independence, and a promise to for a stronger economy and independence, for a stronger economy and happier, healthier lives, and independence for a better future for scotland, made in scotland. i am alive in cornwall, _ scotland, made in scotland. i am alive in cornwall, as _ scotland, made in scotland. i am alive in cornwall, as we - scotland, made in scotland. lam alive in cornwall, as we continue to visit key constituencies across the country and talk about issues that matters to you. today we are talking about housing. with lots of second homes in the county, what happens to the people who just don't have a home? the jury is discharged in the trial of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts. and it's another big day in the euros — as scotland go head—to—head with switzerland. but can they turn things around after their defeat to germany? hello i'm annita mcveigh —

thanks forjoining us on bbc news. uk inflation has hit the bank of england's target of 2% for the first time in almost three years. the figure — which tells us the rate at which prices are rising — hit the target in may, coming down from 2.3% in april. our chief economics correspondent dharshini david reports. gary in sussex used to have seven butchers shops. he now has four. forced to make cuts as he's been caught between soaring costs over the last few years and customers with lean budgets looking for value. but things are easing. the price is probably 10—15% more than they were at the beginning of covid, but the actual price of the product is pretty much stationary now. well, we hope it's stationary. it would be nice if it would come down, but i can't see that, not in the foreseeable future anyway. it's global food and energy costs, which triggered the rise in inflation to ii% in 2022,

which have also helped it fall to the 2% target, along with the rate rises over the last couple of years. as you may have noticed, the prices of goods are rising more slowly as the impact of the war in ukraine wears off, and that's brought down total inflation. but some fear that could rebound a bit in the coming months because the prices of services — for example, hotel stays, cafe bills and travel fares — are still rising more quickly as those businesses pass on higher bills. and over at the bank of england, interest rate setters have to be sure inflation will stay down further out before they start cutting rates, so the cost of borrowing may not fall for several months. in wolverhampton, they are weighing up the last major economic figures before the election, including this local business organisation. they are looking to put more money back into their businesses, they are looking to train staff,

they are looking to look at new machinery or equipment, and a couple of our businesses have actually said that they are looking to grow more profitable more in the next 12 months, so there does seem to be green shoots. others in the market are less sure. this red fish, i used to buy £17 for a box, now it's £90 a box. serious. and we can't really put the price up to the customers. they won't buy it. i think everybody is really still feeling the pressures of the cost of living. you know, you don't really see that in your wage packet - or anything like that. there's no real difference at all, to be honest with you. - and it's whether people across the country feel the latest turn in the economy is bearing fruit that may seal the fate of this election. dharshini david, bbc news. today's inflation figure is the last big piece of economic data to be released before the general election in two weeks' time. the prime minister rishi sunak called it proof that his plan for the economy was working — but labour said most people remain

worse off after 14 years of conservative rule. our political correspondent ione wells reports. finally, a reason to smile for the prime minister. strolling around a nuclear power station today, he hopes the news of inflation coming down might trigger a positive reaction... ..and give him a reason to argue to voters, just hang on with us a bit longer. this is a very positive step, shows that the plan we put in place is working. inflation back to target. it was 11% when i became prime minister. i said it was a priority to bring it down, so that people can start now to feel an ease in the cost pressures that they have seen. it is because that plan has worked we have been able to start cutting people's taxes. but inflation coming down doesn't mean the weekly shop at supermarkets like this is too. that is labour's message today. it is back where it was three years ago. but that doesn't mean prices are coming down, it doesn't mean mortgages are coming down. if there is one thing that has been picked up on this campaign

trail over and again, it is people being fed up with the government sort of saying, "you need to thank us now, we are turning a page, everything is fine." we need labour to address the economy... what is that? a reminder some people want labour to be bolder with its spending plans. something they are cautious about doing, not wanting debt or inflation to rise again. in fact, all opposition parties are keen to sound not too optimistic today. prices still being high is a message you will hear again and again. people are still feeling incredibly stretched. bills are very, very high, mortgage rates are higher. people are really struggling with the cost—of—living crisis, which is of the conservatives own making. it is cold, cold comfort to those families who have suffered two years of double—digit inflation. remember, 2% doesn't mean prices are coming down, it simply means they're not rising quite so quickly. people are still struggling. words of caution from their critics but this is a nugget of good news

for the conservatives in a difficult campaign. what is not clear is whether it is enough to turn things around for them. the snp have launched their general election manifesto. party leader scotland's first minister, john swinney, promised "a better future for scotland" — based on delivering independence, rejoining the eu, and major new investment in scotland's nhs and other public services. mr swinney pledged an end to what he called westminster austerity — with a new set of tax and spending rules aimed at boosting the scottish economy. speaking at the launch in edinburthohn swinney began by outlining his case for independence. we will always put the interests of people in scotland first, wherever our people were born, wherever our people have come from. and of the very heart of our beliefs is the principal that decisions about scotland should be made by the people who live in scotland. why? for the simple reason that no—one

else cares as much about this wonderful country and no—one else will do a betterjob of taking care of it, now and in the future, than the people who live here. it is through independence, therefore, that we feel we can build a fairer country and the more prosperous economy we know is possible. not independence for its own sake, independence for the powers to protect our national health service and to help people through tough times. independence for a stronger economy and happier, healthier lives. and independence for a better future for scotland, made in scotland, for scotland. lets talk about the inflation data on the political reaction. in a moment we will talk to iain watson with a labour campaign. first, tom symonds, travelling with the conservatives. what is the mood in

light of the data on inflation, is it boosting spirits?— it boosting spirits? well, rishi sunak has _ it boosting spirits? well, rishi sunak has been _ it boosting spirits? well, rishi sunak has been visiting - it boosting spirits? well, rishi sunak has been visiting a - it boosting spirits? well, rishi i sunak has been visiting a nuclear power station, as you heard, sizewell b, in the east of england. he met apprentices who were working on their training, at a training centre. he also looked around the turbines. he will have taken heart from that inflation news. it was something of a target for the government, and plenty of people had asked why he had launched the campaign so early when there was so little good economic news. he said todayit little good economic news. he said today it was a very positive step, and it enabled him again to say that he wanted to help people further, by reducing the taxes they pay on a national insurance, pensions for older pensioners, and also on reducing stamp duty for first—time buyers. interestingly, he also had a

crack at keir starmer on defence spending. he said on the day that north korea and russia had signed a pact to help each other, he and the government were offering to increase defence spending to 2.5% of gdp, labour, he said, were not matching that i'm coming his words, literally the first thing keir starmer might do as prime minister would be to go to a nato summit and say to people after that nato summit, two other leaders, that he was not increasing spending. he said that would send the wrong message to our allies, who we have to encourage to spend money on defence, and also to our adversaries.— on defence, and also to our adversaries. ., ., adversaries. over to iain with the labour campaign. _ adversaries. over to iain with the labour campaign, there - adversaries. over to iain with the labour campaign, there has - adversaries. over to iain with the j labour campaign, there has been adversaries. over to iain with the - labour campaign, there has been some pushback from labour on exactly what this inflation data means.— this inflation data means. that's ri . ht. we this inflation data means. that's right. we were _ this inflation data means. that's right. we were in _ this inflation data means. that's right. we were in a _ this inflation data means. that'sj right. we were in a supermarket this inflation data means. that's i right. we were in a supermarket in swindon. _ right. we were in a supermarket in swindon, with keir starmer and rachel— swindon, with keir starmer and rachel reeves. why was it that the

backdrop? — rachel reeves. why was it that the backdrop? pretty obviously they are saying _ backdrop? pretty obviously they are saying although the inflation rate is going — saying although the inflation rate is going down, food prices in particular— is going down, food prices in particular are still going up. they want _ particular are still going up. they want to— particular are still going up. they want to blame the government for that, _ want to blame the government for that, and — want to blame the government for that, and all of british's talk of turning — that, and all of british's talk of turning a — that, and all of british's talk of turning a corner in regards to that, they say— turning a corner in regards to that, they say it — turning a corner in regards to that, they say it is — turning a corner in regards to that, they say it is an insult to people going _ they say it is an insult to people going through difficult times, suggesting that the government doesn't — suggesting that the government doesn't quite get it. interestingly, he took_ doesn't quite get it. interestingly, he took questions from staff at the supermarket, tom was mentioning that issue of— supermarket, tom was mentioning that issue of defence, that was raised by the staff_ issue of defence, that was raised by the staff there. rachel reeves was saying _ the staff there. rachel reeves was saying that they want to get a 2.5% gdp, _ saying that they want to get a 2.5% gdp, but _ saying that they want to get a 2.5% gdp, but we have a lot to sort out first _ gdp, but we have a lot to sort out first keir— gdp, but we have a lot to sort out first. keir starmer pledged that there _ first. keir starmer pledged that there would be a strategic defence review _ there would be a strategic defence review almost immediately launched when labour, or if labour win the genemi— when labour, or if labour win the general election onjuly when labour, or if labour win the general election on july the 4th. they— general election on july the 4th. they seem to be particularly confident about their prospects on that front — confident about their prospects on that front. another question raised was that— that front. another question raised was that of— that front. another question raised was that of illegal immigration, given— was that of illegal immigration, given the — was that of illegal immigration, given the large number of small boat

arrivals— given the large number of small boat arrivals yesterday. keir starmer would _ arrivals yesterday. keir starmer would not — arrivals yesterday. keir starmer would not say exactly when he would cancel _ would not say exactly when he would cancel the _ would not say exactly when he would cancel the rwanda scheme, which rishi _ cancel the rwanda scheme, which rishi sunak has been arguing is a potential— rishi sunak has been arguing is a potential deterrent to people making those dangerous crossings, but his aides _ those dangerous crossings, but his aides were — those dangerous crossings, but his aides were very clear that the flight — aides were very clear that the flight which is scheduled for next mohth_ flight which is scheduled for next month would not take off. one issue i month would not take off. one issue i raised _ month would not take off. one issue i raised with— month would not take off. one issue i raised with keir starmer, although we are _ i raised with keir starmer, although we are in— i raised with keir starmer, although we are in the midst of an election, other— we are in the midst of an election, other events are available. i asked as an _ other events are available. i asked as an england fan whether he thought scotland _ as an england fan whether he thought scotland could beat scotland in the euros _ scotland could beat scotland in the euros tonight. strangely enough, we didn't— euros tonight. strangely enough, we didn't get— euros tonight. strangely enough, we didn't get a — euros tonight. strangely enough, we didn't get a direct answer. he didn't— didn't get a direct answer. he didn't exactly say yes. he did say he would — didn't exactly say yes. he did say he would be supporting scotland, uhiess _ he would be supporting scotland, uhiess or — he would be supporting scotland, unless or until they meet england in that football tournament, which i am sure they— that football tournament, which i am sure they will. we that football tournament, which i am sure they will-— sure they will. we will be talking about that other _ sure they will. we will be talking about that other event _ sure they will. we will be talking about that other event in - sure they will. we will be talking about that other event in a - sure they will. we will be talking about that other event in a little | about that other event in a little while. thank you very much, iain watson and tom symonds.

sinn fein launches its election manifesto later this afteroon. in the past two years, it has won the most seats in northern ireland's devolved government and on local councils for the first time. the party will be defending seven westminster seats — although their mps don't sit in the commons. let's go live to our ireland correspondent, chris page. could sinn fein end up with the biggest number of mps as well? albeit there are some very competitive constituencies matt clay? competitive constituencies matt cla 2 ., , , competitive constituencies matt cla ? . , , ., (w competitive constituencies matt cla? . clay? certainly, six of the 18 seats in northern _ clay? certainly, six of the 18 seats in northern ireland _ clay? certainly, six of the 18 seats in northern ireland are _ clay? certainly, six of the 18 seats in northern ireland are officially i in northern ireland are officially classed as marginal. sinn fein are unusual, in that they have already had an electoral contest this month. that was the local council elections in the republic of ireland. they had hoped they could end up as the largest party in local government there, just as they are now in northern ireland. in the end, they came third. they made some gains, but it was regarded as a disappointing result for sinn fein,

given that they have scored successes over the last few years will stop as you say, they are the largest party in the northern irish devolved assembly at stormont, which means michelle o'neill has become the first irish nationalist to hold the first irish nationalist to hold the position of first minister of northern ireland. last year, they came out on top in the council elections in this part of the uk. the seven seas that sinn fein is defending, well, there is no huge expectations either that they will make gains or suffer losses, but if the democratic unionist party were to lose one or two—man crew of its eight seats, that could mean that sinn fein does end up with more mps than any other party in northern ireland, which would be a first for the party. when the manifesto launched in west belfast, one of the safest seats in the uk, i think we can expect to hear sinn fein set out its stall on public sector funding,

the party pushing for more money to be given to northern ireland by the treasury in westminster. also, they are expected to push for more powers to be devolved to belfast from london, as a nationalist party, from sinn fein�*s point of view, the more decisions taken on the island of ireland coming belfast, the better. as you say, it is a case that successful candidates will not actually sit in the house of commons. they are abstention lists, as irish republicans they say they do not recognise the london parliament's sovereignty over pa rliament�*s sovereignty over northern parliament's sovereignty over northern ireland. that is criticised by other parties, with unionists and the nationalist sdlp, and the cross community alliance party basically saying that sinn fein cannot maximise its voice unless it does sit in the house of commons. sinn fein�*s argument is that it is a long—standing irish republican position and, amongst its support base, there is plenty of backing for that abstention is to policy. we are expecting to hear from the sinn fein

president and other members in the next hour and a half. you president and other members in the next hour and a half.— next hour and a half. you mention sinn fein competing _ next hour and a half. you mention sinn fein competing in _ next hour and a half. you mention sinn fein competing in council- sinn fein competing in council elections in the republic of ireland, viewers may know that one of the key aims of the party is to see a united ireland. do you think that will be mentioned in the manifesto launched today? yes. that will be mentioned in the manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly _ manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly will _ manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly will be _ think it certainly will be mentioned. the party has spoken of this decade, the 20205, of being the time that a border poll could and should happen. there are other people involved in a westminster conte5t, other parties, that will say they absolutely do not want a border poll, 5uch say they absolutely do not want a border poll, such as unionist parties or others such as the cross community alliance party who says it is not one for the agenda at the moment, and the focus should be on constitutional i55ue5, moment, and the focus should be on constitutional issues, but on issues like health, education, things that affect people's lives in the here and now. sinn fein make no secret of

the fact that their ultimate desire is to take northern ireland out of the uk, make it part of the republic of ireland, and i expect it will feature strongly in this manifesto. indifferent election campaigns you sometimes find sinn fein don't talk up sometimes find sinn fein don't talk up too much the prospect of a border poll, and their desire to push for one. perhaps that is an indication they want to keep more moderate nationalists, who see it as an aspiration but not something that's going to happen anytime soon on5ide. nonethele55, a5 going to happen anytime soon on5ide. nonethele55, as an irish republican party, we would expect to see this afternoon more calls for a border poll and the timetable that sinn fein should happen to would be before the end of this decade, or certainly in the next ten years. we will be back in belfast for that manifesto launch later. as part of the bbc�*s election coverage, radio 4's pm team i5 vi5ting constituencies across the country each day during the campaign. and today they are in the conservative constituency of north herefordshire, which has seen some minor boundary

changes since the last election. let's speak to bbc radio 4's evan davis who is in lem5ter. a stunning backdrop where you are. tell us why you are in this constituency today.- tell us why you are in this constituency today. tell us why you are in this constituen toda . ., ., constituency today. how lucky am i to be here in _ constituency today. how lucky am i to be here in lemster_ constituency today. how lucky am i to be here in lemster in _ constituency today. how lucky am i to be here in lemster in north - to be here in lemster in north herefordshire on a sunny day? a beautiful backdrop at the mcenroe grange. you ask why i am here, broadcaster5 love to go around the country during election campaigns. we did something slightly different, we said, let's pick them at random, we said, let's pick them at random, we have a tombola, and we churn out five 5eat5 we have a tombola, and we churn out five seats for the next week, we broadcast from north herefordshire because it was picked by the tombola. one of the great things about picking them at random i5 tombola. one of the great things about picking them at random is that you get to go to all parts of the

country, may be part that editors would not think of going to if they were trying to select a list of seats to go to. here we are on the border between england and wales, on the english side of the border. actually, we have quite an interesting political story here. this has been a safe conservative seat, a long—standing tory mp, bill wiggin. suddenly, other parties are beginning to think they might be able to contest the seat. tell beginning to think they might be able to contest the seat.- able to contest the seat. tell us more about _ able to contest the seat. tell us more about what _ able to contest the seat. tell us more about what you _ able to contest the seat. tell us more about what you have - able to contest the seat. tell us| more about what you have found able to contest the seat. tell us - more about what you have found out what people have been talking to you about. you have mentioned other parties thinking that they are in with a chance? i’ll parties thinking that they are in with a chance?— parties thinking that they are in with a chance? i'll tell you what is interesting. _ with a chance? i'll tell you what is interesting, the _ with a chance? i'll tell you what is interesting, the last _ with a chance? i'll tell you what is interesting, the last election, - with a chance? i'll tell you what is interesting, the last election, the| interesting, the last election, the greens came forth and they are running a formidable campaign. not only that, but there have been a couple of polls, so—called mrp poll5 couple of polls, so—called mrp polls that give seat by seat projections, that give seat by seat projections, that i've had the greens first or second year. the greens are saying vote tactically for us, they are

also saying that they are the greens and a local concern has been the quality of the river wye and the pollution going into it. they are fighting a ferocious campaign. i've no idea if they can win this seat, but they are certainly helpful. there is a lot of evidence of the green campaign in this 5eat. i've spoken to people around here this morning who say it is the greens who are running the most obvious campaign here, you see the evidence of the green campaign in posters, etc, around town. so it is the greens hoping to go from fourth at the last election to first, which would be a very big up5et. they got a little bit of polling evidence, seat by seat, it can be difficult to know what is going on, a little bit of polling evidence that puts wind in their 5ail5. we have a seat where people are suddenly thinking it is an interesting one. certainly, this is one of four seats where the

greens have been focusing their attention am really hoping they can pull off something here. the tories are hoping to keep this seat, which has been theirs for so many decades. you'll be able to see a list of all the candidates standing in north herefordshire at this general election on your screen now. and you can see a list of all the candidates standing in all the constituencies across the country on the bbc news website. and a date for your pre—election diary — mishal husein will be chairing a head—to—head debate between rishi sunak and sir keir starmer in front of a live audience in nottingham. that's next wednesday at 8.15pm on bbc one and bbc iplayer — and if you have a question for the party leaders you can contact bbc your voice, your vote via the bbc website or email bbcyourvoice@bbc.co.uk. you can watch non—stop coverage

of the election campaign now, until the results are called — and beyond — on bbc iplayer. just look for election 2024 live. an old baileyjury has been discharged in the case of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts over the death of the couple's newborn baby. live now to our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford. thejury had been the jury had been deliberating for a long time, what does it mean for the case? at long time, what does it mean for the case? �* .., , long time, what does it mean for the case? �* . . , . long time, what does it mean for the case? ., ., , long time, what does it mean for the case? a case that initially gripped the ublic case? a case that initially gripped the public imagination _ case? a case that initially gripped the public imagination in - case? a case that initially gripped the public imagination in january | the public imagination injanuary last year, when constance marten, who comes from a wealthy family with royal connections, who survives on a trust fund, and mark goldman, they went missing with a newborn baby. there was a national police manhunt. —— mark gordon. on the 27th of february in brighton last year they were found, but there was no sign of

their baby and a couple of days later their baby, victoria, was found dead in a shopping bag in a shed on an allotment in brighton that they were charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. the trial began onjanuary the 25th, and it was originally scheduled to end in march. for various reasons, including a fire at the old bailey, it was badly delayed, and that started running into things like the easter holidays, and it got further and further delayed. we lost two jiras, down to ten. eventually, the jury jiras, down to ten. eventually, the jury were sent out on the 30th of april to consider their verdicts. they have sat fairly sporadically since then. after considering 472 hours and 33 minutes, but spread over several weeks, they sent a note to the judge saying they were unable to the judge saying they were unable to reach a verdict on the count of manslaughter gross negligence, they were called back into court, the clerk asked them if they could reach a verdict on that charge by a majority, and the foreman said no.

thejudge said that majority, and the foreman said no. the judge said that they were discharged from the case and that they no longer needed to be involved in the case. it would now be for the prosecution to decide whether they want to go for a retrial. and that will be the next decision in this case, which will probably be made next week. ., ~ case, which will probably be made next week-— more than 800 migrants arrived in the uk after crossing the channel yesterday — — the highest number in a single day so far this year and the highest daily figure since november 2022. 15 boats made the journey on tuesday. responding to the figures, the home office said it was "working closely with our french partners to prevent crossings and save lives". scotland are hoping to get their euro 2024 campaign back on track when they play switzerland in germany tonight. they lost their opening match against the hosts 5—1, and captain andy robertson says they need to shake off their fear to get a better result in cologne this evening.

for the latest from the fans there in cologne, let's cross live to lewis irons, bbc scotland's sports presenter. a lot riding on tonight's game against switzerland. what have scotland been working on to try to overcome that defeat by germany, and what sort of challenge will switzerland present? yes, a great atmosphere _ switzerland present? yes, a great atmosphere here, _ switzerland present? yes, a great atmosphere here, first _ switzerland present? yes, a great atmosphere here, first and - switzerland present? yes, a great - atmosphere here, first and foremost. that is all down to the fans shaking off that disappointment and trying to focus in on what is a must not lose game. in terms of getting over that defeat, the team have spoken about trying not to dwell on it, basically. they wanted to get out of their system as quickly as possible. captain andy and steve clarke both spoke to the media yesterday, they were quite bullish and determined to say they are going to put it right. but in switzerland, a very difficult proposition. they were quite

convincing on their opening game, and john mcginn was also talking about them. he says they are very quick, very physical. they know they are going to expect a tough battle in there. as i mentioned, scotland know they cannot afford to lose. a win would send these fans a bit wild here. i win would send these fans a bit wild here. ., , win would send these fans a bit wild here. .,, ., ~ win would send these fans a bit wild here. ., ., ,, ., win would send these fans a bit wild here. ., . ,, ., ,., win would send these fans a bit wild here. ., ., ~ ., ., here. i was talking to some of them before the game _ here. i was talking to some of them before the game against _ here. i was talking to some of them before the game against germany, | before the game against germany, they were in great spirits. huge support, so many have travelled to germany, whether it is with tickets for the games be on one of the fan zones. the faith is strong amongst them? , , , ., them? yes, very strong indeed, as i touched on — them? yes, very strong indeed, as i touched on earlier, _ them? yes, very strong indeed, as i touched on earlier, the _ them? yes, very strong indeed, as i touched on earlier, the defeat - them? yes, very strong indeed, as i touched on earlier, the defeat to - touched on earlier, the defeat to germany may have knocked them but the knowledge that a win here would put scotland right back on track is certainly got people lifted. there are hundreds of fans behind me, a game going on any fanzone between croatia and albania. they are so clean that up. there are so many scotland fans still year and there

are thousands across the city, they are thousands across the city, they are going to meet shortly to march to the stadium, those lucky enough to the stadium, those lucky enough to have a ticket and be in the stands, roaring on the team and singing the national anthem ahead of kick—off, hoping that their stay will be extended past the group stage. no scotland team have done that before, it is a big ask. switzerland will be a difficult opponent. but the optimism and faith is very high. opponent. but the optimism and faith is ve hirh. opponent. but the optimism and faith isve hirh. ., opponent. but the optimism and faith is ve hirh. . . now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. hello, thanks for joining hello, thanks forjoining me. it was a little cloudy and cool earlier on across parts of the country. but i think the for the rest of today is a bright, if not sunny one, and it is relatively warm too. those temperatures, about where they should be this time of the year. certainly not clear blue skies, if you look at the satellite picture in some areas it is quite hazy and even the weather adhere to the north—west of our neighbourhood. cooler conditions here, may be the

mid—teens. for most of us we are talking in the range of around 18—20 celsius. one thing that is high, the pollen level. in fact, very high across many areas. i am certainly feeling it. not quite so high in the north of scotland. this evening, clear skies, starry skies overnight. this weather front is approaching the north—west of the uk. there will be some damp weather in northern ireland, at least the north and south west of scotland, and not particularly cold tonight. temperatures in most towns and cities around nine or ten. lots of sunshine right from the word go, then the skies will be quite hazy in places. again, a bit of a fair weather cumulus cloud bubbling up. one thing i will mention is that in the north—west, close to the weather fronts brushing us, it will be a little bit cloudier and cooler, perhaps even some spots of rain. for most of us, again, a shade warmer, up most of us, again, a shade warmer, up to about 21 or 22, quite widely. it's warming up. what is the

reason? an area of high pressure is building across the uk. onlyjust, we are between weather systems on friday, come friday there will be a bit of a blip as the relevant approaches. southerly wind, so not cold. mild and warm conditions. rain at times moving across ireland and perhaps murky conditions with some damp weather towards the west. further towards the east, the sunnier and warmer it will be. look at that, newcastle, 22 degrees. you should expect 20 celsius in eastern scotland as well. if you are thinking about the weekend, the azure is high building across the uk, week weather fronts azure is high building across the uk, week weatherfronts brushing azure is high building across the uk, week weather fronts brushing the north—west of the uk. the indications are as we head for the rest ofjune, those temperatures are on the up. plenty of sunshine, we might even get temperatures into the high 205. could even get a little too hot for some. bye—bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines... new figures show inflation in the year to may fell to 2% hitting the bank of england's target for the first time in nearly three years. the snp launches its election manifesto pledging a major investment in the nhs,

and a promise to deliver independence. the jury is discharged in the trial of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts over the death of the couple's newborn baby. the leaders of russia and north korea sign a deal to help each other in the event of aggression against them, during vladimir putin's visit to pyongyang. and scotland fans are gearing up for tonight's clash with switzerland in the euros. the team's hoping to return to winning form after losing their opening match to germany. an inquiry has found children were abused for decades at gordonstoun, king charles's former school in the scottish highlands. the chair of the scottish highlands. the chair of the scottish child abuse inquiry said there were periods in its history that were dreadfully abusive and

violent culture was allowed to take root. they have apologised to anyone who was abused in its let's get some more with our correspondent in edinburgh. tell us more about the key findings in the inquiry. gordonstoun is one of the private schools in uk, it was founded by a german educationalist who fled the nazis. one of his first pupils was the late prince philip. he said his three sons there, it is one of several boarding schools which has been examined by the scottish child abuse inquiry and to date the chair issued herfindings abuse inquiry and to date the chair issued her findings and they are damning. they make grim reading for the school. she said sexual, physical and emotional abuse took place at gordonstoun in one of its prep schools. a5 place at gordonstoun in one of its prep schools. as she said there was a significant failure of governance with no interest in child protection

of pastoral care until the 19905. she said abusive and violent culture was allowed to take root and there was allowed to take root and there was allowed to take root and there was a code of silence amongst people that was normalised. she talked about one of the teacher's andrew qeeor being a predatory paedophile who groomed boys. she said the school was aware of what was going on but failed to act. it was 2018 before he was jailed over what he had done, and she said six other teachers at the school sexually abused children at gordonstoun between the 19605 and 19905. she said racism was widespread and sexual abuse was engaged in by other pupils. that seems to have been frequent as well. find pupils. that seems to have been frequent as well.— pupils. that seems to have been frequent as well. and what more has the school had _ frequent as well. and what more has the school had to _ frequent as well. and what more has the school had to say? _ frequent as well. and what more has the school had to say? the _ frequent as well. and what more has the school had to say? the inquiry i the school had to say? the inquiry has been going — the school had to say? the inquiry has been going on _ the school had to say? the inquiry has been going on for— the school had to say? the inquiry has been going on for a _ the school had to say? the inquiry has been going on for a long - the school had to say? the inquiry| has been going on for a long time. the school issued an apology to anyone who was abused in its care in quite some time ago and it has repeated that today. it said the report was upsetting and shocking to read of the abuse that children in the past experienced, and the

enduring impact on their lives. those who were abused deserved better and we are sorry they were so badly let down. the inquiry has acknowledge the school has changed over the last 30 years but has warned of a complacency, and has described the pastoral care as outstanding. let's return to the general election campaign, and today's snp manifesto launch, our scotland editorjames cook has been speaking to the party leader, scotland's first ministerjohn swinney, in edinburgh. he began by asking him whether the snp could lead scotland to independence without holding a referendum. i think scotland should have a referendum to become independent. i think it is the democratic approach to do so and that is what the people of scotland voted for in 2021. should or must?— of scotland voted for in 2021. should or must?- so i of scotland voted for in 2021. i should or must?- so that of scotland voted for in 2021. - should or must?- so that is an should or must? must. so that is an ambiguous — should or must? must. so that is an ambiguous it _ should or must? must. so that is an ambiguous. it is _ should or must? must. so that is an ambiguous. it is the _ should or must? must. so that is an ambiguous. it is the only _ should or must? what. so that is an ambiguous. it is the only route for you. why would a uk government,

potentially looking at a situation where you do not have a majority of the electorate voting for you in this election, and if polls are to be believed, your number of seats will have fallen, why would they enter into negotiations with you? the scottish parliament was elected in 2021 with a pro—independence majority. they made it clear they wanted a referendum, and to date that democratic mandate has been ignored by the united kingdom government, and i think that is a bad place for the united kingdom defined itself, to essentially deny democracy to the people of scotland. that was the last election, 2021. this is a new election now, and independence is front and centre of manifesto. after this election, how could you lean on the 2021 mandate if you do not get a mandate here? surely you have to go back to the last time you consulted the voters. i am quite simply making the point thatis i am quite simply making the point that is a democratic mandate for

there to be a referendum of independence and it is long overdue for the uk government to respect that view, but if people in scotland want to intensify the pressure, i would encourage them to vote snp because that is the only sure—fire way of making sure that this happens. if way of making sure that this ha ens. , ., way of making sure that this ha ens. i. , ., way of making sure that this ha ens, , ., , happens. if you accept that they don't do this _ happens. if you accept that they don't do this i _ happens. if you accept that they don't do this i choose _ happens. if you accept that they don't do this i choose not - happens. if you accept that they don't do this i choose not to, i happens. if you accept that they l don't do this i choose not to, your mandate would have expired? brute don't do this i choose not to, your mandate would have expired? we can rehearse the — mandate would have expired? we can rehearse the outcome _ mandate would have expired? we can rehearse the outcome of— mandate would have expired? we can rehearse the outcome of the - mandate would have expired? we can rehearse the outcome of the election | rehearse the outcome of the election and will have this conversation on the 5th ofjuly, but at this moment i am making it crystal clear that if people want scotland to make progress on the journey to independence, they should vote snp. when people are weighing up how to vote, it is whether you are committed to the democratic outcome whatever it is, and if it doesn't go in your favour you will accept it as a mandate to keep scotland in the union. , ., , ., ,, , union. there will be lots of issues eo - le union. there will be lots of issues people will _ union. there will be lots of issues people will wrestle _ union. there will be lots of issues people will wrestle with _ union. there will be lots of issues people will wrestle with in - union. there will be lots of issues people will wrestle with in this i people will wrestle with in this election. they will wrestle with the fact they have a prospective labour government who will put spending cuts with the tories left. people

have to weigh up lots and lots of questions in their selection, but what i am saying to voters in scotland is if they want to make progress on the journey to independence, there is only one way to do that and that is to vote snp. conversely, if a voter makes your policies, likes what you stand for, it even likes you, but really doesn't want independence, who should they vote for in this election?— should they vote for in this election? ., , , ., ., should they vote for in this election? , ., ., ., ., election? people should vote for who they choose — election? people should vote for who they choose to _ election? people should vote for who they choose to vote _ election? people should vote for who they choose to vote for. _ election? people should vote for who they choose to vote for. i _ election? people should vote for who they choose to vote for. i make - election? people should vote for who they choose to vote for. i make my i they choose to vote for. i make my proposition, i make myself available to the electorate as a leader of the scottish national party, setting out our reviews and policies and perspective. people will make their mind up about all of that. you understand — mind up about all of that. you understand my _ mind up about all of that. you understand my point. - mind up about all of that. you understand my point. if someone really doesn't want independence but like the look of your government or offer at this westminster election, should they vote for you? yes. how could this be _ should they vote for you? yes. how could this be a _ should they vote for you? yes. how could this be a mandate _ should they vote for you? yes. how could this be a mandate for- could this be a mandate for independence if you are accepting that people might be voting for it things other than independence? because this should be a mandate of

the people of scotland to decide on independence as a stand—alone question and it is a democratic outreach that the united kingdom government has stood in the face of that clearly expressed a view from the people of scotland and it says only need to know about the conduct of the current united kingdom government, that they are prepared to do so. there is an opportunity for this to be addressed by this election outcome and it should be. the workers party of britain has also presented its manifesto today. party leader george galloway described it as a' bold and comprehensive plan to redistribute wealth and power�*. he was the party's one mp in the last parliament, after winning the rochdale by—election in february. the party is fielding more than 150 candidates in this campaign. we see a britain where children are living in their millions in poverty. where houses are overcrowded,

are cold and damp. i speak as the member of parliament for rochdale, where a baby of two died from dampjust a couple of years ago. cold, damp, dangerous houses, insufficient in quantity, pitiful in quality, with no—one with a plan. unlike us. for the building of a million council houses. not bogus artificial, arms length, semi privatized housing stock. called the housing association, though there's nothing associative about it. where you cannot reach, still less influence the people making decisions about your housing and your environment. we believe in council

housing where the tenant elects their landlord every year and can unelect them if they are unhappy with the service that is being provided. we're involved in the leasehold fleecehold campaign by the hornets, doing a wonderfuljob. the hornet campaign calling for the farce of leasehold to be transformed. we support it entirely. we want a million council houses. we want to put our own people back to work. we want to revive. the whole concept of skilled work at which we once excelled. and we want to end britain's posture of confrontation around the globe. we want to put our

people back to work. and we want to give them hope. we want to give them a purpose. a national patriotic purpose. that's us, the workers party of britain. and you can see all the candidates standing in the rochdale constituency here on the bbc website where you can find all of the details standing in all of the constituencies in the forthcoming election. and as we count down to election day, we're speaking to people across the uk to find out what's important to them, and what might win their vote next month. we're in constituencies all over the country. our correspondent nicky schiller who is in hayle in cornwall today — which is part of the cambourne and redruth constituency. ina in a lovely backdrop. more sunshine, which is wonderful. tell us where you are right now. it is

which is wonderful. tell us where you are right now.— which is wonderful. tell us where you are right now. it is a gorgeous afternoon here _ you are right now. it is a gorgeous afternoon here in _ you are right now. it is a gorgeous afternoon here in hayle _ you are right now. it is a gorgeous afternoon here in hayle in - you are right now. it is a gorgeous. afternoon here in hayle in cornwall. we are about 300 miles from new in london and about seven miles from penzance. we are here in hayle in cornwall to talk about housing because there is a particular issue in the county with second homes, those are homes that people buy who come down here at the weekend or for holidays. it has the highest number of second homes in england, and it is also an issue for business owners. we are here at the beach club, which employs people to actually serve customers, and some sheffield is one of the owners here at the beach club. of your staff, how many of them have their own home here? brute how many of them have their own home here? ~ ., how many of them have their own home here? ~ . ., :: how many of them have their own home here? . ., :: , .p ., here? we have about 50 staff and i can think of — here? we have about 50 staff and i can think of maybe _ here? we have about 50 staff and i can think of maybe two _ here? we have about 50 staff and i can think of maybe two or - here? we have about 50 staff and i can think of maybe two or three i here? we have about 50 staff and i l can think of maybe two or three that actually— can think of maybe two or three that actually own their own homes. what did they do? — actually own their own homes. what did they do? ma — actually own their own homes. what did they do? did it _ actually own their own homes. what did they do? did it live _ actually own their own homes. twist did they do? did it live at actually own their own homes. h'isgt did they do? did it live at home? most of them live at home or rent. we were _ most of them live at home or rent. we were talking earlier about one

member— we were talking earlier about one member of staff is an events manager here who _ member of staff is an events manager here who went through the application to get a mortgage, she is on _ application to get a mortgage, she is on a _ application to get a mortgage, she is on a good way were down here, got the mortgage and then the interest rates went up, and the mortgage changed. — rates went up, and the mortgage changed, so did the deposit. lusty mortgage — changed, so did the deposit. lusty mortgage and are still living back at home — mortgage and are still living back at home. it is such a shame. myself and nry— at home. it is such a shame. myself and my partner have thought about buying _ and my partner have thought about buying a _ and my partner have thought about buying a house in port 11 with the view— buying a house in port 11 with the view to— buying a house in port 11 with the view to putting stuff in it, to get them _ view to putting stuff in it, to get them a — view to putting stuff in it, to get them a home and find a middle ground — them a home and find a middle ground it— them a home and find a middle round. , ., ., , .p them a home and find a middle round. , . ., , . ' ., ground. it is that bad for staff who work for you? _ ground. it is that bad for staff who work for you? it _ ground. it is that bad for staff who work for you? it is _ ground. it is that bad for staff who work for you? it is really _ ground. it is that bad for staff who work for you? it is really hard. - work for you? it is really hard. they are _ work for you? it is really hard. they are adults, _ work for you? it is really hard. they are adults, 24, _ work for you? it is really hard. they are adults, 24, 25 - work for you? it is really hard. they are adults, 24, 25 and i work for you? it is really hard. l they are adults, 24, 25 and they work for you? it is really hard. - they are adults, 24, 25 and they are still living _ they are adults, 24, 25 and they are still living at — they are adults, 24, 25 and they are still living at home. it is a difficult _ still living at home. it is a difficult situation for them. we are trying _ difficult situation for them. we are trying to find ways to help. of trying to find ways to help. course, the trying to find ways to help. of course, the other issue as some people fall off the end of the housing ladder and find themselves experiencing homelessness, and a charity that works with the homeless here in cornwall is saint patrick's

and i am german executive. how bad is the issue of homelessness? brute and i am german executive. how bad is the issue of homelessness? we are facin: a is the issue of homelessness? we are facing a crisis- — is the issue of homelessness? we are facing a crisis. last _ is the issue of homelessness? we are facing a crisis. last year— is the issue of homelessness? we are facing a crisis. last year we _ is the issue of homelessness? we are facing a crisis. last year we worked i facing a crisis. last year we worked with nearly— facing a crisis. last year we worked with nearly 1400 people, and in many months _ with nearly 1400 people, and in many months we _ with nearly 1400 people, and in many months we are working with people who are _ months we are working with people who are rough sleeping. what months we are working with people who are rough sleeping.— months we are working with people who are rough sleeping. what are the roblems who are rough sleeping. what are the problems they _ who are rough sleeping. what are the problems they are _ who are rough sleeping. what are the problems they are facing _ who are rough sleeping. what are the problems they are facing day - who are rough sleeping. what are the problems they are facing day to - who are rough sleeping. what are the problems they are facing day to day? | problems they are facing day to day? there are lots of challenges and reasons — there are lots of challenges and reasons why people are pushed into homelessness. some of the main reasons— homelessness. some of the main reasons are — homelessness. some of the main reasons are relationship breakdowns, family— reasons are relationship breakdowns, family breakdown, hassled break—up but of— family breakdown, hassled break—up but of the _ family breakdown, hassled break—up but of the people losing should tenancies. �* , ., , tenancies. and is it a bigger -roblem tenancies. and is it a bigger problem here _ tenancies. and is it a bigger problem here in _ tenancies. and is it a bigger problem here in cornwall i tenancies. and is it a bigger l problem here in cornwall than elsewhere in the country? it is problem here in cornwall than elsewhere in the country? it is a hue elsewhere in the country? it is a huge problem — elsewhere in the country? it is a huge problem here. _ elsewhere in the country? it is a huge problem here. it _ elsewhere in the country? it is a huge problem here. it is - elsewhere in the country? it is a huge problem here. it is a - elsewhere in the country? it is a i huge problem here. it is a problem across— huge problem here. it is a problem across the — huge problem here. it is a problem across the country, but certainly since _ across the country, but certainly since the — across the country, but certainly since the pandemic it has been accentuated here, people finding they do— accentuated here, people finding they do not have to work in the office. — they do not have to work in the office, they can maybe move down here and _ office, they can maybe move down here and work remotely. there was a bil here and work remotely. there was a big influx— here and work remotely. there was a big influx of— here and work remotely. there was a big influx of people in the staycation, so huge rise in property

is being _ staycation, so huge rise in property is being used for holiday lets. what is being used for holiday lets. what is the answer? _ is being used for holiday lets. what is the answer? that _ is being used for holiday lets. what is the answer? that is _ is being used for holiday lets. rhisgt is the answer? that is what we are trying to ask as we come towards the general election. what is the answer to the housing issue? it is general election. what is the answer to the housing issue?— to the housing issue? it is a villa com - lex to the housing issue? it is a villa complex problem, _ to the housing issue? it is a villa complex problem, but _ to the housing issue? it is a villa complex problem, but i - to the housing issue? it is a villa complex problem, but i think i l to the housing issue? it is a villa l complex problem, but i think i will answer— complex problem, but i think i will answer that in four ways. firstly we need _ answer that in four ways. firstly we need more — answer that in four ways. firstly we need more housing supply. we would encourage _ need more housing supply. we would encourage all the house buildings, the supply needs to be there, the affordability needs to be there. it is not _ affordability needs to be there. it is notjust— affordability needs to be there. it is notjust house building, we need to encourage existing landlords and property— to encourage existing landlords and property owners to bring their properties back into the rented sector~ — properties back into the rented sector. secondly, iwould properties back into the rented sector. secondly, i would call on any government to get into power to adopt— any government to get into power to adopt a — any government to get into power to adopt a collaborative approach to homelessness and certainly a cross government approach with collaboration between apartments. recognising what is different one is .ood recognising what is different one is good for— recognising what is different one is good for all. thirdly, around services, _ good for all. thirdly, around services, we need to be person centred, — services, we need to be person centred, so _ services, we need to be person centred, so whatever the individual story— centred, so whatever the individual story is— centred, so whatever the individual story is back story is for someone who is— story is back story is for someone who is presenting as homeless, we need _ who is presenting as homeless, we need to— who is presenting as homeless, we need to understand that and then build _ need to understand that and then build the — need to understand that and then build the services around their

particular— build the services around their particular need, there is not a one size fits _ particular need, there is not a one size fits all~ — particular need, there is not a one size fits all. finally, we really need — size fits all. finally, we really need sustainable funding, targeting prevention, supplementing homelessness but also where it happens. — homelessness but also where it happens, supported people away from homelessness for good. that is in addition _ homelessness for good. that is in addition to— homelessness for good. that is in addition to the crisis funding we need _ addition to the crisis funding we need to— addition to the crisis funding we need to deal with the level of people — need to deal with the level of people rough sleeping that we have now. ., ~' people rough sleeping that we have now. . ~ , ., people rough sleeping that we have now. ., ~ , ., y people rough sleeping that we have now. . ~ i. , . now. thank you very much indeed. later in the _ now. thank you very much indeed. later in the afternoon _ now. thank you very much indeed. later in the afternoon we - now. thank you very much indeed. later in the afternoon we are - now. thank you very much indeed. | later in the afternoon we are going to be looking at the issue with business owners and tourist industry here because of course we talk about second homes, but what the county needs as the tourists who come here to spend money and it is the balance between having those tourists and the holiday lets versus the people living here, and struggling to get their own homes. later in the afternoon, come back and took leave the sun will still be out in beautiful hayle and we will discuss that a little later. for the moment, back to you in probably a rather

duller london studio.— back to you in probably a rather duller london studio. bright lights but not the sunshine. _ duller london studio. bright lights but not the sunshine. thank - duller london studio. bright lights but not the sunshine. thank you l duller london studio. bright lights i but not the sunshine. thank you very much. you'll be able to see a list of all the candidates standing in camborne and redruth at this general election on your screen now. there it is. and you can see a list of all the candidates standing in all the constituencies across the country on the bbc news website. you can watch nonstop coverage of the election campaign now, until the results are called — and beyond — on bbc iplayer. just look for election 2024 live. the russian president vladimir putin and the north korean leader kimjong—un have signed a deal promising to help each other in the event of aggression against either country. president putin is on his first state visit to pyongyang in more than 20 years, and was given a grand, ceremonial welcome in the north korean capital. our correspondent shaimaa khalil reports.

north korea, a country that doesn't get many stately visitors, put on a show worthy of a rare visit by an important ally. pyongyang's kim il sung square was buzzing with crowds, colour and choreography as the two globally isolated leaders revelled in each other�*s company and this renaissance in the relationship. translation: we very much appreciate your consistent i and permanent support of the russian policy, including in the ukrainian issue. translation: the government - of the democratic people's republic of korea evaluates the important mission and role played by the powerful russian federation in maintaining the strategic stability and balance of the world. since his war in ukraine began, vladimir putin and kimjong—un have grown ever closer. today, they've signed a defence agreement that calls for mutual assistance in the events

of aggression against one of the participants. a pact reminiscent of the soviet era style friendship treaty between the two countries. this move will no doubt deepen washington's anxiety. but high on vladimir putin's priority list is his need for more weapons as the war in ukraine continues. russia is desperate to replenish its depleting stockpile, and north korea can provide that. according to the us and south korea, it's already been doing so. both washington and seoul have accused pyongyang of supplying dozens of ballistic missiles and thousands of containers of munitions to russia for use on the battlefield. moscow and pyongyang have denied any arms transfers. kimjong—un has his own urgent shopping list. his country, which has been heavily sanctioned for years, is struggling and needs money, fuel, food and other forms of aid. the north korean leader has his own ambitions of an expanding nuclear arsenal and spy satellite technology — something russia can help with.

these two strongmen have been pressured by the west and shunned by the world, and there are limits to what their pariah states can realistically offer each other, but for them this deepening alliance means they haven't yet run out of options. during the war in gaza, more than 330,000 tonnes of rubbish have built up across the territory — humanitarian agencies say, posing a potentially catastrophic risk to health and the environment. a5 summer temperatures rise, some of the more than one—million displaced people who fled israel's offensive in the southern city of rafah are now living close to rubbish tips. our middle east correspondent, yolande knell reports. this is wartorn gaza's new landscape. mountains of rubbish. they've built up as basic services have collapsed. and, for some, among the hundreds of thousands of people newly

displaced by fighting in the south, like asmahan al—musri, this wasteland is now home. translation: we've never lived next to rubbish. i cryjust like any other grandmother would over her grandchildren being sick and having scabies. her family of 16 shares its tent in khan younis with clouds of flies, sometimes snakes. everyone tells us of the constant stench. translation: the smell is very disturbing. i keep my tent door open so that i can get some air. but there's no air — just the smell of rubbish. with the latest influx of people from rafah, the cities that they fled to have been overwhelmed. local councils lack equipment and fuel for rubbish trucks. since the deadly 7th of october attacks, israel won't let them go to the border area where gaza's main landfill sites are.

translation: this place wasn't originally meant for waste. it's a public space and farming area. the council was forced to dump waste here because our crews can't reach the official dumping grounds. now, as summer temperatures soar, there are new warnings from aid agencies about the health hazards posed by so much rubbish. but desperation drives children to take extra risks, searching for something to eat, use or sell. and across gaza, these stinking piles of waste are a symbol ofjust how unbearable conditions here have become. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem. the united nations human rights office says israeli forces may have repeatedly violated international law with bombing campaigns on gaza. its report examined six specific bomb attacks last year that hit

residential buildings, a school, refugee camps and a market. it says it's verified 218 deaths from these attacks, but the true toll was likely higher. the un's human rights office said israel's bombing campaign had failed to distinguish between civilians and hamas fighters, adding that it could amount to a crime against humanity — something israel denies. here's a spokesperson for the un human rights office. the report concludes that these israeli strikes indicate that the idf may have repeatedly violated fundamental principles of the laws of war. in this connection, it notes that unlawful targeting when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against the civilian population, in line with the state or organisational policy,

may also implicate the commission of crimes against humanity. temperatures here in the uk might have been cooler than average for this time of year, but other parts of the world are experiencing the opposite. extreme heat is badly affecting the united states, southern europe and northern india. hundreds of people have died in saudi arabia during the muslim pilgrimage of hajj. our correspondent lauren moss has more... wildfires on the west coast of america, weather warnings in canada, water shortages in india's capital new delhi, and a scorching early summer in greece. parts of the world are well in the grips of a heatwave. scientists say many extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. it's onlyjune, but we're already seeing some pretty extreme weather. temperatures are unexpectedly high in parts of the us, in canada, in northern india, and in parts of europe, like greece.

in the us, more than 70 million people are under heat alerts with temperatures as high as 41 celsius forecast in some areas. it's a similar story in canada, with temperatures as high as 35 celsius in southern and central areas. soaring temperatures in northern india have pushed power demand to a record high, the government said on tuesday. and in parts of europe, the early heatwave in greece has led to a spate of disappearances and deaths of tourists, highlighting the dangers of heat exposure. we have heard about the recent deaths of people going out walking in the heat. and, you know, it's tragic, it's incredibly sad, but it's not sensible to go out walking alone in the heat. i'm quite adventurous, so i do like to go out off the beaten track, but if i do, i'll go with someone that is from the island. in saudi arabia, during the annual

muslim pilgrimage to mecca, at least 22 people have died, with some media reports estimating the death toll could be much higher in heat of almost 52 celsius. experts say climate change is altering the seasons. heatwaves will occur earlier in the season and we will also see sort of more intense rainfall in periods where it would be traditionally drier. so, massive weather systems like monsoon seasons, they are either occurring later, and then when they do arrive they are more intense, so you will have a very dry period followed by really intense rainfall, causing flooding. there are concerns in paris that a heatwave next month could impact athletes at the olympics. a5 for the uk, it's been unseasonably chilly forjune, but temperatures are set to slowly creep up with hopes for a british summer at last. lauren moss, bbc news. protestors from the campaign

groupjust stop oil have sprayed an orange substance on stonehenge. two people attacked the ancient monumentjust a day before the summer solstice, when crowds traditionally gather to watch the sunrise on the longest day of the year. the group protests against the use of fossil fuels. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz schafernaker. hello, thanks forjoining me. it was a little cloudy and cool earlier on across parts of the country. but i think the message for the rest of today is a bright, if not sunny one and it's relatively warm, too. those temperatures, about where they should be this time of the year. certainly not clear blue skies. if you look at the satellite picture, in some areas it is quite hazy and even the weather front here to the north—west of our neighbourhood. cooler conditions here, maybe the mid—teens. but for most of us we are talking in the range of around 18—20 celsius. one thing that is high, the pollen level. in fact, very high across many areas of the uk.

i am certainly feeling it. not quite so high in the north of scotland. this evening, clear skies, starry skies overnight. this weather front is approaching the north—west of the uk. there will be some damp weather, i think, in northern ireland, at least the north and south west of scotland, and not particularly cold tonight. temperatures in most towns and cities around 9 or 10. lots of sunshine right from the word go, then the skies will be quite hazy in places. again, a bit of that fair weather cumulus cloud bubbling up. one thing i will mention is that in the north—west, close to the weather fronts brushing us, it will be a little bit cloudier and cooler, perhaps even some spots of rain. for most of us, again, a shade warmer, up to about 21 or 22, quite widely. it's warming up. what's the reason? an area of high pressure is building across the uk. onlyjust, we are sort of between weather systems on friday, come friday there will be a bit of a blip as theweather front approaches. southerly winds, so not cold. mild and warm conditions.

rain at times moving across ireland and perhaps murky conditions with some damp weather towards the west. further towards the east, the sunnier and warmer it will be. look at that — newcastle, 22 degrees. i should expect 20 celsius in eastern scotland as well. if you are thinking about the weekend, the azores high building across the uk, very weak weather fronts brushing the north—west of the uk. the indications are as we head for the rest ofjune, those temperatures are on the up. plenty of sunshine, we might even get temperatures into the high 205. could even get a little too hot for some. bye— bye.

live from london, this is bbc news. the rate of inflation falls to 2%, the first time in almost three years that the bank of england's target has been met. the snp launches its election manifesto, pledging a major investment in the nhs, and a promise to deliver independence.

independence — for a stronger economy and happier, healthier lives, and independence for a betterfuture for scotland, made in scotland. sinn fein will also launch its election manifesto today. we will bring that to you live in the next hour. the jury is discharged in the trial of constance marten and mark gordon, after being unable to reach verdicts. and scotland fans gear up for tonight's clash with switzerland in the euros, but can the team turn things around after their defeat to germany? hello i'm annita mcveigh — thanks forjoining us on bbc news. uk inflation has hit the bank of england's target of 2% for the first time in almost three years. the figure — which tells us the rate at which prices are rising —

hit the target in may, coming down from 2.3% percent in april. our chief economics correspondent dharshini david reports. gary in sussex used to have seven butchers shops. he now has four. forced to make cuts as he's been caught between soaring costs over the last few years and customers with lean budgets looking for value. but things are easing. the price is probably 10—15% more than they were at the beginning of covid, but the actual price of the product is pretty much stationary now. well, we hope it's stationary. it would be nice if it would come down, but i can't see that, not in the foreseeable future anyway. it's global food and energy costs, which triggered the rise in inflation to 11% in 2022, which have also helped it fall to the 2% target, along with the rate rises over the last couple of years. as you may have noticed, the prices of goods are rising more slowly as the impact of the war

in ukraine wears off, and that's brought down total inflation. but some fear that could rebound a bit in the coming months because the prices of services — for example, hotel stays, cafe bills and travel fares — are still rising more quickly as those businesses pass on higher bills. and over at the bank of england, interest rate setters have to be sure inflation will stay down further out before they start cutting rates, so the cost of borrowing may not fall for several months. in wolverhampton, they are weighing up the last major economic figures before the election, including this local business organisation. they are looking to put more money back into their businesses, they are looking to train staff, they are looking to look at new machinery or equipment, and a couple of our businesses have actually said that they are looking to grow more profitable more in the next 12 months,

so there does seem to be green shoots. others in the market are less sure. this red fish, i used to buy £17 for a box, now it's £90 a box. serious. and we can't really put the price up to the customers. they won't buy it. i think everybody is really still feeling the pressures of the cost of living. you know, you don't really see that in your wage packet - or anything like that. there's no real difference at all, to be honest with you. - and it's whether people across the country feel the latest turn in the economy is bearing fruit that may seal the fate of this election. dharshini david, bbc news. today's inflation figure is the last big piece of economic data to be released before the general election in two weeks' time. the prime minister rishi sunak called it proof that his plan for the economy was working — but labour said most people remain worse off after 14 years of conservative rule. our political correspondent ione wells reports. finally, a reason to smile for the prime minister. strolling around a nuclear

power station today, he hopes the news of inflation coming down might trigger a positive reaction... ..and give him a reason to argue to voters, just hang on with us a bit longer. this is a very positive step, shows that the plan we put in place is working. inflation back to target. it was 11% when i became prime minister. i said it was a priority to bring it down, so that people can start now to feel an ease in the cost pressures that they have seen. it is because that plan has worked we have been able to start cutting people's taxes. but inflation coming down doesn't mean the weekly shop at supermarkets like this is too. that is labour's message today. it is back where it was three years ago. but that doesn't mean prices are coming down, it doesn't mean mortgages are coming down. if there is one thing that has been picked up on this campaign trail over and again, it is people being fed up with the government sort of saying, "you need to thank us now, we are turning a page, everything is fine." we need labour to

address the economy... what is that? a reminder some people want labour to be bolder with its spending plans. something they are cautious about doing, not wanting debt or inflation to rise again. in fact, all opposition parties are keen to sound not too optimistic today. prices still being high is a message you will hear again and again. people are still feeling incredibly stretched. bills are very, very high, mortgage rates are higher. people are really struggling with the cost—of—living crisis, which is of the conservatives own making. it is cold, cold comfort to those families who have suffered two years of double—digit inflation. remember, 2% doesn't mean prices are coming down, it simply means they're not rising quite so quickly. people are still struggling. words of caution from their critics but this is a nugget of good news for the conservatives in a difficult campaign. what is not clear is whether it is enough to turn things around for them.

the snp have launched their general election manifesto. party leader, scotland's first minister, john swinney, promised "a better future for scotland" — based on delivering independence, rejoining the eu, and major new investment in scotland's nhs and other public services. mr swinney pledged an end to what he called westminster austerity with a new set of tax and spending rules aimed at boosting the scottish economy. speaking at the launch in edinburgh, john swinney began by outlining his case for independence. we will always put the interests of people in scotland first, wherever our people were born, wherever our people have come from. and of the very heart of our beliefs is the principal that decisions about scotland should be made by the people who live in scotland. why? for the simple reason that no—one else cares as much about this wonderful country and no—one else will do a betterjob of taking care of it, now and in the future, than the people who live here. it is through independence, therefore, that we feel we can build

a fairer country and the more prosperous economy we know is possible. not independence for its own sake, independence for the powers to protect our national health service and to help people through tough times. independence for a stronger economy and happier, healthier lives. and independence for a better future for scotland, made in scotland, for scotland. here's the analysis from our scotland reporter katie hunter(sot. independence has been front and center of this manifesto launched today, and ofjohn swinney�*s speech. we were promised that independence would be page one, line one of the snp's manifesto, and that has proved to be the case. the party sees independence as crucial in order to protect public services, and there was a big focus on the nhs today. now health is, of course, devolved in scotland. it's ministers in edinburgh that are in charge of the health service. but spending decisions taken at westminster do impact the money that comes to scotland.

so the snp is calling for the next uk government to spend an extra £10 billion on the health service annually. the party says that would mean an extra £1 billion coming to scotland. it's also calling for the next uk government to match the nhs pay deals which have been agreed here in scotland. and, again, that would lead to more money coming north of the border. there was a big focus on austerity, brexit and the cost of living crisis. that's been a consistent theme for the snp throughout this campaign. another consistent theme has been to criticise the conservatives' record at westminster, but also to be critical of labour and say that the snp would argue that there isn't that much between the two parties. so, no huge surprises today. independence, attacks on the conservatives and labour

and a focus on the nhs. the voters will give their verdict two weeks tomorrow. sinn fein launches its election manifesto later this afteroon. in the past two years, it has won the most seats in northern ireland's devolved government and on local councils for the first time. the party will be defending seven westminster seats — although their mp5 don't sit in the commons. ealier i spoke yto our ireland correspondent, chris page. sinn fein are unusual, in that they have already had an electoral contest this month. that was the local council elections in the republic of ireland. they had hoped they could end up as the largest party in local government there, just as they are now in northern ireland. in the end, they came third. they made some gains, but it was regarded

as a disappointing result for sinn fein, given that they have scored successes over the last few years. as you say, they are the largest party in the northern irish devolved assembly at stormont, which means michelle o'neill has become the first irish nationalist to hold the position of first minister of northern ireland. last year, they came out on top in the council elections in this part of the uk. out of the seven seats that sinn fein is defending, well, there is no huge expectations either that they will make gains or suffer losses, but if the democratic unionist party were to lose one or two of its eight seats, that could mean that sinn fein does end up with more mp5 than any other party in northern ireland, which would be a first for the party. when the manifesto launched in west belfast, one of the safest seats in the uk, i think we can expect to hear sinn fein set out its stall on public sectorfunding, the party pushing for more money to be given to northern ireland by the treasury in westminster.

also, they are expected to push for more powers to be devolved to belfast from london, as a nationalist party, from sinn fein's point of view, the more decisions taken on the island of ireland, in belfast, the better. as you say, it is the case that successful candidates will not actually sit in the house of commons. they are abstentionists, as irish republicans they say they do not recognise the london parliament's sovereignty over northern ireland. that is criticised by other parties, with unionists and the nationalist sdlp, and the cross community alliance party basically saying that sinn fein cannot maximise its voice unless it does sit in the house of commons. sinn fein's argument is that it is a long—standing irish republican position and, amongst its support base, there is plenty of backing for that abstentionist policy. we are expecting to hear from the sinn fein president and other members in the next hour

and a half. you mention sinn fein competing in council elections in the republic of ireland, viewers may know that one of the key aims of the party is to see a united ireland. do you think that will be mentioned in the manifesto launched today? yes, i think it certainly will be mentioned. the party has spoken of this decade, the 20205, of being the time that a border poll could and should happen. there are other people involved in a westminster contest, other parties, that will say they absolutely do not want a border poll, such as unionist parties or others such as the cross community alliance party who says it is not one for the agenda at the moment, and the focus should be on constitutional issues, but on issues like health, education, things that affect people's lives in the here and now. sinn fein make no secret of the fact that their ultimate desire is to take northern ireland out of the uk, make it part

of the republic of ireland, and i expect it will feature strongly in this manifesto. in different election campaigns you sometimes find sinn fein don't talk up too much the prospect of a border poll, and their desire to push for one. perhaps that is an indication they want to keep more moderate nationalists, who see it as an aspiration but not something that's going to happen anytime soon on5ide. nonetheless, as an irish republican party, we would expect to see this afternoon more calls for a border poll and the timetable that sinn fein should happen to would be before the end of this decade, or certainly in the next ten years. we will bring you that manifesto launch when it happens later this hour. as part of the bbc�*s election coverage, radio 4's pm team is vi5ting constituencies across the country each day during the campaign. and today they are in the conservative constituency of north herefordshire, which has seen some minor boundary changes since the last election.

let's speak to bbc radio 4's evan davis who is in lem5ter. showing who is in lem5ter. off a bit more of this gorgeous showing off a bit more of this gorgeous location you are in. it has been a conservative constituency, but is this one of the constituencies where we could see some change?— constituencies where we could see some change? constituencies where we could see some chance? ~ ., ~' ., ~ . some change? who knows? what i will sa is that some change? who knows? what i will say is that the — some change? who knows? what i will say is that the parties _ some change? who knows? what i will say is that the parties here _ some change? who knows? what i will say is that the parties here are - say is that the parties here are fighting the seat really hard. the conservatives have had it for decades. they are obviously the natural party to win it again. the other parties are saying, both for us if you want to get the tories out. there is a battle to say we are in second place. interestingly, it includes the greens, who were fourth last time and have been second and first in a couple of opinion polls. this seat is being really hard—fought. what is interesting about this seat, and i hope that you get the picture here, this is a seat thatis get the picture here, this is a seat that is classified by some as deeply

rural. across the country, something like half of the workers work in cities. here, it is about 4%. this is as far, really, from city life as you will find in england. we are here today, and we have really found some hard—fought arguments here that i think you will only get in a deeply rural seat, between farmers and the environment, i suppose you might say, arguments about pollution, the rivers, water quality and the like, arguments you get in a rural seat that you will not find so much in the more urban seats across the land. , ., ., the land. tell us more about the deep rural— the land. tell us more about the deep rural issues, _ the land. tell us more about the deep rural issues, and _ the land. tell us more about the deep rural issues, and whether. the land. tell us more about the i deep rural issues, and whether one campaign more than another is speaking to the people who are concerned about those issues. shill of concerned about those issues. all of the campaigns _ concerned about those issues. all of the campaigns here _ concerned about those issues. all of the campaigns here are _ concerned about those issues. fill rrf the campaigns here are talking about the campaigns here are talking about the quality of the river wye. a lot has been heard about sewage polluting our rivers. yeah, it is much more about farm run—off,

particularly chicken farm run—off. there is a lot of chicken production in this area. chicken manure is often put onto the land as fertiliser, and then it runs off into the river wye and their tributaries and ends up polluting the rivers. that is a specific argument here. it's less to do with sewage and water companies and more to do with farms. it raises a fantastically important, national point, about the price of food and the obligations we put on farmers. do we want more obligations on farmers to prevent run—off? would that mean higherfood prices? we find ourselves today listening to some of these arguments on a day when food inflation, food prices, have gone up something like a quarter in the last two years. the food inflation rate has come down, but prices are significantly higher than two years ago. that's a very specific argument about the river wye, with national ramifications, a discussion about what we do with our

farmers, with our food and environmental standards, and what living standards we have, what a cost of living we have, if we bear the cost of some of those decisions. thank you very much. you'll be able to see a list of all the candidates standing in north herefordshire at this general election on your screen now. and you can see a list of all the candidates standing in all the constituencies across the country on the bbc news website. and a date for your pre—election diary — mishal husein will be chairing a head—to—head debate between rishi sunak and sir keir starmer in front of a live audience in nottingham. that's next wednesday at 8.15pm on bbc one and bbc iplayer — and if you have a question for the party leaders you can contact bbc your voice, your vote via the bbc website or email bbcyourvoice@bbc.co.uk. you can watch nonstop coverage of the election campaign now, until the results are called —

and beyond — on bbc iplayer. just look for election 2024 live. an old baileyjury has been discharged in the case of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts over the death of the couple's newborn baby. earlier our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford explained what this means for the case. a case that initially gripped the public imagination injanuary last year, when constance marten, who comes from a wealthy family with royal connections, who survives on a trust fund, and mark gordon, they went missing with a newborn baby. there was a national police manhunt. on the 27th of february in brighton last year they were found, but there was no sign of their baby

and a couple of days later their baby, victoria, was found dead in a shopping bag in a shed on an allotment in brighton that they were charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. the trial began onjanuary the 25th, and it was originally scheduled to end in march. for various reasons, including a fire at the old bailey, it was badly delayed, and that started running into things like the easter holidays, and it got further and further delayed. we lost two jurours, down to ten. eventually, the jury were sent out on the 30th of april to consider their verdicts. they have sat fairly sporadically since then. after considering for 72 hours and 33 minutes, but spread over several weeks, they sent a note to the judge saying they were unable to reach a verdict on the count of manslaughter gross negligence, they were called back into court, the clerk asked them if they could reach a verdict on that charge by a majority, and the foreman said no. the judge said that they were discharged from the case and that they no longer needed to be involved in the case. it would now be for the prosecution to decide whether they want to go for a retrial.

and that will be the next decision in this case, which will probably be made next week. an inquiry has found that children were abused for decades at gordonstoun, which is king charles's former school in the scottish highlands. the chair of the scottish child abuse inquiry, lady smith said there were periods in gordonstoun's history where a "dreadfully abusive" and "extremely violent culture" was allowed to take root. gordonstoun has already apologised to anyone who was abused in its care. i asked our correspondent in scotland, david cowan, to give us the background on this report about gordonstoun. gordonstoun is one of the best—known private schools in uk, it was founded in 1934 by a german educationalist callewd kurt hahn, who fled the nazis. one of its first pupils was the late prince philip, who enjoyed his time so much there that he sent his three sons

there, king charles, prince andrew and prince edward all went there. it's one of several boarding schools which has been examined by the scottish child abuse inquiry and today the chair lady smith issued herfindings and they are damning. they make very grim reading for the school. she said sexual, physical and emotional abuse took place at gordonstoun and at one of its prep schools. as she said there was a significant failure of governance with no interest in child protection of pastoral care until the 19905. she said a dreadfully abusive and, in some parts of the school, a violent culture was allowed to take root and there was a code of silence amongst people that was normalised. she talked about one of the teachers, andrew peer being a predatory paedophile who groomed boys. she said the school was aware of what was going on but failed to act. it was 2018 before he was jailed over what he had done,

and she said six other teachers at the school sexually abused children at gordonstoun between the 19605 and 19905. she said racism was widespread and sexual abuse was engaged in by other pupils. that seems to have been frequent as well. and what more has the school had to say? the inquiry has been going on for a long time. the school issued an apology to anyone who was abused in its care quite some time ago and it has repeated that today. it said the report was upsetting and shocking to read of the abuse that children in the past experienced, and the enduring impact on their lives. it says those who were abused deserved better and we are sorry they were so badly let down. the inquiry has acknowledged the school has changed over the last 30 years but has warned againts a complacency. the school has had recent reports have described its pastoral care as outstanding. the public inquiry into the post office horizon it scandal is hearing from two former executives at fujitsu —

the company which built the flawed computer system. former chief executive richard christou was asked whether he felt accountable for the the system faults that led to hundreds of sub—postmasters being wrongly convicted of fraud. would you accept that, as chief executive, you were ultimately accountable for the operations of the icl group? i don't accept that. that's too broad. in terms of your accountability, then, for the icl group and its operations, what would you say your level of accountability was? what i was responsible for was that, as so far as possible, to see that the operations of icl were carried out legally, were carried out profitably, and to report to my shareholders, fujitsu ltd, various issues insofar as it was necessary. if you mean that i was responsible for the miscarriage ofjustice, then i don't accept that. it's not to mitigate the miscarriage ofjustice, i hasten to add. i think it's a gross

miscarriage ofjustice. i really feel for the subpostmasters and the postmasters who are involved. but talking about accountability is a different matter. and, certainly, i knew nothing about it. scotland are hoping to get their euro 2024 campaign back on track tonight, when they take on switzerland in germany. they lost their opening match against the hosts 5—1, and captain andy robertson says they need to shake off their fear to get a better result in cologne. yes, a great atmosphere here, first and foremost. that is all down to the fans shaking off that disappointment and trying to focus in on what is a must not lose game.

in terms of getting over that defeat, the team have spoken about trying not to dwell on it, basically. they wanted to get it out of their system as quickly as possible. captain andy and steve clarke both spoke to the media yesterday, they were quite bullish and determined to say they are going to put it right. but in switzerland, a very difficult proposition. they were quite convincing on their opening game, and john mcginn was also talking about them. he says they are very quick, very physical. they know they are going to expect a tough battle in there. as i mentioned, scotland know they cannot afford to lose. a win would send these fans a bit wild here. i was talking to some of them before the game against germany, they were in great spirits. huge support, so many have travelled to germany, whether it is with tickets for the games be on one of the fan zones. the faith is strong amongst them? yes, very strong indeed, as i touched on earlier, the defeat to germany may have knocked them but the knowledge that

a win here would put scotland right back on track is certainly got people lifted. there are hundreds of fans behind me, a game going on any fanzone between croatia and albania. they are soaking that up. there are so many scotland fans still year and there are thousands across the city, they are going to meet shortly to march to the stadium, those lucky enough to have a ticket and be in the stands, roaring on the team and singing the national anthem ahead of kick—off, hoping that their stay will be extended past the group stage. no scotland team have done that before, it is a big ask. switzerland will be a difficult opponent. but the optimism and faith is very high. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. hello, thanks forjoining me. it was a little cloudy and cool earlier on across parts of the country. but i think the message for the rest of today is a bright, if not sunny one and it's relatively warm, too.

those temperatures, about where they should be this time of the year. certainly not clear blue skies. if you look at the satellite picture, in some areas it is quite hazy and even the weather front here to the north—west of our neighbourhood. cooler conditions here, maybe the mid—teens. but for most of us we are talking in the range of around 18—20 celsius. one thing that is high, the pollen level. in fact, very high across many areas of the uk. i am certainly feeling it. not quite so high in the north of scotland. this evening, clear skies, starry skies overnight. this weather front is approaching the north—west of the uk. there will be some damp weather, i think, in northern ireland, at least the north and south west of scotland, and not particularly cold tonight. temperatures in most towns and cities around 9 or 10. lots of sunshine right from the word go, then the skies will be quite hazy in places. again, a bit of that fair weather cumulus cloud bubbling up. one thing i will mention is that in the north—west, close to the weather fronts brushing us, it will be a little bit cloudier and cooler, perhaps even some spots of rain. for most of us, again, a shade warmer, up to about 21

or 22, quite widely. it's warming up. what's the reason? an area of high pressure is building across the uk. onlyjust, we are sort of between weather systems on friday, come friday there will be a bit of a blip as theweather front approaches. southerly winds, so not cold. mild and warm conditions. rain at times moving across ireland and perhaps murky conditions with some damp weather towards the west. further towards the east, the sunnier and warmer it will be. look at that — newcastle, 22 degrees. i should expect 20 celsius in eastern scotland as well. if you are thinking about the weekend, the azores high building across the uk, very weak weather fronts brushing the north—west of the uk. the indications are as we head for the rest ofjune, those temperatures are on the up. plenty of sunshine, we might even get temperatures into the high 205. could even get a little too hot for some. bye— bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines... new figures show the inflation rate for may was 2% — hitting the bank of england's target for the first time in nearly three years. the snp launches its election manifesto

pledging a major investment in the nhs, and a promise to deliver independence. sinn fein is alsojust moments away from launching its election manifesto. we'll bring that to you live shortly. the jury is discharged in the trial of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts over the death of the couple's newborn baby. the leaders of russia and north korea sign a deal to help each other in the event of aggression against them during vladimir putin's visit to pyongyang. and scotland fans are gearing up for tonight's clash with switzerland in the euros. the team's hoping to return to winning form after losing their opening match to germany. the russian president vladimir putin and the north korean leader kimjong un have signed a deal promising to help each other in the event of aggression against either country.

president putin is on his first state visit to pyongyang in more than 20 years, and was given a grand, ceremonial welcome in the north korean capital. our correspondent shaimaa khalil reports. north korea, a country that doesn't get many stately visitors, put on a show worthy of a rare visit by an important ally. pyongyang's kim il sung square was buzzing with crowds, colour and choreography as the two globally isolated leaders revelled in each other�*s company and this renaissance in the relationship. translation: we very much appreciate your consistent i and permanent support of the russian policy, including in the ukrainian issue. translation: the government - of the democratic people's republic of korea evaluates the important mission and role played by the powerful russian federation in maintaining the strategic stability and balance of the world.

since his war in ukraine began, vladimir putin and kimjong—un have grown ever closer. today, they've signed a defence agreement that calls for mutual assistance in the events of aggression against one of the participants. a pact reminiscent of the soviet era style friendship treaty between the two countries. this move will no doubt deepen washington's anxiety. but high on vladimir putin's priority list is his need for more weapons as the war in ukraine continues. russia is desperate to replenish its depleting stockpile, and north korea can provide that. according to the us and south korea, it's already been doing so. both washington and seoul have accused pyongyang of supplying dozens of ballistic missiles and thousands of containers of munitions to russia for use on the battlefield. moscow and pyongyang have denied any arms transfers. kimjong—un has his own urgent shopping list. his country, which has been heavily sanctioned for years, is struggling and needs money,

fuel, food and other forms of aid. the north korean leader has his own ambitions of an expanding nuclear arsenal and spy satellite technology — something russia can help with. these two strongmen have been pressured by the west and shunned by the world, and there are limits to what their pariah states can realistically offer each other, but for them this deepening alliance means they haven't yet run out of options. during the war in gaza, more than 330,000 tonnes of rubbish have built up across the territory — humanitarian agencies say, posing a potentially catastrophic risk to health and the environment. a5 summer temperatures rise, some of the more than one—million displaced people who fled israel's offensive in the southern city of rafah are now living close to rubbish tips. our middle east correspondent, yolande knell reports.

this is wartorn gaza's new landscape. mountains of rubbish. they've built up as basic services have collapsed. and, for some, among the hundreds of thousands of people newly displaced by fighting in the south, like asmahan al—musri, this wasteland is now home. translation: we've never lived next to rubbish. i cryjust like any other grandmother would over her grandchildren being sick and having scabies. her family of 16 shares its tent in khan younis with clouds of flies, sometimes snakes. everyone tells us of the constant stench. translation: the smell is very disturbing. i keep my tent door open so that i can get some air. but there's no air — just the smell of rubbish. with the latest influx of people from rafah, the cities that they fled to have been overwhelmed.

local councils lack equipment and fuel for rubbish trucks. since the deadly 7th of october attacks, israel won't let them go to the border area where gaza's main landfill sites are. translation: this place wasn't originally meant for waste. it's a public space and farming area. the council was forced to dump waste here because our crews can't reach the official dumping grounds. now, as summer temperatures soar, there are new warnings from aid agencies about the health hazards posed by so much rubbish. but desperation drives children to take extra risks, searching for something to eat, use or sell. and across gaza, these stinking piles of waste are a symbol ofjust how unbearable conditions here have become. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem.

the united nations human rights office says israeli forces may have repeatedly violated international law with bombing campaigns on gaza. its report examined six specific bomb attacks last year that hit residential buildings, a school, refugee camps and a market. it says its verified 218 deaths from these attacks, but the true toll was likely higher. the un's human rights office said israel's bombing campaign had failed to distinguish between civilians and hamas fighters, adding that it could amount to a crime against humanity — something israel denies. here's a spokesperson for the un human rights office. the report concludes that these israeli strikes indicate that the idf may have repeatedly violated

fundamental principles of the laws of war. in this connection, it notes that unlawful targeting when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against the civilian population, in line with the state or organisational policy, may also implicate the commission of crimes against humanity. more than 800 migrants arrived in the uk after crossing the channel yesterday — the highest number in a single day so far this year — and the highest daily figure since november 2022. 15 boats made the journey on tuesday. responding to the figures, the home office said it was "working closely with our french partners to prevent crossings and save lives". temperatures here in the uk might have been cooler than average for this time of year, but other parts of the world are experiencing the opposite. extreme heat is badly affecting the united states, southern europe and northern india. hundreds of people have died in saudi arabia during the muslim pilgrimage of hajj. our correspondent lauren moss has more...

wildfires on the west coast of america, weather warnings in canada, water shortages in india's capital new delhi, and a scorching early summer in greece. parts of the world are well in the grips of a heatwave. scientists say many extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. it's onlyjune, but we're already seeing some pretty extreme weather. temperatures are unexpectedly high in parts of the us, in canada, in northern india, and in parts of europe, like greece. in the us, more than 70 million people are under heat alerts with temperatures as high as 41 celsius forecast in some areas. it's a similar story in canada, with temperatures as high as 35 celsius in southern and central areas. soaring temperatures in northern india have pushed power

demand to a record high, the government said on tuesday. and in parts of europe, the early heatwave in greece has led to a spate of disappearances and deaths of tourists, highlighting the dangers of heat exposure. we have heard about the recent deaths of people going out walking in the heat. and, you know, it's tragic, it's incredibly sad, but it's not sensible to go out walking alone in the heat. i'm quite adventurous, so i do like to go out off the beaten track, but if i do, i'll go with someone that is from the island. in saudi arabia, during the annual muslim pilgrimage to mecca, at least 22 people have died, with some media reports estimating the death toll could be much higher in heat of almost 52 celsius. experts say climate change is altering the seasons. heatwaves will occur earlier in the season and we will also see sort of more intense rainfall in periods where it would be

traditionally drier. so, massive weather systems like monsoon seasons, they are either occurring later, and then when they do arrive they are more intense, so you will have a very dry period followed by really intense rainfall, causing flooding. there are concerns in paris that a heatwave next month could impact athletes at the olympics. a5 for the uk, it's been unseasonably chilly forjune, but temperatures are set to slowly creep up with hopes for a british summer at last. lauren moss, bbc news. spanish police and mountain rescue teams are searching for a man from lancashire who went missing after a music festival in tenerife. 19—year—old apprentice bricklayerjay slater left the festival with two people he met there and later told a friend he was planning to walk for ten hours back to his apartment — but said his phone battery was low

and he needed water. the teenager, who hasn't been heard from since monday morning, was on his first holiday with friends. police have arrested two people afterjust stop oil climate protestors sprayed an orange substance on stonehenge. members of the public tried to drag the pair away from the ancient stone circle. it's a day before the summer solstice, when crowds traditionally gather to watch the sunrise on the longest day of the year. the group's actions have been condemned by both the prime minister rishi sunak, and the labour leader, sir keir starmer. just stop oil claimed the spray was cornflour—based and would wash away with rain. our scotland editor has been speaking to the first ministerjohn swinney in edinburgh and began by asking whether the snp could lead scotland to independence without holding a referendum. i

scotland to independence without holding a referendum.— holding a referendum. i think we should have _ holding a referendum. i think we should have a _ holding a referendum. i think we should have a referendum, - holding a referendum. i think we should have a referendum, it - holding a referendum. i think we should have a referendum, it is. holding a referendum. i think we i should have a referendum, it is the democratic approach to do so and thatis democratic approach to do so and that is what the people of scotland voted for in 2021.— voted for in 2021. should or must? must. so voted for in 2021. should or must? must- so that _ voted for in 2021. should or must? must. so that is _ voted for in 2021. should or must? must. so that is unambiguous. - voted for in 2021. should or must? must. so that is unambiguous. it l voted for in 2021. should or must? | must. so that is unambiguous. it is the only route for you. why would a uk government potentially looking at a situation where you don't have a majority of the electorate voting for you in the selection, and if the polls are to be believed your number of seats will have fallen, why would they enter into negotiations with you? they enter into negotiations with ou? ., , they enter into negotiations with ou? , ., ., you? the scottish parliament was elected in 2021— you? the scottish parliament was elected in 2021 with _ you? the scottish parliament was elected in 2021 with a _ elected in 2021 with a pro—independence majority at the party crystal clear they wanted there to be a referendum of independence of scotland to become an independent country. and to date that democratic mandate has been ignored by the united kingdom government and i think that is a bad place for the united kingdom to find itself, that essentially denies democracy to the people of scotland. just to be clear, that was the last election, 2021 and independence is front and centre of this manifesto.

after the selection, how could you lean on the 2021 mandate if you do not get a mandate here? surely you have to go back to the last time you consulted the voters? i am have to go back to the last time you consulted the voters?— consulted the voters? i am quite siml consulted the voters? i am quite simply making — consulted the voters? i am quite simply making the _ consulted the voters? i am quite simply making the point - consulted the voters? i am quite simply making the point there i consulted the voters? i am quite simply making the point there is| consulted the voters? i am quite l simply making the point there is a democratic mandate for there to be a referendum of independence. it is long overdue for the uk government to actually respect that view, but if people in scotland want to intensify that pressure, i would encourage them to vote snp because thatis encourage them to vote snp because that is the only sure—fire way of begi should this happens. ii that is the only sure-fire way of begi should this happens. if that miaht begi should this happens. if that mi . ht do begi should this happens. if that might do you — begi should this happens. if that might do you accept _ begi should this happens. if that might do you accept if _ begi should this happens. if that might do you accept if they - begi should this happens. if that| might do you accept if they don't begi should this happens. if that might do you accept if they don't do that your mandate expires? we might do you accept if they don't do that your mandate expires?- that your mandate expires? we can rehearse the _ that your mandate expires? we can rehearse the outcome _ that your mandate expires? we can rehearse the outcome of— that your mandate expires? we can rehearse the outcome of the - that your mandate expires? we can i rehearse the outcome of the election and we will have this conversation on the 5th ofjuly, but the people want to make progress in the journey to independence they should vote snp. ~ , ., , ., , to independence they should vote snp. ~ , ., , ., snp. when people are weighing up how to vote, it is snp. when people are weighing up how to vote. it is a — snp. when people are weighing up how to vote, it is a question _ snp. when people are weighing up how to vote, it is a question of _ snp. when people are weighing up how to vote, it is a question of whether- to vote, it is a question of whether you are committed to the democratic outcome whatever it is, whether it goesin outcome whatever it is, whether it goes in your favour or not, whether you will accept that as a mandate to

keep scotland in the union. there will be lots _ keep scotland in the union. there will be lots of _ keep scotland in the union. there will be lots of issues _ keep scotland in the union. there will be lots of issues that - keep scotland in the union. ii77 will be lots of issues that people will be lots of issues that people will wrestle within the selection. they will wrestle with the fact that they have got a prospective labour government that is inflicting spending cuts where the tories left off. we will have £80 million left off. we will have £80 million left of spending cuts and other public services cannot bear that so people have to weigh up lots and lots of questions in the selection, but what i am saying to voters in scotland as if they want to make progress on the journey to independence, there is only one way to do that and that is to vote snp. only one way to do that and that is to vote snp-— to vote snp. conversely, if a voter our to vote snp. conversely, if a voter your policies. _ to vote snp. conversely, if a voter your policies, like _ to vote snp. conversely, if a voter your policies, like what _ to vote snp. conversely, if a voter your policies, like what you - to vote snp. conversely, if a voter your policies, like what you stand l your policies, like what you stand for, and it even makes you, but really doesn't want independence, who should they vote for in this election? ., , , ., ., who should they vote for in this election? .,, , ., ., ., who should they vote for in this election? ., , , ., ., ., ., election? people should vote for who they choose — election? people should vote for who they choose to _ election? people should vote for who they choose to vote _ election? people should vote for who they choose to vote for, _ election? people should vote for who they choose to vote for, and - election? people should vote for who they choose to vote for, and i - election? people should vote for who they choose to vote for, and i make | they choose to vote for, and i make my proposition. and it must have available to the electorate as the leader of the scottish national party setting out the reviews and policies and perspective. and people will make their mind up about all of that. ., , ., , ,., that. you understand my point, if --eole do

that. you understand my point, if people do rrot _ that. you understand my point, if people do not want _ that. you understand my point, ifj people do not want independence that. you understand my point, if- people do not want independence but the look of your government or offer, at this westminster election, should vote for you?— offer, at this westminster election, should vote for you? yes. how could this be a should vote for you? yes how could this be a mandate should vote for you? iezs how could this be a mandate for independence if you are accepting that people might vote on things other than independence? this might vote on things other than independence?— might vote on things other than independence? this should be a mandate for— independence? this should be a mandate for the _ independence? this should be a mandate for the people - independence? this should be a mandate for the people of - independence? this should be a i mandate for the people of scotland to decide on the question of independence as a stand—alone question because i think that is the way the issue should be resolved, and it is a democratic at which —— outreach, and it says of a need to know about the conduct of the current united kingdom. there is an opportunity for this to be addressed by this action. john opportunity for this to be addressed by this action-— by this action. john swinney talking to james cook- _ sinn fein are due to launch their election manifesto. this is the scene in belfast as we wait for that to start. in the past two years sinn fein has won the most seats in northern ireland's devolved government and on local councils for the first time.

the party will be defending seven westminster seats — although their mp5 don't sit in the commons. we will go to that launch when we can. we are expecting the party president mary lou mcdonald to be speaking at the launch today. sinn fein was involved in elections and the republic of ireland a little earlier this month, it came third in the pull local council there, but as i just mentioned, in northern ireland potentially could end up with the biggest number of seats at westminster, and in the stormont assembly and on local councils, although sinn fein does have an essentialist policy in relation to two westminster, in other words its mp5 do not take their seats in

westminster. it is one way the party expresses its ultimate aim of having a united ireland. so the party is defending seven seats in the westminster election, there isn't a to my colleagues in northern ireland a strong expectation that it will make more games or suffer any losses, however develop parties lose ground that could leave sinn fein with more westminster mp5 than any other party in northern ireland. so we will come back to belfast and to that event when it begins, which we are expecting soon. we will pull away from belfast and bring you back there very soon. i

want to bring you some breaking news coming from police in coventry, a very sad news. a baby has died after being attacked by a dog, what is described as a pet dog at a home in coventry. police say they were called to a property on sunday, so this news just coming through to us and together with ambulance crews arrived at the property within minutes, they say a seven—month—old baby girl had received serious injuries to her head after being bitten by a family pet dog inside the home, she receives treatment at the home, she receives treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital but tragically died a short time later. the pet dog is not classed as a dangerous breed, police say it was removed from the home on sunday and destroyed. police say they are in the early stages of the

investigation, but their thoughts remain with the family of the seven—month—old baby girl who died as a result of that dog attack. that news coming into us. as we countdown to election day we are speaking to people across the uk to find out what is important to them and what might when they vote next month. we are at constituencies elevate the country. our correspondent is a net to inquire more today which is part of the camborne and redruth constituency. he has been speaking with constituents today, earlier he was at the cove cafe. we with constituents today, earlier he was at the cove cafe.— was at the cove cafe. we are spending _ was at the cove cafe. we are spending the _ was at the cove cafe. we are spending the day _ was at the cove cafe. we are spending the day here - was at the cove cafe. we are spending the day here in - was at the cove cafe. we are l spending the day here in hayle inquire more. it is part of the camborne and redruth constituency and what an amazing view i have here in cornwall, about 300 miles from you in broadcasting house. the reason we are here is to talk about housing because a lot of people want to come and visit cornwall which mean a lot of second homes are here,

it has the most second homes in the whole of england, but also puts pressure on local housing. joining me is ruth clark from the cornwall residential landlords association and alistair young, who own and manage around 5000 homes in cornwall. if someone was trying to rent a home in cornwall, how hard is it for them to get one? it is desperately _ it for them to get one? it is desperately hard, - it for them to get one? it is desperately hard, the - it for them to get one? it is desperately hard, the average landlord — desperately hard, the average landlord has one or two properties, and on _ landlord has one or two properties, and on the — landlord has one or two properties, and on the rare occasions they have people _ and on the rare occasions they have people on— and on the rare occasions they have people on the waiting list and get a bribe _ people on the waiting list and get a bribe to— people on the waiting list and get a bribe to get off that waiting list. that is— bribe to get off that waiting list. that is really happening? yes, our members are _ that is really happening? yes, our members are reporting _ that is really happening? yes, our members are reporting it. - that is really happening? yes, our members are reporting it. it - that is really happening? yes, our members are reporting it. it is - that is really happening? yes, our members are reporting it. it is not ethical— members are reporting it. it is not ethical to — members are reporting it. it is not ethical to accept. how much is an average _ ethical to accept. how much is an average monthly rent here in cornwall? 800— £90 a month. what

average monthly rent here in cornwall? 800- £90 a month. what is the answer. — cornwall? 800- £90 a month. what is the answer, politicians _ cornwall? 800- £90 a month. what is the answer, politicians thinking - the answer, politicians thinking about it as we get to the general election, to the housing problem in cornwall? , . ., ., cornwall? they need much more social housina. cornwall? they need much more social housing- which — cornwall? they need much more social housing. which leads _ cornwall? they need much more social housing. which leads me _ cornwall? they need much more social housing. which leads me nicely - cornwall? they need much more social housing. which leads me nicely to - housing. which leads me nicely to answer. housing. which leads me nicely to answer- you _ housing. which leads me nicely to answer. you own _ housing. which leads me nicely to answer. you own and _ housing. which leads me nicely to answer. you own and manage - housing. which leads me nicely to l answer. you own and manage 5000 homes here in cornwall. how many people are waiting on the social housing list. people are waiting on the social housing list-— people are waiting on the social housin: list. . ., :: :: :: :: housing list. there are about 20,000 households on _ housing list. there are about 20,000 households on the _ housing list. there are about 20,000 households on the list _ housing list. there are about 20,000 households on the list at _ housing list. there are about 20,000 households on the list at the - households on the list at the moment _ households on the list at the moment-— households on the list at the moment. ., ., , , ., households on the list at the moment. ., ., , ., , , households on the list at the moment. ., ., , , , moment. how many houses do you build in the year? _ moment. how many houses do you build in the year? we — moment. how many houses do you build in the year? we build _ moment. how many houses do you build in the year? we build that _ moment. how many houses do you build in the year? we build that hundred - in the year? we build that hundred homes a year. _ in the year? we build that hundred homes a year, across _ in the year? we build that hundred homes a year, across all— in the year? we build that hundred homes a year, across all of- in the year? we build that hundred homes a year, across all of the - homes a year, across all of the developers in cornwall, about seven or 800 _ developers in cornwall, about seven or 800 new— developers in cornwall, about seven or 800 new affordable homes built in cornwall— or 800 new affordable homes built in cornwall every year and manufacture all that _ cornwall every year and manufacture all that in. _ cornwall every year and manufacture all that in, roughly speaking it would — all that in, roughly speaking it would take 20 or 30 years for everybody on the waiting list to get a home _ everybody on the waiting list to get a home. ~ . everybody on the waiting list to get ahomer . , everybody on the waiting list to get ahome.~ . ,., everybody on the waiting list to get ahome.~ . ., ,, ,., everybody on the waiting list to get ahome.~ . ,., , a home. what happens to those people in the meantime? _ a home. what happens to those people in the meantime? they _ a home. what happens to those people in the meantime? they tend _ a home. what happens to those people in the meantime? they tend to - a home. what happens to those people in the meantime? they tend to be - in the meantime? they tend to be stuck in homes _ in the meantime? they tend to be stuck in homes that _ in the meantime? they tend to be stuck in homes that probably - in the meantime? they tend to be stuck in homes that probably are i in the meantime? they tend to be i stuck in homes that probably are not appropriate for them. they might be

of and _ appropriate for them. they might be of and they— appropriate for them. they might be of and they will be paying a large proportion of their income. if a one bed house — proportion of their income. if a one bed house in — proportion of their income. if a one bed house in the private rental market— bed house in the private rental market is— bed house in the private rental market is it hundred pounds, social housing _ market is it hundred pounds, social housing would be £500. what market is it hundred pounds, social housing would be £500.— market is it hundred pounds, social housing would be £500. what is the answer? we — housing would be £500. what is the answer? we need _ housing would be £500. what is the answer? we need to _ housing would be £500. what is the answer? we need to build _ housing would be £500. what is the answer? we need to build more - housing would be £500. what is the l answer? we need to build more social housin: answer? we need to build more social housing and — answer? we need to build more social housing and a — answer? we need to build more social housing and a strategy _ answer? we need to build more social housing and a strategy as _ answer? we need to build more social housing and a strategy as a _ answer? we need to build more social housing and a strategy as a country, i housing and a strategy as a country, cornwall— housing and a strategy as a country, cornwall has — housing and a strategy as a country, cornwall has acute problems. the entire _ cornwall has acute problems. the entire country is suffering because we do _ entire country is suffering because we do not — entire country is suffering because we do not have enough affordable housing, — we do not have enough affordable housing, so we need a national housing — housing, so we need a national housing strategy. is housing, so we need a national housing strategy.— housing strategy. is that your messa . e housing strategy. is that your message to _ housing strategy. is that your message to the _ housing strategy. is that your message to the politicians? i message to the politicians? absolutely, one of the urgent priorities— absolutely, one of the urgent priorities has to be saying we spent the last— priorities has to be saying we spent the last four years sitting back and expecting — the last four years sitting back and expecting the market to deliver homes — expecting the market to deliver homes at — expecting the market to deliver homes at the country needs, clearly doesn't _ homes at the country needs, clearly doesn't do _ homes at the country needs, clearly doesn't do that and the government needs— doesn't do that and the government needs to _ doesn't do that and the government needs to get involved and set a strategy. — needs to get involved and set a strategy, unless we will not get to where _ strategy, unless we will not get to where we — strategy, unless we will not get to where we need to get to. the strategy, unless we will not get to where we need to get to.- where we need to get to. the one nice thing about _ where we need to get to. the one nice thing about coming _ where we need to get to. the one nice thing about coming out - where we need to get to. the one j nice thing about coming out about your ability news as they bump into people and we are here at the cafe in hayle and we bumped into sarah who has lived in hale 25 years,

bumped my head and she is with us now. we have been talking about housing. how have you seen a change of the last 25 years? the housing. how have you seen a change of the last 25 years?— of the last 25 years? the biggest chan . e is of the last 25 years? the biggest change is from _ of the last 25 years? the biggest change is from the _ of the last 25 years? the biggest change is from the time - of the last 25 years? the biggest change is from the time i - of the last 25 years? the biggest change is from the time i have i of the last 25 years? the biggest. change is from the time i have been here and _ change is from the time i have been here and is— change is from the time i have been here and is the amount of second homes _ here and is the amount of second homes. although certain areas have been affected for a long time it seems — been affected for a long time it seems to— been affected for a long time it seems to be creeping in everywhere. you have _ seems to be creeping in everywhere. you have personal experience of that? i you have personal experience of that? ., ., ~ ., that? i live a ten minute walk from the town, probably _ that? i live a ten minute walk from the town, probably about - that? i live a ten minute walk from the town, probably about 100 - that? i live a ten minute walk from i the town, probably about 100 houses on the _ the town, probably about 100 houses on the estate. and there is already three _ on the estate. and there is already three second homes, so yeah. not the sort of— three second homes, so yeah. not the sort of place _ three second homes, so yeah. not the sort of place where people could have _ sort of place where people could have a _ sort of place where people could have a coastal home. it is keeping in everywhere- — have a coastal home. it is keeping in everywhere. i— have a coastal home. it is keeping in everywhere. i have _ have a coastal home. it is keeping in everywhere. i have been - have a coastal home. it is keeping in everywhere. i have been asking j in everywhere. i have been asking everybody this, what is the answer? what would you like to see the politicians do? ides what would you like to see the politicians do?— what would you like to see the politicians do? what would you like to see the oliticians do? �* , ., ., , ., ,

politicians do? as far as housing, i think there — politicians do? as far as housing, i think there has _ politicians do? as far as housing, i think there has to _ politicians do? as far as housing, i think there has to be _ politicians do? as far as housing, i think there has to be some - politicians do? as far as housing, i think there has to be some kind i politicians do? as far as housing, i think there has to be some kind of| politicians do? as far as housing, i | think there has to be some kind of i don't _ think there has to be some kind of i don't know. — think there has to be some kind of i don't know, tax or something. there needs— don't know, tax or something. there needs to _ don't know, tax or something. there needs to be — don't know, tax or something. there needs to be something to make it more _ needs to be something to make it more difficult for second homes, to be able _ more difficult for second homes, to be able to— more difficult for second homes, to be able to buy them. because with the second — be able to buy them. because with the second homes and the rental market. — the second homes and the rental market, the amount of properties, there _ market, the amount of properties, there is— market, the amount of properties, there is a — market, the amount of properties, there is a crisis here and i think it is— there is a crisis here and i think it is unique _ there is a crisis here and i think it is unique to cornwall. we have the highest number of second homes anywhere _ the highest number of second homes anywhere in the country, so i think it has— anywhere in the country, so i think it has to _ anywhere in the country, so i think it has to be — anywhere in the country, so i think it has to be put on the people buying — it has to be put on the people buying the second time. that would be my— buying the second time. that would be my feelings. buying the second time. that would be my feelings-— buying the second time. that would be my feelings. thank you very much. we are in the — be my feelings. thank you very much. we are in the cafe _ be my feelings. thank you very much. we are in the cafe here _ be my feelings. thank you very much. we are in the cafe here and _ be my feelings. thank you very much. we are in the cafe here and george i we are in the cafe here and george were active. thank you very much for joining us. you havejust got a house, haven't you? mai; joining us. you have 'ust got a house, haven't you? may offer but a house, haven't you? may offer but a house two years _ house, haven't you? may offer but a house two years ago, _ house, haven't you? may offer but a house two years ago, and _ house, haven't you? may offer but a house two years ago, and it - house, haven't you? may offer but a house two years ago, and it was - house two years ago, and it was remortgaged. it was pretty crazy. —— me and — remortgaged. it was pretty crazy. —— me and my— remortgaged. it was pretty crazy. —— me and my girlfriend bought a house. the house _

me and my girlfriend bought a house. the house we looked at there was 90 feelings, _ the house we looked at there was 90 feelings, there was a ten office. we had to— feelings, there was a ten office. we had to write — feelings, there was a ten office. we had to write a letter.— had to write a letter. must like a be tlnt had to write a letter. must like a begging letter? _ had to write a letter. must like a begging letter? pretty _ had to write a letter. must like a begging letter? pretty much, i had to write a letter. must like a | begging letter? pretty much, did feel like that. _ begging letter? pretty much, did feel like that. we _ begging letter? pretty much, did feel like that. we must _ begging letter? pretty much, did feel like that. we must have - begging letter? pretty much, did i feel like that. we must have viewed about— feel like that. we must have viewed about 30 _ feel like that. we must have viewed about 30 houses and it was at the peak— about 30 houses and it was at the peak of— about 30 houses and it was at the peak of the — about 30 houses and it was at the peak of the housing crisis. we viewed — peak of the housing crisis. we viewed loads, so we thought we saw it as a _ viewed loads, so we thought we saw it as a job— viewed loads, so we thought we saw it as a job interview, or you have .ot it as a job interview, or you have got to— it as a job interview, or you have got to make _ it as a job interview, or you have got to make do and make yourself stand _ got to make do and make yourself stand out — got to make do and make yourself stand out for other people. we wrote a letter _ stand out for other people. we wrote a letter saying miller down the road. — a letter saying miller down the road. this— a letter saying miller down the road, this time buyers, looking to .et road, this time buyers, looking to get our— road, this time buyers, looking to get our first — road, this time buyers, looking to get our first house, so yeah, we ended _ get our first house, so yeah, we ended up— get our first house, so yeah, we ended up being the people that got the house, although we heard there were two— the house, although we heard there were two or— the house, although we heard there were two or three offers above ours because _ were two or three offers above ours because the latter works. i think it meant _ because the latter works. i think it meant we — because the latter works. i think it meant we were able to have a house, and i_ meant we were able to have a house, and i have _ meant we were able to have a house, and i have got a young son who is six months —

and i have got a young son who is six months old, so it was ideal for us. ~ . ., six months old, so it was ideal for us. . . ., , ., six months old, so it was ideal for us. . . ., i. “ six months old, so it was ideal for us. what do you think the answer is? i think developers, _ us. what do you think the answer is? i think developers, when _ us. what do you think the answer is? i think developers, when they - us. what do you think the answer is? i think developers, when they say i i think developers, when they say they are _ i think developers, when they say they are going to build affordable housing, — they are going to build affordable housing, i know there are places in hayle _ housing, i know there are places in hayle where they get commissions based _ hayle where they get commissions based on _ hayle where they get commissions based on the fact they are affordable and then to go there are so much _ affordable and then to go there are so much interest we are going to bump— so much interest we are going to bump the — so much interest we are going to bump the price is up and people need to account _ bump the price is up and people need to account for if you get planning permission based on something you have to _ permission based on something you have to follow through on that and held to _ have to follow through on that and held to account, and probably social housing _ held to account, and probably social housing as — held to account, and probably social housing as well because at the moment, _ housing as well because at the moment, it is a pretty dire state of affairs. _ moment, it is a pretty dire state of affairs. and — moment, it is a pretty dire state of affairs, and if we hadn't had help, we wouldn't have been able to buy. everyone _ we wouldn't have been able to buy. everyone i— we wouldn't have been able to buy. everyone i know who has a house is fortunate _ everyone i know who has a house is fortunate enough to have help. thank ou ve fortunate enough to have help. thank you very much. _ fortunate enough to have help. thank you very much, that _ fortunate enough to have help. thank you very much, that you _ fortunate enough to have help. thank you very much, that you see - fortunate enough to have help. thank you very much, that you see the - you very much, that you see the issues at play when it comes to housing in cornwall. throughout the day we will be looking at the issue of housing, a little later we will talk to a homeless charity here on bbc news. back to you in the studio.

you can watch nonstop coverage of the election campaign until the results are called and beyond on bbc iplayer. just look for election 2024 live. these are all the candidates standing in the constituency of camborne and redruth, all of those on the screen and if you go to the bbc website you can see the details of all the candidates standing in all the constituencies around the uk in the general election. let's take you straight to belfast where sinn fein president mary lou mcdonald is launching the manifesto. i fein president mary lou mcdonald is launching the manifesto.— launching the manifesto. i brought the sunshine _ launching the manifesto. i brought the sunshine from _ launching the manifesto. i brought the sunshine from dublin - launching the manifesto. i brought the sunshine from dublin and - launching the manifesto. i brought the sunshine from dublin and you | launching the manifesto. i brought i the sunshine from dublin and you are welcome. no bother. we are launching a manifesto and just to say that every day sinn fein representatives

provided strong leadership and deliver a positive change from communities all across ireland. i can tell you that nobody works harder for the communities and the people that we represent, sinn fein is on the side of workers, families working nationally and delivering locally, and we are leading the way to build a stronger, better and fairer country. the selection on july the 4th is a real opportunity to step forward towards that brighter future, to step forward towards that brighterfuture, a better to step forward towards that brighter future, a better future to step forward towards that brighterfuture, a betterfuture for the next generation, for a society that defends you when you are at your weakest, that encourages you when you are at your strongest, sinn fein is committed to delivering on the things that matter most to workers and families. that is health care, the cost of living, housing, education and childcare. we are focused on what is possible to

achieve if we worked together, making politics work, and demonstrating the positive change is possible. on day one after the westminster elections, sinn fein mp5 will be working hard as part of a strong, all ireland sinn fein team made up of mlas, meps, hundreds of councillors the length and breadth of the country, and meps in brussels, intend to deliver for all of our people and communities. so, this election, when you boil it down, is about hope and it is about optimism. it's about strong leadership and positive change. it's about on inclusive, modern and forward—looking society, because thatis forward—looking society, because that is our vision, that's our mission in sinn fein. that's the vision of our amazing and hard—working candidates. i'm asking

you to send a clear message in this election about what you want for the future. vote for a strong leadership and positive change. vote for a party that is committed to working for all. party that is committed to working forall. in party that is committed to working for all. injuly party that is committed to working for all. in july the party that is committed to working for all. injuly the 4th, i'm asking everyone to vote for sinn fein. applause the sinn fein president, launching the party manifesto for the general election. just a reminder that sinn fein operates are abstentionist policy, so they don't take their seats in the house of commons. they are focusing on education and childcare, said after the election, sinn fein would work hard as part of an all ireland sinn

fein team, alluding to the party's desire to bring about a united ireland. other members of the party now speaking. if other parties lose ground, there is a possibility that sinn fein could have more mp5 than any other party in northern ireland, which would add to its recent electoral gains in the last couple of years. now the biggest party at stormont, where the northern ireland assembly sets, and, indeed, the biggest number of councillors in northern ireland. that was the launch by sinn fein of the election manifesto. uk inflation has hit the bank of england's target of 2% for the first time in almost three years. the figure — which tells us the rate at which prices are rising — hit the target in may,

coming down from 2.3% percent in april. our chief economics correspondent dharshini david reports. gary in sussex used to have seven butchers shops. he now has four. forced to make cuts as he's been caught between soaring costs over the last few years and customers with lean budgets looking for value. but things are easing. the price is probably 10—15% more than they were at the beginning of covid, but the actual price of the product is pretty much stationary now. well, we hope it's stationary. it would be nice if it would come down, but i can't see that, not in the foreseeable future anyway. it's global food and energy costs, which triggered the rise in inflation to 11% in 2022, which have also helped it fall to the 2% target, along with the rate rises over the last couple of years. as you may have noticed, the prices of goods are rising more slowly as the impact of the war in ukraine wears off, and that's brought down total inflation.

but some fear that could rebound a bit in the coming months because the prices of services — for example, hotel stays, cafe bills and travel fares — are still rising more quickly as those businesses pass on higher bills. and over at the bank of england, interest rate setters have to be sure inflation will stay down further out before they start cutting rates, so the cost of borrowing may not fall for several months. in wolverhampton, they are weighing up the last major economic figures before the election, including this local business organisation. they are looking to put more money back into their businesses, they are looking to train staff, they are looking to look at new machinery or equipment, and a couple of our businesses have actually said that they are looking to grow more profitable more in the next 12 months, so there does seem to be green shoots. others in the market are less sure. this red fish, i used to buy £17 for a box, now it's £90 a box.

serious. and we can't really put the price up to the customers. they won't buy it. i think everybody is really still feeling the pressures of the cost of living. you know, you don't really see that in your wage packet - or anything like that. there's no real difference at all, to be honest with you. - and it's whether people across the country feel the latest turn in the economy is bearing fruit that may seal the fate of this election. dharshini david, bbc news. today's inflation figure is the last big piece of economic data to be released before the general election in two weeks' time. the prime minister rishi sunak called it proof that his plan for the economy was working — but labour said most people remain worse off after 14 years of conservative rule. our political correspondent ione wells reports. finally, a reason to smile for the prime minister. strolling around a nuclear power station today, he hopes the news of inflation coming down might trigger a positive reaction...

..and give him a reason to argue to voters, just hang on with us a bit longer. this is a very positive step, shows that the plan we put in place is working. inflation back to target. it was 11% when i became prime minister. i said it was a priority to bring it down, so that people can start now to feel an ease in the cost pressures that they have seen. it is because that plan has worked we have been able to start cutting people's taxes. but inflation coming down doesn't mean the weekly shop at supermarkets like this is too. that is labour's message today. it is back where it was three years ago. but that doesn't mean prices are coming down, it doesn't mean mortgages are coming down. if there is one thing that has been picked up on this campaign trail over and again, it is people being fed up with the government sort of saying, "you need to thank us now, we are turning a page, everything is fine." we need labour to address the economy... what is that? a reminder some people want labour to be bolder with its spending plans.

something they are cautious about doing, not wanting debt or inflation to rise again. in fact, all opposition parties are keen to sound not too optimistic today. prices still being high is a message you will hear again and again. people are still feeling incredibly stretched. bills are very, very high, mortgage rates are higher. people are really struggling with the cost—of—living crisis, which is of the conservatives own making. it is cold, cold comfort to those families who have suffered two years of double—digit inflation. remember, 2% doesn't mean prices are coming down, it simply means they're not rising quite so quickly. people are still struggling. words of caution from their critics but this is a nugget of good news for the conservatives in a difficult campaign. what is not clear is whether it is enough to turn things around for them. the snp have launched their general election manifesto.

party leader, scotland's first minister, john swinney, promised "a better future for scotland" — based on delivering independence, rejoining the eu, and major new investment in scotland's nhs and other public services. mr swinney pledged an end to what he called westminster austerity — with a new set of tax and spending rules aimed at boosting the scottish economy. speaking at the launch in edinburgh, john swinney began by outlining his case for independence. we will always put the interests of people in scotland first, wherever our people were born, wherever our people have come from. and of the very heart of our beliefs is the principal that decisions about scotland should be made by the people who live in scotland. why? for the simple reason that no—one else cares as much about this wonderful country and no—one else will do a betterjob of taking care of it, now and in the future, than the people who live here. it is through independence, therefore, that we feel we can build a fairer country and the more prosperous economy we know is possible.

not independence for its own sake, independence for the powers to protect our national health service and to help people through tough times. independence for a stronger economy and happier, healthier lives. and independence for a better future for scotland, made in scotland, for scotland. here's the analysis from our scotland correspondent katie hunter. independence has been front and centre of this manifesto launch today, and ofjohn swinney�*s speech. we were promised that independence would be page one, line one of the snp's manifesto, and that has proved to be the case. the party sees independence as crucial in order to protect public services, and there was a big focus on the nhs today. now health is, of course, devolved in scotland. it's ministers in edinburgh that are in charge of the health service. but spending decisions taken at westminster do impact the money that comes to scotland.

so the snp is calling for the next uk government to spend an extra £10 billion on the health service annually. the party says that would mean an extra £1 billion coming to scotland. it's also calling for the next uk government to match the nhs pay deals which have been agreed here in scotland. and, again, that would lead to more money coming north of the border. there was a big focus on austerity, brexit and the cost of living crisis. that's been a consistent theme for the snp throughout this campaign. another consistent theme has been to criticise the conservatives' record at westminster, but also to be critical of labour and say that the snp would argue that there isn't that much between the two parties. so, no huge surprises today. independence, attacks on the conservatives and labour and a focus on the nhs. the voters will give their verdict two weeks tomorrow.

a few minutes ago we saw the launch of the sinn fein manifesto, with the party president, mary lou mcdonald. let's return to belfast and speak to ireland correspondent chris page, who was listening to that. short and to the point, i think that manifesto launch. a short speech from mary lou mcdonald. what did you take away from it? , , , mcdonald. what did you take away fromit? , , , , ., ., mcdonald. what did you take away fromit? , , ., ., from it? yes, pretty short on to the oint from it? yes, pretty short on to the point launch. _ from it? yes, pretty short on to the point launch. as _ from it? yes, pretty short on to the point launch, as you _ from it? yes, pretty short on to the point launch, as you said. _ from it? yes, pretty short on to the point launch, as you said. mary - from it? yes, pretty short on to the point launch, as you said. mary lou j point launch, as you said. mary lou mcdonald currently taking a few questions. my colleagues behind me at the moment. short and to the point manifesto document as well, running to about ten or 12 pages or so. as you would expect from sinn fein, they are sticking to the core positions that they believe have served them very well in elections

over the last few years. they have become the biggest party in belfast, taking the first minister position, and taking the first minister... krists, apologies, we are going to pull away from you because we are having difficulties hearing you. —— chris. we will try to return to chris. we will try to return to chris in belfast to forget the sound issue sorted out. let me also mention that when the democratic unionist party launches its manifesto, we will bring that to you as well. in terms of today's launched from sinn fein, we will try to return to chris to hear what he has to say about that. the radio 14 is visiting constituencies across the campaign, and they are in north

herefordshire, dominated by the conservative party. evan davis gave us this update on the key local election issues from there. parties here are fighting _ election issues from there. parties here are fighting the _ election issues from there. parties here are fighting the seat - election issues from there. parties here are fighting the seat really i here are fighting the seat really hard. the conservatives have had it for decades, and they are the natural party to win it again. at the other parties are all saying, vote for us if you want to get the tories out. there is a kind of battle to say we are in second place. interestingly, it includes the greens, fourth last time and they have been second and first in a couple of opinion polls. this seat has been really, really hard for. what is interesting about this seat, and i hope you get the picture here, this is a seat that is classified by some as deep rural. across the country, something like half the workers work in cities. here, it is about 4%. this is as far, really, from city life as you will find in england. we are here today, and i have found some very hard—fought arguments here that i think you will only get in a deeply rural seat,

between farmers and the environment, i suppose you might say. arguments about pollution, rivers, water quality and the like. arguments you get in a rural seat that you will not find so much in some of the more urban seats across the land. tell not find so much in some of the more urban seats across the land.— urban seats across the land. tell us more about — urban seats across the land. tell us more about the _ urban seats across the land. tell us more about the deep _ urban seats across the land. tell us more about the deep rural - urban seats across the land. tell us more about the deep rural issues i urban seats across the land. tell us i more about the deep rural issues and whether one campaign more than another is speaking to the people that are concerned about those issues. all of the campaigns here are talking about the quality of the river wye. a lot has been heard about sewage polluting our rivers. yeah, it is much more about farm run—off, particularly chicken farm run—off. there is a lot of chicken production in this area. chicken manure is often put onto the land as a fertiliser, then it runs off into the river wye and the tributary is, and ends up polluting the rivers. that's a very specific argument.

it's a situation us to do with sewage companies, and more to do with farms. it raises a national point about the price of food and the obligations we put on farmers. do we want more obligations on farmers to keep water clean and prevent run—off, and what it mean higherfood prices? we found ourselves today listening to some of these arguments on a day when food inflation, food prices, have gone up something like a quarter in the last two years, the food inflation rate has come down but prices are significantly higher than they were two years ago. that is a specific argument about the river wye, with national ramifications, a discussion about what we do with our farmers, with our food, and with our environmental standards, and what sort of living standards we have, you know, what a cost of living we have, if we bear the cost of some of those decisions. you can see a list of all of the

candidates standing in north herefordshire on your screen now. you can see a list of all candidates in all constituencies on the bbc news website. you can put in your postcode to see who is standing in your constituency. hopefully we have the sound gremlins sorted out and we can return to chris page in belfast for more on the sinn fein manifesto launch. what is your analysis of what you heard from mary lou mcdonald? a5 what you heard from mary lou mcdonald? as i was saying, it was pretty short on to the point? it was, the manifesto document that i have here, likewise, pretty concise. nine pages. really sticking to sinn fein's core positions as an irish nationalist party. they believe they have served them well in elections in northern ireland over the last few years. they have become the largest party in the devolved assembly, the vice president michelle o'neill is now the first irish nationalist to be first minister of of northern ireland,

they are the largest party in local government. they are calling for powers to be devolved from london to belfast. they want more progressive taxation powers, more decisions made around that in belfast and the power to raise the minimum wage. other than that, they are calling on the british and irish governments to set a date for a referendum on irish unity, and also they are calling for more funding to be sent from the treasury in london to stormont. they say public services here are basically underfunded and reform is not possible unless there is more money. sinn fein are defending seven out of 18 seats that they currently hold here in northern ireland. there is no strong expectation of any gains or losses. i don't think there is any attempt, as i say, to radically move the dial on any of their policy positions in this manifesto. i think they are

concentrating first and foremost on holding these seats, holding the core vote. particularly given that they had a disappointing election and the irish republicjust a few weeks ago, when they had hoped to come out on top in the local council elections there, but they actually came in third. they are really aiming to retain those seven seats. but if the rivals, the democratic unionist party, were to lose ground, lose one or two of their current eight westminster seats, that would mean that sinn fein could become the party with the largest numbers of mp5 at westminster for the first time. it's important to note that success for sinn fein candidate in the selection would not actually be taking their seat of commons, the party has a long—standing abstentionist policy, which means, as irish republicans, they don't recognise london's sovereignty over northern ireland. they don't sit in parliament. it's not explicitly mentioned much in the manifesto.

other party is a general election times generally do hone in on that abstentionist policy, saying that they can't maximise their representation unless they are taking part in debate and votes and the commons. the message from the likes of sarah lou mcdonald is really the one that has been the message at general elections for decades now, they say they don't believe taking their seats in the chamber actually makes a great deal of difference, that it is the representation on the ground they do in places like here in west belfast, one of the electoral strongholds, that matters most to their constituents. sinn fein are the first of five main parties in northern ireland to publish their manifesto. tomorrow it is the turn of the cross community alliance party next week we will hear from the democratic unionist party, the ulster unionist party on the second biggest nationalist party, the sdlp.

thank you very much, chris page, our island correspondence. you can go to the website, as we were mentioning, to see all of the candidates standing in the west belfast constituency that chris was just mentioning. keep up to date with all of the election news on bbc sounds. go to the app and look to the latest new section to do that. an old baileyjury has been discharged in the case of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts over the death of the couple's newborn baby. earlier our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford explained what this means for the case. a case that initially gripped the public imagination in january last year, when constance marten, who comes from a wealthy family with royal connections, who survives on a trust fund, and mark gordon, they went missing with a newborn baby. there was a national police manhunt. on the 27th of february in brighton last year they were found, but there was no sign of their baby

and a couple of days later their baby, victoria, was found dead in a shopping bag in a shed on an allotment in brighton and they were charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. the trial began onjanuary the 25th, and it was originally scheduled to end in march. for various reasons, including a fire at the old bailey, it was badly delayed, and it started running into things like the easter holidays, and it got further and further delayed. we lost two jurors, down to ten. eventually, the jury were sent out on the 30th of april to consider their verdicts. they have sat fairly sporadically since then. after considering for 72 hours and 33 minutes, but spread over several weeks, they sent a note to the judge saying they were unable to reach a verdict on the count of manslaughter by gross negligence, they were called back into court, the clerk asked them if they could reach a verdict on that charge by a majority,

and the foreman said no. the judge said that they were discharged from the case and that they no longer needed to be involved in the case. it will now be for the prosecution to decide whether they want to go for a retrial. and that will be the next decision in this case, which will probably be made next week. an inquiry has found that children were abused for decades at gordonstoun, which is king charles's former school in the scottish highlands. the chair of the scottish child abuse inquiry, lady smith said there were periods in gordonstoun's history where a "dreadfully abusive" and "extremely violent culture" was allowed to take root. gordonstoun has already apologised to anyone who was abused in its care. to anyone who was abused earlier our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford explained what this means for the case. gordonstoun is one of the best—known private schools in uk,

it was founded in 1934 by a german educationalist called kurt hahn, who fled the nazis. one of its first pupils was the late prince philip, who enjoyed his time so much there that he sent his three sons there, king charles, prince andrew and prince edward all went there. it's one of several boarding schools which has been examined by the scottish child abuse inquiry and today the chair lady smith issued herfindings and they are damning. they make very grim reading for the school. she said sexual, physical and emotional abuse took place at gordonstoun and at one of its prep schools. she said there was a significant failure of governance, with no interest in child protection of pastoral care until the 19905. she said a dreadfully abusive and, in some parts of the school, a violent culture was allowed to take root and there was a code of silence amongst people that was normalised. she talked about one

of the teachers, andrew kier being a predatory paedophile who groomed boys. she said the school was aware of what was going on but failed to act. it was 2018 before he was jailed over what he had done, and she said six other teachers at the school sexually abused children at gordonstoun between the 19605 and 19905. she said racism was widespread and sexual abuse was engaged in by other pupils. the public inquiry into the post office horizon it scandal is hearing from two former executives at fujitsu — the company which built the flawed computer system. former chief executive richard christou was asked whether he felt accountable for the the faults that led to hundreds of sub—postmasters being wrongly convicted of fraud. would you accept that, as chief executive, you were ultimately accountable for the operations of the icl group? i don't accept that. that's too broad. in terms of your accountability, then, for the icl group and its operations, what would you say your level of accountability was?

what i was responsible for was that, as so far as possible, to see that the operations of icl were carried out legally, were carried out profitably, and to report to my shareholders, fujitsu ltd, various issues insofar as it was necessary. if you mean that i was responsible for the miscarriage ofjustice, then i don't accept that. it's not to mitigate the miscarriage ofjustice, i hasten to add. i think it's a gross miscarriage ofjustice. i really feel for the subpostmasters and the postmasters who are involved. but talking about accountability is a different matter. and, certainly, i knew nothing about it. scotland are hoping to get their euro 2024 campaign back on track tonight, when they take on switzerland in germany. they lost their opening match against the hosts five—one, and captain andy robertson says they need to shake off their fear

to get a better result in cologne. we have live pictures from cologne, and just as we mentioned them, they disappeared. we were hoping to show scotland fans making their way towards the stadium. many have tickets, many don't, but they will be hanging out in the fanzone tonight to watch the games. there we go. the scotland fans in full voice, and ready to support the team tonight when they take on switzerland. of course, scotland lost the opening game against the hosts, germany, 5—1. the captain, andy robertson, has been saying they need to shake off their fear to get a better result in cologne. it really is a must win game for scotland. earlier i spoke to the bbc scotland. earlier i spoke to the bbc scotland sports presenter, lewis irons. yes, a great atmosphere here,

first and foremost. that is all down to the fans shaking off that disappointment and trying to focus in on what is a must not lose game. in terms of getting over that defeat, the team have spoken about trying not to dwell on it, basically. they wanted to get it out of their system as quickly as possible. captain andy robertson and steve clarke both spoke to the media yesterday, they were quite bullish and determined to say they are going to put it right. but in switzerland, a very difficult proposition. they were quite convincing in their opening game, and john mcginn was also talking about them. he says they are very quick, very physical. they know they are going to expect a tough battle out there. as i mentioned, scotland know they cannot afford to lose. a win would send these fans a bit wild here. i was talking to some of them before the game against germany, they were in great spirits. huge support, so many have travelled to germany, whether it is with tickets for the games be on one of the fan zones.

the faith is strong amongst them? yes, very strong indeed, as i touched on earlier, the defeat to germany may have knocked them but the knowledge that a win here would put scotland right back on track has certainly got people lifted. there are hundreds of fans behind me, a game going on in the fanzone between croatia and albania. they are soaking that up. there are so many scotland fans still here and there are thousands across the city. although they are dispersed at the moment, they are going to meet shortly to march to the stadium, those lucky enough to have a ticket and be in the stands, roaring on the team and singing the national anthem ahead of kick—off, hoping that their stay will be extended past the group stage. no scotland team have done that before, it is a big ask. switzerland will be a difficult opponent. but the optimism and faith is very high. now it's time for a look at the weather with

tomasz schafernaker. hello, thanks forjoining me. it was a little cloudy and cool earlier on across parts of the country. but i think the message for the rest of today is a bright, if not sunny one and it's relatively warm, too. those temperatures, about where they should be this time of the year. certainly not clear blue skies. if you look at the satellite picture, in some areas it is quite hazy and even the weather front here to the north—west of our neighbourhood. cooler conditions here, maybe the mid—teens. but for most of us we are talking in the range of around 18—20 celsius. one thing that is high, the pollen level. in fact, very high across many areas of the uk. i am certainly feeling it. not quite so high in the north of scotland. this evening, clear skies, starry skies overnight. this weather front is approaching the north—west of the uk. there will be some damp weather, i think, in northern ireland, at least the north and south west of scotland, and not particularly cold tonight.

temperatures in most towns and cities around nine or ten. lots of sunshine right from the word go, then the skies will be quite hazy in places. again, a bit of that fair weather cumulus cloud bubbling up. one thing i will mention is that in the north—west, close to the weather fronts brushing us, it will be a little bit cloudier and cooler, perhaps even some spots of rain. for most of us, again, a shade warmer, up to about 21 or 22, quite widely. it's warming up. what's the reason? an area of high pressure is building across the uk. onlyjust, we are sort of between weather systems on friday, come friday there will be a bit of a blip as this weather front approaches. southerly winds, so not cold. mild and warm conditions. rain at times moving across ireland and perhaps murky conditions with some damp weather towards the west. further towards the east, the sunnier and warmer it will be. look at that — newcastle, 22 degrees. i should expect 20 celsius in eastern scotland as well. if you are thinking about the weekend, the azores high building across the uk, very weak weather fronts brushing

the north—west of the uk. the indications are as we head for the rest ofjune, those temperatures are on the up. plenty of sunshine, we might even get temperatures into the high 205. could even get a little too hot for some. bye— bye. this is bbc news, the headlines... the snp launches its election manifesto, pledging a major investment in the nhs, and a promise to deliver independence. in vain has also launched its election manifesto pledging to deliver for the people of northern ireland. —— sinn fein. let's return to the general election campaign, and today's snp manifesto launch,

our scotland editorjames cook has been speaking to the party leader, scotland's first ministerjohn swinney, in edinburgh. he began by asking him whether the snp could lead scotland to independence without holding a referendum. i think we should have a referendum, it is the democratic approach to do so and that is what the people of scotland voted for in 2021. should or must? must. so that is unambiguous. it is the only route for you. why would a uk government, potentially looking at a situation where you don't have a majority of the electorate voting for you in this election, and if the polls are to be believed your number of seats will have fallen, why would they enter into negotiations with you? the scottish parliament was elected in 2021 with a pro—independence majority with parties crystal clear they wanted there to be a referendum of independence and scotland to become an independent country. and to date that democratic mandate has been ignored

by the united kingdom government and i think that is a bad place for the united kingdom to find itself, that essentially denies democracy to the people of scotland. just to be clear, that was the last election, 2021, and independence is front and centreal of this manifesto. after this election, how could you lean on the 2021 mandate if you do not get a mandate here? surely you have to go back to the last time you consulted the voters? i am quite simply making the point there is a democratic mandate for there to be a referendum on independence. it is long overdue for the uk government to actually respect that view, but if people in scotland want to intensify that pressure, i would encourage them to vote snp because that is the only sure—fire way of making sure this happens. do you accept if they don't do that your mandate expires? we can rehearse the outcome of the election and we will have this conversation on the 5th ofjuly, but if people

want to make progress in the journey to independence they should vote snp. when people are weighing up how to vote, it is a question of whether you are committed to the democratic outcome whatever it is, whether it goes in your favour or not, whether you will accept that as a mandate to keep scotland in the union. there will be lots of issues that people will wrestle with in this election. they will wrestle with the fact that they have got a prospective labour government that is inflicting spending cuts where the tories left off. we will have £18 billion left of spending cuts and our public services cannot bear that, so people have to weigh up lots and lots of questions in the election, but what i am saying to voters in scotland is if they want to make progress on the journey to independence, there is only one way to do that and that is to vote snp. conversely, if a voter likes your policies, likes what you stand for, maybe even likes you, but really doesn't want independence, who should they vote for in this election? people should vote for

who they choose to vote for, and i make my proposition. i make myself available to the electorate as the leader of the scottish national party setting out our views and policies and perspective. and people will make their mind up about all of that. you understand my point, if someone does not want independence but like the look of your government or offer, at this westminster election, should they vote for you? yes. how could this be a mandate for independence if you are accepting that people might vote on things other than independence? this should be a mandate for the people of scotland to decide on the question of independence as a stand—alone question because i think that is the way the issue should be resolved, and it is a democratic outreach that the united kingdom has stood in the face of that and it says of a need to know about the conduct of the current united kingdom.

there is an opportunity for this to be addressed by this election. john swinney talking to james cook. the workers party of britain has also presented its manifesto today. party leader george galloway described it as a' bold and comprehensive plan to redistribute wealth and power�*. he was the party's one mp in the last parliament, after winning the rochdale by—election in february. the party is fielding more than 150 candidates in this campaign. cold, damp, dangerous houses, insufficient in quantity, pitiful in quality, with no—one with a plan. unlike us. for the building of a million council houses. not bogus artificial, arms length, semi privatized housing stock called the housing association, though there's nothing associative about it, where you cannot reach, still less influence the people making decisions about your housing

and your environment. we believe in council housing where the tenant elects their landlord every year and can unelect them if they are unhappy with the service that is being provided. we're involved in the leasehold fleecehold campaign by the hornets, doing a wonderfuljob. the hornet campaign calling for the farce of leasehold to be transformed. we support it entirely. we want a million council houses. we want to put our own people back to work. we want to revive. the whole concept of skilled work at which we once excelled.

and we want to end britain's posture of confrontation around the globe. we want to put our people back to work. and we want to give them hope. we want to give them a purpose. a national patriotic purpose. that's us, the workers party of britain. and you will be able to see a list of all the candidates standing in rochdale at this general election on your screen now. you can see a list of all candidates standing in all the constituencies across the uk on the constituencies across the uk on the bbc news website. including ones in cornwall. and as we count down to election day, we're speaking to people across the uk to find out what's important to them, and what might win their vote next month. we're in constituencies all over the country. our correspondent nicky schiller who is in hayle in cornwall today —

which is part of the cambourne and redruth constituency. you have been talking to lots of people, where are you right now? we are at people, where are you right now? a are at the hayle youth projects. we have been talking to lots of different people today about the issue of housing, it is a big issue in cornwall, lots of people were talking about housing as soon as i got here and how it is an election issue. there is a large number of second homes here in cornwall, in fact it has the most of any english county. during covid lots of people came down here and bought homes, which they use a second homes. it is the balance between that and having affordable housing for local people. we thought it would be interesting to find out what the people of tomorrow think about housing here in cornwall, so the outlook the new project. —— we are at the youth project. —— we are at the youth project. i project. -- we are at the youth ro'ect. . , ., . ., ., pro'ect. i live in a static caravan. i project. i live in a static caravan. i have project. i live in a static caravan. l have lived _ project. i live in a static caravan. i have lived there _ project. i live in a static caravan. i have lived there for _ project. i live in a static caravan. i i have lived there for approximately six years. _ i have lived there for approximately six years, just due to not being

able _ six years, just due to not being able to— six years, just due to not being able to afford to buy a house. i could _ able to afford to buy a house. i could probably scrape together the money _ could probably scrape together the money to _ could probably scrape together the money to rent a house, but that would _ money to rent a house, but that would take _ money to rent a house, but that would take up most of my income and wouldn't _ would take up most of my income and wouldn't leave me with much left over~ _ wouldn't leave me with much left over~ i_ wouldn't leave me with much left over~ i am — wouldn't leave me with much left over. lam in wouldn't leave me with much left over. i am in the fortunate position where _ over. i am in the fortunate position where my— over. i am in the fortunate position where my family have a little bit of land so _ where my family have a little bit of land so i _ where my family have a little bit of land so i have been able to put a caravan — land so i have been able to put a caravan up — land so i have been able to put a caravan up and i have got central heating. — caravan up and i have got central heating. so— caravan up and i have got central heating, so it is ok but it is very cold _ heating, so it is ok but it is very cold in _ heating, so it is ok but it is very cold in the — heating, so it is ok but it is very cold in the winter and at some point it would _ cold in the winter and at some point it would be — cold in the winter and at some point it would be nice to have a house, but at _ it would be nice to have a house, but at the — it would be nice to have a house, but at the minute it doesn't feel achievable. it but at the minute it doesn't feel achievable-— achievable. it is at the same for a lot of your _ achievable. it is at the same for a lot of your mates? _ achievable. it is at the same for a lot of your mates? yes, - achievable. it is at the same for a lot of your mates? yes, some - achievable. it is at the same for a | lot of your mates? yes, some are fortunate enough _ lot of your mates? yes, some are fortunate enough to _ lot of your mates? yes, some are fortunate enough to have - lot of your mates? yes, some are fortunate enough to have family i fortunate enough to have family members to help them financially and don't get _ members to help them financially and don't get me wrong, they probably saved _ don't get me wrong, they probably saved a _ don't get me wrong, they probably saved a bit — don't get me wrong, they probably saved a bit earlier than me. but with— saved a bit earlier than me. but with interest rates and everything else, _ with interest rates and everything else, it _ with interest rates and everything else, it is — with interest rates and everything else, it is really tough for people to buy— else, it is really tough for people to buy houses. i else, it is really tough for people to buy houses-— else, it is really tough for people to buy houses. i mentioned second homes, to buy houses. i mentioned second homes. is — to buy houses. i mentioned second homes. is that _ to buy houses. i mentioned second homes, is that an _ to buy houses. i mentioned second homes, is that an issue _ to buy houses. i mentioned second homes, is that an issue amongst . to buy houses. i mentioned second i homes, is that an issue amongst your friends? it homes, is that an issue amongst your friends? , , ., ., , friends? it is, it is a contentious issue because _ friends? it is, it is a contentious issue because people _ friends? it is, it is a contentious issue because people bring - friends? it is, it is a contentious i issue because people bring money into the _ issue because people bring money into the local economy, but the

counterargument to that is it is only— counterargument to that is it is only for— counterargument to that is it is only for a — counterargument to that is it is only for a select amount of the year and for— only for a select amount of the year and for a _ only for a select amount of the year and for a lot— only for a select amount of the year and for a lot of the time these houses — and for a lot of the time these houses are left dormant and maybe from around here, the hayle st ives area, _ from around here, the hayle st ives area, hayle — from around here, the hayle st ives area, hayle is more of a working town _ area, hayle is more of a working town but — area, hayle is more of a working town but st _ area, hayle is more of a working town but st ives, i remember straight — town but st ives, i remember straight down by dc been vibrant all year around and you go in the winter and there— year around and you go in the winter and there is— year around and you go in the winter and there is no one there, they empty— and there is no one there, they empty and _ and there is no one there, they empty and it is so seasonal, it rips the heart — empty and it is so seasonal, it rips the heart out of the community. it is not _ the heart out of the community. it is not there — the heart out of the community. it is not there at the majority of the year~ _ is not there at the majority of the year~ and — is not there at the majority of the year. and for short amounts of time there _ year. and for short amounts of time there is— year. and for short amounts of time there is too— year. and for short amounts of time there is too many people.— year. and for short amounts of time there is too many people. thank you, let's talk to — there is too many people. thank you, let's talk to some _ there is too many people. thank you, let's talk to some of _ there is too many people. thank you, let's talk to some of the _ there is too many people. thank you, let's talk to some of the young - let's talk to some of the young people who come to that youth project. i wonder could people who come to that youth project. iwonder could i people who come to that youth project. i wonder could i ask you, look take on your own home at point? i suppose i do but it is definitely a hard _ i suppose i do but it is definitely a hard thing to look at for the future — a hard thing to look at for the future because i don't really plan on moving — future because i don't really plan on moving out until i save the money to buy— on moving out until i save the money to buy a _ on moving out until i save the money to buy a home, but it is not like when _ to buy a home, but it is not like when i — to buy a home, but it is not like when i save _ to buy a home, but it is not like when i save it, it is if i save it.

the _ when i save it, it is if i save it. the prices _ when i save it, it is if i save it. the prices are a lot higher and it is hard _ the prices are a lot higher and it is hard to— the prices are a lot higher and it is hard to receive enough to rent or buy it _ is hard to receive enough to rent or buy it so _ is hard to receive enough to rent or buy it so it— is hard to receive enough to rent or buy it so it is— is hard to receive enough to rent or buy it so it is a lot harder. do is hard to receive enough to rent or buy it so it is a lot harder.— buy it so it is a lot harder. do you think ou buy it so it is a lot harder. do you think you will _ buy it so it is a lot harder. do you think you will be _ buy it so it is a lot harder. do you think you will be living _ buy it so it is a lot harder. do you think you will be living at - buy it so it is a lot harder. do you think you will be living at home i buy it so it is a lot harder. do you think you will be living at home a | think you will be living at home a lot longer than perhaps you thought originally? lot longer than perhaps you thought oriainall ? , , originally? definitely, iwill robabl originally? definitely, iwill probably only _ originally? definitely, iwill probably only move - originally? definitely, iwill probably only move out - originally? definitely, i will. probably only move out when i originally? definitely, i will- probably only move out when i have kids or— probably only move out when i have kids or if— probably only move out when i have kids or if i _ probably only move out when i have kids or if i get a partner and they have _ kids or if i get a partner and they have a _ kids or if i get a partner and they have a place. is kids or if i get a partner and they have a place-— have a place. is it the same for ou? have a place. is it the same for you? yes. _ have a place. is it the same for you? yes. l _ have a place. is it the same for you? yes, i definitely- have a place. is it the same for you? yes, i definitely want - have a place. is it the same for you? yes, i definitely want to i have a place. is it the same for - you? yes, i definitely want to move awa , but you? yes, i definitely want to move away. but it — you? yes, i definitely want to move away. but it is _ you? yes, i definitely want to move away, but it is not _ you? yes, i definitely want to move away, but it is not much _ you? yes, i definitely want to move away, but it is not much of- you? yes, i definitely want to move away, but it is not much of a - away, but it is not much of a different situation anywhere else. the second homes, there are a lot more down here but housing prices are insane at the country as they are insane at the country as they are down. are insane at the country as they are down-— are down. what do you think the answer is? _ are down. what do you think the answer is? l _ are down. what do you think the answer is? i don't _ are down. what do you think the answer is? i don't know! - are down. what do you think the answer is? i don't know! an - are down. what do you think the - answer is? i don't know! an increase is taxes quite _ answer is? i don't know! an increase is taxes quite an _ answer is? i don't know! an increase is taxes quite an unpleasant - answer is? i don't know! an increase is taxes quite an unpleasant idea - is taxes quite an unpleasant idea but it probably would help, and may especially busy tax on second home owners, meaning that maybe they might either sell them to local people or itjust means there is

more money to make more houses affordable for the local community. you are growing up here in hayle, do you think you will be able to afford to buy a house at some point? i do want to have _ to buy a house at some point? i do want to have a _ to buy a house at some point? i do want to have a house in cornwall but i want to have a house in cornwall but i don't _ want to have a house in cornwall but i don't want — want to have a house in cornwall but i don't want to go out straightaway, i don't want to go out straightaway, i want _ idon't want to go out straightaway, i want to— i don't want to go out straightaway, i want to save up and start looking. we are _ i want to save up and start looking. we are in— i want to save up and start looking. we are in the general election campaign, you are not old enough to vote but if you had a message by the politicians, what would it be when it comes to housing? build politicians, what would it be when it comes to housing?— it comes to housing? build more homes get _ it comes to housing? build more homes get the — it comes to housing? build more homes get the prizes _ it comes to housing? build more homes get the prizes down - it comes to housing? build more homes get the prizes down just i it comes to housing? build more| homes get the prizes down just a little _ homes get the prizes down just a little bit. — homes get the prizes down just a little bit, make them more affordable. do little bit, make them more affordable.— little bit, make them more affordable. ~ ., affordable. do you think you would want to stay _ affordable. do you think you would want to stay in _ affordable. do you think you would want to stay in cornwall _ affordable. do you think you would want to stay in cornwall if - affordable. do you think you would want to stay in cornwall if you - want to stay in cornwall if you could afford it?— want to stay in cornwall if you could afford it? definitely, i love cornwall, could afford it? definitely, i love cornwall. of— could afford it? definitely, i love cornwall, of the _ could afford it? definitely, i love cornwall, of the scenery. - could afford it? definitely, i love i cornwall, of the scenery. everyone knows _ cornwall, of the scenery. everyone knows everyone in cornwall.- knows everyone in cornwall. thank ou ve knows everyone in cornwall. thank you very much _ knows everyone in cornwall. thank you very much indeed. _ knows everyone in cornwall. thank you very much indeed. so, - knows everyone in cornwall. thank you very much indeed. so, as - knows everyone in cornwall. thank you very much indeed. so, as we i knows everyone in cornwall. thank. you very much indeed. so, as we say we have been here all day, we have had a range of views from across the people that live here in cornwall and also the tourist industry, but as you can see, it is quite a

contentious issue, housing as we head towards the general election. thank you very much and you will be able to see a list of other candidates standing in camborne and redruth in this general election. you can see a list of other candidates standing in other constituencies around the uk on the bbc news website, you can pop in your postcode to see who your candidates are. and you can watch nonstop coverage of the election campaign until the results are cold and on bbc iplayer. the russian president vladimir putin and the north korean leader kimjong—un have signed a deal promising to help each other

in the event of aggression against either country. president putin is on his first state visit to pyongyang in more than 20 years, and was given a grand, ceremonial welcome in the north korean capital. our correspondent shaimaa khalil reports. north korea, a country that doesn't get many stately visitors, put on a show worthy of a rare visit by an important ally. pyongyang's kim il sung square was buzzing with crowds, colour and choreography, as the two globally—isolated leaders revelled in each other�*s company and this renaissance in the relationship. translation: we very much appreciate your consistent i and permanent support of the russian policy, including in the ukrainian issue. translation: the government - of the democratic people's republic of korea evaluates the important mission and role played by the powerful russian federation in maintaining the strategic stability and balance of the world. since his war in ukraine began, vladimir putin and kimjong—un have grown ever closer. today, they've signed a defence agreement that calls for mutual assistance in the events

of aggression against one of the participants. a pact reminiscent of the soviet era—style friendship treaty between the two countries. this move will no doubt deepen washington's anxiety. but, high on vladimir putin's priority list, is his need for more weapons as the war in ukraine continues. russia is desperate to replenish its depleting stockpile, and north korea can provide that. according to the us and south korea, it's already been doing so. both washington and seoul have accused pyongyang of supplying dozens of ballistic missiles and thousands of containers of munitions to russia for use on the battlefield. moscow and pyongyang have denied any arms transfers. kimjong—un has his own urgent shopping list. his country, which has been heavily sanctioned for years, is struggling and needs money, fuel, food and other forms of aid. the north korean leader has his own ambitions of an expanding nuclear arsenal and spy satellite technology —

something russia can help with. these two strongmen have been pressured by the west and shunned by the world, and there are limits to what their pariah states can realistically offer each other, but, for them, this deepening alliance means they haven't yet run out of options. hundreds of people have died in saudi arabia. hundred and 24 fahrenheit. the saudi government have not released any figures but several countries have confirmed the deaths of their citizens. let's speak to sally from bbc arabic. searing temperatures, it is often hot they are at this time of year, but is this worse than

usual? this season has been very challenging for pilgrims because they have been performing the rituals in scorching heat and the numbers of victims are still on the rise, most of those who lost the lives during the hajj season come from egypt where i am right now. we are talking initially about at least 500 egyptian pilgrims who died during the season and most of the deaths are heat related to, we do not have any official figures released as of yet, but all the numbers came from the saudi site and from the families who have been trying to find out exactly what happened to their loved ones. this year we had the issue of the unregistered pilgrims, those who went to saudi arabia on a tourist visa without getting an official hajj visa and these people were performing the rituals in tough

conditions, they went walking on foot, they did not enjoy the other services, that formal hajj convoys have been enjoying, and this explains why many of them lost their lives during the season. this explains why many of them lost their lives during the season.— lives during the season. this is not the first time _ lives during the season. this is not the first time we _ lives during the season. this is not the first time we have _ lives during the season. this is not the first time we have reported - lives during the season. this is not the first time we have reported on| lives during the season. this is notl the first time we have reported on a huge loss of life at the hajj. what are the saudi authorities saying about facilities they provide such as water stations for people who are taking part in the pilgrimage? the saudis sa taking part in the pilgrimage? tie: saudis say they try to provide as much facilities as they can, like air—conditioned tents, special tiles that absorb heat, so the pilgrims can perform the rituals comfortably but again, as i said, the numbers this year, can be attributed mainly to unregistered pilgrims who went there without official permanence and we have heard about people who

lost their lives during the season but it was mainly due to specific incidents like stampedes and fires, but we had none of that this year. it is the first time to see that huge number of people dying mainly due to high temperature and because they did not have enough facilities to make them perform the rituals comfortably. to make them perform the rituals comfortably-— to make them perform the rituals comfortabl . . ~' , ., , . comfortably. thank you very much. let's return — comfortably. thank you very much. let's return to _ comfortably. thank you very much. let's return to the _ comfortably. thank you very much. let's return to the election - comfortably. thank you very much. let's return to the election and - let's return to the election and with manifestos launched, party leaders crisscrossing the country is an opinion poll is keeping everyone on their toes, where do we stand with a fortnight of complaining to go? with me now is tony blair's director of political operations from 2005 to 2007, and a special adviser under david cameron because my clinician. welcome. you are working with the welsh conservatives. we talked about scotland and northern ireland today, so let's pick up with wales first of all. what do you foresee happening in wales with two weeks left on this

campaign? for in wales with two weeks left on this cam aian? ., , in wales with two weeks left on this camaiun? ., , , .., , campaign? for my party in wales it is auoin to campaign? for my party in wales it is going to be _ campaign? for my party in wales it is going to be a _ campaign? for my party in wales it is going to be a tough _ campaign? for my party in wales it is going to be a tough couple - campaign? for my party in wales it is going to be a tough couple of - is going to be a tough couple of weeks with some hard numbers in wales, unlike 1997 we will never be in a position again whether it is a total wipe—out of any party in wales because of the existence of the senedd, because of the existence of proportional representation in wales. at the end of this process we will still have senedd members and a tory footprint in wales, but it may be re—don't have one in westminster, which is a very bad position for us to be and it is bad if we are an england on the party again. i sensed there was a — england on the party again. i sensed there was a but _ england on the party again. i sensed there was a but coming _ england on the party again. i sensed there was a but coming in _ england on the party again. i sensed there was a but coming in the - england on the party again. i sensed| there was a but coming in the middle of that sentence and there was. i want to bring you onto one of the main talking points today, and we will take a back to this issue about what happens with the parties more broadly, and that our inflation figures. the conservatives are clearly very happy with that, they say it shows a turning point in the economy is continuing, but labour are really pushing back against

that. , . , are really pushing back against that. , ., , ., ., , that. the brutal truth is no one is listenin: that. the brutal truth is no one is listening to _ that. the brutal truth is no one is listening to the _ that. the brutal truth is no one is listening to the conservatives. it| listening to the conservatives. it doesn't — listening to the conservatives. it doesn't matter what they are saying, they are _ doesn't matter what they are saying, they are not — doesn't matter what they are saying, they are not being heard. the reality— they are not being heard. the reality is— they are not being heard. the reality is the conservatives wanted inflation _ reality is the conservatives wanted inflation to fall earlier to adjust rates _ inflation to fall earlier to adjust rates could fall. it is not another area _ rates could fall. it is not another area where — rates could fall. it is not another area where keir starmer has been a lucky— area where keir starmer has been a lucky general. the interest rate for the tories — lucky general. the interest rate for the tories would like before the election— the tories would like before the election is not going to come into labour— election is not going to come into labour are — election is not going to come into labour are in government, election is not going to come into labourare in government, so election is not going to come into labour are in government, so the feel-good — labour are in government, so the feel—good factor is going to benefit labour. _ feel—good factor is going to benefit labour, and the issue really at the heart _ labour, and the issue really at the heart of— labour, and the issue really at the heart of the cost of living crisis is it doesn't matter if inflation starts — is it doesn't matter if inflation starts falling, prices are still higher. _ starts falling, prices are still higher, substantially higher than they were before, prices are not going _ they were before, prices are not going down, the rate at which they are increasing are going down. for people. _ are increasing are going down. for people, mortgages are not done, that feeling _ people, mortgages are not done, that feeling is _ people, mortgages are not done, that feeling is bad... people, mortgages are not done, that feeling is bad. . .— feeling is bad... services inflation did not fall. _

feeling is bad. .. services inflation did not fall, it— feeling is bad... services inflation did not fall, it indicates _ feeling is bad... services inflation did not fall, it indicates there - did not fall, it indicates there will not be a rate cut in august, so the first thing you lucky general is coming into is not a rate cut. but in this year- _ coming into is not a rate cut. but in this year. in _ coming into is not a rate cut. but in this year. in the _ coming into is not a rate cut. but in this year. in the headline - in this year. in the headline market. — in this year. in the headline market, that _ in this year. in the headline market, that is _ in this year. in the headline market, that is true - in this year. in the headline market, that is true but - in this year. in the headline market, that is true but if i in this year. in the headline i market, that is true but if the government were walking away and taking the blame at 11%, it is hard for my party to take the credit when it is at 2%. . , ., , it is at 2%. that is an interesting talkin: it is at 2%. that is an interesting talking point- — it is at 2%. that is an interesting talking point. as _ it is at 2%. that is an interesting talking point. as a _ it is at 2%. that is an interesting talking point. as a political- it is at 2%. that is an interesting l talking point. as a political party, if you talk about global factors, global winds and headlands winds, particular economic conditions, the upshot of that is obvious. john was saying no one is listening to the conservatives. i presume you do not agree with that? i conservatives. i presume you do not agree with that?— agree with that? i thinkjohn is entirely wrong, _ agree with that? i thinkjohn is entirely wrong, everyone - agree with that? i thinkjohn is entirely wrong, everyone is i entirely wrong, everyone is listening _ entirely wrong, everyone is listening to us, we are doing a great — listening to us, we are doing a greatiob _ listening to us, we are doing a great job-— great job. let's rephrase that question. _ great job. let's rephrase that question, what _ great job. let's rephrase that question, what are _ great job. let's rephrase that question, what are the - great job. let's rephrase that - question, what are the conservatives need to do in the final two weeks of the campaign? it is need to do in the final two weeks of the campaign?— the campaign? it is difficult to see whether or — the campaign? it is difficult to see whether or not _ the campaign? it is difficult to see whether or not we _ the campaign? it is difficult to see whether or not we can, _ the campaign? it is difficult to see whether or not we can, we - the campaign? it is difficult to see whether or not we can, we are - the campaign? it is difficult to see i whether or not we can, we are being sgueezed _ whether or not we can, we are being sgueezed on— whether or not we can, we are being squeezed on the right bite nigel

farage — squeezed on the right bite nigel farage who gets cut through by showing — farage who gets cut through by showing up in the morning, and by having _ showing up in the morning, and by having an — showing up in the morning, and by having an ability to put forward a contract — having an ability to put forward a contract with vultures instead of a manifesto — contract with vultures instead of a manifesto which has no ability to be delivered _ manifesto which has no ability to be delivered in the reality of governing. its costs do not make senser _ governing. its costs do not make sense, it — governing. its costs do not make sense, it is — governing. its costs do not make sense, it is a time machine for voters. — sense, it is a time machine for voters. it— sense, it is a time machine for voters. it is— sense, it is a time machine for voters, it is not real policies, and from _ voters, it is not real policies, and from the — voters, it is not real policies, and from the left we are being squeezed from the left we are being squeezed from labour who are also unsure where _ from labour who are also unsure where the — from labour who are also unsure where the money will come from, ruling _ where the money will come from, ruling out — where the money will come from, ruling out tax rises left, right and centre _ ruling out tax rises left, right and centre. they will have to go up in some _ centre. they will have to go up in some area — centre. they will have to go up in some area and no parties are being honest— some area and no parties are being honest about it at that point. the next two weeks _ honest about it at that point. tie: next two weeks for labour, what should that looked like, as someone who has been there at the heart of government? tiara who has been there at the heart of government?— government? two things, one is repetition. _ government? two things, one is repetition, repetition, _ government? two things, one is| repetition, repetition, repetition. we have — repetition, repetition, repetition. we have got to the manifesto, there is nothing _ we have got to the manifesto, there is nothing new in it, no surprises. this— is nothing new in it, no surprises. this is— is nothing new in it, no surprises. this is the — is nothing new in it, no surprises. this is the offer for health service. _ this is the offer for health service, this is the author for planning _ service, this is the author for planning and housing, keep repeating those things. do planning and housing, keep repeating those thins. ~

planning and housing, keep repeating those thins. ,, ~ ., planning and housing, keep repeating those things-— those things. do you think that is cuttin: those things. do you think that is cutting through — those things. do you think that is cutting through enough _ those things. do you think that is cutting through enough at - those things. do you think that is cutting through enough at the i cutting through enough at the moment? .. ., ,., ., cutting through enough at the moment? ., ., .g moment? the fact labour are offering urowth as moment? the fact labour are offering growth as an — moment? the fact labour are offering growth as an alternative _ moment? the fact labour are offering growth as an alternative to _ moment? the fact labour are offering growth as an alternative to other- growth as an alternative to other tax cuts — growth as an alternative to other tax cuts or— growth as an alternative to other tax cuts or tax increases is cutting three _ tax cuts or tax increases is cutting three because the subject of the debate. — three because the subject of the debate, we are debating the issue, and hearing what labour are saying. the question is can you keep the momentum and energy up, and the last week is— momentum and energy up, and the last week is always the biggest moment because _ week is always the biggest moment because people are flagging, maybe they are _ because people are flagging, maybe they are complacent. you need this extra _ they are complacent. you need this extra energy of going over the line, in 97— extra energy of going over the line, in 97 labour— extra energy of going over the line, in 97 labour under peter mandelson lodged _ in 97 labour under peter mandelson lodged a _ in 97 labour under peter mandelson lodged a new colour and said it was a new— lodged a new colour and said it was a new colour— lodged a new colour and said it was a new colour purple, and the bulldog. _ a new colour purple, and the bulldog. you have to have some trick. _ bulldog. you have to have some trick. ~ ., ., , ., ~' bulldog. you have to have some trick. ~ ., ., ~ ., , trick. what do you think of rishi sunak's performance _ trick. what do you think of rishi sunak's performance in - trick. what do you think of rishi sunak's performance in this - trick. what do you think of rishi - sunak's performance in this campaign so far? . ,., ., so far? varied, in some of the debates he — so far? varied, in some of the debates he has _ so far? varied, in some of the debates he has performed - so far? varied, in some of the i debates he has performed quite so far? varied, in some of the - debates he has performed quite well. and there is another big debate coming. when it comes to the debates, which we find might more interesting from a devolved perspective because they are including the entirety of the uk,

rather than in england on the conversation, as an individual he is having a bit of a tough time, it is hard to get wins when there is a reputation he is going to shop in a brewery and have a go badly, some of thejokes have brewery and have a go badly, some of the jokes have written themselves over the last five weeks.— over the last five weeks. jeremy hunt is the _ over the last five weeks. jeremy hunt is the first _ over the last five weeks. jeremy hunt is the first chancellor - over the last five weeks. jeremy hunt is the first chancellor of i over the last five weeks. jeremy | hunt is the first chancellor of the exchequer— hunt is the first chancellor of the exchequer i have ever known not to attend _ exchequer i have ever known not to attend the — exchequer i have ever known not to attend the manifesto launch of its own government, that was really significant — own government, that was really significant people are just not around — significant people are just not around rishi sunak. he is on his own. _ around rishi sunak. he is on his own. ., ., ., own. lord cameron was with him yesterday- _ own. lord cameron was with him yesterday- and _ own. lord cameron was with him yesterday. and the _ own. lord cameron was with him yesterday. and the sheep. - own. lord cameron was with him yesterday. and the sheep. any i yesterday. and the sheep. any conference _ yesterday. and the sheep. any conference speech _ yesterday. and the sheep. any conference speech he - yesterday. and the sheep. any conference speech he was - yesterday. and the sheep. any - conference speech he was dismissed as the _ conference speech he was dismissed as the field _ conference speech he was dismissed as the field passed by rishi sunak and then— as the field passed by rishi sunak and then appointed by him. and you have another— and then appointed by him. and you have another seat, _ and then appointed by him. and you have another seat, jeremy - and then appointed by him. and you have another seat, jeremy hunt - and then appointed by him. and you have another seat, jeremy hunt is l have another seat, jeremy hunt is any difficult seat. labour have got more money in the coffers than we do at the moment. all the rumours going

around westminster are the tories are struggling. which means we cannot push message online or by... and he is not going to succeed with a 25,000 majority yesterday. i wish a 25,000 ma'ority yesterday. i wish we could a 25,000 majority yesterday. i wish we could talk— a 25,000 majority yesterday. i wish we could talk for _ a 25,000 majority yesterday. i wish we could talk for longer. _ a 25,000 majority yesterday. i wish we could talk for longer. it - a 25,000 majority yesterday. i wish we could talk for longer. it sounds i we could talk for longer. it sounds like, lauren, you think a conservative loss, if that is what happens, that rishi sunak is gone as leader of the party. it happens, that rishi sunak is gone as leader of the party.— leader of the party. it remains to be seen who _ leader of the party. it remains to be seen who is _ leader of the party. it remains to be seen who is left. _ leader of the party. it remains to be seen who is left. because - be seen who is left. because everything — be seen who is left. because everything comes _ be seen who is left. because everything comes down - be seen who is left. because everything comes down to i be seen who is left. because i everything comes down to who be seen who is left. because - everything comes down to who ends be seen who is left. because _ everything comes down to who ends up getting elected for us, because the rains are in their hands when it comes to our leadership challenges, both in opposition and government. it remains to be seen. fin both in opposition and government. it remains to be seen.— it remains to be seen. on the question _ it remains to be seen. on the question of— it remains to be seen. on the question of working _ it remains to be seen. on the question of working people, i it remains to be seen. on the j question of working people, a it remains to be seen. on the i question of working people, a bit it remains to be seen. on the - question of working people, a bit of confusion about that definition today from labour. what did you understand by what they meant about working people and who are the working people and who are the working people?— working people and who are the working people? working people, it is our attempt _ working people? working people, it is our attempt to _ working people? working people, it is our attempt to find _ working people? working people, it is our attempt to find a _

working people? working people, it is our attempt to find a word, - working people? working people, it is our attempt to find a word, in - is our attempt to find a word, in america — is our attempt to find a word, in america they see working class but the mean _ america they see working class but the mean middle—class, working—class people _ the mean middle—class, working—class people whose wages are under pressure. _ people whose wages are under ressure. , ., ,_, ., ., pressure. john prescott did a two hour thin . pressure. john prescott did a two hour thing on _ pressure. john prescott did a two hour thing on this _ pressure. john prescott did a two hour thing on this and _ pressure. john prescott did a two hour thing on this and didn't - pressure. john prescott did a two hour thing on this and didn't getl pressure. john prescott did a two | hour thing on this and didn't get it right. we have been grappling with this as a country for years. we right. we have been grappling with this as a country for years.- this as a country for years. we are a middle-class _ this as a country for years. we are a middle-class country _ this as a country for years. we are a middle-class country and - this as a country for years. we are a middle-class country and we - this as a country for years. we are | a middle-class country and we still a middle—class country and we still want _ a middle—class country and we still want to— a middle—class country and we still want to think we are working class. thank— want to think we are working class. thank you — want to think we are working class. thank you very much. you are watching bbc news.

live from london. this is bbc news. the inflation rate has fallen to 2% — the first time in almost three years that the bank of england's target has been met. the snp launches its election manifesto pledging a major investment in the nhs, and a promise to deliver independence.

independence for a stronger economy and happier, healthier lives, and independence for a better future for scotland, made in scotland, for scotland. sinn fein has also launched its election manifesto, pledging to deliver for the people of northern ireland. intense heat is feared to have killed hundreds of people at the annual hajj pilgrimage in saudi arabia. the jury is discharged in the trial of constance marten and mark gordon after being unable to reach verdicts. and scotland fans gear up for tonight's clash with switzerland in the euros, but can the team turn things around after their defeat to germany? hello, i'm annita mcveigh. thanks for watching us here on bbc news.

uk inflation has hit the bank of england's target of 2% for the first time in almost three years. the figure, which tells us the rate at which prices are rising, hit the target in may, coming down from 2.3% in april. the prime minister said its plan was working and labours that it did not mean life had gotten easier. our chief economics correspondent dharshini david reports. gary in sussex used to have seven butchers shops. he now has four. forced to make cuts as he's been caught between soaring costs over the last few years and customers with lean budgets looking for value. but things are easing. the price is probably 10—15% more than they were at the beginning of covid, but the actual price of the product is pretty much stationary now. well, we hope it's stationary. not in the foreseeable future anyway. it's global food and energy costs, which triggered the rise in inflation to 11% in 2022,

which have also helped it fall to the 2% target, along with the rate rises over the last couple of years. as you may have noticed, the prices of goods are rising more slowly as the impact of the war in ukraine wears off, and that's brought down total inflation. but some fear that could rebound a bit in the coming months because the prices of services — for example, hotel stays, cafe bills and travel fares — are still rising more quickly as those businesses pass on higher bills. and over at the bank of england, interest rate setters have to be sure inflation will stay down further out before they start cutting rates, so the cost of borrowing may not fall for several months. in wolverhampton, they are weighing up the last major economic figures in wolverhampton, they're weighing up the last major economic figures before the election, including this local business organisation. they are looking to put more money back into their businesses,

they are looking to train staff, they are looking to look at new machinery or equipment, and a couple of our businesses have actually said that they are looking to grow more profitable more in the next 12 months, so there does seem to be green shoots. others in the market are less sure. this red fish, i used to buy £17 for a box. now it's £90 a box — serious. and we can't really put the price up to the customers. they won't buy it. i think everybody is really still feeling the pressures of the cost of living. you know, you don't really see that in your wage packet - or anything like that. there's no real difference at all, to be honest with you. - and it's whether people across the country feel the latest turn in the economy is bearing fruit that may seal the fate of this election. dharshini david, bbc news. let's speak to lord lamont, who's a former conservative chancellor. thank you very much forjoining us. appreciate your time. do you agree

that the inflation figures today show that the conservatives' economic plans are working queasy although it was part of the plan that he put forward and think it's good news. inflation in the uk is now below that of the euro zone, below that gi now below that of the euro zone, below than ., now below that of the euro zone, below tha— now below that of the euro zone, below than ., ,, ., , below that of the united states. the rima below that of the united states. the primary responsibility, _ below that of the united states. the primary responsibility, setting - primary responsibility, setting interest rates rise, but the government has played a role in getting it down, because the policy has to reinforce the monetary policy. if the government gave way to those or was too generous, that would undermine the task of the bank of england. the bank of england and the government work together to get inflation down. this is indeed good news. i understand that it doesn't

mean price prices go down, but it's brought an end and living standards will increase in time. the brought an end and living standards will increase in time.— will increase in time. the prime minister has — will increase in time. the prime minister has often _ will increase in time. the prime minister has often cited - will increase in time. the prime minister has often cited globall minister has often cited global headwinds when asked about difficulties in the economy, challenges for public spending. can you also claim credit for this drop in inflation?— in inflation? obviously, there are noble forces _ in inflation? obviously, there are noble forces that _ in inflation? obviously, there are noble forces that work _ in inflation? obviously, there are noble forces that work with - noble forces that work with inflation, but i'vejust noble forces that work with inflation, but i've just said, noble forces that work with inflation, but i'vejust said, our rate has come down below the level of other countries. i'm not saying they haven't played apart, but the bank of england has played a very important role indeed. the fact that rates differ between countries is due to all sorts of reasons, including all sorts of policies. you mentioned _ including all sorts of policies. you mentioned that _ including all sorts of policies. you mentioned that a _ including all sorts of policies. you mentioned that a drop in inflation doesn't necessarily mean that prices

are coming down. we know that services inflation is still on the rise. labourare services inflation is still on the rise. labour are talking about the price of the shop having risen. do you think this particular piece of data today is coming too late in the election? it data today is coming too late in the election? . , . data today is coming too late in the election? ., . . data today is coming too late in the election? , , ., election? it may still be above the level of some _ election? it may still be above the level of some time _ election? it may still be above the level of some time ago, _ election? it may still be above the level of some time ago, and - election? it may still be above the level of some time ago, and has i election? it may still be above the l level of some time ago, and has not been coming down. i'm sometimes worried in the selection that some people don't understand the huge obstacles to overcome. these things have made a very difficult economy. when people ask questions like are

you better off than 14 years ago, only a few countries in the world are better off to look at germany... look at italy, living standards have fallen. every country has been facing these challenges. we can't just solve problems overnight. i would like to get you taken over a review of this campaign if you would. what we've seen so far from the conservatives and what do you think they need to do in the next couple weeks? i think they need to do in the next couple weeks?— couple weeks? i think the conservatives _ couple weeks? i think the conservatives have - couple weeks? i think the i conservatives have actually couple weeks? i think the - conservatives have actually come forward with concrete proposal. what strikes me is the vagueness, which is very obscure what they are proposing or how they are proposing to finance what it is they are putting forward. what particularly struck me was both starmer and the shadow chancellor. they've put

forward this objected which i think is utterly unrealistic of having the highest rated growth of the g7 countries. who could have predicted that? is utterly absurd. i'm surprised the media have not pressed starmer more as to how on earth he thinks he will get this up so dramatically.— thinks he will get this up so dramatically. thinks he will get this up so dramaticall . �* , , ., ., , dramatically. but my question was what ou dramatically. but my question was what you think _ dramatically. but my question was what you think the _ dramatically. but my question was what you think the conservative i what you think the conservative party needs to do? because obviously, we do keep these polls seriously. labour is clearly still way ahead of the conservatives and they are strong challenges from other parties as well. what would you like to see the conservative party doing more of? you never really know _ party doing more of? you never really know to _ party doing more of? you never really know to what _ party doing more of? you never really know to what extent - party doing more of? you never really know to what extent is i really know to what extent is the messages you are trying to get

across our getting received. i remember in previous elections, particularly 1992, didn't remember in previous elections, particularly1992, didn'tappearto particularly 1992, didn't appear to be particularly1992, didn'tappearto be getting through it all. we were behind in the polls. not to the extent we were today. but in the end, we won the election. i think repetition is part of the tactics that you have to employ elections. i think the conservatives ought to do that. the i'm not in favour of making personal attacks, but! that. the i'm not in favour of making personal attacks, but i think mr starmer has a credibility problem. i think he has changed his views so dramatically from being in favour of nationalisation of whole sectors to suddenly announcing on television that he's all for wealth creation. this is a completely new

man that has strung up from nowhere, and i don't think it credibility. i nearly died laughing when i heard it when he was all about wealth creation. ~ ., ., ., , creation. we are out of time, but thank you — creation. we are out of time, but thank you very — creation. we are out of time, but thank you very much _ creation. we are out of time, but thank you very much for - creation. we are out of time, but thank you very much for your - thank you very much for your time, lord lamont. iwill thank you very much for your time, lord lamont. i will be pulling some of those points to leis handle shortly. we'll hear from labour's liz kendall — who's shadow secretary of state for work and pensions shortly. the snp have launched their general election manifesto. party leader scotland's first minister, john swinney, promised "a betterfuture for scotland" — based on delivering independence, rejoining the eu, and major new investment in scotland's nhs and other public services. mr swinney pledged an end to what he called "westminster austerity", with a new set of tax and spending rules aimed at boosting the scottish economy. speaking at the launch in edinburgh, john swinney began by outlining his case for independence. we will always put the interests of people in scotland first, wherever our people were born,

wherever our people have come from. and of the very heart of our beliefs is the principal that decisions about scotland should be made by the people who live in scotland. why? for the simple reason that no—one else cares as much about this wonderful country and no—one else will do a betterjob of taking care of it, now and in the future, than the people who live here. it is through independence, therefore, that we feel we can build a fairer country and the more prosperous economy we know is possible. not independence for its own sake, independence for the powers to protect our national health service and to help people through tough times. independence for a stronger economy and happier, healthier lives. and independence for a better future for scotland, made in scotland, for scotland. our scotland correspondent katie hunter explained what today's manifesto launch revealed about the snp's priorities. independence has been front and centre of this

manifesto launched today, and ofjohn swinney�*s speech. we were promised that independence would be page one, line one of the snp's manifesto, and that has proved to be the case. the party sees independence as crucial in order to protect public services, and there was a big focus on the nhs today. now, health is, of course, devolved in scotland. it's ministers in edinburgh that are in charge of the health service. but spending decisions taken at westminster do impact the money that comes to scotland. so, the snp is calling for the next uk government to spend an extra £10 billion on the health service annually. the party says that would mean an extra £1 billion coming to scotland. it's also calling for the next uk government to match the nhs pay deals which have been agreed here in scotland. and, again, that would lead to more money coming north of the border. there was a big focus on austerity, brexit and the cost of living crisis. that's been a consistent theme for the snp throughout this campaign. another consistent theme has been to criticise the conservatives' record at westminster, but also to be critical of labour

and say that the snp would argue that there isn't that much between the two parties. so, no huge surprises today. independence, attacks on the conservatives and labour and a focus on the nhs. the voters will give their verdict two weeks tomorrow. meanwhile, in northern ireland, sinn fein have been launching their manifesto. they won seven seats at the westminster parliament at the last election — although their party does not take up it seats. here's the president of sinn fein, mary lou mcdonald. every day, sinn fein representatives provide strong leadership and deliver positive change from communities all across ireland.

i can tell you that nobody works harder for the communities and the people that we represent. sinn fein is on the side of workers, of families working nationally and delivering locally, and we are leading the way to build a stronger, better and fairer country. this election on july the 4th is a real opportunity to step forward towards that brighter future, a better future for the next generation, for a society that defends you when you are at your weakest, that encourages you when you're t your strongest. sinn fein is committed to delivering on the things that matter most to workers and families. that is health care, the cost of living, housing, education and child care. we're focused on what is possible to achieve if we work together, making politics work and demonstrating that positive we're focused on what is possible to achieve if we work together, making politics work and demonstrating that positive change

on day one after these westminster elections, sinn fein mps will be working hard as part of a strong all—ireland sinn fein team made up of mlas, tds, meps, hundreds hundreds of local councillors, the length and breadth of the country, and meps in brussels, intent to deliver for all of our people and our communities. so, this election, when you boil it down, is about hope and it's about optimism. it's about strong leadership and positive change. it's about an inclusive, modern and forward looking society, because that's our vision. that's our mission in sinn fein. that's the vision of our amazing and hard—working candidates. so i'm asking you to send a clear message in this election about what you want for the future, to vote for a strong leadership and for positive change, to vote for a party that's committed to working for all. onjuly the 4th, i'm asking everyone

to vote for sinn fein. let's return to belfast now for more on the sinn fein manifesto launch, and go live to our ireland correspondent, chris page. what did you make of it? i think sinn fein has— what did you make of it? i think sinn fein has really— what did you make of it? i think sinn fein has really stuck- what did you make of it? i think sinn fein has really stuck to - what did you make of it? i think sinn fein has really stuck to the j sinn fein has really stuck to the policy positions that the party thinks has started very well over the last few years in 2022. it became the largest party in the devolved a sibling —— assembly. michelle o'neill is now the first ever nationalist first minister of northern ireland. last year, sinn fein became the party in local councils. sinn fein is now defending seven of the 18 westminster seats.

the manifesto that has been published this afternoon is concisely nine pages long. no huge departures from before. it wants more powers transferred. it wants below the national minimum... it wants the government to set a date for the... wants the government to set a date forthe... both wants the government to set a date for the... both labour and the conservatives have said that such a referendum isn't on the agenda at all of the moment. also, a statement about the financial data affairs. sinn fein said that public services are underfunded and reform is impossible unless northern ireland gets more money from the exchequer. with making the point that mp5 don't

take their seats in the house of republicans. that general election in particular, other parties attacked sinn fein, saying they can't maximise stability to take votes. sinn fein argued that the best way was to simply be on the ground and the level of interest was so low that being in the chamber are not didn't make a difference. that is one area of contention. sinn fein really is not expecting, it seems, many big gains or major losses. if they hold onto those seven seats, they hold onto those seven seats, the democratic unionist party have eight and if they were to lose a couple of seats, then sinn fein

would end up as the first time as the party from northern ireland with the party from northern ireland with the most mp5. this is the first launch that we've had of the five main parties in northern ireland. we will see from the car �*5 community alliance party tomorrow. —— cross community. we will hear from the stl tomorrow. . ~ community. we will hear from the stl tomorrow. ., ,, , ., ., ., , tomorrow. thank you for that, chris pa . e. we tomorrow. thank you for that, chris page- we will _ tomorrow. thank you for that, chris page. we will bring _ tomorrow. thank you for that, chris page. we will bring you _ tomorrow. thank you for that, chris page. we will bring you all - tomorrow. thank you for that, chris page. we will bring you all from - page. we will bring you all from those lunches. let's fall to the rate of inflation. let's speak to liz kendall. she's shadow secretary of state for work and pensions. thank you very much, liz, for joining us. let's begin with inflation. the conservatives say their plan is working, labour saying life for lots of people hasn't got

any easier. are you concerned that this might be an area where the conservatives can try to attack labour? �* . . ~ conservatives can try to attack labour? �* , ., ~ ., conservatives can try to attack labour? �* , . ~' ., , .,, labour? i've been talking to people riaht labour? i've been talking to people right across — labour? i've been talking to people right across the _ labour? i've been talking to people right across the country _ labour? i've been talking to people right across the country and - labour? i've been talking to people right across the country and they i right across the country and they are still really, really struggling with the cost of living. people's weekly bills are still much higher than they were, cost of gas and electricity. their mortgage have been soaring after tories across the economy and business are facing those higher extra costs. i think the message that we're giving doesn't have to be this way. we can change the economy, we can get our economy growing again to put money back into people �*5 pockets and to create the wealth we need. and that we have a plan to change and to grow the economy. that's the absolute

number one mission. so we can build the roads and labs and data centres we need and national wealth funds. that's really the race that we want to win. and those labour market reforms. one of the most interesting things we saw today in the inflation figures is still some parts of the economy like services, inflation is still really high, that's because of the labour market shortages. the back to work plan is critical to sorting that. i back to work plan is critical to sorting that-— back to work plan is critical to sorting that. i spoke to former conservative _ sorting that. i spoke to former conservative chancellor - sorting that. i spoke to former conservative chancellor lord i sorting that. i spoke to former- conservative chancellor lord lamont a few minutes ago and he said it was obscure how labour is proposing to finance with the party is putting forward. what's your response to that? is all taken care of by the growth plan?— that? is all taken care of by the growth plan? that? is all taken care of by the urowth lan? �* ., growth plan? perhaps he hasn't had the chance to _ growth plan? perhaps he hasn't had the chance to read _ growth plan? perhaps he hasn't had the chance to read our _ the chance to read our change manifesto, but we're really specific

about how we will fund those 40,000 extra appointments every week in the nhs by closing those tax loopholes and the non—dom tax status. how we will fund those six and a half thousand more teachers and key subjects by having vat on the private schools. and we set out how we will reform those public services to get more bang for the buck. it is about growing the economy, but it is about growing the economy, but it is about saying, we will have that initial injection that are public services desperately need, but over the long term, the key to a better future here is a growing the economy. that's the way to get money into people's pockets and our public services. we haven't seen that growth over the last 14 years. we haven't seen the increase in living standards. this has been the worst on record in parliament, but it doesn't have to be like that. i know why people are sceptical about change. i think they've had the hope

kicked out of them.— kicked out of them. sorry to interrupt. — kicked out of them. sorry to interrupt, just _ kicked out of them. sorry to interrupt, just to _ kicked out of them. sorry to interrupt, just to get - kicked out of them. sorry to interrupt, just to get onto i kicked out of them. sorry to - interrupt, just to get onto some more substance. rachel reeves is talking about working people and there seems to be clarification and re—clarification going on about making broking people that are off and then sir keir starmer saying they don't have meaning savings... i5 they don't have meaning savings... is there a meaningful suggestion here that working people who do have some meaningful savings — and i guess your definition is different things — might that group of people be liable to pay more taxes? absolutely not. we're making a very simple point here, that we want an economy that works for people that go out and work. lots of people have had to spend down their savings because of the cost of living

crisis, and the economy doesn't seem to be working for them. that's why our plan to help bring people's bills down by great british energy, which will get £300 a year lower, and our plan to invest in thejobs of the future is so important. we need an economy that works for working people. most people — whether it's mansfield, or black field or bronze leak — all are really struggling still —— blackpool. in really struggling still -- l?tlackpool-_ really struggling still -- blackool. . ., , really struggling still -- blackool. . ., blackpool. in a line, i was reading something — blackpool. in a line, i was reading something you — blackpool. in a line, i was reading something you were _ blackpool. in a line, i was reading something you were saying - blackpool. in a line, i was reading | something you were saying earlier. you are very sceptical about the polls. what do you think labour needs to do in the remaining two weeks? ., , , ., , needs to do in the remaining two weeks? ., , , . ., , weeks? commits people change is ossible weeks? commits people change is possible because _ weeks? commits people change is possible because that's _ weeks? commits people change is possible because that's what - weeks? commits people change is possible because that's what they | possible because that's what they want. liz possible because that's what they want. . ., «a possible because that's what they want. . ., , .

keep up to date with all of the election news on bbc sounds. head to the app now, and look for the latest news section. a hospital consultant has told the jury at the lucy letby retrial that he saw the nurse standing next to a baby girl who was deteriorating and that she was doing nothing to intervene. it's alleged that the baby's breathing tube had been dislodged by the nurse, who is charged with attempted murder. she denies the charge. letby was convicted at a trial last year of the murders of seven babies, and the attempted murders of six other infants. for the latest, let's cross live now to our north of england correspondent, judith moritz. tell us more about what's been happening. fits tell us more about what's been happening-— tell us more about what's been haueninu. a , ,., happening. as you 'ust explained, we know that lucy — happening. as you 'ust explained, we know that lucy s — happening. as you just explained, we know that lucy b was _ happening. as you just explained, we know that lucy b was convicted - happening. as you just explained, we know that lucy b was convicted last i know that lucy b was convicted last year. —— letby. thejury last year cannot reach a verdict last year on

the charge of a murder. it's a charge that lucy letby denies. it's a alleged that one walked in and found that a baby who was very premature had deteriorated very suddenly and lucy letby was standing next to her incubator are not helping. we heard all day from the consultants, who say he walked in and had to give rescue breaths to the baby, who rallied very quickly. he was examined by the prosecution and the defence, and he explained the reason he had gone in and the first place was because the doctors at the time in february had become concerned about the number of babies dying and falling ill on the unit, and lucy letby�*s connection. he had gone into the room and found her

next to this baby's incubator. then the defender asked him why he had notjust phoned the police. he explained that it wasn't that simple, but the doctors on the unit has been escalating the concern to senior management. he said, "we've escalated things to senior management on the understanding that they would listen to our concerns, what we are explicitly told it would be the wrong thing to call the police because it would be bad for the reputation of the trust and there would be blue and white tape everywhere." he explained the consultants had been trying to be listened to for some time and met a brick wall as they went along. lucy letby denies the charge that she faces and this trial will continue tomorrow. faces and this trial will continue tomorrow-— faces and this trial will continue tomorrow. , ., ,, , ., , tomorrow. judith, thank you very much.

tomorrow. judith, thank you very much- time _ tomorrow. judith, thank you very much. time now _ tomorrow. judith, thank you very much. time now for _ a look at the weather with thomas. hello. thanks forjoining me. it's been a fine day for most of us, feeling a little warmer, too. those temperatures have been rising in the last few days. the weather settling down, aclear evening on the way. a clear evening on the way. skies a little hazy in places. in fact, if we look at the satellite picture from earlier on, you can see also a weather front very close to our neighbourhood here. and that may keep things cloudy and damp, at least for a time this evening and overnight in the northwest of the uk, but the evening, not particularly cold. eight o'clock, we will have had temperatures around 15 in the lowlands of scotland, 18 or 19 in the south. and also what's particularly high are the pollen levels across england, wales, northern ireland, too — not quite so high further north in scotland. so, the forecast, then —

for the nights, generally clear across most of england, wales, much of northern ireland, too, but then later on in the night, western and southwestern scotland and the north of northern ireland could be damp. not particularly cold, although outside of town centres temperatures could dip to single figures. the forecast for tomorrow, then, lots of sunshine right from the word go, but then i think the clouds will bubble up, in places, the skies will also be hazy and maybe cloudy at times here in the northwest. again, a few spits and spots of rain possible with the weather fronts close by. but every bit as warm, temperatures in the low 205 in the south — pushing 20 degrees in the northeast of england as well. now, the forecast into friday, then. now, admittedly, a bit of a blip on the way. this weather front approaches from the atlantic, and that does spell thick cloud and the possibility of some rain across ireland, eventually around the irish sea into western and northern scotland. but the further east you are and the further south, the brighter, if not sunnier, the weather will be on friday. and these are southerly winds, so these temperatures could creep up a little further — 23 in london and into the low 205 expected across northern england. a little bit cooler out towards the west here, remember,

where we have that weather front. the weather front will fall apart, and then, as we head through the course of the weekend, high pressure will start building across the uk. light winds, generally bright if not sunny weather. so, here's the outlook for the weekend and into next week when that real warming trend will begin. we could even see temperatures approaching the high 205. this is bbc news, the headlines new figures show the inflation rate for may was 2% — hitting the bank of england's target for the first time in nearly three years. the snp launches its election manifesto, pledging a major investment in the nhs, and a promise to deliver independence. sinn fein has also launched its election manifesto , pledging to deliver for the people of northern ireland.

and scotland fans are gearing up for tonight's clash with switzerland in the euros. the team's hoping to return to winning form after losing their opening match to germany. it's time 94 sport, this joint pawlett. hello from the bbc sport centre albania rescued a late point against croatia, in the opening match of the day at euro 2024. croatia thought they'd won it, when with 15 minutes to go klaus gjasula put in to his own net. this after andrej kramaric had cancelled out oazim laci's early opener. but deep in stoppage time, gjasula scored at the right end to make amends — and make it 2—2. albania with their first point at these euros, to keep their hopes of progressing from group b alive. hosts germany are under way in their second game of the championship. they're up against hungary in stuttgart.

with half an hour gone, germany have taken the lead through jamal musiala. later tonight, in the same group, scotland take on switzerland in cologne. england have been training today and will face the media later, ahead of their second game of the euros tomorrow. they take on denmark in frankfurt. we can go there live now and join our reporter nesta mcgregor. and nesta, england fans are already starting to arrive. yes, absolutely, it's worth seeing the england funds are confidently outnumbering their danish counterparts, just arriving in the city centre kindly. denmark are winning when it comes to the entertainment stakes, that's thanks to a fine bus with a large sum to steam, and they are taking requests even from the english friends, so

it's been a treat apart. taking it look at the group, england topping it after the 1—0 when i get serbia unmatched a one, then mark on one point afterjoined with slovenia. both start —— gareth southgate and his counterpart know it when tomorrow night and its progression through to the knockout stages. the latest from the england camp is that all 25 players trained today, everyone except luke shaw. the manchester united defender arrived in germany with an injury, but this was a game he was expected to make his return, gareth southgate given a press conference later, should update us on luke shaw's finished, ice for today, familiarfaces, ice for today, familiar faces, kasper schmeichel ice for today, familiarfaces, kasper schmeichel rasmus hojlund and christian eriksen from manchester united, and christian eriksen famously suffered a cardiac arrest in this tournament three years ago, obviously recovered well and scored

in the opening game remarking a remarkable return. one thing for sure, garth southgate will know it when tomorrow night eases the pressure going into that final group game. though denmark will surely prove a sterner test and serbia unmatched a one. to tennis, and five—time winner, andy murray, retired injured in the first set of his second round match at queens. after showing signs of discomfort in the warm—up, murray called for the trainer at the first change of ends australianjordan thompson progresses to the quarterfinals. it's not yet clear what the injury means for murray's chances of playing at wimbledon next month. staying with wimbledon and emma raducanu has been given a wild card to play at sw19. she is one of four previous grand slam winners to be given entry in to the women's singles, joining naomi osaka, caroline wozniacki and angelique kerber, who won the wimbledon title in 2018.

raducanu is still on the comeback trail after missing most of last year — including wimbledon — after wrist and ankle surgeries. to rugby league, and head coach rohan smith has left leeds rhinos by mutual consent. despite leading the side to the 2022 grand final, the rhino's currently lie in seventh in the super league table, having suffered three defeats in four games, including saturday's loss at hull fc, who had previously won just once all season. favourite auguste rodin has won the prince of wales stakes on day two of royal ascot. the victory gives aidan o'brien his 400th top—level group or grade one win on the flat. the 13—8 favourite, winner of the english and irish derbys last year, held off french challengers zarakem and horizon dore. with the win, jockey ryan moore equals frankie dettori's mark of 81 winners at the meeting. and that's all the sport for now.

thank you, paul. a key issue for many voters in this election is housing, with many young people struggling to get onto the ladder. the conservatives have pledged to permanently scrap stamp duty forfirst—time buyers, on properties worth up to £425,000. they've also said they'll oversee the building of 1.6 million homes over the next parliament. labour say they'll deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation. and the lib dems are promising to build nearly two million homes over the next five years, as well as giving extra rights to private renters. with me is our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan. how achievable and deliverable are these names from the various parties? these names from the various tarties? , . , these names from the various tarties? , ., , parties? they are hugely ambitious, if ou look parties? they are hugely ambitious, if you look at _ parties? they are hugely ambitious, if you look at the _ parties? they are hugely ambitious, if you look at the figures _ parties? they are hugely ambitious, if you look at the figures they - parties? they are hugely ambitious, if you look at the figures they are i if you look at the figures they are promising, promising to build between nearly 1.5 to 2 million

homes between the course of our five year parliament, that's roughly 300,000 homes to build every year, and the last time that happened in england was before i was born, and i am no spring chicken, was 1959, that was the last time that 300,000 homes were built in england. over the past decade in england, on average, about 152,000 homes have been built every year, and so what the parties are basically saying, they can double that number of homes every year for the next five years. how are they going to do that? talk about reforming the planning process, that would take at least a number of months to begin with, then they would have to find the builders to do it. the question is, do we have the builders even if you get the planning system in place? in order to build that number of houses, you have to rely on consuls and housing associations to add up to what the private delivers was due, and they have huge funding constraints on

them. it's not to say these numbers are not achievable, but it's a massive stretch, and over the past decade, political parties of different colours, these numbers have not been met.— different colours, these numbers have not been met. there sometimes a tolf have not been met. there sometimes a golf between — have not been met. there sometimes a golf between what _ have not been met. there sometimes a golf between what is _ have not been met. there sometimes a golf between what is talked _ have not been met. there sometimes a golf between what is talked about - have not been met. there sometimes a golf between what is talked about on i golf between what is talked about on the pages of a manifesto and what actually happens in practice. if you look at, for example, section 21, no—fault evictions, it was promised backin no—fault evictions, it was promised back in 2019 it would be but with and it still has not been dealt with, so it puts things in context. i think people look at housing for a number of years have been disappointed by political parties, who go into elections promising some things and usually failing to deliver. section 121 thing in particular, it was the conservative party manifesto in 2019, said were committed to do it, they brought in legislation but could not get it over the line, in part because they run out of time due to the election

been called, but in part as well because there is a huge lobbying effort made by landlords who thought was a bad thing. this section 21 is particularly egregious for homelessness campaigners because it means people can be moved out of what they consider to be the family home by the landlords for what the tenant believes to be no good reason other than the landlord has decided that they want their property back, that they want their property back, that they want their property back, that the tenant may have been in there for a number of years, paying their rent perfectly well, and they consider it from the homes, that's why the conservatives and labour in particular said they would get rid of it if they win the next election. make brandon, thank you. will be back to housing shortly, breaking news, the bbc and relieve —— reveal that a police officer working as part of the prime minister is close protection team has been suspended and later arrested about bets regarding the timing of the general election. let's meet to chris mason. what can you tell us? i election. let's meet to chris mason. what can you tell us?— what can you tell us? i heard from the metropolitan _

what can you tell us? i heard from the metropolitan police _ what can you tell us? i heard from the metropolitan police what - what can you tell us? i heard from the metropolitan police what you i what can you tell us? i heard from i the metropolitan police what you are reporting there, and they were tenderness that they were contacted by the gambling commission last friday, who informed them that they were investigating alleged bets made from a constable by the security service allocated to close protection around the prime minister. the prime minister and another handful of senior officials have around the clock police protection, so there with the police —— prime minister when they're on the move and will hear things about what a prime minister is planning, so the gambling commission informed the metropolitan police that they were looking into these alleged bets involving one of their order —— officers. the metropolitan police telling me in the last few minutes that the matter was immediately referred to officers in the metro patrol in police direction of professional standards, they open an investigation, the officer was

removed from operational duties, in other words, to put it in other language, orsuspended, other words, to put it in other language, or suspended, and the officer was then arrested on monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, was taken into custody and bailed pending further inquiries. the matter has also been referred to the independent office for police conduct. the gambling commission is leading the investigation, the metropolitan police tell us, but its investigation, the police investigation, the police investigation is running in parallel to that. so the news we can bring you is that an officer very close to the prime minister charged with, part of a 2417 ensuring that prime ministers safety, and being investigated over bets, bets plural, over the general election. clearly there is at least a concern and suspicion that the officer may have known more than was in the public domain at the time, hence the

investigation by the gambling commission and by the metropolitan police. if all of this as a splash of deja vu in your mind, as you think of all the beer —— various bits of election noise wash in the last few weeks, you might remember the story we brought you last week, originally broken by the guardian and my colleaguejoe pike catching up and my colleaguejoe pike catching up with craig williams, an aide to the prime minister who also acknowledged that he described a huge error ofjudgment, having huge error of judgment, having himself huge error ofjudgment, having himself put a bet on the timing of the general election. the context of course, is that plenty of people at westminster, me included, were assuming the election would be in the autumn, it was surprised to plenty of us it was injuly, but obviously there are a handful of folks who might have known about it, hence you get these kind of investigations. so we went to see where the metropolitan police and gambling commission say in this instance, but right now it police

officer suspended and under investigation.— officer suspended and under investigation. officer suspended and under investitation. . ~' , ., , ., investigation. thank you, chris for brin . int investigation. thank you, chris for bringing us _ investigation. thank you, chris for bringing us up-to-date _ investigation. thank you, chris for bringing us up-to-date without i bringing us up—to—date without breaking news, chris mason. let's resume our discussions on housing issues. joining me now to discuss the main housing issues ahead of the election, are charlie drew, head of policy, at shelter and chris bailey, national campaigns manager, for action on empty homes rita kholi, is managing director, at the mortgage stop and tom darling, campaign manager, for the renters reform coalition. thank you all forjoining us on bbc news this afternoon, i feel with the four of you we have a few branches of the housing ecosystem here today. let's begin with you, tom, from the renters reform coalition, a few minutes ago we were talking about that issue of section 21, i think everyone will be more familiar with the term no—fault evictions, so there was a promised back in 2019, there was a promised back in 2019, the first time it politician promise

that a ban on no—fault evictions would happen. so, as we head into the general election, do you have confidence that in the next parliament, whoever�*s in charge, that it would happen then? you parliament, whoever's in charge, that it would happen then? you are ritht to that it would happen then? you are right to say — that it would happen then? you are right to say it _ that it would happen then? you are right to say it was _ that it would happen then? you are right to say it was a _ that it would happen then? you are right to say it was a huge _ right to say it was a huge disappointment that it not yet delivered in the previous parliament. 100,000 people have been —— households, have been made on this as a direct result of section 21 since that promise was made into those 19. it is great to see that the major parties are still committed to the issue. we will be hoping that in the next parliament, not only with section 21 be abolished, but the temporary banter no—fault evictions would be done as well. so unaffordable rent increases still being done for no—fault evictions. we hope that section 21 goes and goes for good but that the system that replaces it delivers the

fundamental rebalancing for the tenants. . ., ., ., tenants. charlie, to what extent are no-fault fictions _ tenants. charlie, to what extent are no-fault fictions contributing - tenants. charlie, to what extent are no-fault fictions contributing to - no—fault fictions contributing to the promising national promise —— the promising national promise —— the problems of homelessness? section 21 no—fault evictions are one of— section 21 no—fault evictions are one of the — section 21 no—fault evictions are one of the leading problems of homelessness. we have to reckon as we have _ homelessness. we have to reckon as we have runaway rents, rising evictions. _ we have runaway rents, rising evictions, and record numbers of homelessness destroying peoples lives every single day, and so it is really— lives every single day, and so it is really important that those political parties, every single one of them. — political parties, every single one of them, commit to abolishing those unfair— of them, commit to abolishing those unfair section 21 no—fault evictions in every— unfair section 21 no—fault evictions in every single form, and we don't want _ in every single form, and we don't want any— in every single form, and we don't want any back door evictions, we want _ want any back door evictions, we want to— want any back door evictions, we want to make sure the renters have security— want to make sure the renters have security and — want to make sure the renters have security and say forms. equally, one critical— security and say forms. equally, one critical thing — security and say forms. equally, one critical thing that needs to be done is genuinely affordable social renting — is genuinely affordable social renting homes because we have lost so many— renting homes because we have lost so many of— renting homes because we have lost so many of those homes over the last couple _ so many of those homes over the last couple years — so many of those homes over the last couple years because the effect of them. _ couple years because the effect of them. and — couple years because the effect of them, and does need to be built that

are genuinely affordable because there _ are genuinely affordable because there are — are genuinely affordable because there are tied to income. we are in there are tied to income. we are in the situation — there are tied to income. we are in the situation with the record levels of homelessness, thousands of children— of homelessness, thousands of children homelessness, we need whichever— children homelessness, we need whichever government to comes in to immediately find those no—fault evictions. — immediately find those no—fault evictions, and to make sure that it commitment to social renting homes with rent— commitment to social renting homes with rent for those with low income to have _ with rent for those with low income to have a _ with rent for those with low income to have a decent place for home. chris. _ to have a decent place for home. chris. how— to have a decent place for home. chris, how many homes are empty around the country, first of all? officially speaking it's around the country, first of all? officially speaking it'51 million officially speaking it'si million homes — officially speaking it'si million homes that— officially speaking it'si million homes that are _ officially speaking it'si million homes that are empty, - officially speaking it'si million homes that are empty, or - officially speaking it'si million homes that are empty, or outi officially speaking it'si million i homes that are empty, or out of officially speaking it'si million - homes that are empty, or out of use, though— homes that are empty, or out of use, though the _ homes that are empty, or out of use, though the official— homes that are empty, or out of use, though the official amount _ homes that are empty, or out of use, though the official amount is - homes that are empty, or out of use, though the official amount is 1 - though the official amount isi million. — though the official amount isi million. approximately- though the official amount isi million. approximately some i though the official amount is ii million. approximately some of though the official amount is 1 - million. approximately some of our long-term — million. approximately some of our long-term empty. _ million. approximately some of our long—term empty, that's— million. approximately some of our long—term empty, that'sjust - million. approximately some of our long—term empty, that's just the i million. approximately some of our| long—term empty, that'sjust the tip of the _ long—term empty, that'sjust the tip of the iceberg. — long—term empty, that'sjust the tip of the iceberg, because _ long—term empty, that'sjust the tip of the iceberg, because there - long—term empty, that'sjust the tip of the iceberg, because there otherl of the iceberg, because there other categories — of the iceberg, because there other categories of — of the iceberg, because there other categories of emptiness, _ of the iceberg, because there other categories of emptiness, about - of the iceberg, because there other categories of emptiness, about one quarter— categories of emptiness, about one quarter of— categories of emptiness, about one quarter of a — categories of emptiness, about one quarter ofa man— categories of emptiness, about one quarter of a man that _ categories of emptiness, about one quarter of a man that our— quarter of a man that our concert tactics _

quarter of a man that our concert tactics in — quarter of a man that our concert tactics in them _ quarter of a man that our concert tactics in them empty, _ quarter of a man that our concert tactics in them empty, some - quarter of a man that our concertj tactics in them empty, some that quarter of a man that our concert - tactics in them empty, some that are naturally— tactics in them empty, some that are naturally occurring _ tactics in them empty, some that are naturally occurring empty, _ tactics in them empty, some that are naturally occurring empty, so - tactics in them empty, some that are naturally occurring empty, so there i naturally occurring empty, so there are lots _ naturally occurring empty, so there are lots of— naturally occurring empty, so there are lots of homes _ naturally occurring empty, so there are lots of homes that _ naturally occurring empty, so there are lots of homes that can - naturally occurring empty, so there are lots of homes that can be - are lots of homes that can be brought— are lots of homes that can be brought back— are lots of homes that can be brought back into _ are lots of homes that can be brought back into use - are lots of homes that can be| brought back into use quickly. are lots of homes that can be - brought back into use quickly. sorry to interrupt. — brought back into use quickly. sorry to interrupt. l— brought back into use quickly. sorry to interrupt, i am _ brought back into use quickly. sorry to interrupt, i am trying _ brought back into use quickly. sorry to interrupt, i am trying to - to interrupt, i am trying to understand to what extent these empty proctors these could help with the homelessness problem or could perhaps take pressure off the rental sector? i understand they may not be in places where people are looking for homes, but could you give us more idea on that?— for homes, but could you give us more idea on that? they have been ttoin u- more idea on that? they have been going up everywhere. _ more idea on that? they have been going up everywhere, and - more idea on that? they have been going up everywhere, and they - more idea on that? they have been | going up everywhere, and they been rising _ going up everywhere, and they been rising fastest — going up everywhere, and they been rising fastest in _ going up everywhere, and they been rising fastest in places _ going up everywhere, and they been rising fastest in places like - going up everywhere, and they been rising fastest in places like london i rising fastest in places like london in the _ rising fastest in places like london in the southeast, _ rising fastest in places like london in the southeast, london - rising fastest in places like london in the southeast, london is - rising fastest in places like london in the southeast, london is the . rising fastest in places like london. in the southeast, london is the only region— in the southeast, london is the only region where — in the southeast, london is the only region where it's _ in the southeast, london is the only region where it's up _ in the southeast, london is the only region where it's up in _ in the southeast, london is the only region where it's up in every singlel region where it's up in every single year in _ region where it's up in every single year in the — region where it's up in every single year in the last— region where it's up in every single year in the last decade. _ region where it's up in every single year in the last decade. that- region where it's up in every single year in the last decade. that is- year in the last decade. that is striking. — year in the last decade. that is striking. and— year in the last decade. that is striking, and also— year in the last decade. that is striking, and also striking - year in the last decade. that is striking, and also striking that| striking, and also striking that long-term _ striking, and also striking that long—term emptiness - striking, and also striking that long—term emptiness has - striking, and also striking that| long—term emptiness has gone striking, and also striking that - long—term emptiness has gone up by 30% in— long—term emptiness has gone up by 30% in the _ long—term emptiness has gone up by 30% in the last — long—term emptiness has gone up by 30% in the last eight _ long—term emptiness has gone up by 30% in the last eight years, - long—term emptiness has gone up by 30% in the last eight years, during i 30% in the last eight years, during a period _ 30% in the last eight years, during a period of— 30% in the last eight years, during a period of the _ 30% in the last eight years, during a period of the housing _ 30% in the last eight years, during a period of the housing crisis - 30% in the last eight years, during a period of the housing crisis has i a period of the housing crisis has intensified. — a period of the housing crisis has intensified, and _ a period of the housing crisis has intensified, and that _ a period of the housing crisis has intensified, and that the - a period of the housing crisis has intensified, and that the very - intensified, and that the very least. — intensified, and that the very least. we _ intensified, and that the very least, we must _ intensified, and that the very least, we must look- intensified, and that the very least, we must look at - intensified, and that the very least, we must look at that i intensified, and that the very i least, we must look at that and intensified, and that the very - least, we must look at that and see, we are _ least, we must look at that and see, we are supposedly— least, we must look at that and see, we are supposedly short _

least, we must look at that and see, we are supposedly short of housing, | we are supposedly short of housing, and we _ we are supposedly short of housing, and we have — we are supposedly short of housing, and we have increasing _ we are supposedly short of housing, and we have increasing amounts - we are supposedly short of housing, and we have increasing amounts of. and we have increasing amounts of housing _ and we have increasing amounts of housing out — and we have increasing amounts of housing out of— and we have increasing amounts of housing out of use _ and we have increasing amounts of housing out of use on _ and we have increasing amounts of housing out of use on a _ and we have increasing amounts of housing out of use on a long—terml housing out of use on a long—term basis. _ housing out of use on a long—term basis. so— housing out of use on a long—term basis. so there _ housing out of use on a long—term basis. so there is _ housing out of use on a long—term basis. so there is housing - housing out of use on a long—term basis. so there is housing that - basis. so there is housing that could — basis. so there is housing that could be — basis. so there is housing that could be brought _ basis. so there is housing that could be brought into- basis. so there is housing that could be brought into use, - basis. so there is housing that could be brought into use, we| basis. so there is housing that - could be brought into use, we need the right— could be brought into use, we need the right places _ could be brought into use, we need the right places to _ could be brought into use, we need the right places to do _ could be brought into use, we need the right places to do that. - could be brought into use, we need the right places to do that. it - the right places to do that. it could — the right places to do that. it could definitely— the right places to do that. it could definitely help, - the right places to do that. it could definitely help, is - the right places to do that. it could definitely help, is not i the right places to do that. it i could definitely help, is not the answer— could definitely help, is not the answer on _ could definitely help, is not the answer on its _ could definitely help, is not the answer on its own, _ could definitely help, is not the answer on its own, we - could definitely help, is not the answer on its own, we need - could definitely help, is not the answer on its own, we need toi could definitely help, is not the - answer on its own, we need to start building _ answer on its own, we need to start building the — answer on its own, we need to start building the wrong _ answer on its own, we need to start building the wrong housing, - answer on its own, we need to start building the wrong housing, isn't i building the wrong housing, isn't no point _ building the wrong housing, isn't no point been — building the wrong housing, isn't no point been in — building the wrong housing, isn't no point been in five _ building the wrong housing, isn't no point been in five minutes— building the wrong housing, isn't no point been in five minutes homes. building the wrong housing, isn't no point been in five minutes homes if| point been in five minutes homes if people _ point been in five minutes homes if people can't— point been in five minutes homes if people can't afford _ point been in five minutes homes if people can't afford them, - point been in five minutes homes if people can't afford them, you - point been in five minutes homes ifj people can't afford them, you don't house _ people can't afford them, you don't house low— people can't afford them, you don't house low income _ people can't afford them, you don't house low income people _ people can't afford them, you don't house low income people in - people can't afford them, you don't house low income people in certain| house low income people in certain areas. _ house low income people in certain areas. you — house low income people in certain areas. you have _ house low income people in certain areas. you have to— house low income people in certain areas, you have to build _ house low income people in certain areas, you have to build a - house low income people in certain areas, you have to build a house i house low income people in certain. areas, you have to build a house and that they— areas, you have to build a house and that they actually _ areas, you have to build a house and that they actually need, _ areas, you have to build a house and that they actually need, and - areas, you have to build a house and that they actually need, and that - areas, you have to build a house and that they actually need, and that is l that they actually need, and that is genuinely— that they actually need, and that is genuinely affordable _ that they actually need, and that is genuinely affordable social- that they actually need, and that is| genuinely affordable social housing, as people _ genuinely affordable social housing, as people said — genuinely affordable social housing, as people said earlier, _ genuinely affordable social housing, as people said earlier, one - genuinely affordable social housing, as people said earlier, one of- genuinely affordable social housing, as people said earlier, one of the i as people said earlier, one of the major— as people said earlier, one of the major causes _ as people said earlier, one of the major causes of _ as people said earlier, one of the major causes of homelessness i as people said earlier, one of the major causes of homelessness is| major causes of homelessness is people _ major causes of homelessness is pe0ple simply— major causes of homelessness is people simply being _ major causes of homelessness is people simply being addicted - major causes of homelessness is i people simply being addicted from houses _ people simply being addicted from houses that— people simply being addicted from houses that they _ people simply being addicted from houses that they paid _ people simply being addicted from houses that they paid for, - people simply being addicted from houses that they paid for, they're i houses that they paid for, they're pain houses that they paid for, they're paih the _ houses that they paid for, they're pain the rents. _ houses that they paid for, they're pain the rents, and _ houses that they paid for, they're pain the rents, and so _ houses that they paid for, they're pain the rents, and so they're - houses that they paid for, they're i pain the rents, and so they're have to lead _ pain the rents, and so they're have to lead because _ pain the rents, and so they're have to lead because the _ pain the rents, and so they're have to lead because the rent _ pain the rents, and so they're have to lead because the rent is - pain the rents, and so they're have to lead because the rent is going . pain the rents, and so they're havei to lead because the rent is going up and they— to lead because the rent is going up and they can — to lead because the rent is going up and they can afford _ to lead because the rent is going up and they can afford it _ to lead because the rent is going up and they can afford it and _ to lead because the rent is going up and they can afford it and got - and they can afford it and got no optioh~ — and they can afford it and got no optioh~ this— and they can afford it and got no option. this doesn't _ and they can afford it and got no option. this doesn't happen - and they can afford it and got no option. this doesn't happen in l and they can afford it and got no l option. this doesn't happen in any other— option. this doesn't happen in any other country— option. this doesn't happen in any other country in— option. this doesn't happen in any other country in europe _ option. this doesn't happen in any other country in europe or- option. this doesn't happen in any. other country in europe or simulates country. _ other country in europe or simulates country. the — other country in europe or simulates country. the idea _ other country in europe or simulates country, the idea you _ other country in europe or simulates country, the idea you get _ other country in europe or simulates country, the idea you get kicked - other country in europe or simulates country, the idea you get kicked out| country, the idea you get kicked out after six _ country, the idea you get kicked out after six months _ country, the idea you get kicked out after six months of _ country, the idea you get kicked out after six months of home _ country, the idea you get kicked out after six months of home you're - after six months of home you're paying _ after six months of home you're paying for. _ after six months of home you're paying for. would _ after six months of home you're paying for, would be _ after six months of home you're paying for, would be consideredj paying for, would be considered ludicrous — paying for, would be considered ludicrous ih _ paying for, would be considered ludicrous in most _ paying for, would be considered ludicrous in most countries. - paying for, would be considered ludicrous in most countries. i. paying for, would be considered ludicrous in most countries. i guess erha -s in ludicrous in most countries. i guess perhaps in other — ludicrous in most countries. i guess

perhaps in other countries, - ludicrous in most countries. i guess perhaps in other countries, there i ludicrous in most countries. i guess perhaps in other countries, there is| perhaps in other countries, there is more about tradition of renting, perhaps, than here, but lemme bring in rita from the order stop. we talked about homelessness and the pressure on people who are renting, but perhaps worried about that issue of no—fault evictions, we have also talked about the issue of first time buyers, people trying to get, that's what we are about to talk about, people trying to get onto the closing letter in the first place, what would it take to happen in the market? how is the market going to have to move to allow first—time buyers to actually get on that letter? , . u. , buyers to actually get on that letter? , , u, , , buyers to actually get on that letter? , , ,, , letter? typically, first time buyers take much longer _ letter? typically, first time buyers take much longer to _ letter? typically, first time buyers take much longer to see _ letter? typically, first time buyers take much longer to see for- letter? typically, first time buyers take much longer to see for a - take much longer to see for a deposit because of the amount of rent there having to pay along with potential student loans therapy note and any other costs they have as well. so it is taking on average much longer to see for a deposit, so they need the help of their family,

or potentially getting a gift if they have the luxury of that number or even have any parents added onto their mortgage to try to restructure a way that they can make it affordable for them to buy. the issueis affordable for them to buy. the issue is the housing prices are still too high, rent is too high, affordable has tightened up with banks, and there's not enough supply. 50 all of the issues you just touch on their need to be looked at by the government, or some sort of scheme needs to happen again, such as when we had the help to buy scheme, which proved popular, and encouraged buyers to save and get the bonus schemes stop we also need more starter homes, whatever that looks like, it needs to be two—bedroom homes where first—time buyers can start on the property letter, and get the property market moving, which is stagnant as well.

back to you, charlie, when you talk about social homes and affordable homes, just explain it for our viewers what that actually looks like. what is the definition of an affordable home?— affordable home? what we are startin: affordable home? what we are starting to _ affordable home? what we are starting to see _ affordable home? what we are starting to see is _ affordable home? what we are starting to see is a _ affordable home? what we are starting to see is a focus - affordable home? what we are starting to see is a focus on . starting to see is a focus on affordable homes rather than social rented _ affordable homes rather than social rented homes, which is the only one that is— rented homes, which is the only one that is genuinely affordable, a social— that is genuinely affordable, a social rented home is where the rent is tight— social rented home is where the rent is tight and _ social rented home is where the rent is tight and for though income, trasically— is tight and for though income, basically it is set up on what local income _ basically it is set up on what local income is — basically it is set up on what local income is in — basically it is set up on what local income is in that area, where is affordable — income is in that area, where is affordable homes are two types, you .et affordable homes are two types, you get affordable rent which is tied to market— get affordable rent which is tied to market rent, 80% of market rent, market _ market rent, 80% of market rent, market rent — market rent, 80% of market rent, market rent is arbitrary and the art at the _ market rent is arbitrary and the art at the highest level since records began. _ at the highest level since records began. so — at the highest level since records began, so a terrible situation situation _ began, so a terrible situation situation with those affordable rented — situation with those affordable rented homes because they are not genuinely— rented homes because they are not genuinely affordable for people, and any of— genuinely affordable for people, and any of the _ genuinely affordable for people, and any of the homeownership products they are _ any of the homeownership products they are not genuinely affordable

for people. half of renters have no savings _ for people. half of renters have no savings whatsoever, have record high rents. _ savings whatsoever, have record high rents. so— savings whatsoever, have record high rents, so what we really need to see, _ rents, so what we really need to see, and — rents, so what we really need to see, and i— rents, so what we really need to see, and i said earlier, huge numbers— see, and i said earlier, huge numbers of homelessness, there are millions— numbers of homelessness, there are millions of— numbers of homelessness, there are millions of houses on the way to this, _ millions of houses on the way to this, hundred thousands of homeless children— this, hundred thousands of homeless children in— this, hundred thousands of homeless children in the country, no party can them — children in the country, no party can them consider themselves ready to leave _ can them consider themselves ready to leave the country until they are willing _ to leave the country until they are willing to — to leave the country until they are willing to tackle that housing emergency right on, and are willing to and _ emergency right on, and are willing to and homelessness with the social rented _ to and homelessness with the social rented homes, and we know we need at least tighten _ rented homes, and we know we need at least tighten up those social rented homes _ least tighten up those social rented homes and the stability it brings to the 70s _ homes and the stability it brings to the 70s. . ., homes and the stability it brings to the 70s. , ., . ., . the 70s. useful to hear from charlie there, the distinction _ the 70s. useful to hear from charlie there, the distinction between - there, the distinction between social rent and affordable homes, and the rents you might be in pay, in terms of what you did with, i know you represent a whole number of hoops that look after private renters, how many of them are dreaming of making the step from

renting to owning a home but they cannot because they are paying the rent? or how many actually want to continue rented, butjust want more security around the rental process, the long—term process. i security around the rental process, the long-term process.— security around the rental process, the long-term process. i would say it's a mixture. _ the long-term process. i would say it's a mixture, but _ the long-term process. i would say it's a mixture, but i _ the long-term process. i would say it's a mixture, but i think— the long-term process. i would say it's a mixture, but i think that - it's a mixture, but i think that part of the problem that is come up in the succession with the idea of the housing that are, and people getting onto the housing letter, it's are shunted earlier regarding some of those other european countries, they have a much more stable and secure environment for private renting. if we had that in this country, we wouldn't be as obsessed with people getting on the housing letter if they had security and affordability and quality. what and affordability and quality. what is the key difference? _ and affordability and quality. what is the key difference? between here in those countries? thea;r is the key difference? between here in those countries?— in those countries? they have very different regulations _ in those countries? they have very different regulations when - in those countries? they have very different regulations when it - in those countries? they have very| different regulations when it comes a private rental sector, so they have a much more regulated private rented sector. section 21, witchel has been such an, and introduced by

a conservative government from 1979 onwards, was made the uk private rented urging one of the most lax in the world, and encouraged mass of landlords at the expense of the right of private renters. and landlords at the expense of the right of private renters. and we're almost out _ right of private renters. and we're almost out of _ right of private renters. and we're almost out of time, _ right of private renters. and we're almost out of time, i _ right of private renters. and we're almost out of time, i am - right of private renters. and we're almost out of time, i am sorry, i almost out of time, i am sorry, we're squeezer time right now, but chris, from action on him to homes, you touch on this earlier, he said the practice of building homes that aren't homes is puzzling, and we have looked at that a bit today in corn oil and milk is not being able to afford it because you have second homes that perhaps light mt for large portions of the year. how does the whole housing market get recalibrated? it's a tough question, isn't it? this recalibrated? it's a tough question, isn't it? �* . recalibrated? it's a tough question, isn't it? w recalibrated? it's a tough question, isn't it? . , . ., isn't it? as i said, you have to build the _ isn't it? as i said, you have to build the housing _ isn't it? as i said, you have to build the housing most - isn't it? as i said, you have to l build the housing most needed, the most _ build the housing most needed, the most urgently— build the housing most needed, the most urgently needed _ build the housing most needed, the most urgently needed is _ build the housing most needed, the most urgently needed is social - build the housing most needed, the| most urgently needed is social rent, which _

most urgently needed is social rent, which also _ most urgently needed is social rent, which also has — most urgently needed is social rent, which also has the _ most urgently needed is social rent, which also has the advantage - most urgently needed is social rent, which also has the advantage of- which also has the advantage of competing _ which also has the advantage of competing with _ which also has the advantage of competing with the _ which also has the advantage of competing with the escalating l competing with the escalating private — competing with the escalating private rents~ _ competing with the escalating private rents. if— competing with the escalating private rents. if more - competing with the escalating i private rents. if more availability of what — private rents. if more availability of what is — private rents. if more availability of what is actually _ private rents. if more availability of what is actually more - private rents. if more availability of what is actually more secure i of what is actually more secure rent—controlled _ of what is actually more secure rent—controlled housing, - of what is actually more secure rent—controlled housing, social rented, — rent—controlled housing, social rented, it — rent—controlled housing, social rented, it would _ rent—controlled housing, social rented, it would suppress - rent—controlled housing, social rented, it would suppress the i rented, it would suppress the escalation— rented, it would suppress the escalation in— rented, it would suppress the escalation in private - rented, it would suppress the escalation in private rented . rented, it would suppress the i escalation in private rented and suppressed _ escalation in private rented and suppressed house _ escalation in private rented and suppressed house prices. - escalation in private rented andl suppressed house prices. things escalation in private rented and - suppressed house prices. things like help to _ suppressed house prices. things like help to truy. — suppressed house prices. things like help to buy. which— suppressed house prices. things like help to buy, which could _ suppressed house prices. things like help to buy, which could make - suppressed house prices. things like help to buy, which could make it - help to buy, which could make it easier— help to buy, which could make it easier for— help to buy, which could make it easier for a _ help to buy, which could make it easier for a limited _ help to buy, which could make it easier for a limited section- help to buy, which could make it easier for a limited section of. easier for a limited section of society— easier for a limited section of society to _ easier for a limited section of society to truy— easier for a limited section of society to buy and _ easier for a limited section of society to buy and increase . easier for a limited section of- society to buy and increase house prices, _ society to buy and increase house prices, but — society to buy and increase house prices, but again— society to buy and increase house prices, but again we _ society to buy and increase house prices, but again we need - society to buy and increase house . prices, but again we need something that would _ prices, but again we need something that would stabilise _ prices, but again we need something that would stabilise the _ prices, but again we need something that would stabilise the market, - that would stabilise the market, it's that would stabilise the market, its about — that would stabilise the market, it's about security— that would stabilise the market, it's about security for— that would stabilise the market, it's about security for tenants, l that would stabilise the market, l it's about security for tenants, but also about — it's about security for tenants, but also about looking _ it's about security for tenants, but also about looking at _ it's about security for tenants, but also about looking at the - it's about security for tenants, but also about looking at the house i it's about security for tenants, butj also about looking at the house by market _ also about looking at the house by market the — also about looking at the house by market. the house _ also about looking at the house by market. the house by— also about looking at the house by market. the house by market - also about looking at the house by market. the house by market is l also about looking at the house by. market. the house by market is only about— market. the house by market is only about 20% _ market. the house by market is only about 20% of— market. the house by market is only about 20% of society. _ market. the house by market is only about 20% of society. we _ market. the house by market is only about 20% of society.— about 20% of society. we are out of time, about 20% of society. we are out of time. thank — about 20% of society. we are out of time. thank you _ about 20% of society. we are out of time, thank you all— about 20% of society. we are out of time, thank you all of _ about 20% of society. we are out of time, thank you all of you _ about 20% of society. we are out of time, thank you all of you very - about 20% of society. we are out of| time, thank you all of you very much indeed, charlie drew, chris bailey national campaigns many of —— manager, which according from the mortgage stop and tom darling from the renters reform association, inc. you for talking to me today. that's one of the big issues of the

election, housing and rentals, so keep up—to—date with all the election news on bbc sounds, had to the app now under for the latest new section. and right now, time for a look at the weather. hello. thanks forjoining me. it's been a fine day for most of us, feeling a little warmer, too. those temperatures have been rising in the last few days. the weather settling down, a clear evening on the way. skies a little hazy in places. in fact, if we look at the satellite picture from earlier on, you can see also a weather front very close to our neighbourhood here. and that may keep things cloudy and damp, at least for a time this evening and overnight in the northwest of the uk, but the evening, not particularly cold. eight o'clock, we will have had temperatures around 15 in the lowlands of scotland, 18 or 19 in the south. and also what's particularly high are the pollen levels across england, wales, northern ireland, too — not quite so high further north in scotland. so, the forecast, then — for the nights, generally clear across most of england,

wales, much of northern ireland, too, but then later on in the night, western and southwestern scotland and the north of northern ireland could be damp. not particularly cold, although outside of town centres temperatures could dip to single figures. the forecast for tomorrow, then, lots of sunshine right from the word go, but then i think the clouds will bubble up, in places, the skies will also be hazy and maybe cloudy at times here in the northwest. again, a few spits and spots of rain possible with the weather fronts close by. but every bit as warm, temperatures in the low 20s in the south — pushing 20 degrees in the northeast of england as well. now, the forecast into friday, then. now, admittedly, a bit of a blip on the way. this weather front approaches from the atlantic, and that does spell thick cloud and the possibility of some rain across ireland, eventually around the irish sea into western and northern scotland. but the further east you are and the further south, the brighter, if not sunnier, the weather will be on friday. and these are southerly winds, so these temperatures could creep up a little further — 23 in london and into the low 20s

expected across northern england. a little bit cooler out towards the west here, remember, where we have that weather front. the weather front will fall apart, and then, as we head through the course of the weekend, high pressure will start building across the uk. light winds, generally bright if not sunny weather. so, here's the outlook for the weekend and into next week when that real warming trend will begin. we could even see temperatures approaching the high 20s. it's been on the cool side recently. now, it could turn a little too warm for some. bye— bye.

it's 6pm in london. this is bbc news. a police officer working as part of the prime is the stor �*s team this is was

the rate has fallen for 2%. this in pb it launches its manifesto. the jury is discharged in the trial of constance marten and mark gordon —— after being unable to reach verdicts. and scotland fans gear up for tonight's clash will come to the programme.