this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines — inflation hits 7% as prices rise at their fastest rate for 30 years. it's driven by sharp increases in the cost of fuel and food. it's led some people to turn to charity. there's just so many people that you just wouldn't believe that are in dire straits. and i've had to come to them for help and everything, all walks of life. it isn'tjust, you know, the people that you would expect, really. graduates in england and wales will pay up to 12% interest on their loans this autumn. the nus tells us it will hit lower earners the most. dozens of conservative mps have said publicly they support the prime minister, with only one so far calling on him to go. the pm and chancellor are both

resisting opposition calls to quit after being fined for breaching lockdown rules. a whole—life sentence is handed down to the islamic state group sympathiser who murdered the mp sir david amess. outside court, police read a statement from his family. it breaks our heart to know that our husband and father would have greeted the murderer with a smile of friendship and would have been anxious to help. how sickening to think what happened next. it is beyond evil. the mayor of the ukrainian city of mariupol says 21,000 civilians have died there amid growing signs russia could be about to capture the key port.

good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. the soaring cost of fuel and food has pushed inflation to a 30—year high. it stood at 7% in the year to march, up from 6.2% the month before. prices are going up faster than wages, and there's pressure on the government to do more to help people who are struggling. and the cost of living is expected to rise even further because these figures don't include the recent increases in gas and electricity bills for millions of people. here's our economics correspondent andy verity. in this restaurant kitchen in eccles in greater manchester, global price pressures are feeding through to your pizza. two of the world's biggest producers of vegetable oil

are russia and ukraine, and a drum of it has more than doubled from £14 to 35. the price of tomatoes from spain has more than doubled, partly due to brexit. and that is before you even talk about the cost of the energy needed to cook the pizza and keep customers warm, up due to the war and the surge in demand for fuel as the global economy recovers from the pandemic. i've never known nothing like this, whether it's the prices of food coming into the country, fuel prices, everything's sort of against you at the minute. vat going back to 20%. there is sort of like... it's stacking up. i think a lot of people will struggle. businesses like this one are already facing inflation at its highest for 30 years, and this month, they've got a quadruple whammy — higher interest rates, higher wages, higher national insurance and soaring energy bills. with that kind of cost pressure, they've got no choice but to pass it on to their customers. this restaurant's likely to be forced to add to somewhere

between 50p and a pound to the pizza price to avoid making losses, but that's nothing compared to other costs. increased petrol is something we've noticed. yes, petrol, i take these - everywhere, and my petrol cost has gone up drastically. something we didn't used to worry about or even think about, but going around making sure lights are turned off when you're not in the room. some locals have launched a charity to help distribute food to locals who can't afford to eat out or even to shop for food. historically we've found that people didn't want to come to the charity because of the stigma attached. now, we're just finding that forget the stigma, they need the help. having to swallow pride and accept the help that's on offer. when you break the rising costs of living down, the prices of services rose by 4%, not half as fast as the price of goods, up 9.4%. that underlines a key point. the upward pressure on prices is global. in europe this month,

they're expecting inflation of 7.5%. in the us, inflation�*s reached a ao—year high of 8.5%. and the official russian inflation figure is 12.5%, though the us reckons it's far worse than they're owning up to. the april inflation numberl is likely to be even higher. it could well be around 9% when we get the april- inflation report next month. so, that points to a further squeeze on living standards, and it's not- going away anytime soon. 0n the old—fashioned measure of the cost of living, the retail prices index, it's already at 9%, its highest level since 1991. 0pposition parties are now saying the government must do more than it has to help millions cope with the tightest squeeze on living standards in more than a0 years. andy verity, bbc news. students and graduates in england face a "roller coaster" of interest rates on their student loans over the next couple of years. according to the institute for fiscal studies, the interest will rise to 12% this september.

the rate will dip in march 2023, when a cap on the interest will kick in. for students starting degree courses from next year, the rate will be fixed at a lower level. larissa kennedy is president of the national union of students. she says this rise will hit the lowest—earning graduates most. what is abundantly clear and incredibly true is that this change, this astronomical rise in interest rates, which is going to up to 12%, is going to hit the lowest—earning graduates the hardest. if we look at the calculations from the times and from a] bell, we're seeing that students on the lowest earnings could be paying up to £54,000 more back on their education. so, we're talking about a situation where just to access education, which of course is a human right, we're asking for students to be to be shackled into, and graduates who have already graduated from 2012 onwards,

to be shackled into interest rates that are far higher than any average mortgage, far higher than the government's own kind of interest rates on their borrowing, far higher than people could even have accessed if they went to a private lender. so, this is absolutely ridiculous, and it poses a really stark question about what the future of education in this country and in england is going to look like, particularly because this is going to hit marginalised communities even harder. you know, we've spoken over the past however many decades about access to education. what does this mean for that? how do we actually navigate this and recognise that this would be really, really bad for access to education? it would be unfair, wouldn't it, to suggest that this is going to be a permanent situation that will affect those who might considering going into education in the future. this is going to be a temporary period, isn't it, when a temporary period, isn't it, when we're seeing extremely high rates.

as andy verity was telling us of the beginning of this hour, that will eventually drop back down. 0nce thatjust drop back down, that will eventually affect the rates that are charged under schemes like this one. students have faced broken promise after broken promise, and all the while, it's become more and more difficult to afford being a student, to afford access to education. so, forgive us if we aren't, you know, holding our breath for something to get better. honestly, it's become so difficult to be a student, from the amounts that we're paying in fees through to the interest rates and of course the knock—on impact. a conservative backbencher has become the first mp from the prime minister's own party to call for him and the chancellor to resign since they were fined for breaking lockdown rules. both borisjohnson and rishi sunak apologised after they received

fixed—penalty notices for attending a birthday party at nigel mills, who represents amber valley, also said he would be submitting a letter of no confidence in mrjohnson. helen catt reports from westminster. the prime minister and the chancellor have apologised after the police found they broke the law. they've accepted fines for being at an event to mark mrjohnson�*s birthday, held in the cabinet room in june 2020. mrjohnson said he was only there for nine minutes, but that people had the right to expect better. mr sunak said that he deeply regretted the anger and frustration caused. but neither the chancellor nor the prime minister think it's something they need to resign over. he's paid the fine. it's an event of two years ago. i feel the same anger as everybody else that these events could take place, not least because i couldn't see my own dad, who i didn't know whether we'd see again ever. so, i completely get it. i also know that it wasn't done out of malice or with intent. it was a mistake, an error. and ijudge somebody overall for the way that they perform.

most of the cabinet have now said they support mrjohnson and mr sunak staying in theirjobs. so, any real immediate risk to the prime minister would come from conservative mps choosing to call a vote of no confidence. now, so far, several dozen of them have come out to back mrjohnson. just one has publicly said he should go. in all conscience, i don't think the prime minister can survive, or should survive, breaking the rules he put in place, and he was on the tv every few nights reminding us all that we should observe. i just... we have to have higher standards than that of people at the top. he's been fined. i don't think his position is tenable, in my view. the liberal democrats and the snp say mrjohnson should resign out of decency and honour. labour says it's not possible for him and mr sunak tojust get on with the job. they're spending more time justifying themselves - and the parties they've beenj

going to rather than focusing on the issues that we need them to address as a country. - so, the idea that we can't change leadership now. because of the war in ukraine - or because of the economic crisis, i think it's actually i the other way round, that actually we need fresh leadership and we need - leaders who can concentrate on the job in hand. - the met police haven't finished their investigation into parties in downing street, so it's possible there will be more fines. the full, detailed report by the civil servant sue gray is also still to be published. for now, many tory mps are publicly backing the idea that the war in ukraine means it isn't the time to change leader. the question is if that continues to hold. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. let's hear more now from the conservative mp for amber valley, nigel mills, who spoke to us earlier saying the prime minister and other senior figures who are found to have

broken the law need to go. when this story first broke injanuary, i said that anybody who was guilty of attending or organising a party during the strictest lockdown, the worst of the pandemic couldn't possibly be in a position of authority. i think that the fines have been issued and the investigation�*s been done, they've accepted the fines and paid them, they should both go. i mean, i can't see how you can be the senior lawmakers in the country, on tv exhorting the rest of us to obey these laws and then be caught breaking them in your place of work. it's just uncomfortable. i think we have a right to expect higher standards than that. and it saddens me. i backed boris. they both did tremendous work during the pandemic, but i'm afraid laws are laws, and if you break them, there has to be a consequence.

the transport secretary, grant shapps, says whilst what happened was wrong, he believes the prime minister is doing a good job and should be allowed to continue. myjudgment my judgment is that myjudgment is that it came as a surprisem — myjudgment is that it came as a surprise... did myjudgment is that it came as a surprise- - -_ myjudgment is that it came as a surrise... , , ., ., , surprise... did he mislead the house of commons — surprise... did he mislead the house of commons without malice. - surprise... did he mislead the house of commons without malice. i - surprise... did he mislead the house of commons without malice. i think i of commons without malice. i think the key point _ of commons without malice. i think the key point is _ of commons without malice. i think the key point is that _ of commons without malice. i think the key point is that he _ of commons without malice. i think the key point is that he did - of commons without malice. i think the key point is that he did not - the key point is that he did not knowingly break the laws. the key oint is knowingly break the laws. the key point is the _ knowingly break the laws. the key point is the answer _ knowingly break the laws. the key point is the answer to _ knowingly break the laws. the key point is the answer to the - knowingly break the laws. the key| point is the answer to the question i'm point is the answer to the question i'm asking — point is the answer to the question i'rn asking you _ point is the answer to the question i'm asking you because _ point is the answer to the question i'm asking you because as - point is the answer to the question i'm asking you because as you - point is the answer to the questionl i'm asking you because as you know misleading — i'm asking you because as you know misleading the _ i'm asking you because as you know misleading the house _ i'm asking you because as you know misleading the house of— i'm asking you because as you know misleading the house of commons. i'm asking you because as you knowl misleading the house of commons is i'm asking you because as you know i misleading the house of commons is a breach_ misleading the house of commons is a breach of— misleading the house of commons is a breach of the _ misleading the house of commons is a breach of the ministerial— misleading the house of commons is a breach of the ministerial code - misleading the house of commons is a breach of the ministerial code which i breach of the ministerial code which requires _ breach of the ministerial code which requires you — breach of the ministerial code which requires you to _ breach of the ministerial code which requires you to resign. _ breach of the ministerial code which requires you to resign. so _ breach of the ministerial code which requires you to resign. so did - breach of the ministerial code which requires you to resign. so did he - requires you to resign. so did he mislead — requires you to resign. so did he mislead the _ requires you to resign. so did he mislead the house _ requires you to resign. so did he mislead the house of— requires you to resign. so did he mislead the house of commonsl requires you to resign. so did he i mislead the house of commons in requires you to resign. so did he - mislead the house of commons in your reboot _ mislead the house of commons in your reboot knowinqiy— mislead the house of commons in your reboot knowingly or— mislead the house of commons in your reboot knowingly or by _ mislead the house of commons in your reboot knowingly or by accident? - mislead the house of commons in your reboot knowingly or by accident? not l reboot knowingly or by accident? numbingly is my view. reboot knowingly or by accident? not numbingly is my view. so _ reboot knowingly or by accident? not numbingly is my view. so he - reboot knowingly or by accident? not numbingly is my view. so he did - numbingly is my view. so he did mislead the _ numbingly is my view. so he did mislead the house _ numbingly is my view. so he did mislead the house of _ numbingly is my view. so he did mislead the house of commons| numbingly is my view. so he did . mislead the house of commons but numbingly is my view. so he did - mislead the house of commons but he did not mean_ mislead the house of commons but he did not mean to? — mislead the house of commons but he did not mean to? this— mislead the house of commons but he did not mean to?— did not mean to? this is for the olice to did not mean to? this is for the police to decide _ did not mean to? this is for the police to decide and _ did not mean to? this is for the police to decide and they - did not mean to? this is for the police to decide and they have l police to decide and they have issued — police to decide and they have issued this fixed penalty notice. you've — issued this fixed penalty notice. you've asked me a question that he believed _ you've asked me a question that he believed that that gathering in the cabinet _ believed that that gathering in the cabinet room or anything else broke the law _ cabinet room or anything else broke the law. no, he did not come as we did not— the law. no, he did not come as we did not knowingly break the law.

well ian blackford, the snp's westminster leader, says the prime minister and chancellor should now resign. there has to be a time when you say enough is enough and that this man has abused the office he holds. he is not been repurposed to be premised are and have to be held properly. conservative mps had to do that. whenever pulling place over the last 2a hours the majority of the last 2a hours the majority of the public want him to go. if the conservatives don't take the responsibility for this, the republic will do it for them. it's far better this man is removed and we can get on with fighting the cost—of—living crisis, we can get on the house of commons as we do supporting the people of ukraine and we stand up against the war crimes a vladimir putin but we need to remove this prime minister that is a stain on our democracy, that has besmirched the office, he really must go.

with me now is wendy chamberlain, liberal democrat mp for north east fife and chief whip and spokesperson for scotland, wales and work & pensions. you heard a lot of that i'm sure. he said this was a birthday party and was there for nine minutes and pay the fine immediately and apologise. is that not the end of that particular matter?- is that not the end of that particular matter? that's quite interesting. — particular matter? that's quite interesting, i've _ particular matter? that's quite interesting, i've heard - particular matter? that's quite interesting, i've heard nine - particular matter? that's quite - interesting, i've heard nine minutes given— interesting, i've heard nine minutes given as _ interesting, i've heard nine minutes given as an— interesting, i've heard nine minutes given as an excuse quite a lot but that if— given as an excuse quite a lot but that if nine — given as an excuse quite a lot but that if nine minutes more the people -ot that if nine minutes more the people got with— that if nine minutes more the people got with their loved ones or indeed it birthday— got with their loved ones or indeed it birthday party for good people were _ it birthday party for good people were following the rules. this is notjust— were following the rules. this is notjust one incident. we know from what we _ notjust one incident. we know from what we have seen of the report so far that _ what we have seen of the report so far that there are a number of parties — far that there are a number of parties being investigated and if the prime minister and the chancellor are shocked at being fined _ chancellor are shocked at being fined for— chancellor are shocked at being fined for this, it makes me wonder what _ fined for this, it makes me wonder what else — fined for this, it makes me wonder what else is— fined for this, it makes me wonder what else is still to come. and what

that speaks— what else is still to come. and what that speaks to is a culture in downinq _ that speaks to is a culture in downing street where the rules did not apply — downing street where the rules did not apply. and to be honest, the response — not apply. and to be honest, the response from the prime minister from _ response from the prime minister from the — response from the prime minister from the chancellor and from conservative mps over the last tape shows _ conservative mps over the last tape shows that — conservative mps over the last tape shows that they do believe that it is one _ shows that they do believe that it is one rule — shows that they do believe that it is one rule for them and another for everybody else. but is one rule for them and another for everybody else-— everybody else. but what if there are not any _ everybody else. but what if there are not any more _ everybody else. but what if there are not any more fines _ everybody else. but what if there are not any more fines to - everybody else. but what if there are not any more fines to comic. everybody else. but what if there - are not any more fines to comic what if this turns out to be it actually came with a specific one occasion? well, they already have been fines resuitinq _ well, they already have been fines resulting from other parties. this is part— resulting from other parties. this is part of— resulting from other parties. this is part of a — resulting from other parties. this is part of a second transient fines, and i_ is part of a second transient fines, and i suppose for me what that says it is about _ and i suppose for me what that says it is about leadership, the prime minister— it is about leadership, the prime minister in — it is about leadership, the prime minister in the chancellor, the two most _ minister in the chancellor, the two most senior politicians in downing street, _ most senior politicians in downing street, they said the culture, they said the _ street, they said the culture, they said the climate and there will be other fines that emerge from this even if— other fines that emerge from this even if it's— other fines that emerge from this even if it's not to the prime minister— even if it's not to the prime minister and the chancellor. so for me they— minister and the chancellor. so for me they have been fined, the prime minister— me they have been fined, the prime minister is _ me they have been fined, the prime minister is the first premised are to be _ minister is the first premised are to be found guilty of a criminal, not an— to be found guilty of a criminal, not an offence but certainly being sanctioned whilst in office and i

cannot— sanctioned whilst in office and i cannot believe we're actually having this debate about whether his position— this debate about whether his position remains tenable or not. taikinq — position remains tenable or not. talking about this on the day we are also reporting terrifying inflation figures, really semi—difficulties when the cost of living that we talked about so much. are not those the sort of issues that voters are feeding back to you? are they really talking about this as opposed to the cost—of—living? talking about this as opposed to the cost-of-living?_ cost-of-living? they talk about the cost-of-living? they talk about the cost of living _ cost-of-living? they talk about the cost of living with _ cost-of-living? they talk about the cost of living with their _ cost-of-living? they talk about the cost of living with their cooking - cost of living with their cooking about _ cost of living with their cooking about it — cost of living with their cooking about it in _ cost of living with their cooking about it in the context of this government is not focused on those issues _ government is not focused on those issues because of the rule breaking that has— issues because of the rule breaking that has gone on over the pandemic. people _ that has gone on over the pandemic. people feel_ that has gone on over the pandemic. people feel that they had been taken for fools _ people feel that they had been taken for fools and this is about trust. it for fools and this is about trust. it actually— for fools and this is about trust. it actually given that that trust has been — it actually given that that trust has been eroded, it's about the fact that this _ has been eroded, it's about the fact that this prime minister and chancellor are not the people that they trust — chancellor are not the people that they trust now to help them navigate they trust now to help them navigate the cost—of—living crisis or indeed the cost—of—living crisis or indeed the conflict — the cost—of—living crisis or indeed the conflict in ukraine. we the cost-of-living crisis or indeed the conflict in ukraine.— the conflict in ukraine. we will hear from _

the conflict in ukraine. we will hear from the _ the conflict in ukraine. we will hear from the prime _ the conflict in ukraine. we will hear from the prime minister i the conflict in ukraine. we will| hear from the prime minister in the conflict in ukraine. we will - hear from the prime minister in the house of commons next week when parliament is back. is there anything he can same on the floor of the comments that would shift your attitude or indeed that of voters who have gotten in touch with you? well, based on my mailbox this morning. — well, based on my mailbox this morning. i_ well, based on my mailbox this morning, i would suggest not. and as you highlight there, the floor of the commons, that is one of the other— the commons, that is one of the other factors here. i don't accept what _ other factors here. i don't accept what the — other factors here. i don't accept what the general secretary said that the prime _ what the general secretary said that the prime minister did not knowingly mislead _ the prime minister did not knowingly mislead the house given he said had to say that _ mislead the house given he said had to say that there were no parties prior— to say that there were no parties prior to — to say that there were no parties prior to christmas and not only were the parties _ prior to christmas and not only were the parties that we now know that he took part— the parties that we now know that he took part in— the parties that we now know that he took part in them. for however short a period _ took part in them. for however short a period of— took part in them. for however short a period of time. if that is not knowingly— a period of time. if that is not knowingly visiting the house, it's difficult _ knowingly visiting the house, it's difficult to see how you could ever prove _ difficult to see how you could ever prove that — difficult to see how you could ever prove that any minister knowingly misled _ prove that any minister knowingly misled the house. sol prove that any minister knowingly misled the house. so i think you have _ misled the house. so i think you have to — misled the house. so i think you have to premised or will appear next week and he should be getting a call and parliaments we can discuss this and parliaments we can discuss this and cost—of—living and the conflict

in ukraine — and cost—of—living and the conflict in ukraine but if it is next week, he has _ in ukraine but if it is next week, he has got — in ukraine but if it is next week, he has got a _ in ukraine but if it is next week, he has got a lot of work to do and i cannot— he has got a lot of work to do and i cannot see — he has got a lot of work to do and i cannot see anything that would change my mind.— cannot see anything that would change my mind. then why are simi members of — change my mind. then why are simi members of his _ change my mind. then why are simi members of his own _ change my mind. then why are simi members of his own party _ change my mind. then why are simil members of his own party supporting him? you have heard the one voice, nigel mills, you heard him tonight, the one person, the one mp from that party who is calling for a resignation, just the one. i party who is calling for a resignation, just the one. resignation, 'ust the one. i turn that back resignation, just the one. i turn that back and _ resignation, just the one. i turn that back and say _ resignation, just the one. i turn that back and say all _ resignation, just the one. i turn that back and say all of - resignation, just the one. i turn that back and say all of the - that back and say all of the parties are saying — that back and say all of the parties are saying the opposite, and i think i am mentally thinking as i was a politician — i am mentally thinking as i was a politician but representing my constituents views that as they overwhelmingly are sitting in my mailbox — overwhelmingly are sitting in my mailbox i— overwhelmingly are sitting in my mailbox. i would ask those conservative mps to think back to what _ conservative mps to think back to what they — conservative mps to think back to what they were saying earlier this year _ what they were saying earlier this year. they — what they were saying earlier this year. they said they wanted to wait for the _ year. they said they wanted to wait for the metropolitan police investigation, and many others that if the _ investigation, and many others that if the prime minister was fined, that was— if the prime minister was fined, that was a — if the prime minister was fined, that was a red life in them and i don't see — that was a red life in them and i don't see what is changed now, and i don't _ don't see what is changed now, and i don't see that the conflict in ukraine, _ don't see that the conflict in ukraine, which seems to be getting used as— ukraine, which seems to be getting used as an — ukraine, which seems to be getting used as an excuse just now, is it sufficient —

used as an excuse just now, is it sufficient one for francis undergoing elections at the moment and we _ undergoing elections at the moment and we purposely change leaders at times— and we purposely change leaders at times of— and we purposely change leaders at times of conflict as it's about having — times of conflict as it's about having the right leadership at this time in _ having the right leadership at this time in the prime ministerand chancellor are not those people. wendy— chancellor are not those people. wendy chamberlain, thank you very much for now, the liberal democrat mp four northeast five. there is not enough evidence to prosecute two people suspected of leaking footage of former health secretary matt hancock kissing his former aide in his office, says the information commissioner's office. the images showed mr hancock in an embrace with gina coladangelo while social distancing rules were in place. it eventually led to his resignation. the ico launched a criminal investigation after a report of a personal data breach from the department of health's cctv operator, but said today in a statement that its inquiry had now closed.

a judge at the old bailey has sentenced ali harbi ali to a whole—life prison term for murdering the conservative mp sir david amess. describing it as "a murder that struck at the heart of democracy", judge nigel sweeney said the 26—year—old islamic state group sympathiser had shown no remorse. outside the court, a police officer read a statement on behalf of lady amess and sir david's family. 0ur reporter andrew plant has been outside the old bailey. this came after midday here at the old bailey ali harbi ali handed the whole life sentence and that means what you think it means. he would ever be a little for parole and will now spend the rest of his life in prison. during citizen, theyjust commanded david amess's family for their bravery and has shown that ali

harbi ali has shown a cowardly refusal to own up to his crimes and show no remorse at all for his actions was that we had heavy essentially tricked his weight into that meeting with david and his continuously meetings back in october of last year. ali harbi ali play to be an nhs worker and showing an interest he said and moving to the area, saying he wanted to discuss local issues but in fact he had in planning that crime for an awfully long time. during that meeting, he stabs her david more than 20 times and if that part of the plan was for ali harbi ali to die that day as well. he had hoped to be shot by armed police but in fact the first of two police officers from essex police on the scene were armed only with batons and combat capacitance bright and they managed to overpower and arrest ali harbi ali on the scene. earlier today outside the old bailey here, the policeman a statement after proceedings finished. it's clear that the man who begins a life sentence today is a cold, calculated and dangerous individual.

his attack was stopped by two essex police constables who apprehended this dangerous man whilst he was still armed with the knife he had used to kill sir david. their actions were nothing short of heroic, and they undoubtedly prevented others from being harmed. their bravery and the bravery of the members of the public who witnessed the incident, called 999 and provided invaluable information to the police, was remarkable. now know that ali harbi ali had once been a student was up he was in fact studying a medical degree but he became a police referred to as self radicalised in 2014. begin looking at a lot of islamic state propaganda online even planet one point a trip to fight with is in syria but eventually dropped that idea and decided the trip was too difficult to make. and he did notjust targets her david either. he researched more than a dozen mps unlike including

michael gove and sir keir starmer but decided not to launch an attack on the house of parliament because it was too well guarded. during the sentencing hearing today, thejudge indicated that sir david had dedicated his life to both service and his loss was of national civic is and he said it was a murder that struck at the heart of democracy. in a statement, read out on behalf of the family, they said that it breaks our hearts to know that our husband and father would have greeted his murderer that day with a smile of friendship. jane. murderer that day with a smile of friendship. jane._ friendship. jane. andrew plant, thank you. _ friendship. jane. andrew plant, thank you. at — friendship. jane. andrew plant, thank you, at the _ friendship. jane. andrew plant, thank you, at the old _ friendship. jane. andrew plant, thank you, at the old bailey. i president biden says the evidence appears to suggest that russia is committing genocide in ukraine. he warns it's becoming "clearer and clearer" that vladimir putin wants to "wipe out the idea of even being ukrainian". his comments come as there are growing signs russia could be on the brink of fully capturing the southern port city of mariupol, which has suffered a devastating six—week assault.

the defence ministry in moscow says more than 1000 ukrainian marines have surrendered in the area, although a top ukrainian official says some have joined another battalion. as our correspondent danjohnson reports from the western city of lviv, ukrainian troops in mariupol have said in recent days that they're running out of ammunition. the ruins of mariupol are symbolic of russia's devastating bombardment. and now the city's last defences may finally be about to crumble. russian tv says these are ukrainian marines surrendering. the pictures aren't verified, and ukraine's denied russian claims that 1000 soldiers had given themselves up. russian soldiers are gaining more ground. these pictures were filmed with their troops at the theatre where so many lives were lost. the mayor says it isn't even safe to count the bodies any more.

he estimates 21,000 residents have died. translation: from the 9th of march, russian military planes _ were targeting our city, and since then, they have been doing this. you can see that. kharkiv�*s also been under bombardment, and ukrainian officials say that it's not safe to get residents out today. i called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a ukrainian. and the evidence is mounting, it's different than it was last week, more evidence is coming out of literally the horrible things that the russians have done in ukraine. and we're going to only learn more

and more about the devastation. there's more heavy russian military equipment coming over the border into eastern ukraine, along with extra troops. fresh attacks are expected. and these british volunteers have driven from the uk over the border from poland to deliver aid and help the resistance. simon's been in touch with a friend in kharkiv. i said, "what's going on?" and she goes, "you don't want to know." she said, "it's awful, we've been bombed all night." she sent me some videos. i said, "i'll quit myjob, i want to do something to help you and yourfriends and yourfamily can help ukraine." these cars have been donated to ukrainian charities, but also military units. the last trip out here, i the vehicle i drove out, the next morning, that vehicle

we had a photograph of it - on the front line being used literally within 12 hours - of our arrival, for - what they wanted it for. the ukrainians are certainly thankful. we are waiting for you here, please, come here to live. we will feed you, come here, please. thank you. victory party here. but before any victory parties, it looks like there will be more fighting. danjohnson, bbc news, lviv. now it's time for a look at the weather. not been too bad across the country as is and brighter across parts of england and scotland and for today and into thursday it looks like it's going to be largely fine and pretty warm. we will notice what we have sunshine or cloud as our air source is coming in from the south and it's going to remain pretty warm into the easter weekend as well. though showers were paid over this evening across england and wales and start to see a lot of low cloud in the summer running into many southern, central and western areas. clear

spells further east and nowhere particularly cold, pretty mild not to come for most of the meals are quite great and place it through tomorrow morning. a little bit of rain across northern ireland and western scotland but if you are showers for england and wales and if that many places will stay dry altogether and give us i could see temperatures into the 19 or 20 celsius mark but a mild day right across the board was of an issue again it was like it's going to stay fairly warm and certainly for the first half of it in the some such and around but there are signs that we could start seeing increasing cloud and outbreaks of rain pushing into the north of the west as we move through easter sunday and easter monday so stay tuned to the forecast. see you later.

hello, this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines... inflation hits 7% as prices ride at their fastest rate for 30 years. graduates and england will pay up to 12% interest, nearly triple current rate. islamic state group sympathiser who murdered david amos

has been told he will spend the rest of the night —— his life in prison. it's clear that the man who begins a life sentence today is a cold, calculated and dangerous individual. the prime minister and the chancellor are resisting calls to quit after they were both fined for breaking lockdown rules. 0nly quit after they were both fined for breaking lockdown rules. only one conservative mp has publicly called for them to go. 21,000 civilians have died in mariupol amid growing signs that russia could capture the key city. sport now, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's ben proctor with that. just over two hours to go until kickoff in tonight's champions league quarterfinal second legs with liverpool

and manchester city both in action. second legs with liverpool city have a 1—nil lead to protect against atletico madrid in the spanish capital. atleti didn't have a shot on target in the first leg, but city boss pep guardiola knows that's not going to be the case tonight. i think we'll be slightly different because we played at home and it created momentum �*s, real ones. so, because you are not playing good for the passion that all the fans have, there will be moments that they will be so aggressive and create problems. well, liverpool are strong favourites to progress against benfica — leading 3—1 ahead of their second leg at anfield. so, how would managerjurgen klopp tell benfica to play if he were in charge of them? i would go over it, first of all.

try to — i would go over it, first of all. try to score _ i would go over it, first of all. try to score early. if not, score a bit later, — try to score early. if not, score a bit later, so— try to score early. if not, score a bit later, so that's what you do and that's— bit later, so that's what you do and that's what— bit later, so that's what you do and that's what they expect. they respected us before during the game, and i'm _ respected us before during the game, and i'm sure _ respected us before during the game, and i'm sure benfica was quite good form _ and i'm sure benfica was quite good form but— and i'm sure benfica was quite good for... but now, they are for benfica _ for... but now, they are for benfica. it's in field. they play against — benfica. it's in field. they play against the whole crowd. the manager of northern ireland women, kenny shiels, has apologised for his comments following their 5—nil defeat to england in women's world cup qualifying last night. shiels said women are more emotional than men and don't take well to conceding a goal as a result. former players like siobhan chamberlain and ian wright criticised shiels, who has since issued a statement saying...

well, yvonne harrison, chief executive of the women in football network, that aims to raise awareness about attitudes to women in the game, outlined how harmful such comments can be. they are such out sated —— outdated views _ they are such out sated —— outdated views i_ they are such out sated —— outdated views i was — they are such out sated —— outdated views i was a — they are such out sated —— outdated views. i was a bit _ they are such out sated —— outdated views. i was a bit taken aback. - they are such out sated —— outdated views. i was a bit taken aback. it's l views. i was a bit taken aback. it's disappointinq _ views. i was a bit taken aback. it's disappointing because _ views. i was a bit taken aback. it's disappointing because somebody. views. i was a bit taken aback. it's - disappointing because somebody who's watchinq _ disappointing because somebody who's watchinq maybe — disappointing because somebody who's watching maybe for— disappointing because somebody who's watching maybe for the _ disappointing because somebody who's watching maybe for the first _ disappointing because somebody who's watching maybe for the first time - watching maybe for the first time and international— watching maybe for the first time and international women's- watching maybe for the first time| and international women's game, watching maybe for the first time i and internationalwomen's game, i think— and internationalwomen's game, i think you _ and internationalwomen's game, i think you might— and internationalwomen's game, i think you might actually— and internationalwomen's game, i think you might actually consider. think you might actually consider that to _ think you might actually consider that to be — think you might actually consider that to be true. _ think you might actually consider that to be true. i— think you might actually consider that to be true. i think— think you might actually consider that to be true. i think it- think you might actually consider that to be true. i think it was- think you might actually consider that to be true. i think it was anl that to be true. i think it was an opinion, — that to be true. i think it was an opinion, not— that to be true. i think it was an opinion, not based _ that to be true. i think it was an opinion, not based upon fact. i opinion, not based upon fact. therefore. _ opinion, not based upon fact. therefore, it's— opinion, not based upon fact. therefore, it's quite - opinion, not based upon fact. i therefore, it's quite damaging. australian marcus north has taken himself out of the running to become the new managing director of england cricket due to family reasons. the durham director of cricket was believed to be one of

the front runners to become ashley giles' permanent replacement. giles left following england's ashes defeat. england are also searching for a head coach, with the managing director appointment expected to have the final say on that. british number one cameron norrie is out of the monte carlo masters, losing his first match since rising into the world's top ten. he was beaten by clay court specialist and former finalist albert ramos vinolas in three sets. norrie has never beaten the spaniard in four meetings on the red dust. dan evans is also out, losing to david goffin. the bbc sport website and app will keep you up to date on those big champions league ties tonight. gavin will be back with all these stories and more in sportsday at 6:30. thanks very much, ben. let's return to the reaction to yesterday's news that the prime minister and the chancellor have been given fixed penalty notices for breaking covid lockdown regulations. a row has broken out about remarks made by the conservative mp michael fabricant when speaking to bbc news yesterday afternoon.

he claimed that teachers and nhs staff were having drinks with colleagues in staff rooms during lockdown. let's listen to what he said. i think now that the prime minister has got to think hard, he should certainly go and make a statement to the house of commons on tuesday and i think he has got to apologise. having said that, i don't think that at any time he thought that he was breaking the law. i think that at the time he thought, just like many teachers and nurses, who, after a very, very long shift, would tend to go back to the and a quiet drink, which is more or less what he has done, i don't know much about the birthday party to which you talked about, i wasn't invited, but i don't think he thought he was breaking the law, but of course that doesn't make any sort of excuse. you said all those teachers and nurses who were going back

to the staff room and having a drink, you know more than i do, because i haven't heard about this. oh, well, i do know of some who did and, you know, it is quite natural, i am not saying that they were having a party, i am not saying that borisjohnson was having a party... you see the difficulty is... i know nurses... and i don't think they were doing anything wrong! i mean, they had worked really hard on a long shift... isn't the distinction... and will go back to the staff room and have a drink! joining me now is dr chaand nagpaul, chair of the british medical association council. about 24 hours ago. let's discuss that with chaand nagpaul. very good afternoon. are you aware of nurses meeting up for a drink at the end of a long day?— a long day? this is an outrageous and insulting _

a long day? this is an outrageous and insulting comment _ a long day? this is an outrageous and insulting comment that - a long day? this is an outrageous and insulting comment that mr i and insulting comment that mr fabricant has made. there's actually no reality to what was a most grueling period of lies and health care workers. he actually mentioned doctors doing the same. the truth is, in that first wave, we as health care workers were seeing illness, death at levels we have never been trained to see. we were having to hold smartphones on the beds of patients on ventilators because there were no visitors. we were seeing our own colleagues getting ill, some dying at that point. we were therefore extremely aware and quite traumatised at times about the impact of this virus. there's actually no way that any of us would have... i don't think it's conceivable to be drinking in a staff rest room. we didn't have a chance to rest. it was that

demanding at that time, and therefore, this comment is completely out of touch and it is an insult to the hard—working dedication of health care workers who have actually done nothing other than provide diligent work, responsibly, and did everything they could to protect themselves, their relatives and their patients. i mean, michael fabricant, i think you could hear the tone of his voice and that. i don't want to paraphrase too far, but he was saying it's human nature, everyone was working unbelievably long hours, they were exhausted, who would begrudge someone unwinding with colleagues who'd been through similar experiences? that is my paraphrasing, but i think you can hear the tone of voice, and he did say over the last year, one teacher and two nurses have told me that after an exhausting day at work,

they had a drink with their workmates. so, he has said he's had specific contact from two nurses. i can't speak of that contacts, but i think it's completely unacceptable to be drawing upon conversations he's had —— context. and invoke the dedication and names of doctors, nurses and health care workers to somehow justify flagrant rule breaking of ministers at a time when the virus was actually killing lots of people, making a lot of people ill, including those in the health service. i think it's completely misjudged and wrong comparison. and he went further and talked about drinking in the staff rest room. that is not the case. health care workers at the time were going through the most traumatic and

emotionally challenging period in their professional lives. there was no question of having a drink with colleagues in the rest room. we were all working well beyond our contracted hours because we were facing the biggest challenge we've ever faced, facing the biggest challenge we've everfaced, especially in facing the biggest challenge we've ever faced, especially in that first wave, when the infection was taken hold of the nation and resulting in intensive care units being full, wards being full and stopping services for other patients. this is not a time where we were drinking at the end of the day. so not a time where we were drinking at the end of the day.— the end of the day. so you would say that all nhs — the end of the day. so you would say that all nhs staff — the end of the day. so you would say that all nhs staff were _ the end of the day. so you would say that all nhs staff were following - that all nhs staff were following lockdown rules just as most people in society were? i lockdown rulesjust as most people in society were?— lockdown rulesjust as most people in society were? i would say that as a health care _ in society were? i would say that as a health care worker, _ in society were? i would say that as a health care worker, and _ in society were? i would say that as a health care worker, and that - in society were? i would say that as a health care worker, and that first| a health care worker, and that first wave, we were seeing first—hand the devastating impact of a new virus for which we have no treatment.

there was absolutely no way, and all the doctors and nurses i knew were doing everything they could and more, because they could see in front of their eyes the impact of not sticking to the rules, people becoming infected, people getting seriously ill. the impact of getting onto a ventilator, not surviving, people not even having their loved ones by their side when they were in their last days. when you see all of that, that level of illness, you're not in a state of mind where you're thinking about having a drink with friends. certainly there was no alcohol in hospitals that i've come across, so i don't think these comments bear any reality and they should not be used as a way of justifying what is a complete separate if you —— issue, which is fragrant rule breaking. —— flagrant.

they were notjust keeping to the law, they went over of the above because they could see the impact. i know doctors and nurses who stay away from home because they were looking after highly infectious patients and they did not want to create harm to their own families. they worked for weeks away from home. most professionals at the time, because this was a new virus, we have no treatments, they would come home and take their work clothes off, put them in the laundry and took enormous efforts to not just stick by the rules, but go over and above so that they did not put anyone else at risk.— anyone else at risk. doctor chaand na: aul, anyone else at risk. doctor chaand nagpaul. many — anyone else at risk. doctor chaand nagpaul, many thanks _ anyone else at risk. doctor chaand nagpaul, many thanks for - anyone else at risk. doctor chaand nagpaul, many thanks for your - anyone else at risk. doctor chaand i nagpaul, many thanks for your time. chair of the british medical association. let's turn to the united states. malfunctioning cameras appear

to be hindering the hunt for a gunman who shot ten people in a rush—hour attack on a new york city subway station. police have named frank rjames, 62, as a suspect, after first naming him as a person of interest after the attack. i'm joined now by our new york correspondent, nada tawfik. explain what's happening here, because lots of us would've seen a photo, so what's going on here. this photo, so what's going on here. as we photo, so what's going on here. is we see this morning, more police stationed at the various subways for added security this morning. that investigation by new york police and federal agencies ongoing. a massive manhunt for this suspect. as you mentioned, the security cameras in the subway station weren't working,

so what we've had is an appeal from the nypd to new yorkers to come forward with any footage they may have reported on their phones, and take a look. all new yorkers got this alert on their phones at several it said the man was wanted, he is now a suspect and anyone should get in touch with any information. awards are going up to $50,000 for people to awards are going up to $50,000 for people to come awards are going up to $50,000 for people to come forward, awards are going up to $50,000 for people to come forward, so awards are going up to $50,000 for people to come forward, so it awards are going up to $50,000 for people to come forward, so itjust shows how anxious the city is right now to apprehend this suspect. we know there are a number of things that have helped the investigation they were able to recover a key to a van that they located. it belonged to frankjames and they were able to get a hatchet, ammunition magazines, liquid that appeared to be gas and

fireworks. traced to a store in wisconsin, one of the addresses linked to frankjames, the other in philadelphia. investigators are piecing together all the clues and evidence, but they still do not have a motive yet. they are also combing through his social media post, saying they were bigoted, critical of the mayor, talked about homelessness. no update yet on how they feel they are to apprehending they feel they are to apprehending the suspect. they feel they are to apprehending the suspect-— they feel they are to apprehending the suspect. thank you very much. just to bring _ the suspect. thank you very much. just to bring you — the suspect. thank you very much. just to bring you some _ the suspect. thank you very much. just to bring you some news - just to bring you some news just coming through in westminster. we are hearing of a resignation in relation to those fixed bills he notices that we've just been talking about. the conservative peer david wolfson

has quit as justice the conservative peer david wolfson has quit asjustice minister. he says it's worth bringing you his freight —— he says he has quit because of the scale, context and nature of the breaches in downing street. it seems he's written to borisjohnson, and he says, it is a matter of the prime minister's own conduct as well as the actual events themselves. making the point that he is not resigning just because of the parties, gatherings, whatever word we want to use, and we know at least 50 fixed penalty notices have been issued, including to borisjohnson and rishi sunak, but david wilson saying he is resigning asjustice minister notjust because of those incidents which broke the strict regulations at the time, but because of the prime minister's own conduct.

that is a direct quote. he's going because of the conduct as well as the actually breaking of the strict covid regulations of the time. david wilson quitting asjustice minister. —— david wilson. 25 million people in shanghai are in the second week of a strict lockdown, after a surge in 0micron cases. people in the city aren't allowed to leave their homes, and most have to order in food and water and wait for government deliveries — and now officials have admitted they're struggling to feed everyone. the bbc has seen inside government quarantine facilities where tens of thousands of people are being forcibly housed, as china tries to maintain its �*zero—covid' strategy. 0ur shanghai correspondent robin brant is himself is locked down — he sent us this report. more than two years after covid first emerged here, china is still trying to keep it out. and this is how it's doing it.

tens of thousands of people forced into government run quarantine. in one of china's most advanced cities, the conditions for some are awful. translation: the moment i really broke down was when i entered - the cabin hospital. we spoke to this 26—year—old. she tested positive a few days ago. in china, symptoms or no symptoms, you are forced to quarantine. translation: we were first assigned to the shared area. j the condition was terrible. my roommate and i found two camp beds. there was only one restroom and one wash basin on each floor. many sleep next to each other. i was terrified. i broke down and cried. forced quarantine is one of two often brutal measures that china is using to try to beat covid. the other is citywide lockdowns. i'm two weeks into the one here,

along with the other 25 million people that live in shanghai. now, for many, that means you can't step out of your gate. for some, it means you can't even go beyond yourfront door, and also daily worries about food. for some, even about water. for some, the plight is now desperate. a battle to place an order on your phone or a fight with the authorities, alljust to get food in. seeing video of communist party officials berated like this is rare here, but the party is digging in. everyone's being repeatedly tested, but this has become less about science, it's now a battle between a resurgent virus and communist party credibility. every province in this country has been told to prepare facilities like this, as fears of a nationwide wave spread. 0ld, young, up until a few

days ago, babies — all were quarantined on their own. in china, it's the price they pay, the sacrifice they make. the official figures suggest the confirmed cases may have started to fall yesterday, but tipped up again today. those figures also claim there hasn't been a single covid death this time round, not one. no one has officially died here from covid and zero covid remains the goal. china is still determined to prove it can beat nature. robin brant, bbc news, locked down in shanghai. three women who were groomed and raped as children by gangs of men in rochdale have received an apology from greater manchester police after a ten—year battle. chief constable stephen watson said the force failed to protect them or properly investigate their abusers at the time.

phil mccann reports. after dark in rochdale, and unseen by the authorities, and by theirfamilies, girls like daisy were being abused. she was 12. i had one shoe, no coat, it was freezing and the police officers picked me up and said, what's happened? i said these men had taken me in the car and asked for sex. he said, what's their names? i only know nicknames. the police didn't even take me to the police station to question me, they didn't even ask for the phone numbers, they took me home to my dad and said, "keep your daughter in." in fact, daisy found herself arrested dozens of times for being drunk and disorderly. none of her abusers were arrested. daisy, which is not her real name, spoke to us two years ago, as she launched a civil action against greater manchester police. how did all these authorities get away with it? calling a child a prostitute? people say we are suing for compensation. that's not the truth.

i want the police to be held accountable for what they've done, for their failings, for their misconduct, for not being there. can you get down, please, or else i'm going to have to ask you to leave? daisy is one of three victims who have won substantial damages from the force. another had her story depicted in the bbc drama three girls, where she was called ruby. billy what? don't know. if he's your boyfriend, do you not think it's a bit strange you don't know his last name? in their legal claim, the women argued the police breached their human rights by failing to investigate offenders, failing to record crimes, and failing to collect intelligence. we took legal action against the police force on the basis that they had failed to protect them against degrading and inhuman treatment. greater manchester's chief constable would not do interviews wouldn't do interviews, but in a statement, he said

the force could and should have done much more. he added... the claims were settled before getting to court. the claim against the crown prosecution service is still ongoing. daisy said, i don't know if i believe the greater daisy said, "i don't know if i believe the greater "manchester police have really changed their ways, but i'm happy "that they have taken into account their failings "and there's finally been some accountability." that report was from phil mccann. two children left critically injured in a fire have died four days after the blades. the three and five—year—old were rescued in friday evening. at 24—year—old man held on suspicion of arson was later released with no further action. an investigation between police and the fire service to determine the cause of the blaze is continuing. the government says it's reached a

it's thought about half a million homeowners are living in unsafe buildings. it comes nearly five years after the grenfell tower fire in london, in which 72 people died. 0ur correspondent james reynolds has more. the ones that signed up... the chairman of the homeowners federation told me this morning he expects more to follow and essentially agreed this — they will pay to fix their own buildings — that is buildings they put up in the last 30 years. they'll also agree to pay into a fund to fix so—called orphan buildings — that's buildings where the original developer isn't known or can't be traced or forced to pay. the homeowners federation is not particularly happy about having to pay for other people's buildings, and the government has warned that the 18 firms who haven't signed on show design on or face consequences that could be a removal of planning permission. but standing back, looking at the overall principal of this, there's something really important

to say — developers will pay for the cost to fix cladding, not leaseholders. you might know in the last few years, leaseholders have been incredibly worried about the costs that might fall to them. those costs are falling to developers, so leaseholders this morning have broadly welcomed the agreement. 0ne campaigning organisation said on social media that it was a welcome step in the right direction, but it needed to be monitored building by building, and some costs, high insurance premiums and patrols to make sure fires don't break out will not be called back. just to remind you of that news that's come through in the last few minutes. resignation following the fixed penalty notices that have been handed down. just reading his letter to the prime minister in which he resigns, he says, "i regret that recent disclosures lead to the conclusion that there were breaches of the law in downing street. the

scale and nature of those breaches mean it would be inconsistent with the rule of law or that conduct to pass with constitutional impunity, particularly when many in society complied with the rules at great personal cost. he goes on to say that other people were fined or prosecuted for similar and sometimes apparently more trivial offences. so, he says in essence, he is resigning because of what happened in terms of covid rule breaking, but also in terms of the way all of this has been handled. quite a lengthy statement. more to come on that. it hasn't been too bad today. it's quite warm where we have the sunshine, but has sparked up a few heavy showers to the midlands. it looks like it will stay quite warm.

those colours will be right across the uk. the showers will die away tonight and we will see low cloud and mist and tonight and we will see low cloud and mistand murk, but tonight and we will see low cloud and mist and murk, but nowhere will be particularly cold. i could see a little bit of light rain. most places could be dry to start with, could see some sunshine breaking through. it'll be warm again, 15-20 . a little through. it'll be warm again, 15—20 . a little more cloud for central and western scotland. there will be sunshine around, but there are signs of it turning a bit more unsettled as we move through easter. there is an increasing chance of rain.

prices rise at their fastest rate for 30 years, driven by high increases in petrol and diesel costs. fuel and food prices have pushed the uk inflation rate to 7% in the year to march, the highest since 1992. business owners say they're feeling the pinch. itjust seems to be getting worse right now. over the last month, two months, things have increasingly got worse. borisjohnson is defended by cabinet colleagues after being fined for breaking covid laws, but a former tory party leader in scotland says he should resign. here in ukraine, terrible conditions in the besieged city of mariupol, with as many as 120,000 people trapped for weeks.

russia's stranglehold tightens — humanitarian corridors for civilians