hello, you're watching afternoon live. companionship when victims i'm simon mccoy in westminster, and witnesses are being interviewed as yet another critical week in the brexit process gets under way. in a police interview process. a stinging attack from theresa may's chief whip this recreation of a police over the government's handling of brexit — interview room at the university he also accuses ministers of is used to study the psychology trying to undermine her. of the process. mps will try again later to find kent police are working with the university to determine a way forward on brexit the programme's effectiveness. after failing to find a majority anything that's going to be able on any alternative plans last week. to support our witnesses and victims being able to help us teachers and nurses could be legally and give their evidence, obliged to warn about young people to make it better can at risk of violence — that's one of the ideas only be a good thing. at the moment, we are in being discussed at a knife the research gathering stage, crime summit today. so we're going to use this research in the recent months, to see actually on an evidence basis whether oliver is a support we've seen an appalling number to witnesses and victims once they give their evidence of young lives that have been cut to the police. short or devastated by serious oliver's been in place violent crime, including a number in september and in that time of horrifying incidents that took has helped four people. place just over this weekend. he is the first of his kind in europe and yet another new role for working dogs. john maguire, bbc news, canterbury.

time for a look at the weather. here is matt taylor. a lovely afternoon out there. feeling patently warm in the sunshine in the south. but a change of month and a com pletely but a change of month and a completely different week of weather this week. we'll see things turning much colder during the next 2a hours and it is going to be a week filled with april showers, some heavy with hail, thunder, sleet and even snow, particularly over the hills of northern england. and we never quite get rid of the overnight frost. the cold est get rid of the overnight frost. the coldest air is to the north west of this weather front, which coldest air is to the north west of this weatherfront, which is coldest air is to the north west of this weather front, which is edging closer and closer to west scotland and northern ireland. out towards the west of the hebrides, it will move in through the evening but ahead of it across parts of scotland and northern ireland, further showers this afternoon and you might catch one across the isle of man and cumbria later. for much of england and wales it is dry. a way to the west, blue skies overhead,

temperatures 15 or 16. that is the last time we will see highs like that for the rest of the week. tonight, the weather front is on the move, heading south into england and wales. before it arrives, parts of east anglia and the south east may get the odd shower imported from france during the night. they could bea france during the night. they could be a touch of frost here, and frosty skies across scotland and northern ireland later. tomorrow morning, cloudy across england and wales, down towards the south west. we will see outbreaks of rain slowly push their way in. one or two spots may stay dry. through east anglia and the south east, a bright start before the cloud pushes on later and turns the rest of the afternoon cloudy and damp. twisting them, wales and cornwall will brighten up by the russia. showers already on the go, frequent through the day northern ireland pushed along by a strengthening wind. they will push into wales and south west england later. sleet and snow over the higher ground. slow—moving showers across scotland and northern

england. staying cloudy in the east with further outbreaks of rain, and temperatures tomorrow eight to 10 celsius for all. it will feel chilly in the west, given the strength of the win. which will pick up on tuesday night coming all the way from the arctic, an area of low pressure to the east, that could bring some persistent rain along the coasts of north—east england. and inland, a covering of snow not out of the question. away from that, some sunshine, scattering of showers but that chilly breeze, eight to 10 celsius at best, it will feel much colder in the wind. enjoy the sunshine today! that's all from us, now it's time for the news where you are. good afternoon. it's 1.30pm and here's your latest sports news. queen's park rangers have sacked manager steve mcclaren after less than a year in charge. hey‘re 17th in the table

after a run ofjust one win in 15 championship games. the club said it wasn't an easy decision but pointed out that he'd won only 16 of the 46 games he'd overseen. manchester united manager 0le gunnar solskjaer says they're looking to appoint a director of football. he's revealed he's had discussions with the club's executive vice—chairman ed woodward and co—chairman joel glazer to find the right person for the job. football has changed and the structure at football clubs has changed and me and ed and joel for that matter are looking at how this clu b that matter are looking at how this club can be run as smoothly and as well as possible. we will see what the club will end up with. lewis hamilton told the young ferrari driver charles leclerc he had a great future ahead of him, after mechanical probelms robbed him of his first

grand prix victory in bahrain. he started on pole and was leading with 11 laps to go, when his car lost power, allowing the mercedes of hamilton and valtteri bottas to pass. leclerc did make the podium but it was a hard blow to take and hamilton felt for him. he thoroughly deserved the win today, did an exceptionaljob all weekend so really proud of him and i know it's a really tough experience to go through what he is going through, but he will learn. he is already so strong this weekend, he will bounce back, he will grow, this will be another layer to his younger greatness already and i'm looking forward to many battles with him hopefully in the future. kash ali has had his boxing licence suspended after he bit david price in their heavyweight bout in liverpool on saturday. ali was disqualified in the fifth round, for biting price near his rib cage, and he was stripped of his fight purse. a date has yet to be set for a hearing in front of the british boxing board of control, but possible sanctions range from a fine to a ban. wales and scarlets full—back leigh halfpenny says he feared for his career after suffering a head injury.

he took a blow to the head during the autumn test against australia and was out of action for three months. he described it as a frustrating time. there was a point where, you know, i was constantly having headaches and, you know, would try and do something on the bike orjust a lie dog and the head would be pounding from it. obviously, thinking, when is this going to end? is it going to come you know, stop, because you think you know, stop, because you think you are coming right and you think, 0k, you are coming right and you think, ok, i think i can get right to play for this game, and then you are not right. are not right. lily 0wsley scored twice for great britain, in their 3—1 win over the united states in the pro hockey league. it was the olympic champions‘ first victory in the competition, following defeats by new zealand and australia and a draw with china. this was 0wlsey's 50th international appearance. she said the win had been a long time coming.

their next match is against argentina on saturday. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. the eu commission president, jean—claude juncker, has made some strong comments in the last hour on brexit. speaking in the german regional parliament of saarland, mrjuncker called david cameron, who instigated the 2016 referendum, "one of the greatest destroyers of modern times", and said the eu commission had been prevented from speaking up in the referendum campaign. he said if the commission had been able to participate, it could have answered many questions that are now being asked now. speaking about votes in parliament, he went on:.

from today, broadband and landline customers will receive compensation automatically when experiencing issues with their providers. under the new rules, households who suffer from delays to installation or repairs, as well as missed appointments, will get £5 deducted from their bill for each day of disruption. until now, only one in seven customers have received financial compensation. earlier, sharon white, the chief executive of 0fcom, which regulates the broadband providers, told my colleague carrie gracie that people should not be kept waiting for a new line, or a fault to be fixed. only one in seven of us at the moment are getting compensation if something goes wrong. we think it is really important that operators put their customers first, invest in customer service. and they have all signed up? what is fantastic as most of the providers have signed up. 95% of customers are covered.

we have bt, sky, talktalk and virgin. and what that means is that from today, if there is a fault on your and it takes too long to get repaired or if there is a delay with an installation, you can get compensation and that compensation is automatic. and it is voluntary. can they later opt out, the providers? it is voluntary because it was the fastest way to get money into people's pockets but we will be monitoring them really closely and seeing how the scheme works over the coming months. if you are with a provider who has not signed up to the scheme, maybe you are with the post office, there is the opportunity now for you to switch to one of the providers that is part of the scheme and for us, we are really determined to ensure that the broadband industry is treating customers really fairly and this is part of a broader package we have already put in place

some tough new rules that means when you take out a broadband contract, you now have to have a guaranteed speed, providers will have to let you know when you are coming to an end of your contract and the best tariffs for you. it is all about customers being treated fairly. it does sound like progress. what if the providers for short? then we will come in with even tougher rules, as the regulator. customers that are unhappy should get in touch with you? they can get in touch with us 01’ with you? they can get in touch with us or they can switch to a provider with good service. you mentioned that a speed will have to be offered at the point of purchase of the contract. these of course. people, speed, access even, are more urgent

issues speed, access even, are more urgent issues than the question of delays oi’ issues than the question of delays or repairs. i agree. for some people, there are issues about speed, getting access toa issues about speed, getting access to a decent broadband, and that is why we have been really focusing on ensuring there is more of a safety net, a broadband guarantee in place, the government introduced legislation, we are putting that in place over the next two months. at the same time, there has been progress. the numbers of us who cannot get access to a decent speed has halved over the last year to about 700,000 homes and businesses. still too many but we have plans in place that will get that number down. cases of diabetes, fuelled by the uk's obesity crisis are rising at a "frightening speed", according to a warning from a leading health charity. figures from diabetes uk suggest more than 200,000 people a year are diagnosed with the preventable type 2 condition in england and wales alone.

we know with type two diabetes, there are a number of risk factors that make it more likely you are going to get it. those are things like your age, whether it is in your family or not and your ethnic background. at a big risk factor, of course, also is your weight. and thatis course, also is your weight. and that is the one risk factor that we can do something about. the bbc‘s middle east editor, jeremy bowen, has announced he has bowel cancer. he was diagnosed last october after experiencing what he called "funny pains" in his legs and back while in iraq in may. this morning, he spoke to bbc breakfast about his diagnosis when he returned to the uk. when i came back, i had to go to hospital for a couple of days, but they didn't mention cancer. they said it was to do with some scar tissue that i have from a previous surgery, but anyway, i thought i should get a test, so i went to my gp and i'd had no symptoms, none of the classic bowel cancer symptoms. nothing at all. but i thought i should get a test, so i got a test and it was positive, came back positive. i had a colonoscopy where they put a camera on a stick up your bottom.

it's not nearly as bad as it sounds. and they give you lots of drugs. and from that, they found out that i had a tumour and i had surgery, got taken away and now i'm having chemotherapy. it's a bit of a shock to the system. well, it's not a thing you really want to, you know, ideally choose, but, you know, i'm very confident that i'm getting very good medical treatment and i'll be ok. and the key thing is that you got diagnosed quite early on. relatively, but the key thing... it could have been a bit earlier, but had it been later, it would have been much more serious. and, i mean, the key thing is get tested. i've been saying to all my friends get tested so there have been a whole lot of people who i know who have been queueing up at their doctors to get tested as a result of the diagnosis that i had and, you know, people don't often... you know, things to do with your bowels and poo and all the rest of it are not things that people normally want to talk about, but actually, it's part of all our lives

and you need to work on it because if you just feel a bit embarrassed and you leave it too long... someone sent me a message on twitter this morning who tweeted, a gastroenterologist, who tweeted and said tell people don't die of embarrassment, for god's sake. in a moment, we'll have all the business news, but first the headlines on bbc news. theresa may's chief whip attacks the government's handling of brexit and accuses ministers of trying to undermine the prime minister. mps will try again later to find a way forward on brexit, after failing to find a majority on any alternative plans last week. after a record number of fatal stabbings last year, the home secretary and the prime minister propose making it a "public health duty" to report concerns over children at risk. now, it's time for the business news.

two million uk workers on minimum wages are now receiving a pay rise, but a string of household bills have also increased. workers aged 25 and over on the national living wage will receive £8.21 an hour from today, that's up 4.9%, from £7.83. easyjet has warned that customer demand for ticket sales for the next six months, which includes the peak summer season, is unexpectedly weak. the airline blamed uncertainty over the global economy and brexit for the slowdown in forward bookings. five uk broadband and landline providers will now automatically compensate customers when services do not work. from today, customers who experience delayed repairs, installations or missed engineer appointments will be compensated, without having to ask. bt, sky, talktalk, virgin media and zen internet have joined 0fcom's scheme, but it's not compulsory.

let's start by talking about that wages boost. a string of household bills have also increased at the same time, from council tax bills, to the tv licence fee. nic smith is head of equality and diversity at the tuc. do you think on balance people are going to feel any positive difference or not? i think budgets are difference or not? i think budgets a re really ha rd difference or not? i think budgets are really hard pressed across the economy at the moment and real wages have been growing at historically low rates but for the workers on minimum wage, aged over 25, today's pay rise will certainly be a welcome boost but an issue we are concerned

about today is that younger workers, aged 21 to 25 are still legally being paid far less. their pay rate is 50p less than the older group of workers. we can see no reason why thatis workers. we can see no reason why that is going to be justifiable. this group of workers have exactly the same bills and costs that eve ryo ne the same bills and costs that everyone is facing and paying them £800 per year less than older workers is not fair and needs to be stopped. in which case, who are the main winners, which groups benefit most from the increase we have got today? it is a hugely successful policy. something like 2.8 million workers are going to see their pay going up. as you said, the rate for people aged pointy five and over is now £8.21 and although it will be worth more in a stronger economy, it is still welcome that people are seeing 50p or so pay rise. the challenge is for younger workers

where there is no evidence that a higher pay rise cannot be afforded, they are work —— losing out. a201 euro two has got as high a chance of being in work than older workers who is as qualified if not more qualified than someone older, can still be legally paid less —— a 21—year—old. we don't think that is fair, we don't think it is justifiable. it is good news for those who get the pay rise, there will be small businesses out there who say actually, this adds to the pressures , who say actually, this adds to the pressures, the myriad of pressures, they are facing in terms of costs going up and for some of them, they would like to pay more but even this increase is going to put them under pressure. i don't think anyone listening will think that paying anyone's —— anyone £8.21 an hourfor workers bitterly excessive. the minimum wage has been around for 20 yea rs minimum wage has been around for 20 years now. a hugely positive policy. when it was first introduced we

heard from many conservative politicians, businesses across the spectrum, about the millions ofjob losses we were going to see and the huge economic destruction that has followed and we have seen substantial pay rises, employment can “— substantial pay rises, employment can —— continue to grows and no evidence at all ofjobs being affected as a result of the introduction of the minimum wage. we keep a close eye on this and we are saying today, based on that same data, there is no reason why 21 to 25—year—olds cannot be earning more than the pay rise they have been given today and be on the same rate as older adults. thank you very much. the chief executive of siemens uk has urged to...

in other news, the financial times says readership has hit one million, amid a climate of falling newspaper sales and a slump in print advertising revenues. the paper says it has reached this milestone a year ahead of schedule and operating profits and revenues both grew last year. the firm says it proves that quality journalism can be a quality, growth business, with subscriber numbers rising. shares in european car—makers are rising this morning after reports that psa group — that makes peugeot, citroen, 0pel and vauxhall cars and fiat chrysler could form a partnership to build cars in europe. reports say the companies are holding discussions to collaborate. daimler shares are up 3.79% while volkswagen is up 2.98%. and from today it won't cost a penny to spend a penny. commuters at some of the uk's busiest train stations, from today, will be able to use the station toilets for free.

network rail generated about £5 million per year from 16—million users who used its loos every year, but network rail has now scrapped the charge. let's have a look at the markets. the ftse 100 let's have a look at the markets. the ftse100 is higher. uk manufacturing purchasing managers index hit a 13—month high in march. but the manufacturers group, madeuk, says despite the very good result, it was largely drive by stockpiling, with companies building up quantities of parts and materials to ensure that they can keep trading in the event of a no deal brexit. the mood among investors has been lifted by data from china. china, a big metal consumer. easyjet shares are down sharply after that warning

i mentioned about a slowdown in bookings. that's all the business news. now, after suffering third degree burns to 70 per cent of her body as a child, rochelle barrett had spent years feeling self—conscious and covering her scars with clothing and make—up. determined to be a good role model for her daughter, rochelle has launched miss unique beauty uk, the first ever beauty pageant for survivors of burns, scarring or disfigurement. breakfast‘s jayne mccubbin went along to meet the women taking part. so, here... ugly, contagious, disgusting. and along here... those words just made me feel completely inferior. when rochelle was badly burned as a baby, her mother was told she might not survive. she did, but with physical and emotional scars and a lifetime of low self esteem — until she had her own children. when you're telling your own children it doesn't matter what anyone says, embrace self for who you are, you're beautiful, i am

telling my daughters this and then i am going upstairs, looking at myself in the mirror and hating what i'm seeing. it is when i realised rochelle, it's time to change. it is saturday night. this is it, yes. let's do this! and the change rochelle dreamt of is about to take place here in sheffield. miss unique beauty uk! the first ever beauty pageant for survivors of burns, scarring or disfigurement. i am beautiful. i am beautiful! well done. maxime, how are you feeling? very nervous, excited, ecstatic. when i was growing up, a lot of people did not know about cleft palates, and i was bullied. but this is about you owning your moment.

that's right, putting all that past behind me and celebrating the differences and uniqueness inside of me. come here, you. i was burned at the age of 18 in a camping accident. it's been a long journey to feel confident in my own skin, from having anxiety attacks at school to now walking on the stage, flaunting. this is a pageant rochelle hopes will become an annual event, to send a message to other young women and survivors. i've got six of the most incredible young women, just seeing the transformation in them, where they felt low, to now seeing them smile, love themselves. i'm so, so proud. you are all winners and you are all queens, and you all deserve this night. my message to other women

out there is to embrace how you are now, don't think about changes that you have to make, that you need to lose weight, that you need to cover yourself up, that you are not worthy or attractive, you are. tell yourself i'm beautiful, i'm powerful and worthy, and this is me. now you might think that being inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame would be a bit of a career highlight for most musicians, but then again, not all musicians are like the cure's robert smith. the british band were attending the ceremony over the weekend when this happened. congratulations. rock and roll hall of fame, are you as excited as i am? by of fame, are you as excited as i am? by the sounds of it, no! despite the deadpan response, the presenter tweeted after to say that smith was everything her heart hoped he'd be.

it was a good night for british bands with radiohead, def leppard and roxy music also being inducted. now it's time for a look at the weather. thank you very much. i wonder if he is excited about the weather. it has been very pleasant in the sunshine. we can expect some blue skies over the next few days, but it certainly is not going to feel warm. cold air is not going to feel warm. cold air is on its way for this week. april showers in the mix as well. even some snow at times. we could have a coating on the hills of northern england. the big changes behind this weather front, edging closer to scotland and northern ireland this afternoon. even before it arrives, showers will continue pushing into parts of central scotland. a lovely afternoon through much of england and wales. a big contrast, 15 celsius may be in

some southern counties with the sunshine overhead. the weather front is on the move into england and wales. with clear skies, you may have one or two isolated showers in the south—east and a frosty start to tomorrow morning. we will have lots of cloud and outbreaks of rain through the morning rush—hour. it does not make it to london or norwich for the morning rush—hour. it will be afterwards where it stays cloudy and damp. it is a story of sunshine and showers. those big april showers slow moving across scotla nd april showers slow moving across scotland and northern england. some could be heavy with some sleet mixed in. lots of sunshine in between. northern ireland, wales and the south waste with more wind. an overall cold day. eight to 10 celsius the highs. it is linked to

this area of low pressure. winds being drawn in from the arctic. some more persistent rain. inland, a covering of snow is not out of the question. stay tuned to the forecast for that one. a feel showers moving through quite rapidly in the west. sunshine in between. temperatures of eight to 10 celsius. it will feel substantially colder and certainly a big change to what many of you have been used to.