today at six, free at last. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe is on her way back to the uk following nearly six years in detention in iran. after being handed back her british passport, she boarded a flight out of the country to the relief of her husband and daughter. homecoming is a journey, not arrival. i don't think it willjust be today, it will be a whole process and hopefully we will look back in years to come and be a normal family and, you know, this will be a chapter in our lives, but there are many more chapters to come. another british iranian, anoosheh ashoori, detained for more than four years, is now also heading back to the uk. also tonight, here in ukraine, shelling on the outskirts of the capital intensifies even as peace talks continue. russian forces hit a residential

building in the city. people are sheltering in their homes because of a strict curfew. russia counts its dead in the war, as vladimir putin insists the invasion is going to plan. and borisjohnson in saudi arabia wants fresh oil and gas supplies to reduce the west's reliance on russia. and coming up on the bbc news channel... england's women have a lifeline at the cricket world cup — the defending champions beat india but still have it all to do to avoid an early exit. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe, has been released from detention in iran after nearly six years and is on her way back to the uk.

her husband richard ratcliffe says he's "deeply grateful" for her release and that he and their daughter gabriella are "looking forward to a new life". mrs zaghari—ratcliffe, who has dual british and iranian nationality, had been detained since 2016, originally accused of spying, then charged with plotting to overthrow the iranian government. she's always strenuously denied the charges. another dual national, anousheh ashouri, is also returning to the uk after being released. the foreign secretary, liz truss, says britain has now settled an outstanding £400 million debt with iran dating back to the 1970s. 0ur diplomatic correspondent, caroline hawley, has the very latest. it is the moment have dreamt of for almost six desperate years, filmed by iranian state tv, safe inside a plane at last, the relief written all over her face, last, the relief written all over herface, knowing who is

last, the relief written all over her face, knowing who is waiting for her face, knowing who is waiting for her back home. it her face, knowing who is waiting for her back home.— her back home. it will be the beginning — her back home. it will be the beginning of— her back home. it will be the beginning of a _ her back home. it will be the beginning of a new _ her back home. it will be the beginning of a new life, - her back home. it will be the beginning of a new life, a - her back home. it will be the - beginning of a new life, a normal life and there will be bumps no doubt and all the normal squabbles we have before, but, yes, i think we are really looking forward to seeing her. , . . , are really looking forward to seeing her. , ., ., are really looking forward to seeing her. ., .,, are really looking forward to seeing her. , . ., ., , ., her. gabriella was not yet two when her. gabriella was not yet two when her mother — her. gabriella was not yet two when her mother was _ her. gabriella was not yet two when her mother was arrested _ her. gabriella was not yet two when her mother was arrested and - her. gabriella was not yet two when her mother was arrested and now . her. gabriella was not yet two when i her mother was arrested and now she is nearly eight. there have been so many. as for the family that richard says she will not believe it is real until she is back in her mother's arms. , ., , until she is back in her mother's arms. , ,, arms. there is a recovery process. you cannot — arms. there is a recovery process. you cannot get _ arms. there is a recovery process. you cannot get back _ arms. there is a recovery process. you cannot get back the _ arms. there is a recovery process. you cannot get back the time - arms. there is a recovery process. you cannot get back the time that| arms. there is a recovery process. i you cannot get back the time that is done, but we live in the future, not the past and we will take it one day at a time. _ the past and we will take it one day atatime. . the past and we will take it one day at a time. ., ., the past and we will take it one day at a time. . ~ ., at a time. day after day, week after week, at a time. day after day, week after week. richard _ at a time. day after day, week after week, richard ratcliffe _ at a time. day after day, week after week, richard ratcliffe waged - at a time. day after day, week after week, richard ratcliffe waged a - week, richard ratcliffe waged a tireless campaign for nazanin, working around the clock. last year he went on hunger strike for nearly three weeks, an act of desperation to pressure the government to get her home. he always said she was being held as a bargaining chip to get the uk to pay its long—standing military debt. i get the uk to pay its long-standing military debt-—

military debt. i think it is wonderful— military debt. i think it is wonderful news - military debt. i think it is wonderful news and - military debt. i think it is wonderful news and i - military debt. i think it is l wonderful news and i think military debt. i think it is - wonderful news and i think we military debt. i think it is _ wonderful news and i think we must always realise that sadly the regime in tehran is capable of holding people in this way. i think people do need to recognise that and i am glad that after a great deal of uk diplomacy we have been able to get her out and get her back to her family. it her out and get her back to her famil . ., . ~ her out and get her back to her famil. q her out and get her back to her famil. m ::'~ family. it was back in april 2016 when nazanin _ family. it was back in april 2016 when nazanin was _ family. it was back in april 2016 when nazanin was arrested - family. it was back in april 2016 when nazanin was arrested as l family. it was back in april 2016 i when nazanin was arrested as she prepared to leave for london after visiting her parents. months of solitary confinement followed, along with blindfolded interrogations and psychological torture. in september that year and islamic revolutionary courtjudge sentenced her to five years injailata courtjudge sentenced her to five years in jail at a secret trial. she was accused of working against the iranian government. last spring when she completed that sentence she was immediately sent is again to another yearin immediately sent is again to another year injail on charges of propaganda against the regime. finally today she is heading home,

along with anoosheh ashoori, a retired engineer arrested in 2017 while visiting his elderly mother. he was serving a ten year sentence for alleged spying also after an unfair trial. this afternoon anoosheh ashoori and nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe arrived in oman to catch another flight that will bring them home. we brought him his favourite beer... his daughter erika told me the family got in champagne and cake and could hardly believe the news. it and cake and could hardly believe the news. ., , , and cake and could hardly believe the news. . , , ., , the news. it has been nearly five ears of the news. it has been nearly five years of being — the news. it has been nearly five years of being inside _ the news. it has been nearly five years of being inside a _ the news. it has been nearly five years of being inside a prison - the news. it has been nearly five i years of being inside a prison cell, so to suddenly in a matter of 2a hours have that turnaround completely and to come back to normal life is very daunting as well as it is amazing. so, you know, we still have challenges ahead, but we are going to face it together as a family. are going to face it together as a famil . , ., , , are going to face it together as a famil . , . , , .,, family. there will be ad'ustments as well for nazanin h family. there will be ad'ustments as well for nazanin and _ family. there will be adjustments as well for nazanin and her _ family. there will be adjustments as well for nazanin and her family - family. there will be adjustments as well for nazanin and her family who | well for nazanin and her family who have not all been together for six

long years. have not all been together for six long years-_ have not all been together for six lona ears. ., , ., ., , long years. homecoming is a “ourney, not an arrival. — long years. homecoming is a “ourney, not an arrival. it i long years. homecoming is a “ourney, not an arrival. it will i long years. homecoming is a “ourney, not an arrival. it will not _ long years. homecoming is a “ourney, not an arrival. it will not be h long years. homecoming is a journey, not an arrival. it will not be just - not an arrival. it will not be just today, there will be a whole process and hopefully we will look back in years to come and be a normal family and this will be a chapter in our lives but there are more chapters to come. , , ., ., , lives but there are more chapters to come. , , ., .,, , ., come. this is how it has been for the ast come. this is how it has been for the past few _ come. this is how it has been for the past few months, _ come. this is how it has been for the past few months, precious i the past few months, precious moments of parenting from thousands of miles away. but within hours she will be back with them. richard says she will want him to make her a nice cup of t and perhaps tidy the flat. nazanin zaghari ratcliffe's release comes as tensions between the uk and iran ease after years of hostility. international sanctions on the regime in tehran have crippled the economy and the leadership is hoping a ban on the sale of its oil may be lifted to help reduce global energy prices following russia's invasion of ukraine. here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. it is now almost six years since nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested at tehran aircraft. repeated attempts to secure her release failed, so why is she being freed now? ultimately is because

iran's revolutionary guards and judges have decided they no longer need to keep a hostage to put diplomatic pressure on the uk. that is in part because the uk has paid iran a long—standing debt. britain owed iran money for tanks sold in the 1970s but never delivered after the 1970s but never delivered after the revolution. the uk feared paying the revolution. the uk feared paying the debt would fund terrorism and breach sanctions. but in a deal financed by the gulf state of oman, £393 million was finally transferred to iran today, money the foreign office claims will be used for 0ffice claims will be used for humanitarian purposes. it is office claims will be used for humanitarian purposes. it is not a ransom, humanitarian purposes. it is not a ransom. it — humanitarian purposes. it is not a ransom. it is _ humanitarian purposes. it is not a ransom. it is a — humanitarian purposes. it is not a ransom, it is a debt _ humanitarian purposes. it is not a ransom, it is a debt and _ humanitarian purposes. it is not a ransom, it is a debt and the - humanitarian purposes. it is not a ransom, it is a debt and the point| ransom, it is a debt and the point about debt is first of all we are a country that pays our debts and if you owe a debt you have to pay to whoever you owe it to.— whoever you owe it to. nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe _ whoever you owe it to. nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe has _ whoever you owe it to. nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe has been - whoever you owe it to. nazanin - zaghari-ratcliffe has been released zaghari—ratcliffe has been released because of diplomatic efforts, above all by her husband, using everything from publicity to hunger strike to put pressure on iran and british

ministers who did not always help matters, such as when borisjohnson told mps this. matters, such as when boris johnson told mps this-— told mps this. when we look at what nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe _ told mps this. when we look at what nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe was - told mps this. when we look at what j nazanin zaghari-ratcliffe was doing, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe was doing, she was simply teaching people journalism as i understand it. by, journalism as i understand it. a false claim that was used against her on state media. but other foreign secretaries kept up the pressure, likejeremy hunt, who visited iran in 2018, and then finally liz truss who sent teams of diplomats to iran to do a deal. what diplomats to iran to do a deal. what has changed in _ diplomats to iran to do a deal. what has changed in the _ diplomats to iran to do a deal. what has changed in the last _ diplomats to iran to do a deal. wrist has changed in the last six months is we do have a new government in iran and i was able when i went to new york in september to meet the minister to reset the relationship and be clear that we were serious about resolving the outstanding issues that iran had, and they were clear they were serious about resolving the outstanding issues we had. ,, ., had. she also met her counterpart from a man _ had. she also met her counterpart from a man who _ had. she also met her counterpart from a man who played _ had. she also met her counterpart from a man who played a - had. she also met her counterpart from a man who played a crucial i had. she also met her counterpart i from a man who played a crucial role in mediating with the iranians.

broader international relations have also played a role. iran's economy has been struggling under international sanctions, penalties it wants to see lifted as part of negotiations in vienna to secure a new deal curbing its nuclear activities. that agreement is hanging in the balance and releasing detainees could help. it could also help iran sell more oil if sanctions are lifted and again clearing the diplomatic decks could make that easier. forsix diplomatic decks could make that easier. for six years politics kept nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe apart from her family. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe apart from herfamily. now it nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe apart from her family. now it has played a part in her release. james landale, bbc news. james landale, bbc news. 0ur diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley is here. a dreadful ordealfor a dreadful ordeal for nazanin, a dreadful ordealfor nazanin, for herfamily and friends, a dreadful ordealfor nazanin, for her family and friends, but today a resolution that we can all rejoice in. resolution that we can all re'oice in. �* , ,., , ., , resolution that we can all re'oice in. absolutely. the families have said they were _ in. absolutely. the families have said they were held _ in. absolutely. the families have said they were held as _ in. absolutely. the families have said they were held as hostages| in. absolutely. the families have i said they were held as hostages as bargaining chips. this was the day that they daren't believe it would

ever happen. it has finally happened, they are flying home. it has been an absolute roller—coaster for the families. their whole lives have been hijacked by this, they have been hijacked by this, they have been hijacked by this, they have been campaigning hard and there have been campaigning hard and there have been campaigning hard and there have been many false dawns. enormous psychological pressure on both anoosheh ashoori and nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe who had mental health problems, who suffered depression, hair loss, post—traumatic stress disorder and he was interrogated and actually told that richard ratcliffe had been unfaithful to her. in fact, he was campaigning hard to get herfreed. anoosheh ashoori attempted suicide injail he was under anoosheh ashoori attempted suicide in jail he was under such pressure. but now finally they are on that plane and on their way home and we understand they will land at raf brize norton in the early hours of the morning and then the families can start to try to rebuild their lives. ., ., ., , ., ,, , ., caroline hawley, thank you. let's get the very latest on the situation in ukraine and russia's invasion. reeta is live in the western city of lviv for us now.

reeta. here in ukraine, attacks by russian forces have continued three weeks into the war even as both sides talk of possible compromise. in the capital, kyiv, the emergency services said russia had shelled a residential building. the city is currently observing a 35—hour curfew. although russian troops have pushed forward towards the outskirts of the capital, their progress in the north has been slower than in the south. they've faced serious logistical problems with many vehicles reportedly running out of fuel, as well as strong ukrainian resistance. our first report this evening is from jeremy bowen in kyiv. awarning, it a warning, it contains some flashing images. a warning, it contains some flashing images. just after dawn another attack at a residential area in kyiv. ukrainian forces say they are keeping russian artillery out of range, but missiles can be fired from russia, and they are harder to stop. it was the start

of another tough day. siren blares. by mid—morning, sirens and smoke on the horizon from the ukrainian counterattack, trying to push back the stalled russian offensive to the north—west. that must be why there is a 36—hour curfew — which makes it impossible to check out of the sounds of battle. ukraine's president zelensky dropped more hints about a ceasefire. but decisions, he said, had to be in ukraine's interest. perhaps the missile attacks on kyiv are to pressure ukraine to offer concessions for a ceasefire. so far, the attacks are isolated, threatening how bad it could get. for residents cleaning up before the curfew, even a single missile is terrifying. "i'm so stressed," she says. "i can't even tell you anything, i'm still shaking."

but really big tests of ukrainian resolved in the capital have not yet happened. more missiles could be that test. ukraine's will to resist, though, is still strong. workshops have switched to war production, strengthening fortifications. ukrainians say they are part of the reason why russian troops are not able to break into kyiv. this was filmed before the curfew. what they're working on here is a tyre ripper. the idea is that anyone driving over this will get their tyres destroyed, and they've even got a little extra bits that go into the tyre to make it even worse. after three weeks, is a ceasefire possible? if not, will russia punish the city?

would that break ukraine's will to fight? jeremy bowen, bbc news, kyiv. vladimir putin has insisted that the invasion of ukraine is going to plan, but he's admitted that sanctions are inflicting economic pain on russia. there's a human toll being paid there too, with thousands of soldiers being sent to ukraine to fight in president putin's war. 0ur russia editor, steve rosenberg, has been to one military funeral in the west of the country. in russia, they are grieving too. mikhail was killed in action in ukraine. angelika is his widow. how many russian soldiers have been killed in what the kremlin still refuses to call a war? 0ne family's pain is being repeated across the country.

it's a criminal offence in russia to quote anything but official figures. and those are 498 russian servicemen dead. that was on march the 2nd. there has been no update for two weeks. many russians rally around their leader in times of crisis. it's as if they don't want to believe the president may have taken a fatal decision. "we are doing the right thing," nikolai says. "nato wanted to set up shop right next to us in ukraine, and they've got nuclear weapons." "well done, putin, for stopping them." the kremlin wants russians to believe that what their troops are doing in ukraine is both necessary and heroic. it's what the state media is telling them from morning till night.

because if people stop believing that in large numbers, they'll start wondering why sons, brothers and husbands have been sent into ukraine for what's been called here the "special military operation". father ivan is wondering why. he recently delivered an anti—war sermon, and he criticised the kremlin's offensive on the church website. he was detained and fined under a new law for discrediting the russian armed forces. translation: i believe that any bloodshed, - however you try to justify it, is a sin. blood is on the hands of the person who spilled it. if an order was given, it's on the hands of whoever gave the order, supported it, or stayed silent.

on his final journey, full military honours for soldier mikhail. his country calls him a hero of the fatherland. and yet it was russia's army that attacked ukraine, on the orders of president putin, to restore russian power, and to force ukraine into russia's orbit. russian national anthem plays. but at what cost? steve rosenberg, bbc news, kostroma. let'sjoin our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, who is in kyiv. the there are signs tonight that a diplomatic solution may be found, but this comes amid reports of

civilians, may be hundreds, coming under russian attack. yes. civilians, may be hundreds, coming under russian attack.— civilians, may be hundreds, coming under russian attack. yes, reeta, in wars, under russian attack. yes, reeta, in wars. even — under russian attack. yes, reeta, in wars. even as _ under russian attack. yes, reeta, in wars, even as two _ under russian attack. yes, reeta, in wars, even as two sides _ under russian attack. yes, reeta, in wars, even as two sides talk, - under russian attack. yes, reeta, in wars, even as two sides talk, unless| wars, even as two sides talk, unless there is a ceasefire, what happens on the ground can take terrifying towns, and so it has been here in ukraine, in the besieged southern city of mariupol. in the last few hours, city officials have told the bbc that a theatre in the city with more than 1000 people sheltering, taking refuge against the incessant russian shelling and bombardment, that that theatre came under bombardment. and that the continuing bombardment. and that the continuing bombardment was making it impossible for rescue workers to reach the theatre. now, we'vejust heard for rescue workers to reach the theatre. now, we've just heard from theatre. now, we've just heard from the russian defence ministry, they have denied that they struck this theatre, so again we are left with who caused what, who is to blame, and this in a city, an entire city

which is suffering, besieged for the past few weeks by russian forces encircling the city. humanitarian corridors have not been working, 20,000 people have been able to leave the city, but always under sporadic gunfire, stopped, continuing threats on the road. i've been speaking today to the president of the international committee of the red cross, the icrc, who had described conditions in mariupol as apocalyptic, and he underlined the only way to ease the suffering, not just in mariupol, but across the country, is a ceasefire, a peace deal. and yes, we are getting reports from ukrainians and from russians today that they are making progress, but there are still many differences. they talk of a concrete plan that may soon be signed, but there are so many red lines for russia, so many red lines for ukrainians, and the loudest words we are getting about this war is the

words of war, unfolding on the ground. words of war, unfolding on the round. , , ., ~ words of war, unfolding on the round. i, ., ,, i, words of war, unfolding on the round. i, ., i, . ground. lyse, thank you, lyse doucet re-rortin ground. lyse, thank you, lyse doucet reporting from _ ground. lyse, thank you, lyse doucet reporting from care. _ the us president, joe biden, has announced a further $800 million of military aid to ukraine. it comes after its president, volodymyr zelensky, used a rare live address to the us congress to make an emotional appeal for more help from america to fight off the russian invasion. 0ur north america editor, sarah smith, has more. straight to the heart of american democracy, a plea for the us to defend democratic freedom. he got a hero's welcome from lawmakers, although they will not give the ukrainian president of the no—fly zone he is asking. showing a video of brutal russian bombardment, zelensky drew a direct comparison with pearl harbor and 911, times when the us was attacked from the

sky. translation: ,, ., ,, ., translation: russian troops have already fired _ translation: russian troops have already fired nearly _ translation: russian troops have already fired nearly 1000 _ translation: russian troops have already fired nearly 1000 missiles i already fired nearly 1000 missiles at ukraine, countless bombs, the use drones to kill us with precision. this is a terror that europe has not seen for 80 years. you are the leader of the nation, i wish you to be the leader of the world. being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace. president biden today signed off on an additional $800 million of military assistance for ukraine. what is at stake here are the principles that the united states and united nations across the world stand _ and united nations across the world stand for. _ and united nations across the world stand for, it is about freedom, it is about— stand for, it is about freedom, it is about the _ stand for, it is about freedom, it is about the right of to determine their_ is about the right of to determine their own — is about the right of to determine their own future, it's about making sure that _ their own future, it's about making sure that ukraine will never be a

victory _ sure that ukraine will never be a victory for— sure that ukraine will never be a victory for putin, no matter what he does _ victory for putin, no matter what he does on _ victory for putin, no matter what he does on the — victory for putin, no matter what he does on the battlefield. with victory for putin, no matter what he does on the battlefield.— does on the battlefield. with this impassioned _ does on the battlefield. with this impassioned plea, _ does on the battlefield. with this impassioned plea, president- does on the battlefield. with this - impassioned plea, president zelensky is challenging president biden to defend the very idea of democracy against autocracy, increasing the pressure on the us to do more to support ukraine. but biden is adamant, to impose a no—fly zone would risk escalating the conflict into a world war. hundreds of portable surface—to—air stinger missiles have already been sent to ukraine, with many more on the way, along with anti—tank weapons, guns and a munition to help defend against russian attacks. the us is promising a total of $13 billion for ukraine, in weaponry and humanitarian aid. there is a deep cross party commitment to help as much as possible, but also a firm resolve that us forces or aircraft will not, cannot get involved in this conflict. sarah smith, bbc news, washington.

that's all from me in lviv, now it's back to clive in the studio in london. borisjohnson is in the middle east for talks with the united arab emirates and saudi arabia to try to increase oil and gas supplies and reduce reliance on russian energy. he's told the bbc that the west must never again be vulnerable to vladimir putin's "blackmail". some mps, however, have criticised the trip because of saudi arabia's record on human rights, but the prime minister says the uk won'tjust turn a blind eye on abuses. 0ur political editor, laura kuenssberg, is travelling with the prime minister. politicians can choose their friends — but they can't pick who they need. he wants to starve russia of roubles and stop the west buying their oil and gas. he runs saudi arabia and controls many of the resources that could replace what russia sells. but the crown prince's country also executed more than 80 people a few days ago.

it's deeply awkward for a british prime minister to ask for his help. you've talked very passionately about how the conflict between ukraine and russia is about values. if this conflict is about values for you, how can part of the solution be going to a country, a regime like saudi arabia, that has just executed more than 80 of its citizens? that is questionable record on women's rights, on gay rights? how can you be comfortable with that? the uk has a historic and long—standing relationship with saudi arabia, which goes back many, many decades, and that's not going to disappear. i've been engaged with the saudis on those issues, and i'm not going to pretend that it is easy to have those conversations, but we have to do it. and we have to look at the progress that we are making with that relationship in driving green investment in the uk and making sure that we are able to have energy security for the people of britain. so, basically, it's worth it? you don't like it, but it's worth it?

so i want to be clear, we don'tjust turn a blind eye, we don't wink at them, we don't ignore it. we raise it, and we make the argument, of course we do. borisjohnson trumpets saudi cash going to uk firms too. this huge business is spending big on green tech on teesside. but there doesn't seem to have been much progress on the push to turn the oil taps on. yet even this duo seemed close a few years ago. the opposition is asking about the company the prime minister keeps. i think everybody wants to see measures to bring the energy bills down, but going cap in hand from dictator to dictator is not an energy strategy. the prime minister says we can't rely on russia, so now he goes to saudi arabia. and hard thinking is notjust needed to fill the gaps that excluding russia from the west's economy will create.

the conflict in ukraine has created a long list of challenges — with roots, he says, in the recent past. if you look back at 2014 and what happened when putin took part of crimea, part of ukraine, took crimea and the donbas, we totally failed to understand the threat that he posed. and ukraine is paying the price for that with the west looking the other way. i totally agree, and so what we need to do now is make sure that the west is never again vulnerable to putin's blackmail. i think the reality is that, in one important sense, putin has already failed, in that he did not understand what he would encounter... he's still bombing ukrainian men, women and children. he didn't understand the strength of their resistance, and what putin needs to realise is that he cannot now succeed. he won't be able to crush and conquer ukraine,

because they've shown, fundamentally, that they have an indomitable spirit. yet compared to just a couple of weeks ago, the world already looks so different. borisjohnson cannot know if the landscape he craves will emerge. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, riyadh. the conflict in ukraine, which is threatening oil and gas supplies from russia, has seen sky—rocketing prices for basic commodities like fuel, fertiliser and food. businesses are calling for help from the chancellor, ahead of next week's spring statement, as our business editor, simonjack, reports now from south shields in tyne and wear. as cheap as chips — that doesn't quite ring true when you look at the prices of what goes into making this british favourite. it's a story of food—price inflation in a box. since last year, the price of whitefish, of which russia is a major supplier, is up 50%. the price of potatoes is up 30% and headed higher. and even peas have seen a 100% increase in price.

and the energy to cook it — a whopping 400% russia—related rise to businesses who are not protected by a price cap. 0wner richard 0rd says many local chippies won't survive. seen hundreds of shops already that haven't been able to cope with the price increases, and unfortunately things are actually getting worse. the sooner we can get something sorted with price increases, the better, or we're going to see a lot of your local fish and chip shops gone. it's a similar story in the supply chain. by this afternoon, these will be down to chip shops and restaurants all over the north of england. potato grower mark robson is cutting back production and won't to be sowing in this field. straight away, the fertiliser, that's tripled. electric has tripled. the haulage has not doubled, but it's certainly going to be there very shortly. you know, we will definitely lose money if we plant this this year. i dread to think what you'd lose

on this one little field. there is sunshine on the coast, but the outlook for businesses and their customers seems bleak. the war in ukraine seems a long way away from this beach in south shields, but the soaring price of potatoes, fish, oil, the energy to cook them, is in part due to that conflict. it's causing a cost of living and a cost of doing business emergency, which has very much arrived on these shores, and the firms we work for, whose products and services we buy, are desperate for some kind of financial lifeline. but adding to the burden on companies and consumers is a planned £12 billion tax hike in april. the chancellor needs to change course at his spring statement next week, according to business chiefs. increasing costs are coming from every side — raw materials, energy, labour costs. i mean, it's a perfect storm, so we've got two key asks for the chancellor. one is, delay the national insurance increases that are coming in april, and let's find a way to protect

businesses from at least some of the energy price rises with an sme price cap. the government tonight said it recognised the impact this was having on businesses and is looking for the best ways to support them. this global crisis is making economic and political waves right here at home. simonjack, bbc news, south shields. the weather is going to look and feel different tomorrow, today generally speaking was the wettest day of the week, and i want to show you the rain picture over the last few hours, because we have had rain over many parts of the country, just now moving away from eastern scotland, but still quite a lot of rain over the midlands, and steady bursts of rain in the east. it is shuffling out into the north sea, saw drying off tonight. cloud breaking up, sky is tending to clear ahead of the shower is coming into

the north—west. as it quietened down, much colder, a chilly