A call by borisjohnson for the eu to engage fully with his brexit proposals with 11 days to go before a key summit. Ginger baker Ground Breaking rock drummer has died at the age of 80. Now on bbc news its tome for inside out yorkshire and lincolnshire. Tracy gee speaks to firefighters who believe theirjob caused them to have cancer. Welcome to the programme. I am welcome to the programme. I am keely welcome to the programme. I am keely donovan. Coming up this week . The firefighters who believe theirjob has caused them to have cancer. Firefighters need to stop having their lives totally turned upside down with cancer. The men and women still living in fear of redundancy as the future of scunthorpes steelworks, fear of redundancy as the future of scu nthorpes steelworks, hangs fear of redundancy as the future of scunthorpes steelworks, hangs in the balance. This scunthorpes steelworks, hangs in the balance. This time it felt very difference, like we were at the edge of the abyss. And the week the world came to yorkshire to celebrate a festival of cycling. Many professions have a level of risk, but firefighters face an invisible threat. Just as deadly as the flames they tackle every day. Our reporter has been given exclusive access to research being done into harmful toxins found on firefighters clothes and equipment, which may have a link to cancer. Firefighters need to stop having their lives totally turned upside down with cancer. We have firefighters getting cancer all the time in all watches in all stations and things need to be done about it. Up and things need to be done about it. Up and down the country, firefighters are dying of this, due to them saving lives in the line of their duty and to them saving lives in the line of theirduty and their to them saving lives in the line of their duty and theirjob is killing them. All of it, i am aware of, states you cannot prove or disprove a link to cancer. Certainly suggesting there could be a link to ill health . No. I am suggesting there could be a link to ill health . No. Iam a suggesting there could be a link to ill health . No. I am a retired firefighter and i have cancer of the throat. I am steve bailey, 45, i had stage for incurable kidney cancer. Stuart fish, lincolnshire firefighter, died from blood cancer at the age of 60. The faces ofjust at the age of 60. The faces ofjust a handful of the many firefighters battling cancer and for some, the treatment is taking its toll. Michael, this is the bit where you have to stay still for four hours and they are putting the chemo into and they are putting the chemo into and poisoning u. Mitch is a former firefighter and has chemotherapy and today he is having even more treatment. I am low. This is my third cycle so this is my third month i will spend in Barts Hospital with a long way to go. I think about the bad side, you cannot help but think about it. The bad side is i wont be around. The bad side will be that i wont quite make it to as old as i should have been. You just think, dont let it be me. Cancer in the fire service is indiscriminate. It is young people, middle aged people, older people, catching it. Mitch isnt alone. Jarrod worked as a firefighter in bradford. He has cancer of the blood, but today he is trying to forget his worries. My cancer turned into acute myeloid leukaemia which will be terminal. I could get vascular dementia and i will probably have four or five years to live which is ridiculous as lam only years to live which is ridiculous as i am only 60. He was a firefighter instructor and he would often burn diesel as part of an exercise. The smoke was billowing around us, you could not see through it in a million years. Next we would be cove red million years. Next we would be covered in the unburned products of the diesel. We would sit around having tea in our break still in the same fire kit. We only had two kits at the Fire Service College and if you are out of times a day every day, it only gets collected once a week. Youll have a kit worn at least ten times and then you only have one until your other one comes back. Looking back, it has now shortened my life. Dozens of firefighters have spoken to me about their ill health. That cancer, bone cancer, breast cancer, testicular cancer, breast cancer, testicular cancer, non hodgkins lymphoma. Lots of variables but one common factor, these firefighters are now asking, how is myjob made me sick . These firefighters are now asking, how is my job made me sick . In my opinion there is a direct link between a firefighters occupation and cancer. Scientists at the university of central lancashire say they may have the answer. Firefighters are twice as likely to die when compared to the general population, they are dying not from just one type of cancer but multiple types of cancer. This professor is leading a team of scientists who are looking at how firefighters are exposed to harmful toxins. Looking at how firefighters are exposed to harmful toxinsm looking at how firefighters are exposed to harmful toxins. If you ta ke exposed to harmful toxins. If you take firefighters in clothing, hot environment, they are sweating and dehydrating and body temperature increases. The absorption through the skin is increasing and it is working as a sponge for the fire toxins. I have approached fire brigades across the country asking them to show me their decontamination methods. Sadly, no one would allow us in to film. In fa ct one would allow us in to film. In fact they got nervous when the words firefighter and cancer are used in the same sentence. Instead we have come to the International FireTraining Centre at Durham Tees Valley airport. All of the carbon from the fuel, and the ties gets impregnated in the kit. We have got to give ourselves a wipe until we get back to the station where we can doa get back to the station where we can do a deep clean on the kit in an industrial washer. Sometimes you might get another call and we havent got the luxury of getting the full decontamination of the kit before we go out on another incident. Carcinogens can be everywhere on the body, but we are not talking about that, these toxic particles can be invisible to the naked eye. Storing equipment can be problematic, it can be bagged but it doesnt always happen. The uniform itself, helmets in particular have been found to contain the highest concentration of carcinogens, especially when gloves are stored in them. As you can see, the helmet is covered, that was totally clean before we started today. There is no National Directive or standard in the uk telling firefighters how their kit should be clean. It is down to the individual brigades to decide that for themselves. Ideally, we would love another change of kit we would love another change of kit we could have, disrobe out of, get into our new kit and then this could be backed up. Does it happen often . No, it doesnt. There are toxins and carcinogens in all fires, whether it isafamily carcinogens in all fires, whether it is a family barbecue or a blazing wall of fire in a house. Scientists believe there are 16 major compounds within carcinogens whether toxic concentration may lead to cancer. It is about exposure and how much is too much. We are taking blood samples. Doctor Emily Watkins research is the first in the uk. She was approached by a group of fire instructors who are concerned they we re instructors who are concerned they were becoming ill. In america there are good studies coming out looking at the level of contaminants. So benzene is and things we no potentially cause cancer and the levels of those within firefighters from their training schools in america. We dont have that data in the uk yet, so the Research Project is trying to see if firefighters are getting any of these exposures and potentially what we could then in the future do about that. In america, President Donald Trump has acknowledged a potential link between being a firefighter and contracting cancer. Two months ago he signed the 9 11 victims he signed the 9 11victims Compensation Fund for first responders. Meaning those who got sick from toxic exposure can now claim compensation. But in the uk, oui claim compensation. But in the uk, our studies are and chiefs here say they are waiting for more conclusive evidence. There is a lot of scientific and medical information out there, but all of it, i am aware of, states you cannot prove or disprove a link to cancer. Certainly suggesting there could be a link to ill health . No. You dont acknowledge the fact that the Scientific Research today said they could potentially be a link between being a firefighter and getting ill . What i acknowledge if firefighters are contracting certain types of cancer above the population norm. I acce pt cancer above the population norm. I accept that and that is a concern. I think what i want to stress, we are notjust think what i want to stress, we are not just sat back waiting, think what i want to stress, we are notjust sat back waiting, we are developing this all the time. It does sound frustratingly slow, i will acknowledge that. But the assurance that i want to give is there is an incredible amount of work going on in the background to make this happen as quickly as possible. But i do acknowledge that is not quick enough for some people. Knowing lots and lots of friends, some of them are still operational, some of them are still operational, some of them got over their cancers, a couple havent. The couple didnt. I think it is an occupational hazard, definitely. Firefighters need to stop having their lives totally turned upside down with cancer. Coming up on inside out. Yorkshire celebrates the worlds cyclists coming to town. Scunthorpe is coming to town. Scu nthorpe is famous coming to town. Scunthorpe is famous for one thing, steele. From the Olympic Stadium to the Sydney Harbour bridge, steel made in this town has built some of the wells most iconic structures. But after the collapse of British Steel in may, thousands of workers are still waiting to find out if the plant will be saved and the decision is due any day now. Sarah caulker reports. Thomas brittains steel town is in trouble. Generation after generation have worked in the mills and furnaces here. Scu nthorpes have worked in the mills and furnaces here. Scunthorpes steel is exported around the globe, but not for the first time, this industry, this town is fighting for its future. We have been in the situation since 1981. We have road those times, but this time felt very different. We was at the edge of the a byss. Different. We was at the edge of the abyss. Since British Steel collapsed in may, 4000 jobs have been hanging in the balance and another 20,000 in the wider supply chain. My husband works at the steelworks as well, so if the worst does come, we will have no income coming into our household. Then i have a child to support. And to save these steelworks from closure, a sale and rescue deal must be agreed. The site has been losing money and that is not then please fault and not the towns fault, it isa fault and not the towns fault, it is a lack of strategy and a lack of investment. It is the perfect storm, lets call it. Win today, boys. First win of the season, fortunes are chasing. Tony gosling is a fourth generation steel worker and passionate football fan. Every saturday, he goes to the game with his sons and father. Announcing tickets to the family. Watching them in the 1975, 76 season. A lot of past and present Steel Workers came to the games and hopefully future steelworkers will come to the games. The club is even nickname the iron. The club is even nickname the iron. The Football Club has been part of my life for so long it is my escape mechanism, my release. Whatever is going on in the world, i try not to think about it. Steelworkers have had months of uncertainty, not knowing if they will still have a job at the end of the year. Both tony and his wife work for British Steel. We have had Turbulent Times in the past. What the Steel Community wishes for this time is that we have a company that comes and invests in the site, in the plant and gives us a long term future because we want to be here for another 100 years of steel making in scu nthorpe. For another 100 years of steelmaking in scunthorpe. The four blast furnaces are nicknamed the four queens and loom large over the town, but making steel in the uk hasnt been easy in recent years, high energy costs and Business Rates have meant it is hard for the scunthorpe have meant it is hard for the scu nthorpe plant to have meant it is hard for the scunthorpe plant to compete with other european steelmakers, but it was brexit uncertainty that pushed British Steel over the edge. Uncertainty about when and how the uk would leave the eu was blamed for a slump in orders. The company ran out of money and was put into compulsory liquidation. Natasha, jeff and adam, three of almost 1000 contract workers whose livelihoods depend on the site. They are all at risk of redundancy. Theres not a lot of great chances of employment in the town and there would be a lot less if this closes. We dont seem to be attracting any other industries to the town. Adam is 21 and an industrial cleaner but is now rethinking his future. And an industrial cleaner but is now rethinking his futurelj and an industrial cleaner but is now rethinking his future. I have had members of my family family working in the steelworks for about 100 years. It is part of my heritage and all i know. Without the steelworks, i wouldnt be here. But you feel your future lies elsewhere. At the minute, yes. Going to university would give me a better chance at a better future, yes. Does it feel different this time . A lot different. Its a bit more severe than the last time. Morale is not so good. Everywhere on site is a little bit more doom and gloom. For natasha and her family, the stakes couldnt be higher. If the worst of the worst does come, we have no money coming into our household whatsoever. Which is very frightening. So are you trying to save money at the moment . Are you trying to plan for the worst case . As much as possible as much, as we can do. Considering theres only so much you can save when youve still got things coming out. If the worst does happen, we are in dire straits. The governments official receiver has been covering the running costs of the plan while a search for a buyer goes on. And people are hopeful therell be a breakthrough soon. In 1981, 186,000 people worked in the uk Steel Industry. Thats 28 higher than the national average. Everywhere you look, there are signs of the industry that this town relies on. The steelworks provide well paid, highly skilled jobs in an area where one in ten people have no qualifications. The Unemployment Rate is above the national average, so its no wonder that some people say the plant is too big to be allowed to fail. We arejust we are just driving around the perimeter of the site. It would take an hourto get perimeter of the site. It would take an hour to get round. Itjust stretches and then back into the next village. In march, the companys next village. In march, the compa nys debts next village. In march, the com pa nys debts totalled next village. In march, the companys debts totalled £188 million. Any new owner will need deep pockets. As a union leader, sean has been closely involved with the negotiations. How close is a rescue package to being secured . With further backing, it is looking close. Scunthorpe steelworks has had a string of owners. From chorus to tatter steel. In 2016 grable capital saved the plant from closure after buying it forjust £1. Now, three yea rs buying it forjust £1. Now, three years on, the Turkish Pension Fund is the frontrunner to take over. What happened in the three previous owners, start out reasonably well and then halfway through, theyjust shipped out at the end and walked away from their responsibilities to this town in this community where is this town in this community where is this firm needs to invest, need to be bold and ambitious with their plan. And at the heart of any plant will be the jewel in the crown of any site. And ask any scunthorpe steelworker and they will tell you this business can, once again rise from the ashes. The blast furnaces have dominated the skyline for over 100 years. But on and off the pitch, the glory days seem a long time ago, the glory days seem a long time ago, the Steel Industry can be just as unpredictable as scu nthorpes football team. But insiders say a ta keover football team. But insiders say a takeover deal is edging closer. And this entire community depends on it. Thousands of cyclists and spectators hit the road for the uci World Championships. Harrogate was the focus and tanya arnold has been there to see how it went down. The cyclist started the nine day long event, the first time at parra cyclist event has been held alongside the World Championships. Three starts in the market towns of beverley, tadcaster brought some of the biggest names in the sport to yorkshire. London 2012 was the last timei yorkshire. London 2012 was the last time i raced in a para cycling event. I have raised a tour of yorkshire a couple of times and the crowd in yorkshire are always just to die for. After the training and months of preparation, how was the ride itself . I from from yorkshire and to get to ride the roads of yorkshire in sunshine with crowds, the atmosphere is equivalent to the london paralympics, i would say. The wells of the main event for International Cyclist from across the globe. 1400 riders came to yorkshire all aiming to take home a coveted rainbow jersey. Yorkshire all aiming to take home a coveted rainbowjersey. The fans have come out to watch the action thatis have come out to watch the action that is right on their doorstep. 0h my goodness, this is so exciting. The atmosphere in this fan zone is awesome. It is exciting, it is greatly only drove an hour to get here. You having fun . Absolutely, it is amazing for the town. I wouldnt watch this on television at home normally, i have been watching it and came down this afternoon. Its brilliant and the buzz