rate has fallen for 296. this in ie rate has fallen for 296. this in pb it - rate has fallen for 296. this in pe it launches _ - rate has fallen for 296. this in pe it launches its _ - rate has fallen for 296. this in pe 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.

we start with some breaking news. the bbc has learned that a police officer working as part they were telling us they were contacted by the gambling, and these are these officers that are allocated in this and don't like incense. —— in this is it. obviously, they will hear things about what a prime minister is played inc. . they were looking into these alleged bets around one of their officers. the metro police telling me that they matter was immediately referred

to officers in the directorate of professional standards. they open investigation. to put it in another language, while suspended, the officer was arrested on monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. he was taken into custody and vales further. the gambling commission is leading the investigation. the investigation by the police is running in parallel to the. news that we can bring you the an officer very close to the prime minister charge with over bets on the timing of the general election.

clearly, a concern, a suspicion that they may have known more than the public domain. if all of this has a splash of deja vu in your mind as you think of all of the various bits of election noise and hullabaloo, you might remember the story that we brought you last week broken by the guardian. you also acknowledge that he acknowledged a huge error of judgment. the context is that plenty of people at westminster — me included — work assuming it was going to be in the autumn. there were a handful of folks who might

known about it. we wait to see what the police and the gambling commission have said in this instance. a police officer right now suspended and under investigation. inflation has hit the bank of england's target for the first time in almost three years. prices rose at 2% in the year to may, 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'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's reallyl 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 iii 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... 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 but that doesn't mean that prices are coming down, it doesn't mean that mortgages are coming down. and if there's one thing that has been picked up on this campaign trail overand again, it's people being fed up with the government sort of saying, "you need to thank us now, we're turning a page, everything is fine." we need labour to- address the economy... what's that? a reminder some people want labour to be bolder with its spending plans — something they're 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. which is of the conservatives' own making. it's cold, cold comfort to those families who have suffered two years it's cold, cold comfort to those families who've 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's not clear is whether it's enough to turn things around for them. let's speak to laura suter, who's head of personal finance at the investment company a] bell thank you for coming. thanks for havin: thank you for coming. thanks for having me _ thank you for coming. thanks for having me step — talk us through the. it means the rice talk us through the. it means the price rises — talk us through the. it means the price rises aren't _ talk us through the. it means the price rises aren't as _ talk us through the. it means the price rises aren't as high - talk us through the. it means the price rises aren't as high as - talk us through the. it means the price rises aren't as high as they. price rises aren't as high as they were when they were at that peak of about ii%. it does still mean that prices are rising. inflation falling doesn't mean prices falling, it means they're rising by more moderate amount. hitting back at this 2% target is a great achievement for the bank of england, they will say. the conservatives will also say that's part of the

work they've been doing on economic policy to get it back to this 2% target. but we're not expecting it to stay at this level now and continue at 2% for the foreseeable. bank of england is expecting it to rise a bit before the end of the year before falling back down again. while bleep not expecting to go back to ii%, just because it's hit 2%, doesn't mean it will rigidly stay at that rate. ~ ., ., , ., ., ., rate. what does that mean for interest rates? _ rate. what does that mean for interest rates? there - rate. what does that mean for interest rates? there was - rate. what does that mean for interest rates? there was a i rate. what does that mean for| interest rates? there was a lot of ho -e that interest rates? there was a lot of hepe that the _ interest rates? there was a lot of hope that the full _ interest rates? there was a lot of hope that the full 296 _ interest rates? there was a lot of hope that the full 296 might - interest rates? there was a lot ofj hope that the full 296 might spare hope that the full 2% might spare the bank of england. we know they're meeting tomorrow and it's very unlikely that they would cut rates this soon, but also during this general election cycle. during this period, the bank said it won't come out and make a statement. if it was cutting interest rates, it wouldn't be able to explain why it was doing that because it has this kind of ban

on talking of rates. that was the decision out to august because expectations are that we might see an interest rate cut in august or september. it's not a case ofjob done, inflation back down. we're still expecting that to be a few months. fix. still expecting that to be a few months. �* ., , ., , months. a few months out, but if that does happen, _ months. a few months out, but if that does happen, does - months. a few months out, but if that does happen, does that - months. a few months out, but if that does happen, does that then mean things like mortgage rates start coming down?— mean things like mortgage rates start coming down? yeah, so once the bank of england _ start coming down? yeah, so once the bank of england makes _ start coming down? yeah, so once the bank of england makes that _ start coming down? yeah, so once the bank of england makes that move, - bank of england makes that move, what we would expect to see rates falling. also tracker mortgages, they would start to fall. the is is savings rates would fall as well. we've seen a bit of a fall in the saving rates already. it's a good reminder for saving rates already. it's a good reminderfor anyone saving rates already. it's a good reminder for anyone who has savings

and has not fixed in her locked in a new interest rate. it's a good time to do it before rates are cut. laura, thank you very much. elsewhere today, the snp launched their general 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. 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.

thanks to katie for that. 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 doesn't take up it seats. 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 there is a growing and unstoppable conversation taking place right - now about the future - and constitutional change. the good friday agreement provides a peaceful and democratic path- to a referendum to achieve

a new ireland within- the european union. planning and preparation must start, and i and the irish government - should lead those preparations by immediately establishing i a citizens assembly so that people can have their say. | we need a process that facilitates generous - engagement with all of those from all of our communities i on this island. —— must start now. we must work to build - a new ireland that is reflective and representative of everyone i who calls our island home and has a strong public health system, i a vibrant and dynamic economy, and good public services and, | of course, affordable housing. rejoining the european union. as a result of unity would hugely benefit the all ireland economy, and the irish and british - governments must set a date - for the referendum on irish unity. for now is the time i to plan for the future. sinn fein is committed to an inclusive and diverse society

based on equal rights and equal opportunities for all citizens. we want to create a safe and welcoming and inclusive society for all. we want a society that values and celebrates the diversity of our identities religious or non sexual orientation, gender, of our identities religious or non—sexual orientation, gender, of our identities religious or non, sexual orientation, gender, disability, age or ethnic origin. the scourge of violence against women and girls must be addressed. and an end in violence against women and girls strategy must be delivered. we want women to be able to access a safe and legal health service they are entitled to. we want to see parity of a statement for irish culture and language as provided for in the good friday agreement. we vigorously oppose the provisions outlined and the british government's legacy act. it's time to address the legacy of the past by implementing the mechanisms agreed at stormont house and a human rights compliant manner. sinn fein will also continue to advocate for victims and survivors of institutional abuse

to protect their right to truth, justice and redress that they have been denied for too long. across ireland, sinn fein strong all ireland team is standing up for workers and families and being their voice where it counts. and the assembly, the executive, the dole and the european in the assembly, the executive, the dow and the european parliament and council, chambers and communities the length and breadth of our island. our representatives are working for all to deliver positive change. people want decisions about their lives to be made here at home by locally elected representatives and ministers. sinn fein's influence has been central to the incredible transformation that is taking place here in the north of ireland. we have shielded ireland from the worst impacts of brexit on the tory's reckless austerity agenda. we have engaged directly with the british government, the united states and the european union to protect the rights of citizens here.

—— the tories'. our ireland correspondent chris page was at sinn fein's manifesto launch. i think sinn fein has really stuck to the policy positions that the party thinks has served it very well in elections here in northern ireland over the last few years. in 2022, it became the largest party in the devolved assembly. the party's vice president, michelle o'neill, has now become northern ireland's first ever nationalist first minister. also, last year, sinn fein became the largest party in local councils here. so, neither sinn fein is defending seven of northern ireland's 18 westminster seats. the manifesto that has been published this afternoon is concise — nine pages long, no huge departures from anything the party has been saying before. it wants more powers transferred from westminster to belfast, for example. it wants the devolved administration at stormont to be able to make

to belfast — for example, it wants the devolved administration at stormont to be able to make decisions over progressive taxation and the level of the national minimum wage. it wants the british and irish governments to set a date for a referendum on irish unity. that is sinn fein's ultimate aim. worth saying that both labour and the conservatives have said that such a referendum isn't on the agenda at all. at the moment, though, sinn fein making clear that it's going to continue pushing for that and also a statement about the the financial state of affairs in the devolved administration. sinn fein has said that public services here are underfunded and that reform isn't possible unless northern ireland gets more money from the exchequer in london. head to the app now, and look for the latest news section. 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. this was 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, 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. well, the trial began on january the 25th, and it was originally scheduled to end in march. but 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, we were down to ten. eventually, the jury were sent out on the 30th of april to consider their verdicts, but they've sat fairly sporadically since then. and after considering for 72 hours and 33 minutes, but spread over several weeks, they sent a note to the judge saying 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 and the judge said that they were discharged from the case and that they no longer needed to be involved in the case. and it'll now be for the prosecution to decide whether they want to go for a retrial, and that's going to be the next decision in this case, which will probably be made next week. thanks to daniel for that.

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. captain andy robertson says they need to get a better result in cologne this evening. live now to a fan zone in glasgow — and our correspondent catriona renton. i hope you can hear me. excitement building here as we wait for kick—off at eight o'clock tonight. hundreds of people have been gathering for the pre—match party. i'm joined by some big fans here this evening. first of all, ryan, this evening. first of all, ryan, this is quite a night. you've dusted yourself up down and you're going to have fun tonight, right?— have fun tonight, right? that's the oint have fun tonight, right? that's the point s0- -- — have fun tonight, right? that's the point so... pass _ have fun tonight, right? that's the point so... pass yourself— have fun tonight, right? that's the point so... pass yourself off. - have fun tonight, right? that's the point so... pass yourself off. win | point so... pass yourself off. win toniaht?

point so... pass yourself off. win tonight? at _ point so... pass yourself off. win tonight? at least _ point so... pass yourself off. win tonight? at least a _ point so... pass yourself off. win tonight? at least a draw. - point so. .. pass yourself off. win tonight? at least a draw. i'll- tonight? at least a draw. i'll take an hina. tonight? at least a draw. i'll take anything- i— tonight? at least a draw. i'll take anything. i would _ tonight? at least a draw. i'll take anything. i would be _ tonight? at least a draw. i'll take anything. i would be happy- tonight? at least a draw. i'lltake| anything. i would be happy with a draw _ anything. i would be happy with a draw |_ anything. i would be happy with a draw. ., , anything. i would be happy with a draw. . , .. .., anything. i would be happy with a draw. . , . draw. i hear the be tactical. when germany scored. _ draw. i hear the be tactical. when germany scored. why _ draw. i hear the be tactical. when germany scored. why was - draw. i hear the be tactical. when germany scored. why was that? l draw. i hear the be tactical. when germany scored. why was that? i | draw. i hear the be tactical. when - germany scored. why was that? i can barely even — germany scored. why was that? i can barely even hear— germany scored. why was that? i can barely even hear you! _ germany scored. why was that? i can barely even hear you! i _ germany scored. why was that? i can barely even hear you! i don't know. why they _ barely even hear you! i don't know. why they receded when germany scored? , why they receded when germany scored?_ tonight - why they receded when germany scored?_ tonight is - why they receded when germany i scored?_ tonight is make why they receded when germany - scored?_ tonight is make or scored? jeremy... tonight is make or break. we need _ scored? jeremy... tonight is make or break. we need to _ scored? jeremy... tonight is make or break. we need to win _ scored? jeremy... tonight is make or break. we need to win or _ scored? jeremy... tonight is make or break. we need to win or get - scored? jeremy... tonight is make or break. we need to win or get a draw. | break. we need to win or get a draw. what do you — break. we need to win or get a draw. what do you reckon? _ break. we need to win or get a draw. what do you reckon? my _ break. we need to win or get a draw. what do you reckon? my heart says l what do you reckon? my heart says 5-0 scotland- _ what do you reckon? my heart says 5-0 scotland. realistically, - what do you reckon? my heart says 5-0 scotland. realistically, no. - what do you reckon? my heart says 5-0 scotland. realistically, no. i'm| 5-0 scotland. realistically, no. i'm also joined — 5—0 scotland. realistically, no. alsojoined by a really interesting also joined by a really interesting group of young ladies, who have come all the way from near frankfurt. naturally german fans, but tonight,

here to support scotland. why are you here supporting scotland? we “ust you here supporting scotland? , just love the tartan army. we just thought these guys are doing there and we're really into that. we were very sorry that we beat scotland in the first game, but we want them to get through. so we came for the german game and stayed for the scottish game. we're going to root for them. ., ., . ,, ., scottish game. we're going to root forthem. ., ., ., , ., , for them. you go back to germany soon. is for them. you go back to germany soon- is your— for them. you go back to germany soon. is your heart _ for them. you go back to germany soon. is your heart still— for them. you go back to germany soon. is your heart still of- soon. is your heart still of scotland?— soon. is your heart still of scotland? . , . ., , scotland? yeah! of course. we really love the mentality _ scotland? yeah! of course. we really love the mentality of _ scotland? yeah! of course. we really love the mentality of the _ scotland? yeah! of course. we really love the mentality of the fans. - love the mentality of the fans. cheering what's your reaction to that? cheering what's our reaction to that? , what's your reaction to that? did germany score the goal! everything is great _ germany score the goal! everything is great in _ germany score the goal! everything is great in them _ germany score the goal! everything is great in the... you— germany score the goal! everything is great in the. . ._ germany score the goal! everything is great in the... you want germany to win a germany? _ is great in the... you want germany to win a germany? indian, - is great in the... you want germany to win a germany? indian, i'm fromj to win a germany? indian, i'm from german , to win a germany? indian, i'm from germany. but _ to win a germany? indian, i'm from germany, but tonight, _ to win a germany? indian, i'm from germany, but tonight, i— to win a germany? indian, i'm from germany, but tonight, i for- to win a germany? indian, i'm from| germany, but tonight, i for scotland

-- in _ germany, but tonight, i for scotland -- in the _ germany, but tonight, i for scotland -- in the end — germany, but tonight, i for scotland -- in the end i— germany, but tonight, i for scotland -- in the end-— -- in the end. i think the lads here have been — -- in the end. i think the lads here have been rehearsing a _ -- in the end. i think the lads here have been rehearsing a wii - -- in the end. i think the lads here have been rehearsing a wii song i -- in the end. i think the lads here l have been rehearsing a wii song for us. —— a wee song. here we go. # no scotland, no party # no scotland, no party # no scotland, no party! # no scotland, no party!! # no scotland, no party! # no scotland, no party! # no scotland, no party! # no scotland no party! yeah! it saying please don't lose! absolutely sensational from start to finish. absolutely brilliant to hear from them and apologies for thumping scotland 5—1. absolutely wonderful. no notes. let's get the weather will. with tomasz schafernaker.

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 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. eventually around the irish sea 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.

now, it could turn a little too warm for some. bye— bye.

hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm hugh ferris. the headlines this evening. after their friday fright night, can scotland turn things around at the euros for their second game against switzerland? it's take two for the tartan army. enthusiasm undimmed as 20,000 of them march into cologne while england are plotting for denmark, we'll hear from gareth southgate and kyle walker live