hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are benjamin butterworth, late editor at the i newspaper, and harriet line, chief political correspondent at the daily mail. let's take a quick look at tomorrow's front pages. like many of the papers, the guardian reports allegations of sexual misconduct by multiple women against the dj tim westwood — which he strenuously denies. that story was a joint investigation by the guardian and the bbc. the metro also covers westwood but its main story is the cost of living crisis, with research suggesting nearly six in ten people have begun cutting back as prices rise. the independent covers

disagreement in the cabinet over the cost of living crisis — with the chancellor reportedly saying there's no money to help households there's a similar story in the telegraph, which leads on the pressure now being faced by the chancellor to cut taxes. the financial times says elon musk�*s car company tesla has seen its share price fall. investors are worried about how he will finance his 44 billion dollar purchase of twitter. the sun reports reports claims from portuguese police and german prosecutors about the suspect in the madeleine mccann case. the mirror tells the story of a grandmotherfrom hartlepool who has given £11—million to charity this year alone — after she won the lottery in 2019. so let's begin... thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us this evening. will get started with the front page of the metro, headline reading crunch time uk. quite a few front

pages talk about this. the cost of shopping, of bills, apparently grocery bills now are an extra £271 annually. the fastest rise since 2011 for the food bank usage is soaring as well. this really is a crisis for the government, isn't it? absolutely. this is leading many of the papers tomorrow. i suspect it will lead most of the newspapers for some years to come. inflation at the moment is probably something like 8%, is projected to get to about 10%. these are levels which haven't been seen in the uk for about 50 years, if not longer. the metro is reporting groceries up £271 a year. the number of people using food banks is that about 2.1 million, which is a huge number. and it's already seeing the effects of the cost of inflation. because a lot of people are going out and spending less, just in the last couple of

months, the paper reports. the spend in supermarkets is down about 6%, people are going out as much, they're using their savings already. i think this is causing a nightmare for the chancellor, the government. it had a situation where people couldn't go out and spend the money for two and half years due to the pandemic and lockdown. now you've got this extraordinary crunch in peoples ability to spend money, which means not only are they not able going to afford the basics they're also not going to be able to afford the lot of things or people restaurants, bars, holidays, although sectors don't have a chance when people are struggling to fund their heating and eating. i think their heating and eating. i think the government is struggling how to work out how to respond so that they can't decide how radical to be. it looks like there was a big argument cabinet today. looks like there was a big argument cabinet today-— looks like there was a big argument cabinet today. nearly 60% of us have made lifestyle _ cabinet today. nearly 60% of us have made lifestyle changes _ cabinet today. nearly 6096 of us have made lifestyle changes and _ cabinet today. nearly 6096 of us have made lifestyle changes and last - made lifestyle changes and last month, that means basic things like spending a bit less on food, a bit less on medicine.—

spending a bit less on food, a bit less on medicine. yes. the problem is that families _ less on medicine. yes. the problem is that families are _ less on medicine. yes. the problem is that families are facing _ less on medicine. yes. the problem is that families are facing this - is that families are facing this perfect — is that families are facing this perfect storm of rising bills, rising — perfect storm of rising bills, rising taxes, which is eating away at their— rising taxes, which is eating away at their quality of life, and cost of living — at their quality of life, and cost of living is _ at their quality of life, and cost of living is going out. people are going _ of living is going out. people are going to — of living is going out. people are going to have to cut back in order to survive — going to have to cut back in order to survive. there is horrible choice between _ to survive. there is horrible choice between heating and eating we keep hearing _ between heating and eating we keep hearing about some having tomatoes are even _ hearing about some having tomatoes are even more wealthy families whose nationai— are even more wealthy families whose national insurance has gone up pretty— national insurance has gone up pretty rapidly as of this month. they— pretty rapidly as of this month. they are — pretty rapidly as of this month. they are going to have to cut back on some _ they are going to have to cut back on some of— they are going to have to cut back on some of those nice things. that means— on some of those nice things. that means perhaps thinking twice about going _ means perhaps thinking twice about going out— means perhaps thinking twice about going out to a nice restaurant, even if voure _ going out to a nice restaurant, even if voure on— going out to a nice restaurant, even if voure on a— going out to a nice restaurant, even if you're on a very good salary. the knock _ if you're on a very good salary. the knock on _ if you're on a very good salary. the knock on effect of that you are due back on people and low—paid jobs is huge _ back on people and low—paid jobs is huge i_ back on people and low—paid jobs is huge. i think this report is going to be _ huge. i think this report is going to be a — huge. i think this report is going to be a real— huge. i think this report is going to be a real concern to the government. they're under pressure as it is _ government. they're under pressure as it is for— government. they're under pressure as it is for them to take more action— as it is for them to take more action to _ as it is for them to take more action to do more to help families across— action to do more to help families across the board who are struggling. so far— across the board who are struggling. so far the _

across the board who are struggling. so far the discussion in cabinet today— so far the discussion in cabinet today probably doesn't go far enough _ today probably doesn't go far enou:h. ., �* , today probably doesn't go far enou:h. . �*, ., ., enough. that's the front page of the financialterm, _ enough. that's the front page of the financial term, the _ enough. that's the front page of the financial term, the cabinet - enough. that's the front page of the financial term, the cabinet split - financial term, the cabinet split over cutting food tariffs. where exactly is that split according to this article?— this article? unsurprisingly the main rift is _ this article? unsurprisingly the main rift is between _ this article? unsurprisingly the main rift is between the - this article? unsurprisingly the l main rift is between the treasury and other— main rift is between the treasury and other ministers for that rishi sunak— and other ministers for that rishi sunak reluctant to spend more money. and also— sunak reluctant to spend more money. and also reluctant to cut taxes. he of course _ and also reluctant to cut taxes. he of course has increased taxes for most _ of course has increased taxes for most people over the last year as much _ most people over the last year as much as— most people over the last year as much as he's admitted that's not the kind of chancellor he is. so you've -ot kind of chancellor he is. so you've got torv _ kind of chancellor he is. so you've got tory mps in cabinet today saying that actually the best way to sort this cost—of—living crisis is to cut taxes _ this cost—of—living crisis is to cut taxes the — this cost—of—living crisis is to cut taxes. the government is receiving a huge _ taxes. the government is receiving a huge revenue for taxes because of things— huge revenue for taxes because of things like — huge revenue for taxes because of things like inflation going up means that the _ things like inflation going up means that the revenue they're getting in from taxes is that much higher. things— from taxes is that much higher. things like _ from taxes is that much higher. things like the national insurance rise they— things like the national insurance rise they probably could have

afforded to not go ahead with rather than to— afforded to not go ahead with rather than to hike that rise to points on two working people. chancellor obviously reluctant to u—turn on that _ obviously reluctant to u—turn on that. clearly reluctant to cut taxes — that. clearly reluctant to cut taxes. seems like the ball has been enrolled _ taxes. seems like the ball has been enrolled for broader options which wouldn't _ enrolled for broader options which wouldn't cost the government money but would _ wouldn't cost the government money but would save people a little bit cash but — but would save people a little bit cash but not in an enormous amount when _ cash but not in an enormous amount when it's_ cash but not in an enormous amount when it's things like mat for two years. _ when it's things like mat for two years, that's about 50 quid over two years. _ years, that's about 50 quid over two years. which— years, that's about 50 quid over two years, which will make a difference to some _ years, which will make a difference to some people but not clearly going far enough. to some people but not clearly going farenou:h. ~ , , to some people but not clearly going farenou:h. , , , , , far enough. absolutely. this is been discussed on a _ far enough. absolutely. this is been discussed on a lot _ far enough. absolutely. this is been discussed on a lot of— far enough. absolutely. this is been discussed on a lot of the _ far enough. absolutely. this is been discussed on a lot of the front - discussed on a lot of the front pages in particular this kind of split between cabinet members what the best way forward is. some of the ideas being moved reducing tariffs and import sunrise, relaxing mot test intervals. the chairs are saying pretty much come up my hands are tied. ., , saying pretty much come up my hands are tied. . , ., , ,, ., ,, are tied. that is what rishi sunak sa inc. at are tied. that is what rishi sunak saving- at some _ are tied. that is what rishi sunak saying. at some of _ are tied. that is what rishi sunak saying. at some of his _ are tied. that is what rishi sunakj saying. at some of his colleagues seem to be thinking otherwise.

morehouse, the policing minister was thought to be quite close to the prime minister, he is saying that there should be proper tax cuts because as haracters pointed out, the tax burden is incredibly high at the tax burden is incredibly high at the moment. that national insurance hike is really getting hit people. many might not quite have noticed it yet but it will. there's a question about whether he has the effect of the catheters. the idea that mot is not being added on as one suggestion or child might as being able to care for great old number children to cut the cost of childcare. i think a lot of people look at that suggestion and think, this is painfully little to the reality ofjust how hard things are going to be at the moment. i think the government is kind of got its fingers in its ears. these local elections coming up, they probably won't do very well. if it's to win the next general election in two years time that the fact that they've got it of annual mot is is knocking to be what's putting money back in peoples pockets. i think the cabinet is good

have to think more radically in the chancellors can have to be a bit more flexible. it looks like the colleague supporting the pressure on now. , , . . , , . colleague supporting the pressure on now. ,. now. especially when the price goes u . now. especially when the price goes u- aaain in now. especially when the price goes up again in autumn _ now. especially when the price goes up again in autumn rishi _ now. especially when the price goes up again in autumn rishi sunak - now. especially when the price goes up again in autumn rishi sunak is i up again in autumn rishi sunak is signal— up again in autumn rishi sunak is signal something more is an app that happened _ signal something more is an app that happened then. the question is whether— happened then. the question is whether he can hold off until the autumn— whether he can hold off until the autumn when energy bills are going to go— autumn when energy bills are going to go up— autumn when energy bills are going to go up even more than they already have or— to go up even more than they already have or whether he's going to have to read _ have or whether he's going to have to read intervene. the pressure definitely— to read intervene. the pressure definitely is on cabinet ministers to do— definitely is on cabinet ministers to do something much sooner because the may— to do something much sooner because the may elections is a very good example — the may elections is a very good example. that's not next week. thev've — example. that's not next week. they've flock a very much time to come _ they've flock a very much time to come up — they've flock a very much time to come up with some big policy that's actually— come up with some big policy that's actually going to make a difference on the _ actually going to make a difference on the doorstep. but it's not a crisis — on the doorstep. but it's not a crisis that's _ on the doorstep. but it's not a crisis that's going to get any better _ crisis that's going to get any better. lee pressure really is on to do something and i think he is certainly going to have to do something before the autumn. benjamin, do you think there is pressure ahead of those local

collections?— pressure ahead of those local collections? ~ , ,., , collections? absolutely. pulling su . . estin . collections? absolutely. pulling suggesting whether _ collections? absolutely. pulling l suggesting whether conservatives will do quite badly. a lot of areas are for election are largely labor. you expect labour party to do well in the elections. you got this combination of party gate which is lingering, which is that a lot or conservative supporters being less likely to turn out because they feel frustrated at what they see is hypocrisy by the prime minister. then you got the cost—of—living crisis even if there's any basic rule of politics if you got less money inyourpocket you're not gonna return the people who got you have less money. the government needs a real reset here. the chancellor is in such a weak position, he's really quite unpopular at the moment. i think his colleagues are probably can have to win over the day. there's just no chance that they can be tinkering in a year's time is there to have any chance of winning an election we read over the weekend that the prime minister is minded to have in earlier election. if we get

rid of him which might be a product of the local election results. let’s of the local election results. let's move on- — of the local election results. let's move on- itut _ of the local election results. let's move on. but then _ of the local election results. let's move on. but then she _ of the local election results. let's move on. but then she was - of the local election results. let's| move on. but then she was saying there is actually _ move on. but then she was saying there is actually an _ move on. but then she was saying there is actually an interesting - there is actually an interesting point that i think these cabinet ministers — point that i think these cabinet ministers might be seizing on rishi sunak— ministers might be seizing on rishi sunak when he is at his weakest. hes— sunak when he is at his weakest. he's been— sunak when he is at his weakest. he's been hugely popular through the pandemic— he's been hugely popular through the pandemic with things like furlough. now that _ pandemic with things like furlough. now that kind of shine has come off. there _ now that kind of shine has come off. there are _ now that kind of shine has come off. there are questions about his family's— there are questions about his family's tax affairs, really damage him~ _ family's tax affairs, really damage him he's — family's tax affairs, really damage him. he's probably quite keen for the kind _ him. he's probably quite keen for the kind of— him. he's probably quite keen for the kind of ladder he can climb down to improve _ the kind of ladder he can climb down to improve his popularity. these cabinet — to improve his popularity. these cabinet ministers are probably onto something by putting the pressure on now whereas in a couple of months a-o now whereas in a couple of months ago they— now whereas in a couple of months ago they would've really struggled. he was— ago they would've really struggled. he was a _ ago they would've really struggled. he was a little bit of teflon chancellor. a little bit like the prime minister at that point but it seems _ prime minister at that point but it seems that some of this stuff has stopped — seems that some of this stuff has stopped. he probably does want to take action now.— take action now. let's move onto another story _

take action now. let's move onto another story in _ take action now. let's move onto another story in the _ take action now. let's move onto another story in the financial- take action now. let's move onto i another story in the financial times talking about ukraine and russia. this basically is a picture of vladimir putin leading russian athletes who won medals at the beijing winter olympics. what has happened in the last 20 for hours or so, obviously talking about antonio guterres talking to vladimir putin and telling him the russian attack on ukraine only contradicts the un charter. but it doesn't feel like a lot of progress has been made really in terms of pushing that peaceful resolution. �* ., , in terms of pushing that peaceful resolution-— in terms of pushing that peaceful resolution. �* . , ., , , resolution. ben'amin. dft has been re-uortin resolution. ben'amin. dft has been reporting that— resolution. benjamin. dft has been reporting that a _ resolution. benjamin. dft has been reporting that a lot _ resolution. benjamin. dft has been reporting that a lot of _ resolution. benjamin. dft has been reporting that a lot of the _ resolution. benjamin. dft has been reporting that a lot of the talks - reporting that a lot of the talks that were meant to be happening between russia and between ukraine and basically come to nothing. feels humiliated. you got this international pressure and putin isn't listening. we know that is not speaking to his own army leaders, he's not hearing the real information about the damage to his economy, about the sheer number of russian soldiers who have died. he was embarrassed about the ship that

sank in the black sea. and i've had a situation where putin according to these reports feels cornered. he feels like he can't show that he's got a win and now is looking to have a research is to get as much of ukraine's land as possible. it looks like there are no signs even with people like the united nations trying to get involved in trying to score this in any vaguely diplomatic way in the coming months.- way in the coming months. harriet. it's uuite way in the coming months. harriet. it's quite striking _ way in the coming months. harriet. it's quite striking just _ way in the coming months. harriet. it's quite striking just hearing - it's quite striking just hearing putin— it's quite striking just hearing putin today saying basically dismissing the allegations that russia — dismissing the allegations that russia has done nothing to help civilians — russia has done nothing to help civilians flee places like mariupol and the — civilians flee places like mariupol and the safe corridors, which clearly — and the safe corridors, which clearly have not come into effect that putin — clearly have not come into effect that putin claiming 100,000 people have been_ that putin claiming 100,000 people have been able to evacuate safely because _ have been able to evacuate safely because of russia's quite extraordinary for that i think you hear— extraordinary for that i think you hear that— extraordinary for that i think you hear that through a translator, but coming _ hear that through a translator, but coming from his own mouth. i think there _ coming from his own mouth. i think there ft— coming from his own mouth. i think there ft is— coming from his own mouth. i think there ft is also a couple of

interesting elements, one being berlin _ interesting elements, one being berlin has agreed to send heavy weaponry— berlin has agreed to send heavy weaponry to ukraine, which is quite a u-turn _ weaponry to ukraine, which is quite a u—turn. also follows the uk governments announcement last week that we _ governments announcement last week that we will backfill tanks to poland _ that we will backfill tanks to poland so that polling can then send takes to _ poland so that polling can then send takes to ukraine to help fight against — takes to ukraine to help fight against russia. —— poland. which relates— against russia. —— poland. which relates quite closely up to what were _ relates quite closely up to what were saying about the cost of living, — were saying about the cost of living, polin has said that russia will stop— living, polin has said that russia will stop providing gas to countries in response to its refusal to pay in rubles _ in response to its refusal to pay in rubles lists— in response to its refusal to pay in rubles. lists of mentors remember that alterative given by proved in a few weeks— that alterative given by proved in a few weeks ago where all of these countries — few weeks ago where all of these countries would have to start paying in roubles _ countries would have to start paying in roubles because of all the sanctions _ in roubles because of all the sanctions having such an impact on russia's_ sanctions having such an impact on russia's economy. seems like poland has not _ russia's economy. seems like poland has not gone mad and is now can to get its _ has not gone mad and is now can to get its gas — has not gone mad and is now can to get its gas supply cut off for that which _ get its gas supply cut off for that which people in poland who are also suffering _ which people in poland who are also suffering from the cost—of—living crisis _ suffering from the cost—of—living crisis because of rising gas prices, io crisis because of rising gas prices, go to— crisis because of rising gas prices, go to make — crisis because of rising gas prices, go to make things quite a lot worse for them _ go to make things quite a lot worse for them to — go to make things quite a lot worse for them to. the go to make things quite a lot worse for them to-—

for them to. the front page of theguardian. _ for them to. the front page of theguardian. health _ for them to. the front page of theguardian. health agency i for them to. the front page of theguardian. health agency to for them to. the front page of - theguardian. health agency to halt covert tests and cut jobs with theguardian. health agency to halt covert tests and cutjobs with a benjamin, this is about the public health party set up by borisjohnson to combat coronavirus was up what's happening? this is an exclusive by the guardian.— happening? this is an exclusive by the guardian. ., �* , ., the guardian. you'll remember doctor jenn the guardian. you'll remember doctor jenny harries — the guardian. you'll remember doctor jenny harries who _ the guardian. you'll remember doctor jenny harries who did _ the guardian. you'll remember doctor jenny harries who did a _ the guardian. you'll remember doctor jenny harries who did a lot _ the guardian. you'll remember doctor jenny harries who did a lot of- the guardian. you'll remember doctor jenny harries who did a lot of those i jenny harries who did a lot of those covid information press conferences. she runs the uk us state which is a body that deals with things like testing, a lot of response to health crisis. the guarding is reporting though 4% cussing staff, their huge -- 40%. though 4% cussing staff, their huge —— 40%. organisers say the funding for asymptomatic testing in higher settings was only enough for six months of the year. it looks like a lot of that organisation is going to be dismantled, 800 members of staff again ago. i'm thinking maybe this is a sign of emerging of theyv final stages of the effects of covid that an organisation would suffer this.

but it sounds like according to the guardian at least at this organisation is in disarray and a doctorjenny harry's is struggling to keep it together. harriet, what do you make of this? i to keep it together. harriet, what do you make of this?— to keep it together. harriet, what do you make of this? i think some --eole do you make of this? i think some people are — do you make of this? i think some people are going _ do you make of this? i think some people are going to _ do you make of this? i think some people are going to welcome - do you make of this? i think some people are going to welcome the l do you make of this? i think some . people are going to welcome the idea that this _ people are going to welcome the idea that this is _ people are going to welcome the idea that this is being reduced in size. the idea — that this is being reduced in size. the idea that covid is completely over and — the idea that covid is completely over and that this vast sums of money— over and that this vast sums of money which the government has been pumping _ money which the government has been pumping into this health agency in order— pumping into this health agency in order to _ pumping into this health agency in order to fund things like testing are no— order to fund things like testing are no longer going to be spent. but ithink— are no longer going to be spent. but i think others will worry, as whitehall sources have told the guardian, that's quite concerning. if guardian, that's quite concerning. if there's — guardian, that's quite concerning. if there's another peak in this pandemic— if there's another peak in this pandemic or if there is more concerning variant that comes along, actually— concerning variant that comes along, actually are _ concerning variant that comes along, actually are we can have the infrastructure to be able to respond rapidlv? _ infrastructure to be able to respond rapidlv? ih— infrastructure to be able to respond rapidly? in the scenario if you have something — rapidly? in the scenario if you have something very bad and the system is not prepared we can receive ourselves where we were at the start of the _ ourselves where we were at the start of the pandemic. with the threat of lockdowns and that sort of things again _ lockdowns and that sort of things again 0f— lockdowns and that sort of things again. of course nobody wants. it's two sides—

again. of course nobody wants. it's two sides to — again. of course nobody wants. it's two sides to this, yes, great is covid — two sides to this, yes, great is covid is — two sides to this, yes, great is covid is over but