales. all these records are important because what they tell us is the story of ever increasing temperatures, but the run of records that we have had isjust extraordinary. as you say, 11 months and a new monthly record for temperatures in the air, and new treatment year where every single day has been a record temperature for the day, and these have not been broken by a small margin, they're not being edged past, they being smashed, so around 47 days over the course of the last year, the temperature, the previous high

temperature, the previous high temperature was exceeded by no .3, a third of a degree, celsius. that may not sound much, but we are talking about a global average of all the oceans are nice, so that is a huge margin, it tells us is steadily over the years global temperatures really are going up, and it is affecting marine ecosystems, so we know that the world's coral reefs are experiencing a global mass bleaching event, that means across all the oceans of the world, we are seeing evidence of corals bleaching, they go white and expel the algae that live within them giving them colour, and that makes them vulnerable, and they can die as a result of bleaching, so terrible threats to our coral reefs, there are also issues with emperor penguins in antarctica that are finding it hard to find gymnast on sea ice, because its falling into the ocean, that's a real threat to them. you might ask why am at this extraordinary

location in north wales, i'm here because it is affecting all the oceans of the world. uk season of seen temperatures rise about one celsius over the last few decades, thatis celsius over the last few decades, that is changing the population of plants and animals in places like this, beside the magnificent menai bridge, the first school scale —— first full—scale suspension bridge, and i have been with scientists monitoring the populations of plants and animals on the beach here for about 70 years, and they have seen some really dramatic changes, the sound subtle, but things like topsoil property is changing, new species coming in, they may seem like small changes to us, but their revolution in terms of ecosystems, huge upheaval of ecosystems, and thatis huge upheaval of ecosystems, and that is causing cascading change.

to scotland now — and john swinney has been sworn in as scottish first minister in edinburgh. he's expected to appoint his cabinet later. speaking to reporters after the ceremony, mr swinney said taking the oaths had been an "overwhelming moment" and he spoke of his pride at being first minister and his family's support. here's the moment he was sworn in. my my ladies, my lords, this is the moment under his majesty was �*s sign manual appointing john ramsey swear need to be first minister of the scottish government. rescuers say they've made contact with eleven people under the rubble of a building that has collapsed in the western cape of south africa. six people died after the five—storey apartment block collapsed in the coastal city of george. our correspondent, shingai nyoka, is in george. those rescue efforts are ongoing. last night, the focus was behind me where you might be able to see a huge gaping hole in the concrete slab. we understand that at least two people were rescued from there. but the operation now has moved

to another part of this construction site behind the slabs, and that's where the rescuers are working now. but it's been more than a0 hours since the building collapsed. the majority of people are still trapped underneath the rubble. but we have been hearing some really great stories here. we spoke to a man whose son had been trapped underneath the rubble who had been speaking to him via cell phone. and we understand that he has since been rescued and that he is in hospital. and so there is still a lot of hope here that some of those people that are still trapped will be found and found alive. now to the devastating floods in brazil. the governor of the state of rio grande do sul has announced the deployment of an extra thousand police and security officers to stop looting and crime in areas devastated by floods. at least 95 people have died and dozens are missing. rescue works have been hampered

by the activities in criminal gangs. governor eduardo leite has called for help from the central government in brasilia. he warned that more torrential rain was expected in the next few days with the arrival of a cold front later on wednesday. for more, i spoke to daniel gallas from bbc brazil. the rains have stopped for a little bit, and it's time to get a lot of the people out, there are still a lot of people to rescue. some people don't actually want to leave their homes because they are afraid of looting, and it is hard for people to get to these areas because it is such a wide area that's been flooded, criminal gangs have been acting, people who see the criminal opportunity and they are overwhelming the state and the police force as well, to help get the people out, so it's an extremely

vulnerable moment for the state both the people who are rescued and people who are waiting to be rescued. we have been seeing pictures of people have been displaced on their pets, there is a dog there. i spoke to one of the weekend he said he didn't know when he would get clean water or more food. ~ ., _, ., , ., food. what conditions are people actually living — food. what conditions are people actually living in _ food. what conditions are people actually living in in _ food. what conditions are people actually living in in the _ actually living in in the circumstances?- actually living in in the circumstances? . , circumstances? that is the worst art of circumstances? that is the worst part of the _ circumstances? that is the worst part of the tragedy, _ circumstances? that is the worst part of the tragedy, everything i circumstances? that is the worst i part of the tragedy, everything that happen so far as been such a big scale, people have lost so much, but the worst is still to come for a lot of these people because things won't get back to normal for a of these people because things won't get back to normalfor a long time. for example, this is an area of 3.5 million people, and the airport will be closed for an entire month just because everything is underwater, and most of these neighbourhoods will be under water for about two weeks still, it will take time of the recent more rain, which there is

likely more rain forecast, so this could be going on for a long time, with people not having access to clean water, people having to switch off water in some places, there is a risk of electrical shocks. so this could last for a whole month. we know already the airport will be shot for a whole month. just know already the airport will be shot for a whole month.- know already the airport will be shot for a whole month. just so it is clear to — shot for a whole month. just so it is clear to viewers, _ shot for a whole month. just so it is clear to viewers, we _ shot for a whole month. just so it is clear to viewers, we are - shot for a whole month. just so it | is clear to viewers, we are showing pictures of the airport completely flooded. it is quite a sight to see, a planejust flooded. it is quite a sight to see, a plane just resting flooded. it is quite a sight to see, a planejust resting own flooded. it is quite a sight to see, a plane just resting own water. flooded. it is quite a sight to see, a planejust resting own water. yes. a plane 'ust resting own water. yes, and a plane just resting own water. yes, and this is a — a plane just resting own water. yes, and this is a very _ a plane just resting own water. 133 and this is a very economically active area, it's very powerful and important, is that this will have a knock—on effect on the economy of the region, with rising food products and a powerful industrial sector, so be shot for a whole month, and everything that's

happening there is likely to have an impact throughout the whole region. a family of lions rescued from ukraine have been released into their new home at a wildlife park in south yorkshire. eesa and her three 18—month—old cubs emi, santa and teddi were rescued from the donetsk region. they arrived at the yorkshire wildlife park in march and have spent the last two months in rehabilitation. the park said it was "heartwarming" to see the family reunited. before we go i want to return to the war in the middle east. we have some pictures here of the israel gaza border. apologies, that is the camp in rafah, which is good to show because some of the offensive impact has been the humanitarian impact it has been the humanitarian impact it has on the one point 2 million

people sheltering there. news also did, in that the us has halted shipments of bombs last week amid concerns over the offensive. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. it may have been a murky start for some today, but over the next few days we'll see increasing amounts of sunshine and also very little rainfall, too. a welcome break from the wet conditions so far this year. you can see in our forecast rainfall chart for the next four days, any rain that we do see is mainly across parts of scotland. elsewhere, little to no rain for the vast majority. and that's because high pressure is just about going to be in charge. around the top end of it, especially in the next few days, we will see a few splashes of rain and then we have to watch what happens towards the west into the weekend. so that's coming our way. for today, after that murky morning, more sunshine developing into the afternoon for many, but we'll see some rain into the north and west of scotland.

that will be developing as we go through the second half of the day, some heavy bursts in places, too. northern western isles and the northwest highlands, maybe a bit of rain into the far west of northern ireland by the start of the evening. but elsewhere, with a bit more sunshine this afternoon, we'll see temperatures climb a little bit more between 17 and 21 or 22 celsius for many of you. now, the rain this evening across northwest scotland will affect other parts of scotland and northern ireland for a time. fairly erratic. some here will still stay dry, though, and by the end of the night, it's reallyjust going to be mainly the far north west of scotland where it'll still be on the damp side. most other areas will be dry, some mist and fog forming once again, and temperatures similar to recent nights. but a murky start to the morning across parts of england, wales and southern scotland, especially. mist and fog though will clear. much more sunshine for england and wales developing more quickly as we go through thursday. temperatures up to 20 to 23 degrees, and a few more sunny spells for northern ireland, southern and eastern scotland. still some drizzle in the far north west of scotland. some more rain to come, northern

scotland through thursday night. that clears into friday. and after a cloudy starts, we will see much more sunshine develop. a sunny day for many in england and wales, but a sunnier day for scotland and northern ireland. and temperatures here will start to climb into low 20s for one or two. continuing to climb elsewhere and they will climb further as we go into the weekend. at long last, we could have a weekend where some of you will stay dry throughout. there will be these weather fronts complicating things in the west later on sunday, the chance of some showers and thunderstorms to the far south and west by the time sunday's through. but a lot of the time it will be dry and we could see temperatures peak at around 2a or 25 celsius in the sunshine. take care.

the world's biggest carmaker — toyota posts a record profit as hybrid sales speed up. and, the finnish town dreaming of becoming carbon neutral. we'll find out how. the world's biggest carmaker — welcome to business today, i'm ben thompson. we start with toyota — the world's biggest carmaker by sales — who have just posted their latest numbers showing a significant boost in recent profits and sales buoyed by the weak yen. helping to clock up a record net profit for the year of over $31 billion.

toyota sold a total of 10.3 million units across the world last year, with hybrid vehicles accounting for over a third of total sales. it is somewhat at odds with the global drive towards electric vehicles. with battery only evs coming in at only around i% of total sales, which may be part of the reason why they are forcasting profit declines in the year to come. joining me now is stuart masson, editor at the car expert. give us a sense of what the figures tell us. an impressive set of figures but the difficulty of shifting electric only vehicles. yes, good morning. toyota has had a very good 12 months, as you said, helped by a week yen which has helped by a week yen which has helped profits. 0ver helped by a week yen which has helped profits. over the next 12 months they are forecasting that profits are likely to go down by 20% as they invest more and more of their money into new electric vehicles which they are doing.

toyota has been a world leader in hybrid cars for the last 20 odd years but they are a bit behind the best in pack when it comes to fully electric vehicles and they are now trying to catch up the difference. toyota has been synonymous with hybrid vehicles and a lot of car—makers right now are struggling to go electric only, even though we know that is the way the industry is heading. where is the reluctance and difficulty? does it come from consumers who are worried about things like range and charging facilities or the industry saying we cannot make these cars efficiently enough? cannot make these cars efficiently enou~h? , u,. cannot make these cars efficiently enou~h? , . ., enough? there is concern from consumers — enough? there is concern from consumers. what _ enough? there is concern from consumers. what we've - enough? there is concern from consumers. what we've seen l enough? there is concern from| consumers. what we've seen is enough? there is concern from - consumers. what we've seen is that the early adopters have got on board, the people who want electric cars and now the hard yards begin, because it's convincing ordinary, average consumers who in most cases don't really care whether their car is powered by petrol, diesel or fairy dust. they want a good, safe

reliable car that suits their needs so convincing ordinary people that their next car should be an electric car is a harder task than convincing people who already wanted one and the pace of change is different around the world and is different from other parts of europe and it's different in europe from china and america and other parts of the world. �* , , ., , ., world. it's interesting a number of countries including _ world. it's interesting a number of countries including the _ world. it's interesting a number of countries including the uk - world. it's interesting a number of countries including the uk have i countries including the uk have targets for how many electric vehicles that manufacturers must sell, to hit the targets it means manufacturers have to reduce price, but even that isn't it enough to hit the targets, is it? for but even that isn't it enough to hit the targets, is it?— the targets, is it? for some manufacturers, _ the targets, is it? for some manufacturers, no. - the targets, is it? for some manufacturers, no. they i the targets, is it? for some | manufacturers, no. they are the targets, is it? for some - manufacturers, no. they are going to have to get to a point later this year with a say in order to hit quotas we have to do is stop selling petrol and diesel and hybrid cars and other manufacturers are ahead already so are doing very well but across the industry we are currently at 16 or i7% of the new car market in the uk and the electric vehicles

needs to be 22% this year going up to 28% next year and then 33 and onwards and upwards from there. it will be interesting to see if the targets are reached. good to talk to you, stuart. gratefulfor targets are reached. good to talk to you, stuart. grateful for your time. to finland now, where one city is on an ambitious path to become carbon neutral. home to 120,000 people, lahti was once a polluted industrial town, but over the past couple of decades it's transformed itself. and three years ago, it was named europe's green capital. adrienne murray has been to lahti to find out more. warming up for another big game. it's notjust goals that the pelicans want to score. lahti's ice hockey team is trying to go green. this arena uses renewable energy and the team travelled to domestic matches on a biodiesel fuelled bus. we are going to zero and we like to go below it, even to negative.

the biggest thing why we start this project, we like to show the way — how to do things better. their efforts have helped win sponsors and also influenced the fans. nowadays, they have changed their habits. lahti was once a polluted industrial city. but over the years, it's transformed itself and is forging a greenerfuture. getting rid of coal was a major step. this plant supplies citywide electricity and heating, using woodchips and residual waste from forestry and households. if we look back to early 2000, our total emissions were overi million tonnes of c02 annually. by 2020, that was reduced to close to 100,000 tons. so a huge reduction of over a million tons within 20 years. across the city, there's cleaner public transport like electric buses, bike sharing and lots of cycle paths.

even the orchestra is tracking its footprint and aims to be carbon free. reuse and recycling rates are also high, and a big part of the work is engaging the local community. though takeup has been mixed, apps have also been tested out to encourage users to live more sustainably. resident ulla lehtinen says she tries to make sustainable choices. i use my bike more or less every day, even in the snow. i try to eat more vegetarian food. i don't remember when i flew for my holiday last time. i'm a better person when i'm environmentally conscious. heating, transport and food are among the biggest areas to tackle. however, some habits are hard to change, like steering drivers away from petrol cards.

still, it's aiming to be among the first cities to become carbon neutral. we have been able to cut 64% of our c02 emissions where our target is to cut 80% and to bind the rest in carbon sinks or to compensate. we won't be able to make it in 2025, but 2026—27 or 2028 is possible. there's still plenty more to do, of course, but a greener future is one goal that lots of people can get behind. adriennne murray, bbc news, lahti. tech firms are being told they must do more to protect children online. 0fcom — the uk regulator — says they must "tame toxic algorithms" and has outlined more than a0 practical steps that services must take to keep children safer. they include robust age—checks to prevent children seeing harmful content. and such material must be filtered out. saqib bhatti, the minister

for the digital economy and tech told the bbc about one of those practical steps. social media companies are now going to be expected to verify those people who access, and those children actually, who access their online services. what they have suggested is, where it is things like facial id, it might be credit checks, a number of things, they are telling social media companies they must put in mechanisms to verify who accesses social media. i'm joined now by belinda parmar, chief executive of the empathy business and a campaignerfor more empathy in tech. define harmer here because there are separate important thing is to distinguish. 0ne separate important thing is to distinguish. one is about ready addiction young people how to using social media and the other is the risk of seeing an content on the

other is inappropriate contact with people online, so how would you define that harm? the people online, so how would you define that harm?— define that harm? the bigger ob'ective define that harm? the bigger objective is — define that harm? the bigger objective is we _ define that harm? the bigger objective is we have - define that harm? the bigger objective is we have to - define that harm? the biggerl objective is we have to protect define that harm? the bigger- objective is we have to protect our children online and there are a0 practical steps which really are a step in the right direction and i am confident that these are the right things to do, the things you mention, enforcing age restrictions, removing harmful content for children and the mechanisms to report the issue. the issue is it's all very late and these a0 practical steps will take another year to get into parliament and get past with the enforcement of the online bill. what has been the response from tech firms, because they have all of the power and regulation is often playing catch up with the way technology changes and the way and speedy changes, but is it in the of big tech firms to make it easier to comply with the rules?— big tech firms to make it easier to comply with the rules? these tech firms have had _

comply with the rules? these tech firms have had between _ comply with the rules? these tech firms have had between nine - comply with the rules? these tech firms have had between nine and l comply with the rules? these tech l firms have had between nine and 20 years and have been around between nine and 20 years to self regulate theissue nine and 20 years to self regulate the issue is, they don't want to self regulate and there is no incentive for them to do that. and this morning i went on instagram and put in a self—harm and you get this one page that says, do you need some help and then, oh, let's take you to the content. the fact our children can in 30 seconds access content which is harmful with no regulation i think is really, really scary. i5 i think is really, really scary. is it naive for us to expect that the tech firms will want to enforce any of this regulation because people they are targeting our young impressionable people who are valuable consumers to what they sell. .. , ., ., ., , sell. exactly. i have two teenagers and our teenagers _ sell. exactly. i have two teenagers and our teenagers brains - sell. exactly. i have two teenagers and our teenagers brains are - sell. exactly. i have two teenagers and our teenagers brains are not l and our teenagers brains are not formed and are malleable and these things have an impact on them and for the first time we have data to show the impact but going back to

your question, but tech companies have no incentive, so this act which has already been passed at the end of 2023 has enforcement powers and they are limited but of, who are regulating this act, they can deliver fines of up to 80,000,010% of global revenue but this is tiny if you think about how much money the companies make. it takes them seconds, 27 minutes to mate £18 million, so these fines are not big enough. million, so these fines are not big enou:h. , ., i. million, so these fines are not big enou:h. , ., i. :: enough. given that you said the ao ste -s enough. given that you said the 40 steps might — enough. given that you said the 40 steps might take _ enough. given that you said the 40 steps might take a _ enough. given that you said the 40 steps might take a year _ enough. given that you said the 40 steps might take a year and - enough. given that you said the 40 steps might take a year and we - enough. given that you said the 40 i steps might take a year and we know the damage that can be caused in that time, how hopeful are you that the regulators have a grip on this? i want to be hopeful in the fact that we are leading the world with germany and australia and protecting our children online is a really good

step so i'm hopeful that we have the right ambition but what i would say is we need to do it faster. we cannot have... we have 11 suicides linked to 11 deaths from children to social media and we cannot wait for any more. social media and we cannot wait for an more. �* ., social media and we cannot wait for an more. �* . ., , social media and we cannot wait for an more. . ., , ., any more. belinda, really good to talk to yom _ any more. belinda, really good to talk to you. we _ any more. belinda, really good to talk to you. we will— any more. belinda, really good to talk to you. we will talk _ any more. belinda, really good to talk to you. we will talk to - any more. belinda, really good to talk to you. we will talk to you i talk to you. we will talk to you again about this. the us has revoked export licences that allow companies to ship goods — including advanced semi—conductors — to the chinese tech company huawei. the move follows the release last month of huawei's first ai—enabled laptop, the matebook x pro powered by an intel processor. tiktok has filed a lawsuit in the united states aiming to block a law that could ban it in the us. the social media platform described the legislation as an "extraordinary intrusion on free speech rights". presidentjoe biden signed the bill into law last month, citing national security concerns.

we will see more business today very soon. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello from the bbc sport centre. i'm hugh ferris. languishing in fifth place in germany, not many had borussia dortmund as champions league finalists but they will return to the place they played their last one — wembley — after beating paris st—germain. heading into tuesday's second leg with a 1—0 lead, dortmund would have expected an onslaught in paris. but instead mats hummels scored the only goal of the game, completing a 2—0 overall victory. it left psg still searching for a first european cup and contemplating all future attempts without their departing star kylian mbappe.

it's sad, because the lads tried to give everything. we worked hard and gave everything to try and make a difference but we didn't succeed. we weren't effective in both areas. in the champions league, in decisive matches when you are not effective in both areas, it's difficult to hope to go through to the next round, especially when it is a final. so, there you have it. as i said, we are disappointed but we can't throw everything away and we need to build on that, to keep working, and i'm sure that will come. mbappe abrubtly ended a different interview when asked if he'd be supporting bayern munich or real madrid, who he's rumoured to bejoining at the end of the season in wednesday's other semi final. he will likely leave psg having failed to help them win the trophy that has been central to the project of their qatari owners — one that seems even further away. at some point there needs to be a real questioning under rethinking, maybe because every year it's the

same repetitive scheme. season after season. the owner, the fans, the city is expecting the club is to deliver and there's a lot of pressure and manchester city has done it, not psg and they invested so much money over the years since they took over in 2011 and they've tried with a lot of talented players, notjust mbappe. it was his last opportunity to bring champions league glory to paris, and his city. it was probably his last game in the champions league with psg, it's a chance he has missed. let's not be negative and say it was the last chance for psg to get this trophy finally, but it was a big opportunity with this team. i think they are convinced that paris one day we'll get this champions league trophy. i think the owners will not

give up. they have spent too much money since they took over in 2011 to give up now. i think they will try again and they are convinced they will make it. wednesday's semi final then will provide psg with a case of what they might have won. it's 2—all between real madrid and bayern munich heading into the second leg. whoever wins will no doubt be the favourite at wembley in june, with real attempting to win a record—extending 15th european cup having not been at their best in the first game in munich according to their manager carlo ancelotti. they got the draw thanks to two goals from viniciusjunior, who is very much on the bayern boss' mind. he can still hurt any team in the world, and i think a big he can still hurt any team in the world, and i thinka big part he can still hurt any team in the world, and i think a big part of it is accepting it, that not everything, it's possible not everything, it's possible not everything will be perfect tomorrow, but it's still possible to overcome and it's possible to overcome difficulties, to hang in and show the right mentality and quality to fulfil our dream. we want to go to

wembley, so we need to beat real madrid with vinicius. aha, wembley, so we need to beat real madrid with vinicius.— madrid with vinicius. a fascinating new feature _ madrid with vinicius. a fascinating new feature on _ madrid with vinicius. a fascinating new feature on the _ madrid with vinicius. a fascinating new feature on the burner- madrid with vinicius. a fascinating new feature on the burner bow. i madrid with vinicius. a fascinating i new feature on the burner bow. the days matches at the italian open are under way. as the competition makes its way through a long first round. rafa nadal isn't due to play until thursday but, as he continues on what's very likely to be his final year on tour, his match against zizou bergs will still be a huge draw. and it seems the players are queueing up to face nadal before retirement too, with world number five alex zverev hoping to land a blockbuster match in what will be the 1a—time french open champions' final trip to roland garros next month. he becomes different. his ball becomes a few kilometres per hour faster. all of a sudden his footwork and foot speed becomes a lot faster and foot speed becomes a lot faster and it's more difficult to hit a winner, on a massive court, so he has a lot more space. it is very

difficult it is probably the biggest challenge in tennis, the biggest challenge in tennis, the biggest challenge you can have in our sport, playing nadal on that court. i would love to do it one more time. it was a night for the number one seeds in the nba playoffs. in the eastern conference semi finals, the boston celtics took a 1—0 lead in their best—of—seven series. they convincingly beat the cleveland cavaliers in boston - 120 to 95. holding a double digit throughout the second half. if they're to win a record 18th championship, the celtics will lean on the scoring of jaylen brown, who got another 32 points on tuesday. oklahoma city thunder are the one seeds in the west and their win was almost identical, beating the dallas mavericks 117—95 in their series opener. but these two teams were closer for longer before shai gilgeous alexander and jalen williams helped the thunder to a big second half. game two is on thursday.

and that's all the sport for now. we are going to spend a couple of minutes talking about politics ahead of pmqs at the top of the hour. before that... john swinney has been sworn in as scottish first minister at a ceremony in edinburgh. as is tradition, mr swinney did not speak but bowed his head three times before putting pen to parchment to confirm his appointment. yesterday he said he was "over the moon" to have been elected to the role after winning a vote at holyrood. shortly before the ceremony, john swinney, spoke to reporters about what it meant to him. it's an enormous honour to come to the court of session and be sworn in, and i think with the history on

the roots of our country and our democracy, and the rule of law, so for me, an honour and privilege and i look forward to reaching it. did ou ever i look forward to reaching it. did you ever think this day would be happening?— you ever think this day would be haueninu? ., �* a , happening? no, i didn't. as i sent to parliament _ happening? no, i didn't. as i sent to parliament yesterday, - happening? no, i didn't. as i sent to parliament yesterday, quite - to parliament yesterday, quite candidly, this is a big surprise for me and an enormous privilege and, as i said yesterday, i'm here to serve everyone in scotland and i look forward to doing so and this is a very significant moment to do this in the court of session. haste very significant moment to do this in the court of session.— in the court of session. have you learnt i in the court of session. have you learnt i had _ in the court of session. have you learnt i had a _ in the court of session. have you learnt i had a word _ in the court of session. have you learnt i had a word of— in the court of session. have you learnt i had a word of wisdom - in the court of session. have you l learnt i had a word of wisdom from your predecessors?— your predecessors? there's lots of words of wisdom _ your predecessors? there's lots of words of wisdom shared _ your predecessors? there's lots of words of wisdom shared with - your predecessors? there's lots of words of wisdom shared with me l your predecessors? there's lots of. words of wisdom shared with me from lots of people in the course of the last few hours or so, so i will be mulling all of that over. the parents of 11 children who died after what they say were the failings of social media have called on prime minister, rishi sunak, and the labour leader, sir keir starmer, to do more

to protect young people online. in an open letter they say they're disappointed by the lack of ambition shown by the regulator 0fcom — which has today set out its plans to force tech companies to make their platforms safer. our correspondent angus crawford reports. i want to know what they've got to say, and i want them to meet people with lived experience. it's really important to try and understand what 0fcom are doing because from the outside they seem to be doing so little, which is ridiculous and frustrating. brianna and molly, their short lives spurring their parents on to try and make the online world a safer place for all children. we showed them posts and pictures, easy to find on social media of self—harm, suicide and eating disorders. had you, um... had you seen content like that? i know that brianna was accessing content like that, and it makes me feel a bit ashamed. a bit ashamed? that i didn't prevent

her from looking at it. it's so hard. and it's notjust that this content is there, that it's the platforms are promoting this content, their algorithms are suggesting to young people that they see ever more of it. so people like brianna, people like molly and too many more. what we're doing is ensuring that we crack down on... years in the making, much delayed, the 0nline safety act finally passed last year and promised to fix all this. the 0nline safety bill will require platforms to remove and limit the spread of illegal content. now, they bring those questions to 0fcom, the regulator, to find out what's going on. esther and ian, thank you so much for coming in. 0fcom does have new powers under the act but it can't start enforcing them yet. today, it's launching a consultation on how best to protect children. but for ian and esther, delays cost lives. they show 0fcom's chief executive the same self—harm suicide

content we found online. that's what you've got to remove. yeah. so it isn't easily available. though, exactly. i mean, this has become normalised. this sort of material has become normalised, notjust for adults, but for children. and honestly, i think we're going to look back on this, i hope we are anyway in five and ten years' time and just go, "how on earth did we let this happen?" nothing seems to have changed. this is... ..frustrating for, i think, parents like us, but frustrating for all parents. well, i agree. there is so much that needs to change here. and all i can say is that at 0fcom, we are moving forward really, really fast to get these new laws properly set out in detail. and within a year they will be there, we will be able to enforce against them. and what we're saying to companies is, everybody has waited too long for change.

i'd like to know what the reaction of the social media companies have been. these companies are on the west coast of america mostly, and they don't really hear and understand quite the impact that they're having on british families and on british kids. we're proposing changes that will require age checks, that will require those recommender algorithms to change. pornography, suicide and self—harm material must not be served to under—18s and so the algorithms are going to have to change to make that happen. i think when you've been through something like what what we've been through, it could either break you or it can give you an extra level of mental resilience, i suppose. and i think that we've both got that and we've both got that drive. we'll be on 0fcom's back every step of the way because, at the end of the day, there shouldn't be another molly and there shouldn't be another brianna. mm—hm. prime ministers questions

is getting underway shortly. it's rishi sunak�*s first time facing labour leader, sir keir starmer, at the despatch box since his party suffered heavy losses at the local elections last week. yes, every pmqs is punctuated by or defined by the events going on around it and you are exactly right. this one comes straight after those local elections, very, very bad elections for the conservatives. pretty good for labour, pretty good too for most of the other parties, so what we saw was labour, of course gaining a odd council seats, control eight councils and also that by—election in blackpool south, the one westminster seat as well, and taking that mayoral seat in the west midlands which was held by the conservatives and andy street, so many reasons why labour are feeling

buoyed by that on the conservatives feeling a bit dejected but what is interesting will be to listen to keir starmer�*s tone, because on the back of the election results he was careful and has been careful not to sound like he was crowing or taking anything for granted. he's saying that labour stood ready to govern and he called for a general election as quickly as possible. the feeling have been tempted to think about calling an election if he faced an internal revolt within his own party, that doesn't appear to be happening and it doesn't appear to be his own position that is under threat even though those elections were some of the worst the conservatives have had in local elections for years, losing a70 something seats themselves. rishi sunak of the back of the election said it was not a foregone conclusion what would happen in the general election and that he had a

plan, he was sticking to and would fight on and i think some of the things we hear will be some of the themes in the background today. let's consider some of the other themes that could come up, whether they do or not, not long for us to wait, but let's talk about immigration and what is at stake for both parties there. what immigration and what is at stake for both parties there.— both parties there. what both arties both parties there. what both parties are — both parties there. what both parties are aware _ both parties there. what both parties are aware of— both parties there. what both parties are aware of is - both parties there. what both parties are aware of is the - both parties there. what both - parties are aware of is the salience of immigration that many voters say, as they put it as an issue that is pretty high up their list of concerns. it depends a bit which voters for which party higher up amongst voters or conservatives or those who might be tempted to vote for reform, and we saw some of that happening in the local elections. rishi sunak under pressure from some in his own party who fear the bleeding of votes to reform in the general election, so we've seen today the former immigration

minister robertjenrick laying out minister robert jenrick laying out policies minister robertjenrick laying out policies which he has described before that he wants curbs on immigration and on illegal immigration and restricted reason numbers, so pressure on rishi sunak that way but equally, what you see are the competing needs, so labour and others aware of the needs of the health service and the government as well, and the care sector, agricultural sector and the needs for workers there and student visas and pressures from universities, so all of those who want to keep student numbers up say, and numbers of workers up, so there are different competing needs there and of course in the background we have theissue of course in the background we have the issue of the rwanda policy and how to the government has now got its rwanda bill through, waiting to get flights off, starting the process of

detaining people to do that, so that could be something else that comes up could be something else that comes up for discussion. the uk, how that is going to work out in practice. now that is tricky territory in some way for both parties, but that might not be a focus.— way for both parties, but that might not be a focus. interesting. another issue potentially _ not be a focus. interesting. another issue potentially coming _ not be a focus. interesting. another issue potentially coming up, - not be a focus. interesting. another issue potentially coming up, the - issue potentially coming up, the economy, the cost of living, took us about the territory in the battleground when it comes to lateish. , ., , ., ., ., lateish. yes, of course. that again fiaure is lateish. yes, of course. that again figure is very _ lateish. yes, of course. that again figure is very high _ lateish. yes, of course. that again figure is very high if _ lateish. yes, of course. that again figure is very high if not _ lateish. yes, of course. that again figure is very high if not top - lateish. yes, of course. that again figure is very high if not top of - figure is very high if not top of many voters' concerns, and the feeling that despite what we have seen is the reduction in inflation, you still have inflation... i seen is the reduction in inflation, you still have inflation. . .- you still have inflation... i will interrupt _ you still have inflation... i will interrupt you _ you still have inflation... i will interrupt you there, _ you still have inflation... i will interrupt you there, rishi - you still have inflation... i will interrupt you there, rishi sunak has got to his feet and has just started the pleasantries. let's listening. ministerial colleagues and in addition to my duties in this house i will have further such meetings later today. i will have further such meetings later today-— i will have further such meetings later toda . ., , ~ later today. last week i highlighted the shocking _

later today. last week i highlighted the shocking rise _ later today. last week i highlighted the shocking rise in _ later today. last week i highlighted the shocking rise in the _ later today. last week i highlighted the shocking rise in the number- later today. last week i highlighted the shocking rise in the number ofl the shocking rise in the number of teenagers trying vaping, and i asked if you take action to stop vaping advertising at football matches, and since then i have had it exchanged with the scottish chief medical officer professor sir greg smith 0fficer professor sir greg smith during a session of the tobacco and vaping bill committee and he said where i become very uncomfortable and i'm not supportive is where the massive attraction of sports companies is used in a way that promotes behaviours known to be unsafe or unhealthy. can i ask the prime minister again, does he still think that it is right that vaping companies should sponsor football? i am glad the honourable lady agrees with me and the government we should do more to tackle youth vaping and thatis do more to tackle youth vaping and that is why we are bringing forward measures in the new bill to restrict availability to children specifically, whether that is flavours or indeed marketing. as he

notes, advertising of vapes is heavily restricted including a ban on advertising on tv and radio and mostly online. we have seen football take positive voluntary action in the past on issues such as this but i would say the government will respond to her specific amendment in the usual way. in respond to her specific amendment in the usual way-— the usualway. in recent weeks, mr seaker, the usualway. in recent weeks, mr speaker. my _ the usualway. in recent weeks, mr speaker. my right _ the usualway. in recent weeks, mr speaker, my right honourable - the usualway. in recent weeks, mrl speaker, my right honourable friend has announced plans to control welfare and get people back to work, to increase the defence spending to 2.5% of gdp, and pass legislation to get flights off to rwanda. does he agree with me that these are all issues that real people like my constituents in south—east cornwall care about, and that the leader of the opposition should do the right thing, and back them? mr; the opposition should do the right thing, and back them?— thing, and back them? my right honourable _ thing, and back them? my right honourable friend _

thing, and back them? my right honourable friend is _ thing, and back them? my right honourable friend is a _ thing, and back them? my right honourable friend is a fantastic| honourable friend is a fantastic champion for her local area and can i also thank her daughter for her service in the armed forces, and she's right, i'm not surprised the labour party don't back plans to stop the boats, they don't back plans to get people into work and reform welfare, but i do think they should do the right thing when it comes to the security of our nation, and that has backed plans to increase defence spending and give our brave armed forces personnel the resources they need to keep us safe. leader of the opposition, sir keir starmer — leader of the opposition, sir keir starmer. �* ., , leader of the opposition, sir keir starmer. �* . , . ., starmer. and i warmly welcome the new member _ starmer. and i warmly welcome the new member for _ starmer. and i warmly welcome the new member for blackpool - starmer. and i warmly welcome the new member for blackpool south? | starmer. and i warmly welcome the | new member for blackpool south? it is good to know that blackpool has got a proper champion back at last after their recent representation, can i welcome the new labour mp for dover? mr speaker, if one week a tory mp who is also a doctor says

the primers that cannot be trusted with the nhs, and joins labour, and the next week, the tory mp for dover, from the front line of the small birds crisis, says that the prime minister cannot be trusted with our borders, —— these small boats crisis, what is the point of this failed government staggering on? mr this failed government staggering on? ~ ,, , ., ~' this failed government staggering on? ~ ., on? mr speaker, can i 'oin him in welcoming * on? mr speaker, can i 'oin him in welcoming not on? mr speaker, can i 'oin him in welcoming his newest _ on? mr speaker, can ijoin him in welcoming his newest mp - on? mr speaker, can ijoin him in welcoming his newest mp for- welcoming his newest mp for blackpool, i must say he looks a lot happier than a member who was sitting there last week. let me also, let me alsojoin sitting there last week. let me also, let me also join with sitting there last week. let me also, let me alsojoin with him in cracking —— congratulating and paying tribute to the former councillors, pccs and mairs across the country, i hope they will do him as proud as i am of all of mine, great leaders like andy street, great leaders like andy street, great leaders like andy street, great leaders who leave behind a

strong legacy of more homes, more jobs and more investment, in sharp contrast to the legacy left by the last labour government which was a letter joking that there last labour government which was a letterjoking that there was no money left. in letterjoking that there was no money left-— letterjoking that there was no mone left. ., ., ., money left. in addition to losing two tory mps — money left. in addition to losing two tory mps in _ money left. in addition to losing two tory mps in two _ money left. in addition to losing two tory mps in two weeks, - money left. in addition to losing two tory mps in two weeks, the | money left. in addition to losing - two tory mps in two weeks, the prime has been on the receiving end of some of the biggest by—election swings in history. he has also lost 1500 tory councillors, half of his party's mayors, and a leadership election to a lettuce, how many times to the public and his own mps need to reject him before he takes the hint? mr need to re'ect him before he takes the hint? ~ ,,, ., ~ , ., , the hint? mr speaker, this time last eari the hint? mr speaker, this time last year i reminded _ the hint? mr speaker, this time last year i reminded him _ the hint? mr speaker, this time last year i reminded him of _ the hint? mr speaker, this time last year i reminded him of some - the hint? mr speaker, this time last year i reminded him of some advice| year i reminded him of some advice actually from his own mentor, tony blair, who had said at the time, that he can be as cocky as he likes about local elections back at a general election, it is policy that counts. now, one year on from that

advice, what does he manage? £30 billion of tax rises, 17 new business regulations, 13 new terms and a deputy leader under a police investigation. i’m and a deputy leader under a police investigation.— investigation. i'm surprised he brou:ht investigation. i'm surprised he brought up _ investigation. i'm surprised he brought up the _ investigation. i'm surprised he brought up the police - investigation. i'm surprised he - brought up the police investigation, his record is actually the seat belt as well, played two lost two in relation to police investigations. the public keep telling him, voters keep telling me is not good enough and instead of listening he says everything is fine, and does not realise his weakness, hejust doesn't get it but at least after thursday night he can go to the many places that he calls home, and enjoy the fruits of his success. in southampton or downing street, he has got great labour councils. at his mansion in richmond, you can enjoy a bright new labour mayor of

north yorkshire. and at his pad in kensington, he can celebrate an historic third term for the mayor of london. cheering now that he too can enjoy the benefits of this change labour party, is he really still in such a hurry to get back to california? mr hurry to get back to california? ij�*i speaker, i hurry to get back to california? ii speaker, i must hurry to get back to california? ij�*i speaker, i must say that hurry to get back to california? ii speaker, i must say that i was of course surprised to see the honourable gentleman in north yorkshire, but probably not as surprised as he was when he realised he could not take the tube there, mr speaker. i can tell you that the people of north yorkshire believe in hard work, secure borders, lower taxes and straight talking common sense, mr speaker, and they are not getting any of that from a virtue signalling lawyer from getting any of that from a virtue signalling lawyerfrom north london. it was great to be in northallerton where they had voted to reject the

prime minister's proposition. no matter where he calls home, all of his neighbours are backing this change labour party. and they keep rejecting him because they have sussed him out. they know that is nothing behind a boost, the gimmicks, the smug smile, he is a dodgy sales man desperate to sell them a dud. 16 days ago, when he held a press conference claiming victory on rwanda, he said the next few weeks would be about action, people want deeds not words, so let's attest that. how many small boat crossings have there been since he said that 16 days ago? mr he said that 16 days ago? ii speaker, actually, before we get onto that, he talked about a change... he talked about a change labour party, he talked about a change labour party, he talks about it a lot butjust

change labour party, he talks about it a lot but just this change labour party, he talks about it a lot butjust this morning, he also spoke about his new mayor of london, and we have learned that the labour mayor of london believes and i quote, that is "an equivalence between the brutal terrorist attacks of hamas, and israel defending itself". and let me be clear, there is absolutely no equivalence between the terrorist and a democratic state so i will ask you now can really take this opportunity demonstrate that that labour party has changed and will he condemn those comments from the labour mayor? ihe and will he condemn those comments from the labour mayor? he is and will he condemn those comments from the labour mayor?— from the labour mayor? he is getting ahead of himself _ from the labour mayor? he is getting ahead of himself and _ from the labour mayor? he is getting ahead of himself and asking - ahead of himself and asking me questions. i know he was run out at the local elections... cheering mr speaker, i notice he didn't even attempt to answer the question. he knows the answer. since he claimed victory 16 knows the answer. since he claimed victory16 days ago, there have been a staggering 2a00 small boat

crossings. 2a00. that is a gimmick, not a deterrent. and those 2a00 will be added to the tories asylum perma backlog that will rise to a00,000, by the end of this year. the prime minister pretends he will remove them all to rwanda, but remind i can only take a few hundred a year. at that rate, the prime minister's grand plan will take over 300 years to remove them all. mr speaker, there are tens of thousands of people with their claims going unprocessed, you are going to be there here, for their entire lifetime living in hotels at the taxpayer's expense. it is absurd to call that anything other than an amnesty handed to them by the tory party, isn't it? is amnesty handed to them by the tory party. isn't it?— party, isn't it? is the speaker, he had the opportunity _ party, isn't it? is the speaker, he had the opportunity to _ party, isn't it? is the speaker, he had the opportunity to condemn i party, isn't it? is the speaker, he i had the opportunity to condemn the comments of his mayor, and there he

said that is equivalence between hamas and israel, he did not do that and everybody will see that for what it is, that is the change labour party. since i became prime minister, small boat crossings are down by one third, because we have doubled funding, increased enforcement rates, closed bank accounts, deported 2a,000 people, processed more claims that mr speaker, when it comes to burdekin grow, there was a crucial difference between us, we won't secure borders, he is happy with open borders. mr speaker, the whole country knows that removing less than 1% of asylum seekers is not stopping the boats. it is granting an amnesty, a tory amnesty. if he thinks that the voters are run and his mps during the labour party are wrong, if he thinks anybody believes any of the nonsense that he spouts, why doesn't he put it to the test and call a general election? mr

he put it to the test and call a general election? mr speaker, he talks about _ general election? mr speaker, he talks about removing _ general election? mr speaker, he talks about removing people. - general election? mr speaker, he| talks about removing people. this general election? mr speaker, he i talks about removing people. this is a person new campaign, who campaigned to stop the deportation of foreign national offenders, mr speaker. it shows how in touch as values are what the british people. we have another week where we are nothing about his plan to do anything on the issues that matter to the company, meanwhile will get a man, reforming welfare, getting people into work, he opposes it, we are controlling legal and illegal migration, he opposes it, and now we are boosting defence spending to strengthen our country, he opposes it, and that is the difference, he snipes from the sidelines, the conservatives are building a brighter future.— conservatives are building a brighter future. conservatives are building a brihter future. ~ .., , ., brighter future. when it comes to small boat _ brighter future. when it comes to small boat crossings, _ brighter future. when it comes to small boat crossings, there - brighter future. when it comes to small boat crossings, there is - brighter future. when it comes to small boat crossings, there is a i brighter future. when it comes to l small boat crossings, there is a lot of talk_ small boat crossings, there is a lot of talk of— small boat crossings, there is a lot of talk of human rights. but surely the only— of talk of human rights. but surely the only human right that matters is the only human right that matters is the life _ the only human right that matters is the life of— the only human right that matters is the life of children who are being taken _ the life of children who are being

taken across the channel. in this respect, — taken across the channel. in this respect, will be government now do the only— respect, will be government now do the only thing that will actually be a real_ the only thing that will actually be a real deterrence, and that is to arrest _ a real deterrence, and that is to arrest and — a real deterrence, and that is to arrest and detain all of those who land illegally or on our shores, and then offshore them properly, so that once and _ then offshore them properly, so that once and for all, we can save lives and end _ once and for all, we can save lives and end this — once and for all, we can save lives and end this cruel and callous trade? — and end this cruel and callous trade? ~ , and end this cruel and callous trade? y ., ., ., , , trade? my right honourable friend is riht trade? my right honourable friend is ri u ht that trade? my right honourable friend is right that these _ trade? my right honourable friend is right that these crossings _ trade? my right honourable friend is right that these crossings are - right that these crossings are incredibly dangerous and they risk lives, just weeks ago a seven—year—old girl died, attempting the crossing. and that is why as a matter of basic compassion, we must do everything we can to break the cycle of the criminal gangs, and thatis cycle of the criminal gangs, and that is why we need a deterrent, that is why we need a deterrent, thatis that is why we need a deterrent, that is what the national crime agency say, that is how we dealt with illegal migrants from albania because it is only by removing people should not be here that we remove the reason for them to come in the first place, and that is how we will control our borders, and it

is clear that it is only this party that not only has a plan to stop the boats, but also the tragic loss of life in the channel also. siii? boats, but also the tragic loss of life in the channel also. snp leader stehen life in the channel also. snp leader stephen flynn- _ may i congratulate john swinney and becoming _ may i congratulate john swinney and becoming scotland's first minister. mr speaker, as we await the imminent israeli _ mr speaker, as we await the imminent israeli incursion into rafah, where 1.2 israeli incursion into rafah, where 12 million — israeli incursion into rafah, where 1.2 million people are sheltering, including — 1.2 million people are sheltering, including 600,000 children, it has been _ including 600,000 children, it has been reported that united states has posed _ been reported that united states has posed an _ been reported that united states has posed an arm shipment to israel. the uk will— posed an arm shipment to israel. the uk will follow suit, won't it? mr uk will follow suit, won't it? speaker, uk will follow suit, won't it? ii speaker, the uk government itself doesn't directly ship arms to israel. when it comes to the situation in rafah, i have been very

clear that we are deeply concerned about a full military incursion of rafah, given the devastating humanitarian impact. i have made that point specifically to prime minister netanyahu whenever we have spoken and we will continue to encourage all sides to focus on bringing a pause in the conflict to release hostages and get more aid in. �* , , . ., .., . in. let's be clear the confidence israel in. let's be clear the confidence israel has _ in. let's be clear the confidence israel has shown _ in. let's be clear the confidence israel has shown in _ in. let's be clear the confidence israel has shown in its - in. let's be clear the confidence israel has shown in its military i israel has shown in its military ambitions _ israel has shown in its military ambitions in rafah stems from the silence _ ambitions in rafah stems from the silence which has been shown from its allies— silence which has been shown from its allies on — silence which has been shown from its allies on the front benches in this place — its allies on the front benches in this place and indeed elsewhere across— this place and indeed elsewhere across the world. we all know the uk arms and _ across the world. we all know the uk arms and tech has supported israel's activities _ arms and tech has supported israel's activities in _ arms and tech has supported israel's activities in gaza and will be used in any— activities in gaza and will be used in any attack on rafah. knowing that and the _ in any attack on rafah. knowing that and the devastation which is going to occur, surely the time has come to occur, surely the time has come to end _ to occur, surely the time has come to end our— to occur, surely the time has come to end our complicity and to halt

arms— to end our complicity and to halt arms sales — to end our complicity and to halt arms sales to israel? mr to end our complicity and to halt arms sales to israel? mr speaker, of course we take _ arms sales to israel? mr speaker, of course we take our— arms sales to israel? mr speaker, of course we take our defence - arms sales to israel? mr speaker, of course we take our defence export . course we take our defence export extremely seriously and that is why we operate one of the most robust licensing control regimes anywhere in the world. we periodically review advice on israel's commitment to international humanitarian law and ministers always act in accordance with that advice. and that is crystal clear for the house to understand. 0ur position with regard to export licences following the most recent assessment is unchanged and i know he willjoin me in urging all parties to engage in the negotiations that are happening, so we can see a pause in fighting to get more aid in, hostages out and bring about a sustainable ceasefire to this conflict. mr; bring about a sustainable ceasefire to this conflict.— to this conflict. my constituents in rural villages _ to this conflict. my constituents in rural villages and _ to this conflict. my constituents in rural villages and on _ to this conflict. my constituents in rural villages and on the - to this conflict. my constituents in rural villages and on the fringes . to this conflict. my constituents in | rural villages and on the fringes of the grimsby cleethorpes urban area are very concerned about overdevelopment. they recognise the highway—

overdevelopment. they recognise the highway infrastructure and public services — highway infrastructure and public services are already overloaded. could _ services are already overloaded. could my— services are already overloaded. could my right honourable friend amend _ could my right honourable friend amend planning guidance to local plans— amend planning guidance to local plans and — amend planning guidance to local plans and decisions taken by local planning — plans and decisions taken by local planning authorities are not overridden by planning inspectors? i would _ overridden by planning inspectors? i would be _ overridden by planning inspectors? i would be greatly encouraged if you would _ would be greatly encouraged if you would agree to meet with me and my colleagues _ would agree to meet with me and my colleagues from the neighbouring gainsborough and grimsby constituencies to discuss this further? _ constituencies to discuss this further? ~ , constituencies to discuss this further? g ., ., , further? my honourable friend is right that sustainable _ further? my honourable friend is - right that sustainable developments be at the heart of the planning system and that is why we are committed to meeting the need for housing by building the right homes and in the right places and protecting the environmental assets that matter the most. the national planning policy framework with the relevant local plan in his area is due for consultation and i will meet with him and colleagues to discuss his situation further. mr

with him and colleagues to discuss his situation further.— his situation further. mr speaker, the abuse suffered _ his situation further. mr speaker, the abuse suffered by _ his situation further. mr speaker, | the abuse suffered by 88-year-old the abuse suffered by 88—year—old anne _ the abuse suffered by 88—year—old anne king — the abuse suffered by 88—year—old anne king in her care home was captured — anne king in her care home was captured on hidden camera. the footage — captured on hidden camera. the footage is— captured on hidden camera. the footage is stomach churning. anne died and _ footage is stomach churning. anne died and it— footage is stomach churning. anne died and it took nearly a year before — died and it took nearly a year before the cqc launched a criminal investigation. now the children are working _ investigation. now the children are working to — investigation. now the children are working to prevent further abuse. her son _ working to prevent further abuse. her son came to see me with his mp to ask— her son came to see me with his mp to ask for— her son came to see me with his mp to ask for my— her son came to see me with his mp to ask for my help. will the prime minister— to ask for my help. will the prime ministerjoin me in backing anne's lawi _ ministerjoin me in backing anne's law. a _ ministerjoin me in backing anne's law, a national register to professionalise the care workforce and hold _ professionalise the care workforce and hold those staff who are abusive to account _ and hold those staff who are abusive to account. will he meet with her family— to account. will he meet with her family and — to account. will he meet with her family and myself to discuss this idea? _ family and myself to discuss this idea? htr— family and myself to discuss this idea? ~ ,,, ., ,, family and myself to discuss this idea? i ,,, ., «i , idea? mr speaker, can i extend my sympathies— idea? mr speaker, can i extend my sympathies to _ idea? mr speaker, can i extend my sympathies to anne's _ idea? mr speaker, can i extend my sympathies to anne's family - idea? mr speaker, can i extend my sympathies to anne's family for - idea? mr speaker, can i extend my i sympathies to anne's family for what she went through. 0bviously, that is not appropriate and i will make sure

the department engages with him and herfamily on the the department engages with him and her family on the proposed law. the department engages with him and herfamily on the proposed law. he is right to say we should have high standards across the care industry and we are working to more investment to support caring staff to make sure they have training qualification and development and a regime in place that can hold everyone to account for delivering the high standards we all expect. thank you, mr speaker. does my right honourable _ thank you, mr speaker. does my right honourable friend agree with me one of the _ honourable friend agree with me one of the greatest things these backbenchers bring to westminster is plain old—fashioned common sense? and it _ plain old—fashioned common sense? and it is _ plain old—fashioned common sense? and it is derbyshire common sense. derbyshire — and it is derbyshire common sense. derbyshire common sense that means the good _ derbyshire common sense that means the good people of ashbourne and surrounding villages reject that sadik— surrounding villages reject that sadik khan rules on ulez. will he ask his _ sadik khan rules on ulez. will he ask his neighbour if he will pay for the viaduct? | ask his neighbour if he will pay for the viaduct?— ask his neighbour if he will pay for the viaduct? i know my honourable friend has been _ the viaduct? i know my honourable friend has been a _ the viaduct? i know my honourable

friend has been a dedicated - friend has been a dedicated campaignerfor the friend has been a dedicated campaigner for the ashbourne bypass. and the government is committed to investing more in the midlands, particularly every penny of the 9.6 billion from hs2 back into the local area. we will not continue the war a motorist which is waged by the labour mayor in london and ulez and the 20 mile an hour speed limit and it is this party on the side of the motorist. . ., ., motorist. our child of the north cross party _ motorist. our child of the north cross party group _ motorist. our child of the north cross party group found - motorist. our child of the north cross party group found that. cross party group found that expectant mothers were terminating wanted _ expectant mothers were terminating wanted pregnancies because they could _ wanted pregnancies because they could not— wanted pregnancies because they could not afford another mouth to feed _ could not afford another mouth to feed. recent figures show infant and child death rates have increased in the most _ child death rates have increased in the most deprived areas. and 50 children— the most deprived areas. and 50 children have died alone in unregulated accommodation. is this his plan— unregulated accommodation. is this his plan for— unregulated accommodation. is this his plan for a brighter britain in action? —

his plan fora brighter britain in action? mr— his plan for a brighter britain in action? i ,,, ., «i his plan for a brighter britain in action? i ., _ ., action? mr speaker, obviously what the honourable _ action? mr speaker, obviously what the honourable lady— action? mr speaker, obviously what the honourable lady has _ action? mr speaker, obviously what the honourable lady has described | the honourable lady has described its tragedy, no one wants to see children growing up in those circumstances and that is why i am proud the government has overseen a significant fall in child poverty since 2010 on a range of measures and i will make sure she is aware for all the support in place, both through the department of health and the department for work and pensions to provide support to the most vulnerable families in our communities. ,, , communities. weston-super-mare is a growing town. — communities. weston-super-mare is a growing town. so _ communities. weston-super-mare is a growing town, so local _ communities. weston-super-mare is a growing town, so local health - growing town, so local health services — growing town, so local health services are rightly growing. the hospital— services are rightly growing. the hospital treating patients for a hospital treating patients fora wider— hospital treating patients for a wider variety of problems, gp surgeries— wider variety of problems, gp surgeries are offering thousands more _ surgeries are offering thousands more appointments this year and a new diagnostics centre means faster tests and _ new diagnostics centre means faster tests and treatments. but there is a fly in _ tests and treatments. but there is a fly in our— tests and treatments. but there is a fly in our nhs prescribed ointment. dentistry— fly in our nhs prescribed ointment. dentistry isn't fixed and the dental recovery— dentistry isn't fixed and the dental recovery plan is welcome but when will it _ recovery plan is welcome but when will it mean— recovery plan is welcome but when

will it mean appointments that can book? _ will it mean appointments that can book? mr— will it mean appointments that can book? i ,,, ., «i will it mean appointments that can book? i ., «i ., will it mean appointments that can book? i ., , , book? mr speaker, are dentistry recovery plan — book? mr speaker, are dentistry recovery plan or _ book? mr speaker, are dentistry recovery plan or make _ book? mr speaker, are dentistry recovery plan or make dentist i recovery plan or make dentist services faster, simpler and fairer for patients, funding around 2.5 million more appointments. i was pleased to know access is improving in my honourable friend's area with almost 10% more children seeing a dentist than the previous year. but the new patient premium that was announced last year is ensuring that more nhs dentistry will be provided and since then, at the end of january, 500 malpractices have said they are now open to new patients. it has been over a month since the parliamentary ombudsman delivered the report— parliamentary ombudsman delivered the report and pension injustices. women _ the report and pension injustices. women born in the 1950s in my constituency in dundee and every constituency in dundee and every constituency in dundee and every constituency in this house across these islands are waiting to hear if

the uk _ these islands are waiting to hear if the uk government will listen to these recommendations and deliver compensation? mr speaker, the scottish parliament supported a motion last week calling for compensation to be delivered without delay _ compensation to be delivered without delay but _ compensation to be delivered without delay. but utterly dismayed to see members — delay. but utterly dismayed to see members of the conservative party and the _ members of the conservative party and the labour party abstain. can the prime — and the labour party abstain. can the prime minister finally set out when _ the prime minister finally set out when the — the prime minister finally set out when the women will receive the compensation they rightly deserve? mr speaker, i understand the strong feelings across the chamber on this topic and the desire for urgency in addressing them. however, following the ombudsman's five—year investigation it is imperative we take the time to thoroughly been published and update to the house will be given to the

does he agree with me if they are not prepared to implement the will of the _ not prepared to implement the will of the gar— not prepared to implement the will of the gar government, at the parliament that was passed by both houses _ parliament that was passed by both houses of— parliament that was passed by both houses of parliament, that they should — houses of parliament, that they should conclude that being in the civil service is perhaps not for them — civil service is perhaps not for them and _ civil service is perhaps not for them and maybe they can look for alternative — them and maybe they can look for alternative employment at other left—wing organisations that masquerade as being impartial. maybe they could _ masquerade as being impartial. maybe they could try the bbc or channel a news? _ they could try the bbc or channel a news? htr— they could try the bbc or channel a news? i ,,, ., «i , they could try the bbc or channel a news? i , , ., , news? mr speaker my expectation is that civil servants _ news? mr speaker my expectation is that civil servants will _ news? mr speaker my expectation is that civil servants will continue - news? mr speaker my expectation is that civil servants will continue to - that civil servants will continue to be committed to supporting our priority of stopping the boats and deliver in accordance with the civil service. he knows we made specific changes to ensure compliance with

that code as he pushed through with our plans. i agree with him more broadly, we are the only party that has a plan to stop the boats and we will face down all the obstacles in our way to deliver on this crucial priority for the british people, whoever stands in our way whether it is the labour party all others, we will deliver for this country on this issue. mr will deliver for this country on this issue-— this issue. mr speaker, china has now hacked _ this issue. mr speaker, china has now hacked the _ this issue. mr speaker, china has now hacked the data _ this issue. mr speaker, china has now hacked the data of— this issue. mr speaker, china has now hacked the data of defence i now hacked the data of defence personnel, the electoral commission, various— personnel, the electoral commission, various other public institutions and has — various other public institutions and has targeted many members of this house — and has targeted many members of this house. yet plans by china's largest— this house. yet plans by china's largest wind turbine manufacturer to build this— largest wind turbine manufacturer to build this largest european facility i’ilht build this largest european facility right here in the uk advance at pace, — right here in the uk advance at pace, with— right here in the uk advance at pace, with the facility set to be built _ pace, with the facility set to be built in— pace, with the facility set to be built in scotland. given a widely shared — built in scotland. given a widely shared concerns about the involvement of hostile states such as china _ involvement of hostile states such as china in — involvement of hostile states such as china in the uk's critical national— as china in the uk's critical national energy infrastructure, does he not _ national energy infrastructure, does he not agree that now is the time

for this— he not agree that now is the time for this project to be posed, reviewed _ for this project to be posed, reviewed by the government and national— reviewed by the government and national security grounds and if not, _ national security grounds and if not. what — national security grounds and if not, what message does he think that sense? _ not, what message does he think that sense? the_ not, what message does he think that sense? �* , �* not, what message does he think that sense? a �* , ., , sense? as i've said repeatedly, china is a _ sense? as i've said repeatedly, china is a country _ sense? as i've said repeatedly, china is a country with - sense? as i've said repeatedly, china is a country with different values to ours and is acting in a way that is increasingly authoritarian at home and assertive abroad. it is right we take further steps to protect ourselves against that, particularly in the area of economic security, which is why this government passed the national security and divestment act so we can screen transactions without commenting on individual ones, of to protect this country and we have used those powers, not least to block chinese investment in a sense that semiconductor company, but also to ensure that the chinese state nuclear company had no part in the future of our nuclear power. he can rest assured we are alive to the challenges and passed laws to give us the powers to against them.

five—year—old benedict was a lovely boy who _ five—year—old benedict was a lovely boy who attended a primary school in my constituency. sadly, he died of anaphylaxis. a severe allergic reaction _ anaphylaxis. a severe allergic reaction. the coroner's inquest has not yet _ reaction. the coroner's inquest has not yet reported, but speaking generally, on average two children in every— generally, on average two children in every class have a food allergy, allergic— in every class have a food allergy, allergic reactions take place more iii-school— allergic reactions take place more in—school than in any other setting the home — in—school than in any other setting the home. severe allergic reactions are on— the home. severe allergic reactions are on the — the home. severe allergic reactions are on the rise and can be fatal. yet there — are on the rise and can be fatal. yet there is _ are on the rise and can be fatal. yet there is no explicit legal requirement for schools to have allergy — requirement for schools to have allergy medication and allergy policy— allergy medication and allergy policy or— allergy medication and allergy policy or other recommended safeguards being made available. there _ safeguards being made available. there is— safeguards being made available. there is only guidance. will the prime _ there is only guidance. will the prime minister meet with me and benedict — prime minister meet with me and benedict ass—macro parents, helen and pete, _ benedict ass—macro parents, helen and pete, to discuss a way forward to ensure —

and pete, to discuss a way forward to ensure children that suffer from allergies— to ensure children that suffer from allergies in schools can be more safei _ allergies in schools can be more safe, including schools an allergy policy _ safe, including schools an allergy policy, adrenaline pens and staff who know — policy, adrenaline pens and staff who know how to use them? firstly, can i who know how to use them? firstly, can i extend — who know how to use them? firstly, can i extend my _ who know how to use them? firstly, can i extend my family _ who know how to use them? firstly, can i extend my family to _ who know how to use them? firstly, can i extend my family to benedict'sj can i extend my family to benedict's family. it is always tragic to hear about the loss of a child and we understand seriousness of severe allergies and think children should be properly supported to enjoy a full education and be safe. there is a legal duty in the governing body of schools to make arrangement for supporting people, including setting out what needs to be done, symptoms, treatment. they will ensure my right honourable friend get a meeting with the health secretary to discuss how we can support children with serious allergies. we can support children with serious aller ies. , ._ , we can support children with serious alleries. , , ., . ., allergies. yesterday his chancellor confirmed his _ allergies. yesterday his chancellor confirmed his government - allergies. yesterday his chancellor confirmed his government policy i allergies. yesterday his chancellor| confirmed his government policy to abolish— confirmed his government policy to abolish national insurance £a6 abolish national insurance £46 billion— abolish national insurance £46 billion annual cost and no

indication on where the money is coming _ indication on where the money is coming from. can the prime minister rule out _ coming from. can the prime minister rule out further freezes and tax allowances or an increase in income tax to— allowances or an increase in income tax to pay— allowances or an increase in income tax to pay for— allowances or an increase in income tax to pay for it. it is allowances or an increase in income tax to pay for it— tax to pay for it. it is total nonsense _ tax to pay for it. it is total nonsense and _ tax to pay for it. it is total nonsense and of - tax to pay for it. it is total nonsense and of course i l tax to pay for it. it is total. nonsense and of course i rule tax to pay for it. it is total - nonsense and of course i rule that out. there is no unfunded policy. what we have said is we have a long—term ambition to keep cutting national insurance to end the unfairness of the double taxation and we make progress towards that goal in the next parliament. just as we have by cutting national insurance by a third in six months, delivering a £900 tax cut, at the same time is increasing investment in the nhs and increasing the state pension. but it is increasingly clear what this reveals is the labour party opposes tax cuts for working people.

in guildford recently lost two neighbourhood pharmacy is packed with news, mr speaker, i'm pleased to report that by working diligently with local farmers concerned residents, the minister, i have secured a new pharmacy. would my right honourable friend welcomed me injoining this new pharmacy and agree that all residents should have access to a good, efficient and above all local pharmacy? i care dee -l above all local pharmacy? i care deeply about — above all local pharmacy? i care deeply about the _ above all local pharmacy? i care deeply about the future - above all local pharmacy? i care deeply about the future of - above all local pharmacy? i care deeply about the future of our i deeply about the future of our community pharmacies, i am very pleased to hear about my honourable friend's success in securing a new pharmacy for her citrus, joining the 10,500 others across the country, and she's right about the important role local pharmacies play, so we are backing them a £6a5 million of additionalfunding are backing them a £6a5 million of additional funding through pharmacy first, so you can now go straight to your pharmacist and received treatment for seven of the most common ailments, saving you time and ensuring that patients get the care they need quick and closer to home.

mr speaker, last friday the guardian reported major structural deficiencies at stepping hill hospital in stockport, its major patients building, radiology unit and critical care, have all been condemned, and in march i met senior officials at stockport nhs trust and they were clear that sustained lack of capital investment is a good cause problems at a local hospital. as the prime believe that our hospitals quite literally crumbling is the price worth paying for the 1a years of successive conservative failure? mr years of successive conservative failure? i ., «i , failure? mr speaker, we fully recognise _ failure? mr speaker, we fully recognise the _ failure? mr speaker, we fully recognise the need _ failure? mr speaker, we fully recognise the need to - failure? mr speaker, we fully recognise the need to invest| failure? mr speaker, we fully l recognise the need to invest in health infrastructure across the country including at stepping hill hospital, and that's why spending £a billion a yearfor trusts hospital, and that's why spending £a billion a year for trusts to spend unnecessary maintenance and repairs on top of the £20 billion new hospital programme and additional funding put aside to deal with that.

he talks about a legacy of the nhs and all he needs to do is look at his party's record in wales, where people currently are experiencing the worst a&e performance and longest wait times anywhere in great britain. ., ., longest wait times anywhere in great britain. ., «' , ., longest wait times anywhere in great britain. ., «' ,, i longest wait times anywhere in great britain. ., «i i ., «i britain. thank you mr speaker, nottingham — britain. thank you mr speaker, nottingham city _ britain. thank you mr speaker, nottingham city council - britain. thank you mr speaker, nottingham city council is - britain. thank you mr speaker, - nottingham city council is expected to fall short of its housing target by 6000 new homes. last time this happened, ross cliff, a neighbouring authority, was forced to take thousands of homes on top of its own housing target, which led to huge pressure on green spaces and public services —— rushcliffe. can my right honourable friend reassured me and my constituents that the changes we have made to the planning system will mean that this time, we will be protected from labour's failure in nottingham? mr; protected from labour's failure in nottingham?— protected from labour's failure in nottinham? i, ., ., nottingham? my honourable friend makes an important _ nottingham? my honourable friend makes an important point. - nottingham? my honourable friend makes an important point. on - nottingham? my honourable friend makes an important point. on the i makes an important point. 0n the side of the house the conservatives believe in building the right homes in the right places and local people

having a say, where all labour will do is impose top—down housing targets and areas, decimating precious countryside and in nottinghamshire, you can see the difference. between the bell rang conservative county council compared to the bankrupt nottingham council, which has left residents to pick up the bill for their profligacy. thank ou ve the bill for their profligacy. thank you very much. — the bill for their profligacy. thank you very much, mr— the bill for their profligacy. thank you very much, mr speaker. - the bill for their profligacy. t�*iag�*ia; you very much, mr speaker. untreated sewage is pumped into english waterways for more than 3.6 million hours last year, and into the sea off of suffolk�*s beach is three times in the last 2a hours, yet since privatisation in the water company has have been allowed to rack up debts of more than 6a billion, and their shareholders pocketing 78 billion in dividends. the majority of the public, including 58% of conservative and 80% of labour supporters, went to turf out the profiteering, when is

he going to listen to them and end at the legalised scammer privatisation? mr at the legalised scammer privatisation? at the legalised scammer rivatisation? i ., «i ., at the legalised scammer rivatisation? i ., , privatisation? mr speaker, our plans have one privatisation? mr speaker, our plans have gone to — privatisation? mr speaker, our plans have gone to tackle _ privatisation? mr speaker, our plans have gone to tackle this _ privatisation? mr speaker, our plans have gone to tackle this have - privatisation? mr speaker, our plans have gone to tackle this have gone i have gone to tackle this have gone further than any other previous government. we now monitor 100% of overflows, up from just 7% under the labour party, we are investing a record £56 billion into our water infrastructure, and we have enshrined in law strict targets and introduced unlimited fines for water companies holding them and their bosses to work out, so it is crystal clear that the record shows that is only one party who has a clear plan to tackle this issue for the environment, and it is the conservative party.- environment, and it is the conservative party. thank you, mr seaker, conservative party. thank you, mr speaker, everybody _ conservative party. thank you, mr speaker, everybody knows - conservative party. thank you, mr speaker, everybody knows that i speaker, everybody knows that shotton is a great place with great people in a great football team, he recently visited the incredible work they do at stockton, i'm sure that

he will want to congratulate mickey dunwell and mit anchors on their recent promotion. iie dunwell and mit anchors on their recent promotion.— dunwell and mit anchors on their recent promotion. he is a brilliant chamion recent promotion. he is a brilliant champion for— recent promotion. he is a brilliant champion for his _ recent promotion. he is a brilliant champion for his community - recent promotion. he is a brilliant| champion for his community which recent promotion. he is a brilliant i champion for his community which i visit on a weekly basis and i congratulate everybody at the club on the road was promotion, and in the coming weeks. that brings pmqs for this week to an end, and a pretty dramatic one, and dramatic events before it got started. henry, our political correspondent standing by for us. talkers through what happened minutes before pmqs got under way. let me talk you through first the physical geography of what happens

when somebody switches party in the house of commons. the phrases they cross the floor but it's notjust a phrase, it's a physical action and natalie elphicke, conservative mp, who was until 11:59am today, physically came into the house of commons and to the shock and bafflement of her conservative colleagues went and sat behind keir starmer on the labour benches, and labour put out a press release saying that she had defected to the labour party, and is now sitting as the labour mp for dover and they are cock—a—hoop with this in the labour party as they believe this is a real coup, particularly because natalie elphicke has said she isjoining the labour party because of rishi sunak�*s failure on illegal immigration and asylum policy, something he has put at the heart of his leadership and she is saying he has failed. ~ ., ., , , ., his leadership and she is saying he hasfailed. ~ ., ., , , ., ., has failed. what does this do to the prime minister's _ has failed. what does this do to the

prime minister's position? - has failed. what does this do to the prime minister's position? i - has failed. what does this do to the prime minister's position? i think i prime minister's position? i think rishi sunak's _ prime minister's position? i think rishi sunak's position _ prime minister's position? i think rishi sunak's position as - prime minister's position? i think rishi sunak's position as leader. prime minister's position? i think| rishi sunak's position as leader of the conservative party is basically secure. that's one of the lessons of the last few days. conservative mps look to what was a dismal set of local election results on friday, saturday and sunday and decided that changing leader would make things worse but that's not to say that they are enthusiastically behind him, far from they are enthusiastically behind him, farfrom it. most of them think they are headed for a defeat at the general election and if you thought you were going to lose yourjob it would make your mood pretty flat, so the mood in the conservative party is pretty flat and what natalie elphicke has just done will flatten it further. irate elphicke has 'ust done will flatten it further. ~ .., . «i ., it further. we will come back to natalie elphicke _ it further. we will come back to natalie elphicke in _ it further. we will come back to natalie elphicke in a _ it further. we will come back to natalie elphicke in a moment. it further. we will come back to i natalie elphicke in a moment but it further. we will come back to - natalie elphicke in a moment but we want to get into some of the thing is talked about in pmqs, what stood out for you?— out for you? funnily enough keir starmer decided _ out for you? funnily enough keir starmer decided to _ out for you? funnily enough keir starmer decided to focus - out for you? funnily enough keir starmer decided to focus on - out for you? funnily enough keiri starmer decided to focus on small boats policy the rwanda policy that rishi sunak has put at the heart of his policy to in his words, stop the boats. i got wind he was going to

focus on that issue a while before pmqs but was slightly surprised because he did it last week as well but when natalie elphicke crossed the floor i thought, oh, that's why. this was a prime minister's questions designed to punch the bruise that natalie elphicke inflicted. rishi sunak tried as he often does to say the labour party doesn't care about this and he talked about sir keir starmer is passed as a human rights lawyer and what he sees as the london centric labour party as keir starmer represents a constituency in london of course, but all that will be remembered of this prime minister's questions is what happened at the start of it which was natalie elphicke sitting on the labour benches. �* , . «i ., ., ., benches. let's get back to natalie elhicke. benches. let's get back to natalie elphicke- tell— benches. let's get back to natalie elphicke. tell us _ benches. let's get back to natalie elphicke. tell us a _ benches. let's get back to natalie elphicke. tell us a back _ benches. let's get back to natalie elphicke. tell us a back story. - benches. let's get back to natalie | elphicke. tell us a back story. who is she? she's _ elphicke. tell us a back story. who is she? she's only _ elphicke. tell us a back story. b’g�*uf? is she? she's only been on elphicke. tell us a back story. ii�*ii'i is she? she's only been on air since the 2019 election in dover, fairly safe conservative seat —— only been

an mp. worth noting she succeeded charlie elphickjohn are you note the same surname, he was her husband but he stood down from parliament because he was charged later and convicted of serious sexual offences. they have subsequently divorced, but that is the back story to natalie elphicke succeeding him in the constituency. she's only been an mp since 2019 and was on the right of the conservative party. if you'd asked me as an exercise this morning to draw a list of the 100 conservative mps i thought would be most likely to defect to the labour party, natalie elphicke would have been nowhere near it. she is on the right of the conservative party and a big supporter of borisjohnson's leadership and in her statement announcing her defection she vents her frustration at rishi sunak for an unelected leader replacing an elected leader. it is a statement of defection to the labour party which extols her support for boris johnson which extols her support for borisjohnson which is extols her support for boris johnson which is perhaps extols her support for borisjohnson which is perhaps a extols her support for boris johnson which is perhaps a little bit

confounding. all of this to say, it's very surprising indeed, because she's focused on two issues in her short time in parliament, won a small boats, asylum and immigration and that forms a big part of her resignation and defection statement but the other one in the statement was quite interesting and that was housing as she worked in the housing sector before she became an mp and she castigates rishi sunak for not doing more to end no—fault evictions and to improve the lot of leaseholders. those are big and bitter debates in the conservative party but the labour party has also tried to make housing a bigger general election issue for them and natalie elphicke clearly feels similarly and is helping with that. what will be amongst labour mps clearly as the leadership are happy and it's a political coup. would there be any regulations among rank and file labour members. iittut’iiiii there be any regulations among rank and file labour members.— and file labour members. will not even rank backbench _ and file labour members. will not even rank backbench mps, - and file labour members. will not even rank backbench mps, a - and file labour members. will not i even rank backbench mps, a couple from bench mps already expressing

our knees in my what subgroups before i came on. because she isn't a conservative mp who has previously made common cause with the labour party. just a few months ago she said the labour party had no plan to stop the boats and rachel reeves the shadow chancellor has had a bit of a run—in with her in the past although i am sure she will happily say let's let bygones be bygones. but i think there will be a few reservations from labour mps will say is this the ideology we want in our broad tent? the leadership will take it as nonsense and they will be delighted with the headline of the conservative mp for dover saying keir starmer is more likely to stop the boats, if you want to use that phrase, that the conservative party and also worth noting although it is not in natalie elphicke's announcement, i've learned she will not be standing at the general election so labour has an existing canner that they selected some kind time ago in dover would have spent

the last while since they elected argue one on the doorsteps natalie elphicke is not fit to be an mp but she is now a labour mp and will be standing down at the general election and labour will retain their existing canada and hope that person becomes the labour mp for dover after the general election. interesting, thank you. we will come back to you but we just want to focus a little bit on what actually happened in pmqs and let's take a look at one of the exchanges. since i became look at one of the exchanges. since i became prime _ look at one of the exchanges. since i became prime minister, _ look at one of the exchanges. 5 “ice: i became prime minister, small crossings are down by a third. that's because we've doubled nca funding, increased enforcement rates, closed bank accounts and deported 2a,000 people, process claims and when it comes to border control there is a crucial difference between us. we want secure borders, he's happy with open borders. the secure borders, he's happy with open borders. ., .., , secure borders, he's happy with open borders. ., , «i ., , borders. the whole country knows the removing of — borders. the whole country knows the removing of less _ borders. the whole country knows the removing of less than _ borders. the whole country knows the removing of less than 1% _ borders. the whole country knows the removing of less than 1% of _ borders. the whole country knows the removing of less than 1% of asylum i removing of less than 1% of asylum seekers— removing of less than 1% of asylum seekers and stopping the boats, it's

granting _ seekers and stopping the boats, it's granting an — seekers and stopping the boats, it's granting an amnesty, a tory amnesty. but if— granting an amnesty, a tory amnesty. but if he — granting an amnesty, a tory amnesty. but if he thinks the voters are wrong, — but if he thinks the voters are wrong, if— but if he thinks the voters are wrong, if he thinks his own mps joining — wrong, if he thinks his own mps joining the — wrong, if he thinks his own mps joining the labour party are wrong, if he thinks — joining the labour party are wrong, if he thinks anyone believes any of the nonsense that he spouts, why doesn't _ the nonsense that he spouts, why doesn't he — the nonsense that he spouts, why doesn't he put it to the test and call a _ doesn't he put it to the test and call a general election? mr speaker, he talks about _ call a general election? mr speaker, he talks about removing _ call a general election? mr speaker, he talks about removing people. - call a general election? mr speaker, | he talks about removing people. this is a person who campaigned, a person who campaigned to stop the deportation of foreign national offenders. it shows how out of touch is values are with the british people. it is yet another week where we hear nothing about his plan to do anything on the issues that matter to the country. meanwhile we are getting on reforming welfare and getting on reforming welfare and getting people into work and he opposes it. we are controlling migration, legaland opposes it. we are controlling migration, legal and illegal and opposes it. we are controlling migration, legaland illegaland he opposes it and as we heard, we are boosting defence spending to strengthen our country. he opposes it. and that's the difference. he snipes on the sidelines, the conservatives are building a

brighter future. conservatives are building a brighterfuture. its, conservatives are building a brighter future.— conservatives are building a brighter future. a bitter taste of what happened _ brighter future. a bitter taste of what happened in _ brighter future. a bitter taste of what happened in pmqs - brighter future. a bitter taste of what happened in pmqs itself, i brighter future. a bitter taste of i what happened in pmqs itself, but before that defection of natalie elphicke, butjust a couple of sentences from her statement because it is strong stuff. she said, talking about rishi sunak saying, broken promises of rishi sunak's tired and chaotic government. i have carefully considered this decision. the change has been dramatic within the conservative party and cannot be ignored. for me, key deciding factors have been housing on the safety and security of our borders. let's go back to henry who is with us. tell us what stood out for you in that statement. i us. tell us what stood out for you in that statement.— us. tell us what stood out for you in that statement. i should briefly sa , it's in that statement. i should briefly say. it's only _ in that statement. i should briefly say, it's only fair, _ in that statement. i should briefly say, it's only fair, because - in that statement. i should briefly say, it's only fair, because we - in that statement. i should briefly i say, it's only fair, because we have just wreck the natalie elphicke statement to them in the last few seconds a statement as common response from the conservative party and a spokesperson said the people of dover and deal will be disappointed having felt the impact of illegal immigration. they did

have an mp who sat with the party fighting to tackle this issue head on. now they have an mp in a party that has worked to block our plans to tackle illegal immigration 139 times. we wish natalie well as she now is to support labour�*s amnesty for illegal immigrants and one that directly opposes their own views. it was only last year that she penned an article entitled don't trust labour on immigration, they really want open borders. i'm sure labour and natalie elphicke will dispute that categorisation of the labour position on the small boats issue. but what stands out from all of this back and forth is labour want to take the conservatives on on the issue of small boats. the conservatives have put that at the heart of rishi sunak's re election pitch and you remember at the start of last year in 2023 when rishi sunak and response to conservative mps who wanted to do more than country came up with five priorities and one of them was due, in his words, stop the boats, and it's such a big part of the government's

programme. we've talked lots before and will talk in the coming weeks about the efforts to get a flight off to rwanda but the labour party wants to show, slightly through this defection were also trying to show it before that they are willing to take the conservatives on on that terrain and completely oppose the rwanda plan although there are difficult questions for them about how they would manage the transition towards repealing it. but, they want towards repealing it. but, they want to show that they can be the conservatives in a contest of who the public trusts to deal with that issue. , ., ., the public trusts to deal with that issue. , ., «i , ., the public trusts to deal with that issue. , . «i , ., , the public trusts to deal with that issue. , ., «i i. , . issue. henry, thank you very much for that. issue. henry, thank you very much for that- we _ issue. henry, thank you very much for that. we have _ issue. henry, thank you very much for that. we have plenty _ issue. henry, thank you very much for that. we have plenty more - for that. we have plenty more reaction to what has been going on with a significant momentjust before pmqs and then pmqs itself. pretty tasty exchange as you will have acceding. we will take a quick pause and some of the rest of the uk news and then we will be back in westminster later.

the gates use facial recognition technology and we have the latest. the scene that greeted passengers arriving at stansted airport last night. cues, very long queues. they were due to the failure of passport control at the gates which went down before eight o'clock as more flights landed, the queues got longer and delays were reported across the country including at gatwick, edinburgh, birmingham, bristol, newcastle and manchester. unfortunately there is a system outage and we do not have a timeframe given.— outage and we do not have a timeframe given. because of that outae timeframe given. because of that outage border — timeframe given. because of that

outage border officials _ timeframe given. because of that outage border officials had - timeframe given. because of that outage border officials had to - timeframe given. because of that| outage border officials had to rush to manually process passport holders. era heathrow all corners of the arrival areas were packed with passengers some describing being kept on the runway before being allowed to enter the terminal building. 0thers saying they spend long in the terminal than in the air. many told me they had to wait for over two hours to get through using one word to describe it. chaos. b. using one word to describe it. chaos. �* , , ., chaos. a very, very long queue. the lonest chaos. a very, very long queue. the longest queue _ chaos. a very, very long queue. the longest queue i've _ chaos. a very, very long queue. the longest queue i've maybe _ chaos. a very, very long queue. the longest queue i've maybe ever- chaos. a very, very long queue. the | longest queue i've maybe ever seen. two hours. _ longest queue i've maybe ever seen. two hours, more than two hours waiting — two hours, more than two hours waiting but— two hours, more than two hours waiting. but they— two hours, more than two hours waiting. but they brought - two hours, more than two hours waiting. but they brought us - two hours, more than two hours i waiting. but they brought us water. so what _ waiting. but they brought us water. so what went — waiting. but they brought us water. so what went wrong _ waiting. but they brought us water. so what went wrong with _ waiting. but they brought us water. so what went wrong with the - waiting. but they brought us water. so what went wrong with the ee - so what went wrong with the ee gates? the home office which oversees border force did not give details about the nature of the technical fault but said a large—scale contingency response was activated in six minutes of the gates going down and that at no point was border security compromised and there was no indication of malicious cyber activity. 0fficials indication of malicious cyber activity. officials said the gates came back online shortly after midnight and apologised to travellers caught up in the

disruption. some like here in stansted took to sleeping on the floor, alljust really wanting to get their final destination whether that home or hotel. returning to gaza now and these are live pictures from rafah, where israeli bombardment is continuing following there was a pause of a shipment of bombs to israel last week on fears that they might be used in an assault on rafa. israel says it will also deepen their attack until the hostages are remain —— release. they went into their in defiance of international pressure and seizing the border crossing with egypt. qatar is corny —— calling for international intervention to prevent the city being invaded.

0ur middle east correspondent, yolande knell, is injerusalem and explains the significance of the us' decision to halt last week's shipment. we know that for weeks now the us has been warning israel against a full—scale offensive of rafah. this really because of the high numbers of displaced people who are living in that city, crammed up next to the border with egypt. and the us had been talking to israel about more limited options for going in there to tackle the hamas presence. now, this does look to be a really significant development, the idea that a us shipment has been halted to israel. it's the first time we've heard of such a thing in seven months of war. and it really does reflect, i think, the level of us concerns about this operation, in particular. we understand that the shipment included 2,000lb

bombs, and of course, if they had been used in such a densely populated place, that could have had a really devastating effect. this is the other main crossing for aid going in to gaza right down there in the south of israel, close to the egyptian border. already, lorries had been queuing up there waiting to go in. the white house had said last night that it was promised by israel that this step would be taken. it had been closed, the kerem shalom crossing, after hamas rockets killed four israeli soldiers close to the crossing point on sunday. and israel had kept the crossing point closed, saying that there were ongoing security concerns, that it was continuing to see mortar fire aimed at the crossing.

plenty more reaction to the reaction of the defection of the conservative mp to labour. i'm joined by hugh merriman, a government minister at the department for transport. your response to natalie elphicke's dramatic defection? i’m response to natalie elphicke's dramatic defection? i'm staggered. i've seen dramatic defection? i'm staggered. i've seen some _ dramatic defection? i'm staggered. i've seen some sights _ dramatic defection? i'm staggered. i've seen some sights in _ dramatic defection? i'm staggered. i've seen some sights in this - dramatic defection? i'm staggered. i've seen some sights in this place | i've seen some sights in this place but the lack of scruples on this one is a new bar that natalie has created. shejust is a new bar that natalie has created. she just recently written a daily mail article saying don't trust labour on immigration they want open borders and now she is sitting with them.— sitting with them. absolutely bizarre. you've _ sitting with them. absolutely bizarre. you've no _ sitting with them. absolutely bizarre. you've no doubt - sitting with them. absolutely - bizarre. you've no doubt presumably for several years. bizarre. you've no doubt presumably forseveralyears. did bizarre. you've no doubt presumably for several years. did you ever sense she might be the sort of mp who would considerjoining the labour party? i’m who would consider “oining the labour party?_ labour party? i'm a transport minister and _ labour party? i'm a transport minister and she _ labour party? i'm a transport minister and she is _ labour party? i'm a transport minister and she is a - labour party? i'm a transport minister and she is a dover . labour party? i'm a transport. minister and she is a dover mp labour party? i'm a transport - minister and she is a dover mp and spoke a lot, and whenever she did she got a lot of barracking from the labour mps who clearly didn't agree with her views, but as an mp she, like me on the south coast, was elected on the back of brexit on the back of controlling small boats and

thatis back of controlling small boats and that is something she stood for and had been vociferous against labour in terms of their refusal to back it and now she sits with them. she said in her defection _ and now she sits with them. she said in her defection statement _ and now she sits with them. she said in her defection statement that - and now she sits with them. she said in her defection statement that that. in her defection statement that that is why she has defected because the government has not delivered and she has accused rishi sunak of incompetence. isn't that why she has defected customer let's take it apart. fist defected customer let's take it a art. �* , defected customer let's take it aart. �* , , ., defected customer let's take it aart. �* , , . ., , apart. at every stage we have put olicies apart. at every stage we have put policies that — apart. at every stage we have put policies that we _ apart. at every stage we have put policies that we have _ apart. at every stage we have put policies that we have backs - apart. at every stage we have put policies that we have backs and l policies that we have backs and labour haven't and that's why labour can't be trusted in a wanton amnesty on immigrant status but what does she do question what she jump side with the very people she's been attacking all this time. she's been our lead critic on it and i say this more as a position of principle than an mp. you are elected by your constituents to carry out their wishes and she is just being opportunist, i'm afraid to say and i'm disappointed for politics that she's done what she's done today. what does it say about the mood of the conservative party after some disastrous local elections? it's the second defection in as many weeks direct to the labour party. itjust shows that all of your mps think

that rishi sunak is going to lose whatever he says about a hung parliament. whatever he says about a hung parliament-— parliament. that's the bit that worries me- — parliament. that's the bit that worries me. what _ parliament. that's the bit that worries me. what we - parliament. that's the bit that worries me. what we have - parliament. that's the bit that worries me. what we have to | parliament. that's the bit that l worries me. what we have to be parliament. that's the bit that - worries me. what we have to be as consistent to the principles that got elected i remember why we are here and when people make a career opportunistic moves as you seem to be indicating, then all of us end up looking bad in politics, so i feel sad for politics, principles, scruples and what the public must think of us when somebody makes such a shameless decision, as we saw today. a shameless decision, as we saw toda . �* a shameless decision, as we saw toda.�* , a shameless decision, as we saw toda.�* _ today. i'm absolutely staggered by it. iwas, ithink— today. i'm absolutely staggered by it. i was, i think you _ today. i'm absolutely staggered by it. i was, i think you have - today. i'm absolutely staggered by it. i was, i think you have a - today. i'm absolutely staggered by it. i was, i think you have a sense | it. i was, i think you have a sense of the intense emotions being aroused in the conservative party, complete shocks as they saw her cross the floor in the house of commons chamber and i think we will have more tough words for her form herformer have more tough words for her form her former conservative colleagues in the coming hours. great to get that immediate reaction. plenty more coverage of the event coming up in the hours to come. just before i

leave you... a family of lions rescued from ukraine have been released into their new home at a wildlife park in south yorkshire. aysa and her three 18—month—old cubs emi, santa and teddi were rescued from the donetsk region. they arrived at the yorkshire wildlife park in march and have spent the last two months in rehabilitation. the park said it was "heartwarming" to see the family reunited. didn't take long for the strong showing to melt away, the mist and fog we had, which was widespread in places and it's going to be a fine afternoon for many with decent sunny spells in most places dry and an isolated shower here or there. the only caveat is the weather front which will we be bringing thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain for the north of scotland, the more isobars so it will be breezy but much of the

country under the influence of high pressure and much of the day will be dry for most areas and we will see the rain and strong breeze pushing in the north and west of scotland and into the northern isles. the chance of a shower to stretching from yorkshire through the midlands to south—west england but you'd be unlucky if you catch one as most places are dry and most places in the low 20 celsius in the warmer spots. through the evening and overnight we see the rain continue across the north uk, splashes of rain everywhere across scotland may be the far north of england but elsewhere dry, and we will see the low cloud and mist and fog for many of us with temperatures seven to 11 degrees. forthursday, high of us with temperatures seven to 11 degrees. for thursday, high pressure degrees. forthursday, high pressure on top of the uk and here is the weather front loitering across the north of the country but again we could start off with some mist and fog through the mourning period but it won't last and the strong may sunshine will get going, burning it away and we will see plenty of sunshine for england and wales, central and southern scotland and northern ireland in some splashes of rain across the north of scotland that even here later in the day will

start to peter out as it moves north and temperatures between 19 and 20 degrees across south—east scotland, 22 or 23 in the warmer spots across england and wales and the winds will be light from the south. we do it all again on friday as it could start misty and murky and then we will see plenty of sunshine through the afternoon, and just the chance of an isolated shower but most places dry and we will see warmer and brighter weather pushing into northern scotland, so 16 or 17 degrees but for stornoway, but for loic, mid 20s for england and wales. warm and sunshine into the weekend but the high—pressure retreats eastwards allowing weather fronts and low pressure to start building in from the south and west during sunday, so yes there will be some warmth around and some sunshine but later on sunday there is a chance of heavy showers and may be some thunderstorms moving in from the south.

today at one — another conservative mp defects. natalie elphicke hasjoined labour. the mp for dover criticised what she called the broken promises of rishi sunak's government. flabbergasted conservative mps watched her physically move to labour at the start of pmqs. this one will sting an already demoralised conservative party. the warming of the world's oceans — how climate change is producing record sea temperatures. we'll have all the details. iam i am underneath the menai bridge to

see how those rising sea temperatures are affecting marine life around the world. bereaved parents say new 0fcom rules around social media for children show a lack of ambition. how many children are actually struggling with their mental health? how many children have been affected, are self—harming, have eating disorders, have taken their own lives, that we don't actually know about? some prisoners are to be released up to 70 days early — to relieve overcrowding injails in england and wales. let's go for a walk down chichester canal. and, how this youngster who went blind as a teenager has built up a huge following online. coming up in half an hour on on bbc news... kylian mbappe is probably leaving psg having failed to help them win the champions league, but what chance they will ever get the opportunity without him?