this is bbc news. the headlines... six people missing after a road bridge collapsed into a river in baltimore are now presumed dead. public satisfaction with the nhs is at a record low according to a new report. and check your passport — the message to millions of britons planning a trip to europe to avoid being caught out by a ten—year rule. new figures show a big increase in sewage spills in england. sewage spills from storm overflows increased 54% in 2023 compared to the previous year, figures from the environment agency show. the agency says there has been investment from the water sector, but that sewage is a complex issue that won't be solved overnight. let's speak to our environment

correspondent, jonah fisher. more than doubled, why? very good cuestion. more than doubled, why? very good question- it — more than doubled, why? very good question. it has _ more than doubled, why? very good question. it has more _ more than doubled, why? very good question. it has more than - more than doubled, why? very good question. it has more than doubled, i question. it has more than doubled, 3.6 million hours of discharges last year. there were an average of 1271 spills every day. this has been measured by event duration monitors attached to the 111,000 also combined sewer outflow pipes around and they report back in every time sewage and water comes out into the sea. this is a collation of data we have seen today, summarised in effectively what the water industry has been saying is though they do regard sewage discharges like this as being unacceptable, last year was a particularly wet year, 2023 was particularly wet year, 2023 was particularly wet year, 2023 was

particularly wet compared to 22 which was dry. there is a factor which was dry. there is a factor which has led to this huge increase in the number of discharges. the storm water mixes with sewage in most of the drainage systems in england, so if there is a lot of rain it simply overwhelms the system and can overwhelm treatment plants and can overwhelm treatment plants and the pressure valve in the system is for the raw sewage and rainwater to be discharged into the sea which will back up into people's homes. but if there is that leak, it has an impact on the environment and indeed if someone was going swimming, they would be swimming in sewage. that is the sad reality — would be swimming in sewage. that is the sad reality of— would be swimming in sewage. that is the sad reality of it, _ would be swimming in sewage. that is the sad reality of it, if _ would be swimming in sewage. that is the sad reality of it, if it _ would be swimming in sewage. that is the sad reality of it, if it is _ the sad reality of it, if it is going out into waterways that people use, beaches or rivers, people want to swim in those, it has an impact and that has been monitored around

the country by an army of citizen scientists who go out during the tests themselves, reporting that back into the system. that is part of the reason combined with the increased amount of data why people are becoming much more aware over the last few years of what is going into our waterways and the damage it is doing to them. does into our waterways and the damage it is doing to them.— is doing to them. does that mean the industry will — is doing to them. does that mean the industry will have _ is doing to them. does that mean the industry will have to _ is doing to them. does that mean the industry will have to do _ is doing to them. does that mean the industry will have to do more - is doing to them. does that mean the industry will have to do more now- is doing to them. does that mean the industry will have to do more now to l industry will have to do more now to prevent that and cope with the fact that we are getting more rain as we get climate change? that that we are getting more rain as we get climate change?— get climate change? that certainly is what the what _ get climate change? that certainly is what the what industry - get climate change? that certainly is what the what industry are - is what the what industry are saying. they are saying they have put forward an ambitious proposal to the regulators and government but a multi—billion—pound investment project into our sewage infrastructure which could dramatically cut the amount of sewage being admitted by 2030. the catch there is they want all of us

customers to be the ones to foot the bills for that so they put proposals to the regulator saying this is what they would like to do but they would like us to pay for it. the haggling that exists is to in the regulator, the water companies, as to how much money the companies are going to be able to spend and how much of that costis able to spend and how much of that cost is directly passed on to customers. 0nly cost is directly passed on to customers. only once we have had significant amounts of investment, billions and billions of pounds into the sewage infrastructure will we begin to even have a suggestion that numbers are coming down in the future. ., ~' , ., numbers are coming down in the future. ., ~ , ., ., ., let's return to that survey suggests that satisfaction with the nhs is at an all time low. the results of the long running british social attitudes survey found that people were particularly displeased with accident and emergency, and dentistry care. fewer than one in four — 24% — people were satisfied with the health service last year, down five percentage points on the previous year.

satisfaction was at 70% as recently as 2010. the main reasons for dissatisfaction are waiting times for gp and hospital appointments followed by staff shortages and the government not spending enough money on the nhs however, support for the founding principles of the nhs remains high, with 91% believing the nhs should be free of charge when people need to use it, 82% agreeing it should be primarily funded through taxes. let's speak to mark dayan, policy analyst and head of public affairs at the nuffield trust. he co—authored the report on patient satisfaction with the nhs. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. i wondered thank you forjoining us on bbc news. iwondered if thank you forjoining us on bbc news. i wondered if you could outline the main findings from the report. t outline the main findings from the re ort. ~' ., ., report. i think the overall finding of satisfaction _ report. i think the overall finding of satisfaction with _ report. i think the overall finding of satisfaction with the _ report. i think the overall finding of satisfaction with the way - report. i think the overall finding of satisfaction with the way the l report. i think the overall finding i of satisfaction with the way the nhs runs is certainly the most important

and a difficult thing for us to recognise. there are also signs that valued institutions in the uk but over the last few years we have seen an incredibly rapid turnaround going into the pandemic with a majority of people less satisfied with the way it runs, an all—time low since the server started in the 1980s. that tells us that despite people believing in the nhs as a model, a feeling it isn't giving them what they want and need is now widespread. d0 they want and need is now widespread.— they want and need is now widespread. they want and need is now widesread. ~ ., , they want and need is now widesread. ~' ., , ., , widespread. do we know why there has been this sudden _ widespread. do we know why there has been this sudden decrease? _ widespread. do we know why there has been this sudden decrease? i - widespread. do we know why there has been this sudden decrease? i take - been this sudden decrease? i take --eole been this sudden decrease? i take peeple seriously — been this sudden decrease? i take people seriously when _ been this sudden decrease? i take people seriously when they - been this sudden decrease? tits.

focused on the nhs and what it was able to do and the pressures it was under followed able to do and the pressures it was underfollowed by able to do and the pressures it was under followed by a further worsening in waiting times. some things that were quite rare before like waits for planned operations became more commonplace. i think it is easy to see where there may come from. in staffing, the numbers of staff in many areas has gone up quite a bit but obviously we are seeing this industrial action strikes, and many people will feel when they see the services, they don't see them at all so despite the higher number, people are probably picking up that there difficulties are nhs staffing. we know people value doctors and nurses and other professionals incredibly highly, the uk's most trusted profession, so that's probably a big worry as well. so what is the answer? irate that's probably a big worry as well. so what is the answer?— that's probably a big worry as well. so what is the answer? we need to be careful thinking _ so what is the answer? we need to be careful thinking of _ so what is the answer? we need to be careful thinking of a _ so what is the answer? we need to be careful thinking of a quick _ so what is the answer? we need to be careful thinking of a quick answer - careful thinking of a quick answer to this. there was a period in the

19905 to this. there was a period in the 1990s when satisfaction was not as low but nearly as low as it is now and that took a long time to turn around. unfortunately, it took a huge amount of money during the noughties and took satisfaction up gradually as waiting times improved to the all—time high in 2010. i think the real challenge to politicians competing for votes in the upcoming election will be answering the question of how are you going over the long—term to improve the waiting times, improve the sense there are enough staff and they are happy to work for the nhs to win back public confidence at a time when we know it is difficult to put anything like those money in again? irate put anything like those money in aaain? , ., put anything like those money in aaain? ., ., ,�* again? we spoke to the patients' association _ again? we spoke to the patients' association earlier _ again? we spoke to the patients' association earlier and _ again? we spoke to the patients' association earlier and they - again? we spoke to the patients' association earlier and they said | association earlier and they said they would like patients to come together and look at care as well as the health service.— the health service. there is absolutely _ the health service. there is absolutely right. _ the health service. there is absolutely right. we - the health service. there is absolutely right. we ask. the health service. there is i absolutely right. we ask about satisfaction with social care, helping people who may have learning

difficulties or older people who need help with daily tasks. there is often seen as a neglected issue but we find dissatisfaction is rising with that as well, people realising it's not working and dissatisfaction is even higher than with the nhs. 0n politicians coming together, i think anybody who has followed the nhs will recognise that it can suffer from short is, not enough money put into things like training staff, building buildings, repairing them, things that will do good in a few years' time but always trying to shovel money and quickly for quick wins. i think a long—term approach, whether that comes from parties working together or one government deciding to sit down and work more in one way, that would certainly be a good thing. stare in one way, that would certainly be a good thing-— a good thing. are you optimistic that that will _ a good thing. are you optimistic that that will happen? _ a good thing. are you optimistic that that will happen? there - a good thing. are you optimisticj that that will happen? there are some signs _

that that will happen? there are some signs this _ that that will happen? there are some signs this is _ that that will happen? there are some signs this is being - that that will happen? there are - some signs this is being recognised, we had a long—term workforce plan setting up big increases in training though it's maybe not as strong as keeping staff that are already here. but in terms of optimism that this could turn around quickly and without money, no. it's a difficult situation out there and in particular waiting list for planned treatment and the number of staff, they are things that take time to make progress. it needs steady, long—term improvement. make progress. it needs steady, long-term improvement.- make progress. it needs steady, long-term improvement. new figures show a big increase in sewage spills in england. let's talk to feargal sharkey. i wonder if you can get your reaction to those new figures. i5 wonder if you can get your reaction to those new figures.— to those new figures. is another com - lete to those new figures. is another complete and — to those new figures. is another

complete and utter _ to those new figures. is another complete and utter shambles i to those new figures. is another. complete and utter shambles and highlights not for the first time that government has lost control of the industry, we have a regulatory system that exclude dysfunctional and not capable of doing its job and the water industry that is still bent and focused entirely on creed, exploiting more money from customers and exploiting the environment. they've learned that it pays to pollute. the whole thing is utterly chaotic from one end to the other. water uk, the industry body for the water industry says its terrible bits is down to heavy rain. forgive me for laughing — bits is down to heavy rain. forgive me for laughing but _ bits is down to heavy rain. forgive me for laughing but the _ bits is down to heavy rain. forgive me for laughing but the high - bits is down to heavy rain. forgive | me for laughing but the high court last year explained all of this. it should not ever be happening and heavy rain, the only legitimate reason for doing this is extreme weather events, heavy rain does not qualify. what they have confirmed to

me is they know perfectly well that they are not compliant with the law and are still prepared to be one of the largest polluters of rivers in england and doing so while profiteering and paying £72 billion worth of our money to their shareholders. these companies art in £60 billion worth of debt. this is the biggest excuse of had a long time. ~ ., ., i. the biggest excuse of had a long time. ~ ., ., ~ time. what would you like the government _ time. what would you like the government to _ time. what would you like the government to do? _ time. what would you like the government to do? just - time. what would you like the i government to do? just enforce time. what would you like the - government to do? just enforce the law. it's government to do? just enforce the law- it's always _ government to do? just enforce the law. it's always there. _ government to do? just enforce the law. it's always there. he _ government to do? just enforce the law. it's always there. he needs - government to do? just enforce the law. it's always there. he needs a l law. it's always there. he needs a complete review of restructuring. the government needs to do more to enforce the law and hold the companies to account. we've had enough of this. this has to stop but, unfortunately government has also proved is not up to the job as much as the regular person. so

also proved is not up to the 'ob as much as the regular person. so what is the answer? _ much as the regular person. so what is the answer? we _ much as the regular person. so what is the answer? we need _ much as the regular person. so what is the answer? we need a _ much as the regular person. so what i is the answer? we need a government that will deliver. _ is the answer? we need a government that will deliver. one _ is the answer? we need a government that will deliver. one that _ is the answer? we need a government that will deliver. one that will - that will deliver. one that will drive the ambition and determination to enforce the law and hold companies to account and we need regulators that will get out there and do theirjobs. it's simple, easily fixed, is called leadership and it's the one thing missing from this whole conversation. ih and it's the one thing missing from this whole conversation.— this whole conversation. in the meantime. _ this whole conversation. in the meantime, when _ this whole conversation. in the meantime, when there - this whole conversation. in the meantime, when there is - this whole conversation. in the meantime, when there is a - this whole conversation. in the l meantime, when there is a spill, infects environment and we're mentioning earlier when people go swimming the water. $5 mentioning earlier when people go swimming the water.— swimming the water. as has been announced _ swimming the water. as has been announced in _ swimming the water. as has been announced in another _ swimming the water. as has been announced in another place - swimming the water. as has been| announced in another place earlier today, there was work done on the thames and levels were found ten times above the threshold for safe bathing water. the simple truth of the matter is this industry, the water industry, has clearly discovered it can disregard the law, treat with utter contempt and face no sanction, no penalties and no

management control whatsoever. they have realised it pays to pollute. are you optimistic they can be changed? are you optimistic they can be chan . ed? are you optimistic they can be chanced? , , ., , , changed? the simple reality is there has to be because _ changed? the simple reality is there has to be because there _ changed? the simple reality is there has to be because there is _ changed? the simple reality is there has to be because there is a - changed? the simple reality is there has to be because there is a side - has to be because there is a side issue caused by the same profiteering, the same lack of investment. as was announced by government last week, we need to find another 5 billion litres of water simply to keep london and the south—east taps running in the next 20 years. all of that because of lack of investment and lack of control. that might now apparently cost £60 billion to fix it so here is my warning for the next government —— you are going to be sorting out the water industry whether you like it or not because you cannot have london's taps ran dry. it's time to take this industry into control and make it deliver in the job it was supposed to be doing.

thank you very much, feargal sharkey, forjoining us on bbc news. thank you. people are being told to check passport issue and expiry dates or risk being refused entry to cities and holiday destinations across the european union. that's the message to as many as 32 million people. it's because of post—brexit entry rules and has reportedly already caught scores of people out. earlier, i spoke to travel journalist simon calder on what this means for holidaygoers going forward. until brexit, it was very easy. you had a british passport that was valid up to and including the expiry date. after the democratic vote to leave the eu, the government negotiated on our behalf to become third country nationals. that's the same status as people from venezuela or samoa or macau. anyway, that then brings into play existing european union rules, which means that the issue date of your passport suddenly becomes relevant. so if your passport was issued

more than ten years ago, then you're not getting into the european union. and of course, britain had this very welcome situation. my passport, indeed, ten years, nine months. they gave you credit for unspent time. that absolutely wasn't a problem while we were in the eu, and now sadly it is. and every day i hearfrom people who have been turned away at the departure gate because they simply didn't realise it. they thought, "well, we've got six months left on our passport. that shouldn't be a problem." until they find out too late that it is, they lose the money for their holiday, and of course the travel insurer isn't going to be interested. it's always your responsibility to be compliant. yeah, we've heard stories as well, just like you have, of people being turned away. i'm quite interested because if you book a flight, say online, you have

to put your passport details in, don't you? so could the airlines be doing more? if the dates don't match up, they alert us before we actually end up getting to the airport, getting to the queue to get on the plane and being told, sorry, you can't go? absolutely, and i've been doing all i can to persuade the airlines to do this. of course, if you've got a good human travel agent, they will demand to know your passport details well in advance and alert you to any possible problems. the airlines d0 ask for information, but they're not doing it to check that you're compliant. all they're doing is checking your identity details, name, expiry date of the passport, date of birth and so on, because they have to do that to supply what's called advance passenger information for security purposes. it doesn't say at all whether or not you will be let in. i talk to the airlines. they basically say, "look, it's terribly complicated. we fly dozens of different nationalities to dozens of different destinations around the world.

we simply cannot police this for everybody." one exception, i'm glad to say, tui, the big holiday company, they are working on a system which they hope will flag things up early. but for now, please just go and check your passport expiry. if it's over ten years or...if passport is over ten years old or you haven't got three months before the expiry, when you plan to leave the european union, you have a problem. if you are going to renew, please do so online. but conversely, don't renew unnecessarily. there's loads of places america, canada, tunisia you can go to, up to and including the expiry date on your passport.

janet, my director today, janet, my directortoday, didn't understand what you are talking about. if you are like her, you can get all the details on the bbc website or app which gives you the details of everything you need to check on your passport. new details have emerged about how the clapham alkali attacker, abdul shukor ezedi, gained asylum in the uk despite being a convicted sex offender. ezedi attacked a woman and two children in south london with a corrosive substance injanuary. his body was later found in the river thames, ending a police manhunt. our home affairs correspondent, daniel sandford, reports. in the aftermath of his savage attack on a mother and her two children, abdul ezedi fled across london. the corrosive substance he'd used in the attack had also scarred his own face and, within hours, he'd jumped into the thames from chelsea bridge, his body emerging almost three weeks later. until now, we've only been able to report sketchy details of ezedi's multiple attempts to claim asylum and his

sexual offending history. but now, at the request of the bbc and other media companies, the immigration tribunal has released this detailed case file. the dossier shows ezedi arrived from afghanistan in 2016. his initial asylum claim was turned down very quickly and his appeal refused the next year, with the judge saying his story was a mass of inconsistencies. but he wasn't removed from the uk. in 2019, he made fresh submissions, this time including these photographs showing him being baptised at grange road baptist church injarrow. again, he was turned down. by now, he'd been convicted of sexual assault and was on the sex offenders register. so the church made him sign this safeguarding contract. in it, he agreed he'd only enter the church when accompanied by a named male member of the congregation. but at his appeal in october 2020, the former minister from the church gave evidence, saying ezedi's conversion was genuine,

and a judge granted him asylum the next month. and so seven years after arriving and after multiple refusals of asylum, ezedi had won and was still in the uk this year to carry out the attack. in an ironic twist in the tale, when abdul ezedi was buried a fortnight ago, as these exclusive pictures given to the bbc show, it was a muslim ceremony at the request of his friends and family. daniel sandford, bbc news. wales will not be at this summers european football championships after suffering an agonising penalty shoot out defeat to poland. their playoff match went to a penalty shoot out after the game ended in a goalless draw. the shootout went down to the wire with both teams scoring all of their spot kicks before danjames had his attempt saved. in other qualifiers — ukraine defeated iceland 2—1, while georgia beat

greece on penalties. for more on this, lets speak to former wales striker — robert earnshaw1. thank you forjoining us. the welsh captain ben davies said it's a cruel result. how did it feel for you? absolutely the same, heartbreaking, raw, devastating. i really felt that one. i know how the players feel. we've been through it before through the same feeling when you have a play—off and you don't reach that. we lost to russia in 2004 euros and its devastating, so heartbreaking. i think it is a campaign full of ups and downs, full of controversy, some bad results, some great results. it's time to reflect now and what has happened and what goes ongoing

forward. fin has happened and what goes ongoing forward. ., has happened and what goes ongoing forward. . . ., , has happened and what goes ongoing forward. . . . , ., , ., has happened and what goes ongoing forward. . . ., , ., forward. on that, wales has a young team, forward. on that, wales has a young team. although _ forward. on that, wales has a young team, although we _ forward. on that, wales has a young team, although we know— forward. on that, wales has a young team, although we know now - forward. on that, wales has a young | team, although we know now without gareth bale. are you optimistic the young team can do well going forward? i young team can do well going forward? , ., ., ., , forward? itell you what, last summer i _ forward? itell you what, last summer i wasn't _ forward? itell you what, last summer i wasn't optimistic. forward? itell you what, last| summer i wasn't optimistic at forward? i tell you what, last- summer i wasn't optimistic at all when we were losing to turkey and before that we lost to armenia. but since then, i am optimistic. watching the talent, they beat finland 4—1 the other night. they can repeat that. no aaron ramsey, no gareth bale, none of that. is full of talent, young group but an experienced group actually. i like where they are right now. the bbc sotliuht where they are right now. the bbc spotlight page _ where they are right now. the bbc spotlight page at _ where they are right now. the bbc spotlight page at the _ where they are right now. the bbc spotlight page at the moment - where they are right now. the bbc spotlight page at the moment is i spotlight page at the moment is asking whether wales should stick with rob page. i saw one of your former colleagues also posting that questions must be asked. what is

your view? questions must be asked. what is yourview? should questions must be asked. what is your view? should he stay or should wales be looking for someone you? when you don't get the right results, you do have to ask the questions. but i think robert page said staying. i think he has done very well in the last eight months or so. very well in the last eight months orso. he's very well in the last eight months or so. he's improved the squad. but he does have to improve now because we did not make it to a major tournament. that backs up also going tournament. that backs up also going to the world cup. it was quite disappointing. there has to be an improvement from the coach himself but also how we take them over the line. we were one penalty kick away from another major tournament. questions and reviews will be done anyway but i do like where the team are right now. they have talent, they're capable much more. fight!

are right now. they have talent, they're capable much more. and this mornin: , they're capable much more. and this morning. the — they're capable much more. and this morning, the heartbreak _ they're capable much more. and this morning, the heartbreak for - they're capable much more. and this morning, the heartbreak for the - they're capable much more. and this morning, the heartbreak for the fans who were so behind the team. yes. morning, the heartbreak for the fans who were so behind the team. yes, i reall feel who were so behind the team. yes, i really feel for— who were so behind the team. yes, i really feel for them. _ who were so behind the team. yes, i really feel for them. we're _ who were so behind the team. yes, i really feel for them. we're all - really feel for them. we're all feeling the same this morning. the fans, the players will be devastated. i know exactly how they feel. i know danjames who missed the penalty last night will be feeling it. it will be a real drawback it would take a long time to get over this. like i said, in 2003 when we were in the play—offs against russia, still to this day it is so hard. it never quite leaves you, just gets a bit easier. it's really hard to take.— you, just gets a bit easier. it's really hard to take. thank you. i will let you _ really hard to take. thank you. i will let you go — really hard to take. thank you. i will let you go and _ really hard to take. thank you. i will let you go and i _ really hard to take. thank you. i will let you go and i would - really hard to take. thank you. i will let you go and i would say l will let you go and i would say drown your sorrows but go off and think about the positive future wales will have going ahead. thank you forjoining us.

authorities in slovakia say a brown bear that was caught on video rampaging through the streets of a town ten days ago has been shot dead. five people, including a young child, were injured as the bear ran past cars and lunged at pedestrians. the slovak government is to call on the eu to reclassify bears, which are a protected species, following a number of bear attacks in recent years. slovakia's environment minister announced on social media on wednesday the bear had been eliminated. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello. it's been pretty miserable for the morning rush with driving rain, hill snow across the north and even a dusting of snow in the heavier downpours further south, as well. this is exmoor earlier. so it is slightly windier today as this area of low pressure to the west of us continues to deepen. so, there are more isobars around, particularly in the south and the north, where we'll have gale force winds to accompany this rain and this hill snow. so, a pretty cold day here. after the heavy rain moves away from northern ireland,

heavy showers will follow, those heavy showers pushing their way across england and wales as well after some sunshine first thing. the sunshine does return, but with it, some heavier showers, hail and thunder mixed in. and so the strength of the wind as well will temper the feel, even though we'll get to perhaps 9 to 12 celsius. 0vernight, the rain breaks up in the north, the showers follow. we've got more rain and hill snow to come in southern areas, hill snow for the moors, into the welsh mountains, the peaks as well, because it's going to be a chilly three or four, perhaps a touch a frost in the north. but, by and large, there's more wind overnight to prevent a frost, particularly in the south. this deepening area of low pressure has been named storm nelson by the spanish met service. it will have big impacts further south and it will have impacts for ourselves tomorrow because not only have we got the rain and the hills now, but gale force winds. so, gusts of perhaps 60mph buffeting southern and western coasts in particular. but the winds will pick up further north, driving those bands of rain and hill snow as well northwards. and, again, only

9 to 12 degrees celsius. so, feeling chilly despite some march sunshine between those showers. now, on balance, we should see more of that march sunshine on good friday, but that low pressure is still with us to the west. butjust gradually, the shower activity and the winds are easing down. so it will feel a little bit more spring—like, 12 to 14 degrees celsius. and bear in mind, of course, we're into the tree pollen season now. so, if you're struggling a little, that's the reason why. into saturday, this low pressure brush is close to the south and the east, and we've got a succession of low pressures to move in from the south and east, as well. so, the concern is how far into the uk they'll bring their rains. there's a lot of uncertainty at the moment, so please do stay tuned to the forecast, more of which you can find on the website as well as all the warnings.

live from london. this is bbc news. six people missing after a road bridge collapsed into a river in baltimore — are now presumed dead. public satisfaction with the nhs is at a record low according to a new report. the report finds that the ten—month—old baby finley boden murdered by his parents should have been the most protective. thailand has become the first south—east asian country to pass a marriage equality bill — paving the way for same—sex marriage. hello, welcome to the programme. we start this hour in the us city of baltimore. six people still missing after a container ship brought down a key bridge are now presumed dead. the coastguard said it had suspended its search and rescue operation and now will focus

on a recovery mission. these are live pictures from the scene — where