this is bbc news with the headlines. as tensions between russia and ukraine deepen, the us government warns of an imminent threat. we continue to _ warns of an imminent threat. - continue to see signs of russian escalation, including new forces arriving. invasion could begin at any time should vladimir putin decide to order. it any time should vladimir putin decide to order.— any time should vladimir putin decide to order. it comes as nato leader host _ decide to order. it comes as nato leader host talks _ decide to order. it comes as nato leader host talks about _ decide to order. it comes as nato leader host talks about initial - leader host talks about initial responses to military action. the foreign office urges british nationals to leave the country immediately while commercial means are still available. in other news, the search is on for the replacement

as commissioner of the uk's largest police force. on the secretary says the successor will face immediate challenges to address the culture and behaviour of the met officers. growth continues for businesses after covid—i9 with the economic performance better—than—expected. despite omicron, the economy was remarkably resilient and we were the fastest growing economy of the g7 and forecasted to be the fastest growing economy this year. six. growing economy this year. six months after his sun shot dead five people, we talked to mark davidson about his sorrow for the victims families.

russia has got the troops and plates and urges all us citizens to leave the country within the next 48 hours. national security advisers as the administration didn't know if the administration didn't know if the final decision had been made yet but that the kremlin was looking for a pretext to justify an invasion which he said could start within intensive aerial bombardment. we intensive aerial bombardment. - continue to see signs of russian escalation with new forces arriving at the ukrainian border. as we said before, we are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time should vladimir putin decide order. i will not comment on the details of our intelligence information but i do want to be clear, it could begin during the olympics despite a lot of speculation that it will only happen after the olympics. as we have said before, we are ready either way. we are ready to continue with diplomacy

that addresses the security concerns of the united states, russia and europe. we are also ready to respond decisively alongside those allies and partners should russia choose to take military action. our response would be severe economic sanctions with similar packages imposed by the european union, the united kingdom, canada and other countries. it will also include changes to nato and american posture along the eastern flank. �* , . ~' american posture along the eastern flank. h ., ~ ., ., . flank. let's talk to barbara. we have been _ flank. let's talk to barbara. we have been hearing _ flank. let's talk to barbara. we have been hearing for - flank. let's talk to barbara. we have been hearing for a - flank. let's talk to barbara. we have been hearing for a little . flank. let's talk to barbara. we - have been hearing for a little while about the white house that it believes that we are in the window where russia could begin an assault on ukraine but at this briefing, an hour ago, on ukraine but at this briefing, an hourago, did on ukraine but at this briefing, an hour ago, did you detect a significant shift in the tone of what the us was saying? i significant shift in the tone of what the us was saying? i think it was more urgent. _ what the us was saying? i think it was more urgent. the _ what the us was saying? i think it was more urgent. the americansl what the us was saying? i think it - was more urgent. the americans have been very much out in front in terms of warning about the danger of a russian invasion or military action

more so than their european allies. but this morning that jake sullivan put forward was more urgent, i think and more specific. he said the americans believe russia could take military action against ukraine as early as within the next week. up until now, the assessment has been, they may be waiting until the end of they may be waiting until the end of the olympics which is the 20th of february. now they're saying that it could happen at any time and they gave that warning to americans to leave within the next 24 to 48 hours and they feel strongly enough about it for presidentjoe biden to have a call with his closest allies, british allies as well, talking about the dangers. mr sullivan did deny reports that mr biden had told allies that they believe the americans had made the decision and would attack next week. he said no, it was not that definitive. they did not know for sure when vladimir

putin was planning, if he had actually been given the go order. but looking at the number of troops built up in the way they were arranged, based on intelligence that the us was picking up that he could very well give that order innovation period of time and so, they were informing allies as a result and preparing for that possibility. thank you very much. the french resident thank you very much. the french president will _ thank you very much. the french president will speak _ thank you very much. the french president will speak to _ thank you very much. the french president will speak to his - thank you very much. the french l president will speak to his opposite number tomorrow amid mounting fears that moscow will invade the ukraine as the us national security advised in the past hour or so. this comes from a spokesperson of the french president and western leaders, including president macron and joe biden. german chancellor affirmed

this and territorial integrity and the french presidency said in a statement, those that were talks hosted by president biden included the secretary—general put off the back of those discussions, we are hearing that emmanuel macron will speak again to vladimir putin tomorrow and of course, emmanuel macron has been at the forefront of the diplomacy to try to lead to an de—escalation of what's happened along with russian ukrainian borders and where the first world leaders to say that russia had a right to express concerns about its own security which went down well with the kremlin and that he is going to speak to his russian opposite number again tomorrow to try to de—escalate the crisis. the white house press conference that replace you a clip from just a moment ago followed that virtual meeting with nato leaders, including borisjohnson caught by

presidentjoe biden, the secretary—general took part, as to the french president emmanuel macron and the european leaders as well, let's talk for a political correspondent was in westminster and what is the uk government saying off the back of that meeting, especially around the subject of sanctions. any possible action that might be taken to try to respond to what russia is doing? to try to respond to what russia is doinu ? . , to try to respond to what russia is doin a ? ., , ., . , doing? that is exactly right. downin: doing? that is exactly right. downing street _ doing? that is exactly right. downing street of _ doing? that is exactly right. downing street of said - doing? that is exactly right. downing street of said that l doing? that is exactly right. l downing street of said that on doing? that is exactly right. - downing street of said that on that call with the allies, the prime minister borisjohnson expressed minister boris johnson expressed deep minister borisjohnson expressed deep concerns that he is now extremely concerned about security in europe as a result of the circumstances on that border with ukraine and also stressed to nato allies needed to make it absolute clear that a very strong package of economic sanctions would be ready to go and ready to be enforced for

russia to take action against ukraine in the coming days ahead. i think the mood has been very sobering as a result of the updates that we've had this evening and certainly leaders have agreed on that call astounding street stressed to redouble up the diplomatic efforts and i think there is a strong unity and purpose, particularly when it comes to economic sanctions and further action taken from the foreign office this evening and advising all travel to the ukraine from britain and all british nationals to leave the ukraine and for travel advice made, after a number of factors are taken into account, both assessments and also advice on the ground from indices as well. when uk government source has said that the number one priority is the safety of brits and thatis

priority is the safety of brits and that is informing the decision to advise against all travel now to the ukraine and to advise all brits to leave the country as well. obviously, the uk and us officials cannot comment on the intelligence they are getting the impression that we have had is certainly that russia is in a position to act very quickly and invade very quickly although they say no official order has been made we think world leaders will be left with a strong impression that there's a working assumption in the us that by this time next week, president pruden could have acted and contributed to a very sobering mood and government this evening. but from the foreign office, it is based on a combination of intelligence, but also their hearing from indices on the ground there too. ., , ., ., .,, too. that message to get out as cuickl too. that message to get out as quickly as — too. that message to get out as quickly as they _ too. that message to get out as quickly as they can _ too. that message to get out as quickly as they can while - too. that message to get out as - quickly as they can while commercial means are still available. that is pretty stark, isn't it? if there was

an invasion by russia at that britain is necessarily minded to sendin britain is necessarily minded to send in people to rescue britons there. i send in people to rescue britons there. ~' ., , send in people to rescue britons there. ~ ., , , there. i think we have seen this with ast there. i think we have seen this with past conflicts _ there. i think we have seen this with past conflicts as _ there. i think we have seen this with past conflicts as well, - there. i think we have seen this with past conflicts as well, the l with past conflicts as well, the message being that we do not know the situation may be if there were to be some kind of invasion days or weeks. the message is to prioritise and getting out while you still can while those commercial flights are still available. uk government source stressing that the safety of bricks is the number one priority at the moment and that is what is informing them to get out of the country as soon as they can. we can seak country as soon as they can. we can speak now _ country as soon as they can. we can speak now to — country as soon as they can. we can speak now to a — country as soon as they can. we can speak now to a former _ country as soon as they can. we can speak now to a former uk _ country as soon as they can. we can speak now to a former uk national l speak now to a former uk national security adviser and was imposed when they invaded crimea in 2014 and also the british ambassador to the us between 2016 2019. joining us from southwest london and thank you for your time this evening and

general analysis from the white house just a little earlier. i’m general analysis from the white house just a little earlier. i'm not seeinu house just a little earlier. i'm not seeing the _ house just a little earlier. i'm not seeing the intelligence _ house just a little earlier. i'm not seeing the intelligence versus - seeing the intelligence versus security adviser but you have to assume that the intelligence is telling the americans and us and the other western allies that russian preparations for possible invasion, the of april two reach a point and he was very careful to say that they do not yet note vladimir putin has taken the decision. that state of readiness is deeply concerning an it is proven the circumstances to stop travel to the country and advise brits and americans to leave as soon as possible because the last thing you want to do his stuff to organise an evacuation in the middle of a war

zone. �* . , . an evacuation in the middle of a war zone. �* ., , ., ., ., ,, an evacuation in the middle of a war zone. �* ., ,., ., ., ,, _ zone. but that state of readiness by the russians _ zone. but that state of readiness by the russians could _ zone. but that state of readiness by the russians could be _ zone. but that state of readiness by the russians could be a _ zone. but that state of readiness by the russians could be a tactic, - the russians could be a tactic, convicted, designed to extract compromises from nato and others. you're absolutely right, and it could be a way of raising the pressure on the west and on the ukrainian government. on the latter, just think about the potential chaos at kyiv airport tomorrow as for nationals try to leave. think about the impact of that on the people of the impact of that on the people of the ukrainians living in the country. think about the panic it might cause and you can see how this significantly, substantially raises the pressure to have some concessions to vladimir putin. it’s concessions to vladimir putin. it's a wa of concessions to vladimir putin. it's a way of building up the pressure.

still in the business of talking, what you think needs to happen on the diplomacy front to try to in light of everything we have heard from the us this evening, to try to bring the temperature down and de—escalate? it is bring the temperature down and tie-escalate?— bring the temperature down and de-escalate? , ' . , , de-escalate? it is difficult because there are no _ de-escalate? it is difficult because there are no new— de-escalate? it is difficult because there are no new messages - de-escalate? it is difficult because there are no new messages that i de-escalate? it is difficult because. there are no new messages that the west can give to russia. we have toward the russians that if ukrainian ambitions tojoin toward the russians that if ukrainian ambitions to join nato are unlikely, there will be unlikely for several years, unlikely, there will be unlikely for severalyears, if unlikely, there will be unlikely for several years, if not longer. unlikely, there will be unlikely for severalyears, if not longer. if tight about arms control negotiations on weaponry and deployments in europe. and we have offered no diplomatic process which enables the russians to set out in detail all of their concerns and their motivations. i think the important thing is to keep talking

people are saying may mayor micron is going to speak to vladimir putin tomorrow. there was a scheduled meeting to moscow but that depends on the vladimir putin does. and what the russians will care most about is the russians will care most about is the one to washington and looked going back and forth on that, i'm sure. going back and forth on that, i'm sure, , going back and forth on that, i'm sure. , , , sure. some say yes, president putin ma be sure. some say yes, president putin may be ratcheting _ sure. some say yes, president putin may be ratcheting up _ sure. some say yes, president putin may be ratcheting up the _ sure. some say yes, president putin may be ratcheting up the presence l sure. some say yes, president putinl may be ratcheting up the presence on the ground and with it, the pressure, but that on so many fronts is completely illogical for him to actually take the next step to start an invasion. i actually take the next step to start an invasion-— an invasion. i agree and it always seemed to _ an invasion. i agree and it always seemed to me — an invasion. i agree and it always seemed to me that, _ an invasion. i agree and it always seemed to me that, if _ an invasion. i agree and it always seemed to me that, if you - an invasion. i agree and it always seemed to me that, if you feel i an invasion. i agree and it always| seemed to me that, if you feel his head with an invasion, that resets the whole picture and it then leads to a big problem which is, what is

the object if you're? what is the plan? is a long—term occupation? what happens when russians started dying and disturbing returned in coffins? that's when they will really escalate. and this will prove to be, this is actually a way of upping the pressure in trying to squeeze concessions out of the west. in terms of what the americans can do, we cannot give up the sovereignty, it's for them to decide what they want to do in the future and what organisation they want to join, but you can keep talking to russia about the consequences for them to do this and the sanctions package which would really hurt the russian economy which really isn't that strong, it's based purely on energy and we are diverting and finding new sources of energy. and

also the diplomatic consequences of taking this step.— taking this step. former british ambassador — taking this step. former british ambassador to _ taking this step. former british ambassador to the us. - well, we can speak now to keir giles, who's a senior consulting fellow in the russia and eurasia programme at the chatham house think—tank. he joins us from northamptonshire. picking up on what lord derek was saying. he said it is difficult for the west to bring any new messages to russia. it has delivered all the messages that it can and all of this. but do you think the focus will now be reminding russia over the consequences an invasion could be for the country? that the consequences an invasion could be for the country?— be for the country? that is why the messa . es be for the country? that is why the messages that _ be for the country? that is why the messages that has _ be for the country? that is why the messages that has been _ be for the country? that is why the messages that has been driven - be for the country? that is why the i messages that has been driven home by this intense pattern of diplomacy. but as you heard, there are no new messages, what is said by

us is exactly the same messages that they have already rejected, we are sharing in return is what we have heard from her shoe before. for all that it's important to keep talking, there is less and less to talk about. i suppose president macron's that you just spoke about will be another history lecture which doesn't actually move us very far forward. in terms of dissuading russia from undertaking this step, diplomacy does not seem to be having in making its way at the moment stop i do think president putin has a longer—term plan if russia were to invade the ukraine, what would happen after that initial incursion and who knows, does he have a longer—term plan? you can choose from many depending on how it possible invasion goes or if you

choose to invade or not. there are plenty of other ways in which russia could attack the ukraine. it is prudent for western countries to be evacuating their citizens are asking the citizens to leave ukraine because we know about the russian way of war. and the air and missile bombardments because the thing terrorising the civilian population and his award winning strategy. you seen this in syria it's concerning to hear that happen in the ukraine as well. there are other options that do not involve a land invasion. still, despite all these preparations, and it may not even be necessarily the ukraine that was the brunt of this, other countries can be a target stop i did think it's realistic to surmise months from now for no invasion has happened perhaps not hundred — for no invasion has happened perhaps not hundred 30,000 _ for no invasion has happened perhaps not hundred 30,000 soldiers, - for no invasion has happened perhaps not hundred 30,000 soldiers, but. not hundred 30,000 soldiers, but enough to make the west and ukraine feel like russia could invade at any

point? feel like russia could invade at any oint? . , , feel like russia could invade at any oint? ., , , , ., point? that is entirely possible and we hear a lot _ point? that is entirely possible and we hear a lot about _ point? that is entirely possible and we hear a lot about the _ point? that is entirely possible and we hear a lot about the costs - point? that is entirely possible and we hear a lot about the costs of. we hear a lot about the costs of keeping those forces on the border and wasting energy assets. but if you look at what russia, it has been building to this moment when the west would finally listen to its demands by rolling back the clock and rolling back the borders of nato. his lungs west remain steadfast and resists those calls to remove those protections in eastern europe, president putin must look at ways to escalate and put the pressure on. invading ukraine in order to punish the west is just one of those ways. and we'll find out how this story, and many others, are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight are kevin schofield, who's the political editor at huffpost uk, and rachel watson, the deputy political editor for the scottish daily mail.

strong and the home secretary, priti patel, says "strong and decisive new leadership" of the metropolitan police is now needed, to restore public confidence. she also says the challenges facing the force are "stark and sobering." it follows the resignation of dame cressida dick as commissioner, who says she lost the confidence of the mayor of london, despite her view, that she could bring change to a beleaguered force. the met has suffered a string of high profile scandals, over misogyny, racism and homophobia. here's our home affairs correspondent, daniel sandford. arriving at new scotland yard this morning, the woman who is walking away from the biggestjob in british policing. although she's highly respected in the force, she'd felt she had no option after intense pressure from the london mayor, sadiq khan. cressida dick first came to public attention as the officer in command whenjean charles de menezes was wrongly shot, though a jury said she was not personally to blame. in her time as met commissioner, two officers took pictures

of the bodies of the murdered sisters bibaa henry and nicole smallman. and worst of all, a serving met policeman killed sarah everard. a team of officers at charing cross police station exchanged shocking, misogynistic, racist and homophobic whatsapp messages, and the met was slow to investigate alleged parties during downing street during lockdown. sarah sak�*s son anthony walgate was murdered by the serial killer stephen port, but detectives didn't realise for over a year. she says anthony's case illustrated a force with big problems. there was that many flaws that you just couldn't even put it into words. i do think it really... it'll take years to sort this problem out, i don't think it's a quick fix. it was the recently revealed whatsapp messages exchanged by officers here at charing cross police station in 2018, joking about rape and turning african children into dog food, that

convinced the mayor that deeper reform was needed. former inspector of constabulary zoe bellingham believes it's a big task but not impossible. if the new met commissioner is upfront and honest with the public about that, is a really clear on the package of measures that they're taking to root out inappropriate officers and bring them to justice when they fail the public, i think that will go a long way to restoring trust. i think the public are really sensible. they know that this isn't going to be solved overnight, but they want to see progress being made. but is this just an issue for scotland yard or a sign of wider issues in british policing? it would be wrong to say that this is a policing problem confined to london. that would be wrong for the people of london and that would be wrong for the communities that we serve across the rest of the country. we must — policing must — respond to this collectively and deliver the consistency that our public deserve. having extended cressida dick's contract only last year

because of a perceived shortage of other options, the home secretary, priti patel, now needs to find a new leader for the crisis—hit metropolitan police. a process which will take many months. daniel sandford, bbc news. let's speak now with peter williams, senior lecturer in policing at liverpooljohn moores university. good to have you with us this evening. do you think that the new commissioner of the met, whenever they are appointed, will come from outside the met? to think it be something that is desirable for the next commissioner? i something that is desirable for the next commissioner?— something that is desirable for the next commissioner? i believe will be someone outside _ next commissioner? i believe will be someone outside the _ next commissioner? i believe will be someone outside the metropolitan i someone outside the metropolitan police although the rank—and—file, on the college of policing, your viewers will know him because he was previously in charge of counterterrorism command and it's in

that we saw on occasion of the new scotland yard in the aftermath of salisbury. making a statement and became quite well known but we suspect he and others within the metropolitan police may be considered as being rather too close to the current regime and we suspect that the home office will be leading the search for the replacements will be looking to somebody outside the metropolitan police. ii be looking to somebody outside the metropolitan police.— metropolitan police. if you're going to brina metropolitan police. if you're going to bring about _ metropolitan police. if you're going to bring about the _ metropolitan police. if you're going to bring about the cultural - metropolitan police. if you're going to bring about the cultural change i to bring about the cultural change thatis to bring about the cultural change that is being discussed, i guess you would argue that someone from outside an organisation is in a better position to adopt that neutrality, to take an overview and to bring about the change. i neutrality, to take an overview and to bring about the change.- to bring about the change. i think those of sadiq — to bring about the change. i think those of sadiq khan. _ to bring about the change. i think those of sadiq khan. i _ to bring about the change. i think those of sadiq khan. i do - to bring about the change. i think those of sadiq khan. i do think i those of sadiq khan. i do think you'll be disappointed because the

previous speaker you had made the point that this is going to take years and i'm afraid it is. it's going to be that sort of situation. i'll give you a couple of examples of what i mean by that. what i've seen the crisis in confidence and police previously and we've got one now in the aftermath of sarah everard and it's taken a generation to rebuild that. the intercity riots and if needed one, it took and has taken a generation to rebuild those relationships with the community with extremely hard work on all sides and also in the aftermath which probably is still a work in progress in the event of the hillsboro tragedy and those sorts of things. so, a lot to do in the new commissioner must lead strongly on

this and try to restore and reinstate the interests of the public and the speaker said this isn'tjust public and the speaker said this isn't just confined public and the speaker said this isn'tjust confined to the metropolitan police, this is confined to the police service nationally. all serving officers and support staff and that includes the wider police family, that includes me and we all must be working towards that. but it is the commissioner of the metropolitan police that should take the lead and thatis police that should take the lead and that is the person who we look towards to do that. i’m that is the person who we look towards to do that. i'm thinking of where we have _ towards to do that. i'm thinking of where we have examples - towards to do that. i'm thinking of where we have examples of- towards to do that. i'm thinking of| where we have examples of efforts towards to do that. i'm thinking of. where we have examples of efforts to bring about major cultural change in policing in the uk and the obvious example is the royal constabulary position to become the police service of northern ireland, yet a situation where the majority of police officers were from a protestant background and efforts to get more catholics to join the

force. are there for learnings from that you think could be applied with the met? i think it's being indulged by the political parties and also particularly sinn fein. find by the political parties and also particularly sinn fein._ particularly sinn fein. and the re ort particularly sinn fein. and the report into — particularly sinn fein. and the report into policing _ particularly sinn fein. and the report into policing in - particularly sinn fein. and the| report into policing in northern ireland when the good friday agreement was cold, that report recommended the establishment of what is called district policing partnerships. based on divisional and borough level. also it's the community that are involved in the roles of the police. they proved themselves, i think it stood the test of time to be quite effective because to bring about policing across all communities the case of

northern ireland, i will of course finally was endorsed by sinn fein in 2007. and the police service of northern ireland is 20 years old and arguably, it is, things are not perfect, they never are. but they're making progress in a think they recommended possibly a template for us here going forward. this recommended possibly a template for us here going forward.— us here going forward. this is for the mid to _ us here going forward. this is for the mid to longer-term - us here going forward. this is for the mid to longer-term and - us here going forward. this is for the mid to longer-term and not i us here going forward. this is for i the mid to longer-term and notjust the mid to longer—term and notjust the immediate future, i would imagine. but how much does the new commissioner have to look at recruitment inventing of people coming into the met? i recruitment inventing of people coming into the met?— recruitment inventing of people coming into the met? i think there would be, that _ coming into the met? i think there would be, that has _ coming into the met? i think there would be, that has got _ coming into the met? i think there would be, that has got to - coming into the met? i think there would be, that has got to be - coming into the met? i think there would be, that has got to be a - would be, that has got to be a priority. but i will say in terms of recruitment, particularly with the

incident being the bridge too far. and that is why sadiq khan took the action of making the decision that he did, almost. but police recruits joining the police service, notjust the met but across england and wales, all of them are basically the core themes that come through his trade and ethics, professional list standards and it's people like me and police trainers that are involved in that that are constantly reiterating and reinforcing that message so, the message is going out there. there's no two is about it. hopefully, we will start to see the benefits of that improve training and awareness.— benefits of that improve training and awareness. ., ,, , ., , . a readout of president biden's video

call, virtual call with other world leaders and indeed the secretary—general of nato earlier today, think injuries and pictures from last couple of moments. president biden leaving the white house via the presidential helicopter. chatting to a few people along the way. so, president biden saying they expressed concerns about the continued build—up of military forces around ukraine and support forces around ukraine and support for ukraine sovereignty or territorial and diplomatic solutions and recent engagements with russia. they agreed on the importance of coordinating efforts to deter aggression against ukraine and the readiness to impose massive consequences, that's how it's described, massive consequences and severe economic costs should he choose military escalation. and we are just seeing on one

choose military escalation. and we arejust seeing on one news choose military escalation. and we are just seeing on one news agency, response from russia. saying that by spreading disinformation about a russian invasion, western countries want to distract attention from their own aggressive actions. if so, for a duty to make few days rather than focusing on the diplomacy, in a random bit of russia saying that they are trained to extract attention from their own dangerous moves and much more to do around ukraine throughout the evening here on bbc news. right now, it is time for a look at the weather. hello there. it's all change with the weather as we head into the weekend. low pressure sweeping in off the atlantic is going to bring wet and windy weather both saturday and sunday. tonight, we'll start to see that wetter, windier weather lurking in off the atlantic around this area of low pressure.

you'll notice some slightly milder air moving in around it. we lose the blues associated with that high pressure which brought us the dry and sunny day today. but the wind and the rain will pick up across northern and western areas overnight, not reaching central, southern and eastern parts of england. here, it stays dry, albeit a bit breezy. but still quite chilly across the far southeast. further north and west, it'll be turning much milder. saturday, then, a very different—feeling sort of day. it's going to be cloudier, windier, outbreaks of rain, some heavy, across northern and western england and wales. sunshine and showers, scotland, northern ireland. and staying dry with some sunshine across the far southeast of the country. the rain will arrive here after dark. but it's a windy day wherever you are, with gales in the north and the west. temperatures coming up a little bit, too — highs of 9 or 10 degrees in the south.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines as tensions between russia and new —— ukraine deep vein, the government warns of an imminent threat. irate warns of an imminent threat. we continue to _ warns of an imminent threat. - continue to see signs of russian excavation including the air force is arriving at the ukrainian border. we are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time said vladimir putin decided to order it. it said vladimir putin decided to order it. . ., , ., , said vladimir putin decided to order it. it comes as nato leaders hold talks to discuss _ it. it comes as nato leaders hold talks to discuss their _ it. it comes as nato leaders hold talks to discuss their response i it. it comes as nato leaders hold| talks to discuss their response to any military action. and the foreign office encourages british nationals to leave ukraine immediately while commercial means are still available. in other venues that search is on for dame cressida dick replacement as commissioner of the largest police force in the home secretary says that the success it will face challenges to address the culture and behaviour of the

officers. growth continues for businesses after covid—19 with the economic performance better than expected. let that story. the uk economy has continued to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic, with new figures showing growth of 7.5 % over the last year. this is despite a slight dip in december, caused by the spread of the omicron variant. the chancellor, rishi sunak, has welcomed the latest figures, which follow a 9.4 % drop in 2020. but economists warn that with inflation still rising, uk households will continue to feel a squeeze on finances. here's our economics editor, faisal islam. at union industries in leeds, the reopening of the economy is finally returning the manufacture of high—speed industrial doors back to normal, back to where it was before the pandemic. we're now back to pre—pandemic levels and looking for further growth in the future.

you can certainly say that that pandemic blip is behind you and us and the economy? absolutely, the business blip is behind and now we're back into growth mode. today's figures for the whole of 2021 show the economy growing at the strongest rate since the second world war, and that is the fastest rate of the major g7 economies in 2021. that reflects a much—needed rebound, though, from having had the fastest fall in the first year of the pandemic in 2020. put all that together and the overall pandemic economic hit, compared with two years ago, has the uk in the middle — just below the size of the economy back then. but that's in the past. what's happening now is a shock to prices and energy and in taxation. the big question is whether wages rise to compensate for inflation at over 7%. the chancellor not backing calls for wage restraint in the private sector, but seems to for public sector workers. when it comes to private wage settlements, i don't think it's

the government's role, actually, to get involved. with regard to the public sector, the process we have is an independent process, and what that process does is balance making sure that pay awards are affordable for the taxpayer ultimately who is paying for all of them, but also making sure that we value public sector workers appropriately and also ensure that we can recruit and retain the workers that we need. the minimum wage is going up in april by over 6%, but even that increase is now on course to be gobbled up by fast—rising prices. the opposition say more is needed. households are facing a triple whammy of rising prices, and in particular energy prices, tory tax rises that are being imposed on the economy at the worst possible time, and declining real wages. chancellor rishi sunak defended the coming rise in national insurance. you have energy bills going up, food bills going up, taxes going up, mortgage costs going up, all at the same time. it's just the confluence of this in one month that's difficult, and you're adding to that with this

extra national insurance. well, that's why we've put these other measures in place as well, the national living wage. but you could havejust delayed the tax rise. well, we don't want to delay getting on with tackling the backlogs and reforming social care. in general, the economy is moving again, returning to some sort of normal service. but for household budgets, the picture's not looking so bright. faisal islam, bbc news, in leeds. well, we can speak now to alfie stirling who's the chief economist at the new economics foundation — — a left—leaning think—tank. he joins us from brighton. let us look at the growth in the uk economy and put it in the context of what happened prior to death because of covid—19. what happened prior to death because of covid-19. ' ., what happened prior to death because of covid-19. , ., ., of covid-19. 7.5% growth over the ast 12 of covid-19. 7.596 growth over the past 12 months — of covid-19. 7.596 growth over the past 12 months up _ of covid-19. 7.596 growth over the past 12 months up to _ of covid-19. 7.596 growth over the past 12 months up to christmas i of covid-19. 7.596 growth over the - past 12 months up to christmas which is extremely high butjust like an elastic band when you stretch it out

the further you stretch at the faster it will come back and that's what happened here. the uk had the greatest decline in the economy began before with 9.4% as you have already said. so we are seeing a statistical artefact. the economy bouncing back from one of the deepest tips to be seen among the vast economies. hour deepest tips to be seen among the vast economies.— vast economies. how would you describe the _ vast economies. how would you describe the state _ vast economies. how would you describe the state of _ vast economies. how would you describe the state of the - vast economies. how would you i describe the state of the economy right now? using that analogy? the state of the — right now? using that analogy? tia: state of the uk economy right now? using that analogy? ti2 state of the uk economy is very concerning. it is notjust in terms of these measures like gdp and they measure like the whole economy any single metric on that basis we are still very far behind countries like the us put in place a lot more support much earlier on. in the us they recovered pre—pandemic levels beginning in the first half of 2021 and they are well ahead of those levels. if you compare the uk to the us even after taking account of a

difference sized economy the uk had £100 billion missing in terms of government support. but i think beneath those figures it's really about the experience and we've got a big problem here for two reasons. firstly two years since the general election in 2019 the poorest half of the population have got for my hundreds of pounds on average in real terms whereas the richest half have got richer and the very richest, that richest 10% about £3000 better than it's a real bad for a tent and the widening of the inequality of debiting up and we have cut the cost of living crisis and that real teens from energy bills in particular come april. in terms of what people are feeling about the money in their pockets or lack of money in their pocket are we talking about a squeeze that is going to last for how long, you tell me? i hope he does not last so long and continued in misery people are

already feeling. of course it's already feeling. of course it's already started. we have high inflation and energy bills go up in october and it will get worse in april. i think the real answer to the question for how long it will last is actually what will the government do about it because at the moment what they have done is not enough. the council tax rebate and energy known that the announced and energy known that the announced a week ago is too little too late and overly complicated and poorly targeted. that is a political decision. they could choose to do more in the coming weeks or they could do more at the coming budget and in the and the government decides what the families feel and whether they feel the pinch. and for more on the gdp figures, and how they're calculated, just go to our website, bbc.co.uk/news. it's six months this weekend since jake davison, shot dead five people in plymouth, including his own mother and a three—year—old girl,

before turning the gun on himself. tonight, in an exclusive interview, the gunman's father, mark davison, has described his sorrow for the victims�* families. he claims he warned police about his son getting a shotgun licence, because of his history of mental health problems. devon and cornwall police say they can't comment, while the case is still being investigated. mark davison has been speaking to our correspondent, jon kay. these are real people. i don't know what was going on in his mind, and it must be terrible for the victims�* families. it must be horrendous. mark davison still can't believe it. on a quiet evening last august, his son shot dead five people here in plymouth. first he killed his own mother, maxine, in the cul—de—sac where they lived. he then shot three—year—old sophie martin and her dad, lee, who were walking past. followed by stephen washington, a grandfather,

and artist kate shephard. it was the uk's worst mass shooting in more than a decade. 22—year—old jake davison then turned gun on himself. six months on, what do you want to say to those other families now? i'd just like to say i'm sorry. it would have been bad enough if he'd have done what he did to his mam, but to go out and to go around and shoot all them poor victims in the close, people he didn't even know. i am sorry and i'm ashamed, and somebody has to stand up and say it, and, you know... it's just an horrendous thing that happened, like, it really is. it's horrible. that a little kiddie, a three—year—old little kiddie, do you know what i mean? it must have been so special to them to have a little kid like that, and the other victims as well. this is mark with his son two years ago. he says he didn't see much

of him because he and his wife were divorced. but mark claims that when he heard jake davison was applying for a shotgun licence in 2017, he called police to raise concerns about his son's mental health issues and violent behaviour. i phoned them up and told them these things. it's not a water pistol, is it? you're not asking, dad, can i have a water pistol? it's a shotgun, for pity�*s sake. you know, and people with mental health issues, whatever they may be, whatever the labels are, he should have never had the gun in the first place. he should have never, ever had a gun in the first place. devon and cornwall police say they can't comment on mark davison's claims, as they're being investigated over the issuing of the firearms licence. but tonight, the independent office for police conduct has confirmed that his allegations are part of that investigation. what was he like? describe jake to me. he was in his own world at times.

jake did struggle to show emotion. that rung alarm bells with me. if he didn't understand, it seemed to me that sometimes that he didn't really have the concept of consequences for actions. the government has now tightened up gun laws, but mark davison wants them to go further. he says his christian faith has helped him turn his own life around after a spell injail. six months after the shootings, he says his thoughts and prayers are with his son's victims this weekend. jon kay, bbc news, plymouth. two western journalists have been detained by the taliban in afghanistan whilst working for the united nations. the pair — including former bbc journalist andrew north —were arrested along with their afghan producer and drivers. un officials say they are working to secure their release. a taliban government spokesman zabihullah mujahid said authorities were

looking into the matter. now it's time for news watch. has bbc news report that accurately on what the prime minister said about keir starmer�*s time has director of public prosecutions? and what was it a good idea for question time to invite vaccine sceptics onto the programme? the temperature in westminster has been high for a while now. and so it remains. one argument in particular has gained further traction over the past few days. it may a bad incident on monday involving their labor leaders are keir starmer. this is not normal rough—and—tumble. but the abuse and untrue accusations being hurled at

the leader of the opposition. one false claim that he protected the