The man who used to be the Department For Educations most senior Civil Servant reckons he did. I was absolutely amazed to see that the decision made by the government was to halve the School Rebuilding programme down from 100 a year to 50 a year. The chancellor, of course, was at the time . Rishi sunak. So, what does the Prime Minister make of that . I think that is completely and utterly wrong. Actually, one of the first things i did as chancellor in my first Spending Review in 2020 was to announce a new ten year School Rebuilding programme for 500 schools. Now, that equates to about 50 schools a year that will be refurbished or rebuilt. And if you look at what weve been doing over the previous decade, thats completely in line with what weve always done. This Secondary School in County Durham was meant to open for the new term tomorrow, but it cant because of dangerous concrete. In both 2020 and 2021, the government promised 50 schools a year would be rebuilt. In 2019, the National Audit office said that £765 million was allocated to repairing school buildings. That number has since fallen, and now stands at £450 million. So, squeezed budgets and competing priorities for spending. Speaking to those who were involved in the internal negotiations within government at the time, the Department For Education did want more money for school repairs. The treasury wasnt persuaded. But im told there were other bigger priorities then for education, not least, the amount of funding allocated per pupil. This concrete wasnt regarded as dangerous then as it is now. Its the Education Secretary whos decided on the need for greater caution. But there wasnt much caution when she went all Potty Mouthed after an interview this afternoon. Does anyone ever say, you know what, youve done a bleep good job, because everyone else has sat on their bleep, and done nothing . No signs of that, no . It turns out, no, not really. A few hours later, a new outfit and a rather different tone. Id like to apologise for my choice language there. That was unnecessary, but it was an off the cuff remark, basically based on the interview. The interviewer had been pressing me quite hard, you know, why i hadnt solve this issue, which had been going on since 1994. And, you know, it is frustrating, because were doing everything now to take a leading position, to be on the front foot. But the consequence of that is schools like this one in eltham in south london, having to close the gym, canteen and toilets. 0bviously, whats now been said shows the extent to which there is, you know, this passing the buck within the cabinet. Is rishi sunak Strong Enough to do anything about it . I doubt it. For some pupils, parents and teachers, it isnt going to be the start of the new term they expected. Chris mason with that report. So, theres still huge uncertainty for many parents and teachers about whether their children will be affected, with the government promising that a full list of schools impacted will be published this week. 0ur education editor, branwenjeffreys, has been speaking to some who know for sure that their school will have to be closed or partially closed. In clacton on sea, Summer Holidays are over, but three schools are delaying opening this week, leaving parents trying to sort out childcare. Duncan had just got back from holiday, but hes had to ask for tomorrow off work to look after his two children. Its just very frustrating that this has come right at the end of the school holiday, and it could have been avoided if the school had been informed at the beginning of the school holiday. The fact that apparently, they have known that theres been a problem for five years, that all of a sudden, now, safety has been put first. Which is wonderful. Were glad that it is. But if there were questions five years ago, then really it should have been dealt with five years ago. His childrens Primary School had a survey done injuly, but only last week did the government advice change. Just five minutes drive away, another Primary School waiting for surveyors. Parents with children at the school unsure what happens next. Still dont know properly, like, down to the nitty gritty. Ijust know part of the school might be cut off, but im not fully sure. So how do you tell if this is raac . These concrete roof panels will need to be checked by a surveyor. So, the situation here is we actually dont know. This area has not been surveyed, so we dont know whether or not there is raac present. Some classrooms shut until they know either way. Claydon high school in suffolk has almost 800 pupils. Where raac is confirmed, the building is completely closed off. If its confirmed in the yellow areas, it gets worse. That will be hugely problematic because it will be an additional ten classrooms, our dining hall, our kitchen, our reception area. Potentially, how much of the school might be out of action . Nearly half. Nearly 50 , i would say. So, the term will start with Remote Learning for some year groups while they try to get temporary classrooms on site. For myton school in warwick, this is particularly hard to swallow. In a letter to parents, the headteacher says last year, they put in a bid for the buildings to be rebuilt. They were told in december they were not in critical enough condition. 0ne building has a roof with raac and the school now doesnt know if any of it can be used. This afternoon, the Education Secretary faced mps for the first time on this issue. Im confirming today that we will publish the list of the 156 schools with confirmed cases of raac this week with details of initial mitigations in place. In scotland, some temporary classrooms are already in place. 35 schools now confirmed to have rac there. To have raac there. Wales has identified two, while in Northern Ireland, surveys continue. Schools are propping up ceilings, closing classrooms, still trying to get the term going this week in england, unable to tell parents how long it will take to sort this out. Branwenjeffreys, bbc news, suffolk. Lets go to the rest of the days news. Theres been a significant number of developments in ukraine today. President zelensky has announced hes replacing the countrys defence minister, amid allegations of corruption. The Defence Ministry has faced scandals relating to procurement of equipment for the army at inflated prices. 0leksii Reznikov had been in post since before the start of the full scale russian invasion in february last year. His removal is thought to be part of mr zelensky� s determination to tackle corruption in all government departments. President zelensky has nominated Rustem Umerov, whos currently in charge of ukraines Privatisation Programme as the new defence minister. Heres mr zelensky giving an update. Translation this week, the parliament will be asked to make a staff related decision. I would like to outline it now. I have decided to replace the Minister Of Defence of ukraine. 0leksii Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full scale war. I believe that the Ministry Needs New approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole. That was president zelensky with his evening statement. Turkeys president , recep tayyip erdogan, has expressed optimism that a workable black sea Grain Agreement will be reached with russia, after holding talks with vladimir putin. Mr erdogan said there would soon be what he called an important announcement on the deal to allow ships safe passage through the black sea. Ukraine has said it suffered what it called a massive drone strike against the port city of izmail, with warehouses and other infrastructure damaged. The attack was launched just a day after russian drones hit the nearby port of reni. The port city has increasingly been used by ukraine to export agricultural products, since russia pulled out of a deal which allowed cargo ships safe passage through the black sea. The advisor to the ukrainian Defence Ministry, yuriy sak, says the russian president is trying to stop ukraine finding alternative export routes. Meanwhile, ukraines generals are reporting significant progress in the Counter Offensive against russias invasion. They say their troops have breached the first line of russian defences in the south, near zaporizhzhia. The generals said extensive minefields had blocked troops for several weeks leaving them vulnerable to russian shelling. But they say that painstaking Mine Clearance has now allowed the forces to advance. Kiev says its forces are making gains in the south of the country, and has in recent weeks expanded its units towards the strategic town of tokmak a Logistical Centre for russian forces. Earlier, i spoke to our Diplomatic Correspondent in kyiv, paul adams, to take a look at all these developments. This is something that had been anticipated for some time. We should emphasize that theres no real suggestion that Alexi Resnikoff we should emphasize that theres no real suggestion that 0leksii Reznikov himself was involved in any corruption. But there was just this succession, this sort of drip, drip effect of a number of scandals involving his ministry. And i think as a result of that, it was sort of inevitable that he was going to be relieved of his duties. Hed also been in one of the most difficultjobs in the Ukrainian Government for, you know, a year and a half. And perhaps, he may not be entirely unhappy that he has been replaced, although he was quite angry a few weeks ago at the suggestion that he had somehow presided over this Culture Of Corruption in his ministry. Anyway, hes gone. Its not going to make any difference to the conduct of the war, because thats not his job. His job was to make sure that the west continued to supply more and more weaponry, and he was very good at thatjob. And i think he will be missed among ukraines western partners. And what about Rustem Umerov . I mean, will he be good at doing exactly that . Untested on that front, although he has been an envoy for the Ukrainian Government. He was present at talks, peace talks in turkey last year with the russians, talks that went absolutely nowhere. Not his fault, i dont think. He has also, you know, had positions of authority. He is in charge of this department which deals with state assets. And hes also thought to be quite loyal to president zelensky. Interestingly, hes also a tartar from the crimean peninsula. And perhaps at a symbolic level, the fact that someone from crimea is now running ukraines Ministry Of Defence is a reminder that crimea is still, as far as the government here is concerned, very much on the table. Paul adams reporting from kyiv. Live now to somerset to speak to david galbreath, professor of war and technology at the university of bath. What what is your assessment of the changing of War Ministers . The finger of corruption has been pointed at the minister who stepped down. Im president zelensky did sell it as, he has been in thejob for 550 days, we need a fresh blood. But what is your take on it . Absolutely. 0leksii Reznikov has been very important to the ukraine fight, and really building up the alliance, or the western support for the ukraine war, and we can see in particular, his ability to attract weapons being donated or shared to ukraine, has been very effective. What is more difficult. You imagine, when going into war, that the idea is to bring your army with you. Into war, that the idea is to bring your army with you. Sometimes, that is a aood your army with you. Sometimes, that is a good army. Your army with you. Sometimes, that is a good army, and your army with you. Sometimes, that is a good army, and sometimes, your army with you. Sometimes, that is a good army, and sometimes, thatj is a good army, and sometimes, that is a good army, and sometimes, that is a good army, and sometimes, that is a bad army. Needless to say, in terms of national survival, that is exactly what 0leksii Reznikov did. In particular, we have seen zelensky, in response to some western concerns about the scale of corruption in ukraine itself, has started to look very seriously at those areas. And one of those areas is of course the ukraine army. We have seen issues around procurement, bribery, in recruitment, and the appointment of Rustem Umerov is telling, because he comes with a clean sheet. I telling, because he comes with a clean sheet clean sheet. I suppose the other oint is clean sheet. I suppose the other point is that clean sheet. I suppose the other point is that this clean sheet. I suppose the other point is that this is clean sheet. I suppose the other point is that this is a clean sheet. I suppose the other point is that this is a ministry. Point is that this is a ministry where billions of dollars were suddenly poured into it. Because the corruption in ukraine existed before this conflict, and really, no doubt of course that it will continue, because it is viewed as one of the worlds most corrupt countries. Absolutely. We do see that the issue of corruption really across the former soviet union continues to be a challenge. Having said that, i am sure that the countries of the Baltic States wouldnt take themselves in that regard. But needless to say, in many countries in that area, it still remains a huge problem. There has been a significant change in the scale of corruption, even since 2004, when we saw the orange revolution. But needless to say, the problem is, especially with a country dominated by oligarchs, that is very wealthy individuals who play a hand in politics, that corruption continues to continue, and the notion that, actually, that corruption is an important way to build alliances within society, to make sure that you hold on to political power. And so, therefore, rooting out corruption is a very difficult task. Indeed. Letsjust corruption is a very difficult task. Indeed. Lets just talk, corruption is a very difficult task. Indeed. Letsjust talk, if corruption is a very difficult task. Indeed. Lets just talk, if we can, about the Counter Offensive in way thatis about the Counter Offensive in way that is out now. There has been a lot of pressure on Ukrainian Forces in the last few months. I member speaking to president zelensky, who said look, this is not a hollywood movie but our reality. I remember. There isnt going to be the sort of Shock And Awe the world is waiting for. But we are now several months into it, and we are hoping that ukrainians are making some gains. Hoping that ukrainians are making some gaine hoping that ukrainians are making some aains. ~ , ~. ,. , some gains. Absolutely. We do hear that ukraine some gains. Absolutely. We do hear that ukraine are some gains. Absolutely. We do hear that ukraine are making some gains. Absolutely. We do hear that ukraine are making some some gains. Absolutely. We do hear| that ukraine are making some gains, and even on the occasion that russia is making gains. So, it is a very volatile space. Absolutely, the notion that the russians had a great deal of time to set up a defensive position. Many of those areas held have been held all the way going back, even before the attack on kyiv. And so, therefore, there has been a significant investment in defending those areas. But, needless to say, just like if you think about the marginal line, that france built to bill, keep out the germans, the line to keep out ukrainians is only as good as it is on its weakest point, and that is exactly what ukrainians are trying to do now, is identify and attack those weakest points. Identify and attack those weakest oints. , � , identify and attack those weakest oints. , v v identify and attack those weakest oints. � , � ,. , ~. , points. Thats lets talk about the olitics, points. Thats lets talk about the politics, because points. Thats lets talk about the politics, because the points. Thats lets talk about the politics, because the politics politics, because the politics continues, behind the scenes, well not really behind the scenes, today, we saw that it may put meet with president erdogan in turkey, about that grain that is sitting there not going anywhere, with the issue around the green deal in the black sea. � , ,. , around the green deal in the black sea. Absolutely, the green deal is the perfect sea. Absolutely, the green deal is the perfect opportunity sea. Absolutely, the green deal is the perfect opportunity for sea. Absolutely, the green deal is the perfect opportunity for the the perfect opportunity for the Russian Federation and the kremlin in particular, because it allows russia to put force on to and try to constrain its behaviour. The grain deal. What kyiv is trying to do is make sure that its good to good to go to markets, and it actually dampens down food costs, because it knows that the state of the World Economy is actually a good indicator of the support of ukraine indicator of the support of ukraine in this case of national survival, and therefore, is very keen to make sure that that goes to market, that product goes to markets. But the russians understand it very much as something they can tap in order to make sure they apply maximum pressure on kyiv when it matters. Thank you so much forjoining us here on the programme. Thank you so much forjoining us here on the programme. Thank you. Around the here on the programme. Thank you. Around the world here on the programme. Thank you. Around the world and here on the programme. Thank you. Around the world and across here on the programme. Thank you. Around the world and across the here on the programme. Thank you. | Around The World and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news. Former cabinet minister, sir gavin williamson, has apologised in the house of Commons Chamber after an inquiry into his behaviour last yearfound he had bullied a colleague. In a statement to the commons he said that, during an exchange with the then chief whip, he had used intemperate and inappropriate language, which i regret. He apologised for the comments shortly after. The parents of a teenager who died after failures in treating her sepsis are calling for patients to be given the right to an urgent second opinion, if they feel their concerns are not being taken seriously. Martha mills, who would have been 16 today, died two years ago. An inquest said she could have survived had her care been better. The metropolitan police say a 42 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after sky sports pundit roy keane was allegedly headbutted following arsenals match against Manchester United on sunday. Footage of the incident was circulated on social media and appeared to show keane and fellow pundit Micah Richards involved in an altercation with an individual. Youre live with bbc news. At least two people have died and three are missing after record rainfall caused heavy flooding in central spain across madrid, catalonia and valencia. The rising waters caused roads and train lines to be closed, and helicopters were sent to some areas to rescue those whod scrambled onto roofs to escape the rising waters. Guy hedgecoe is in madrid. Today was when many spaniards went back to work after the summer holiday, but the torrential rain much of the country has seen over the last few days has made it anything but a smooth return. The Central Province of toledo was one of the worst hit areas. A man died after being trapped in a lift there, apparently because of the flooding. Another man was already dead when Rescue Services reached him near his car. Just west of madrid, one man is still missing after his car was swept away, although his ten year old son was rescued. Just over a week ago, many parts of the country were seeing temperatures of up to 40 celsius. Spain often sees heavy rain at the end of the summer, but this weather event, caused by a mass of low pressure, has been much more extreme than normal. In and around madrid, where rivers burst their banks, flooding has damaged homes and left many residents struggling to keep the water out. 200 people were evacuated. Translation we were very worried, because we thought the house was going to collapse because of the huge amount of rain that fell. Everyone here is astonished because the bridge is broken. Translation the water came i into the house as if it was a wave. It went upstairs and we panicked a bit. We tried to solve the problem as best we could. We put the dog on the roof. The High Speed Rail Link between madrid and the Southern Andalucia Region has now resumed. But other services are still being disrupted. Madrid airport is returning to normal, after many flights were suspended. The extreme weather has now eased off, and is moving away from spain. Its impact, however, is still being felt. Guy hedgecoe, bbc news, madrid. Kenya is hosting the inaugural Africa Climate summit, to discuss how the continent can take climate action. At least 23 African Heads Of State and government willjoin thousands of delegates to discuss a problem that is affecting the whole continent. Ethiopia, kenya and somalia recently endured its worst drought in decades, with five consecutive failed rainy seasons. One of the deadliest storms to hit africa in the last two decades, Cyclone Freddy ripped through malawi, mozambique and madagascar in late february, killing over 1000. West and Central Africa experienced one of the worst Flooding Disasters ever in 2022. More than 1,500 people were killed and 3. 2 million displaced. Earlier, i spoke to nazanine moshiri, Senior Analyst on climate, environment and conflict at the International Crisis group. Prominent leaders from the us. John kerry is here as well. Antonio guterres. Its really important because of the timing. The last three years, weve seen seismic events globally from covid 19 to the war in russia, which has really highlighted the way that were interconnected. And the fact is that africa really is bearing the brunt of Global Carbon emissions while it itself is barely producing any at all. And africa, at the same time, needs billions of dollars, around £460 billion worth of Climate Financing in terms of adaptation for the continent. And its getting a fraction of that at the moment. So its really important for african leaders, they say, to come together to get these messages across and to try to get financing for africa, but also provide some solutions in terms of Green Investments on the continent as well. And as you say, the continent is responsible for less than 4 of emissions, and yet hundreds of millions of people on the continent are without basic things like electricity. And theyre looking for more of a platform, especially ahead of cop 28. Do you think the world is listening . Well, if you speak to african campaigners and ive spoken to many, they say that the world isnt listening. In 2009, the world promised 100 billion every year towards the global south for financing to combat the effects of climate change. Were still waiting for that amount to be met. Its about 80 billion at the moment, and were actually talking about trillions of dollars that are needed. And ive spoken to people in somalia, in kenya, who are really bearing the brunt of the impacts of climate change, which makes droughts and floods more likely. People who say that even if some money is trickling in, very little of it is getting down to the communities to help them build resilience to climate change. Climate change is not going to go anywhere. In fact, its going to get worse in the coming years. The predictions are pretty grim for kenya 1. 7 degrees celsius increase in temperatures by 2050. Thats not good at all for kenya and the rest of the continent. Dont go anywhere. We have lots more in the next edition. Hello there. Its remaining settled, sunny, dry, and very warm this week. In fact, it could turn pretty hot across parts of england and wales around the middle part of the week, with increasing humidity as well. There will always be the chance of some mist and fog through the morning, and an increasing chance around the middle part of the week for a few showers, mainly towards western areas, closer to this area of low pressure. But High Pressure will continue to dominate the scene for most of the country. Tuesday promises to be another dry, sunny and very warm one, in fact, turning hotter across southern areas as we import the air off the near continent. Now, as we head through tonight, many places will have clear skies, a bit of mist and fog developing once again, just a very small chance of a shower pushing into the far southwest. Quite a muggy night across the south, generally mild for most. Still a few chilly spots across some of the scottish glens. Tuesday, then, we start off with some mist and fog, always more cloud across Northern Scotland, certainly into the northern isles. And theres a very slim chance of a shower pushing into the southwest of england, south wales, Northern Ireland. Most places will stay dry, sunny, and very warm with the Mid To High 20s for most. Getting close to 30 celsius across the south east. Through tuesday night, once again, well see the mist and fog returning. In fact, we could see a bit more extensive low cloud mist and fog across some coastal areas and across Northern England into scotland, but clearer skies elsewhere. And i think a warmer night to come across scotland. Then, we start wednesday off with that cloud through central Northern Areas. That should tend to melt away. Could have some low cloud and mist hugging some coastal areas. Otherwise, for most, again its another dry, sunny and a hot day. We could be up to 31 celsius or so across the southeast. Mid to high 20s further north. Now, as we move out to wednesday, to thursday, this is where we could see an increasing chance of showers, mainly, we think, towards western and Northern Areas through the day. So these showers, thunderstorms, may drift their way northwards through thursday morning, parking themselves towards Northern Scotland through the afternoon. Most places, after any mist and fog clears, will have another dry, sunny and a hot day. Increasingly humid as well, up to around 30 celsius in the southeast, mid 20s further north. Temperatures come down a little bit across scotland, Northern Ireland this weekend, one or two showers, but it stays hot for england and wales. Its not until we get into next week where things turn cool and fresher for most. This is bbc news, the headlines. As the world faces a Cost Of Living crisis, new Research Suggests it could have a dangerous impact on the lives of children. Thousands of teachers in South Korea Go On Strike to honour colleagues whove taken their own lives. School staff are demanding better protection against bullying by the parents of pupils. And touching bass the guitar thats been missing for half a century that Paul Mccartney wants to, well, get back. Now to a worrying development, as the world faces rapid increases in the Cost Of Living thats an increase in the number of children forced into commercial Sexual Exploitation, or other harmful forms of work. The research has been carried out by the International Labour organisation and, according to their estimate, around 1. 7 million children are involved in the practises. The ilos Director General said the situation was getting worse and often it was down to the way families felt they had to respond to global inflation. Families felt they had to respond in families felt they had to respond some families, it difference in some families, its literally the difference between having one meal a day or not. And therefore, the temptation of bringing a young girl, for example, to the street and trying to entice them to go for the sex work increases. And therefore, it increases the risk of sexual abuse, Sexual Exploitation, and therefore, the worst form of child labour. Lets try to put that into context now. Commercial Sexual Exploitation is a murky issue, with many
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