21/08/2014 BBC Wales Today

for Monday. And Scotland will be driest and brightest. Thank you. Now

here narrow the gap with other parts of the UK. Overall there has been a

slight drop in the pass rate. We got similar results. We are happy with

that. Good news overall but I will look through the numbers to see

which subjects saw a drop in results and which made the grade.

Also tonight, millions has been spent protecting properties from

flooding but there is a warning that 200 properties are still at risk.

Around 500 homes are without gas, after water got into pipes.

And I'm live at the Cardiff City Stadium as Wales try to shock group

For Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay is investigated by the FA

after it is alleged he sent offensive text messages to a

colleague. And I'm live at the Cardiff City

Stadium as Wales try to shock group favourites England in tonight's

crucial Women's World Cup qualifier. GCSE pupils in Wales have closed

the gap with other parts of the UK. Today's results show an increase

in the percentage getting A* to C grades even though the overall pass

rate is down slightly. But there was a big drop

in the number getting good grades Our education correspondent,

Arwyn Jones, has more. At Newport High today,

as in schools across Wales, relief was clear on the faces

and embraces of these peoples. relief was clear on the faces

and embraces of these pupils. I hoped that I'd pass but I'm

pleased because I got a few Bs and a few As,

which I'm really pleased about. So let's take a look

at today's results. The number of people who got A* to C

grades is up on last year from 65.7% to 66.6%, even though

the overall pass rate is down. The number of pupils who got an A*

or an A has also gone up slightly. There is a drop in those getting A*

to C in English language impaired to There is a drop in those getting A*

to C in English language compared to That follows disappointing

results in January. French, German and Spanish and

also maths have also seen a drop. The English examination,

English language examination, This is what rigour looks

like to some extent. I'm pleased and satisfied that

if there are dips within This year's English language papers

were new and unique to Wales. They were first sat in January, when

over 100 school heads complained Nine out of ten pupils re-sat

and many were glad they did so. I had a lower result in January

and I did hope for a higher one but now that it's all fixed it's

gone back to what I hoped it would However, schools like Newport High

are feeling the effects Overall, their grades are

down this year and, for the head, There's been a 7% drop

in our English outcomes from last year to this year,

which is entirely unpredicted. So, therefore, we can only assume

that our whole school drop is as a result of that lower than

predicted outcome in English. Last night,

we spoke with Will and Tom. They both got

the grades they were hoping for and see it as a first step towards

bigger and better things. There's always a little doubt

as you walk in to get your results I'm not sure, as a career yet,

but I know I'd like to go back, or go to university when I'm older and

hopefully get a degree in something. Across Wales, like here at Lampeter,

the sciences These are areas where we lead the UK

average. There's an increasing number

of 15-year-olds being entered and the results for that part

of the candidature are really So I think there will be cause

for reflection on mathematics, especially as we are going

into further reform Wales still lags behind the rest

of the UK in GCSEs. The same goes with A-level results

but There may be quite a way to go

but the direction of travel Arwyn joins me now. Arwyn, what's

your take on today's results? On the face of it,

there's no doubt that we've seen The highest levels

of pupils getting A* to C grades. But it's within the individual

subjects you see the real variation. That's being blamed on too many

pupils sitting the exam too early. In England they're getting to grips

with that by banning re-sits, but the education minsiter here

decided against such a move. English language -

a brand new qualification. We've seen concerns there that

as a new qualification teachers Well, the minister said this

is what rigour looks like. I read that as tougher exams mean

fewer pupils getting top grades. As expected in the modern

foreign languages we saw a drop. Not only

in the numbers sitting the tests, The sciences are a real

area to celebrate. In every area we've seen increases

and in every area we're ahead The same is true of history and,

speaking with the minister earlier this morning,

he seemed to me to be saying let's look at what we're doing there and

try to replicate it elsewhere too. A man jailed for killing baby

Alfie Sullock will have his nine-year sentence reviewed

after concerns it's too lenient. Michael Pearce, who's 33 and

from Caerphilly, was jailed for the manslaughter of his girlfriend's

six-week-old son in July. The case has now been referred to

the Court of Appeal Judges are expected to consider

the sentence in October. The former chief executive of an

ethnic minority charity has denied using the organisation's money to

pay for a ?5,000 kitchen from IKEA. Nasir Malik is accused

of fraudulently using cheques belonging to the All Wales Ethnic

Minority Association to reduce He told Swansea Crown Court the

payments were to cover expenses. Mr Malik denies three counts

of fraud and the trial continues. Thousands of homes have been

protected against flooding according The former Cardiff City manager

Malky Mackay is being investigated by the Football Association

after Cardiff sent them It includes allegations he exchanged

offensive text messages with Live now to the Cardiff City Stadium

and our sports reporter Tonight Cardiff City is hosting

a vital Women's World Cup qualifier But today, the club's former manager

Malky Mackay has been dominating It appears he was on the verge

of taking a new job, linking up with his former right-hand man

Iain Moody at Crystal Palace. But that move is now off and Moody

has resigned after allegations emerged that the pair had exchanged

racist, sexist and homophobic text messages when they both worked here

at Cardiff City. He's been out of work for eight

months and tonight the prospect of Malky Mackay returning to a job in

football seems a lot further away. The FA are considering

a file provided by Cardiff City, which includes allegations of

misconduct by Mackay and has former head of recruitment, Iain Moody,

during their time at the club. The dossier,

details of which were published in the Daily Mail, contains

allegations that the pair exchanged offensive messages that were racist,

sexist and homophobic in nature. Mackay and Moody have both been

asked to comment Everyone in football, certainly the

managers and club owners and people in the footballing hierarchy should

be taking a leadership role and we don't feel that homophobic comments

or discriminatory comments are appropriate, whether in public or in

private. allegedly referred to in the texts

is Jewish football agent Phil Smith. I would prefer somebody

if they had something to say to say I don't want to be judgemental

on either of them because I think it is out of character, personally,

but I'm a Jewish person and, looking at what is happening

in terms of anti-Semitism around Europe at the moment,

it's worrying for Jewish people. As I said,

this is a multiracial issue. If it's worrying for me,

it will be worrying for others. Mackay

and Moody first worked together The pair were set to be reunited

again at Crystal Palace but today Moody resigned from his

job as they're sporting director, a position he'd taken two months after

being sacked by Cardiff, who had accused him and Mackay of

overspending in the transfer market. Lawyers working for Cardiff had

searched Moody's home, looking for evidence of irregularities

in his transfer dealings. What they found has now

been sent to the FA. Cardiff stressed the dossier was

handed over before Mackay applied The Scotsman was certainly

a popular figure at Cardiff City. Fans protested when he was sacked

by owner Vincent Tan. He was a bit of an icon last season

with all the stuff that was going Those of us lucky enough to meet him

would see these allegations If true, it would really

devastate quite a lot of people. In May, Mackay and Moody dropped

legal compensation claims against Both then issued apologies to

Vincent Tan for any offence They said they hoped a line could

be drawn under the dispute. With allegations now in the hands

of the FA, Extraordinary events today.

joined by BBC Wales's football correspondent. Development is no one

expected. Where does this leave him now? In the last few minutes, his

agent has reportedly told the media that he is shocked and stunned by

these developments and they will fight this through the courts. We

will see what happens. These are only allegations at the moment and

we now await the results of the FA investigation into the document

which Cardiff City centre then two weeks ago. Should be read anything

into the timing of this? I understand from the highest club

sources that they were told by their legal people that they have to

submit this a legend -- alleged evidence to the football authorities

are they would have been in breach of the rules. That explains why it

has gone to the FA. He was a hugely popular figure here. Even when he

left, his standing was so high. Has this changed that?

left, his standing was so high. Has the area -- on various

left, his standing was so high. Has networks and there are plenty of

people backing him to the hilt. We will wait to see what happens with

the FA investigation. This is a story I think will run and run over

the next few days And I hope you'll join me back here

in a few minutes as we look ahead to tonight's big World Cup qualifier

between Wales and England. Thousands of homes have been

protected against flooding according It says 6500 properties are

benefiting from investment But it warns more than 200,000

properties are still at risk. A detailed report from Natural

Resources Wales covers the period In all,

?71 million in damage was done. Some of that to Joanne Ellison's

St Asaph home in 2012. The repairs meant she had to move

out for 200 days and so won't be My own sandbags which I paid

for myself. So I've put things in place but it

is our way of making myself be able Natural Resources Wales says ?165

million has been spent It'll protect 250 homes.

near Pontarddulais to control At this point it's going to be

just over 7.5 metres high. It will store the water as and when

required and it will offer that level of protection to all these

people and all these properties. Physical barriers like dams or these

raised river banks are one form as much effort into forecasting

flooding hotspots and spreading It is also money invested

in forecasting flooding For example, 160 more communities

have benefited from getting The money has also gone to

community flood plans. 600 more communities better

prepared as a result. 30 flood wardens like

Ken Hodgkinson, president of St Asaph Cricket Club, which was

devastated two years ago, will be on My wardens go out

and make sure people are doing what When that is required, we know

the area because we live in it. And then you can leave that side

of it to us. Across Wales, 21,000 properties are

still said to be at high risk but awareness could be just as

helpful as any number of sandbags. How do Scottish people living here

today feel about breaking away And it feels as if summer is over

but will there be any sun over Around 500 properties are without

gas in the Nantyglo area of Wales And West Utilities says

the problem was caused after water got into gas pipes

when a water main burst. It says engineers are working

to resolve the issue. first, they must find out where the

water came from and then how it got into the gas supply. Across

Nantyglo, hundreds of homes have been affected since early this

morning. I was contacted by a tenant who said water was coming out of the

cooker. That was how we found out. From that, the situation has come

about. How dangerous has this situation been? It could have been

dangerous if it wasn't properly managed so that is why we are

involved because it could have been serious if not properly managed.

When -- we have no water and no gas. We have friends and family who can

help us out. That's just in case it doesn't come on today. This woman

was first to spot there was something wrong, believing her

seating was broken. She has kept warm with a hot cup of tea. I have a

phone call about 30 minutes ago to say not to use the cooker. Anything

could happen, couldn't it? Engineers have gone door-to-door to make sure

that the gas is turned off. They will have to revisit each house to

turn it back on. Even once they have identified the source of the

problem, it will not be a Kwik-Fit 's. Right now, they are working

round the clock and say they will provide vulnerable customers with

alternative seating and cooking facilities if required.

An ex-police officer from Ruthin who used confidential information to tip

off his girlfriend about her brother being reported for drug offences has

Robert Wyn Jones, who's 50, admitted accessing and passing

Barry Hospital's minor injury unit will close for five days during

the NATO summit in Newport next month to allow its staff to work

Leaders from around the world will be coming to Wales for the event,

The NHS staff will be part of a triage service to support police

It's just four weeks until Scotland votes on independence.

And in the first in a series of special reports, our political

editor, Nick Servini, has been to meet Scots living in Wales.

Would they welcome Scotland breaking away from the UK and could

It is more Braveheart than Bridgend but this is our Welsh castle.

Historically, the Scots have been far more successful than the Welsh

when it comes to fighting the English. Now, a modern-day battle

for independence takes place and it is being fought among the Scots

themselves. That includes couples. They don't have a vote, but the

debate is intense between these two, who moved here more than 30 years

ago. I would vote yes because of the way I feel. Others like to see

Scotland stand on their own and make it. What do you think? I think they

should shut the book. She hasn't given me any argument for

independence. So many questions haven't been answered. The currency.

What are we going to have? If you don't know what going to be in your

pocket next week. Will it be a pound or a Deutschmark? This place is said

to have been the home of the first Welsh Parliament. The man running

it, a proud Scot, backs the modern devolved governments in Scotland and

Wales but nothing more. Alex Salmond will do the Braveheart or luckless

monster thing. I don't need someone to tell me I'm Scottish. I can suit

in myself. I preferred the union just as she is. It works perfectly

well. Why would you change something if it isn't broken. This folk is

likely to make Scottish expats feel sentimental. That includes this

piano player. He says the Scots don't want to be told how to behave

by outsiders, especially the English. All three parties are

strangely unified for the first time I can remember predicting that

earthquakes will ravage the land and the skies will rain with blood and

the price of bread will go up by 20 times if Scotland is independent.

All of this based on speculation and designed to frighten Scottish people

into voting no. It has the opposite effect, of course. Scottish people

react against that. The Marquess of yet was the most -- Bute was a

famous Scottish person who lives in Wales. He backed devolution but not

for Wales. People in Wales are watching this independence debate

from a place where some people harbour some are ambitions --

similar ambitions. I get the impression that many Welsh people

think Wales is a smaller country and doesn't have the possibility of

North Sea oil and also did not retain a separate education system

the way Scotland is dead after the act of union. Their independence

campaign has been stormy and divisive and the Scottish people

living here reflect those differences. -- reflect those

differences as we move also to this historic vote.

A big match tonight for Wales' Women's football team.

Let's go back to Ashleigh at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The crowd is building here and few things stir the sporting public

Tonight, qualification for next year's

Women's World Cup in Canada is the prize both teams are aiming for.

England are very much in the driving seat in the group.

A point will be enough to see them through.

But Wales are in second place and battling to secure

a play-off spot if they finish the campaign as runners-up.

You can see that there does seem to be a big buzz around football in

Wales and it is important to keep building on that. It is important

for the women but I don't think it has to be women against men.

Football has to be pushed and if that is what we are doing well

that's what we'll do. Sometimes you get the results quicker and

sometimes you don't. It is all about a lot of things we have been trying

to do, build a structure. Obviously being able to take for a lot of the

young experienced players, we have been also lucky. A draw or a win for

Wales tonight would be hugely valuable.

And there are plenty of ways to watch this evening's match.

There's full commentary on both BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru and the

Kick-off is just after seven o'clock.

And finally tonight, some big news emerging from the IPC European

Aled Sion Davies from Bridgend has won gold for

It's another title to add to his Paralympic and

You'll remember Aled captained Wales at the Commonwealth Games,

He becomes the first Welsh athletes to win a gold medal at these

championships. It has been a bit of a gold rush for Welsh athletes. Jazz

Carlin has also won a gold medal in Berlin in the 800 metres swimming. A

terrific month for her and a second gold medal in just a few weeks for

her. We are hoping for a terrific match this evening.

It is fuelling Tom Noble -- fuelling autumnal.

Over the bank holiday weekend, I can promise some fine weather

and sunshine but if you're camping take an extra blanket.

A waterproof will come in handy as well.

This evening showery rain will spread southeast.

Heavy bursts of rain in places but turning much drier

Temperatures inland falling as low as seven Celsius.

Here's the picture for eight in the morning.

Sunnier than today in the south and southeast.

Not dry everywhere, though, with showers in the northeast.

Heavy showers in Flintshire, Wrexham and Deeside.

So a better day tomorrow with sunny spells.

The odd shower here and there in the afternoon, otherwise dry and bright.

Temperatures not great but a little higher than today.

Up to 17 or 18 in the southeast and out of the breeze and

Tomorrow night, plenty of dry, clear weather but also

Yet another cool night for the time of year.

On Saturday, a few showers here and there.

Otherwise a lot of dry weather with some sunshine.

Not that warm, though, with a northwesterly breeze.

Saturday night into Sunday will turn very chilly.

Unusually cold for August, especially inland,

So a chilly start on Sunday but bright and sunny.

Most of the day dry but cloud will increase.

Rain may reach Pembrokeshire by late afternoon and spread further

The chart for Monday shows low pressure over

Next week doesn't look great but, you never know, it may pick up again

in September as it often does when the children go back to school.

That is always the way. A reminder That is

Make the most of your weekend, wherever you are.

Use the BBC Weather App to stay one step ahead of the weather.