this is bbc news. the headlines. after two weeks of heavy bombardment, the israeli army says it has completed its operation in gaza's largest hospital, leaving the site in ruins. and a lower energy price cap comes into force, taking bills in england, wales and scotland to their lowest level in two years. and singer billie eilish hits out at musicians who release multiple vinyl versions of records, due to its environmental impact. energy prices in england, wales and scotland have fallen

to their lowest level for two years today, as the regulator's new quarterly price cap comes into force. a household using a typical amount of energy will see their bills fall by £238 compared to the previous cap. the price cap will affect 29 million households. standing charges — that's a fixed daily charge covering the costs of connecting to a supply — have risen to 60p a day for electricity and 31p a day for gas, although they vary by region and supplier. energy prices in northern ireland are not controlled by the price cap — the government provides support directly to customers. despite this new support for other parts of the uk, charities say customers still owe billions of pounds to suppliers. with more, here's our cost of living correspondent, kevin peachey. spring has arrived in the gardens of this east kent community centre, promising warmer months ahead. i love the daffodils. but locals are still feeling

the chilling impact winter bills had on their finances and lifestyle. it's been quite a harsh winter and i haven't been able to afford to have the central heating on. so it's been rather challenging. and so i've been using hot water bottles. i invested in a battery—operated vest. inside the centre we find caz, who's found ways to stay warm, too. wrap up in a blanket or one of those big snoods that you get now, and big fluffy slippers. and how paying the bills has been a juggling act. some months you rob peter to pay paul, and that'sjust the way it is. and as long as you let people know that you're struggling and that... we're not — i'm not the only person who's struggling. there's thousands and thousands. quite a few of my friends are struggling, as well, you know?

but hopefully, fingers crossed, things are going to start coming down now, which is going to make it a lot more manageable with everything. manageable because today the cost of each unit of gas and electricity in the home has come down. energy prices are now at their lowest level for two years, but at the same time, some government support is being wound down, and other bills — water, council tax, phone and broadband — are on the way up. financial pressures aren't over — theyjust look a bit different. that will pay for itself on the energy saving. that's why this former mining community is part of a project sharing good habits to save energy and money. if you use more energy, you pay more. so sarah, who leads the discussion, says simple tips are best even at this time of year. three tips would be... one, your hot—water setting. if it's too hot to wash your hands with, your boiler�*s too high. two — your draughts — from your chimney to your windows and your doors — manage those draughts. and three, your showers. you need to stick to four minutes. find a four—minute song — less bohemian rhapsody — in the shower.

and again, that's £70 a year just on water and energy that you could save. one water charity has even compiled a four—minute song playlist, keeping people here and around the country to time, and their finances on song. kevin peachey, bbc news. the energy price cap is not the only financial change affecting households across the uk from today. the average annual water and sewerage bill will rise by 6% in england and wales, up £27 to £473. council tax rises vary — most will go up 3 or 5%. exceptions are financially troubled birmingham where council tax will go up 21% over two years, and scotland where it's mainly frozen. most broadband and mobile phone providers are currently introducing mid—contract price rises of up to 8.8%. and also changing today — the national living wage, known by many as the minimum wage, is going up by more

than a pound an hour. the main wage rate goes up from £10.42 to £11.44 an hour — and it will also now apply to workers aged over 21, rather than 23. that means someone working full time will have a pay rise of around £1,800 per year. also coming up — from saturday, class1 national insurance contributions will drop from 10% to 8%. if all that is added together, the government says thousands of households will be around £3,850 better off in the next year — although some critics say that doesn't take recent high levels of inflation into account. here's the business minster, kevin hollinrake on bbc breakfast a few hours ago: you've got a much better chance of finding a job than you had in 2010. there's 4.2 million morejobs in our economy, and 1.2 million people, fewer people in unemployment. so really good news all round. and in terms of those price

increases you're talking about, of course, the work we've done on inflation more than halving inflation. it was 11%, now three, 3.5%, roughly. it'll be 2% by the end of the year. those bills aren't rising as quickly as they would have been. we'll come on to inflation in a minute, because bills are still going up. they're just going up less quickly. but you say it's good news. it's not all good news, though, is it, this morning? the institute of government analysis says that real incomes are lower than when parliament began in 2019. resolution foundation says that inflation and higher taxes mean the average household will be £1,900 poorer by january of 2025. more people are paying tax because of that freeze on tax thresholds. 3.2 million extra taxpayers. 2.6 million more people will pay a higher rate of tax. the institute of fiscal studies says that the chancellor's budget plans will inflict more pain

than the austerity drive. that's not good news. this is not people feeling better off. well, the official fiscal studies you just referenced have said how the budget really helped people lower incomes. and that's what we're here to do. and we have done very significantly since 2010. so that rise in national living wage, £10,000 in cash terms since 2010, which is a 35% real terms increase. that's after taking into account all those inflationary things you talked about. we can speak now to sarah pennells, consumer finance specialist at pension company royal london. can you make sense of it all for me? is it good news today for consumers, is it bad news, is it all stay the same? it is kind of hard to get your head around, so anything is going up, otherthings head around, so anything is going up, other things going down. there is a lot to get _ up, other things going down. there is a lot to get your— up, other things going down. there is a lot to get your head _ up, other things going down. ti” is a lot to get your head round. it does depend on individual circumstances, which sounds like a copout. but it does depend on your

wage level, tax bracket you are paying, whether you use broadband, how much energy you use. to take off some of the easy ones, the energy price cap, which covers 29 million households, those on standard variable tariff, that is good news because it will mean an average saving for a typical user of £20 per month. not everybody will save that amount, partly because if you use more energy than you pay higher bills. also, those people who pay their bill when it arrives won't make that ceiling, because the energy price cap for them is only following to just under £1800. traditionally people who pay for their energy before they use it on a prepayment meter, they have paid a lot more, but that hasn't been the case for the last couple of years. and from today they will actually pay slightly less that people who pay slightly less that people who pay by direct debit, which has not happened before. standing charges, they are always

interesting. there is nothing people can do to stop those prices going up. as you up- say, ou as y up. as you say, the level of standing charges is rising, it does depend on who your supplier is, and the fuel that you are using, that by up to 10%, 60p per day in some cases, that means somebody who does not turn their gas or electricity on, thus their gas or electricity on, thus the town on a light or heat and it will still be paying about £330 per yearjust will still be paying about £330 per year just on will still be paying about £330 per yearjust on the standing charges. this is something that the regulator is currently looking at, and it has thousands of responses to its consultation. we could see some movement on that, but not today. as a consumer finance specialist, what would your advice be to people that are looking at these headlines today and wondering whether they are going to be better or worse off? it is a case of looking at your individual spending. it is a case of looking at your individualspending. basic things, if you are on standard variable tariff and you don't have a smart

meter, submit a metre reading if you haven't done that already. at least then you will be charged on today's prices, the lower prices, for the energy that you use from today onwards. also, if you are looking at other bills, broadband, if you are in a contract, unfortunately there are limited circumstances that you can move to another provider. but millions of people state with the same provider when they are out of contract, so you may be able to find a better deal they are. even on energy, previously the energy market, since the price rises, hasn't been competitive, but i was looking around today, there are some deals that could see you better. also issues, making sure that you use less water, less energy. i know a lot of people are already doing that, but there may be some changes that, but there may be some changes that you could make that could save you a few pounds extra. things that council tax, that is out of peoples hands, water bills, the

sea. can people shop around with water bills or is that not possible? council tax is interesting, you cannot switch your council, without moving. that you can claim a discount if you are the only adult living there. there are a couple of other ways that you can claim a rebate. if you are uncertain benefits you can get a discount, that can be up to 100%. one that may people don't know about is, for people don't know about is, for people who are severely mentally impaired, maybe somebody who has dementia, oranother impaired, maybe somebody who has dementia, or another condition that is similar, in that case they may not have to pay council tax. that is worth looking at. your local council website should have information on that. you cannot shop around for your water bills, some people who are currently not on water metres may saved by switching to a water metre. the consumer council for water website has information. you can look at the kightly today and see if you would save or if you are better off staying as you are. if you want a water metre, the less you

use the less you pay. some water websites have information on how you can save. we could not do all afternoon. excellent advice. thank you. salvage crews at the us port of baltimore have removed the first section of the bridge that collapsed on tuesday, when it was hit by a container ship. six people working on the bridge at the time were killed. the coast guard said a section of the francis scott key bridge had been cut free, and was being transferred onto a barge to be taken ashore. thousands of people have taken to the streets in haiti to mark easter weekend. it's the first major national holiday since the country's government collapsed. the caribbean island is now largely gripped by gang violence. more than 1,500 people have been killed since the start of the year and tens of thousands

of others left homeless. the un has described the situation as cataclysmic. nomia iqbal has more. as haiti spirals into violence, people try to hold on to their traditions. thousands of worshippers walk through narrow, dusty roads in cap haitian, praying for peace in a country whose capital has descended into lawlessness. in gang—controlled port—au—prince, the city is still suffering — with people fighting for basic supplies. most easter processions were cancelled. there was a rare moment ofjoy, though, as children crafted colourful kites — an easter tradition. more than 100 miles away, nun checks in with herfamily every day to make sure they're still alive. her father says there was a shooting today — everyone is ok. he tells her he feels broken, though.

nun left port—au—prince because of the violence. her cousin was killed by a gang in the capital last year. i have friends that, after school, they decided to open a business or things like that, and after some time either they got killed or they got robbed, so it's two ways — either you stay and you fight, or you go. even though i go, i'll come back because i have a plan, i have a dream, and that dream is happening in haiti. the country is now waiting to see exactly who will take on the gangs in the fight for power. a presidential transitional council is in the works, and the group's main goal will be to restore order and democracy to a nation that's at a crucial turning point in history. one of the country's most powerful gang leaders, jimmy cherizier, has said he's open to a ceasefire. known as barbecue, he and his coalition control much of the capital right now, but he wants a seat

at the negotiating table. it will be hard, though, to convince many haitians to accept violent gangsters as future political leaders. translation: when gangs attack, they're terrorising people, and they don't have any compassion — theyjust kill. the population is dying — it's true — because it's the country which is dying. when the port is dysfunctional, the airport is dysfunctional, and the hospital is dysfunctional, people will definitely die. haiti is a country with a lot of faith, but constant, overlapping crises have pushed it to the brink. and with little change so far, right now hope is all people have. nomia iqbal, bbc news, haiti. after the break will be talking about an issue that billie eilish has talked about, criticising

musicians releasing multiple versions of vinyl albums, seeing it is not environmentally friendly. the rolling stones released 43 different versions of their album hackney diamonds last year.

the head of nippon steel, japan's biggest steelmaker, has defended its proposed purchase of us steel. the deal was agreed in december, but last month the white house said the company — which is america's second biggest steel producer — should remain in domestic ownership. nippon steel's incoming president has called for its deep roots in the united states to be recognised. here's our business reporter, david waddell. here he is, the new president of nippon steel, tadashi imai. he takes up post today and on the top of his in—tray a tricky assignment.

the $14 billion purchase of us steel. a deal has been agreed, but it's united these two president biden and his predecessor, president trump. donald trump has said he'll block the deal if he's re—elected later this year. and president biden last month noted it's been an iconic american steel company for more than a century. and he said it's vital for it to remain an american steel company that is domestically owned and operated in common the white house sees steel as critical to national security. there are concerns, too, aboutjobs in a company which employs 22,000 people, 14,000 in the us alone. and the iconic status cannot be overstated. at one time, us steel was both the biggest steel maker and the world's first billion dollar corporation. for nippon steel argued that his company's deep roots in the united states be recognised. the japanese firm has about 4000 employees there. it also had, he said, about 2000 steel patents in north america, whilst most us steel

makers had about 200 each. he's argued that nippon is the most useful partner for us steel seeking to grow in the united states and promised to move the company's headquarters to pittsburgh, where us steel is based. but these arguments may hold little sway with the two men seeking first to court the american public in the months ahead. singer billie eilish has criticised musicians releasing multiple versions of vinyl records due to its environmental impact. in an interview with billboard magazine, the grammy winner said, "we're all going to do it because it's "the only way to play the game." while eilish didn't call out any artists by name, the rolling stones released at least 43 variants of their album hackney diamonds last year. taylor swift is set to release four vinyl versions of her album the tortured poets department later this year. and now fans who pre—ordered beyonce's latest album on vinyl are reporting that five

of its tracks have gone missing. let's speak to laura snapes. she's the deputy music editor at the guardian. i thought i was doing really well by learning how to stream music, now it turns out i need to go back and buy vinyl? there has been a massive vinyl resurgence in the past two years. last year there was an 11% rise, 5.9 million units, computer 2.9% rise in 2022. it is massively on the app. at one point the vinyl revival was associated with more indie artist, in recent years it has pop stars who are leading the charge, especially because they have been releasing multiple vinyl variants of their records, with taylor swift, as you said. �* , ,, ., said. billie eilish says this is not environmentally _ said. billie eilish says this is not environmentally friendly. - said. billie eilish says this is not environmentally friendly. she i said. billie eilish says this is not i environmentally friendly. she says she has released different variants, but via environmentally friendly, she had sex with the black final. back presumably, fans, adding —— via

environmentally friendly, she releases on black vinyl. rolling stones seemed the colours, it is not likely that somebody would buy all of those records, they have got different covers on them. somebody like taylor swift, with her new album, which each come with one track, if you want to get all of the bonus tracks, you are incentivised to buy four versions of the same record. people do certainly do that. all four versions, record. people do certainly do that. all fourversions, on record. people do certainly do that. all four versions, on the back of them, all for depicted a clock face, fans are buying these things. but there are increasing grumbles about

fans feeling exploited by the practice. this is a great way to make as much money as possible.— money as possible. yes, this is what's billie _ money as possible. yes, this is what's billie eilish _ money as possible. yes, this is what's billie eilish has - money as possible. yes, this is what's billie eilish has pointed| what's billie eilish has pointed out. vinyl sales, physical sales, download sales, streaming you have to download more than one traditional sale. billie eilish pointed out that there is an obsession with numbers and sales which is not necessary, especially when you are a pop star of that level, you will have a number one anyway regardless of how many versions you put out. how have her comments been received? she didn't directly name any rival artists. she did not. over the weekend she clarified that she did not name any names, even though fans quickly linked this to taylor swift, definitely the most high profile proponents of this. her comments will be taken in terms of that kind of gossip as opposed to

a reckoning with this issue, which is the massive environmentally unfriendly impact of final production, it can lead to water pollution, the sheer environmental impact of shipping all those records all over the world. streaming is not without an environmental footprint as well, but not as much as the mass of plastic footprint. a trip to the doctors is something that can be a bit frightening for some children — so medical students from bristol university have been helping primary school pupils by teaching first aid — using teddy bears. the children oh, no! and i fixed it. this is teddy bear hospital, and these children are learning how to put bandages on their injured, fluffy friends. we're having a lot of fun. all the kids were so excited about it. they were so engaged. we had so much fun. we learned loads of stuff. it was really, really good.

the sessions are run by medical students from the university of bristol to make any potential hospital trips a little less scary, and to teach these year one and two pupils some basic first aid. teddies are usefuljust because it's something that children are really familiar with, and it's quite common in hospitals and doctors to maybe put your stethoscope on a teddy first to show a child that it's not going to be painful and that it's... and what's going to happen before it happens to them. as well as learning how to put bandages on and make slings, they also get to listen to each other�*s hearts using a stethoscope, and learn more about different parts of the body. i was listening to my friend arlo's heart. hello! giggling. ilike... oh, i like doing that. kate said they're told the children often go home and tell their parents all about what they've learnt. although, at the time, it can sort of look a bit chaotic and like there's lots of things going on, i think they tend

to actually pick up quite a lot from it. hearts don't actually look like a normal heart. what do they look like? they're kind of looking like a blob. did you learn how to put a bandage on? were you good at it? wrap it, wrap it around. when you've nearly finished the bandage, you just- put it back inside. looks like we're in safe hands. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. over the next few days we will keep cold east north—easterly winds in

scotland. further south, winds are south—westerly. bringing milder conditions. that is where the wet weather will come in from. these are the temperatures this easter monday afternoon. 15 celsius across east anglia and the south—east. chillier than that under the rain and northern england and southern scotland. that rain is continuing to move northwards this evening. so that follow do tend to decay and fade away. we will keep some showers running eastwards across some other counties of england. that rain pushes further north into scotland. lowest temperatures are likely to be in the north east of england. we still have patchy rain into tomorrow in scotland, particularly in the north and north—east. in the south—east, some sunny spells, showers likely to develop, further rain coming into the south—west through the afternoon. temperatures will reach 14, 15 celsius in the midlands and eastern parts of

england. chillier in the north—east of scotland stop rain pushing northwards of tuesday night. low pressure will be sitting of the uk on wednesday, keeping things unsettled. southern parts of england and wales turning drier with more sunshine during the afternoon. that will give temperatures a bit of a boost that only seven or eight celsius, with the cold north—easterly wind in scotland, and some rain as well. these are the app level winds. this is the jet stream pattern. this will be maintained over the next few days. thejet be maintained over the next few days. the jet stream be maintained over the next few days. thejet stream picking up areas of low pressure. these weather fronts bringing spells of rain. some wet weather to be commit on thursday in northern scotland, another band of rain moves northwards, followed by some showers, and nbc further longer spells of rain arriving in parts of england and wheels on

thursday afternoon. temperatures have the same theme, my other four in the wind in the north and east of scotland.

level for two years. the lower energy price—cap means the average bill drops by more than £200 a year. hopefully, fingers crossed, things are going to start coming down now, which is going to make it

a lot more manageable. israel says it has pulled out of gaza city's main hospital — after a two—week military operation. a new hate crime law comes into force in scotland — amid criticism from the likes ofjk rowling and elon musk. and welcome to teddy bear hospital. a new scheme in bristol to help children find trips to the doctor a little less scary. energy prices in england, wales and scotland have fallen to their lowest level for two years today, as the regulator's new price—cap comes into force.

a household using a typical amount of energy will pay £1,690