good morning, it's wednesday, i'm victoria derbyshire. welcome to bbc news, here are your headlines. the cost of goods and services we buy are going up at their fastest rate for 30 years. in the last week, we've had two e—mails from suppliers saying that costs have gone up by 5% across the board, and that is something we are seeing already. let me know how you're being affected by the rising cost of living, the kind of choices you might be having to make. a group of 20 conservative mps elected in 2019 have met to discuss boris johnson's future. our political editor is reporting one of them claims ten of the 20 submitted letters of no confidence in their boss this morning. willfacemasks, working from home and covid passes be scrapped in england onjan 26? the pm is expected to make

an announcement today. veterans who were forced out of the military because of their sexuality have welcomed a review into their treatment. and coming up this hour, labour mp dawn butler is taking on the trolls after a man was convicted of threatening to shoot her. the cost of good and services we buy is rising at its fastest rate for 30 years. the december figure for inflation showed that prices have gone up by 5.4% compared to the year before. that's up from 5.1% in november and is more than double the bank of england's target for inflation. energy costs and the price of food and drink drove the rise, which was higher than economists

had been forecasting. our consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith is in scarborough. this is a lot of windows. a lot of windows, yes. and a huge, huge ceiling. yeah. the things that give this hotel its charm and character are the very things now causing the nightmares. put, like, a secondary glazing on this side, it spoils the view and what is the period windows, as well. right now, obviously, a modern building with lower ceilings and lots of insulation would be much easier to heat. it might look sunny, but there's an icy wind from the north sea, and heating this place jumped up in november — from £2,000 a month to £10,000 a month. we've got to increase our prices. i mean, we've got no choice about it — we've got to offset some of the cost. usually in the winter months, hotels drop their prices quite significantly, but we just can't do that, because there wouldn't be any point having the hotel open. but trying to explain that to her customers isn't something

sadie's looking forward to. there's only a certain price limit to what people will pay for a hotel room, so you can't put your prices up too much, otherwise people just aren't going to come — and particularly if they're all feeling the squeeze, too, with their own energy prices. from light to heat to shopping bills, staff are feeling the pain of those expensive prices at home as well. i know that everything — fuel, you know, heating, everything — is going up. — so it's got to be passed on to us. but if we're not earning — which were not, because you can't when you're not... you know, when it's quiet like this, _ i'm not in as much as i would normally be. so i can't earn. as wages aren't rising as much as prices, pay packets aren't stretching as far. these inflation figures are the first we have of the new year, and i'd love to be able to give more positive news for 2022,

but with businesses passing on those extra costs to us, there are lots more price rises on the horizon. for anyone likejoanne, reassessing the annual finances, plans might have to change. we were hoping that this year was going to be the year when we can, you know, get back out and go on holiday and stuff, and if these price hikes are going to continue, i don't think that's going to be an option, unfortunately! covering the cost of keeping warm, whatever the weather throws at us, has become the new priority. colletta smith, bbc news, in scarborough. ben boulos is in skipton in yorkshire for us this morning. hi, ben. good morning, yes, here at skipton market, traders and customers are already grappling with that rise in average prices. dom runs the fruit and veg stall here, setting up this morning, the price that he pays for these products is going up. it is notjust groceries,

it is notjust food, though. the cost of clothing, the cost of train travel, it all adds to the rate of inflation we are talking about, which now stands at 5.4%, the highest level it has been since 1992. it is causing a real squeeze on people's household bills and cost of living. now, a fruit and veg is not your thing and you have a sweeter tooth, not your thing and you have a sweetertooth, right not your thing and you have a sweeter tooth, right next door we have got the finest fudge company stall, run by tom and maria, you have had the business a couple of years now, what are you saying in terms of the prices that you paid? things have definitely gone up. in the last_ things have definitely gone up. in the last week, we have had a couple of e-mails _ the last week, we have had a couple of e—mails explaining that things are going — of e—mails explaining that things are going up 5% already, and that was before — are going up 5% already, and that was before this. so are going up 5% already, and that was before this.— are going up 596 already, and that was before this. so you have to put rices u- was before this. so you have to put prices up for _ was before this. so you have to put prices up for customers? _ was before this. so you have to put prices up for customers? we - was before this. so you have to put prices up for customers? we have l was before this. so you have to put i prices up for customers? we have had a conversation — prices up for customers? we have had a conversation about _ prices up for customers? we have had a conversation about it, _ prices up for customers? we have had a conversation about it, but _ prices up for customers? we have had a conversation about it, but we - prices up for customers? we have had a conversation about it, but we are - a conversation about it, but we are trying _ a conversation about it, but we are trying our— a conversation about it, but we are trying our best _ a conversation about it, but we are trying our best not— a conversation about it, but we are trying our best not to, because - a conversation about it, but we are trying our best not to, because we| trying our best not to, because we want _ trying our best not to, because we want to— trying our best not to, because we want to keep — trying our best not to, because we want to keep it— trying our best not to, because we want to keep it affordable - trying our best not to, because we want to keep it affordable for- want to keep it affordable for

customers _ want to keep it affordable for customers. be _ want to keep it affordable for customa— want to keep it affordable for customers. ., , ., customers. do you worry that if you did, peeple — customers. do you worry that if you did, people would _ customers. do you worry that if you did, people would decide _ customers. do you worry that if you did, people would decide come - customers. do you worry that if you did, people would decide come up i did, people would decide come up with all the other cost pressures they are facing, little luxuries like this might be the kind of thing they give up? we like this might be the kind of thing they give up?— they give up? we are not too worried. _ they give up? we are not too worried, because _ they give up? we are not too worried, because the - they give up? we are not too worried, because the fudge l they give up? we are not too| worried, because the fudge is they give up? we are not too - worried, because the fudge is good, but long _ worried, because the fudge is good, but long term we could do with some help _ but long term we could do with some hel. , , , ., ., but long term we could do with some hel. , , ., ., .,, but long term we could do with some hel. , , ., ., ., , ., help. just before we go, lots of lovely looking _ help. just before we go, lots of lovely looking flavours - help. just before we go, lots of lovely looking flavours here, i help. just before we go, lots of lovely looking flavours here, if| help. just before we go, lots of| lovely looking flavours here, if i was going to pick one, which would you recommend?— was going to pick one, which would you recommend? probably the after date! iwill you recommend? probably the after date! i will have _ you recommend? probably the after date! i will have some _ you recommend? probably the after date! i will have some for— you recommend? probably the after date! i will have some for later! - date! i will have some for later! this is coming _ date! i will have some for later! this is coming at _ date! i will have some for later! this is coming at a _ date! i will have some for later! this is coming at a time - date! i will have some for later! this is coming at a time when . date! i will have some for later! - this is coming at a time when people are feeling real pressure on their budget, electricity bills, energy bills, they are going up. peter is from thejoseph rowntree foundation. this inflation rate is going to be a real worry, and people are noticing this already hit their pockets. yes. this already hit their pockets. yes, we are most _ this already hit their pockets. yes, we are most worried _ this already hit their pockets. yes, we are most worried about people on low incomes, fixed incomes, it will be straight — low incomes, fixed incomes, it will be straight out of their pockets, so we are _ be straight out of their pockets, so we are calling for higher rates of benefits, — we are calling for higher rates of benefits, increasing by more than

the 3%_ benefits, increasing by more than the 3% than is currently planned. what _ the 3% than is currently planned. what can— the 3% than is currently planned. what can be done to support people, if they are not on benefits necessarily, people who are finding is a real struggle and having to make tough choices, what can be done to support them? irate make tough choices, what can be done to suoport them?— to support them? we are also thinkin: to support them? we are also thinking about _ to support them? we are also thinking about a _ to support them? we are also thinking about a one-off - to support them? we are also - thinking about a one-off payment to thinking about a one—off payment to be made. _ thinking about a one—off payment to be made, probably before april, when energy— be made, probably before april, when energy prices will go up. we just think— energy prices will go up. we just think the — energy prices will go up. we just think the government needs to step in to help _ think the government needs to step in to help people weather the storm. and what— in to help people weather the storm. and what impact is is having on families day to day? lots and what impact is is having on families day to day?— and what impact is is having on families day to day? lots of stress, feelin: families day to day? lots of stress, feeling trapped _ families day to day? lots of stress, feeling trapped by _ families day to day? lots of stress, feeling trapped by low _ families day to day? lots of stress, feeling trapped by low incomes, . families day to day? lots of stress, l feeling trapped by low incomes, that is what _ feeling trapped by low incomes, that is what we _ feeling trapped by low incomes, that is what we are hearing.— is what we are hearing. peter, thank ou ve is what we are hearing. peter, thank you very much- _ is what we are hearing. peter, thank you very much- as — is what we are hearing. peter, thank you very much. as i _ is what we are hearing. peter, thank you very much. as i say, _ is what we are hearing. peter, thank you very much. as i say, day - you very much. as i say, day traders, the customers here at skipton market alike are grappling with these higher prices, working out how they absorb those costs and what to do about it, and were being warned to expect inflation to keep on rising, average prices expected to go up as we head towards the spring. the bank of england even expecting inflation could hit 6% in

the spring, so we are really all facing a squeeze on our cost of living in the months ahead. thank ou, ben. living in the months ahead. thank you. ben. julie — living in the months ahead. thank you, ben. julie dalton _ living in the months ahead. thank you, ben. julie dalton runs - living in the months ahead. thank you, ben. julie dalton runs three| you, ben. julie dalton runs three restaurants in st andrews, what goods and food products have gone up in cost for you? hi. goods and food products have gone up in cost for you?— in cost for you? hi, victoria, good morninu. in cost for you? hi, victoria, good morning- we _ in cost for you? hi, victoria, good morning. we have _ in cost for you? hi, victoria, good morning. we have seen _ in cost for you? hi, victoria, good morning. we have seen a - in cost for you? hi, victoria, good morning. we have seen a rise - in cost for you? hi, victoria, good| morning. we have seen a rise with all of our supplies, meat, fish, some of the bose has gone up as well in price, so we really have to work with supplies to make sure that we are confident that we have the right prices and we can make sure we can be honest and let the customer have a price that is affordable but not pricing ourselves out of the market. are you able to give us some examples of what, you know, however many leaders of booze or spirits used to be all meat or fish or whatever?—

used to be all meat or fish or whatever? ,, , , , whatever? the drink supplier were used, it whatever? the drink supplier were used. it has _ whatever? the drink supplier were used, it has gone _ whatever? the drink supplier were used, it has gone up _ whatever? the drink supplier were used, it has gone up by _ whatever? the drink supplier were used, it has gone up by 3.296 - whatever? the drink supplier were used, it has gone up by 3.296 in i used, it has gone up by 3.2% in november and probably will go up further this year. so we have been working with supplies to make sure that we are having the right costs on our menus for the guests, to still enjoy coming and having a night out or a lunch. we also work with ourfishmonger and night out or a lunch. we also work with our fishmonger and our night out or a lunch. we also work with ourfishmonger and our meat supplies to make sure that we can get a price that we can cost the menu effectively and notjust be changing constantly that doesn't let guests know how much their dinner or lunch is going to be. so i think, really, we are seeing a rise, and we just need to make sure that we can work together with our suppliers do not have crazy prices, but realistic prices that guests, the business and the suppliers. haifa prices that guests, the business and the suppliers—

the suppliers. how much of a stru: ale the suppliers. how much of a struggle is — the suppliers. how much of a struggle is it? _ the suppliers. how much of a struggle is it? we _ the suppliers. how much of a struggle is it? we are - the suppliers. how much of a | struggle is it? we are working the suppliers. how much of a - struggle is it? we are working hard, the chef is working _ struggle is it? we are working hard, the chef is working hard, _ struggle is it? we are working hard, the chef is working hard, our - the chef is working hard, our general manager is working extremely hard to make sure that we can get the business to still be profitable. because we have got a lovely large team of 65 people that love working here and want to continue to make sure our guests are really happy. presumably you have had to increase their wages, presumably you have had to increase theirwages, have presumably you have had to increase their wages, have you?— presumably you have had to increase their wages, have you? yeah, we have worked hard — their wages, have you? yeah, we have worked hard with _ their wages, have you? yeah, we have worked hard with the _ their wages, have you? yeah, we have worked hard with the team, _ their wages, have you? yeah, we have worked hard with the team, we - their wages, have you? yeah, we have worked hard with the team, we have . worked hard with the team, we have longevity in our team, people had been with us for six or seven years, so we are working on training and engagement and retention in the team to make sure that people get the best experience when theyjoin us. so there are struggles with not having enough team out there because everybody is looking for great people, so we are really invested in making sure we have got the right level of wages for the right person. thank you very much for talking to

us, good luck. thank you very much for talking to us. good luck-— thank you very much for talking to us, good luck. thank you, victoria. julie us, good luck. thank you, victoria. julie dalton — us, good luck. thank you, victoria. julie dalton runs— us, good luck. thank you, victoria. julie dalton runs three _ us, good luck. thank you, victoria. julie dalton runs three restaurants| julie dalton runs three restaurants in st andrews. you can contact me on twitter, instagram or tiktok. in st andrews. you can contact me on twitter, instagram ortiktok. carly says, i am a single parent, not much expenditure out of bills and food, but it has been noticeable how much food has increased. gas went up a lot unexpectedly. giles says, once gas prices double, the impact will be catastrophic. steve says, for this week's shopping, i downloaded a shopping list from october 2021, it was 23 quid more expensive than now. so i would like to know where this inflation figure of 5.4% comes from. terry says, i am down to one meal a day. bao says electricity and gas are the issue for me, i am throwing more money towards thatjust are the issue for me, i am throwing more money towards that just to are the issue for me, i am throwing more money towards thatjust to make sure i am not going to receive another 398 quid underpayment bill.

keep those coming in, you can e—mail as well. boris johnson will face further scrutiny surrounding his leadership today, when he returns to the house of commons for prime minister's questions later. mrjohnson is under growing pressure as speculation grows about a backbench rebellion against him, as a number of his own mps are believed to be preparing letters of no confidence. laura kuenssberg claims that half have now submitted letters of no confidence in her boss this morning. we have been contacting as many of those recently elected mps as possible, so far have none of got back to us all been available to comment — or picked up the phone. jonathan blake reports. late—night talks in a private members' club — a small group of conservative mps met here last night with talk of removing borisjohnson from office on the agenda. after a day of intense speculation, there was confidence among some backbenchers that enough were ready to submit a letter of no confidence in the prime minister, triggering a vote on his position.

the meetings came after the prime minister again denied that he was warned a drinks party in the downing street garden was against lockdown restrictions in place at the time. on a hospital visit yesterday, borisjohnson again apologised for parties in downing street on the eve of the duke of edinburgh's funeral, saying he deeply and bitterly regretted that it happened. if the best argument that you have got to the accusation that you broke the rules was that, "well, nobody had told me that the rules that i had imposed on everyone else were being broken," then i think that reveals you are in a difficult position, and i think the prime minister is in a difficult position because of his behaviour, because of the constant set of allegations that are being made. and i think conservative mps are increasingly uncomfortable with this, and it does appear that quite a number are now taking action. others are reserving judgment

and ministers offering qualified support. the prime minister was very clear last week in his statement that mistakes had been made. he's set up an inquiry, and i think it's important that we let that inquiry run its progress. i hope it's going to report very soon, but i hope that we can therefore get all of these stories out there that have been really distressing, and then we can decide on what next steps to take. some insist borisjohnson can survive, dismissing talk of plots against him as overblown. but in the house of commons at prime minister's questions this lunchtime, he'll again have to try to shore up support that he badly needs. jonathan blake, bbc news. adam fleming's at westminster for us this morning. if it is true that ten of the 2019 intake have submitted these letters of no confidence, they are not prepared to wait for the report from

sue gray, so what has tipped them over? ~ , . , sue gray, so what has tipped them over? ~ , ., , , ., over? well, this has been a fascinating _ over? well, this has been a fascinating sequence - over? well, this has been a fascinating sequence of - over? well, this has been a - fascinating sequence of events, victoria, starting yesterday with these 20 mps from the 2019 intake meeting in the office of one of the group, and she happens to be the mp who has melton mowbray in her constituency, so it has become known as the pork pie plot. now, that sparked... they were discussing what to do, quite a lot of them preparing to do, quite a lot of them preparing to submit letters after prime minister's questions today, but it sparked a backlash from boris johnson loyalists, older mps, and the party whips, who said some quite disparaging things about this group of people. 0vernight that sank in with this group of new mps and enraged some of them so much that they have submitted their letters now, and we are hearing from one of the people who are helping to organise the meeting that it could be that there would be ten or 12 of that group who have submitted their letters. in addition to that, you do

speak to mps who were preparing to wait for the sue gray inquiry before they reached a judgment, who are actually getting closer to the point ofjudgment now, and ijust wonder if the prime minister's performance at pmqs in three hours' time might tip a couple more over into submitting a letter. we have also got to remember that all this is speculation until they get to 51; letters, because that is 15% of the parliamentary party, and that is what would trigger the vote of confidence. talking about your�*s allies, we saw one on the airwaves this morning, armed forces minister james heappey, and he was talking about how the prime minister has been let down by his team around him in this whole situation, which i'm not sure is going to reduce temperatures either in downing street or amongst the conservative party. here is how he put it. i personally think it is unedifying to have to reflect on the role of people who don't have this platform to respond,

but my take, as someone who has worked in downing street, is that the prime minister doesn't really own his own diary, and it really is for his team to have his back, and i think, as he reflected in the comments the other week, in hindsight, he should have shut down that event straightaway. he apologised profusely for having not done so, but the fact that the event ever happened reflect, ifear, rather poorly on those who scheduled it and put it into the prime minister's diary. that will do nothing for the levels of trust between the prime minister, ministers, officials and civil servants, which was already kind of deteriorating threw out all of this. so we all wait for pmqs to save the town is different, see if the prime minister comes forward with different information, but a government insider was telling not to expect what we saw at last week's

prime minister's questions. bud to expect what we saw at last week's prime minister's questions.- prime minister's questions. and you can watch that _ prime minister's questions. and you can watch that live _ prime minister's questions. and you can watch that live on _ prime minister's questions. and you can watch that live on bbc— prime minister's questions. and you can watch that live on bbc news, . prime minister's questions. and you can watch that live on bbc news, as| can watch that live on bbc news, as you can every week, it had a huge audience last week, relatively, compared to normal weeks, and that is at midday today. let's speak to councillor sean brockbank, who is leader of the conservative group on north tyneside council. you have written a letter to the prime minister, i am told, saying what? so prime minister, i am told, saying what? , ., , .,, what? so my group met last night, and it was a _ what? so my group met last night, and it was a clear _ what? so my group met last night, and it was a clear decision - what? so my group met last night, and it was a clear decision of - and it was a clear decision of conservative councillors on north tyneside that the impact of the issues concerning borisjohnson, partygate, questions of integrity, so on and so forth, it has had a real impact on the residents of north tyneside, certainly their trust in the prime minister. so i wrote to the prime minister on behalf of of the council group, asked him to consider his position,

highlighted the fantastic work he has done and led on to this point, but really inviting him to consider whether him staying on as leader of the party and as prime minister is in the best interests of the residents of north tyneside and the party and the national community as well. i would just say that it was not done in a light—hearted, it was not done in a light—hearted, it was not done in any way other than to consider the best interests of the people we serve, and i think it was done with a very heavy heart. wyatt last niuht? done with a very heavy heart. wyatt last night? l — done with a very heavy heart. wyatt last night? i mean, _ done with a very heavy heart. wyatt last night? i mean, you _ done with a very heavy heart. wyatt last night? i mean, you haven't- done with a very heavy heart. wyatt last night? i mean, you haven't even had sue gray's report yet. it last night? i mean, you haven't even had sue gray's report yet.— had sue gray's report yet. it would robabl had sue gray's report yet. it would probably be _ had sue gray's report yet. it would probably be fair— had sue gray's report yet. it would probably be fair to _ had sue gray's report yet. it would probably be fair to say _ had sue gray's report yet. it would probably be fair to say we - had sue gray's report yet. it would probably be fair to say we have - had sue gray's report yet. it would| probably be fair to say we have had a lengthy conversation between all of us, and there was the view, let's wait for the report, but quite frankly, on the doorsteps in north

tyneside, that is not good enough. 0ur residents are not interested in a whitehall whitewash. what they want is somebody to demonstrate leadership and, as boris has to some extent by apologising, but real leadership is taking responsibility for those who work with you and for you, and they were really serious mistakes, and a local mp and minister, guy 0pperman, described the meeting is as disgraceful and unacceptable, and i would echo that. now is not the time to save skins or try to diffuse the blame, and that is what we are north tyneside thought and we are duty—bound to that. thought and we are duty-bound to that. ~ ., ., ,. thought and we are duty-bound to that. ~ ., ., , ., ~' thought and we are duty-bound to that. ~ ., ., ,., ~' ,. thought and we are duty-bound to that. ~ ., ., y., ,, y., that. what do you think when you saw the interview — that. what do you think when you saw the interview with _ that. what do you think when you saw the interview with sky _ that. what do you think when you saw the interview with sky where - that. what do you think when you saw the interview with sky where he - the interview with sky where he said, nobody told me it was against the rules? . , ., ., ., the rules? ultimately, i have got to sa , as a the rules? ultimately, i have got to say. as a group— the rules? ultimately, i have got to say, as a group leader _ the rules? ultimately, i have got to say, as a group leader of _ say, as a group leader of conservative councillors, i would

expect the puck to stop with boris johnson. i don't think it is good enough to say, well, i didn't know. i think he has the ultimate responsibility to make decisions, to take responsibility for those who have been appointed to work with him and for him, and ijust don't think it cuts the mustard with the residents that we serve here in the north east. residents that we serve here in the north east-— north east. don't you think you're bein: north east. don't you think you're being incredibly _ north east. don't you think you're being incredibly disloyal? - north east. don't you think you're being incredibly disloyal? this - north east. don't you think you're being incredibly disloyal? this is i being incredibly disloyal? this is the man who, three years ago, won you the biggest conservative majority for 30 years, this is the man who promised to take the uk out of the eu and delivered. and man who promised to take the uk out of the eu and delivered.— of the eu and delivered. and as i sa , i'm of the eu and delivered. and as i say. l'm sure _ of the eu and delivered. and as i say, i'm sure you've _ of the eu and delivered. and as i say, i'm sure you've read - of the eu and delivered. and as i say, i'm sure you've read the - of the eu and delivered. and as i i say, i'm sure you've read the letter that i've sent to paris, and i reflect all of that. i don't think it is a question of disloyalty, it is not something that, as a group of conservative councillors, we do

lightly, it is something we very seriously considered. but again, i think there has to be a responsibility to the communities we serve, overand responsibility to the communities we serve, over and above party politics, and that is precisely why we have taken this action, with great regret, but it needed to be done. . ~ great regret, but it needed to be done. . ,, ,., great regret, but it needed to be done. . ~' ,. , great regret, but it needed to be done. . ,, y., , . great regret, but it needed to be done. . ~ , . ., done. thank you very much for talkin: done. thank you very much for talking to _ done. thank you very much for talking to us — done. thank you very much for talking to us this _ done. thank you very much for talking to us this morning. - done. thank you very much for| talking to us this morning. that done. thank you very much for. talking to us this morning. that is the leader of the conservative group on north tyneside council. he has written to borisjohnson saying he should consider his position. the prime minister is expected to set out plans for easing england's coronavirus restrictions when he addresses parliament later today. the health secretary, sajid javid, has said he's cautiously optimistic that the so—called plan b measures, due to expire next week, can be "substantially reduced". gareth barlow reports. hi, there, good morning. how are you doing? hello, good morning. against the backdrop of allegations of lockdown parties in downing street, and rumours of a vote of no confidence, the prime minister still has big decisions to make as england's plan b restrictions

are due to end in a week's time. facemasks in schools and public settings and covid passes for large venues were introduced in december to slow the spread of the 0micron variant. but those restrictions could be gone within days, according to the health secretary, sajid javid. government officials say the decision remains finely balanced, as 17,000 patients remain in english hospitals with covid. but there is growing optimism the data is now moving in the right direction. in scotland, covid—19 restrictions are to be eased from monday, with nightclubs reopening, large indoor events resuming, and social—distancing rules being dropped. the cases that we have had — and still have — with 0micron are of a completely different magnitude to anything that we have experienced in relation to previous waves of the virus. so the measures were proportionate, but we obviously have taken steps to remove those measures and restrictions when the time has been appropriate to do so.

not everyone will welcome a loosening of restrictions — many hospitals have struggled to cope with staffing shortages or problems discharging older patients into care homes. it's possible, therefore, that some restrictions — such as facemasks — will be retained. the prime minister will discuss the options with his cabinet this morning and then tell parliament and the public his plan. gareth barlow, bbc news. the care regulator, the care quality commission, says the number of staff vacancies in care homes in england has nearly doubled in the past nine months. it's collected data that shows, by the end of last year, the number of unfilled posts had risen to more than one in ten jobs. here's our social affairs editor, alison holt. care homes supporting people who are older and disabled have found it increasingly tough to find enough staff. burn—out from coping with covid, low pay and compulsory vaccinations

have increased existing recruitment problems. the regulator, the care quality commission, has gathered data from more than 8,200 homes. in april of last year, on average, 6% of care—homejobs in england were unfilled. by the end of december, vacancies had nearly doubled, reaching 11.5%. a survey for the regulator of 2,000 family carers also suggests that more than half believe the dignity and independence of the person they care for was undermined during lockdowns. and nearly three quarters say the individual�*s mental health has deteriorated. the regulator wants to hear more from families about the services they're getting. we're specifically keen to hear from everyone, but also people who have loved ones in care homes. it's been a really challenging time — particularly for residents of care homes — through the pandemic, where social—care providers have strove to keep people safe. but also there's been challenges around people being able to see their loved ones

and to see visits. there are local recruitment campaigns, and extra money has been put in by government, but at the moment, the pressures on care services remain acute. alison holt, bbc news. we asked for a response from the department for health and social care, and this is what they had to say... "we have provided £462.5 million for recruitment and retention, expanded the health and care visa scheme, and are running our made with care recruitment campaign." kate terroni is the chief inspector of adult social care at the care quality commission. can you just tell our audience what aduu can you just tell our audience what adult social care involves, please? so adult social care is a wealth of activities that support people to become and remain independent, so it can be supporting people with learning disabilities, adults with

mental health needs, physical health needs, through to older people and people in the final stages of life, it can be delivered in people's own homes, supported living, through to nursing homes, so a wealth of support to keep people independent. how dangerous is it having this many vacancies in the sector? brute how dangerous is it having this many vacancies in the sector?— vacancies in the sector? we are concerned _ vacancies in the sector? we are concerned about _ vacancies in the sector? we are concerned about the _ vacancies in the sector? we are concerned about the growing i vacancies in the sector? we are i concerned about the growing number of vacancies, up to 11.5% in december, and it matters so much because people having highly trained, caring, compassionate staff at the right numbers to provide that support is a key contributor to people getting high quality care, and that is our area of focus. what is important to us is being assured that people receive high quality person centred care, and that is why we are today launching a campaign, because we are really keen to hear from anyone who accesses health and social care, themselves, a loved one, or people who work in the sector, to tell us about the quality

of care, what could work better, and anything that informs the regulatory activity that we take when we are looking at best practice, but also following up where there is concerns about quality. bud following up where there is concerns about quality-— about quality. and the recruitment cam aiun about quality. and the recruitment campaign that _ about quality. and the recruitment campaign that the _ about quality. and the recruitment campaign that the government i about quality. and the recruitment | campaign that the government has launched, is it making any difference yet?— launched, is it making any difference yet? recruiting and retainin: difference yet? recruiting and retaining the _ difference yet? recruiting and retaining the workforce i difference yet? recruiting and retaining the workforce and i difference yet? recruiting and i retaining the workforce and social care has been an issue way before the pandemic, so before the pandemic, there were 120,000 vacancies in the sector and turnover rates up to 38% depending on the role. we have called for a long time for investment and recognition of the social care workforce, the sector welcomes the additional money from government, that needs to be sufficient to be sure it flows directly through to the workforce, and that the social care workforce can have the terms and conditions, as well as the training, to recognise the hugely valuable jobs they do every day. recognise the hugely valuable “obs they do every mi they do every day. thank you very much for talking _ they do every day. thank you very much for talking to _ they do every day. thank you very

much for talking to us. _ now it's time for a look at the weather, let's join carol. good morning to you, we have a two weather fronts slowly slipping southwards, taking the cloud and increasingly patchy rain while they are doing so, moving away, for most of us a sunny day, but there are some showers in western wiles, north and eastern scotland, and they will be wintry across northern scotland and the northern isles. the wind picking up as well across northern england, temperatures ranging from 5-10 england, temperatures ranging from 5—10 degrees. through this evening and overnight, we hang onto a lot of those showers, but in land a lot of dry and clear weather, which means temperatures will fall away quite rapidly, leading to a widespread frost. in areas where there have been showers, you could see ice on untreated surfaces. tomorrow the winds will start to ease, we still

have showers in the north and east at times, but showers in west wales and cornwall tending to move away, a lot of dry weather and sunshine, but feeling cold, highs of four in newcastle and hull, up to nine in plymouth. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. the cost of goods and services we buy are going up at their fastest rate for 30 years. a group of 20 conservative mps elected in 2019 have met to discuss boris johnson's future — our political editor is reporting one of them claims ten of the 20 submitted letters of no confidence in their boss this morning. willfacemasks, working from home and covid passes be scrapped in england onjan 26? the pm is expected to make an announcement today. veterans who were forced out of the military because of their sexuality have welcomed a review into their treatment.

time for the sport. good morning. day three at the australian open. and in the absence of novak djokovic who is likely to win the men's title this year? could it be the 20 time grand slam champion rafa nadal, who is into the third round after another straight sets win, this time against the german qualifier yannick hanfmann? his side of the draw opening up after the deportation of the nine time champion novak djokovic. danil medvedev is the top ranked male player in the absence of the world number one. home favourite ash barty is through. the wimbledon champion is the top ranked player in melbourne — she's not lost this year, and will be many people's pick to go all the way at a tournament she's never won. she only dropped two games against lucia bronzetti and she's been keeping things simple.

my routine, i'm a hermit. so it doesn't affect me too much. yeah, i mean, for us it's pretty lucky. we come and practise, we do what we need to do, but otherwise, a good book and a coffee, and i'm set. the defending champion naomi 0saka is through — she sprinted through the first set against madison brengle — the american was relieved to get a game in the second set, and that inspired her to make a game of it, but she couldn't threaten an upset, 0saka winning it 6—4. someone who has won in australia is victoria azarenka, where crowds have been capped at 50% this year because of covid rules. the two time champion has been voicing her support for the vaccination requirements for players. i think that it would just be helpful for everybody in the world, especially when we are coming, when we are travelling internationally. in our case, i think

this was recommended, and that is what i believe is the right thing to do. as soon as there's a grey area in the rules that gives a bit too much questions, situations like this happen. so, on certain things, i think black and white approach is necessary. and in my opinion, this should be the case. is it over for big spending chelsea in the title race? manager thomas tuchel says a tough schedule is taking its toll. a draw against brighton last night leaves them 12 points adrift of leaders manchester city, who look uncatchable now. hakim ziyech scored first for chelsea, but adam webster equalised for brighton. tuchel said his side was weary. of course we are tired — mentally tired and physically tired — and you can see it in our performance. er... it's as easy as that. look at our last week and then

you know what we are talking about — in seven days, three away games — and, you know, it's not only about playing, it's about travelling, it's about not sleeping. so we arrive in a game where we don't reach our full potential — 0k, welcome to reality! rangers saw their lead in the scottish premiership cut to four points, after a 1—1 draw with aberdeen. a fantastic delivery from ryan kent left iannis hagi with a tap—in, to put rangers ahead, and they were on their way to extending their winning run to ten games, when lewis ferguson equalised from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. there was incredible drama in netball�*s quad series in london, with england snatching a late draw with australia in their first meeting for nearly three years. how about this for keeping cool. helen housby levelled with seconds left. you may remember the name — it was housby who scored the goal

against australia that won them commonwealth gold in 2018. it finished 48—all — and they won't have long to wait for another crack at each other. they meet again tonight in the grand final. that's all the sport for now. thank you for sending in your messages of about the cost of living. we have news today that inflation, which measures how fast prices are rising is the fastest rate going for 30 years. sofia says i had two jobs but i was made redundant at christmas from one of them. i am on the breadline, going tos sainsbury�*s the food has jumped from 45 quid to 80.80. everything is too expense sieve. my mum pays and helps me, instead of me helping headquarter i am

embarrassed. i am terrified about april when the energy price rises come, my bill will double which means no food shopping, the prime minister and those in charge have no clue. they are too busy drinking and partying. clara says my enge bill has rocket. i can is see a day when i can't afford to have a day out or share a meal with other, the days of small treats to cheer us up are gone. mike says after 42 years hard work and having retired at 61 i have two pensions that are not index linked so after energy payments by £50 a month my pension has risen by £8 a month. how does that work? the maths just don't £8 a month. how does that work? the mathsjust don't add £8 a month. how does that work? the maths just don't add up. thank you very much for those. you can e—mail me or message me on instagram, tiktok or twitter.

international relief efforts have intensified in response to the volcanic eruption and tsunami that has devastated tonga, after its government agreed to receive contactless aid to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. ships from new zealand and australia are expected to arrive by friday, with a helicopter preparing to airdrop aid to the pacific island nation, which has recorded only a single case of covid during the pandemic. heavy falls of ash at the weekend has hampered the relief effort, contaminating drinking water and making the air quality poor. the united nations says it is setting up a clinic as your will have seen on satellite images, it seems that all houses were destroyed on one island and we have to count how many that is, and

exactly what the population was that has been displaced. 0nly exactly what the population was that has been displaced. only two houses remain on one island, there is extensive taj on a another. the ash is proving more difficult to clear than expected. we thought it would be operational yesterday, and, but it hasn't been fully cleared yesterday, because more ash has been falling, and so they clear about 100 or 200 metres a day, i gather. the us secretary of state antony blinken has arrived in ukraine for urgent talks, amid warnings that russia could carry out an attack on the country "at any point". mr blinken also plans to meet the russian foreign minister sergey lavrov on friday, with the white house describing the situation as "extremely dangerous". russia has amassed 100,000 troops on the border, and over the weekend moved forces to belarus forjoint military drills — but it denies

planning an invasion. a labour mp says everyone has a responsibility to call out online trolls, after a man was found guilty of threatening to shoot her. 61—year—old stephen peddie, a former brexit party candidate, was convicted of sending an "offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message" after replying to a tweet about dawn butler and saying a "bullet to the back of the head" would be "justified and wholly deserved". it's reported he also holds a firearms licence. he will be sentenced next month. let's talk to the mp for brent central. when you first read this tweet what did it make you file? it when you first read this tweet what did it make you file?— did it make you file? it was quite frightening. _ did it make you file? it was quite frightening, and _ did it make you file? it was quite frightening, and my _ did it make you file? it was quite frightening, and my office i did it make you file? it was quite frightening, and my office were i did it make you file? it was quite i frightening, and my office were also distraught, and we have to have a database now of all of the abuse, because get so much of it, so we can

keep track of it. this one felt quite sinister, and when the police called me, and was talking me through and saying that they attended his property, and they removed his firearms, ijust froze, and you know, they had to check i was still on the line and there was like tears rolling down my face, i was having flashbacks to my friend jo cox was murdered, and it is a very scary thing, to think that somebody�*s so horrible to think that way, in such a violent way, but also have the means to possibly carry it out, is a very very frightening thought indeed. with; out, is a very very frightening thought indeed.— out, is a very very frightening thought indeed. why do you think that ou thought indeed. why do you think that you are _ thought indeed. why do you think that you are a _ thought indeed. why do you think that you are a target? _ thought indeed. why do you think that you are a target? because i i thought indeed. why do you think. that you are a target? because i am black, i that you are a target? because i am black, i am _ that you are a target? because i am black, i am female, _ that you are a target? because i am black, i am female, i'm _ that you are a target? because i am black, i am female, i'm vogue i that you are a target? because i am | black, i am female, i'm vogue vocal. i'm a politician, and you know, there are sort of certain groups of people that feel that they have got this kind of supreme right to be

violent and aggressive, if they don't like what i say. and i think we have all got a responsibility, the social media companies have a responsibility to ensure they take down abusive posts quickly, you know, often when we report abuse, social media's companies say it doesn't reach the threshold, and, you know, that is wrong, if we are reporting abuse it means it has reached a threshold so social media companies have a responsibility. as citizens as global citizens we have a responsibilityf citizens as global citizens we have a responsibility f you know somebody who is being abusive to somebody on line, then you need to call them out for it, or you need to stop talking to them, there needs to be consequence, you can'tjust accept somebody is abusing something else, somebody is abusing something else, some people say it is just banter, it is not. racism, sexism. homophobia, people criticising disabled people, it is not banter, it is abuse. this is how we make

society better, if we call it out and doesn't associate people who are abusive. ., ., . ., ., and doesn't associate people who are abusive. ., ., i ., ., abusive. you mentioned jo cox, we could talk about _ abusive. you mentioned jo cox, we could talk about sir _ abusive. you mentioned jo cox, we could talk about sir david _ abusive. you mentioned jo cox, we could talk about sir david mace, i could talk about sir david mace, stephen timms, andy pennington an mp's assistant was stabbed to death as he tried to protect nigeljones from an attacker who stormed his constituency office, i wonder what changes you have made do your daily life and to the way you work? filth. changes you have made do your daily life and to the way you work?- life and to the way you work? oh, so many changes. _ life and to the way you work? oh, so many changes. l _ life and to the way you work? oh, so many changes, i am _ life and to the way you work? oh, so many changes, i am acutely - life and to the way you work? oh, so many changes, i am acutely wear i life and to the way you work? oh, so many changes, i am acutely wear of| many changes, i am acutely wear of my surroundings at all time, my friends and my family, partner also very much aware when we go out where i am sitting, standing, who is around me, you know, we have alarms, you know, there are other security measures that we take as well, that we don't talk about, so people, you know, don't know. but, there is so much that we have to do to protect

ourselves, and it is frightening, and i i think there needs to be more to protect politicians as well, you know, across the board, because, you know, across the board, because, you know, the consequences of not protecting us are really grave, and regardless of your, you know, political soundings, nobody deserves to be murdered for doing theirjob, or standing or sticking up for democracy, and, our way of life, and a lot needs to change in that regard. a lot needs to change in that retard. , ., a lot needs to change in that retard. , . .,, a lot needs to change in that retard. , ., ., , regard. this man was found guilty, 61-year-old _ regard. this man was found guilty, 61-year-old former _ regard. this man was found guilty, 61-year-old former brexit - regard. this man was found guilty, 61-year-old former brexit party i 61—year—old former brexit party candidate. what message do you think that sends out to other online trolls that you can be caught and convicted?— trolls that you can be caught and convicted? , ., ., convicted? yes, at the end of the da , ou convicted? yes, at the end of the day. you are _ convicted? yes, at the end of the day. you are not _ convicted? yes, at the end of the day, you are not going _ convicted? yes, at the end of the day, you are not going to - convicted? yes, at the end of the day, you are not going to silence| convicted? yes, at the end of the i day, you are not going to silence me and others from speaking ought, you know, tennis is on at the moment, naomi 0saka has had 32,000 abusive message, you are not going to silence especially women and women

of colour, they get it more than any other group, you won't silence us, and i think that what we have is make sure that people, you know, silence the abusers by saying we are not going to soefrkt with you, but i think it sends a message if you send abusive messages that we are going to report it, you are going to get a knock on the door from the police, you are going to get sentenced and you are going to get sentenced and you will be found guilty. i hope he gets a prison sentence, i have taken out a restraining order on him, i will do that for anybody that you know is abusive towards me and i will keep reporting it, it takes a lot of time, it takes a lot effort and it's the mental toll notjust me and it's the mental toll notjust me and my office as well but we will continue to report it, so that we can stop people being abusive, not just to me, but to others as well. thank you very much for talking to us this morning. dawn butler, the labour mp for brent central.

the headlines on bbc news... the cost of goods and services we buy are going up at their fastest rate for 30 years a group of 20 conservative mps elected in 2019 have met to discuss boris johnson's future — our political editor is reporting one of them claims ten of the 20 submitted letters of no confidence in their boss this morning. willfacemasks, working from home and covid passes be scrapped in england onjan 26? the pm is expected to make an announcement today. it's been more than 20 years since a ban on lgbt+ personnel serving in the military was lifted, but its impact still remains for many who were dismissed, convicted and sometimes imprisoned before the policy came to end. now, an independent review set up by the government will try to establish how best to help those affected. josh parry reports. the year is 1995.

john major is the prime minister. take that are topping the charts. david was sent to military prison. his crime — being a gay man. they discovered a copy of gay times in my room after a search of my room. this two—year investigation began. when david joined the royal air force as a medic, aged 17, he was still discovering his identity. i put my life on the line for the country going to the first gulf war, and so, yeah, i was proud of that achievement of helping keep my country safe and knowing they would do the best they could for me — promote me, get the best out of me. so when i was 21, i ended up finding out i'm gay. so then you've got to lead a double life. and when that double life was discovered, david realised it would be the end of his military career. from the moment i admitted to it, i was held in a cell, separate from everyone, and then the trial happened.

and then you go... yeah, you're handcuffed, you're going into the cell, you're treated like any other prisoner as if i'd mugged or murdered someone. you're treated the same. 0ffence — gross indecency under the sexual offences act 1956, section... and how has that impacted you when applying forjobs? certain offences are kept — you don't get rid of them. so as a nurse, i had to go for a job. i had to do what's called enhanced disclosure, and that's where it came out. now, unless you actually know... it's listed as a sexual offence, so unless you actually know it's the offence of actually being gay, that's quite alarming. it's thought around 5,000 servicemen and women were affected by the ban on lgbt personnel in the military. it remained in place until the year 2000, when this group of veterans took their fight against the ban to the european court of human rights. with effect from today, homosexuality will no longer be a bar to service in britain's armed forces _ he...couldn't ever go . with me to a naval ball.

the way we got round it was that we invited our best female friend. i you look like you're having the time of your life. but not everyone impacted by the policy was dismissed outright. some, like patrick, felt forced to resign — as they couldn't be fully open about their love lives at work. there was one time in '88 when i met a young man. | we fell in love, he was a lovely guy, he was called dennis. i but i learnt something else i the second year and that was that he was hiv positive. we knew that, one day — as was the case, then — i that he would die and... i knew that, at some point, i there would be a fork in the road. unable to tell his bosses about the relationship, and terrified of being sent to the other side of the world while his partner was dying, patrick handed in his one—year's notice to leave the navy. dennis died just two days before he was due home for good.

i got up there as fast as i could . after his mother had phoned me. he was still warm. you know, they'd sort of brushed his hair, i and...clean white sheet over him. he was in a little side room. i reflected on one thing —| that in the past 48 hours, the only two things that had ever mattered to me had gone. - while today's announcement is being cautiously welcomed by lgbt veterans, it's clear there's a long way to go for the military to fully regain their trust. josh parry, bbc news. josh is with me now. tell ills more about this review, what is it going to look at? so this review is quite _ what is it going to look at? so this review is quite a _ what is it going to look at? so this review is quite a wide-ranging i review is quite a wide—ranging review is quite a wide—ranging review at this point, what hasn't been announced by the government is who will change the review and what they are going to be looking at. at they are going to be looking at. at the moment they are asking for lgbt veterans to share their experiences so they can better understand how to

make reparations for the way they were treated. make reparations for the way they were treated-— make reparations for the way they were treated. 0k, and so what are theole were treated. 0k, and so what are people hoping _ were treated. 0k, and so what are people hoping for. _ were treated. 0k, and so what are people hoping for, what _ were treated. 0k, and so what are people hoping for, what do - were treated. 0k, and so what are people hoping for, what do they i were treated. 0k, and so what are i people hoping for, what do they want in practical terms? the people hoping for, what do they want in practical terms?— in practical terms? the thing that unites all of _ in practical terms? the thing that unites all of these _ in practical terms? the thing that unites all of these veterans i in practical terms? the thing that unites all of these veterans is i in practical terms? the thing thatj unites all of these veterans is not only their treatment in the military is it what they want from this review, every single one i have spoken to says that what they really need from this is financial compensation and mental health support. you know, when they were dismissed from theirjobs it wasn't just a job, for many people it being in the military is a lifestyle and it is quite hard to get employment after you have been in the military any way, so... after you have been in the military any way. so- - -_ any way, so... particularly if you were court _ any way, so... particularly if you were court martialed _ any way, so... particularly if you were court martialed because i any way, so... particularly if you i were court martialed because you have a criminal record of. maw; were court martialed because you have a criminal record of. many of them do. have a criminal record of. many of them do- the. _ have a criminal record of. many of them do. the, the _ have a criminal record of. many of them do. the, the veteran - have a criminal record of. many of them do. the, the veteran we i have a criminal record of. many of. them do. the, the veteran we have seenin them do. the, the veteran we have seen in that vt, is listed on his criminal record, as a sexual offence, to this day, and when he has gone to employers some have been accept egg and they have spoken to lawyers and known that they can

employ him, but there have been occasions when he has lost out on jobs because of that, for him financial support for thejob he financial support for the job he lost in financial support for thejob he lost in the military and the restoration of his pension is top of the list. that is case for all of the list. that is case for all of the veterans i have spoken to. h0 the veterans i have spoken to. no more sorry, we want practical stuff now. and the response generally to the review from veteran, what would you say? i the review from veteran, what would ou sa ? ., i the review from veteran, what would ousa ? ., . you say? i would say it has received a cautious welcome. _ you say? i would say it has received a cautious welcome. this _ you say? i would say it has received a cautious welcome. this ban i you say? i would say it has received a cautious welcome. this ban was i a cautious welcome. this ban was lifted 2 2 years ago, and today, we have had this announcement of this review, many of those veterans feel the review is 22 years too late. they welcome it, they are going to participate in the review, but they say without that financial compensation it is meaningless to them. they have had enough apologies, pardons, they need that practical support. the apologies, pardons, they need that practical support-— apologies, pardons, they need that practical support. the armed forces ministerwas— practical support. the armed forces minister was doing _ practical support. the armed forces minister was doing interview, i practical support. the armed forces minister was doing interview, what i minister was doing interview, what did he say? minister was doing interview, what did he sa ? , ., minister was doing interview, what did he say?— did he say? this morning we have heard from _ did he say? this morning we have heard from james _ did he say? this morning we have heard from james heappy - did he say? this morning we have heard from james heappy and i did he say? this morning we have heard from james heappy and he | did he say? this morning we have i heard from james heappy and he was asked several times about whether compensation is on the table in this

review, he did refuse to be pushed on it too much but he said the review will look at all angles and the most he would say is compensation may well be the thing that people need rather than apologies, so i think at the stage, everyone has an open mind as to whether north that will be the case. thank you josh. many of us have been trying to go green as we've become more aware of climate change and the environment — and something else that could help is public transport. switching to electric buses can help reduce carbon emissions, and now one company has designed a double decker with the longest battery range in the uk. 0ur science correspondent richard westcott reports. if we're going to clean up the air in our towns and cities, we've got to attract more people onto public transport. and that means getting rid of all those diesel buses chugging around. and that is where this new piece of technology comes in. designed by an ex—formula 0ne

engineer and his team, it looks like a normal double decker, but they say they found a way of boosting how far it can go on one charge. it's got five batteries, like this one, secreted around the vehicle, but that's not the clever bit. the clever bit is at the back, because apparently with electric buses, they can use as much energy just heating and cooling the cabin, as they do physically driving along. so they've developed much more efficient air conditioning. and that means overall it's got a much longer range. ian foley used to work for williams and lotus, until he decided to turn his skills to something a bit less racy. it's still a big challenge. interestingly, weight is an issue just like in formula one, because the batteries we need for the electric bus are very heavy. we still need to be able to carry 87 passengers. and so it's quite a big challenge to get the weight distribution right on the vehicle for the electric bus. so some of that learning from your earlier career has

helped you with this? absolutely. and we've got quite a few of the guys who i worked with early on in my career here, kind of working on weight saving and very efficient mechanical design. the key technology has been designed at a factory near norwich. long term, they want to make 200 vehicles a year to be sold all over the world, but still built locally. we've got the resources here, we've got the people here. 0ur batteries are made locally here, so it was really important for us to make everything here in the uk. 90% of our product is actually made on this site. bus giant go—ahead is trialling one on a london route, so the vehicle is going to be taking its first passengers later in the spring. richard westcott, bbc news, norwich.

it was probably a big part of your childhood if you grew up in the 19805 — and if you want to relive some of that nostalgia then here's some good news. fraggle rock is coming back. it's been remade for apple tv with 13 new episodes available to watch from friday. it's 33 years since the last episode of the british series was on our screens, but a new generation of children will be able to head into the fraggle caves once more with charaters such as gobo, boober and uncle travelling matt. the producer of the revamped version is lisa henson, the daughter of fraggle rock and muppets creatorjim henson. she explained why it was the right time to bring this show back. you know what, it has a kind of innocence, and a joy, and a, just a delightfulness, that isn't, it's not cynical and it feels like, it's like its special for today, because, you know, maybe, i don't know, we've been through a tough couple of years, and parents and kids are dealing with stress and anxiety, and why notjust revel in the joy and innocence of these characters?

now it's time for a look at the weather, lets join carol kirkwood. hello again. we've got two weather fronts, two cold fronts, which are currently slipping southwards. they should clear, taking their cloud and patchy rain away from kent, probably by mid—afternoon. and then we're in this straight northwesterly or northerly flow, with a little weather front in the north enhancing the showers, this in the north enhancing the showers, front is enhan we this front is enhancing the showers we have, and behind the cold front there will be dry weather, a lot of sunshine but that colder air, so the showers in the far north of scotland increasingly turning to snow at lower levels. gusty winds today in northern england, in the north and the west of scotland, and these are the west of scotland, and these are the temperature, six to about ten degree, but lit feel cold, if you are exposed to than wind, especially so across the far north of scotland. through this evening and overnight

we continue with showers drape aid cross the north and also the east, a few still going in west wales and south—west england but there will be a lot of clear skies and under the clear skies temperatures will follow rapidly, leading us to a widespread frost and if you have been in an area with the shower, and the low temperature, does mean there is the risk of ice on untreated suffer face, so tomorrow, we start on that windy note but for many, the wind will ease, inland once again, a lot of sunshine, the showers and west wales and cornwall tending to push tout sea but still across the north and east we could catch one or two, and east we could catch one or two, and tomorrow once again, no heat wave in prospect we are looking at fourin wave in prospect we are looking at four in newcastle and hull. top temperature plymouth at nine and we are looking at eight in stornoway, thatis are looking at eight in stornoway, that is going to change because high pressure is coming in from the atlantic and it will be with us for the next few day, we also have fronts toppling over the top of it, but worst mentioning that the air round high pressure moves in a clockwise direction, you can see the

warmest air being dragged. any fog thatis warmest air being dragged. any fog that is formed overnight will be slow to clear during the course of friday. a lot of moyes com or in this west. itch areas seeing sunshine, with temperatures here, between six and eight degree, but we should see nine or maybe ten across the far north—west of scotland. and then as we head into the weekend, well, the north of the country will see rain at time, variable amounts of cloud but it will be milder as we push further south, there will be fog to watch out for by night, also some frost as well, a bit of sunshine round, but it will be that bit cooler.

this is bbc news. here are your headlines from the uk and around the world. the cost of living squeeze is getting worse in the uk, with prices for goods and services going up at their fastest rate for 30 years. in the last week, we've had two e—mails from suppliers saying that costs have gone up by 5% across the board, and that is something we are seeing already. let me know how you're being affected by the rising cost of living, the kind of choices you might be having to make. a group of 20 conservative mps elected in 2019 have met to discuss boris johnson's future. 0ur political editor is reporting one of them claims ten of the 20 submitted letters of no confidence in their boss this morning. willfacemasks, working from home and covid passes be scrapped in england on january 26th? the pm is expected to make an announcement today.