this is bbc news with the latest headlines. as the chancellor prepares to make his spring statement — new figures show the cost of living has risen by more than 6% — the fastest increase in over 30 years. rishi sunak is under pressure to promise more help for struggling families — as many face soaring energy, fuel and food costs. i used to love going to the beach but i can't even afford that in fuel now. because i have got a car to run as well. so we just do little things like this now. sometimes we'll even get a bus now, won't we, instead? in ukraine, new aerial images emerge of the battered city of mariupol. president zelensky says more than 100,000 civilians remain there — without food, water or medicine. two years on from the first coronavirus lockdown,

events are held across the uk to remember lives lost, and sacrifices made during the pandemic. and the women's world number one — australia's ash barty says she's hanging up her tennis racket — at just 25—years—old. good morning. welcome to the programme. first... the chancellor rishi sunak will unveil his spring statement in the commons later today, as the country faces increasing pressure from rising energy, fuel and food costs. it comes as official figures, released this morning, show the cost of living continued to soar last month. prices rose by 6.2% in the 12 months to february — the fastest for 30 years. the figures lay bare the challenge the chancellor faces ahead of his spring spending statement.

sunak faces growing calls to offer more support as household budgets are squeezed. so, what new measures might he consider? let's ta ke let's take a look. there is speculation the chancellor could cut fuel duty by 5p per litre. there have been calls for him to delay a planned rise in national insurance payments, or scrap it altogether. but it's possible that he might instead raise the threshold at which people start paying. next month, the government will increase benefits, including universal credit by 3.1%, but dozens of charities want the chancellor to go further. 0ur consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith has this report. the chancellor has been rehearsing, but the audience that really matters are a long way from westminster. he's under pressure to announce something to help shade us from the scorching cost of every bill at the moment. it's a gorgeous day, and everyone�*s making the most of the sunshine. this is my little boy, tiger. ah, hello. we're just trying to do more

like this, like go out on days out like this. i used to love going to the beach, but i can't even afford that in fuel now. because i've got a car to run as well. so we just do little things like this now. sometimes we'll even get the bus, won't we, instead? stevie�*s rent went up by £200 last month, and she's already behind on the gas and electricity bills. we're just trying to get by. just try and keep upbeat about it, anyway. paul and charlotte have been feeling the bite of energy bills this winter, too. if the gas goes on, it, you know, it takes a while to kind of kick in. and perhaps back in the day when we were students, we would have just not put the heating on, but we can't do that any more because we've got lois. so we've been to eureka this morning using our tesco vouchers. so it was free because of the tesco vouchers. but it's just like all of those things when you're planning, you're just trying to save costs wherever you can. morning. all right, you? costs are rising for mark at his coffee shop,

but he doesn't want to put prices up because he knows how tough everyone�*s finding it. we do have to pay a wage, pay ourselves, pay your rent. it all has a huge impact. and to keep that quality experience going, people might have to pay that extra pound to enjoy it. but that's something stevie just can't afford. i don't think i'd be able to save a pound. so you're literally living, everything that comes in... month by month, yeah. just gets spent. straight out, yeah. 0k. yeah. and if you can't meet those bills, then where will you turn? i either don't pay them, and then it's debt, or... i don't want to have to ask family, but...i do. today's spring statement isn't supposed to be a full budget, butjust tinkering around the edges isn't going to be enough to help stevie and millions like her. colletta smith, bbc news, at the peace hall in halifax.

let's speak to richard walker, who is the managing director of iceland foods group. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme. hello, good morning. we heard cost — the programme. hello, good morning. we heard cost of— the programme. hello, good morning. we heard cost of food _ the programme. hello, good morning. we heard cost of food a _ the programme. hello, good morning. we heard cost of food a huge - the programme. hello, good morning. we heard cost of food a huge issue - we heard cost of food a huge issue at the moment, how are you finding it? ., ., 4' 4' at the moment, how are you finding it? ., ., ~ ~ �*, at the moment, how are you finding it? ~ �*, ., at the moment, how are you finding it? look, i think it's safe to say the cost of _ it? look, i think it's safe to say the cost of living _ it? look, i think it's safe to say the cost of living crisis - it? look, i think it's safe to say the cost of living crisis is - it? look, i think it's safe to say the cost of living crisis is the i the cost of living crisis is the single most important issue domestically facing us at the moment. it is very difficult because it's systemic throughout the price chain, we have commodity price pressure so the cost of the goodies going up but we have supplier price increases because of fuel, labour shortages, lack of inputs such as fertiliser and wheat, for example, from ukraine and russia and then we have operational cost pressures throughout our business. minimum wage, taxation, national insurance, electricity bills, it is the perfect storm and that is affecting the crisis because business is not an

endless bunch which can forever absorb these costs. that is why we are unfortunately, as are all of our competitors, having to pass on some of it on to consumers. just competitors, having to pass on some of it on to consumers.— of it on to consumers. just give us a rou:h of it on to consumers. just give us a rough idea _ of it on to consumers. just give us a rough idea of— of it on to consumers. just give us a rough idea of that. _ of it on to consumers. just give us a rough idea of that. you - of it on to consumers. just give us a rough idea of that. you are - of it on to consumers. just give us i a rough idea of that. you are having to increase prices, give us a rough idea of by how much? it is to increase prices, give us a rough idea of by how much?— idea of by how much? it is very different across _ idea of by how much? it is very different across the _ idea of by how much? it is very different across the board. - idea of by how much? it is very i different across the board. some prices haven't gone up. we like to be as competitive as possible but if you look at bread, that has probably gone up 10%, bacon, 10—15%. you have got things like milk, which have gone up 20% plus. it very much depends on what it is, where it is produced and how it's produced, etc. and these are the real that really matter from and these are the real that really matterfrom people and these are the real that really matter from people on lower incomes because we have been reporting today the increased 6% also in inflation but if you are spending a large portion of your budget on things like milk and bread and that has gone up by a lot more, you will be a lot more impacted. that gone up by a lot more, you will be a lot more impacted.— lot more impacted. that is right because you _ lot more impacted. that is right because you don't _ lot more impacted. that is right because you don't have - lot more impacted. that is right because you don't have cash - lot more impacted. that is right because you don't have cash to | lot more impacted. that is right i

because you don't have cash to go around in the first place. phrases like the choice between heating and eating is dramatic but it's absolutely true for some of our customers. we are being told some pretty bleak things at the moment for most deprived consumers. some people are denying potatoes and veg because they can't afford to boil them. we are doing everything we can as a business, freezing a £1 lines, we have different innovative things doing but also the government does need to support business as business as well as consumers because by supporting business, in turn it helps consumers.— supporting business, in turn it helps consumers. yes, 'ust the seneneet you i helps consumers. yes, 'ust the sentence you said _ helps consumers. yes, 'ust the sentence you said was _ helps consumers. yes, just the sentence you said was pretty i helps consumers. yes, just the i sentence you said was pretty stark and will stick in the memory. people refusing potatoes because they can't afford the water and boiling them. what would you like the government to do to help? i what would you like the government to do to help?— to do to help? i think if you look at bricks and _ to do to help? i think if you look at bricks and mortar _ to do to help? i think if you look at bricks and mortar retailers i to do to help? i think if you look. at bricks and mortar retailers such as ourselves, we have a big online option but to br, we do have 1000

stores physically. we are disproportionately hit by things like energy increases. so as a first step i think the consumer price cap should be extended to businesses as well, if at all possible, because we are seeing a many multifold increase in our price of electricity next year. there is no cap on the wholesale markets. potentially it could be paid by a windfall tax from profits of energy companies. 0ther profits of energy companies. other things, we calculated a temporary reduction of vat down to 5% which would be 100 million to consumers because we pass every penny of savings on to them. and the sequencing of the new taxes coming in, that are right to come in, but are at the same time as everything else. things like green taxation which will cost 60 million next year, other big environmental issues. i think we should look up temporarily because it was looking at the cost of living crisis and a national insurance increase which

everyone has been talking about as well. ., , ., everyone has been talking about as well. . , ., ., , ., well. that is quite a long list of otential well. that is quite a long list of potential measures. _ well. that is quite a long list of potential measures. we - well. that is quite a long list of potential measures. we will. well. that is quite a long list of. potential measures. we will keep well. that is quite a long list of- potential measures. we will keep an eye out and we will know in a couple of hours which of those come in or don't. finally i will ask you a slightly unfair question but i know people at home watching who shop and go out to the high street and use your shops, go out to the high street and use yourshops, can go out to the high street and use your shops, can you give any idea about when prices will start coming back to what they normally expect? i think some of the pressures, if you think some of the pressures, if you think of wheat from ukraine, sunflower oil, is hopefully a relatively short term issue and obviously we all hope and pray that issueis obviously we all hope and pray that issue is resolved as quickly as possible. i think some things might be more systemic and we maybe have to get used to a future with slightly higher food to get used to a future with slightly higherfood prices. that to get used to a future with slightly higher food prices. that is the reality. i don't think this is a temporary blip that will come all the way back down. that is the reality. you could say food has been too cheap for too long because prices haven't really moved over the last 25 years but of course what is

happening now is excess and we all hope it calls off a bit in the second half of the air. fascinating to net second half of the air. fascinating to get your _ second half of the air. fascinating to get your thoughts, _ second half of the air. fascinating to get your thoughts, richard i to get your thoughts, richard walker, managing director of iceland, thank you. let's talk to our political correspondentjonathan blake, who's in downing street where the cabinet are due to meet in the next few minutes. of course, the chancellor will be leaving from number 11 this morning as well. jonathan, good to see you. we had a long list there of potential things that the chancellor could do. what are your thoughts on what the chancellor will do? weill. what the chancellor will do? well, the bi is what the chancellor will do? well, the big - is this _ what the chancellor will do? well, the big - is this morning, | the big question is this morning, well the measures that the chancellor announces well the measures that the chancellor laterjnces well the measures that the chancellor later on es well the measures that the chancellor later on match the statement later on match the expectations? the expectations of mps in his own only mps in his own party, who are only too aware of the squeeze mps in his own party, who are only too aware of the sq e—mails moment, given the e—mails and letters they will moment, given the e—mails and letter unions, ill moment, given the e—mails and letter unions, businesses and the trade unions, businesses and the calls from opposition parties to cut

taxes and introduce measures to help calls from opposition parties to cut taxes and introduce rthings es to help calls from opposition parties to cut taxes and introduce rthings es t( we lp think the most likely things that we will see so far as we can know what a he's going to announce, will be a possible cut in fuel that is the chancellor and something which the chancellor and ministers had not a ministers had not pushed back a particularly hard on. the question will be of that comes in, how much will be of that comes in, how much will duty be cut on fuel? then there is the issue of national insurance contributions. that is a tax rise which is due to coming in april. as ministers arrive for the cabinet meeting this morning, that is the attorney general going on, they will get a sneak preview of what the chancellor is going to say to mps later on. it is that national insurance rise due to coming in april, the chances of it being

delayed or scrapped are slim, as their chancellor and prime minister are keen to push it through and continue with it. will there be some tinkering around the edges question might well the threshold that people start paying it rise, meaning those on lower incomes would be protected from that increase to a certain extent for a little longer? we will have to see what the chancellor has to say later on. there are some other measures others would like to see, universal credit, well taxes on energy change, including the green levies, which pay for investment in renewable energy? will they change at all? will we see a change in vat? those are the questions. this is not a budget, not a huge economic moment. the spring statement is normally an update for the chancellor to give on the state of the economy, with one or two measures announced around the edges but such other circumstances this year around this spring statement

that expectations are so incredibly high on the chancellor to put in place measures to mitigate the impact of rising bills, inflation more generally and of course that has been exacerbated by the war in ukraine more recently.— ukraine more recently. jonathan, thank ou ukraine more recently. jonathan, thank you for— ukraine more recently. jonathan, thank you for resisting _ ukraine more recently. jonathan, thank you for resisting the i ukraine more recently. jonathan, thank you for resisting the urge l ukraine more recently. jonathan, | thank you for resisting the urge to shout questions at cabinet ministers. you saved allah in your arms there. i want to pick up on that technicality —— you saved our eardrums. this is in an all singing and all dancing budget but it would normally be a slightly drier affair, and economic. but it shows how extreme the situation is right now. yes, and there has been pressure for some time for the chancellor and for the government to intervene. in part

at least because of the looming tax rise. the national insurance increase taking effect next month, which has already been announced and confirmed by the chancellor. but, yes, these are extraordinary economic times and doing nothing is not really politically or economically an option for the chancellor. so pressure and very high expectation on him to

so what will he do? we only have a couple of hours to wait and find out. indeed, thank you for that. jonathan blake in downing street. we are lets talk more about the impact on businesses. lets talk more about the impact on businesses-— businesses. inflation hitting 6.2%, that hasn't come _ businesses. inflation hitting 6.2%, that hasn't come as _ businesses. inflation hitting 6.2%, that hasn't come as a _ businesses. inflation hitting 6.2%, that hasn't come as a massive i that hasn't come as a massive surprise to traders here in liverpool. think about all the fuel and energy used to get here from costa rica and along the way prices have been going up. the shortage of hdv drivers has been increasing

their wages, just two little bits of that inflationary pressure. —— hgv drivers. tell me about your tomatoes. drivers. tell me about your tomatoes-— drivers. tell me about your tomatoes. , ., ., tomatoes. these have come from morocco and _ tomatoes. these have come from morocco and spain, _ tomatoes. these have come from morocco and spain, 1500 - tomatoes. these have come from morocco and spain, 1500 mile i morocco and spain, 1500 mile journey — morocco and spain, 1500 mile journey. we've had a drivers strike in spain. _ journey. we've had a drivers strike in spain, which impacted on the supply— in spain, which impacted on the supply line, it is a proper supply and demand situation which has pushed — and demand situation which has pushed up the price to £16 from £8 and it_ pushed up the price to £16 from £8 and it is_ pushed up the price to £16 from £8 and it is still rising. we pushed up the price to £16 from £8 and it is still rising.— and it is still rising. we hear fuel rices and it is still rising. we hear fuel prices might _ and it is still rising. we hear fuel prices might be _ and it is still rising. we hear fuel prices might be coming - and it is still rising. we hear fuel prices might be coming down i prices might be coming down marginally, about 5p per litre. that would only help each time you fill up would only help each time you fill up at the tank by 2— £3. maybe then he will delay or increase the threshold at which we pay more national insurance, although he has ruled that out earlier this week. what about increasing universal credit for the poorest households? that is something labour has been advocating, for example. which of those measures, you are an economic

analyst, do you think are most important at the moment? i analyst, do you think are most important at the moment? i think for me boosting — important at the moment? i think for me boosting incomes _ important at the moment? i think for me boosting incomes at _ important at the moment? i think for me boosting incomes at low- important at the moment? i think for me boosting incomes at low and i me boosting incomes at low and modest — me boosting incomes at low and modest incomes, _ me boosting incomes at low and modest incomes, a _ me boosting incomes at low and modest incomes, a big - me boosting incomes at low and modest incomes, a big uptake l me boosting incomes at low and| modest incomes, a big uptake in universai— modest incomes, a big uptake in universal credit. _ modest incomes, a big uptake in universal credit. about - modest incomes, a big uptake in universal credit. about £15- modest incomes, a big uptake inl universal credit. about £15 billion cash boost. — universal credit. about £15 billion cash boost, that— universal credit. about £15 billion cash boost, that would _ universal credit. about £15 billion cash boost, that would have i universal credit. about £15 billion cash boost, that would have a i cash boost, that would have a massive — cash boost, that would have a massive impact _ cash boost, that would have a massive impact on _ cash boost, that would have a massive impact on families i cash boost, that would have a massive impact on families atj cash boost, that would have a i massive impact on families at the sharp— massive impact on families at the sharp end — massive impact on families at the sharp end at _ massive impact on families at the sharp end at this _ massive impact on families at the sharp end at this cost _ massive impact on families at the sharp end at this cost of- massive impact on families at the sharp end at this cost of living i sharp end at this cost of living crisis — sharp end at this cost of living crisis. ., , , ., ., crisis. the treasury would argue we see that, crisis. the treasury would argue we see that. we _ crisis. the treasury would argue we see that, we hear _ crisis. the treasury would argue we see that, we hear you, _ crisis. the treasury would argue we see that, we hear you, we - crisis. the treasury would argue we see that, we hear you, we are i crisis. the treasury would argue we | see that, we hear you, we are giving £350 to most households, albeit as part of the inner loan home discount, increase in national insurance but that is to pay for the nhs. they say there are these measures in place. fiend nhs. they say there are these measures in place.— nhs. they say there are these measures in place. and i say you haven't done _ measures in place. and i say you haven't done enough. _ measures in place. and i say you haven't done enough. the i measures in place. and i say you haven't done enough. the price i measures in place. and i say you i haven't done enough. the price rises we are _ haven't done enough. the price rises we are seeing— haven't done enough. the price rises we are seeing are _ haven't done enough. the price rises we are seeing are absolutely - we are seeing are absolutely extraordinary— we are seeing are absolutely extraordinary and _ we are seeing are absolutely extraordinary and they- we are seeing are absolutely extraordinary and they needl we are seeing are absolutely . extraordinary and they need to we are seeing are absolutely i extraordinary and they need to do more _ extraordinary and they need to do more when— extraordinary and they need to do more when you _ extraordinary and they need to do more. when you take _ extraordinary and they need to do more. when you take all- extraordinary and they need to do more. when you take all of- extraordinary and they need to do more. when you take all of the i more. when you take all of the measures— more. when you take all of the measures they've _ more. when you take all of the measures they've put - more. when you take all of the measures they've put in - more. when you take all of the measures they've put in place, | more. when you take all of the i measures they've put in place, the announcements— measures they've put in place, the announcements we've _ measures they've put in place, the announcements we've done - measures they've put in place, the announcements we've done that i measures they've put in place, the. announcements we've done that the new economics _ announcements we've done that the new economics foundation - announcements we've done that the new economics foundation says i announcements we've done that the new economics foundation says all i new economics foundation says all household — new economics foundation says all household are _ new economics foundation says all household are still— new economics foundation says all household are still worse - new economics foundation says all household are still worse off. i new economics foundation says all household are still worse off. thel household are still worse off. the bottom _ household are still worse off. the bottom 10% — household are still worse off. the hottom10% of— household are still worse off. the bottom 10% of households, - household are still worse off. the bottom 10% of households, £420j household are still worse off. the - bottom 10% of households, £420 worse off. bottom 10% of households, £420 worse off it _ bottom 10% of households, £420 worse off it is _ bottom 10% of households, £420 worse off. it is painful. — bottom 10% of households, £420 worse off. it is painful, there _ bottom 10% of households, £420 worse off. it is painful, there is _ bottom 10% of households, £420 worse off. it is painful, there is a _ off. it is painful, there is a squeeze _ off. it is painful, there is a squeeze out _ off. it is painful, there is a squeeze out there, - off. it is painful, there is a squeeze out there, he i off. it is painful, there is a squeeze out there, he has| off. it is painful, there is a i squeeze out there, he has to do more _ squeeze out there, he has to do more. ., squeeze out there, he has to do more. . ., more. the warning from the chancellor, _ more. the warning from the chancellor, thank _ more. the warning from the chancellor, thank you, i more. the warning from the chancellor, thank you, is i more. the warning from the j chancellor, thank you, is we more. the warning from the - chancellor, thank you, is we cannot do much more. there are support measures in place, it won't be like

a pandemic. where we put those extraordinary extra measures in place. 0ne extraordinary extra measures in place. one thing we can say at lunchtime is don't be surprised if there aren't many surprises in the spring statement.— there aren't many surprises in the spring statement. thank you to nina for that. spring statement. thank you to nina for that- we — spring statement. thank you to nina for that. we can _ spring statement. thank you to nina for that. we can speak _ spring statement. thank you to nina for that. we can speak to _ spring statement. thank you to nina for that. we can speak to mel- for that. we can speak to mel stride, the chair of the treasury select committee. thank you for coming on the programme. your committee released a report on the impact of the economic sanctions on russia which i will come unto in a little bit. what i will talk about thursday is related to theirs. i want to talk about the chancellor's spring statement today. we have heard there are lots of ways in which different people and different businesses are struggling at the moment. what would you like to see happen? moment. what would you like to see ha en? ~ moment. what would you like to see ha-een? ~ ~ moment. what would you like to see hauen? ~ ., moment. what would you like to see hauen?. ~ moment. what would you like to see ha--en?~ «a, happen? well, i think as your last clip suggested. — happen? well, i think as your last clip suggested, what _ happen? well, i think as your last clip suggested, what the - happen? well, i think as your last i clip suggested, what the chancellor has got to do now is focused targeted support on low income households because they are the households because they are the households where fuel and food prices are going to represent a higher proportion of their spending than those that are better off. of

course, these are the same people who unfortunately during the pandemic have not been able to save as much as many others in the economy. so it has to be targeted support but he will have to balance that against meeting his fiscal targets and also being concerned about what the future might hold for the economy in terms of inflation and interest rate and all those other costs that will bear down on government. other costs that will bear down on government-— other costs that will bear down on government. looking at the idea of tarueted government. looking at the idea of targeted support. _ government. looking at the idea of targeted support, an _ government. looking at the idea of targeted support, an increase i government. looking at the idea of targeted support, an increase in i targeted support, an increase in national insurance, a taxon businesses and people of all incomes but including at lower incomes, what do you make of that? i but including at lower incomes, what do you make of that?— do you make of that? i think it should be _ do you make of that? i think it should be scrapped _ do you make of that? i think it should be scrapped and i do you make of that? i think it should be scrapped and it's i do you make of that? i think it i should be scrapped and it's been a position i have personally held for some time now. now is not the time to go ahead with this. the so—called wiggle room everybody talks about, the kind of head room the chancellor has between the target that he is said and where the economy is at the moment, does allow him to scrap that tax increase altogether and at the same time still meet his commitment

to fund... extra funds for the nhs and social care. it can be done and i didn't know is the time for him to do it. he i didn't know is the time for him to do it. i didn't know is the time for him to doit. do it. he will probably respond in sa in: it do it. he will probably respond in saying it can't — do it. he will probably respond in saying it can't be _ do it. he will probably respond in saying it can't be done, - do it. he will probably respond in saying it can't be done, there i do it. he will probably respond in | saying it can't be done, there isn't enough money, we have to fund health and social care in some way. absolutely, but it is not either or. the economy has bounced back more quickly than forecasters expected. information itself has driven up the tax tape because more people are being pushed into higher levels of tax as a consequence of that because the chancellor froze the income tax thresholds, so that is an effect of that. so there is more money, it is possible to actually do both, keep money going to the nhs and scrap that tax. what i think he will do is probably, as has been suggested on your programme, is actuallyjust raised the threshold of national insurance. that will be helpful because it will indeed be targeted at the less well off. fiend because it will indeed be targeted at the less well off.— at the less well off. and 'ust movinu at the less well off. and 'ust moving on fl at the less well off. and 'ust moving on to i at the less well off. and 'ust moving on to more i at the less well off. and 'ust moving on to more of i at the less well off. and just moving on to more of the i at the less well off. and just i moving on to more of the area of your report, the impact of sanctions

on russia. just to be clear, inflation in the cost of living was ramping up well before this, but what extra impact do you think it will have on ordinary people up and down the country as these sanctions and the effect of the russia— ukraine conflict it? it and the effect of the russia- ukraine conflict it?— ukraine conflict it? it will be unhelpful— ukraine conflict it? it will be unhelpful because _ ukraine conflict it? it will be unhelpful because clearly i ukraine conflict it? it will be unhelpful because clearly it| ukraine conflict it? it will be i unhelpful because clearly it will lead and is already leading to an increase in gas and oil prices. it will also directly affect the price of food, both through the increase of food, both through the increase of energy costs but also because ukraine in particular, as a result of this war, is not able to produce the kind of wheat output and other outputs that make it the red basket of europe. these will be very serious effects. 0ne shouldn't overlook, though, the punishing effect of these sanctions on the putin regime and on russia is that we have seen the rouble slip and inflation are over 2% a week, huge

compared to what we are facing. so they are in for a very, very tough time ahead and this is all part of putting the pressure on putin for the terrible things that he is now doing in ukraine. gk. the terrible things that he is now doing in ukraine.— the terrible things that he is now doing in ukraine. 0k, we must leave it there but — doing in ukraine. 0k, we must leave it there but thank _ doing in ukraine. 0k, we must leave it there but thank you. _ doing in ukraine. 0k, we must leave it there but thank you. with - doing in ukraine. 0k, we must leave it there but thank you. with me i doing in ukraine. 0k, we must leave it there but thank you. with me now| it there but thank you. with me now is the policy director for child poverty group, sarah. thank you for coming on the programme. we had a range of ways in which the cost of living is affecting different people, businesses. what is the main ways, what are the pinch points for children and for families? the thing about children _ children and for families? the thing about children is _ children and for families? the thing about children is they _ children and for families? the thing about children is they cost - children and for families? the thing about children is they cost money, | about children is they cost money, don't they? they need food, they need to eat, they need to get dropped off at things. 0n need to eat, they need to get dropped off at things. on days like today in london is super honey and you need some cream or a hat and perhaps that means buying a new one them. it is notjust one pinch point but the prices are reaching this kind of all time high, so families' costs are shooting right up. what we're hearing from families as they

don't have anything left to cut back on. lots face a cut to their benefit before christmas and before that there was covid, so people haven't been able to save any money. actually, there are quite a long time, benefits have been cut, even before covid, so we have kind of had ten years of family is really struggling to keep up with the amount of money they need to look after their children and to give their children everything that they need to get by properly. so their children everything that they need to get by properly.— their children everything that they need to get by properly. so what are some of the — need to get by properly. so what are some of the most _ need to get by properly. so what are some of the most effective -- i need to get by properly. so what are | some of the most effective -- magga some of the most effective —— magga most targeted ways you think the chancellor or the government should help? chancellor or the government should hel ? ~ ~, chancellor or the government should hel? ~ a, a, a a, , chancellor or the government should help? what the chancellor needs to do toda is help? what the chancellor needs to do today is show _ help? what the chancellor needs to do today is show he _ help? what the chancellor needs to do today is show he understands i help? what the chancellor needs to | do today is show he understands the scale of the challenge families are facing. what he did a few months ago there were some smaller measures that he introduced and they didn't do enough. what we are calling for is a rise in benefits to match inflation, which is around 8% at the moment. what government is currently committed to its raising it by 3%. that leaves families with a huge gap in their budget. we have calculated

it will probably leave them with about 660 quid short every year and thatis about 660 quid short every year and that is not something they can absorb at the moment. 50 really, the chancellor has to really face reality families are facing and anything less will not be good enough. anything less will not be good enou:h. . , anything less will not be good enou:h. ., , ., ., enough. that is the one point for ou, the enough. that is the one point for you. the main — enough. that is the one point for you, the main priority, _ enough. that is the one point for you, the main priority, the - enough. that is the one point for you, the main priority, the rise l enough. that is the one point for| you, the main priority, the rise in benefits in line with inflation. what else would you want? that is the main thing. _ what else would you want? that is the main thing. over _ what else would you want? that is the main thing. over the _ what else would you want? that is the main thing. over the longer i the main thing. over the longer term, we need to look at the adequacy of benefits and how families have got into the situation they are in at the moment because they are in at the moment because the one where you could look at this as it is just kind of lots of short crises families are facing but actually we have this current crisis and it will last all year. before that, there was covid. so there is something more fundamental going on with our economy and the way things are balanced. really if the chancellor could look at the reality of families' lives in what children need and what their families need to get by, much more fundamental look at how much families are getting in benefits and how our services work,

things like free school meals would make a huge difference to families. there are lots of different things being talked about today but if you are looking at the measures to be targeted at families most in need, thatis targeted at families most in need, that is a kind of stuff we need. absolutely fascinating, thank you very much for outlining exactly what you would like to the chancellor doing. let's take a look at 11 downing street because we have lots of questions, lots of potential measures that could be taken and did not long at all, we will find out what measures the chancellor will sign up to. we are expecting the order of play, cabinet meeting in downing street at 9:30, so about now. and then we are expecting rishi sunak about an hour after that to leave. rishi sunak

will deliver the spring statement and we will get some of those answers. we will leave their spring statement therefore a bit and head to ukraine now. ukraine's president vlodimir zelensky says there is "nothing left" of the port city of mariupol as it remains under constant russian bombardment. in his nightly address, he said 100,000 civilians remain there with no food, water or medicine. judith moritz reports. the road out of mariupol is the road out of hell. it's a desperate journey, but car after car has run this gauntlet, fleeing a city where there's almost nothing left. and what can life possibly feel like for those still there? the russians have razed this place to the ground. thousands are still trapped, trying to survive in impossible circumstances. translation: as of today, - there are about 100,000 people in this city, in inhuman conditions, completely blockaded,

without food, water, without medicines, subject to constant shelling, constant bombardment. for more than a week now, we've been trying to organise stable humanitarian corridors for mariupol residents, and almost all our attempts, unfortunately, are disrupted by the russian occupiers, by shelling or deliberate terror. as russian tanks continue to roll across ukrainian territory, there are pockets of resistance. this is the town of voznesensk. the russians were determined to seize it. but this quiet farming community stood its ground, setting a trap for the invading soldiers, and then blowing up the town's bridge, sending the russians into retreat. explosion in places like this, the ukrainians are moving from defence to attack. we have seen indications

that the ukrainians are going a bit more on the offense now, and they have been defending very smartly, very nimbly, very creatively, in places that they believe are the right places to defend. and we have seen them now in places, particularly in the south, near kherson, they have tried to regain territory. the ukrainians say that each day they fight, they buy themselves a better position at the negotiating table. the diplomacy continues, but so too does the war of words. russia has refused to rule out using nuclear weapons. the pentagon called those remarks dangerous. and with further sanctions imminent, the ukrainians hope that, step—by—step, the russians will be urged towards peace. judith moritz, bbc news. plenty more from ukraine, of course. and — a quick pointer —

we'll be taking your questions on the war in ukraine, this friday at 11:30. we'll have guests able to answer a range of aspects of the war — from how it is being fought, how it is being reported, and how it may end — to the human consequences. you can get in touch on twitter using the hashtag bbc your questions — and you can email us on yourquestions@bbc.co.uk p&0 ferries has said 800 staff they made redundant will be offered £36.5 million compensation in total with around a0 people getting more than £100 each. the firm has also denied that it broke the law when it sacked the workers without warning last week. however, unions said the compensation package being offered was "pure blackmail and threats". let's turn to covid now — because today marks two years since the prime minister announced the uk's first official lockdown, telling the country: "you must stay at home". since then, nearly 164,000 people have died with covid—19. a memorial concert is being held

at st paul's cathedral this morning. our health correspondent, catherine burns, is there for us. catherine, how will people be marking today? good morning. it's exactly two years since the bells rang silent at saint pauls. that is when the prime minister spoke to the nation and put us into lockdown. he talked for six minutes but it could be summed up with that one instruction, "you must stay at home", no meeting friends, no families, nothing other than the essentials because we had no treatment and no vaccine. now we are in a very different position because we have both. it's all about living with covid. even so, still almost 300 people on ventilators right now with covid. as you say, we have lost 164,000 people almost within 28 days of a positive covid test. this concert tonight is about remembering those people and also paying special

tribute to the nhs staff and care workers who worked so hard during the pandemic. no cameras are allowed inside. i have had a sneak peek and it is looking absolutely beautiful. i'm joined now by someone who can tell us all about it, the director of music. andrew, what should we be expecting at this concert? goad expecting at this concert? good morninu. expecting at this concert? good morning- an — expecting at this concert? good morning. an amazing _ expecting at this concert? good morning. an amazing and - expecting at this concert? good morning. an amazing and emotional experienca — morning. an amazing and emotional experience. this great building, as you said. _ experience. this great building, as you said, looking terrific, the london — you said, looking terrific, the london symphony chorus choir, we have _ london symphony chorus choir, we have the _ london symphony chorus choir, we have the rom bear dance company, the cathedral_ have the rom bear dance company, the cathedral choir, we will all be performing music of real power, talking _ performing music of real power, talking about resilience, love, loss — talking about resilience, love, loss -- — talking about resilience, love, loss. —— rambert dance company. the deadly— loss. —— rambert dance company. the deadly nhs _ loss. —— rambert dance company. the deadly nhs workers who lost their lives by— deadly nhs workers who lost their lives by looking after so many in the pandemic. the lives by looking after so many in the pandemic.— lives by looking after so many in the andemic. ., , ., ., the pandemic. the names of all the nhs workers _ the pandemic. the names of all the nhs workers who _ the pandemic. the names of all the nhs workers who have _ the pandemic. the names of all the nhs workers who have died - the pandemic. the names of all the nhs workers who have died will - the pandemic. the names of all the nhs workers who have died will be | nhs workers who have died will be sung. nhs workers who have died will be sunu. , , ., ., nhs workers who have died will be sun. , , ., ., ., �*, sung. this is howard goodall's -iece, sung. this is howard goodall's iece, a sung. this is howard goodall's piece. a really _ sung. this is howard goodall's piece, a really powerful- sung. this is howard goodall's piece, a really powerfulthing. | piece, a really powerful thing. singing — piece, a really powerful thing. singing gives expression to words in a different— singing gives expression to words in a different way. notjust singing gives expression to words in a different way. not just saying singing gives expression to words in a different way. notjust saying it but singing it is so powerful and in

his piece. — but singing it is so powerful and in his piece, the names of those who died in _ his piece, the names of those who died in the — his piece, the names of those who died in the nhs will be recited at some _ died in the nhs will be recited at some of— died in the nhs will be recited at some of their families are going to be there — some of their families are going to be there it — some of their families are going to be there. it will be an emotional and powerful event.— be there. it will be an emotional and powerful event. what is your role auoin and powerful event. what is your role going to _ and powerful event. what is your role going to be? _ and powerful event. what is your role going to be? i _ and powerful event. what is your role going to be? i am _ and powerful event. what is your| role going to be? i am conducting the cathedral— role going to be? i am conducting the cathedral choir. _ role going to be? i am conducting the cathedral choir. we _ role going to be? i am conducting the cathedral choir. we are - role going to be? i am conducting the cathedral choir. we are not i the cathedral choir. we are not singing — the cathedral choir. we are not singing howard's piece, we are singing — singing howard's piece, we are singing pieces by sirjohn taverne and michael tibbett. emotional stuff, _ and michael tibbett. emotional stuff, it— and michael tibbett. emotional stuff, it talks about resilience, there — stuff, it talks about resilience, there is— stuff, it talks about resilience, there is some spirituals, we are singing — there is some spirituals, we are singing about believing strongly that everything is going to be all i’ilht that everything is going to be all right at— that everything is going to be all right atjohn taverne's that everything is going to be all right at john taverne's piece is unbelievably serene. looking towards li-ht unbelievably serene. looking towards light and _ unbelievably serene. looking towards light and hope. unbelievably serene. looking towards light and hone-— light and hope. when you are not conducting. _ light and hope. when you are not conducting. you _ light and hope. when you are not conducting, you will _ light and hope. when you are not conducting, you will be _ light and hope. when you are not conducting, you will be sitting - light and hope. when you are not conducting, you will be sitting in| conducting, you will be sitting in this service. these moments are such a time to sit and take stock, what are you going to be remembering for the last two years? it’s are you going to be remembering for the last two years?— the last two years? it's difficult. lots of peeple _ the last two years? it's difficult. lots of people to _ the last two years? it's difficult. lots of people to think - the last two years? it's difficult. lots of people to think about. . lots of people to think about. personally, not being able to sing. being _ personally, not being able to sing. being a _ personally, not being able to sing. being a singerand personally, not being able to sing. being a singer and someone who conducts— being a singer and someone who conducts singers, when literally the whole _ conducts singers, when literally the whole world fell silent it was absolutely devastating. as i said, the music— absolutely devastating. as i said, the music gives an extra dimension to our— the music gives an extra dimension to our experience and not to be able

to our experience and not to be able to express _ to our experience and not to be able to express that was a really difficult _ to express that was a really difficult. �* , ., a to express that was a really difficult. �* , ., ., to express that was a really difficult. , ., ., ., difficult. best of luck for that toni . ht. difficult. best of luck for that tonight. the _ difficult. best of luck for that tonight. the tickets - difficult. best of luck for that tonight. the tickets are - difficult. best of luck for that tonight. the tickets are sold | difficult. best of luck for that i tonight. the tickets are sold out but it can be livestreamed at 7pm tonight if you want to catch that. thanks very much. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. things still looking good? they are indeed. good morning. a chilly start to the day but for most, it will be dry, sunny and warm. that is when we get rid of what is left of the fog across north—east england and the east midlands. lots of sunshine around and a chance of a shower. eastern england, eastern scotland and western scotland later. temperature range 9—19. we could see 21 somewhere in east anglia or the south—east. always cooler along the coast. this evening and overnight, under clear skies and temperatures will fall away at patchy mist and fog. more cloud coming in across northern ireland and western scotland could produce a shower or two. these are the overnight lows in towns and cities below are in the

countryside with a touch of frost. tomorrow mist and fog will lift rapidly. lots of sunshine. still more cloudy especially western scotland and west of northern ireland with the odd shower. temperatures 9—18. again, cooler on the coasts. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: as the chancellor prepares to make his spring statement — new figures show the cost of living has risen by more than 6%, the fastest increase in over 30 years. in ukraine, new aerial images emerge of the battered city of mariupol. president zelensky says more than 100,000 civilians remain there — without food, water or medicine. two years on from the first coronavirus lockdown, events are held across the uk to remember lives lost, and sacrifices made, during the pandemic. and the women's world number one — australia's ash barty — says she's hanging up her tennis

racket at just 25—years—old. let's get more on that and the rest of the sport, here's chethan. good morning. yes, we will start with ash barty, where else but with her? that shock announcement that she is retiring from tennis at the age ofjust 25. she made the announcement on social media on wednesday, saying she was leaving to "chase other dreams". after winning wimbledon last year, she has remained the top—ranked player in the world and injanuary became the first home player to win the australia open, men's or women's, singles title in 44 years. this is some of what she's been saying on social media. i'll be retiring from tennis, and it's the first time i've actually said it out loud. and, yeah, it's hard to say.

but i'm so happy and i'm so ready, and ijust know at the moment in my heart, for me as a person, this is right. and i know i have done this before but in a very different feeling, and i'm so grateful to everything that tennis has given me. tennis players trying to wrap their heads around the news. simona halep... ash, what can i say, you know i have tears, right? my friend, i will miss you on tour. you were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments. what's next for you? grand slam champion in golf?! be happy and enjoy your life to the max, simona. madison keyes: an incredible tennis player but more importantly one of the nicest people on tour. congratulations on an amazing career and good luck with what's next! andy murray: happy for you, gutted for tennis what a player.

heart emoji. earlier, former british number one annabel croft gave her thoughts on the australian's shock announcement. i think the whole of the tennis world — i think the whole of the tennis world were in complete shock. i mean, _ world were in complete shock. i mean. i— world were in complete shock. i mean, i didn't see this coming. i don't _ mean, ididn't see this coming. i don't think— mean, i didn't see this coming. i don't think anyone saw this coming but when _ don't think anyone saw this coming but when you hear what she has to say about — but when you hear what she has to say about it — but when you hear what she has to say about it and you hear that she really _ say about it and you hear that she really feels like she has nothing left to _ really feels like she has nothing left to give, that by winning at the australian open, it was just like the final— australian open, it was just like the final fantastic achievement that she wanted to achieve and she doesn't — she wanted to achieve and she doesn't have anything left, it all makes _ doesn't have anything left, it all makes perfect sense.— doesn't have anything left, it all makes perfect sense. more reaction and analysis — makes perfect sense. more reaction and analysis to _ makes perfect sense. more reaction and analysis to that _ makes perfect sense. more reaction and analysis to that story _ makes perfect sense. more reaction and analysis to that story on - makes perfect sense. more reaction and analysis to that story on the - and analysis to that story on the bbc sport website. manchester united have officially spoken to ajax coach erik ten hag about their vacant manager's job. bbc sport understand that the meeting took place on monday, as united begin to crystalise their thoughts around their future. interim manager ralf rangnick has been in charge since ole gunnar solskjaer was sacked in november. psg boss mauricio pochettino

is also on the short—list, with sevila coachjulen lopetegui and spanish coach luis enrique on it too. that's all the sport for now. more later. let's return to our top story. there's further pressure on the chancellor, rishi sunak, to tackle the soaring cost of living in his spring statement today — after new figures revealed a bigger—than—expected jump in inflation. let's take a closer look at the figures — here's our economics correspondent, andy verity. talk us through what is going on here. ., ., , ., , .,, talk us through what is going on here. ., ., , here. the inflation story, as you mentioned. _ here. the inflation story, as you mentioned, is _ here. the inflation story, as you mentioned, is the _ here. the inflation story, as you mentioned, is the big _ here. the inflation story, as you mentioned, is the big story. - here. the inflation story, as you | mentioned, is the big story. look here. the inflation story, as you - mentioned, is the big story. look at a chart of what has happened to inflation over the last ten years, you can see it has gone up higher thanit you can see it has gone up higher than it has for a decade. in fact, it is the highest for 30 years, 6.2% rise in the cost of living and that is a lot down to energy bills, petrol price, the average petrol

price is £1 65 petrol price, the average petrol price is £165 a petrol price, the average petrol price is £1 65 a litre at the pumps. the question for rishi sunak, what will he do to help households without a cost of living? what will he do about economic growth? but haven't been looking particularly great recently. this is a chart going back to the financial crisis, you can see a dip but look at this great big bungeejumping economy has done over here. that is the pandemic when activity was artificially suppressed and then it comes back as the global economy reopens. there is extra demand and suppliers are not meeting that demand, that is why prices are taking off. we will slow right down according to this chart. that means there will be less money eventually coming into the treasury then might have been the case if it had had faster growth. nevertheless, the economy is growing quite quickly at the moment, compared to what it has in the past two years, certainly in 2020. look at what is happening to borrowing. borrowing, how much the government has to borrow to plug the government has to borrow to plug

the gap between its income and its spending depends on how fast the economy is growing. look here, more than £300 billion during the full lockdown of 2020. that is how much the government had to borrow for example to pay people's wages and higher benefits. look how quickly that has come down. it has nearly halved not because of any austerity measures, but civilly because the economy is growing more quickly and that means more tax money coming into the treasury. projected to get down to a much more manageable size in the coming months. one of the things that is actually helping is inflation. for example, the tax thresholds have been frozen. that means that more people are paying higher rates of tax. that means more money for the treasury. what might the measures be in the spring statement that rishi sunak might bring in? one of the things the treasury has already done to help with the cost of living, it says, is the energy bills rebate. it is looking at £9.1 billion, the government says it is giving, in

order to help people with soaring energy bills order to help people with soaring energy hills which, unfortunately, going tojump again come energy hills which, unfortunately, going to jump again come the autumn because of what's been going on recently on the world stage. national insurance, well, sorry national living wage has gone up to £9 50 or going to go up. that is about a 6% rise but the bank of england is saying that inflation could get up to 8% or more. will that keep up? it's not obvious. and he could also do something with the national insurance threshold. at the moment, you pay national insurance when you add more £9,880. he could cushion people from the higher national insurance they will pay from the health and social care levy. he can raise those thresholds from 9880 211 grand, 12 ground and that will take a lot of people who are really hurting out of the net for the higher taxa —— to 11 grand. some of those numbers pretty sobering. we will know if any of those measures are introduced by the

chancellor by 12:30pm. thank you. let's take a look at the impact of those numbers in the real world. now for those in the hospitality industry risings costs are makig it difficult for many to keep afloat — rising energy costs, covid and the impact of brexit. one businessperson whose been speaking to us says situation has created a perfect storm. let's talk tojenny kumah who is at a laundry business in axminster in devon. hi, jenny, what's the impact there? well, this business only started may in the midst of the pandemic. they had a really strong start, they spotted a gap in the market due to the unavailability of workers. they did really well, so much so that they invested around £50,000 in new equipment, new a new washing machines, new dryers, new dryers, new irons. but now they are saying that being such an energy intensive business that they are being really impacted by the increase in fuel and

in electricity. ava mcfarlane is the owner and director here. just talk us through the impact this is having on your business.— us through the impact this is having on your business. obviously, we will see a reduction _ on your business. obviously, we will see a reduction in _ on your business. obviously, we will see a reduction in our— on your business. obviously, we will see a reduction in our profits, - see a reduction in our profits, which — see a reduction in our profits, which is, _ see a reduction in our profits, which is, you know, part of making a business _ which is, you know, part of making a business work. our main outgoings are electricity from our machines. and fuel— are electricity from our machines. and fuel costs for our vehicles. we have _ and fuel costs for our vehicles. we have introduced a charge for delivery. _ have introduced a charge for delivery, which is what we didn't do before _ delivery, which is what we didn't do before but — delivery, which is what we didn't do before. but to try to compensate for the greater— before. but to try to compensate for the greater increase in fuel, we've had to— the greater increase in fuel, we've had to bring — the greater increase in fuel, we've had to bring that in. thankfully, our customers have been understanding, supportive of a small charge _ understanding, supportive of a small charge at— understanding, supportive of a small charge at the moment.— understanding, supportive of a small charge at the moment. speculation is that we may — charge at the moment. speculation is that we may see _ charge at the moment. speculation is that we may see a _ charge at the moment. speculation is that we may see a cut _ charge at the moment. speculation is that we may see a cut on _ charge at the moment. speculation is that we may see a cut on fuel- charge at the moment. speculation is that we may see a cut on fuel duty. . that we may see a cut on fuel duty. what kind of things are you hoping to hear today?— to hear today? well, a cut would obviously benefit _ to hear today? well, a cut would obviously benefit us. _ to hear today? well, a cut would obviously benefit us. we - to hear today? well, a cut would obviously benefit us. we knew . to hear today? well, a cut would - obviously benefit us. we knew there were going — obviously benefit us. we knew there were going to be increases after the pandemic _ were going to be increases after the pandemic. but being, you know, so intense _ pandemic. but being, you know, so intense and — pandemic. but being, you know, so intense and so soon after was maybe

not as _ intense and so soon after was maybe not as expected. we forecasted an increase _ not as expected. we forecasted an increase in— not as expected. we forecasted an increase in our electric of about 30%_ increase in our electric of about 30% to — increase in our electric of about 30% to 40% rise but we're just having — 30% to 40% rise but we're just having to — 30% to 40% rise but we're just having to ride it out as best we can _ having to ride it out as best we can and. _ having to ride it out as best we can. and, you know, make cuts and be more _ can. and, you know, make cuts and be more efficient— can. and, you know, make cuts and be more efficient with deliveries and reduce _ more efficient with deliveries and reduce the deliveries to try and save _ reduce the deliveries to try and save but — reduce the deliveries to try and save. but i'm not sure what cuts really — save. but i'm not sure what cuts really are _ save. but i'm not sure what cuts really are going to come in today, as you _ really are going to come in today, as you say, — really are going to come in today, as you say, a _ really are going to come in today, as you say, a small reduction may be in fuel. _ as you say, a small reduction may be in fuel. which— as you say, a small reduction may be in fuel, which is not really going to impact— in fuel, which is not really going to impact us. yes... | in fuel, which is not really going to impact us. yes. . ._ fli - to impact us. yes... i guess the fli side to impact us. yes... i guess the flip side is _ to impact us. yes. .. i guess the flip side is if— to impact us. yes... i guess the flip side is if the _ to impact us. yes... i guess the flip side is if the government. to impact us. yes... i guess the i flip side is if the government does decide to cut things like the amount of tax it's getting in, that may mean cuts to other services or reductions in other areas. what do you think should be the priority? definitely the working class, the poorer _ definitely the working class, the poorer side, they're really going to suffer~ _ poorer side, they're really going to suffer. we've already seen poverty in certain _ suffer. we've already seen poverty in certain areas and that is a big worry _ in certain areas and that is a big worry. trying to support the low income — worry. trying to support the low income families. you know, they're already— income families. you know, they're already struggling, we've already seen _ already struggling, we've already seen a _ already struggling, we've already seen a large amount of people going

to food _ seen a large amount of people going to food banks. yet... seen a large amount of people going to food banks. yet. . ._ to food banks. yet... that's great, ava, to food banks. yet... that's great, ava. thank — to food banks. yet... that's great, ava. thank you _ to food banks. yet... that's great, ava, thank you for _ to food banks. yet... that's great, ava, thank you for talking - to food banks. yet... that's great, ava, thank you for talking to - to food banks. yet... that's great, ava, thank you for talking to us. . ava, thank you for talking to us. let's speak to one of your workers. how are you finding things in terms of your household budget, you've got two children, i understand, your husband works full time and you have increased two hours? yes. husband works full time and you have increased two hours?— increased two hours? yes, i've had to build op — increased two hours? yes, i've had to build op my _ increased two hours? yes, i've had to build up my hours _ increased two hours? yes, i've had to build up my hours are _ increased two hours? yes, i've had to build up my hours are little - increased two hours? yes, i've had to build up my hours are little bit l to build up my hours are little bit more _ to build up my hours are little bit more because _ to build up my hours are little bit more because electric— to build up my hours are little bit more because electric and - to build up my hours are little bit more because electric and gas i to build up my hours are little bit more because electric and gas is| more because electric and gas is going _ more because electric and gas is going up. — more because electric and gas is going up. fuel— more because electric and gas is going up. fuel is _ more because electric and gas is going up, fuel is going _ more because electric and gas is going up, fuel is going up. i more because electric and gas is going up, fuel is going up. foodl going up, fuel is going up. food is going _ going up, fuel is going up. food is going up — going up, fuel is going up. food is going up its— going up, fuel is going up. food is going up it's a _ going up, fuel is going up. food is going up it's a lot— going up, fuel is going up. food is going up. it's a lot to _ going up, fuel is going up. food is going up. it's a lot to take - going up, fuel is going up. food is going up. it's a lot to take in, i going up, fuel is going up. food is going up. it's a lot to take in, a i going up. it's a lot to take in, a lot of— going up. it's a lot to take in, a lot of it. — going up. it's a lot to take in, a lot of it. you— going up. it's a lot to take in, a lot of it, you know. _ going up. it's a lot to take in, a lot of it, you know. i— going up. it's a lot to take in, a lot of it, you know. i can't- going up. it's a lot to take in, a lot of it, you know. i can't do. going up. it's a lot to take in, ai lot of it, you know. i can't do all of it _ lot of it, you know. i can't do all of it some _ lot of it, you know. i can't do all of it. some weeks— lot of it, you know. i can't do all of it. some weeks i'm _ lot of it, you know. i can't do all of it. some weeks i'm having i lot of it, you know. i can't do all of it. some weeks i'm having to| of it. some weeks i'm having to on whether— of it. some weeks i'm having to on whether i_ of it. some weeks i'm having to on whether i have _ of it. some weeks i'm having to on whether i have a _ of it. some weeks i'm having to on whether i have a electric— of it. some weeks i'm having to on whether i have a electric or- of it. some weeks i'm having to on whether i have a electric or i - of it. some weeks i'm having to on whether i have a electric or i havel whether i have a electric or i have food _ whether i have a electric or i have food i_ whether i have a electric or i have food l have — whether i have a electric or i have food l have to— whether i have a electric or i have food. i have to work— whether i have a electric or i have food. i have to work more - whether i have a electric or i have food. i have to work more hours i whether i have a electric or i have i food. i have to work more hoursjust to budget _ food. i have to work more hours 'ust to budaet. ., ., i. food. i have to work more hours 'ust to budaet. ., ., ., to budget. how do you feel about that? lboth _ to budget. how do you feel about that? both you _ to budget. how do you feel about that? both you and _ to budget. how do you feel about that? both you and your - to budget. how do you feel about that? both you and your husband | to budget. how do you feel about i that? both you and your husband are working, trying your best, but you are still struggling? it is working, trying your best, but you are still struggling?— are still struggling? it is a struggle. _ are still struggling? it is a struggle. it _ are still struggling? it is a struggle, it is _ are still struggling? it is a struggle, it is a _ are still struggling? it is a struggle, it is a struggle. | are still struggling? it is a i struggle, it is a struggle. yeah... a lot _ struggle, it is a struggle. yeah... a lot of— struggle, it is a struggle. yeah... a lot of it— struggle, it is a struggle. yeah... a lot of it is— struggle, it is a struggle. yeah... alot of it isa— struggle, it is a struggle. yeah... a lot of it is a struggle _ struggle, it is a struggle. yeah... a lot of it is a struggle on - struggle, it is a struggle. yeah... a lot of it is a struggle on a i a lot of it is a struggle on a weekly— a lot of it is a struggle on a weekly basis. _ a lot of it is a struggle on a weekly basis. in _ a lot of it is a struggle on a weekly basis.— a lot of it is a struggle on a weekly basis. a lot of it is a struggle on a weekl basis. , ., ., weekly basis. in terms of we are hoinr to weekly basis. in terms of we are hoping to hear— weekly basis. in terms of we are hoping to hear from _ weekly basis. in terms of we are hoping to hear from the - weekly basis. in terms of we are i hoping to hear from the chancellor later today about what he might be able to offer families like yours. what should be the priority, in your

opinion? what should be the priority, in your oinion? ~ ., ~' what should be the priority, in your oinion? ~ ., ~ . what should be the priority, in your oinion? ~ ., ~ , opinion? working class people, i think. because _ opinion? working class people, i think. because we _ opinion? working class people, i think. because we don't - opinion? working class people, i think. because we don't get i opinion? working class people, i think. because we don't get a i opinion? working class people, i| think. because we don't get a lot opinion? working class people, i. think. because we don't get a lot of help. _ think. because we don't get a lot of help. like _ think. because we don't get a lot of help, like benefit— think. because we don't get a lot of help, like benefit people _ think. because we don't get a lot of help, like benefit people do - think. because we don't get a lot of help, like benefit people do or, i think. because we don't get a lot of help, like benefit people do or, you know, _ help, like benefit people do or, you know. people — help, like benefit people do or, you know. people on _ help, like benefit people do or, you know, people on benefits, - help, like benefit people do or, you know, people on benefits, for- know, people on benefits, for instance _ know, people on benefits, for instance. they— know, people on benefits, for instance. they get _ know, people on benefits, for instance. they get child i know, people on benefits, for instance. they get child care, | know, people on benefits, for- instance. they get child care, you know, _ instance. they get child care, you know. working _ instance. they get child care, you know, working class _ instance. they get child care, you know, working class people - instance. they get child care, you know, working class people who i instance. they get child care, you i know, working class people who don't -et know, working class people who don't get help _ know, working class people who don't get help with — know, working class people who don't get help with childcare. _ know, working class people who don't get help with childcare. i— know, working class people who don't get help with childcare. i have - know, working class people who don't get help with childcare. i have to i get help with childcare. i have to ask for— get help with childcare. i have to ask for friends— get help with childcare. i have to ask for friends and _ get help with childcare. i have to ask for friends and family - get help with childcare. i have to ask for friends and family to i get help with childcare. i have to| ask for friends and family to help me out, — ask for friends and family to help me out, because, _ ask for friends and family to help me out, because, you _ ask for friends and family to help me out, because, you know, i ask for friends and family to help me out, because, you know, it. ask for friends and family to help me out, because, you know, it is ask for friends and family to help i me out, because, you know, it is a fortune _ me out, because, you know, it is a fortune for— me out, because, you know, it is a fortune for childcare _ me out, because, you know, it is a fortune for childcare for— me out, because, you know, it is a fortune for childcare for working i fortune for childcare for working class _ fortune for childcare for working class people _ fortune for childcare for working class people. it's _ fortune for childcare for working class people. it's a _ fortune for childcare for working class people. it's a lot— fortune for childcare for working class people. it's a lot of- fortune for childcare for working class people. it's a lot of hard i class people. it's a lot of hard work — class people. it's a lot of hard work. ., ., ~ class people. it's a lot of hard work. ., ., ,, , ., ., work. ok, great, thank you for talkin: work. ok, great, thank you for talking to _ work. ok, great, thank you for talking to us. _ work. ok, great, thank you for talking to us. nice _ work. ok, great, thank you for talking to us. nice to - work. ok, great, thank you for talking to us. nice to hear- work. ok, great, thank you for| talking to us. nice to hear from you. that's the picture here in east devon. all eyes and ears waiting to hear what the government will be offering tonight, this afternoon, to help people. offering tonight, this afternoon, to help people-— offering tonight, this afternoon, to hel neale, ., ., ., . , help people. thanks for that, jenny. a real insight _ help people. thanks for that, jenny. a real insight into _ help people. thanks for that, jenny. a real insight into some _ help people. thanks for that, jenny. a real insight into some of - help people. thanks for that, jenny. a real insight into some of the i a real insight into some of the challenges people are going through. chris keen runs a bouncy castle service with a playcentre and hirable inflatable's hejoins us from his office in huntingdon. thanks very much for coming on the programme. thanks very much for coming on the programme-— thanks very much for coming on the programme._ that i thanks very much for coming on the programme._ that is| thanks very much for coming on the | programme._ that is a programme. good morning. that is a magnificent —

programme. good morning. that is a magnificent backdrop _ programme. good morning. that is a magnificent backdrop for _ programme. good morning. that is a magnificent backdrop for any - magnificent backdrop for any interview! it looks like a really fun business and a fun place to work. however, what is anything but fun at the moment is the rise in costs that you're having to go through. we have come through brexit and covid and now we have this price has nearly doubled. we don't have the caps on domestic bills. we have seen a rise immediately from january and february. for me, it's a perfect storm now as a hospitality business during covid. we were the first to be closed down at last to be opened up. from the 1st of april, hospitality, vat is going, we go back to 12.5%... 20%. business rates are coming back on. that is coming back in, wage increases. stand. back in, wage increases. and, obviously. _ back in, wage increases. and, obviously, like _ back in, wage increases. and, obviously, like everybody i back in, wage increases. and, | obviously, like everybody else, back in, wage increases. situc obviously, like everybody else, all suppliers we use within the centre forfood suppliers we use within the centre for food and beverage are all increasing at the same time. it is

literally a perfect storm. everything seems to be going up at the same time. stand everything seems to be going up at the same time.— everything seems to be going up at the same time. and what about the costs for electricity? _ the same time. and what about the costs for electricity? give _ the same time. and what about the costs for electricity? give us i the same time. and what about the costs for electricity? give us some l costs for electricity? give us some of the numbers. haste costs for electricity? give us some of the numbers.— costs for electricity? give us some of the numbers. we were paying, back in december. — of the numbers. we were paying, back in december, november, _ of the numbers. we were paying, back in december, november, about i in december, november, about £1700 a month electricity. the last two months bill went up to £4000. we are talking in big jumps for a cost like this and we rely heavily on electricity. we are having to find different ways of doing things, now. chris, i'vejust been different ways of doing things, now. chris, i've just been writing down, as you have been talking that list of costs, from electricity, the food and drink, wages, rates, vat. it is and drink, wages, rates, vat. it is an extraordinary list you are having to deal with. what kind of help would you hope for now? it's everything hitting together, so really what we are looking for is, hospitality, i think, really what we are looking for is, hospitality, ithink, we really what we are looking for is, hospitality, i think, we are not really ready for the vat increases and the rates to come back on.

anything that can be extended on that would be greatly appreciated. it is support for families. we rely heavily... the nature of our product, we need families to come in. if they get squeezed too tight, we lose revenue. the costume to run a centre like this is the same weather we had 50 people or 200 people. we need to try to keep numbers up. if families get hit, that will have an impact on our incomes. d0 that will have an impact on our incomes. , ., ~ that will have an impact on our incomes-— that will have an impact on our incomes. , ., ~ , ., , incomes. do you think you will be able to ride _ incomes. do you think you will be able to ride this _ incomes. do you think you will be able to ride this out _ incomes. do you think you will be able to ride this out and - incomes. do you think you will be able to ride this out and for- incomes. do you think you will be able to ride this out and for how i able to ride this out and for how long? able to ride this out and for how lona ? ~ �* able to ride this out and for how lon.?. �* ., .,y able to ride this out and for how low? �* ., ._ ., ., able to ride this out and for how lona?~�* ., ._ ., long? we've already had to cut the non-profitable _ long? we've already had to cut the non-profitable base, _ long? we've already had to cut the non-profitable base, monday i long? we've already had to cut the non-profitable base, monday and l non—profitable base, monday and tuesday we have stopped opening because the costs outstrip the income. we have cut some time back on some of our full—time staff. we have already put a 20% price increase in, which we have had to do increase in, which we have had to do in order to cover the bills. we had put everything we can in place to try to facilitate it. we got through what has been a difficult three years and i don't see any... continuing to be challenging. we are

doing whatever we can to make sure we are in a good place to continue. chris, good luck with everything, thank you for talking to us. thank ou. we thank you for talking to us. thank you- we will _ thank you for talking to us. thank you. we will leave _ thank you for talking to us. thank you. we will leave the _ thank you for talking to us. thank you. we will leave the spring i you. we will leave the spring statement — you. we will leave the spring statement for _ you. we will leave the spring statement for a _ you. we will leave the spring statement for a moment i you. we will leave the spring statement for a moment but| you. we will leave the spring i statement for a moment but we will come back to it as soon as we get any more lines out of westminster. other news. the taliban has reversed a decision to allow most teenage girls in afghanistan to return to secondary school. they were due back in lessons today for the first time since august last year. officials say a decision is yet to be made about what uniform the students should wear. some girls were in class when the announcement was made. the confusion left some in tears as parents and students reacted with anger and disappointment to the last—minute move. the ministry of education said girls�* high schools will remain closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with islamic law. from kabul, secunder kermani reports. since the taliban takeover last august, all girls�* primary schools and all boys schools,

for both younger and older boys, have been open, but in most of the country, girls�* secondary schools had remained closed. today is the start of the new academic year in most of the country and the taliban had announced that all schools would be reopened, including, we understood, and it was expected, girls�* high schools. we went to a girls�* high school this morning in the west of kabul. teachers were there, students had turned up, but around an hour after school was meant to start, news began filtering through from local taliban officials that, actually, girls�* high schools, girls secondary schools, weren�*t going to be allowed to be allowed to be... to remain open. and that was hugely distressing for the students who were there. some of them burst out into tears. earlier, they�*d been telling me how excited, how happy they�*d been just to be back in the classroom. many feared that perhaps they would never have been allowed back in the classroom and that�*s because back under

the taliban�*s rule in the 1990s, girls�* education was more or less completely banned. it had seen that it was going to be different this time but this unexpected rather bizarre last—minute u—turn has really been deeply unsettling for many afghans and it�*s taken more or less the entire country by surprise, including parts of the taliban. the taliban�*s own ministry of education say that they received a note from the central leadership saying that the plan for the reopening of girls�* high schools would have to be halted until a new, more islamic, more comprehensive plan had been drawn up. it�*s not clear when, if ever, that will be. but one statement by a government... an official government news agency did mention concern about school uniforms. i mean, frankly speaking, it�*s not clear what that could be a reference to or what any of the so—called islamic concerns

could be because girls�* schools and boys�* schools in afghanistan were already segregated by gender. under this new taliban proposal that we had been expecting to be implemented today, girls would only be taught by female teachers, boys would only be taught by male teachers. girls, as part of their uniform, already wear the hijab, the covering of their hair. so it�*s really not clear what the issue is here and i suspect this is because of hardline elements within the taliban, female education is such a sensitive, such a controversial issue that they really haven�*t been able to reconcile themselves to the idea of girls, of older girls going back to school and that really just shows how out of touch they are with the modern aspirations of afghan society. and it reveals how divided, certainly on this issue at least, the taliban appear to be. the duke and duchess of cambridge have arrived injamaica, for the second leg of their week—long caribbean tour. activists there have been

calling on the uk to pay reparations for slavery, an issue prince william is expected to address in a speech later today. the couple began their visit in the centre of the capital, kingston. a warning that this report from our royal correspondent, jonny dymond, contains flash photography. a rather formal start to what would become a pretty informal day. just before their arrival... shouting. ..a demonstration outside britain�*s high commission, its embassy to jamaica. a protest against britain�*s use of the slaves here whenjamaica was its colony. and the demand for financial compensation. it�*s an insult to us for these young people to be here to try to persuade us to keep the status quo in place when our goal is to loosen

and remove the hands, the gloved hands, of the queen, from around our necks. prince william is expecte to discuss slavery in the same sort of frank terms that his father used recently in barbados. he talked about it being a stain on history. but that will come later. cheering. first, there was a visit to downtown kingston. the crowds were waiting. the royals can still pull a crowd injamaica. and they pull celebrities, too. manchester city�*s raheem sterling and aston villa�*s leon bailey, the jamaican international. then it was down to business, with william setting up a goalfor raheem sterling.

applause. but it was the couple�*s off—pitch walkabout that sent the crowd wild. down the street they swept, surrounded by a cheering throng. cheering. and then into one of jamaica�*s cultural shrines. a place where bob marley once lived and hung out with other musicians. this was a musical celebration. and a chance to kick back and relax. the royals got stuck in and the beat went on. here was a couple enjoying life together.

all good things come to an end. eventually, they said their goodbyes. thank you so much. trench town will remember their visit for a long time to come. jonny dymond, bbc news, kingston, jamaica. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with carol. lovely picture behind you, is the weather as lovely? it is lovely picture behind you, is the weather as lovely?— lovely picture behind you, is the weather as lovely? it is indeed. for man of weather as lovely? it is indeed. for many of us — weather as lovely? it is indeed. for many of us it _ weather as lovely? it is indeed. for many of us it will— weather as lovely? it is indeed. for many of us it will be _ weather as lovely? it is indeed. for many of us it will be very _ weather as lovely? it is indeed. for many of us it will be very similar. many of us it will be very similar to this today. if you are just about to this today. if you are just about to go out for the first time, you will notice that it is rather cold in braemar, only three degrees. temperatures are rising quite nicely. we are looking at 12 degrees. high pressure still firmly in charge. a huge area of high pressure covering much of europe.

from the distinct lack of isobars, you can tell we are only looking at gentle breezes today. in the warm sunshine it will feel rather pleasant. we still have relevance of this morning�*s fog across the north east of england and the east midlands. it will lift and most of us enjoying a dry day with lots of sunshine. once again, the risk of a shower across eastern scotland, eastern england and across of the western isles where it could be quite sharp later on. 9—19 possibly 21 across parts of east anglia and the south—east through the afternoon. as we head through the evening and overnight, under clear skies the temperature will fall away quite quickly and we will have patchy mist and fog forming. and then all this cloud coming in across northern ireland and western scotland with one or two showers. overnight belows, 1—6 or 7 but in the countryside, it could fall away lower than this, once again there could be some frost first thing. lots of dry weather tomorrow. again,

a weather front coming in, trying to come in, from the west introducing more cloud and the odd shower but not much more. right across eastern parts of northern ireland and eastern scotland. we are also looking at more cloud at times across northern england and wales. a fair weather cloud, across northern england and wales. a fairweather cloud, not across northern england and wales. a fair weather cloud, not spoiling anything. 9—18 degrees but cool along the coastlines. friday, still lots of dry weather. more cloud coming in across northern ireland and scotland. slowly slipping south. we could see some low cloud lapping onshore and lingering for much of the day across the south—east of england. temperatures 9—19 degrees. that leads us into the weekend with high pressure still in charge of our weather. this weather front is trying to make inroads and it will produce more cloud. in the weekend, temperatures will slip a bit but they will go down further, especially next tuesday and wednesday.

this is bbc news — the headlines: as the chancellor prepares to make his spring statement, new figures show the cost of living has risen by more than 6% — the fastest increase in over 30 years. rishi sunak is under pressure to promise more help for struggling families — as many face soaring energy, fuel and food costs. i used to love going to the beach but i can�*t even afford that in fuel now. because i have got a car to run as well. so we just do little things like this now. sometimes we�*ll even get a bus now, won�*t we, instead? i now, won�*t we, instead? am live at a laundry busir where i am live at a laundry business where the rise in fuel and energy costs is having an impact. and we are in darlington where market traders and shoppers are

hoping for some kind of statement to