Transcripts For GBN Breakfast 20240703

Dixon and im Ellie Costello, and this is breakfast on gb news. So we start with breaking news in the last hour or so, and israel has reportedly launched an attack on iran overnight in a retaliatory strike, with reports of explosions near a military base in isfahan and thats according to us officials. Yes. Iranian state media have been quick to downplay the situation, claiming their air Defence Systems were able to destroy three drones in the centre of the country. Now yet to get any official statement from israel on the attack. Well, meanwhile, the Australian Government has urged its citizens to leave israel over fears of a revenge attack by iran. Lets talk to our security editor , mark white, who joins us editor, mark white, who joins us now. Morning, mark. What do we know at this stage . Morning well, we are still waiting on any official word from israel as to what this attack was, whether, of course, it was israel. We suspect it was, as israel. We suspect it was, as its being widely reported by us media that the Israeli Government informed the Us Government informed the Us Government that they were about to launch these attacks, they seem to, from what we are hearing, be limited in nature. Air Defence Systems activated in a number of iranian provinces, including in estefan, that one of irans largest cities in central iran. It appears to be focused near an air base. We understand that the eighth, wing or fighter wing of the Iranian Air Force is based at an airbase. Theres a number of air bases in that area. Its also home to some of Irans Nuclear facilities, although theres no indication that any of those Nuclear Facilities were targeted. There are reports that some of irans drone manufacturing capability is based near estefan, so we await to see really just what has been targeted and what the damage has been. As you said in your introduction there, the Iranian State broadcaster has been downplaying these attacks, saying that they were easily deau saying that they were easily dealt with by irans , air dealt with by irans, air Defence Systems that managed to take out , three drones. But as take out, three drones. But as i say, were getting reports of some other explosions and activation of air Defence Systems in some other provinces as well. Mark, i mean, it is early. Its important to stress that. But from what we know so far, this isnt a strike on civilians. So for israel , given civilians. So for israel, given the range of options, this does seem to be on the lower end of the scale in terms of a response to what we saw on saturday night i no. And you wouldnt expect that israel would be striking civilian areas as such, if any strike that israel was to carry out would be aimed potentially at military regime targets, the possibility of Irans Nuclear systems, and certainly it makes sense if it is targeting the drone Manufacturing Capabilities as well, because of course , as well, because of course, there were 170 drones, at least, that were fired from iran towards israel on saturday night. And really since then, since 331 drones and cruise and Ballistic Missiles were taken down, not just by Israeli Forces , but also coalition partners. If you like , in the sense that if you like, in the sense that the us came to their aid. Also the us came to their aid. Also the uk, france and jordanian , the uk, france and jordanian, air force planes, as well as saudi arabia. So a number of saudi arabia. So a number of countries that intervened to help israel defend itself from those attacks. We had been waiting since those attacks took place on saturday night for the likely response from israel. We likely response from israel. We had heard, of course, from the uk government, the Us Government and others calling on israel, not to retaliate, to take the win effectively , no one ever win effectively, no one ever really thought that israel would not respond. And, to some not respond. And, to some extent, to this very significant attack on its soil will now it seems we have a response now , seems we have a response now, the big question here is, was this an initial, targeting of sites in iran to be followed up by further attacks . Was it always designed to be limited in nature , so as not to escalate nature, so as not to escalate the situation further, and any other response from israel may not be direct attacks on iran only in the hours ahead might tell that when we get some indication from the Israeli Government, they have said nothing. Thus far. That might be an indication that what they are planning is not over yet. I think from irans point of view, not only is their state broadcaster playing down this, but were also hearing that the Aviation Authority in iran has opened some of the airspace around some of the airports in the country. Again. So the mood the country. Again. So the mood music, i think coming from iran is a bit different from what they were seeing, really just hours ago when they were saying any attack from israel would be met with an immediate and massive response from iran. Well, there has been no Immediate Response from iran, thats for sure. Were not seeing any alerts over israel this morning, and its 8 00 in the morning in israel, and nothing yet. So, as i say, so much is unknown here, and we just have to wait and see when we finally get that confirmation from the Israeli Government as to what exactly they were intending here. Okay, mark, for now, thanks very much indeed. Lets talk to very much indeed. Lets talk to former british Army Spokesperson major mike shearer, who joins us now. Mike, can i get your assessment on what were seeing, particularly from iran in all of this . I mean, as mark was this . I mean, as mark was saying, theyre theyre playing it down. They appear to have reopened some airspace. I mean, is this a from an iranian perspective, are they trying to de escalate this a little bit rather than come back with that massive response . Theyve been threatening . Threatening . I think thats exactly right. I think israel has actually been very restrained in their response, you mentioned earlier that they didnt target, people. They didnt target the capital, esfahan, as some, four hours drive south of the capital. So theyve gone for a military installation. So i think israel, installation. So i think israel, despite what they will be saying , have listened to, the president of the us, they have tempered their response, whether or not they will do more, we will have to wait and see. But they didnt involve people, and i think thats important. You know, israel see every loss of innocent life as a tragedy. I innocent life as a tragedy. I think that iran and their proxies, like hamas, they see it as a strategy. So i think israel has been very restrained about their response. And i think therefore , iran can calm down on therefore, iran can calm down on therefore, iran can calm down on the back of that. The back of that. I mean, thats the question, isnt it . Because what really matters in all of this now is how the iranians will see all of this and what their response will be next. Well, thats right. They did say they would go hard as soon as there was a response. Well, that hasnt happened, but it is early hours. Lets just be clear early hours. Lets just be clear about that, they could be gathering their thoughts, but, i think the mood music as we see it is probably the de escalation is now occurring. Is now occurring. Well, that gives everyone a little bit of breathing space, doesnt it . And i mean, particularly countries like the United States, but also the uk, of course, because, you know, we have committed havent we, to doing what we can to protect israel should another strike come. Come. Well i think thats right. And i think it is time now for, the friends of israel, to come together and do whatever they can to shore up that response , can to shore up that response, that that safety blanket, if you like , i think the mealy mouthed like, i think the mealy mouthed words of were not going to be with you if you if you respond doesnt help anyone. I think people need to know where people stand on this. And lets be clear here, israel have been reactive on every occasion , reactive on every occasion, since the 7th of october, they havent been proactive. And on that basis alone, i think, the friends of israel really need to stand up now and do what they can, even if it even if it is only signalling, by word of mouth that we are with you and they should be. What do we know about Irans Nuclear program . And how concerned do you think we should be about that . If were going to be about that . If were going to be seeing for tat strikes taking place here . Well, i mean, this is very worrying. And its, esfahan is worrying. And its, esfahan is the centre of Irans Nuclear program. I would say that the world should be very worried if israel. I beg your pardon . If iran develop that nuclear, strength that can then threaten, nafion strength that can then threaten, nation states around the planet, so the fact that the fact that israel has made a strike on that sends out a signal, i think, and i think that, you know, the planet should be behind them, i dont think that the i think the saudis will be happy enough with that response. I think the other sunninafions that response. I think the other sunni nations like egypt , that response. I think the other sunni nations like egypt, oman, the uae and others, i think they will be reasonably, settled by, israels response this morning. Israels response this morning. Okay. Mike, shira, good to talk to you. Thank you very much indeed, lets try and get a us perspective on this, because obviously, the United States, a key player, a key ally of israel, a us political analyst, doctor roger gewolb joins us. Rogen doctor roger gewolb joins us. Roger, good to see you this morning. I mean, would you agree morning. I mean, would you agree with what major shira was saying there that it would seem, at least that israel has listened to what the white house has said, has listened to President Biden and has well, responded. But in a in a very tempered response. Yes, yes. Response. Yes, yes. Well, i dont think they particularly listened to joe biden or necessarily anyone else. I think theyve made their own decision, as mark said, we dont know what, if anything, is coming next, but this was a very measured response, and its more messaging ispahan, as the major said, is the home to the iranian Nuclear Program , in december, i, Nuclear Program, in december, i, along with a lot of other people, announced on American Television that iran was a week away from having a nuclear capability. So they must have that by now, and i think israel was sending a message in the second part of the message, stephen, was that, of course, isfahan is the home of the factory that made the drones that were flown at israel on saturday. So it was it was a very measured response, i think that the foreign minister of irans statement that any attack will be met by something much more massive needs to be paid attention to , analysts in attention to, analysts in america, such as the former director of national intelligence, feels that they will, retaliate disproportionately , and that the disproportionately, and that the messaging phase is over and there could very well be an escalation at this point. Roger, i understand from a senior us official is that the us had advanced warning of this strike, but they did say they didnt endorse the response. The didnt endorse the response. The us would be really, really careful now not to implicate themselves in any of this at all. Well, i think theyll probably be implicated anyway. Probably be implicated anyway. My probably be implicated anyway. My guess, my hunch. Is that the iranians will probably find some way to implicate them so that either directly or, more likely, through their proxies , the us through their proxies, the us military bases in iraq and syria become fair game, become , become fair game, become, targets. Now, at this point , i targets. Now, at this point, i mean, its do you think the International Community is Still Holding its breath . Holding its breath . Roger. After i mean, theres been so much concern about how quickly this could escalate the fact, as you say , measured fact, as you say, measured response, the fact that that iran and tehran seems to be playing this down. Do you think we could be all right, or should we could be all right, or should we still be hugely concerned . We still be hugely concerned . Well, i think we could be all right, but i think we should remain concerned. Its been described by some, us sources as, something of a humiliation for iran that , israeli fighter for iran that, israeli fighter jets apparently were able to enter iranian airspace a couple of hours ago, something the iranians were unable to do with israel, the fact that theyve sent this message next door to where their Nuclear Production , where their Nuclear Production, exists and where the drones were made , a lot of messages sent made, a lot of messages sent there. And so iran will probably feel that they they must retaliate the position of the, the mullahs and the ayatollahs in iran, is described as somewhat weakened, and they need to show strength , so they will to show strength, so they will probably do something, lets hope its not on a massive basis. Lets hope its , for tat, basis. Lets hope its, for tat, but, some of the experts do feel that that phase is over and that their response will be greater. And i would imagine then that the israelis are waiting to see what that is before deciding what, if anything, to do next. Okay. Roger, thanks very much indeed. Well, middle east security analyst Seth Frantzman joins us now. Good to see you this morning, seth. And whats your assessment of what weve seen in the past few hours . The past few hours . Well, it does appear that, you know, there has been some sort of incidents in iran, but i think its clear that the Iranian Regime is downplaying it. And it does seem that although, you know, media is indicating that israel carried out sort retaliation or indicating that israel carried out have;ort retaliation or indicating that israel carried out have you, retaliation or indicating that israel carried out have you, i retaliation or indicating that israel carried out have you, i thinkation or indicating that israel carried out have you, i think that or what have you, i think that well probably hopefully see some sort of de escalation, because in the end of the day , because in the end of the day, iran attacked israel with 350 missiles and drones, which is unprecedented attacks. So i think israel had to show that its willing to do something. But i think that its not in anyones interest to see escalate into a wider regional conflict. Do you think why do you think, seth, that that iran is playing it down following the its previous rhetoric . Its previous rhetoric . Well, the Iranian Regime has spent you know, the last decades or so pretending that it is on the winning side. It basically the winning side. It basically is always messaging the israel, the United States are losing and that the United States is leaving the region, that israel is under siege and israel is about to fall apart. So if you spend many years as an authoritarian regime, messaging that your enemy is weak and that you are on the offensive everywhere in the region, and then all a sudden it turns then all of a sudden it turns out that in fact, i think what many people know, which the many people know, which is the Iranian Regime, a bit of a Iranian Regime, is a bit of a paper tiger. Its not as strong as itself. Think as it portrays itself. I think that harmful that would be incredibly harmful to to admit that it to the regime to admit that it cant defend its own airspace. So has to pretend that it can so it has to pretend that it can defend its airspace, because especially that be especially that would be embarrassing, considering especially that would be embthat;sing, considering especially that would be embthat israel onsidering fact that israel had intercepted, with the intercepted, along with the americans, 99 of drones and americans, 99 of the drones and missiles iran attacked missiles that iran attacked israel with and iran shows. I mean, iran is claiming this morning that it was attacked by a small miniature drones. If a few small miniature drones. If it claims that it cant even stop that, then how can it stop something more serious . Read into the what can we read into the fact that israel has not said anything yet . Could it possibly be an indication that this isnt over yet . Over yet . Well, certainly. Yeah, its an indication on the one hand that, you know, israel, of course, reserves the right to continue its any sort of response. I mean, this is its obvious that this is an open conflict in the sense that iran openly attacked israel. However, i indications in us i do think the indications in us media this morning, the reports that abc and other places that basically had indicated that there had been an attack, it would seem to show that there is some acknowledgement bit some acknowledgement a bit on the side , in, in terms the israeli side, in, in terms of how this will be viewed by, other anti israeli powers in the region, what do you think . I mean , because the i mean, the mean, because the i mean, the issue with this is not just iran, its, its the, the, the proxies of iran that are operating in the region, including hezbollah. I mean, is including hezbollah. I mean, is there a case that perhaps iran is going to, you know, respond using proxies . Is israel likely using proxies . Is israel likely to attack proxies . I mean , to attack proxies . I mean, whats your assessment moving forward on that front . Forward on that front . Well, first of all, the proxies have already been attacking israel for years and also since october 7th with the hamas attack, hezbollah carried out 3100 attacks on israel already. So we are already seeing an active war warzone there. I think even minutes after the reports this morning of the attacks in isfahan, hezbollah already carried out an attack in northern israel. So i do think, yes, well see escalation with the proxies. Well see more attacks by the houthis or iraqi based militias, well see more escalation, northern israel. And thats thats the way that thats the front that iran prefers. Anyway, iran would like that to be the front line, because iran likes to use others to fight its wars, so that iran doesnt have to do anything, okay. Seth frantzman, good to see you this morning. Thanks very much indeed. Okay. Well, this is, of course, a developing situation. We will keep you up to speed on all of the developments as they continue throughout the morning on breakfast. But for now, Aidan Mcgivern has the weather. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news. Rain clearing the south east today followed by further showers for many of us, accompanied by cool blustery winds. Although skies blustery winds. Although skies do later time for do brighten later in time for a sunny start to the weekend. Heres the picture by mid morning , a lot of cloud on mid morning, a lot of cloud on the map. Showers affecting many places, particularly central and eastern areas. Skies, though, do brighten across much of central and western scotland, and then later on, western parts of the rest of the uk. We keep the showers going through the midlands, the south east as well, accompanied by a cool and gusty wind thats going to make it little disappointing, it feel a little disappointing, i with highs of 12 to 15 i think with highs of 12 to 15 celsius. Nevertheless, the showers across central areas do fade away into the evening. The skies tend to clear as well and the wind eases as a result. With lengthy clear skies, a lighter wind temperatures will fall through the night. Such a frost even as we begin saturday. So gardeners beware there will be some frostiness first thing, but therell be plenty of bright skies as well. Lots of sunshine lifting those temperatures fairly quickly through the morning. So if youre out and about first thing, it will soon warm up and therell be plenty of sunshine until around the afternoon, when the clouds will tend to build, particularly for central and northern parts of the country and for the far north of scotland. Were going to see some light outbreaks of rain move in here, making it feel cool elsewhere, with lighter winds feeling pleasant enough, that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Weather on. Gb news. 622. Dont go anywhere because coming up in just a few minutes paul coyte news. 625. Good morning. Pauls here. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Morning. What have you got . Weve got a bit of european football. We do. You want the good news or the bad news, good. Should we do the good stuff . Aston villa are through to the semi final europa semi final of the Europa Conference League. Oh, brilliant. Went penalties. Brilliant. It went to penalties. Its Manchester City its not like Manchester City went penalties. The other went out to penalties. The other day. Villa went through to day. Aston villa went through to penalties, lille, penalties, so they played lille, which france by way. Which is on france by the way. I just thought id throw that in because am in french, because i am fluent in french, aston villa were two one up after first went to after the first leg went to lille lille. They had lille and lille. They had obviously behind obviously the crowd behind them. They went two up. Aston they went two nil up. Aston villa score, in the 87th minute to make it two one. It then goes to make it two one. It then goes to extra time. It then goes to penalties. Now what do you remember Emmy Martinez Emiliano Martinez who is the argentinian goalkeeper. And theres a phrase which i cant use which is . How sorry. Hes a yes. Yes. Oh yes. Which means theres a lot of missing a lot of antics. So when hes in goal for penalties, it can work to their advantage because he tries to put off the other side , you know, and other side, you know, and theres. And hell push it right to the right to the edge. So he got a yellow card early on in the game. And then during the penalties hes doing all this all this to the crowd. You all this stuff to the crowd. You know the shushing so know the shushing stuff. And so the comes over and books the referee comes over and books him that. Which a second him for that. Which is a second yellow is obviously means yellow which is obviously means a card. So hell be sent a red card. So hell be sent off. So the aston villa players obviously thats the last person you lose during a you want to lose during a penalty shootout as your goalkeeper. This is goalkeeper. But this is something so many football something that so many football fans didnt realise when it comes penalty shootout , fans didnt realise when it comes penalty shootout, red comes to penalty shootout, red cards dont count. Oh, so he was surprised to be probably thought he was going to get sent off as well, but he managed to go back in goal. Aston villa went on penalties. Everybodys happy, well, obviously apart from everybody in lille and aston villa are through. So good news, as far as aston villa is concerned, whats the bad news . The bad news is liverpool could not overturn atalanta. Atalanta with three nil up after the anfield game. And anyway they go anfield game. And anyway they go back to italy. Liverpool score early with a penalty mo salah but again, still cant seem to finish all their chances. It was there. It was a possibility but they won one nil so not good enough. So jurgen klopp , for his enough. So jurgen klopp, for his final season at liverpool, will not be picking up a european trophy. I just think that he kind of sees the writing on the wall. Yeah, i dont think its a matter of tired. I think matter of being tired. I think he thinks the team maybe this is the me to get out. So the time for me to get out. So i think this is whats going on. So theyre out west ham played, ellies team by ellies Favourite Team by leverkusen , although i know you leverkusen, although i know you wanted to win, but the wanted west ham to win, but the thing is, leverkusen not thing is, leverkusen have not lost 11 months. Theyre the lost in 11 months. Theyre the bundesliga champions and west ham went one nil up and they just had to try and overturn a two nil deficit. Couldnt do it. Leverkusen scored at the end one one. So it means leverkusen go through and west are now out through and west ham are now out okay there go. Okay so there we go. Should look at the fa cup. Should we look at the fa cup. No more replays. Yeah. This really the oh yeah. This is really the fans. Oh its upset fans. Its upset the Lower League Teams i think are upset think most people are upset apart from probably the fa and the premier league because the premier they theyre the premier league they theyre the ones that have the cash. Theyre the ones seem to have the the ones that seem to have the say. Theyve put this press release going, oh, you know, release out going, oh, you know, this wonderful news for the this is wonderful news for the fa got a six year fa cup. Weve got a six year deal fa cup. Weve got a six year deal. Were not going to have replays replays which is replays now. Replays which is almost great thing about the almost the great thing about the fa because when you get a fa cup because when you get a lower league team, they might get draw. And then get to get a draw. And then they get to go away to maybe old trafford or go away to maybe old trafford or go anfield should liverpool go to anfield should liverpool draw then thats draw with them. And then thats where their money. But where they make their money. But theyve banned any replays, theyve now banned any replays, so going to be woii. Won. Why would they do that . Why would they do that . Its because of the calendar congestion. The premier league congestion. The premier league are that theres too are just upset that theres too many played. Many games being played. It gets in also theyre in the way and also theyre going move the fa cup now going to move the fa cup now instead of being well, you get whats opposite curtain whats the opposite of a curtain raiser. Would it be a closer. What would be the of the what would be the end of it. The end. Its usually last end. Well its usually the last game season. Theyre now game of the season. Theyre now going move cup final going to move the fa cup final to penultimate game. So now to the penultimate game. So now the premier league because the premier you know premier league thinking you know were goose. Were were the golden goose. Were what everybody see. The what everybody wants to see. The end the premier league is end of the premier league is more important than the cup. More important than the fa cup. And it devalues cup. And it just devalues the fa cup. And it just devalues the fa cup. And are very and a lot of people are very unhappy about it, including me. Well im not surprised actually. I like it. I like it. You know, they you know, a lot of us think, oh is it just because were hark. Yeah. Because going back because theyre going back to the golden how it used the golden days and how it used to be. Theres some of that, but also the fa cup is oldest also the fa cup is the oldest cup in the world, cup competition in the world, and to be respected and it needs to be respected properly. And unfortunately, i dont yeah dont think it is. Yeah as Emma Raducanu shes doing, dont think it is. Yeah asdoing a raducanu shes doing, dont think it is. Yeah asdoing reallyrcanu shes doing, dont think it is. Yeah asdoing really well. Shes doing, shes doing really well. Shes on isnt she . Shes on the up isnt she . Shes on the up isnt she . Shes on the up isnt she . She really is. Fourth game on the trot now, so shes doing so well. So the billie jean cup she won there she is. I know won two. There she is. I know what shes doing waving there. And playing and shes playing on clay playing at stuttgart open. Playing at the stuttgart open. The czech linda noskova, who is the new golden child of tennis. And shes supposed to be fantastic. She is the future. Fantastic. She is the future. But there we are. Theres Emma Raducanu beat her six love 7. 5. Where do you reckon Emma Raducanu is in the world . Where would you reckon her ranking is . Oh, shes like 300 and something, isnt she . 301, are you . Oh, youre very good. There you go. Hes very good, isnt he . He is very good. He knows his stuff. He knows his stuff. Where is she . Where is she . Through now she plays iga swiatek. And wheres iga swiatek in the world . 72. Number one. Oh thats who shes. So this is now going to be it though. You know what . You know what . Its my fault. I should have let you have the i had the win and be done with it. But iga swiatek shes playing Emma Raducanu. And thats 4 00 this afternoon. Emma can this afternoon. And if emma can get there then get something from there then something could be happening with so we wish you well with emma. So we wish you well against. With emma. So we wish you well agaoh,. With emma. So we wish you well agaoh, lets a bit of oh, lets have a bit of fashion. We didnt have time for it all. We didnt have time for it. Yeah. So was no way that yeah. So there was no way that i was going to miss out on the fashion. Sports, fashion. No, no. As sports, pastimes and fashion correspondent. Olympic Opening Ceremony. Outfits, outfits ceremony. Outfits, outfits and garb. Lets start with brazil, shall we . Lets have a look at the brazilians. Oh, i reckon this is good. Oh, i reckon this is good. Look at that. Look at that. Oh, its all denim. Oh, its all denim. No, no, no, its a little flashing there for those that are concerned about the flashing images. There we are. Well what do you think . Its a bit scruffy. It looks like Shakin Stevens around out there. Looks scruffy. Yeah, it looks a bit scruffy. Yeah, it looks a bit scruffy. Whats denim . Its. Its whats the denim . Its. Its denim jackets with embroidered images brazilian animals. Oh, images of brazilian animals. Oh, no. 110. No. Those awful things its like those awful things you the 80s. You used to see in the 80s. Yeah. I mean, i dont know whether theyre to double whether theyre going to double denim. The crime. Whether theyre going to double dersurely the crime. Whether theyre going to double dersurely even the crime. Whether theyre going to double dersurely even the text|e. Whether theyre going to double dersurely even the text choice surely even the text choice of brazil isnt very nice. Of brazil just isnt very nice. No, not liking that at all. No, not liking that at all. Were not loving it. No, were not loving it. No, were not loving it. We dont like it. But the thing is, i even know, to thing is, i dont even know, to be with you. What are be honest with you. What are brazilian what the brazilian animals . What is the indigenous animal brazil . Indigenous animal of brazil . I dont know what that is, dont even know what that is, parrot. Going to say a parrots. I was going to say a parrots. Toucans, Something Like that. Oh, yeah . Yeah, yeah, because rio. Yeah, yeah, because of rio. Yeah, yeah. Theyre yeah, yeah. So maybe theyre just all covered i dont know, covered in birds. I dont know, but i was expecting but anyway, i was expecting kind of and carnival. Of feathers and carnival. Bit of yeah, its a bit of a letdown, isnt it . It it is a bit let down. It is. It is a bit let down. Lets go for australia, shall we . See what the we . See australia, see what the australians look, australians are doing. Look, those not messing australians are doing. Look, those theyre not messing australians are doing. Look, those theyrelookingassing australians are doing. Look, those theyre looking veryg around. Theyre looking very serious. Hand the pocket. Serious. Oh, hand in the pocket. Very breasted blazer very nice single breasted blazer over t shirt. Gold and over a cotton t shirt. Gold and green ribbing, is we green ribbing, which is what we ought australia ought to be doing if australia win, gold green win, by the way. Gold and green ribbing, beige knee ribbing, beige chino, knee length women a length shorts. Women with a double version the double breasted version of the jacket choice of shorts, jacket with a choice of shorts, or just which just the or just which is just above the knee. Pleated gradient or just which is just above the kn green,leated gradient or just which is just above the kn green, leate and gradient or just which is just above the kn green, leate and white. Iient of green, gold and white. I like that, like that see, i like that, i like that its isnt it . Its very, isnt it . Aussie. Its very aussie. Its very aussie. Its very aussie. It is. Pretty plain, it is. Its pretty plain, though, you think . It is. Though, dont you think . It is. Well, it is quite plain, but its a classy element to it. Its got a classy element to it. Id rather. Rather have id rather. Id rather have classy the americans classy than like the americans with sweaters and all. With their sweaters and all. , yeah. And all that sort yeah, yeah. And all that sort of business. Yeah, the of business. So yeah, the australian who could have worn back you could wear back in the 30s, you could wear it very classic. It today. Very classic. One more. We canada . More. Should we go for canada . All right. Lululemon who . I bet you love a bit of lululemon dont you . Well its extortionate. Well its extortionate. You know a pair do you know how much a pair of is . Well like £7,080. What are they wearing . What are they wearing . A pair leggings. A pair of leggings. A pair of leggings. What are they wearing. What are they wearing. Well thats typical. Thats typical i mean its awful. Thats awful. That is a bit of a mess so far. Is it tie dye i dont even know what. Well, lululemon rmt sizing obviously the adaptability fit adaptability thermal comfort fit function and National Pride of canada. Look theres even the dog. Theyre even wearing lululemon. Everybodys coming through there. I dont know how that shows National Pride in canada. Its just red. Its just red. Its just red. Yeah thats right i think its red tie dye i mean thats a bit neater now. So thats a full red i think they look set quite frankly. Oh i think it looks a bit scruffy. Yeah i think not. Yeah i think not. Opening ceremony material. If its National Pride. What do you just a maple leaf the just have a maple leaf on the front and have red. Its front and just have red. Its lululemon theyve front and just have red. Its lululemocharged theyve front and just have red. Its lululemocharged a heyve front and just have red. Its lululemocharged a fortune and probably charged a fortune and let down badly. Let them down very badly. Yeah, yeah. Not impressed. Let them down very badly. Yeah, yeathatt impressed. Let them down very badly. Yeah, yeathat looksressed. Let them down very badly. Yeah, yeathat looks likeed. Really that looks like a really comfy outfit. Youd on plane. Exactly. Not Opening Ceremony if weve got hours yet. Well, weve got the weve got the kit that theyre going to be, competing in. So i can show you that a little bit later. But you that a little bit later. But we dont have the Opening Ceremony. Do you know whos doing it . Do you know whos doing it . Whos to hold the flag . Whos going to hold the flag . Whos going to hold the flag . No. Design oh, no. Which design though . Oh, i dont know. I imagine that adidas, i imagine because they have the, they the oh, we should have they have the oh, we should have a designer a british designer like, burberry or. Burberry or. Was mccartney. Well, it was mccartney. Well, it was mccartney. Was stella mccartney, it was stella mccartney, wasnt 2012. But you wasnt it . For 2012. But if you remember, had blue remember, she had the blue version of the union jack. And we happens if you mess we know what happens if you mess around flag. You around with an english flag. You cant be doing that again. So well think well have to see. So i think theres things theyre theres two things theyre worried how the worried about. Firstly, how the pubuc worried about. Firstly, how the public and secondly, public will react. And secondly, probably is my probably most importantly is my commentary over how it will look fashion wise if theyve done it and theyve theyve played about with the with the union jack already. Can you imagine therell be a quick redesign going on, wont they. Already people are saying about the about the british one about the about the british one about what theyll be wearing to compete in it all plain. Its compete in it all plain. Its a little plain. Its very blue, not red. See, i like there was the old classic, the white vest with the red and blue stripe across it. But, ill have it for you a little bit later. By the way, London Marathon is this weekend, brazier , who is weekend, hugh brazier, who is the race director . Hes the man that runs the whole thing. Will be with us in an hour. Oh, great. Okay. Great stuff. Paul. Great. Thankgreat stuff. Paul. Great. Thank you. Stuff. Paul. Great. Thank you. Now . Paul. Great. Thank you. Now do aul. Great. Thank you. Now do stay with us. Us. Us. Still e still to come, well be looking what making looking at what is making the front pages. This morning with ella buckley. Ella whelan and mike buckley. Thats next. A 637. Morning to you. Lets have a look at the newspapers. If i get my teeth in this morning, the telegraph says the Prime Minister has vowed to end sicknote culture. The guardian says that thames water could be renationalised and the £15 billion it owes could be added to the public debt. Oh, great. The times leads with the Prime Minister vowing to crack down on sicknote culture and mps losing the right to sign us off work. The express says that the Prime Minister tells sicknote britain to get a grip and get job. The mail leads with the charge brought against nicola sturgeons husband Peter Murrell i well, joining us now to go through whats making the news this morning is former former labour adviser and labour adviser mike buckley and journalist ella journalist and author ella whelan. Good to see you both this morning and ella, lets start with you, shall we . And your response to what weve seen in iran this morning, that strike by israel. Yes , the papers obviously yes, the papers obviously werent, arent time to cover werent, arent in time to cover it, but weve seen those intercepted , strikes. And its intercepted, strikes. And its actually quite interesting how much iran is downplaying this, theres and youve got, bbc and various other news outlets reporting that there doesnt seem to be much damage, that actually theres a sort of almost everything is fine attitude being put out there. The airports have reopened and, and we obviously await irans response, who knows what it could be . The telegraph has reporting on its front pages. This is obviously before the action that israel took happened, that iran had threatened to reopen the sort of Nuclear Discussion , build a Nuclear Discussion, build a Nuclear Discussion, build a nuclear bomb if it is attacked by Israeli Forces. Lots of heavy talk there. But again, we dont know what the actual response is going to be, i mean, you know, this is a this is a sort of shadow war thats broken out into the open in terms of direct strikes between the two nations, but it is still, i mean, the all of the we know that all of the drone strikes that iran sent were intercepted by israel and also america and france and, and by us, the uk and jordan. So theres this sort of i dont mean to sound callous, but people arent dying in their masses. So its a different kind of tenor to it. Theres a different sort of, escalation feel to it, which i think should we should keep in mind this isnt sort of direct, outright war in which people are dying. Theres still an element of kind of shadow boxing to this, which doesnt mean its not serious, but it means that its not. Were not necessarily in a situation now iran is situation now where iran is going to have a nuclear response. Viewers and listeners shouldnt about that. Shouldnt be worried about that. Mean, interesting no. I mean, the interesting thing , mike, with all of this no. I mean, the interesting thing, mike, with all of this is if we were going to get the, the, the massive and Immediate Response from around that they were threatening only just the other day , you would have other day, you would have expected the rhetoric from iran coming out now to be very different to what it seems to be. You would an iran. I mean, obviously theres many, many criticisms we could all make of iran, and many people do make those criticisms and understandably, but it does seem that this seem to be that in this situation they aware that situation they are aware that they responsibility to they have a responsibility to act a way that is almost act in a way that is almost responsible, you know, not turning into turning this into a conflagration that would cause huge loss of life or huge damage to infrastructure in israel or in iran, or would potentially open up a region wide conflict, in contrast of course, you know, israel in a sense did start this with in iran by attacking their diplomatic building in syria. Diplomatic building in syria. And just reading this morning, obviously, israel have now responded and by sort of re attacking iran, and theyve also attacked sites again in syria and so, you know, israel and iraq. So, you know, israel does to be rather, you does seem to be rather, you know, going going much further in terms of just almost arbitrarily attacking sites in any country in the region that it feels like it wants. Thats thats not accurate. If, i mean, thats completely forgetting the 7th of october, which were forgetting about that nobodys saying that that and nobodys saying that they impunity attacking they are with impunity attacking sites the sites in any country in the region where feel like it. Region where they feel like it. Impunity. Completely impunity. Youre completely forgetting that the reason why there is a you dont have to be a, you know, israels biggest fan to understand that they didnt start this with the attack in damascus, completely understand. Understand. Thats why, however, they are still sites lots of still attacking sites in lots of countries region. Still attacking sites in lots of couthats region. Still attacking sites in lots of couthats thats region. Still attacking sites in lots of couthats thats what]. Still attacking sites in lots of couthats thats what you just thats thats what you just said. I mean, is a war that said. I mean, this is a war that has been, you know, iran has been attacking through been attacking israel through its decades i its proxies for decades now. I mean, why israel has mean, the reason why israel has this dome and, you know, this iron dome and, you know, huge infrastructure is huge security infrastructure is because the attacks on it. Because of the attacks on it. And we know that this conflict is complicated, but i think you do a disservice to understanding whats going on in the middle east by suggesting that israel started this. Its much more complicated damascus complicated than that. Damascus certainly wasnt the first attack. Know, between attack. First, you know, between the two countries, i youre i mean, for context, i used to live and work in the middle east, so i do understand the context pretty well. And i do understand why israel feels. Well, you dont know way does. But know in the way it does. But i also understand that the countries the region, you countries in the region, you know, their needs and know, have their own needs and rights well. So rights for security as well. So it a complicated situation. It is a complicated situation. But point i making was but the point i was making was that has responded in, that iran has not responded in, you know, in a huge way to the attack on its building in syria or to the attack that has now come from israel. You know, it is downplaying it, whereas israel is sitting there and attacking countries arbitrarily, not arbitrarily. But, you know, not arbitrarily. But, you know, it is it is going further in making those attacks. Okay, look, we need to leave you that note just for a you two on that note just for a moment, because we want to talk to the work and pensions secretary, mel stride, who joins us now. And first and foremost, mr stride, can i get your reaction to what weve seen happenin reaction to what weve seen happen in the last hour or so . Happen in the last hour or so . How concerned should we be . Or do think that the responses do you think that the responses here have been a little bit measured . Measured . Well, this is clearly an emerging story, so we dont know the full facts at this stage. The full facts at this stage. And israel has yet to confirm action or otherwise. Look, id make a few points here. I think one is that we firmly believe that israel has a right to self defence. But at the same time, of course, what we have been impressing upon the Israeli Government is the importance of de escalation at this point. So whilst we dont know the details at the moment, my hope is that whatever has happened is of a nature where de escalation can now be the way forward. And of course we can continue then to focus on the diplomatic work that we and others are doing to ensure that we get humanitarian aid into gaza, and weve already applied, some or been in discussions with the israelis. Discussions with the israelis. Reillys to have the, has , reillys to have the, has, border, opened up to let aid in and ashdod as a port to let aid in and so on, and also to get the hostages out. Thats where we are also focusing. Did the uk government have advance warning of this strike by israel in the early hours of this morning . And does the uk government the response government endorse the response by israel . Because you must be very concerned about escalation in the region. In the region. Well, as ive just said, i mean, clearly the message that we and our allies and the americans as well have for israel is, yes, you have a right to self defence , of course, and to self defence, of course, and we are here to support you in that endeavour , but at the same that endeavour, but at the same time, we do feel its very important that the focus now is on de escalation. I cant comment on the specifics of whether we had warnings or not orindeed whether we had warnings or not or indeed even at this stage. Of course, this is an unconfirmed , course, this is an unconfirmed, situation, so we dont actually know precisely. And i certainly dont know, what has happened. But de escalation really has to be the way forward. And that is this governments message. Okay, look, can we ask you about this sick note britain thing . Its across a lot of the papers this morning. The prime papers this morning. The Prime Minister going to war on sick note. Britain and part of the part of the move to do this. He says , is to, is to stop gps says, is to, is to stop gps giving out sick notes or fit notes or whatever theyre called these days. How is that going to work . Work . Well, the situation at the moment is that we have a growing number of people going on to long term sickness benefits. There are 2. 8 Million People on those benefits at moment. We those benefits at the moment. We know that a reasonable proportion of those people, for example, want to work. And what im all about making sure im all about is making sure that in that journey that sometimes people are taking from work through a fit note, then into longer tum sickness benefits, that at each stage of that journey we do whatever we can to support people into work. Now with fit notes, what that means is that when somebody presents themselves the presents themselves to the doctor a fit note at the doctor seeking a fit note at the moment, they get, on average, about seven minutes of the gps time, because gps are very , very time, because gps are very, very pressurised and have an awful lot to do. And on 94 of occasions a box is ticked on the fit. Note that not capable fit. Note that says not capable of whatsoever. So what of any work whatsoever. So what we want to do is to move from that situation to a referral by the to gp another piece of an organisation that were putting together based around something called work well, where we will bnng called work well, where we will bring together both the Health Care Support for that individual needs, but also have work coaches involved. So that if theyre currently in work, were working to keep them in work. And if theyre close to the labour market, were there to find them a job because we believe that work is absolutely essential, not least when it comes to Mental Health conditions and people improving their situation. Mental health charities, though, are aghast at these plans. The chief executive of the charity mind says theyre deeply disappointed, continuing a trend in recent rhetoric that conjures up the image that Mental Health culture has gone too far. They say its harmful, inaccurate and contrary to the reality for people up and down the country, demonised people for failures of the system. What do you say to that . Well, i completely and utterly disagree with that. Look its a very good thing that as a society , we have moved to the society, we have moved to the point where we can talk very openly about Mental Health as an issue. And there are many, many people , as a consequence of people, as a consequence of that, who are now coming forward and receiving treatment , who in and receiving treatment, who in the past would have suffered in silence. Thats a huge step silence. And thats a huge step forward. At the same time, i think we have to recognise that that work, example , which is that work, for example, which is what my department is focused on, is an integral part for many people when it comes to Mental Health. An integral part of recovery. And i think that message has begun to get lost, and we need to bring that back to the fore and to give you an example, theres much evidence that this is the case. Work gives you that structure to your life. It brings you into contact with colleagues at work , those with colleagues at work, those conversations at the water cooler, all those kind of interactions in that sense of purpose, its really good for you and we mustnt lose sight of that. And what the Prime Minister morning minister later on this morning is be speaking about is is going to be speaking about is how can go further than how we can go still further than we are at the moment to make sure that work is central to addressing these particular issues. But therell be plenty of people watching and listening now , minister, who who, frankly, now, minister, who who, frankly, are going to say, well, if i require a significant amount of time off because im not well, i want to be able to go and see my gp and get signed off. Theyre not going to want to go and see the gp be referred. Wait for that and then go and see a work coach. You cant imagine this going down well with people at all in the run up to an election. This needs this, this, this needs to be a very efficient process. So work well will bring together the medical practitioner with the work support as well in a one stop shop. So the aim here will be something that will be very efficient and very quick , but efficient and very quick, but will nonetheless put work at the heart of the kind of support that were able to give people. That were able to give people. Its not helpful to people if theyre in work at the moment. We know 400,000 people leave work for reasons ill health work for reasons of ill health each year. Its not helpful if they leave work, lose that contact with employment and then progress along this Health Journey end up as part of that. 2. 8 Million People who are in long tum sickness and disability benefits and a long way from the labour market, we believe we should be intervening upstream early to get that kind of support in there, and the kind of support includes things like talking therapies within the nhs, the chancellor announce 400,000 more of those that will be huge benefit to those with be of huge benefit to those with Mental Health conditions. Weve launched something called universal support, which means we employment we place people into employment and we stay with them for a penod and we stay with them for a period of 12 months to support them through, to make that them through, to make sure that they those jobs. But they hold down those jobs. But as i say, this is really sharpening up the focus on the importance of work rather than being on benefits. Being on benefits. Mr straight, i wanted to ask you about thames water because guardian the guardian this morning revealing government plans being considered at the moment for thames water to be renationalise seized, and for the £15. 6 billion it owes to be added to the public debt. I added to the public debt. I mean, thats not going to go down well in an Election Year ehhenis down well in an Election Year either, is it . Well, my understanding is this is a story in the guardian, and i think it is speculation. This isnt something that the government has said. I think it would be rather surprising if the government wasnt, gaming all sorts of possible scenarios here as to what it might do underin here as to what it might do under in certain eventualities. But at the moment, thames water clearly is looking at refinancing and in discussions with various people on that front. But i think the sort of guarantee that i can absolutely make today is that whatever happens going forward, people will be able to get their water out of their taps in the usual way. But the story that youve just referred to is not something that the government is saying. I think its speculation in the press. Okay. Just just so you okay. Well, just just so you know, the Guardian Newspaper said is said that this blueprint is codenamed project timber. They say at an advanced stage. Say its at an advanced stage. And just just to just let you and so just just to just let you know thats what theyre saying this morning. Okay. Okay. Minister. Good to see you this morning. Thank you very much indeed. Ella whelan and mike still with us on mike buckley still with us on sick note. Britain. We should we should call it fit. No. Britain beyond why the cold . Beyond me. Why the cold . Footnotes . What did you make of the plan, ella . Well, just in terms of the sort of we its impossible to get anything done on the nhs, even getting a gp appointment is enough of a challenge for most people. So the idea that if you are sick and you need time off, as you said, to through said, trying to go through this process, which would take i think you know, weeks think at best, you know, weeks is ridiculous. But also the is ridiculous. But its also the case mean, mel stride is case that i mean, mel stride is and the government are putting out this line that people really want to be at work, and its just that they cant theres some theres something going wrong that they cant get to work. So were just trying work. And so were just trying to help along. Thats to help them along. Thats a complete misunderstanding. To help them along. Thats a complea misunderstanding. To help them along. Thats a complea misunpeople ding. To help them along. Thats a complea misunpeople out|. Theres a lot of people out there you know, there who either, you know, really the physical really do have the physical or mental problems and its mental problems, and its impossible treatment impossible to get treatment on the moment. So they the nhs at the moment. So they need you need sick notes or, you know, i think theres this idea that mel stride and other people think that everybody has a treats jobs like a career that they love, andifs like a career that they love, and its great. And got and its great. And youve got loads of friends and its sunny and lovely and in actual fact, a lot numbers of people out lot vast numbers of people out there work to earn money there go to work to earn money for their families. And its just a they hate it and its a or you its something you or you know, its something you bear make money the bear to make money for the important things your important things in your life. And youre with the and if youre faced with the prospect of at the moment, we have a lot of really rubbish jobs paid very badly. Between that you know, a different that and, you know, a different opfion that and, you know, a different option. I dont blame people for option. I dont blame people for taking the other option. And i think theres this misunderstanding that work life is panacea thing, is this wonderful panacea thing, and thats not the reality. Mike. Mike. I mean, the governments lying to us all. You know, its sitting there saying, no, you know, no culture is out of control. And in fact, we did issue 11 million footnotes last yeah issue 11 million footnotes last year. Same as year. But thats the same as before pandemic. Its not before the pandemic. So its not that the numbers of notes being issued know, the issued are, you know, off the scale. What has grown a lot is people sick, is scale. What has grown a lot is prdifferent sick, is scale. What has grown a lot is prdifferent thing sick, is scale. What has grown a lot is prdifferent thing entirely. Is scale. What has grown a lot is prdifferent thing entirely. And is a different thing entirely. And that part due to the that is in large part due to the fact the nhs just doesnt fact that the nhs just doesnt work, know, we know, work, you know, which we know, whether or whether its whether its a e or whether its trying to get gp trying to get a gp, gp appointment , whether trying appointment, whether its trying to long term to get treatment for long term conditions. Also been conditions. That has also been a rise Mental Health conditions rise in Mental Health conditions across country , partly as a across the country, partly as a result of the pandemic, which we seem unable to deal with. Seem to be unable to deal with. Weve 1. 9 Million People in weve got 1. 9 Million People in this country waiting to get a mental appointment the Mental Health appointment on the nhs there just isnt the nhs because there just isnt the provision there. Unless were provision there. So unless were solving fundamental solving these fundamental problems, this is this situation isnt change. The isnt going to change. The government seem to want to come in and well, maybe it will. In and say, well, maybe it will. These people well, lets in and say, well, maybe it will. Thespretend e well, lets in and say, well, maybe it will. Thespretend e theyre ll, lets in and say, well, maybe it will. Thespretend e theyre not. Ts just pretend that theyre not. Well. Its like well. Well, no. Its like theyre pretend theyre trying to pretend that rwanda safe country it isnt. No, no, hold on a minute, though. I mean, in some respects, would have thought respects, i would have thought youd supporting youd be youd be supporting this then, because this initiative then, because if theyre well, know, this initiative then, because if thyoure well, know, this initiative then, because if thyoure struggling, know, this initiative then, because if thyoure struggling with know, this initiative then, because if thyoure struggling with mental if youre struggling with Mental Health, you assessed health, you get assessed by a medical professional, get to health, you get assessed by a me a al professional, get to health, you get assessed by a me a work fessional, get to health, you get assessed by a me a work coach nal, get to health, you get assessed by a me a work coach to, get to health, you get assessed by a me a work coach to, know, see a work coach to, you know, build resilience, what build your resilience, see what you at, going back you can be good at, going back to what youre going be to what youre going to be capable doing, isnt wouldnt to what youre going to be capa be doing, isnt wouldnt to what youre going to be capabe a doing, isnt wouldnt to what youre going to be capabe a positive . Snt wouldnt that be a positive . That support real, then if that support is real, then yes, support it. But yes, i would support it. But they spoken about they havent spoken about recruiting these recruiting any of these professionals do professionals to actually do this in support people. This work in support people. I mean, that was real then mean, if that was real then that would at the would be great. But at the minute, saying, got minute, as im saying, weve got 1. 9 people to 1. 9 Million People waiting to get treatment the nhs get some treatment on the nhs for health for their Mental Health conditions, and that provision just so im not just isnt there. So im not sure getting sure where theyre getting all this support this extra Mental Health support and have, and staff from. If they have, then great. But they didnt talk about this morning. About that this morning. Well we shall wait see. Well we shall wait and see. Id know what you think id love to know what you think about that views comment your about that gb views comment your say. Be great to hear what say. Itd be great to hear what you that and you think about that and Everything Else that were talking this morning. Talking about this morning. Its, at least are we are we breathing little bit of a sigh breathing a little bit of a sigh of relief in a, in a sense that what we thought could have been catastrophic not be in catastrophic today may not be in terms of iran, in terms of iran. I look, i think so i think also its important to note that, you know , the response that, you know, the response from the iran attack, International Response , uk, International Response, uk, jordan, you know, people within the region, countries within the region necessarily region arent necessarily cheering iran on. Good. All no. Well thats good. All right. Out time, heres right. Were out of time, heres the weather. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news rain clearing the south east today, followed by further showers for many of us, accompanied by cool, blustery winds. Although skies do brighten later in time for a sunny start to the weekend. Heres the picture by mid morning, a lot of cloud on the map. Showers affecting many places, particularly central and eastern areas. Skies though, do brighten across much of central and western scotland, and then later on western parts of the rest of the uk. We keep the rest of the uk. We keep the showers going through the midlands, the south east as well , accompanied by a cool and gusty going to make gusty wind thats going to make it feel a little disappointing, i think with highs of 12 to 15 celsius. Nevertheless the showers across central areas do fade away into the evening. The skies tend to clear as well and the wind eases as a result, with lengthy, clear skies, a lighter wind. Temperatures will fall through the night. Such a frost even as we begin saturday, so gardeners beware there will be some frostiness first thing, but therell be plenty of bright skies as well. Lots of sunshine lifting those temperatures fairly quickly through the morning. So if youre out and about, first thing, it will soon warm up and therell be plenty of sunshine until around the afternoon, when the clouds will tend to build, particularly for central and northern parts of the country and for the far north of scotland. Were going to see some light outbreaks of rain moving here, making it feel cool elsewhere with lighter winds feeling pleasant enough that warm feeling inside. From boxt boilers sponsor of weather on gb news. Good morning to you. Its 7 00. Friday the 19th of april. Today, the World Holding its breath as us sources claim, israel has launched an attack on iran in a retaliatory strike with reports of explosions near a military base in isfahan. The work and pensions secretary spoke to us earlier here on gb news. He believed that israel has a right to self defence, but at the same time, of course, what we have been impressing upon the Israeli Government is the importance of de escalation at this point. Iranian state media downplay the attack as the news Agency Claims the countrys Nuclear Facilities are completely secure. As a Senior Commander tells them, no damage was done. Well, that says tehran had previously warned of a severe and Immediate Response to any Israeli Attack as the country activates its air Defence Systems. Systems. Meanwhile, western governments tell its citizens to leave israel over fears of a reprisal attack by iran. Reprisal attack by iran. Here, the Prime Minister pledges to end the sick note culture in britain. Weve heard this morning from the work and pensions secretary who says its the right way forward to get people back to work and in the sport. Emmy martinezs antics in goal will see aston villa, or has done see them go through on a penalty shoot out to the Europa Conference League semi final liverpool and west semi final as liverpool and west ham out of the Europa League. Ham go out of the Europa League. Emma playing great Emma Raducanu is playing great injury how about injury free tennis. How about that . London marathons that . And the London Marathons this sunday . The who this sunday . The man who organises will be with us organises it will be with us a little later. Little bit later. Going to be a sunny its going to be a sunny start the for many of start to the weekend for many of us as higher pressure finally arrives. We get arrives. But before we get there, today is another day of bright and showers. Ill bright spells and showers. Ill have the full details in the forecast coming up shortly. Forecast coming up shortly. Morning to you. Im Stephen Dixon and im Ellie Costello, and this is breakfast on. And this is breakfast on. Gb news. Well, the breaking news this morning is that israel has reportedly launched an attack on iran overnight in a retaliatory strike. Reports of explosions near a military base in isfahan. Now, thats according to us officials. Well, Iranian State media have been quick to downplay the situation, claiming that their air Defence Systems were able to destroy three drones in the centre of the country. Centre of the country. Well, israeli officials are yet to make a clear statement on the attack, but Iranian State media claim it was flown or the drones at least were flown by infiltrators from inside the country so that frankly adds a bit of confusion to the situation. And it may be something that theyre saying to mean that they dont have to then justify, they dont have to have a response. So this is where it does get a little bit complicated. Well, meanwhile, the Australian Government has urged its citizens to leave israel over fears of a potential revenge attack. Lets get the latest now from our security editor, mark white. Morning to you, mark. So where are we at the moment . What do we understand has happened . Well, a limited strike. It appears, has taken place. We have these reports coming from Iranian State media. Its not exactly, open in terms of , the exactly, open in terms of, the media free and open reporting there. So were reliant to a large degree on what the Iranian State media is saying. Theyre talking about these drones, three drones that were shot down. Its possible that israel has launched drones at iran, but i think unlikely. Its an awful long way for drones to fly to iran. Theyre slow moving iran. Theyre slow moving targets and easy to shoot down. I think israel much more likely to have launched missiles , to have launched missiles, intriguing this report, though. Again from, iranian media reporting that the drones may have been launched, from groups within iran. We know, of course, there are opposition groups and opposition groups that, are fighting to some extent, a war against the Iranian Regime. So its possible that they have been given drones and managed to acquire drone drones somehow and have launched them from in country that will only really emerge in the fullness of time , emerge in the fullness of time, depending again on, on, you know, what were hearing from , know, what were hearing from, the state media to a large degree as well , but the strikes degree as well, but the strikes that we know about took place around the central iranian city of isfahan, and were told that , of isfahan, and were told that, an air base is in that area. But no reports of damage at this air base. Theres also a radar, military radar installation there. Theres also one of the there. Theres also one of the key sites for Irans Nuclear facilities. Research facility, and also a Nuclear Enrichment facility. But again, no indication that thats been struck. In fact, the International Atomic Energy Authority has confirmed that no damage or strikes appear to have targeted the Nuclear Facility in isfahan, so we await to get a formal word from israel. They have said nothing so far, indeed, the us has said nothing officially. Just sources are telling us, broadcasts and Media Outlets that israel did inform them that they were about to launch a, an attack on iran, they gave nothing more about what israel said. The nature of that attack would be, how limited or otherwise it would be. Whether this is the first phase. We simply dont know. But iran is playing it down. The state media confirming that the aviation sector in iran is opening back up again. Now, thats different from what we were hearing just hours ago from iranian officials who were warning that if israel launched a direct attack on iran, then they would respond immediately with a massive attack on israel. Thats not happened. Obviously this was some hours ago that this was some hours ago that this attack took place within iran and no response as yet. Iran and no response as yet. Hopefully thats a good sign. But as i say, it all depends really, on what israels next move might be. And of course, just because weve not had an Immediate Response , this doesnt Immediate Response, this doesnt mean were not going to get some kind of response from iran in the coming hours, perhaps through its proxies, perhaps in other areas, not necessarily a direct attack on israel. Okay. Mark white, thank you very much indeed. Well, lets talk to Diplomatic Correspondent for israel khan tv, Amichai Stein , israel khan tv, Amichai Stein, who joins us now. Great to see you this morning. Amichai are we getting any official comment from the Israeli Government at this stage . This stage . No. Theres complete quiet from the Israeli Government. From the Israeli Government. Although we saw in the last week israeli officials saying that there will be a response, that its not questions of if but when you do see, by the way, israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is a member of israels security cabinet, tweeting that what we saw tonight is really not a response. Now, i must say, its like an official israeli confirmation that there was a strike. But Itamar Ben Gvir is not one of these officials that if indeed it was an israeli airstrike, he, had the decision made. So there is criticism among, some ministers inside the government that that an israeli response should have been much more aggressive and much more, comprehensive against iran on their attack on israel a few days ago. But up until now, if you ask what the Prime Minister is saying, what the Israeli Defence minister is saying from their side, there is complete quiet this morning. There is no, statement saying israel did attack iran at some point tonight. Tonight. Amichai, what should we read anything into that . Into the silence from israel so far . Is this an indication that this is not over yet, that this could just be phase one of this operation . I dont know if there will be other phases. We do know that israeli officials are speaking , israeli officials are speaking, with foreign media. The new york times, washington post, and there they are saying that this strike message that we can strike was a message that we can strike was a message that we can strike iran inside the territory. And its not the first time that israel has struck iran. According to foreign reports. But its the first time that iran is expecting some kind of an israeli response. So israel can show in this strike that even though iran knew something is coming, israel could have pinpoint this airbase and struck inside a military airbase. When you where you can expect fighter jets and, defence system against these kinds of attack styles. So israel in this attack shows iran, we can attack you inside iran, we can attack you inside iran even though you are expecting it. Expecting it. And yet were getting these comments from iran itself saying, well, perhaps this was carried out by infiltrators, an internal attack. I mean , its internal attack. I mean, its very difficult to know quite why theyre saying that. Is, is theyre saying that. Is, is would that give them a reason to not respond to this in the way that they previously threatened . That they previously threatened . Yes, of course, iran is saying that there was nothing tonight except three, quadruple drones that were , struck by drones that were, struck by Iranian Air Defence system that, that thats what happened. You know, there we are seeing, for example, this morning, the announcement that the airspace over airports have been reopened and things like that. So iran is trying to show that from their side. Nothing really happened tonight. And if nothing tonight. And if nothing happened, they dont need to respond , thats the story right respond, thats the story right now. But already during the night between saturday and sunday, we saw iranian officials saying that their strike is the end of the story, meaning they want to close the story. And i think also israel went on on a very thick line , trying on the very thick line, trying on the one hand to respond inside iran to show that israel is responding to these attacks inside the territory of iran. But on the other hand , try to but on the other hand, try to show the world that the response is not a response that will trigger an escalation in the region. That was the request of the americans. That was the the americans. That was the request of the uk foreign minister, who was in israel this week. So i think israel went out on this fake line, did respond in iran , but its not something in iran, but its not something or its not a respond we havent seen before. I mean, were talking about iranian rhetoric and theyre obviously trying to play it down this morning, suggesting that perhaps they dont want to make any response at all. But is there possibility that we there a possibility that we could see a reaction in terms of their proxies in the region, that they could ramp up offences by hezbollah, by, by the houthis, all of those operating in the region . In the region . I must say, first of all, in recent weeks or months, even, we dont need a specific reason for the proxies to increase their attacks on israel. You dont need reason iran doesnt need a reason or iran doesnt need a reason or iran doesnt need show that it been need to show that it has been hurt. So they will increase the response. So i think in this front, we might see something from the iranian proxies much more increased. But again their response is usually is not connected. To things happening connected. To things happening in iran, especially if iran is saying that nothing happened. They sometimes increase their attacks , sometimes they dont. Attacks, sometimes they dont. But its less related, but i think its less related, or at least it wont be publicly related to what we saw tonight in iran. Okay. Amichai stein, really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks very much indeed i well, joining us now is former senior military Intelligence Officer philip ingram. Good to see you this morning , philip. Whats your morning, philip. Whats your assessment of what we saw in the early hours of this morning . Well, its really simple. We dont well, its really simple. We dont enough well, its really simple. We dont enough information to dont have enough information to know you know exactly what happened. You know exactly what happened. You know around know something happened around closed know, closed its airspace, you know, unconfirmed, unnamed unconfirmed, you know, unnamed us spoke to us press us officials spoke to us press outlets saying that there had been an attack. And then we get lots of stuff circulating on social media, some of the videos have seen circulating on social media, there are other circulations saying they were shown yesterday or the day before , suggesting attacks in before, suggesting attacks in southern lebanon. So were in an era of, misinformation and disinformation as people try to speculate what could and could not have happened. Something happened. And we dont know what it is. It is. Its interesting, though, isnt it, that amidst all of this, because it even with speculation that can used as speculation that can be used as an excuse by some states to provoke action, it is interesting that israel is saying nothing. Iran is playing it down significantly as well. I mean, theyre saying some things happened, but they are playing it down. Yeah, of course , you it down. Yeah, of course, you know, and youll find that, you know, and youll find that, you know, in iran , its theyre know, in iran, its theyre still taking time to gather the information together into their Central Communications organisation before they put statements out to know exactly whats happened , even if, whats happened, even if, something happens in the uk with the interconnectivity that weve got, it takes time for that information to filter, for people to understand exactly whats happened. The implications of that, to look at it, to then get proper statements out of governments and rest of it. So and all the rest of it. So thats not something that surprises me at all, israel is going quiet , surprises me at all, israel is going quiet, if it if it going to keep quiet, if it if it is carried out, you know, a significant attack. But, you know, israel has been saying for days that it was going to respond. The extreme right wing element of the Israeli Government was almost forcing netanyahu respond , and, you netanyahu to respond, and, you know, if they if israel, told the United States last night that they were going to attack, that they were going to attack, thatis that they were going to attack, that is something that id expect because it allows expect because it it allows airspace to go on airspace deconfliction to go on so that the us and allied aircraft, including uk aircraft that are flying over syria , are that are flying over syria, are not necessarily surprised by, objects, whether they be fixed wing aircraft or drones flying from israel or pick up unusual activity on radar, thats happening inside iran itself so that pre warning is not something that, is set out to embarrass the United States, United Kingdom and the International Community. Its just standard airspace. Deconfliction, and in terms of this strike, i mean, it is early as you say, theres a lot of confusion. Theres not a lot of clarity about what exactly happenedin clarity about what exactly happened in the early hours this morning. But from what we know so far, this does look a so far, this does look like a very careful, measured armed response by israel. Response by israel. Well, you know, from what were speculating so far, i dont think theres much that we know in, in whats going on in, you know , if i was sitting in a you know, if i was sitting in a military and this military headquarters and this was going on around me, and im sitting intelligence cell sitting in the intelligence cell trying work out whats trying to work out whats happening, id call my happening, and id call it my soak time. Ive got one soak time. And ive got one thing that i go and when that thing that i go and do when that happens, go and put the happens, they go and put the kettle make a cup of tea and kettle on, make a cup of tea and wait information kettle on, make a cup of tea and wait in information kettle on, make a cup of tea and wait in because, rmation kettle on, make a cup of tea and wait in because, rmatoo come in because, its too easy to overspend late and therefore and therefore work out whats going on there. Something has going on there. Something has happened, that almost happened, and that is almost certainly , you know, some form certainly, you know, some form of israeli activity that is israel putting one foot up the next rung of the ladder of escalation. Again, it would be escalation. Again, it would be too easy to speculate that they then lift themselves up and put both feet on it. And if that happens, then theres always the potential, given irans statements iran to do statements for iran to do exactly the same. And thats a very, very dangerous position. Theres been a lot of diplomatic pressure put on israel not to enable that to happen, and therell be an awful lot of diplomatic pressure going on behind with iran behind closed doors with iran not respond. And if israel not to respond. And if israel does something, so were hearing lots of stuff on the surface underneath that. Theres an underneath that. Theres an awful lot of activity going on from a global perspective to try and stop this becoming something that escalates regional war. Okay. Philip ingram, good to see you as always and for talking some sense. Thank you very much indeed. Well, of course this is a developing situation. We will try and seek some clarity for you throughout the program this morning. And of course, well bnng morning. And of course, well bring that to you on breakfast. But for now, Aidan Mcgivern has the weather. Looks like things are heating up. Boxt boilers as sponsors of weather on gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news. Rain clearing the south east today, followed by further showers for many of us accompanied by cool, blustery skies blustery winds. Although skies do brighten later in time for a sunny to the weekend. Sunny start to the weekend. Heres the picture. By mid morning, a lot of cloud on the map. Showers affecting many places, particularly central and eastern areas. Skies, though, do brighten much of central brighten across much of central and western scotland, and then later western parts of the later on western parts of the rest of the uk. We keep the showers going through the midlands, the south east as well, accompanied by a cool and gusty wind. Thats going to make it a little disappointing , it feel a little disappointing, i think with highs of 12 to 15 celsius. Nevertheless, the showers across central areas do fade away into the evening. The skies tend to clear as well and the wind eases as a result. With lengthy clear skies, a lighter wind and temperatures will fall through the night. Such a frost, even as we begin saturday, so gardeners beware there will be some frostiness first thing, but therell be plenty of bright skies as well. Lots of sunshine lifting those temperatures fairly quickly through the morning. So if youre out and about first thing, it will soon warm up and therell be plenty of sunshine until around the afternoon , when the clouds will afternoon, when the clouds will tend to build, particularly for central and northern parts of the country and for the far north of scotland. Were going to see some light outbreaks of rain move in here, making it feel cool elsewhere lighter feel cool elsewhere with lighter winds, feeling pleasant enough, a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Now heres some good news for you this morning. There is still time to grab your chance to win a greek cruise. Travel goodies and £10,000 tax free Cash Bank Balance boost. Yes , thats a bit of yes, thats a bit of a mouthful, isnt it . Heres all the details that you need. Dont miss your chance to win our biggest prize so far. Theres an incredible £10,000 in tax free cash to spend however you like. Plus, courtesy of you like. Plus, courtesy of variety cruises, a bespoke seven night small boat cruise for two worth £10,000 with flights, meals, excursions and drinks included , your next holiday included, your next holiday could be on us. Choose any one of their 2025 greek adventures and find your home at sea. Well also send you packing with these Luxury Travel gifts for another chance to win a prize worth over £20,000. Text win to 63232. Text costs £2 plus one Standard Network rate message or post your name and number two gb04, p. O. Your name and number two gb04, po. Box 8690, derby, dh1 nine, double two, uk. Only entrants must be 18 or over. Lines closed at 5 pm. On the 26th of april. Full terms and Privacy Notice at gbnews. Com win please check the closing time if listening or watching on demand. Good luck. Watching on demand. Good luck. Yes, good luck indeed. Now, still to come, the government vows to crack down on sick note. Britain well tell next. Now the Prime Minister is set to unveil a package of welfare reform measures to tackle britains sick note. Culture which is ironic because theyre not even called sick notes anymore. Fit notes , arent they . Fit notes, arent they . Notes. Why are they called fit notes to say that youre not fit. I drives me mad. Anyway , the governments anyway, the governments claims it has resulted in a significant rise in people being unnecessarily written off work and parked on welfare. Lets talk to our political correspondent, Katherine Forster. So what are they planning . Catherine yes. Good morning, stephen and ellie. Well, they want to reduce the cost fundamentally to all of us. The taxpayer , in all of us. The taxpayer, in sickness and disability benefits , because it is quite eye watering at the moment. Some £69 billion a year. Thats more than the budget for schools or for police. And its currently projected to hit nine, 80 billion by the end of the next parliament. So that is the reason why. And also weve now got some 2. 8 Million People on long term sickness benefit hits. So very, very expensive. The government is very keen to bring that number down. So what they are planning , weve heard from are planning, weve heard from the work and pensions secretary, mel stride this morning. The mel stride this morning. The Prime Minister will be making a speech after 9 00. Is, potentially taking the ability, away from gps to give these fit notes as they call them out. They issued some 11 million last yeah they issued some 11 million last year. If you know you are struggling, you have, sickness , struggling, you have, sickness, illness problems. Go to the doctor, they sign you off work. Doctor, they sign you off work. The Government Point out that the gp has, on average, only 7 or 8 minutes to assess you. The or 8 minutes to assess you. The government are looking into. Bazball actually doing something rather different. So getting a Health Assessment and Work Assessment together and what mel stride calls a one stop shop. Stride calls a one stop shop. And then rather than signing you off work and sort of leaving you to languish on benefits , working to languish on benefits, working out how they may either keep you in work or support you back into work. Theyre very keen to stress the benefits of work to peoples Mental Health, of course, a lot of concerns from charities who feel that the governments messaging that perhaps, Mental Health anxiety, depression, that perhaps it has been over , categorised or , you been over, categorised or, you know, given undue weight, perhaps. So, lets see, i do perhaps. So, lets see, i do think there will be considerable difficulties with this. Its just a consultation at the moment. But given the pressures within the nhs , bringing within the nhs, bringing together work specialists, healthcare professionals, i think will be a challenge. But you can see the thinking, behind it. Another point is , of course, it. Another point is, of course, the huge waiting lists in the nhs for treatment. Theres millions of people waiting to begin treatment. That, of course, is going to have a knock on effect on the ability of people to work. So getting the waiting list down, would benefit the governments welfare bill. But as weve seen, theyre not having a huge amount of luck with that at the moment. Okay, Katherine Forster good to see you this morning. Thank you very much indeed. You very much indeed. All right. Dont go anywhere. Paulis all right. Dont go anywhere. Paul is going to be with paul is going to be back with all the sport and some interesting on the interesting stuff on the marathon, happening right. Should we go through the sport . We should. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Paul coyte is here. Paul coyte is here. Good morning. Good morning. A couple of things to go through. Firstly, football. We better cover briefly, villa. Cover that briefly, aston villa. Good them. Theyre through good for them. Theyre through to semi finals europa to the semi finals of the Europa Conference League. It went to penalties. Martinez their argentinian, argentinian, argentina , argentina. Argentina. Argentina, argentina. Argentina. The argentina character emi martinez emily hand who anyway. Look hes hes, struggling. You know, im struggling. Yeah. Know, im struggling. Yeah. Anyway, i mean, he nearly got he sort of got sort of red card. Well he did, he got two yellow cards, but two yellows dont actually make a red when it to penalty shootout , it comes to a penalty shootout, which seemed to have which nobody seemed to have known of way known about because of the way he little he was reacting to the little crowd. You call the crowd. What would you call the little . The lillians, little crowd . The lillians, lillians, lillians . Anyway lillians, lillians . But anyway , the villans beat the villans. So aston villa came through and won on penalties. So they are through. So well done to them. Not so good liverpool, not so good for liverpool, although they atalanta one although they beat atalanta one nil not good enough nil away. Not good enough because lost three nil at because they lost three nil at home last week. Liverpool are home last week. So liverpool are out Europa League and out of the Europa League and west they got a draw west ham. They got a draw against leverkusen , who against bayer leverkusen, who everybody seems to lose to, and theyre the bundesliga champions. Its a good result for them, but not good enough because they lose three one on aggregate. So there are the europa as well. Now Europa League as well. Now interesting weekend ahead because London Marathon. Interesting weekend ahead becalife London Marathon. Interesting weekend ahead becalif you London Marathon. Interesting weekend ahead becalif you were1don marathon. Interesting weekend ahead becalif you were runningrathon. Interesting weekend ahead becalif you were running the on. Now. If you were running the London Marathon year paul, London Marathon this year paul, yes, possibly be the yes, you could possibly be the oldest it, oldest person ever to run it, which irony, because which would be irony, because you youngest person. You were the youngest person. The youngest person i was the youngest person ever although i did ever to run it. Although i did lie age. Poor hugh lie about my age. Poor hugh is probably annoyed probably really annoyed about this i always seem to this because i always seem to bnng this because i always seem to bring it up and mention it again. The race director, hugh brazier, is speaking to now brazier, is speaking to us now about the weekend. There is hugh. Morning, hugh. Good morning paul. Yes, i know you pulled the wool over our eyes, many years ago, but. Yeah hopefully that wouldnt happen now. It was my fake moustache and beard. I think that made me look beard. I think that made me look 18 instead of actually 17. But the race, actually, i want to talk about this first, because for those that dont know, your dad, chris brazier, legendary runner himself, along with john disley, this back in disley, started this back in 1981. So im thinking, how are were you around this time . And do you remember the first ones . You are too young. I know i was, i was 15 at the time, so you can work out how old i now. I was 15 at the old i am now. I was 15 at the time and he wrote me into it was School Holidays , it was march, School Holidays, it was march, march the 29th. And he wrote me in to sell the train tickets. So i sold 6300 train tickets, to to, all the runners these days, youre youre running number gets you free travel on the, on on the rail network. But in those days, you had to pay £0. 50. Yes, i still still got my ticket. And tell me, though, when did you take over then . Was it written that you were it always written that you were going to be the one that would inherit whole race . Inherit the whole race . No, absolutely far from no, no, absolutely far from it. I was, i was a retailer. It. I, i was, i was a retailer. I had, a built up a chain of specialist running stores. I had 43. I sold those that that chain, and the job advert came up and i applied for it, but, andifs up and i applied for it, but, and its just been an amazing journey. Ive been the race director since. Since 2012. And, you know, the journey that the marathon has gone on in itself, in, in, in getting bigger and, more impactful has just been quite incredible. And the team quite incredible. And the team that put it on are so passionate about it , that put it on are so passionate about it, inspiring people to get active. And it is a day that london comes together. Its a day that the world comes together. And day that the world comes together. And in a world day that the world comes together. And in a world where together. And in a world where where theres so much division, it really is such a force for good. It really is. Its just the most wonderful event, it really is. Its just the most wonderful event , whether most wonderful event, whether youre running in it and whether youre running in it and whether youre actually there spectating. Where we with spectating. Where are we with with hugh . With numbers these days, hugh . Is than ever been . 7 yeah, 7 yeah, were . Yeah, were expecting 7 yeah, were expecting record numbers over 50,000 finishers. So i was told when i started the job, you couldnt have more than 36,000 people on the course. Actually, through through crowd management and some interesting software, we now do a very different start process to what we used to do. And it is the most popular marathon on the planet, over 578,000 people appued planet, over 578,000 people applied last year to get into the event, and that was in a seven day window. So the ballot, the entry system opens tomorrow. So if you start getting inspired and honestly, even if you think you couldnt do a marathon, i promise you you can do the London Marathon. Well, stephen is nodding here and he wants to do the London Marathon next year. And i think its a wonderful thing that that stephen, going to do stephen, youre going to do your first marathon year stephen, youre going to do your fithink marathon year stephen, youre going to do your fithink fantastic. Athon year stephen, youre going to do your fithink fantastic. What year stephen, youre going to do your fithink fantastic. What aboutaar i think fantastic. What about will you your super shoes will you get your super shoes i mentioned. There more mentioned. Are there more finishers ever i guess. Are finishers than ever i guess. Are these making these super shoes making a difference hugh, difference now, hugh, with speeds also times now . Speeds and also with times now . Yeah. But they also make yeah. But they also make a big difference recovery as big difference on recovery as well. Its one of the things well. So its one of the things thats spoken so much. So thats spoken about so much. So you i remember the last you know i remember the last time i did the marathon, which was 2003, my father had died six weeks i thought it weeks before, and i thought it would a good to do. Would be a good thing to do. Hadnt any training. Hadnt done any training. I couldnt down the stairs couldnt walk down the stairs for so the for the next four days. So the super theres much super shoes, theres so much more. Yes, they can make more bouncy. Yes, they can make it go faster, the recovery it go faster, but the recovery is much better. Is so much better. Tell me about texas depher now the world record now shes the world record holder. I now shes the world record holder. I know got now shes the world record holder. I know got three holder. I know youve got three of four greatest female of the four greatest female marathon runners of all time are going to taking part on going to be taking part on sunday. There chances that we sunday. Is there chances that we may see world record may see a new world record because smashed it, didnt because she smashed it, didnt she, in berlin i she, last year in berlin by i think it about two minutes. Think it was about two minutes. Look she absolutely yeah. Look she absolutely did smash got women smash it. Weve got nine women that hours, that have run under two hours, 17 and 30s, and the current womens only world records. This is women running on their own. Is two 1701, which was set by mary keitany on the london course. So we absolutely you know , the weather gods are know, the weather gods are looking good. Its a marathon. Its so difficult to predict. But if there was a prediction, i believe that the womens only world record will go on sunday. Tickets to obviously is the favourite, but honestly, any one of those women is quite capable of those women is quite capable of doing it. Its going to be a fantastic race, very exciting. There going to be and is there going to be a tribute kelvin kiptum, now tribute to kelvin kiptum, now the world mens holder the world record mens holder that was killed in a car crash, wasnt he . Sadly, back in february and also won the race last year. Is there something that youve got planned for him . Absolutely. Kelvin absolutely. I mean, kelvin was only 24 when he was tragically killed in february. In this in this car crash. And, he had you know, he had a very short career. He had won valencia in december 2022, the valencia in december 2022, the valencia marathon , the fastest valencia marathon, the fastest ever debutant. He came to london. He broke Eliud Kipchoge course record and ran the fastest ever Half Marathon in a marathon in the history of the event. And then he went and broke the world record in chicago. So were going to ask the runners to 30s of applause to remember the man, to celebrate the life that he had , celebrate the life that he had, and we know that london will embrace that thought and celebrate his his tragically short life , but a life that had impact. Lovely. And he should have been the olympics, shouldnt he, this year. But we wish the family well and wish everybody well the weekend. I guess well at the weekend. I guess its the time for you its the better time for you now. Works done though, now. All the works done though, isnt all to isnt it . Now were all ready to go isnt it . Now were all ready to 9 isnt it . Now were all ready to go , yeah. Weve got, you go, yeah. Weve still got, you know, registering all know, weve registering all the runners moment, so weve runners at the moment, so weve had weve registered had record. Weve registered record numbers the last two days, so im sure thats going to carry on, but yeah, weve got 10,000 kids in the tcs mini London Marathon tomorrow, so, 10,000 kids is, is an interesting challenge for the team, and, theyre either going to be running one mile or 2. 6 k and theres some of the best runners in the country. Every runners in the country. Every runners in the country. Every runner is getting actually paid. Every child is getting paid £10 by tcs, the to , sponsor, to do by tcs, the to, sponsor, to do the event. And it goes towards the event. And it goes towards the either computer equipment or Sports Equipment at their schools. So its an incredible, event and its sold out. Not surprisingly, in 24 hours. Wow, you have a great weekend. Its always a pleasure. Thanks so much for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Paul, look out for mr stephen who is going to be looking, mr stephen, whos going to be doing the London Marathon next year . The London Marathon next year . No. Are you going . Do you know, i always feel off because hugh is always so obviously about obviously enthusiastic about it. And know lot people are and i know a lot of people are so passionate about the marathon. Think of marathon. I cant think of anything worse. Oh anything worse. On can you . On can you . Okay, fine. Okay, fine. Its the stuff. Its the its the stuff. Its the stuff of nightmares for me. Its the stuff. Its the stu� its nightmares for me. Its the stuff. Its the stu� its tough � nares for me. Its the stuff. Its the stu� its tough , ares for me. Its the stuff. Its the stu� its tough , but. For me. Its the stuff. Its the stu� its tough , but its me. Something. Its the achievement afterwards i just see people crossing the line. I remember my dad saying to me when i crossed the line, he said, son, youre a man now. Youve done a mans job. I burst into tears. Job. And i burst into tears. Yeah. Really . Yeah. Did he really . Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, makes me feel like that. Just thinking about it. Oh thats really sweet. Nice, nice. Nice, nice, nice. And he looked at the and then he looked at the time said, what the what . Time and said, what the what . What do call that . What do you call that . Hours. Youve run boys five hours. Youve run a boys time. Time. Brilliant stuff paul. Thank you. Now do you stay with us. Were going to be going through the papers next with mike buckley and ella whelan. Time to see whats in the papers this morning. With former papers this morning. With former labour adviser mike buckley and the journalist ella toone allen. Good morning to you both, lets kick off with, what may or may not be going on between israel and iran. First and foremost. Ella. Yes. So, theres been a little bit more news come out. Us officials have told cbs news that this did happen , and its been confirmed happen, and its been confirmed that there was a strike. The state broadcaster in iran is very much downplaying reports suggesting saying that theres essentially not been any damage , essentially not been any damage, that theres nothing really much happened and that it could have been could have come internally. Yes. Yes. So from infiltrators. Yeah so from infiltrators. Yeah downplaying the well, it is as yet obviously unconfirmed. We as yet obviously unconfirmed. We havent had a statement from israel. Theres been no, official kind of lid put on this, but iran potentially suggesting that this wasnt what anybody thinks it is, that hasnt stopped a broader response from other countries. So australia coming out and telling, its citizens in israel essentially to leave, and putting out quite a frightened sounding message about the potential for conflict and danger and, and telling australians to get out of there. The us has restricted for , the us has restricted for, travel people working in its embassy, its Embassy Staff in israel for similar reasons, saying that they need to be overly cautious despite, any sort of lack of clarity on what exactly has happened. Thats relatively significant , you relatively significant, you know, its certainly a shift, in terms of approach to how people should be feeling in israel. And there are sort of wider commentary about what any of this sort of this potential for an open war, whether or not iran retaliates in an extreme way or not. But the fact that this has changed to direct conflict between the two nations, what that means for People Living in iran, but also in israel, lots of different people all over the world live there. Yeah. Yeah. Mike, what do you make of it . Mike, what do you make of it . I mean, its of great concern. I mean, the whole the whole situation, mean, whole situation, i mean, particularly obviously between israel, particularly in gaza. I mean, happening mean, thats all still happening. And Israeli Forces are still there. People still there. There are people still dying. Aid is still dying. And enough aid is still not in. We need to not getting in. So we need to not getting in. So we need to not that thats thats not forget that thats thats the but of course, the major thing. But of course, this across the region this widening across the region is of great concern. And this is something that joe biden, for example, and, example, and rishi sunak and, and starmer you know, and keir starmer and, you know, other have all other World Leaders have all been trying put pressure on been trying to put pressure on israel and other nations the israel and other nations in the region we dont get region to say that we dont get to this point. So are now at to this point. So we are now at this direct conflict this point of direct conflict between this point of direct conflict be something that people this point of direct conflict besomething that people have is something that people have been to prevent been trying to prevent and worried and at worried about for years. And at the moment , worried about for years. And at the moment, its all happening at a scale. Iran, at quite a small scale. Iran, particularly seems this morning to be downplaying the impact of the strike from israel and saying, you know, well, there hasnt damage, it hasnt been much damage, but it hasnt been much damage, but it has said we will respond has also said we will respond immediately. They havent responded as we know responded yet. As far as we know. Said that. Iran has also said that continuing israel continuing attacks from israel may make it review its nuclear centre. At the moment, its saying it doesnt have Nuclear Weapons, but seek to weapons, but it may seek to develop Nuclear Weapons and apparently the capability to apparently has the capability to do further do so if it feels further threatened by israel. And of course, something that course, that is something that the us who want to live course, that is something that th the ongoing situation in ukraine and a man has been arrested , for and a man has been arrested, for allegedly, spying and planning a plot to kill president zelenskyy. Yes. So apparently theres an airport in poland just over the border from ukraine, which is used relatively regularly by zelenskyy to travel when he goes overseas rather than flying directly from ukraine. And its also used by western leaders when theyre going to ukraine, they fly there and then they fly in there and then travel by by train car. So travel on by by train or car. So this made himself aware, this person made himself aware, apparently to russian authorities, to the russian secret and said would secret service and said i would be willing to help you kill zelenskyy. Then the russians zelenskyy. And then the russians then him, well, if then said to him, well, what if you could security you could find out security arrangements at airport and arrangements at this airport and find so find out where theyre lax . So thankfully, found out and authorities have found out and theyve him. But theyve now arrested him. But this you know, its this just, you know, its another that goes to show another thing that goes to show just how far the russians will go to win this war. That, of course, puts further pressure on us, puts further pressure on europe and indeed on the us as well , to do everything we well, to do everything we possibly ukraine win possibly can to help ukraine win this war. And of course, the wider context of the minute is that, sadly, the is that, very sadly, the west is not help, not doing enough to help, Ukraine Ukraine is ukraine win this war. Ukraine is constantly to west, constantly saying to the west, we weapons, we need we we need more weapons, we need we need air support, and there is going to be a vote in the us congress this weekend because theyre theyve been for months now delaying on voting on a support deal for ukraine. So hopefully that will go through this weekend, which be this weekend, which could be transformative of la. Transform ative of la. Transformative of la. Do you think the west is doing enough to support ukraine, well, it depends what you mean by support. Obviously, in terms of money, theres the terrible row on in america about row going on in america about whether not, will whether or not, they will continue sending it and the prospect of a trump presidency. Prospect of a trump presidency. He is, i think, probably making a lot of people in ukraine very nervous because its unsure about how republicans will actually but actually respond to that. But its strange to talk about conflicts way and, dont conflicts in this way and, dont get me the wrong way, but i think its been an unfortunate for ukraines cause, in a way. Whats happening in the middle east taken east because its taken attention and, attention away from them. And, you sounds strange, you know, that sounds strange, but is that. No, no, but what i mean is that. No, no, the world focused on, what the world was focused on, what was we were daily reporting news and what was happening in ukraine. And it has taken a back seat. And thats despite the fact that nothing changed, fact that nothing has changed, that hasnt that russian aggression hasnt lessened , that there hasnt, you lessened, that there hasnt, you know, there hasnt been any sort of to that conflict, of resolution to that conflict, as and so in a way, you as we know. And so in a way, you know , highlighting failed plots know, highlighting failed plots like reminds people like this makes reminds people of how live this issue is, of how important it is to still remember that this whats happening ukraine affects the happening in ukraine affects the whole and is whole of the world. And is something we need to keep talking about. Lets move a all right, lets move a little bit closer to home. Should we, for some people, watching and listening. Anyway, this in the guardian this this is in the guardian this morning looking thames water, morning looking at thames water, could be renationalised. The guardian claims the government is looking at that. Yes. Yes. Yes. And you had mel stride on earlier in this program sort of dampening that a little bit, saying no, no, no, theres no official reports. Yeah. Also making assurance, thought making the assurance, i thought i of snickered that i sort of snickered that absolute guarantee that water will out of your will still come out of your taps. You think thats a low bag . Good lord. Good lord. I mean, you about i mean, might cost you about £20 glass. £20 a glass. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. And be full of sewage. But anyway, theres the important point is that if you look, the guardian highlights that back when, thames was was taken out of Public Ownership in 1989, it had zero debt. So and now theres a debt, bill of 15. 6 billion. And you know, we know that its a completely failing organisation, whether its sort of leakages, the issue of sewage, the, you know, constant question of things not working properly, right down to sort of structural issues, something needs to be done about this, taking it into Public Ownership or an arms length Public Ownership isnt going to be the magic solution, because you need to have a strong, functioning, organised to state do that. And we know that we currently do not have that, whether its in relation to rwanda or any other plans, so this is a its a depressing story. I mean, the sort of background why this sort of background to why this has is in part, the has happened is in part, the guardian shareholder guardian highlights shareholder siphoning out billions in dividends it dividends and stripping it basically. And then, you know, basically. And then, you know, the issue that a lot of the thames Water Infrastructure is very, very old. Unrwa repaired doesnt work, is under a lot of stress in terms of, you know, population growth and all the rest of it, but there seems to be no real big plan to deal with what is a basic necessity of life, of having clean, accessible, cheap water. Because lets not forget that the bills keep going up. Thats the problem is with this. Whos going to want to buy it if the infrastructure costs everything are going to be so high, is nationalisation going to be the only way forward despite the fact its going to cost us a whole heap of money . Well, the reports out this morning were talking about the government nationalised then government nationalised and then reprivatized theyve government nationalised and then reprivwith d theyve government nationalised and then reprivwith a theyve government nationalised and then reprivwith a numberzyve government nationalised and then reprivwith a number 0er government nationalised and then reprivwith a number of other done, with a number of other failed privatisations. If failed privatisations. But if that we need that happens, we need, we need as country, the next as a country, the next government needs to think about changing the model, the model we have means that have in the minute means that company, any privatised company, including this one, their their number like any private number one job. Like any private company , is to maximise company, is to maximise shareholder profit. Of course, in pubuc shareholder profit. Of course, in public utility that is in the public utility that is not good. And that is what has led to the fact that theres been little investment in been so little investment in reservoirs maintaining reservoirs or maintaining infrastructure , you know, for infrastructure, you know, for the last 30 years. Billions the last 30 years. So billions has siphoned out in has been siphoned out in profits. Got 15. 6 profits. Theyve got 15. 6 billion which maybe billion in debt, which maybe which obviously be which would obviously be nationalised the company which would obviously be nation go ed the company which would obviously be nation go on the company which would obviously be nation go on to the company which would obviously be nation go on to the re company which would obviously be nation go on to the government would go on to the government balance meanwhile, balance sheet. Meanwhile, prices are havent are going up and they havent been investing in making sure that the water is drinkable available , that sewage doesnt available, that sewage doesnt leak into rivers, etc, etc. Weve now got the almost inevitable problems that weve got. Water system is got. So if the water system is going to stay privatised, we need change in the model so need a change in the model so that its primary is to that its primary purpose is to ensure investment happens ensure that investment happens and get cheap and so that people get cheap water clean water coming out water and clean water coming out of so that goes of their taps. And so that goes where it needs to go, rather than into rivers than than into rivers rather than billion siphoned into billion siphoned off into shareholder youre shareholder profits. But youre right. Then right. I mean, the question then is, going to buy it . Is, well, whos going to buy it . Yeah, yeah, big question, yeah, yeah, a big question, mike, look at brexit mike, should we look at brexit travel, for uk students. Travel, hope for uk students. Thats on the front page of the eye this morning. Yes. So this of course like so this of course looks like its of nowhere. Its come out of nowhere. It hasnt really out hasnt really come out of nowhere obviously brexit nowhere because obviously brexit happened four ago. Freedom happened four years ago. Freedom of you know of movement ended. So you know before travel to before that we could travel to any the eu to live any country in the eu to live and work or study or anything like that. And of course europeans could come here to that it, the since then, that end. It, the since then, the government, our government has recognised that we have a need for inward migration because we have labour shortages and partly because we have an ageing population. So the number of coming into the of immigrants coming into the country, has up. Country, of course, has gone up. Meanwhile, the government has been running around the to been running around the eu to some the more , more, some of the larger, more, more, you western europe, you know, western europe, nafions you know, western europe, nations france, germany, nations like france, germany, spain. Trying to get spain and others. Trying to get a Bespoke Movement deal between our country and their country so that we can meet our inward migration needs from there as well. Countries have well. All those countries have said the uk. They dont said no to the uk. They dont want to do that because what the eu is deal covers eu wants is a deal that covers the whole of the eu and includes all of countries, rather all of those countries, rather than the richer than just some of the richer onesin than just some of the richer ones in west. So this is in ones in the west. So this is in fact our fact a response to our government saying we government going and saying we would some Movement Government going and saying we wouldwith some Movement Government going and saying we wouldwith some some Movement Government going and saying we wouldwith some ofme Movement Government going and saying we wouldwith some of these yvement government going and saying we wouldwith some of these other nt deals with some of these other nations. Deals with some of these other nat everyones mad at the everyones going mad at the migration best part of everyones going mad at the mmillion best part of everyones going mad at the mMillion People best part of everyones going mad at the mMillion People theyast part of everyones going mad at the mMillion People they are. Art of a Million People they are. Because we but thats partly because we have that is have a government that is essentially thing essentially doing one thing while the country, while saying to the country, theyre do something theyre going to do something else. Government knows else. So the government knows full have ageing full well we have an ageing population, which means the proportion of older people who are growing. The are not working is growing. The proportion working proportion of working age country this is country is shrinking. This is just the birth rates just because the birth rates over last, know, or over the last, you know, 60 or 70 years. So theres no way out over the last, you know, 60 or 70 itears. So theres no way out over the last, you know, 60 or 70 it. 3rs. So theres no way out over the last, you know, 60 or 70 it. Now. theres no way out over the last, you know, 60 or 70 it. Now. This res no way out over the last, you know, 60 or 70 it. Now. This iss no way out over the last, you know, 60 or 70 it. Now. This is the way out over the last, you know, 60 or 70 it. Now. This is the reality. |t of it. Now. This is the reality. This is the uk. We need therefore, to import working age people. The society people. Otherwise the society will not function, whether its business or Public Sector services or anything else. So the government knows that theyre running around the planet get people planet trying to get people to come the work. At the come to the uk to work. At the same time, theyre saying to the general public, gosh, immigration thing. Immigration is a terrible thing. We numbers down. We must bring the numbers down. So completely disingenuous so its completely disingenuous justi just think its interesting i just think its interesting that european has that the European Union has always painted as this always painted itself as this lovely internationalist. We lovely pro internationalist. We lovely pro internationalist. We love going all love everyone going anywhere all the lets all mix the time. Lets all mix together, and a lot of the time they stand in the way of any kind of actual internationalist approach. A approach. And there can be a post brexit, internationalist approach, not freedom approach, just not freedom of movement, a particular movement, which was a particular policy with a particular set of strings attached. , ella, mike, thank you okay, ella, mike, thank you both much indeed. Both very much indeed. See you both a we shall see you both a little bit later on. Weve got all the headlines coming up, of course, very shortly as well. Everything thats going this everything thats going on this morning, to morning, were also going to have aidan have the weather with Aidan Mcgivern. Looks like things are heating up. Boxt boilers sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Weather on. Gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news rain clearing the south east today, followed by further showers for many of us by cool, blustery us accompanied by cool, blustery winds. Do winds. Although skies do brighten later in time for a sunny start to the weekend. Heres the picture. By mid morning, lot of cloud on mid morning, a lot of cloud on the map. Showers affecting many places, particularly central and eastern areas. Skies, though, do brighten across much of central and western scotland, and then later on western parts of the rest of the uk. We keep the showers going through the midlands, the south east as well, accompanied cool and well, accompanied by a cool and gusty. Thats going to make gusty wind. Thats going to make it little disappointing, it feel a little disappointing, i with highs of 12 to 15 i think with highs of 12 to 15 celsius. Nevertheless the showers across central areas do fade away into the evening. The fade away into the evening. The skies tend to clear as well and the wind eases as a result, with lengthy clear skies, a lighter wind. Temperatures will fall through the night. Such a frost even as we begin saturday, so gardeners beware there will be some frostiness first thing, but it will be plenty of bright skies as well. Lots of sunshine lifting those temperatures fairly quickly through the morning. So if youre out and about first thing, it will soon warm up and therell be plenty of sunshine until around the afternoon, when the clouds will tend to build, particularly for central and northern parts of the country and for the far north of scotland. Were going north of scotland. Were going to see some light outbreaks of rain moving here, making it feel cool elsewhere, with lighter winds pleasant enough. Winds feeling pleasant enough. A brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on on iran in a retaliatory strike, reports of explosions near a military base in isfahan. The military base in isfahan. The work and pensions secretary, mel stride, spoke to us earlier. I firmly believe that israel has a right to self defence, but at the same time, of course, what we have been impressing upon the Israeli Government is the importance of de escalation. At this point. Meanwhile, Iranian State media downplayed the attack as the news Agency Claims the countrys Nuclear Facilities are completely secure. As a Senior Commander tells them, no damage was done. Well, a Senior Iranian official claims there is no plan for immediate retaliation, despite having warned of a severe and Immediate Response if israel were to attack. Israel were to attack. Western governments tell its citizens to leave israel over fears of a reprisal attack. Fears of a reprisal attack. Also today, the Prime Minister pledges to end the sick note culture in britain. Note culture in britain. Yes, 2. 8 Million People are claiming long term sickness and disability benefits. Its costing the government the taxpayer an absolute fortune. Taxpayer an absolute fortune. Now there is a crackdown coming. The government says its going to save money. Charities and some Health Professionals thinking its going too far. Ill bring you the details shortly. Well, in the sport, this morning, Emmy Martinezs antics and goal see aston villa go through on a penalty shoot out to the Europa Conference League semi final as liverpool and west ham go out of the Europa League. Ham go out of the Europa League. Emma raducanu is playing great injury free tennis and well be heading to paris with less than 100 days to the olympic games. Its going to be a sunny start to the weekend for many of us as higher pressure finally arrives. But before we get there, today is another day of bright spells and showers. Ill have the full details in the forecast coming up shortly. Forecast coming up shortly. Good morning to you. Good morning to you. Stephen dixon and im im Stephen Dixon and im Ellie Costello, is Ellie Costello, and this is breakfast on. Gb news. Breakfast on. Gb news. All right. Lots to crack on with this morning, all right. Lots to crack on with this morning , because with this morning, because israel has reportedly launched an attack on iran overnight in a retaliatory strike. Reports of explosions near a military base in isfahan. At least thats according to us officials. Well, Iranian State media have been quick to downplay the situation, claiming that their air Defence Systems were able to destroy three drones in the centre of the country. Well, were yet to hear from israeli officials about the attack. No one has said they carried it out well. Meanwhile , the australian meanwhile, the Australian Government has urged its citizens to leave israel over fears of a revenge attack. Earlier we spoke to the work and pensions secretary, mel stride, who admitted that the key issue here is de escalation is clearly an emerging story, so we dont know the full facts at this stage. And israel has yet to confirm action or otherwise. Look, id make a few points here. I think one is that we firmly believe that israel has a right to self defence. But at the same time, of course, what we have been impressing upon the Israeli Government is the importance of de escalation at this point. So whilst we dont know the details at the moment, my hope is that whatever has happened is of a nature where de escalation can now be the way forward. And of course we can continue then to focus on the diplomatic work that we and others are doing to ensure that we get humanitarian aid into gaza. Aid into gaza. Well, our security editor, mark white, joins us now. Mark, this is a developing story. Bnng this is a developing story. Bring us up to date. Well, of course, the g7 Foreign Ministers are meeting in italy today so we can expect some comments from those Foreign Ministers , from the likes of ministers, from the likes of lord cameron, whos a crosshair for the uk , antony blinken, the for the uk, antony blinken, the us secretary of state. We were told, will make comments at some point this morning. Youre right point this morning. Youre right to say no official confirmation as yet from israel, although us media are reporting that they had heard from official sources in the white house that israel had told the Us Government prior to launching these apparently limited strikes , that they were limited strikes, that they were about to do that, and i say apparently limited. We just apparently limited. We just dont have much information on what has been targeted and how much potential damage has been caused. Iran has been saying this morning that its air Defence Systems dealt with whatever this threat was, and it took down three drones that they say were launched from infiltrators within iran itself. Infiltrators within iran itself. And certainly i think it would be unusual in the extreme if israel launched drones from a thousand miles away in israel towards iran. Slow moving towards iran. Slow moving drones, which could be easily taken out by any air defence system. Much more likely that this was a missile strike launched by israel , either from launched by israel, either from israel or indeed perhaps from aircraft. Further towards iran. We have been told as well from a syrian official, media sources as saying that air Defence Systems and radar sites in syria were attacked overnight by israeli fighter aircraft. So another angle to this. But whats unknown at this stage really is, as i say, the damage, of course, of what sites around isfahan, which is in central iran, were targeted. There are reports of other explosions, perhaps in a city in northwest eastern iran, but that is not confirmed as yet. And the other thing we dont really know at this stage is whether this was intended to be limited to this action and this action only within iran. And anything within iran. And anything further that israel does, perhaps, is being carried out against proxies or other targets that are outside iran and may be conducted in a more slower time approach by israel , conducted in a more slower time approach by israel, or conducted in a more slower time approach by israel , or whether approach by israel, or whether perhaps this is the first phase of what israel may be planning that will only really become clear in the hours and days ahead. As i say, the government in israel has not even confirmed that theyve carried out any strikes as yet. Strikes as yet. Okay, mark, thanks very much indeed. Well, lets talk to the former Armed Forces Minister, mark francois, who joins us now. Are you Still Holding your breath on this, or do you think israel has listened to the likes of David Cameron and showed significant restraint here . Well , it details are still emerging. Your correspondent has just said so at until we get more detail, its difficult to know exactly what were dealing with here. So, parliament doesnt usually sit on a friday except a number of days when we focus on private members bills. And the private members bills. And the house is sitting today. Private members bills. And the house is sitting today. So as house is sitting today. So as im a member of the house of Commons Defence Committee , i, Commons Defence Committee, i, for one, think its important that because under parliamentary rules, the government can make a statement in the house at any time when the house is sitting is that we interrupt business this morning important though it is. My friend anna firth has got a private members bill to try and combat pet theft. Im actually going into support her this morning, but i think the government should interrupt business this morning and make a statement in the house of commons to Tell Parliament everything we do know about what has happened and that will allow mps to question the government. Minister on what has happened. Minister on what has happened. And of course, i assume the government priority is going to be de escalation. Be de escalation. Yes. Yes. I think its, i think thats something we would all like to see. But although i would just make the point that when for instance, President Biden calls on the israelis to de escalate, you know, if someone was trying to rain down missiles and drones on washington or new york or chicago, if they were on the receiving end of it, you know , receiving end of it, you know, how keen would they be to de escalate . So i think we have to, look at the reality of the situation. Its now very situation. Its now very apparent from intelligence reports that iran was behind the hamas attack. They put them up to it in order to try and prevent the saudis signing something called the abraham accords, which was a sort of peace deal with israel, if you like, to improve relations in the region. So we now know that the region. So we now know that iran were the culprits in that we know that iran have been using their proxies, the houthis, to fire, missiles at shipping, including british shipping. We know that iran finance hamas. We know that iran finance hamas. We know that iran finance and train them and the hezbollah. So thats the context that we are dealing with. And i think we need to be clear eyed about it. And i think we also want to ask the government why, oh, why have we still not prescribed the Iranian Revolutionary guard corps as a terrorist organisation . So there terrorist organisation . So there are a number of questions to be asked today in parliament. So i think its very, very important that the government offers a statement and shares whatever information they do have with the house of commons and via the commons with the nation. Whats your assessment of why weve not had any confirmation from israel on this yet, weve not had any confirmation from israel on this yet , there from israel on this yet, there may be some intelligence reasons for that, i dont want to speculate further. What we dont speculate further. What we dont know is whether this is , a know is whether this is, a single strike or whether its the precursor to further strikes. Im sure, as you mentioned, youve got the, the Foreign Ministers meeting today. Im sure israel will come under immense pressure to make some kind of announcement and to explain to the world what its intentions are , particularly intentions are, particularly whether or not there is likely to be further action. So were all slightly in the dark at the moment. No pun intended, because it was an overnight strike, all the more reason. Again, i think that ministers must come to the house of commons this morning and tell us what they do know. And tell us what they do know. And if that does happen, im sure it will raised in the sure it will be raised in the house with this escalating situation the east, situation in the middle east, will you be raising the topic of defence spending again, sitting at 2. 3 gdp . Should we be at 2. 3 of gdp . Should we be spending more . Well, well, i and my colleagues on the committee have consistently for years argued that we should be spending at least 3 of our gdp on defence, that if you like , has been the that if you like, has been the committees policy for want of a better word, going back to previous chairmen like doctor juuan previous chairmen like doctor julian lewis, he his slogan was three to keep us free. So we have been and remember were a were an all party committee. We have mps from four parties. So its not a partisan point in in any way. But look, we have , any way. But look, we have, russia has invaded ukraine, china is making increasingly sulphurous threats towards tyre one, as i just said, weve got now this situation in the middle east. Yes, of course we should increase our defence spending. Increase our defence spending. And one of the things we should spend the extra money on is a is a air defence system for the United Kingdom. We dont have anything comparable to the israeli iron dome system. We have the technology to build it, but we dont have the money. And this is something the committee has taken evidence on in recent months. We were told that the mod went to number 10, asked for the money for such a system and were turned down, which we regret. So of course we should regret. So of course we should increase our defence spending. The first duty of government above all others is to the defence of the realm. And i say that not just as a former Armed Forces Minister or a former ta officer in the cold war many years ago, but i say that as the son of a d day veteran , good to son of a d day veteran, good to see you this morning. Thank you very much for your time, the idea of an iron dome system for the uk. Do we really need one . I dont know, ive never thought of that in the past. Its slightly worrying if people are thinking. We do require that sort of protection, lets talk to former uk ambassador to the United Nations and security adviser to and National Security adviser to the Prime Minister, sir mark lyall grant. Sir mark, we appreciate your time this morning. Its very its very difficult to see quite or work out quite what has gone on here. It almost seems like a bit of a shadow war going on in a sense, almost a shot across the bows. If israel indeed was behind this. But from what youve seen, whats your assessment . Whats your assessment . Well, from what ive seen, and as you rightly say, a lot is still unclear, i think it was an israeli strike, the fact that they havent announced it publicly is Standard Operating Procedure for israel. They still havent announced that they were behind the attack. That destroyed the iranian consulate in damascus on the 1st of april. So that is not a surprise. But i so that is not a surprise. But i think we can take a little bit of encouragement today from the fact that this was a very limited , israeli strike, given limited, israeli strike, given that the extent of the military capability that they have, they could have launched a much wider strike against iran , so it is strike against iran, so it is more limited. And the fact that iran has responded by downplaying it very much, saying that they shot down, missiles or drones that were incoming , drones that were incoming, theres been no damage on the ground. Does suggest that it might be possible to draw on a line under this particular phase of the for tat between israel and iran. What do you make of that, of that shift in rhetoric . Because it has been very, very quick, hasnt it . It was only a day ago when iran was warning that any response to israel would be immediate and at maximum level. But then were heanng maximum level. But then were hearing in last hour or so that there are no plans for immediate retaliation. Retaliation. Well, iran does not want a full scale war with israel, let alone, of course, the United States. So im not surprised that they are downplaying this despite the fiery rhetoric beforehand , the rhetoric beforehand, the rhetoric initially was designed to deter israel from any attack, but as theyve seen, that this attack has come, that it hasnt caused a great deal of damage. They will want to draw the line under this particular phase , because this particular phase, because they do not want to get into a direct war with the with israel. They are much happier working through proxies like hezbollah in lebanon, like the houthis in yemen, for example. So i would not expect iran to respond to this, provided that israel is not preparing a bigger and further attack. I mean, this is going to be the issue for, for israel, for netanyahu in all of this. I mean, someone you know , who is, mean, someone you know, who is, you know, pretty far to the right. It has to be said hes pretty much a hawk when it comes to these sort of things. And yet, one of his ministers, ben gvir , has tweeted this ben gvir, has tweeted this morning just saying feeble. Well we can the conclusion you draw from this is that hes not very impressed with with what is being carried out there is going to be internal pressure in israel to do more , isnt there . Israel to do more, isnt there . Well, i think there certainly will be, but i think we should also give a little bit of credit to the american and british governments at this point, because they been saying to because they have been saying to israel very clearly, yes, you have a right to respond. Were not saying you shouldnt, but it in anything you do, please make sure it isnt escalates. And it sure it isnt escalates. And it does appear that netanyahu so far at least, has listened to that advice. But youre right, he will come under pressure from hardliners in his own war cabinet and more widely, to do a lot more , more than what appears lot more, more than what appears to be just a sort of sighting shot , to be just a sort of sighting shot, against isfahan, it to be just a sort of sighting shot , against isfahan, it looks shot, against isfahan, it looks as though, so far from what we understand, that israel has heeded the advice of joe biden and been measured in their response. We understand that they had told the us about this strike, reportedly the us were furious that they werent told about the damascus strike. But the us will want to be careful, wont it, because it doesnt want to be seen to be implicated in all of this . In all of this . Yes. I mean, President Biden was very clear, right from the start that if there was an israeli response, it wouldnt be with american support, yes. They with american support, yes. They will offer israel support if israel is attacked , but they israel is attacked, but they will not participate in or give any support to, Israeli Offensive military action, and thats what weve seen because the last thing joe biden wants is for america to be dragged into a wider middle east conflict. The person whos most conflict. The person whos most sort of comfortable, in a way, with the present situation is Benjamin Netanyahu himself. Benjamin netanyahu himself. Because lets not forget that ever since the attack last weekend by iran against israel, the focus has come off, gaza. Whats happening in gaza that the americans have been bound in very publicly to the support of the defence of israel and israels defensive capabilities have been shown to be very impressive because the iranian attack against israel was a lot more significant than this latest Israel Attack against iran. And yet it still caused very little damage in israel. Very little damage in israel. Okay, can i just ask you to explain something to us as our former ambassador to the united nafions former ambassador to the United Nations , you understand these nations, you understand these these relationships better than most of us. Every every now and then, when we discuss whats going on with iran and iran funding these proxy groups and all the rest of it, we then hear that, well, irans closest friend is russia. Do we do we think that the relationship between russia and iran is Strong Enough that perhaps some of this is i mean, would you think some of this is being orchestrated from moscow, or is that conspiracy . That conspiracy . No, i think that is conspiracy , iranian russian conspiracy, iranian russian relations have traditionally not been all that close, but they have become a lot closer since the russian invasion of ukraine because iran has provided a lot of attack drones to russia, which are being used against, ukraine. So in the last two years, relations between russia and iran have become a lot closer. But no, i do not and iran have become a lot closer. But no, i do not think that moscow wants to get involved. It has enough on its involved. It has enough on its hands, in the war in ukraine, they certainly dont want to get directly involved in any middle east conflict at this stage. Okay. So, marc, really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks very much indeed. Thank morning. Thanks very much indeed. Thank you. This is a developing situation. Well keep you across all of the details on breakfast this morning. But for now Aidan Mcgivern has the weather. That warm feeling inside from boxt boilers, sponsors of weather on gb news news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news. Rain clearing the south east today followed by further showers for many of us, accompanied by cool blustery winds. Although skies blustery winds. Although skies do brighten later time for do brighten later in time for a sunny start to the weekend. Heres the picture by mid morning , a lot of cloud on mid morning, a lot of cloud on the map. Showers affecting many places, particularly central and eastern areas. Skies, though, do brighten across much of central and western scotland, and then later on, western parts of the rest of the uk. We keep the showers going through the midlands, the south east as well, accompanied by a cool and gusty wind thats going to make it little disappointing, it feel a little disappointing, i with highs of 12 to 15 i think with highs of 12 to 15 celsius. Nevertheless, the showers across central areas do fade away into the evening. The skies tend to clear as well and the wind eases as a result, with lengthy clear skies, a lighter wind temperatures will fall through the night. Such a frost even as we begin saturday. So gardeners beware there will be some frostiness first thing, but therell be plenty of bright skies as well. Lots of sunshine lifting those temperatures fairly quickly through the morning. So if youre out and about first thing, it will soon warm up and therell be plenty of sunshine until around the afternoon, when the clouds will tend to build, particularly for central and northern parts of the country and for the far north of scotland. Were going to see some light outbreaks of rain moving here, making it feel cool elsewhere with lighter winds feeling pleasant enough, a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Now there is some good news. Theres still plenty of time to grab your chance to win a greek cruise, travel goodies and a £10,000 tax free Cash Bank Balance boost. Wow heres all balance boost. Wow heres all the details that you need. Dont miss your chance to win our biggest prize so far. Theres an incredible £10,000 in tax free cash to spend however you like. Plus, courtesy of variety cruises , is a bespoke variety cruises, is a bespoke seven night small boat cruise for two worth £10,000, with flights, meals, excursions and dnnks flights, meals, excursions and drinks included on your next houday drinks included on your next holiday could be on us. Choose any one of their 2025 greek adventures and find your home at sea. Well also send you packing with these Luxury Travel gifts for another chance to win a prize worth over £20,000. Text win to 63232. Text cost £2 plus one Standard Network rate message , or post your name and message, or post your name and number to gb04, po box 8690. Derby dh1 nine two. Uk only entrants must be 18 or over. Lines closed at 5 pm. On the 26th of april. Full terms and Privacy Notice at gbnews. Com win please check the closing time if listening or watching on demand. Listening or watching on demand. Good luck. Good luck. Ill be glad when that ones oven ill be glad when that ones over. Its the music because the music sets her off. She sits there dancing, shaking it feels like youre already abroad in greece. Yeah , itd be nice. That yeah, itd be nice. That would be nice, wouldnt it . Love a Summer Holiday . Love a Summer Holiday . Feel like we need a holiday anyway . Maybe one day, maybe one day, anyway, still to come, the government is vowing to crack down on sick note. Britain will tell you more in a couple of minutes now the Prime Minister is going to unveil a package of welfare reform measures. He wants to tackle what hes calling britains sick note culture. Yes the government claim it has resulted in a significant rise in people being unnecessarily written off work and parked on welfare. Well, earlier we spoke welfare. Well, earlier we spoke to work and pensions secretary mel stride. Mel stride. At the moment is that we have a growing number of people going on to long term sickness benefits. There are 2. 8 Million People on those benefits at the moment. We know that a reasonable proportion of those people, for example, want to work. And what im all about is making sure that that journey making sure that in that journey that sometimes people are taking from through a fit note, from work through a fit note, then into longer terms sickness benefits that at each stage of that journey we do whatever we can to support people into work. Can to support people into work. Lets talk to our political correspondent, Katherine Forster whos in westminster for us this morning. So your doctor wont be able to write you a sick note or able to write you a sick note or a fit note that theyre called for some completely unknown reason, but instead youll be sent off to see a work coach. Sent off to see a work coach. Yes. Well, thats the plan. Yes. Well, thats the plan. And well be hearing more from the Prime Minister in the next hour or so. But basically, the government are incredibly worried about the big rise in the number of people off on long term sick stands at the moment. At 2. 8 million. Thats up some 700,000 since before the pandemic. And its horrifically expensive for the government and ultimately for taxpayers. And ultimately for taxpayers. And some £69 billion a year once you include the cost of benefits and also the housing costs associated with that. And thats projected to rise to 90 billion by the end of the next parliament. So they need to do something. And now rishi sunak something. And now rishi sunak is going to say today that the focus needs to be the default, becomes what work you can do, not what work you cant because the 11 million fit notes issued last year, 94 of those basically said that the person wasnt able to do any work at all. Now the government wants people to be working if they possibly can. Says its for good their Mental Health as well. So their Mental Health as well. So the plan, it seems , is the plan, it seems, is potentially to strip the gp of the power to sign people off sick. Theyre proposing instead something that, mel stride, the work and pensions secretary, is calling work. Well, basically bringing together medical professional with people from the benefits team and working out together to, how they can keep them in work if possible , keep them in work if possible, give them the support they need now , thats all very well. Now, thats all very well. I think that will be huge. Hugely think that will be huge. Hugely challenging, though. Obviously the need for this is clear, but given the pressures within the nhs, given the shortage of doctors, given the waiting lists , its, i think it will be quite difficult for them to get this up and running. And of course, theyre already coming in for a lot of criticism, because rishi sunakis lot of criticism, because rishi sunak is expected to say that, you know, theres a risk of over medicalising the every day challenges and worries of life because, a lot of the claims now are related to Mental Health anxiety and depression. Charities very, very worried about people being effectively vilified and not supported. So this is a very difficult nettle for the government to grasp, one that they feel they must grasp, i think its going to be very challenging for them. Yeah, challenging and controversial, as you say , controversial, as you say, especially with those Mental Health charities. Katherine forster live for us in westminster. Thank you very much indeed. And well hear more from the Prime Minister, wont we, in the Prime Minister, wont we, in the next hour so on those the next hour or so on those plans. Do let us know what you think of them as well. Gbnews. Com yoursay coming up in just paul coyte just a few minutes, paul coyte is to have all the sport is going to have all the sport for you this morning. Hes looking to the and hes looking ahead to the olympics just 100 days. Falls here with all your sport. Good morning, good morning. Morning. Or should i say. Bonjour. Bonjour. Bonjour. Bonjour. Lille. Were beaten by aston villa , yesterday. Last by aston villa, yesterday. Last night in the conference league, the Europa Conference League. You know, it was. It was two one up to aston villa heading over to france. And then lille won two one. And then basically it went on went to penalties. Emmy martinez, whos a bit of a handful argentinian goalkeeper who was i know his antics and it tries to put everybody off. He got a second yellow card during the penalty shootout, which everybody would think thats being a sending off, but apparently you i didnt even know this. And most sports people didnt know that. Two people didnt know that. Two yellow when it gets a yellow cards. When it gets to a penalty shootout, dont get penalty shootout, you dont get sent well be banned sent off. So well be banned from the semi final. But Aston Villa Liverpool are from the semi final. But aston vill of liverpool are from the semi final. But aston vill of the liverpool are from the semi final. But aston vill of the europa,. Iverpool are from the semi final. But aston vill of the europa,. Iverp beat re out of the europa, they beat atalanta in italy yesterday but it wasnt enough. They won one nil. They needed to win by at least three and west ham drew one one with bayer leverkusen, who ellie won the, the league. The bundesliga. Yes, yes, theyve been doing very well. Theyve been doing very well. They have been doing very well. Yes, yes, yes. So yeah. So theyre three and tell you who else has been doing very well, Emma Raducanu Emma Raducanu. On the up. Well, Emma Raducanu emma rachu1u. On the up. Well, Emma Raducanu emma rachu know on the up. Well, Emma Raducanu emma rachu know what the up. Well, Emma Raducanu emma rachu know what we up. Well, Emma Raducanu emma rachu know what we ive always you know what we ive always tried avoid having a at tried to avoid having a go at Emma Raducanu its, its Emma Raducanu because its, its very to knock radacanu very easy to knock radacanu after she won the open after she won the us open because she hasnt much because she hasnt had much luck. Shes injuries. Its luck. Shes had injuries. Its been just hasnt worked been just it just hasnt worked out her, but playing in the out for her, but playing in the stuttgart there she is stuttgart open, there she is playing clay. Very good. She playing on clay. Very good. She beat linda noskova, she beat her very soundly , actually. Six very soundly, actually. Six love. Seven. Five. She plays the world number one iga swiatek in stuttgart later this afternoon at 4 00. So that will be a true test. It will. How . Well, shes really doing well fingers crossed. Lets hope so. Yeah and i thought it might be nice. And its the 100 days. Oh no no no. Rewind rewind. Rewind rewind. Leave it because i had a perfect question. Ready for you. Oh did you. I was going to say combien de jour varne le jour olympique de paris suella bridge davignon pont davignon. Davignon sur le pont davignon. Yes, yes. Which is 100 100 days. Well, its actually were 97 now. Oh. Which is. Oh, now were now. Oh. Which is. Oh, now were struggling. I dont know, lets have a chat. My, my favourite french journalist works for lequipe and hes a legend when it comes to sports journalism. It comes to sports journalism. And his name is eric beldiman. And his name is eric beldiman. And hes in paris, right now. Hi, eric. Hi, paula. Good to speak to you. Were you impressed by the french . We were speaking there. Its Getting Better every day, isnt it . Before the olympics. Isnt it . Before the olympics. Yeah, yeah. I am impressed that, you know, its 1970 days that, you know, its 1970 days that you had the proper answer and that you know everything about the avignon bridge. So you are. I knew youd be the guy that we would have on. Listen before we would have on. Listen before we get on to some other stuff, but but with the paris olympics, how does everybody in paris feel about this . Because i remember how it was back in 2012, just before the olympics began , and before the olympics began, and there was kind of an opposition and people were going, oh, i dont its a good idea. Dont think its a good idea. And then everybody bought into it and everybody loved it. Whats over in paris at whats the view over in paris at the moment, know, in paris the moment, you know, in paris for, lets say, ten years . The city is, is a chaos in terms of the, of the, the, the transformation of the city itself. So, the olympics game have had it cows to cows in terms of transportation about, all the duties, all, all, all over the cities. But behind that, there is a big hope, that everything will be ready on time and at the moment it looks like it is in terms of, the stadium facilities, lets say look at the eiffel tower close to the eiffel tower. There is new stadium, 13,000 emerging for, some, some sports around them. And this is on time and on that side, we are quite optimistic. Are you going to welcome. We know what a friendly people the parisians are. Are you going to welcome us with open arms as we head over there . Eric you know, most of the parisians, they will escape from, from paris. Is that right . Is that right . Are they going to much of us, we know we know that, in a city, usually olympic games, makes, the, the life very complicated for the people. We have been for the people. We have been saved, by the french government , saved, by the french government, do tv, do tv job more than , do tv, do tv job more than, going, to, to where you have your allegedly , supposed to go your allegedly, supposed to go to work. So for most of the people who are allowed to work from their home, they will do it. And on my side, i will fly 5000km away from paris , on the 5000km away from paris, on the early stage of the olympics, youll obviously be right in the middle of it, though. I mean, eric will be in the middle of it. Youve covered world cups, havent you . And rugby world cup, but i and rugby world cup, but i know and racing for racing and everything. But for you, centre there at le you, in the centre there at le keep and being a sports journalist as you are, this must be ultimate for you though, be the ultimate for you though, eric. Right . Be the ultimate for you though, ericiteight . Be the ultimate for you though, ericit is. Tl . Be the ultimate for you though, ericit is. It be the ultimate for you though, ericit is. It is the ultimate for it is. It is the ultimate for i work on formula one. So thats why im travelling the why im travelling all over the world, and not following the olympics, but i do olympics, on stage. But i do follow up, what we what we are preparing about this event. We have just published a special edition , 100 have just published a special edition ,100 pages of nick gibb edition, 100 pages of nick gibb for the 100 days before the olympics. This is a huge event. And the newspaper, we have more than six, 30 journalists just, having credential to work on on this olympics, this is the event of the century for us as a as a french media and french and french, sports, backing , fans. French, sports, backing, fans. Thats thats obvious. But, behind that, we cant compare olympics to a world cup. I think the world cup in 1998, when we did organise it, there was something in the air, i would say like something magic. So far, its a bit of, being a bit cautious about. Oh, it will cautious about. Oh, it will work, look, its going to be great for, for paris, though, isnt it . Just generally speaking, eric. I mean, i know its a its a city that struggles to get tourists to come along. So finally , come along. So finally, something to go for, you know , something to go for, you know, you will have some good food, you will have some good food, you will have some, some good weather because we do believe it will be very hot summer, we do believe that in terms of security, everything is done, to make it, to make it safe. Paris is a brilliant city, we do live in it, so we dont realise it. When i come to london, i think this is the very best city in the world. I feel like to be a houday the world. I feel like to be a holiday man in in london. And i always, feel upset when i am in paris. But you will be our guest, and im sure you will enjoy, the funny side of paris and the dreamland that paris can be on a certain extent. So, please come and enjoy. And i will, i will watch it for from afar. But im sure i will be very jealous that you will be on stage at this time. Eric, we wish you well. And you know i love paris. I love the olympics, and i have a feeling that this could be the second greatest olympics theres ever been. So best of luck and ever been. So best of luck and we forward to speaking to we look forward to speaking to you again soon. You take you again soon. Eric, you take care , cheers. Care, cheers. Repealed. I mean, hes great, isnt he . Yeah very good. Hes not really french, by the way. Jim hackney. Oh, no, it puts it off. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Talking about antoine de caunes. Yes, about antoine de caunes. Yes, yes. From eurotrash. Yes. My father was convinced he wasnt actually french. Yes, yes. Just putting that voice on. Yeah. Thats nice. Brilliant. I love paris in the springtime and. Well, i was there not long ago. Wasnt my for my half century. But youre. But youve noficed but youre. But youve noticed it, havent you . You can see across paris how everything is around the olympics, isnt it . Signs everything. You know that the olympics are going to go on there. Itll be fantastic. I think it will be fantastic. You were out of port. Out of time . Yes youve got one more thing to say, havent you . Plaisir to the two of i do, plaisir to the two of us, sir martin. Paul buffon, croissant tout le monde. Grand buffon. Le monde. Grand buffon. What does that mean . What does that mean . Oh, hes just making up words about hair, basically. And croissants and croissants. Yeah. Very good, very good. Very good, very good. Revoir. Au revoir. Au revoir. Paul. Thanks, paul. Thanks, paul. Merci beaucoup. Yeah merci beaucoup. Yeah we need to get into the. We need to get into the swing of all this ahead the olympics, all this ahead of the olympics, dont we . Yes do. Yes. Dont we . Its do. Yes. Dont we . Its beautiful language. Its a beautiful language. Its a beautiful language. Is very good when it spoke it is very good when it spoke properly. Yeah, yeah. So none of us, not by us. No, no. No, no. No, no. Now, do you stay with us . Now, do you stay with us . Be going were going to be going through papers next. Ella through the papers next. Ella whelan buckley. Welcome back. The time. Its welcome back. The time. Its 847. And joining us to go through the papers this morning is former labour adviser mike buckley and journalist and author whelan. Good to see author ella whelan. Good to see you both this morning, should we just touch upon the israel iran situation and your thoughts so far from what we understand is happening . Yes. So, i mean, we understand that at the moment, theres been no official statement from israel. Theres well, both israel. Theres been, well, both the and the israel and the israel and the israel and the israel and the israel and the pentagon are refusing to make any statements at this point, us officials have told cbs news that there has been, an attack that there iran says that three, missiles were drones were intercepted. Theres no perceivable damage in isfahan, where the isfahan province where the attacks allegedly happened. Iran has downplaying this quite heavily and even suggesting that there is the potential that it wasnt israel, that it was some other, people taking action, infiltrate fighters is the word thats being thrown around. So we really dont know what we do know is that iran is saying its unlikely there will be any retaliation. So the so anyone thats telling you world war iii or anything like that, dont listen to them. But that doesnt mean hasnt mean that this hasnt been significant. Strikes significant. Its direct strikes between that have between two nations that have previously , through previously acted, through proxies. So we sort of are just waiting to hear what the official line comes out with, official line comes outwith, particularly from israel. Yeah. All right. Yeah. All right. Thats park that one well thats park that one there in much on it this there in so much on it this morning. And mike can we have a look at the i this morning ofcom. I dont know why it falls under the auspices of ofcom but theyre concerned about the number of 5 to 7 year olds whove got smartphones. They are. So thats gone up to nearly a quarter of 5 to 7 year olds. Now with smartphones, many of them accessing things like whatsapp and things and tiktok. Shes crazy things like it is completely crazy. Three and four year olds as well on smartphones and on tablets as well. I mean, you can imagine sticking 3 or 4 year olds in front of a tablet and putting them in front well, thats them in front of, well, thats one thats different to one thing thats different to them. A smartphone, being them. Having a smartphone, being on social media. Mean, what on social media. I mean, what are being on social are they doing being on social media age . Media at that age . Well, no need for it. Well, i have no need for it. Well, i have no need for it. Its completely understandable that ofcom and its completely under� others le that ofcom and its completely under� others are hat ofcom and its completely under� others are concerned and many others are concerned about this. Is this this. And i think this is this is an ongoing debate. What is now an ongoing debate. What needs to be done to regulate smartphone access by by all children of up to children up to the age of up to the of and i was reading the age of 17. And i was reading about this earlier, and i think about this earlier, and i think a third of children aged between 5 and 17 said said theyd seen something them something that made them concerned frightened concerned and or frightened or something know, something unpleasant. You know, on some other on a smartphone or some other kind device. And obviously kind of device. And obviously this be affecting this is going to be affecting their Mental Health, its going to them and to affect them growing. And there have been studies out, theres by an american theres been one by an american researcher haidt researcher called Jonathan Haidt that influencing researcher called Jonathan Haidt thatgovernment. Influencing researcher called Jonathan Haidt thatgovernment. You luencing researcher called Jonathan Haidt thatgovernment. You luencirjust the government. You know, just indicating just impact that indicating just the impact that this childrens this has on Childrens Development their Mental Development and on their Mental Health, which of course, health, which is, of course, something should concern. Something that should concern. Were. Lucy i mean, were. Lucy Lucy Beresford on yesterday was beresford on yesterday she was talking the way that talking about the way that studies in effect is studies show, in effect is rewiring brain of young rewiring the brain of young people as, as a, as a young mom. Ella does it. Thank you for the young baby, the look, i dont think i think most sensible people know that if youre sticking a kid at a very young age in front of things that arent kid appropriate, like social media apps and things like that, theres the potential for to go wrong. But i for it to go wrong. But i actually think this phones actually think this anti phones thing has gotten into moral panic territory. Jonathan heights book on, which basically says that its phones are killing kids. Its thats a crude sort of summary of it, but basically it is that extreme and i think is doing quite serious damage to the concept of parental authority. And the government is suggesting banning phones for under 16 seconds. That is a that is an infringement into private family life and parental decisions that i completely reject. I think that we give a huge amount of power to these things. Phones when in actual fact, whats going on is much more complicated. The right, for example, the rise in child Mental Health issues is something thats really worth unpicking because you have an increase in reporting in things like anxiety or things like alleged adhd diagnoses, which, you know , are the theyre worth you know, are the theyre worth unpicking. Theres the potential there that its what seems to be happening, which is lots of kids are getting sick because of access to phones isnt necessarily true. So i would necessarily true. So i would just pour a huge amount of sort of scepticism on this. Im not convinced that this is the sort of new terror against kids that we that we seem to be thinking is, okay, well, its nice to have differing views. I dont know what i think about it really. It just. But there you go. Im not a fan of social media. What should we go to next . Well, i think, mike, lets have a look at the front page of the mirror, shall we . And more on the tory mp mark menzies, whos now been suspended from the tory party. Has suspended he has been suspended and hes first tory mp to be hes not the first tory mp to be suspended from the tory party in recent although the last recent weeks, although the last one, William Wragg, i think, suspended because suspended himself because the tory couldnt around tory party couldnt get around to this is a strange and to it. So this is a strange and really rather sad tale, i suppose recently. So it appears, as alleged, that man, as its alleged, that this man, you know, middle aged conservative mp but an mp for quite long time , met a quite a long time, met a gentleman on a dating app, went to flat , went to another to his flat, went to another flat where he was then incarcerated and told he had to pay incarcerated and told he had to pay £5,000 to get out of the flat. Phoned his 78 year old former Campaign Manager and said its a or death situation. Former Campaign Manager and said itneed or death situation. Former Campaign Manager and said itneed £5,000,ath situation. Former Campaign Manager and said itneed £5,000, nowituation. Former Campaign Manager and said itneed £5,000, now ,uation. Former Campaign Manager and said itneed £5,000, now , youyn. Former Campaign Manager and said itneed £5,000, now , you know, in i need £5,000, now, you know, in a bit of an understandable, well, perhaps understandable being a bit of a panic, this then happened. The campaign being a bit of a panic, this then hap|was d. The campaign being a bit of a panic, this then hap|was thene campaign being a bit of a panic, this then hap|was then paid1paign being a bit of a panic, this then hap|was then paid back1 being a bit of a panic, this then hap|was then paid back out manager was then paid back out of conservative Party Campaign funds donated in funds that had been donated in the constituency and the gentlemans constituency and filed purposes. The filed for campaign purposes. The can. So what is this is awful. This person has obviously done something very, very silly. Hes obviously then been blackmailed. Obviously then been blackmailed. And theres the and theres the misuse of funding. So theres that situation again. But i think what should probably concern more is the concern us more broadly is the fact the conservative party fact that the conservative Party Leadership known this leadership have known about this since nothing. Since january and done nothing. I mean, there is clearly an element of criminality here, an element of criminality here, an element fraud. Obviously, element of fraud. Obviously, this blackmailed by this hes been blackmailed by people know, people that he was, you know, the bad people the mp referred to as bad people on telephone. The on the telephone. The conservative leadership conservative Party Leadership response is to do response to this is to do nothing all, not go to the nothing at all, not to go to the police, to remove whip police, not to remove the whip from just to leave from the mp, just to leave things be and hope it would all just of pan out and be just kind of pan out and be fine. Now its inevitably come to and the conservative to light and the conservative party still saying theyre party is still saying theyre not to the police, not going to go to the police, which i find absolutely staggering, well, yeah. Which i find absolutely stagwell, g, well, yeah. Which i find absolutely stagwell, i, well, yeah. Which i find absolutely stagwell, i dont yeah. Which i find absolutely stagwell, i dont know. Which i find absolutely stagwell, i dont know what to think. Well, i think, know, the well, i think, you know, the i whether its the william i mean, whether its the William Wragg which, you know, i wragg case, which, you know, i dont think would judge dont think anyone would judge mps a private life on mps for having a private life on dating apps whatever else and dating apps or whatever else and doing whatever they want in their but the their own time. But the cowardice in that, in the grander didnt bother me grander stuff didnt bother me at all. It was fact that he at all. It was the fact that he was he sacrificed his colleagues and his and details of his and his and the details of his political comrades, because he was worried about his was too worried about his personal, you know, understandably, but too worried about his personal life becoming public. Seems to me total public. That seems to me a total act of cowardice. And in the same in a sort of different same way, in a sort of different situation, menzies thing, situation, the menzies thing, you know, why would you not go to the police . Why would you not . Would you not not . Why would you not prioritise professional not . Why would you not prioritheres professional not . Why would you not prioritheres sortyfessional not . Why would you not prioritheres sort ofssional not . Why would you not prioritheres sort of an nal not . Why would you not prioritheres sort of an element life . Theres sort of an element here of politicians now seem to be unwilling to engage with the fact that political life means an act of it is supposed to be an act of it is supposed to be an act of public service. It is supposed to be that you put your life, your the rest of your life on hold for this very important, perhaps the most important job in and, you know, in the country. And, you know, i think we can all be sympathetic to people ending in bad to people ending up in bad situations. And i dont know how situations. And i dont know how i act in that, but i would i would act in that, but i would hope that would hope that i would act differently a public differently if i had a public persona a public duty as a persona and a public duty as a politician in that way. Yes, its clearly not acted in a sensible way, has he . I mean, its one thing to have a private life. Its another thing to be behaving like that in your 50s, i would suggest. But anyway , its been suggest. But anyway, its been good to see you both, l. A. Mike, thank very much indeed. Thank you very much indeed. Thank you. Mcgivern has the weather. Looks like things are heating up. Boxt boilers sponsors of up. Boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news. Rain clearing the south east today followed by further showers for many of us, accompanied by cool, blustery winds. Although skies blustery winds. Although skies do brighten time for do brighten later in time for a sunny start to the weekend. Heres the picture by mid morning , a lot of cloud on mid morning, a lot of cloud on the map. Showers affecting many places , particularly central and places, particularly central and eastern areas. Skies, though, do brighten across much of central and western scotland, and then later on western parts of the rest of the uk. We keep the showers going through the midlands, the south east as well, accompanied by a cool and gusty thats going to make gusty wind thats going to make it a little disappointing. It feel a little disappointing. I highs of 12 to 15 i think with highs of 12 to 15 celsius. Nevertheless the showers across central areas do fade away into the evening. The skies tend to clear as well and the wind eases as a result, with lengthy clear skies a lighter wind. Temperatures will fall through the night. Wind. Temperatures will fall through the night. Such wind. Temperatures will fall through the night. Such a wind. Temperatures will fall through the night. Such a frost through the night. Such a frost even as we begin saturday. So gardeners beware there will be some frostiness first thing, but therell be plenty of bright skies as well. Lots of sunshine lifting those temperatures fairly quickly through the morning. So if youre out and about first thing, it will soon warm up and therell be plenty of sunshine until around the afternoon, when the clouds will tend to build, particularly for central and northern parts of the country and for the far north of scotland. Were going to see some outbreaks of to see some light outbreaks of rain here, making it feel rain moving here, making it feel cool elsewhere with lighter winds pleasant enough. Winds feeling pleasant enough. Brighter outlook with boxt winds feeling pleasant enough. Sponsors utlook with boxt winds feeling pleasant enough. Sponsors of look with boxt winds feeling pleasant enough. Sponsors of weather| boxt winds feeling pleasant enough. Sponsors of weather on xt gb news. Away. Good morning to you. Its 9 00 on friday, the 19th of april. Today, the world holds its breath as us sources claim israel has launched an attack on iran in a retaliatory strike. Reports of explosions near a military base in isfahan. Military base in isfahan. Earlier, we spoke to the work and pensions secretary, even at this stage, of course, this is an unconfirmed, situation , so we an unconfirmed, situation, so we dont actually know precisely. And i certainly dont know what has happened. But de escalation really has to be the way forward. The way forward. Iranian state media downplayed the attack as the news Agency Claims the countrys Nuclear Facilities are completely secure. As the Senior Commander tells them, no damage was done. Was done. Well, the Senior Iranian official claims theres no plan for an immediate retaliation, despite having warned of a severe and Immediate Response. If israel were to attack. If israel were to attack. Western governments tell its citizens to leave israel over fears of a reprisal attack by iran. Iran. In other news, rishi sunak pledges to end the sick note culture in britain. Culture in britain. Yes, 2. 8 Million People, all in the uk, claiming long term sickness and disability benefits. Its costing the government an absolute fortune and a crackdown is coming. Ill bnng and a crackdown is coming. Ill bring you the details shortly. Bring you the details shortly. Its going to be a sunny start to the weekend for many of us as High Pressure finally arrives. But before we get there , today is another day of bright spells and showers. Ill have the full details in the forecast coming up shortly. Coming up shortly. Good morning, im Stephen Dixon and im Ellie Costello and this is breakfast on gb news. Well, weve had breaking news all morning that israel has reportedly launched an attack on iran overnight in a retaliatory strike. Reports of explosions near a military base in isfahan. But thats not coming from israel. Its coming from us officials. Yes. The Iranian State media have been quick to downplay the situation, claiming that their air Defence Systems were able to destroy three drones in the centre of country. Centre of the country. Well , despite the pressure, well, despite the pressure, israeli officials are yet to make any statement about the attack whatsoever. Meanwhile , the australian meanwhile, the Australian Government has urged its citizens to leave israel over fears of a revenge attack by iran. Well , iran. Well, earlier we spoke to the work and pensions secretary, mel stride. Stride. Its clearly an emerging story , so we dont know the full story, so we dont know the full facts at this stage. And israel has yet to confirm action or otherwise. Look, id make a few otherwise. Look, id make a few points here. I think one is that we firmly believe that israel has a right to self defence. But has a right to self defence. But at the same time, of course, what we have been impressing upon the Israeli Government is the importance of de escalation at this point. So whilst we dont know the details at the moment, my hope is that whatever has happened is of a nature where de escalation can now be the way forward. And of course we can continue then to focus on the diplomatic work that we and others are doing to ensure that we get humanitarian aid into gaza. Well, our security editor, mark white, joins us now. And, mark, bring us up to date on what we understand happened this morning. Morning. Well, we were certainly very concerned when the reports came through in the early hours of the morning that there had been strikes on iranian iranian territory, but now , as the territory, but now, as the morning emerges, it appears that these strikes were limited in nature. You heard from mel stride there, and this will be the message from other western leaders in the hours ahead. This key phrase de escalation. Theyre hoping that if this was the full extent of this limited strike by israel, we assume, although they have not yet publicly confirmed, that, then that may leave a way open for de escalation and a hope that iran feels that it doesnt need to respond in the way that it had been threatening with an immediate and massive attack. Weve not seen an attack take place in the hours since those strikes, so that bodes well , it strikes, so that bodes well, it seems. That doesnt mean that at some point, iran will not retaliate in some way, perhaps not from its own soil again, but from proxies in the region, the likes of southern lebanon or iraq and syria, what is becoming a bit more clear is it seems that the strikes were conducted from combat jets. Israeli combat jets firing long range missiles. Now that will have been outside of iranian airspace, probably in syria, because we got reports from the syrian state media that a number of air Defence Systems and Early Warning radars in syria had been taken out by israeli combat jets over night as well. So that would have facilitated those aircraft being able to fire from syrian airspace just near the border with iran and those long range missiles were told, were fired in tandem with some drones that were fired from inside iran, by who . We dont know exactly, but those drones were designed, it seems , to keep those air defence seems, to keep those air Defence Systems busy while the missiles did their job. The area that was attacked was isfahan in central iran , it is a key area in terms iran, it is a key area in terms of its one of irans biggest cities. But there are a number of military installations opens air bases and alike around that area. There are Nuclear Facilities. Although the International Atomic Energy Agency says that no Nuclear Facility have been targeted, so as i say, we await for official word from israel, but , word from israel, but, everything were seeing seems to suggest that this strike was limited in nature. Limited in nature. Okay, mark. Okay, mark. Thank you. Lets talk to former chairman of the defence select committee, tobias ellwood, who joins us now. Its good to see you again. Whats your assessment of this on the bafis your assessment of this on the basis that it looks like, as mark was saying, it looks like it was israeli and it looks like it was israeli and it looks like it was israeli and it looks like it was a very measured response. And iran itself is really playing it down. So whats your assessment of that . Yeah, i mean, so many questions here. We knew this was coming. Israel has made it very clear that they were going to respond looking at a number of options. But mel stride is absolutely right. This is all unconfirmed. Were relying on open source media at the moment. On the operational side , we on the operational side, we dont know if this is a one off. If israel has concluded its attacks or if theres more to follow, but it does look like israels war cabinet has heeded the advice from britain, from america and elsewhere, to not retaliate on scale, which would leave iran no choice but to respond again, possibly closing down the straits of hormuz , down the straits of hormuz, which would have a huge knock on impact to the worlds economy. Impact to the worlds economy. So still a lot of questions. The next 12 hours will be critical. From that perspective. I would add, strategically, the targets are from my are interesting from from my perspective , tabriz, which is in perspective, tabriz, which is in the northwest corner of iran, this is where they fire the shahab missile silos. This is where that base is so very significant there. And in isfahan, this is in south of tehran , this is very much irans tehran, this is very much Irans Nuclear activity. Thats where all their Research Takes place. And there are reports that iran is beginning to enrich uranium again at scale, up to 60 with enough quantity for three sizeable bombs. And it could be that they believe that only going by having a Nuclear Deterrent , are they going to be deterrent, are they going to be able to fend off any conventional attacks . So a lot conventional attacks . So a lot of Big Questions there. And thats perhaps worth pondering on, because whatever happens next, the rules of the game, this shadow war between iran and israel has completely changed with this direct attack. And of course, it glosses over something. Again, mel stride mentions the resolving the gaza israel conflict of getting that critical humanitarian aid in getting the hostages out and of course, walking, working towards a work, an agreeable security and governance structure for that particular corner of the middle east. I mean, the Nuclear Element of all of this is very concerning. If we keep seeing these for tat strikes, because both sides demand the last word militarily , we dont they but we militarily, we dont they but we are open here potentially to coming down that ladder of escalation. If iran denies this attack and continues trying to deflect attention away from it, youre absolutely right there. The question for the west, though, which weve, im afraid, ignored for a couple of decades, is how weve allowed iran to develop such proxy influence, such leverage over the middle east, in lebanon, in yemen , in east, in lebanon, in yemen, in syria, in iraq, and of course, in gaza as well. And that is the big nettle that we need to grasp. Thats where israel is frustrated that iran has become so powerful that ultimately this was about to happen. This would have happened at some stage , have happened at some stage, because weve not checked, irans ability to cause such, poison right across the middle east, building up ever since 1979, what is positive from the wests perspective on all of this is, as you said, that Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have listened to what the white house has said. Have listened to what the white house has said. He have listened to what the white house has said. He appears to house has said. He appears to have listened to what David Cameron has said. And this being a measured attack, a measured attack, a measured response , the attack, a measured response, the issue is going to have, though, and how concerned are you that obviously going obviously theres going to be a lot of people to the right of his war cabinet who think this is just simply weak, and it should have been a lot stronger. Yeah, youre right. We sometimes think that british politics is quite turbulent, its very clear that whats going on in israel itself is very, very difficult indeed. Theyve got this war cabinet, this coalition thats working at the moment. But we know that theres tensions within that war cabinet itself. We also have to recognise or israel must recognise. And i think theyre appreciating that not to alienate the International Community. There was massive sympathy , global sympathy after sympathy, global sympathy after those barbaric hamas attacks on the 7th of october. But that progressively evaporated because there wasnt a clear plan as to what sending in the military into gaza was, was trying to actually achieve. And i think theres an effort now by israel to make sure that does not happen again. Theres a lot of big question marks, of course, as to how to deal with iran. As i was touching on, i think youre going to see a very different approach if donald trump gets elected, therefore, its going require some its going to require some statecraft and i think theres a role for britain to play, certainly in its soft power, its relationship with the United States, relationship with states, its relationship with the and indeed the gulf nations, and indeed israel, on trying to finesse our way through without allowing this escalate. Okay this to really escalate. Okay and in terms of what we can expect to happen next, should we be concerned about irans proxies in the region and perhaps offences stepping up . Yeah, youre absolutely right. The one powerful operator in the middle east thats yet to really show its colours is hezbollah. This is the most powerful non state actor in the world, armed to the teeth. And theyve not really participated in the israel gaza conflict nor have got involved. There is some skirmishes, i should say, that from the lebanese border into israel, but nothing on the scale that they could move to should they wish. And my concern has always been that israel , iran always been that israel, iran thatis always been that israel, iran that is always hesitant about attacking israel directly. This is why this is unprecedented. Will theyll now lean on hezbollah to do its part in destabilising whats going on, but particularly antagonising and opening up a new flank for israel and the west to be concerned about , israel and the west to be concerned about, can i just take you back to what you said about trump . And if trump gets back in trump . And if trump gets back in the white house this year , is the white house this year, is that a point of concern or not . I mean, its very difficult to judge, isnt it . I mean, as to whether , iran, tehran would be whether, iran, tehran would be frightened of trump in the white house, would calm down because they dont know what his response is are likely to be hes less predictable or or could it inflame the tensions even further at a time when you say we are, we are trying to calm things down . I think all of that. And thats the worry, because we dont even know what he might do enhen dont even know what he might do either. When he was in office, he did do something which people have and thats to have forgotten, and thats to take out the head of the quds force, the, Iranian Revolutionary guards wing that is responsible for these proxy relationships. This general soleimani was was killed, i think, in 2020, in iraq, when he was actually at the airport there. That was a drone strike there. That was a drone strike there. That was the opportunity , there. That was the opportunity, though, for donald trump to then lean into this. But he chose not to. And as i say, weve allowed iran to develop this strength. We do need to be more, i think, forthright , more purposeful in forthright, more purposeful in what our strategy is that i hope is something thats been discussed in the back channels between western capitals right now, because in this crisis , now, because in this crisis, there is an opportunity to try and correct some of the areas that, as i say, weve glossed oven that, as i say, weve glossed over, weve allowed to develop. And dont forget, and i think i said this the last time we discussed this. What sits behind iran, of course, is russia and russia is benefiting from this because of course , its because of course, its distracted away from ukraine and things in ukraine are not going well right now. Okay. Tobias ellwood, really okay. Tobias ellwood, really good to talk to you. Thank you. Well joining us now is freelance journalist yotam confino. Good to see you this morning. Yotam, very interesting that we havent heard anything from israel on this yet. No israel on this yet. No confirmation that they were behind this strike. What can we read into that . I think, first of all, we should expect some sort of a statement coming from netanyahu or from the from or from the defence minister. They want to take responsibility for this. They dont want this to linger in the air, and they dont want this speculation to just be be out there. They want to say that theyre behind it. So i assume well get something later in the day. We have heard already from one of the nationalist ministers in netanyahUs Government, the security, National Security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, who indirectly confirmed this attack. He just tweeted lame. So attack. He just tweeted lame. So in other words, hes very unhappy with the military response, and he would know if Israel Attacked. So. So i think Israel Attacked. So. So i think weve gotten as close as we can to official confirmation. Ive spoken to a couple of other , spoken to a couple of other, people, sources, ministers, and most people have said they cannot comment right now because theyre all waiting for either netanyahu or the defence minister to say something. Minister to say something. Yeah, but how problematic is that going to be for netanyahu . That going to be for netanyahu . The fact that ben gvir is, is saying this has been a weak response. It is problematic for him because netanyahu is trying to do the right thing here. Contrary to what many people think, netanyahu is not a war monger. In fact, hes very indecisive. He doesnt like conflicts. He drags things out. He doesnt want to make decisions about war. In fact, he called off an attack on iran twice this week, according to sources. So i think that hes in a very difficult situation right now because he knows that there are certain ministers in his cabinet, such as Itamar Ben Gvir, who will take advantage of this situation. Didnt they know theyre smelling blood . They know that, netanyahus days are probably numbered, so will try to numbered, so they will try to capitalise on this and say, this is a completely, its a weak response. We should do much more. But at the end of the day, netanyahu did the right thing. He listened to allies , most he listened to his allies, most notably United States. He notably the United States. He tried to escalate the tried not to escalate the situation to a point where the whole region could blow up. And hes iran a way out. Hes hes given iran a way out. Hes signalling to iran, if you want to wrap this incident now , you to wrap this incident now, you can, because you can tell your pubuc can, because you can tell your public that this was a limited response. We can tell our public that we retaliated and lets just call it a day. So he is giving iran a way out, i think. And what do you make of the timing of all of this . Yeah, i mean, weve got the passover next week, havent we, was there a sense that benjamin a sense that that Benjamin Netanyahu this to be all netanyahu wanted this to be all done before that holiday . Done before that jewish holiday . Yeah, ive heard that report many times in the past couple of days. And i have to say, im a bit surprised that that its become something that thats been discussed so much. I think been discussed so much. I think israel is probably the country in the world with most high holidays. So if the military were adjust its operations were to adjust its operations according to high holidays, it would be very difficult to manoeuvre. I honestly think that this was either way, this was a matter of time before israel would strike. They wanted to do it while they have momentum, while the allies are while the all the allies are behind israel. They didnt want to too long. I dont think to wait too long. I dont think it anything do with it had anything to do with passover. Simply just think passover. I simply just think that found the right time that they found the right time and target and now and the right target and now they went ahead with it. Okay, youre saying confino in israel. Good to talk to you. Thanks very much indeed. Well, still to come, the government vows to crack down on sick next. 921. Now theres still plenty of time to grab your chance. To win a greek cruise. Travel goodies and a £10,000 tax free Cash Bank Balance boost. Heres Cash Bank Balance boost. Heres all the details you need. Dont miss your chance to win our biggest prize so far. Theres an incredible £10,000 in tax free cash to spend however you like. Plus, courtesy of variety cruises , a bespoke seven variety cruises, a bespoke seven night small boat cruise for two worth £10,000 with flights, meals, excursions and drinks included, your next holiday could be on us. Choose any one of their 2025 greek adventures and find your home at sea. Well also send you packing with these Luxury Travel gifts for another chance to win a prize worth over £20,000. Text win to 63232. Text cost £2 plus one Standard Network rate message , or post network rate message, or post your name and number to gb04, po box 8690. Derby dh1 nine, double two. Uk only entrants must be 18 or over. Lines closed at 5 pm. On the 26th of april. Full terms and Privacy Notice gbnews. Com. Forward slash win. Please check the closing time if listening or watching on demand. Good luck. Watching on demand. Good luck. Yes, good luck indeed. Now the Prime Minister has vowed to crack down on this culture of sick notes. So Katherine Forster is live in westminster now to tell us all about it. Very good morning to you, catherine, and tell us more about these plans. Yes. So there is a crackdown on sickness benefits coming. Weve had the work and pensions secretary, mel stride give us a little taster this morning. The Prime Minister is going to be making a big speech on this shortly. Hes expected to say that he wants the focus to be on what work you can do, not what you cant. Hes also likely to say that he thinks that theres a risk of over medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life because theres been a huge surge in the number of people off on a long term. Sick leave it now stands at 2. 8 million. Thats up some 700,000 since the pandemic. And a lot of those are related to Mental Health issues and depression and anxiety specifically. So the anxiety specifically. So the government is looking at removing moving doctors from the process. Currently, doctors are issuing some 11 million fit notes as they call them a year. That number has doubled since 2010, and 94 of people signed off in this way are signed off as being unfit to do any work at all. The government thinks thats the wrong approach. They are looking at, basically mel stride says, some sort of one stop shop where you would go and you would be assessed by a Health Professional and somebody unked Health Professional and somebody linked to the benefits team who would work with you initially to try to you in work if it try to keep you in work if it was possible, if not to was possible, and if not to support you and get you back to work. They stress the mental work. They stress the Mental Health benefits of that. But i think this is going to be much easier said than done. And theyre already coming in for quite a lot criticism. Quite a lot of criticism. Yeah, that they are. Thank you much. Katherine forster you very much. Katherine forster there westminster us. And there in westminster for us. And there in westminster for us. And the minister is going the Prime Minister is going to be in the next be speaking on that in the next five or so, isnt he . Five minutes or so, isnt he . He if hes on time, that he is if hes on time, that is. On there. And thats where hell be. Thats it from us today. Up next is britains newsroom pip and ben. We newsroom with pip and ben. We will see you bright and early tomorrow morning. Looks like things are heating up. Boxt boiler is sponsors of weather on. Gb news. Weather on. Gb news. Hello and welcome to the latest update from the met office for gb news. Rain clearing the south east today followed by further showers for many of us accompanied by cool blustery although skies blustery winds. Although skies do brighten later in time for a sunny start to the weekend. Heres the picture. By mid morning, a lot cloud on mid morning, a lot of cloud on the map. Showers affecting many places, particularly central and eastern areas. Skies, though, do brighten across much of central and western scotland, and then later parts of the later on western parts of the rest of the uk. We keep the showers going through the midlands, south east as midlands, the south east as well, accompanied cool and well, accompanied by a cool and gusty wind. Thats going to make it a little disappointing , it feel a little disappointing, i think with highs of 12 to 15 celsius. Nevertheless, the showers across central areas do fade away into the evening. The skies tend to clear as well and the wind eases as a result. With lengthy clear skies, a lighter wind temperatures will fall through the night. Such a frost, even as we begin saturday, so gardeners beware there will be some frostiness first thing, but therell be plenty of bright skies as well. Lots of sunshine lifting those temperatures fairly quickly through the morning. So if youre out and about, first thing, it will soon warm up and therell be plenty of sunshine until around the afternoon, when the clouds will tend to build, particularly for central and northern parts of the country and for the far north of scotland. Were going to see some light outbreaks of rain moving here, making it feel cool elsewhere with lighter winds feeling pleasant enough, a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on gb news. Very good morning to you. It is 930 on friday, the 19th of april. You are with britains newsroom. Ben leo and pip tomson. Very good morning to you. Israel strikes iran. The us has reported that israel has launched a retaliatory strike with explosions reported near a military base this morning in iran. The uk government is stressing the need for de escalation and moderation in the Prime Minister pledges to end the sick note culture in britain. Thats what he says it is. Hes set to strip gps of power to sign people off work. To sign people off work. And should we pay our teachers more money . New Analysis Shows vacancy rates have risen in nine out of ten local authorities in england since 2010. So how do you think we should make the profession more appealing . Labours Housing Solution sir keir starmer, labour leader, sets out his plan to build 1. 5 million new homes to tackle the housing crisis. But would they be affordable . Very good morning to you. Thank you for joining very good morning to you. Thank you forjoining us. Thank you for joining us. Morning, pip. Were going to be sticking, of course, with that development overnight in iran about israels reported strike on country. Retaliatory on the country. The retaliatory strike also, were going to be live, arent we, pip with rishi sunakin live, arent we, pip with rishi sunak in what, just a few minutes about these welfare reform s. Reforms. Yeah. Any moment now we