hello. welcome to the programme. after yea rs of after years of a 1% pay cap, the government is expected to announce a significant pay increase for nhs staff in england, apart from doctors. staff have got to be addressed, vacancies have to be addressed. the issue of using agency staff has to be addressed. in that context it is significant that that pay award has been made. we get reaction from nhs workers. plus, there has been a huge rise in the number of women using donated eggs to get pregnant. you get married and then your friends have kids and it's just not happening to you. it suddenly becomes the most important thing in your life, the only thing that you can focus on. and what next for the future of ant and tech? we look at what impact ant

mcpartlin‘s arrest for drink—driving will have on the pair? and how lives are ruined by addiction to painkillers. hello and welcome to the programme. we're live until 11. throughout the morning we'll bring you the latest breaking news and developing stories and — as always — really keen to hear from you. a litle later we'll be talking to some of you who've deleted your facebook account in protest at the company's data and privacy policies. if you've done it, do get in touch. if you don't want to message us on facebook, you can do so a number of other ways. use the hashtag victoria live. and if you text, you will be charged at the standard network rate. our top story today — the government is poised to announce a significant pay rise for almost all nhs staff in england, apart from doctors. it's thought that around a million health workers will receive an average increase of 6% over three years, in a move which could cost the treasury £4 billion.

we can speak now to catherine burn ts, we can speak now to catherine burn ‘s, health correspondent. i know we don't have all of the details on this so far, but what details do we have? it seems to be a six to 6.596 increase over three years. that is the headline. the reality will be quite different. the average is going to be spread out. the biggest increase will ghost —— increases will go to the poorest paid people, porters, catering staff, cleaners. they could have an increase of 29% over three years. it is quite a big deal and quite a decisive end to pay caps. since 2010, there have been pay freezes and pay cap macs 1%. this is a big break. porters could go from £15,000 to £19,000, a huge

jump? it is. but the royal college of nursing is say that if you take in real terms and count in inflation, they have essentially had a pay cut 14%. even though people will welcome this, they will not necessarily be jumping for joy. will welcome this, they will not necessarily be jumping forjoy. we don't know if it will be accepted? the unions are meeting today at 11. we are expecting them to sign off on this. there will be a lot of last—minute haggling. the interesting thing to look out for will be what sort of strings there are attached to this. nhs workers lost a day's pay over this. sickness levels in the nhs may be one thing. there has been talk of increments, when nhs workers sort of get on—the—job pay rises. there has been talk of the more —— being more tightly controlled. it will be interesting to see what happens. thank you. more on that later in the

programme. if you do work for the nhs, get in touch. would you accept this, would you support this? joanna gosling is in the bbc newsroom with a summary of the rest of the day's news. good morning. facebook will be questioned by politicians in washington today, as the company comes under growing pressure to explain how data from 50 million accounts was used by a british company during the us presidential election. it's alleged that cambridge analytica used the data to target voters and influence the election outcome. that company's chief executive, alexander nix, has been suspended. both firms deny any wrongdoing. simonjones reports. facebook held a crisis meeting today... an international row about facebook data making headlines in the states and in london, home to the consultancy, cambridge analytica. that company is accused of using the personal data of 50 million facebook users to send highly targeted messages during the 2016 us election campaign. secret filming by channel 4 news

shows cambridge analytica's boss, alexander nix, boasting about the role it played in donald trump's victory. the company has denied the facebook information was used for this purpose. it said mr nix's comments do to not represent the values of the firm. he has been suspended. the cambridge academic who created the app from which the data was harvested, has been banned from facebook but says the only thing he did wrong was not to ask enough questions. my view is that i have been used as a scapegoat by facebook and cambridge analytica. we thought we were acting perfectly appropriately, we thought we were doing something really normal. facebook says it did break rules by donating data to third parties and says it has been deceived

by cambridge analytica. facebook denies it has done anything wrong but there is growing pressure from politicians in the us and the ukfor from politicians in the us and the uk for its boss, mark zuckerberg, to break his silence about how his customers' information is protected. the royal air force has confirmed that a member of its red arrows aerobatic team has died in a crash in north wales. the engineer was killed when a hawk jet came down near the raf valley base on anglesey yesterday. the pilot, who is injured and receiving medical care, managed to eject. the jet came down shortly after taking off on a routine flight. there are no details about the cause of the crash. the mother of a two—year—old girl who died after she was pulled from a carfound in a river, has said she will feel guilt for the rest of her life. kiara moore was found in the river teifi in cardigan, ceredigion, after she had been left in the car while it was parked on a slipway on monday.

her father said when the driver returned, the car was missing and initially feared stolen. but after a large police search the car was found in the water. a man has been injured after a parcel bomb exploded in the texan city of austin — the latest in a series of similar attacks. five devices have detonated so far this month, which have killed two people. a sixth parcel bomb was intercepted before it exploded. the fbi now believes the attacks are the work of a serial bomber. president trump is reported to have ignored warnings from his national security advisers not to congratulate vladimir putin on his re—election. the washington post is reporting that mr trump went against his advisers, and was even given a briefing note with the words "do not congratulate" in capital letters. the amount of plastic in the ocean could trouble within a decade unless action is taken. a report from the

uk government says plastics is just one issue facing the world's sees along with rising sea levels. it says much more knowledge is needed about the ocean. the government could face an additional bill of £300 million after on the claim benefit claims. the main sickness and that was predicted to cause the government £5 million. the national audit office says the true price could be more. ministers say they are committed to paying everybody by april 20 19. vulnerable mental health patients are being let down because of serious failings in their treatment, the parliamentary and health service ombudsman has said. issues with some mental health trust could lead to some patients suffering harm. it also found mental health care staff can like the skills and training they need to do theirjob properly. the government

is expanding service provision. a group of mps is warning of government complacency when it comes to security co—operation with the eu after brexit. the all—party home affairs committee says the transition period, which has recently been agreed, may need to be extended if public safety is not to be compromised. they say it's down to the complexity of issues such as data sharing, the european arrest warrant and europol membership. mark easton reports. membership of the eu means the uk enjoys access to valuable police data bases, the european arrest warrant scheme and the services of europol. the government says it is optimistic about negotiating just as good a deal for when we leave, but after taking evidence from people from the national crime agency and other organisations which rely on eu security corporation, an all—party committee of mps says it does not share that optimism. we are worried that a security treaty will not be signed and implemented in time for when the transition period ends and that could leave us without proper extradition arrangements if people flee justice and flee from crimes,

but also without access to criminal data that the police properly need. access to eu—wide data systems and the resources of europol depend on legal obligations underpinned by the european court ofjustice. the uk has said being outside the european courts jurisdiction is a red line, but the mps say the government should not be too rigid on such matters if it wants to get a good deal. and they reckon the complex technical and legal issues mean both sides need to be ready to extend the two—year transition before brexit kicks in. accusing the government of complacency, the committee warns the uk could be sleepwalking into a security crisis. mark easton, bbc news. talk about springing a leak — these pictures are of a water main break in university city near san diego yesterday. local reports said a contractor hit a six—inch diameter blow—off valve connected to a water main causing the leak which saw water shoot up

above the californian highway. the break shut down the road for roughly 30 minutes, while crews worked to shut off the water. it's been a 25—year wait, but later today the first polar bear cub born in the uk for over two decades will make his public debut. born in december, the bear is still to be named as keepers try to determine its sex. the cub has spent the last four months with it's mum victoria in the maternity den at the highland wildlife park in scotland. that's a summary of the latest bbc news — more at 9.30. thank you, joiner. let me bring you this news that we are getting in from texas. reports saying that the suspect in a series of bombings in the state capital of austin has died. you can see pictures coming in from austin. those are live

pictures. we understand a local television station is saying the suspect detonated a device while being pursued by police, and was killed. earlier the fbi said it believed six separate attacks in texas were the result of a serial bomber. a man being pursued by police as being killed. we will keep you with any news. this morning — is there enough help for people addicted to prescription painkillers? in the next few minutes we will be talking to a couple of people about the wrong painkiller addiction is. we will get a sense of what that is like. also people who work at addiction clinics to talk about the sort of people they are treating and the stories they are hearing. 0ne former councillor has told the bbc the nhs is creating drug addicts. do you agree with that? we want your experiences this morning if you are addicted to these painkillers. to get in touch. if you text, you will

be charged at the standard network rate. mohsin sport. we can speak tojohn motson. we need to talk about the world cup. big question, who is the england number one? that is central, really, with those world cup places, the battle for them, harding up. those world cup places, the battle forthem, harding up. particularly in goal. nick pope worked as a milkman nine years ago. now he is battling out for the number one spot in the england squad. it is far from nailed down heading into those friendlies. we are taking him out because his story is fantastic. having been released at 16, he had spells outside the football league before joining burnley. spells outside the football league beforejoining burnley. he only got his chance because of injury to tom heaton. now he could make his international debut in the forthcoming friendlies with the netherlands and italy. if you are questioning if he is the right pick for the job, questioning if he is the right pick for thejob, he says he is a safe

pairof for thejob, he says he is a safe pair of hands having never dropped a bottle on his milk round. no, iwas bottle on his milk round. no, i was kleenex mac it was a float, electric. what is the best thing about england goalkeeper? can i call myself that if i haven't played? i think it isjust the honour, really. obviously the moment from thursday. getting around people and been there from the start, people have travelled the journey with them —— with me. to share that with them —— with me. to share that with them —— with me. to share that with them is something i will never forget. it will be a great story of the does get selected. fantastic to hear how much it means to represent his country. from internationals to the women's champions league, which continues tonight. manchester city in chelsea in action. city are at home to their swedish opponents. in the wsl this season they are second

behind chelsea, who play montpellier. if both teams progress, it will be the first time in the competition's history that two british clubs have reached the semifinals. we don't our homework on, we know they are a good team and have dominated swedish football so it will be a big game with tough opponents. nice to have a home game, we're been awake for about ten games and it has been hard but we have great support at home and we love having them at home. excited. one of several big games coming up in a busy end of the week. and a huge cricket match in zimbabwe at the moment which could mean scotland reached the world cup? they are playing the west indies with a place at the world cup up for grabs next year. the huge match for scotland. they make the best start, taking the key wicket of chris gayle with the very first ball of the day and he

then removed shai hope to leave the west indies at 2—2 but they are now 99-2 west indies at 2—2 but they are now 99—2 after 26 overs. and we were talking about england goalkeepers at the world cup, if you're hoping to be selected you will want to avoid something like this happening. this was a video on social media, some street football in argentina. superb skill. a little unfair on the goalkeeper! there is no coming back from that. we know that penalties might feature in the world cup but i would be very impressed if anybody tries that! amazing! thank you, john. this morning — is there enough help for people addicted to prescription painkillers? those who have been addicted to them have told this programme they have

been failed at every step. nearly 26 million painkillers, like tramadol and morphine, were prescribed last year — that's about 2,700 packs an hour. we know that ant mcpartlin is taking a break from tv to enter rehab for a second time. last year he revealed his addiction to prescription drugs following a routine knee operation. later on in the programme, we'll look at what this could mean for the future of ant and dec — two of the biggest names in tv. but first, we want to look at the devastating impact addiction to prescription drugs can have and we want to hear from you too. do get in touch with your experiences. we can talk now to nicki hari, who says her gp made an addict of her in prescribing them, but then had no idea how to help her dependency, which ended up lasting 25 years, antony corrigan was addicted to tramadol, and says he had to fight his gp to get off the drug. eytan alexander, who runs ukat,

a private addiction centre that has referrals from nhs patients in need, to rehab for painkiller dependency. and cathy stannard joins us from bristol, and is a pain consultant. she's developing a model of painkiller support services for nhs gloucestershire. thank you forjoining us. i want to start with you, nicki. you were very young when you put on in strong painkillers, just 1a. young when you put on in strong painkillers, just 14. i was 14 i had my first operation and i was given paracetamol and nurofen also it was not until i was 18 that i was put on very strong painkillers after having my appendix out. what were you put on? codeine, de goede mull, tramadol and at the time i realised that i

actually really liked the feeling. it was like being on a pink fluffy cloud, all my worries and stresses went away. i felt relaxed about everything. the pain i thought i had disappeared. that was when it started. it did not continue solidly... i was going to ask, presumably you came off those drugs after the operation?” presumably you came off those drugs after the operation? i came off them out was not until i got into rehab andi out was not until i got into rehab and i looked at myjourney from start to finish, well, not finish, because i have not finished it yet, but i realised i could see a pattern forming on how i loved having the feeling of prescription painkillers. it was very easy to manipulate the system. at the time the gps were giving them out quite freely. i would say that i was in a lot of pain and be given a tramadol repeat

prescription for six months so i did not even had to go to the gp. it doesn't take very long to become addicted, seven to ten days and you're hooked. i can see as you are speaking that anthony is nodding. was that your experience as well? very much so, my story is very similar. iwent very much so, my story is very similar. i went to the doctor with severe pain in my back, i found myself not able to sit, standing up a lot and walking around so i went to the doctors and pretty much immediately they offered me tramadol and they thought i might have sciatica so they offered me another painkiller that i took. they told me to take up to 24 tablets per day, nothing at all. i came home and took the first dose and i was completely out of it. i was zombified. my

partner was concerned and did not wa nt partner was concerned and did not want me to continue but i put my trust in the doctor that this was what i needed and it was addressing a health need. i did not see it as a problem. how long were you on those drugs? in total about two and a half years. it started gradually, they said to take two tramadol every four hours, eight tablets a day and i was also taking gabapentin, that was four tablets a day. i was not able to function well. i was out of it, it caused me problems at work, i was in temporary work at the time sol was phoning in sick because i could not tolerate the pills and i ended up not tolerate the pills and i ended up losing jobs because of it for so i felt the doctor was too ready to give it to me without talking about

what might happen. he didn't even offer to send me for tests to see what the problem with my back would be, it wasjust, take these, these can help. i put my trust in my doctor to help me and i now have this feeling of absolute ignorance that i did not go home and research this result but why would i? i'm not the trained person here. this result but why would i? i'm not the trained person herelj this result but why would i? i'm not the trained person here. i want to bring in eytan, you looked surprised at the second drug he had been given? we see a whole host of drugs. the mainstream drugs but something like gabapentin, sleeping drug, any form of prescription drug not taken as prescribed can have an addictive process to it was up you form a chemical dependence on it. it is the

same thing them if you are a heroine user, if you stop taking it, you go into withdrawal and the same with description drugs, you start feeling u nwell description drugs, you start feeling unwell and you think you need to take more. it is a self fulfilling prophecy. patients are unaware of what is actually happening, they just go and take it themselves. what is actually happening, they just go and take it themselveslj just go and take it themselves.” was taking the medication purely as prescribed by mike gp, i was not abusing the medication or increasing the dose is, i was taking what i was advised to take. ok. again, i started off like that and like eytan said, the pain went away but i felt the gps were not actually dealing with the pain. i agree. ithink there should be more pain management

clinics, you should be given options of alternative medicines as opposed to prescribing such addictive painkillers to patients.” to prescribing such addictive painkillers to patients. i want to bring in cathy. a lot of accusations being made about gps giving out these kinds of drugs too readily. do you think it is their criticism?” think it is difficult that if you area think it is difficult that if you are a health care professional with somebody in front of you who has pain, and the accounts of anthony and nicki are really tough, and it is tough to not give somebody when —— give something when somebody is in pain is that it is a complex interaction and the other thing it is there to say, what has changed is our knowledge and understanding of how these tablets work. no doubt that a few years ago we thought they we re that a few years ago we thought they were probably the best thing to give people with severe pain and it is

only now we are better able to understand evidence and so on that we realise in the long term they are not the best thing. we all have to put up our hands and said we'd started patients on things that maybe now we would not do. i think two things that came clearly out of those stories, one from nicki was that very soon she found that the medicines helped her with getting through life, made herfeel floaty like being on a cloud, that is one of the things that keeps people using them. and both said the crucial thing to watch out for, when you stop taking them you feel worse so you stop taking them you feel worse so you continue to take them to stop feeling worse and that is the marker of when you have to have a conversation with your health care professional about how to support you in coming off. let me read you some of the messages we are getting about this. a text from cat saying,

i've been taking large quantities of morphine for over 17 years and i'm dependent on them, taking them for chronic pain in the spine after a hit and run. ruth says she was predicted for years because of co nsta nt predicted for years because of constant headaches and got to the point where she could not function without them. no investigations were carried out for 15 years until an mri scan for carried out for 15 years until an mri scanfora carried out for 15 years until an mri scan for a different issue found an aneurysm on the brain. i had to wea n an aneurysm on the brain. i had to wean myself off the painkillers slowly and they controlled my life. did it change the person you were? completely, i did not see it but my friends and family did. i became vacant, absent from situations, family get—togethers i was not there for events at my children's school force up you literally did not go ought you were there and had no recollection? i didn't go, i had no motivation in life. everything was just numb. it is hard to describe

but you're in a cloud, a bubble and you can't find a way out. when you stop taking them, you realise you're going into severe withdrawal the same way a heroin addict would for submitting cramps, night sweats, shakes, your bones are aching and you don't understand what is happening. you think it is because of the pain you are in, whether it is your back or your knee or whatever but what it is is withdrawal from the medication. whatever but what it is is withdrawalfrom the medication. when i saw my gp there was no help with coming off it. you cannotjust stop taking painkillers, you have to do a reduction programme and there is not that help available. did you get that help available. did you get that support, anthony?” that help available. did you get that support, anthony? i don't feel idid. i that support, anthony? i don't feel i did. i went to my gp several times and i said i felt i had a dependency on the tablets. i had managed to

wean myself to a low dose but when i tried to not take that last small dose i was getting severe withdrawal and as nicki said, i was getting hot sweats and cold flushes at the same time, shaking a lot, the insomnia was the worst i experienced, i would fall asleep and immediately jolt awake and could not get back to sleep. i was moody, awake and could not get back to sleep. iwas moody, my awake and could not get back to sleep. i was moody, my partner was completely concerned about me. it was helpful to exercise but because i was taking the tablets, up to the defour per day, i could not motivate myself, i could not move around —— up myself, i could not move around —— up to 24 per day. i was irritable andl up to 24 per day. i was irritable and i relate to what nicki is saying. i had to beg the doctor and plead and eventually they gave me zopiclone for one week, sleeping medication which i took to get over the initial period of withdrawal.

thankfully, with that, i was able to come through it. it took about three months from that point to not feel anything, the restless arms and legs, and had to have a pair of pliers in my hand to squeeze all the time to take that horrible peeling away and that was for about three months afterwards —— horrible feeling. i had not taken tramadol and gabapentin fora feeling. i had not taken tramadol and gabapentin for a year but i still have the pain and the herniated disc but i would rather suffer the pain than the addiction and the withdrawal, i'm not prepared to go through that again. people are getting in touch echoing what you're saying. paul says he has been on painkillers for 17 years because of bladder cancer, my doctor tried to cut back but bladder cancer, my doctor tried to cutback but my body will not bladder cancer, my doctor tried to cut back but my body will not have it. my doctor doesn't know the way of getting professional help and i'm still trying. another text said they had an accident that resulted in taking tramadol, take them for six months before the gb stop them,

advanced advice they went cold turkey and it was one of the worst experiences that you could go through. a final thought before we wrap it up, from all of you, we have heard ant mcpartlin has got into rehab again and now we know he had a stint in the summer for addiction to painkillers. your thoughts on what he could be going through now and from your own experience? i was fortunate enough i had private medical insurance at the time. the only way i could get help was going into a private residential detox. and i think that's where, u nfortu nately, and i think that's where, unfortunately, because there is no help on the nhs a lot of people are contacting helplines were they try and help people get into rehab. what he is probably feeling now is shame, guilt, that he has let everybody down. but having been in rehab, he

came out and he went straight back into his old lifestyle, not realising, not really dealing with his demons. so he needs to kind of understand the programme, have a com plete understand the programme, have a complete detox. in rehab you are broken down. they are there to teach you, to break you down. it's easy to stop taking drugs through a detox. it's staying stopped which is the issue. continuing the process of, what do i do after leaving treatment? how do i stay in recovery instead of going back to my old life style instead of going back to my old lifestyle and old behaviours? maybe i'lljust have one. the thought of that first one spirals again into the next process. it's very easy to fall back into the trap. with people like me who still have the issue, theissue

like me who still have the issue, the issue has never been resolved. i have had scans that show the issue. i still have that problem. i know choose not to take the drug. nicky said she had access to that private facility. many people like myself, i don't have that. i have to put my trust in my gp. i have two trust where they refer me. i don't have any means to pay for private health ca re any means to pay for private health care or things like that. touching a little bit more on ant mcpartlin, i should imagine he feels embarrassed and ashamed that maybe he has failed the first time around. this is such a powerful addiction that it doesn't surprise me that is the case. ijust hope he gets the help he needs. i think the main message is to talk about it. one of the things that we all hear is that people don't want to talk about it to the gp. they don't want to admit to addiction. gps are maybe not looking for it. get the diagnosis. then i think there are a number of things.

sometimes people will do well with a gradual reduction. sometimes you have to get help from nhs addiction services, which are thinly stretched. it is about admitting to a problem first of all. there are sources of help out there. one size does not fit all. thank you all for coming in. iwant one size does not fit all. thank you all for coming in. i want to read this statement from the department of health. they say it has already become a big issue another overseas countries and we are determined to make sure it doesn't happen here. when we understand the scale of the problem, we will look at a range of policy options to tackle the issue. thank you for coming in. after ten o'clock, we will ask about the future of ant and deck. we are keen to hear your experience of painkiller addiction. —— anton deck. tens of thousands of people with chronic illnesses are disabilities may have been paid too little in benefits due to an error. we hear from people

little in benefits due to an error. we hearfrom people who little in benefits due to an error. we hear from people who think they may have been affected. time for the latest news. here'sjoanna. more than a million nhs staff are poised for a pay rise with a deal that could be worth as much as £4 billion being announced by lunchtime today. the bbc understands that health bosses and unions have reached an agreement that will mark an end to a seven—year cap and boost the salaries of workers including nurses, porters and paramedics, but not doctors. facebook will be questioned by politicians in washington today as the company comes under growing pressure to explain how data from 50 million users was used by a british company during the us presidential election. it's alleged that cambridge analytica used the data to target voters and influence the election outcome. that company's chief executive, alexander nix, has been suspended. both firms deny any wrongdoing. reports from the united states say the suspect in a series of bombings in texas is dead after blowing himself up. five devices have detonated so far this month and killed two people.

a sixth parcel bomb was intercepted before it exploded. the amount of plastic in the ocean could treble within a decade, unless action is taken to tackle the problem, a major report has warned. the foresight future of the sea report for the uk government says plastics is just one issue facing the world's seas, along with rising sea levels and warming oceans. it also says much more knowledge is needed about the ocean. that's a summary of the latest bbc news. thank you. you are still getting in touch with your experiences of painkiller addiction. touch with your experiences of painkilleraddiction. robin touch with your experiences of painkiller addiction. robin says he is so terribly sorry for the participants and their valour experiences. —— valid. he ended up at na any last weekend. he was given the opportunity without judgment to outline his problem. pain relief was

given without question. "i was so grateful for the common—sense approach. i didn't have to beg and i wasn't treated like an addict. thanks to those doctors who make a good judgment call. " share your experiences with us throughout the morning. here's some sport now withjohn. hello. scotland are hoping to qualify for next year's cricket world cup. beat the west indies and the place is theirs. they dismissed gale for naught. a short while ago the west indies were 116—2. england captainjoel the west indies were 116—2. england captain joel ruud says the west indies were 116—2. england captainjoel ruud says the return of ben stokes to the england team is a huge boost. —— joe ben stokes to the england team is a huge boost. ——joe root. from milkman to the world cup, nick pope will hope he can impress gareth southgate in england's friendlies with the netherlands and italy, nine yea rs with the netherlands and italy, nine years after he was released by ipswich. and two british teams could

reach the semifinals of the champions league for the first time if manchester city and chelsea can come through their quarterfinal gome through their guarterfinat >~ which ”gig—3.77922 5512??? esf‘eeh. éfe fishers. eda-sees some ' '" " ' stigeatéz {islet—eh? esheeh éfe hgihes. eda-sees some big " ' "' "’ stigeatéz {islet—eh? esheeh éfe hgihes. "my“ some big matches ” " 7 gig—5.91; {islet—eh? eesheeh hf; h;5hh "my“ some big matches to " e played tonight. some big matches to come later. that is all the sport for now. tens of thousands of people with chronic illnesses or disabilities may have been paid too little in benefits due to an error in calculating the main sickness benefit, employment and support allowance. around 70,000 claimants are due a repayment of up to £20,000 which could cost the government more than £800 million. around 2.4 million people claim employment and support allowance because they are unable or have limited capacity to work. we can talk to two people who think they may have been affected. heidi niel is on esa, and had been on incapacity benefit after she had a massive heart attack at 38. tracey flynn, who lost herjob after the birth of her second

child because of her chronic rheumatoid arthritis. also with us, labour mp and member of parliament's work and pensions select committee neil coyle. thank you all for taking the time out to speak to us. heidi, i want to start with you. i know that you have struggled since your benefits have changed. explain in practical terms and in day—to—day life what that has meant to you? well, initially i had no idea about this incapacity dsa. i just got a letter to say the name changed. until i was notified literally yesterday morning there may be an issue, i literally had no idea. they tend to fudge you with paperwork, which grind you down continuously. my benefit was then stopped in august of this year, when it switched over to universal

credit. and i'm now going through the appeals process to get me back onto dsa. now i'm wondering if it should be an appeals process to get me back onto incapacity. it is so ha rd to me back onto incapacity. it is so hard to keep up with where you were supposed to be. thank heavens for the citizens advice bureau. i'm sure they have been flooded with these problems. day—to—day living has been an absolute nightmare. wondering whether i can afford to have heating on. basic stuff. literally basic stuff. and being told you can use the food bank. i mean, where is that normal? to me it is not. you have also had bailiffs around, i understand? yes. when your benefit is stopped, with the incapacity dsa... is stopped, with the incapacity dsa. .. they were is stopped, with the incapacity dsa... they were trying to do it on the employment and support allowance as well. i have had to go back to

certificates. i had been fully assessed and was told that i was effectively permanently unfit to work until deemed fit to work. so i had to go through that again. that has been an absolute nightmare.” wa nt to has been an absolute nightmare.” want to also bring in tracy to hear her experiences. i know that you have chronic rheumatoid arthritis. i also know that you have got pretty young children who are registered carers. sojuggling all young children who are registered carers. so juggling all of this young children who are registered carers. sojuggling all of this must be incredibly stressful for you. be incredibly stressful for youm is. and when you factor in dwp involvement, it is never straightforward. i was moved from incapacity benefit to employment and support allowance in 2011. i was actually found that i had a limited fitness to work. despite the fact i have been retired on ill—health grounds from a government department. that was from a sedentary position. the amount of treatment that i have, and the

amount of intervention by the nhs, my gp, amount of intervention by the nhs, my gp, my occupational therapist, my consultant, and the fact that my rheumatoid is not particularly well controlled, i have a suppressed immune system, and the amount of monitoring that goes on, means it's very difficult for me to hold down a job and provide effective and efficient services as an employee, which is the reason that i've lost myjob in the first place. ijust couldn't manage to get into work and do myjob. couldn't manage to get into work and do my job. neil coyle, couldn't manage to get into work and do myjob. neil coyle, iwant couldn't manage to get into work and do my job. neil coyle, i want to bring you in. 70,000 claimants here could be looking at a huge payment of ulster £20,000. the average amount we understand will be £5,000. how on earth are we got in this position? sadly, disability uk described it as a shambolic catalogue of errors. the department

for work and pensions, back in 2014, when this problem was first identified, four years ago, when this problem was first identified, fouryears ago, it when this problem was first identified, four years ago, it could have been dealt with at the time. but it has been completely overstretched and under resourced. the coalition government axed thousands of civil servants and left those remaining are unable to make the decisions properly. we've got an assessment process the government pays millions of pounds to administer. it is failing disabled people routinely. we have had universal credit with its problems, personal independent payment is, whether urban lot of problems. now that we know that employment and support allowance, which only helps disabled people, we now know there we re disabled people, we now know there were these 70,000 disabled people who are owed at least £2500. the government really needs to apologise and do it very quickly and make these payments, make these back payments as quickly as possible. the department for work and pensions say

they will not comment on individuals but say they are well under way with the plan to identify and repay people affected. payments have already started. "we are committed to making sure people get what they are entitled to as quickly as possible. everybody who could be affected will be contacted directly by the department." heidi, what difference would it make if you had some money that came in, that was an average of £5,000? what difference would that make your life? obviously in the media didn't help me pay off the debts that are now spiralling out of control. the more the money is not back in the... without some sort of regular structure, which is what they had before, yes 0k, it wasn't a brilliant amount, but i had worked out budgetary wise. even if i could just get back to that state, initially, yes it would help me pay off some debts. but literally the whole system needs to be looked at.

what is the saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. everything as far as i was concerned was ok. i was living not comfortably, not a luxurious life, but i had it all under control. they keep changing the goal post and it has thrown to get? ' to getin’ ' to get in the if—rr—f f f f f to getinthe act. ' to get in the act. it 521; ' hoping to get in the act. is launching a bid to get elected for the democrats. she held an election rally overnight. new york is where i was was raised

and where i'm raising my kids. and to the thousands of you standing in this square participating in history... the cambridge psychologist who created an apt to harvest the personal data of millions of facebook users has insisted he is done nothing wrong, it was claimed

the information was used without permission to persuade people to vote for donald trump in the us elections. doctor alexander kogan has been speaking to radio 4.” elections. doctor alexander kogan has been speaking to radio 4. i am stunned by most of this, it has never been my understanding. the events of the past week have been a total shell shock. my view is that i'm being used as a scapegoat by facebook and cambridge analytica when honestly we thought we were acting perfectly appropriately, we thought we were doing something normal and we were assured by cambridge analytica that everything was legal in terms of the terms of service. cambridge analytica, the london based firm that has been accused of harvesting facebook information for political clients, has suspended its chief executive. it said comments made by alexander nix to an undercover reporter do not reflect its values. the undercover investigation showed alexander nix

boasting he had met donald trump many times. facebook has been used by political parties and campaign groups for over a decade now to try and spread their message and win over supporters. when does legitimate campaigning become unethical and potentially illegal? james mcgrory is the executive director of open britain, a pro—eu campaign group. he was the head of press for the stronger in campaign group during the brexit referendum who argued that the uk should stay in the eu. what are the kinds of conversations that take place in political parties about the use of this kind of data? first and foremost it had to be legal for the first and foremost it had to be legalfor the big first and foremost it had to be legal for the big companies first and foremost it had to be legalfor the big companies like

facebook and political parties as well as businesses and media organisations hold a lot of data about people and that's not a bad thing necessary as long as it has been got hold of correctly and used correctly. there are legitimate and good uses of social media campaigning amongst political parties. people say politics is too distant, so go where people are, to facebook and twitter and instagram. what you had to be sure about it that you are gathering the data correctly and using it correctly. and that people know you have their data. when you sign up you are clear about what your data will and will not be used for and while i do not know every in and out of what has gone on, that appears to be the most serious allegation, that data has been so—called scraped without not only the consent of the users but the consent of many friends and family. that seems to be an appalling use of data. however, the idea that you go on facebook and you

say you are interested in the eu as an issue or the environment, why shouldn't political partisan campaigns say, we have an advert and a policy we think you're interested in and target that advert. is it ethical? i don't see why not also if you give your details to facebook and their clear you give your details to facebook and theirclear in you give your details to facebook and their clear in that example about what your data is and is not used for, you can get an advert from a political party or campaign and you can click on that, and it will ta ke you can click on that, and it will take you are seeing this advert because this group of people want you to see it because you are interested in the environment. if you don't want to see any more, click here. not every political party or campaign or business is going to be able to get the right at that at the right person all the time but they want to advertise. at the same time you should be able to say, i don't want to see this any more. it is about the rules and transparency with which you operate.

in my opinion there is nothing wrong with political campaigns like any business or any group of people wanting to talk to people on social media. i wonder if people on social media. i wonder if people on social media as they did over those details, even if it is obvious, who read the terms and conditions? is it fair when people are giving over that information that it gets used by political parties because they might not realise it. there is a big distinction to make it is not necessarily used by political parties... it is used to target. it is used to target by facebook. you have never used it within political campaigning information you had to target particular voters? you can do that as well, it is nothing new. political parties even before facebook were delivering leaf books to people that were different in one area to another, people are interested in their local communities. if you have a young family you might have interest in child care or shared parental leave and someone who did not a family might not be interested in that.

people say that politics is too distant. there is merit in that also we can't say at the same time that we can't say at the same time that we cannot allow political partisan campaigns to talk to people about theissues campaigns to talk to people about the issues that we know matter to them. that is part and parcel of politics whether on the doorstep or on an app on your phone. while there are serious questions to answer in this, we have to be careful about throwing the baby out with the bath water and saying that all political campaigning online, as long as it is done appropriately and transparency and people can unsubscribe from all of the things that people should do and by and large do do, it can be a force for good. thank you for coming the hashtag deletefacebook has been trending for the last 24 hours in protest at the company's data and privacy policies. let's speak to two people who have deleted their accounts. james giblin, who's been on facebook for ten years and is training to be a teacher. and eva dull, who's been on it nine years and works in marketing. is it

isita is it a kneejerk reaction is it a knee jerk reaction or had you thinking about getting off it for a while? i have been thinking about it for a while. this kind of thing has been common knowledge among people for a while, data breaches and stuff like that. and on the back of the twitter campaign, i thought it was something to get behind to finally push facebook into the past. what about you, eva, why did you decide to the league now?” have been thought about deleting for two or three years. i think when facebook became a bit frustrating, not sure if they ran ads before it is well, but it was two and a half years ago when it started frustrating the. i started using it less and less. i have not really posted anything in about a year. so

i think this was kind of like what pushed me over the edge and i said, i don't actually get anything out of it. in that sense is it about trust or saying that i'm done?” it. in that sense is it about trust or saying that i'm done? i think i kind of doubted the trust issue a while ago because i have been expecting some kind of a story like this to break for some time. i have been following cambridge analytica forjust over a year. and i think this was kind of the final straw but at the same time i feel... it looks like we have lost the line with eva. we can bring injames again. do you think we are a bit naive in what we share on facebook? it is free to use, they will want something out the deal, something back, and

ultimately that is our information. i understand that but a lot of users might be over 50 and not really familiar with how the internet works and how facebook works as a platform. nobody is given a crash course in how to use the platform. they might be naive in the sense that they might share personal information like bank details to the partners and they are not aware of where the data has been stored or what it is being used for and things like that. thank you forjoining us this morning and explaining why you are deleting facebook. more on the breaking news we brought you earlier, reports from texas that a suspected serial bomber has died after being pursued by police. some reports say he blew himself up. it follows a series of parcel bomb attacks in the city of austin where to maccabi blabbing killed and

several injured. 0ur correspondent can tell us more —— where two people have been killed. the breakthrough happened yesterday where there were two devices found at two separate fedex facilities, one look up and one did not. they were able to get dna from that and also cctv footage ofa dna from that and also cctv footage of a suspect. they released an image of a suspect. they released an image of the suspect in a cap and it appears this morning that they were able to locate the suspect at a hotel outside austin. they blocked off interstate 35, a highway, and they were pursuing him and it appears he blew himself up. an eyewitness was at home when he heard police sirens. they were close to the woods and obviously the cops saw us the woods and obviously the cops saw us and they approached us. i don't know who it was, they were in military gear. they asked us to

leave. you know that the austin bombing suspect is dead? is he really? we were able to confirm that. we can go live to texas where police are giving a briefing. about the level of partnership that has taken place with our federal officials, our local officials and police department to bring this to an end. and through all of this hard work, we identified several leads throughout the course of the week ‘s but beginning within the past 24—36 hours a week started getting information on one person of interest that we continue to work on and continued to develop and as we continued to do our investigations, this person of interest ultimately moved to being a suspect and that is what we started focusing on, his involvement in these crimes. late

last night and early this morning we felt very confident that this was the suspect in the bombing incidents that took place in austin. we had surveillance teams looking for the suspect and we ultimately located the vehicle that this suspect was known to be driving and witnesses told us he was driving and in fact we found that at a hotel right up the road here. we had multiple officers from both the police department and our federal partners that took up the dishes around the hotel awaiting the arrival of our tactical teams because we wanted to have ballistic vehicles here so we could attempt to take this suspect into custody as safely as possible. while we were waiting for those vehicles to get here, much time had passed and the vehicle started to drive away. we began following the

vehicle, again, waiting to get the tactical vehicles here so we could make a stop. however, the vehicle ended up stopping in the ditch at the side of the road behind us. as members of the austin police department swat team approached the vehicle, the suspect detonated a bomb inside the vehicle, knocking one of our swat officers back and one of our swat officers back and one of our swat officers back and one of them fired at the suspect as well. the suspect is deceased and has significant injuries from a blast that occurred from detonating a bomb inside his vehicle. we cannot name the suspect at this time because he has not been positively identified yet by the medical examinerand identified yet by the medical examiner and next of kin have not yet been notified. that is a live press co nfe re nce yet been notified. that is a live press conference from austin texas with police giving us an update on

the suspect linked to the parcel bomb attacks, giving the status of his death in the early hours of this morning. we will bring you updates on that in the programme. that get the latest weather now. it has been a chilly start for many, some lovely pictures coming in, some frost on the ground and sunshine to start the day as well. the sunshine some of us have will turn hazier through the day and that is because we have a weather front which continues its journey moving south—eastward and continues its journey moving south—eastwa rd and taking continues its journey moving south—eastward and taking the cloud with it as it does and some will have some patchy rain and drizzle. it will be mild, the cloud in scotland, northern ireland and england, colder in the south so we have the blues and even today later on and tomorrow, most of us will have milder conditions. the bright

sunny skies across england and wales will be replaced by hazier skies, again some patchy light rain and drizzle, mostly across northern england and wales. still some showery outbreaks in scotland behind the main weather front. showery outbreaks in scotland behind the main weatherfront. we showery outbreaks in scotland behind the main weather front. we could see 12 celsius this afternoon in scotla nd 12 celsius this afternoon in scotland and we have not had that for some time. further south, 7—11d. this evening and overnight the weather front continues to move south eastwards, taking the rain with it, and the showery outbreaks continue in western scotland. in between with clearer skies, some patchy mist and fog. not many problems with frost because temperatures compared to this morning are much higher also this morning are much higher also this morning it was freezing or below but tomorrow it is 5—7d for that if there is any the likelihood it will be part of wales and south—west england. heading through the morning

tomorrow, we will lose any patchy mist and fog and it will brighten up nicely with sunshine but like today the cloud will build on the west, turning the sunshine in haiti ahead of this weather front which will bring some more substantial rain and windier conditions. temperatures still in good shape, 10—12, a bit cool in lerwick. this fund will move from west to east through the evening and overnight —— with this front. 0n evening and overnight —— with this front. on friday morning it will continue, claiming eastern scotland and england but if you follow it around you can see the other end in the north and west of scotland with some hill snow possible. this next band of rain is coming in from the south—west. the extent of it is questionable but still a bad —— a good day. hello it's wednesday, it's 10 o'clock, i'm chloe tilley in for victoria derbyshire.

our top story today — after years of a 1% pay cap, the government is expected to announce a significant pay increase for nhs staff in england, apart from doctors staffing issues have to be addressed, vacancies have to be addressed. the whole issue of using agencies sat —— staff on double shifts has to be addressed. in that context it is significant that the pay award has been made. if you work for the nhs, do get in touch and tell us your reaction. plus — there's been a huge rise in the number of women using donated eggs to get pregnant. you get married and then your friends have kids and it'sjust not happening to you. it suddenly becomes the most important thing in your life. the only thing you can focus on. we'll be talking live to a woman who's donated her eggs four times, and another women who's had a child thanks to a donation of an egg from her friend. and what next for the future of ant and dec? we'll look at what impact ant‘s

arrest on suspicion of drink—driving will have on the pair's many successful tv programmes. good morning. here'sjoanna in the bbc newsroom with a summary of today's news. good morning. more than a million nhs staff are poised for a pay rise, with a deal that could be worth as much as £4 billion being announced by lunchtime today. the bbc understands that health bosses and unions have reached an agreement that will mark an end to a seven—year cap and boost the salaries of workers including nurses, porters and paramedics — but not doctors. facebook will be questioned by politicians in washington today, as the company comes under growing pressure to explain how data was used by a british company during the british general election. it is alleged the data was used to

influence the income. both firms deny any wrongdoing. reports from the united states say the suspect in a series of bombings in texas has died, after blowing himself up. five devices have detonated so far this month, and killed two people. a sixth parcel bomb was intercepted before it exploded. as members of the austin police department swat team approached the vehicle, the suspect detonated a bomb inside the vehicle, knocking one of our swat officers back. one of our swat officers fired at the suspect as well. the suspect is deceased and has significant injuries from a blast that occurred from detonating a bomb inside his vehicle. unemployment rose by 24,000 to 1.45 million in the three months to january. it was the second month in a row to show an increase. however, the rate of unemployment was down slightly, from 4.4% to 4.3%. average earnings including bonuses rose by 2.8% in the same period. that's a summary of the latest bbc

news — more at 10.30. thank you very much. let me read you some of the comments people are getting in touch with us about painkillers. we were talking about how easily —— two guests were talking about how easy it was for them to become addicted. david has been taking painkillers for 20 yea rs. last been taking painkillers for 20 years. last month he was rushed into hospital with his stomach bleeding. he had blood transfusions, lost two stone in weight and is now having injections every three months. simon has got in touch, saying in a bully went to three different doctors in five days with horrendous back pain and was giving increasing amounts of painkillers. he was paralysed from the waist down with the loss of bladderfunction due the waist down with the loss of bladder function due to our bladder —— an abscess. do get in touch with us throughout the morning — use the hashtag victoria live.

and if you text, you will be charged at the standard network rate. let me bring you this breaking news which we are getting from nigeria. boko haram militants have released 76 of the 110 schoolgirls were abducted from the north—eastern town of duchy back in february. very similarto of duchy back in february. very similar to the chibok girls many years ago. the government said this ina years ago. the government said this in a statement this morning. the information minister said 76 had so far been documented and they are adding details of that throughout the morning. as we get more details, we will bring it to you. good news coming from nigeria. 76 schoolgirls abducted in north—eastern nigeria have been released. now the sport withjohn. good have been released. now the sport with john. good morning. have been released. now the sport withjohn. good morning. a place at the cricket world cup hangs in the balance for scotland. a victory over the west indies and a place at the tournament next year in england and

wales is theirs. they made the best possible start. chris gale went with the first ball of the day. the windies 2—2 at that stage. did recover. lewis made 50 from 63 balls. he went. then the key wicket of samuels followed. he was caught in the deep. scotland have made another breakthrough. a short while ago 135—5, the west indies. going well in zimbabwe with the world cup spotin well in zimbabwe with the world cup spot in scotland's reach. for england, immediate thoughts turn to their two test series with new zealand. ben stokes is set to return. captain joel ruud zealand. ben stokes is set to return. captainjoel ruud says he is a31 return. captainjoel ruud says he is a 31 player. and that stokes is itching to get back. —— joe root. coming back into high—intensity

cricket, having spent a lot of time out of the game, and managing it quite shrewdly, has been really mature of him, actually. he is someone mature of him, actually. he is someone who likes to do things at 150 million mph all the time. you can see the maturity starting to show through a bit more. that is only a good thing for us moving forward. the football world cup is 85 days away and the battle for places is hotting up for england, in particular in goal. nick pope was working as a milkman nine years ago having been released by ipswich town. now he is battling it out for the number one spot in the england squad. his story is pretty impressive. having been released at 16, he had spelt outside before bully beforejoining 16, he had spelt outside before bully before joining burnley. 16, he had spelt outside before bully beforejoining burnley. he only got his chance this is season because of an injury to tom heaton. he has been rewarded with an england

call—up and could make his international debut in the forthcoming friendlies with the netherlands and italy. if you are questioning a fee is the right pick for the world cup, he says he is a safe pair of hands having never dropped a bottle on isobel grant. —— on his milk round. no, i was clean! i were on a float. electric. what is the best thing about being an england player? can i call myself that if i have not played? 0k! england player? can i call myself that if i have not played? ok! i think it'sjust that if i have not played? ok! i think it's just the honour, really. obviously the moment from thursday, being around people who've been there from the start, people who have travelled the journey with me, to share with them was something i will never forget. we wonder if that story will continue, of course. it would be pretty impressive if he does get selected for those friendlies. lots of competition. the women's

champions league continues tonight. manchester city and chelsea in action. city host linkopings. in the ws —— action. city host linkopings. in the ws -- wsl action. city host linkopings. in the ws —— wsl they are second behind chelsea, who play montpellier tonight. if both teams progress, it would be the first time to british clu bs would be the first time to british clubs have reached the semifinals of the competition. we have done our homework on them and we know they are a really good team. they have dominated swedish football for a while. it will be a big game. tough opponents. it will be nice to have a home game. we played a wafer about ten games in a row. it has been hard put to the home support, we have great supporters, great fans, and we love having them at home. yeah, excited. just one of two big games later. now back to you. let me bring you this news. pope francis is going to visit ireland for six days in august. that news just reaching us.

he will head to ireland for six days this summer. the number of women using donated eggs to try and get pregnant has risen sharply in the past 10 years, latest figures show. in 2006,1,912 women had ivf using a donor egg instead of their own — by 2016 that had risen 59% to 3,924. the human fertilisation and embryology authority say the rise is down to a greater awareness of donation as an option, more donors, and more same sex couples, single and older women using them — as well as a rise in the number of women donating their eggs. bbc look north reporter ali fortescue has spent time with two women who have gone through both sides of the process. it is the greatest gift that any woman can give to another. it can be a lifelong commitment, but really, it's a drop in the ocean

compared to what the couples have to go through to make their baby possible. the road to parenthood isn't always easy. in her late 30s, amanda was told she could not have children. but six years and four rounds of ivf later, thanks to an egg donor, amanda has given birth to her son, max. i had him when i was 44 so i was a really late starter. not for want of trying, because we tried for about five years to have a baby naturally, and it was not until we went down the ivf route that we found out that it was never going to happen for us. which, as you can imagine, was devastating. i just think it's something that people expect. it's something you expect will happen at some point. i was never broody but when you get married and then your friends have kids and it's just not happening to you, it suddenly becomes the most important thing in your life. the only thing that

you can focus on. for somebody to be able to give that gift to another woman, it's such a selfless act. it's like the ultimate selfless act that a woman can do is, she's made my family. she's made me a family. it's amazing. it's something that people take for granted. i've tried so hard to achieve and it is my greatest achievement, having him. but amanda's story isn't unique. the number of women having children over 40 is at its highest level for 70 years. and more than half of those over the age of 45 having ivf use donated eggs, which may explain the rise of nearly 60% in the number of women using donor eggs for ivf since 2011. meet cathy, another mother, expecting her third child. but before starting a family of her own, she donated eggs five times to families that she'd never met.

somebody in my family had been struggling with infertility for many years, and i'd had a close friend who had had multiple miscarriages, so there was nothing i could do to help either of those friends and family members, but it was quite frustrating watching them go through this heartbreaking journey, and then there was a really kind of straightforward way for me to help other couples who were going through fertility battles of their own. what was the actual process like of donating your eggs? it was quite straightforward really. ijust had some tests and they all came back fine. it was a case of matching my menstrual cycle with the couple i was helping, and then it was about two weeks of taking drugs and having eggs collected at the end of that. a lot of people think that because you are doing the first half of an ivf cycle it's very gruelling on the body, pumping yourself full of hormones, but i think for a couple going through ivf themselves, yes, it's a gruelling process, because hormones can send you a bit doolally. but when you are an egg donor, you have got a vested interest in helping somebody,

and usually it's a couple you don't even know. but at the end of the day, if it doesn't work out, then you have still tried to help. i don't think it's nearly as hard being an egg donor and going through an ivf cycle as it is being a couple and desperately wanting a child. do you ever find it strange that in a sense, some of your children are out there and you don't really know them? i don't see it like that at all. i did most of my cycles in my 20s and 30s when i was mostly single, and really for me, each month i was going to be losing an egg, i wasn't going to be doing anything with that egg at so it was going to be a waste. it wasn't like i looked down the toilet i thought, that's a potential child i've flushed away. so i think, for me, what i was giving was something i wasn't using in my own life. whereas if you give blood, if i give a pint of blood, then i feel it for a few days because that is something i do need in my body and i will replicate it again. i didn't feel like i was giving

anything away that i was going to use for myself. so why do women donate their eggs? with nothing beyond £750 compensation, it is thought many do it as a simple gesture of goodwill. people who receive eggs are amazed that other women want to give them, but that is because at the end of their process they get this amazing baby, but for somebody who's giving eggs, it's... i mean, it's an involved process and it's a commitment, and obviously, it can be a lifelong commitment. but really, it's a drop in the ocean compared to what the couples have to go through to make their babies possible. donor children are allowed to contact their biological parent at 18, but knowing max isn't born from her egg has never bothered amanda. it takes more than genetics to be a mum. i carried him, i nurtured him, i have given birth to him. i'm the one who gets up in the middle of the night. he's my son. the hope is that more donor eggs will mean more families like this and more men and women given a chance to become a parent. joining us now, sapphire fielding

who has donated her eggs four times. she also has four children of her own. as is maxine, who received an egg donation from a friend when she had problems with conceiving. she now has a four—year—old son called jake. thank you for speaking to us. sapphire, what made you want to donate your eggs not just sapphire, what made you want to donate your eggs notjust once but four times? when i had people in my life who have struggled with infertility, i'm a blood donor and a marrow donor and it seemed like i could help these people who were like the people in my life. so i went looking for a way of going about it. and they made such a

magical process. you know it is a good thing that you're doing but hearing stories of people who have struggled with infertility that are not close to you, if you could bottle the feeling from egg donation, it is a magical, warm feeling. knowing you are help somebody create what i already have with mike four children, i would wish it for everybody if i could. —— my four children. and it was your chance to have your little boy? my four children. and it was your chance to have your little boy7m was, i started my ivf treatmentjust before i was 40. i had been pregnant naturally a couple of times and unfortunately resulted in difficulties. that was the previous, i had the ectopic pregnancy. i met

my partner and want to start a family and nothing was happening so we went to the gp and got referred andl we went to the gp and got referred and i was told i needed donor eggs. at the time i was pregnant naturally but did not know that at the time and that resulted in an ectopic pregnancy again sol and that resulted in an ectopic pregnancy again so i had to go down the donation route. and you got a friend to donate an egg?” the donation route. and you got a friend to donate an egg? i did, a close family friend donated for me. several people had offered previously but change their mind and that is absolutely fine. it is amazing thing for somebody to even offer to do. we went down the idf process and we just got the one legged —— ivf. that resulted in my little boy, jake. legged —— ivf. that resulted in my little boy, jake. he is gorgeous! a lot of people watching will have a million questions to both of you about the process and going forward

what it means. you have given an incredible gift to four people and you have your little boy and nobody would argue with that. sapphire, do you ever think, i have four of my own children but there are four them there and i don't know them, who they are and where they are? no because i haven't given birth to that child. the way i look at what i have donated, i have given somebody a seed and that's it. i don't know chit, help it grow from feel every movement inside, i am just giving that away. although biologically we are kind of connected, that child has nothing really to do with me, thatis has nothing really to do with me, that is a mum'sjob has nothing really to do with me, that is a mum's job to has nothing really to do with me, that is a mum'sjob to be has nothing really to do with me, that is a mum's job to be the month. i don't look at it as i have a child somewhere else, that is not how it

feels and how it is. it is somebody else's child and i helped with the dna also when they —— when the child turns 18, do they have rights to know who you are? you can write a letter before you donate your eggs and give a description about yourself and why you wanted to donate. they are allowed to read that at 18. i suppose they could come and look for you, but the way that a child born through egg donation, they are always brought up knowing that this is such a normal pa rt knowing that this is such a normal part of them, this is how they were made, i can't see them looking for a pa rt made, i can't see them looking for a part of dna because that's their mum. i'm nothing to do with that, i am literally just an mum. i'm nothing to do with that, i am literallyjust an egg. i did not have any part, like in an adoption, if you adopt a child, there is a

pa rt if you adopt a child, there is a part of you somewhere else out there. it's not the same with egg donation at all in my opinion.” there. it's not the same with egg donation at all in my opinion. i can see you're getting quite emotional, maxine. i just see you're getting quite emotional, maxine. ijust think it is see you're getting quite emotional, maxine. i just think it is a totally overwhelming experience and it is the most amazing gift that anybody could ever receive. it'sjust such the most amazing gift that anybody could ever receive. it's just such a selfless act and to be able to be a mum toa selfless act and to be able to be a mum to a beautiful little boy is the best thing ever. without the help of ladies like sapphire, people like me would not be able to be mums. this might bea would not be able to be mums. this might be a strange question but it crossed my mind earlier, the pack your friend crossed my mind earlier, the pack yourfriend had crossed my mind earlier, the pack your friend had donated crossed my mind earlier, the pack yourfriend had donated an egg, does she ever have any say in the upbringing? does she ever go, why are you doing that with jake? not at all. we have a close relationship, not in each other's pockets, i am

godmother to her little boy and she is godmother to jake and we are there were each other if need be. we will work around at the time when we need to tell them but now we carry on with our normal lives. we are always there for one another. the lady that did it stays just amazing. thank you for speaking to us this morning, i'm grateful to you for sharing your stories. the government is expected to announce a significant pay rise for almost all nhs staff in england, apart from doctors. norman smith can tell us more. what do we know about the deal? we know it isa do we know about the deal? we know it is a big deal and likely to cost around £4 billion and that will mean an average increase for nhs staff of around 6.5% over the next three yea rs. around 6.5% over the next three years. the significance is that it

is way above the public sector pay cap of 1% per year is way above the public sector pay cap of 1% peryearand is way above the public sector pay cap of 1% per year and seems to mark the death knell of the public sector pay cap which nurses and others in the public sector have had to endure for eight years, two years of the pay freeze and six years of the cap so they have seen their wages pressed down. now they get this three—year deal, 3% this year, to present the following year and 1% in the final year. the interesting thing, most of the money will go to the lowest paid in the nhs. there will be rises for those on hand one, the worst paid, people like cleaners and porters, some of them will get up and porters, some of them will get up to 29% over three years, a whopping rise. there will also be a rise in starting salaries for those

coming into the nhs. to give you a sense of what it means in real money, for some porters earning around 15,000, their salaries will go around 15,000, their salaries will 9° up around 15,000, their salaries will go up to nearly 20,000 so a really big increase for them. the other interesting thing is that this is money which the nhs is not going to have to magic up, it is coming from the treasury and why that matters is because previous increases for the public sector, four example for the police who got 1.7%, they had to pay for that largely by finding the money themselves which caused a lot of anger among chief constables. this is a big cheese moment notjust in terms of those who work in the nhs and particular the lowest paid but also in terms of austerity and the public sector pay cap. and is it clear if this is going to be

accepted? it clear if this is going to be accepted ? it has clear if this is going to be accepted? it has been a long—running dispute. what was interesting was that this morning i was talking to some of the union people and i expect them to say, yes, it is -- is 6.5% —— is 6.5% but there is this and that but not a bit of it. they are pretty enthusiastic about what they have got and i think we'll recommend it to their members. they are not unhappy about the deal they have been offered. i suppose the question that follows is where does the money come from all the £4 billion is a lot of money when we are still borrowing a lot of money and when we have average debt for every household i think the chancellor said of £65,000 so we borrowing an awful lot of money but the government has 4 billion more to give to nurses. bear in mind that teachers would be saying that they wa nt extra teachers would be saying that they want extra money as well and all of

the public sector will be knocking on the door of the treasury to say, if you're giving it to the nhs, what about us? the extra bill is likely to be more and that raises questions about what is going on in terms of government thinking. my take is they concluded that people feel we can't go on any longer with this sort of austerity, that austerity fatigue has bedded in and we have reached the outer limits with eight years of pay restraint. thank you, norman. let's talk to john williams, who's an a&e nurse. he earns around £30,000. we've agreed not to identify the hospital he works at. and fiona johnson, who's from the independent health care charity, the nuffield trust. thank you paul speaking to us. john, are you happy with what has been put on the table? it is very welcome to receive this pay rise and that that

those on the lower end of the scale are being rewarded. we worked incredibly hard on it he paces and are very much deserving of the rise —— ona are very much deserving of the rise —— on a daily basis. are very much deserving of the rise -- on a daily basis. do you think it isa -- on a daily basis. do you think it is a good deal, fiona? it is important there is a recognition we could not go on like this. the nhs is not the nhs without its staff and we have a massive problem of recruitment and retention with 100,000 vacancies soak a step in the right direction to in the eight years of pay restraint —— so a step. do you think it will be accepted and moved forward quickly? it has been going on for a long time.” moved forward quickly? it has been going on for a long time. i am not pa rt of going on for a long time. i am not part of the negotiations but one of the crucial thing is if there is additional money coming in. the nhs could not afford to shoulder the extra £4 billion themselves because they have massive deficit is already so they have massive deficit is already so the pledge made by the chancellor seems to be coming through and that is really important for a

hard—pressed nhs. is really important for a hard-pressed nhs. what difference will this money make to staff working in the fund line and particularly the people like the porters and the lower paid staff? is it likely more people will stay in the nhs instead of the droves leaving that we have seen?” the nhs instead of the droves leaving that we have seen? i would certainly hope that was true. it is very welcoming for the lower paid to have this large increase. i do worry about the staff who have been serving for a long time, from what i gather there will not be a huge increase in their wages. to be realistic, this pay rise over three yea rs realistic, this pay rise over three years is not in line with inflation so it is still not a huge pay rise and in real terms it is perceived as and in real terms it is perceived as a pay cut again. i guess many people are watching this in the private sector would say that their pay is not going up in line with inflation as well, it is tricky for everybody. it is, and it is worth remembering that the nhs has been cutting costs

every year and probably around £2.5 billion of what it has managed to save recently is accounted for by staff before going salary increases. nhs staff have had to do their bit to keep costs down. and times are tough for everybody. thank you for coming in. still to come... tens of thousands of grandparents looking after their grandchildren are missing out on a little known tax perk which can boost their state pension by hundreds of pounds a year. and after ant mcpartlin's arrest on suspicion of drink—driving, what next for ant and dec‘s tv partnership? time for the latest news — here'sjoanna. more than a million nhs staff are poised for a pay rise, with a deal that could be worth as much as £4 billion being announced by lunchtime today. the bbc understands that health bosses and unions have reached an agreement that will mark an end to a seven—year cap and boost the salaries

of workers including nurses, porters and paramedics, but not doctors. facebook will be questioned by politicians in washington today, as the company comes under growing pressure to explain how data from 50 million users was used by a british company during the us presidential election. it's alleged that cambridge analytica used the data to target voters and influence the election outcome. that company's chief executive, alexander nix, has been suspended. both firms deny any wrongdoing. police in the united states say the suspect in a series of bombings in texas has died after blowing himself up. five devices have detonated so far this month and killed two people. a sixth parcel bomb was intercepted before it exploded. as members of the austin police department swat team approached the vehicle, the suspect detonated a bomb inside the vehicle, knocking one of our swat officers back. one of our swat officers fired

at the suspect as well. the suspect is deceased and has significant injuries from a blast that occurred from detonating a bomb inside his vehicle. unemployment rose by 24,000 to 1.45 million in the three months to january. it was the second month in a row to show an increase. however, the rate of unemployment was down slightly, from 4.4% to 4.3%. average earnings including bonuses rose by 2.8% in the same period. reports from nigeria say that boko haram militants have returned 76 schoolgirls abducted from dapchi in the northeast of the country over a month ago. 110 schoolgirls were abducted from their secondary school in february. it's feared at least five students may have died. eyewitnesses said a convoy of vehicles dropped the students off before driving away immediately. that's a summary of the latest bbc news. thank you. let me read you this

message which is come into us. we we re message which is come into us. we were talking about painkiller addiction earlier. a couple of people sharing their experiences. they were critical of gps and how easily they were handing it out. one guest said it was as easy as handing out sweets. this text is quite long. "ilm out sweets. this text is quite long. "i'm a practising gp of 17 years and i'm sure there is a massive problem with dependency to prescribe drugs. however, this gp bashing agenda is quite frankly scandalous. patients need to take some responsibility for their actions. falsely claiming to be in pain when they are not is a conscious decision the patient has made in an attempt to falsely obtained medications. iwould welcome a ban on prescribing many of these drugs if gps are not competent. i would direct these patients to specialist painkillers.

however, the patients currently wait several months to be seen. how is this additional demand going to be met? who will deal with the patient while they're waiting months, not the incompetent gp, surely? the general public have no real understanding of the pressures of the nhs, and your is simply attributing responsibility for the failings of society to gps, were quite frankly getting setup as reflected in the massive problems with recruitment." your experiences welcome. whether you are a gp, you work in the health service or you have an addiction to painkillers yourself. share your stories with us. here's some sport now withjohn. good morning again. scotland are eyeing a place at next year's cricket world cup. if they beat west indies in zimbabwe this morning, a place is theirs. they restricted west indies to 117—6 this morning. jason holder was the last wicket to fall forjust

jason holder was the last wicket to fall for just 12 jason holder was the last wicket to fall forjust 12 runs. jason holder was the last wicket to fall for just 12 runs. for jason holder was the last wicket to fall forjust 12 runs. for england, with the test series against new zealand starting on thursday, captainjoe zealand starting on thursday, captain joe root says the zealand starting on thursday, captainjoe root says the return of ben stokes is a huge boost. he will play his first redbook rigger for six months. nick pope will hope that he can impress england manager gareth southgate in forthcoming friendlies with the netherlands and italy. nine years after he was released by ipswich, he took place ina milk released by ipswich, he took place in a milk round. places in the men's squad are up for grabs. two english teams could reach the semifinals of the women's champions victor an manchester city and chelsea can come through their quarterfinal ties. the first legs play tonight. city play linkopings and chelsea face montpellier. that is all this board for now. back to you. thank you. tens of thousands of grandparents who look after their grandchildren are missing out on a little known tax perk which can boost their state pension

by hundreds of pounds a year. the number of families claiming the credit has increased from about 1,000 to 9,000 over the past year but up to 90,000 are eligible. we can talk now to caren satter in north london who looks after her grandchildren on wednesdays so her daughter is able to work. and mandy phillips, who looks after her two young grandchildren part—time as both her daughters—in—law work. how old are the grandchildren you look after, karen? how difficult is it? my grandson is five and a half and he is at school now. and my grand daughter, megan, is too. recently she has gone to nursery. as soon as recently she has gone to nursery. as soon as i have finished with you, i will be picking her up, then i will bring her home and look after her for the rest of the afternoon until her mum comes home. how difficult is

it? it is not difficult at all. it is wonderful. it is my pleasure. i love it. i couldn't wait for them to be old enough to be left with me. i'm excited to hear there might be a little bit of money that i can recycle, so i will probably go and buy some presents with it. it is a never—ending story. you bring of yours, you still —— you bring up there's. mandy, are you at hairdressers? i am. i'm working as i speak. tell me about your grandchildren. you look after them ona grandchildren. you look after them on a regular basis? yes, every week. one of them is at school until three. i pick her up at three. the other one is a nursery until three but i pick her up at 2:30pm so i can get the other 143 o'clock. and you work. that has to be exhausting? no.

lama work. that has to be exhausting? no. i am a hairdresser. i take them both from, i feed them and i bathe them. one of my daughter—in—law is comes and she takes her home at about six o'clock. the other one stays with me overnight. i then have all day tuesday because i don't work tuesday. her mum comes at six o'clock the following night. it is really monday and tuesday.” o'clock the following night. it is really monday and tuesday. i wonder if you think it is fair that you are effectively bringing up your grandchildren? i don't mean totally bringing them up. my generation of working mums, a lot of people rely on support of parents, don't they? they do. i have got friends whose children, many girls, who have virtually got full—time jobs. they are professional girls. they are working four to five days a week. i've got a friend with four

grandchildren. she is in her 70s. she does more now as more grandchildren have been born, i won't say more than she did with her own children, would she is certainly under a lot of pressure. and she is actually a widow. she is under a lot of pressure. it is quite exhausting. i think she loves it but by the end of the week she is tired because she is doing her childcare job. of the week she is tired because she is doing her childcarejob. we are not the age we should be bringing up children. you are supposed to be in your 30s, 40s. it will be interesting with your donation ladies, who are having leyds donations, they may not have somebody grandparents to help them because we may not be there. i'm in my 40s. i'm an exhausted working mum. i know how tired i get looking after my kids. that is why i asked the question. it is demanding, isn't it, mandy? it is demanding. but when you are tired and raising your own children and working, it's a

different kind of tiredness. i'm tired whilst i'm looking after them. having two together helps. they play with each other. ijust organise. then choose to have got the other one. she's a good child, so it's not a problem. you enjoy doing it so much. on tuesday they are gone. although i do see them other times in the week, maybe sunday, whatever, it is not continual. you do know it is finite. with your own children you are tired because it is relentless. this isn't. there is a reason why you have a special relationship with your grandchildren, and it is because it is not continuous. if i couldn't do it, i wouldn't. does this news that you could be getting extra tax breaks that will amount to several hundred pounds a year, make a difference? 0r hundred pounds a year, make a difference? or do you do it for the love of it. i'm guessing by your face that you think no right us i

can't believe we are getting a tax break. money would be wonderful who would not like more money. if! wasn't working and there was no tax break, i would still do it. they are your grandkids. it's what you do. thank you both for speaking to us. don't work too hard at your hairdressers! thank you. what next for ant and dec? it's almost impossible to imagine one without the other. the pair have been inseparable for years both professionally, as britain's best—known presenting duo, and personally, through their longstanding friendship. there you are, that's it, toff is our winner. i hope you've all enjoyed the past three weeks as much as we have. all that is left for us to say now though is, toff, you are a celebrity and you're queen of the jungle. get yourself out of here! well done, toff. cheering. a massive fan of yours, george.

so excited you're on the show tonight. not as excited as i am. i grew up watching this show, it's amazing, thank you very much. you grew up watching the show? laughter. i'll be honest, i'm starting to go off him. he's a little bit chatty, isn't he? stick to the singing, son. he'll be back later for the end of the show. george ezra, everybody. ok then, here we go. the winner of britain's got talent 2017 is... tokio myers! well done, tokio! but following ant mcpartlin's arrest on suspicion of drink driving, his much publicised painkiller and alcohol addiction and his split from his wife, there are now

fears for their future. we know ant won't be returning to this year's series of saturday night takeaway on itv, and dec donnelly is now working out what to do with the rest of the series. so what could happen next for the pair? someone who knows ant well is colman hutchinson. he's a former executive producer of itv‘s who wants to be a millionaire and blind date. with me is sam wolfson, editor of vice uk. he's written extensively about the pair's on—screen friendship. in stoke—on—trent is emma jackson—bowers who is a huge fan of their saturday night takeaway programme. her husband got a tattoo of both ant and dec. emma, i have to start with you. why has your husband got a tattoo of ant and deck? we - enter the and deem—h; haflm !— $5“; on the gig; on the plane. $5“; on the plane. the trigger just ii’ifi

best thing we - think of bef win ng we l zftfilsfikf'ofj j; 522. 22: z: z z z; that m m arm, is it? i on - that 2 arm, is it? i on his i that 2 arm, is it? i on his calf. at g his arm, is it?4fifi=hiffitfi what you make of what has happened to the partnership over the last few months, and the challenges that ant mcpartlin has been feeling? do you feel sympathy? i do feel sympathy. he is going through a rough patch. everybody goes through rough patches. with his addiction, the divorce from his wife, he is in a really bad place at the moment. as for ant really bad place at the moment. as forantand really bad place at the moment. as for ant and deck as a duo, i feel for ant and deck as a duo, i feel for declan as well. this is through no fault of his own that it could possibly affect his career as well. i want to bring you in, coleman. i know you know ant mcpartlin quite

well. i'm interested in some of the comments made by celebrities on tv in recent days. phillip schofield has been supportive yet critical about obviously drink—driving. and also piers morgan saying this ant mcpartlin is not the guy he knows. is he the guy you know? first of all i had to say don't know him well, i have only met him at functions and had a meeting so i don't know him personally so i wouldn't be able to say what i feel personally because i'm not a friend of his and i don't know him on a personal level, i have met him a few times. with regards to his future and you looking at this from an executive point of view, his future and the future for ant and dec is a huge brand for itv? absolutely, it is massive. i think the brand has been so perfect, they are loved by the nation, everybody thinks they

are perfect and wonderful and suddenly there is a chink in the armour over the last 12 months. and i figured it is frightening. these things can come to an end very quickly. you look at michael barrymore, he was huge in his day and could do no wrong and everybody adored him and it was wonderful and suddenly a few things go wrong and it is all over. it is terribly worrying for them i think. particularly, i feel for both of them but particularly for dec. he has not been involved in any of this, it is not down to him, and his career this, it is not down to him, and his career is under threat because of the actions of ant, which is difficult. talk about that friendship, you have written a lot about how strong it is, they lived near each other, it is quite an incestuous relationship! they are very close, they go to each other's houses and have dinner and go on holiday together and have always said that if the key to the success

that they are friends first and the career has come from that. that is why i think it is so difficult now because they have said in the past that they would not go on tv which out the other —— without the other. if ant is out of this series of saturday night takeaway and britain's got talent, presumably that means dec is out as well. it can quite quickly fall apart because they have never really had a hiatus from tv. since pop idol in 2001 they have been on saturday night prime time three shows a year pretty much constantly. i think it will be particularly challenging for them to talk about this in a way that can kind of work within their act and who they are. they handled it brilliantly on i'm a celebrity because when ant came back they make jokes about it and because they drew attention to it, it worked well also

slightly different if you look at addiction to painkillers against potentially a drink—driving offence. they have tried it this time, a couple ofjokes they have tried it this time, a couple of jokes and they have tried it this time, a couple ofjokes and move on and clearly that has not worked because there has been another incident. i don't want to speculate on whether it isa don't want to speculate on whether it is a relapse or whatever but it isa it is a relapse or whatever but it is a serious incident and at this point i think for the first time ever they might have do drop the act and talk seriously about what has happened to regain that trust with viewers. and also to be good spokespeople for depression and mental health issues. how much of this decision will be down to them and how much will be taken out of their hands by itv and by the advertisers? i think the decision will be taken out of their hands, because i feel that itv, their sense would be that we cannot have him on television at the moment when he is

under suspicion of this drink—driving. it is a family show, they are looked up to and admired. they are role models for young people. i think it would be very difficult even if he wanted to continue for him to continue at the moment while this hangs over him. as isaid, moment while this hangs over him. as i said, they are role models and thatis i said, they are role models and that is what they are seen as an they will have to overcome this somehow. i think it is too early to do that at the moment. as a fan, what is your take on this? do you think it would be appropriate to seek ant back on tv or do you think it is too serious an allegation which he is facing and therefore he has to step back? i would love to see ant back on tv but i think for the moment he has made the right decision by stepping away from his work commitments and he needs to get himself sorted and take some time out to heal himself and get in a

better place but i would like to see him back on tv. he is a big role model for most of the kids.” him back on tv. he is a big role model for most of the kids. i would like you to have a look at this if you can, because since we have been on air, a viewer who want is that weight ant and dec has said abbot point impact it had on their young son “— point impact it had on their young son —— who watches ant and dec. point impact it had on their young son -- who watches ant and dec. why are you crying? because ant and dec is not on any more. whose fault is that? ant's fault. it certainly is. come on now, stop crying.” that? ant's fault. it certainly is. come on now, stop crying. i can't! it's hard to watch. that is the problem, they had to connect with their audience and if their audience is cross... i think so come they have a broad audience, it is not little kids, it is mums and grandads and everything and there is a lot of

the audience who will have dealt with similar things that ant is going through and it is about connecting with that group and be able to talk openly about these things. obviously the priority has to be his health and the safety of others, drink—driving is a serious crime. i others, drink—driving is a serious crime. lam others, drink—driving is a serious crime. i am sorry for that kid, it is upsetting, sad that we will miss saturday night takeaway as lobber they have given it a go trying to prioritise being on tv —— as well. there was some talk on twitter about whether scarlett moffatt from goggle boxed, she was on saturday night ta keaway boxed, she was on saturday night takeaway on saturday, if she should have sent —— on goggle box also would itv entertain the thought of him presenting with somebody else?” think it would be a huge ask for her to co—host with dec, it is not an easyjob, they are hugely talented

and skilled at what they do and have honed their skills over many years. i think it would be virtually impossible to get somebody like scarlett moffatt, talented though she is, she does not have that quality is because she does not have the experience. i cannot imagine being ina the experience. i cannot imagine being in a position to be able to co—host the show with dec. i am sure there are others who would be capable, whether they would have the same chemistry... they could get tapili back. —— cat deely. thank you all for coming back. this morning we've been asking if there's enough help for people addicted to prescription painkillers? nicki hari told us her gp made an addict of her in prescribing them, but then had no idea how to help her dependency, which ended up lasting 25 years. it wasn't until i was 18 that i was put on very strong painkillers after having my appendix out. what were you put on? 0n codeine, co—codamol,

i was given tramadol and at the time i realised that i actually really liked that feeling. it was like being on a pink fluffy cloud, all of my worries and stresses went away and i just went away and ijust felt really relaxed about everything. the pain that i thought i had had disappeared so that's when it started. obviously it didn't continue solidly until much later. presumably you came off those drugs after you had the operation? yes, i came off them and it wasn't until i got into rehab and i looked at my journey from start to finish, well, not finish because i haven't finished my journey yet, but i realised i could see a pattern forming on how i loved having the feeling of prescription painkillers.

and it was very easy to manipulate the system. at the time the gps were giving them out quite freely. i would go to my gp, say i'm in a lot of pain in and be given a tramadol repeat prescription for six months so i didn't even have to go to the gp and it doesn't take very long to become addicted, seven to ten days and you're hooked. we can speak now to some of our viewers who've got in touch this morning. agnes is in manchester — she's addicted to painkillers but says they're the only option to address her pain. bob, who's in doncaster — his twin brother was addicted to painkillers. and jo is in glastonbury — she says she tried to take her own life after being addicted to painkillers. thank you for talking to us. tell me about your situation and how you got there. i started when i was pregnant

with my now 12—year—old daughter. i had slipped discs and i was given co—codamol at first but had a bad reaction to it and two years after i was given tramadol. a few years ago in 2013 i became ill with cfs, chronic fatigue syndrome, and i experienced a lot of muscle pain and this was basically the only thing that helped me. i have been referred to pain clinic, fried gabapentin, this is the only thing apart from coming off which might gb has suggested to come off and just hear the pain but it is not easy to live with this type of pain.” the pain but it is not easy to live with this type of pain. i want to bring in bob. it was your twin brother who was addicted to painkillers? that's right. tell us what happened. he was knocked off

his bicycle cycling to work one morning, he taught maths in high school, and subsequently had an operation on his back which do not go well and he was left in a lot of pain. he was prescribed numerous drugs over quite a period of time but each time he was given a different description he was not allowed to come down off the previous drug properly —— different prescription. these basicallyjust fried his brain i think any tried on a numberof fried his brain i think any tried on a number of occasions to commit suicide and in the end he managed to do it. it is desperately sad and i am so sorry to hear that. i wanted to bring injo, tell me your experiences. i'm approaching 50. i was put on, tranquillisers, in my

20s. the dose was going up because i was getting used to them and the doctor was giving me more. what i did not realise was one of the side—effects was depression and that led to me trying to take my own life when i was about 21. a couple of years later i was diagnosed with various pain issues and put on very strong opiate medication. this is an exact tv stories we have had throughout the programme. thank you all very much for sharing your experiences this morning. thank you for your company and all of the m essa g es for your company and all of the messages you have been sending to us, we do read them all. have a lovely day. thank you for your company. good morning, it was a cold and

frosty start. many of us had glorious sunshine. that will continue into the afternoon. this was the scene in leicestershire. some cloud further north and west and some rain affecting scotland, particularly the west, the east should be a bit drier in the afternoon all the cloud will spill further south into england and wales. plenty of sunshine in the afternoon. maximum temperatures 9-12d in afternoon. maximum temperatures 9—12d in the east of scotland. overnight, more cloud compared to last night and some rain in western scotla nd last night and some rain in western scotland and some in the east of england. nowhere near as cold as last night, temperatures around 5-7d. on last night, temperatures around 5—7d. on thursday some bright spells for many but as the day goes on some

heavy rain moving into western parts but for many it should be dry.