Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC Newsroom Live 20171011

Preparing children properly for the future . The head of ofsted warns that in england they are focusing on preparing pupils for exams at the expense of giving them what they call a rich and full knowledge. The battle of the sexes, the story of the 1973 tennis match between billiejean of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King of the 1973 tennis match between Billiejean King and bobby riggs now made into a movie. Good morning. Its wednesday 11th october. Welcome to bbc newsroom live. The chancellor of the exchequer, philip hammond, has suggested that its too early to commit large sums of money in preparation for leaving the European Union without a deal. He said it was his duty to be realistic about the near term challenges. Writing in the times, ahead of next months budget, mr hammond said i also need to ensure that we are prepared for all outcomes, including a no deal scenario. He goes on to say that the government and the treasury are planning for every outcome and writes we will find any necessary funding and we will only spend it when its responsible to do so his comments come after calls from some tory brexiteers for the chancellor to put money aside for the new it systems, border posts and staff that are likely to be needed if theres no agreement with brussels. Our assistant Political Editor norman smith is at westminster. One imagines what mr hammond has been saying will not go down too well with some of the tory backbenches. It absolutely hasnt, there is real anger among some tory brexit years not just at anger among some tory brexit years notjust at mr hammonds refusal to countenance setting aside money in this budget for a possible no deal outcome but also for the tone of the chancellors article, again warning about the need for tory mps to be honest about the difficulties have complexities of brexit. Lead supporters say he is far too negative, far too much of a doomsayer and trying to crank up the pressure on the chancellor to earmark billions of pounds in the budget for beefing up border controls, increased custom staff and additional infrastructure and it for additional infrastructure and it for a possible no deal outcome, that explicitly rejected by mr hammond this morning when he was appearing before the treasury select committee, he said in effect that could be a great big waste of money because who knows whether we will actually have a no deal outcome . His view is, no, i am not going to set aside money in the budget for such an outcome. We should look in the area at the last point at which spending can begin. To ensure that we are ready for a day one no deal scenario. And that is when we should start spending hard earned taxpayers money. Every pound we spend on contingent preparations for a hard Customs Border is a pound we can spend on nhs or social or deficit reduction. And i dont believe that we should be in the business of spending, of making potentially infiltrate expenditure until the very last moment when we need to do so. Very last moment when we need to do so. So we will be ready, we will spend the my in a timely fashion to ensure that we are ready, but we will not spend it earlier than necessary just to make necessaryjust to make some demonstration point. Some are urging me to spend money single to send a message to the eu that we mean business. I think the eu knows we mean business, they know that we are planning final deal scenario. Not good enough say tory pro brexit mps who believe we are headed for an outcome possibly by the end of this year and they say preparations have two be put in place now which means setting aside money now and this morning the former brexit minister david jones told me he believes mr hammond should set aside billions of pounds in the budget for no deal. Hammond should set aside billions of pounds in the budget for no deallj must say i am concerned in the budget the money is not earmarked for the work needed to be carried out, there will be infrastructure required to ensure when we are operating a new custom system we have the facilities to receive the trucks as they come through and be processed and i would have thought that now would be at good time to start doing that because we have only about 18 months before we actually leave the eu. How much money do you think maybe the chancellor should set aside for nodal preparations . He needs to do the sums, he needs to set aside precisely the sort of songs that we need which i would imagine will run into billions of pounds. But what we cant have is a state of affairs where we do terminate the negotiations of the eu indicates that it negotiations of the eu indicates thatitis negotiations of the eu indicates that it is not prepared to do a deal with us, we are then left scrambling to find the infrastructure that we need to operate the new systems. What would be in locations if say in december there had been no progress in negotiations and mrs may decided to call it a day in court was no deal, what would be the applications thenif deal, what would be the applications then if money had not been set aside for beefing up our border controls . It would be rather serious because if in fact the sums had not been included in the budget then quite clearly it would have to be emergency arrangements put in place andl emergency arrangements put in place and i think there is no need to do that. Nobody is expecting the chancellor to spend the money now, but were asking for is that he earmark the money and put it in place to be spent if necessary, which of course we hope will not be necessary. Is this about money or is it about trying to sideline the inaugural option . In other words the chancellor does not want to countenance the prospect of no deal, and therefore is unwilling to set aside money for that outcome. And therefore is unwilling to set aside money for that outcomelj and therefore is unwilling to set aside money for that outcome. I hope thatis aside money for that outcome. I hope that is not the case because rapidly arriving at the point where the eu is making it very clear that it does not want to talk seriously about our future arrangements. They are already in breach of the provisions of article 50, article 50 requires the eu to talk to us about our future relationship and they are refusing to do that. There is no doubt that they want to drag the processor as long as possible presumably to put as much pressure on it is possible. I think the way to deal with that in turn is to say to deal with that in turn is to say to the eu, look, were happy to talk to the eu, look, were happy to talk to you about a Free Trade Agreement but if you dont want to do so then we will suspend these negotiations and you will come back to us when youre ready to talk. I think to support at the chancellor needs to make it clear that the Financial Arrangements have been put in place. One of your colleagues suggested that by not setting money aside for no deal that may weaken her hand in the negotiations with the eu because they would take the view that we are watching. I think that is a fair point andl watching. I think that is a fair point and i think to earmark the money, to set it on one side, gives a very clear signal to the eu that if they do not talk to us about the future arrangements then we will be making otherarrangements, and i think that by refusing to do that we are possibly showing a sign of weakness already. That was david jones. We take you straight to the spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is reacting there giving the Spanish Government reaction to the catalonian bid for independence. Translation collection in advance what the position of the government is. This, mind, this commitment with clarity is even more important because of the confusion generated by events which took place yesterday in the catalonian parliament. The council of ministers agreed this morning to require formally from the government of catalonia to confirm whether they have declared independence of catalonia apart from the deliberate confusion they have created in relation to its. Coming into force. This prior to any measurement that the government may be able to adopt because of article 155 of constitution, they want to offer, we want to offer clarity and safety a nd offer, we want to offer clarity and safety and security to the citizens, because this matter is important enough for it. Because of the decision had today the government wa nts to decision had today the government wants to offer certainty to the spanish people, and in particular to the catalan people, we want to avoid confusion generated by the generality that authorities about it matter that affects and concerns them very much. In the reply that them very much. In the reply that the president made in this requirement, then the future of events in the following days will ta ke events in the following days will take place. Carles puigdemont said he will respect the legality and comply with institutional matters. Everybody wants and hopes that we have asked him to do urgently, to put an end to the situation that catalonia is going through. Safety, tranquillity, calm must the magnusson as possible. In the requirement to the requirement that the government has decided that ca rles the government has decided that Carles Puigdemont has an opportunity to attend to the clamour and the petitions and requests from so many areas which have reached him, to recuperate harmony in catalonia. And compliance with the law. I will continue to act as now with presently and responsibly, and a lwa ys presently and responsibly, and always bearing in mind the welfare and the general interest of the cata la n and the general interest of the catalan people and of the spanish people as a whole. Thank you very much. That was a very brief statement from the spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, giving his response to what happened yesterday with that, well, some people read it as a slightly confusing symbolic declaration of independence from the cata la n declaration of independence from the catalan residents Carles Puigdemont, Mariano Rajoy said that the Spanish Government agreed to formally ask the catalan Regional Government for confirmation of whether they had or not actually declared independence. Mr roy said we want clarity for the citizens of spain, we want to avoid confusion and he accused the Catalan Government of deliberate confusion, in fact, and we will be getting more reaction no doubt from the Catalan Government to that. We will be talking to James Reynolds in the next few minutes. Corresponded in catalonia. The Energy Regulator says another one million gas and electricity customers will have their prices capped. It will benefit those on low incomes. Ofgem also says it will work with the government to introduce a cap on energy bills for 12 million more customers on standard variable rates put forward by theresa may. There is already a price cap on prepay meters and er extending that to vulnerable customers it will be in place for winter this year, as for a full price cap, that is how the said a matter for parliament and we see how quickly that will go through. I cant tell you how quickly it will or will not go through parliament but what i can tell you is that we will be ready to implemented a sinister does. The government will put forward legislation later this week, but any government backed cap on energy will ta ke government backed cap on energy will take some time to come into force. As the business, the Energy Secretary greg clark has been explaining. Often said not only was the market not working but they called upon in the words they use when they challenged the Energy Companies to move people off these high priced default tariffs that are overcharging people. They said that they should, the companies should move people off the palace. I com pletely move people off the palace. I completely agree. They should get on and encourage and incentivise them to do that. But to be absolutely clear, we are not going to stand by, when we see the level of consumer detriment that is their we have a duty to act and we will sobhi will back this up with legislations of your compelled to act. That is the business secretary greg clark. The headlines the chancellor said he will not yet committed to spending taxpayer money on preparing for the uk to leave the eu without a deal. The Spanish Government holds an emergency Cabinet Meeting to discuss catalonian symbolic depot symbolic declaration of independence. And the wife of Film Producer Harvey Weinstein said hes leaving him after allegations of Sexual Harassment from several women. Time for that is sports news. Argentina will be in russia next summer despite looking as though they could be on their way out when they could be on their way out when they went behind early on against ecuador. But it was thanks to this man, lionel messi, who scored a hat trick to give them a 3 1victory and send them through. They were in danger of failing to qualify for the first time in 47 years. Things have looked shaky for portugal, too, but he avoided the play offs with victory over switzerland. The european champions were cheered on by none other than madonna, she has moved to lisbon with her son, david, who is in the benfica youth academy. Portugal won 2 0 to go straight to as group winners, the swiss take a play off place where they could face Northern Ireland or the republic of ireland. Disappointment for the usa after losing to turn that and do they go, they miss out on the world cup finals for the first since 1986. There was even an own goal by Omar Gonzalez was inconsolable after the game. It hit off my shin and it happened to go right over ken howard. One of the most unlucky goals ever i think for myself and. It is one that will haunt me forever. The United States elimination was in fact thanks to panamas win elimination was in fact thanks to pa namas win last elimination was in fact thanks to panamas win last night, they beat costa rica 2 1 and look at what it meant to them. The president of panama has declared today to be a National Holiday as they have qualified for the world cup finals for the very first time in their history. The winner in that game just two minutes from the final whistle so you can understand the emotions they are. Controversial is truly in tennis player nick kyrgios has been stripped of his first place prize money and find an extra 7 2 thousand pounds after he retired from his match at the shanghai open he was suffering from stomach problems but he had been her descending to walk out if you lost the first set against steve johnson, which he did. Bryns number two lasted only 12 minutes of his second round match, he was up against Alexander Zverev and has been struggling with a knee injury and was forced to retire for the second time in two weeks. That is all your sport for now, i have more in the next hour. Thank you. The wife of Harvey Weinstein said he is leaving him after a string of allegations. Meanwhile the former us president barack obama and his wife michelle have said theyre disgusted by allegations against the hollywood producer and high profile democrat donator. Its great to be making movies in england. To the growing list of hollywood a listers who Harvey Weinstein stands accused of sexually harassing or assaulting, add heather graham. She says he propositioned her, albeit indirectly, during a meeting in his office. A few years after that, Ambra Battilana gutierrez, a former finalist in the miss italy contest, went to the police claiming Harvey Weinstein had sexually assaulted her. She wore a recording device to their next meeting, and the interaction makes for uncomfortable listening. Three women have now accused Harvey Weinstein of rape, an accusation he unequivocally denies, and some of hollywoods biggest names are separately accusing him of unwanted advances among them Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, ashleyjudd, mira sorvino, and Rosanna Arquette. We went to his office, and we had a great conversation about his current film. The former actress and writer louisette geiss recalled pitching a screenplay to Harvey Weinstein in 2008. After about 30 minutes, he asked to excuse himself and go to the bathroom. He returned in nothing but a robe, with the front open, and he was buck naked. Weinsteins wife, the british designer georgina chapman, announced last night she was leaving him, in the light of the allegations. As that statement was being released, reports emerged that mr weinstein was making a departure of his own, to europe, on a private plane. It is thought he plans to undergo treatment for sex addiction, in the hope of one day resurrecting his hollywood career. Here, tests and exams are becoming more important in some schools in england and making sure children get a good grounding in a subject. That is the warning from the head of ofsted. Amanda spielman says there are concerns that schools are focusing on preparing pupils for exams at the expense of giving them what she calls a rich and full knowledge. She said the problem is all across all ages. We are reporting today on what we have seen, particularly for ages seven all the way through to 16, losing subjects, losing content, getting narrowly focused particularly towards the last years of Primary School on the tests themselves. And in law secondaries, squeezing down the key stage three curriculum to a shadow of what it is intended to be. And at key stage for a very heavy focus on tests themselves and often for lower attaining children losing sight of the fact that a good general education, history, geography, those area part education, history, geography, those are a part of a good education for everyone. Not just high are a part of a good education for everyone. Notjust high achievers. Our education correspondent Sean Coughlin is here. What she said there might ring a striking chord with many parents. It mightand striking chord with many parents. It might and i think what is interesting is the change of tone, some of these comments were too much testing, narrowing the curriculum, the sense that the interesting creative stuff has been squeezed out is the kind of thing you could you let Teachers Union conferences and now the head of ofsted something seen as the scourge of schools changing their position quite markedly and i think what will be interesting is whether the words are followed up by actions. Headteachers will hear this and say that is all very well but do not point the finger at us because we are doing what you tell us. And of School League tables and threats to their ownjobs based on exam results and sat tests, they say that is what we have prioritised. Ofstead does not set the ground rules, the government says the framework so itll be interesting to see how this plays out because it is an interesting change in tone. Will the change in tone put pressure on the government to change . As you say it raises questions and the questions over the breakfast table is, is learning the same thing is testing . And even though who will now be taking what to test their knowledge on the subject might be quite thin and passing a test on something is not necessarily the same as learning a love for the subject and learning depth. Nothing will change presumably in the short term at least . This is a signal saying that the testing system has become quite onerous and it is something we have heard from any years, teachers complained that the last year of Primary School is dominated by sat tests rather than the fun things, the Creative Arts and sports and other things. I think you try to reset the dialogue little bit on this. Thank you. Lego life, a website where children can safely meet and share what they have built. The government says this is an example of how to build a safe internet experience, and it wants other tech firms to act the idea is to have social media sites like facebook and twitter should pay a tax to Fund Programmes to stop andrew pierce. The culture secretary says she would be prepared to force Internet Companies to comply with new standards. To force Internet Companies to comply with new standardslj to force Internet Companies to comply with new standards. I do not rule anything out, we do what we need to do to get the result we want which is to make the uk the city is poised to be online, tim aker is the case that what you see on your screen is the same kind of behaviour you would expect someone to behave to you to watch in the street and that is what the other and that is what you have for too long, the behaviour online which would simply Unacceptable Behaviour online which would simply u na cce pta ble if behaviour online which would simply unacceptable if it was done to you face to face. We need to change that, there are a lot of things we need to do and that is work by government, work by the companies, the Internet Companies, and also about education and understanding for pa rents about education and understanding for parents and young people. That is the culture secretary. Lets stop now, from newcastlejoining us is the technology general adam banks. Thank you for being with us. The plan is to make the uk the safest place in the world to use the internet. Is that a realistic achievable dream . This is quite a good green paper and quite an interesting cream paper, centrepiece of it is the idea of having a code of it is the idea of having a code of practice for social media because thatis of practice for social media because that is general agreement that we have a massive problem with abuse on social media, and the measures that the social Media Companies are taking to enable people to protect themselves from that are not really working. I think the idea of doing something about that is fine, i think they are getting themselves to the problems here. The first is if you talk about limiting what people say to each other online you will give the obvious objection of censorship that we get the argument often that it is against free speech. As long as it is in the terms and conditions of the various social networks are seeing these are the rules of platform, if you want to use it then abide by the rules, that is fairly uncontroversial but as soon waiting and say we will be in the centre of this, we will make guidelines and we will force eve ryo ne guidelines and we will force everyone to follow the guidelines, the argument comes back, is this not censorship . Then it becomes more difficult to put the thing in place. The second problem i think wiki with green paper is being presented as it is becoming a Shopping List of government policies. As well as the thing about trying we have maintenance of doing things about extremist content which is a much more controversial censorship issue. You also have this weird zombie policy from David Cameron of trying to wipe pornography of the internet or try to prevent people under 16 from cnet. If you want to do that, good luck with that because it is impossible but if you want to try, it is a completely different technical challenge from this very urgent thing of tackling bullying abuse. Codes of practice in general on the internet, hardy enforceable . I think enforceable is the wrong way to look at, were hearing words like enforcing and crackdown, the whole point about why it is different policing the internet, in a sense the same standards of behaviour should apply but we know the Civil Justice system is not really applicable today. You cannotjust prosecute everybody who posted a tweet that is not good. You have to have a much more responsive and more agile way of dealing with things. And that means that social Media Companies have to be able to deal with this themselves. It might take a bit week but i think some sort of code of practice of agreement within the industry about ways to tackle this, based on listening to people who have suffered abuse and people have grown up on the internet and mohammad works because they understand that understand the sociology of the internet, that could be the way forward. But whether the government is well placed to put itself in the middle of that push the process forward i am not sure. Iq very much. Are you scared of heights . This one may not be for you. Look away now. A tourist attraction in northern china has used special effect on a glass bottomed wok way to make the panels appear to crack and at almost 4000 feet. This footage shows one terrified to about wobbling and crawling on the walkway is and as he sees what is happening. The park has apologise for giving him the shock of his life. That is really not nice, is it . Headlines coming up free on the bbc news channel, in a moment we say goodbye to viewers on bbc two but lets check out the weather prospects with simon king. We have some very heavy rainfall at the moment across North Western england and north wales, really intense rain. You can see from the radar picture, those bright colours there, relentless rain in cumbria and now recently towards snowdonia as well and that rain is going to continue for much of the day so with that we could be looking at about 80100 that we could be looking at about 80 100 millimetres of rainfall by the end of wednesday. That is likely to cause localised flooding and we have seen evidence of that has well and come here. Elsewhere away from that any of rain we have some brighter skies, the sundry coming to scotla nd brighter skies, the sundry coming to scotland and Northern Ireland and it will stay bright down towards the south east of england through the afternoon. Rain moving into the midlands and south west, temperatures and 15 18d. Tonight the rain will create into the south east, for many others it will lead into a chilly start to 30 morning but first they really is looking like a fine and friday. There will be sunny spells throughout the day and temperatures about 14 18d. Goodbye. This is bbc news. Our latest headlines the chancellor, philip hammond, has suggested that its too early to commit large sums of money in preparation for leaving the European Union without a deal saying he would spend only when it was responsible to do so. The spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, has said his government will ask for formal clarification from the catalan authorities on whether or not the region has declared independence during an emergency Cabinet Meeting to discuss the catalonia crisis. Translation the council of ministers agreed this morning to enquire formally from the government of catalonia to confirm whether they have declared independence of catalonia apart from the deliberate confusion may have created. Georgina chapman, the british wife of the hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, has announced that she is leaving him, describing her husbands behaviour as unforgivable. The Energy Regulator, ofgem, has said it will extend its prepayment price cap to one million vulnerable households this winter. And in sports, the line up next summers world cup in russia is taking shape. Argentina looked set to sit out but lionel messi came to the rescue is going a hat trick against ecuador to take them through. European champions portugal will also be there. They beat switzerland to secure their place so the swiss will have to go through to the swiss will have to go through to the play offs where they face Northern Ireland or the republic of ireland. And britains tennis number two lasted only 12 minutes of his second round match at shanghai masters gets Alexander Zverev. He has been struggling with any injury and was forced to retire for the second time injust and was forced to retire for the second time in just two weeks. Ill be back with more after the lunchtime news at half past one. In the last half an hour the spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, has said his government will ask for formal clarification from the catalan authorities on whether or not the region has declared independence. James reynolds is in madrid for us. Mariano rajoy along with plenty of other people a little bit confused about what the catalan position is right is now on independence. Its remarkable, isnt it . You would think in the span of history, a declaration of independence is something you either get you dont get, something which is meant to be entirely understandable and simple, something which stands in a countrys history in terms of its clarity. But Mariano Rajoy last night deliberately spoke in a vague way and now people are simply asking him what exactly do you mean ca rles him what exactly do you mean Carles Puigdemont. It matters because spain asked whether or not ca rles because spain asked whether or not Carles Puigdemont declared independence. If he says he did, then the spanish authorities will decide that is illegal based on the backing of Court Decisions and they may then take action. If he says he did not, that opens up the possibility for dialogue, so words and possibility for dialogue, so words a nd sylla bles possibility for dialogue, so words and syllables and meanings hold the future for relations between madrid and barcelona. Do you think Carles Puigdemont is in a sense playing for time, trying to lower the temperature between the catalonia and madrid . To some extent, yes. That is why he has suspended the declaration last night. People still need to know exactly what that means. He has the difficulty of trying to engage with dialogue with the authorities here led by a minority conservative government who do not like the catalan authorities and he also has to deal with his own coalition in barcelona, some of whom are desperate for independence. It isa are desperate for independence. It is a very difficult balancing act for the catalan reader. We saw the reaction of many of the people who we re reaction of many of the people who were listening to Carles Puigdemonts speech yesterday, independence supporters who were desperately disappointed, but i suppose there is relief amongst those who are not wanting independence, people around the rest of spain actually, that this crisis if it has not been averted at least has eased a little bit perhaps. Some of the ten shirt and temperature has gone down. Some businesses last night said they could now get on with business and the fact that Mariano Rajoy is not asking for a communication from Carles Puigdemont is communication from Carles Puigdemont is now asking for a communication shows that the tension is reducing. There was no communication last week. You can converse communication or dialogue but it seems that the two cities now, the rival cities, are now in the process of talking and clarifying what each other mean and clarifying what each other mean and that might count as dialogue. 0k, and that might count as dialogue. Ok,james, thank you and that might count as dialogue. Ok, james, thank you very much indeed. More now on the news that Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have joined a growing list of women accusing Harvey Weinstein of Sexual Harassment. He says he unequivocally denies all the allegations, including three of rape. Earlier, Victoria Derbyshire spoke, to the hollywood writer, perez hilton, whos been covering the story. Well, what shocked me most about these allegations is the extent of these allegations is the extent of the abuse towards countless women and the stature of these women. It wasnt predominantly unknown actresses, it was everybody from now speaking on the record with paltrow and Angelina Jolie to ashleyjudd, Rosanna Arquette and more. And also more thanjust Rosanna Arquette and more. And also more than just women claiming Sexual Harassment, italian actress asia argento has spoken on the record and she claims that harvey wein steen raped her. Other women have also spoken off the record to reporters claiming similarly that they too we re he denies the allegations of rape. He says his sexual relationship were a lwa ys he says his sexual relationship were always consensual. I personally have never heard of these rumours before, but many people have spoken publicly about it being an open secret in hollywood which is just so disgusting to me. I read yesterday a joke that the host of the oscars made a couple of years ago saying that actress is no longer to be sexually attracted to Harvey Weinstein. Thatjoke had to come from somewhere and the fact that this man was able to do this for decades without reproach, i mean, the new York Police Department was even working on trying to set up a sting operation to arrest him, but he was so powerful and women were so afraid of him that he was able to continue this vile pattern of behaviour. In terms of the fact that it was apparently this open secret and that there were many around him that work, it would seem, complicit if the allegations are true, what do you think of that . I think it is going to be only a matter of time until the Weinstein Company as a whole just faults. Would you expect more big hollywood female stars to come out . Over the coming days . expect a lot more stars to come out. Imean, i expect a lot more stars to come out. I mean, i was really surprised that Angelina Jolie was vocal today and also surprised that Gwyneth Paltrow was vocal. There has been a surge in deaths from heroin addiction across the uk. The number of people dying from heroin or morphine abuse has doubled in five years to more than 1600 in england, wales and scotland the highest number since records began. Four of the uks police and Crime Commissioners have told the bbc they would like to see the drugs decriminalised for personal use. Our special correspondent ed thomas reports. County durham, searching for the next hit. I havent got time to look for a job, being a drug addict is a full time job. Every day, the same. By the time i do get sorted, its time to start all over again. Im not letting them in. What are you doing, then . Getting something. And this is lisas life. A mother ruled by heroin. Id put it before my children. Do you need heroin more than your children . Yeah. I do. Before all this, lisa was married with five children, two jobs. Then she faced violence, heroin and despair. I lost my oldest daughter, and thats where basically every night since, ive just used that asa coping. I havent really dealt with her death, ive just buried my hand in the sand. Every five hours in the uk, someone dies after taking heroin or morphine. In the north east, there are more drug related deaths than anywhere else in england. How many friends have you lost . At least 20. 20 friends, from heroin overdoses . Yeah. And this is the cost of addiction on our streets. Walked in, noticed the fridge was gone. Came into the kitchen, cooker was gone. Im going to go in, the needles youve got lying around in there. On patrol with durham police. Theres uncapped needles. Every day, the same. The only way theyre going to fund the habit is by dishonest means which is going to be stealing stuff. En route with one adult male for shoplifting. The government says up to half of all crimes like shoplifting, theft and robbery are committed by offenders who use cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin. The same faces. Again. And again. Can you tell us how you feel . Just, sick. How many times have you been arrested . Over 100. Now, theres a call for radical change. I think the first thing is to actually decriminalise personal use. Of heroin . Of all drugs. If we go down that particular route, that then opens the door for a medical solution to the problem. Nobody who dies from overdose. In switzerland, Durhams Police and crime commissioner is looking for that medical solution. They tend to ask for less and less rather than more. Its called heroin assisted treatment. He believes it can reduce crime and save lives. It costs around £15,000 per year per patient. For some, the idea of bringing this to durham is controversial. What do you say to people who say, ive worked all my life, so why on earth are these people, many of them offenders, getting money off the state for heroin . I dont hear any outcry about people getting nicotine patches. To give up nicotine. But its a health problem. I dont hear criticism of people getting help with their alcoholism. Its a health problem. The policies we adopted so far havent worked, and we need to radically change those. Lisa knows this could one day kill her. She wants change, and believes heroin assisted treatments could save her life. Lets discuss this problem of heroin deaths on the rise in particular. With me is Rosanna Oconnor director of drugs, alcohol and tobacco for Public Health england. Also im joined by roweena russell, who runs hiwecanhelp. Com, an online resource for people whose lives are affected by drugs. Shes also the former Harm Reduction strategy manager for North Tyneside council. Welcome to you both. First of all, we have heard about these figures that the rising death rate, a surge in deaths from heroin addiction across the United Kingdom. How alarmed are you in that rise . We have been very concerned particularly by the large increase over the last three years and we set up over the last three years and we set up and work with an expert group to try to get to the calls for the really big increase and what we might be able to do about it. So, the heroin deaths are high and they are particularly high amongst the ageing heroin users, so people who have been using for some time and his health, general health, is pretty shot to pieces by their heroin use. So one of the important things is to make sure that the open doors antidote for heroin is readily available and we have worked hard to make sure that heroin. That the antidote drug is easily accessible and easily available notjust to heroin users who are in treatments, but to the proportion of the population who are not in treatment as were the most vulnerable. What russell from North Tyneside, we heard the north east is a particular problem in terms of heroin deaths. What is your experience of the situation . Well, i was a heroin addiction strategy manager from 2007 to 2010. Sadly, what i am seeing really is a Public Health crisis in this country and particularly in the north east and it is null by happenstance correlation at the north east has been hit hardest by austerity and by the cuts and women in the north east have been hit harder than anybody in the country, so harder than anybody in the country, so the situation here, im afraid, in spite of the very best efforts of really skilled Drug Treatment Services and really enthusiastic councils is that you can visibly see the impact of the change in services, the change in strategy on the streets. When i woke up and down northumberland street, im sad to say that invariably there will be people in crisis, there will be people in crisis, there will be people who desperately need services and there are people you can see on and there are people you can see on a daily basis, the decline of people, and around 2007 8, we had things pretty much under control. It hasjust been things pretty much under control. It has just been mentioned things pretty much under control. It hasjust been mentioned that the antidote drug was a good solution but they need to be given out more often than one of the times of the people can share and use them. These kits are harmless, they are not going to any harm but we can save lives. Unless we begin to recognise that if we have people who are living with disabilities, people who are not well enough to work, who are becoming, you know, seriously harmed by cuts, becoming homeless, charged extra rooms, the worst hit in our society, the people we see on the streets, of course they are dying in greater numbers. The support services and the right support services and the right support Services Simply are not there. From Public Health england, rosanna, do you think the right resources are there . We published in evidence review earlier this year that indicated we have a world class treatment system in this country. Treatment works, treatment is very effective in helping people overcome their heroin dependency and getting their heroin dependency and getting their lives back together. This moves them into recovery. One of the important things is getting people who are most vulnerable, the people robina talked about, getting them into treatment so they can get the support they need. About 60 of the heroin using population in this country is in treatment. Obviously, that means 40 is not. It is that population that are the most vulnerable. But those who are being treated, do you have the right resources for the right drugs to give them . In order to help them when you do treatment . Yes, the treatment system here is very effective and people have a high possibility of Getting Better if they engage with treatment. Robina russell, one suggestion from people is decriminalisation. Is that something that you would go along with . Well, yes, iam a hai reductionist and we need to be pragmatic about this. If you think about drug and are cahal abuse is a legal problem, it goes to say that if you give a drowning fish oxygen to survive, it will feel 100 of the time and if we keep treating addiction as a legal issue. That woman had been arrested 100 times. At what point does a police force realised that arresting this woman is not helping, it isjust disrupting her family, her life, costing us money, prison costs £40,000 a yearand costing us money, prison costs £40,000 a year and treatment costs £15,000 a year. If we are looking at the world from a value for money perspective, is really a no brainer and criminalising people because of their addiction problems is not going to make things any better. The majority of people right now who are dying have not been accessing Drug Treatment Services in the past seven years, so we need to act now and we need to act with wisdom. Ok, were out of time but thank you for being with us. Many thanks to both of you. In a moment a summary of the Business News this hour but first, the headlines on bbc newsroom live the chancellor says he wont yet commit to spending taxpayers money on preparing for the uk to leave the eu without a deal. The spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says he will ask for clarification on the catalan authorities on whether or not the region has declared independence. The wife of Film Producer Harvey Weinstein says she is leaving him after allegations of Sexual Harassment from several women. Hello, im ben thompson. These are the top business stories. A price cap on energy bills proposed by the Prime Minister last week is unlikely to take effect before winter. Theresa may promised to revive a plan to limit charges for an extra 12 million consumers. But regulator ofgem says it needs to wait for legislation before it enforces the new rules. The government is threatening to punish firms like facebook and twitter if they dont make the internet safer. It also says there needs to be a levy on firms to fund policing the net, as well code of practice on removing intimidating or humiliating content from social media. Well have more on this shortly. Credit agency equifax says many more uk customers were affected by a data breach than first thought. It says more than 690,000 people in the uk had their details stolen in the cyber attack this year. Equifax says it will contact all uk customers affected to offer them help. The government is unveiling new plans aimed at making the uk the safest place in the world to go online. The internet Safety Strategy will include measures to tackle online abuse and make children safer on social media sites. The industry will be asked to sign up to a social media code to address bullying or humiliating content, and contribute to a fund for an Awareness Campaign about online dangers. Joining us now is tony neate, chief executive of getsafeonline. He is an our cardiff newsroom. Good to see you. Good morning. The thing that jumped out at to see you. Good morning. The thing thatjumped out at me was the idea of making the uk the safest place to go online but we all know that the internet is global. How do you do that . It is very difficult but its about time. It is that it has taken this long and we have had to regulate these companies and i know this is a consultation process, but we really need to protect the children around us. We are seeing more and more times, i go to Police Forces all the time, where they taught me about suicide on a month by month basis. Even worse, that we can see you can hear about. So, yes, we are very can see you can hear about. So, yes, we are very supportive on our team thatis we are very supportive on our team that is coming in and we can talk to everybody because it is everyones responsibility to keep people safe from the internet. Lets talk about some practical solutions. What can be put in place to make sure that people including children are safer online . First of all, these Companies Need to put more manpower and more resources into checking the content and there are very technical ways that you can do that. It doesnt have to be compensated. They can look at the things that are being said, they can take more notice of the reporting structures that take place and they can use filtering systems that parents can make into. But it is also about education. It is that education of everybody. Children certainly, but also parents and grandparents and generally the populace so they know exactly what goes on. When i talk to schoolchildren, i always say what goes on line stays online and that is what we must remember in this day and age. How likely are the social media firms to respond . We know there are lots of criticism of what they do and we saw certainly when there are things like islamic content online or extremist content online, they were relatively slow to react. Do you think they will step up react. Do you think they will step up religious . They will be quick to respond to the green paper. They will want their voices heard because obviously this is going to cost them in more than just financial ways. If they dont start to put these safeguards in place, i think the only thing that will happen is the government is going to force them to do that and i am for self regulation. I am do that and i am for self regulation. Iam not do that and i am for self regulation. I am not for government regulation because sometimes it doesnt work, but that is what i think the social Media Companies have pushed us into. They have done too little too late, im afraid. Tourney, thank you for your insight. In other Business News a group of bombardier workers from belfast are due to meet mps later in an effort to press the government over a trade dispute that threatens jobs at the aerospace firm. Rivalfirm boeing had accused bombardier of alleged below cost selling of its c series jet. The Us Government imposed an import tax of 80 on the jets, on top of a 220 tariff already set. Struggling pet chain just for pets has been rescued from the administrators by a supply firm, although seven of its 25 stores are due to close. Buyer pedigree wholesale, which supplies pet, aquatic and Garden Centre products to shops, plans to keep 200 jobs but said just for pets will close in evesham, burton upon trent, northampton, nottingham, reading, wellington, yardley. And starting today, a number of pret a manger shops will be encouraging customers to fill up their Water Bottles free of charge using new filtered water stations. These shops will also start selling two sizes of reusable glass bottles alongside regular Water Bottles. Iam not i am not sure who wants to carry glass around, but some with mysterious forest environment is concerned. That is all the Business News, mortimer slater. It was called the battle of the sexes a tennis match like no other. Bobby riggs, a former wimbledon tennis champion, took on the greatest female player of the time to prove equality in sport could never happen. However, he lost the match and 44 years on, a film based on that encounter has been made. Our correspondent David Sillito met the woman at the centre of it all, Billie Jean King. Its bobby, bobby riggs how about this . Man versus woman. Male chauvinist pig versus hairy legged feminist. No offence. Youre still a feminist, right . Billie jean king, the greatest female tennis player of her generation. I like pressure. Im built for that kind of match. I was always built for that kind of match. This match is for all the guys around the world who feel, as i do, the male is king, the male is supreme. Bobby riggs, ageing tennis champion and self confessed male chauvinist pig. The battle of the sexes, one of the most extraordinairy matches in the history of tennis. 90 Million People were watching. Billie jean, a pleasure to meet you. 44 years later, i met the real billie jean, to see what she thought of seeing her life turned into a movie. Watching that film for the first time, it comes to an end whats going through your mind . Wow, did that really happen . Film reel despite all the bravado, riggs has been working out every evening. This is the real bobby riggs. He was a hustler. He wanted to make some money. But for billie jean, this was more than just a tennis match. It represents so much. It represents equality. It represents freedom. And the woman who saw it have come up to me, and it empowered them and gave themself confidence. And the men come up to me, and they go theyre the ones who are very emotional. Sometimes they have tears in their eyes and say, i have a daughter, now, and that absolutely changed my whole outlook on how i was going to raise my children. Film reel for the first time, wimbledon met little miss chubby legs with the owl like glasses. It was a very different era. Billie jean was, at the time, fighting for fair treatment for female players. But what did she really think of bobby riggs . What makes you think that i wont be able to psych you out of the match . What makes you think that . I thought he was adorable, and i thought he was crazy, and a great promoter. Adorable . He was outrageous of course he was outrageous, but myjob was to beat him, and stop all that. So ijust let him go. Let him go, hes not going to change. Im not going to change bobby riggs. Let him be. Heres a beautiful lollypop for billie jean. I figure shes going to be a real sucker for my lob. The film tells the story of the match, billie jeans victory and all the off camera personal drama. But there was, in real life, a fascinating final scene. I stayed in touch with him, and the night before he died i had a great discussion with him and he finally understood it was about history. Because i kept saying bobby, its about history, and hed say no, its about money. And that night he said we did make a difference, didnt we . And i said yes, you did make a difference, and i am so happy that we have stayed in touch and youre my friend and i love you. And he told me that he loved me and the next day he passed away. There we are, the battle of the sexes. In the house of commons, the battle of the politicians is about to come under way. First of all, the weather. Heavy rainfall and strong winds across parts of north west england, north wales where you can see from the weather picture that there are bright colours, intense and relentless rain in cumbria and recently in snowdonia. That has led to some flooding problems already. This is a scene from cumbria short time ago, roads they are starting to flood and by the end of today with the rain not moving very far, we could be looking at from 80 100 millimetres of rain which will continue to cause problems. Away from their common skies and sunshine across scotland and Northern Ireland with some showers moving in and the rain moving slightly self but in the far south east it will remain largely dry. Brighter spells. Maximum temperatures here about 18 degrees, 14 or 15 further north and west. As we go to tonight, the rain will clearly to the south and east and as with clear skies and for most of us thursday looks a fine and friday. A bit more cloud developing into the afternoon. Top temperatures around 1418. Afternoon. Top temperatures around 14 18. Goodbye. This is bbc news, and these are the top stories developing at midday. The chancellor says he wont yet commit to spending taxpayers money on preparing for the uk to leave the eu without a deal. Every pound we spend on a contingent preparation for a hard Customs Border is a pound we cannot spend on the nhs or social care or education or deficit reduction. The nhs or social care or education or deficitreduction. The chancellor also raised the prospect if there we re also raised the prospect if there were no deal that there could be problems with flights from the uk to the European Union. This is the scene live in the house of commons we re scene live in the house of commons were theresa may is about to face Jeremy Corbyn for the First Time Since the party conferences, prim ministers questions about to get under way and we will bring it to your life. The spanish Prime Minister demands clarification from the catalan authorities on whether they have declared independence. The wife of the Film Producer Harvey Weinstein said she is leaving him after allegations of Sexual Harassment from several women. And the Energy Regulator ofjenin is to cap gas and electricity bills for1 million low income households. Straight to the house and Prime Ministers questions. Problems affect one in four people but only £1 of every £8 in ccg budget is spent on Mental Health budgets. My own ccg are set to cut their budget by 1. 1 , bringing that to less than 10 of responding in the budget. This covenant will have to match their words with more strong and stable and ring fenced funding. With these cuts and demands increasing, when will the Prime Minister end the talking, promised to ring fenced funding for Mental Health and special Psychological Services . The honourable gentleman is right about the importance we should be attaching to the issue of Mental Health. And giving that parity of esteem is an important step this government has taken but we are also doing much more in the airof we are also doing much more in the air of Mental Health and overall more money is going into Mental Health and we are seeing more people in the nhs being able to access talking therapy and have treatment for their mental ill health. What we also need to do is look at this issue more widely which is precisely why i have set up a scheme so that we will see staff being trained in schools to have better awareness of Mental Health problems, to be able to know how to deal with those individuals in those schools who are suffering from Mental Health. It is more for us to do but this government is putting more money in and taking more action and Mental Health than any other act of mud before. The Prime Minister will know that financial and professional services are the uks largest source of tax revenue and driver of trade surpluses. I met representatives of that sector yesterday and they wa nted that sector yesterday and they wanted to pass on to the Prime Minister their warm support for the pragmatic and sensible arrangement she has made to ensure critical legal and contract shall continuity that sector needs that is vital to them as we leave the European Union. As well as recognising that, will she build on that positive approach by considering issuing a white paper on ourfuture vision by considering issuing a white paper on our future vision for trade in services the same way we have portrayed in other sectors . My honourable friend raises an important point and hes right we need to build that bridge from rx listing partnership to future partnership to allow time for practical adjustments to be made. That is exactly what we are doing in talking about the implementation period, that is why i set it out in my speech in florence together with our vision for a future partnership and as im sure my honourable friend will no week published a white paper on the future trade policy earlier this week and we will continue to publish papers in the following months. Thank you, mr speaker. I hope the whole house willjoin me in paying tribute to the late rodney bickerstaffe, the former general secretary of unison who died last week. You will be remembered for his warmth and esteem. More than that, almost more than anyone else, he made sure that the National Minimum wage happened in this country and millions of workers are better off for the great work that rodney did during his life. Can we say thank you, rodney, for everything you did in your life. You, rodney, for everything you did in yourlife. Mr you, rodney, for everything you did in your life. Mr speaker, the roll out of universal credit is already causing debt, poverty and homelessness. Does the Prime Minister accept it would be irresponsible to press on regardless . First of all, of course we offer our condolences to rodneys friends and family and his death. He andi friends and family and his death. He and i would probably never have agreed on very much in politics but, obviously. But, obviously, the role he played, he played with commitment and dedication in his life. The right honourable gentleman has asked me about universal credit andi has asked me about universal credit and i think it is perhaps as worth recognising why it is we brought universal credit into place in the first place. What we want is a welfare system that provides a safety net for those who need it, that helps people to get into the workplace, helps people to earn more and to provide for themselves and theirfamilies. The and to provide for themselves and their families. The system we inherited from labour didnt do that. It was far too complicated, there were too many different sorts of payments, and, crucially, those who arent more, too many of those who arent more, too many of those who arent more found themselves with less money in their pockets that too many people under labour, they were better off in benefit. And benefits. That isnt the system we want. We want universal credit which are simpler, more straightforward, and makes sure that work always pays. Mr speaker, i wonder which planet the Prime Minister is on. Mr speaker. The Citizens Advice Bureau describes universal credit as, and i quote, a disaster waiting to happen. Universal credit as, and i quote, a disaster waiting to happen. Based on assisting tens of thousands of claimants with dead. An increase of 50 in eviction of tenants with rent arrears due to universal credit. Cant the Prime Minister and the dwp wa ke cant the Prime Minister and the dwp wake up to reality and hold this process . Wake up to reality and hold this process . As i have explained we have good reasons for changing the system. Yes, the dwp has been. We have been listening to the concerns raised in relation to the way universal credit has operated. Changes have been made, performance has increased. For example, at the beginning of this year, only 55 of people were getting their first payment on time. Now that is over 80 . Of course, there is more for us to do. Of course, there is more for us to do which is why the secretary of state and the department for work and pensions continue to monitor this and to ensure that performance increases but underlying this is a need to make sure we have a system that makes sure that work pays and that makes sure that work pays and that people are not better off and benefits. Mr speaker, the holton Housing Trust reports 100 year on year increase in the number of evictions. Half of all council te na nts of evictions. Half of all Council Tenants and universal credit are at least a month in arrears on their rent. This weekend, the former Prime Minister, sirjohn major, described universal credit, as operationally messy, socially unfair, and unforgiving. He is right, isnt he . It is years behind schedule, it is forcing people to food banks, driving up evictions, leaving families in dead. Cant the Prime Minister see it . If the former Prime Minister see it . If the former Prime Minister can understand it, why cant this one . I say to the right honourable gentleman, in fact, Research Shows after four months the number of people in universal credit in rent arrears had fallen by a third. But. I have. I havejust said in my previous answer to the right honourable gentleman, of course we recognise there have been some issues to address in the rolling out of this particular credit. Benefit. That is why weve been taking our time in doing it. The underlying reason for universal credit is the right one. More people get into work and universal credit van and jobseekers allowance. There is the possibility in place for those people who are not in a position to wait for their first payment, if they are in need, they are able to ask for advance and the number of people getting an advance has increased. Does the Prime Minister recognise there are problems with it . The ippr and the Child Poverty action group estimated is going to put another 200,000 children into poverty. Last month, a p pa re ntly children into poverty. Last month, apparently a dozen conservative mps wrote to the work and pensions secretary calling for a pause. Perhaps they should have listened to be polite or jean perhaps they should have listened to be polite orjean who contacted me this week. All summer, we were left with no money to survive. It just stopped abruptly. We would have lost everything if it wasnt for my family. Others cannot rely on family and are facing eviction. Show some leadership, pause universal credit and stop driving up poverty debt and homelessness because that is what it does first of all, can i say to the right honourable gentleman id be happy to look at the case of georgina, if youd like to send me those particular details. Asi as i have just as i havejust said, and, once again, i referred to this in my previous answer, had the right honourable gentleman listened to it, it is possible for those in need to get advance payments. The number of those getting advance payment has increased from 35 to 50 . The majority, just over 50 . We are seeing the system being improved and performance improving. But lets just think about the labour partys record on this whole issue of welfare. Under the labour party, 1. 4 Million People spend most of the last decade is trapped and out of work benefits. Under the labour party, the number of households. Order, order. I ministers response must be heard. Under the Labour Government, the number of households where no member had ever worked nearly doubled. The welfare will went up by 60 which cost every household an extra £3000 a year. That isnt the way to run a system. That isnt the way to run a system. That isnt the way to run a system. That is the way to have a system thatis that is the way to have a system that is failing ordinary working people. Mr speaker, the last Labour Government lifted 1 million children out of poverty. Gloucester city homes, mr speaker, has evicted one in eight of all of its tenants because of universal credit. The Prime Minister talks about helping the poorest but the reality is a very different story. Not only are people being driven into poverty but, absurdly, the universal credit helpline costs claimants 55p per minute for the privilege of trying to get someone to help them claim what they believe they arent titled too. Will the Prime Minister today show some humanity, intervene, and make the helpline, at least, free . |j say to the right honourable gentleman ive made very clear we continue to look at how we are dealing with this and ensuring that we get this system out in a way that is actually working for people and the performance is increasing and it is working because more people are getting into work and universal credit and they were and jobseekers allowa nce. Credit and they were and jobseekers allowance. I want people to find work. I want people to be able to get betterjobs, to be able to earn more, to be able to get on without government support. That is why it is so important we create businesses to create jobs. Perhaps is so important we create businesses to createjobs. Perhaps if is so important we create businesses to create jobs. Perhaps if you stand up to create jobs. Perhaps if you stand up perhaps it like to welcome the fa ct 3 up perhaps it like to welcome the fact 3 millionjobs have been created due to a Strong Economy under a conservative government. Mr speaker, sadly, universal credit is only one of a string of failures of this government. Everywhere you look, it is a government in chaos. And the most important issues facing this country, it is a shambles. Brexit negotiations made no progress. Bombard brexit negotiations made no progress. Bomba rd ea brexit negotiations made no progress. Bombard ea and the workers facing redundancy. Young people pushed into record levels of debt. 1 million elderly people not getting the essential care. Our nhs at breaking point. Mr speaker, this government is more interested in fighting amongst themselves than in solving these problems. Mr speaker. Isnt it the case that ifa mr speaker. Isnt it the case that if a Prime Minister cannot lead, she should leave . I will tell what the right honourable gentleman the record of this government, the deficit down by two thirds, 3 million more people injobs, 1. 8 million more people injobs, 1. 8 million more people injobs, 1. 8 million more children in good or outstanding schools, more people visiting a e, more people getting operations than before, record levels of funding into the nhs, and record levels of funding into our schools. But what did we see about the labour party from their conference . What we saw. Wait for it. Order the members are becoming very overexcited. The response will be heard. What did we hear from the Labour Party Conference . What happened at labours conference . First of all, shelter said that the labour partys first of all, shelter said that the labour pa rtys Housing First of all, shelter said that the labour partys housing policy would end up harming people on low incomes. There flagship Haringey Council rejected another of the housing policies. The equalities and Human Rights Commission said, labour need Human Rights Commission said, labour need to Human Rights Commission said, labour need to establish that it is not a racist party. And the labour leader of Brighton Council threatened to ban labour conference is because of freely expressed anti semitism. That was all before the shadow chancellor admitted a Labour Government would bring a run ona Labour Government would bring a run on a pound and ordinarily working people would pay the price heidi allen. Thank you, mr speaker. Im afraid i must return to the subject of universal credit. But perhaps the difference on this side of the house to that site is we believe in the Transformative Properties to that site is we believe in the tra nsformative properties of to that site is we believe in the Transformative Properties of it and we wa nt Transformative Properties of it and we want it to work. And work it will but we have to get it right and i thank the secretary of state on monday for promising to advertise more widely that advances were available to claimants. There are many of us that feel that more people taking those advances must mean that the in built six week wait does not work. My question is, would the prime on a stick and had a meeting with me so i can explain to her why, if we reduce that wait, we will do a betterjob of supporting those just about managing families who are struggling to make ends meet and have no savings to cover them in that period . My honourable friend makes the important point about the fundamental benefits of universal credit but she is of course right and that is why the dwp is looking at the performance and how this is operating. I am at the performance and how this is operating. Iam happy at the performance and how this is operating. I am happy to meet with my honourable friend to look at this issue. She has mentioned the advanced payments, and of course as she says it is important that those who need them are aware of that and thatis who need them are aware of that and that is what it is notjust about advertising but making sure the Job Centre Staff are trained and are being retrained to make sure they are aware of what they can do to help people. In terms of the advance payments, they can be with people within five days or in an emergency on the very same day but im happy to meet to discuss it. Thank you, mr speaker. If there was another Eu Referendum now, i know speaker. If there was another Eu Referendum now, i know i would vote to remain. Why has the Prime Minister not been straightforward about how she would vote . There is no second referendum. The people of the United Kingdom voted and we will be leaving the European Union in march 2019. Thank you, mr speaker. The Prime Minister cannot answer a simple question. Im quite having to wait. The reason the Prime Minister cannot answer a simple question is because she is hamstrung by the parliamentary majority and the divided party right wing brexiteers. Majority and the divided party rightwing brexiteers. Order. Mr kerr, were not having any pranksters here. Thank you, mr speaker. This morning the chancellor admitted a cloud of uncertainty is hanging over the uk economy. The snp is the only party in this house which is united on this issue and we know that crashing out of the Single Market and the Customs Union will cost 80,000 jobs in scotland and £2000 per person. Now is the time for leadership for the Prime Minister to come off the fence and recognise that to save this economy we need to stay in the Single Market and the Customs Union. Now is the time for the snp leadership to accept that to save jobs in scotland they need scotland to remain part of they need scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. Thank you, mr speaker. Following yesterdays announcements of almost 2000 job losses at bae systems many hundreds of which are in my constituency where very dedicated and highly skilled people work, candy by minister ensure that she will continue to ensure that she and her government does everything they can to support export orders to saudi arabia and qatar but also support those dedicated workers and find other implement and support the wider lancashire economy . My honourable friend is absolutely right that this is a very worrying time for workers at bae systems including those in his constituency. He rated the two issues and i can reassure him that the dwp will make sure they work with people and ensure they have all the support they need to look for newjobs which will include the Rapid Response service which will help with cvs and training and information about benefits but we will also continue to promote our world leading Defence Industry right across the globe so in pennies like bae systems can secure contracts for uk made equipment. Last month the defence secretary signed the statement of intent with qatar committing the country to the purges of 24 typhoons and six gallacher hawks from bae systems. We will continue to push buzz guzman adventuring such as in his constituency and also make sure support is given to those who lose theirjobs support is given to those who lose their jobs we support is given to those who lose theirjobs we will continue to book manufacturing. Last week you announced he would fund 25,000 extra socially rented homes over five yea rs. Socially rented homes over five years. The waiting list in brighton is already that and along with brighton, my other local authority is building and wanting to build more Council Houses but your policy will not help them because they are not limited by the open market but by the governments arbitrary cap on borrowing and financing against housing stock. Will she agreed with me that the conservative lead lewers district that the cap on the hrh must be lifted to get Councils Building for britain again . |j must be lifted to get Councils Building for britain again . I have made no announcement or any policy on this matter. Thank you, mr speaker. What the honourable gentleman is referring to the announcement we are putting £2 billion extra into our successful Affordable Housing programme which brings it two ninths billion dedicated entirely creating affordable homes. Brings it up to £9 billion. That means thousands more families getting the homes they need and can afford every single year over the next five years. This isa year over the next five years. This is a good announcement for the government and it means more people getting their homes they need and i would have thought he would welcome it. In my own constituency of monmouth, children as as 12 have been labelled as transgender and razgrad potentially life altering sex change drugs. That prescribed drugs. My my honourable friend raises a very sensitive issue and as he will be aware, obviously health is a devolved matter in wales. In england the nhs has strict guidelines regarding the prescriptions of these sorts of medications do young people, they could only be prescribed with the agreement of a Specialist Team after a careful assessment of the individual and generally only patients 15 or older but i recognise the concerns he has raised. In a radio interview yesterday the Prime Minister was pressed three times on what would be the position of eu nationals in the event of no deal. She was unable to answer, suggesting it was a technical issue will stop people do not live technical lives, they live in relationships and injobs not live technical lives, they live in relationships and in jobs and not live technical lives, they live in relationships and injobs and in childrens schools. With the clock ticking and the possibility of no deal brexit looming nearer, can she reassure the 10,000 plus of my constituents who are eu residents exactly what their rights will be if there is no deal . First of all i wa nt to there is no deal . First of all i want to reemphasise as i have said before that we value the completion that eu citizens have made in this country and we want them to stay contribution. That is why we make Citizens Rights one of the key and early issues to be discussed in the negotiations. Of course if there is ano negotiations. Of course if there is a no deal, and we are working to ensure we get a good deal, but if there is no deal we will have to have arrangements with other Member States about not just have arrangements with other Member States about notjust eu citizens here but uk citizens in those Member States. What we are working for is to get the best deal for the uk on Citizens Rights we are very close to agreement and we want eu citizens to stay here because we value the contribution they are making. Mr speaker, on monday my right honourable friend was very clear about her negotiations and it remains the governments priority to get a very good free trade arrangement before we leave with our european friends and partners and she also made it clear that alongside that we would make plans and necessary arrangements to depart under wto terms if no agreement is available. Could she confirmed that all monies necessary will be allocated as and when required to this project . I am very happy to give my right honourable friend that confirmation, we are preparing for every eventuality. We are committing money to prepare for brexit including eight no deal scenario and it might be helpful if i update the house. The treasury has committed over £250 million to new money to departments like defra and the home office for brexit preparations and in some cases departments will need to spend money before the relevant legislation has gone through the house and i can tell the house that the treasury will write to departments and the Public Accounts Committee explaining this process is shortly. Where money needs to be spent, it will be spent. Thank you, mr speaker. My constituent mr Geoffrey Elwell was transitioned from dla to pip in 2016 and he previously had the higher rate mobility and the standard rate for care. His thank you, mr speaker. Assess m e nt care. His thank you, mr speaker. Assessment gave him zero points. In january he appealed that decision. Six months later on the 21st ofjune he passed away, still without his appeal being heard. The appeal that took place two days later after his death awarded him posthumously a higher rate for both elements and backdated it to i 5; prime stthls ,,, death 1 10 . As . If f f f consistency as; ,. , 7 rude and that it is paid. It will be paid as it is to not exist plus the 10 and reasonable moving costs. We are committed as ever to infrastructure investment, investing in it in it but it is important with a major change like ages to that we ensure that those compensation payments for people are being paid public like hs2. Payments for people are being paid public like h52. Thank you, mr speaker. This week the public at witnessed the most extraordinary spectacle of the Prime Minister ramping up the no deal rhetoric on brexit and backtracking on her commitment to stay in the Single Market and Customs Union for transition, all because she is afraid of the most right wing, when prices are going up in our shops, when the countrys Credit Rating has been cut and when businesses are actively considering moving jobs overseas, told the british people deserve better than a Prime Minister simply running scared . The honourable lady could not be more wrong. First of all, we are not ramping up a no deal scenario. We are actively working, actively working with the negotiations with the European Union to ensure that we set out and get a good deal, the right dealfor britain for a Brighter Future for this country which is what i believe we can and will achieve. Its what i set out in my florence beach. I recommend the speech to the honourable lady. On the second point, i made very clear and perhaps i need to explain it again to members of the opposition, when we leave the European Union in march 2019, we will cease be full members of the Single Market and the Customs Union. That will happen because you cannot be full members of the Single Market and the Customs Union without accepting all four pillars, three movements, continued in perpetuity, ecg jurisdiction. Movements, continued in perpetuity, ecgjurisdiction. During movements, continued in perpetuity, ecg jurisdiction. During the implementation we will be looking to getan implementation we will be looking to get an agreement that we can operate on much the same basis as we operate at the moment, under the same rules and regulations, but that will not be the same as for membership of the Customs Union and the Single Market. Does my right honourable friend agree that the Royal Marines, supported by a specialist amphibious fleet, have served our country with great distinction for many, many yea rs . Great distinction for many, many years . Does she share my concern that one of the proposals can currently being considered by the royal navy is to downsize the amphibious fleet in an uncertain world, is this not both short sighted and dangerous and will see please intervene . Can i say to my right honourable friend, first of all that i absolutely agree that we can commend that the plot of the contribution that the Royal Marines and the amphibious fleet have made to this country and indeed the defence of others. It is absolutely right that as we look at how threats are changing we look at how we should best spend our rising defence budget to support our national security. We have committed to spending 2 of gdp on defence every year of this parliament and are spending 158 billion between now and 2026 on equipment for armed forces. Naturally, we dont always discuss specific operational details but i might say to my right horrible friends that i understand the claims he refers to ask all speculation at this stage. In the past 18 months, two stu d e nts this stage. In the past 18 months, two students from saint brendan s sixth form college in my constituency tragically died from meningitis b. Only this week, we heard reports of the death from suspected meningitis of another bristol people from another school. The free vaccinations were babies introduced two years ago are of course very welcome introduced two years ago are of course very welcome but came far too late to save these two pupils so will the Prime Minister do more to raise awareness of meningitis and extend free vaccinations to todays teenagers which are the grid after babies who are most at risk. First of all, of course we send our deep condolences to the families and friends of all those students in the honourable ladys constituency who have died of as a result of contracting meningitis. Ithink have died of as a result of contracting meningitis. I think the point she makes of raising awareness of meningitis is a very valuable one and one we need to continue to do. I think very often decisions are taken by governments such as on the vaccination that are already in place and it is very easy to think that that is a job done but actually we need to continue to make sure we ensure we do not see these deaths from meningitis in the future. Ensure we do not see these deaths from meningitis in the futurelj wish to the other week to hear the shadow chancellor predicting a run on the pound if labour. That means that for my constituents, an increase in their Household Bills and their weekly shopping. Does my right honourable friend agree with me that the biggest risks to this country would be letting the shadow chancellor. Jeering i absolutely agree that she is absolutely right. A run on the pound would make life much more difficult. It would mean job losses and businesses leaving this country. It would mean that people would be poorer. The one thing we know we must absolutely do is make sure that the shadow chancellor doesnt get anywhere near the treasury and the right honourable leader of the opposition asked me what planet i was on earlier, but we all know what planet he and his shadow chancellor and, planet venezuela. Mr speaker, is that the Prime Ministers intention that the Prime Ministers intention that the Prime Ministers intention that the United Kingdom should remain part of the common fisheries policy during any transitional period after we have left the European Union . When we leave the European Union . When we leave the European Union, we will be leaving the common fisheries policy. As part of the agreement is that we need to enter into for the limitation period, obviously this and other issues will be part of that agreement but when we leave the European Union, we will leave the common fisheries policy. Thank you, mr speaker. It has been assumed that triggering arsenal 50 means that on the 29th of march 2019 we will all come out of the eu if there is not an agreement. But is it not the case that the negotiations can be extended if this government and the eu agreed to extend the negotiations . With the Prime Minister give the house because sharon is that under no circumstances will the negotiations be extended . My honourable friend is accurate in his interpretation of the treaty which does allow for that extension of negotiations. I have been very clear that we want those negotiations to end. We want to have an agreement on the future relationship and our withdrawal by march 2019 and we will leave the eu on march 2019. Thank you, mr speaker. The Prime Minister will be aware that last month Jaguar Land Rover announced that they were ending the contract early printing jobs at risk. The premise of scraps real classification and flip flopping on the tidal lagoons all those who now step up and work with welsh government, ford and the trade unions to help save the jobs initially positive future for the south wales economy . initially positive future for the south wales economy . I have to say to the honourable gentleman is of course we want to see a positive usually south wales economy. That is what United Kingdom government is doing across the whole of the United Kingdom, working for a brighter and more positive future and on the tidal lagoon, we will publish our response in due course. tidal lagoon, we will publish our response in due course. I recently visited the rocking gatt refugee camps in bangladesh and it was truly harrowing. It can only be described asa harrowing. It can only be described as a humanitarian disaster. Im immensely proud of the work were doing tdk eight but can i ask what pressure she can put on them i am ourand pressure she can put on them i am our and the prosecution saw these people can go home. My honourable friend raises a very important point and we remain deeply concerned by what is happening to the rohingya. We know there are now over 500,000 refugees in bangladesh. It is a major humanitarian crisis. We have been providing support through our International Development and aids. We were a bride is a money to the red cross in burma and are providing bilateral donations to deal with the refugees and support them who have crossed into bangladesh. We have raised this three times at the un security council. There has been a clear message delivered from the International Community that the burmese authorities must stop this violence, allow safe return of refugees and allow to cool humanitarian access. I can say to my honourable friend that what we have also done is suspended any practical defence engagement that we had with burma because of our concerns. make no apologies for this being a similar question for that given by the memberfor similar question for that given by the member for bristol east. Lela rose was just six years old when she contracted meningitis and later died in hospital. There were failings by the hospital who failed to spot important signs of meningitis and those will be addressed, but fundamentally, she would be alive today had she been vaccinated with the meningitis b vaccination. What will the Prime Minister meets with her parents and campaigners to discuss extending the Vaccination Programme to cover all children . The honourable gentleman of course raises a very serious case and i send our condolences of course to the family of his constituents and this is an issue where, as i said before, we need to raise awareness. He raises the question of the response that was given by medical professionals to this. This is not just about individuals, parents recognising what the symptoms might be but also about ensuring that Health Care Professionals are identifying it as well. I will ensure and will ask the Health Secretary to meet with the honourable gentleman and the people who are concerned about this issue and hearfrom who are concerned about this issue and hear from them who are concerned about this issue and hearfrom them directly who are concerned about this issue and hear from them directly about this concern in relation to vaccinations. Mr speaker, on monday at the start of baby lost Awareness Week this conservative government wa nts week this conservative government wants 11 pilot projects into a National Bereavement care pathway. This Ground Breaking pathway will accept support from parents who have lost a child starting from conception to the age of one. Can i ask the Prime Minister to congratulate the parents, the charities and the Health Professionals who have worked so ha rd to professionals who have worked so hard to develop this project and to ensure this is ruled out on a wider level once the lesson from the pilots have been learned . level once the lesson from the pilots have been learned . I am happy tojoin my pilots have been learned . I am happy to join my honourable friend pilots have been learned . I am happy tojoin my honourable friend in congratulating all those who have worked so hard on this issue which of course brings such distress to sadly too many people including, i know, members of this house. I am sure that everybody will want to join me in mark king baby lost Awareness Week. I know there was a debate yesterday and i would pay tribute to all those across the house whose books or movingly about their own experience and i am happy as my honourable friend does to welcome the launch of this pathway this week. The department of health is also providing funding for the new roads and new needle debt charity to improve bereavement care in the nhs. We expect this to be rolled out nationally in november 20 18. It is important to do a pilot so we can learn from that as we come to the National Roll out. We can learn from that as we come to the National Rollout. A woman came to my office fleeing Domestic Violence. We went to every womans refuge in london and were unable to find a place due to government budget cuts. What advice would the Prime Minister give to my constituents . First of all, i fully understand the concern that the honourable lady has about her constituents who was fleeing Domestic Violence. We do not want to see anybody in this country subjected to Domestic Violence and abuse. That is why the government actually has been putting more money into support refuges across the country. It is why we have ring fenced money for Domestic Violence support across the country and why we have introduced new legislation but we are also going to look at what more we can do through a Domestic Violence act to provide the support necessary to ensure we deal with the perpetrators, provide support for survivors, but that we do what we all want to do across this house which is to end Domestic Violence. May i commend my right honourable friend for her pledge to build hundreds of new free schools. Will she agree with me that these are critical to drive up standards and increase Parental Choice and isnt it is true that we are committed to creating a School System that works for everyone while they want to pull everyone back . Well, my honourable friend is absolutely right. I think free schools have performed a very important function in raising standards in education in this country. I am pleased we have so many more children in good order outstanding schools but free schools have done something else. I see it in my own constituency were one of the free schools are specifically for children on the autistic spectrum and it is very important. This service was not available previously. Rhys schools have enabled that to happen. They are providing for people up and down this country and we should welcome them. Vascular services in my constituency are to be moved to an as yet untested sent out whilst in banger we already have a good centre with international reputation. Does she agree with me that due to bungling, seriously all parents if asthma patients may have to travel further and may have to move to england to get treatments. further and may have to move to england to get treatments. I am not aware of the details of the particular transfer of years referred to, but the overall point he makes of People Living in wales seeing that we are getting a less good service from the Labour Government nhs in wales. Yes, this is the case, as the honourable gentleman says, there are people who will travel from wales to england to get the Services Available in the nhs in england and the Labour Government in wales needs to take a ha rd government in wales needs to take a hard look at what they are doing to the nhs in wales. Order that is the end of Prime Ministers questions dominated by welfare reform at the beginning and universal credit. Jeremy corbyn challenged theresa may to read or relieve amid worries of the introduction of universal credit. Lead or leave. Jeremy keogan said it had been a string of failures on that. And then brexit is very much to the fore as so often. Theresa may said britain is not wrapping up for a no deal in the brexit talks but she did say money is being used to prepare for every eventuality, in her words. We are committing money to prepare for brexit including a nodal scenario. She said in the commons there. But, quartz, we are not wrapping up a nodal scenario, we are actively working with the negotiations with the European Union to ensure we get a good deal. That is following comments from the chancellor, philip hammond, talking about how reluctant he was to spend taxpayers money on preparing for a no deal exit from the European Union. More now on the situation in spain and the countrys Prime Minister has held an emergency Cabinet Meeting to discuss the catalan president s declaration of independence. Last night Carles Puigdemont said catalonia had won the right to be an independent republic, but he suspended the move for several weeks to allow for talks with the government in madrid. Tim willcox is in barcelona. The spanish Prime Minister seeking clarification from the catalan authorities on whether or not they have declared independence which is a question that many people there are probably asking as well. Its a question we are all asking actually. 40 minute speech last night by mr puigdemont but we all ask what exactly he meant and what exactly you said. It was as though he was marching his supporters to the top of the hill and then saying actually, we will not reach the summit but we will go back and work out if we can start dialogue with other people as well. Today, as you say, in what a lot of commentators are seeing is quite a clever move, Mariano Rajoy has actually asked for clarification from the catalan parliament. What exactly did you mean in that declaration which was signed last night . Have you declared independence or not . Caddy suspended it . What is the way forward . Mariano rajoy has, it seems, given the cata la n rajoy has, it seems, given the Catalan Government five days to come back with an answer and the thought is that perhaps if they do answer and clarify something, then Mariano Rajoy ca n and clarify something, then Mariano Rajoy can impose article 155 which could return the autonomous region of catalonia back to home rule from madrid. Lets listen first of all to exactly what Mariano Rajoy asked aflac Cabinet Meeting this morning. Translation because of the decision adopted today, the government wants to offer certainty to the spanish people and particularly to the catalan people and wants to avoid confusion generated by the generalitat authorities about a matter that affects and concerns them very much. In the reply that the president of the generalitat may give to this requirement, then the future of events in the following days will take place. Mr puigdemont says he will respect legality and comply with institutional matters. Everybody wants and hopes and we have asked him to do urgently, to put an end to the situation that catalonia is going through. Safety, tranquillity, calm must come back as soon as possible. In the reply to the requirement that the government have decided to send him, mr puigdemont has then an opportunity to attend to the clamour and petitions and requests from so many areas which have reached him, to recuperate harmony in catalonia in compliance with the law. I will continue to act as now, prudently and responsibly and always bearing in mind the welfare and the general interest of the catalan people and the spanish people has a whole. Thank you very much. So, the gleam of constitutional chest continues. The ball. Like im going to miss my metaphors here, the ball very much in the Catalan Governments hand. What do you think Mariano Rajoy is doing here . Trying to flush mr puigdemont out . Everyone is buying time here. It happened yesterday with that statement or announcement that it was then suspended and it is happening again today so now it is the Spanish Government who have been bringing pressure on to the Catalan Government to ask for clarification. What did it mean . Let us be clear, in this signed document after the parliamentary session, did they actually sign a declaration of independence and then suspended . Yes, the thing is that this document was yes, the thing is that this document was signed after the suspension sol ama was signed after the suspension sol am a journalist and im not a lawyer andl am a journalist and im not a lawyer and i do not know why this is. Didnt actually say, this is the declaration that catalu nya . Didnt actually say, this is the declaration that catalunya . Is said, we are going to build a catalan republic. We are going to we have declared . That is why Mariano Rajoy is asking the Catalan Government for this clarification, what it it mean . Is the Catalan Government already out of the law or not because they need this answer to go forward with these article 155 of the spanish constitution which would allow the Spanish Government to take control of the Catalan Government. How much trouble is mr puigdemont in . Easy to have upset everyone . Yes, that was the tricky part. Whatever he decided, he would upset part of the vote rs decided, he would upset part of the voters for the International Community also. So he has object madrid and he has upset the hardline supporters some of whom were so angry last night that they would not be on air because they thought he was going to declare it. Doors on the street were the more mobilised and they were the most disappointed of everyone, so that was also the thing, we will see how busy unity of independence forces can go one next week and if this will have an effect or not on the movement that has to come. Who is ready to be out of law already or who prefers to do it any gradual way. Thank you very much. So, the situation is complicated here and there is no end in sight at the moment for this crisis although it seems that the Spanish Government have given the Catalan Government five days to come back with an a nswer five days to come back with an answer and then the Media Development if they can reach agreement. Fascinating standoff, many thanks. 13 suspects implicated by a loyalist paramilitary commander turned supergrass, including two former Police Intelligence officers, will not be prosecuted. 45 year old, gary haggarty, pleaded guilty to 200 terrorist offences in june, including five murders. But Northern Irelands Public Prosecution service said there was insufficient corroborating evidence to support the allegations he made about 13 individuals. The years biggest literary prize, the man booker award, will be revealed next week. Between now and then, well be previewing the six shortlisted titles here on bbc news. Our look at the would be Prize Winners begins with 29 year old fiona mozley, who works part time at a book shop in york. She discusses her debut novel elmet. Its called elmet and its about a family on the margins of society in West Yorkshire and they build a house for themselves on land they dont own which brings them into conflict with the local landowner. The father is a bare knuckle boxer and it comes to a dramatic climax. Daddy and cathy and i lived in a small house that daddy built with materials from the land here about. He chose for us a small ash copse, two fields from the east coast mainline. Far enough not to be seen, close enough to know the trains well. Ive always seen it as a western. When i was writing it, i very much drew on those sorts of influences. The narrative arc is that of a western. Many of the characters are the kinds of characters youd find in that genre. I think i shocked a lot of people with some of the content, which is a shame because i think they were shocked because im, you know, a young woman and they didnt expect me to have an interest in, i dont know, violence. Equally, i wanted to explore land and finding somewhere to live and i think thats an issue that chimes with my generation in particular. An ancient forest ran in a grand strip from north to south. Boars and bears and wolves, does, harts, stags, miles of underground fungi. Snowdrops, bluebells, primroses. The trees had long since given way to crops and pasture and roads and houses and Railway Tracks and little copses like ours were all that was left. I wanted to look at ideas of gender and body and bodies and what it means to live in a body. Equally, i wanted to explore the land and Land Ownership and what it means to live in a landscape and i think those two things are connected. The good thing about fiction is that you can explore so many different ideas at once. And you can see our special live awards programme next tuesday at 9. 30pm here on the bbc news channel. In a moment the news at one with reeta chakrabarti. First the weather with phil avery. It hasnt rained with everybodyjust yet, but these sort of conditions as evidenced by our weather watchers will become more widespread across the south eastern quarter of the British Isles as we get on through the day. For this great swathe of clouds, the weather front, the day. For this great swathe of clouds, the weatherfront, will eventually tu m ble clouds, the weatherfront, will eventually tumble a little further south and east. It is not like this everywhere. A lot of that feature there are a few complaints to be had. You get to see blue sky but in the mix there is also the chance of one or two showers to see the very least which will be the way we finished off the day across a good pa rt finished off the day across a good part of wales. Here you will also see writers guys and weather. One or two showers and then those conditions getting down towards devon with the weather front moving down towards the south eastern quarterjust to finish down towards the south eastern quarter just to finish off wednesday. Following on behind, well, things begin to calm down. A ridge of High Pressure is tumbling in towards the British Isles. With clearing skies underneath that, certainly in the countryside, no new ice age here but it will be a really fresh start to thursday. A dry run for the most part thanks to the ridge of High Pressure. We will keep a supply of showers across northern parts of scotland and maybe more by way of rain to come here but you see on the big picture that essentially it isa on the big picture that essentially it is a dry and bright day. Temperatures close to where we have been of late but a slightly fresher feel to the day despite the presence of the sunshine. On friday, new lots of the sunshine. On friday, new lots of weather front spring rain back into western scotland, cumbria, Northern Ireland. Ahead of that feature, we will draw up a really warm airfrom the feature, we will draw up a really warm air from the continent such that we could see temperatures around 22 or 23 degrees or so. That will not be the case further north where you have the weather front close by so again the western side of scotla nd close by so again the western side of scotland and parts of Northern Ireland will see the heaviest of the rainfall and there could be drizzly burst into the cumbrian fells and towards the western side of wales and then by sunday, again, Northern Areas seeing the bulk of the brain. Warm sunshine further sap. The chancellor says hell wait until the last moment before spending public money to prepare for a no deal brexit plan. Philip hammond said he was preparing for all outcomes but wouldnt take money from other areas just to send a signal to the eu. Every pound we spend on contingent preparations for a hard Customs Border is a pound that we cant spend on the nhs or social care or education or deficit reduction. Well be asking how his remarks are likely to go down in his own party. Also this lunchtime. Spains Prime Minister challenges catalonias leaders to spell out clearly whether they declared independence or not . The british wife of hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein announces shes leaving him, saying his behaviour is unforgivable