this is bbc news. the headlines: the soaring cost of energy: typical household bills are going up by almost £700 a year. the chancellor unveils measures to soften the blow, including a £200 discount on bills. what we can do is take the sting out of a significant price shock for millions of families by making sure the increase in prices is smaller initially and spread over a longer period. this energy crisis has not happened overnight. it's a decade of dither and delay from the party opposite that has brought us to this point. the bank of england raises interest rates again to 0.5%. amid a new row over post brexit trade arrangements in northern ireland,

the first minister is set to announce his resignation later today. president biden says the head of islamic state has been targetted during a raid by us special forces in syria. raith rovers apologise and say they got it wrong when they signed a controversial striker who was ruled to be a rapist in a civil court case. the outsiders ravage our lands in front of our eyes. and dune leads the way with 11 nominations for the baftas — including best film. good afternoon. the cost of energy is going up for millions of customers this april.

the typical household bill will go up by almost £700 a year — after the energy regulator 0fgem increased its price cap in england, scotland and wales by 54%. that means typical households will end up paying around £2,000 a year for their gas and electricity. to help soften the blow, the chancellor has announced a package of measures including a £200 discount on bills, and a council tax rebate for some households. meanwhile, the bank of england has just raised interest rates again — to 0.5 per cent. our first report is from our consumer affairs correspondent coletta smith. the energy price cap is going up again to nearly £2000 per yearfrom april. for donna, with three children and no increase in her income, it feels impossible. the thought that we have got to find that money is going to stress everyone out so much. we're going to have to stop paying

for things and put ourselves in more debt to pay for the gas to keep the house warm. do you heat or do you eat? i have a one—year—old, my house has to be warm. everything is getting more expensive at the moment but the energy price rise we are feeling now actually kicked in in october when prices rose by about £135 for a typical bill. now we know that come april, the average typical household bill will be paying £693 more. it's a huge increase which dwarfs what we have already seen. after huge pressure to step in, the government has decided to act. for me to stand here and pretend we don't have to adjust to paying higher prices would be wrong and dishonest. but what we can do is take the sting out of a significant price shock for millions of families by making sure that increase in prices is smaller initially and spread

over a longer period. mr speaker, without government intervention, the increase in the price cap would leave the average household having to find an extra £693. to do that, they have decided to give £150 council tax rebate in april for nearly all homes, which won't need to be repaid. from october, every household will also get a discount worth £200, but that will have to be paid back. it will be automatically taken off your bills over the next five years. local authorities will also get extra cash to give out to the most vulnerable. that still leaves £350 for most households to cover themselves. i've spoken to so many people in the last few months who are already struggling and just won't have that extra cash. where is that hundred pound coming from? it's scary because you can't afford to live day by day as it is.

it is obvious there will be people who won't be putting _ the heating on this winter. it will be a tough stretch for most households but those with the least money will be hit the hardest. coletta smith, bbc news. let's speak to dale vince. he's the owner of ecotricity which is a company specialising in green energy. do you agree with the call from the labour party for a windfall tax on those companies that are profiting from the north sea for example, we have seen the show profits and outs, which are 19 billion? —— the shell profits today. which are 19 billion? -- the shell profits today-— profits today. yes, we called for this a while _ profits today. yes, we called for this a while ago, _ profits today. yes, we called for this a while ago, and _ profits today. yes, we called for this a while ago, and the - profits today. yes, we called for - this a while ago, and the government response was to say that the north sea sector is struggling but we can't understand that, what are they struggling with, holding that cash? the 20 billion excess profit is the size of the hole in the retail

sector because of the price cap and so it would make sense to balance those things out. the so it would make sense to balance those things out.— those things out. the chancellor rishi sunak _ those things out. the chancellor rishi sunak said _ those things out. the chancellor rishi sunak said they _ those things out. the chancellor rishi sunak said they are - those things out. the chancellor| rishi sunak said they are worried that would hit investment in the energy sector and they don't want to do that. but energy sector and they don't want to do that. �* ., �* do that. but we don't need investment _ do that. but we don't need investment in _ do that. but we don't need investment in the - do that. but we don't need investment in the north i do that. but we don't need i investment in the north sea, do that. but we don't need _ investment in the north sea, because we are on a path to net zero and we need a path to renewable energy, but i think the government are worried about the wrong things. lending customers money to part of the price rise in energy is an incredibly foolish thing to do. i can't understand. it doesn't begin until october anyway when the price cap 0ctober anyway when the price cap will go up by another £300 so we are talking about £1000 in total and the government say, we will end you £200 to see through the next winter, but after that, who knows? the government don't talk about the fact that rishi sunak takes £9 billion from our energy bills through tax and this price rise announced for

april will increase the vat take. he is taking with one hand and ending with the other. you is taking with one hand and ending with the other.— with the other. you specialise in ureen with the other. you specialise in green energy- — with the other. you specialise in green energy- do _ with the other. you specialise in green energy. do you _ with the other. you specialise in green energy. do you feel - with the other. you specialise in green energy. do you feel it - with the other. you specialise in green energy. do you feel it is l green energy. do you feel it is unfair for the government and for taxpayers to be subsidising traditional forms of energy production?— traditional forms of energy production? traditional forms of energy roduction? ., , ., , production? not 'ust unfair, but wronu. production? not 'ust unfair, but wrong. we — production? not 'ust unfair, but wrong. we have — production? notjust unfair, but wrong. we have to _ production? notjust unfair, but wrong. we have to get - production? notjust unfair, but wrong. we have to get to - production? notjust unfair, but wrong. we have to get to net i production? notjust unfair, but i wrong. we have to get to net zero and we have to enter these fossil fuels, we have put more money into the north sea by way of subsidies and the government takes back by way of tax, this was proven in court a couple of weeks ago. it is an absurd situation where we continue to spend money on the wrong things and if we were powered 100% by renewable energy we could avoid these global price shocks and crises and we could have bills that were low and never went up and we could end energy poverty. but went up and we could end energy ove . �* , ~ went up and we could end energy ove .�* y poverty. but we there yet? we don't know where — poverty. but we there yet? we don't know where and _ poverty. but we there yet? we don't know where and if _ poverty. but we there yet? we don't know where and if we _ poverty. but we there yet? we don't know where and if we will _ poverty. but we there yet? we don't know where and if we will get - poverty. but we there yet? we don't| know where and if we will get there? —— when and where and if we will get

there? the government had to act? they had to act, but you could take a different definition of that and say this is acting because it is pretend and faked, then customers £200 in october when they are facing a £1000 price rise where i of the government takes £300, nearly 400 on energy bills, that is completely wrong —— when the government takes. thanks forjoining us. our business correspondent sarah corker is in leicester. what reaction are you getting to these latest announcements? goad these latest announcements? good afternoon. what _ these latest announcements? good afternoon. what is _ these latest announcements? (limp. afternoon. what is becoming clear is that this is the biggest ever rise in energy bills and it will affect 22 million households, the financial impact in april will be immediate for many people and this comes as inflation has hit a near 30 year

high, driven in part by those rising energy costs but we are also seeing food prices going up, prices at the pumps in terms of petrol, they have also gone up, and today interest rates are rising again, as well. throughout the day we have heard here from businesses and families about what impact the rising cost in living will have on them and some of the tough choices ahead. lots to talk about. i'm joined by rachel grainger, an economist at montford university. that drill down into why energy bills are rising so much because there are global factors at play? because there are global factors at -la ? because there are global factors at .la 7 . ., because there are global factors at -la ? . ., ., , play? the crux of the matter is the oil rice, play? the crux of the matter is the oil price. and _ play? the crux of the matter is the oil price, and we _ play? the crux of the matter is the oil price, and we do _ play? the crux of the matter is the oil price, and we do see _ play? the crux of the matter is the oil price, and we do see rises - play? the crux of the matter is the oil price, and we do see rises and l oil price, and we do see rises and decreases — oil price, and we do see rises and decreases in _ oil price, and we do see rises and decreases in the prices over years and we _ decreases in the prices over years and we tend only to feel the upsurge in the _ and we tend only to feel the upsurge in the prices and that is what we have _ in the prices and that is what we have got— in the prices and that is what we have got at_ in the prices and that is what we have got at the moment. also in the prices and that is what we have got at the moment.- in the prices and that is what we have got at the moment. also a case of risin:

have got at the moment. also a case of rising demand _ have got at the moment. also a case of rising demand and _ have got at the moment. also a case of rising demand and economies - of rising demand and economies coming out of lockdown and suddenly there is an increase from asia in terms of the gas demand so that is filtering through? irate terms of the gas demand so that is filtering through?— filtering through? we have had covid-19, and _ filtering through? we have had covid-19, and pretty— filtering through? we have had covid-19, and pretty much - filtering through? we have had - covid-19, and pretty much shrinkage covid—19, and pretty much shrinkage in oil— covid—19, and pretty much shrinkage in oil demand, as you have said, and now we _ in oil demand, as you have said, and now we have — in oil demand, as you have said, and now we have got this upsurge as the economy— now we have got this upsurge as the economy is— now we have got this upsurge as the economy is getting back in motion. what _ economy is getting back in motion. what about— economy is getting back in motion. what about the uk specific factors? about 85% of households rely on gas central heating, so to what extent are we more exposed to these fluctuations?— are we more exposed to these fluctuations? , fluctuations? the interesting thing is this is a global _ fluctuations? the interesting thing is this is a global problem, - fluctuations? the interesting thing is this is a global problem, so - fluctuations? the interesting thing is this is a global problem, so we | is this is a global problem, so we have _ is this is a global problem, so we have got— is this is a global problem, so we have got huge inflation prices, in europe _ have got huge inflation prices, in europe and north america, that because — europe and north america, that because the oil prices make shipping more _ because the oil prices make shipping more expensive and it makes manufacturing more expensive it so it is a _ manufacturing more expensive it so it is a problem for households and a prohiem _ it is a problem for households and a prohiem for— it is a problem for households and a problem for businesses and we are starting _ problem for businesses and we are starting to— problem for businesses and we are starting to see the knock—on effects _ starting to see the knock—on effects. the biggest issue for the uk is _

effects. the biggest issue for the uk is about the buffer, we haven't -ot uk is about the buffer, we haven't got enough of a buffer and wages havent— got enough of a buffer and wages haven't gone up and we haven't recovered — haven't gone up and we haven't recovered in the same way that other countries _ recovered in the same way that other countries have from the global financial— countries have from the global financial collapse and that is why we are _ financial collapse and that is why we are having a big impact now. what do ou we are having a big impact now. what do you make — we are having a big impact now. what do you make of _ we are having a big impact now. what do you make of some _ we are having a big impact now. twist do you make of some of the interventions and policies we have heard from the treasury today? some say they have gone further than was expected, £200 off everyone �*s bill, and more targeted support for those on lower incomes, what you make that package? i on lower incomes, what you make that ackaae? . ., on lower incomes, what you make that ackaae? .., ., ., . package? i welcome the announcement from the chancellor _ package? i welcome the announcement from the chancellor today _ package? i welcome the announcement from the chancellor today but _ package? i welcome the announcement from the chancellor today but i - from the chancellor today but i don't _ from the chancellor today but i don't think it goes far enough. what we need _ don't think it goes far enough. what we need to— don't think it goes far enough. what we need to see is in line with other countries — we need to see is in line with other countries, where we are providing sufficient — countries, where we are providing sufficient support to get through the energy crisis at the moment, but also to— the energy crisis at the moment, but also to think, i would urge them to think— also to think, i would urge them to think about — also to think, i would urge them to think about national insurance, because — think about national insurance, because this is not the moment to increase _ because this is not the moment to increase national insurance which will have — increase national insurance which will have an impact on workers but also businesses and potentially

bring _ also businesses and potentially bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainaer, bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we _ bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have _ bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have got _ bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have got to _ bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have got to leave - bring the economy to a halt. rachel grainger, we have got to leave it i grainger, we have got to leave it there, but thanks forjoining us. there are all sorts of things going up there are all sorts of things going up across the board but this is an exceptional set of circumstances with millions of people already feeling the squeeze and that was before the price cap goes up in april. before the price cap goes up in aril, ., . , ., april. sarah, in leicester, thanks forjoining _ april. sarah, in leicester, thanks forjoining us- — we'll be answering your questions on energy prices following 0fgem's announcement. get in touch with the hashtag bbcyourquestions — or you email yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. a us specialforces raid in north—western syria has targeted the leader of the so—called islamic state group. this afternoon the us presidentjoe biden released a statement, saying...

syrian first responders said 13 people, including six children, were killed in the opposition—held town of atmeh. let's get more on all of this from our washington correspondent, gary 0'donoghue. what more do we know about this attack? ., . , what more do we know about this attack? ., ., , ., , what more do we know about this attack? ., ., , ., ., , attack? not many details so far but we are expecting — attack? not many details so far but we are expecting to _ attack? not many details so far but we are expecting to hear _ attack? not many details so far but we are expecting to hear from - attack? not many details so far but we are expecting to hear from the l we are expecting to hear from the president very shortly in the next few minutes, and i guess he will tell us more but it seems to have been conducted by its central command which looks after that part of the work at special operations forces involving a number of helicopters as they would typically use. seems to have gone on for a couple of hours at least and as we understand it, the target was abu ibrahim al—hashimi al-qurayshi who is the nominal head of isis, who

took over in 2019, after the previous head was killed in a similar operation in that part of the world, and there does appear to be civilian casualties including some children. there is a suggestion, unconfirmed, that abu ibrahim al—hashimi al-qurayshi detonated a bomb killing members of his own family as well as himself although we do not know that for sure at the moment. there did seem to be fighting that went on after that, as well, gunfire, presumably from both sides, before the us forces got out, so we are waiting to hear more details but that is what the americans are saying. this is a man who took over from al—baghdadi and had a $10 million bounty on his head for being captured, after he became the leader of the much diminished isis as it is now. the americans seem to have got him at this point. americans seem to have got him at this oint. . u,

americans seem to have got him at this oint. ,, .. , this point. significant if they have, this point. significant if they have. but — this point. significant if they have, but will— this point. significant if they have, but will they - this point. significant if they have, but will they be - this point. significant if they i have, but will they be worried this point. significant if they - have, but will they be worried about any retaliation? this group has many members and affiliates all over the world. ., , ., members and affiliates all over the world. . , ., ., , world. that is right, and of course the franchise _ world. that is right, and of course the franchise nature _ world. that is right, and of course the franchise nature of— world. that is right, and of course the franchise nature of isis - world. that is right, and of course the franchise nature of isis meansj the franchise nature of isis means that role could be taken on by anyone anywhere in the world in terms of retaliation and that will be a concern and that will mean that america puts its consulates and embassies and staff around the world on heightened alert, and it tends to do that when these things happen. but it is difficult to see whether or not at this stage without more information as to whether this was part of a strategy to finish off isis in syria and iraq in particular, although there is a different outfit operating in afghanistan. 0r whether or not this was an opportunistic situation where they suddenly got a bit of

intelligence and suddenly had a level of certainty about that intelligence and got the go—ahead from the president to do it. there are pictures this morning of him looking very presidential in the situation room as you would expect when these situations happen so this was clearly given the nod from the top. interesting that when you think aboutjoe biden's history with these things, he was one of those more reluctant ones back in the day with 0sama bin laden back in the day, but clearly he believes this was the right thing to do. we will see whether or not there is going to be damage to us reputation if there were children who died as well and who could be responsible for those deaths. , ., ., who could be responsible for those deaths. ., ., ., , the headlines on bbc news: the average household's yearly energy bill in england,

wales and scotland will increase by £693 in april — it comes as the bank of england has raised interest rates for the second time in three months to try to curb a rapid rise in the cost of living. president biden says the head of islamic state has been targeted during a a raid by us special forces in syria. the bbc understands that northern ireland's first minister, paul givan, intends to resign later today as a protest against the existing checks on goods coming from the rest of the uk. the move comes after northern ireland's agriculture minister last night ordered a halt to checks. interest rates have gone up for the second month running. the bank of england has raised it main rate to a half of one per cent — from a quarter of one per cent. this report from our economics correspondent, andy verity. in hatfield, naomi and her husband are renting after selling their house.

they want to buy another one, but the cost of the mortgages they are being offered keeps rising. meanwhile, they are living in a smaller house than before but her monthly energy bills have more than doubled. her household finances, like many of us, are being clobbered by bills she has no choice but to pay. we are looking at a rise in our energy bills, fuel bills and mortgage repayments which altogether will contribute to probably £300 a month more in our monthly bills, particularly at the moment we are trying to buy a house and the rise in mortgage rates have had a big impact on what we can afford. today, naomi and others have the bank of england to thank for turning up the heat even further by making new variable rates more expensive. the committee narrowly voted five in favour and four against to double the official interest rate from 0.25% to 0.5%.

they're now predicting inflation might get as high as 7.25% by april. here is why... sterling oil prices are almost 90% above their level is at the end of 2020. uk household gas prices were almost 400% higher. wholesale electricity price rises had risen by more than 300%. the idea is by making it more expensive to borrow it will slow down the inflationary temperature. but rising gas bills will have much more on the —— much more impact on what people can spend. a rate rise looks a lot less scary when you look back in time. it is important to put this historic rate rise in its historic context. if you look back in the early 90s, rates got above 14%,

then after the global financial crisis they dropped to what is supposed to be emergency levels of 0.5% and they stayed there ever since more or less, dropping and rising just a little bit. the markets are now predicting the official rate will get up to one percentage point byjune, the highest it has been for 13 years. it is the first time interest rates have risen twice in a row since 2004, but that is only because since the financial crisis they have been at emergency lows. it's your energy bill, not your mortgage bill that you need to steal yourself most to open. andy verity, bbc news. i'm joined by liz martins, an economist from hsbc. this is going to have a worrying effect for anyone with a mortgage, evenif effect for anyone with a mortgage, even if they are not on a variable or a tracker, if they are looking to change their mortgage in the coming year, it will be very difficult for lots of people? i year, it will be very difficult for lots of people?— year, it will be very difficult for lots of people? i think it will. a lots of people? i think it will. a lot of us are — lots of people? i think it will. a lot of us are on _ lots of people? i think it will. a lot of us are on fixed _ lots of people? i think it will. a lot of us are on fixed rates - lot of us are on fixed rates percentages and a high percentage of them taken out recently are on fixed rates so the impact might come out later when those fixed periods

finish and because anyone who is a first—time buyer, looking to take out a brand—new mortgage, that is where the impact may feed through. do you expect further rate rises through the year?— do you expect further rate rises through the year? yes, the bank of encland through the year? yes, the bank of england told _ through the year? yes, the bank of england told us _ through the year? yes, the bank of england told us today _ through the year? yes, the bank of england told us today that - through the year? yes, the bank of england told us today that they - england told us today that they expect some further modest tightening, and we interpret that to mean two more rate rises taken us to 1%, but the financial markets are betting on much more than that and they are looking for the bank rate to rise to 1.5% and maybe even after today's news to 1.75% and that is based on a couple of signals we got on the bank of england. 0ne based on a couple of signals we got on the bank of england. one of which was that four members of the monetary policy committee wanted not just to see a 25 percentage point reyes but a 50 percentage point raised so that has caused the financial markets to think that may be a lot more could be coming. banks

like hsbc will — be a lot more could be coming. banks like hsbc will necessarily _ be a lot more could be coming. banks like hsbc will necessarily pass - be a lot more could be coming. banks like hsbc will necessarily pass on - like hsbc will necessarily pass on the rate rises to their customers? i am an economist so i won't comment on their mortgage policy but generally speaking if we look through history there is a relationship between the bank rate and people's mortgages. find relationship between the bank rate and people's mortgages.— and people's mortgages. and for savers this _ and people's mortgages. and for savers this is _ and people's mortgages. and for savers this is good _ and people's mortgages. and for savers this is good news? - and people's mortgages. and for savers this is good news? yes, l and people's mortgages. and for savers this is good news? yes, aj and people's mortgages. and for i savers this is good news? yes, a bit more on savings _ savers this is good news? yes, a bit more on savings and _ savers this is good news? yes, a bit more on savings and that _ savers this is good news? yes, a bit more on savings and that is - savers this is good news? yes, a bit more on savings and that is what i more on savings and that is what rate rises are designed to do, they are to encourage us to borrow less and save more, and that weighs down on demands in the economy and brings inflation pressures down so it is a bit more for savers but we are talking about an interest rate today of no .5% but inflation is 5% and rising rapidly —— 0.5%. so still negative after you adjust for inflation. negative after you ad'ust for inflation. ., negative after you ad'ust for inflation. . ., , . ., ., inflation. can the rate rise cool inflation. can the rate rise cool inflation and _ inflation. can the rate rise cool inflation and isn't _ inflation. can the rate rise cool inflation and isn't there - inflation. can the rate rise cool inflation and isn't there a i inflation. can the rate rise cool i inflation and isn't there a danger that it cools any economic growth? there is absolutely. the first thing to say there is not much the bank of

england can do about the near—term inflation, that we are all feeling now, and the energy price rise coming through in april, 25 basis point rise is not going to stop that from happening but the bank of england is more worried about inflation in a couple of years and they do have to tread a delicate balance. so they are trying to soften any inflation pressures and make sure inflation is on target further out without treading on demand too hard to the point that you are causing the economy to stall. , ., ,, �* ., you are causing the economy to stall. , ., ,,�* ., ., stall. lewis, from hsbc, thanks for “oininr stall. lewis, from hsbc, thanks for joining us- — the bbc understands northern ireland's first minister paul givan will announce his resignation later today. the democratic unionist party is protesting against the rules which govern post—brexit trade. those arrangements were thrown into confusion after a unionist minister ordered his staff to stop checks on food and farming goods entering northern ireland from britain. 0ur ireland correspondent,

chris page, reports. in northern ireland politics is all about politics and reports. the democratic unionist party which is the biggest group in the devolved assembly has been warning now for weeks that it will take strong measures unless the irish sea border is scrapped. now the dup�*s paul givan is set to resign at the first minister which means the power—sharing devolved government will not be able to function properly. they have had 1213 months to deal and prepare for this but they have ignored these warnings. under the rules of how stormont operates when paul givan resigns,

the deputy first minister, michele 0'neil of sinn fein, automatically loses herjob as well. it is not clear if his resignation would take effect immediately or if he would leave his post next week, possibly after the stormont executive reviews covid restrictions. yesterday another dup minister ordered his officials to stop carrying out the brexit checks on goods, but it is understood inspections are continuing. the legal implications of ending the checks is disputed. the irish foreign minister believes it would break the terms of the brexit agreement. the protocol is part of an international agreement. it was agreed and ratified by the uk and the eu and so to deliberately frustrate obligations under that treaty i think would be a very serious matter indeed. the european commission says the dup�*s moves are unhelpful, but the westminster government says the operation of checks is a matter for stormont and that negotiations with the eu over

the protocol are continuing. amidst the complexity, controversy and diplomatic dilemmas, northern ireland is facing increased uncertainty about its political future. i'm joined by naomi long, leader of the alliance party and northern ireland justice minister. thanks forjoining us. if paul givan resigns as he has indicated what is that going to mean? it is resigns as he has indicated what is that going to mean?— that going to mean? it is going to mean an incredibly _ that going to mean? it is going to mean an incredibly grave - that going to mean? it is going to| mean an incredibly grave situation for the people in northern ireland. you have reported on issues around the cost of living crisis and rising energy costs and rising levels of inflation and our local health service is on its knees with the longest waiting times in the uk. the public services are still groaning under the pressure of two years of the pandemic and we have not yet set a budget as an executive for the following financial year. if paul givan leaves his office, the

executive can't function and ministers can continue to work within their own departments in limited ways, but we will not be able to agree a budget and we will leave the people of northern ireland without the ability to be able to move forward and make progress in areas that desperately need attention. i think the people in northern ireland are rightly exhausted and frustrated with this constant crisis and drama and limited delivery from some of our political representatives. they are now playing games with people's lives and livelihoods and they are doing so purely for their own electoral interest and it is not in the public interest, it is in the party interest and i think it is reprehensible.— party interest and i think it is reprehensible. party interest and i think it is rerehensible. ~ . ., reprehensible. what about the edwin poots decision _ reprehensible. what about the edwin poots decision to _ reprehensible. what about the edwin poots decision to try _ reprehensible. what about the edwin poots decision to try and _ reprehensible. what about the edwin poots decision to try and stop - reprehensible. what about the edwin poots decision to try and stop the i poots decision to try and stop the checks on goods coming across the border? across from britain. we know the problems that has caused. i

understand entirely the frustrations people have about the additional checks that have been necessary as a result of brexit and those have affected ports in kent, dover, and so on, and because of the protocol they affect us as well so it has had an impact and i don't underestimate the seriousness of that issue but these are the same people who championed borders and barriers and frictions and are now complaining about the workings of their own policy. the reality is that if the executive collapses tomorrow, the protocol still remains international law and it still remains an agreement between the uk government and the eu and the uk government and the eu will have to continue with their negotiations and all that will have changed is that the people we represent will have been denied an effective and efficient devolved administration. i can't see how if you truly believe the people in

northern ireland have been short—changed by the protocol, your solution to that is to punish them further. surely the way to deal with this as mature politicians is to work through the issues of the protocol and continue to deliver for our constituents, while the uk government continues to negotiate with the eu, which looks as though they could actually make some progress in terms of dealing with some of the rough edges, but we have to be realistic. brexit has changed the relationships completely with ourselves and the eu and the uk government signed up to this protocol and i'm not here to defend it, david frost can do that, boris johnson can do that, he agreed to it, but i'm here to say that it is not grounds on which to upend the good friday agreement and the institutions that flow from it and the good governance of the people of northern ireland.— northern ireland. thanks for “oining us. now the weather. after a mild start

to february, the weather is set to change with colder air moving in. bringing a band of rain across scotland and northern ireland, with some snow on the edge. ahead of that, mainly dry for england and wales. a lot of cloud. temperatures for the end of the afternoon. into this evening the front pushes south wards with heavy rain and brisk winds and snow. wintry showers into the north—west, ice in parts of scotland and northern ireland. temperatures overnight dropping down in northern areas with that cold air. . tomorrow is a mixture of sunshine and showers. those are the wind gusts, up to 50mph. and feeling cold afternoon temperatures four to nine degrees.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: the average household's yearly energy bill in england, wales and scotland will increase by £693 in april. the chancellor has unveiled measures to soften the blow, including a £200 discount on bills. president biden says the head of islamic state has been targeted during a a raid by us special forces in syria. the bank of england has raised interest rates for the second time in three months to try to curb a rapid rise in the cost of living. the increase to 0.5% from 0.25% comes as inflation is on course to hit a 30—year high. the bbc understands that northern ireland's first minister, paul givan, intends to resign later today as a protest against the existing checks on goods coming from the rest of the uk. the move comes after northern ireland's agriculture minister last night ordered a halt to checks.

sport now and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's chetan. good afternoon. raith rovers say striker david goodwillie will not play for them and have apologised to fans after his signing sparked a huge backlash from supporters, sponsors and sections of the club itself. goodwillie was ruled by a civil courtjudge in 2017 to have raped a woman after a night out in 2011 and ordered to pay her £100,000 in damages. he neverfaced a criminal trial and always maintained it was consensual. after goodwillie's signing, board members resigned, some sponsors withdrew their backing and the captain of the women's team quit in protest. in a statement, raith's chairmanjohn sim says:

west bromwich albion are in talks with steve bruce about becoming their new manager. bruce is favourite to replace valerien ismael — who was sacked yesterday. bruce himself has been out of work after being dismissed by newcastle in october. next to cricket, england won't be bringing the women's ashes home — after australia won the opening one dayer in canberra by 27 runs. england put in a good performance in the field but couldn't follow it up with the bat. with two 0di's remaining, they can now only draw the series with australia keeping hold of the ashes. jo currie reports. a must win game for england. having won the toss and opted to bowl, england started fast, shrubsole with early wickets. england's bowlers

started to find their range. lanning gone. beth mooney steered australia to 205. england's innings got off to a terrible start. beaumont dismissed for three and captain heather knight out for 0. after everyone else collapsed, brunt and cross were the last ones standing, until australia got their final break through. the better team on the day and in the series with the ashes retained. tom curry has been named england captain for their six nations opener against scotland this weekend. with 0wen farrell out of the tournament, injured, and courtney lawes suffering concussion, the sale back row

will lead england for the first time at murrayfield. aged 23, he's the youngest england captain since will carling. after two wins from two, great britain's mixed doubles team have suffered their first defeat in the curling — losing 8—7 to switzerland. with the match level at 7—all, it all came down to the final end. throwing second, the swiss had the advantage and they made it count, getting the one stone they needed to secure the win. team gb are back in action tomorrow against australia. and in the women's moguls, it was a day to forget for team gb's leonie gerken schofield. she failed to finish her first qualification run — after falling during her attempt. a better run for her sister makayla, who finished in 12th place. both will get a second chance to qualify for the final on sunday — in the second qualification run. william feneley finished 23rd in the men's event. that's all the sport for now.

as well as discussing the rising cost of energy, the chancellor rishi sunak has been talking to the bbc today about the controversy surrounding borisjohnson and the police investigation into alleged downing street parties. the chancellor confirmed his support for the prime minister, but admitted that the allegations have damaged public confidence in the government. he's been speaking to our political editor, laura kuenssberg. are you comfortable with how your next door neighbour's handled this? i think it is right that the prime minister has apologised as he has donein minister has apologised as he has done in parliament and committed to taking on the suggestion in sue gray's report. of course that report makes for difficult reading, i share people's frustration and anger about the situation, but i'm glad he has apologise and is making changes. many believe that borisjohnson doesn't always tell the truth, do you think he always tells the truth? of course he does he is the prime

of course he does he is the prime minister. d0 of course he does he is the prime minister. , ., ~ ., , of course he does he is the prime minister. ~ ., minister. do you think he has always told ou minister. do you think he has always told you the — minister. do you think he has always told you the truth? _ minister. do you think he has always told you the truth? yes, _ minister. do you think he has always told you the truth? yes, he - minister. do you think he has always told you the truth? yes, he is - minister. do you think he has always told you the truth? yes, he is the i told you the truth? yes, he is the prime minister _ told you the truth? yes, he is the prime minister and _ told you the truth? yes, he is the prime minister and i _ told you the truth? yes, he is the prime minister and i support i told you the truth? yes, he is the prime minister and i support him| told you the truth? yes, he is the i prime minister and i support him and we work hard delivering the things we work hard delivering the things we were elected to do, that is what people would expect from me to support him in delivering that agenda, that is the best way can i help him. do agenda, that is the best way can i hel him. ., , help him. do you worry it has damaged _ help him. do you worry it has damaged the _ help him. do you worry it has damaged the public's - help him. do you worry it has i damaged the public's confidence in the government that you're part of? yes, i think it has and i can appreciate people's frustration and i think it is now thejob of appreciate people's frustration and i think it is now the job of all of us in government, all politicians, to restore people's trust.- us in government, all politicians, to restore people's trust. some of our to restore people's trust. some of your colleagues — to restore people's trust. some of your colleagues want _ to restore people's trust. some of your colleagues want the - to restore people's trust. some of your colleagues want the prime i your colleagues want the prime minister to go, if that were to happen, would you run to replace him? ., , happen, would you run to replace him? . , ., ., �* ,, him? that is not what i'm focussed on. that him? that is not what i'm focussed on- that is — him? that is not what i'm focussed on. that is not _ him? that is not what i'm focussed on. that is not my _ him? that is not what i'm focussed on. that is not my question. i him? that is not what i'm focussedj on. that is not my question. would ou run? on. that is not my question. would you run? it — on. that is not my question. would you run? it is— on. that is not my question. would you run? it is kind _ on. that is not my question. would you run? it is kind for— on. that is not my question. would you run? it is kind for them - on. that is not my question. would you run? it is kind for them to i you run? it is kind for them to su: est you run? it is kind for them to suggest that. _ you run? it is kind for them to suggest that, but _ you run? it is kind for them to suggest that, but i _ you run? it is kind for them to suggest that, but i think i you run? it is kind for them to suggest that, but i think what | suggest that, but i think what people want from me is to focus on myjob. people want from me is to focus on m 'ob. ., ., , , i. my 'ob. forgive me for pushing you on my job. forgive me for pushing you on this, because _ my job. forgive me for pushing you on this, because this _ my job. forgive me for pushing you

on this, because this is _ my job. forgive me for pushing you on this, because this is no - my job. forgive me for pushing you on this, because this is no longer. my job. forgive me for pushing you on this, because this is no longer a| on this, because this is no longer a hypothetical situation, because there are conservative mples pushing for a vote of no confidence. would you rule out running? i for a vote of no confidence. would you rule out running?— you rule out running? i think it is a hypothetical— you rule out running? i think it is a hypothetical situation. - you rule out running? i think it is a hypothetical situation. it i you rule out running? i think it is a hypothetical situation. it is i you rule out running? i think it is| a hypothetical situation. it is not. a know a few _ a hypothetical situation. it is not. a know a few of _ a hypothetical situation. it is not. a know a few of my _ a hypothetical situation. it is not. a know a few of my colleagues i a hypothetical situation. it is not. i a know a few of my colleagues have said that and they have their reasons for doing that. the prime minister has my full support and i will be getting on with myjob. that is why we are announcing what we are doing today. it is more than enough for me to focus on rebuilding the economy after the big pest shock in 300 -- economy after the big pest shock in 300 —— biggest shock in 300. i have a lot to focus on with that. the family of a woman who was stabbed to death by her former husband says more should have been done to prevent her death. yasmin shakeefi was killed in west london last week by leon mccasker. he died at the scene after being hit by a car. before the attack, a warrant had been issued for his

arrest for breaching a stalking protection order. lauren moss reports. she was just a wonderful, nice, caring person. she was beloved by her children, who she adored. an amazing woman that no one can compare to — the words of yasmin chkaifi's family a week after she was stabbed to death. yasmin, also known as wafah, was attacked by her ex—husband, leon mccaskie last monday morning. her family say she suffered years of domestic abuse. two years ago, the mum of two teenage boys remarried her childhood friend joseph. he says he is heartbroken. when she left, i was certain that she'd be coming home from work. when she left, she was certain that she was coming home. and, you know, she didn't even... she didn't even make one minute. joseph and yasmin's cousins have questions they want answering. a warrant had been issued for leon mccaskie's arrest three weeks earlier for allegedly breaching a stalking protection order. the met has referred itself

to the police watchdog. why his criminal record wasn't enough for him to be searched for, as he did have a warrant. obviously they didn't see him as much as a threat that they needed. should they have done, do you think? way more. eyewitnesses describe seeing leon mccaskie repeatedly stabbing yasmin chkaifi in the street last monday morning. people tried to intervene, and that's when mr mccaskie was hit by a car, and he too died at the scene. after questioning the driver, initially on suspicion of murder, police released him without charge. now, the 26—year—old is being treated as a vital witness. yasmin's family have paid tribute to him and everyone who tried to save her. he's a hero. he is a hero. and he tried, you know, he tried to help her. the metropolitan police says it can't comment further until the watchdog has concluded its investigation. an inquest opened earlier this week, while a family

will continue to grieve. lauren moss, bbc news. the scottish football club, raith rovers, have announced that the striker, david goodwillie, will not play for them after all. it follows widespread protests about the decision to sign him earlier this week, because of a court ruling in a civil case five years ago that he had raped a woman. the club now say they �*got it wrong". 0ur scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie has the details. there has been mounting pressure, two club directors have resigned, sponsorship has withdrawn, the first minister yesterday called on the club to think again. so today, raith rovers issued a statement, they said, we got it wrong. they apologised to fans, sponsors and to players, for the anguish and anger caused over the past few days. the

club said that david goodwillie would not be selected and there would not be selected and there would be discussions about his contract. the former prime minister, gordon brown, an avid fan of raith rovers said that the club had made the right decision. he also said that the football authorities need to consider how we deal with cases of footballers, where there has been rape and violence against women. so strong words there from gordon brown. the crime writer val mcdermid withdrew her sponsorship and said she welcomed the statement from raith rovers, but she said it is just the first step on a long road back. the raith rovers women's team want to change their name and their strip and to change where they play.

malawi's government continues to count the cost of tropical storm ana. the storm has badly damaged the country's hydropower plant, plunging the country into darkness. and the southern africa region is preparing for another tropical storm, as our southern africa correspondent nomsa maseko reports. what used to be a water catchment area for generating electricity, severely damaged by heavy rains and strong winds. tropical storm ana triggered major power cuts here in malawi. this power plant generated 30% of the country's electricity before flooding damaged most of the infrastructure here. it could take weeks before it is fully functional again. until then, parts of malawi will remain in the dark. this is not the first time the country's power utility has been crippled by the effects of extreme weather, made more likely by climate change. we had gone through such situation during the drought in 2017—18, and we had recovered from that.

and you may check around, the country now had confidence in the power generation, and this is a big blow to the national economy. we had started building on this and this has brought us back that we now need to look at how we can come out of this fast enough. the power supplier is now working to mitigate further impacts from yet another storm expected to make landfall in the coming days. at a nearby village, people here are counting the cost of the damage. this man shows me what is left of his house after high water level forced his family to flee. the 70—year—old tells me previous storms in the area were not as harsh. translation: we will be completely dead if the rains come again. - it will finish my house and will also damage the houses of those who were lucky to survive

the last time. just as people in the region deal with the aftermath of tropical storm ana, they are now having to brace themselves for a cyclone which is on the way. the headlines on bbc news: the average household's yearly energy bill in england, wales and scotland will increase by £693 in april. it comes as the bank of england has raised interest rates for the second time in three months to try to curb a rapid rise in the cost of living. president biden says the head of islamic state has been targeted — during a a raid by us special forces in syria. the bbc understands that northern ireland's first minister, paul givan, intends to resign later today as a protest against the existing checks on goods coming from the rest of the uk. the move comes after northern ireland's agriculture minister last night ordered a halt to checks.

the argentine authorities say at least twenty people are now known to have died after using adulterated cocaine. more than seventy others have been admitted to hospitals in buenos aires. it's in this poor urban settlement in north—west buenos aires where the cases of adulterated cocaine have been found. the drugs were sold in the streets of loma hermosa, known as puerto 8. authorities believe the cocaine was cut with poison. translation: from everything i have collected so far, it seems there have been extremely violent respiratory or cardiac arrest. so it must be a depressant of the central nervous system. it is an anxious wait for relatives outside the hospital. there is confusion over what has been mixed with the drug and the motives behind it. some say the poisonings might be part of a gang war. translation: apparently, from what we know, from what we've

been told, they use cocaine with rat poison. a regional minister called on any users who bought cocaine here to throw it away. cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant extracted from the leaves of coca plants and is generally snorted. a 2019 report on drug consumption in the americas listed argentina as the country with the third highest rate of cocaine consumption per person after the us and uruguay. there is anger from those outside the hospitals. they want answers. investigators are awaiting the results of postmortem examinations to compare drugs seized in raids with those consumed by the victims. the average yearly energy bill will increase by around £700 in april.

the chief executive of 0fgem, jonathan brearley has been speaking to our business editor simonjack, and he started by explaining what could happen to energy prices in the future. it's very hard to predict energy prices at the moment. the market is incredibly volatile and it is hard to say what will happen. but right now we are not seeing signs that the prices are coming down. aha, now we are not seeing signs that the prices are coming down. b. lat now we are not seeing signs that the prices are coming down.— prices are coming down. a lot of --eole prices are coming down. a lot of people are _ prices are coming down. a lot of people are saying. _ prices are coming down. a lot of people are saying, if— prices are coming down. a lot of people are saying, if we - prices are coming down. a lot of people are saying, if we can i prices are coming down. a lot of people are saying, if we can get| people are saying, if we can get through this period, this spike and everything will settle down. what are you seeing about future energy bills? it are you seeing about future energy bills? , ., ., ,., bills? it is hard to tell, so we have seen — bills? it is hard to tell, so we have seen a _ bills? it is hard to tell, so we have seen a huge _ bills? it is hard to tell, so we have seen a huge price i bills? it is hard to tell, so we have seen a huge price spike | bills? it is hard to tell, so we l have seen a huge price spike in bills? it is hard to tell, so we i have seen a huge price spike in the last few months, particularlyjust before christmas in the energy market. we are looking forward, we are not seeing any big sign of change, but this market is volatile and it is hard to predict whether prices will stay the same or fall. in our view, we need to be open to all ranges of scenarios about thinking about the future of prices. the costs of the failure of the

energy companies and the cost was hit, the hit taken by the survivors, the slor costs, can you break down how much of the rise was taken up by that? ., , how much of the rise was taken up by that? ., y . , ., ~ that? roughly the costs in making sure that everybody _ that? roughly the costs in making sure that everybody had _ that? roughly the costs in making sure that everybody had access i that? roughly the costs in making sure that everybody had access to | sure that everybody had access to energy at the level of price cap and no one was paying more was around £68 in this bill. that is why we worked with government to make sure which could off set the costs to a time when we may be able to better afford them. ? i time when we may be able to better afford them- ?_ afford them. ? i didn't follow that, how much is _ afford them. ? i didn't follow that, how much is the _ afford them. ? i didn't follow that, how much is the cost _ afford them. ? i didn't follow that, how much is the cost of _ afford them. ? i didn't follow that, how much is the cost of the - how much is the cost of the companies going bust, can you unpack that for us? the companies going bust, can you unpack that for us? _,, , companies going bust, can you unpack that for us? , ., companies going bust, can you unpack that for us? . , ., ., ,, that for us? the costs of making sure that everybody _ that for us? the costs of making sure that everybody had - that for us? the costs of making sure that everybody had access. that for us? the costs of making l sure that everybody had access to energy in the price cap, for the customers of the companies that failed is around £68. that is why we worked to make sure the costs can be

spread over time.— spread over time. some will say that cost is the cost _ spread over time. some will say that cost is the cost of _ spread over time. some will say that cost is the cost of regulatory - cost is the cost of regulatory failure, by not making sure you the companies were resilient enough to cope with market conditions. weill. cope with market conditions. well, look, if you — cope with market conditions. well, look, if you look _ cope with market conditions. well, look, if you look at _ cope with market conditions. well, look, if you look at the _ cope with market conditions. well, look, if you look at the scale i cope with market conditions. well, look, if you look at the scale of i look, if you look at the scale of the change in the market and the increase in wholesale gas prices, you can see the whole market has been under strain and every company has been struggling. 0fgem has made sure customers are protected and everyone has access to the energy at the price cap. but that does come at a cost and that is why we work with the government to spread the costs over time. vets at chester zoo have started the first trial of an experimental vaccine to protect elephants from a deadly viral disease. the illness is responsible for more than half of all asian elephant deaths in european zoos.

the aim of the trial is to develop a vaccine in captivity that can also be used in the wild. victoria gill reports. indali the elephant calf, fighting for her life back in 2019. vets at chester zoo diagnosed the young elephant with a dangerous viral infection. it's called elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus. it's often lethal and vets and scientists have been battling it for decades. it's an elephant herpesvirus. they have lesions in the mouth, they will get a fever, lethargy. but once we see the symptoms, normally it's too late. we've generally lost calves within 24 hours. up to 85% of elephants that develop the disease don't survive and most cruelly it often affects the very young calves. now though, a glimmer of scientific hope. the elephants here are involved in a first—ever trial of an experimental potentially

life—saving vaccine. he will co—operate if he feels like it. there is mutual respect. the new vaccine uses the same basic design as one that's already proven to be safe in elephants. its aim is to prime the animal's immune systems. we are trying to prevent death and severe disease so the idea underlying our vaccine is that the elephant's immune system already knows about this virus and can then make sure that it overcomes the infection by itself. with the trial about to begin, researchers hope it will lead them to an effective vaccine within five years. meanwhile, with health checks and blood donations, the elephants here have already enabled vets to diagnose the virus much earlier and that has saved lives, including little indali's. she turned five just i before christmas and she is our wonder baby.

conservationists ultimately plan to roll out the vaccine around the world, including in wild asian elephant herds. the disease is one of many threats to their survival. all the work here in chester has meant that little indali was the zoo's first calf in ten years to reach her fifth birthday. and that is a reason to celebrate. victoria gill, bbc news, chester zoo. the nominations for this year's bafta film awards have been announced — with sir kenneth branagh's belfast in the running for awards including outstanding british film and best original screenplay. in total there were six nods for the account of growing up in the troubles. benedict cumberbatch's netflix western the power of the dog recieved eight, while sci—fi epic dune has 11. entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba has more. leading the way the science fiction epic dune. it was one of the first post—pandemic blockbusters and is up for best film and ten other awards

in behind—the—camera categories, reflecting the skill that went into making the movie. there are eight nominations for the 1920s western the power of the dog, including best actor for benedict cumberbatch and best supporting actor for kodi smit—mcphee. oh, well, do pardon me. good, justice really is possible. jane campion is also nominated for best director, one of three women on the six strong shortlist. these are the british academy awards and there is good representation for british films. belfast is up for six awards that include best film, and supporting performer nominations for katrina balfe... women are very mysterious... and for ciaran hinds. wives becomes less mysterious over the years. do you really like her? when i grow up, i want to marry her. it's a semi—autobiographical film

by kenneth branagh about growing up in belfast during the troubles. the young star is 11—year—old jude hill who is overwhelmed by the movie's reception. it feels like i'm having some sort of dream and there has been a lot of pinch—me moments where i'm stilljust questioning everything i look at. but with all these really nice people saying so much good things about the film and saying all the stuff about awards, it is all pretty surreal, but, yeah... it's very crazy. i can't remember much, actually. some will be surprised to see a few big names not being nominated, like the lost daughter's 0livia coleman, kristin stewart who plays princess diana in the film spencer and denzil washington who plays the lead in the tragedy of macbeth. but stars like lady gaga may well be on the red carpet.

she is up for best actress for her role in house of gucci... goodbye, 1930s, hello 80s, huh? ..in a year when hollywood blockbusters and smaller, more personal films may well be sharing the limelight. now it's time for a look at the weather. good afternoon. after what has been a mild start to february, the weather is set to change. there is something cold on the way. that cold air are currently waiting in the winds up to the north—west. and that cold air is going to be brought southwards across the uk by this cold front, which will bring some outbreaks of rain, some brisk winds, and potentially a little bit of snow for some of us as well. ahead of that, staying mostly dry through the rest of the day across england and wales. lots of cloud, some clear spells, but our weather front bringing rain into scotland, northern ireland. some snow over the high ground in scotland,

potentially to lower levels — particularly on the back edge of that weather front. and that will be a theme through tonight. 0ur frontal system will work its way southwards, and on the back edge of it — so across the high ground of the pennines, the peak district, the staffordshire moorlands, the hills of wales, the west midlands, perhaps even into the moors of the south—west, we could well see a little bit of snow mixing and on the back edge of that weather front as a some colder air starts to dig in. so those are the temperatures by the end of the night. frequent wintry showers across northern and north—western parts of the uk, and ice likely to be an issue for parts of scotland and northern ireland tomorrow morning. the remnants of that weather front clearing the south—east corner, and then tomorrow is a sunshine and showers stay, but some of the showers will be wintry over high ground in the north, potentially to quite low levels in northern parts of scotland. and it is going to be a windy day. widely gusts of 30, 40, 50 mph, perhaps a little stronger than that in the most exposed spots in the north. so, with there is a strong winds, with that cold air in place, a very different feel. those are the afternoon

temperatures. 3—8, maybe 9 degrees in the far south—west. now, as we head into the weekend, we see this frontal system hurtling in from the atlantic, and this really will be the weekend weather maker. it will bring some wet, some windy weather, and it will also continue to divide our cold air in the north from some milder air down towards the south. so here comes our weather front on saturday, a band of rain — still some uncertainty about the exact northwards or southwards positioning of this front. to the north of it, cold with some wintry showers. to the south, things turning a bit milder again. ten or 11 degrees. now, it looks like that front will push a little further southwards into sunday with some outbreaks of rain. windy weather once again. to the south of the weather front, we have the mild air in place. to the north of it, cold with some wintry showers. temperatures for 12 degrees.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the soaring cost of energy: typical household bills are going up by almost £700 a year — the chancellor unveils measures to soften the blow, including a £200 discount on bills. what we can do is take the sting out of a significant price shock for millions of families by making sure the increase in prices is smaller initially and spread over a longer period. this energy crisis has not happened overnight. it's a decade of dither and delay from the party opposite that has brought us to this point. the bank of england raises interest rates again to 0.5% — in an attempt to curb the rapid rise in the cost of living.

president biden says the head of the so called islamic state group has been killed — during a a raid by us special forces in syria. amid a new row over post brexit trade arrangements in northern ireland, the first minister is set to announce his resignation later today. raith rovers apologise and say they got it wrong when they signed a controversial striker who was ruled to be a rapist in a civil court case. the outsiders ravage our lands in front of our eyes. and dune leads the way with 11 nominations for the baftas — including best film. good afternoon. the cost of energy is going up for millions of customers this april.

the typical household bill will rise by almost £700 a year — after the energy regulator 0fgem increased its price cap in england, scotland and wales by 54%. that means typical households will end up paying about £2,000 a year for their gas and electricity. the chancellor, rishi sunak, has announced a package of measures to "take the sting" out of the rise, with a £200 discount on bills, and a council tax rebate for some households. labour says vat on energy bills should be scrapped to help people cope. meanwhile, the bank of england has raised interest rates again — to 0.5%. our first report is from our consumer affairs correspondent coletta smith. the energy price cap is going up again to nearly £2000 per yearfrom april. for donna, with three children and no increase in her income, it feels impossible. the thought that we have got to find that money is going to stress

everyone out so much. we're going to have to stop paying for things and put ourselves in more debt to pay for the gas to keep the house warm. do you heat or do you eat? i have a one—year—old, my house has to be warm. everything is getting more expensive at the moment but the energy price rise we are feeling now actually kicked in in october when prices rose by about £135 for a typical bill. now we know that come april, the average typical household bill will be paying £693 more. it's a huge increase which dwarfs what we have already seen. after huge pressure to step in, the government has decided to act. for me to stand here and pretend we don't have to adjust to paying higher prices would be wrong and dishonest. but what we can do is take the sting out of a significant price shock for millions of families by making

sure that increase in prices is smaller initially and spread over a longer period. mr speaker, without government intervention, the increase in the price cap would leave the average household having to find an extra £693. to do that, they have decided to give £150 council tax rebate in april for nearly all homes, which won't need to be repaid. from october, every household will also get a discount worth £200, but that will have to be paid back. it will be automatically taken off your bills over the next five years. local authorities will also get extra cash to give out to the most vulnerable. that still leaves £350 for most households to cover themselves. i've spoken to so many people in the last few months who are already struggling and just won't have that extra cash.

where is that hundred pound coming from? it's scary because you can't afford to live day by day as it is. it is obvious there will be people who won't be putting _ the heating on this winter. it will be a tough stretch for most households but those with the least money will be hit the hardest. coletta smith, bbc news. i'm joined by peter smith, director of policy and advocacy at national energy action — it's a national fuel poverty charity, which says it aims to ensure that everyone is warm and safe at home. to ensure that everyone is warm thanks to ensure that everyone is warm forjoining us. wh make thanks forjoining us. what do you make of what rishi sunak has announced?— announced? first of all it is totally devastating, i announced? first of all it is totally devastating, the i announced? first of all it is i totally devastating, the scale of these increases, and public concern has been growing daily as we got closer to these announcements and to date really highlights just how awful the situation is going to be from the 1st of april, with all households likely to pay up to £700 more for their energy costs. set

against that, the uk government has looked to intervene but unfortunately the scale of intervention is inadequate and the poorest households who we were hoping the chancellor would look to protect the most do seem to be a forgotten element in the package. whilst there is welcome rebates, those will have to be paid back, and the assistance through council tax is a strange mechanism to use if you are trying to reduce energy bills. in particular the people that need that protection the most are likely to be exempted from council tax so this is a very strange mix of proposals which are inadequate in terms of providing the level of proportion support that low income and vulnerable consumers are going to need to get through this crisis. the government might say they can't afford to completely eliminate the

rising costs of fuel, some of which has globalfactors. haste rising costs of fuel, some of which has global factors.— has global factors. we understand the scale of _ has global factors. we understand the scale of the _ has global factors. we understand the scale of the challenge - has global factors. we understand the scale of the challenge that i has global factors. we understand the scale of the challenge that is i the scale of the challenge that is there and it is hugely alarming, the extent to which we have been subject to these huge energy shocks but the government have not delivered on what they have said they are focusing on which is to provide additional support for the most vulnerable people. sadly, it true to say that the uk government to make more money every time there is an increase and the vat they will accrue, the additional vat, as a result of these huge increases, in april, it is something in the region of £700 million per year. you su ort of £700 million per year. you sopport the — of £700 million per year. you support the cause _ of £700 million per year. you support the cause from the labour party to scrap vat on energy bills?

—— the calls. i’m party to scrap vat on energy bills? -- the calls-— -- the calls. i'm highlighting the fact that the _ -- the calls. i'm highlighting the fact that the uk _ -- the calls. i'm highlighting the fact that the uk government i -- the calls. i'm highlighting the fact that the uk government do | -- the calls. i'm highlighting the i fact that the uk government do have sufficient resources to provide the targeted support for the most vulnerable households. we have made costed proposals over a number of weeks which would have addressed thoseissues weeks which would have addressed those issues and unfortunately the options they have chosen have looked to smooth the cost for all households, albeit with the introduction of the council tax mechanism, at the expense of lower income and vulnerable consumers receiving protection, so it is a disappointing package from the uk government. unfortunately, they are going to have to come back to it as we get into this crisis, given that we get into this crisis, given that we are only at the foothills. we will see huge amounts of customer debt which will put those people at risk in terms of their ability to pay the debt back but also it will put more pressure on the energy suppliers and this isn't an issue

that will go away. do suppliers and this isn't an issue that will go away.— suppliers and this isn't an issue that will go away. do you support a windfall tax — that will go away. do you support a windfall tax on _ that will go away. do you support a windfall tax on the _ that will go away. do you support a windfall tax on the energy - windfall tax on the energy companies?— windfall tax on the energy comanies? ~ ., , , companies? we would support appropriate — companies? we would support appropriate action _ companies? we would support appropriate action to - companies? we would support appropriate action to pay i companies? we would support appropriate action to pay for l appropriate action to pay for targeted sector measures which support low income and vulnerable households. it is right to highlight the large profits which have been made by oil and gas companies but we are not fixing our wagon to any particular horse, but we are setting up particular horse, but we are setting up the need to provide adequate support for the poorest households who will always be the hardest hit by these kind of increases. peter smith, thanks — by these kind of increases. peter smith, thanks for _ by these kind of increases. peter smith, thanks forjoining i by these kind of increases. peter smith, thanks forjoining us. i let's talk to someone who says she's going to really feel the impact of the energy price hike — sarah hamilton is a single 52—year—old student. how are you coping at the moment and what is yourfear about how are you coping at the moment and what is your fear about these increases in prices that are coming to everybody? that increases in prices that are coming to everybody?— increases in prices that are coming to everybody? increases in prices that are coming to eve bod ? �* ., �* ., to everybody? at the moment, i'm at the oint to everybody? at the moment, i'm at the point where _ to everybody? at the moment, i'm at the point where i _ to everybody? at the moment, i'm at the point where i don't _ to everybody? at the moment, i'm at the point where i don't know - to everybody? at the moment, i'm at the point where i don't know any i the point where i don't know any

more. i'm sitting here with a jacket and scarf and no heating but because i'm single i don't fall into one of your vulnerable categories or with family or children, i get no other help than my bursary from college and my part—timejob. help than my bursary from college and my part-time job.— help than my bursary from college and my part-time job. and my part-time 'ob. when the bills increase, and my part-time 'ob. when the bills how — and my part-time job. when the bills increase, how much _ and my part-time job. when the bills increase, how much is _ and my part-time job. when the bills increase, how much is that _ and my part-time job. when the bills increase, how much is that going i and my part-time job. when the bills increase, how much is that going to i increase, how much is that going to affect you further? i’m increase, how much is that going to affect you further?— affect you further? i'm already on a prepayment — affect you further? i'm already on a prepayment metre _ affect you further? i'm already on a prepayment metre so _ affect you further? i'm already on a prepayment metre so it _ affect you further? i'm already on a prepayment metre so it makes i affect you further? i'm already on a prepayment metre so it makes it i affect you further? i'm already on a i prepayment metre so it makes it even more difficult as it is because you pay a higher rate for your electricity being on prepayment and so that is going up. i don't know. one meal per day is what i'm down 0ne meal per day is what i'm down to. one meal per day is what i'm down to. ~ ., ., one meal per day is what i'm down to. . . ., , ., one meal per day is what i'm down to. ~ ., ., ., ., ., one meal per day is what i'm down to. what do you have and when do you have it? usually _ to. what do you have and when do you have it? usually something _ to. what do you have and when do you have it? usually something cooked i to. what do you have and when do you have it? usually something cooked in l have it? usually something cooked in a slow cooker — have it? usually something cooked in a slow cooker during _ have it? usually something cooked in a slow cooker during the _ have it? usually something cooked in a slow cooker during the day - have it? usually something cooked in a slow cooker during the day and i a slow cooker during the day and thatis a slow cooker during the day and that is my dinner in the evening and that is my dinner in the evening and thatis that is my dinner in the evening and that is it. maybe at lunch but is it. i can't afford to put the oven

on and to buy the food to put in the oven. ., ' . on and to buy the food to put in the oven. ., , . , ., ., oven. how difficult is that for you? reau oven. how difficult is that for you? really difficult _ oven. how difficult is that for you? really difficult at _ oven. how difficult is that for you? really difficult at the _ oven. how difficult is that for you? really difficult at the moment i really difficult at the moment because i'm going through the menopause and i have severe ibs and i'm not eating regularly which makes things a lot worse. you i'm not eating regularly which makes things a lot worse.— things a lot worse. you are studying at the moment. _ things a lot worse. you are studying at the moment, i— things a lot worse. you are studying at the moment, i gather, _ things a lot worse. you are studying at the moment, i gather, and i things a lot worse. you are studying l at the moment, i gather, and working part—time, is there anything you can do to get more work or any more help from government? i do to get more work or any more help from government?— from government? i spoke to a gentleman _ from government? i spoke to a gentleman from _ from government? i spoke to a gentleman from a _ from government? i spoke to a gentleman from a welfare i from government? i spoke to a | gentleman from a welfare rights charity who when i told him my situation, his answer was, you are single and a student, you are going to struggle, and that was it. he to struggle, and that was it. no more work available where you live? you would have to travel. i would have to travel to get to work. i'm limited because i'm at college three days and i only have four days i can work. it has got to be something that fits in around each other and

it is really hard. 50 that fits in around each other and it is really hard.— it is really hard. so what are you thinkin: it is really hard. so what are you thinking when _ it is really hard. so what are you thinking when you _ it is really hard. so what are you thinking when you look- it is really hard. so what are you thinking when you look ahead i it is really hard. so what are you thinking when you look ahead to i it is really hard. so what are you - thinking when you look ahead to the next couple of months? at thinking when you look ahead to the next couple of months?— next couple of months? at the moment. _ next couple of months? at the moment. i _ next couple of months? at the moment, i have _ next couple of months? at the moment, i have told _ next couple of months? at the moment, i have told my - next couple of months? at the i moment, i have told my lecturers next couple of months? at the - moment, i have told my lecturers at couege moment, i have told my lecturers at college there might be a possibility i have to quit college to take on a full—timejob, which i don't want to do. but that would be just to be able to survive. do. but that would be 'ust to be able to survive._ do. but that would be 'ust to be able to survive. you are studying horticulture? _ able to survive. you are studying horticulture? yes. _ able to survive. you are studying horticulture? yes. trying - able to survive. you are studying horticulture? yes. trying to - able to survive. you are studying | horticulture? yes. trying to study to net a horticulture? yes. trying to study to get a better — horticulture? 19:3 trying to study to get a betterjob in horticulture? 193 trying to study to get a betterjob in future? horticulture? yes. trying to study| to get a betterjob in future? yes, to get a better “0b in future? yes, i am. in to get a better “0b in future? yes, 1 am. 1" the — to get a betterjob in future? yes, i am. in the meantime _ to get a betterjob in future? yes, i am. in the meantime you - to get a betterjob in future? yes, i am. in the meantime you might| to get a betterjob in future? yes, - i am. in the meantime you might have to sto i am. in the meantime you might have to step that— i am. in the meantime you might have to step that and _ i am. in the meantime you might have to stop that and tried _ i am. in the meantime you might have to stop that and tried to _ i am. in the meantime you might have to stop that and tried to make - i am. in the meantime you might have to stop that and tried to make ends i to stop that and tried to make ends meet a bit more? —— try. i got meet a bit more? -- try. i got sinned meet a bit more? -- try. i got signed off _ meet a bit more? -- try. i got signed off with _ meet a bit more? -- try. i got signed off with anxiety - meet a bit more? -- try. i got signed off with anxiety and i meet a bit more? —— try. i got signed off with anxiety and stress from my lastjob, because of that and depression, and the possibility i might lose my part—timejob at and depression, and the possibility i might lose my part—time job at the moment at the end of march, that adds more and more. i moment at the end of march, that adds more and more.— moment at the end of march, that adds more and more. i don't know if ou have adds more and more. i don't know if you have been _ adds more and more. i don't know if you have been able _ adds more and more. i don't know if you have been able to _ adds more and more. i don't know if you have been able to work- adds more and more. i don't know if you have been able to work out i adds more and more. i don't know if| you have been able to work out from the announcements today whether the

government help they are offering will help you? i government help they are offering will help you?— will help you? i don't know if it makes a difference _ will help you? i don't know if it makes a difference because i will help you? i don't know if it| makes a difference because i'm will help you? i don't know if it i makes a difference because i'm in scotland, i don't know if the rules are different up here, but a lot of what has been announced is for families. vulnerable families with children, pensioners. when you are my age and technically nothing wrong with you, you have got to go to work, but you get no other help. we understand. sarah hamilton, we hope things to improve in some way for you, but for now, thank you very much indeed for talking to us. thank ou. our business correspondent sarah corker is in leicester. we are getting reaction all the time to these announcements from earlier today? to these announcements from earlier toda ? , :, , to these announcements from earlier toda ? , . , v, to these announcements from earlier toda ? , . , ., , , today? yes, as we heard, this is the bi est today? yes, as we heard, this is the biggest ever — today? yes, as we heard, this is the biggest ever increase _ today? yes, as we heard, this is the biggest ever increase in _ today? yes, as we heard, this is the biggest ever increase in energy i biggest ever increase in energy bills, affecting 22 million households, and as we have heard

from april, the average bills for people using a typical amount of energy, their costs will increase by around £700 per year. it is notjust consumers who are feeling the pinch but businesses are also struggling with those rising energy costs we are at richard iii visitor centre in leicester, a major attraction and we are delighted to say we are joined by ian gordon, the director, and also a reporterfrom bbc radio leicester. you reopened after the pandemic injune and there has been a challenging set of circumstances since then?— a challenging set of circumstances since then? , l . , , since then? yes. we have been unsure as to what to — since then? yes. we have been unsure as to what to expect _ since then? yes. we have been unsure as to what to expect and _ since then? yes. we have been unsure as to what to expect and we _ since then? yes. we have been unsure as to what to expect and we have i as to what to expect and we have actually _ as to what to expect and we have actually been pleased with the visilor— actually been pleased with the visitor numbers through the door, so we are _ visitor numbers through the door, so we are at— visitor numbers through the door, so we are at about 75% of our 2019 figures — we are at about 75% of our 2019 figures which we are pleased about. we have _ figures which we are pleased about. we have done a lot of work on social media _ we have done a lot of work on social media to _ we have done a lot of work on social media to reassure visitors it is a safe _ media to reassure visitors it is a safe environment and we have been

able to— safe environment and we have been able to deliver the experience and tell the _ able to deliver the experience and tell the story of king richard iii in leicester as we always have done. looking _ in leicester as we always have done. looking around you can see the exhibits and the lighting, the cafe, thatis exhibits and the lighting, the cafe, that is quite energy hungry, and throughout the day we have been talking about how those costs are rising and what challenges that poses for businesses? it is quite audiovisual _ poses for businesses? it is quite audiovisual heavy _ poses for businesses? it is quite audiovisual heavy so _ poses for businesses? it is quite audiovisual heavy so we - poses for businesses? it is quite audiovisual heavy so we have i poses for businesses? it is quite audiovisual heavy so we have 13| audiovisual heavy so we have 13 praiectors — audiovisual heavy so we have 13 projectors which make up the majority_ projectors which make up the majority of the exhibition and we run that— majority of the exhibition and we run that seven days a week throughout the year. it is not something we can turn off or reduce usage _ something we can turn off or reduce usage of— something we can turn off or reduce usage of so — something we can turn off or reduce usage of so it is a concern. we are monitoring — usage of so it is a concern. we are monitoring it — usage of so it is a concern. we are monitoring it and it will obviously have _ monitoring it and it will obviously have an _ monitoring it and it will obviously have an impact. | monitoring it and it will obviously have an impact.— have an impact. i would like to brina have an impact. i would like to bring you _ have an impact. i would like to bring you in — have an impact. i would like to bring you in and _ have an impact. i would like to bring you in and ask _ have an impact. i would like to bring you in and ask you, i have an impact. i would like to bring you in and ask you, you i have an impact. i would like to i bring you in and ask you, you are out and about speaking to families every week, what are they telling you about their biggest worries in terms of what is going on? the big thin is terms of what is going on? the big thing is the — terms of what is going on? the big thing is the headlines _ terms of what is going on? the big thing is the headlines today, i thing is the headlines today, energy. _ thing is the headlines today, energy. and _ thing is the headlines today, energy, and that _ thing is the headlines today, energy, and that has - thing is the headlines today,

energy, and that has really. thing is the headlines today, i energy, and that has really been thing is the headlines today, - energy, and that has really been the thin- energy, and that has really been the thing that— energy, and that has really been the thing that has— energy, and that has really been the thing that has come _ energy, and that has really been the thing that has come to _ energy, and that has really been the thing that has come to the _ thing that has come to the forefront _ thing that has come to the forefront. people - thing that has come to the forefront. people are i thing that has come to the - forefront. people are quantifying the cost — forefront. people are quantifying the cost out _ forefront. people are quantifying the cost out going _ forefront. people are quantifying the cost out going and _ forefront. people are quantifying the cost out going and we - forefront. people are quantifying the cost out going and we have i forefront. people are quantifying i the cost out going and we have tried to tell— the cost out going and we have tried to tell our— the cost out going and we have tried to tell our listeners, _ the cost out going and we have tried to tell our listeners, to _ the cost out going and we have tried to tell our listeners, to give - the cost out going and we have tried to tell our listeners, to give a - to tell our listeners, to give a positive — to tell our listeners, to give a positive spin— to tell our listeners, to give a positive spin as _ to tell our listeners, to give a positive spin as much - to tell our listeners, to give a positive spin as much as i to tell our listeners, to give a positive spin as much as we l to tell our listeners, to give a i positive spin as much as we can, because — positive spin as much as we can, because it — positive spin as much as we can, because it is _ positive spin as much as we can, because it is not _ positive spin as much as we can, because it is not great _ positive spin as much as we can, because it is not great news, i positive spin as much as we can, j because it is not great news, but that is— because it is not great news, but that is the — because it is not great news, but that is the way— because it is not great news, but that is the way it _ because it is not great news, but that is the way it is _ because it is not great news, but that is the way it is at _ because it is not great news, but that is the way it is at the - because it is not great news, but i that is the way it is at the moment. it is that is the way it is at the moment. it is about— that is the way it is at the moment. it is about petrol— that is the way it is at the moment. it is about petrol prices _ that is the way it is at the moment. it is about petrol prices going - it is about petrol prices going up, £40 tank fill— it is about petrol prices going up, £40 tank fill up for one of - it is about petrol prices going up, £40 tank fill up for one of our i £40 tank fill up for one of our business _ £40 tank fill up for one of our business is _ £40 tank fill up for one of our business is turning _ £40 tank fill up for one of our business is turning into - £40 tank fill up for one of our business is turning into £65, i £40 tank fill up for one of our i business is turning into £65, so that is— business is turning into £65, so that is worrying _ business is turning into £65, so that is worrying for— business is turning into £65, so that is worrying for people. i business is turning into £65, so that is worrying for people. we| business is turning into £65, so- that is worrying for people. we have heard _ that is worrying for people. we have heard from — that is worrying for people. we have heard from our— that is worrying for people. we have heard from our listeners _ that is worrying for people. we have heard from our listeners as - that is worrying for people. we have heard from our listeners as to - that is worrying for people. we have heard from our listeners as to how l heard from our listeners as to how many _ heard from our listeners as to how many have — heard from our listeners as to how many have been— heard from our listeners as to how many have been able _ heard from our listeners as to how many have been able to _ heard from our listeners as to how many have been able to tap - heard from our listeners as to how many have been able to tap into i heard from our listeners as to how i many have been able to tap into food banks _ many have been able to tap into food banks and _ many have been able to tap into food banks and food — many have been able to tap into food banks and food parcels, _ many have been able to tap into food banks and food parcels, so _ many have been able to tap into food banks and food parcels, so people i banks and food parcels, so people across _ banks and food parcels, so people across the — banks and food parcels, so people across the city— banks and food parcels, so people across the city and _ banks and food parcels, so people across the city and the _ banks and food parcels, so people across the city and the county- banks and food parcels, so people across the city and the county are | across the city and the county are worried — across the city and the county are worried ar— across the city and the county are worried. : :, :, , across the city and the county are worried. :, :, , ., :, . , worried. a lot of big announcements toda . it worried. a lot of big announcements today- it is — worried. a lot of big announcements today. it is important _ worried. a lot of big announcements today. it is important that _ worried. a lot of big announcements today. it is important that we - worried. a lot of big announcements today. it is important that we are i today. it is important that we are not all doom and gloom because what i have picked up speaking to people in leicester is a sense of community spirit and people supporting each other. you mention food banks but also youth projects helping people through this difficult time.

absolutely, that is what has come to the forefront — absolutely, that is what has come to the forefront through _ absolutely, that is what has come to the forefront through the _ absolutely, that is what has come to the forefront through the streets i absolutely, that is what has come to the forefront through the streets of. the forefront through the streets of leicester, — the forefront through the streets of leicester, the — the forefront through the streets of leicester, the community- the forefront through the streets of leicester, the community spirit i the forefront through the streets of leicester, the community spirit in. leicester, the community spirit in our city— leicester, the community spirit in our city is — leicester, the community spirit in our city is coming _ leicester, the community spirit in our city is coming to— leicester, the community spirit in our city is coming to the - leicester, the community spirit in our city is coming to the forefrontj our city is coming to the forefront and we _ our city is coming to the forefront and we were _ our city is coming to the forefront and we were the _ our city is coming to the forefront and we were the first _ our city is coming to the forefront and we were the first city - our city is coming to the forefront and we were the first city in - our city is coming to the forefront and we were the first city in the l and we were the first city in the country— and we were the first city in the country to— and we were the first city in the country to go _ and we were the first city in the country to go into _ and we were the first city in the country to go into lockdown, i country to go into lockdown, remember, _ country to go into lockdown, remember, so— country to go into lockdown, remember, so we _ country to go into lockdown, remember, so we have i country to go into lockdown, remember, so we have hadl country to go into lockdown, l remember, so we have had an country to go into lockdown, _ remember, so we have had an extended time and _ remember, so we have had an extended time and that _ remember, so we have had an extended time and that community— remember, so we have had an extended time and that community care _ remember, so we have had an extended time and that community care has - time and that community care has transferred — time and that community care has transferred over— time and that community care has transferred over to _ time and that community care has transferred over to this _ time and that community care has transferred over to this cost - time and that community care has transferred over to this cost of- transferred over to this cost of living — transferred over to this cost of living crisis— transferred over to this cost of living crisis we _ transferred over to this cost of living crisis we are _ transferred over to this cost of living crisis we are looking - transferred over to this cost of living crisis we are looking at i transferred over to this cost of. living crisis we are looking at now but it _ living crisis we are looking at now but it is _ living crisis we are looking at now but it is about _ living crisis we are looking at now but it is about local— living crisis we are looking at now but it is about local community i living crisis we are looking at now but it is about local community is| but it is about local community is reaching — but it is about local community is reaching out, _ but it is about local community is reaching out, whether— but it is about local community is reaching out, whether that- but it is about local community is reaching out, whether that is- but it is about local community is| reaching out, whether that is food banks _ reaching out, whether that is food banks or— reaching out, whether that is food banks or debt _ reaching out, whether that is food banks or debt advice, _ reaching out, whether that is food banks or debt advice, it _ reaching out, whether that is food banks or debt advice, it is - reaching out, whether that is food banks or debt advice, it is all- banks or debt advice, it is all hands — banks or debt advice, it is all hands on _ banks or debt advice, it is all hands on deck _ banks or debt advice, it is all hands on deck across - banks or debt advice, it is all hands on deck across the - banks or debt advice, it is all- hands on deck across the community here _ hands on deck across the community here it:— hands on deck across the community here. i, h, hands on deck across the community here. t, h, a, hands on deck across the community here. i, h, t, ,~ hands on deck across the community here. ., ., ., ., here. to both of you, thanks for “oininu here. to both of you, thanks for joining us- _ here. to both of you, thanks for joining us. thank _ here. to both of you, thanks for joining us. thank you _ here. to both of you, thanks for joining us. thank you for - here. to both of you, thanks for| joining us. thank you for hosting here. to both of you, thanks for . joining us. thank you for hosting us in this great venue. one important thing to say is that there are global factors at play, it is the wholesale cost of gas that is leading to the surge in energy bills and businesses are telling me they are struggling to absorb those costs. ,,. . are struggling to absorb those costs, ,,., ., . , are struggling to absorb those costs. ., . , g, costs. sarah in leicester, thanks forjoining _ costs. sarah in leicester, thanks forjoining us- —

we'll be answering your questions on energy prices following ofgem's announcement. get in touch with the hashtag bbcyourquestions — or you email yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. the headlines on bbc news... the average household's yearly energy bill in england, wales and scotland will increase by £693 in april. it comes as the bank of england has raised interest rates for the second time in three months to try to curb a rapid rise in the cost of living. the bank of england raises interest rates again to 0.5% — in an attempt to curb the rapid rise in the cost of living. president biden says the head of islamic state has been targeted during a raid by us special forces in syria. the bank of england has put up interest rates for the second month in a row, to try to counter inflation. the main rate has increased to half of one per cent — from a quarter of one per cent. this report from our economics

correspondent, andy verity. in hatfield, naomi miller and her husband are renting after selling their house. they want to buy another one, but the cost of the mortgages they are being offered keeps rising. meanwhile, they are living in a smaller house than before but her monthly energy bills have more than doubled. from a £77 up to £168. her household finances, like many of us, are being clobbered by bills she has no choice but to pay. we are looking at a rise in our energy bills, fuel bills and mortgage repayments which altogether will contribute to probably £200—300 a month more in our monthly bills, particularly at the moment we are trying to buy a house and the rise in mortgage rates have had a big impact on what we can afford. and how much we are going to be repaying on a monthly basis. today, naomi and others have the bank of england to thank for turning up the heat even further by making new variable rates more expensive. the committee narrowly voted five

in favour and four against to double the official interest rate from 0.25% to 0.5%. they're now predicting inflation might get as high as 7.25% by april. here's why. .. as the report went to press... sterling oil prices were almost 90% above their level at the end of 2020. uk household gas prices were almost 400% higher. wholesale electricity price rises had risen by more than 300%. the idea is by making it more expensive to borrow it will slow down economic activity and the inflationary temperature. but rising gas bills will have much more impact on what people can spend. a rate rise looks a lot less scary when you look back in time. it is important to put this historic rate rise in its historic context.

if you look back in the early 905, rates got above 14%, then after the global financial crisis they dropped to what is supposed to be emergency levels of 0.5% and they stayed there ever since more or less, dropping and rising just a little bit. the markets are now predicting the official rate will get up to one percentage point byjune, the highest it has been for 13 years. it is the first time interest rates have risen twice in a row since 2004, but that is only because since the financial crisis they have been at emergency lows. it's your energy bill, not your mortgage bill, that you'll need to steal yourself most to open. andy verity, bbc news. a us specialforces raid in north—western syria has targeted the leader of the so—called islamic state group. this afternoon the us presidentjoe biden released a statement, saying... joe biden is coming to the elect are

now in washington and we can hear from him now. the now in washington and we can hear from him nova-— from him now. the united states military forces _ from him now. the united states military forces successfully - from him now. the united statesl military forces successfully moved in on a major terrorist threat in the work at the global leader of isis. he took over as the leader of isis. he took over as the leader of isis in 2019 after the united states counterterrorism operation killed al—baghdadi and since then isis has directed terrorist operations targeting americans, our allies and our partners, and countless civilians in the middle east, africa and south asia. he oversaw the spread of isis affiliated terrorist groups around the world after savaging communities and murderous —— murdering innocent people. our brave partners in the syrian democratic forces partly address this. he was the driving force

behind... we all remember the gutless slaughters that wiped out thousands of villagers, thousands of women and young girls sold into slavery. thanks to the bravery of our trips this horrible terrorist leader is no more. our —— our troops. every precaution was taken possible to minimise civilian casualties. knowing the terraced howard rosen to surround himself with —— the terrorist had chosen to surround himself with families, we launched a choice which minimised civilian casualties. our team is still compiling the report. but we do know that as our troops approach to capture the terrorist, in a final act of a desperate cow witness, with

no regard to the lives of his own family and others, he chose to blow himself up, notjust himself, on the third floor, rather than face the crimes he committed, taking several members of his family within, just like predecessor did. i'm grateful for the courage and determination of our us forces who skilfully exude you did this incredibly challenging mission, —— skilfully executed. they are ready to fly into danger at a moment's notice to keep our country and the american people safe as well as our allies and i'm also grateful to the families of our service members because you serve alongside the soldiers and sailors and marines and special forces are giving them the strength and support they need. to our servicemembers and their families, we are forever grateful for what you do for us and we owe you a debt. thank you. we also aided

by the essential partnership of the syrian democratic forces and i want to commend our intelligence community, the department of defence and members of the national security team throughout the government, whose meticulous and tireless work over the course of many months made sure that this mission succeeded. this operation is testament to america's reach and capability to take out terrorist threats no matter where they try to hide anywhere in the world. i'm determined to protect the world. i'm determined to protect the american people from terrorist threats and i will take decisive action to protect this country. i will continue working with our close allies and partners, the iraqi security forces and the syrian democratic forces, including more than 80 members of the global coalition, to keep pressure on isis to protect our homeland. we remain vigilant and we remain prepared, and last night's operation took a major

terrorist leader off the battlefield and sent a strong message to terrorists around the world. we will come after you and find you. once again today we continue our unceasing effort to keep the american people safe and the strength and security of our allies and partners around the world. i thank you all and may god bless you and may god protect our troops. i'm heading off to new york now and i thank you for your time. appreciate it. , r it. president biden there, confirming _ it. president biden there, confirming that _ it. president biden there, confirming that the - it. president biden there, confirming that the us . it. president biden there, | confirming that the us has it. president biden there, - confirming that the us has carried out that special forces raid in syria on the head of isis who apparently blew himself up taking members of his close family with him. president —— president biden stressed they were at pains to avoid as many civilian casualties as possible.

now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. after what has been a mild start to february the weather is set to change with colder air digging in from the north—west behind this weather front bringing a band of rain in south—west across scotland. ahead of that, mainly dry for england and wales, some clear spells and quite a lot of cloud, those of the temperatures for the end of the afternoon and as we go through into the evening, the weather front pushes south with heavy rain and brisk winds, and also some snow on the back edge over high ground. wintry showers, and ice is likely over parts of scotland and northern ireland and temperatures overnight dropping away especially in northern areas with the cold air continuing to plunge south on the left overs of the weather front clearly south—east corner and tomorrow will be sunshine and showers. wintry in the north over high ground. gusts widely 30, 40, may be 50 mph, and may be more

in the exposed areas. afternoon temperatures, for— nine, feeling cold. hello this is bbc news. the headlines: the average household's yearly energy bill in england, wales and scotland will increase by £693 in april — the chancellor has unveiled measures to soften the blow, including a £200 discount on bills. the bank of england has raised interest rates for the second time

in three months to try to curb a rapid rise in the cost of living. the increase to 0.5% from 0.25% comes as inflation is on course to hit a 30—year high. president biden says the head of islamic state has been targeted — during a a raid by us special forces in syria. the bbc understands that northern ireland's first minister, paul givan, intends to resign later today as a protest against the existing checks on goods coming from the rest of the uk. the move comes after northern ireland's agriculture minister last night ordered a halt to checks. the bbc understands northern ireland's first minister paul givan will announce his resignation later today. the democratic unionist party is protesting against the rules which govern post—brexit trade. those arrangements were thrown into confusion after a unionist minister ordered his staff to stop checks on food and farming

goods entering northern ireland from britain. joining me now is peter kyle, shadow secretary of state for northern ireland. thank you forjoining us. what is your reaction to the announcement that paul givan said he will resign today? that paul givan said he will resign toda ? �* , ., ., that paul givan said he will resign toda ? �*, . . , that paul givan said he will resign toda ? �*, . ., , ., today? let's wait and see what he does announce. _ today? let's wait and see what he does announce. in _ today? let's wait and see what he does announce. in that _ today? let's wait and see what he does announce. in that time - today? let's wait and see what he l does announce. in that time before he makes any announcement, i urge him to think carefully. there are many problems facing the people of northern ireland, not least the cost—of—living crisis being put on them. and the challenges posed by them. and the challenges posed by the protocol. none of these situations can be solved by collapsing the local government there, which is charged with tackling these problems and solving problems for the people of northern ireland. 50 none of these problems

can be solved by walking away. i urge there to think carefully and do whatever it takes to stay in there, in stormont, in the assembly, keep it functioning, although i know and i accept these are difficult and challenging times. if i accept these are difficult and challenging times. if power-sharing does collapse. _ challenging times. if power-sharing does collapse, there _ challenging times. if power-sharing does collapse, there are _ challenging times. if power-sharing does collapse, there are a - challenging times. if power-sharing does collapse, there are a number. challenging times. if power-sharing l does collapse, there are a number of outstanding issues affecting daily life, including covid impacts that could have a big impact. hat life, including covid impacts that could have a big impact. not least because many _ could have a big impact. not least because many of— could have a big impact. not least because many of the _ could have a big impact. not least because many of the issues - could have a big impact. not least because many of the issues that l could have a big impact. not least l because many of the issues that the dup care very much about will be affected as well. on monday we have legislation coming through the house of commons here which will pave the way for the forthcoming elections. we are right to wards the end of the election period there in northern ireland. it would be a real shame if they fall at the final hurdle. we have elections that are scheduled for may and it is essential that those take place so there can be a new mandate and a new assembly can

form to reallyjump into these challenges. with regards to the border issues at the moment, we are in a complicated and very tense situation. because the northern ireland assembly, the lead dup minister has ordered border checks to cease, but the business community said they will continue to adhere to the standards. but ministers here, including the foreign secretary and the northern ireland secretary, have said it is not a matterfor them. the piece of legislation which relates to this is an international treaty, it is the deal that boris johnson nexted. negotiated. if they're now saying this is not a responsibility of theirs to fix and to support and make sure it is implemented, how on earth are the eu going to be able to see us as an honest partner to do a new deal with? bearing in mind the foreign

secretary is meeting the eu today. if the uk government are not able or willing to make the protocol that this government signed work, is it not time for a new protocol to be established, or a new framework? because northern ireland is about to lurch into crisis.— lurch into crisis. there is only one way forward. _ lurch into crisis. there is only one way forward, there _ lurch into crisis. there is only one way forward, there is _ lurch into crisis. there is only one way forward, there is a _ lurch into crisis. there is only one way forward, there is a credible i lurch into crisis. there is only one i way forward, there is a credible way forward within the parameters of what is acceptable to the eu. we have got to find common ground. we know when we work diligently we can find agreement. just before christmas, just before the new year, there was not an agreement, but an agreement by both parties to move forward on medicines. so the free flow of medicines is now in place across the irish sea. and that is was a big step forward. we need to make sure we can replicate that in

other areas and hopefully into the future into more consumerer products. these things are within reach if we have honest, open and diligent relationships between the uk and eu. what we can't do isjust say the deal that negotiated, we don't like any more, they negotiated it, they implemented it and delivered it for our country, they want to throw the whole thing out and start again. for the eu, they negotiated in good faith and are now questioning whether borisjohnson has any good faith and if they scrap it unilaterally, ifear has any good faith and if they scrap it unilaterally, i fear there won't just be repercussions for northern ireland, but right across the united kingdom for all businesses and all people and our whole economy on the back of a brexit deal which decreased gdp by 4%, the influence

of covid and its mismanagement that reduced gdp by 2%. we can't afford more mis—steps from this government. on the economic moves that we are seeing today, we have seen the move by rishi sunak, haven't the government got it about right to alleviate the economic pressures. let's be clear what rishi sunak has done, he has given a £200 loan to people what, the labour party were hoping is it would be up to £600 and that would be funded by a wind fall tax on gas and energy providers, today, shell announced their profits had gone up by fourfold in the today, shell announced their profits had gone up by four fold in the last year. rishi sunak has given a loan that must be repaid and the people who will have to pay it back are not the energy companies who are making a lot of profit, it is going to be

paid by consumers to get through the problem we have now, they have done an all mighty buy now and pay pack tomorrow scheme, which every consumers will be paying into the future. no one thinks the cost—of—living crisis is going to passin cost—of—living crisis is going to pass in a couple of months�* time. so we could be faced next year with not only the challenge of a cost—of—living crisis created by this government but the burden of paying back the debt the government has heaped on couple sears. what the labour party wants it for it to be fund bed awind fall tax and make sure those who benefit those are those in greatest need.— sure those who benefit those are those in greatest need. thank you. sta in: on those in greatest need. thank you. staying on the _ those in greatest need. thank you. staying on the northern _ those in greatest need. thank you. staying on the northern ireland - staying on the northern ireland question. i�*m joined by aodhan connolly, director of the northern ireland retail consortium and member of the uk trade and business commission.

how worried are you about these announcements both from edwin poots last night and by the first minister, mr givan? taste last night and by the first minister, mr givan? ~ . ,, ., minister, mr givan? we take them one b one, the minister, mr givan? we take them one by one, the announcement _ minister, mr givan? we take them one by one, the announcement last - minister, mr givan? we take them one by one, the announcement last night l by one, the announcement last night was there would be checks stopping. we haven�*t seen that yet. but even if the checks do stop, they�*re only actually one part of that process to move goods from great britain to northern ireland. there are other checks by hmrc and the local councils and so the department of agriculture checks are one part. we have been telling our members the s have been telling our members the 5 they have to live up to their responsibilities under the scheme do move food goods to northern ireland and they still need to fill in declarations and do that paperwork. responsible traders and retailers are not in it to try to do it the

easy way. we have to do it a way that makes sure we fulfil our legal responsibilities. as far as the first minister resigning, there is a lot of things that are happening at the moment that we really need an executive, should that be bills that still need to go through the assembly which have an effect on business such as the northern ireland climate bill, or the fact that we need an executive up and running to be able to flex, as we have needed, with covid to provide answers and solutions to the problems that do arise. the main thing out of both of these events is it provides instability and the one thing that business needs more than anything in northern ireland is stability and certainty. if anything in northern ireland is stability and certainty.- stability and certainty. if the assembly — stability and certainty. if the assembly does _ stability and certainty. if the assembly does collapse, - stability and certainty. if the assembly does collapse, if i assembly does collapse, if power—sharing stops, how will that affect businesses there immediately? well... we are only a short few

weeks away from an election, so it is not going to be the same as what it was in 2016 to 2019, where we limped along without an executive for over three years. what will happen is that things will continue as normal. the civil servants that are in the different departments will ensure the smooth running and the head of the civil service will step into that role. but the ability to take big defining policy decisions goes and there is less chance for us to react to economic pressures, less chance for us to support business and less chance to react to things like covid and that is really disconcerting for members of the business community, because what they�*re looking for is certainty. what they're looking for is certainty-—

the scottish football club, raith rovers, have announced that the striker, david goodwillie, will not play for them after all. it follows widespread protests about the decision to sign him earlier this week, because of a court ruling in a civil case five years ago that he had raped a woman. the club now say they �*got it wrong". our scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie has the details. there has been mounting pressure over the last couple of days 5. two club directors have resigned, sponsorship has withdrawn, the first minister called on the club to think again. today raith rovers issued a statement, they say, we got it wrong. they apologised to fans, sponsors and to players, in their words, for the anguish and the anger

caused over the past few days. the club said that david goodwillie would not be selected by raith rovers and they would enter into discussions into the contract he signed for the club on monday. the former prime minister, gordon brown, an avid fan of raith rovers, he said that the club had made the right decision. he also said that the football authorities need to consider how we deal with cases of footballers, where there has been rape and violence against women. 50 strong words from gordon brown. the crime writer val mcdermid withdrew her sponsorship. crime writer val mcdermid withdrew hersponsorship. she crime writer val mcdermid withdrew her sponsorship. she said she welcomed the statement from raith rovers, but she did say it is just the first step on a long road back. the raith rovers women team want to change their name and their strip and where they play.

now on bbc news, your questions answered. with me to answer your energy questions is kevin peachy, bbc personal finance correspondent. i�*m alsojoined by justina miltienyte, energy policy expert at uswitch. thank you to both of you. we have had a lot of questions, as you can imagine. we have had a question from chris saying, does the £693 price increase that we are talking about as applying as a rough estimate of how many people might be affected apply to gas and electric bills, or is it split across both bills. yes

the headline _ is it split across both bills. yes the headline figure of is it split across both bills. i9; the headline figure of £693 is for an average dualfuel the headline figure of £693 is for an average dual fuel customer, so the headline figure of £693 is for an average dualfuel customer, so it will be split between gas and electricity. we are not sure how thatis electricity. we are not sure how that is going to work, because 0fgem will publish that detail tomorrow. usually it will be split by proportion and it will be reflected in the unit cost and the standing charge for both.— in the unit cost and the standing charge for both. kevin, a general uestion, charge for both. kevin, a general question. can — charge for both. kevin, a general question, can you _ charge for both. kevin, a general question, can you explain - charge for both. kevin, a general question, can you explain why i charge for both. kevin, a generall question, can you explain why gas prices are so high and who or what is behind it. if prices are so high and who or what is behind it— is behind it. if you're thinking what is demand _ is behind it. if you're thinking what is demand in _ is behind it. if you're thinking what is demand in asia - is behind it. if you're thinking what is demand in asia got i is behind it. if you're thinking i what is demand in asia got to is behind it. if you're thinking i what is demand in asia got to do with my— what is demand in asia got to do with my heating? whether the wind blowing _ with my heating? whether the wind blowing or— with my heating? whether the wind blowing or not. there is a host of different — blowing or not. there is a host of different reasons. as economies have woken _ different reasons. as economies have woken up _ different reasons. as economies have woken up after covid, there has been great _ woken up after covid, there has been great demand and there is a big international political situation which — international political situation which is — international political situation which is driving some of this. all

that has— which is driving some of this. all that has fed together to mean that wholesale prices, the ones the sopptiers— wholesale prices, the ones the suppliers pay before they pass them to us, _ suppliers pay before they pass them to us, they— suppliers pay before they pass them to us, they have been going up and this is— to us, they have been going up and this is the _ to us, they have been going up and this is the opportunity to pass those — this is the opportunity to pass those costs on to us. we this is the opportunity to pass those costs on to us.- those costs on to us. we are vulnerable, _ those costs on to us. we are vulnerable, because - those costs on to us. we are vulnerable, because we - those costs on to us. we are vulnerable, because we use | those costs on to us. we are - vulnerable, because we use gas. yes we use gas — vulnerable, because we use gas. yes we use gas central heating a lot and we use gas central heating a lot and we don't _ we use gas central heating a lot and we don't have the supplies over countries — we don't have the supplies over countries have.— we don't have the supplies over countries have. picking up on that, peter says. — countries have. picking up on that, peter says. if— countries have. picking up on that, peter says. if it — countries have. picking up on that, peter says, if it is _ countries have. picking up on that, peter says, if it is caused - countries have. picking up on that, peter says, if it is caused by - peter says, if it is caused by increase in wholesale price, why is the cost of electricity rising as well? , :, :, :, , the cost of electricity rising as well? ,:, :, :, ,: , well? yes, a lot of us customers associate — well? yes, a lot of us customers associate gas — well? yes, a lot of us customers associate gas with _ well? yes, a lot of us customers associate gas with our _ well? yes, a lot of us customers associate gas with our heating i well? yes, a lot of us customers i associate gas with our heating and cooking, the uk relies on gas to produce electricity and when gas is scarce is not only affects the prices for our heating, but for electricity and that is why we are

seeing increases across the board. kevin, a question from andy, he said he isn�*t sure where the typical increase comes from, i think it has been calculated as an estimate, he askedis been calculated as an estimate, he asked is that annual or monty. the increase is annual. he said i�*m about to come off my current tariff and the predicted increase is about £300 a month. so everyone�*s situation is different isn�*t it? it situation is different isn't it? it is, andy can be reassured that it is an estimate — is, andy can be reassured that it is an estimate of your annual change, so nearly— an estimate of your annual change, so nearly £700 over the curse he course _ so nearly £700 over the curse he course of — so nearly £700 over the curse he course of the next 12 months from abrit _ course of the next 12 months from abrit it _ course of the next 12 months from april. it sounds like he has a fixed deal that— april. it sounds like he has a fixed deal that is— april. it sounds like he has a fixed deal that is ending. if you're on a fixed _ deal that is ending. if you're on a fixed deat. — deal that is ending. if you're on a fixed deal, you're unaffected until that deat— fixed deal, you're unaffected until that deal ends and then you're moved on to a _ that deal ends and then you're moved on to a variable tariff that is affected _ on to a variable tariff that is affected by the price cap. i suspect that andy's situation is he has been

offered _ that andy's situation is he has been offered another fixed deal which is very expensive and it may be the variable — very expensive and it may be the variable tariff that he will automatically be moved on to is the cheaper— automatically be moved on to is the cheaper option. but safe to say, people _ cheaper option. but safe to say, people will have hundreds of pounds on their— people will have hundreds of pounds on their energy bills unless they're fixed _ on their energy bills unless they're fixed in _ on their energy bills unless they're fixed in for— on their energy bills unless they're fixed in for a long time. the variable could _ fixed in for a long time. the variable could be _ fixed in for a long time. ii9 variable could be better? fixed in for a long time. the | variable could be better? yes fixed in for a long time. the . variable could be better? yes it could be. _ variable could be better? yes it could be, but— variable could be better? yes it could be, but this _ variable could be better? yes it could be, but this is _ variable could be better? yes it could be, but this is the - variable could be better? yes it could be, but this is the great l could be, but this is the great unknown _ could be, but this is the great unknown whether to fix now or not. what _ unknown whether to fix now or not. what we _ unknown whether to fix now or not. what we have seen over the previous few months _ what we have seen over the previous few months is that fixed deals are more _ few months is that fixed deals are more expensive and it has been better— more expensive and it has been better to — more expensive and it has been better to let it default on to a variable — better to let it default on to a variable deal. it better to let it default on to a variable deal.— better to let it default on to a variable deal. : , :, :, ~ :~ variable deal. a question from mick, can someone — variable deal. a question from mick, can someone sclar _ variable deal. a question from mick, can someone sclar clarify _ variable deal. a question from mick, can someone sclar clarify what - variable deal. a question from mick, can someone sclar clarify what the i can someone sclar clarify what the kill awatt prices will be? yes can someone sclar clarify what the kill awatt prices will be?— kill awatt prices will be? yes that is the detail— kill awatt prices will be? yes that is the detail that _ kill awatt prices will be? yes that is the detail that we _ kill awatt prices will be? yes that is the detail that we are - kill awatt prices will be? yes that is the detail that we are waiting l is the detail that we are waiting

from 0fgem and they will announce those numbers tomorrow by region and payment type. you don�*t need to worry about that, your supplier will give you the details. before the rates come in, you should get a communication saying what the rates will be. :, .. communication saying what the rates will be. :, ~' ,:, communication saying what the rates will be. :, ,, , :, :, will be. thank you. kevin, graham asked, will be. thank you. kevin, graham asked. what— will be. thank you. kevin, graham asked, what is _ will be. thank you. kevin, graham asked, what is the _ will be. thank you. kevin, graham asked, what is the government i will be. thank you. kevin, graham i asked, what is the government doing for people on benefits, i got stung when green went bust. with the latest price cap i can�*t afford to buy food. pa. latest price cap i can't afford to bu food. : , :, , :, buy food. a couple of elements to that question. _ buy food. a couple of elements to that question, one, _ buy food. a couple of elements to that question, one, he _ buy food. a couple of elements to that question, one, he was i buy food. a couple of elements to that question, one, he was with i buy food. a couple of elements to that question, one, he was with a | that question, one, he was with a company— that question, one, he was with a company that has gone bust, a few million _ company that has gone bust, a few million people in that situation and they have — million people in that situation and they have seen the price rise go up already— they have seen the price rise go up already and — they have seen the price rise go up already and it will go up again in abrit _ already and it will go up again in abrit and — already and it will go up again in april. and that in fact some of the costs— april. and that in fact some of the costs of— april. and that in fact some of the costs of those companies going bust will be _ costs of those companies going bust will be shared among everybody, we all have _ will be shared among everybody, we all have to _ will be shared among everybody, we all have to pay through our bills for those — all have to pay through our bills for those costs. in terms of whether this is— for those costs. in terms of whether

this is targeted support from the government, it is broad brush. there has been _ government, it is broad brush. there has been discussion about whether it would _ has been discussion about whether it would be _ has been discussion about whether it would be targeted through the existing schemes, maybe toward people _ existing schemes, maybe toward peopte on— existing schemes, maybe toward people on benefits, but this... rebate — people on benefits, but this... rebate on _ people on benefits, but this... rebate on council tax for example the discount and also the discount on bills, _ the discount and also the discount on bills, which you remember will have _ on bills, which you remember will have to _ on bills, which you remember will have to be — on bills, which you remember will have to be paid back, they are broad brush _ have to be paid back, they are broad brush and _ have to be paid back, they are broad brush and take in a large number of people _ brush and take in a large number of people a— brush and take in a large number of --eole. : , :, :, :, : ,:, people. a question that touches on one we have _ people. a question that touches on one we have sort _ people. a question that touches on one we have sort of _ people. a question that touches on one we have sort of raised - people. a question that touches on one we have sort of raised from i one we have sort of raised from gillian, who says, ourfixed deal finishes in two week and we have been offered a fix deal that costs 50% more than we currently pay. we don�*t know what to do and can�*t get any advice anywhere. i�*m don't know what to do and can't get any advice anywhere.— any advice anywhere. i'm sorry, gillian, any advice anywhere. i'm sorry, gillian. it _ any advice anywhere. i'm sorry, gillian, it has _ any advice anywhere. i'm sorry, gillian, it has been _ any advice anywhere. i'm sorry, gillian, it has been such - any advice anywhere. i'm sorry, gillian, it has been such a i gillian, it has been such a confusing time. it is a difficult thing to do and it depends on your

circumstances. for most people, coming off a fixed deal, they would come at the moment on the previous price capita riff, which is —— cap ca riff and that will still be in praise until april. —— ca riff and that will still be in praise untilapril. —— — ca riff and that will still be in praise until april. —— — place until april and then there needs to be a decision to be made for each customer and i suggest to look around and see if that deal is still the best for you. there will be another change in the price cap later on in the year and that could be higher or lower, if you want certainty fixed, or if you�*re happy to wait and see, that could be an option. to wait and see, that could be an 0 tion. :, .. to wait and see, that could be an otion. :, ~' ,:, to wait and see, that could be an otion. :, ~' y:. , to wait and see, that could be an otion. :, ,, y:, , , : option. thank you. it is difficult to work out _ option. thank you. it is difficult to work out for _ option. thank you. it is difficult to work out for people - option. thank you. it is difficult to work out for people what i option. thank you. it is difficult to work out for people what to l option. thank you. it is difficult i to work out for people what to do. kevin, roy asked, as it is a global energy crisis, how are our european friends being affected? is it the same in germany, france and denmark?

roy is right it is global and he is right— roy is right it is global and he is right that — roy is right it is global and he is right that there are different ways of tackling this n france they have capped _ of tackling this n france they have capped the price of gas for a while and they— capped the price of gas for a while and they have given a one off payment _ and they have given a one off payment to people who get energy vouchers, — payment to people who get energy vouchers, the more vulnerable customers. in germany there has been some _ customers. in germany there has been some surcharges that have been reduced — some surcharges that have been reduced. there are different ways of this issue _ reduced. there are different ways of this issue being tackled across europe. — this issue being tackled across europe, howeverthe issue is constant _ europe, howeverthe issue is constant if you like across europe in that _ constant if you like across europe in that everybody's facing the wholesale price rises and lots of consumers are feeling the pinch. a consumers are feeling the pinch. question from robert, who says who daughter has gas and electric supplied by the same supplier, is she likely to benefit to split it to two suppliers? she likely to benefit to split it to two soppliers?— two suppliers? wouldn't that be nice? no. _ two suppliers? wouldn't that be nice? no, that _ two suppliers? wouldn't that be nice? no, that is _ two suppliers? wouldn't that be nice? no, that is one _ two suppliers? wouldn't that be nice? no, that is one of- two suppliers? wouldn't that be nice? no, that is one of the i two suppliers? wouldn't that be i nice? no, that is one of the things that the government is preventing.

so that the government is preventing. 50 based on the announcement today, the £200 rebate will be given per household and based on electricity customers, because we all use electricity and not all of us use gas. splitting your supply will not make a difference. you will still get the £200. if you are an electricity customer you will still get £200, so it would. be halved because you are using electricity. we are talking about this £200 back now, but potential, you know that being clawed back, starting in a year�*s time, but we don�*t know whether energy prices are going to go up. it is impossible to look into the future, that is why the labour are saying it us give now and pay back later. are saying it us give now and pay back later-— back later. they will back £40 a ear. we back later. they will back £40 a year- we have _ back later. they will back £40 a year. we have heard _ back later. they will back £40 a year. we have heard from i back later. they will back £40 a year. we have heard from the l back later. they will back £40 a i year. we have heard from the 0fgem today— year. we have heard from the 0fgem today saying don't read too much

into the _ today saying don't read too much into the forecast, what we hear is into the forecast, what we hear is in october— into the forecast, what we hear is in october there will be another price _ in october there will be another price rise. — in october there will be another price rise, because of the next cap. he said _ price rise, because of the next cap. he said it— price rise, because of the next cap. he said it is— price rise, because of the next cap. he said it is too early 230 say, but he said _ he said it is too early 230 say, but he said there is no sign of prices coming — he said there is no sign of prices coming down. this could be an issue going _ coming down. this could be an issue going on— coming down. this could be an issue going on into — coming down. this could be an issue going on into next year and beyond. very difficult for everyone to predict ahead. thank you very much. and thank you nor sending those questions in to us. the nominations for this year�*s bafta film awards have been announced — with sir kenneth branagh�*s belfast in the running for awards including outstanding british film and best original screenplay. in total there were six nods for the account of growing up in the troubles. benedict cumberbatch�*s the power of the dog recieved eight,

while sci fi epic dune has eleven. entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba has more. leading the way the science fiction epic dune. it was one of the first post—pandemic blockbusters and is up for best film and ten other awards in behind—the—camera categories, reflecting the skill that went into making the movie. there are eight nominations for the 19205 western the power of the dog, including best actor for benedict cumberbatch and best supporting actor for kodi smit—mcphee. oh, well, do pardon me. good, justice really is possible. jane campion is also nominated for best director, one of three women on the six strong shortlist. these are the british academy awards and there is good representation for british films. belfast is up for six awards that include best film, and supporting performer nominations

for katrina balfe... women are very mysterious... and for ciaran hinds. wives becomes less mysterious over the years. do you really like her? when i grow up, i want to marry her. it�*s a semi—autobiographical film by kenneth branagh about growing up in belfast during the troubles. the young star is 11—year—old jude hill who is overwhelmed by the movie�*s reception. it feels like i�*m having some sort of dream and there has been a lot of pinch—me moments where i�*m stilljust questioning everything i look at. but with all these really nice people saying so much good things about the film and saying all the stuff about awards, it is all pretty surreal, but, yeah... it�*s very crazy. i can't remember much, actually. some will be surprised to see a few big names

not being nominated, like the lost daughter�*s olivia coleman, kristin stewart who plays princess diana in the film spencer and denzil washington who plays the lead in the tragedy of macbeth. but stars like lady gaga may well be on the red carpet. she is up for best actress for her role in house of gucci... goodbye, 19305, hello 805, huh? ..in a year when hollywood blockbusters and smaller, more personal films may well be sharing the limelight. now it�*s time for a look at the weather. good afternoon. after what has been a mild start to february, the weather is set to change. there is something cold on the way. that cold air are currently waiting in the winds up to the north—west. and that cold air is going to be brought southwards across the uk by this cold front, which will bring some outbreaks of rain,

some brisk winds, and potentially a little bit of snow for some of us as well. ahead of that, staying mostly dry through the rest of the day across england and wales. lots of cloud, some clear spells, but our weather front bringing rain into scotland, northern ireland. some snow over the high ground in scotland, potentially to lower levels — particularly on the back edge of that weather front. and that will be a theme through tonight. our frontal system will work its way southwards, and on the back edge of it — so across the high ground of the pennines, the peak district, the staffordshire moorlands, the hills of wales, the west midlands, perhaps even into the moors of the south—west, we could well see a little bit of snow mixing and on the back edge of that weather front as a some colder air starts to dig in. so those are the temperatures by the end of the night. frequent wintry showers across northern and north—western parts of the uk, and ice likely to be an issue for parts of scotland and northern ireland tomorrow morning. the remnants of that weather front clearing the south—east corner, and then tomorrow is a sunshine and showers stay, but some and showers day, but some of the showers will be wintry over

high ground in the north, potentially to quite low levels in northern parts of scotland. and it is going to be a windy day. widely gusts of 30, 40, 50 mph, perhaps a little stronger than that in the most exposed spots in the north. so, with those a strong winds, with that cold air in place, a very different feel. those are the afternoon temperatures. 3—8, maybe 9 degrees in the far south—west. now, as we head into the weekend, we see this frontal system hurtling in from the atlantic, and this really will be the weekend weather maker. it will bring some wet, some windy weather, and it will also continue to divide our cold air in the north from some milder air down towards the south. so here comes our weather front on saturday, a band of rain — still some uncertainty about the exact northwards or southwards positioning of this front. to the north of it, cold with some wintry showers. to the south, things turning a bit milder again. ten or 11 degrees. now, it looks like that front will push a little further southwards into sunday with some outbreaks of rain. windy weather once again. to the south of the weather front, we have the mild air in place. to the north of it, cold with some wintry showers.

temperatures 4—12 degrees.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the soaring cost of energy — typical household bills are going up by almost £700 a year. the chancellor unveils measures to soften the blow, including a £200 discount on bills. what we can do is take the sting out of the significant price shock for millions of families by making sure the increase in prices is smaller initially and spread over a longer period. initially and spread over a longer eriod. , , : , , :, period. this energy crisis has not ha--ened period. this energy crisis has not happened overnight. _ period. this energy crisis has not happened overnight. it's - period. this energy crisis has not happened overnight. it's a i period. this energy crisis has not | happened overnight. it's a decade period. this energy crisis has not i happened overnight. it's a decade of dither— happened overnight. it's a decade of dither and _ happened overnight. it's a decade of dither and delay for the party opposite that has brought us to this point _ the bank of england raises interest rates again to 0.5 per cent — in an attempt to curb the rapid rise in the cost of living.

the head of the number ten policy unit resigns over boris johnson�*s allegation in the commons that sir keir starmer allowed jimmy savile to escape justice president biden says the leader of the islamic state group has blown himself up during a raid by us special forces in syria. this operation is testament to america�*s reach and capability to take out terrorist threats, no matter where they try to hide anywhere in northern ireland, the first minister is set to announce his resignation later today. raith rovers apologise and say they got it wrong when they signed a controversial striker who was ruled to be a rapist in a civil court case. the outsiders ravage our lands in front— the outsiders ravage our lands in front of— the outsiders ravage our lands in front of our— the outsiders ravage our lands in front of our eyes. and dune leads the way with 11

nominations for the baftas — including best film. good afternoon. the cost of energy is going up for millions of customers this april. the typical household bill will rise by almost £700 a year after the energy regulator, 0fgem, increased its price cap in england, scotland and wales by 54%. that means typical households will end up paying about £2,000 a year for their gas and electricity. the chancellor, rishi sunak, has announced a package of measures to "take the sting" out of the rise, with a £200 discount on bills, and a council tax rebate for some households. meanwhile, the bank of england has raised interest rates again — to 0.5%. our first report is from our consumer affairs

correspondent, coletta smith. the energy price cap is going up again to nearly £2000 per yearfrom april. for donna, with three children and no increase in her income, it feels impossible. the thought that we have got to find that money is going to stress everyone out so much. we�*re going to have to stop paying for things and put ourselves in more debt to pay for the gas to keep the house warm. do you heat or do you eat? i have a one—year—old, my house has to be warm. everything is getting more expensive at the moment but the energy price rise we are feeling now actually kicked in in october when prices rose by about £135 for a typical bill. now we know that come april, the average typical household bill will be paying £693 more. it�*s a huge increase which dwarfs what we have already seen. after huge pressure to step in,

the government has decided to act. for me to stand here and pretend we don�*t have to adjust to paying higher prices would be wrong and dishonest. but what we can do is take the sting out of a significant price shock for millions of families by making sure that increase in prices is smaller initially and spread over a longer period. mr speaker, without government intervention, the increase in the price cap would leave the average household having to find an extra £693. to do that, they have decided to give £150 council tax rebate in april for nearly all homes, which won�*t need to be repaid. from october, every household will also get a discount worth £200, but that will have to be paid back. it will be automatically taken off your bills over the next five years.

local authorities will also get extra cash to give out to the most vulnerable. that still leaves £350 for most households to cover themselves. i�*ve spoken to so many people in the last few months who are already struggling and just won�*t have that extra cash. where is that hundred pound coming from? it's scary because you can't afford to live day by day as it is. it is obvious there will be people who won't be putting _ the heating on this winter. it will be a tough stretch for most households but those with the least money will be hit the hardest. coletta smith, bbc news. breaking news in the last half an hour, one of the key advisers to the prime minister, the head of the policy unit in downing street, has resigned. it is very significant in terms of a loss to his key staff.

she says, i believe it was wrong for you to imply this week that keir starmer was personally responsible... let�*s get more on this. our correspondence is with us. this is a very significant, munira mirza and her husband have been at the core of boris johnson�*s team her husband have been at the core of borisjohnson�*s team for many years, including when he was mayor of london. , , �* , , london. this isn't 'ust significant because she — london. this isn't 'ust significant because she is i london. this isn'tjust significant because she is the _ london. this isn'tjust significant because she is the head - london. this isn'tjust significant because she is the head of- london. this isn'tjust significanti because she is the head of policy but also one person close to her has described this as a blow to the

prime minister. the spectator published this letter because she is someone who is very close to the prime minister over many years. not just in his current role as prime in that but also as mayor of london as well. somebody who was seen as a close ally of the prime minister as well. the key reason she has cited for resigning for her post is the prime minister�*s recent remark to keir starmer in the house of commons, where he appeared to imply that sir keir starmer may have been responsible in some way forjimmy savile not being prosecuted at the time. she says in this letter that she believes it was wrong to imply that he was personally responsible in anyway, that there was no evidence for this assertion at all, but also, she goes on to say, she felt it was inappropriate and

partisan to mention such a horrific case as part of a daily politics discussion in the house of commons as well. this is significant because of both her role in government and her role in terms of a senior policy advising role, but also her relationship with the prime minister, he is somebody who cited her as one of the five women who most inspired him. always seem somebody who was very loyal to the prime minister as well, sol somebody who was very loyal to the prime minister as well, so i think this is a particularly striking blow for the prime minister. she also saysin for the prime minister. she also says in her letter that he was a man who was more than what his detractors would know. so who was more than what his detractors would know. 50 clearly a difficult decision for munira mirza, but significant for the prime minister as well. is but significant for the prime minister as well.— but significant for the prime minister as well. is it part of a wider move? _ minister as well. is it part of a wider move? it _ minister as well. is it part of a wider move? it was _ minister as well. is it part of a wider move? it was broken i minister as well. is it part of a wider move? it was broken byi minister as well. is it part of a i

wider move? it was broken by james wider move? it was broken byjames forsyth, a close ally of rishi sudak. ~ forsyth, a close ally of rishi sudak. 9 :, �* forsyth, a close ally of rishi sudak. ~ :, �* ~' :, forsyth, a close ally of rishi sudak. 9 :, �* ,, :, :, sudak. we don't know about the motivation _ sudak. we don't know about the motivation for _ sudak. we don't know about the motivation for this. _ sudak. we don't know about the motivation for this. we - sudak. we don't know about the motivation for this. we know i sudak. we don't know about the i motivation for this. we know there is a suggestion it was a difficult decision for munira mirza, saying she was sad that he had let himself down. not sure, otherthan she was sad that he had let himself down. not sure, other than the reasons in this letter, for her resignation at this stage. a number of conservative mps yesterday also called for him to go, and this is the latest personal blow in that sense of somebody offering their own resignation in response to this issue. 9, .. resignation in response to this issue. 9, ~' , :, let�*s go back to that news of the energy price cap rise — the chancellor has said that we�*ll

all have to adjust to higher energy prices, well the boss of the energy regulator 0fgem, jonathan brearley, has been speaking to our business editor simonjack and he also said that there were no signs at present that prices will come down any time soon. it's it�*s very hard to predict energy prices at the moment. the market is incredible volatile, so it is hard to say at the end of this year or early next year. right now, we are not seeing signs of these prices coming down. ids, not seeing signs of these prices coming down-— not seeing signs of these prices coming down. a lot of people are sa in: , coming down. a lot of people are sa inc, if coming down. a lot of people are saying. if we _ coming down. a lot of people are saying. if we get _ coming down. a lot of people are saying, if we get through - coming down. a lot of people are saying, if we get through this i saying, if we get through this period, then everything will settle down and prices will begin to come down. what are you seeing about future energy bills? like down. what are you seeing about future energy bills?— future energy bills? like i say, it is hard to tell. _ future energy bills? like i say, it is hard to tell. we _ future energy bills? like i say, it is hard to tell. we have - future energy bills? like i say, it is hard to tell. we have seen i future energy bills? like i say, it is hard to tell. we have seen a i future energy bills? like i say, it i is hard to tell. we have seen a huge price spike in the last few months, especiallyjust before christmas. we are not seeing any big signs of change. this market is extreme volatile, so it is hard to predict whether prices will stay the same or fall. in our view, we need to be open to all scenarios when thinking about future prices. joining me now is howard cox, the founder of fairfuel uk. thank you forjoining us. has the

chancellor done enough to help people with these rising costs? in people with these rising costs? l�*i marks out of ten, i would say six out of ten. it is still a sticking plaster on a broken leg. the people i represent, drivers, are being ripped off by prices at the pumps. the government have to get on top of all of these issues of supply. they seem to be happy to allow oil companies to make huge amount of money, and energy supplies are being supported to make sure their profits are high. that is up setting my supporters. are high. that is up setting my sopporters-_ are high. that is up setting my supporters. are high. that is up setting my su orters. :, , :, :, ., supporters. there was a win for tax, and profits- — supporters. there was a win for tax, and profits. but _ supporters. there was a win for tax, and profits. but the _ supporters. there was a win for tax, and profits. but the chancellor i supporters. there was a win for tax, and profits. but the chancellor said l and profits. but the chancellor said that they don�*t want to punish companies to much because that will affect investment.— affect investment. after seeing shell list their _ affect investment. after seeing shell list their profits _ affect investment. after seeing shell list their profits today, i affect investment. after seeing shell list their profits today, 14| shell list their profits today, 11; times more than last year, there is

something wrong. that is 1300% more. the people that are benefiting from this other shareholders and the already well paid directors of these companies. people trying to get to work and filling up at the pump are paying £16 more to fill up the average family car, on top of the gas and illiteracy bills. they are innate terrible state. notjust low income families, it is also middle income families, it is also middle income and small businesses that this is impacting. we are in a serious situation. with inflation likely to hit 6%, i think the government have to do more. the government _ government have to do more. the government have to do more. the government have said that everyone will get this money back, some of it, and the council tax bands that are affected are wider than expected. ultimately, someone has to pay for all of this, and it would otherwise have to come out of taxation, wouldn�*t it? otherwise have to come out of taxation, wouldn't it? absolutely. all of this that —

taxation, wouldn't it? absolutely. all of this that is _ taxation, wouldn't it? absolutely. all of this that is happening, i taxation, wouldn't it? absolutely. all of this that is happening, he i all of this that is happening, he stood at the dispatch box to say he is helping out with the money and boris is boasting about this, but it is our money he is talking about. he is our money he is talking about. he is using our money to keep energy suppliers profitable. that is the issue. i have had 300 e—mails from people, shouting that it is not enough. they need to do more. hagar people, shouting that it is not enough. they need to do more. how is it affectin: enough. they need to do more. how is it affecting people? — enough. they need to do more. how is it affecting people? how _ enough. they need to do more. how is it affecting people? how worried i enough. they need to do more. how is it affecting people? how worried are i it affecting people? how worried are the people that you are hearing from? what is it specifically they are worried about?— from? what is it specifically they are worried about? today, i plead 'ust to are worried about? today, i plead just to say — are worried about? today, i plead just to say that — are worried about? today, i plead just to say that one _ are worried about? today, i plead just to say that one mp _ are worried about? today, i plead just to say that one mp asked i just to say that one mp asked questions to the transport minister, grant chaps, that we need... it all impacts on inflation at our cost of

living. we need to have a body to protect consumers. at the moment, the fuel supply chain is opportunistically ripping off drivers that will, completely unchecked. it is really hurting. imagine what it cost to fill up an articulated truck. it is impacting on everything we buy in the shops was that i�*m delighted we have a lot of backbench support, but we have to get pump watch introduced. £311" get pump watch introduced. our --eole get pump watch introduced. our people changing their behaviours, in terms ofjourneys they might make, or in terms of drivers having to change? or in terms of drivers having to chance? :, , or in terms of drivers having to chance? :,, :, or in terms of drivers having to chance? :, ,, :, change? people are driving less and are makin: change? people are driving less and are making decisions, _ change? people are driving less and are making decisions, choices i change? people are driving less and are making decisions, choices with i are making decisions, choices with more consideration. but when people have to go to work or to a medical appointment or a plumber has to do a job, they have no choice but to fill up job, they have no choice but to fill up with skyrocketing prices. there is a slight reduction in driving at

the moment but those who have to drive have no choice.— drive have no choice. financially, what do you _ drive have no choice. financially, what do you think _ drive have no choice. financially, what do you think the _ drive have no choice. financially, | what do you think the government should be doing to help people as we come into the april changes? there are three things _ come into the april changes? there are three things calling _ come into the april changes? there are three things calling on. - come into the april changes? there are three things calling on. one - come into the april changes? there are three things calling on. one is l are three things calling on. one is fuel duty, we are the highest tax drivers in the world. germany is cheaper, 17p cheaper in spain. why are we paying that much? we need to introduce this independent pricing body to introduce transparency at the pumps. we need to remove this opportunistic price rising in the supply chain. we will have to leave it there. thank you very much. we can speak now to carol lowe. she lives in newcastle—under—lyme

and, like many of us, has seen her energy bills getting more expensive. thank you forjoining us today. tell us about your situation. what are you worried about?— us about your situation. what are you worried about? being recently widowed last _ you worried about? being recently widowed last year, _ you worried about? being recently widowed last year, i'm _ you worried about? being recently widowed last year, i'm now - you worried about? being recently widowed last year, i'm now on - you worried about? being recently widowed last year, i'm now on my| widowed last year, i'm now on my own, me and the dog, thank goodness. she is like a hot water bottle at night! i decided not to change suppliers last year, disabled the same one, because all the prices were similar. —— i stayed with the same one. they were all very high. i did a variable tariff, which is not good. i think i was paying £54 per month on a fixed rate, which went up to £73 per month on a variable tariff. if i wanted another fixed

rate, it was something like £115. i am on universal credit and i do work part—time at the moment. can food bank, which gives me a perspective. where people are short of food, you can go to family and friends and they can feed you, they can help you. but paying your bills, you cannot ask anybody for help, you have to find it yourself, which is difficult when you are on a limited income. you have to budget for everything. you get up in the morning, you boil the cattle and you put it in a flask so you have hot water for the rest of the morning. my water for the rest of the morning. my son was thinking about buying an electric cooker because it is cheaper than a gas cooker. years ago, electricity used to be the

dearest commodity, now it is gas. it is done a full turnaround. where people will find this extra money from, i don't know. myself, i will be a pensioner in april, where i come off of universal credit and going to a pension. but i will still have to find my bill money, so i will probably have to do a little job, carry on working part—time because i need that extra money to help pay my bills. fire because i need that extra money to help pay my bills— because i need that extra money to help pay my bille— help pay my bills. are you able to find more work _ help pay my bills. are you able to find more work easily _ help pay my bills. are you able to find more work easily enough? i help pay my bills. are you able to i find more work easily enough? this 'ob i have find more work easily enough? this job i have with _ find more work easily enough? t“! 3 job i have with the food bank at the moment actually finishes at the end of march, but i'm hoping they will get the funding so that i might be able to stay on, if only for a couple of days. it's something i enjoy. but we are seeing the others where people are phoning up and saying, i have paid my bills but i have no money left for food, saying, i have paid my bills but i have no money left forfood, what saying, i have paid my bills but i have no money left for food, what do i do? this is what we are seeing

every day. every time i go when, it is so busy, and they are all in the same predicament, paying the bills so they have no money for food, or they buy food and they have no money for bills. it is a no—win situation. i don't know if you have worked out what the announcements mean today, with the chancellor saying there will be some money back for people, but will that help you enough? i did have a look— but will that help you enough? i did have a look before _ but will that help you enough? i did have a look before i _ but will that help you enough? i c c have a look before i came on and they are giving to the palace to every household which has to be paid back over five years, starting from april next year at about £40 per year. if the bills are still high, then you have to find another £4o year. if the bills are still high, then you have to find another £40 to pay that. then the £150 council tax

rebate, that's very enough. and then you are providing the local authorities with nearly 150 million for families and households who are exempt from council tax. but then do you have to apply for that or does it come to you automatically? this is what people need to find out, what people need to know, what they need to be told. there are a lot of things you can claim for, but you are not told, you have to find out. it's not enough, really, when you look at it. it is shutting the gate after the horse has bolted, isn't it? ., . ., after the horse has bolted, isn't it? c, i c, _, after the horse has bolted, isn't it? i, i i, i, , it? how much would you need monthly or weekly to — it? how much would you need monthly or weekly to be — it? how much would you need monthly or weekly to be able _ it? how much would you need monthly or weekly to be able to _ it? how much would you need monthly or weekly to be able to boil _ it? how much would you need monthly or weekly to be able to boil a - or weekly to be able to boil a kettle without worrying, two buy enough food without worrying? the bud . et

enough food without worrying? iie: budget i'm enough food without worrying? tie: budget i'm on enough food without worrying? ti2 budget i'm on now, i'm struggling. i earn a small wage for the work i'm doing, the 15 hours i do, but universal credit takes 55p in the pound from me for that. moneywise, you can't calculate, because you don't know what will crop up. well might washer breakdown? something else breaking down? the money you are saving for your bills has to go on something else. so you can't put your finger on on something else. so you can't put yourfinger on an actual amounts, your finger on an actual amounts, because yourfinger on an actual amounts, because you have to your finger on an actual amounts, because you have to live week to week, you can't budget for it because you don't what will crop up. thank you for sharing that with us was that we wish you all the best. thank you. just some news that we brought you

about the prime minister's policy unit chief, munira mirza, who has resigned. it has been announced that andrew griffith has been made head of the policy unit in her place in downing street. that is following the department of borisjohnson's long—term ally, munira mirza, who has objected to the way the prime minister attacked keir starmer on the question ofjimmy savile. she has said she can no longer serve with the prime minister. a significant loss from his team as she and her husband have been very close advisers to borisjohnson for many years, well over a decade, as prime minister and when he was mayor of london. downing street have announced they have appointed conservative mp andrew griffith to run the policy unit instead. we will update you as we can on that. the bbc understands northern ireland's first minister, paul givan, will announce his

resignation later today. the democratic unionist party is protesting against the rules which govern post—brexit trade. those arrangements were thrown into confusion after a unionist the bbc understands northern ireland's first minister, minister ordered his staff to stop checks on food and farming goods entering northern ireland from britain. well, dup mp ian paisley, gave his reaction to reports northern ireland's first minister paul givan is to announce his resignation later today. i don't think anyone can be surprised by the fact that we have been signalling for some time, almost a year, that these institutions cannot survive if the protocol is kept in place. we have warned about that, we have been very patient. businesses can not pay. it is not fair, it will end in tears. if that prediction comes true, people cannot say they weren't

warned. there was an opportunity to resolve this problem and unfortunately the government and the eu have failed to solve the problem must we are being left to decisive action. my party, the agriculture minister, has taken decisive action in the last 24 hours and we hope that that will indicate that clearly the protocol has failed, has caused political instability and economic hardship. so what's behind all this? why is the northern ireland protocol still so controversial? our trade correspondent, chris morris, is here. just remind us what the protocol is, first of all, what it actually does. it is part of the brexit withdrawal agreement, designed to deal with the fact that the land agreement, designed to deal with the fact that the [and border in ireland is now the only border between the uk outside the european union and the eu. the idea was to keep that border is open as it has always been in the last few years, so trade

could fly without any checks. the trouble is, you need a way to check stuff going into the eu single market. the eu was insistent upon that. to keep that border free and open, it was agreed in the northern ireland protocol by both sides that northern ireland would essentially stay in the eu single market for goods or support that has done has meant you have to have checks somewhere else, hence the dotted line down the irish sea. there is effectively a trade border tween great britain and northern ireland within the united kingdom. the last election, borisjohnson said explicitly there will be no checks between great britain and northern ireland. it wasn't true then and it isn't true now. those checks have been continuing today. the isn't true now. those checks have been continuing today.— isn't true now. those checks have been continuing today. the uk has been continuing today. the uk has been trying — been continuing today. the uk has been trying to _ been continuing today. the uk has been trying to change _ been continuing today. the uk has been trying to change the - been continuing today. the uk has been trying to change the protocol| been trying to change the protocol that it negotiated, and there have been talks with the european commission. what does the uk now want? it

commission. what does the uk now want? i, i i, i, i commission. what does the uk now want? i, i, commission. what does the uk now want? i, , want? it once a -- it once a pretty radical change — want? it once a -- it once a pretty radical change to _ want? it once a -- it once a pretty radical change to the _ want? it once a -- it once a pretty radical change to the protocol. - want? it once a -- it once a pretty radical change to the protocol. atl radical change to the protocol. at the heart of those changes, it once a demand they will be no checks at all, no border checks, no checks on goods arriving in northern ireland ports, no paperwork and so forth. also an arrangement that would mean if you know the goods are only going to northern ireland and then not crossing the border into ireland, then there should be no need for those goods to follow any eu rules, they should only follow british standards. that is part of it. then there is the stick at the end, which is that the uk is not taking off the table the idea that it might use article 16 of the northern ireland protocol, which is the part that says, in effect, it allows one side or the other to unilaterally suspend parts of the protocol. if it did that, it would provoke a response from the european union and you would head towards a trade war. the

fact is there, but it has not yet been used. —— the threat is there. the eu is unlikely to yield to those demand, so where does that leave us? the eu has been saying, we are not prepared to simply rewrite the protocol. we spend a lot of time on this, it was not very long ago, we will not rewrite it straight away. as far as they are concerned, rewriting the text is off the table. what they have said is they are prepared to look at options where they would be far fewer checks. they have put four proposals which they say would mean there would be 80% fewer checks on food products than if the protocol was implemented in full. don't forget, the current furore is at the time of the particle is not being implemented in fuel. the eu says, you have to stick with your legal obligations, you signed this agreement which is now an international treaty and you need

to stick with it. that is the impasse we are at. there are negotiations, currently led by liz truss for the uk, but the dup in northern ireland are saying, as we heard from ian paisley, we have been warning about this for a long time, it's not working, time for something to change. they are up in the anti. it is difficult to see where the two sides will lead an agreement they are both satisfied with. a lot of political difficulty. thank you. president biden has been given details about the us special forces operation in north—eastern syria which targeted the leader of the islamic state group, abu ibrahim al—hashimi al-qurayshi. this image — released by the white house — shows the president and vice president harris, together with military chiefs, monitoring the raid from the situation room. president biden said the is leader detonated an explosive device, killing himself and his family.

here'sjoe biden describing the operation a short while ago. last night, operating on my orders, the united states military forces successfully removed a significant terrorist threat to the world, the global leader of isis, who took over as leader in 2019 after the united states' operation killed the former leader. ourallies states' operation killed the former leader. our allies and partners and countless civilians in the middle east, africa and in south asia... he oversaw the spread of isis affiliated terrorist groups around the world, murdering innocents. he was responsible for the recent brutal attack on a prison in syria,

which was swiftly addressed by l allies. he was a driving force behind the genocide in iraq in 2014. we remember the stories of manslaughter is that wiped out entire villages, thousands of young women's and girls sold into slavery, rape used as a weapon of war. thanks to the bravery of our troops, this terrorist leader is no more. our forces carried out the operation with precision and i directed the department of defence to take every precaution to minimise civilian casualties. he surrounded himself with families, including children, and we pursued a special forces raid at a much greater risk to our own people, ratherthan at a much greater risk to our own people, rather than targeting him with an air strike. we made this choice to minimise civilian casualties. our team is still

compiling the report, but we do know that, as our troops approached to capture the terrorist, in a final act of desperate cowardice, with no regard to the lives of his own family or others in the building, he chose to blow himself up, that third floor, ratherthan chose to blow himself up, that third floor, rather than face justice for the crimes committed, taking several numbers of his family with him, just as his predecessor did. i am going full for the courage and skill and determination of our forces, who skilfully executed this incredibly challenging mission. president by day on that raid in syria. let's catch up with the weather. good afternoon. it has been another mild day. a mild start to february. things are about to change. we have a band of rain

pushing in to the north—west. heavy rain across parts of western scotland and parts of northern ireland. as that rain band sinks eastwards, high wind. this is fishing in cold air. temperatures dropping. ice potentially for parts of scotland and northern ireland tomorrow. then it is a sunshine and showers sort of day. some are wintry over the high ground in the north. it is going to be windy out there. gusts up to 50 mph. it is going to feel quite cold. temperatures between four and nine celsius. i am going to take you straight over to a preference byjeffrey donaldson now on the latest from northern ireland. meeting his parents and listening to them express the importance of this life changing law speaks to the purpose of being in politics.

to give people hope, improve our communities and make a difference for the betterment of all. during this time we have taken over 30 key policy decisions and published strategies that will underpin future policy direction in areas that have included support for people struggling to meet the costs of living by extending welfare mitigations and the energy support scheme. ending violence against women and girls and providing refuge for afghans fleeing persecution. we are driving forward the economy with the first city growth deal signed for the belfast region worth over £1 billion that will create thousands of jobs, billion that will create thousands ofjobs, and only last week we published northern ireland's investment strategy. all of the progress made has been in the context of managing a public health crisis, as the covid pandemic challenged us in ways that nobody

expected when the virus first arrived nearly two years ago. i have been humbled by the sacrifice and the commitment of every one who has gone the extra mile to get us through this testing time. sadly, thousands of people lost their lives and people have suffered in many ways, but better days are ahead. we can all look forward once again, hopeful that springtime is coming and summer is on the way. i am a committed devolutionist. i believe that we as public service that makes servants the people who elect us our best to find solutions to the many challenges we face by working together. what makes northern ireland great is the people and the values that we share. decency, compassion, respect, tolerance, helping others, improving our communities and with these shared

values we can then embrace our differences when we're short generosity towards the diversity that enriches the fabric of our society. the ability to stretch ourselves as politicians and go beyond what we find comfortable is what we need to do if we are to fulfil the potential of living in a truly shared and united society. i believe we can do that. with leadership that transcends any one particular identity. our institutions are being tested once again and the delicate balance created by the belfast and sent andries agreements has been impacted by the agreement made by the united kingdom government and the european union. it created the northern ireland protocol. the consent principle is a cornerstone of the belfast agreement. it is my earnest desire that all sections of the

community will soon be able to give consent to the restoration of a fully functioning executive through it resolution to the issues that have regrettably brought us to this point. i want to thankjeffrey for giving me this opportunity when he became party leader. and to edwin. most of all, i want to thank my family, especially my wife emma, it is often those we are close to in our families that feel the pressure, even more so than those of us in front line politics. it wouldn't have been possible without their support. thank you. 50 have been possible without their support. thank you.— have been possible without their support. thank you. so an emotional statement there _ support. thank you. so an emotional statement there talking _ support. thank you. so an emotional statement there talking about - support. thank you. so an emotional statement there talking about the i statement there talking about the pressure on the institutions created

by the northern ireland protocol that has been, of course, a thorny bone of contention but it does appear now that paul is going to resign, the first minister of northern ireland resigning from his role and thanking their family members. we will bring it much more on that as soon as we can. tensions over that deal have been about for some time and there are wider political implications with elections due in northern ireland and the dpn very difficult position by all accounts. we will get more on that as soon as we can. —— the dup. our top stories focusing on the economy at the moment.

the bank of england has put up interest rates for the second month in a row, to try to counter inflation. the main rate has increased to half of one per cent — from a quarter of one per cent. this report from our economics correspondent, andy verity. in hatfield, naomi and her husband are renting after selling their house. they want to buy another one, but the cost of the mortgages they are being offered keeps rising. meanwhile, they are living in a smaller house than before but her monthly energy bills have more than doubled. her household finances, like many of us, are being clobbered by bills she has no choice but to pay. we are looking at a rise in our energy bills, fuel bills and mortgage repayments which altogether will contribute to probably £300 a month more in our monthly bills, particularly at the moment we are trying to buy a house and the rise in mortgage rates have had a big impact on what we can afford. today, naomi and others have the bank of england to thank for turning up the heat even further by making new variable rates more expensive. the committee narrowly voted five

in favour and four against to double the official interest rate from 0.25% to 0.5%. they're now predicting inflation might get as high as 7.25% by april. here is why... sterling oil prices are almost 90% above their level at the end of 2020. uk household gas prices were almost 400% higher. wholesale electricity price rises had risen by more than 300%. wholesale electricity had risen by almost 300%. bhd wholesale electricity had risen by almost 300%.— almost 300%. and cool down the inflation temperature. _ almost 300%. and cool down the inflation temperature. rising - almost 300%. and cool down the i inflation temperature. rising energy bills will do a lot more to cut what households have to spend on everything else. the rate rise looks a lot less scary when you look back in time. it is important to put this historic rate rise in its historic

context. if you look back at the early 90s, rates got above 14% and then after the global financial crisis they dropped to what was meant to be emergency levels of 0.5% and they have stayed there ever since, dropping in rising a little bit. the markets are now predicting that the official rate will get up to one percentage point byjune. that has been the highest for 13 years. it is the first time interest rates have risen twice in a row since 2004 but that is since the financial crisis it has been at the emergency law, it is the mortgage belt not your energy bill you will have to steel yourself most are open. the scottish football club, raith rovers, have announced that the striker, david goodwillie, will not play for them after all. it follows widespread protests about the decision to sign him earlier this week, because of a court ruling in a civil case five years ago that he had

raped a woman. the club now say they �*got it wrong". our scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie has the details: there has been mounting pressure over the last couple of days. two club directors have resigned, sponsorship has withdrawn, the first minister yesterday called on the club to think again. so this morning raith rovers issued a statement. they said, we have got it wrong. they apologised to fans, sponsors and to players in their words for the anguish and the anger caused over the last few days. the club said that david goodwillie would not be selected by raith rovers and they will enter into discussions over his contract. he signed for the club on monday. the former prime minister gordon brown, an avid fan of raith rovers, said the club had made the right decision. he also said that the football authorities need to consider how we deal with cases of footballers where there has been rape

and violence against women. so strong words there from gordon brown. the crime writer val mcdermaid withdrew her sponsorship. she said she welcomed the statement from raith rovers but she did say it is just the first step on a long road back. the raith rover�*s women's team are said to be devastated by this. they are playing on sunday but they want to change their name, they want to change their strip and they want to change and they want to change where they play. the family of a woman who was stabbed to death by her former husband says more should have been done to prevent her death. yasmin shakeefi was killed in west london last week by leon mccasker. he died at the scene after being hit by a car. before the attack, a warrant had been issued for his arrest for breaching a stalking protection order. lauren moss reports. she was a wonderful, nice, caring

person, she was beloved by her children who she adored. than person, she was beloved by her children who she adored. an amazing woman, children who she adored. an amazing woman. the — children who she adored. an amazing woman, the words _ children who she adored. an amazing woman, the words of— children who she adored. an amazing woman, the words of her— children who she adored. an amazing woman, the words of her family i children who she adored. an amazing woman, the words of her family one | woman, the words of her family one week after she was stabbed to death. she was attacked by her ex—husband last monday morning. her family says she suffered years of domestic abuse. two years ago, the mum of two teenage boys remarried her childhood friend joseph. teenage boys remarried her childhood friend joseph-— friend joseph. when she left, i was certain she — friend joseph. when she left, i was certain she was _ friend joseph. when she left, i was certain she was coming _ friend joseph. when she left, i was certain she was coming home. i friend joseph. when she left, i was l certain she was coming home. when she left she was certain she was coming home. you know, she did not even... she didn't even make one minute. iii i i even... she didn't even make one minute. ii, i i ii even... she didn't even make one minute. i i ii i i, i minute. her cousins have questions the want minute. her cousins have questions they want answering. _ minute. her cousins have questions they want answering. a _ minute. her cousins have questions they want answering. a warrant i minute. her cousins have questions| they want answering. a warrant was issued a couple of weeks before. tooth? issued a couple of weeks before. why wasn't a issued a couple of weeks before. m�*ig' wasn't a criminal issued a couple of weeks before. "i1: wasn't a criminal record enough as

he did have a warrant? they didn't see him as much as a threat. should the have see him as much as a threat. should they have done? _ see him as much as a threat. should they have done? wait _ see him as much as a threat. should they have done? wait more. - see him as much as a threat. should they have done? wait more. eye i they have done? wait more. eye described seeing _ they have done? wait more. eye described seeing leon _ they have done? wait more. eye described seeing leon stabbing i they have done? wait more. eye i described seeing leon stabbing her in the street in the morning. we tried to intervene and that is when he was hit by a car and he too died at the scene. after questioning the driver initially on suspicion of murder, police released him without charge. now the 26—year—old has been treated as a vital witness. the family have paid tribute to him and everyone who tried to save her. aha, everyone who tried to save her. hero. he is a hero. he tried. everyone who tried to save her. a hero. he is a hero. he tried. he l hero. he is a hero. he tried. he tried to help her. the metropolitan police says they cannot comment further until the watchdog has concluded the investigation. an inquest was opened earlier this week while the family will continue to

grieve. the average household's yearly energy bill in england, wales and scotland will increase by £693 in april — it comes as the bank of england has raised interest rates for the second time in three months to try to curb a rapid rise in the cost of living. the head of the number ten 10 policy unit resigns over boris johnson's allegation in the commons that sir keir starmer allowed jimmy saville to escape justice president biden says the leader of the islamic state group has blown himself up during a raid by us special forces in syria. malawi's government continues to count the cost of tropical storm ana. the storm has badly damaged the country's hydropower plant, plunging the country into darkness. and the southern africa region is preparing for another tropical storm, as our southern africa correspondent nomsa maseko reports. what used to be a water catchment area for generating

electricity, severely damaged by heavy rains and strong winds. tropical storm ana triggered major power cuts here in malawi. this power plant generated 30% of the country's electricity before flooding damaged most of the infrastructure here. it could take weeks before it is fully functional again. until then, parts of malawi will remain in the dark. this is not the first time the country's power utility has been crippled by the effects of extreme weather, made more likely by climate change. we had gone through such situation during the drought in 2017—18, and we had recovered from that. and you may check around, the country now had confidence in the power generation, and this is a big blow to the national economy. we had started building on this and this has brought us back that we now need to look at how we can come out

of this fast enough. the power supplier is now working to mitigate further impacts from yet another storm expected to make landfall in the coming days. at a nearby village, people here are counting the cost of the damage. this man shows me what is left of his house after high water level forced his family to flee. the 70—year—old tells me previous storms in the area were not as harsh. translation: we will be completely dead if| the rains come again. it will finish my house and will also damage the houses of those who were lucky to survive the last time. just as people in the region deal with the aftermath of tropical storm ana, they are now having to brace themselves for a cyclone which is on the way.

the argentine authorities say at least twenty people are now known to have died after using adulterated cocaine. more than seventy others have been admitted to hospitals in buenos aires. it's in this poor urban settlement in north—west buenos aires where the cases of adulterated cocaine have been found. the drugs were sold in these streets of loma hermosa, known as puerto 8. authorities believe the cocaine was cut with poison. translation: from everything i have collected so far, - it seems there have been extremely violent respiratory or cardiac arrest. so it must be a depressant of the central nervous system. it is an anxious wait for relatives outside the hospital. there is confusion over what has been mixed with the drug and the motives behind it. some say the poisonings might be part of a gang war. translation: apparently, - from what we know, from what we've been told, they use cocaine with rat poison. a regional minister called on any

users who bought cocaine here to throw it away. cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant extracted from the leaves of coca plants and is generally snorted. a 2019 report on drug consumption in the americas listed argentina as the country with the third highest rate of cocaine consumption per person after the us and uruguay. there is anger from those outside the hospitals. they want answers. investigators are awaiting the results of postmortem examinations to compare drugs seized in raids with those consumed by the victims. vets at chester zoo have started the first trial of an experimental vaccine to protect elephants from a deadly viral disease. the illness is responsible for more than half of all asian elephant deaths in european zoos. the aim of the trial is to develop a vaccine in captivity that can also be used in the wild. victoria gill reports.

indali the elephant calf, fighting for her life back in 2019. vets at chester zoo diagnosed the young elephant with a dangerous viral infection. it's called elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus. it's often lethal and vets and scientists have been battling it for decades. it's an elephant herpesvirus. they have lesions in the mouth, they will get a fever, lethargy. but once we see the symptoms, normally it's too late. we've generally lost calves within 24 hours. up to 85% of elephants that develop the disease don't survive and most cruelly it often affects the very young calves. now though, a glimmer of scientific hope. the elephants here are involved in a first—ever trial of an experimental potentially life—saving vaccine. going we are going to come out of that report and go over to the live press conference.—

that report and go over to the live press conference. politics was not about being _ press conference. politics was not about being in _ press conference. politics was not about being in office. _ press conference. politics was not about being in office. it _ press conference. politics was not about being in office. it was i press conference. politics was not about being in office. it was about using all of the experience, skill at my disposal to help make northern ireland a better place and to secure our position within the united kingdom. that remains this party's core focus. this commitment was the basis by which we re—entered the executive in early 2020. and have participated in the political institutions since then. to date, this commitment has not been honoured by the uk government. and, of course, the commitment which i refer is in the new decade, new approach agreement. and we have reminded the government of their promise in that agreement to protect northern ireland's place within the uk internal market. we are clear

that the protocol represents an existential threat to the union. and also to the future of northern ireland within the united kingdom. the high court has ruled that the protocol suspends key elements of the act of union and specifically article six, which previously guarantee the right of every citizen and every business in northern ireland to trade freely with the rest of the united kingdom. the longer the protocol remains, the more it will harm the union itself. there can be no doubt that we have made progress in convincing others of the merits of our case. indeed, even our political opponents now talk less about the rigorous implementation of the protocol and more about the need to find solutions to the problems and the difficulties the protocol has created. having previously said that

the protocol could not be altered, even the european union has returned to the negotiating table. and they have published proposals of its own. we have made progress in focusing minds on this and on the difficulties that this protocol is causing for northern ireland. i am convinced that it is only through our determination that the european union in particular and the uk government are back at the negotiating table. the government now accepts the harm that the protocol is doing and appears to accept that not only is change required but that it must be secured if the gains made as a result of recent political progress are not to be squandered. however, every day that northern ireland is subjected to some new protocol problem that

bedevils a business, customer, a sector of the population as a whole is a day too long in my opinion. every single northern ireland elective representative, including all you gathered here this afternoon, no well in number of hours that have been spent trying to advise constituents, businesses in our constituencies about navigating the new arrangements born out of the protocol. in the 217 days that i have been leader of this party, the northern ireland protocol has cost our economy £535 million. that is £2.5 million every single day. and over £100,000 every single hour. it really does beg the question why

other parties sit on their hands when our economy is being harmed to the tune of £100,000 every single hour. independent reports have concluded that the protocol does not deliver the best of both worlds. beyond costing our economy a significant amount of money, it has driven up costs between great britain and northern ireland by 27% in the last year alone. it has placed a border between us and our most important trading partner, great britain. despite the fact that we do four times more purchases from great britain than we do from the republic of ireland and the european union. this is economic madness. and the protocol has also jeopardised our medicine supply in the middle of a health pandemic. our department of was able to point to hundreds of

medicines where the supply chains may well have dried up if it had not been for the government taking emergency action. around kitchen tables each evening, families are feeling the squeeze with soaring energy bills. people are debating whether to switch on their heating and yet the stark reality is that where the government to give avt holiday on energy bills, or indeed the announcements made earlier today and the houses that make house of commons, we cannot benefit from these initiatives. why? because the northern ireland protocol prohibits us from benefiting from changes such as those proposed by the government vat scheme to help householders. because of the protocol, our own government will not be able to help its own citizens. this is entirely unacceptable. in september, i set

out clearly why the protocol needed to be rejected and replaced with arrangements that respected northern ireland's place in the united kingdom. at that time, i indicated the steps at this party would take. i warned that as leader of the dup, i warned that as leader of the dup, i was not prepared to lend i warned that as leader of the dup, i was not prepared to [end my hand to a protocol that so fundamentally undermines the union and the economic integrity of united kingdom and northern ireland's position within it. i was pleased that we were able to cooperate with the leaders of the other unionist parties to unite in opposition to the protocol and to publish the unionist declaration on the protocol on the 28th of september last year. over the last number of months, some have urged us to act in this way or that and to move with haste. some have urged no action at all. but this party has worked to its

strategic plan, while allowing time and space for the negotiations take place between the government and the european union. the government knows that the protocol does not enjoy the support the unionist community and brussels can be in no doubt that the protocol has cast its long shadow over northern ireland's political arrangements at stormont. the european union told us that the protocol and its main purpose was to protect the political institutions, to protect political stability in northern ireland. it has had the opposite effect. it has destabilised the politics of northern ireland, it has upset the very delicate constitutional balance at the heart of our political arrangements. it has been a long established norm that arrangements and agreements can only flourish when they are supported by both unionists and

nationalists. indeed, one of the most disturbing characteristics of this period is the total disregard of this principle by brussels, by dublin, and the protocol cheerleaders here in northern ireland. it is as if unionists are to be seen but not heard. i think now is the moment when we say enough. we have had enough of being told we must stand by previous agreements, yet the same people who tell us this have destroyed a core pillar at the heart of the belfast agreement, the need for cross community support. we have had enough of sinn fein, the sdlp and the alliance party seeking the rigorous implementation of a protocol that we know is a bad deal for northern ireland. we have had

enough of governments talking about power—sharing but ignoring the fact that every elected unionist in northern ireland rejects the irish sea border. we have also had enough of sinn fein preaching equality, yet the sinn fein culture minister want to provide funding to mark her majesty the queen's platinum jubilee. the longest reigning monarch in our history and we cannot get funding to mark this historic occasion. and sinn fein call this fairness and equality. we have also had enough of sinn fein lecturing us about respect. yet, we have a sinn fein finance minister... we will leavejeffrey have a sinn fein finance minister... we will leave jeffrey donaldson there and go straight to the chancellor rishi sunak, talking about what the government is doing to help the rising cost of energy. feeling anxious. i want to reassure you, the plans i set out in

parliament today are going to help