you re watching bbc newsroom live — it's 11 am and these are the main stories this morning: theresa may is holding talks with eu leaders in brussels as she seeks legally binding changes to the brexit deal — i'm in brussels. theresa may is meeting junker later today britain will not be trapped in the irish burger backstop burger meanwhile, jeremy corbyn has written to theresa may — setting out five demands that could see labour back a brexit deal in parliament the cost of energy is set to rise for 11 million customers after the regulator, ofgem, raised price caps — the average user will pay nearly 100 and 20 pounds more a yearfrom april a man has been arrested on suspicion of abducting student libby squire who went missing in hull a week ago. search crews recover a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying the cardiff city footballer emiliano sala and his pilot david ibbotson. all horse race meetings in britain are cancelled today after an outbreak of equine flu.

welcome to bbc newsroom live. exactly 50 days before brexit, theresa may is this morning in brussels to try to resolve the dispute about the future of the irish border. the eu has so far refused to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement and the prime minister's return comes amid anger over inflammatory comments made by european council president donald lets go to brussels now — and ros atkins is there for us. well, it was a week ago that parliament and theresa may but the bridge amendment which said that the uk should come back here to brussels

and demand a change to the prime minister is withdrawal agreement. with focus on the backstop and how that backstop needs to change. theresa may is looking at three options, either an alternative payment, or a time limit, of the option of the uk leaving the backstop unilaterally. we'll have to see if the eu is willing to entertain any of those options. the first of three meetings in brussels is taking place behind me with the president of the commission jean—claude juncker. an error go president of the commission jean—claudejuncker. an error go to visit or arrived and was greeted with the kind of security you would expect but also one protester who tried to block the motorcade and was bundled out of the way. a slightly more formal welcome came her way as the prime minister was then greeted by other officials in the european

commission and the point is that there meeting. the second meeting will be with the president of the european parliament and the elite brexit negotiator of the parliament, and then finally donald tusk, the man who made the headlines yesterday who, i'm sure you saw said there was a special place in hell for the brexiteers who pushed for the uk to leave the eu without a plan. first of all here is the protesters who tried to block the prime minister is motorcade. i wanted to get in front of the car that meant the car stopping then good. but the message is the government in london is playing fast and loose with the economy of the country. if the uk crashes out of the vigo next month

and that would be a disaster for the economy, and finally that is something that must be stopped. we speak to the conservative party memberfor the speak to the conservative party member for the european parliament. i think the key thing is to get the message across that they withdraw deal will not get through the parliaments so there needs to be some changes to it. i think the eu wa nts a some changes to it. i think the eu wants a little more detail. some changes to it. i think the eu wants a little more detailli some changes to it. i think the eu wants a little more detail. i think the payments has given detail of what the changes the payments you would like to see. a time limit on the backstop that you said is not a time limit on the backstop, so then we end up with alternative arrangements. can you give me more detail on that? there are measures that could work on the border but i

don't buy your inference that the uk could not leave the backstop unilaterally is something that the eu would reject. that you could be ina eu would reject. that you could be in a situation with the eu leaving with having no idea how to handle the border. the issue here is that you're the border. the issue here is that you' re really the border. the issue here is that you're really expecting the uk to signa you're really expecting the uk to sign a treaty that it can never leave. give me examples of any other countries who have done that. assume lots of conservatives don't like that option. let's go back to the alternative arrangements. where is the evidence that the technology is ready to deliver a solution to that? the eu have taken the view that technological solutions don't work. that the customs union is the only to serve the live acts of the border issue. i am to serve the live acts of the border issue. iam not to serve the live acts of the border issue. i am not necessarily sing the hour a silver bullet. i think the ability for the uk to leave unilaterally to be one we should

push for the combination of technological solutions if we get to that situation. there is no will for london to impose a hard border. both in london and dublin, no one wants a ha rd in london and dublin, no one wants a hard border. some people people think that the payments are putting party a bove think that the payments are putting party above country. there may be a majority empowerment for the customs union, close alignment with the single market, says what we call soft brexit. she could get that over the line? if the uk is only the customs union but outside of the eu it loses all of the eu trade deals in the future. it is a much worse situation than being in the eu itself. once people and begin to understand the epic you will get a backlash against the customs union, u nless backlash against the customs union, unless you have a cousinjenny per digital has a sea but also benefits from digital has a sea but also benefits

fro m m ostly digital has a sea but also benefits from mostly deals. we spent a lot of time here in strasbourg. those comments from donald tusk yesterday, did you think this is a taste of things to come? i think you're reading too much into that. they we re reading too much into that. they were comments that should not have been set for a man in his position. but i don't think it means we're going to have a partnership that is not based on mutual trust and friendship, it willjust be a relationship. speaking to an italian member of parliament no. what would you like to hearfrom member of parliament no. what would you like to hear from theresa may? festival i don't think the better agreement as a framework for future relations. i think theresa may should arrive here brussels with a clear proposal. there is not to have

a high border between the two islands. a practical solution, one islands. a practical solution, one is to stay in the customs union or the single market stop i think this would be the best for both. or to work on a smart border. we already have a smart border between switzerland and italy and other places so it is possible but you have to know what you want. we heard the limit heard yesterday how angry donald fisk squat with some brexiteers. how do that angry? no, we are not angry. we are comfortable inside the european union and we are

waiting for knowing what the united kingdom wants. we are ready to discuss, we are we know of the possibilities but you have to present to as a clear proposal otherwise we want to know what you want. i still cheer if you did after the brexit bought in 2016 and was told, we need to know what the uk wa nts. told, we need to know what the uk wants. brexit is about to happen and was so wants. brexit is about to happen and was so much of what the uk wants. we are very close to a withdrawal agreement, the backstop. other elements of withdrawal agreement have been agreed but we need to get this one over the line. i think it is clear what needs to be done from

the uk and eu the situation here in brussels is that theresa may will have three meetings with the final meeting with the president of the european council donald tusk. seniors will be keeping up—to—date all three meetings. i would recommend the jargon buster on the bbc website which takes you to all the details. the labour leaderjeremy corbyn has set out five demands for his party to support the prime minister's brexit deal — calling for them to be enshrined as objectives in domestic law in a letter to the prime minister, mr corbyn said labour wants a uk—wide customs union, close alignment with the single market, "dynamic alignment" on rights and protections, "clear commitments" on participation in eu agencies and funding programmes and "unambiguous agreements" on the detail of future security arrangements.

lets go live to westminster and our assistant political editor, norman smith. well it is being seen as a reach out by mrcorbin, an well it is being seen as a reach out by mr corbin, an olive branch but it appears to have infuriated some labour remainders he viewed as running up the white flag. i am joined by the shadow northern ireland secretary. how do you respond to comments that that is not responding it is facilitating mrs may's brexit deal. we know there is a very real and credible possibility that he was unable come back with nothing from brussels with anything of real substance. if that is the case we have got to move into a position where we had voiding her

challenge, it is my deal or no deal. on that basis there there have got to be credible propositions. labour has argued that we have to be any customs agreement with europe and the things that are injamie's letter clarify a ny the things that are injamie's letter clarify any very —— or jamie's letter clarify what we are seeking. any finance of common sense knows that we have got to have access to the european arrest warrant. where do you differ from to visit me in terms of the withdrawal agreement but the terms of the deal we are looking at now, you agree there has to be a backstop, you agree we have to have a transition period will stop where did you differfrom this is me on the council? the important thing on that, is that she has so far let the clock run down that we are now

facing the possibility of that no—deal brexit unless parliament gets to grips with the situation. whatjeremy corbyn has put forward is what they need to be in the long term relationship is what it does mean effectively means we would avoid the backstop, with street to the transition period into the customs agreement and single market framework. there is no need for the backstop at no possibility of a high border in northern ireland. these are important steps forward. if theresa may cannot see this when i think with a possibility of moving forward if she does. could labour support to semis at passages in?|j don't think we could support to bees in his present situation. she has

ruled that the customs union convergence. could you ship the current agreement as it is shaping up current agreement as it is shaping up to be? the problem with the current deal is that we have the transition, yes of course we would have to live with this because we are so have to live with this because we are so close to this march 29 deadline, but you cannot have the open—ended brexit which could allow for anything from a near no—deal brexit to a convergence. that is not satisfactory. we need something real and credible and that is how we move forward and give the nation comfort. importantly forward and give the nation comfort. importa ntly it would forward and give the nation comfort. importantly it would set —— or forward and give the nation comfort. importantly it would set -- or but there is no mention in mr cobb's letter of a referendum. neighbours

position is clear on that we have got to go through the stages. . we have got to allow parliament to build consensus around something. in any case parliament would have to agree a referendum, it is notjust turn up on the streets of the united kingdom. iam not turn up on the streets of the united kingdom. i am not sure at the moment, if the proposition was to put a second referendum before parliament if it would succeed. i think it is possible that helmets will vote for the kind of deal that jeremy corbyn has outlined. partly because it to move forward with biggest trading partner and begins to really build consensus, and brings people together. we may have a way to go yet because of the signs

are that mrs may is not going to be bringing back a dealfor next are that mrs may is not going to be bringing back a deal for next week's vote empowerment. we may not get to the meaningful vote until the end of this month. just one month before brexiteer itself. we will bring you further details on that as soon as we can. a vote that could prevent ramsgate reopening as a ferry port in the case of a no—deal brexit is due to take place today. the government handed seaborne freight a 13.8—million—pound contract to run a service to ostend, in belgium, under contingency plans to alleviate any delays at dover. but thanet councillors in kent are considering cuts to port spending that would make roll—on, roll—off services impossible. energy companies have been given the go—ahead to increase gas and electricity prices for customers on standard variable rates. the energy regulator, ofgem, raised the price cap by more than 10 % because wholesale cost of gas

and electricity has gone up. ofgem chief executive dermot nolan told the bbc that the change reflected the underlying costs of energy but i can assure all your viewers of is that the price is only a fair and efficient price. it reflects the true costs of supplying energy which have increased, but i can assure you there will be no profiteering by any company and that people will feel the pain if you're pressed for energy. our business presenter victoria fritz is with me now. this is going to affect men people who are on default tariffs. the advice is always to switch when you

can, look into your bills and see what you can do. 11 million households are still on these default tariffs of the cap is rising for them and they will see their energy bills going up by an hundred and £70 per average per year. we are also talking to separate cap on people who are using metres their bills are also going up a hundred p per year as well. the cab is only beenin per year as well. the cab is only been in place five weeks and it has already been moved. it does take the question what is the point of a cap if it doesn't cap prices? the paces can got the prices can go down and the reason for this is the wholesale cost, the cost of providing the energy to do in the first place. it is possible that when they look at this again that the cap could come down. but a lot of people will be scratching their heads wondering, i

thought this was supposed to be saving me money each year and i am here five years or five weeks later and my bills are going up. the reasoning for it is to cover the increased cost for the energy companies. it is not about profiteering. therefore if people are to move to cheaper deals, with energy companies picked up costs for others elsewhere to cover those costs ? others elsewhere to cover those costs? the big energy companies are under a lot of scrutiny by the order of british gas the big suppliers wa nt to of british gas the big suppliers want to be there with, it is possible that they will be making more money overall as a result of this. it is difficult to know how the market place and what might happen. the idea is to try to regulate this market as much as possible, to try to protect customers from the down side because of all of this for them. but lots of

people said these caps are not necessarily the best way to do it. the energy companies themselves are not entirely sure how the regulator is coming up with these figures as well. the likes of sse and npower who were going to merge their supply businesses at the end of december has shelved those plans based on these price caps. some people would see their working and that the energy copies are not profiteering as they used to. but the jury is out as they used to. but the jury is out as to whether these caps are working. the headlines on bbc news. theresa may is holding talks with eu leaders in brussels as she seeks legally binding changes to the brexit deal. meanwhile, jeremy corbyn has

written to theresa may — setting out five demands that could see labour back a brexit deal in parliament the british horseracing authority say cancelling all racing today was essential after an outbreak of equine flu. three vaccinated horses in an active yard tested positive for the disease yesterday. jonathan davies will captain wales for the first time as they make 10 changes for their six nations match against italy on saturday. manchester city have wiped out a seven point deficit injust over a month. their 2—nil win at everton takes them top of the premier league above liverpool for the first time this year... a 24—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of abduction in the connection with the disappearance of libby squire. the university of hull student has not been seen since leaving a nightclub in the city last

thursday night. police says finding ms squire remains their top priority. our correspondent, sarah corker is in hull. this raglan street here in hull where a 24—year—old was arrested last night and there has been a continued police presence with offices going in and out of a property here. humberside police are questioning that man on suspicion of abduction. they have not found libbey yet but that remains their priority. one neighbour this morning said they saw two csi vans packed her last night and also saw a car being towed away as part of the investigation last night this is an area popular with students, it is popular with students at the

university of hull. there have been extensive searches for libby. we saw many officers scaring through long grass in the nearby park, wading waist deep in a point new to libby's home. there has been a wide appeal for information. people are appealing for anyone who may have seen appealing for anyone who may have seen her to call their number. figures from the office for national statistics have shown that the number of fatal stabbings in england and wales last year was the highest ever recorded. let's get more on that from our home affairs correspondent , danny shaw. the statistics have analysed and statistics and what the show i

worrying findings. that the number of people who died from knife wounds, from another sharp object is at the highest level on record. so the home office started in homicide index at the end of the second world warand index at the end of the second world war and never before have we had so many people died from stab wounds. 285 and a 12 month period. it is a very worrying finding it goes up by 73 year on year, and knife injuries comprised the largest proportion of homicide. 39% of people who died in murder or manslaughter died from sta b murder or manslaughter died from stab wounds. followed by people who died from being kicked or hit. there has been a large increase in the number of young people as victims who have been killed or murdered. 16

to 24—year—olds, with 23% cap on 25 to 24—year—olds, with 23% cap on 25 to 33—year—old. black victims of stabbings, that was 25% of victims we re stabbings, that was 25% of victims were black, and that was also a record high. in terms of policy these figures will be pulled over for trains. how will these figures be treated? i think the home office and police forces will have a strong indication already of where the problems lie. these figures will provide confirmation for them for what they already know, that there isa what they already know, that there is a serious problem in terms of young people carrying weapons, carrying knives, and then ending up

in fatal attacks. it will just reemphasise the importance with which we are dealing with the subject. the government has a serious fire strategy which began a year ago which involves a coordination centre to tackle the cou nty coordination centre to tackle the county lines drug dealing is believed to be fuelling some of the violence, and with it will also be consulting on a more holistic approach, public health approach, for tackling knife violence. it is also trying to get knife prevention orders through parliament where people as young as 12 who are suspected of carrying weapons could be banned from going to certain places, banned from associating the certain individuals, and it will be court orders backed up the criminal sanctions if they fail to abide by those terms. the home office is already taking action to stop police forces in various parts of the country and in city areas are trying to support their efforts as well,

but it does go to show that is not this is not just but it does go to show that is not this is notjust a little blip, it isa this is notjust a little blip, it is a historical problem are facing. air accident investigators have recovered a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying the footballer, emiliano sala, and his pilot, david ibbotson. the light aircraft was found on the seabed in the english channel near guernsey on sunday, two weeks after it disappeared on a flight from france to cardiff. the body has not yet been identified as jon donnison reports. three days after being spotted in the wreckage of the small plane, investigators say a body has now been recovered. the air accident investigation branch has not said whether it is that of emiliano sala or his pilot, david ibbotson. specialist underwater equipment was used to locate the body, which will now be transferred into the care of the dorset coroner for formal identification. but the plane is lying under more than 60 metres of water, and investigators said difficult weather conditions meant an attempt a source at cardiff expressed

surprise that the demand was made as efforts to identify and recover the body were continuing. jon donnison, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with simon king. and brett and temperatures will get toa and brett and temperatures will get to a living 12 celsius. the site of the clear skies this evening rain moving in from the south and west and an increasing wind as well. the irish met service hasjust named this area of pressure storm eric. it

is moving its way and across the uk as we go from freighting particularly across northern ireland in southern scotland and with it some heavy rain with its way through the country likely to cause some disruption through the weekend. hello, this is bbc newsroom live. the headlines: theresa may is travelling to brussels where she'll press eu leaders for legally binding changes to the brexit deal. meanwhile, jeremy corbyn has written to theresa may setting out five demands that could see labour back a brexit deal in parliament. the cost of energy is set to rise for 11 million customers after the regulator, ofgem, raised price caps. the average user will pay nearly £120 more a year from april. a man has been arrested on suspicion of abducting student libby squire who went missing in hull a week ago. search crews have recovered a body

from the wreckage of the plane carrying emiliano sala. no phones at meals or bedtime... new advice to parents to protect children using the internet and social media from the uk's four chief medical officers. and we'll be finding why a leading female pioneer is inspiring the team behind the uk assembled mars rover. sport now. good morning. all british horse racing meetings today have been cancelled because of an outbreak of equine flu. the british horseracing authority claims its a standard contingency in cases of the infectious disease but an essential move. the events at huntingdon, doncaster, ffos las and chelmsford are off today. the meeting at wolverhampton tomorrow has also been cancelled. a number of positive tests for equine influenza were confirmed from horses that had worryingly been vaccinated against it. they were

from the stables that sent out runners at ayr and ludlow yesterday and the surprise shut down effects for fixtures today. it was announced and a late—night statement from the british horseracing authority last night. the flu is not fatal but is described as similar to a nasty case of flu to humans and is highly contagious. there are no testing swa bs contagious. there are no testing swabs from the horses from the infected stables to decide what to do next. wales have made 10 changes to their team for the six nations match against italy on saturday. centre jonathan davies will captain the team for the frist time as normal skipper alun wyn jones is on the bench. four players will make their six nations debut as coach warren gatland rests several of those who helped them to a winning start in france last weekend. manchester city have returned to the top of the premier league moving above liverpool for the first time this year. they scored an injury time goal in either half to win 2—0

at everton last night. aymeric laporte opened the scoring with this header on the stroke of half time. they had to wait until the 97th minute for the second with gabrieljesus sealing victory. city have played a game more than liverpool but go above them on goal difference. we had to wait until level to pill go to old trafford return turning the tables, we have one more game but it was an important game and know we have another tough, tough game ahead with chelsea. we have some time to prepare it. it's nonstop. and many many things we we re nonstop. and many many things we were solid and we plague again. aleksander ceferin has been re—elected as uefa president after running unopposed. he'll now serve a further four year term as the man in charge of european football's governing body. ceferin who's a slovenian lawyer... took over from michel platini after a corruption scandal saw platini banned from football. sarah taylor has been recalled to the england squad for their tour to india and sri lanka.

the wicketkeeper—batter missed the team's run to the world t20 final as part of the ongoing management of her anxiety. but she's been named in the squad alonside bowler katherine brunt... who's back from injury. i'm very well, i had a long winter all the girls have been away for a winter so it's nice to be back. it's warmer here than it was a few months ago, very proud of what they did in the west indies, but it's nice to be back training again. now, if running one marathon is hard, try running seven in seven days across seven continents. fewer than 200 people have completed the world marathon challenge. and the women's record for the event has just been smashed by britain's susannah gill. after the most gruelling week possible she finished just a few hours ago in miami. i haven't got just i haven't gotjust the i haven't got just the fact that i don't have another to plan. it's been about trying to finish when i

finish one race and start travelling to the next rest, but suddenly i suddenly had the chance to sit down and think about things, so it's quite nice and i think of it will sink in eventually. british freestyle skierjames woods won gold in the men's slopestyle event at the world championships. woods won on his second run in difficult windy conditions in the united states. the gold is his first at the world championships — adding to a silver in 2013 and bronze two years ago. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. a man who travelled nearly 200 miles to reach his injured mother arrived before an ambulance reached her. mark clements caught a bus, tube and two trains from london to exmouth, in devon, on saturday after his 77—year—old motherfell and broke her hip. the initial 999 call was made at 9am but paramedics did not arrive until seven hours later.

south western ambulance service apologised and said it was experiencing "an unprecedented rise in demand". mark clements is here with me now. thank you for coming and took theirs. you knew that an ambulance had been called at 9am. i decided, but initially after one error we still hadn't heard if an ambulance was there, so i decided that i was going to start making my way down the, assuming that when i get to know my mother would be in hospital andi know my mother would be in hospital and i would be going to visit her. and jed quite a journey? yes, it was quite a journey. it entailed a bus, to tubes off to paddington and then the train to exeter saint david's and then a local train down to exmouth and then my niece picked me

up exmouth and then my niece picked me up and drove me to my parents. what do you think when you got the house and realise the still hadn't arrived absolutely horrified. i could not believe it. sometimes you the stories of delays, but for seven hours? it is indescribable. to see my mother lying there in so much pain, i've never seen her in such a state. it was awful. presumably, you couldn't move her, as she suspected she had broken hip, but you didn't know? yes she suffers from osteoporosis, but she had a crack and went down. her leg was in an offer of possession and her body was an awful possession. we made her co mforta ble an awful possession. we made her comfortable by putting a pillow under her head. she was very cold because she was only called conservatory full floor. there was no way they could move inside to get co mforta ble. no way they could move inside to get comfortable. it it must have been very distressing for all of you. she

was in good spirits initially on the train when she phoned me she was having a conversation with me. when i got there she was getting very wea k i got there she was getting very weak and all she wanted was the pain to get away and we can give her any pain relief. she kept asking when the ambulance was going to arrive. where coal is being made to name a nine throughout this period? yes several calls were made during this period. you don't think the delay will go to an error, but after each error we were phoning and just highlighting that in pain. theyjust kept saying someone will be with you as soon. kept saying someone will be with you as soon. if you only live ten minutes away from an emblem station? yes, that makes it shocking. she actually lives in a town that has an ambulance station. what was the explanation for the delay? theyjust

kept saying they were very busy. when the paramedics came, and the paramedics who came brilliant, they we re paramedics who came brilliant, they were also shocked by this case had not been prioritised and why anyone was left for seven hours before it had been raised to a point where they had been called out. so, you've no lodged a formal complaint against south—western ambulance service. what you hope to achieve that? we hope to find out what the reasons where for this delay and hope it doesn't happen to anyone else. we wa nt doesn't happen to anyone else. we want a thorough investigation to work out systematically went wrong there. we all know there are funding cuts and anything else at the moment, but what we want to know is to prevent this from happening. what they've said as there was no immediate threat to life the demand was high because of bad weather and

resources had to be prioritised. when reacts when tax an emergency they said that during that period there were a lot of less serious cases, we just there were a lot of less serious cases, wejust think there were a lot of less serious cases, we just think this was a systematic failure of the actual service dealing with in a meaningful delay naming calls. is that any legacy of this for your mum? it didn't worsen the entity over time? it's taken her a lot longer to recover and she's got pinned down one side. we believe that pain is relying on hard floorfor one side. we believe that pain is relying on hard floor for seven hours. so, ithink relying on hard floor for seven hours. so, i think a relying on hard floor for seven hours. so, ithink a recovery relying on hard floor for seven hours. so, i think a recovery has been delayed from it and she doesn't really wa nt been delayed from it and she doesn't really want to talk about what happened to her so i think it must have been very dramatic for her to go through that. and have a she now? she is packing up. yes it was the first time she was back to normal

and laughing and joking, which as i was good to see. thank you very much. more now onjeremy corbyn's letter to theresa may in which he outlines labour's five demands for his party to accept the prime minister's brexit deal. the demands include a uk—wide customs union, and close alignment with the single market. that any future deal would have to... we can speak now to the labour mp, stephen kinnock. hejoins me via webcam from south london do you think this is a good preferred? yes, i think it's a step in the right direction, i've been campaigning for two years for brexit to be based on member of the european economic area. some people call that the norway option. i

d eftly call that the norway option. i deftly think this is a step in the right direction, i think it needs to be made more specific. i think we need to have a specific commitment to membership of the european economic area. so that we can give businesses across the company country —— across the country security and stability. it's certainly a big step in the right direction, we will be working together no with backbench collea g u es together no with backbench colleagues in the norway plus group to turn this into a position that kim can command a cross—party majority. there are mps who within your party are appalled by this. they're saying this is not possession it's the facilitation of a deal which will make the country poorer stop chris leslie has said, seriously helping to help a tory

government to deliver brexit, we are going to be effectively colluding in whatever they followed as. this is not opposition. what do you say to them? i have great respect for my collea g u es them? i have great respect for my colleagues who are campaigning for a second referendum, buti colleagues who are campaigning for a second referendum, but i would say to them with all due respect that they voted for the european economic area amendment back injune. there we re area amendment back injune. there were 76 labour mps who voted for that amendment and what was the biggest rebellion at the time in the history of the parliamentary labour party. i have always felt that there is cross—party parliamentary majority for a sensible bridge building brexit, that's what we voted for a back injune, myself and many other labour mps. that's what i think we should stick to. the country does not need a divisive second referendum no. it is still not clear what the question on the ballot paper would be. i think we

will be playing russian roulette with the jobs and livelihood of our constituents. sorry tent about, but it was labours policy after the conference that they would push for a general election and then a second referendum. as i just a general election and then a second referendum. as ijust gone out of the window now, ? referendum. as ijust gone out of the window now,? that's not quite correct. we said we would push for a general election and then all other options would be explored and, if nothing could be sorted out, then a second referendum would be an option. what we're doing no, what corbynletter to the prime minister is doing... it means a closer alignment with the single market and membership of the european economic area, a form of customs union and that allows frictionless trade on the irish border and protect the

jobs and livelihood of the people we we re jobs and livelihood of the people we were elected to represent. i was in brussels on monday meeting with commission officials and they made it absolutely clear that they are open to changing the political declarations. what we need is a deal that can be landed with brussels easily that command ape cross—party majority, so that we can get out of the political and constitutional crisis that we find ourselves in. what's the advantage of the possession that you're putting forward compared with the membership? miller stephanie brexit because we would be leaving the eu institutions. i voted to join the common market back in 1975. somewhere along the line after the maastricht process, europe became something i hadn't voted for. i

think we need to step away from all the political paraphernalia and become rooted and an economic relationship that works for britain. sorry tent retentive up were almost out of time. you're seem people wa nted out of time. you're seem people wanted to step away from the political union, but they wanted more than that didn't they? they wa nted more than that didn't they? they wanted an end to freedom of movement and trade deals to be renegotiated outside the customs union. they wa nted outside the customs union. they wanted something more than just leaving the union and all but name. i think 52-48 leaving the union and all but name. i think 52—48 as a mandate to stay within the same neighbourhood. it's a mandate for a bridge building brexit. it will involve checks on free movement of labour and provide an emergency brake on the free movement of labour. it gets you out of the institutions but keeps you in the efta court. it is a stepping

away from the eu withoutjumping off the cliff and wrecking our economy. that's the kind of compromise that british pollen takes —— british politics needs to discover the lost art of compromise. jeremy corbyn is taking the step in the right direction. there is more to do to get a political declaration that will deliver the kind of brexit that is going to reunite our deeply divided country. thank you. is this going to reunite divided country?” don't know if that is going to take... ithink don't know if that is going to take... i think it will be rejected by the prime to enemy, david lidington is also said he thinks it's wishful thinking. do think it's

the right path for the labour leadership to be pursuing?” the right path for the labour leadership to be pursuing? i think it weakens the test that we set for a teddy the semis brexit deal. it doesn't appear to reflect the policy decision we took at conference just a few months ago. which was to pursue a general election in that feeling. 0r pursue a general election in that feeling. or to look for other options. the only other option that we specified was a peoples vote on the deal. i'm worried that this is ruling the pitch for supporting or increasing to three semis brexit deal because jeremy corbyn has been sympathetic to brexit. does this and does your party reflect where you are and are you comfortable the path with a patio being taken down with your party? i've never been comfortable. the brexit vote did not

mean we had to shut up and roll behind the tories. with that eurosceptic labour tradition in the party thatjeremy eurosceptic labour tradition in the party that jeremy corbyn traditionally represented. i never agreed with their views about brexit. i was not comfortable with that perspective but i'm comfortable with calling out lies from the brexit vote 2016. i'm comfortable with is pointing out that the government says in sales that any form of brexit is going to make our country considerably poorer in future. and i'm comfortable with those people who point out that breakfast —— that brexit is at odds with this. do you agree that some of the labour party say that this is not opposition? yes, as i can see

that brexit is bad for the people that brexit is bad for the people that we represent. working class people will be the people who pay the heaviest place for this brexit in lostjobs the heaviest place for this brexit in lost jobs and lost opportunities and lesser freedoms and greater isolation with an our continent of europe. i cannot understand a labour party, that as i was been internationalised and wanting the best for all the people across the world, rowing in behind are acquiescing in what is essentially a right—wing ideological project. acquiescing in what is essentially a right-wing ideological project. so can you stay in your party know? there's been talk of splits. well it's my view that we need to stay and fight in labour until this brexit deal goes through and clinging continue to be honest with people about where we are. i make the case for jeremy people about where we are. i make the case forjeremy corbyn and the labour party not to simply roll over in the face of brexit but to present a proper, truthful narrative to the country and a proper opposition based on an additive. we know brexit is bad for britain but lets see that

clearly and stand up for what we believe in and principle and what's right. were just hearing from our bus was reported that the uk and the eu are to hold further talks and negotiation teams have agreed to hold further talks. theresa may is holding talks with eu leaders in brussels as she seeks legally binding changes to the brexit deal. meanwhile, jeremy corbyn has written to theresa may — setting out five demands that could see labour back a brexit deal in parliament the cost of energy is set to rise for 11 million customers i'm victoria fritz in the business news jaguar land rover has announced a pre—tax loss of 3.4 billion pounds for the last 3 months of 2018 — most of that down to an accounting charge.

stripping out that charge the company lost 273 million pounds. more than half of british households are set to see an increase in the cost of energy in april after the regulator, ofgem, raised price caps. more on that shortly. uk house prices fell by almost 3% injanuary compared with december, according to the country's largest mortgage lender. it's the second time in three years that the new year has begun with a significant fall. around 15 million households will see their energy prices rise after regulator ofgem hiked price caps designed to protect those on poor value deals. the energy watchdog said it will increase the price cap for default and standard variable gas and electricity tariffs by £117 due to hikes in the cost of wholesale business. this is a bit of a joke wholesale business. this is a bit of ajoke in the? it's

wholesale business. this is a bit of a joke in the? it's a ridiculous situation for consumers to find themselves then. let's go back a few weeks ago. it was only five weeks ago when the price cap was implement it. we are all initially this will be difficult for consumers to swallow. standard variable tariffs stuck up at the height of the price increase. it could corporately go down as well, do you believe that? wellness pet cats or it a full sill energy goes down? it could go down and it has gone up at the start of january but it could go down. for consumers here is that you should not be at the mercy of ofgem places. don't sit there as a setting that up on these terrible rip—off tariffs waiting for the next phase change. it's not a good situation for

customers to be in. so there is not any price caps on fixed rate tariffs? so yes, the fixed rate ta riffs tariffs? so yes, the fixed rate tariffs are set separate from the price cap. we look today to see what prices are available and compared to the pace cap change we will see in april, the average customer can save nearly £300 by moving to a fixed. and they get the certainty that for 12 months those places won't change again. this is valuable for customers looking to escape those hikes today. and these hikes have not,... hikes today. and these hikes have not, . .. they hikes today. and these hikes have not,... they can get some certainty in their households. some of the newer, mid—range set suppliers and offering these deals. more and more customers are getting these deals. the price cap puts people off and

gives people a fair false sense of security. you cannot rely on it to make sure you're getting the best deal because that is not the case. and some other business stories today. edf energy is to close a coal—fired power station because of "challenging market conditions" and the drive to decarbonise electricity generation. the company said it was proposing to cease generation at its cottam coal—fired power station in north nottinghamshire on september 30. uk jobs are attracting less interest from other european workers, figures released by some of the world's largestjob search engines suggest. data analysed for bbc news byjobs site indeed show the number of searches for uk jobs from other european countries has fallen the construction and health care industries have been the hardest hit. luxury fashion brand gucci has withdrawn a woollen jumper from sale after the item was criticised for "resembling blackface." the item prompted a massive backlash

on social media by users who claimed the design was offensive. in a statement, gucci apologised for any offence caused and said it would be removed from sale. let's have a look at the markets. shares in canada and almost 10%, firefighters are continuing to battle effects of a fire that broke out on tuesday. and about three minutes' time interest rates will be out. the pound has been trading lower this morning. unemployment and

inflation data has been a little better than expected. we might see interest rates stick at 0.75%. that's all the business news. you're watching bbc newsroom live. now it's time for a look at the weather. thank you joanna. we had some fairly strong winds this morning, but this afternoon it's a little quieter. the rain this morning is almost clearing away. if you share is lingering on in eastern areas. we will see some show is coming and eastern areas this afternoon. for most it's dry, bright there will be sunny spells. temperatures will get to 11 degrees. this evening and tonight we will see those when is picking up once again. along with it the south—west. we got

a deep area of low pressure which is currently out into the atlantic. it's been named star medic by the service. it will make make a big impact on northern parts of england and northern ireland. travel disruption likely through tomorrow morning. rain quite widespread and strong winds across england and wales. some heavy rain moving its way through the country as well. stitching to the forecast could i. you re watching bbc newsroom live. these are today s main stories... theresa may holds talks with eu leaders in brussels as she seeks legally binding changes to the brexit deal — but presidentjuncker insists the eu 27 will not reopen the withdrawal agreement. meanwhile, jeremy corbyn has written to theresa may — setting out five demands that could see labour back a brexit deal in parliament. the cost of energy is set to rise for 11 million customers after the regulator ofgem raised price caps — the average user will pay nearly £120 more a year from april. a man has been arrested on suspicion

of abducting student libby squire who went missing in hull a week ago. search crews recover a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying the cardiff city footballer emiliano sala and his pilot david ibbotson. all horse race meetings in britain are cancelled today after an outbreak of equine flu. welcome to bbc newsroom live. exactly 50 days before brexit, theresa may is in brussels to try to resolve the dispute about the future of the irish border. the eu has so far refused to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement and the prime minister's return comes amid anger over inflammatory comments made by european council president donald tusk who said there was a "special place in hell"

for those who campaigned for brexit without a plan to deliver it. lets go to brussels now — and ros atkins is there for us. over to you. welcome to brussels as we continue bbc news's coverage of the brexit story. back nine days and you have a situation where the uk parliament and the prime minister voted for an amendment that demanded the current withdrawal deal that was agreed between theresa may and the european union had to be changed. in the nine days that followed we have heard plenty from theresa may and the european union about what each of them wanted but today is the first time they have sat down to talk face—to—face. the prime minister is in brussels for three high—profile meetings. she has

already metjean—claude juncker the president of the european commission and we aren't expecting an immediate statement but we have had one in the last couple of minutes. they announced they will definitely meet before the end of february to continue discussions about how to find a way of getting to a deal which the prime minister thinks she can get through the house of commons. one development, to other meetings to come, she goes from this meetings to come, she goes from this meeting to the european parliament to see the president and the last meeting is with the man who has been at the centre of the news cycle for the last 2a hours, donald tusk, president of the european council who yesterday said there was a special place in hell for brexiteers who campaigned for brexit but without a detailed plan of how to do it. we will get into that in a minute but first of all here is the bbc‘s nick eardley. the pm knows she needs significant changes if she has any chance of getting a deal through

parliament. the eu continues to say it won't revisit the legally banding pa rt it won't revisit the legally banding part of the price of steel and yesterday the european council president wasn't mincing his words. iam president wasn't mincing his words. i am wondering what the special place in hell looks like for those who not brexit without even a sketch ofa who not brexit without even a sketch of a plan on how to carry it safely. that provokes anger at home. the man has no manners. it is extremely regrettable and not helpful but it isa regrettable and not helpful but it is a matter for him. amidst the controversy europe was making clear it isn't budging for now.” controversy europe was making clear it isn't budging for now. i will repeat myself and say we are sticking to the line. the prime minister knows her trip here today will not be easy but she will stay she wants to work with europe to find a solution. but what about working with labour? jeremy corbyn has set out five demands that could see his party back a brexit deal. they would involve a closer relationship than the pm is planning and he wants further talks to

discuss them. today marks exactly 50 days until the uk is due to leave the eu. we are still working out exactly what that will involve and it is proving far from simple. exactly what that will involve and it is proving farfrom simple. i am just looking through the statement that has been released from jean—claude juncker and theresa may. it says talks were held in a spirit of working together to achieve the uk's orderly withdrawal from the european union, so both sides reiterating their preferred option is for a deal and not for no deal although of course the prime minister insists that continues to bea minister insists that continues to be a possible outcome. it continues, the discussion was robust but constructive despite the challenges the two leaders agreed their teams should hold talks as to whether a white can be found that would gain the broadest possible support in the uk parliament and respect the guidelines agreed by the european council. you can read that a number of different ways but they are at least talking and the town is cordial and i think that is probably important given the reaction back in

the uk to what donald tusk was saying about some brexiteers yesterday. but we introduced you to martin anderson, a member of the european parliament who represents sinn fein and her constituency is in northern ireland. —— michael martina. what do you make of that statement? i think it is a confirmation of what the parliament expected to come out of the meeting which was the withdrawal agreement is legally banding if it is to be implemented and the backstop in the withdrawal agreement which is the least worst option for the people in the north of ireland, that has been confirmed that thatcher cannot be no renegotiation of that. but there should be and there must be discussions about the future relationship and the political declaration, there is probably scope and room in that for movement from both sides in order to send a signal to the people of britain about the kind of future relationship they

would have with the eu. sinn fein is a republican party and would like northern ireland to join the rest of the republic of ireland. why are you supportive of the backstop as the best way of making northern ireland? status and maintaining its border? sinn fein has been very clearfrom the outset, we have in trying to secure and protect the good friday agreement in all of its parts. we acknowledge the fact that the people of ireland across the 32 counties voted for the good friday agreement and we also know that there is a provision in the good friday agreement and people need to be co mforta ble agreement and people need to be comfortable and stop being dramatic about a provision that was voted for overwhelmingly and that is for a unity poll. but we want to do at this moment in time, we don't want any damage done to our peace process. we know it is very precious and therefore we have put case after case to a pulled the good friday agreement in all of its parts and thatis agreement in all of its parts and that is why we are prepared in this

context to support the backstop is the least worst option, but it doesn't deal with everything. and the good friday agreement was of course of huge importance to sinn fein but also you personally, you serve time in prison for your role in the armed struggle during the troubles. do you think there is a genuine risk to the good friday agreement because some brexiteers believe this has been politicised to try and stop brexit rather than because this is a genuine threat to the agreement. the people of ireland and the north of ireland, in my hometown of derry arkham deeply concerned about where we are at. the prospects of coming into a situation for young people and ourselves across ireland would be having political infrastructure dividing ireland, ireland has been partitioned and we make no apology for wanting to correct a wrong of the past which was the partition of ireland, but that said, don't misunderstand, please, the people of

england, your listeners should not understand and we are not allowing anyone to use or abuse our peace process. our peace process is precious. strand two of the good friday agreement, the all ireland regulatory standard, it necessitates ireland north and south being in the customs union and single market, so that over 150 areas of all ireland cooperation can continue and be built upon. we are not and nobody is exaggerating the deep—rooted concerns that people have, because it will have an impact. thank you for talking to us. we appreciate it. martina anderson from sinn fein. to reiterate, the reason why brexiteers are so concerned about the backstop is it is a mechanism within the withdrawal deal that says if there is no trade deal between the uk and the eu, the uk has to stay within the eu, the uk has to stay within the eu, the uk has to stay within the eu customs union and if it does

that it can't cut its own bilateral trade deals, something that a lot of brexiteers very much want to happen. remember if you want lots of background on brexit and the many dimensions to the story, you can get it online. theresa may has had one of her three meetings. we will keep an eye on the next one at the european parliament in the last couple of hours. —— next couple of hours. like you very much. while we we re hours. like you very much. while we were there, breaking news from the bank of england that interest rates have been kept on hold. that was expected, they are capped at 0.75%. mark carney has said it is likely that interest rates will go up once brexit uncertainty is out of the way, so if there is no no deal, writes likely to rise. the latest growth forecast, they have been cut dramatically since november, when it was put at 1.7% for this year, now

reduced to 1.2%, the weakest growth for ten years. factors around that are again uncertainty around brexit and also the weakening economies in other countries. those details we, we will have more later. staying with what is happening with brexit. the labour leaderjeremy corbyn has set out five demands for his party to support the prime minister's brexit deal — calling for ‘a sensible agreement that wins the support of parliament, and bring the country together.‘ in a letter to the prime minister, mr corbyn said labour wants a uk—wide customs union, close alignment with the single market, "dynamic alignment" on rights and protections, "clear commitments" on participation in eu agencies and funding programmes and "unambiguous agreements" on the detail of future security arrangements. let's go to westminster and our assista nt let's go to westminster and our assistant political editor norman smith. how much of a shift and it is it likely to unlock anything? smith. how much of a shift and it is it likely to unlock anything7m smith. how much of a shift and it is it likely to unlock anything? it is a shift and it has been provoking a

rumbling backlash from labour reminders and maybe even a revolt because some are now saying they are considering whether they can stay in the labour party because they suggest mr corbyn is paving the way for mrs may's deal by his conciliatory letter, conciliatory certainly in town, it talks about adopting a constructive approach and adopting a constructive approach and a pragmatic approach, about further discussions with mrs may to try and reach a sensible brexit. but in detail they are unhappy, there is no mention of a possible second referendum, and the red lines that are reiterated by mr corbyn such as staying in a customs union, strong single market ties, retaining eu employment rights, they all relate to the next stage in negotiations, the political declaration. they do not relate to the current argument over the withdrawal treaty. there is a fear that mr corbyn is edging away

from opposition to mrs may's brexit deal, this morning the shadow international trade secretary barry gardiner strongly defended mr corbyn's letter. what we are trying to do in the letter and i think he is trying to set out what we believe is trying to set out what we believe is needed to make a success of brexit and to move on from the present impasse. it is really trying to set clarity about our future relationship with the european union. is it different from the six tests ? union. is it different from the six tests? it is not about tests, what we are doing is we believe these are the options that are available that would actually secure a majority in the house of commons. some labour are now mulling over their —— reminders. owen smith has gone public and said it is a very good question whether he would stay in the labour party, and they are now

considering what they should do next. my instinct is they have not decided as it were to pull the trigger and walk, but they are deeply unhappy, deeply uneasy and i suspect their hand may be forced when we get to the next brexit vote, which is scheduled for next thursday. punch moment looms for mrs may and perhaps mr corbyn. thank you. more coming up on newsroom live on the news channel. right now we say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. energy companies have been given the go—ahead to increase gas and electricity prices for customers on standard variable rates. the energy regulator, ofgem, raised the price cap by more than 10%, because wholesale cost of gas and electricity has gone up. our personal finance correspondent simon gompertz reports. 11 million people like jackie from south manchester are on the expensive standard variable prices, which are capped. to her, it makes no sense that a cap

on gas and electricity costs can be raised. in my mind, if somebodyjust says to me we're capping your price, i would think well, that's great, i don't have to worry about it, i don't have to think about it. but, it isn't, is it? it isn't true. but ofgem will reset the cap every six months, causing worry in stockport, nearby, about coping with higher bills. we spent a ridiculous amount, to the point where we were struggling at one point, and we couldn't even afford it, could we? no. because of that. but no, i don't think they should be put up. it's ridiculous, theyjust keep on and on with this. it'sjust crazy, you know, i... and this changing your supplier all the time, we shouldn't have to be doing that. gas and electricity bills, it's a massive issue for us here in stockport. .. steve from citizens advice accepts the explanation that world energy prices have gone up, but warns about the impact. the choice between food and heating often then comes back. if you haven't a lot of disposable income,

you're going to have to make a choice, a difficult choice, to either put the heating on or put food on the table, potentially. to customers, the idea of a price cap that can be lifted seems unfair. it looks like they're having to pay more so that the suppliers's profits can be protected. there is a way out — to shop around for a cheaper deal, which is what jackie's already resolved to do. simon gompertz, bbc news. a 24—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of abduction in the connection with the disappearance of libby squire. the university of hull student has not been seen since leaving a nightclub in the city last thursday night. police says finding ms squire remains their top priority. our correspondent sarah corker is in hull. bring us up to date with the latest. this is raglan street in hull where the 24—year—old was arrested last night. there is a heavy police

presence here. in the last ten minutes we saw crime scene investigators entering a property here. humberside police either continue to question that 24—year—old on suspicion of abduction. over the last week there have been extensive searches for libby squire but police say they have still not found her and that remains their top priority. this is a residential area of hull popular with students, it is close to the university. earlier i spoke to neighbours who said they saw a car being towed away like last night and they say there is a growing sense of anxiety and worry. it hasjust affected everybody. such a young girl. when you have got kids of their own. ijust girl. when you have got kids of their own. i just can't girl. when you have got kids of their own. ijust can't imagine what parents are going through. as a mother yourself how do you feel? sick. really upset. it is a short,

it is awful that things like that are still happening.. everyone is feeling shook up. as a female people are worried about student areas not being the cyclist and i think that has contributed to that. i know none of my friends are going home in the dark at the minute so it is scary for everyone. libby went missing just over a week ago. she was on a night out in the city. she got into a taxi, was dropped off near her home and then later was seen on cctv sitting on a bench close to where she lived. she hasn't been seen since. she is 21, a philosophy student. she grew up in buckinghamshire and moved to hull in 2017. yesterday we saw a lot of police activity at a park mare her home, around 30 officers searching through long grass and bushes and we also saw the original marine unit. they were wading through a pond waste deep going through some quite

deep water. later today police have said to us they will be driving a billboard with libby's picture on site to get people to come forward with information. they want anyone with information. they want anyone with information. they want anyone with information about her disappearance to call them on the one the one number. thank you. the headlines on bbc news... theresa may holds talks with eu leaders in brussels as she seeks legally binding changes to the brexit deal. but presidentjuncker insists the eu27 will not reopen the withdrawal agreement. meanwhile, jeremy corbyn has written to theresa may — setting out five demands that could see labour back a brexit deal in parliament. the bank of england slashes its growth forecast this year to 1.2%, the lowest since the financial crisis. interest rates are unchanged. time for the sport.

british horse racing meetings today have been cancelled. because of an outbreak of equine flu. the british horseracing authority claims its a standard contingency in cases of the infectious disease... but an essential move. the events at huntingdon, doncaster, ffos las and chelmsford are off today... and the meeting at wolverhampton tomorrow has also been cancelled. a number of positive tests for equine influenza were confirmed for horses that have been vaccinated against it worryingly. they were from stables that sent out runners at ayr and ludlow yesterday and this affects four fixtures today, the shutdown was announced in a pretty dramatic late—night statement for the british horse racing authority last night. this flu is entitled. it is described simply as that is a nasty case of flu in a human but it is contagious and the authority is supervising swab of horses from the impact of stable but have raced over

recent days to decide what to do next. wales have made 10 changes to their team for the six nations match against italy on saturday. to their team for the six nations centrejonathan davies will captain the team for the first wales have made 10 changes to their team for the six nations time as normal skipper alun wyn jones is on the bench. four players will make their six nations debut as coach warren gatland rests several of those who helped them to a winning start in france last weekend. aleksander ceferin has been re—elected as uefa president after running unopposed. he'll now serve a further four year term as the man in charge of european football's governing body. ceferin, who's a slovenian lawyer, took over from michel platini after a corruption scandal saw platini banned from football. sarah taylor has been recalled to the england squad for their tour to india and sri lanka. the wicketkeeper—batter missed the team's run to the world t20 final as part of the ongoing management of her anxiety. but she's been named in the squad alonside bowler katherine brunt, who's back from injury. iam very i am very well. i have had a long winter. but just i am very well. i have had a long winter. butjust training hard. it is nice to be back with all the

girls. they have been a way through the winter and it is nice to be back, a lot more here than a few months ago, but completely proud of what they did in the west indies but it is nice to be back training again. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. figures from the office for national statistics have shown that the number of fatal stabbings in england and wales last year was the highest ever recorded. our home affairs correspondent danny shaw gave us the latest. these are statistics from the experts, the office for national statistics, and what they have done is analysed violent crime and homicide in the year to the end of march 2018. what they show, clearly the most worrying finding, as the number of people who died from knife wounds or wounds from another sharp object was at the highest level on record. the home office started what is called a homicide index in 19116,

at the end of the second world war, and never before have we had so many people dying from stab wounds. 285 in that 12 month period. it is a very worrying finding. it was up by 73 year—on—year, so it is a large increase year—on—year. knife injuries is the largest proportion of homicide, 39% of people who died in the cases of murder or manslaughter died from stab wounds. followed by people who died from being kicked or hit. in terms of the victims, what we can also see is there has been a large increase in there has been a large increase in the number of young people who have been killed or murdered. 16—24 —year—olds, 45% up in that age group. 25—34 —year—olds, 23% up. big increases there. in terms of the number of black victims of stabbings, that was 25% of victims

we re stabbings, that was 25% of victims were black and that is also a record high. so, obviously in terms of policy these figures will be poured overfor policy these figures will be poured over for trends that can be spotted and you are pointing out the increase in certain victims, young victims, black victims, all up, how will these figures be treated?” think the home office and police forces will have a strong indication already of where the problems lie. these figures will provide confirmation for them of what they probably already know, that there is a serious problem in terms of young people carrying weapons, particularly knives and then ending up particularly knives and then ending up infatal particularly knives and then ending up in fatal attacks. so it willjust reemphasise the importance with which they are dealing with this subject. the government has a serious violent strategy that it began a year ago, it involves a coordination centre to tackle the

cou nty coordination centre to tackle the county lines drug dealing that has believed to be fuming some of the balanced toss feeling. it will be ona on a more holistic public health approach to tackling knife violence. it is trying to get through knife prevention orders through parliament where people as young as 12 suspected of carrying weapons could be banned from going to certain places and associating with certain individuals. there will be court orders that will be backed up by criminal sanctions if they fail to abide by those terms. the home office is already taking action. we see police forces in various parts of the country, particularly in city areas trying to step up their effo rts areas trying to step up their efforts as well. but itjust goes to show that this isn't just a little blip. this seems to be a trend, and historical problem that we are facing at the moment. around 20 families have spent the night in emergency accommodation after being evacuated from their homes, following a large fire at the online supermarket ocado warehouse in hampshire. 200 firefighters were drafted in to tackle the blaze

at the site in andover, which started in the early hours of tuesday morning. a 500 metre "exclusion zone" has been set up due to the risk of toxins or an explosion. ocado says the fire caused substantial damage, but confirmed no one was injured. four men have been taken to hospital after a gas explosion and fire in a flat in batley in west yorkshire. police said "a number of people" suffered burns but their injuries are not thought to be life—threatening. emergency services were called just before 7pm after reports of a "loud noise". people from the immediate area have been evacuated as a precaution. the uk's four chief medical officers have issued their first advice on the use of screens and social media by children and young people. they have urged parents to put their children's phones outside the bedroom at night, to ban the devices at meal times and never assume a child is happy to have their photo published online. our health correspondent dominic hughes has more. learning about internet safety starts early.

important lessons for these liverpool primary school children around information and identity. all: let's start with c. the dos and don'ts of the online world. all: consent! the issue of consent is one of the areas covered by new advice from the uk's chief medical officers. it includes talking about safely sharing photos and information online, keeping phones out of bedrooms to help you sleep, and taking a break to get moving after a couple of hours on screens. advice designed to help parents navigate their way through a new and unfamiliar landscape. the advice we give is based on strong evidence about good, healthy development of children and young people. why have we given it, related to this issue? we have a careful discussion among the chief medical officers, and we believe that we should adopt in this country a precautionary approach to protecting our children. how to police and balance

their children's use of screens can be a challenge for many parents. so, for mum kate, any guidance from experts is welcome. ifeel like, being a parent, you're constantly learning and informing yourself and getting the best advice you can. so i think that's enormously helpful. i can imagine for some parents they'd feel like they're just being told what to do, and they feel they've got it sorted, and they might resent that. but, personally speaking, yeah, i'm really glad somebody‘s going to give me a bit of input there. the advice also contains a voluntary code of conduct for industry, something that will no doubt be explored when health ministers meet bosses from instagram later today. dominic hughes, bbc news, liverpool. time for look at the weather with lucy martin. high. thank you. some wet and windy weather to come as the next storm, storm eric works in from the west. into friday and then

saturday you can see it here on the pressure chart, a rapidly deepening area of low pressure gradually pushing east. some of us have seen some wet and windy conditions already thanks to an area of low pressure clearing east here. through this afternoon we will see the wind is starting to ease. some sunshine but one or two showers for western areas could be very blustery. some along the south coast. a maximum of 10 celsius. through it and clear spells to begin with four north—eastern areas. we could see an early touch of frost but cloud and outbreaks of rain will work their way in from the west as we move through the night. strengthening winds. tomorrow to start plenty of cloud. outbreaks of rain, at first heaviest in the west but then working east, the risk of thunder and lightening, heavy and persistent rain in the north—west. very strong winds. to stray across the forecast. bye— bye. hello, this is bbc newsroom live. the headlines. we will actually go straight to mark carney, the bank of england, who is

going to speak to the media. interest rates have been kept on hold at not —— 0.7%. —— .75%. welcome to the bank's inflation report press conference. to my left is dave ramsden, the deputy governor for markets and banking. on my far right is ben broadbent, the deputy governor for monetary policy, and on my immediate right is mark carney, the governor. thank you, good afternoon. there is a story that century so ago, the times ran a headline, fog in the channel, confident cut off. i stress this is just a story. —— continent cut off. like much regarding britain and europe, it's difficult to separate fa ct europe, it's difficult to separate fact and fiction. cutting off the continent is not the intention of

books it. the uk is you leaving europe, and it is pursuing an ambitious partnership. the exact form of that partnership, how it will be settled and when that settle m e nt will be settled and when that settlement will take effect are all still unclear. in the fog of brexit, thatis still unclear. in the fog of brexit, that is causing short—term bonus energy in economic data and it is creating a 60 —— volatility in economic data and creating tensions in the economy and business. many companies are stepping up contingency planning, the economy is not still prepared for a no deal, no transition exit. just one example, half of the businesses in the latest survey by the bank's agents are not ready for such a possibility. and on balance, respondents expect output, employment and investment to contract substantially if it were to occur. actual business investment is likely to have fallen 3% over the past year despite the ongoing

domestic expansion, strong corporate balance sheet and high business profitability. the latest indicators including from the bank's decision—makers panel of over 7000 firms suggests more of the same. there is increasing evidence that companies are building stocks as pa rt companies are building stocks as part of their contingency planning. it is likely that these have a strong import component thereby limiting the net impact aggregate demand. but the news is not all glum, even though companies are not currently investing, they are hiring. with the employment rate now the highest since records began in 1971. the fog of brexit is creating tensions for households. despite the strong labour market, consumer confidence took another step down in january and the gap between the relative high confidence that households have in their personal financial situation and the more sceptical view of the general economic outlook is now extraordinarily wide. it is possible that such uncertainty is holding

back spending on durable including ca rs back spending on durable including cars and housing. indeed with house prices now flat nationwide and mortgage demand soft, spending on all aspects of housing including renovations and transactions could bea renovations and transactions could be a short—term drag on growth. retail sales contracted by 0.2% in 04, retail sales contracted by 0.2% in qa, and indicators suggest spending growth has been modest since the start of the year. nonetheless, given the historic resilience of the uk consumer and the strong growth in household real incomes, which are likely to have risen by 2.5% in the year to 2019 q1, likely to have risen by 2.5% in the year to 2019 01, that's the strongest rate since the referendum, household spending is an upside risk to our forecast. finally the fog of brexit is creating tensions in financial markets. those markets remain sensitive to brexit related news, and a variety of risks on uk assets are elevated. given the wide

range of potential scenarios and the various parts to them, it would be remarkable if the current levels of sterling and other uk financial asset prices were consistent with the outcome that finally emerges. how the tensions are reconciles once the fog lifts will be have consequences for the part of monetary policy in ways which cannot be predicted in advance. in the forecasts of the economy, and to set policy accordingly, the mpc must makejudgments policy accordingly, the mpc must make judgments and assumptions. the judgments, given the dynamics of the negotiations, we now assume uncertainty will remain elevated for a while and financial conditions state tighter for longer. second, a while and financial conditions state tighterfor longer. second, we have downgraded our forecast for uk weighted global gdp, the bit of global growth which matters to uk exporters, by 0.5% material. over the past year the global economy has transitioned from robust broad—based expansion to widespread slowdown

with all major regions currently decelerating in wake of tighter financial conditions in rising trade tensions. nevertheless, with the easier path of monetary policy in all major economic areas now implied by markets, the mpc expects global growth will stabilise later this year at around potential rates. as usual, our projections incorporate a number of assumptions. as for oil prices and energy prices more broadly, which are expected to push inflation below target in the near—term. in conditioning path for the sterling exchange rate which is down about 1% on november, market interest rates which suggest a gently rising path or bank rate over the next three years, the path for government spending and taxation is set out as in the autumn budget which rages gdp —— raises gdp by one third of the percent relative to previous plans. and most importantly, a smooth transition to

a brexit deal which is the average of various possibilities. the mpc recognises that these assumptions and judgments will need to be updated once greater clarity emerges about the nature of the eu withdrawal. come out the judgments and assumptions lead to a forecast in which business investment and economic growth soften further in the near term before picking up sharply as the fog clears. uk growth is expected to rise to 2% by the end of the forecasts, building excess demand in the process. inflation dips below target in the near term before picking up unsettling a little above the 2% target for the balance of the forecast. —— and settling above 2%. much is uncertain in present but one certainty is the uk economy will not involve exactly as described in this inflation report. for starters, the average of a range of different outcomes is not the same as a specific deal. the timing of the agreement and the

timing of the agreement and the timing of the agreement and the timing of its implementation could change. the pace of the rebound and investment and pick—up in consumption could be different, and whatever form brexit takes, consumption could be different, and whateverform brexit takes, the world will still turn at its outlook will change. in the context of brexit, uncertainty itself is one of the factors which are driving the current outlook for growth and inflation. and to illustrate these effects, the mpc has provided sensitivities up to our projections of exit uncertainties. any persistent adjustment in sterling would likely have material consequences for inflation and policy relevant horizon is due to the slow speed to consumer prices. the depreciation or appreciation of 596 the depreciation or appreciation of 5% would leave the safe —— lead inflation 0.3% higher or lower three yea rs inflation 0.3% higher or lower three years from now, all else equal. the outlook for growth and inflation depends heavily on the extent to

which brexit uncertainties involved. uncertainty about the outcome of negotiations has intensified since november, and it is now weighing no heavily on activity on the predominately through lower business investment and tighter financial conditions. depending on how the negotiations progress, particularly regarding clarity on the ultimate form of the new economic partnership, brexit uncertainties could dissipate sooner or they could intensify further than the mpc has assumed in its central production. a more rapid decline in uncertainty could boost annual gdp by a round 0.5% on average over the forecast period, and raise inflation in the medium time by 0.4 percentage points. by contrast, if there were a rise in uncertainty and tightening financial conditions could wish demand growth below supply growth and leave inflation below the 2% target. finishing on indications for

monetary policy. while uncertainty is affecting the near—term performance of the economy, judging the appropriate part of monetary policy acquires focusing on more persistent factors. the fundamentals of the uk economy are sound. the financial sector is resilient, corporate balance sheet are strong and the labour market is tight. based on the smooth brexit conditions, growth is expected to pick up above the rate of growth to supply capacity, excess demand is likely to build and inflation will settle about the 2% target. if these circumstances come to pass, the committeejudges that circumstances come to pass, the committee judges that an ongoing tightening of monetary policy over the forecast period, at a gradual pace, and to a limited extent, would be appropriate to return inflation sustainably to the 2% target and a conventional horizon. the appropriate path of monetary policy will depend on the allens of effects

of brexit on supply, demand and the exchange rate. the response will not be automatic and could be in either direction. although it is not clear how much the fog of brexit will last, whatever the weather, the mpc will always act to achieve their 2% target consistent with its remit. i am now pleased to take your questions. if you could give us your name and the organisation you represent, and please stick to one question each. that starts with —— let's start with you. bbc news. last may you said that households were over 900 pounds worse off in real terms compared to what you might have expected in may 2016. given the wea ker growth have expected in may 2016. given the weaker growth profile you have unveiled, due to the prolonged uncertainty and that weaker external backdrop, could you update us on those figures and given the

sensitivities you have looked at, when you look at the heightened uncertainty, it does suggest a potentially quite a big knock on growth this year and next. how could that impact on households? first thing i will say is that the good news is that household real incomes have been growing. in fact, to the balance of this year and in the last latter half of 2018 and we think extending into the first quarter of this year, household real income growth is as strong as it has been since the referendum. part of that is inflation coming down but also with the tight labour market we have seen wages with the tight labour market we have seen wages pick up and something which is in this report, which i should reinforce, whether it is our surveys of businesses, other surveys , surveys of businesses, other surveys, or actual reported data, we have seen a steady pick up in real wage growth both in the private sector and the public sector. and

what matters for inflation is we have seen a pick—up in unit wage costs. what it is relative to productivity. so households are beginning to move up. they are still ina beginning to move up. they are still in a position, if you look at what might have happened, and it is conjecture, what might have happened, where they are not as well off as they could have been but it is heading in the right direction. the very important second part of your question about sensitivities and uncertainty, one of the messages and uncertainty, one of the messages and it is a pretty this message but sometimes it is useful to state the obvious, —— obvious message. this is a time of considerable uncertainty about the most important issue facing this economy and households and businesses in the medium term, it is important that parliament gets it is important that parliament gets it right and they are taking the time to do that. that uncertainty is affecting the economy at present. we

see it across the board in businesses, we are starting to see it creep into the housing market, we see it in household spending. but thatis see it in household spending. but that is a short—term effect which does not tell us a lot about where the economy is going. the key thing about where the economy is going is going to be the nature of the agreement and the time it takes to get there. what we have done this forecast is recognise the intensification of uncertainty, the bigger impact uncertainty is having on those spending decisions. and we have projected it out, projected it to last a little longer than we had previously expected. so a recognition that not everything may be tied up in a nice package either end of march. and that there could be some uncertainty about the ultimate direction, or the perceptions, this is as important,

perceptions, this is as important, perceptions of household and businesses about the direction which is affecting the economy. that is why there is an upside here, and i would stress that, there is upside. if there is clarity on the deal sooner, and we know the direction we're headed in sooner and there is a smooth transition to that destination, and just to give an illustration of that, provided the sensitivity where uncertainty goes down, we would expect the economy to pick up even more than in this forecast. and there we were just policy —— we would adjust policy accordingly. chris giles, financial times. governor, in the forecast, there is a one in four chance of a recession by the summer. how do you think those odds would change if there was no deal and our —— and are

our markets taking sufficient notice of the risk at the moment? and our households? households and businesses increasingly taking into the account the uncertainty around the account the uncertainty around the deal, and the timing of it, and the deal, and the timing of it, and the path to it. that is affecting the path to it. that is affecting the economy today. that, plus the wea ker world the economy today. that, plus the weaker world of the core reasons why we've taken down growth for 2019 quite substantially, it's the core reason why we think the gdp report next week will for the fourth quarter p weaker than it was in the third quarter, and we think something similar, for the first quarter of this year. when the economy is growing more slowly, the probability of it having a negative quarter or two goes up, you would

appreciate that. and if there is a shock, which, at least in terms of central expectations of businesses, household and financial markets, a no deal, no transition brexit would be, it would be a shock, a negative shock, that further increases the possibility of negative quarters. but for our core central expectation, it is that we will have higher uncertainty and there will be a path to some sort of arrangement. sky news. governor, did you expect the brexit negotiations to go so much to the wire as they have, clearly? and does that make you nervous, the state that they are in

the moment, and just more broadly, can you give a sense of how much this has actually taken off uk economic growth? you have talked about that in the past, but what is the cost so far and how much of that will be recouped if there is a smooth transition? well, i think looking at the other side of the bank, there is reasons for the other side of the bank, if i can put it that way, the fpc and the pra, because a lot of what those committees do and certainly the fpc has been doing, is thinking exactly about what had appeared like a relatively low probability events, how to get prepared for that. well in advance, and in enough time so you actually prepared if it were to materialise. and i will reiterate what the conclusion was of the fpc having worked on this for a few yea rs, having worked on this for a few years, the core of the financial system is ready for whatever form

brexit takes. and that is a good thing. that does not solve all the other issues relating to brexit, it doesn't necessarily help the half of companies in the country which are not ready for that scenario, but it means that the financial sector will cushion the blow, be part of the solution as opposed to amplifying the shock and being part of the problem. so, i guess i would say that the part of the and ben and dave that sits on that committee, when we are sitting on those committees, we don't assign probabilities to that so we didn't think a lot about the relatively low probability of the time but more that we just had a job to make sure things were ready. from an mpc perspective, we have long had the

view that the most likely scenario would end in the fairest representation, the most likely scenario would be some kind of transaction, some sort of deal or arrangement, and a smooth transition to it. and the best way to represent that was to have an average and not try to over specified, jumping between the various options because we just between the various options because wejust don't between the various options because we just don't know. we arrived where we just don't know. we arrived where we are sitting here today, and we don't know. we do not know what form of arrangement could be struck. there is still almost as wide a range of possible to use as there we re range of possible to use as there were the morning after the referendum. —— almost still a wide range of possibilities as there were the morning of the referendum. and that level of uncertainty, and the proximity of the brexit state, is having a much bigger effect on business decisions which is

cascading down through the economy. and it's entirely logical, rational, and total is understandable why business is doing this. if they think they will have clarity in the course of a few weeks or months, that would be material to an investment decision, it's making sense to wait and that's why we are seeing what we're seeing. we are seeing, we are tracking about 1.596 we are seeing, we are tracking about 1.5% as we sit here today of gdp below where we had forecast the economy in may 2016. and various people and organisations have done an analysis of this, that taken to it counts —— that take into account that the world had been stronger and other things have changed so they would get a slightly different range, it tends to be slightly higher. if i give you a forecast

from may 2016th of where we thought we would be where gdp would be right now, 145%. —— we would be where gdp would be right now, 145%. “1.5%. we would be where gdp would be right now, 145%. -- 1.5%. the we would be where gdp would be right now, 145%. "1.5%. the independent. the follow up on that and focus on the difficulty of you doing yourjob at this moment, donald tusk said this week that there might the special place in hell for those who promoted brexit without even a sketch of a plan. as you grapple with these difficulties, do you have a degree of sympathy with those sentiments? no, i mean... looks, i was surprised by this comment yesterday. ron wants to be theological, you know, do notjudge, because you too will be judged. i think what we are all looking for, if the principals in these the

geisha nations —— is the printable in these negotiations, in the uk it is parliament notably, to take their time and completed their work diligently but come to conclusion of where we are headed, provide that clarity of the new arrangement. and so clarity of the new arrangement. and so engagement and discussion is welcome. and in saying that, all i am doing is reflecting back what we hearup and down am doing is reflecting back what we hear up and down the country, i'm sure you hear up another century, whether it's individuals or businesses, third sector, people wa nt to businesses, third sector, people want to know where we're going. i was at the front, sorry! there is a breakdown of social order!l special place in hell for

journalists who jumped the queue and who still my thunder! it is interesting back in november, the bank of england published an analysis which showed in the event ofa no analysis which showed in the event of a no deal transition britain will beat it into recession but the deposit consistently showed that around 30% of the british publisher would like britain to leave in march without a deal. what would you say to those people who tell the british people he that peak britain can leave without a deal and it will be painless? i don't think it's so much what i say. it reminds me, you can look in our reports, and you can look in our reports, and you can look at a variety of other surveys and go up and down the country as well and you would hear this, but in terms of our most recent surveys of

businesses and they're preparing this, half of them say they aren't ready. and the half that say they are ready, substantial proportion of them say, ready means, we have done all we can. huge respect for british and uk business, in that they are working hard under very difficult circumstances but many of the risks and the convocation is that they see, not we see, they see the no deal, no transition arrangement, they are not able to self solve, they are not able to self solve, they are not able to address. and what we are focused on as an institution, as we should be, is, as the mpc, understanding the potential consequences of that, that uncertainty and how it affects the economy today and how we should set monetary policy. but then as the fpc and the supervisory am, making sure that our banks and building

societies, insurers and financial system as a whole is ready to operate in those circumstances if necessary so operate in those circumstances if necessary so that, as i said earlier, they are part of the solution, not part of the problem. it's a big country, a lot of businesses, it's not that hard to go out and talk to them, find out who is ready and who is not, what the potential indications are. and the decision of where we are going is made by those who should, made by parliament... mark carney, the bag of england speaking to journalists after the bank agreed to keep interest rates on hold at no .75%. the growth forecasts are interesting because growth forecasts have been reduced to the lowest level in ten years to 1.296 to the lowest level in ten years to 1.2% and mark carney talking about brexit uncertainty and a weaker

global economy causing pressures, a one infour global economy causing pressures, a one in four chance of entering recession, he has said. more reaction coming up and were with the news 1am. —— at1pm. we have set a very windy conditions, courtesy of an area of low pressure working to the east, windass are easing towards the afternoon. the nest —— the wind is easing. the next area of low pressure is named storm eric and it will bring wet and windy conditions as it goes towards us. through tonight, the cloud will increase with showery outback suffering, we could see an early fast for eastern parts of scotland and north east england but outbreaks of rain will push in from the west and the wind will strengthen. storm

eric works its way in, the isobars are tightening as well, mostly packed together so the wind will start to pick up as we move into tomorrow. with the strengthening winter, the potentialfor some disruption friday into saturday, we could see disruption to travel. here we are first thing on friday, we have already got outbreaks of rain, another heavier band of rain working east through the day and without the potential for thunder and lightning. also quite persistent rain for north east scotland, the potential of localised flooding. here are the gusts of wind at 3pm, widely gusts of 45 755 mph inland. up to 60 or 74 western coastal areas. temperatures not doing too badly, highs of around nine to 11 degrees in the south, cooler in the north, seven to 9

degrees, but want to add the wind, it will not feel particularly mild. overnight into saturday, working its way east, more low pressure, we will hold onto strong wind in northern ireland and the central belt of scotland, northern england as well. saturday brings some outbreaks of rain in the north. a drier and brighter start in the south, but cloud increasing and rain into the west. the potential of some disruption, stay across the four core. “— disruption, stay across the four core. —— forecast. theresa may holds talks with the president of the european commission in a bid to secure changes to her brexit withdrawal agreement. smiles for the cameras — the discussion was described as robust and constructive but brussels says the deal cannot be changed. meanwhile, jeremy corbyn writes to theresa may setting out five demands that could see labour back a brexit deal in parliament. we'll bring you all the latest from our correspondents

in brussels and westminster. also this lunchtime. the bank of england forecasts the slowest growth for the uk economy in a decade. a search team recovers a body from the plane wreckage carrying the footballer emiliano sala and pilot david ibbotson. ban phones and screens at mealtimes and bedtimes, the uk's four chief medical officers tell parents. and the mars probe that's been named after the dna