to mothers who were forced to give up their babies for adoption. millions of women are waiting for a response from the government on whether they'll receive compensation for not being told about the rise in the state pension age from 60 to 65. a great night for wales, as they take a giant step, towards this summer's euros. they thrash finland in cardiff, and now have to beat poland next week to qualify for the finals. good morning. a change in the weather is colder air is moving across the british isles. it would bring some showers l —— or longer spells of rain. it will be quite blustery. details later. good morning. it's friday, 22nd march. our main story. us secretary of state anthony blinken heads to israel today, to push for an end to fighting in gaza, ahead of a un vote calling

for an immediate ceasefire. mr blinken says talks in saudi arabia and egypt have been making progress and the gaps are narrowing in the pursuit for peace. our reporter, will vernon, has the story. this is antony blinken�*s sixth trip to the middle east since the war in gaza began. the secretary of state met egyptian officials on thursday, holding crucial negotiations to bring an end to the fighting. mr blinken said very good progress had been made in the talks. the gaps are narrowing. we still have some work to do, but i believe that again the progress is good, is real. i can't put a timeframe on it. but we are, i think, getting close to a point where we will have agreements. on the table a deal that would lead to a six—week truce and the release of dozens of hostages still held by hamas militants inside of the

war zone. later today, negotiators will be hoping for a breakthrough as they gather in the qatari capital doha. the qataris continue to urge both sides — hamas to release hostages and to be more flexible, and the israelis to be more cooperative and to hold kinetic operations to help negotiations and to save the civilian lives in gaza as well. so i think things are moving forward. meanwhile, the suffering in gaza is only intensifying. translation: yes, we suffer from nutritional deficiencies i and the lack of material that we can get. there are no vegetables nor fruits, therefore there are no natural nutritional elements available. a un—backed food security assessment says famine is imminent for a 300,000 civilians in the territory. israel says it places no limits on aid deliveries. president biden has made repeated pleas for israel

to allow more humanitarian supplies into gaza. frustration with the israelis is growing in washington. the un security council will vote today on a draft us text calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. but as the diplomacy continues, hope was fading for a swift resolution to this war. will vernon, bbc news, washington. four minutes past six. naga has more on what could be a medical breakthrough. yes, absolutely, charlie. thousands of patients in england living with suspected lung cancer, are being offered a blood test which can show if they'd benefit from early access to targeted therapies. the test can identify genetic variations in tumours which can be treated with tablets rather than chemotherapy. experts say this could lead to fewer side effects for patients. it really allows patients to get

on treatment very, very quickly. but more importantly, it allows them to get on absolutely the correct treatment for their particular cancer. these tablets have dramatic effects in shrinking the cancer down. and in most cases they have markedly fewer side effects. people don't lose their hair. officials have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving the environment secretary, stephen barclay. the issue relates to the construction of an incinerator in his constituency, which he opposes. mr barclay will have no involvement in decisions about the project. 0ur political correspondent helen catt is in westminster. take us through why there are concerns about this and they have been raised? 50 concerns about this and they have been raised?— been raised? so this is about a ossible been raised? so this is about a possible or _ been raised? so this is about a possible or perceived - been raised? so this is about a possible or perceived conflict l been raised? so this is about a | possible or perceived conflict of venture bartlett's role as possible or perceived conflict of venture ba rtlett�*s role as a constituency mp, and his role as a minister. it is to do with the building ofan minister. it is to do with the building of an incinerator in his

north east cambridgeshire constituency in wisbech. it would be one of the biggest energy from waste incinerator plant —— incinerators in europe. stephen barclay has opposed it being built along with several other nearby mps. it being built along with several other nearby mp5. i got the go—ahead from a different bit of government earlier this year, from the department of energy and security, but still needs a permit from the environment agency. the environment agency is sponsored by mr barclay�*s department. civil servants raised concerns about his relationship to the case. those concerns were escalated to the propriety and ethics unit. there is a discussion between the unit and mr barclay. a government spokesman said he has been recused and he will not take any part in the decision. it will be made by mark spencer. labour has written to mr barclay this morning saying the case raises serious issues and asking him to answer a series of questions. thank you. helen cat.

labour's deputy leader, angela rayner, has told the bbc that she is the victim of a smear over the sale of a property in stockport in 2015. questions have been raised about whether ms rayner should have paid capital gains tax, but she told bbc newsnight that she had sought advice on the matter and there had been no wrong—doing. i've been very clear, there was no rules broken. the police, they tried to manufacture a police investigation. they said there's no issues there. i got tax advice, which says there was no capital gains tax. it's a non—story, manufactured to try to smear me. three teenagers who attacked and killed a dog walker in a park in nuneaton, have been given custodial sentences ranging from nine months to a year. a judge said the teenagers — who cannot be named due to their age — had mocked 36—year—old john hackett as he struggled to breathe after being punched, kicked and held in a headlock. 0ur reporter, kevin reide, has more.

john hackett walked his dog every night in the park next to his home in the hartshill area of nuneaton. but in april last year, he got into a confrontation with a gang of youths, who accused him of not picking up his dog mess. a girl and two boys from the group, all aged 15, chased him before a violent assault ensued. this is the area where mr hackett was attacked. the two boys laid into him violently, punching and kicking him, whilst the girl filmed it on her mobile phone, and she only stopped so that she could join in herself. he suffered catastrophic injuries, including a ruptured kidney. john's next door neighbour heard the commotion. i was sat on the sofa over there, on the phone to my nan, and i heard it all kicking off. so i opened the window to hear what was being said, and there was just a lot of abuse towards john. people saying that they were going to kick his head in. mr hackett was taken to hospital, but was in so much pain

he discharged himself so he could go home. his mum, whom he cared for, heard him crying out in pain during the night. the next morning she found him slumped lifeless on the landing. the incident was horrific. we've had to watch it again and again, and it's awful to watch. john didn't have any children. he's very close to his parents. he's got a very loving family, very close. they've been absolutely devastated byjohn's death. he was a carerfor his mum, christine, who was in court sobbing as video evidence of the attack was shown. in her victim impact statement, she said her son's death had ruined her life and put her through hell. meanwhile, the girl was given an 18 month sentence, the boys two years each, with half of that to be served in youth detention. kevin reide, bbc news, warwickshire. labour says it would allow police to bring charges against domestic violence suspects

directly in some areas of england and wales, without first consulting the crown prosecution service, if it wins the next election. the announcement follows a review by the party of the criminal charging system which has found there is a blame game between police and prosecutors, leading to a catastrophic collapse in the number of charges. there are renewed calls for a formal government apology for historical forced adoptions. the commonsjoint committee on human rights says many women suffered harrowing experiences at the hands of state employees in post—war years. the scottish and welsh government's have already apologised for their role in the process. labour leader sir keir starmer has called on nike to change the colour of the st george's cross on its new england shirt, back to the traditional red. the new design features purple and blue horizontal stripes, in what nike called a playful update. mr starmer said the flag was a unifier, and the firm should reconsider its decision to change it. the tech giant apple

is being accused of monopolising the smartphone market by the us government. the landmark lawsuit says the company has illegally stifled competitors, and the choices available to customers, but apple denies the accusations. 0ur north america business correspondent, michelle fleury, has more from new york. more than a billion of us around the world own an iphone. for many people, it's almost unthinkable that they would use any other sort. for me, apple works a little bit better than android. i have had an android before. it didn't do too well with me. it's just what my parents always got me and it'sjust, like, easy to stick with it. the rest of my family also has iphones, - and so they're just very compatible. all of which makes it one of the most successful companies. last year, sales ofjust the iphone made it more than £150 billion in revenues. and that much profit, as well as so many customers, tends to attract the attention of government officials. and now the us department ofjustice, along with 16 different states, has filed

a lawsuit against apple. as our complaint alleges, apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on their merits, but by violating federal antitrust law. apple denies the accusations, saying in a statement... leaving apple and the us government headed for a lengthy argument in court over whether the tech giant is protecting its customers, or making it difficult for them to leave. even very popular companies that make stuff that we care about have to compete for that loyalty that we have, but apple isn't doing that. and i think this is the last in four major lawsuits that we're seeing against american tech companies.

and it is a deliberate attempt to kind of reinvigorate antitrust law enforcement in america. apple argues this case will hurt its ability to create the kind of technology people have come to expect from it. a court will now decide. michelle fleury, bbc news, new york. a student from a uk university owes more than £230,000 in student loan debt — more than five times the average — according to figures from the student loan company. a freedom of information request by the bbc has revealed that another student has accrued nearly £55,000 in interest alone. 0ur reporter, graham satchell, has the story. is the cost of going to university too much? are students leaving burdened with unmanageable debt? new figures acquired by the bbc from a freedom of information request show one person who had done multiple degrees,

had a student debt of £230,000. another has accumulated interest alone of £55,000. on average, a student in england will leave university with a debt of around £45,000. the figures are lower in wales and northern ireland. in scotland, tuition fees are paid by the scottish government. dr luke amos has a debt of £103,000. the amount of money that i will end up paying over the 30 year period that the loan is outstanding for, will be, i think, in the sum of five times how much i actually borrowed from the government. and considering that three years earlier, i would have paid a third less in student loan in tuition fees, you know, itjust becomes a bit of a joke that sort of generation after generation, theyjust make things worse. dev owes just over 80,000. the worst thing is, is the interest, because i know over the course of my career, the interest

is going to keep going up. and i think eventually i did a little calculation and it works out to be about 250 k that i was supposed to end up paying back, and that number kind of scares me even more. students leaving university today will pay 9% of their income once they earn £27,000. the balance is cancelled after 30 years. it's not debt in the traditional sense, so it won't affect your credit score. you won't have bailiffs coming to your door. it does in many ways operate more like a tax. the department for education in england said no new graduate will pay back more than they originally borrowed when inflation is taken into account. but the national union of students said the figures were eyewatering, and it was time for a fully funded system free at the point of use. graham satchell, bbc news. now, it's not everyday that someone steals the limelight from a member of the royal family, but that's exactly what happened

when queen camilla visited a bakery in belfast on thursday. 0ne—year—old toddler fitzcorey salmon donned his tuxedo for the visit, and grabbed all the attention as camilla toured his parent's shop. the queen remarked that the youngster was such a natural in front of photographers. there he is. striking a pose. that bag is almost as big as him. sarah is the weather. you never know who is going to steal the show sometimes.— you never know who is going to steal the show sometimes. absolutely not. we should have _ the show sometimes. absolutely not. we should have made _ the show sometimes. absolutely not. we should have made the _ the show sometimes. absolutely not. we should have made the effort - the show sometimes. absolutely not. we should have made the effort of i we should have made the effort of this morning. good morning. a bit of a change out there. we have had some mild air in the south in recent days

but colder air is now pushing its way across all parts. you will notice the chill in the air. a mix of sunshine and showers. this theme will stick with the scent of the weekend. we have the colder air mass working on from the north—west. still holding onto the milder air in southern parts of england and wales. 0utbreaks southern parts of england and wales. outbreaks of rain in the past few hours to the north, a scattering of showers, some heavy infantry in the north and west of scotland, wintry over the highest ground. it blustery day. gales in the far north. the cloud and rain in the south will tear its way to the south—east. sunnier skies across much of england and wales. temperatures typically about ten to 12 degrees. quite a lot cooler than recent days. that rain clearing away from the east kent coast later in the afternoon. heading across northern ireland and scotland, the showers will be fairly frequent. heavy and potentially a

little bit of hail and thunder at times, and wintry over the highest ground. we will continue with the cheri theme as we head through tonight. quite a chilly night. —— cheri theme. three to 4 degrees in towns and cities. a chilly start on saturday. another day of sunshine and showers. the showers most frequent towards the north and west. some on the heavy side. gales in the north of scotland. fewer showers further north and east you nowhere immune. nine to 10 degrees and cooler with the wind chill. thank you. more than 300 ukrainians — many whom are frail and elderly — have been forced to leave their homes near the russian border in the past week due to intensified shelling and air strikes. it's the largest russian attack in recent weeks, and follows a vow for revenge from moscow. 0ur eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford, sent this report from the ukrainian city of sumy.

nina hasjust lost everything she owns. they all have. ukrainian pensioners who've been forced to flee russian bombardment and abandon their homes. nina's pain is felt by everyone here. villagers were evacuated under fire, by police, urging them on to safety. some had to be carried across bridges already bombed. this is sumy region, on the border with russia. the police video shows whole streets there destroyed in air strikes. so the first thing i hear at this temporary shelter is a plea for help for ukraine's soldiers. then anger at the man

who launched this war, and just secured himself another six years in the kremlin. translation: putin is our enemy. what did he come here for? we never touched him. but so many people have been killed, so many tortured, so many have lost their arms and their legs. and what for? most who arrive think they'll go home one day. confused, as well as scared. this is the latest evacuation of people from villages that are under fire close to the russian border, being brought here for safety. more ukrainians who've had their lives turned upside down by this war. baby katya's life began under fire. she's just a month old. her mother tells me her heart is aching to be home again, that it hurts. she just wants all this to end.

it's not only the fighting that families are fleeing. they're escaping occupation, too, by russia, a life under vladimir putin's rule. zoya and her husband travelled three days to reach sumy from a village now full of russian soldiers. everyone coming from occupied territory gets a security screening by their own country. then finally, zoya can tell her children that they're safe. she tells me she left because life under russian control scared her and it crushed her spirit. translation: as we were driving here, i started to cry. _ i breathed in the fresh ukrainian air. yes, we are ukrainians. we want our country to flourish, for our children and grandchildren to live in peace. i'm sorry.

"it's very hard," zoya tells me, because she knows she's safer now. but ukraine is no closer to peace. sarah rainsford, bbc news, sumy. let's take a look at today's papers. the mirror leads on the long—awaited report into the millions of women born in the 19505, who were affected by the increase in the state pension age. the paper echoes the recommendations of the parliamentary and health service ombudsman, saying the women should be paid what they are owed by the government. the express also focuses on the women against state pension inequality report, mirroring comments from the watchdog, as the newspaper calls on the government to pay up compensation to the women affected as a matter of urgency.

the telegraph's main story is about how the cost of sickness benefits could rise by a third by the end of the decade, from around £65 billion this year, to more than £90 billion. and the front page of the daily mail says there is fury at a redesigned cross of st george on the new england football kit. the design features purple and blue horizontal stripes, in what nike called a playful update. just one thought from the inside pages. i was like to celebrate a significant birthday. i look in the list today and it is william shatner�*s birthday today. they must of course as captain kirk in star trek. and that day, william shatner is 93 years old. and this is a man who has led a life. he pretended as an actor to go to space and then actually went to space at the age of

90. and if nobody has ever listened to it before, do take a moment to listen to william shatner�*s version of lucy in the sky with diamonds. which is different, to say the least. and if you want to celebrate its birthday today, have a listen to that. completely opposite of what i am always fascinated by how scientists go about their business and do their research. and so, they were looking into how people smell, particularly how younger people smell, and then teenagers are smell. in order to conduct this experiment they had to analyse sweat from cotton wool pads which had been sewn into the armpits of clothing and worn at night by 36 participants. and once they had found — i would say if at this moment you are trying to get a teenager out of bed, this affects you. you kind of going to their bedroom and it is a bit weighty. it is because teenagers will spell —— smell a bit more of you're in,

gold's cheese, peppers and wax. this is after puberty. and the study then compare the odour of teenagers to infants between the age of three, under the of three. and the toddlers smelled flowery and selby. toddlers are smell nicer anyway. babies smell nice. it is because they have an iron substance. teenagers have higher levels of carboxylic acid. green bell peppers, cheese, coriander and dried plums. who conducted the survey? it was done by a university in nurnberg.

they were analysed through the laboratory's professional smells. smelling cotton pads that have been stuck under the armpits of teenagers. j°y- teenagers. joy. there is a thought. good one for the morning. so we change the subject? let's talk about arturs. heavy rainfall last winter led to widespread flooding across parts of the uk, making it the eighth wettest on record, according to the met office. despite milder weather now, some rivers in england are still too full, making life difficult for animals such as otters to survive. our reporter paul murphy has the story. they are the unlikely victims of flooding. but even otters can have too much water. in the sodden landscapes of lincolnshire, where rivers have been flooded for months, the otter population has been hit hard. they are really, really strong swimmers. however, when a river is in flood and the current is really, really strong, they will struggle. especially mums with cubs, they'll really struggle

in the strong currents. and often what will happen is a cub won't be able to swim properly in the strong currents, and they'll become separated from their mother. hello, reggie. hello, kiddo. those that are rescued from the floodwaters often end up here, at a specialist rehab centre in devon, where plentiful supplies of fresh fish and bottled milk can help them to recover. record numbers of cubs have been admitted here in recent months, but there are concerns about the overall impact of flooding on the uk's otter population. there's one thing that's in their favour, is they are very good at adapting. whether they can adapt quick enough to cope with flash floods and things like that, i think they'll struggle, and that's why, you know, obviously they're a highly protected species, and it wouldn't take a lot to actually wipe out a complete population in a certain area. the human impact of recent record

flooding has been very evident. but we've also seen widespread habitat loss for a range of creatures, including the otter. and perhaps the question is whether our wildlife can adapt quickly enough to survive in a changing climate. people wouldn't think maybe that otters would be affected by climate change, but they are. the amount of storms that we've had is absolutely crazy. it seems that we had one every week. when it happens here in lincolnshire, and it happens all around the uk, they really struggle with this kind of weather. the lucky ones to be rescued will build up their strength, before being released back into the wild. as spring arrives and the flood waters recede, it's hoped the otters can re—establish themselves on many of our rivers. paul murphy, bbc news. that was paul murphy reporting. there are so cute. you are absolutely right. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are.

hello. good morning from bbc london. i'm victoria hollins. a group of five charities in the capital have received funding to help tackle violence against women and girls. it follows a fundraising initiative by the group reclaim these streets, which raised more than half a million pounds following the vigil in clapham for sarah everard. one of those receiving the money is ella's, which provides safe houses to a small group of women, who were trafficked into the country. it would be much better that we... you know, it wasn't under those circumstances that we were receiving it. but we'll put it to good use to support and help many other women. we opened another new home with six bed spaces. in the coming year, we're hoping to open at least a couple of more properties. again, just the need for a person to feel safe in their own space is so vital. sixty more bleed control kits are being made available across essex to help save more lives in the event of a stabbing.

essex county council, is supporting the work of the anti—knife crime campaigner, julie taylor. she set up the liam taylor legacy in memory of her 19—year—old grandson, who was stabbed and killed four years ago. each kit contains medical items, like a tourniquet and gauze. a netball team from guildford are aiming to break down barriers in the sport. the surrey hurricanes are a group of men and women competing in the mixed netball league. this weekend, they'll get their second season under way, having finished third in their debut campaign. with it being one of the first mixed teams in the south region, it's so nice that we can help sort of under—18s get into the sport a bit more, particularly boys, because it's not something that's in the sports curriculum at school. so it's just nice that we can help that and help nurture them and get them into sports that they wouldn't normally be part of. let's take a look at the tubes now.

there are severe delays on london overground and severe delays on the victoria line too, due to late finishing engineering work. now onto the weather with georgie. morning. a deep area of low pressure is going to bring some very breezy conditions over the next 36 hours or so. more about that in just a moment. but today, a dry start with some rain later, and turning cooler as well. if you're just heading out, feeling really mild this morning. a lot of cloud around, quite a grey start. a cold front sinks southwards, so behind that, once the rain has gone, some cooler air. so feeling much cooler compared to the last few days with highs today of 12 celsius. overnight tonight, those winds begin to strengthen further, thanks to the area of low pressure. largely dry, some bits and pieces of rain. but again, we hold on to those much colder temperatures with overnight lows of 2 celsius. so remaining chilly tomorrow. in fact, much cooler than those highs of 10 celsius, orfeeling cooler, rather, thanks to the wind—chill factor. a mixture of sunshine and showers tomorrow, a dry day on sunday and remaining unsettled

into next week. have a great day. bye— bye. that's it. you can get all the day's stories on our website nd there is the bbc news app too. we're back in half an hour. see you then. hello, this is breakfast with naga munchetty and charlie stayt. let's get more now on a story we covered on yesterday's programme — the report looking into the government's decision to raise the state pension age for women to match men, affecting millions of women born in the 19505, which has now been released. ben has been taking a look into the findings. at the heart, it is about an injustice that has taken a long time coming. now there are figures in theory attached to full

compensation. theory attached to full comensation. ,, , ., theory attached to full comensation. . , ., , compensation. suggestions and calls for that compensation. _ this is yet another case of injustice with the government facing calls for compensation — like with the contaminated blood and post office scandals. this one affects more than 3.5 million women — whose retirement plans were disrupted without being given proper warning after changes to the state pension age. for decades, women across the uk were able to access their state pension from the age of 60, while men had to wait until 65. that was supposed to be evened out in a phased change between 2010 and 2020, but it was speeded up to cut the cost of pensions, coming in two years early. it's since risen up to 66 for both men and women. a report by the parliamentary watchdog — the ombudsman — found the department for work and pension failed to communicate the changes well enough, leaving people unable to plan their retirement. the complaints process was inadequate, failing to properly investigate and respond to the women involved. the watchdog said the government

should apologise and give compensation payments of almost £3,000. but the ombudsman can't force the government to do that. so there's no guarantee of any compensation for the women affected. but, what the ombudsman has done is ask parliament to intervene to try to make sure a compensation scheme is set up. it's a move the watchdog described as "rare, but necessary." among the reaction to the report, there have been calls for compensation to be set much higher — at least £10,000. that's come from both conservative and labour mps in the cross—party parliamentary group that's been following this case. and it's notjust about the money either. women involved said that the experience had on their health and wellbeing too. and any form of compensation is coming far too

late for the thousands of women who are thought to have died whilst waiting for a resolution. i would like to see it go back to parliament. i would like to see a mechanism set up, whereby, with the most utmost speed, they would figure out a way that we can get compensation and fair and fast compensation to all these women, who've been affected. somebody's dying every 13 minutes, who's affected by this. june miller was one that... she'd done an awful lot of work. and roberta finlay. roberta finlay. i mean, they actually took people to their house and filled - in forms for them. they were... i mean, they were real waspi women. the department for work and pensions says... "the government has always been committed to supporting all pensioners in a sustainable way

that gives them a dignified retirement whilst also being fair to them and taxpayers." we'll be following this story closely, naga and charlie. absolutely well. thank you. the time now is 25 minutes to seven. we might discuss this as well, we are interviewing mle thornbury, and we will get her response to that story. mike is on the sofa. what have you done to upset charlie? back to me on three. mike is here on the sofa where there is. good morning. wales, what a night it was for them last night! they were so clinical in their semifinal. 4—1, great goals, a great

performance. one of those nights where celebrations get going and hold on. it does not mean anything unless they can beat poland next tuesday. very much harder. they had to get through last night and they have done. it is all about reaching germany in the summer and joining england and scotland and all the other teams. good morning. so now it is on to poland on tuesday. a much tougher test it would seem. the poles themselves beat estonia 5—1 last night, and are just one place behind wales in the world rankings. but this match that will decide who goes to euro 2024 will take place in cardiff, where the atmosphere played a big part last night. our wales correspondent hywel griffith was there. bucket hats ready. brimming with, well, if not confidence, then at least hope that wales can still squeeze through to their fourth major tournament in eight years. cheering. first hurdle, the finns. physical, if not formidable opponents, who couldn't match wales's early pace. david brooks putting wales ahead

less than three minutes in. there could, should have been a second minutes later. brennan johnson was through... harry wilson was on the floor. no penalty. never mind, because along came another golden opportunity. the ball slipped to nico williams and wales were flying. perhaps a little too high. just before half time, veteran striker pukki brought wales back down to earth, but not for long. another free kick. and this time brennanjohnson in exactly the right place. commentator: turned in from close range. - there could have been more from more. davies thought he'd made things comfortable — var disagreed. it was left to danieljames to apply some final pressure. it's a big ask for the lads to go again on tuesday, but we'll have a...

we'll have a plan in place and there's no more motivation needed than a euros to qualify in germany. we've been there, we've picked the hotel, we've got the training ground, we're ready to go. we've just got one more game to get across the line. the bucket hats will be back in abundance next week for the play—off final. definitely going to win. definitely. hesitated. no, no. definitely, 100%. we're all in. can't wait. see you next week. how do you feel about next week? i'm gutted because i'm on blooming holiday from sunday. it's unfair. i'm thinking of coming back early. potential to go all the way to the euros? well, now, definitely. yeah, 4—1win, definitely. yeah. why can't we win the euros? why not? and so, with confidence flowing, these fans will have to find their voice once again on tuesday night for a play—off final against poland and that chance to win a spot in the euros. hywel griffiths, bbc news, cardiff. quite rightly full of confidence. the other home nations have friendlies ths weekend with northern ireland in romania and scotland away at

the netherlands this evening. meanwhile, bukayo saka has withdrawn from the england squad for friendlies against brazil and belgium because of injury. saka has returned to arsenal, who play at title rivals manchester city at the end of the month. the football association said saka had reported to st george's park earlier in the week with an injury. england face brazil at wembley tomorrow night. leicester city are the latest club to be charged by the premier league with allegedly breaking spending rules. this was during their last three seasons in the top flight. the club were relegated at the end of last season, and are currently second in the championship. leicester say they were "surprised" and "disappointed" by the timing of the premier league's actions, when the club is not currently in that league. if found guilty, leicester, could face a points deduction, but the club say, they will defend themselves against the charges. and the matter now in the hands of an independent commission, and is unlikely to be resolved before the end of the season. britain's katie boulter, is through to the miami open third round, after teenage opponent brenda, fruhvirtova, was forced to pull out through illness. and there was a big win for dan evans as well — he beat the italian, lorenzo sonego. evans had won, only two out

of his eight matches, before this, so far this year, so no wonder it meant so much. and it was the first time he'd beaten sonego. evans will play christopher eubanks in the second round in miami tomorrow. as usual, heading into this weekend australian grand prix the big question is: can anyone stop max verstappen? the three—time defending champion is looking to make it three wins out of three this season. there might be a glimmer of hope for the rest with charles leclerc quickest. max verstappen missed 20 minutes when he damaged his floor. lewis hamilton back in 18th. the mind boggles. how do you damaging the law? maybe somebody bumped into it. maybe he went to slam on the break and put his foot through it.

not too much damage! we will see. thank you. young women, who were pressured to give up their babies for adoption because they were unmarried should receive a formal apology from the government, according to the chair of the commonsjoint committee on human rights. the renewed call comes a year since the scottish government apologised to birth mothers there. now, a new musical about the women's experiences is about to open in glasgow, from where our correspondent, duncan kennedy, reports. # what love? # a generation lost...# the anguish of forced adoption. told in music, words and heartache. # look into those eyes again. # my baby's heart.# called the fallen, it tells the story of post—war unmarried mothers, pressured to give up their babies by social workers, nurses and others. # hear their cries.# we weren't naughty girls,

who did something wrong... all: we were human beings. human beings left broken. what do you want audiences to get out of a play about forced adoptions? what message do you want them to take away? i'd like an audience to be informed about the injustices that took place in the �*60s and the �*705. this wasn't long ago. this is very recent history, and it's still a living grief for many people, who haven't been able to connect with their children. it's still something that's very much part of people's lives. so i hope an audience will come out of the piece feeling empathy and with a desire to go and find out more about this. the play comes a year after the welsh and scottish governments offered britain's first official apologies... and, for this, the welsh government is truly sorry. ..for the state's involvement in historical forced adoptions. we are sorry. i keep losing my number of rows.

jan o'farmer and elspeth ross were forced to give up their babies. they're part of a group knitting booties for scottish members of parliament, as symbols of today's anniversary and their lost children. here we are at the first anniversary. what does it mean to have been given this apology by a national government? it meant everything. ifeel a little bit taller. i feel that i don't have to explain to people that i didn't give my baby away, that i didn't voluntarily relinquish him — i can just discard that language. we were the ones who gave away our children and we had to bear that. we don't have to bear that any more. forced adoptions didn'tjust happen in scotland or wales. i was 15 years old when i got pregnant, and that was in 1971. michelle pearson was one of thousands of mothers in england and northern ireland, who wanted to keep their babies. she was parted from her

son and didn't see him for another 28 years. one sign of how unmarried mothers were treated with contempt by the state can be seen in this document from her social worker, describing michelle as being of a low moral standard. after giving birth, you were put on to a ward. how were you made to feel, then, as an unmarried mother in that hospital? i'm in a bay. i'm in one corner with the window, and there's another mother in the far corner. everybody around her bed is full ofjoy. there are cards galore. there are flowers, there's happiness, there'sjoy. and, in my corner, there's anguish and pain and desperation, and nothing. no card. nothing. historical forced adoptions affected around 185,000 babies across the country. last year, the uk government issued this document, repeatedly saying it was sorry for what happened to the women and their babies,

but said society, not the state, was to blame. but the uk'sjoint committee on human rights says that word isn't strong enough and has called again for a formal apology. i don't think i have ever been quite so profoundly affected by evidence i've heard in parliament as i was by this. and someone should apologise. absolutely. the state was involved in this. the state must apologise and it must do so formally and it should follow the lead of the scottish and welsh governments in doing so. something the birth mother michelle pearson agrees with. acknowledgement of injustice helps heal. that's important. my baby is not flagged for adoption. why didn't you tell us you weren't married, mary? back in glasgow, rehearsals for the new musical are in their final stages. she's coming home with me! a harrowing account of a haunting episode... she's coming home with me.

..that separated mothers from babies, and love from those lost. duncan kennedy, bbc news here's sarah with a look at the weather. beautiful picture. i have sunshine or not their _ beautiful picture. i have sunshine or not their first _ beautiful picture. i have sunshine or not their first game. _ beautiful picture. i have sunshine or not their first game. the - beautiful picture. i have sunshine or not their first game. the sun i or not their first game. the sun rising in aberdeen behind me. not such a serene scene for all of us. we have some unsettled weather on the cards. notjust today but the next couple of days. things turning colder. we will see glimpses of sunshine. a colder air mass working in. still mild down towards the south. where the air masses reach we

have had outbreaks of rain. drifting south through central england and wales. scattered showers, some of them thundery and wintry weather the higher ground in scotland. particularly windy in the north. cloud and rain disappearing in some parts of england. you will see a return to sunnier skies. the cloud and rain lingering around the kent coast. there will be more frequent in northern ireland and western scotland. over the highest ground they will follow sleet and snow. very windy in the north of scotland. showers rattling in. fewer towards the south and east. a cold night. temperatures two to 4 degrees to start their weekend. a touch of frost around. sunshine and showers. most frequent in the north and west. almost anywhere could catch some passing showers. wintry over the

higher ground of scotland where gales could develop. it will feel cold nine or ten. feeling colder when you add on the wind chill. it does look drier into sunday. you . ive does look drier into sunday. you cive us does look drier into sunday. you give us that _ does look drier into sunday. you give us that but _ does look drier into sunday. you give us that but we give you this... look at this! beautiful. how about that? loverly. very springfield. the chelsea flower show has stunned visitors with its beautiful displays for years, but this year the organisers have got something special in store. for the first time, a no adults allowed garden — designed by children, for children — will be on display. our culture correspondent, charlotte gallagher, has been given a look behind the scenes. she has been with pupils from a school in fulham who have been working on it. have you been able to

set foot in the garden? i working on it. have you been able to set foot in the garden?— set foot in the garden? i have been told i am set foot in the garden? i have been told i am one _ set foot in the garden? i have been told i am one of— set foot in the garden? i have been told i am one of the _ set foot in the garden? i have been told i am one of the few _ set foot in the garden? i have been told i am one of the few adults - set foot in the garden? i have been told i am one of the few adults are | told i am one of the few adults are allowed in the garden with some of the young designers. we are not sure if you will both be allowed in but we will work on this morning. you have been working on this garden, what have you learned? irate have been working on this garden, what have you learned?— what have you learned? we have learnt anyone — what have you learned? we have learnt anyone can _ what have you learned? we have learnt anyone can do _ what have you learned? we have learnt anyone can do anything i what have you learned? we have learnt anyone can do anything at| what have you learned? we have - learnt anyone can do anything at any time in _ learnt anyone can do anything at any time in any— learnt anyone can do anything at any time in any place. you learnt anyone can do anything at any time in any place-— time in any place. you can have a balcon , time in any place. you can have a balcony. you _ time in any place. you can have a balcony, you don't _ time in any place. you can have a balcony, you don't need - time in any place. you can have a balcony, you don't need a - time in any place. you can have a balcony, you don't need a big - balcony, you don't need a big garden, do you? as yes. you can see some of the things they have been growing. shall we let people see your garden and what you have been working on? this garden has been prepared for chelsea flower show. i've been invited to a top secret summit, and infact, i shouldn't really be here. this is strictly no adults allowed. children from sullivan primary in south west london are putting

the finishing touches on their very own garden for chelsea flower show. so have you been learning about gardening while you're doing this? yeah, we've been learning about gardening for a while now. what's been the favourite thing about doing this project? probably being able to design and make the garden in general, which is going to go into the flower show for everyone to enjoy and see. i think that's the key thing. when we're designing with plants, we're trying to find things that complement each other. but it's a steep learning curve. so some grown—ups have been allowed in. so lots of wacky ideas. things that we are making work — it's going to be things like carnivorous plants, which isn't typically what you'd find in a normal chelsea show garden, and some other wacky things that we said actually is a step too far. i mean, crocodiles... ..might not work. and we had underground lakes and rivers and really big, big features, which is distilled into kind of more show garden format. so, yeah, certainly some things won't make the cut, but other things have really inspired what we're going to be creating.

first of all, hands up. who's heard of an iris plant before? i'm impressed. more than i thought. these irises are being planted, so they'll flower in time for the show in may. the garden will also include boulders to scramble over, a stream to splash in and a secret den. and, unfortunately for me, it seems like the pupils aren't just learning about gardening. hello. today, we are at rhs wisley gardens to help design our garden at the chelsea flower show. sorry. what's going on? this is myjob. what are you doing? sorry. no. no adults allowed. this is a garden designed by children for children. they're getting their hands dirty, learning how to grow plants. i was with one little girl today, and she was planting an iris, and i was giving her a few tips on making sure we press the soil down. and then she said to me, she said, "you know what? "i want to be a gardener when i grow up."

and then she stopped, and then she said, "actually, i am r. i? r aren't ne , rde a ga the children have been sending out invitations to some vips. i would love for the king to come because i would like him to see what we have been doing at at the rate. —— what we have been doing at the rhs. yes. and he's not been very well. so it might cheer him up seeing your garden. yeah, it i think it would cheer him up because seeing children that are designing a garden is a shock but it will. .. i think it will be very exciting for him. that's royalty ticked off. how about pop stars? if you could pick anyone to go into your garden to look at it, who would you pick? justin bieber. so big ambitions for the guest list — a king and a superstar. and you can see for yourselfjust how excited the children are for their chelsea

flower show debut. wow. really good. let's talk a bit more to these young garden designers and trainee journalist. what has been the best thing about doing this garden? the best thing about doing this garden? tue: best thing thing about doing this garden? tte: best thing might thing about doing this garden? tt2 best thing might be designing their den. the best thing might be designing their den. , ~ best thing might be designing their den. , . there best thing might be designing their den-_ there is - best thing might be designing their den._ there is a - den. the secret den. there is a slide that _ den. the secret den. there is a slide that under— den. the secret den. there is a slide that under water, - den. the secret den. there is a slide that under water, which i den. the secret den. there is a l slide that under water, which we think is very cool, and a secret door you can only open from the inside of the den, not the outside so adults can't come in. can anyone tell me what _ so adults can't come in. can anyone tell me what adults _ so adults can't come in. can anyone tell me what adults had _ so adults can't come in. can anyone tell me what adults had to - so adults can't come in. can anyone tell me what adults had to do - so adults can't come in. can anyone tell me what adults had to do to - tell me what adults had to do to come into the garden? we made stickers or _ come into the garden? we made stickers or they _ come into the garden? we made stickers or they have _ come into the garden? we made stickers or they have to - come into the garden? we made stickers or they have to find - come into the garden? we made stickers or they have to find a i stickers or they have to find a flower — stickers or they have to find a flower that starts with the first letter — flower that starts with the first

letter of — flower that starts with the first letter of their name. that flower that starts with the first letter of their name.— flower that starts with the first letter of their name. that is cool. i know letter of their name. that is cool. i know you _ letter of their name. that is cool. i know you are — letter of their name. that is cool. i know you are a _ letter of their name. that is cool. i know you are a big _ letter of their name. that is cool. i know you are a big fan - letter of their name. that is cool. i know you are a big fan of - letter of their name. that is cool. i know you are a big fan ofjustinl i know you are a big fan ofjustin bieber. we hope you can come to this garden. who else would you like to be there? your mum and dad? t garden. who else would you like to be there? your mum and dad? i would like to invite — be there? your mum and dad? i would like to invite my _ be there? your mum and dad? i would like to invite my gran. _ be there? your mum and dad? i would like to invite my gran. she _ be there? your mum and dad? i would like to invite my gran. she watched i like to invite my gran. she watched it on the news and she was very proud of me. it on the news and she was very proud of me— it on the news and she was very roud of me. ., ., , ., ~ proud of me. you have been working so hard altogether. _ proud of me. you have been working so hard altogether. who _ proud of me. you have been working so hard altogether. who else - proud of me. you have been working so hard altogether. who else wants. so hard altogether. who else wants to tell me what they have learned? what have you learnt about gardening?— what have you learnt about uuardenin? ., ., ., ., gardening? you can garden on a balcony and _ gardening? you can garden on a balcony and you _ gardening? you can garden on a balcony and you can _ gardening? you can garden on a balcony and you can make i gardening? you can garden on a balcony and you can make it i gardening? you can garden on a | balcony and you can make it into gardening? you can garden on a i balcony and you can make it into a garden _ balcony and you can make it into a carden. ., ., ,, . ., garden. you learn something special about planting. _ garden. you learn something special about planting, about _ garden. you learn something special about planting, about tapping i garden. you learn something special about planting, about tapping the i about planting, about tapping the pot. what did you learn? do about planting, about tapping the pot. what did you learn?- about planting, about tapping the pot. what did you learn? do put the soil in the pot— pot. what did you learn? do put the soil in the pot tap _ pot. what did you learn? do put the soil in the pot tap on _ pot. what did you learn? do put the soil in the pot tap on the _ pot. what did you learn? do put the soil in the pot tap on the table. if i soil in the pot tap on the table. if you tap _ soil in the pot tap on the table. if you tap it— soil in the pot tap on the table. if you tap it is— soil in the pot tap on the table. if you tap it is a lot better than banging _ you tap it is a lot better than banging it down, is that right? some

key gardening _ banging it down, is that right? some key gardening advice _ banging it down, is that right? some key gardening advice from _ banging it down, is that right? (tttv key gardening advice from the students here. the wonderful thing about the garden as it will not finish here, it will have another life at the school. we are standing where the garden will be moved to and it will be for the school and pupils from other schools to enjoy. i am proud of the fact you get to say only the king and i get to go into the garden. still to come on breakfast... former �*broadchurch' star andrew buchan joins us on the sofa at ten—to—eight to talk about his new itv crime drama �*passenger�*. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. i'm victoria hollins. a group of five charities in the capital have received funding to help tackle violence against women and girls.

it follows a fundraising initiative by the group reclaim these streets, which raised more than half a million pounds following the vigil in clapham for sarah everard. one of those receiving the money is ella s, which provides safe houses to a small group of women who were trafficked into the country. it would be much better that we... you know, it wasn't under those circumstances that we were receiving it. but we'll put it to good use to support and help many other women. we opened another new home with six bed spaces. in the coming year, we're hoping to open at least a couple of more properties. again, just the need for a person to feel safe in their own space is so vital. sixty more bleed control kits are being made available across essex to help save more lives in the event of a stabbing. essex county council, is supporting the work of the anti—knife crime campaigner, julie taylor. she set up the liam taylor legacy in memory

of her 19—year—old grandson, who was stabbed and killed four years ago. each kit contains medical items like a tourniquet and gauze, now, mark it in your calendar — 2nd may. it's six weeks until the london mayoral election. there'll be plenty of analysis across bbc london tv news and radio london, and you can find out what the mayor does for the capital, who the candidates are — and what you need to do to vote — all on our website. it's worth having a look as there've been some changes — including needing to bring id. let's take a look at the tubes now. now onto the weather with georgie. morning. a deep area of low pressure is going to bring some very breezy

conditions over the next 36 hours or so. more about that in just a moment. but today, a dry start with some rain later, and turning cooler as well. if you're just heading out, feeling really mild this morning. a lot of cloud around, quite a grey start. a cold front sinks southwards, so behind that, once the rain has gone, some cooler air. so feeling much cooler compared to the last few days with highs today of 12 celsius. overnight tonight, those winds begin to strengthen further, thanks to the area of low pressure. largely dry, some bits and pieces of rain. but again, we hold on to those much colder temperatures with overnight lows of 2 celsius. so remaining chilly tomorrow. in fact, much cooler than those highs of 10 celsius, orfeeling cooler, rather, thanks to the wind—chill factor. a mixture of sunshine and showers tomorrow, a dry day on sunday and remaining unsettled into next week. have a great day. bye— bye. that's it — you can get all the day's stories on our website nd there is the bbc

news app too. we're back in half an hour— see you then. good morning, welcome to breakfast with naga munchetty and charlie stayt. our headlines today. as pressure grows for a ceasefire in gaza, the us secretary of state,

antony blinken, says the gap between the two sides is narrowing. the progress is good, it's real. i can't put a timeframe on it, but we are, i think, getting close to a point where we'll have agreements. the blood test breakthrough which could offer lung cancer patients earlier access to treatments. good morning from bradford city valley parade. we are about to start in march of the day, led by two former professional footballers living with motor neurone disease. they will visit 17 clubs and cover 178 miles. a heck of an undertaking. we're due an update on the competition watchdog's investigation into the proposed merger of vodafone and 3. it's been looking at whether the deal could harm consumers. a great night for wales, as they take a giant step, towards this summer's euros. they thrash finland in cardiff, and now have to beat

poland next week to qualify for the finals. good morning. we have got some sunshine around today but plenty of showers. it will feel colder and it will be windy. all the details coming up. good morning. it's friday, 22nd march. us secretary of state anthony blinken heads to israel today to push for an end to fighting in gaza, ahead of a un vote, calling for an immediate ceasefire. mr blinken says talks in saudi arabia and egypt have been making progress and the gaps are narrowing in the pursuit for peace. our reporter, will vernon, has the story. this is antony blinken's sixth trip to the middle east since the war in gaza began. the secretary of state met egyptian officials on thursday, holding crucial negotiations

to bring an end to the fighting. mr blinken said very good progress had been made in the talks. the gaps are narrowing. we still have some work to do, but i believe that again the progress is good, is real. i can't put a timeframe on it. but we are, i think, getting close to a point where we will have agreements. on the table a deal that would lead to a six—week truce and the release of dozens of hostages still held by hamas militants inside of the war zone. later today, negotiators will be hoping for a breakthrough as they gather in the qatari capital doha. the qataris continue to urge both sides — hamas to release hostages and to be more flexible, and the israelis to be more cooperative and to halt kinetic operations to help negotiations and to save the civilian lives in gaza as well. so i think things are moving forward.

meanwhile, the suffering in gaza is only intensifying. translation: yes, we suffer from nutritional deficiencies i and the lack of material that we can get. there are no vegetables nor fruits, therefore there are no natural nutritional elements available. a un—backed food security assessment says famine is imminent for 300,000 civilians in the territory. israel says it places no limits on aid deliveries. president biden has made repeated pleas for israel to allow more humanitarian supplies into gaza. frustration with the israelis is growing in washington. the un security council will vote today on a draft us text calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. but as the diplomacy continues, hope is fading for a swift resolution to this war. will vernon, bbc news, washington. our middle east correspondent,

yolande knell, is injerusalem. good morning. the warnings are stark about the situation in gaza in relation to what is deemed to be an imminent famine. those that put a different complexion around these talks, these discussions, that are going on? talks, these discussions, that are auoin on? ~ , ,, going on? well, definitely the us secretary of _ going on? well, definitely the us secretary of state, _ going on? well, definitely the us secretary of state, antony - going on? well, definitely the us i secretary of state, antony blinken, when he meets the israeli prime minister and members of the israeli war cabinet, he will be looking to exert a us leveraged over israel. washington is its closest ally. he will try to get more of this desperately needed aid into gaza, with the threat of a man—made famine really looming large turnout. we have also got on his agenda of the ceasefire and hostage negotiations taking place on a sort of parallel track in qatar through mediators at the moment. the israelis have said

they will send the mossad spy chief there. that is a measure of the increasing seriousness in the talks at this stage. and then also, mr blinken wants to talk about the prospect of an israeli invasion of rafah. israel has been continuing to say they see something it has to carry out, to deal with the remaining hamas battalions. rafah on the egypt border is the last part of the egypt border is the last part of the gaza strip is hasn't done a large—scale invasion. but this is where the us has said it can't support a —— an israeli invasion. you have more than half of the 2.3 million people in the gaza strip, now living in that area on the egypt border. it is also where more —— most of the aid coming into gaza is still entering. thank you very much. six minutes past seven. naga, sometimes there are clashes between the people in the place an mp represents, the

constituency, and their role, if they are a government minister, sometimes clashes occur? it comes down to oversight and that role and involvement directly with the constituency. this is what has happened. officials have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving the environment secretary, steve barclay. the issue relates to the construction of an incinerator in his constituency, which he opposes. mr barclay will have no involvement in decisions about the project. our political correspondent helen catt is in westminster. as charlie and i were saying, it is understandable these concerns would be raised because of a potential conflict of interest here? yes. be raised because of a potential conflict of interest here? yes, this revolves around _ conflict of interest here? yes, this revolves around the _ conflict of interest here? yes, this revolves around the building i conflict of interest here? yes, this revolves around the building of. conflict of interest here? yes, this revolves around the building of an | revolves around the building of an incinerator in wisbech in north east cambridgeshire, the area that steve barclay represents as an mp. it would be one of europe's biggest incinerators of its type burning non—recyclable waste to converted to energy. he is very clearly opposed to it. he has spoken about it

publicly. to get the go—ahead for this it has already had an initial go—ahead from one government department, the department for energy security and net zero. to be able to move ahead with the scheme it needs to get a permit from the environment agency. that is a public body sponsored by steve barclay�*s environment department. what has happened is that civil servants have raised concerns about steve barclay�*s relationship to the case. these concerns were escalated to the government's propriety and ethics unit. they have discussed it with mr barclay. a government spokesperson has said he is accused from the decision, so he won't take any part in making it. it will be up to mark spencer, another environment minister, to take any decision that needs to be made. thank you for taking us through that. labour's deputy leader, angela rayner, has told the bbc that she is the victim of a smear over the sale of a property in stockport in 2015. questions have been raised

about whether ms rayner should have paid capital gains tax, but she told bbc newsnight that she had sought advice on the matter and there had been no wrong—doing. i've been very clear, there was no rules broken. the police, they tried to manufacture a police investigation. they said there's no issues there. i got tax advice, which says there was no capital gains tax. it's a non—story, manufactured to try to smear me. three teenagers who attacked and killed a dog walker in a park in nuneaton, have been given custodial sentences ranging from nine months to a year. a judge said the teenagers — who cannot be named due to their age — had mocked 36—year—old john hackett as he struggled to breathe after being punched, kicked and held in a headlock. our reporter, kevin reide, has more. john hackett walked his dog every night in the park next to his home in the hartshill area of nuneaton. but in april last year, he got into a confrontation with a gang of youths, who accused him

of not picking up his dog mess. a girl and two boys from the group, all aged 15, chased him before a violent assault ensued. this is the area where mr hackett was attacked. the two boys laid into him violently, punching and kicking him, whilst the girl filmed it on her mobile phone, and she only stopped so that she could join in herself. he suffered catastrophic injuries, including a ruptured kidney. john's next door neighbour heard the commotion. i was sat on the sofa over there, on the phone to my nan, and i heard it all kicking off. so i opened the window to hear what was being said, and there was just a lot of abuse towards john. people saying that they were going to kick his head in. mr hackett was taken to hospital, but was in so much pain he discharged himself so he could go home. his mum, whom he cared for, heard him crying out in pain during the night. the next morning she found him slumped lifeless on the landing. the incident was horrific. we've had to watch it again

and again, and it's awful to watch. john didn't have any children. he's very close to his parents. he's got a very loving family, very close. they've been absolutely devastated byjohn's death. he was a carerfor his mum, christine, who was in court sobbing as video evidence of the attack was shown. in her victim impact statement, she said her son's death had ruined her life and put her through hell. meanwhile, the girl was given an 18 month sentence, the boys two years each, with half of that to be served in youth detention. kevin reide, bbc news, warwickshire. labour leader sir keir starmer has called on nike to change the colour of the st george's cross on its new england shirt, back to the traditional red. the design features purple and blue horizontal stripes, in what nike called a playful update. mr starmer said the flag was a unifier, and the firm should reconsider its decision to modify it. the new england kit will be used for this summer's euro 2a tournament.

a student from a uk university owes more than £230,000 in student loan debt — more than five times the average — according to figures from the student loan company. a freedom of information request by the bbc has revealed that another student has accrued nearly £55,000 in interest alone. the national union of students says the figures raise questions over the university funding system. in the last few minutes, the competition and markets authority has updated us on its investigation into the potential merger of vodafone and 3. ben has more details. yes, for anybody with a mobile phone plan this could affect you. last summer the two networks, vodafone and 3, said they had struck a deal to merge the two companies. combined

they would be the uk's biggest mobile network, with 27 million customers. instead of four networks, the uk would then have three. and because of that, regulators need to approve the deal. to make sure it doesn't result in less choice for customers, or reduce competition and push up prices. injanuary the competition and markets authority began investigating. it has finished the first phase and concluded that it has concerns that customers could face higher prices and reduced quality. it said that rivalry and competition between multiple operators to win customers, helps to keep prices low and improve services. they've got to invest in their networks to improve services. so, the firms have said of the deal would result in more investment and a faster roll—out of 5g. what happens next? the companies have five days to respond, to address the concerns raised by the regulator. if the regulator still isn't satisfied, it will then launch a more in—depth

investigation, phase two, and only then, when it is satisfied, candice megadeal go—ahead. thank you. —— can these megadeal go—ahead. sarah has the weather. good morning. we have got a colder day on the cards today. a bit of blue sky out there for many this morning. but it is going to be a story of sunny spells and scattered showers. colderair story of sunny spells and scattered showers. colder air moves into a gradually further south. we will see some unsettled weather. notjust today but especially into tomorrow. certainly bring the brolly if you're heading out in the next couple of days. it is also going to be windy as this colder air sweeps in. that frontal system has been producing rain in central england and wales in the past few hours. showers in parts of scotland. thunder and lightning and wintry over the high ground.

through the day the cloud and rain will slowly start to step away from southern england. we are all going to be any clearer skies in the afternoon. a few scattered showers for parts of wales, western england. look at those temperatures. ten to 12 degrees. lower than in recent daysin 12 degrees. lower than in recent days in the south at least. the showers will be frequent later on for northern ireland, western scotland. if for easter in scotland. wintry over the higher ground. it is going to be windy. frequent showers packing into night. quite a chilly night. two to 4 degrees for many in the towns and cities. colder than that in rural spots. saturday another windy day, particularly in the north. sunshine and frequent showers rushing through on those north—westerly winds. temperatures nine to 10 degrees. it will feel colder than that with the blustery winds. thank you.

labour says it would allow police to bring charges against domestic violence suspects directly in some areas of england and wales, without first consulting the crown prosecution service, if it wins the next election. the shadow attorney general, emily thornberry, is here to talk to us about that. good morning. if you don't mind, i would like to talk to you first about a story that you will know a lot about. it is the waspi story and the ombudsman recommending the women who were affected when the state pension age is changed should be compensated. they have come up with figures, a figure of between 1000 and £2950. do you agree with those numbers? ., ., , ., , , numbers? there are lots of numbers auoin numbers? there are lots of numbers going around — numbers? there are lots of numbers going around this _ numbers? there are lots of numbers going around this morning. - numbers? there are lots of numbers going around this morning. the i numbers? there are lots of numbersl going around this morning. the waspi women are calling for £38 billion worth of funding. i believe there is some suggestion the ombudsman's figures might be 10 billion. there are lots of figures going around.

what's important is that the government does what it says it would do, which is that they will respond to the ombudsman, who has taken a long time to come out with these recommendations, has looked at it very carefully, and obviously we need to give the government a bit of time and space to consider the report, as they say they are going to come and come back to the house of commons with a statement as to what it is they are going to do and how they are going to respond to it. there are two things. what we do about the circumstances in which these women find themselves? and how do we make sure that whitehall never makes a mistake like this again? we are waiting to see what the government has to say. many of the --eole government has to say. many of the people who — government has to say. many of the people who have — government has to say. many of the people who have campaigned i government has to say. many of the people who have campaigned long i government has to say. many of the i people who have campaigned long and hard for this justice might be asking you as a representative of a government that wants to form in the very near future, whether you agree with the numbers that have been presented between 1000 and £2950. i

know there are lots of numbers knocking around, as you say. let's talk about those two numbers, the lower and higher recommended figures. do you agree, and would a labour administration pay those figures? t labour administration pay those fi . ures? ., labour administration pay those fiaures? . , ., figures? i am so sorry, charlie, i 'ust figures? i am so sorry, charlie, i just think — figures? i am so sorry, charlie, i just think that _ figures? i am so sorry, charlie, i just think that the _ figures? i am so sorry, charlie, i just think that the way _ figures? i am so sorry, charlie, i just think that the way to - figures? i am so sorry, charlie, i just think that the way to do i figures? i am so sorry, charlie, i just think that the way to do this| just think that the way to do this is not for the labour party to get in front of the government here. i think that we have to hold the government to account. and we have to make sure the government does its job properly, which is that it responds to this report first. and then my friend liz kendall... t then my friend liz kendall... i appreciate the point you are making. but it isn'tjust about appreciate the point you are making. but it isn't just about theirs. appreciate the point you are making. but it isn'tjust about theirs. if they get away with this, then it will be, what is labour going to do about horizon? about contaminated blood? what is labour going to do about...? blood? what is labour going to do about. . . ? , ,., ~ ., ., about. . . ? these sound like good questions _ about. . . ? these sound like good questions to _ about. . . ? these sound like good questions to me. _ about. . . ? these sound like good questions to me. the _ about. . . ? these sound like good questions to me. the point i about. . . ? these sound like good questions to me. the point is, i about. . . ? these sound like good| questions to me. the point is, as the waspi — questions to me. the point is, as the waspi women _ questions to me. the point is, as the waspi women have _ questions to me. the point is, as the waspi women have said, i questions to me. the point is, as| the waspi women have said, they questions to me. the point is, as i the waspi women have said, they won fair and fastjustice. the only way

they will get fast justice is fair and fastjustice. the only way they will get fastjustice is by fair and fastjustice. the only way they will get fast justice is by the government... if rishi sunak wants to remain in government for the next nine months, he has to make decisions. t nine months, he has to make decisions-— nine months, he has to make decisions. i don't want to talk about rishi _ decisions. i don't want to talk about rishi sunak _ decisions. i don't want to talk about rishi sunak i _ decisions. i don't want to talk about rishi sunak i want i decisions. i don't want to talk about rishi sunak i want to i decisions. i don't want to talk i about rishi sunak i want to talk about rishi sunak i want to talk about you and your party. as i understand it, emily thornberry, going back a few years, you did crunch these numbers. am i right in thinking in 2017 you had a fully costed payment compensation scheme for these women? can you remind us what figures you came up with them? no. ., �* ., ., no. i what figures you came up with them? no-— no- idon't i no. you didn't do that? no. i don't remember — no. you didn't do that? no. i don't remember it- _ no. you didn't do that? no. i don't remember it. you _ no. you didn't do that? no. i don't remember it. you don't _ no. you didn't do that? no. i don't remember it. you don't remember| no. you didn't do that? no. i don't i remember it. you don't remember the numbers? no- — remember it. you don't remember the numbers? no- in— remember it. you don't remember the numbers? no. in 2019, _ remember it. you don't remember the numbers? no. in 2019, |_ remember it. you don't remember the numbers? no. in 2019, i don't- numbers? no. in 2019, i don't believe it— numbers? no. in 2019, i don't believe it was _ numbers? no. in 2019, i don't believe it was in _ numbers? no. in 2019, i don't believe it was in the _ numbers? no. in 2019, i don'tl believe it was in the manifesto, numbers? no. in 2019, i don't- believe it was in the manifesto, but it came back becausejohn mcdonnell made the commitment at the last minute at the general election. but i don't remember any figures. gieeh i don't remember any figures. given the sensitivity _ i don't remember any figures. given the sensitivity of _ i don't remember any figures. given the sensitivity of what _ i don't remember any figures. given the sensitivity of what we _ i don't remember any figures. given the sensitivity of what we are i the sensitivity of what we are talking about here, is it not

reasonable that the women caught up in this might have wanted you, emily thornberry, to have a look back on your notes and looked at what you thought was appropriate then and had some kind of calibration on this? because the very point they have been making, which is that successive governments have been ignoring them, they feel like they have been ignored, and you haven't even bothered to look at what you looked at before? t even bothered to look at what you looked at before?— even bothered to look at what you looked at before? i haven't looked at notes that _ looked at before? i haven't looked at notes that i _ looked at before? i haven't looked at notes that i may _ looked at before? i haven't looked at notes that i may or _ looked at before? i haven't looked at notes that i may or may - looked at before? i haven't looked at notes that i may or may not i looked at before? i haven't looked l at notes that i may or may not have made six years ago. and i apologise for that. made six years ago. and i apologise forthat. i made six years ago. and i apologise for that. i have largely come on in order to hold to talk about the charging commission that labour initiated. but, you know, iam happy to go back and look at notes. but in the end i think that probably the best thing to do is wait until the government makes its announcement, and then we look to labour to respond to what it is that we government have said. that is the way it should be. and if we start getting in front of ourselves, and for it to become some sort of game whereby the government can hide

behind labour making this announcement or that announcement, then we get them off the hook. they are the government and they should be making the announcement on this, not us. ., ,., , ., not us. your point is well made, emily thornberry. _ not us. your point is well made, emily thornberry. you _ not us. your point is well made, emily thornberry. you did i not us. your point is well made, emily thornberry. you did come| not us. your point is well made, i emily thornberry. you did come on this morning to drop by the very important, i guess this is... you're pointing the way in terms of how the police work alongside prosecutors. anybody who —— would say anything that makes that better is a good thing. what are you talking about in practice? itote thing. what are you talking about in ractice? ~ ,_, ., , . practice? we discovered that since 2015 the charging _ practice? we discovered that since 2015 the charging rate _ practice? we discovered that since 2015 the charging rate has i practice? we discovered that since 2015 the charging rate has gone i practice? we discovered that since i 2015 the charging rate has gone down by two thirds. at the amount of time thatis by two thirds. at the amount of time that is being taken for the crown prosecution service to make decisions on charging has gone up three times. it is completely dysfunctional. when we asked the cps, and when yvette cooper asked the police, there was a lot of finger pointing and blaming one another as to why the problem had arisen. it showed a catastrophic

collapse in trust between the cps and the police, that they didn't seem to be communicating properly. and so we commissioned a charging commission and asked experts, senior police officers, senior people from the crown prosecution service, to get into the same room together and come up with suggestions as to how they can better work together. the first thing is we will be expecting them to have a joint charging action plan, that we expect them to sit down in each area and say, this year, how are we going to drive up charging? are we going to make sure that the files produced by the police or the cps are of an adequate standard? more often than not, they are not. there are quite an experience police officers out there who are making some fairly basic mistakes. on the other hand the crown prosecution service should respond faster than they do. and they will be inspected each year, in order to show notjust what their plan is, but how they putting it into action, in order to bridge this widening gap. then there are a number of other things. so, we are

also going to allow the police — they don't have to redact all the material before sending it to the cps. that will save them, we think a 200,000 hours of police time a year. if there is somebody who has been arrested for domestic violence and they are allowed to be kept in a cell for a certain amount of time, and the clock is ticking, and they are running out of time, and the crown prosecution service have not had time to consider properly what charge they think should be given to that particular defendant, then the police would be allowed to charge, so the decision could then be made on whether or not they can or cannot be bailed. at the centre of all of this is the interest of victims. the; this is the interest of victims. as i understand it, emily thornberry, one of the ideas you are putting forward, it sounds like common sense anyway, is that if somebody is a victim of domestic violence, or other more serious charges, that he

would have someone alongside them all the way. now on the face of it, yes, everybody would say that is a good idea. instantly i'm thinking, thatis good idea. instantly i'm thinking, that is more expensive. you have to pay for those people. if they are not already doing those roles. how is it paid for? some of this must come down to money? 50. is it paid for? some of this must come down to money?— is it paid for? some of this must come down to money? so, we have also been talking _ come down to money? so, we have also been talking about _ come down to money? so, we have also been talking about a _ come down to money? so, we have also been talking about a number _ come down to money? so, we have also been talking about a number of i been talking about a number of changes that need to be made to the police. at the moment what happens is that every force buys their own stuff. and by doing that there is huge inefficiency within the system. and you would be amazed at the amount of money that we would be able to save just by simply having a central body that will be buying the squad cars, the boots, that this, that that. rather than each for spying their own. we have been advised by people who know about this, just how much money. so we are carefully allocating where the money will be spent in order to be able to

change. add very little relatively very little money needs to be spent in various areas that can make a big difference. when it comes to women who are the victims of violence, remember, keir starmer has set a high power on this. he expects if we get into power was to be able to have violence against women and girls within ten years. that will be hard for us to do. we need to prioritise these to make sure that we give victims and women the results that we want to promise and want to deliver on. so, having somebody there to help you through the bewildering process of first making a statement, of intimate samples being taken, of your phone being looked at, all of these things which can be seen as very intrusive, but also explaining why things are being done, how it is being done, what is going to happen next, sitting with you in court, all of these things, we know, make a big

difference to whether or not a victim feels strong enough to be able to get through the criminal justice system and a cd case out to the end to make sure they get justice. two very important issues we have been talking about. just one other thought while you are with us. you will probably be aware of the issue around nikkei changing the colours of the flag of the english side. —— nikkei. we can put the image on the screen. not sure if you can see the pictures. it is on the back of the shirt. they have used other colours in and around the england flag the fa presumably signed face off. they don'tjust turn up, these shirts. have you any thoughts? i think it is a bit weird. i think the england flag is the union flag. i have —— wiser got all these other colours?

imagine putting purple and the irish something? why can't we just have the in the flag. it isa it is a symbol of unity for our country. particularly at a time when we have been going through everything that we have. there have been some great moments when our country has come together. england flag has been there. so, you know, why are we messing around with it? i don't understand? ——. we will understand ? ——. we will leave understand? ——. we will leave it there. thank you. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. hello, good morning from bbc london. i'm victoria hollins. a group of five charities in the capital have received funding to help tackle violence against women and girls.

it follows a fundraising initiative by the group reclaim these streets which raised more than half a million pounds following the vigil in clapham for sarah everard. one of those receiving the money is ella's, which provides safe houses to a small group of women, who were trafficked into the country. it would be much better that we... you know, it wasn't under those circumstances that we were receiving it. but we'll put it to good use to support and help many other women. we opened another new home with six bed spaces. in the coming year, we're hoping to open at least a couple of more properties. again, just the need for a person to feel safe in their own space is so vital. two more men have been arrested on suspicion of a murder in north london nearly a0 years ago. anthony littler was found with head injuries in an alleyway near east finchley tube station in may 1984. two other men were arrested back in december and are currently on bail. did you know modern day, elite level football pitches are part grass and part plastic? following a successful trial in which the plastic from one pitch was recycled to construct a bench,

wembley stadium is looking into what other items could be made when a pitch needs replacing. the idea was the brainchild of groundsman karl standley who wanted to ensure future pitches are more sustainable. now, mark it in your calendar. 2nd may, its six weeks until the london mayoral election. there'll be plenty of analysis across bbc london tv news and radio london — and you can find out what the mayor does for the capital, who the candidates are — and what you need to do to vote — including bringing voter id — all on our website. let's take a look at the tubes now. there are severe delays on the victoria line and the central line has minor delays. now on to the weather with georgie. morning. a deep area of low pressure is going to bring some very breezy conditions over the next 36 hours or so.

more about that in just a moment. but today, a dry start with some rain later, and turning cooler as well. if you're just heading out, feeling really mild this morning. a lot of cloud around, quite a grey start. a cold front sinks southwards, so behind that, once the rain has gone, some cooler air. so feeling much cooler compared to the last few days with highs today of 12 celsius. overnight tonight, those winds begin to strengthen further, thanks to the area of low pressure. largely dry, some bits and pieces of rain. but again, we hold on to those much colder temperatures with overnight lows of 2 celsius. so remaining chilly tomorrow. in fact, much cooler than those highs of 10 celsius, orfeeling cooler, rather, thanks to the wind—chill factor. a mixture of sunshine and showers tomorrow, a dry day on sunday and remaining unsettled into next week. have a great day. bye— bye. that's it. you can get all the day's stories on our website and there is the bbc news app too. we're back in half an hour. see you then.

hello, this is breakfast with naga munchetty and charlie stayt. the rugby community is known for working hard to raise awareness of motor neurone disease. now, former professional footballers marcus stewart and stephen darby are going to join that mission. they're going to walk 178 miles with other sporting personalities, and former rugby league player, rob burrow, who lives with mnd. they'll set off from bradford city, calling into 17 football stadiums along the way, before finishing in liverpool at anfield on sunday. it actually looks like a really nice walk, oh good, fun thing to do. our reporter, john maguire, is at the starting point with them in bradford this morning. a daunting thing to take on, obviously. a daunting thing to take on,

obviously-— a daunting thing to take on, obviousl . , ~ ., a daunting thing to take on, obviousl . , ~' ., , obviously. sounds like you have 'ust volunteered — obviously. sounds like you have 'ust volunteered to i obviously. sounds like you have 'ust volunteered to join i obviously. sounds like you have 'ust volunteered to join in. i i obviously. sounds like you have 'ust volunteered to join in. i am i obviously. sounds like you havejust volunteered to join in. i am sure i volunteered tojoin in. i am sure everyone would be pleased to see you over the next three days. let's say good morning to some of the walkers. we will chat to a couple of people in a second. we are familiar with the challenges kevin sinfield has taken on. now it is time for football. this is march of the day. we start off here at valley parade where stephen darby used to play. in the next few days people will more continuously throughout the day and night, regardless of the weather. going to places like leeds, huddersfield, oldham, bury, bolton, ending up at anfield, having been to old trafford. join us at old trafford tomorrow morning. he may well be familiar with stephen's storey and marcus stewart as well. a couple of months ago we went with

them too and marcus stewart as well. a couple of months ago we went with them to anfield to ask them what life was like how are you doing? psychologically, which is important, you have still got that. to think that comes from your football background, your level of determination? i do. background, your level of determination? ido. i background, your level of determination? i do. ithink background, your level of determination? i do. i think being in an elite sport, it kind of prepares you for what is happening

now a little bit psychologically. i think we are used to living in the moment as a player. day by day, week by week. you cannot look a year ahead because you do not know what will go on. for me, i can relate to it because that is how it is now. i live in the moment, i live week to week. just every day.— live in the moment, i live week to week. just every day. good to see this morning- _ week. just every day. good to see this morning. we _ week. just every day. good to see this morning. we first _ week. just every day. good to see this morning. we first met i week. just every day. good to see this morning. we first met on i this morning. we first met on saddleworth moor when kevin was coming to the end of one of his challenges. you look very well. how are you feeling? t challenges. you look very well. how are you feeling?— are you feeling? i feel fine. things have not progressed _ are you feeling? i feel fine. things have not progressed quickly i are you feeling? i feel fine. things have not progressed quickly for. are you feeling? i feel fine. things. have not progressed quickly for me. i can walk, talk and live a pretty normal life. difficulty cutting things up and doing places. i am in a good head space, especially. theh

a good head space, especially. then next couple — a good head space, especially. then next couple of _ a good head space, especially. then next couple of days _ a good head space, especially. then next couple of days we _ a good head space, especially. then next couple of days we have football taking on the bat on, the fight against motor neurone disease. we have all the umbrella charities as well, haven't we? do you feel part of the mnd community that kevin and whelp talk so much about? yes. of the mnd community that kevin and whelp talk so much about?— whelp talk so much about? yes. i didn't want— whelp talk so much about? yes. i didn't want to _ whelp talk so much about? yes. i didn't want to be _ whelp talk so much about? yes. i didn't want to be part _ whelp talk so much about? yes. i didn't want to be part of- whelp talk so much about? yes. i didn't want to be part of it i whelp talk so much about? yes. i didn't want to be part of it but i i didn't want to be part of it but i am now and! didn't want to be part of it but i am now and i am embracing it. until you are in the mnd community, doing walks or a family member or got mnd yourself, you know what it feels like to be involved. it is hard to put into words, what it is like being involved in the mnd community. i am in it and embracing it although i am in it and embracing it although i would like not to. but i am and do my best to help everyone, really.

supporting each other with chats, phone calls and e—mails. that is what it is all about. istate phone calls and e-mails. that is what it is all about.— what it is all about. we have gathered _ what it is all about. we have gathered up _ what it is all about. we have gathered up some _ what it is all about. we have gathered up some good i what it is all about. we have gathered up some good luckj what it is all about. we have _ gathered up some good luck messages for you from the world of football. have a look. for you from the world of football. have a look-— for you from the world of football. have a look. good luck to everyone takin: have a look. good luck to everyone taking part — have a look. good luck to everyone taking part in _ have a look. good luck to everyone taking part in march _ have a look. good luck to everyone taking part in march of _ have a look. good luck to everyone taking part in march of the i have a look. good luck to everyone taking part in march of the day. i taking part in march of the day. great _ taking part in march of the day. great to — taking part in march of the day. great to see the football community coming _ great to see the football community coming together to tackle mnd. | coming together to tackle mnd. i 'ust coming together to tackle mnd. just want coming together to tackle mnd. i just want to wish you the best of luck for— just want to wish you the best of luck for the _ just want to wish you the best of luck for the mnd _ just want to wish you the best of luck for the mnd march. - just want to wish you the best of luck for the mnd march. 178 i just want to wish you the best of i luck for the mnd march. 178 miles! i cannot— luck for the mnd march. 178 miles! i cannot wait— luck for the mnd march. 178 miles! i cannot wait to — luck for the mnd march. 178 miles! i cannot wait to join _ luck for the mnd march. 178 miles! i cannot wait to join all _ luck for the mnd march. 178 miles! i cannot wait to join all of _ luck for the mnd march. 178 miles! i cannot wait to join all of you - luck for the mnd march. 178 miles! i cannot wait to join all of you on i cannot wait to join all of you on the sunday _ cannot wait to join all of you on the sunday. let's _ cannot wait to join all of you on the sunday. let's raise - cannot wait to join all of you on the sunday. let's raise as i cannot wait to join all of you on| the sunday. let's raise as much money— the sunday. let's raise as much money as— the sunday. let's raise as much money as possible _ the sunday. let's raise as much money as possible for - the sunday. let's raise as much money as possible for the i the sunday. let's raise as much money as possible for the fightl money as possible for the fight against — money as possible for the fight against mnd~ _ money as possible for the fight against mnd-— money as possible for the fight auainst mnd. h, a, x' a, ,~ against mnd. good luck to everyone involved in march _ against mnd. good luck to everyone involved in march of— against mnd. good luck to everyone involved in march of the _ against mnd. good luck to everyone involved in march of the day. - involved in march of the day. amazing to see the football community coming together. amazing work. i wish you all the best. goad work. i wish you all the best. good luck. hello, _ work. i wish you all the best. good luck. hello, i— work. i wish you all the best. good luck. hello, iwanted _ work. i wish you all the best. good

luck. hello, i wanted to _ work. i wish you all the best. good luck. hello, i wanted to wish - work. i wish you all the best. good luck. hello, i wanted to wish you all the _ luck. hello, i wanted to wish you all the best for march of the day. let's _ all the best for march of the day. let's ga — all the best for march of the day. let's go. good luck to everyone taking _ let's go. good luck to everyone taking part _ let's go. good luck to everyone taking part it— let's go. good luck to everyone taking part. it will— let's go. good luck to everyone taking part. it will be _ let's go. good luck to everyone taking part. it will be a - let's go. good luck to everyone taking part. it will be a big - taking part. it will be a big chattenga _ taking part. it will be a big challenge. we _ taking part. it will be a big challenge. we are - taking part. it will be a big challenge. we are very - taking part. it will be a big i challenge. we are very proud taking part. it will be a big - challenge. we are very proud of the effort _ challenge. we are very proud of the effort that— challenge. we are very proud of the effort that is — challenge. we are very proud of the effort that is being _ challenge. we are very proud of the effort that is being put _ challenge. we are very proud of the effort that is being put in. _ challenge. we are very proud of the effort that is being put in. good- effort that is being put in. good luck for march _ effort that is being put in. good luck for march of _ effort that is being put in. good luck for march of the _ effort that is being put in. good luck for march of the day - effort that is being put in. good luck for march of the day this i luck for march of the day this weekend. a big thank you for all your support, weekend. a big thank you for all yoursupport, notjust weekend. a big thank you for all your support, notjust in this event but for the last six years. we keep raising awareness, keep raising money, keep helping people. a big thank you and good luck. can't wait to see you all. thank you and good luck. can't wait to see you all-— to see you all. great to see the football community _ to see you all. great to see the football community standing i to see you all. great to see the - football community standing strong. it is football community standing strong. it is a _ football community standing strong. it is a real— football community standing strong. it is a real challenge. great to show— it is a real challenge. great to show stephen and marcus they will never— show stephen and marcus they will never walk alone. you show stephen and marcus they will never walk alone.— never walk alone. you will never walk alone- _ never walk alone. you will never walk alone. great _ never walk alone. you will never walk alone. great words - never walk alone. you will never walk alone. great words from i never walk alone. you will never - walk alone. great words from jurgen walk alone. great words from jurgen klopp. good morning to you. you lost your daughterjemma at a very young

age to motor neurone disease. what do events like this mean to you and yourfamily and the do events like this mean to you and your family and the wider mnd community? it your family and the wider mnd community?— your family and the wider mnd community? your family and the wider mnd communi ? , . ,., community? it is about getting the messare community? it is about getting the message out _ community? it is about getting the message out there _ community? it is about getting the message out there to _ community? it is about getting the message out there to people - community? it is about getting the message out there to people that. community? it is about getting the - message out there to people that mnd is a terminal illness and we need to find that— is a terminal illness and we need to find that cure. we need support for people _ find that cure. we need support for people living with mnd. we have been there _ people living with mnd. we have been there we _ people living with mnd. we have been there. we lost our daughter. she was 29. there. we lost our daughter. she was 29 seven _ there. we lost our daughter. she was 29. seven years. it is tough, hard for fanrities, — 29. seven years. it is tough, hard forfamilies, hard 29. seven years. it is tough, hard for families, hard for people living with it _ for families, hard for people living with it we — for families, hard for people living with it. we need to find that cure. sorry _ with it. we need to find that cure. sor . ., ., ., ., . ., , sorry. you do not need to apologise. you are walking, _ sorry. you do not need to apologise. you are walking, supporting - sorry. you do not need to apologise. you are walking, supporting the - you are walking, supporting the family. i you are walking, supporting the famil . ., ., . ., you are walking, supporting the famil. ., . family. i will do as much as i can. i have family. i will do as much as i can. i have been _ family. i will do as much as i can. i have been supporting _ family. i will do as much as i can. i have been supporting the - family. i will do as much as i can. i have been supporting the family for five _ i have been supporting the family for five years. _ i have been supporting the family for five years, doing _ i have been supporting the family for five years, doing triathlons. . for five years, doing triathlons. since _ for five years, doing triathlons. since jemma _ for five years, doing triathlons. since jemma passed, - for five years, doing triathlons. sincejemma passed, i- for five years, doing triathlons. sincejemma passed, i made . for five years, doing triathlons. sincejemma passed, i made a| for five years, doing triathlons. - sincejemma passed, i made a promise i sincejemma passed, i made a promise iwoutd _

sincejemma passed, i made a promise iwoutd continue — sincejemma passed, i made a promise iwoutd continue to— sincejemma passed, i made a promise i would continue to do _ sincejemma passed, i made a promise i would continue to do triathlons - i would continue to do triathlons and fundraising— i would continue to do triathlons and fundraising events - i would continue to do triathlons and fundraising events in - i would continue to do triathlons. and fundraising events in memory i would continue to do triathlons - and fundraising events in memory of jemma _ and fundraising events in memory of jemma and — and fundraising events in memory of jemma and her— and fundraising events in memory of jemma and her two— and fundraising events in memory of jemma and her two chosen - and fundraising events in memory of| jemma and her two chosen charities. wonderfut _ jemma and her two chosen charities. wonderful. excellent. _ jemma and her two chosen charities. wonderful. excellent. good- jemma and her two chosen charities. wonderful. excellent. good luck- jemma and her two chosen charities. wonderful. excellent. good luck for. wonderful. excellent. good luck for the next couple of days. marcus, good luck for you. we are at old trafford tomorrow morning and then anfield, the big final day on sunday. what pace are you most looking forward to going? huddersfield of course. —— place. i will huddersfield of course. —— place. i witttry— huddersfield of course. —— place. i witttryto— huddersfield of course. —— place. i will try to do — huddersfield of course. —— place. i will try to do huddersfield to 0ldham if i can. old friends, old team—mates. i am looking forward to it. team-mates. i am looking forward to it. ~ , .g team-mates. i am looking forward to it. ~ , . ., it. we will set them off later on in the programme- _ it. we will set them off later on in the programme. always _ it. we will set them off later on in the programme. always touching | it. we will set them off later on in i the programme. always touching to hear from the programme. always touching to hearfrom people the programme. always touching to hear from people like the programme. always touching to hearfrom people like nigel, marcus. having a hug of camera. we talk about it being an amazing community and a dreadful disease. people are willing to put their bodies on the

line to try to raise money and awareness to help the treatment to try to find one day a cure for this dreadful disease. back to the studio. ~ , . ~ dreadful disease. back to the studio. ~ , ., , studio. we will be back to see them for the start — studio. we will be back to see them for the start their _ studio. we will be back to see them for the start theirjourney. - thousands of patients in england living with suspected lung cancer are being offered a blood test which can show if they'd benefit from early access to targeted therapies. the test can identify genetic variations in tumours, which can be treated with tablets rather than standard chemotherapy, often leading to fewer side effects. our medical editor fergus walsh reports. 0h, headaches for two weeks. i thought it was the migraine. my gp just said you need to go to hospital right now. kat robinson is 33 and lives in dorset with her daughter, paige. a non—smoker, six months ago she was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. i've got three tumours in my lungs

which then spread on to lymph nodes. they said, we can see you've got seven tumours in your brain and that's what's causing the pain. i couldn't believe it, couldn't understand it and it was a massive shock to my family and me. kat was being prepared for radiotherapy and standard chemotherapy, but a blood test showed her cancer had a genetic mutation, which responds to this drug, brigatinib. so it's only one tablet a day, and it's amazing. the quality of life is improved massively. i don't stay in a hospital at all and i'm able to continue with my day—to—day life. have you done one carrot? doctors have told kat she has

at least a year to live, but perhaps several more. she's decided to be completely open about her condition with 11—year—old paige. we're trying to build as many memories as we can, so that i can remember, she can remember, everyone can remember the times we had. she's learnt a lot of things in the last few months. she's grown up quite fast. this is a blood test. one of the blood tests that we use. what's special about the test is it can identify dna, which has broken off a cancer and is circulating in the blood. it can show what gene mutations are driving cancer growth, so patients get targeted drugs. it really allows patients to get on treatment very, very quickly. but, more importantly, it allows them to get on absolutely the correct treatment for their particular cancer. these tablets have dramatic effects in shrinking the cancer down, and in most cases they have markedly fewer side effects. people don't lose their hair.

over the next year, 10,000 patients across england will benefit from these blood tests. part of a revolution in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. kat knows that at some point her drug will stop working, but it is giving her more time with her sister and daughter. every spare minute we have, we just try and spend it together. my advice for people who are facing cancer diagnosis would be don't hide away. don't close up. talk to people. be close to your family. until recently, there had been little improvement in survival for lung cancer. but the earlier, wider use of targeted treatments is beginning to change the outlook for patients. fergus walsh, bbc news.

many thanks for sharing those experiences. we'rejoined now by nhs england's national clinical director for cancer, professor peterjohnson. thank you for your time with us this morning. as we see this targeted therapy emerge, what difference will it make to yourjob and what you see? it make to your 'ob and what you see? ~ . , , it make to your 'ob and what you see? . . , , ., it make to your 'ob and what you see? ~ . , , ., see? we have been seeing for some time the treatment _ see? we have been seeing for some time the treatment of _ see? we have been seeing for some time the treatment of lung - see? we have been seeing for some time the treatment of lung cancer i see? we have been seeing for some time the treatment of lung cancer is i time the treatment of lung cancer is changing quite rapidly as we start to understand all the different changes at genetic level which takes place as cancers develop. we have drugs to target these changes and switch off the growth in cancers. the key thing for the nhs is for the 36,000 people or so a year who have lung cancerfor us to be 36,000 people or so a year who have lung cancer for us to be able to identify as quickly as possible the changes that we can suggest the right treatment. previously, everybody got chemotherapy, which

was only moderately effective. now we have different agents, targeted treatments and immune treatments. the key thing is to find a way to get from seeing someone might have a lung cancer on a scan to that molecular diagnosis as quickly as possible. we know we have not been dealing as fast as we would like in the past because it takes time to arrange the test, the bronchoscopy where take a sample of tissue in the airways and wait for it to be analysed. if we can do it on a blood test to be much quicker. we can get those results back on a mad two weeks. . . .. those results back on a mad two weeks. . . , . weeks. targeted treatment can start straightaway- _ weeks. targeted treatment can start straightaway- why — weeks. targeted treatment can start straightaway. why is _ weeks. targeted treatment can start straightaway. why is it _ weeks. targeted treatment can start straightaway. why is it being - straightaway. why is it being focused on lung cancer? it is a big killer and prevalent is high. why lung cancer? is there a potential for it to move on to other plants this targeted therapy. iunfith for it to move on to other plants this targeted therapy.— this targeted therapy. with lung cancer, this targeted therapy. with lung cancer. cells — this targeted therapy. with lung cancer, cells grow— this targeted therapy. with lung cancer, cells grow quickly - this targeted therapy. with lung cancer, cells grow quickly and l this targeted therapy. with lung cancer, cells grow quickly and it i cancer, cells grow quickly and it sheds a significant amount of dna

into the bloodstream allowing us to pick that up. there are other cancers we think we can take the same approach something like pancreatic cancer. often hard to hard to get you to do a biopsy. we are testing that as well as a number of other cancer types. we need to be careful and make sure this test really is reliable and does reflect what is going on. it is enormously optimistic. the initial results of the pilot we have been running in 2000 people have suggested we really can do this and that is why we are extending out to 10,000 people over the next year. is it extending out to 10,000 people over the next year-— the next year. is it more expensive or cheaper— the next year. is it more expensive or cheaper than — the next year. is it more expensive or cheaper than the _ the next year. is it more expensive or cheaper than the current - the next year. is it more expensivei or cheaper than the current system in place? or cheaper than the current system in lace? ~ . , or cheaper than the current system in lace? . , , or cheaper than the current system inlace? ., , ,, or cheaper than the current system inlace? ., , , , in place? what is very expensive as arranurin in place? what is very expensive as arranging all— in place? what is very expensive as arranging all the _ in place? what is very expensive as arranging all the difference -- - in place? what is very expensive as arranging all the difference -- you | arranging all the difference —— you have to do, bronchoscopy and bronco allergy tests. —— oncology. the royal marsden hospital has set up a

laboratory to do this at the lowest possible cost. if we can treat lung cancer at an early stage with the most effective treatment, that is by far the most cost—effective way to do it. far the most cost-effective way to do it. , ., , , far the most cost-effective way to doit. ,., _u , far the most cost-effective way to doit. ,.,,u do it. obviously offers some hope for many people- _ do it. obviously offers some hope for many people. professor - do it. obviously offers some hope for many people. professor peter| for many people. professor peter johnson, thank you for your time with us here this morning. mike is going to bring it up—to—date with the happy wales team. the job not quite done yet. they are half the way here. one match away from qualifying. it was a brilliant night for wales, with the cardiff city stadium, rocking after four goals from a clinical team, as they beat finland 4—1. but any celebrations for the team were shortlived, because the job is only half done. this semi—final play—off win means wales now host poland on tuesday, to decide who qualifies for the euros in germany this summer. the poles should provide

a much sterner challenge, but it will once again be played in cardiff, where the atmosphere played a big part last night. 0ur wales correspondent, hywel griffith, was there. bucket hats ready. brimming with, well, if not confidence, then at least hope that wales can still squeeze through to their fourth major tournament in eight years. cheering. first hurdle, the finns. physical, if not formidable opponents, who couldn't match wales's early pace. david brooks putting wales ahead less than three minutes in. there could, should have been a second minutes later. brennan johnson was through... harry wilson was on the floor. no penalty. never mind, because along came another golden opportunity. the ball slipped to nico williams and wales were flying. perhaps a little too high.

just before half time, veteran striker pukki brought wales back down to earth, but not for long. another free kick. and this time brennanjohnson in exactly the right place. commentator: turned in from close range. - there could have been more from more. davies thought he'd made things comfortable — var disagreed. it was left to danieljames to apply some final pressure. it's a big ask for the lads to go again on tuesday, but we'll have a... we'll have a plan in place and there's no more motivation needed than a euros to qualify in germany. we've been there, we've picked the hotel, we've got the training ground, we're ready to go. we've just got one more game to get across the line. the bucket hats will be back in abundance next week for the play—off final. definitely going to win. definitely. hesitated. no, no. definitely, 100%. we're all in. can't wait. see you next week. how do you feel about next week? i'm gutted because i'm on blooming holiday from sunday. it's unfair. i'm thinking of coming back early. potential to go all the way to the euros? well, now, definitely. yeah, 4—1win, definitely.

yeah. why can't we win the euros? why not? and so, with confidence flowing, these fans will have to find their voice once again on tuesday night for a play—off final against poland and that chance to win a spot in the euros. hywel griffiths, bbc news, cardiff. i think rightly confident although poland arejust one i think rightly confident although poland are just one place below wales in the fifa world rankings. last night they beat estonia 5—1. if the crowd can get behind wales and that chap comes back from his holiday early, it could make all the difference, couldn't it? if you were a fan of the series, happy valley, then there's a new police drama you can sink your teeth into. passenger is set in a fictional northern town of chadder vale and is rocked by the sudden disappearance of a girl. this sets off a chain of increasingly strange

crimes in what used to be a quiet, close—knit community. let's take a look. he annoyed himself, to be fair. morning. good to see you, boss. morning, pete. how are we all diddling? busy, busy. missing ladder is resolved. good, good. cat with a cough — ongoing. oh, i'm sensing attitude! oh, yeah. you're sensing right. because... why does all the juicy stuff go to manchester? we need you on local. cat with a cough? i was in the met for ten years. well, i'll send you back there if you like. i just don't understand. when there's a big case, why can't i get anywhere near it? cartel's a big job — needs resources. what about the missing swedish girl, nina carlson? i could do that. closed. spotted a day or two ago. spotted where? you read the report. where was it again, love? thingy. helpful. didsbury. didsbury, yeah. so what? that's that. that is that, yeah. any news on the missing bin?

called her yesterday — it were the red, not the black. right. uh, probationary constable. what are you again? a legend. we're joined now by series creator and writer, andrew buchan, and actor arian nik. ididn't i didn't know how to pronounce your surname whether it was boo—can. i have said that surname once. that is it. interesting. you have popped behind the camera. i it. interesting. you have popped behind the camera.— it. interesting. you have popped behind the camera. i have popped behind the camera. i have popped behind for a _ behind the camera. i have popped behind for a quick— behind the camera. i have popped behind for a quick look. _ behind the camera. i have popped behind for a quick look. how - behind the camera. i have popped behind for a quick look. how have| behind for a quick look. how have ou found behind for a quick look. how have you found it? _ behind for a quick look. how have you found it? amazing. _ behind for a quick look. how have you found it? amazing. seeing i you found it? amazing. seeing everything _ you found it? amazing. seeing everything and _ you found it? amazing. seeing everything and set _ you found it? amazing. seeing everything and set match - you found it? amazing. seeing| everything and set match every you found it? amazing. seeing - everything and set match every idea brought to life. something you don't dream of. seeing actors who you have

helped past bring all your words of the page, it is amazing. lats helped past bring all your words of the page, it is amazing.— the page, it is amazing. lots of --eole the page, it is amazing. lots of people will _ the page, it is amazing. lots of people will know _ the page, it is amazing. lots of people will know you _ the page, it is amazing. lots of people will know you from - people will know you from broadchurch. when did you write it? creep broadchurch or post broadchurch?— creep broadchurch or post broadchurch? , , . , broadchurch? this is the last five ears. broadchurch? this is the last five years how _ broadchurch? this is the last five years. how concerned _ broadchurch? this is the last five years. how concerned way - broadchurch? this is the last five years. how concerned way that l broadchurch? this is the last five - years. how concerned way that people would compare — years. how concerned way that people would compare it _ years. how concerned way that people would compare it to _ years. how concerned way that people would compare it to broadchurch? - would compare it to broadchurch? some people may see my face and go... no, no. that would probably be a mistake. nothing like. iwent go... no, no. that would probably be a mistake. nothing like. i went to the producer with an idea ifelt i had not seen before. i wanted to mix a few worlds together and create something hopefully a bit different that people had not seen. i did something hopefully a bit different that people had not seen. i did hear some characters _ that people had not seen. i did hear some characters saying, _ that people had not seen. i did hear some characters saying, this - that people had not seen. i did hear some characters saying, this is - that people had not seen. i did hear some characters saying, this is notl some characters saying, this is not broadchurch, you know?—

some characters saying, this is not broadchurch, you know? nothing like broadchurch- — broadchurch, you know? nothing like broadchurch. netted _ broadchurch, you know? nothing like broadchurch. netted you _ broadchurch, you know? nothing like broadchurch. netted you doing - broadchurch, you know? nothing like broadchurch. netted you doing your i broadchurch. netted you doing your thin. how broadchurch. netted you doing your thing- how do _ broadchurch. netted you doing your thing. how do you _ broadchurch. netted you doing your thing. how do you describe - broadchurch. netted you doing your thing. how do you describe who - broadchurch. netted you doing your thing. how do you describe who you are in the drama? —— that is you. i are in the drama? —— that is you. i am a police officer. at the beginning of the series he is a laid-back. _ beginning of the series he is a laid—back, quite comfortable working his mum _ laid—back, quite comfortable working his mum and dad's gas. you laid-back, quite comfortable working his mum and dad's gas.— his mum and dad's gas. you are a better than _ his mum and dad's gas. you are a better than nothing _ his mum and dad's gas. you are a better than nothing character - his mum and dad's gas. you are a better than nothing character in l his mum and dad's gas. you are a i better than nothing character in the first series. obviously, because you build up to more. he first series. obviously, because you build up to more.— build up to more. he feels a bit uninspired- _ build up to more. he feels a bit uninspired. when _ build up to more. he feels a bit uninspired. when a _ build up to more. he feels a bit uninspired. when a series - build up to more. he feels a bit uninspired. when a series of. build up to more. he feels a bit - uninspired. when a series of events take place _ uninspired. when a series of events take place and there is a shift shift — take place and there is a shift shift of— take place and there is a shift shift of mood and atmosphere, he starts _ shift of mood and atmosphere, he starts to— shift of mood and atmosphere, he starts to come into his own little bit and _ starts to come into his own little bit and goes from being a back seat passenger— bit and goes from being a back seat passenger to a front seat driver. look— passenger to a front seat driver. look what — passenger to a front seat driver. look what you did there! the senior

detective, the lead detective is a formidable character with a back story, which is what often police dramas love. we are seeing her in a boxing ring. i dramas love. we are seeing her in a boxing ring-— boxing ring. i will hold up my hands and sa i boxing ring. i will hold up my hands and say i could _ boxing ring. i will hold up my hands and say i could not _ boxing ring. i will hold up my hands and say i could not really _ boxing ring. i will hold up my hands and say i could not really write - boxing ring. i will hold up my hands and say i could not really write a . and say i could not really write a cop. i would and say i could not really write a cop. iwould not and say i could not really write a cop. i would not be very good at doing that. line of duty is exceptional. i cannot do that. but i can write you a person. i wanted to write specifically something very real and challenging and put her front and centre unravel her feathers. just give us something a bit challenging and different. she has taken back to bat on and run with it. , y has taken back to bat on and run with it. , , ~ , ., has taken back to bat on and run withit. with it. everybody likes to classify thins in with it. everybody likes to classify things in advance. _ with it. everybody likes to classify things in advance. i _ with it. everybody likes to classify things in advance. i think- with it. everybody likes to classify things in advance. i think you - things in advance. i think you described it as a comedy thriller. i

would never use those words. doesn't really matter. in a way it is for people to decide. they are —— there are supernatural elements to it. there are unnatural elements. when it comes _ there are unnatural elements. when it comes to— there are unnatural elements. when it comes to the genre, as viewers, i demand _ it comes to the genre, as viewers, i demand more. i cannot watch one genre _ demand more. i cannot watch one genre show— demand more. i cannot watch one genre show any more. hybrid shows feel genre show any more. hybrid shows feet so— genre show any more. hybrid shows feel so much more exciting viewers. this is an alchemy of comedy meet thritter~ _ this is an alchemy of comedy meet thritter~ it— this is an alchemy of comedy meet thritter~ it is — this is an alchemy of comedy meet thriller. it is so perfect. it taps into— thriller. it is so perfect. it taps into the — thriller. it is so perfect. it taps into the northern soul, the northern humour, _ into the northern soul, the northern humour, the — into the northern soul, the northern humour, the northern great. every time _ humour, the northern great. every time something is slightly off centre~ — time something is slightly off centre. , . . ~ time something is slightly off centre. , . . ,, , ., centre. the benchmark is high for olice centre. the benchmark is high for police dramas _ centre. the benchmark is high for police dramas january, _ centre. the benchmark is high for police dramas january, mystery . police dramas january, mystery dramas. if you go right back... i think of some of the early 805

dramas. think of some of the early 80s dramas. , �* . ., �* .. m dramas. juliet bravo. bergerac. do ou have dramas. juliet bravo. bergerac. do you have a — dramas. juliet bravo. bergerac. do you have a marker? _ dramas. juliet bravo. bergerac. do you have a marker? i— dramas. juliet bravo. bergerac. do you have a marker? i remember. you have a marker? i remember watchin: you have a marker? i remember watching those _ you have a marker? i remember watching those things _ you have a marker? i remember watching those things with - you have a marker? i remember watching those things with my l you have a marker? i remember- watching those things with my mum and dad. stuff i have gone into recently, stuff that mixes the genres and almost lures you into the familiar and slaps you into the unknown when you are least expecting it. things like fargo, stranger things. i love those shows. what the hell was that? they hit you with something otherworldly half way through. something otherworldly half way throu~h. . , , ' something otherworldly half way throuuh. ., , , ' ., through. that is the stuff that ulls through. that is the stuff that pulls me- _ through. that is the stuff that pulls me- they _ through. that is the stuff that pulls me. they get _ through. that is the stuff that pulls me. they get here - through. that is the stuff that l pulls me. they get here sitting through. that is the stuff that - pulls me. they get here sitting next to you, when the person who has written the thing is a very established, very good actor, and you are acting in the thing he has written, is there a word pressure thing going on because you know he can act as well as right? zero pressure _ can act as well as right? zero pressure but _

can act as well as right? zero pressure but an _ can act as well as right? zero pressure but an absolute - can act as well as right? zero pressure but an absolute gift of a script _ pressure but an absolute gift of a script i_ pressure but an absolute gift of a script i am — pressure but an absolute gift of a script. i am going to try to avoid tooi

seeing. gentleman, you will definitely be seeina. ., , . ., gentleman, you will definitely be seeina. ., , . . . seeing. you must have read a few turkey scripts _ seeing. you must have read a few turkey scripts over _ seeing. you must have read a few turkey scripts over the _ seeing. you must have read a few turkey scripts over the years. - seeing. you must have read a few turkey scripts over the years. i . seeing. you must have read a few turkey scripts over the years. i do j turkey scripts over the years. i do not mean dramas about turkeys. it all works. thank you very much. lovely to see you both this morning. thank you very much. you can watch passenger on sunday at 9pm on itv1 and itvx. (pres)time now to get the news, travel and weather where hello, good morning from bbc london. i'm victoria hollins. a group of five charities in the capital have received funding to help tackle violence against women and girls. it follows a fundraising initiative by the group reclaim these streets, which raised more than half a million pounds following the vigil in clapham for sarah everard. one of those receiving the money is ella s, which provides safe houses. it would be much better that we... you know, it wasn't under those circumstances that we were receiving it.

but we'll put it to good use to support and help many other women. we opened another new home with six bed spaces. in the coming year, we're hoping to open at least a couple of more properties. again, just the need for a person to feel safe in their own space is so vital. two more men have been arrested on suspicion of a murder in north london nearly a0 years ago. anthony littler was found with head injuries in an alleyway near east finchley tube station in may 1984. two other men were arrested back in december and are currently on bail. let's take a look at the tubes now. ther are severe delays on the victoria line and the central line has minor delays. now onto the weather. today will be cloudy. staying dry in the morning, but a band of rain will move in during the afternoon, maximum temperature, 12 degrees. that's it. you can get all the day's stories on our website, and there is the bbc news app too. we're back in half an hour.

see you then. good morning, welcome to breakfast with naga munchetty and charlie stayt. 0ur headlines today. as pressure grows for a ceasefire in gaza, the us secretary of state, antony blinken, says the gap between the two sides is narrowing. the progress is good, it's real. i can't put a timeframe on it, but we are, i think,

getting close to a point where we'll have agreements. there are calls for the uk government to formally apologise to mothers who were forced to give up their babies for adoption we will be here for the start of a three day walk led by two former professional footballers with motor neurone disease. this is march of the day. raising money in the battle against mnd. —— march of the day. millions of women are waiting to hear if the government will compensate them for not being properly told about the rise in the state pension age from 60 to 65. good morning. it is going to be a day of sunshine and showers today. colder than recent days with blustery winds. details for today and the weekend coming shortly. good morning.

it's friday, 22nd march. us secretary of state anthony blinken heads to israel today, to push for an end to fighting in gaza, ahead of a un vote calling for an immediate ceasefire. mr blinken says talks in saudi arabia and egypt have been making progress and the gaps are narrowing in the pursuit for peace. 0ur reporter, will vernon, has the story. this is antony blinken's sixth trip to the middle east since the war in gaza began. the secretary of state met egyptian officials on thursday, holding crucial negotiations to bring an end to the fighting. mr blinken said very good progress had been made in the talks. the gaps are narrowing. we still have some work to do, but i believe that again the progress is good, is real. i can't put a timeframe on it. but we are, i think, getting close to a point where we will have agreements.

on the table a deal that would lead to a six—week truce and the release of dozens of hostages still held by hamas militants inside of the war zone. later today, negotiators will be hoping for a breakthrough as they gather in the qatari capital doha. the qataris continue to urge both sides — hamas to release hostages and to be more flexible, and the israelis to be more cooperative and to halt kinetic operations to help negotiations and to save the civilian lives in gaza as well. so i think things are moving forward. meanwhile, the suffering in gaza is only intensifying. translation: yes, we suffer from nutritional deficiencies i and the lack of material that we can get. there are no vegetables nor fruits, therefore there are no natural nutritional elements available. a un—backed food security assessment says famine is imminent for 300,000 civilians in the territory.

israel says it places no limits on aid deliveries. president biden has made repeated pleas for israel to allow more humanitarian supplies into gaza. frustration with the israelis is growing in washington. the un security council will vote today on a draft us text calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. but as the diplomacy continues, hope is fading for a swift resolution to this war. will vernon, bbc news, washington. 0ur middle east correspondent, yolande knell, is injerusalem. good morning. in that piece we heard reference to what many people are describing as a famine in gazza. the time around this becomes more crucial. what we know by the timetable for the talks as they stand now?— timetable for the talks as they

stand now? ~ �* , . stand now? well, we're expecting antony blinken _ stand now? well, we're expecting antony blinken to _ stand now? well, we're expecting antony blinken to arrive _ stand now? well, we're expecting antony blinken to arrive any - stand now? well, we're expecting - antony blinken to arrive any moment. he will be whisked off fairly quickly to meetings with the israeli prime minister and the israeli war cabinet. high on his agenda is this point about the need to get more aid into gaza. the americans have talked about flooding gaza with aid. with this prospect of a man—made famine looming so large now. also, we are expecting, of course, mr blinken to talk to the israelis about the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations. those are taking place on a separate track in qatar through mediators. and i have to say, a palestinian official we spoke to close to the talks did tell us that if he signs of progress weren't so great in their opinion, as mr blinken was suggesting. also, we are expecting mr blinken to talk to the israelis about the prospect of an israeli military operation in rafah in the south of the gaza

strip. this is something israel insists it has to do to defeat hamas because they say there are mast battalions. many players in the world are against that. the us can't support it because you have more than half of the people in gaza, more than a million people, who are displaced in that area, and so such a big operation would have dire humanitarian consequences. thank you very much. seven minutes past eight. naga is more of the news. thank you. officials have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving the environment secretary, steve barclay. the issue relates to the construction of an incinerator in his constituency, which he opposes. mr barclay will have no involvement in decisions about the project. 0ur political correspondent helen catt is in westminster. helen, why were these concerns raised?

as you mentioned, this is about an incinerator that is planned for wisbech, which is in steve barclay, the environment secretary's north east cambridgeshire constituency. he has been publicly opposed to it being built. the bbc has learned that concerns were escalated by officials to the government's ethics unit about mr berkeley's possible involvement in approving or rejecting the scheme. —— mr barclay�*s. it was given initial approval last month by the department for energy security. to go ahead it also needs a permit from the environment agency, a public body sponsored by mr barclay�*s department. so, the government's ethics unit has discussed this with mr barclay. a government spokesperson said he is recused from the decision, so he won't take any part in making the decision. it will be made by mark spencer. labour has written to mr barclay this morning asking a series of questions. he

says it raises serious issues and potentially breaches the ministerial code. thank you. labour leader sir keir starmer has called on nike to change the colour of the st george's cross on its new england shirt, back to the traditional red. the design features purple and blue horizontal stripes, in what nike called a playful update. earlier, labour's shadow attorney general emily thornberry backed starmer�*s comments, telling us the change was unnecessary. i think it's a bit weird. why has it got all these other colours on it? i mean, imagine putting a bit of purple on the irish tricolour, or something? i mean, why would you do it? why can't we just have the england flag? i mean, the england flag is a — as keir has said, you know, a symbol of unity for our country, particularly at a time when we've been going through everything that we have, there have been some great moments when our country has come together and the england flag has been there. so, why are we messing around with it? i don't understand. three teenagers who attacked

and killed a dog walker in a park in nuneaton have been given custodial sentences ranging from nine months to one year. a judge said the teens, who cannot be named due to their age, had mocked their 36—year—old victim john hackett, as he struggled to breathe after being punched, kicked and held in a headlock. the trio were originally charged with murder, but prosecutors accepted their guilty plea to manslaughter. a student from a uk university owes more than £230,000 in student loan debt — more than five times the average — according to figures from the student loan company. a freedom of information request by the bbc has revealed that another student has accrued nearly £55,000 in interest alone. 0ur reporter, graham satchell, has the story. is the cost of going to university too much? are students leaving burdened with unmanageable debt? new figures acquired by the bbc from a freedom of information request show one person who had done multiple degrees,

had a student debt of £230,000. another has accumulated interest alone of £55,000. on average, a student in england will leave university with a debt of around £45,000. the figures are lower in wales and northern ireland. in scotland, tuition fees are paid by the scottish government. dr luke amos has a debt of £103,000. the amount of money that i will end up paying over the 30 year period that the loan is outstanding for, will be, i think, in the sum of five times how much i actually borrowed from the government. and considering that three years earlier, i would have paid a third less in student loan in tuition fees, you know, itjust becomes a bit of a joke that sort of generation after generation, theyjust make things worse. dev gakhar owes just over 80,000. the worst thing is, is the interest, because i know over the course of my career, the interest

is going to keep going up. and i think eventually i did a little calculation and it works out to be about 250 k that i was supposed to end up paying back, and that number kind of scares me even more. students leaving university today will pay 9% of their income once they earn £27,000. the balance is cancelled after 30 years. it's not debt in the traditional sense, so it won't affect your credit score. you won't have bailiffs coming to your door. it does in many ways operate more like a tax. the department for education in england said no new graduate will pay back more than they originally borrowed when inflation is taken into account. but the national union of students said the figures were eyewatering, and it was time for a fully funded system free at the point of use. graham satchell, bbc news. in the last few minutes, the competition and markets authority has updated us on its investigation into the potential merger of vodafone and 3. ben has more details.

yes, if you have got a mobile phone deal of any sort this will be relevant to you. last summer vodafone and 3 said they had struck a deal to merge the companies. combined they would become the biggest mobile network in the uk with 27 million customers. instead of four major networks, the uk would have just three. because of the scale of this proposed deal it means the approval of regulators, who have to be satisfied it would not negatively affect customers. the competition and markets authority began investigating injanuary. it is now finished the first phase. it says it has concerns that the deal could mean higher prices. that's because they —— there would be reduced competition with fewer networks meaning less rivalry between providers to offer good deals to win new customers. the watchdog says it is also concerned this would reduce the quality of services, because networks would

have less incentive to invest and improve their offering to attract customers. the two firms say the deal would mean billions of pounds more being invested in the uk at a faster roll—out of 5g. —— and a faster roll—out of 5g. —— and a faster roll—out. they have five days to respond to the regulator's and science. if it is still not happy, the watchdog will launch a more in—depth investigation before this megadeal can go ahead. thank you. now, its not everyday that someone steals the limelight from a member of the royalfamily, but that s exactly what happened when queen camilla visited a bakery in belfast on thursday. one—year—old toddler fitzcorey salmon donned his tuxedo for the visit and grabbed all the attention as camilla toured his parent's shop. —— parents' shop. the queen remarked that

the youngster was such a natural in front of photographers. very smart. if you are going to dress up, that is the day to dress up. one of the things that tickles me about that is the camera person is struggling thinking, should be at queen camilla, and then things oh, no... the little fellow is looking interesting. we have all been there. he took the download. sarah, all of the spotlight is on you for the next couple of minutes. —— he took the limelight. beautiful scene. , �* limelight. beautifulscene. , �* ., ., beautiful scene. isn't it gorgeous? i was beautiful scene. isn't it gorgeous? i was jealous _ beautiful scene. isn't it gorgeous? i was jealous of _ beautiful scene. isn't it gorgeous? i was jealous of his _ beautiful scene. isn't it gorgeous? i was jealous of his hair. _ beautiful scene. isn't it gorgeous? i was jealous of his hair. a - beautiful scene. isn't it gorgeous? i was jealous of his hair. a very - i was 'ealous of his hair. a very fine i was jealous of his hair. a very fine head _ i was jealous of his hair. a very fine head of— i was jealous of his hair. a very fine head of hair. _ i was jealous of his hair. a very fine head of hair. did _ i was jealous of his hair. a very fine head of hair. did he - i was jealous of his hair. a very fine head of hair. did he even l i was jealous of his hair. a very . fine head of hair. did he even beat charlie in the _ fine head of hair. did he even beat charlie in the haircut _ fine head of hair. did he even beat charlie in the haircut department? j charlie in the haircut department? easily! thank you for raising that issue. can we have the weather? , ~ can we have the weather? yes! we have some — can we have the weather? yes! we have some sunshine. _ can we have the weather? yes! we have some sunshine. good - can we have the weather? yes! we l have some sunshine. good morning. many of us are seeing blue skies. this is the picture in denbighshire.

it is going to be one of those typical spring days. you arejust enjoying the blue sky and sunshine but then we will see the downpours arrive. sunshine and showers. colder thanit arrive. sunshine and showers. colder than it has been. feeling quite windy. today and into tomorrow. we are still holding onto the mild air. yellow colours in the far south. the blue colours are sweeping in. that means the colder air mass is arriving. we have a bit of rain across england and wales. showers across england and wales. showers across scotland have been wintry. they have also been thundery. gales in the north—west of scotland. cloud and rain slowly clearing away from southern england through the day. by the afternoon this is three o'clock we are looking at clearer skies, ten to 12 degrees, colder than recent days. showers across western england and wales. the showers will be more frequent for northern ireland and scotland. they will be blown in on the brisk west or north westerly winds. some wintriness in the showers on high ground. through

tonight to become more extensive, slipping further south, southern and eastern england could —— should stay mostly dry. a colder night. temperatures down to two to 4 degrees in towns and cities, but colder in the countryside. it is a day of sunshine and showers tomorrow. plenty of showers rushing through on those brisk winds. some heavy, some thundery. top temperatures nine or 10 degrees. colder when you add temperatures nine or 10 degrees. colder when you add on temperatures nine or 10 degrees. colder when you add on the wind—chill. thank you. young women who were pressured to give up their babies for adoption because they were unmarried should receive a formal apology from the government, according to the chair of the commonsjoint committee on human rights. the renewed call comes a year since the scottish government apologised to birth mothers. now, a new musical about the women s experiences is about to open in glasgow, from where our correspondent, duncan kennedy, reports.

# lost love # a generation lost...# the anguish of forced adoption. told in music, words and heartache. # look into those eyes again. # my baby's heart.# called the fallen, it tells the story of post—war unmarried mothers, pressured to give up their babies by social workers, nurses and others. # hear their cries.# we weren't naughty girls, who did something wrong... all: we were human beings. human beings left broken. what do you want audiences to get out of a play about forced adoptions? what message do you want them to take away? i'd like an audience to be informed about the injustices that took place in the '605 and the '705. this wasn't long ago. this is very recent history, and it's still a living grief for many people, who haven't been able to connect with their children. it's still something that's very much part of people's lives.

so i hope an audience will come out of the piece feeling empathy and with a desire to go and find out more about this. the play comes a year after the welsh and scottish governments offered britain's first official apologies... and, for this, the welsh government is truly sorry. ..for the state's involvement in historical forced adoptions. we are sorry. i keep losing my number of rows. jeannot farmer and elspeth ross were forced to give up their babies. they're part of a group knitting booties for scottish members of parliament, as symbols of today's anniversary and their lost children. here we are at the first anniversary. what does it mean to have been given this apology by a national government? it meant everything. ifeel a little bit taller. i feel that i don't have to explain to people that i didn't give my baby away, that i didn't voluntarily relinquish him —

i can just discard that language. we were the ones who gave away our children and we had to bear that. we don't have to bear that any more. forced adoptions didn'tjust happen in scotland or wales. i was 15 years old when i got pregnant, and that was in 1971. michelle pearson was one of thousands of mothers in england and northern ireland, who wanted to keep their babies. she was parted from her son and didn't see him for another 28 years. one sign of how unmarried mothers were treated with contempt by the state can be seen in this document from her social worker, describing michelle as being of a low moral standard. after giving birth, you were put on to a ward. how were you made to feel, then, as an unmarried mother in that hospital? i'm in a bay. i'm in one corner with the window, and there's another mother in the far corner.

everybody around her bed is full ofjoy. there are cards galore. there are flowers, there's happiness, there'sjoy. and, in my corner, there's anguish and pain and desperation, and nothing. no cards. nothing. historical forced adoptions affected around 185,000 babies across the country. last year, the uk government issued this document, repeatedly saying it was sorry for what happened to the women and their babies, but said society, not the state, was to blame. but the uk'sjoint committee on human rights says that word isn't strong enough and has called again for a formal apology. i don't think i have ever been quite so profoundly affected by evidence i've heard in parliament as i was by this. and someone should apologise. absolutely. the state was involved in this. the state must apologise and it must do so formally and it should follow the lead of the scottish and welsh governments in doing so.

something the birth mother michelle pearson agrees with. acknowledgement of injustice helps heal. that's important. my baby is not flagged for adoption. why didn't you tell us you weren't married, mary? back in glasgow, rehearsals for the new musical are in their final stages. she's coming home with me! a harrowing account of a haunting episode... she's coming home with me. ..that separated mothers from babies, and love from those lost. duncan kennedy, bbc news dr michael lambert, who gave evidence at the inquiry into forced adoptions, and diana defries, who was forced to give up her daughter, join us now. we have spoken to you both before.

diana, it is really worth, for our audience to understand what happened to you, and when you are forced to give up your daughter in 1974? yeah, i was 16 give up your daughter in 1974? yeah, i was 16 and — give up your daughter in 1974? yeah, i was 16 and i — give up your daughter in 1974? yeah, i was 16 and i was _ give up your daughter in 1974? yeah, i was 16 and i was sent _ give up your daughter in 1974? yeah, i was 16 and i was sent to _ give up your daughter in 1974? yeah, i was 16 and i was sent to a _ give up your daughter in 1974? yeah, i was 16 and i was sent to a mother i i was 16 and i was sent to a mother and baby home. because i was quite far along in the pregnancy. i wasn't in the home for more than six weeks. during that time i find it very distressing. when i went into labour i was sent to an nhs hospital, and the treatment there was pretty grim. what i heard michelle say is echoed in my own experience. we were very much the pariah on the ward. i then went back to the mother and baby home. i had a very difficult time because we were actively prevented from bonding, from all the normal things you would do with a baby,

picking it up, cuddling it, that sort of thing. it was very much a case of active intervention to prevent that process. i was then taken to london. and my daughter was literally taken from my arms. she was torn out of my arms. and i didn't see herfor quite was torn out of my arms. and i didn't see her for quite some time after that. a number of years. so, it's something i live with. it's something she lives with because those children who were taken also were traumatised. to varying degrees, obviously. each person is different. but it is a difficult thing to carry with you. and it affects every aspect of your life. diana, previously the government has issued a statement saying sorry but added that society was to blame. we have had a new statement today. why is it important to you to hear the

word sorry? it is it important to you to hear the word sorry?— word sorry? it would change the balance of— word sorry? it would change the balance of power. _ word sorry? it would change the balance of power. at _ word sorry? it would change the balance of power. at the - word sorry? it would change the. balance of power. at the moment word sorry? it would change the - balance of power. at the moment we are the ones that are being blamed and shamed. if the government stepped forward and said, we are sorry, this should never have happened, this was a terrible injustice, orwords happened, this was a terrible injustice, or words to that effect, and then backed up such an apology with appropriate measures of support, it would shift everything onto their shoulders, so we would no longer be carrying the same level of heartache that we have been carrying all these years. heartache that we have been carrying all these years-— all these years. doctor mac lambert, ou are all these years. doctor mac lambert, you are nodding- _ all these years. doctor mac lambert, you are nodding. -- _ all these years. doctor mac lambert, you are nodding. -- dr— all these years. doctor mac lambert, you are nodding. -- dr lambert. - all these years. doctor mac lambert, you are nodding. -- dr lambert. in i all these years. doctor mac lambert, you are nodding. -- dr lambert. in aj you are nodding. —— dr lambert. in a technical sense, you are nodding. —— dr lambert. in a technicalsense, does you are nodding. —— dr lambert. in a technical sense, does the apology necessarily bring with it more technical ability, to find out more information, to open doors, does that come hand in hand? yes. information, to open doors, does

that come hand in hand?- information, to open doors, does that come hand in hand? yes, i would sa so. that come hand in hand? yes, i would say so- the — that come hand in hand? yes, i would say so- the apology — that come hand in hand? yes, i would say so. the apology as _ that come hand in hand? yes, i would say so. the apology as a _ that come hand in hand? yes, i would say so. the apology as a means - that come hand in hand? yes, i would say so. the apology as a means to - that come hand in hand? yes, i would say so. the apology as a means to an | say so. the apology as a means to an end in— say so. the apology as a means to an end in the _ say so. the apology as a means to an end in the sense it changes the public— end in the sense it changes the public story about this very tragic and unjust— public story about this very tragic and unjust episode in our history, but it— and unjust episode in our history, but it also— and unjust episode in our history, but it also allows those people, birth _ but it also allows those people, birth mothers and adults affected by it, to birth mothers and adults affected by it. to have _ birth mothers and adults affected by it, to have some form of redress, access— it, to have some form of redress, access to — it, to have some form of redress, access to information, something as straightforward as their medical records — straightforward as their medical records for people adopted, they are very difficult to understand. they could _ very difficult to understand. they could have health issues i don't know — could have health issues i don't know this— could have health issues i don't know. this is a means to unlock that and start— know. this is a means to unlock that and start that process as well. naga read of the government _ and start that process as well. ii—f: read of the government statement on this. the formal one. the one today doesn't say sorry either. i mean, is this a process we have been through before with institutions, where it takes a long time and then finally happens? is that what you feel like will happen here? it'sjust inevitable because of the testimony and the personal statements, which people like diana are so bravely telling so openly? do you think this

is an inevitability?— is an inevitability? yes, activity. it is an inevitability. _ is an inevitability? yes, activity. it is an inevitability. the - is an inevitability? yes, activity. it is an inevitability. the lived i it is an inevitability. the lived experiences of diane and hundreds of others _ experiences of diane and hundreds of others mothers are testament to the fact that _ others mothers are testament to the fact that this was organised and funded — fact that this was organised and funded by the state. the problem is this is— funded by the state. the problem is this isjustice delayed, justice denied — this isjustice delayed, justice denied. my real concern is that those — denied. my real concern is that those affected will not be around lon- those affected will not be around long enough to hear the apology when it finally— long enough to hear the apology when it finally comes.— it finally comes. diana, do you want to ick u- it finally comes. diana, do you want to pick up on _ it finally comes. diana, do you want to pick up on that _ it finally comes. diana, do you want to pick up on that thought? - it finally comes. diana, do you want to pick up on that thought? i - it finally comes. diana, do you want| to pick up on that thought? i guess, and you will tell me, there are two sides to this. one is a very clear still now emotional burden that you carry, the apology has a bearing on, anybody knows that from any situation. guess —— i guess for other people, maybe not yourself, because you have been reunited with your daughter, but for the other people for whom there are mechanisms which might make it easier in the future? i which might make it easier in the future? ~' ., which might make it easier in the future? ~ ., ., , , , future? i think one of the issues, one of the _ future? i think one of the issues, one of the many _ future? i think one of the issues, one of the many issues _ future? i think one of the issues, one of the many issues that - future? i think one of the issues, one of the many issues that we i future? i think one of the issues, i one of the many issues that we have

raised, has been the fact that if a child is taken, they are stripped of their identity. they are placed, excuse me, they are placed in a different family. and the two parties, the mother and child,, they are unaware of the status of the others. we want a mechanism where we know whether the child or the parent is a lie. because it can prevent years of heartache and are searching only to reach this ultimate dead end. so, there are so many aspects to it that are essential to sort of support those people who have been in these situations. and they will be people who have yet to find their child, or yet to find their parent. and those people are really, really struggling. and for those people who

haven't actually spoken about what has happened to them, and the things they have had to live with and through, they will be carrying a huge burden. and that burden needs to be lifted. it's interesting, michael, that of the scottish and welsh governments have made the apology. when you have spoken, or if you have heard from when there, what difference did it make? i when there, what difference did it make? ., . . , when there, what difference did it make? ., ., ., ' ., make? i would say an awful lot in terms of the _ make? i would say an awful lot in terms of the symbolic _ make? i would say an awful lot in terms of the symbolic level. i make? i would say an awful lot in terms of the symbolic level. you | terms of the symbolic level. you heard _ terms of the symbolic level. you heard from — terms of the symbolic level. you heard from the —— you heard about the document being provided, it means— the document being provided, it means a — the document being provided, it means a lot of the changing of the public— means a lot of the changing of the public story from being mild dilemma to wear— public story from being mild dilemma to wear other forces were applied. my worry— to wear other forces were applied. my worry is, at that time the scottish— my worry is, at that time the scottish and welsh governments didn't— scottish and welsh governments didn't exist, there was evolution as we know— didn't exist, there was evolution as we know it — didn't exist, there was evolution as we know it now. until the uk government takes its steps and apologises for its involvement, that apology— apologises for its involvement, that apology remains have my finish. interesting talking to you. thank you so much. dr michael lambert from

manchester university. diana, thank you again for talking to us. diana was forced to give up her daughter in 1974. thank you. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. hello, good morning from bbc london. i'm victoria hollins. a group of five charities in the capital have received funding to help tackle violence against women and girls. it follows a fundraising initiative by the group reclaim these streets which raised more than half a million pounds following the vigil in clapham for sarah everard. one of those receiving the money is ella's, which provides safe houses to a small group of women, who were trafficked into the country. it would be much better that we... you know, it wasn't under those circumstances that we were receiving it. but we'll put it to good use to support and help many other women.

we opened another new home with six bed spaces. in the coming year, we're hoping to open at least a couple of more properties. again, just the need for a person to feel safe in their own space is so vital. two more men have been arrested on suspicion of a murder in north london nearly 40 years ago. anthony littler was found with head injuries in an alleyway near east finchley tube station in may 1984. two other men were arrested back in december and are currently on bail. a netball team from guildford are aiming to breakdown barriers in the sport. the surrey hurricanes are a group of men and women competing in the mixed netball league. this weekend, they'll get their second season underway, having finished third in their debut campaign. with it being one of the first mixed teams in the south region, it's so nice that we can help sort of under—18s get into the sport a bit more, particularly boys, because it's not something that's in the sports curriculum at school.

so it's just nice that we can help that and help nurture them and get them into sports that they wouldn't normally be part of. let's take a look at the tubes now. most lines are running well. just the central line has minor delays and the victoria line has some severe delays. now, on to the weather with georgie. morning. a deep area of low pressure is going to bring some very breezy conditions over the next 36 hours or so. more about that in just a moment. but today, a dry start with some rain later, and turning cooler as well. if you're just heading out, feeling really mild this morning. a lot of cloud around, quite a grey start. a cold front sinks southwards, so behind that, once the rain has gone, some cooler air. so feeling much cooler compared to the last few days with highs today of 12 celsius. overnight tonight, those winds begin to strengthen further,

thanks to the area of low pressure. largely dry, some bits and pieces of rain. but again, we hold on to those much colder temperatures with overnight lows of 2 celsius. so remaining chilly tomorrow. in fact, much cooler than those highs of 10 celsius, orfeeling cooler, rather, thanks to the wind—chill factor. a mixture of sunshine and showers tomorrow, a dry day on sunday and remaining unsettled into next week. have a great day. bye— bye. that's it. you can get all the day's stories on our website, and there is the bbc news app too. we're back in half an hour. see you then. hello, this is breakfast with naga munchetty and charlie stayt. millions of women are waiting to hear if the government will compensate them for not being properly told about the rise in the state pension age from 60 to 65. ben's been looking at this.

0ur chat we recently had about injustice. has anything changed? this is the latest case of injustice with the government facing calls for compensation. this one affects more than 3.5 million women — whose retirement plans were disrupted without being given proper warning about changes to the state pension age. for decades, women across the uk were able to get their state pension at 60, while men had to wait until 65. that was meant to be evened out gradually between 2010 and 2020, but it was speeded up to cut the cost of pensions, coming into effect two years early. it's since risen up to 66 for both men and women. a report by the parliamentary watchdog — the ombudsman — found the department for work and pensions failed to communicate the changes well enough, leaving people unable to plan their retirement. the complaints process

was inadequate, failing to properly investigate and respond to the women involved. the watchdog said the government should apologise and give compensation payments of between £1,000 and almost £3,000. but the ombudsman can't force the government to do that — so there's no guarantee of any compensation for the women affected. but what the ombudsman has done is ask parliament to intervene — to try to make sure a compensation scheme is set up. it's a move the watchdog described as "rare, but necessary." among the reaction to the report, there have been calls for the compensation to be much higher — at least £10,000. that's come from both conservative and labour mps in the cross party parliamentary group that's been following this case. and it's notjust about the money. some women say it harmed their health and wellbeing too. and thousands are thought to have died while waiting for a resolution, with any compensation coming far too late for them.

we asked some of the women affected what they want to happen next. i would like to see it go back to parliament. i would like to see a mechanism set up, whereby, with the most utmost speed, they would figure out a way that we can get compensation and fair and fast compensation to all these women, who've been affected. somebody's dying every 13 minutes, who's affected by this. june miller was one that... she'd done an awful lot of work. and roberta finlay. roberta finlay. i mean, they actually took people to their house and filled - in forms for them. they were... i mean, they were real waspi women. the department for work and pensions says... "the government has always been committed to supporting all pensioners in a sustainable way that gives them a dignified retirement whilst also being fair to them and taxpayers." earlier on breakfast, we asked labour whether it

would give any firmer commitment than that. probably the best thing to do is wait until the government makes its announcement and then let's and then we look to labour to respond to what it is that the government have said. and that is the way it should be. and if we start getting in front of ourselves and for it to become some sort of game whereby the government are able to hide behind labour making this announcement or that announcement, then we get them off the hook. they are the government and they should be the ones who are making making the announcement on this, not us. so what comes next for the campaign group that's been pushing for answers for almost a decade? we're joined now by jane cowley, from the women against state pension inequality campaign. good to have you with us. you heard from one of labour's frontbenchers. we have heard from the government. no one seems to be guaranteeing any form of compensation. what do you

make of it? irate form of compensation. what do you make of it?— form of compensation. what do you make of it? ~ ~ ., . , ., make of it? we know we have strong cross-party — make of it? we know we have strong cross-party support _ make of it? we know we have strong cross-party support in _ make of it? we know we have strong cross-party support in parliament. i cross—party support in parliament. as you _ cross—party support in parliament. as you have — cross—party support in parliament. as you have mentioned, the all party parliamentary group is recommending compensation around the level of 510.000 — compensation around the level of £10,000. i hope this will not get lost in _ £10,000. i hope this will not get lost in politicking. it will certainly be an election issue. labour— certainly be an election issue. labour will only be able to wait so lon- labour will only be able to wait so long before it comes out with a clear— long before it comes out with a clear statement on what it will do in terms — clear statement on what it will do in terms of— clear statement on what it will do in terms of compensation for waspi women _ in terms of compensation for waspi women i_ in terms of compensation for waspi women. i want to pick up on something that emily thornberry said _ something that emily thornberry said she — something that emily thornberry said. she said, labour mps had stood beside _ said. she said, labour mps had stood beside women asking for fair and fastjustice. that is not correct. labour— fastjustice. that is not correct. labour mps have been standing beside waspi _ labour mps have been standing beside waspi women asking for fair and fast compensation. that is what they are supporting, — compensation. that is what they are supporting, compensation rather than justice _ supporting, compensation rather than justice. there is a difference. can there be

justice. there is a difference. ce”! there be justice of compensation justice. there is a difference. can there be justice of compensation is not paid, say by an apology? certainly an apology is needed and will be _ certainly an apology is needed and will be very welcome. women have lost out _ will be very welcome. women have lost out hugely in financial terms. it is lost out hugely in financial terms. it is only— lost out hugely in financial terms. it is only fair and right that compensation is paid. compensation is needed _ compensation is paid. compensation is needed in — compensation is paid. compensation is needed in this case. are compensation is paid. compensation is needed in this case.— is needed in this case. are you havin: is needed in this case. are you having conversations - having conversations behind—the—scenes to me that forward? behind-the-scenes to me that forward? ~ . behind-the-scenes to me that forward? . ., , behind-the-scenes to me that forward? . ., forward? we had conversations all the time. forward? we had conversations all the time- we _ forward? we had conversations all the time. we will— forward? we had conversations all the time. we will be _ forward? we had conversations all the time. we will be trying - forward? we had conversations all the time. we will be trying to i forward? we had conversations alll the time. we will be trying to move this forward to satisfactory conclusion for the 3.6 million women affected _ conclusion for the 3.6 million women affected by— conclusion for the 3.6 million women affected by it. conclusion for the 3.6 million women affected by it— affected by it. when you look at the total compensation _ affected by it. when you look at the total compensation bill, _ affected by it. when you look at the total compensation bill, some i affected by it. when you look at the total compensation bill, some have| total compensation bill, some have estimated that if the compensation of £10,000 were given, that bill could run to £36 billion. some could say that money could be spent on improving the services, public services these same women rely on and there is a calculation to be done. , ~

and there is a calculation to be done. , . . , and there is a calculation to be done. , . . . . , done. sadly. we always have an eye on the public _ done. sadly. we always have an eye on the public purse. _ done. sadly. we always have an eye on the public purse. when _ done. sadly. we always have an eye on the public purse. when you i done. sadly. we always have an eye on the public purse. when you look| on the public purse. when you look at the _ on the public purse. when you look at the scale — on the public purse. when you look at the scale of losses that women have _ at the scale of losses that women have experienced, that comes to way more _ have experienced, that comes to way more than _ have experienced, that comes to way more than £10,000. it is worth remembering the gathering take back the government has saved £181.4 bittion— the government has saved £181.4 billion by— the government has saved £181.4 billion by raising the state pension a-e. billion by raising the state pension age the _ billion by raising the state pension age. the amount of compensation we are looking _ age. the amount of compensation we are looking for is a tiny fraction of that— are looking for is a tiny fraction of that amount.— are looking for is a tiny fraction of that amount. . ,, , ., , . of that amount. thank you very much for speaking — of that amount. thank you very much for speaking to _ of that amount. thank you very much for speaking to us _ of that amount. thank you very much for speaking to us here. _ the chelsea flower show has stunned visitors with its beautiful displays for years, but this year the organisers have created something which will deliberately exclude a large number of guests. for the first time, a rhs no adults allowed garden — designed by children, for children — will be on display.

our culture correspondent, charlotte gallagher, is with pupils at a school in fulham who have been working on it. only two adults will be allowed in the garden stop charlotte can tell us more. it is in very small, privileged group of adults that will be allowed in that garden, charlotte. it be allowed in that garden, charlotte-— be allowed in that garden, charlotte. , , , , ., charlotte. it is. only the best of the best. me, _ charlotte. it is. only the best of the best. me, obviously, - charlotte. it is. only the best of the best. me, obviously, and i charlotte. it is. only the best ofl the best. me, obviously, and the king. a really exclusive group. people would expect us to hang out together. me and the king. i am joined by some of the young garden designers. let's have a look. your designers. let's have a look. your design is incredible. can you show us what you wanted in your garden? we were designing a down and this was mine — we were designing a down and this was mine i— we were designing a down and this was mine. i wanted a long tube

stide~ _ was mine. i wanted a long tube stide~ then _ was mine. i wanted a long tube slide. then there is this massive sign _ slide. then there is this massive sign that— slide. then there is this massive sign that says no one over 30. the kina sign that says no one over 30. the kim is sign that says no one over 30. the king is over _ sign that says no one over 30. the king is over 30. — sign that says no one over 30. tue: king is over30, you sign that says no one over 30. tue: king is over 30, you know sign that says no one over 30. tug king is over 30, you know that. sign that says no one over 30. the king is over 30, you know that. i i king is over 30, you know that. i will let him in. he _ king is over 30, you know that. i will let him in. he is— king is over 30, you know that. i will let him in. he is the - king is over 30, you know that. i will let him in. he is the king. i will let him in. he is the king. let's have _ will let him in. he is the king. let's have a — will let him in. he is the king. let's have a look— will let him in. he is the king. let's have a look at _ will let him in. he is the king. let's have a look at this i will let him in. he is the king. i let's have a look at this amazing garden that has been designed for chelsea flower show. i've been invited to a top secret summit, and infact, i shouldn't really be here. this is strictly no adults allowed. children from sullivan primary in south west london are putting the finishing touches on their very own garden for chelsea flower show. so have you been learning about gardening while you're doing this? yeah, we've been learning about gardening for a while now. what's been the favourite thing about doing this project? probably being able to design and make the garden in general, which is going to go into the flower show for everyone to enjoy and see. i think that's the key thing. when we're designing with plants, we're trying to find things

that complement each other. but it's a steep learning curve. so some grown—ups have been allowed in. so lots of wacky ideas. things that we are making work — it's going to be things like carnivorous plants, which isn't typically what you'd find in a normal chelsea show garden, and some other wacky things that we said actually is a step too far. i mean, crocodiles... ..might not work. and we had underground lakes and rivers and really big, big features, which is distilled into kind of more show garden format. so, yeah, certainly some things won't make the cut, but other things have really inspired what we're going to be creating. first of all, hands up. who's heard of an iris plant before? i'm impressed. more than i thought. these irises are being planted, so they'll flower in time for the show in may. the garden will also include boulders to scramble over, a stream to splash in and a secret den. and, unfortunately for me, it seems like the pupils aren't just learning about gardening.

hello. today, we are at rhs wisley gardens to help design our garden at the chelsea flower show. sorry. what's going on? this is myjob. what are you doing? sorry. no. no adults allowed. this is a garden designed by children for children. they're getting their hands dirty, learning how to grow plants. i was with one little girl today, and she was planting an iris, and i was giving her a few tips on making sure we press the soil down. and then she said to me, she said, "you know what? "i want to be a gardener when i grow up." and then she stopped, and then she said, "actually, i am ,. i? r aren't ne , rde a ga the children have been sending out invitations to some vips. i would love for the king to come because i would like him to see what we have been doing at the rhs. yes. and he's not been very well. so it might cheer him

up seeing your garden. yeah, it i think it would cheer him up because seeing children that are designing a garden is a shock but it will. .. i think it will be very exciting for him. that's royalty ticked off. how about pop stars? if you could pick anyone to go into your garden to look at it, who would you pick? justin bieber. so big ambitions for the guest list — a king and a superstar. and you can see for yourselfjust how excited the children are for their chelsea flower show debut. wow. really good. i have been learning about gardening this morning, getting tips from real pro gardeners. when you show me what you have been showing about how to

plant things?— you have been showing about how to plant things? when you put the plant in the soil, plant things? when you put the plant in the soil. do — plant things? when you put the plant in the soil, do not _ plant things? when you put the plant in the soil, do not push _ plant things? when you put the plant in the soil, do not push the _ plant things? when you put the plant in the soil, do not push the soil i in the soil, do not push the soil down _ in the soil, do not push the soil down inside, tap it on the table three _ down inside, tap it on the table three times.— down inside, tap it on the table three times. that is a really good ti -. three times. that is a really good tin. what three times. that is a really good tip- what have — three times. that is a really good tip. what have you _ three times. that is a really good tip. what have you learned? i i three times. that is a really good i tip. what have you learned? i have learned if you _ tip. what have you learned? i have learned if you pick _ tip. what have you learned? i have learned if you pick up _ tip. what have you learned? i have learned if you pick up anything, i learned if you pick up anything, like flowers, _ learned if you pick up anything, like flowers, and _ learned if you pick up anything, like flowers, and you _ learned if you pick up anything, like flowers, and you want i learned if you pick up anything, like flowers, and you want to i learned if you pick up anything, i like flowers, and you want to plant to commit — like flowers, and you want to plant to commit to — like flowers, and you want to plant to commit to not _ like flowers, and you want to plant to commit to not pick— like flowers, and you want to plant to commit to not pick it— like flowers, and you want to plant to commit to not pick it up- like flowers, and you want to plant to commit to not pick it up by- like flowers, and you want to plant to commit to not pick it up by its. to commit to not pick it up by its route _ to commit to not pick it up by its route or— to commit to not pick it up by its route or else _ to commit to not pick it up by its route or else it _ to commit to not pick it up by its route or else it won't _ to commit to not pick it up by its route or else it won't like - to commit to not pick it up by its route or else it won't like it. is. to commit to not pick it up by its route or else it won't like it. is aj route or else it won't like it. is a really good _ route or else it won't like it. is a really good tip- _ route or else it won't like it. really good tip. who do you route or else it won't like it.“ really good tip. who do you want to come into your garden? hana; really good tip. who do you want to come into your garden? harry holding and hen . come into your garden? harry holding and henry. everyone _ come into your garden? harry holding and henry. everyone who _ come into your garden? harry holding and henry. everyone who helped i come into your garden? harry holding and henry. everyone who helped us. | and henry. everyone who helped us. your teachers are allowed in if they do something special. commit to doing something for the environment and they will be allowed in. teachers are not allowed in automatically, the same rule for everyone. i automatically, the same rule for eve one. . . automatically, the same rule for everyone-— automatically, the same rule for eve one. . . everyone. i am hoping that the king comes. i everyone. i am hoping that the king comes- i hope _ everyone. i am hoping that the king comes. i hope he _ everyone. i am hoping that the king comes. i hope he can _ everyone. i am hoping that the king comes. i hope he can visit _ everyone. i am hoping that the king comes. i hope he can visit our- comes. i hope he can visit our garden — comes. i hope he can visit our garden and _ comes. i hope he can visit our garden and see— comes. i hope he can visit our garden and see everything i comes. i hope he can visit our garden and see everything wej comes. i hope he can visit our- garden and see everything we have been creating _ garden and see everything we have been creating i— garden and see everything we have been creating-—

been creating. i think he will really enjoy _ been creating. i think he will really enjoy that. _ been creating. i think he will really enjoy that. are - been creating. i think he will really enjoy that. are you i been creating. i think he will i really enjoy that. are you going to allow charlie and naga into the garden? allow charlie and naga into the carden? ., allow charlie and naga into the garden? ha. i allow charlie and naga into the garden? ha. lam allow charlie and naga into the garden? ha. i am sorry. just me and garden? no. i am sorry. just me and the king. what would you like to say? the king. what would you like to sa ? �* . . ~ the king. what would you like to sa ? �* ., . ~' ., the king. what would you like to say?_ they i the king. what would you like to | say?— they are say? back to the studio. they are doinu m say? back to the studio. they are doing my job- _ say? back to the studio. they are doing my job. stick— say? back to the studio. they are doing my job. stick to _ say? back to the studio. they are doing my job. stick to it. - say? back to the studio. they are doing my job. stick to it. i- say? back to the studio. they are doing my job. stick to it. i like i doing my 'ob. stick to it. i like the fact doing my job. stick to it. i like the fact they _ doing my job. stick to it. i like the fact they are _ doing my job. stick to it. i like the fact they are no _ doing my job. stick to it. i like the fact they are no adults. i doing my job. stick to it. i likej the fact they are no adults. do doing my job. stick to it. i like i the fact they are no adults. do you want to check if i can go? just me, without naga. want to check if i can go? just me, without naga-— without naga. ok. we will ask you aaain. he without naga. ok. we will ask you again- he says _ without naga. ok. we will ask you again. he says can _ without naga. ok. we will ask you again. he says can he _ without naga. ok. we will ask you again. he says can he go - without naga. ok. we will ask you again. he says can he go if- without naga. ok. we will ask you again. he says can he go if naga i again. he says can he go if naga does not go?— again. he says can he go if naga does not go?- they - again. he says can he go if naga does not go? hagar. they are sticking does not go? now. they are sticking to the line- — does not go? now. they are sticking to the line- i— does not go? now. they are sticking

to the line. iwill— does not go? now. they are sticking to the line. i will have _ does not go? now. they are sticking to the line. i will have to ask if carroll is allowed in? mar; to the line. i will have to ask if carroll is allowed in?— to the line. i will have to ask if| carroll is allowed in?- i to the line. i will have to ask if i carroll is allowed in?- i do carroll is allowed in? may be. i do know one rivalry _ carroll is allowed in? may be. i do know one rivalry being _ carroll is allowed in? may be. i do know one rivalry being created. i carroll is allowed in? may be. i do | know one rivalry being created. we have a maybe. she know one rivalry being created. we have a maybe-— know one rivalry being created. we have a maybe. she gets everywhere. she nets have a maybe. she gets everywhere. she gets to — have a maybe. she gets everywhere. she gets to go _ have a maybe. she gets everywhere. she gets to go everywhere _ have a maybe. she gets everywhere. she gets to go everywhere she i have a maybe. she gets everywhere. l she gets to go everywhere she wants. she gets to go everywhere she wants. she gets to go everywhere she wants. she get all the invitations. she nets all she get all the invitations. she gets all the — she get all the invitations. ’ste: gets all the best she get all the invitations. ste: gets all the best gigs. she will be very pleased to sneak in, if she is allowed. ~ . ., , ., . very pleased to sneak in, if she is allowed. ~ . ., . , allowed. what do you have behind ou? it allowed. what do you have behind you? it looks _ allowed. what do you have behind you? it looks so _ allowed. what do you have behind you? it looks so beautiful. - allowed. what do you have behind you? it looks so beautiful. what i allowed. what do you have behind | you? it looks so beautiful. what do s-urin you? it looks so beautiful. what do spring flowers _ you? it looks so beautiful. what do spring flowers need? _ you? it looks so beautiful. what do spring flowers need? they - you? it looks so beautiful. what do spring flowers need? they need i spring flowers need? they need sunshine and rain. we will have a bit of both. a beautiful start to the day, dry at the moment. more of the day, dry at the moment. more of the chance of catching downpours. a typical day of sunny spells, scattered heavy showers. colder and more breezy than recent days. the

colder air mass on the way from the north—west pushing away milder air across southern parts of the uk in recent days. this is what it looks like at the moment. the cloud on the radar. still cloud and patchy rain lingering for superior skies in the north and a rash of showers working in from the west. we have had thunderstorms over the higher ground in scotland. gusts up to 60 mph in the north. the cloud and rain will ease away towards the south—east. sittings with the english channel at about three o'clock in the afternoon. when for kent and sussex. sunshine and a few showers. most frequent in the north and west, parts of northern ireland and the west of scotland. plenty of those blustery examples. the showers will become more extensive tonight. clearer skies in the south and east. temperatures down to two to 4 degrees, even in towns and cities.

another day of sunshine and showers, fairly frequent for many of us. how with vendor mixed in. gaels in the north once again. temperatures nine, ten tomorrow. it will feel colder. things look drier into ten tomorrow. it will feel colder. thin-s look drier into sunday. ten tomorrow. it will feel colder. things look drier into ten tomorrow. it will feel colder. thin-s look drier into sunday. thank things look drier into sunday. thank ou so things look drier into sunday. thank you so much- _ things look drier into sunday. thank you so much- by _ things look drier into sunday. thank you so much. by the _ things look drier into sunday. thank you so much. by the way, _ things look drier into sunday. thank you so much. by the way, if - things look drier into sunday. thank you so much. by the way, if i i you so much. by the way, if i designed a garden, you would be one of the first people i would invite. thank you. of the first people i would invite. thank vom— of the first people i would invite. thank yon-— of the first people i would invite. thank ou. ~ ., , ., . �*, thank you. who needs a children's ian. thank you. who needs a children's can: and thank you. who needs a children's gang and a — thank you. who needs a children's gang and a carol's _ thank you. who needs a children's gang and a carol's gang? - thank you. who needs a children's gang and a carol's gang? you - thank you. who needs a children's gang and a carol's gang? you can | gang and a carol's gang? you can join as well, charlie. the rugby community is known for working hard to raise awareness of motor neurone disease. now, former professional footballers marcus stewart and stephen darby are going to join that mission. they're going to walk 178 miles with other sporting personalities, and former rugby league player rob burrow, who lives with mnd. they'll set off from bradford city, calling into 17 football stadiums along the way, before finishing in liverpool at anfield on sunday.

our reporter, john maguire, is at the starting point with them in bradford this morning. it has got busy now, hasn't it? the build—up and the determination all very evident. build-up and the determination all very evident-— very evident. yes, it really has in the last couple _ very evident. yes, it really has in the last couple of— very evident. yes, it really has in the last couple of minutes, - very evident. yes, it really has in the last couple of minutes, as i very evident. yes, it really has ml the last couple of minutes, as you can see. this is the starting line, valley parade in bradford. it will end at anfield on sunday afternoon. you can see everybody gathered. a real sense of excitement. mark is talking to a couple of people. there really is that. i know we talk about the mnd community a lot but it is a really good turnout this morning. we are going to interrupt you. i am so sorry. marcus, you have your bacon sunny. we had a quick chat earlier on. everyone has gathered now. what

is the feeling like? what is the mood lie? i is the feeling like? what is the mood lie? . is the feeling like? what is the mood lie?— is the feeling like? what is the moodlie? . , i, , , mood lie? i am pleasantly surprised. i did not know _ mood lie? i am pleasantly surprised. i did not know there _ mood lie? i am pleasantly surprised. i did not know there would _ mood lie? i am pleasantly surprised. i did not know there would be - mood lie? i am pleasantly surprised. i did not know there would be many. i did not know there would be many people _ i did not know there would be many people here. iwas i did not know there would be many people here. i was told it was 600 over the _ people here. i was told it was 600 over the whole world. i think there will he _ over the whole world. i think there will be more than that. there are at least _ will be more than that. there are at least 200 _ will be more than that. there are at least 200 here now. we have 19 other clubs to _ least 200 here now. we have 19 other clubs to go _ least 200 here now. we have 19 other clubs to go to. so least 200 here now. we have 19 other clubs to go to— clubs to go to. so pleasantly surprised- — clubs to go to. so pleasantly surprised. a _ clubs to go to. so pleasantly surprised. a little _ clubs to go to. so pleasantly surprised. a little bit - clubs to go to. so pleasantlyl surprised. a little bit excited. clubs to go to. so pleasantly i surprised. a little bit excited. i was subdued _ surprised. a little bit excited. i was subdued earlier. _ surprised. a little bit excited. i was subdued earlier. i- surprised. a little bit excited. i was subdued earlier. i didn't i surprised. a little bit excited. i. was subdued earlier. i didn't know what _ was subdued earlier. ididn't know what to— was subdued earlier. i didn't know what to expect _ was subdued earlier. i didn't know what to expect. we _ was subdued earlier. i didn't know what to “poet-— was subdued earlier. i didn't know what to expect. we managed to catch u . what to expect. we managed to catch u- with what to expect. we managed to catch up with stephen- _ what to expect. we managed to catch up with stephen. he _ what to expect. we managed to catch up with stephen. he is _ what to expect. we managed to catch up with stephen. he is having - what to expect. we managed to catch up with stephen. he is having a - what to expect. we managed to catch up with stephen. he is having a chat. up with stephen. he is having a chat with a couple of other colleagues, a couple of supporters. let's bring in philippe, a former team—mate. also bolton, you played together at bolton. stephen has asked for us to speak to you on his behalf this morning. how is he doing? he is stron: as morning. how is he doing? he is strong as an _ morning. how is he doing? he is strong as an ox. _

morning. how is he doing? he is strong as an ox. an _ morning. how is he doing? he is strong as an ox. an amazing - morning. how is he doing? he is strong as an ox. an amazing spirit, an inspiration— strong as an ox. an amazing spirit, an inspiration to so many people, me included _ an inspiration to so many people, me included he — an inspiration to so many people, me included. he is doing great in himself _ included. he is doing great in himself. mentally he is so strong. it is a _ himself. mentally he is so strong. it is a cruel— himself. mentally he is so strong. it is a cruel disease that breaks you down— it is a cruel disease that breaks you down very slowly and cruelly. that is _ you down very slowly and cruelly. that is why — you down very slowly and cruelly. that is why we are all here today to support _ that is why we are all here today to support him. a really selfish individual like marcus. such kind people — individual like marcus. such kind people. that is why you can see the turnout _ people. that is why you can see the turnout we — people. that is why you can see the turnout we have seen here. ex manager, _ turnout we have seen here. ex manager, ex—players, everyone turning _ manager, ex—players, everyone turning up — manager, ex—players, everyone turning up. they are all individuals. they are the warriors, they are _ individuals. they are the warriors, they are the — individuals. they are the warriors, they are the inspiration and why we are here _ they are the inspiration and why we are here today. we they are the inspiration and why we are here today-— are here today. we talk a lot about raising money _ are here today. we talk a lot about raising money and _ are here today. we talk a lot about raising money and raising - are here today. we talk a lot about i raising money and raising awareness as well. with what we have done over the last few years with kevin sinfield and rob burrow, people know about this. it is a conversation people are prepared to have. i got about this. it is a conversation people are prepared to have. i got a taxi from harrogate _ people are prepared to have. i got a taxi from harrogate this _ people are prepared to have. i got a taxi from harrogate this morning. i taxi from harrogate this morning. the taxi _ taxi from harrogate this morning. the taxi driver did not know what

mnd _ the taxi driver did not know what mnd was — the taxi driver did not know what mnd was. it shows not enough people know about it. it will raise awareness and go a long way. i want to get— awareness and go a long way. i want to get a _ awareness and go a long way. i want to get a cure — awareness and go a long way. i want to get a cure for the disease, we want _ to get a cure for the disease, we want a _ to get a cure for the disease, we want a cure _ to get a cure for the disease, we want a cure. the mnd community has been fighting for the last 15 months to get— been fighting for the last 15 months to get a _ been fighting for the last 15 months to get a trial. i want to focus on that _ to get a trial. i want to focus on that we — to get a trial. i want to focus on that. we are asking consortium members. _ that. we are asking consortium members, doctors for that data. we want to— members, doctors for that data. we want to know what the data says, the results _ want to know what the data says, the results from — want to know what the data says, the results from that trial. and then i really— results from that trial. and then i really hope that gets out there today— really hope that gets out there today and is something the mnd community has been fighting for, something we really want to know about _ something we really want to know about and — something we really want to know about and where it is currently. all the about and where it is currently. the best for about and where it is currently. fill the best for that. lets say hello to rob burrow. onto the rest of the team. you are back for more crazy punishment. team. you are back for more crazy punishment-—

team. you are back for more crazy unishment. , ., ., _ ., punishment. great for the rugby and football community _ punishment. great for the rugby and football community to _ punishment. great for the rugby and football community to come - punishment. great for the rugby and i football community to come together, really brilliant. we are going to do the first— really brilliant. we are going to do the first leg, bradford to leeds this morning.— the first leg, bradford to leeds this morninu. ., �* ., ., ., this morning. you're going to elland road today- — this morning. you're going to elland road today. how— this morning. you're going to elland road today. how are _ this morning. you're going to elland road today. how are you _ this morning. you're going to elland road today. how are you feeling? . this morning. you're going to elland i road today. how are you feeling? are you recovered from your marathon? just about. ~ ., ~ you recovered from your marathon? just about. ~ ., . ., you recovered from your marathon? just about-— you recovered from your marathon? just about. ~ ., . ., ., ., just about. wonderful. we have had a messare just about. wonderful. we have had a message from — just about. wonderful. we have had a message from kevin _ just about. wonderful. we have had a message from kevin sinfield, - just about. wonderful. we have had a message from kevin sinfield, no - message from kevin sinfield, no stranger to challenges himself. let's hear from stranger to challenges himself. let's hearfrom him. stranger to challenges himself. let's hear from him.— stranger to challenges himself. let's hear from him. good morning -- at valley parade. _ let's hear from him. good morning -- at valley parade. good _ let's hear from him. good morning -- at valley parade. good luck _ let's hear from him. good morning -- at valley parade. good luck with - let's hear from him. good morning -- at valley parade. good luck with the l at valley parade. good luck with the march— at valley parade. good luck with the march and _ at valley parade. good luck with the march and supporting _ at valley parade. good luck with the march and supporting our— at valley parade. good luck with the march and supporting our great - march and supporting our great friends — march and supporting our great friends i— march and supporting our great friends. iwill— march and supporting our great friends. i will let _ march and supporting our great friends. i will let rob— march and supporting our great friends. i will let rob get- march and supporting our great friends. i will let rob get you . friends. i will let rob get you started — friends. i will let rob get you started over— friends. i will let rob get you started over in _ friends. i will let rob get you started over in yorkshire - friends. i will let rob get you started over in yorkshire and| friends. i will let rob get you | started over in yorkshire and i friends. i will let rob get you - started over in yorkshire and i am looking _ started over in yorkshire and i am looking forward _ started over in yorkshire and i am looking forward to _ started over in yorkshire and i am looking forward to see _ started over in yorkshire and i am looking forward to see you - started over in yorkshire and i am looking forward to see you all - started over in yorkshire and i am i looking forward to see you all when you get _ looking forward to see you all when you get over — looking forward to see you all when you get over the _ looking forward to see you all when you get over the pennines. - looking forward to see you all when you get over the pennines. take. you get over the pennines. take care, you get over the pennines. take care. everyone- _ you get over the pennines. take care, everyone. he _ you get over the pennines. take care, everyone. he knows - you get over the pennines. care, everyone. he knows what you get over the pennines.- care, everyone. he knows what it you get over the pennines- care, everyone. he knows what it is like to put himself through these things. i am going to interrupt

another chap here. sorry to interrupt you. mick mccarthy, very good to see you this morning. are you walking today? i good to see you this morning. are you walking today?— you walking today? i am, yes. fabulous- _ you walking today? i am, yes. fabulous. tell— you walking today? i am, yes. fabulous. tell us _ you walking today? i am, yes. fabulous. tell us why - you walking today? i am, yes. fabulous. tell us why it - you walking today? i am, yes. fabulous. tell us why it is - fabulous. tell us why it is important to show your support? first of all it is marcus stewart. he helped _ first of all it is marcus stewart. he helped to get us promoted at sunderland. we need to raise awareness. it is a devastating thing — awareness. it is a devastating thin. ~ , ., awareness. it is a devastating thin. ., ~ awareness. it is a devastating thin. ~ ., ~'., ., awareness. it is a devastating thing. we spoke to mark as a couple of times this — thing. we spoke to mark as a couple of times this morning _ thing. we spoke to mark as a couple of times this morning and _ thing. we spoke to mark as a couple of times this morning and we - thing. we spoke to mark as a couple of times this morning and we saw. thing. we spoke to mark as a couple i of times this morning and we saw him with that challenge from kevin sinfield and he seems to not be too severely affected at this stage. we know stephen and others are having a really torrid time of it. you know stephen and others are having a really torrid time of it.— really torrid time of it. you can see stephen — really torrid time of it. you can see stephen behind _ really torrid time of it. you can see stephen behind the - really torrid time of it. you can | see stephen behind the camera really torrid time of it. you can i see stephen behind the camera in really torrid time of it. you can - see stephen behind the camera in the wheelchain _ see stephen behind the camera in the wheelchair. the rugby community has raised _ wheelchair. the rugby community has raised such— wheelchair. the rugby community has raised such awareness. great to see the football — raised such awareness. great to see the football community coming out and doing — the football community coming out and doing as well. i spoke to marcus this morning. he is there behind the

camera _ this morning. he is there behind the camera he — this morning. he is there behind the camera. he says he is all right, he is losing _ camera. he says he is all right, he is losing the — camera. he says he is all right, he is losing the use of his hand. it is a slow, _ is losing the use of his hand. it is a slow, progressive thing. wonderful, a great guy. a big part of the _ wonderful, a great guy. a big part of the reason we got promoted at sunderland. it is a pleasure to be here _ sunderland. it is a pleasure to be here with — sunderland. it is a pleasure to be here with him. to sunderland. it is a pleasure to be here with him.— sunderland. it is a pleasure to be here with him. to say thank you in a very special— here with him. to say thank you in a very special way- — here with him. to say thank you in a very special way. you _ here with him. to say thank you in a very special way. you talk _ here with him. to say thank you in a very special way. you talk about - very special way. you talk about people coming together. a heck of a turnout, great to see. i people coming together. a heck of a turnout, great to see.— turnout, great to see. i don't know who they are- _ turnout, great to see. i don't know who they are- l _ turnout, great to see. i don't know who they are. i think— turnout, great to see. i don't know who they are. i think there - turnout, great to see. i don't know who they are. i think there will - turnout, great to see. i don't know who they are. i think there will be | who they are. i think there will be a good _ who they are. i think there will be a good turnout. | who they are. i think there will be a good turnout.— a good turnout. i am pleasantly surprised. _ a good turnout. i am pleasantly surprised. a _ a good turnout. i am pleasantly surprised, a fabulous _ a good turnout. i am pleasantly surprised, a fabulous turnout i a good turnout. i am pleasantly| surprised, a fabulous turnout for them. nice to see you. we have had some messages to support the guys, to support markus and stephen from some faces i think you will recognise from the world of football. �* , ., ., ,., ., football. let's hear from them. good luck to everyone _ football. let's hear from them. good luck to everyone taking _ football. let's hear from them. good luck to everyone taking part - football. let's hear from them. good luck to everyone taking part in - luck to everyone taking part in march — luck to everyone taking part in

march of— luck to everyone taking part in march of the day this weekend. great to see _ march of the day this weekend. great to see the _ march of the day this weekend. great to see the football community coming together— to see the football community coming together to tackle mnd.— together to tackle mnd. hello. i want to wish _ together to tackle mnd. hello. i want to wish you _ together to tackle mnd. hello. i want to wish you the _ together to tackle mnd. hello. i want to wish you the best - together to tackle mnd. hello. i want to wish you the best of - together to tackle mnd. hello. i | want to wish you the best of luck for the _ want to wish you the best of luck for the mnd_ want to wish you the best of luck for the mnd march. _ want to wish you the best of luck for the mnd march. what- want to wish you the best of luckl for the mnd march. what heroes! want to wish you the best of luck i for the mnd march. what heroes! i cannot— for the mnd march. what heroes! i cannot walt— for the mnd march. what heroes! i cannot wait to _ for the mnd march. what heroes! i cannot wait to join _ for the mnd march. what heroes! i cannot wait to join you _ for the mnd march. what heroes! i cannot wait to join you all- for the mnd march. what heroes! i cannot wait to join you all on - cannot wait to join you all on sunday _ cannot wait to join you all on sunday. let's _ cannot wait to join you all on sunday. let's raise - cannot wait to join you all on sunday. let's raise as - cannot wait to join you all on sunday. let's raise as muchl cannot wait to join you all on - sunday. let's raise as much money as possible _ sunday. let's raise as much money as possible in— sunday. let's raise as much money as possible in the — sunday. let's raise as much money as possible in the fight _ sunday. let's raise as much money as possible in the fight against _ sunday. let's raise as much money as possible in the fight against mnd. - possible in the fight against mnd. good luck— possible in the fight against mnd. good luck to — possible in the fight against mnd. good luck to everyone _ possible in the fight against mnd. good luck to everyone taking - possible in the fight against mnd. good luck to everyone taking part| possible in the fight against mnd. i good luck to everyone taking part in march _ good luck to everyone taking part in march of _ good luck to everyone taking part in march of the day. amazing to see the football _ march of the day. amazing to see the football community coming together to tackle _ football community coming together to tackle such an issue and a disease _ to tackle such an issue and a disease i_ to tackle such an issue and a disease. i wish you all the best. good _ disease. i wish you all the best. good luck _ disease. iwish you all the best. good luck i— disease. i wish you all the best. good luck-— disease. i wish you all the best. good luck. . ., , ., good luck. i wanted to wish you all the best for— good luck. i wanted to wish you all the best for stephen _ good luck. i wanted to wish you all the best for stephen darby - good luck. i wanted to wish you all the best for stephen darby and - the best for stephen darby and marcus— the best for stephen darby and marcus stewart's _ the best for stephen darby and marcus stewart's march - the best for stephen darby and marcus stewart's march of- the best for stephen darby and marcus stewart's march of thei the best for stephen darby and - marcus stewart's march of the day. good _ marcus stewart's march of the day. good luck— marcus stewart's march of the day. good luck to — marcus stewart's march of the day. good luck to everyone _ marcus stewart's march of the day. good luck to everyone taking - marcus stewart's march of the day. good luck to everyone taking part. i good luck to everyone taking part. it will be a big challenge. i hope you will do well. got it will be a big challenge. i hope you will do well.— you will do well. got a big good luck to march _ you will do well. got a big good luck to march of _ you will do well. got a big good luck to march of the _ you will do well. got a big good luck to march of the day - you will do well. got a big good luck to march of the day this i luck to march of the day this weekend. a big thank you to all your

support— weekend. a big thank you to all your support a _ weekend. a big thank you to all your support a test that this event that for the last six years. we keep raising — for the last six years. we keep raising awareness and we keep helping — raising awareness and we keep helping people. yes. a big thank you _ helping people. yes. a big thank you good — helping people. yes. a big thank you. good luck, cannot wait to see you. good luck, cannot wait to see you all _ you. good luck, cannot wait to see ou all. , ., ., , ., you all. great to see that full community — you all. great to see that full community standing - you all. great to see that full community standing strong. | you all. great to see that full| community standing strong. a you all. great to see that full- community standing strong. a real challenge — community standing strong. a real challenge. great _ community standing strong. a real challenge. great to _ community standing strong. a real challenge. great to show- community standing strong. a real challenge. great to show stephenl community standing strong. a real. challenge. great to show stephen and marcus— challenge. great to show stephen and marcus that _ challenge. great to show stephen and marcus that they— challenge. great to show stephen and marcus that they will— challenge. great to show stephen and marcus that they will never— challenge. great to show stephen and marcus that they will never walk - marcus that they will never walk alone _ 178 miles to go. mike is going to set them off. set them off. {l3h 178 miles to go. mike is going to set them off. set them off. off you .0, set them off. set them off. off you no, cu s. go, guys. applause

there we go. an incredibly well organised event. setting off in teams. 178 miles, calling out all sorts of grounds. they will live from london, this is bbc news. america's top diplomat arrives in tel aviv after talks with arab foreign ministers in cairo. antony blinken says the gaps are narrowing on a ceasefire deal for gaza. eu leaders gathered in brussels agree new steps for providing more support to ukraine. at least two people were killed after russia launches large—scale energy —— attack against energy in ukraine. patients in england with a suspected lung cancer are being offered a blood test to see if they

can get access to alternative therapies. and the world's most prestigious flower show hosts its first "no adults allowed" garden — designed by children, for children. welcome to the programme. we begin with the latest on the israel—gaza conflict. america's top diplomat antony blinken has touched down in tel aviv in just the last hour. it's his his sixth visit to the middle east since the war began. today he will meet with israeli leaders to continue talks on a plan to govern and secure gaza after the war — while pushing for more aid, and the protection of civilians. the un security council will vote later on a draft resolution proposed by the us — which ties an immediate ceasefire

in gaza to the release of hostages held by hamas.