Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At Ten 20171102

Decided ive got to leave the house with a knife . 11. And the most endangered ape in the world the new species of orangutan, discovered in indonesia. Later in the hour well have sportsday on the bbc news channel, with all the latest reports, results, interviews and features from the bbc sports centre. Good evening. For the first time in over a decade the bank of england has increased Interest Rates and there could be more to follow. Its raising the official bank rate from a record low of 0. 25 to 0. 5 . Its part of the banks attempt to restrain inflation, which is well above the governments target. But some economists believe the decision is wrong and will put greater strain on the economy. The higher rate will mean bigger Monthly Payments for those with variable rate mortgages, but savers will see some benefit, as our economics editor kamal ahmed reports. One small step upwards for Interest Rates, affecting millions of savers and millions of borrowers. Its more expensive if you have a mortgage, and forjames smith in south london, its time to cut costs. Weve been very lucky without realising it. I think its going to start, it will probably bite more from now on. For so long weve thought, its always going to be like this, but its got to end sometime and we never realised it was going to be this soon. The governor of the bank of england knew it was a delicate balancing act. The economy is still struggling, but he said rising prices had to be controlled. So in many respects, todays decision is straightforward. With inflation high, slack disappearing and the economy growing at rates above its speed limit, inflation is unlikely to return to the 2 target without some increase in Interest Rates. Of course, these arent normal times. Brexit will redefine the uks relationship with our largest trade and investment partner, and it will have consequences for the movement of goods, services, people and capital, as well as the real incomes of uk households. This is certainly a historic moment for Interest Rates. To realise why, its worth remembering when incredibly low Interest Rates were not the norm. If we go back to 1992, when britain was struggling with a currency crisis and Norman Lamont was chancellor, Interest Rates hit 12 . In the era of cool britannia, the economy righted itself and Interest Rates tumbled to 7 . But then the financial crisis hit. In a desperate attempt to keep global economies afloat, Interest Rates were slashed to 2 , so all of us could borrow cheaply and spend. But then after the referendum, another cut to a record low of 0. 25 . Today, the first rate rise for more than ten years. How high could those Interest Rates now go . I asked the governor just that should we be ready for further rises . The path would be very gradual relative to history, and to a limited extent. I can be a little more specific about that. The forecast we put out today, that requires about two more Interest Rate increases over the next three years. Economists said it was clear why. In the past when youve had one rate hike you usually have a series of them in quick succession. The worlds not like that any more. Growth is slower, everyone is worried that if you hike rates now, the economy may soften too much. So, i think theyre going to wait. They may do one early next year, but that will depend on the economic data. For millions of people, today is one they havent experienced for ten years an Interest Rate rise. But with the key economic ingredient still being uncertainty, it is likely to be a long time before we see another one. Kamal ahmad, bbc news. Customers of nationwide, tsb and the Yorkshire Building Society will be among the first to see a rise in the interest paid on their savings. Mortgage providers, including lloyds and royal bank of scotland, say they will pass on the 0. 25 increase in full to customers on variable and tracker rate schemes. Some eight million home owners in britain have never experienced a rate rise, as our personal finance correspondent Simon Gompertz reports. This street in oldham, well, its called the rise, and that is a reminder to everybody living here of what we have all got to get used to, that the interest we pay and receive is on the rise. At the first house on the street, theres a welcome for higher rates from this saver. You are looking forward to an increase . Im rubbing my hands together, definitely, definitely im hoping it will go up a bit more as well to give us a bit more back individual savings accounts have £10,000 in them on average, earning typicallyjust £30 a year interest. That would go up to £55 if todays rate rise is passed on. Its been over ten years. Its about time that we just got a little bit more. And now youre celebrating yeah . I might only get a couple of pounds, but i think this is the start of the rise. Not everyone is affected by a rise in Interest Rates. 7 Million People have got no savings at all. But 45 million have got savings, and they would hope for a benefit. The other side to this is the cost of mortgages. 15 million are renting, another 15 million own their homes outright. 17 Million People are paying into a mortgage, and nearly half of those are in imminent danger of an increase. And around this street, plenty will be feeling the effect. We wont be spending as much on going out and luxury items. We will be tightening our belts. Ian, a builder has run the numbers. He expects a £50 increase, more than most will face. Ten or £12 a week, its not easy to find for anyone. If Interest Rates did go up again, would that bring you to the brink . Yes, it would. Wages, you cantjust ask for a rise now where you would previously. Rises are hard to come by. Every street has winners and losers from the base rate going up to 0. 50 . Add to that and across the uk the strains as well as the gains will multiply. Simon gompertz, bbc news, old ham. 0ur economics editor kamal ahmed is with me. This heavy hint from the governor today that this may be the first of several rises come how certain is that . Well, i think we will still be waiting quite a while for the next rate rise, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, this decision was unanimous. There are nine members of the Monetary Policy committee that sets Interest Rates, the banks committee. Two voted against a rise, saying the economy was too weak. You earlier today spoke to david blanchflower, a former member of the Monetary Policy committee, he said this wasnt the time to do it. He said the economy was too weak and real incomes are stagnant. I think the bank of england has acted today to put the country almost unnoticed, we will act if inflation, prices, are going up too quickly. But the big suggestion from the governor, who i spoke to today about this, is that this is slow and gradual. Any increases in the future. I think many people will be surprised if there was more than one more rate rise next year, and possibly one more after that, before 2020 will stop that will get us to an Interest Rate at the heady height of i , still a very historic low. The era of historically low Interest Rates is not coming to an end any time soon. Kamal ahmed, our is not coming to an end any time soon. Kamalahmed, our economic sedative, thank you. Economics editor, thank you. President trump has nominated a new head of the Us Central Bank the Federal Reserve after refusing to grant a second term to janet yellen. Hes nominated jerome powell, an investment banker described by the president as strong, committed and smart. The decision needs to be confirmed by the us senate. 0ur north American Business correspondent Michelle Fleury is in new york. This is a position which is very important, not just for the American Economy, for the Global Economy . People talk about this being the worlds most in central bank, soca who heads it matters to everyone. If youre looking at brexit, britain for example ina youre looking at brexit, britain for example in a place when its thinking about future trade deals, the health of the American Economy matters and the role of Monetary Policy and who runs that in the United States will have a profound consequence potentially for what that might look for and the opportunities Going Forward for the uk. To put it in context, janet yellen is the current fed chair, she vies with Angela Merkel perhaps for the title of most important woman in the title of most important woman in the world. It gives you a sense of how important this role is. Jerome powell will take over. The formative best a former investment banker, the first to have this role and not have a background, a ph. D. In economic. That being said he does bring to thejob economic. That being said he does bring to the job a background in wall street, which could help for regulation, because the bank is responsible for the regulation or oversight of big banks, as well as Monetary Policy. The other thing this appointment does, most people see him as a status quo candidate. He tends to agree or share a similar view of the world to janet yellen. That has led to people assuming that the us will continue in its path of raising rates gradually. That removes volatility, one of the potential hazards for the Global Economy. Michelle fleury with the latest in new york. At westminster the conservative chief whip Gavin Williamson has been appointed defence secretary, following the resignation of sir michael fallon, who stood down last night, saying his conduct had fallen short of the required standards, after allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Sir michael is the first politician to resign following recent claims of Sexual Harassment at westminster. But as our Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg reports, some conservative mps are unimpressed by the appointment. Who would it be . Nervously waiting at the ministry of defence. He looked a bit fretful too, as he waited across the road at number ten. Is it time to clear out the stable, defence secretary . Before long, Gavin Williamson emerged with the top brass. To take a proud walk across whitehall. Into one of the biggest jobs in government. Hes never worked in a Government Department before though. Its a privilege to be able to step into this role. Whats so amazing is to have so many first rate, world renowned people to be working with. And the Armed Services are the greatest pride of our nation. Until today, he was in charge of party discipline. Last month, he described his approach. I dont much like the stick. But it is amazing what can be achieved with a sharpened carrot. Less time for cheesy local mp pictures. Instead of managing his constituency and 315 tory mps, hes in charge of about 200,000 staff and £36 billion. Part of a rising tory generation and a yorkshireman to boot. And heres his replacement, julian smith, the new tory arm twister in chief. One of Gavin Williamsons compadres, who seems to have inherited his tarantula. Yes, the giant spider the former chief whip kept on his desk. Is it time to clean out the stables, ms mcvey . The new number two, esther mcvey, who says shell add this to the mix. Hopefully i can bring a Feminine Touch to the whips office and work with all my colleagues. The logic of Gavin Williamsons move over there is simple hes a good operator and theresa may trusts him. But the pushback has been fierce. 0ne senior tory told me hes abandoned his post at a crucial time. 0ne minister suggested that he has outplayed number 10, saying theresa may is so weak, she has allowed him to appoint himself. And one former minister said this shows that the government is in the grip of a bunch of boys. As ever in politics, the irony is rich. The man who was in charge of making sure mps behave has found himself in a plum newjob because one of his colleagues did not. And all the parties are readying themselves in case they have to defend their side from more potential allegations of bad behaviour. The foreign secretary, known for his interesting private life, said today he had nothing to hide. Thank you, foreign secretary. Number 10 acknowledges that everyone has to do more to protect staff and victims at westminster. But there are calls for wholesale change. Weve seen bullying allegations thatve happened between members of staff, weve seen allegations of sexual impropriety between elected members and others, and this is all about power. Its who holds that power and how they use it that sets the course. Laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. Lets speak to laura at westminster. More proof this evening this scandal, as it grows, is really one that affect cross party borders. Absolutely right. In the last hour or so labour absolutely right. In the last hour orso labourmp absolutely right. In the last hour or so labour mp kelvin hopkins, one of the luton mps has been suspended from the party for allegations over inappropriate behaviour a couple of yea rs inappropriate behaviour a couple of years ago with a young activist. Labour stressing it takes these matters extremely seriously. The suspension matters extremely seriously. The suspension came matters extremely seriously. The suspension came only minutes, really, before a newspaper published allegations put forward by a young woman over an incident that took place a couple of years ago. Ive spoken to her in the last 15 minutes or so. Spoken to her in the last 15 minutes or so. He was as i understand it reprimanded at the time for what went on. The thing she tells me that is really frustrating and disappointing for her is not so much what happened at the time but the fa ct what happened at the time but the fact the labour party promoted mr hopkins to the shadow cabinet a year after this had all taken place. There is no dispute talking to Party Sources he was reprimanded over some kind of incident that took place at the time. We dont have many details over exactly what took place. The labour party is stressing that they are taking these kind of matters extremely seriously. Being suspended as an mp for the party and his Party Membership has been suspended as well. There is no Public Comment from mr hopkins himself despite our repeated attempts to contact in this evening to get his version of events. As you say, there is no question none of the Political Parties can sleep easy thinking they are somehow immune for what is emerging now. It also seems to me there is an increasing determination amongst those people who may have been victims of this kind of thing in the past to come forward and make their voices heard. Thanks very much, Laura Kuenssberg with the latest from westminster. A libyan armed Group Holding a man wanted in connection with the Manchester Arena bombing in may says it is ready to co operate with a request to extradite the man to the uk. Greater Manchester Police have issued an arrest warrant for hashem abedi, the brother of the suicide bomber salman abedi, in relation to murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion. The Libyan Militia Group had earlier refused to consider the request. Two 14 year old boys have appeared in court in leeds and pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to murder. The teenagers, from northallerton in north yorkshire, were arrested on saturday by Counter Terrorism officers. Since the arrests searches have been carried out at a number of properties in the area. Two soldiers have been charged with negligence, following the death of three servicemen during an sas selection test in the brecon beacons. Craig roberts, edward maher and james dunsby were taking part in a i6 mile march on the hottest day of 2013. An inquest found that neglect contributed to the deaths. The case will be heard in a military court, where the maximum sentence for negligence is two years in prison. Theresa may has been dining tonight with the israeli Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu, to mark a century years since the Balfour Declaration, the moment in 1917 when britain endorsed the establishment of ajewish homeland in palestine. But tonights meeting has been criticised by palestinian leaders, whove called for the uk to apologise for failing to protect their basic territorial and human rights, as our Diplomatic Correspondent James Robbins reports. Two Prime Ministers, and a heavy weight of history. Israels Prime Minister can simply celebrate the Balfour Declaration and britains part opening the way to the creation of his state. Theresa may must tread with far greater care, aware that lord balfours insistence 100 years ago on the protection of palestinian rights has not been fulfilled. And obviously as we commemorate the Balfour Declaration, we recognise the sensitivities that this raises. The Balfour Declaration helped pave the way for the re establishment of an independent state for the jewish people in our ancestral homeland. And this is the declaration, a brief letter committing britain to help establish in palestine a National Home for the jewish people. But not at the expense of non jewish communities. Lord balfour himself visited in 1925. Although later britain did try to delay the creation of modern israel, his declaration set the tide of change running. In tel aviv, at Balfour School on balfour street, jewish children recreate israels view of a divisive history, portraying britains edwardian foreign secretary as hero. And somehow, the queen is drawn in, too. But for todays palestinians, the centenary marks betrayal by britain, failure to protect them from dispossession and israeli occupation. The suffering is not easy. What we have lost is not easy. A lot of people died due to this promise. A lot of people lost their houses. The Palestinian People, 60 of the Palestinian People are refugees. When the Balfour Declaration was being crafted here in the Foreign Office a hundred years ago, it was clear it had to strike a very difficult, delicate balance. It went through at least five drafts. Marking the centenary has proved at least as difficult and delicate, particularly for the Prime Minister, for whom it presents exquisite political difficulty. Tonight in london, small rival demonstrations as israels Prime Minister meets theresa may again over dinner. But downing street is careful to stress this is not her party. The hosts are descendants of Arthur Balfour for and of lord rothschild, to whom the declaration was first sent. James robbins, bbc news. Supporters of Catalan Independence have been protesting in barcelona, after Spains High Court ordered the detention of eight former members, of the regional catalan government. The demonstrations happened as prosecutors said they were also seeking a european arrest warrant, for the ousted Catalan Leader carles puigdemont, and four members of his former cabinet, whove travelled with him to belgium. The number of violent crimes, involving guns and knives, is on the rise in parts of england and wales. Over the past two days, weve been charting the growing threat faced by some communities, and in tonights final report, our special correspondent ed thomas has been to wandsworth in south london, to see the challenge for police, and for those whove lost relatives and, to violence. Every year, they remember. The murder ofjordan malushi, known as pricey. His killer was jailed for stabbing him in the heart. He wasjust 17. The good always go first, so it is what it is, man. These were priceys closest friends. From the grave, theyll move to their home, the patmore estate, to hold a barbecue in memory of him. He was like a brother, innit, like, just treated everyone the same, innit. But Police Feared Gang Violence and have sent out this warning. Let me get this in the camera. A message on twitter, for the first time in three years section 60 stop and search powers will be used on their estate. This is no gang relation to nothing, this is all, its the memorial day, remembrance day. A section 60 order allows stop and search without suspicion if Senior Officers fear Serious Violence could take place. All they see is a bunch of youths coming to mess up the area and create mess and get into problems, stab each other, shooting each other or whatever. As knife crime rises, the home secretary has backed the metropolitan police over its use of stop and search. From the graveyard to get us up to here. This is what it looks like. The bbc has learned that 42 of those facing prosecution for knife crime in london are black. I keep getting stopped every day. I dont want to talk my address. The met says stop and search is now used less. And complaints have fallen. Tensions are high around here. We dont want someone else to get stabbed. And why were the lads stopped . Basically they were driving through, they were slowing down and they were watching us. We stopped them under section 60, as long as weve got reasonable grounds, they are attending the barbecue, we can stop them. Why do you think you were stopped . Because four black youths in a car, in a nice car, so. In wandsworth, knife crime has risen by almost 40 over 12 months. Look at the poster there. And in that time five people have been stabbed to death. This is why, look, look. So how can Police Gather intelligence to save lives . All of my friends are dead. My friend is dead, yeah, and this is what we are doing to support him, yeah. When there is mistrust and anger. Everything. Theyve shot at us. How old were you when you decided, ive got to leave the house with a knife . 11. Its shocking to hear. My mum taught me manners and respect but older guys will try it, i cant fight older guys when im11, so i have to protect myself somehow. You see these younger ones there, i feel sorry for them. Theyre proper expletive lost. Like theyre proper lost. Most people who live in society dont know what its like to lose friends when youre15, 16. All of these things always play on ones mind because obviously, like, we cant stay locked up in our house. You come outside our house, you know the risk of doing this, youve got to walk with things because you dont want no one. Not because you actually want to stab and kill someone, but because you dont know, you dont want nobody to stab and kill you. So many young lives being shaped by a decision to carry a knife. And ed thomas is with me. Thats the third of your extended reports. Theyve been very hard hitting. Reports. Theyve been very ha rd hitting. The reports. Theyve been very hard hitting. The real sent from all of them, really, is when you see the police in these circumstances, they seem to be pretty much overwhelmed. Yeah, we got a reaction to our series from the police federation, they said the level of violence and threats facing officers is unprecedented. They pointed out the 20,000 fewer officers on the streets now than in 2010. We tried to speak to the home secretary, tried to speak to the metropolitan Police Commissioner and two of chief co nsta bles. Commissioner and two of chief constables. They didnt want to be interviewed by us. It took us months to put these reports together. When we we re to put these reports together. When we were on the ground we got a real sense, as you saw, of a divide between the police and some communities. The People Police need to try and reach. There was Something Else as well. Again and again young people told us they didnt trust the police. But there was something more striking than that, people said they felt safer carrying the knife. When we asked why they said because other people carried a knife. It tells you why this violence continues and spirals on and on. Many thanks once again, ed thomas, special correspondent, with three special reports this week. And if youve missed any of eds special reports over the past two nights, on knife crime and gun crime, you can find them on our website at bbc. Co. Uk ten. President trump is to start his First Official tour to asia tomorrow, and hes due to visitjapan, south korea and china, before attending a regional summit in vietnam. The agenda will be dominated by the risk of conflict over north Koreas Nuclear weapons programme. That crisis highlights an underlying struggle for strategic dominance in asia, between the United States and china, as our china editor Carrie Gracie reports. A game where the past is america but the future may be china. Big stars are moving here for the money and the eyeballs. There are almost as many chinese shooting hoops as there are americans on the planet. Translation the United States is still the one to beat and it will take china time to catch up but basketball is our National Sport now and you can play anywhere. The rules of basketball are one thing, but the rules of the global power club are another. Chinas resisted american lectures on open markets and democracy. Its winning its own way. America first, warned candidate trump. We cant continue to allow china to rape our country. But when President Trump played host in april, he needed chinas help on north korea. There were no trade sanctions. He called president xi a good friend. Were going to have a very very great relationship and i look very much forward to it. Xijinping has lots of friends, though. Party comrades applauding his promise that china will build a first class military and move to centre stage. This is the generation who will have to make that dream come true. Explaining the map of asia from a chinese point of view. Since world war ii, the us navys patrolled these contested seas but chinas pressing its claim. And rivalry is going. And rivalry is growing. I think president xi and President Trump should better communicate and try to compromise, and maybe in this case lots of the Security Problems can be solved or at least decreased. I do think there will be more rivalry but there will also be more opportunities. Artificial intelligence and many high tech areas that need the cooperation between china and the United States. I do not agree with you. If we look back to history, we will see that a lot of wars have originated from economic conflicts. Chinas history has seen many great powers rise and fall. And it builds its us strategy brick by careful brick. President trumps visit is an important moment for china. The host will do nothing to antagonise his guest, but he has less reason than any recent chinese leader to bow to american demands. President xi believes the United States is in steep decline and china is rising, in a power game to define our century