‘ now, ‘now, thank new, thank you. now, thank you. norman smith ‘ now, thank you. norman smith at for now, thank you. norman smith at westminster. the queen has marked maundy thursday by taking part in the ancient ceremony of distributing commemorative coins to pensioners. the presentation of the money took place during the royal maundy service at st george's chapel, windsor castle. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. the signs are not too bad for the start of the easter getaway. thing is not looking too bad at the moment. in places, some sunshine. that was nottinghamshire early on. not like that everywhere. showers spreading in from the south. dorset looking pretty soggy. the afternoon, showers continuing to drift in from the south, some heavy with pale and thunder, still showers of rain, sleet and hill snow across scotland. in between, dry weather and sunshine. this evening and tonight, the rain will continue to

drift north, could be sleet and wet snow mixed in over higher ground, wintry showers in the north—east of scotland. clear spells in between. quite a chilly night. not as cold as last night. the long weekend, thoroughly mixed, pretty cool generally, some rain at times, spousal sunshine, some weather to get out of about —— spells of sunshine. the rain and hill snow will fizzle, another band of rain pushing into the south, some could be heavy. in between, parts of the midlands, northern ireland, some sunshine. it will be quite cool. still outbreaks of rain around on saturday, sleet and snow perhaps over higher ground. the wet weather will tend to ease. still snow showers in the north—east of scotland. pretty chilly here. in fa ct, scotland. pretty chilly here. in fact, pretty chilly across the board. if you are waiting for a dry

day, reliably dry, easter sunday should deliver that, pheromones of cloud but sunny spells too. temperatures creeping up a bit —— fairamount of temperatures creeping up a bit —— fair amount of cloud. rain to the south—west, that is a sign of what could cause trouble on easter monday. low pressure bringing a front end from the south. the trouble is it will be running into some relatively cold air. still a fair few days away and there is a lot of details still to be nailed on, but the possibility that this wet weather could give some snow. a lot of uncertainty about how much, whether it will fall to low levels, most likely over the hills, and the further north, it should stay predominantly dry. if you have travel plans on easter monday, stay tuned to the forecast. snow could cause problems. a reminder of our main story this lunchtime...

theresa may is on a whistle—stop tour of the uk are exactly a year before britain leaves the eu. she has promised a deal working for everyone, saying brexit will mean more money for the nhs and education. that's all from the bbc news at one, so it's goodbye from me. and on bbc one, we nowjoin the bbc‘s news teams where you are. good afternoon. it is 1:30pm, here is your latest sports news. in the last half an hour, their head coach of australia's cricket team, darren lehman, has announced he will resign after the final test against south africa as a result of the old tapping scandal. yet previously said

he would stay on after being cleared of any role doing, but says the test busters tomorrow will be his last. he says goodbye in —— is a saying about the posters is the hardest ever had to do. good people can make mistakes. my family and i have had a lot of abuse over the last week, and it's taken its toll. many of you sitting this room will know that life on the road means time away from our loved ones. after speaking with my family at length over the last few days, this is the right time to step away. darren lehman there are. we're also heard from the now former australian cricket captain, steve smith, says he was devastated over has role in the ball tampering scandal. speaking on his arrival back in sydney, and

emotional smith said he will regret it for the rest of his life. cameron ba ncroft it for the rest of his life. cameron bancroft also spoke as he arrived backin bancroft also spoke as he arrived back in australia, united into perth. whittier from back in australia, united into perth. whittierfrom both of back in australia, united into perth. whittier from both of them and a warning of fast photography coming up. i made a serious error ofjudgment and i now understand the consequences. it was a failure of leadership. of my leadership. i'll do everything i can to make up for my mistake and the damage it's caused. i have let many people down and i understand the disappointment in the broader community. words don't mean much in the circumstances, so i'll focus on my actions and conduct going forward. david one has now arrived back in

sydney, he has also apologised. yet taken to social media, he has not spoken to the media yet. he tweeted that he understands the distress caused and it is a stain on the game. he says he will take a deep breath and, again. the aussies going to the final test tomorrow, faf du plessis says he hopes the players have learned their lessons.” haven't really heard what he said after a ll haven't really heard what he said after all of this. this will be a nice opportunity for him to maybe reflect a nd nice opportunity for him to maybe reflect and see how he can change the way he's played the game. i don't think that's the way that you can bend their games of cricket. staying with cricket, england have dropped moeen ali and chris woakes

for the second test in new zealand. the second time ali has missed out in three years. play starts in christchurch at 11pm tonight, coverage on five live sports extra. andy murray will play in his first event since having hip surgery in january. the former world and one hasn't played a competitive match since wimbledon last year. he will have one eye on the all—england club when he plays in the netherlands in june, a grass court tournament, so perfect preparation for wimbledon. that is all this board for now. plenty more on the bbc sport website. good afternoon, this is bbc news. more now on the prime minister's whistle—stop tour of the uk today — exactly one year before britain is due to leave the european union. theresa may has already visited scotland and england this morning. here are the latest pictures of mrs may meeting farmers at a cattle farm in bangor.

she is due to visit wales later this afternoon, before returning to london this evening. earlier, she sat down with the bbc‘s political editor laura kuenssberg to talk about what she is trying to achieve today and in the next year. the deal we want to strike with the european union is one that will be good for all parts of the united kingdom. i'm also listening to people. i met mothers and young toddlers today. i've visited a business already. i will be seeing farmers and others. and hearing what they want from brexit. if you think about the children i have met today, it's about their future. we want to get a deal that is right for the whole of the uk. it is a bright future, we want to grasp the opportunities brexit provides and to strengthen the bonds of this, the most successful union in the world. do you understand why some people look at what's happening

and are frustrated that they don't feel things are happening now? what do you say to our viewers, some of who are frustrated that things don't seem to be changing? i understand, because i understand why people voted to leave the eu. for a lot of people, immigration, taking back control of our borders was part of it, taking back control of our laws, taking back control of our money. this is all part of why people voted to leave the european union. we're going to deliver on that, but we need to make sure that we do it in a way that's best for all parts of the united kingdom and for people's futures. so it means having to be patient? is means a smooth process. there will be a transition period while we make the changes necessary for our future relationship. our future economic partnership particularly. but what is important is that give certainty to business, it gives certainty to people about what the regiments are going to be a swimmer to that

brighter the future. brexiting made a big promise in the nhs, you're now making a big promise in the nhs. some of your colleagues believe that the extra cash could come from the so—called brexit dividend. do you believe there will be a brexit devitt or there might there have to be tax rises for the nhs as some people are calling for? we're going to work with nhs leaders and others to look at what the plan for the nhs and the longer term should be. we want to provide a multi—year funding settlement but as we go through that we will once again take a balanced approach to how we deal with this. now, you asked about money from the european union — of course, when we leave the european union we're no longer going to be spending vast sums of money, year in and out. so there will be money available here in the uk to spend on our priorities. things like the nhs and schools. so do you believe there

will be a brexit dividend? would you call it that? there's going to be money that we otherwise would have been sending to the european union that'll going to be able to spend on priorities in the uk. would you rule out a tax rise for the nhs? we're going to look at a multi—year funding settlement. we're going to ensure, as we do that, we continue to take a balanced approach, that's what's enabled — to put money already in the nhs. so you're not ruling out tax rise? as part of our normal processes, we will look at the funding, we've got to look at the long—term plan. finally, do you think brexit will be worth it? i think there are real opportunities for the united kingdom. i think there's a bright future out there. yes, i think brexit is going to deliver. our country will be different, but i think there will be real opportunities for us is an independent is an independent nation in the future. the impact of brexit on european workers here in the uk has been much discussed.

but what about non—european migrant workers? every month since december, demand for visas has exceeded the monthly allocation for workers from outside the eu. that's never happened before. the government says it's reviewing the visa system. nina warhurst reports. a canadian biomedical scientist. an egyptian software developer. an indian junior doctor. all lined up with jobs in the uk and told they can't come and start them. like lots of counties, lincolnshire needs dozens more gps, but recruiters haven't been able to find them in the uk or europe. this doctor says ideal candidates he's found from outside of europe are increasingly having their visas refused. some of them even trained here. we're working really hard to recruit doctors and encourage people to come and train in lincolnshire. and then, at the end of their training, for them to have to leave is exceptionally frustrating. lincolnshire currently has 15 doctors sponsored by health education england for their visas. and if none of them are able

to stay, well, we're throwing away hundreds of thousands of pounds. the government told us a third of global visas do go to nhs workers and applicants on the skills shortage list, like emergency doctors and all nurses, will always be given a visa first. but for the rest, demand is still outstripping supply. so here's how it works. when there are far more applicants than there are visa places, the government puts those that have been offered the highest salaries right to the front of the queue. so, theoretically, the most skilled and best—paid workers are allowed in first. but what that then means is there's a squeeze on the number of places for those in slightly lower—paid jobs. why are so many non—europeans applying for visas? well, it's complicated and we can't be sure, but recruiters that we spoke to say that, since brexit, fewer europeans are keen to move here, which is why they're looking further afield. nicola represents dozens

of companies trying to recruit from abroad. she says the 20,000 annual visa cap is no longer enough. in your 20 years of practice in law, have you ever seen this many companies facing this level of frustration? absolutely not, never. we've never had any problems at all other than the last few months. this really is unprecedented now. the build up, it'sjust escalating for companies now with the unknown. when is something going to be done about it? but some who backed brexit say leaving the eu is an opportunity to radically improve the system, by no longer prioritising european workers. it's quite wrong that people from the rest of the world have to jump through hoops and we can have complete access for people from the balkans, for example, romania and bulgaria. the fact of the matter is, we should have a level playing field system for migration in the uk. the government told us that... ..who'll be able to stay in the uk

with their rights protected. they added they're looking at... but that will bring little comfort to recruiters who have been left with holes in their workforce, who say they are running out of options. in a moment, a summary of the business news this hour. but first, the headlines on bbc news: with exactly one year to go until britain leaves the eu, theresa may visits all four uk nations, pledging to make the country strong and united after brexit. police say sergei skripal and his daughter were probably poisoned at his home. high levels of a nerve agent were found at the front door. a senior labour party figure resigns in a row over a candidate who put an article on facebook casting doubt on the holocaust. i'm ben bland —

in the business news: the owner of bargain booze is facing a hangover from a combination of higher costs and rapid expansion that's left it on the brink of administration. the firm, which also supplies some pubs and restaurants and owns wine rack, says it plans to appoint administrators unless circumstances change. in recent weeks, it's issued profit warnings and revealed a £30 million tax bill. annual house price growth remained subdued in march, according to the nationwide building society. the average increase of 2.1% was down slightly from february's rate of 2.2%. nationwide said subdued consumer confidence and wage growth failing to keep up with the rise in the cost of living had outweighed increases in employment and low borrowing costs. one of britain's biggest and oldest engineering companies will discover its fate this afternoon. investors will vote

on whether they want gkn to be taken over by the turnaround group melrose. it's bid £8.1 billion for the engineering giant, which employs 60,000 people around the world. the business secretary has asked melrose for commitments which include maintaining the workforce and headquarters in the uk. live from the gkn aerospace factory is west of england business correspondent, dave harvey. shareholders have until 1pm to vote, and the company must reveal the result. it is wet and murky here in bristol. planes are very complicated, complicated to make, but if you sat on any airbus playing, the wings are

designed here. you can see the fla ppy designed here. you can see the flappy bits going up and down, that's what they make poker day run by gkn. a lot of the workers have come out today to talk to us. why you worried about the takeover? were wrote about morale on site and we wa nt wrote about morale on site and we want some sort of commitment to this site. all the members are very concerned about our futures and the expertise we have will be gone.” can see your concern, this is a huge operation, this place has been making aircraft for over a century. but will have lots of commitments from melrose, from greg clark, there's a they're not try to get rid of gkn, and it is thejewel in the crown? that is a drop in the ocean when you see the investment in aircraft. greg clark to as long ago,

it's too late. would you make of the government of being and bolts? there've only just stepped government of being and bolts? there've onlyjust stepped up to get involved. we do a lot of security staff in national interest on this site, it needs to be protected. this site, it needs to be protected. this site has so much history. it can't just be let go. do you really think a company would now take over gkn, you make vital parts for airbus, they can't live without you? surely they can't live without you? surely they would look after you? we'd like to think so, but the feeling amongst members doesn't like that. we're on a global markets, there is a lot of work on—site heading towards china and mexico as it is. we're just worried about what is left here and out worried about what is left here and our future projects coming back but aback thank you very much coming out, we will be watching on the news

channel this afternoon. to give you an ideal channel this afternoon. to give you an idea i would gkn is, if i tell you that when wellington went to war against napoleon he was using cannonballs made by one of the forerunners of this company. deals are made parts for the spitfire. it is very old, british company. let's talk about the struggling drinks retailer conviviality. the group, which employs about 2500 staff, has warned it may have to call in the administrators if circumstances do not change. michael hewson from cmc markets told us he thinks their troubles are based on a number of factors. injanuary, in january, they actually took cover the assets of another food wholesaler for £25 million. in hindsight, that probably looks overambitious in the context of the 30 million tax bill. while i think it's very convenient to talk about

the fact that consumers are feeling the fact that consumers are feeling the squeeze from rising prices, they are feeling the squeeze from higher import prices. management decisions also play a part in this demise. uk economic growth remained unchanged at the end of last year. according to the office for national statistics, gdp growth was 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2017. growth for the whole year was revised up slightly to i.8%. household spending slowed to its lowest rate of annual growth for six years, at 1.7% last year, as consumers faced a squeeze from inflation and poor wage growth. women working for facebook‘s uk division are paid bonuses worth less than 60% of those their male colleagues receive, despite a similar proportion receiving some kind of top—up award. the median gender bonus pay gap at the business is 41.5%, according to figures submitted to the government. however, the equivalent gap for hourly pay was much smaller — 9.9%. aianb is to start sending

the chinese government information about customers who book accomodation in china. data shared with the authorities will include passport details and the dates of bookings. the online home—sharing giant said the move meant it was now complying with local laws and regulations, "like all businesses operating in china". the markets, the share index a little higher, on course for an upbeat end to what is the ftse100's was quarterfor years. upbeat end to what is the ftse100's was quarter for years. cyclical stocks have given the blues, there are more dependent on the economic cycle. so shares like these were among the main risers, helped by the price of copper to the new up. and if you are wondering, there's the pound to euro price. the nhs in england doesn't have

enough beds or staff, according to health bosses. nhs providers has warned that hospital waiting lists will grow in the next financial year and patient care will suffer. but the government says it's addressing the issues with its latest pay offer and plans for a long term funding settlement. 0ur health correspondent nick triggle reports. the new financial year starts next week. for the nhs in england, it promises to be an important 12 months. staff are voting on a pay rise which will see their salaries rise by a minimum of 6.5% over three years. meanwhile, on wednesday the prime minister committed the government to developing a long—term funding plan but a new report by nhs providers, which represents chief executives, warns neither of these will help in the short term. the group says the health service is facing an impossible task meeting its commitments on a&e and hospital operational waiting times. at the moment, we are setting standards which our own trust leaders are telling us that they cannot achieve. at the moment, we are setting

standards which our own trust so 55% of our trusts say that they are really worried about meeting their financial targets next year, and 35% of them have said even though they have signed up to it, they will not reach those targets. that shows us the kind of culture we're operating in. we've got to do something to ease that culture. when people are set targets and standards that they cannot meet, we lose confidence. it says the nhs is short of both beds and staff with i in 12 posts currently vacant. nobel peace prize winner malala yousafzai has returned to pakistan for the first time since being shot by taliban militants. malala, who's now aged 20, was shot in the head by a gunman for campaigning forfemale education. 0ur correspondent secunder kermani reports from islamabad. she arrived with her parents in the

early hours of this morning at islamabad airport. this morning, she went and met the pakistani prime minister. from his office, she gave a speech that was broadcast on state television that was really quite emotional. she broke down in tears and a number of occasions as she said it's been her dream to set foot once again in pakistan the whole time she was out of the country. it was nearly six years ago that she was nearly six years ago that she was shot in a head at point—blank range by gun men from the pakistani taliban. they targeted her because you was a campaignerfor taliban. they targeted her because you was a campaigner for barrels education in her home region in northern pakistan, which was once a militant stronghold. she survived the attack and was taken to britain for treatment and has been living there ever since. she's now a student at oxford university, in fa ct. student at oxford university, in fact. really, now, her return is simple matter doubled as emblematic

of the fact security in pakistan has improved in the last few years. the level of violence committed by militant groups has drastically reduced, but there is still a lots of security around her visit and it's not clear at she's going to be able to visit anywhere other than the capital, islamabad. time for a look at the weather. lets join ben for the forecast. good afternoon, a real mixed bag for easter weekend is. the prospects for the start of the easter getaway don't look too bad at all. things may look different by the end, more and that to come. sun places today, but showers too. through the afternoon, showers travelling across southern and central areas. some heavy and thundery, some spells of

sunshine as well. showery rain in the south will work northwards across england, wales and northern ireland. snow showers in baths of northeast scotland, particularly over high ground. it will sound silly, but not as soundly as last night. easter weekend, cool for the most part, some rain at times. sunshine as well, some usable weather just about wherever you are. good friday, spells of sunshine across southwest scotland. sunshine developing for northern ireland, parts of wales and northern ireland. but showery areas as well, particularly in the south, some rain heavy and wintry showers. temperatures around 6 degrees backrub. some temperatures around 6 degrees some sleet and wait snow mix in over high ground. in between areas of

u nsettled high ground. in between areas of unsettled weather, some weathers of sunshine. still on the hillside. looking for a reliably dry day? easter sunday is the one to pick in most places? summer breaks in the clouds, sunny spells, a wintry showers to the north east, and then this rain wishing in from the south west. this could spell trouble for some of us on easter sunday, an area of low pressure spinning in from the south. the wet weather will run into relatively cold air. not the sort of jail we had a few weekends ago, but is good be cold or enough to deliver snow. this is a few days away, and there is uncertainty about how much snow we will see. it looks most likely to fold over the hills, but do stay tuned to the forecasts, mostly dry in the north, most likely

rain in the south. in between, the potential for snow neasden monday. if you have travel plans, do stay tuned. hello, you're watching afternoon live — i'm simon mccoy. today at 2. a brexit dividend — with one year to go until britain leaves the eu theresa may says it'll mean extra money available to spend on the nhs and schools. i think it's a bright future out there and yes brexit is going to deliver, the da nty there and yes brexit is going to deliver, the danty will be different, but there are real pitch ina diesel us different, but there are real pitch in a diesel us as an independent nation in the future —— the country will be different but there are real opportunities for us as an independent nation in the future. police investigating the salisbury poisoning say the highest concentration of nerve agent was found on the front door of sergai skripal‘s home.

if any good can come of this, it will be a lesson to others, and i hope i can be a force for change. the crying game — australia's shamed cricket captain weeps as he expresses remorse over cheating. coming up on afternoon live all the sport.