eunice, a dangerous looking storm eunice, a dangerous looking storm that will hit on friday, gusts of wind and blizzards causing problems, widespread disruption so you might want to think about changing your plans for friday. this is bbc news. the headlines... children aged five to 11 are to be offered covid vaccine in scotland. the vaccine is safe and effective. it is something that is as an option for all parents, and they should decide for themselves. russia claims it's withdrawn more troops after months of tension over ukraine but nato says there's no evidence of de escalation. we are prepared either way. we are prepared to engage in diplomacy with russia, if it is serious about it. we are also prepared for renewed

aggression. prince charles�* charity, the prince's foundation, is investigated by police over claims of cash for honours.l labour calls for greater transparency over how prince andrew will fund his out—of—court settlement with virginia giuffre the woman who'd accused him of sexual assault. more pressure on households grappling with the rising cost of living as price rises reach a 30 year high. an storm dudley begins to hit parts of the uk, and what is looking to be a challenging few days of uk weather. we start with breaking news that all children across the uk from the edge up children across the uk from the edge up are to be offered a coronavirus vaccine. thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation hasjust issued the new guidance.

wales and scotland had already decided to go ahead with vaccines for five year olds and up, and now the health secretary sajid javid has confirmed that this will also apply to england and northern ireland. and the northern ireland executive has also confirmed it will follow suit. the new guidance means that 6 million more children will now be offered the vaccination. thejcvi says it should be a injection offered on a nonurgent basis. sajid javid has been speaking about the offer. javid has been speaking about the offer. ., , javid has been speaking about the offer. ., ._ ., javid has been speaking about the offer. ., ., ., u , offer. today, we have accepted the independent _ offer. today, we have accepted the independent advice _ offer. today, we have accepted the independent advice of _ offer. today, we have accepted the independent advice of the - offer. today, we have accepted the independent advice of the jcvi, - offer. today, we have accepted the| independent advice of the jcvi, that independent advice of the jcvi, that is independent advice of thejcvi, that is our group of independent expert advisors on vaccination, and their advisers to make an offer, a nonurgent offer, of the covid—i9 vaccine in 205 and ii—year—olds. five ii—year—olds. this follows the approval of the pfizer vaccine by our independent while reading

medicines regulator, that has looked at this vaccine and deemed it a safe and effective. and we have not accepted this offer. it is also fair to say that children are at less risk, to them, from covid than adults, and that despite the focus on the nhs when it comes to covid vaccination will in adults and other younger people address.— vaccination will in adults and other younger people address. because they are not that much _ younger people address. because they are not that much rest, _ younger people address. because they are not that much rest, because - younger people address. because they are not that much rest, because of- are not that much rest, because of the situation at the moment, the finer restrictions lifting, is it right to really start giving children these vaccines? is it really that necessary?- children these vaccines? is it really that necessary? this is the independent _ really that necessary? this is the independent advice _ really that necessary? this is the independent advice of _ really that necessary? this is the independent advice of the - really that necessary? this is the independent advice of the jcvi, l really that necessary? this is the i independent advice of the jcvi, and independent advice of thejcvi, and i think it is right to take that advice seriously. but as thejcvi says its and we will of course publish the advice, it is clear that there should be a nonurgent offer. it is not as important as the offer to adults and other vulnerable

younger people, the overall vaccine programme and the boosters. but it is right that we accept this advice and make this option available to parents as a nonurgent offer. bud parents as a nonurgent offer. and what would _ parents as a nonurgent offer. and what would you _ parents as a nonurgent offer. and what would you say to reassure some parents that they perhaps had the vaccine himself because they know they are at greater risk? first vaccine himself because they know they are at greater risk?— they are at greater risk? first of all, the vaccine _ they are at greater risk? first of all, the vaccine is _ they are at greater risk? first of all, the vaccine is safe - they are at greater risk? first of all, the vaccine is safe and - all, the vaccine is safe and effective. second, this is a nonurgent offer. it is something that serve as an option for parents, and they decide for themselves whether it is an offer that they wanted to take up. all the information they need will be made available to them. em; information they need will be made available to them.— information they need will be made available to them. any parent might have had some _ available to them. any parent might have had some problems, _ available to them. any parent might have had some problems, taking . have had some problems, taking charge into get a haircut. putting a jab and them might be a problem as well. it is a very adult environment going to get yourjab.— well. it is a very adult environment going to get yourjab. going to get your 'ab. yes, and one thin the going to get your 'ab. yes, and one thing the nns — going to get yourjab. yes, and one thing the nhs will _ going to get yourjab. yes, and one thing the nhs will be _ going to get yourjab. yes, and one thing the nhs will be doing - going to get yourjab. yes, and one thing the nhs will be doing as - going to get yourjab. yes, and one thing the nhs will be doing as it. thing the nhs will be doing as it grows out this particular offer as a

starting from the easter holidays, making sure that where it is offered, the vaccine centres or in some cases may be pharmacies, that it is a child friendly offer. but of course, it is for the parents to decide on behalf of the children and i would say, again, thejcvi, decide on behalf of the children and iwould say, again, thejcvi, and their opinion, they're very clear this is not a joke. it is not as important as the focus that is going to remain on our and vulnerable people, that will absolutely no men at the focus of the nhs, but the jcvi have given this advice and the government has accepted it. let's cross to oxfordshire and speak to doctor anthony harnden who is the deputy chairperson for the the jcvi, on vaccination and immunisation. good afternoon to you. first off, why have you recommended this? how to secretary of — why have you recommended this? time" to secretary of state said, this is a safe and effective vaccine, so

when we looked at dictator data, although children are very much lower risk than adults, some children to get complications from covid, and we felt that given that this vaccine was available in the paediatric dose, although it wasn't as important as the at—risk children, that's those with underlying illnesses, we felt that parents ought to be given the choice, because we know that even if children have had covid, they can't get covid again, and that actually vaccinating gives you a much broader immunity, even on the basis that a child has previously had covid. so, in many ways this is an offer to future proof against potential further waves or variants arising, and we just felt that, given the safety signals that we have had from

america particularly, for 8 million children have been vaccinated, and less than two in i million children have been vaccinated, and less than two ini million have had a serious reaction to that vaccine, that we just felt, on balance, a serious reaction to that vaccine, that wejust felt, on balance, it would be best to offer the appearance of the vaccine. but there would be no rush to get that vaccine. ., , , would be no rush to get that vaccine. . , , ., vaccine. that is interesting that ou end vaccine. that is interesting that you end on _ vaccine. that is interesting that you end on that _ vaccine. that is interesting that you end on that point, - vaccine. that is interesting that you end on that point, because | vaccine. that is interesting that. you end on that point, because we helped the health secretary seen several times that this was being offered on a nonurgent basis. are you phrasing it that be? we offered on a nonurgent basis. are you phrasing it that be?— offered on a nonurgent basis. are you phrasing it that be? we want the main urse you phrasing it that be? we want the main purse to _ you phrasing it that be? we want the main purse to still— you phrasing it that be? we want the main purse to still beat _ you phrasing it that be? we want the main purse to still beat those - you phrasing it that be? we want the main purse to still beat those five . main purse to still beat those five to ii—year—olds with underlying illnesses. we also don't want to take away from the efforts to increase mmr rates, hpv vaccination rates, so we feel that parents ought to be offered the choice, but we don't want other important vaccination programmes are to be displaced because of this. and given

that many children have recently been exposed to omicron, it would be sensible that if they were to have the vaccination, that would be over a school holiday period, and therefore we have said that this isn't an urgent necessity to vaccinate them, but it would be a sensible strategy should parents want to be... have their children vaccinated to protect them against future potential waves and variance of the virus. future potential waves and variance of the vim-— of the virus. and you think that it will do that? — of the virus. and you think that it will do that? l _ of the virus. and you think that it will do that? i know _ of the virus. and you think that it will do that? i know that - of the virus. and you think that it will do that? i know that more i of the virus. and you think that it l will do that? i know that more than 85% of children are thought to have had exposure to covid over the holiday season. so, the vast majority have had it already. what you think they will get an extra boost by having the jab?- you think they will get an extra boost by having the jab? boost by having the “ab? there is no doubt that data — boost by having the “ab? there is no doubt that data is _ boost by having the jab? there is no doubt that data is emerging - boost by having the jab? there is no doubt that data is emerging that - boost by having the jab? there is no doubt that data is emerging that if. doubt that data is emerging that if you have had covid and then been vaccinated, you have a much broader immune protection from future

infection that if you had just been added vaccinated or you have had covid alone, so, yes, even though these children have had covid, they will have better protection against potential future waves of the survivors. of course, there may not be large and severe future waves, we made that quite clear in our statement, but even if there aren't, if you still look at the benefits compared to the harms, the benefits to outweigh the harms in terms of health stop so you are putting out this message in a softly softly it is nonurgent, it is not as important for children who have health issues in that age group, five to ii. for children who have health issues in that age group, five to 11. d0 in that age group, five to 11. do ou in that age group, five to 11. do you have _ in that age group, five to 11. do you have a sort of ideal scenario in terms of numbers, or the proportion of five to ii—year—olds you would like to see vaccinated? the of five to 11-year-olds you would like to see vaccinated? the answer to that is no. _ like to see vaccinated? the answer to that is no, because _ like to see vaccinated? the answer to that is no, because of— like to see vaccinated? the answer to that is no, because of course, . to that is no, because of course, what we are offering this vaccination for its full individual benefit, not for population benefit.

we have been quite clear onjcvi, which is one of the reason our deliberations have taken so long, is that the benefits have to be to that individual child, and so we don't have any preconception about what proportion of the population we want vaccinated. it's not like the older people, probably do it not that the higher rates of vaccination is so important, because that is what protects people going into hospital and dying. with children, it's slightly different. there are very, very small number of children that can fell from the spiders, —— that get all from this virus, but there are those children, in order to protect those few, it is much better for individuals to get vaccinated. my for individuals to get vaccinated. my message would be to get vaccinated but not to rush into this. i think the easter holidays is a perfectly acceptable period for

parents to take up that offer. of course, if their parents don't want to take up that offer, i feel equally relaxed about that. i think that as an individual choice for them. it is not as effective a vaccine as it is against... for the older population. we know that the benefits are much, much smaller. very interesting. thank you so much for i'm joined by our health correspondent anna collinson. 6 million more children, potential. how will this work practically? what how will this work practically? what we have been _ how will this work practically? what we have been hearing _ how will this work practically? ltwegt we have been hearing this how will this work practically? ltd"isgt we have been hearing this afternoon, in the last hour or so, as it will be offered into small doses, and it will be the pfizer biontech vaccine, with a gap of at least 12 weeks. we are still in very early stages. we heard earlier today nicola sturgeon, the first minister for scotland, saying that conversations are happening with health teams to look at how they're going to roll out the

vaccine, but as we have just been healing, there is no real rush to get there is a vaccine rolled out to this age group. chilton's to co—produce, as we have heard many times, is very low, competently compared to others. —— children's covid risk. we cannot protect what will happen next, but we need to at costa in a case that is a more matt genge is very round the corner. this will protect a very small group of children who will be more at risk of covid and run the risk of being hospitalised. but they set this as a nonurgent offer, that is what it says on the town. there is no pressure for parents to make a decision tomorrow. parents can take the time, and it is an offer. so, they don't have to say yes, they don't have to take it up. the priority is told to focus on boosting adults who are more vulnerable to disease —— to covid,

and catching up on other childhood immunisations, so things like the mmrjab, purchasing a big drop during the pandemic. what mmrjab, purchasing a big drop during the pandemic.— mmrjab, purchasing a big drop during the pandemic. what you make ofthe during the pandemic. what you make of the timing — during the pandemic. what you make of the timing of _ during the pandemic. what you make of the timing of this, _ during the pandemic. what you make of the timing of this, because - during the pandemic. what you make of the timing of this, because there l of the timing of this, because there are several other countries who introduced jabs for that extra considerably earlier than the uk? the uk has been accused by some of dragging theirfeet on the uk has been accused by some of dragging their feet on this issue. covid is already torn through primary schools this winter, thanks mainly to omicron. we have seen infection is really high. they are starting to fall, but antibody levels now are more than two thirds of it eight to ii levels now are more than two thirds of it eight to 11 euros have antibodies, so the benefit of that is they have some level of protection. some experts are saying the moment is passed, there is no point vaccinating these children. other experts have said that the remaining ones who haven't yet been infected, they will benefit from the vaccination, and those that have come at the double whammy of being

infected and it also been vaccinated as a belt and braces protection, so they will benefit too. ultimately, it is up to parents to decide and up to health official to given all the information they need to make that decision. defence minister from defence ministerfrom nato countries have agreed to send more trips shots trips to europe unless russia steps back. the uk has said in the last few minutes it is doubling the number of troops into a store also sending extra equipment, including tanks and vehicles. the american and ukraine governments say they see no evidence to support claims by moscow that they are pulling troops back. speaking after a meeting of defence ministers in brussels, the nato official said that europe is facing a security crisis. tote

official said that europe is facing a security crisis.— official said that europe is facing a security crisis. we do not know what will happen _ a security crisis. we do not know what will happen in _ a security crisis. we do not know what will happen in ukraine, - a security crisis. we do not know what will happen in ukraine, but| a security crisis. we do not know- what will happen in ukraine, but the situation has already demonstrated we face a crisis in european security. moscow has made it clear that it security. moscow has made it clear thatitis security. moscow has made it clear that it is prepared to contest the fundamental principles that have underpinned our security for decades. and to do so by using force. i regret to say that this is the new normal in europe. the ukrainian president, voldymyr zelensky, has been on a whirlwind tour of the country appealing for calm. speaking to the bbc, as he watched a ukrainian military exercise, mr zelensky said he's not seen any signs that russia has begun withdrawing its forces from the border. translation: to be honest, | we react to the reality we have, and we don't see any withdrawal yet. we just heard about it. i think all of normal people expect de—escalation. as for the threat, i've said many times before that we are calm about any threats

because we remember that this did not start yesterday. this has been happening for many years. because we see it, that's it. when the troops do withdraw, everyone will see that. not only reconnaissance or the military, we'll all see it. but for now, it's just statements. president zelenskiy sounding quite resigned that they have blood with the prospect of russian aggression for a long time. what is the atmosphere like in the country? lt atmosphere like in the country? it is an interesting day, let's put it like that. it is not normal, is it, to have some intelligence experts, some parts of the media predict a specific week or day even for a country to get invaded, but here we are, on wednesday, some parties were

suggesting that would happen. president zelenskiy, he has adopted this tone all along, along with many ukrainians. they are, yes, yes to this type of russian aggression. it has been the case for eight years. since russia first started gathering troops on the border last april, president zelenskiy has long urged for calm. he has long said that plays into russia's hands. but it is telling that he is touring the country. he announced a day of unity in the face of this heightened pressure, this week. he has been going to all military exercises within ukraine. we often hear about military exercises on the other side of the border. some newspapers here were frustrated saying it is time for a show of strength now, more than ever. so, today, people have been adopting the national colours, blue and yellow, with ribbons of flags, and some of them singing the national anthem at a 10am this morning, as instructed by this

decree that president zelenskiy sign. it has been fairly low—key, but it has been yet another demonstration of unity in the face of everything that is going on. end of everything that is going on. and what are people making of the conflicting and contradictory messages that are coming out from come on the one hand, russia, saying the art was drunk of troops, and on the art was drunk of troops, and on the other hand, their own president and the us, and the secretary general of nato saying they say no evidence of this. lt general of nato saying they say no evidence of this.— evidence of this. it has been a source of _ evidence of this. it has been a source of frustration - evidence of this. it has been a source of frustration for - evidence of this. it has been a source of frustration for a - evidence of this. it has been a source of frustration for a lot l evidence of this. it has been a. source of frustration for a lot of people we speak to any gf, because they say, who is right? we have heard all along the west say an attack is imminent. this is also being a war of messaging, and we have seen it too very carefully crafted russian statement, suggesting that troops are withdrawing after plant exercises. but we don't is not much else. we don't know how big those troops are. in the words of the us, but that

they are living military hardware behind. in these two statements in as many days have done nothing to convince both ukraine, as he had previously come and the west, that a meaningful de—escalation is taking place. in fact, meaningful de—escalation is taking place. infact, nato meaningful de—escalation is taking place. in fact, nato have gone so far as to say it is going the other way. more troops are building up, and he described as being the new normal. russia constantly testing the traditional european security framework. and for ukrainians that bear the brunt of this uncertainty, and endless speculation, the main emotion is a tiredness. we asked if they believed russell when they said they believed russell when they said they are pulling back, and not many people here today do. —— if they believed russia. prince andrew is coming under pressure to explain how he'll fund the payment he has agreed to make as part of his settlement ending virginia giuffre's sex assault claim against him. speaking to the bbc news channel,

labour has sought assurances that no taxpayers' money will be involved. the duke of york, who has always denied the allegations, has accepted that ms giuffre suffered as a victim of abuse and he said he regretted his association with the sex offender, jeffrey epstein. here's our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell. within windsor castle, where the queen is based, and among royal officials, there is an absolute determination to say nothing at all about prince andrew or the out—of—court settlement he has reached with virginia giuffre. however, the questions aren't going away. first, how much is andrew having to pay? different newspapers have different figures. 10 million or 12 million are just two of them. andrew isn't thought to have that sort of spare cash. all of which raises the question of whether the queen and possibly even other family members like the prince of wales will have to step in to subsidise andrew. if prince andrew had to go to the queen to help out with his settlement fee,

i don't think she would be short of the money because most of her money comes from her semi—private duchy of lancaster, which is a portfolio of land which brings in rental income and last year brought in around £23 million, and the year before that another £20 million. it seems inconceivable that any public money from the sovereign grant would be used, but already there are calls for greater transparency from the palace. andrew is going to have to confirm that the public haven't paid this, because that threatens to have wider implications for the royal family. they cannot be seen to be funding his miscreant behaviour. for andrew, the threat of a damaging court case has been avoided, but a number of questions remain. nicholas witchell, bbc news. the metropolitan police say they've launched an investigation into cash for honours allegations linked to the prince of wales's charity, the prince's foundation.

in a statement, the force said the investigation related to allegations that "offers of help" were made to secure honours and citizenship for a saudi national. that has been a really turbulent couple of days for the royal family, made even worse by this news this morning that the met police are launching an investigation to see if there have been any breaches of the honours art. this dates back to reports late last year in a number of newspapers that focus on a letter that was written by michael fawcett. he was a key and trusted aide to prince charles, also the chief executive of the princess foundation, which coordinated a lot of his charity work. he left that door back in november. the sunday times in the mail on sunday reported that michael fawcett offered to help secure british citizenship and an honorary knighthood for a saudi businessman who had been giving

financial donations to a number of restoration project at the prince of wales had been working on. so, the met police investigation when i focus and followed that was directly related to getting the citizenship and been giving that honorary knighthood. at this stage, the met are said to have been no adverse, nobody has been interviewed under caution, and a spokesperson for prince charles has reiterated previous statements made around this issue, saying that the prince of those had no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours and citizenship on the basis of a donation to his charities. lt is donation to his charities. it is cuite a donation to his charities. it is quite a turbulent _ donation to his charities. it is quite a turbulent week for the royal family, and there are calls for prince andrew to relinquish his title of duke of york. let's speak to darryl smalley, he's a liberal democrat councillor and he's in charge of culture, leisure & communities communities at york council.

good afternoon. are you backing this call for the duke of york to surrender his title, or to have it removed from him? ~ , ., removed from him? absolutely, and we would be happy — removed from him? absolutely, and we would be happy with _ removed from him? absolutely, and we would be happy with either— would be happy with either surrendering at all its removed. since its very serious allegations have come out, there has been a growing sense of unease in york from residents and also the council, and today we are reiterating that call that he should have the title remove. york's unique connection to the crown is an important part of a legacy and history come under great source of pride, but given that he has settled out of court responding to the serious allegations, is not a sort of pride any more, and yesterday's announcement should be the end of has a direct link to our great city. the end of has a direct link to our treat ci . ~ ., the end of has a direct link to our treat ci .~ ., , the end of has a direct link to our great city-— great city. what is your evidence that local people _ great city. what is your evidence that local people feel _ great city. what is your evidence that local people feel the - great city. what is your evidence that local people feel the same l great city. what is your evidence i that local people feel the same way as you? l’m that local people feel the same way as ou? �* ., that local people feel the same way as ou?�* ., , that local people feel the same way as ou?�* ., as you? i'm not saying it is a number _ as you? i'm not saying it is a number one _ as you? i'm not saying it is a number one thing _ as you? i'm not saying it is a number one thing on - as you? i'm not saying it is a| number one thing on peoples as you? i'm not saying it is a - number one thing on peoples mind, of course the cost of living crisis,

conflict in europe and other matters locally, i am conflict in europe and other matters locally, iam not conflict in europe and other matters locally, i am not saying it is on the top of everyone's agenda, but from full sun by our local media here and york due to call and shows on the local radio, there is a growing sense of unease. and in this bulletin today, he is constantly referred to as the duke of york, and thatis referred to as the duke of york, and that is a name that is internationally recognised, and york is a fantastic city with a great history and legacy, and what we used to be proud of, the title used to be a great source of pride, and now really isn't. ijust brings us close reputation life to prince andrew, and that is a connection week no longer feel appropriate. the and that is a connection week no longer feel appropriate. the duke of york is the title _ longer feel appropriate. the duke of york is the title traditionally - york is the title traditionally granted to the monarch's second son. is it anything more than a title? does he have material links with york? i does he have material links with york? ~ , ., , york? i think it is more. up the road from _ york? i think it is more. up the road from here, _ york? i think it is more. up the road from here, and _ york? i think it is more. up the road from here, and the - york? i think it is more. up the road from here, and the local l road from here, and the local village committee opened a community centre. the building still adorns

his name. in york was founded in 2015, he did come and help. and prior to these allegations come out, i would say we had a close relationship with prince andrew as a city, and with him holding the title of duke of york. however, it really is inappropriate, and history has shown that we have several duke of yorks, from the nursery rhyme through to hundreds of years ago, and i think we need to adapt and i think the royal house or to see what damage it is doing too much of the's reputation. we heard from those military servicemen and women who said that they didn't feel it was appropriate then holding this military patronage has come under saw the royal household act decisively. we need to act with that same decisiveness now to remove the title object of york.— title ob'ect of york. thank you very much. parts of scotland are bracing themselves for the arrival of storm dudley today, with gusts of up to 80mph being forecast.

scotrail said its services in areas threatened by severe weather would end at four o'clock this afternoon for safety reasons. pa rt part of the north of england are also affected. our reporter, luxmy gopal, is at leeds bradford airport this afternoon where it is very windy. we haven't seen any planes able to land here at the airport for the last several apples. the couple tried, circled, and had to turn back. i'mjust tried, circled, and had to turn back. i'm just a couple of minutes ago, there was due to be another flight coming in, but that has had to be diverted too. and that is just some of the travel does action being brought by storm dudley. scottish ferry operators have had to cancel many services come up with a car saying that motives of up to a0 feet but expected. —— calmac. edinburgh

trams are said it will continue to run the services but will be monitoring the conditions closely. closer to where i am, the humber bridge has been closed to high sided vehicles, and leeds to london train services have been cancelled due to damage to overhead power lines. and on that note, of course we all remember the damage brought to the power lines about storm arwen, with huge numbers of people suffering power cuts, that in many places went on for days. northern powergrid says that it on for days. northern powergrid says thatitis on for days. northern powergrid says that it is highly likely that there will be some damage to power supplies, but it says it is prepared for that, and it is ready to respond. meanwhile, the electricity company sp energy network is asking customers to have their phone is charged up and ready and have a torch to hand, in case of power cuts. and they have set up a national emergency helpline for customers. these are some conditions

are expected... the armour whether one is in place until midnight, but there is more to come, with a storm eunice due to hit part of the country on friday. and in anticipation of that, the rail company lner has asked passengers to bring forward the travel if possible, because on friday they are running a reducer timetable, so the other as passengers to travel tomorrow instead if the can. find other as passengers to travel tomorrow instead if the can. and it is in blackpool. _ tomorrow instead if the can. and it is in blackpool. the _ tomorrow instead if the can. and it is in blackpool. the brother- tomorrow instead if the can. and it is in blackpool. the brother is - is in blackpool. the brother is having other consequences because of an oil spill that has happened off the north wales coast. the an oil spill that has happened off the north wales coast.— an oil spill that has happened off the north wales coast. the oil spill is something _ the north wales coast. the oil spill is something that _ the north wales coast. the oil spill is something that is _ the north wales coast. the oil spill is something that is infecting - the north wales coast. the oil spill is something that is infecting the l is something that is infecting the coast for the upside from here down on merseyside. there was a spell of around 500 barrels from a pipeline just off north wales. speaking to one of the coastal rangers down on the sefton coast this morning, and he said that all the modelling for the tide and the win suggested that

that oil spill could come ashore on that oil spill could come ashore on that coast. it hadn't come ashore this morning. there were still monitoring it, but there are still as potential before that to come ashore, and there are still monitoring the situation. if it did come ashore, could potentially be a big problem, because at this time of year, there are many thousands of wading birds to nurse on the north—west coast, but aggregations of birds, and they don't want that pollution to affect them. so far as the weather goes here in blackpool, as you can see, it is extremely went indeed. there are no waves crashing because the tide is out, i have just been speaking to one of forecasters in the north—west, and he says that in the north—west, and he says that in the north—west, and he says that in the next couple of hours the wind is going to get even worse. look could be gusts of up to 60 mph or 70 millsboro. we are actuallyjust outside the area for these storm dudley amber warning. that is likely to the north of here, north

lancashire and cumbria, but remember they had power cuts and thousands of trees down with storm arwen. the police, the fire brigade and the high was people and utilities, they have been meeting today to plan their response to these later storms. already, we have had ferries from lancashire to the isle of man council to do might come up with the early ceiling tomorrow already cancelled, and the rail operators also want people to expect disruption on theirjourneys. one train from morecambe to leeds has already been cancelled because of power lines have come down. we are expecting a bit of a lull tomorrow, but then storm eunice hits, and that might be even worse than the storm we are experiencing now. the amber warning for the north—west on friday is slightly further to the sun. that was like it is going to affect merseyside, cheshire and greater manchester. so, to a number storms for that north—west. it is worth remembering that those areas not,

because not covered by the amber warning are nevertheless covered by the slightly less severe yellow weather warning.— the slightly less severe yellow weather warning. the slightly less severe yellow weather warninu. ., ~' , ., , weather warning. thank you both very much come in — weather warning. thank you both very much come in stormy _ weather warning. thank you both very much come in stormy conditions. - now it's time for a look at the weather. we have to extreme winds on the way to the uk over the next couple of days. to name the storms with storm dudley coming first and then storm eunice audibly bringing more disruption and that is in the way friday for england and. pushing its way south and eastwards, very mild with temperatures up to 16% but the winds ramp up for the afternoon and part of the evening across parts of northern ireland, northern ireland, northern england and scotland. gusts up northern england and scotland. gusts up to 60 or 70 mph generally and there could be one or two up to 80

and ongoing threats of disruption with the trees blowing over. showers around overnight on much of the uk. turning colder in scotland with rain turning to snow. jumping ahead to friday, storm eunice on the way with wins this extreme, we expect widespread disruption. hello, this is bbc news with me, reeta chakrabarti. the headlines — all children in the uk between the ages of 5—11, almost 6 million in total, are to be offered the covid vaccine. the vaccine is safe and effective. second of all, this is a non—urgent offer. it is something that's there as an option for parents, and they should decide for themselves. russia claims it's withdrawn more troops after months of tension over ukraine, but nato says there's no evidence of de—escalation. we're prepared either way. we're prepared to engage in diplomacy with russia if it's serious about it.

we're also prepared for renewed russian aggression. prince charles' charity, the prince's foundation, is investigated by police over claims of cash for honours. labour calls for greater transparency over how prince andrew will fund his out—of—court settlement with virginia giuffre, the woman who'd accused him of sexual assault. more pressure on households grappling with the rising cost of living as price rises reach a 30—year high. and storm dudley begins to hit parts of the uk in what's set to be a challenging few days of wintry weather. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's chetan. round—up from the bbc good evening. round—up from the bbc after manchester city's thumping win, tonight it's liverpool turn to go in the champions league. they're in milan to face the italian champions inter in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

liverpool are in good form and haven't lost a match since the end of december. they won this trophy three years ago, butjurgen klopp isn't thinking about that now. and whilst many don't have inter as favourites to win the tie, the liverpool manager is expecting a tough night at the san siro. all respect to these teams was a battle with the best team this year. they are high in the table at the moment, but they are really rock—solid, have creativity on the pitch, have very good, organised, very well drilled in everything they do and the individual quality is big. so that is champions league, no doubt about that. is a top class and we have to show top class performance to even have a chance. but why should we try?

there's live commentary on bbc radio 5live from eight o'clock tonight on that game. staying with football, jess fishlock inspired wales as they ended scotland's pinatar cup defence with a 3—1win in spain. lana clelland put the scots in front in first—half added time but wales were level two minutes later thanks to fishlock�*s penalty. she put them in front early in the second half before natasha harding completed the victory. wales will face slovakia or belgium in the semifinal. scotland will now compete in the fifth—eighth place section of the tournament. great britain are still without a medal 12 days into the winter olympics in beijing. the last time they finished a games without one was 30 years ago. today, dave ryding, who recently became the first british skier to win an alpine world cup race, also missed out. laura scott reports from beijing. team gb need someone to ride to the rescue of these games. the rocket is away! step forward dave ryding. do or die was his approach, and the aggressive tactics paid off early. the clock went green, he was up,

but slalom does not forgive errors. outside the top 15 after one run, the rocket launched at the course but could not carve back the time. for some reason i did not have my best skiing today. disappointing but it was tight and i was missing my a game. it is becoming a familiar pattern at these olympics, team gb�*s medal hopefuls finishing way out of contention. dave ryding just the latest example of that. with the end of the games looming, the hunt for medals is becoming more desperate by the day. curling can be cruel. ask eve muirhead, whose last throw miss by the narrowest of margins left her team precariously positioned as the semifinal spots are decided. i think we would love to be - on the medal table at this stage of the games, but the athletes more than anyone are - disappointed with that.

if you look back, we've had some promising results looking - to the future, but of course - we will not shy away from some that are disappointing. much of the fallout will wait until after the finish line of these games has been crossed, but reviews have been promised into the number of brits who crashed out early. the british boys have flipped over! difficult questions are already being asked around skeleton after britain failed to make a podium for the first time since 2002. i just think they got the technical part of the equipment wrong. that's what slowed the athletes down. look at laura dees, she had amazing slides, but the equipmentjust did not let her produce the speeds she deserved. concerns are now creeping in that team gb could return home empty—handed despite £27 million infunding. but with six wins in a row and a semifinal spot secured, bruce mouat�*s curling team could well spare britain's blushes in beijing. that's all the sport for now.

there's more on the bbc sport website, including on the sacking of dundee managerjames mcpake this afternoon and on andy murray's defeat to roberto bautista agut in the last 16 of the qatar open. murray lost in straight sets, winning just one game. olly foster's here with sportsday at 6:30pm. for now, back to you, reeta. more now on the ongoing tension between russia and ukraine. the of native sify is seen any evidence of de—escalation and effects fact said the opposite. at a news conference, he said this may change but currently they are see russia maintain a massive invasion force ready to attack. let's speak to drjeffrey mankoff. good afternoon to you. we are seeing difficult at the best of times to

read what russia is doing, but one might assume that its claims that it is withdrawing troops was a signal that diplomacy was working, and yet the secretary general of nato does not think so, the us does not think so and the ukrainian president does not think so. what do you think going on? not think so. what do you think auoin on? ., ~ i. not think so. what do you think going on?— not think so. what do you think uaoinon? ., , . not think so. what do you think ttoin on? ., ~' , . �*, going on? thank you very much. it's very difficult — going on? thank you very much. it's very difficult to _ going on? thank you very much. it's very difficult to tell _ going on? thank you very much. it's very difficult to tell what _ going on? thank you very much. it's very difficult to tell what russia's i very difficult to tell what russia's intentions are, but certainly there have been some troop movements over the last 24—48 hours that we have not seen any evidence that the overall number of troops posed around the ukrainian borders has diminished or the capabilities they would have in terms of being able to launch an invasion has diminished either. so i think there is some effort here on the part of russia to communicate a message, they are trying to convince their foreign interlocutors that they have taken a step back but at the same time to maintain capability to launch a

large—scale military operation should they choose. large-scale military operation should they choose.— large-scale military operation should they choose. what would... what will be _ should they choose. what would... what will be the _ should they choose. what would... what will be the difference - should they choose. what would... what will be the difference that. what will be the difference that would make russia feel that it could pull back without losing face? 50. pull back without losing face? 50, president pull back without losing face? 5r, president putin has been pretty clear about political demands that he is making and that are linked to the current build—up of troops, and these had to do above all with guarantees about ukraine possible neutrality or not membership in nato and limits on the deployment of nato military assets near russian borders. i don't think that there is a willingness to meet these conditions in the west or in nato. though there has been some offers of negotiations around confidence building measures, mutual troop reductions and the like, so i think if there is some overlap there where

both sides can claim that they have achieved some of their goals, and there is a possibility for a diplomatic de—escalation here but at the same time came i russia is also trying to change the internal functioning of the ukrainian state. that is to get ukraine to implement the immense agreement that was signed back in 2015 which would give the russian —controlled separatist regions in the southeast some special status that would allow them to veto ukrainian foreign policy. and i think that regardless of what happens on the broader us— russia or nato- happens on the broader us— russia or nato— russia track, that aspiration is still going to continue and i think there is doing to continue to be this pressure that will continue to be some form of tension between russia and ukraine that's going to continue but my hope is that at least on the larger front, we at least move back towards a phase where that pressure is exerted more through diplomacy rather than through diplomacy rather than through large—scale threats of

force. through large-scale threats of force. �* ., ., ~ ., , force. and what about ukraine itself and all of this? _ force. and what about ukraine itself and all of this? because _ force. and what about ukraine itself and all of this? because their- and all of this? because their president has tended to sound a more sanguine note. president has tended to sound a more sanguine note-— sanguine note. yeah, so i think that president zelensky _ sanguine note. yeah, so i think that president zelensky is _ sanguine note. yeah, so i think that president zelensky is in _ sanguine note. yeah, so i think that president zelensky is in a _ sanguine note. yeah, so i think that president zelensky is in a very - president zelensky is in a very difficult position. on the one hand he have to be aware of the threat that around 150,000 russian troops posed on his borders could pose to his government and to ukraine's security being the same time i think he is try to be careful not to cause panic either within country or internationally, where he has been without foreign companies and international investors may be convinced to pull out of ukraine they see the threat of war is high. so that he recognises the threat but at the same time is trying to manage without creating for the problems for his country.— without creating for the problems for his country. thank you so much. from the national— for his country. thank you so much. from the national defence - for his country. thank you so much. | from the national defence university in washington, thank you for your time. every 18—year—old leaving the care

system in wales is to be given £1600 a month for two years as part of a new basic income scheme. the pilot project will start later this year and is expected to cost up to £20 million over three years. around 500 people will be eligible. critics argue the money would be better spent on support services. let's get more on this with tuomas muraja, who's an author and journalist who took part in the finnish basic income experiment. hello to you. tell us more about the trial that you took part in. what was its impact on your life? yes. was its impact on your life? yes, aood was its impact on your life? yes, good evening- — was its impact on your life? yes, good evening. the _ was its impact on your life? yes, good evening. the most - was its impact on your life? use: good evening. the most common question i have been asked is how the basic income experiment changed my life, and the simple answer is financially it has not. it did not. the international press seem surprised to learn that feeling already has a system that provides basic financial security to citizens

in various life situations and this is not the case in most parts of the world. howeverfor me being included in this experiment has had very positive psychological effects. i much prefer receiving basic income rather than dealing with the old system and feeling its complicated forms and so on. 50 system and feeling its complicated forms and so on.— forms and so on. so it's main benefit has _ forms and so on. so it's main benefit has been _ forms and so on. so it's main i benefit has been psychological, forms and so on. so it's main - benefit has been psychological, but did it help un your search for work, for example?— for example? well, as a freelance “ournalist for example? well, as a freelance journalist and _ for example? well, as a freelance journalist and writer, _ for example? well, as a freelance journalist and writer, my - for example? well, as a freelance journalist and writer, my income i for example? well, as a freelance | journalist and writer, my income is mostly grants and small fees, so the basic leader in the trial, i could accept all smalljobs forfear basic leader in the trial, i could accept all smalljobs for fear of losing my benefits and having to rip reapply for them. because of the bureaucracy, it was not financially

worthwhile to accept all those tiny jobs. in book fairs, libraries, and schools, these kind of things that i used to do. and now, for example, after the trial, i can not exit those tiny jobs. after the trial, i can not exit those tinyjobs. l after the trial, i can not exit those tiny jobs.— after the trial, i can not exit those tiny jobs. those tiny “obs. i see. was there an those tiny jobs. i see. was there any resentment _ those tiny jobs. i see. was there any resentment from _ those tiny jobs. i see. was there any resentment from people - those tiny jobs. i see. was there | any resentment from people who were not eligible for this money? l any resentment from people who were not eligible for this money?— not eligible for this money? i don't cuite not eligible for this money? i don't quite understand... _ not eligible for this money? i don't quite understand... 2000 - not eligible for this money? i don't quite understand... 2000 people | not eligible for this money? i don'tl quite understand... 2000 people in filling but it was all over finland, so it was the first trial in the world that took the whole country in, but we were only 2000 people, so it's very hard to make a very profound conclusion. but anyway, if you feel free psychologically, you become more creative. and creativity

brings productivity, even if you don't measure or calculate productivity only by money. sorry to bu and productivity only by money. sorry to bug and my — productivity only by money. sorry to bug and my question _ productivity only by money. sorry to bug and my question was _ productivity only by money. sorry to bug and my question was were - productivity only by money. sorry to l bug and my question was were people who were unhappy about the experiment, people who feel that you should not get the money? {lott experiment, people who feel that you should not get the money?— should not get the money? of course there are people _ should not get the money? of course there are people who _ should not get the money? of course there are people who think— should not get the money? of course there are people who think that - should not get the money? of course there are people who think that this i there are people who think that this is free money, but 560 euros per month was not enough of course. but i could work harder and i have to pay my rent for example, 2000 euros per month, so my living expenses are over 2000 euros. so of course i worked more because i could work i did not have to be afraid of losing the benefits. {lilla did not have to be afraid of losing the benefits.— the benefits. ok, so it was successful— the benefits. ok, so it was successful for _ the benefits. ok, so it was successful for you. - the benefits. ok, so it was successful for you. thank l the benefits. ok, so it was i successful for you. thank you the benefits. ok, so it was - successful for you. thank you very much for speaking to us, speaking to us from helsinki in finland, thank you.

increases to the cost of energy, fuel and food have pushed inflation to another 30—year high, putting more pressure on households grappling with the rising cost of living. the office for national statistics says it reached 5.5% in the 12 months to january. it's been driven up mainly by the cost of clothes and footwear, as well as rising energy and fuel costs. earlier this month, the bank of england raised interest rates in an effort to slow inflation, and it signalled that more increases were on the way. here's our economics correspondent andy verity. leah has two demanding jobs — being a busy mum of three, and working as a care worker. it's round—the—clock. 6am every morning, sometimes half past 5am, and sometimes i don't get home till ten 10pm at night. you're going ice skating with church next week, as well. forgot to tell you. the thought when your wage is going in the bank, you think, "i've got this much left to budget with for the month." she didn't need official figures

to show her prices were rising faster than they have in 30 years. we were only talking last week at morris dancing about the price of beans, and another lady said to me, beans have gone up by 16p a can. everything has shot up in price. all the staple foods like tinned tomatoes, things that you would use to bulk out meals, that's all shot up. global forces like the pandemic and the risk of war in ukraine have driven up fuel costs, coming home to leah's kitchen shelves. my son only eats a particular brand ofjam because he's got additional needs, and the price of the jam has gone up by 40p a jar. just down the road in wythenshawe is the factory where the jam's made. through that wall there is the warehouse. we've arranged a visit for leah to find out why manufacturers are boosting their prices. richard, i'mjust wondering, why are the prices ofjam going up as much as they are at the minute? it's really down to a number of things. it's shipment costs, so that's getting the raw materials from around the world to the uk. that's a massive part of it. it's the cost of those raw materials. it's also the packaging materials, which is largely

driven by energy costs. we've seen our costs increase by around £8 million over a 12—month period. we can't absorb those costs. the cost of gas, for example, is up 28%. liquid fuels like propane up 47%. and petrol�*s close to a record high. i can't afford to live as it is. i'm getting rid of my car because i can't afford to keep it any longer. i'm happy to get buses and stuff moving forward. it would've gone to half a tank. it's gone to just over a quarter now, so... i only put £20 in, obviously, but, no, it'sjust how it's going to be, isn't it? you're frightened to use them now. the price of petrol�*s now feeding through to other prices, with the average price of goods up by no less than 7.2%. prices are rising, and inflation is going to increase to its highest rate in over 30 years. today, it's 5.5%. we're expecting it to get to 7% later this year. that means working households are going to face the biggest fall

in real incomes for over 30 years, as well. in the 19705, the cost of living was measured by the retail prices index, still used to operate many private pensions. on that old—fashioned measure, it's rising even faster, by 8.5%. in the city, traders now fully expect the bank of england to raise interest rates again next month to try to dampen an inflationary inferno fuelled by the price of petrol. andy verity, bbc news. the winter storms have taken a huge toll on woodlands and forests, with some 8 million trees brought down. there are warnings that the heating climate is making our weather more severe and unpredictable. our environment correspondent claire marshall reports. the north east of england has been hit really hard. at great knott here in cumbria, which is more one of our larger woods, we've lost over a third of the woodland.

it's relentless. one winter storm after another blasting the landscape. across the uk, millions of trees have been brought down. this is the heart of the lake district. kelvin archer manages the woodland trust's forests in the north of england. it's a big oak, isn't it? it's a real shame it's gone. he spends most of his time now assessing damage. his dog always with him. predominantly this normally happens in scotland, which this year has been hit horrendously hard by storms. it doesn't normally come down this far. we had the beast of the east a few years ago that did hit us here, but this last couple of years, we've been hit again and again. the north east is starting to look a bit like scotland for wind blow and wind damage and storm damage. and now we're getting it in cumbria. so, there's a clear pattern of change. close to the shore of lake windermere, this is wray castle. there's clearing up happening here, too. the storms have cost the national trust around £4 million. the charity says already it's been

the worst season for a0 years. it says that in a huge blow to british heritage, many iconic trees have been lost. so, this is a national champion crested beech. it's a champion of britain and ireland. because it's the biggest tree of that species in terms of girth. when you lose any big, really big prominent tree, it's sad. and this one particularly because it's been at wray castle for a long time. it's an important tree because it's the biggest. and to see it blown over is really sad. i think it's probably a douglas fir. richard takes us deep into the worst hit area. it's still closed to the public. many of these trees have been weakened, and his team hasn't yet been able to make it safe. this is the kind of hidden damage that forest managers are really worried about. across the uk, there are hundreds of thousands of giant trees like this that have fallen. many of the felled trees can be sold for timber, but there are so many of them

that they're likely to fetch a lower price. but storm damage can have its benefits. bonnie waring is a senior lecturer at imperial college london. when a tree falls down, - it creates a gap in the canopy that lets light through. that helps light—dependent species thrive. _ and the dead tree itself is a really important habitat for species that| are of conservation concern. it's the scale of the damage, though, that richard finds daunting. if you look at all the smashed tops of the trees, it kind of reminds you a bit of those photos you see of a battlefield. i've never seen a battlefield, but the pictures you see, the trees sort of look like that. itjust looks like somebody's set off a bomb. and now storm dudley is on its way. the horizon is darkening once again. winter isn't over yet. can the survivors stay standing? claire marshall, bbc news, cumbria.

now it's time for a look at the weather with louise. thank you and good afternoon. it looks as though dudley has arrived is conceived by the wind gusts with gusts in excess of 80 mph at the moment event in northern ireland, western scotland, northern england and north wales as well. the amber warning remains in force until midnight and then it will easily and then the story turns a bit quieter but we have some snow even at low levels across the highlands and they will continue through scotland overnight tonight. elsewhere we keep a fair amount overnight tonight. elsewhere we keep a fairamount of overnight tonight. elsewhere we keep a fair amount of cloud so temperature is holding up above freezing but we start off tomorrow morning, the calm before the next storm as storm eunice is set to threaten. there will be a good deal of dry weather and sunshine and the forecast for thursday and still some blustery winds but nowhere near as strong as the wind gusts we have seen and temperatures should pick

between 5—7 and further south we should see highs of around 12, and thatis should see highs of around 12, and that is as warm as the afternoon today. then we draw your attention today. then we draw your attention to storm eunice, a significant low pressure that is going to deepen quite rapidly during the early hours of friday morning. still a level of uncertainty exhibit where this storm is going to be sitting but it is going to affect a wider area across the uk. gusts of wind widely 80 have a 90 mph and maybe up to 100 mph in places and inland you will see gusts up places and inland you will see gusts up to 60 or 70 and maybe even 80 mph at times. that is disruptive and dangerous gusts of wind as they funnel their way through as the low pressure drifts off into the north sea. on top of thatjust to add insult to injury, notjust a strength of the wind but we are lucky to see some significant heavy snowfall across central and southern areas of scotland and particular and this will be wet snow falling on power lines so this could have a significant impact as well. so the

low pressure will gradually drift off into the north sea but storm eunice is certainly going to be one to watch as storm dudley eases away on friday. definitely with the extreme winds but also the snow could be an issue. we will keep you updated here on the bbc news channel. take care.

today at six. more bad news for the royal family, as police investigate charles' prince's foundation over allegations of cash—for—honours. clarence house says he had "no knowledge of the alleged offer of honours or british citizenship" to a saudi national. it comes as questions are raised about who'll foot the bill, for prince andrew's out of court civil settlement, over sexual assault allegations. estimates suggest the deal could run into several millions of pounds. also on the programme... the cost of living hits a new 30—year high as energy, fuel and food costs rocket. so the things going up — transport, packaging, wages. nothing coming down. we're in a catch 22 situation.

children aged between 5 and 11 across the uk