prime minister rishi sunak has been giving evidence to the covid inquiry here in london today. critics suggest that his eat out to help out the policy under which the government subsidised meals led to an increase in infections. early evidence at the inquiry suggested that health officials hadn't been consulted about that because the milk scheme, but rishi insisted milk scheme, but rishiinsisted insisted that the chief scientific and medical advisers did not object when the scheme was announced. rishi and a chance at the time back in 2020 claim his actions had protected millions ofjobs hospitality sector. my primary concern was protecting millions ofjobs of particularly vulnerable people who worked in this industry. all the data, all the evidence, all the polling, all the input from those companies suggested that unless we did something, many of those jobs would have been at risk with devastating consequences for those people and their families. and that's my independent think tanks and had recommended doing something like this, other countries had done something like this because everyone was grappling with the same issue, of how to ensure that those jobs are safeguarded because people have returned. that was the primary driver for what we were doing. the prime minister began his evidence today by saying he was sorry to everyone who lost loved ones during the pandemic and promised to learn any lessons. just wanted to start by saying how deeply sorry i am to all of those who lost loved ones, family members through the pandemic, and also all of those who suffered in the various different ways throughout the pandemic, and as a result of the actions that were taken. i thought a lot about this over the last couple of years. it's important that we learn the lesson so that we can be better prepared in the future. it is in that spirit and with almost respect for all of those who are affected the night here today. i look forward to giving evidence in the spirit of constructive candour to help the inquiry with its interpretations. and ellie price is live now for us outside the inquiry. just give us more of a sense of those exchanges about that eat out to help out policy that has been so much of the focus of certainly rishi evidence �*sevidence. it much of the focus of certainly rishi evidence 'sevidence._ evidence 'sevidence. it has. and i think rishi _ evidence 'sevidence. it has. and i think rishi obviously, _ evidence 'sevidence. it has. and i think rishi obviously, was - think rishiobviously, was obviously, you know, anticipating it coming and meant it with a very robust explanation of how he felt it had gone. as you heard, defensive. he said that basically it was because the scientists had already deemed that hospitality was safe and therefore it was what it called a micro policy on top of that. i think we saw, you know, quite punchy language. he looked quite agitated at times in his defence back policy. compare that with the sort of sombre tone he struck in the morning with the apology that you just heard him think it was quite a, you know, comparison with making and find out how it went this afternoon. let me draw your attention over here to an impromptu press conference going on with some of the bereaved families. many of them have been sitting in the inquiry room today watching with their own eyes, rishi. many of them have travelled hundreds of miles to be here. and i think it gives you the sense of the strength of feeling around all of this, around the politics. there's also plenty of personal stories, and we have heard from a number of those bereaved families that they felt they satisfied with some of the questioning, the way that the questions were posed to the prime minister and two previous witnesses, where they say they don't feel like their views have been pushed forward enough. there are people in that number who felt that they eat out to help out scheme deliberately, well, it contributed to the deaths of their loved ones. now, of course, i think you will talk to nick early shortly about the science behind it, whether it did materially increase the prevalence of the virus, something that's come up at the inquiry here about whether it did or not to materially have an impact. i think the point that was made by a lot of the scientists is that it affected people's behaviour, and that was obviously one of the crucial issues here at a time where we were told to be vigilant and encouraged to go out to lunch. i suppose a crucial part of the exchange is was that rishi told the inquiry that britain's chief scientific and medical advisers did not object after the scheme was announced, but a lot of the questioning was simply about what he consulted on before the decision, and that is, of course, this contradiction because he was pressed about did he speak to the scientific advisers before, did he speak to the regions, scotland, wales, northern ireland, before he actually took that decision?— ireland, before he actually took that decision? ~ , ~ that decision? absolutely. and there was a lot of — that decision? absolutely. and there was a lot of chewing _ that decision? absolutely. and there was a lot of chewing and _ that decision? absolutely. and there was a lot of chewing and failing, - was a lot of chewing and failing, wasn't that, exactly how the decision was made. as i say committee explanation we got was the broader issue was deemed to be safe, so he felt he didn't need to consult and there was ample opportunity. he said there were three meetings of scientific advisers in the gap between announcing the scheme and the commencement of the scheme in which the scientific advisers and indeed other ministers could have chipped in with concerns about it, and he said there was not that concerned. i mean, that wasn't the only thrust of the questioning today, of course, it was something, as i say, that rishi anticipating was anticipating because it has been something that's been so often mentioned in this inquiry. i think another interesting moment where he was very defensive was about his own department or venn department, the treasury. now, we have heard previously, scientists have referred to rishi himself as doctor death, referring to is concerned about the economy, they see it at the expense of the wider health issue, concerns about putting stricter measures in place here in the uk and the impact it would have on the economy versus whether those restrictions needed to go into place. and he is also, his whole department, it would seem, was referred to by one scientist as the death squad, the pro—death squad because exactly that, the concern about the economy potentially over the health worry. now, of course, rishi said that simply wasn't the case, as he was in charge of the treasury, it was his role to be concerned about the economy. thank ou ve concerned about the economy. thank you very much- _ concerned about the economy. thank you very much. rishi _ concerned about the economy. thank you very much. rishi preparing - concerned about the economy. thank you very much. rishi preparing is you very much. rishipreparing is preparing to face a crucial vote tomorrow on his flagship failed to send —— mps will vote tomorrow on rishi sunak�*s flagship rwanda bill, announced last week, that would effectively stop most of the court challenges preventing the government deporting migrants to the east african country. the far—reaching bill is thought to have caused a split in his party — with one influential group of right—wing backbenchers already claiming that the bill doesn't go far enough. our political correspondent harry farleyjoins me now. harry, where are we in terms of those various groups within the conservative party making an assessment of whether to actually back this plan tomorrow or not. that's right. this fevered debate really here in westminster this evening, as you say, conservative mps evening, as you say, conservative mp5 from all beings of the party have expressed concerns about this bail. the bill aims to stop legal challenges to the government's plan to send some asylum—seekers that arrived in our country on small boats to rwanda. we have heard from some this afternoon on the right of the party, they are concerned that the party, they are concerned that the bill won't actually do that. it doesn't go far enough in their words. some have even called for the government to pull the bail altogether and bring forward a whole new version. there are others on the centre ground of the conservative party who are concerned that the bill goes too far and worried that the bill might preach international law. i think to give you a sense of just how concerned downing street and the government is about this debate and whether this bill could get through tomorrow, it took a very unusual step this afternoon of publishing a summary of the legal advice the government had received, that's not something the government normally does, but they publish that legal advice in an attempt to persuade both sides of this debate as to why they have taken the course they have and that legal advice said that if they'd gone any further, they would have been in danger of breaching international law. so really, where we are this evening, there is a whole series of meetings happening here in the houses of parliament this evening from conservatives of all winds of the party trying to decide what they are going to do tomorrow. it party trying to decide what they are going to do tomorrow.— going to do tomorrow. it would of course be a _ going to do tomorrow. it would of course be a massive _ going to do tomorrow. it would of course be a massive blow - going to do tomorrow. it would of course be a massive blow if - going to do tomorrow. it would of course be a massive blow if he i course be a massive blow if he wasn't able to get it through this initial hurdle in the commons. just take us through the numbers because you have potential rebellions on both winds of the party. what are the numbers we are talking about to look out for in terms of mps the numbers we are talking about to look out for in terms of mp5 of his own party that would vote against this that would stop it in its tracks? , , ., ., tracks? the numbers are quite common data because — tracks? the numbers are quite common data because some _ tracks? the numbers are quite common data because some have _ tracks? the numbers are quite common data because some have said _ tracks? the numbers are quite common data because some have said they - data because some have said they wouldn't support the bail, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will vote against it. they might abstain. mps vote against it. they might abstain. mp5 from other parties, such as the dup, make support this, so it is quite difficult to work at the numbers. some are saying that they are not in favour of the bill that they might allow it to go through its initial hurdle, as he said, this is what's called the second meeting of the bill that we will get tomorrow. that's a boat on the principle of the bail itself in some mps are saying today that they will vote for it tomorrow. they support the principle of the bill, but when it comes back in the new year for amendments, they will try to tweak it and bring forward amendments to the shape it more in line with what they would like to know whether that is on the right, who are concerned that this bill doesn't go far enough, orthose that this bill doesn't go far enough, or those in the centre, who think it goes too far already. and think it goes too far already. and 'ust think it goes too far already. and just briefly _ think it goes too far already. and just briefly on — think it goes too far already. and just briefly on that final thoughts, are you getting any sort of indications that the government is prepared to move at all in terms of the basic proposals they are offering? because certainly the right of the party, swell ella braverman, and all of those people coalesced around her have been saying it's not too late if the government changes. is the government changes. is the government prepared to have any sort of alterations and changes —— suella. i of alterations and changes -- suella. ~ ., ., suella. i think one thing that did come u- suella. i think one thing that did come up this _ suella. i think one thing that did come up this afternoon, - suella. i think one thing that did come up this afternoon, a - suella. i think one thing that did - come up this afternoon, a breathing in number ten from the government said it is listening to mp5, and that doesn't mean anything officially but it's worth saying the government saying it is listening to them it's taking those concerns to heart, the number of mps had everything with immigration this afternoon, so we will wait to see if the government brings forward any changes to that. at the moment, nothing formal, but the government says they are listening.— very much. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. a girl accused of the murder of the transgender teenager brianna ghey in february has told a jury at manchester crown court that she heard a scream and turned round to see her co—accused stabbing her. the 16—year—old, identified only as girl x, became visibly upset as she told the jury she saw another teenager, identified only as boy y, stabbing brianna with a knife. a teenage boy has appeared in court charged with murder after a woman was shot dead in east london. lianne gordon was killed in hackney last tuesday, and a man and a 16—year—old boy also suffered gunshot wounds. today, a 16—year—old boy was remanded in custody at barkingside magistrates' court. he was also charged with two counts of attempted murder. a new type of street drug — which can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin — has been linked to at least 5a deaths across the uk. nitazenes are synthetic opioids, which are believed to be imported from china. just a few of the stories making the headlines here in the uk. you're live with bbc news. turning to the middle east, the us says it is concerned about reports israel has used white phosphorous against gaza and is seeking more information from the israelis. that mind developing in the last hour or so. intense fighting has continued in parts of the gaza strip. in the heavily populated southern city of khan yunis — to which civilians were previously told to flee — tanks have reached the main north—south road. israeli aircraft have been attacking an area to the west. the hamas—run health ministry says, that dozens of people have been killed across gaza in the past 2a hours, with more than 18,000 deaths since israel began its military action. the israeli army has issued another call for palestinians to leave gaza city and khan younis. it says, seven more of its soldiers have been killed, bringing the total number to more than 100 since the conflict began. rockets have again been launched from gaza into israel — with one person injured in the central city of holon. hamas has threatened that — not one of its hostages will leave gaza alive — unless israel agrees to a prisoner exchange. diplomats at the un say the general assembly is likely to vote on tuesday, on another call for an "immediate ceasefire" in gaza. 0ur middle east correspondent hugo bachega injerusalem has the latest on the fighting. fighting now is concentrated in three areas of gaza, injabalia, in shajiya, in the northern part of the territory, this is where the israeli military says they are fighting against hamas fighters in strongholds of the group. and obviously in the southern part of the territory, fighting is happening in khan younis, this has been a key focus, a key target of the israeli military. this is where the leader of hamas in gaza comes from, and the israeli authorities believe that members of the hamas leadership are hiding in the city, possibly in the vast network of underground tunnels. so today, more evacuation orders, residents have been told to flee central parts of khan younis, and again intense fighting has been reported in parts of the city. israeli tanks are advancing and the israeli military has said the fighting is happening house—to—house in parts of khan younis. and again, tens of thousands of palestinians have been told to evacuate, that is putting a lot of pressure on the two main designated safe areas by the israeli military, including the southern city of rafa near the border with egypt. we have seen widespread shortages of basic supplies, and again, aid agencies are saying that the situation is catastrophic. that people who haven't been killed by bombs may not survive hunger and disease. and again, very limited aid supplies are getting into gaza. so the situation remains extremely difficult and even catastrophic for the population in gaza. tell me a little more than about aid getting in, because this is the second crossing point, but how much are the agencies actually expecting to actually go through one, if not two, crossing points? yes, the israelis say that they are preparing this second crossing point so that more aid can enter gaza. and for days, since the end of that temporary ceasefire, aid organisations and even the un have been raising concerns about the humanitarian situation in gaza, they have been urging the israeli authorities to open up a new crossing point so more aid can get into gaza. but again, they have been saying that the aid has been getting into the territory, it is just a fraction of what is needed. we are talking about 2.2 million people in gaza who are now suffering from widespread shortages of basic supplies, no shelter, it is getting cold, so again it is a very difficult situation for those people who are, many again, on the move, not for the first time, and have been told to leave those cities where fighting has been intense and they are now, many of them, evacuating to these two main places in gaza where the israeli authorities have said that these are the safe areas for refugees, for displaced people in gaza. and again, the organisations and the workers operating those places say that they simply don't have the capacity to cope with the large numbers of people who have been displaced in gaza. 0ur correspondent in israel. staff and hospital say they are under siege now and running out of necessities. 0ur correspondent says they are struggling to communicate with little signal but sent this audio message describing the desperate situation amid the sounds of bombardment going on in the background. the food is less than the beginning of this siege. yesterday, they were bombing the tanks of water. so now also we don't have water. we have water directly now without tanks, putting in some gallons in the bathroom. the healthy water, maybe tomorrow, maximum after tomorrow will finish, because there is no water tanks to filter that. air strike booms. 0ur central store is in another building and we can't move because of the sniper. related to the food, actually, we didn't have afforded some rice, some bread and the bread we prepared because we have till now a generator. but if this generator will stop, so the direct water will stopped. and this bread, we can't prepare this bread. so we will cook this rice for two or maximum three days because we have only one meal per day for staff, and for patients and for the family of the patients. and also the smell of the bacteria from the legs and arms of the patient, the injured people. that is very bad. i hope it's finish soon. the voice notes from one doctor is still operating there in the north of the country. the united nations' climate body has published its latest draught of a deal it hopes to conclude at the cop 28 summit in dubai. the text includes a range of actions that could be taken by countries to re