this is bbc news with the latest headlines. borisjohnson orders ministers to find savings by cutting more than 90,000 civil service posts to raise funds to tackle the cost of living crisis. during an issue with the cost of living and inflation you need to have control of budgets and that things run as efficiently and effectively as possible. do you think there need to be job cuts? do you think it's going make a difference to the cost of living crisis? you can get in contact with me at @annitabbc or #bbcyourquestions. a damehood for deborahjames — the cancer campaigner is honoured by the queen. she's now raised more than £4 million for charity injust four days.

the deadlock in stormont continues. the democratic unionist party confirms it will block the election of a speaker in the northern irish assembly due to post—brexit trading arrangements meaning the assembly can't fully operate. british intelligence says ukrainian forces have destroyed dozens of russian armoured vehicles during a failed attempt to cross a river in the eastern donbas region. as hundreds of children flee the war in ukraine, we'll look at how they've been settling in at schools across the uk. it's getting tense in turin as the clock ticks down to eurovision. and the uk's entry, sam ryder, is right up there amongst the favourites. and it's anything but a trifling matter. a lemon and swiss roll amaretti dessert is crowned as the queen's platinum jubilee pudding.

hello and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister has asked his cabinet to come up with a plan to cut about 90,000 civil service jobs to free up public money. borisjohnson told the daily mail that "we have got to cut the cost of government to reduce the cost of living". a source has said that the cuts are "not ideological" but about "good housekeeping". government insiders claim these plans could save £3.6 billion a year by returning to 2016 levels of employment. there were 384,000 civil servants employed in 2016 — the lowest number since world war two. but through brexit and the pandemic, numbers grew to 475,000 by the end of last year. the government believes it can reach its goal through a hiring freeze and what's described as "natural churn". no firm timescale has been given. let's talk to our political

correspondent nick eardley. good morning. any more specifics about whether the government thinks it can save £3.6 billion a year and is it saying anything particular about how this money might be used to deal with the cost of living crisis? ., , ., , ., crisis? n0, is the answer to the second crisis? no, is the answer to the second question. _ crisis? no, is the answer to the second question. the _ crisis? no, is the answer to the second question. the prime - crisis? no, is the answer to the - second question. the prime minister has linked the two in the daily mail this morning saying if you want to reduce the cost of living you need to reduce the cost of government as well. the thinking in government is if you reduce headcount in the civil service, you reduce the costs of some services and those reductions in spending can be passed onto taxpayers. there are some big questions about the specifics, though, particularly where big departments like the department for work and pensions, the ministry of

justice, hmrc, will be able to shed jobs at a time when they have quite a high workload because of things like the pandemic and the impact of brexit and all the changes that that has made to customers and things like that. but the government is saying this morning it is determined to do this. the cabinet secretary, the top civil servant in the country, wrote to departments last night saying that they had three years to do it. they have all been asked for ideas. he admits it will be challenging but he says that 91,000 figure should be achievable. have a high workload because of things like the pandemic and the impact of brexit and all the changes that that has made to customers and things like that. but the government is saying this morning it is determined to do this. the cabinet secretary, the top civil servant in the country, wrote to departments last night saying that they had three years to do it. they have all been asked for ideas. he admits it will be challenging but he says that 91,000 figure should be achievable. have a listen to jacob rees—mogg, the government minister responsible for government efficiency. it's trying to get back to the level we were at, at 2016, and that's obviously before brexit

and before covid, which did lead to some increase in the civil service. why now? well, you should always spend taxpayers' money as efficiently as possible. governments have no money of their own, it is only money taken from hard—working taxpayers who provide the funds that the state expends. but during an issue with the cost of living and inflation, you need to have control of budgets and you need to ensure that things run as efficiently and effectively as possible. so it fits in with the overall economic succour. that is the government view. interesting this morning that jacob rees—mogg said he didn't think it would have a big impact on services because things like automation and more efficiency will mean that the same sort of standards can still be applied. got to say there are some who are highly sceptical of that, the unions for example have been arguing that if you cut that number ofjobs arguing that if you cut that number of jobs you arguing that if you cut that number ofjobs you are going to have to cut what you do accordingly and it will inevitably mean some hard choices for departments. and it'll be a really interesting to see, as this process plays out, which departments

actually feel that they have extra civil servants to potentially get rid of. as i say, the big departments, the ones that employ the most civil servants, all have quite a lot on their plates at the moment. to add another couple, the home office is dealing with issues over borders. the ministry of defence obviously has the conflict in ukraine and various other cybersecurity things to think about. it'll be interesting to see just how willing government ministers are to lose those jobs. hick willing government ministers are to lose those jobs.— willing government ministers are to lose those jobs. lose those “obs. nick eardley, thank ou. shortly i will speak to dave penman, the secretary—general of the fda civil servants union. he is swapping into that seat in westminster that nick eardley was in. a couple of things dave penman has said that the fda annual conference, criticising the government for what he said was going toward the people delivering the government agenda, which is what

civil servants do, delivering the agenda of the government of the day. he also criticised in particular jacob rees—mogg for what he called crass, condescending passive aggressive little notes to people, which includes jacob rees—mogg's sorry you were out when i was visiting note for people who were working from home on that day. let's speak now to dave penman, secretary general of the fda union for civil servants. i hope you were able to hear me quoting what you said at the annual conference. you have talked about a culture war between the government and civil service. is this really about the government and civil service not getting along at the moment? i service not getting along at the moment? ., �* ~ ., , . , moment? i don't know. the difficulty for --eole moment? i don't know. the difficulty for peeple to — moment? i don't know. the difficulty for people to assess _ moment? i don't know. the difficulty for people to assess is _ moment? i don't know. the difficulty for people to assess is the _ moment? i don't know. the difficulty for people to assess is the lack- moment? i don't know. the difficulty for people to assess is the lack of. for people to assess is the lack of detail and difficulty around what was announced in the daily mail about civil servicejob was announced in the daily mail about civil service job cuts. i will be serious about 90,000 job cuts over what may be two or three years? are they serious about the consequences of what that might

mean? are they saying they will not replace people leaving on the border force and mod? the problem is the lack of detail and the spin around this overnight suggesting that actuallyjust now it is a headline, it is part of this, it is an easy hit to say the country faces a difficult times so let's just cut the civil service to an arbitrary number. but we are in no doubt this government to some degree are saying they need to cut back, but we need to find out and we need dialogue to understand exactly what they mean. at this point it is a headline. let's find out actually and let's engage in talk and see what they are serious about. fire engage in talk and see what they are serious about.— serious about. are their savings to be made to? _ serious about. are their savings to be made to? the _ serious about. are their savings to be made to? the siebel _ serious about. are their savings to be made to? the siebel service i serious about. are their savings to | be made to? the siebel service has already committed _ be made to? the siebel service has already committed to _ be made to? the siebel service has already committed to a _ be made to? the siebel service has already committed to a 596 - be made to? the siebel service hasl already committed to a 5% reduction in its budget between now and 2025. —— the civil service. that was agreed just a few months ago. the civil service always looks for efficiencies, that's part of a job of a civil servant. the civil

service save £500 million by reducing its estate in the period between 2010 and 2015. since then we have had a revolution in working practices which would mean more people could actually work from home and the civil service would need less office space. instead of that we have a government forcing people back into offices when it could be saving the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds simply because of ideological obsession. the difficulty i think for civil servants is to understand exactly what the government wants. do you want to save money orjust keep making headlines? figs want to save money or 'ust keep making headlines?_ want to save money or 'ust keep making headlines? as you say there is a lack of detail— making headlines? as you say there is a lack of detail at _ making headlines? as you say there is a lack of detail at the _ making headlines? as you say there is a lack of detail at the moment - is a lack of detail at the moment but if there were cuts to the order of around 90,000 jobs, what services would be affected in your opinion, what would be hit and what couldn't be done that is being done now? the difficul be done that is being done now? tue: difficulty is be done that is being done now? tte: difficulty is they have picked this pre—brexit figure, 2016, the number of civil servants who were there in 2016. that was the smallest civil

service there has been since the second world war. it had already been cut by around 25% by the coalition and conservative government up to that point. then what the government did was give it a huge additional responsibilities. brexit has increased the workload of the civil service enormously. if you think about the borders and what we are having to do there, looking at a department like defra where 80% of the work was european related and it has taken on huge additional responsibilities for top additional workaround customers. —— around customs. the government has given extra work and employed additional staff to achieve that, but if you want to achieve that arbitrary number, you can't undo brexit or covid so what will you cut? the government has talked about more artificial intelligence and automation. can that work to replace some people? there are potential efficiencies but what does that

actually mean, what does it mean in actually mean, what does it mean in a place like the border office? the home office has had huge responsibility in increasing staff around brexit so what this artificial intelligence mean in reality when you talk about the increased staffing there? we have had headlines in the last couple of weeks around the passport office. there is an increase in demand and there are not enough staff and they can't recruit staff. they have said to the passport office, you have to cut staff at a time when there are delays and they don't have enough staff right now. this is the difficulty in announcing policies like this in the daily mail. there is a lack of detail and when you start to interrogate it, it falls apart. we don't know what the government is serious about and what it is not serious about. if they really want to cut the number of civil service, which they are entitled to do as a government, they need to be serious about the consequences of doing that. throwing around phrases like artificial intelligence is not a serious way of engaging in around 450,000 public

servants deliver those public services. . ~ servants deliver those public services. ., ~ , ., ., servants deliver those public services. ., ., services. thank you for your time toda . the democratic unionist party has confirmed it will stop the northern irish assembly from sitting at stormont, by refusing to elect a speaker. under power—sharing rules the speaker requires cross community backing. the power—sharing devolved government is due to meet today for the first time since sinn fein replaced the dup as the largest party in last week's election. but the dup says it won't allow northern ireland to have a functioning executive unless its concerns over the post—brexit trade border with great britain are resolved. let's speak to our reporter, charlotte gallagher, who is at stormont. what will happen there today, or perhaps more accurately, what want to be happening there today? ==

perhaps more accurately, what want to be happening there today? -- mike watt won't be — to be happening there today? -- mike watt won't be happening. _ to be happening there today? -- mike watt won't be happening. definitely i watt won't be happening. definitely more of the latter, what won't be happening. it was supposed to be the first day of business at stormont but now the dup say they will not vote for a speaker so there will not be much done here. the new mlas will come in, sign in, and apart from that there is very little else for them to do because unless a speaker is elected, the assembly can't run properly. it can't function, essentially, so bills cannot be scrutinised, there are no debates and the new ministers can't be put in place. the new deputy first minister and new first minister can't be voted in or elected. it's a very dodgy time at the moment here at stormont in terms of what can be done. essentially it will be pretty dormant here until there is a political breakthrough, essentially. the dup have said this isn'tjust a political squabble. they think the

northern ireland protocol essentially undermines devolution. 0n the other hand, sinn fein are absolutely furious. michelle 0'neill has said the dup are disgracefully holding society to ransom. i'm sure there will be a few strong words here today but apart from that little else will be done. charlotte, thank yom _ little else will be done. charlotte, thank you. charlotte _ little else will be done. charlotte, thank you. charlotte gallagher - little else will be done. charlotte, thank you. charlotte gallagher at| thank you. charlotte gallagher at stormont. dr clare rice is a research associate at the university of liverpool and a specialist on northern ireland politics. good to have you with us as ever. charlotte was telling us a little more about what would have been scheduled to happen but probably isn't going to happen certainly today. we hope the phrase last week around the election period of a zombie government. is that effectively what we have? would be ministers and would—be politicians who can't actually get on with the business of governing? yes. who can't actually get on with the business of governing?— who can't actually get on with the business of governing? yes, and if an hinu business of governing? yes, and if anything the _ business of governing? yes, and if anything the situation _ business of governing? yes, and if anything the situation now- business of governing? yes, and if l anything the situation now compared to this time last week is much more dire than what we expect it was up

we anticipated the dup was going to be reluctant to nominate. at this stage last week we didn't know whether it would be a deputy first minister or first minister but it was confirmed pretty soon after the results started coming on that they wouldn't nominate to the joint office will stop in the last few days we have had it confirmed overnight that the dup will not be nominating or partaking in the election of a speaker for the northern ireland assembly might either. essentially we are left with a zombie government, caretaker government, whichever you wish to use on it, but due to legislation passed a few months ago effectively we still have ministers who are kind of in post, still technically in charge of their ministerial portfolios but they are limited to what they can do and can't take any new decisions and can't take any cross departmental decisions because the executive itself is unable to form, a new executive is unable to form, a new executive is unable to form so eventually the steam will run out of that as well so we are on

a ticking countdown now essentially two things coming to pretty much a halt in northern ireland in terms of governance. tt halt in northern ireland in terms of governance-— governance. if members of the assembly _ governance. if members of the assembly sign _ governance. if members of the assembly sign in _ governance. if members of the assembly sign in today - governance. if members of the assembly sign in today but - governance. if members of the i assembly sign in today but don't elect a speaker, will they still get paid? elect a speaker, will they still get aid? �* , , , ., ., paid? it's my understanding that the will. paid? it's my understanding that they will. people _ paid? it's my understanding that they will. people will _ paid? it's my understanding that they will. people will have - paid? it's my understanding that they will. people will have seen | they will. people will have seen different commentaries around it, different commentaries around it, different perspectives, which are around on social media, which need to be treated with a degree of caution, but it is my understanding that as soon as an elected representative signs the register they are eligible to receive their salary. they are eligible to receive their sala . g ., they are eligible to receive their sala ., ., ,, ., , they are eligible to receive their sala ., ., ,, ., salary. julian smith, as former northern ireland _ salary. julian smith, as former northern ireland secretary, i salary. julian smith, as former. northern ireland secretary, wrote salary. julian smith, as former- northern ireland secretary, wrote an interesting article yesterday, he talked about most people in northern ireland see the protocol as advantageous, giving them access to both the eu and gb markets, talking about business people. i think that's contrary to what the government and the dup have been saying, they say they have been focusing on what they would call the

disadvantages of the protocol with regards to trade. he also said that some people in westminster were using the protocol as a vehicle for their own agenda and appealing to their own agenda and appealing to the eu to think not so much about what the erg group of conservatives might want but to listen to northern ireland and political unionism in northern ireland on what it needs. do you think this appeal to the eu might help in anyway? t do you think this appeal to the eu might help in anyway?— might help in anyway? i think at this staue might help in anyway? i think at this stage nothing _ might help in anyway? i think at this stage nothing of _ might help in anyway? i think at this stage nothing of that - might help in anyway? i think at this stage nothing of that sort . might help in anyway? i think at i this stage nothing of that sort will do any harm. there is a mixed bag when it comes to perspectives on the protocol within northern ireland. there is the unionist political perspective that says it is the antithesis of the unionist agenda, insofar as the constitutional question within northern ireland there is the northern ireland protocol, separating, differentiating northern ireland from the rest of the uk. if you speak to business leaders and people in the business community, by and

large they say that yes it has taken a period of adjustment but it is a good idea. they are seeing benefits of northern ireland having access to both the uk and european union. i think it's very much a sensible plea to be cutting out the middlemen, effectively, and to be engaging directly with people in northern ireland to find out what the perspective actually are on the ground and using that as the basis for informing those discussions between the uk and eu, as opposed to the political narrative that is surrounding it at the moment, and indeed the language around ramping up indeed the language around ramping up tensions in those conversations will stop if that can be put aside too as great a degree as possible and the impact on the ground taken into consideration, that can only be a positive thing for the ultimate and overall outcome.— a positive thing for the ultimate and overall outcome. doctor clare rice, thank _ and overall outcome. doctor clare rice. thank you — and overall outcome. doctor clare rice, thank you for _ and overall outcome. doctor clare rice, thank you for your _ and overall outcome. doctor clare rice, thank you for your expertise i rice, thank you for your expertise on what is continuing to be a very difficult situation with regards politics in northern ireland, to try to resolve the issues.

we have a copy of the letter from the top civil servant simon case, relating to the story we were just telling you about a couple of minutes ago, the news that the government wants to make significant reductions to the civil service of a little over 90,000 job cuts. the government says it wants to do that through a recruitment freeze and what it calls natural churn. in a letter last night, simon case acknowledged the cuts would be what he called challenging but he says departments need to consider how to streamline workforces. looking down through this to bring you the top lines, i'm seeing this for the first time myself. the corset and a boetius target to cut around 90,000 jobs that will meet imagination as well as a skilful collaboration. he talks about the size of the civil service having grown substantially since 2016 in response to a range of events including the pandemic. he says the prime minister believes

this matters all the more at a time when the government is focused on controlling spending and delivering the best possible value for taxpayers in challenging circumstances. so there is a proposal to work on producing a plan for reducing civil service numbers but as we heard from the head of the civil service union a moment ago, he says this is lacking in detail and dialogue is needed to try to understand what the government is really proposing here. the cancer campaigner deborahjames — also known as bowelbabe — says she's "hugely honoured" to be awarded a damehood. the 40—year—old, who hosts the bbc�*s you, me and the big c podcast, has raised more than £4.1 million for charity since monday, when she revealed she's receiving end—of—life care. jon donnison reports. # there were nights of endless pleasure...#. deborahjames — diarist, occasional diva, and now dame. forfive years, with remarkable energy and good humour, she's documented her life with cancer.

now in herfinal days, she's been honoured by the queen. she confirmed the news announced by downing street in a tweet last night, telling the bbc she was shocked and humbled. it comes just a few days after the 40—year—old mother of two announced she was ending her treatment and was now receiving end—of—life hospice care. i have a really loving family who i adore and couldn't... i honestly, like, they're just incredible. and all i knew i wanted was to come here and be able to relax, knowing that everything was ok. music: rise up by andra day deborahjames�* inspiring

videos, often set to music and posted on social media, have reached millions. the former deputy head teacher was just 35 when she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2016. but she's been determined to share her story to try and help others. on her podcast, you, me and the big c, which she was still presenting until a few months ago, she could be funny but didn't hide her emotions. i'm back on treatment, and every single time i'm back on treatment i'm like, "i don't want to be here". in just the past four days deborah james' in a statement on her damehood, the prime minister said... dame deborahjames, who's achieved

so much in such a short time, says she'll now spend her remaining days at her parents�* home in surrey surrounded by her family. jon donnison, bbc news. joining me now is genevieve edwards, chief executive at bowel cancer uk. thank you very much forjoining us today. what is it like today to say dame deborah? t today. what is it like today to say dame deborah?— today. what is it like today to say dame deborah? ~ ., , ., dame deborah? i know, dame deborah, what an amazing — dame deborah? i know, dame deborah, what an amazing thing _ dame deborah? i know, dame deborah, what an amazing thing to _ dame deborah? i know, dame deborah, what an amazing thing to have _ what an amazing thing to have happened. ijust think what an amazing thing to have happened. i just think that after everything deborah has done, working tirelessly for other people, always thinking of other people, even in the most difficult of times for herself, to have this moment for her isjust wonderful. i herself, to have this moment for her is just wonderful. i think it's an absolutely true recognition of everything she has achieved, and the love and admiration there is for her. ~ ., love and admiration there is for her. . . , . ., love and admiration there is for her. . . , . ., ~ her. what difference do you think it will make for— her. what difference do you think it will make for her— her. what difference do you think it will make for her and _ her. what difference do you think it will make for her and her—

her. what difference do you think it will make for her and her family - her. what difference do you think it| will make for her and her family and close friends? what will it mean to them? t close friends? what will it mean to them? ~ , . ., ., close friends? what will it mean to them? ~ , _, ., ., them? i think it is recognition of everything _ them? i think it is recognition of everything she _ them? i think it is recognition of everything she has _ them? i think it is recognition of everything she has done. - them? i think it is recognition of everything she has done. a - them? i think it is recognition of| everything she has done. a word them? i think it is recognition of - everything she has done. a word we have used adopt this week is inspirational. and she is. but i have this recognition from the queen must be so heartening. i am thrilled to see it. �* ., ., , to see it. and now, through this difficult time, _ to see it. and now, through this difficult time, i _ to see it. and now, through this difficult time, i am _ to see it. and now, through this difficult time, i am sure - to see it. and now, through this difficult time, i am sure you - to see it. and now, through this difficult time, i am sure you will know this very well, she is continuing to make a huge difference to awareness around cancer. she continuing to make a huge difference to awareness around cancer.- to awareness around cancer. she is. i don't to awareness around cancer. she is. i don't think— to awareness around cancer. she is. i don't think awareness _ to awareness around cancer. she is. i don't think awareness has - to awareness around cancer. she is. i don't think awareness has ever - i don't think awareness has ever been higher around bowel cancer. and that will save lives because there will be people who have seen everything deborah has done and they will think, hold on a minute, something is not right with me. perhaps i will see my doctor. we have heard from countless people who have heard from countless people who have been prompted to go to their doctors and their lives have been saved because of the work deborah

has done over the years. it's great to see that, you know, we are all able to talk about it. and as deborah says, check your poo. it's great to have these conversations and chats. �* , ., , ., and chats. and when people are checkin: , and chats. and when people are checking, what _ and chats. and when people are checking, what should - and chats. and when people are checking, what should they - and chats. and when people are checking, what should they look and chats. and when people are - checking, what should they look out for western europe any kind of blood in your poo, bleeding from your bottom. ., , ., , in your poo, bleeding from your bottom. . , ., , in your poo, bleeding from your bottom. ., , ., , ., bottom. -- what should they look out for? if bottom. -- what should they look out for? if your — bottom. -- what should they look out for? if your bowel _ bottom. -- what should they look out for? if your bowel movements - bottom. -- what should they look out for? if your bowel movements are - for? if your bowel movements are changing and it's not normal for you, see your gp. it is probably not bowel cancer but if it is get diagnosed properly because it can save your life.— diagnosed properly because it can save ourlife. ., , . the fundraising by dame deborah james now stands at 4.16 million

since monday. british military intelligence has confirmed that ukrainian forces destroyed a significant number of armoured vehicles, as russian forces crossed a river in the donbas. the ministry of defence said the russian operation was "highly risky" and showed its commanders were under pressure to make progress. however the russians are making progress elsewhere with reports the strategically important city of severodonetsk is surrounded on three sides. meanwhile, the foreign secretary, liz truss, has called on the west to keep up the pressure on russia by sending more weapons to ukraine. she's at a meeting of g7 foreign ministers in germany. it's very important at this time that we keep up the pressure on vladimir putin by supplying more weapons to ukraine, by increasing the sanctions. g7 unity has been vital during this crisis, to protect freedom and democracy, and we'll continue to work together to do just that. let's go live now to ukraine and join our correspondent joe inwood in lviv.

what more can you tell us about this significant number we are told of russian armoured vehicles destroyed by ukrainian forces in the donbas? yeah, a really significant number. we think almost an entire battalion tactical group's worth of vehicles was top in some images i have seen they count up to 74 tanks, armoured personnel carriers destroyed. there is a river and severodonetsk is one of the last city is that the ukrainians hold on the east bank of that river. that has been surrounded now on three sides. but in trying to cross this river, the russians were hoping to bypass the heavy fortifications of severodonetsk, come all the way round and enveloped those troops, cutting them off from the back foot up it was a gamble m and if it had paid off it would have been a significant tactical advantage to them. but it was also a

risk and it seems it has backfired spectacularly. the ukrainians had advance warning, they had targeted the river crossing and when those vehicles tried to come across the pontoon bridges that went down, a huge barrage of ukrainian artillery came in. they have wiped out a vast number of vehicles. this was a big gamble by the russians, and as british intelligence have said today it shows one that maybe shows the levels of desperation, they are trying to force the issue and it has obviously backfired. tt trying to force the issue and it has obviously backfired.— obviously backfired. it shows the firht is obviously backfired. it shows the fight is very _ obviously backfired. it shows the fight is very much _ obviously backfired. it shows the fight is very much on _ obviously backfired. it shows the fight is very much on from - obviously backfired. it shows the i fight is very much on from ukraine. throughout this war we have reported that they were outnumbered in terms of the forces that russia could deploy, but there has always been a discussion around the race to resupply in this fighting. as we heard from liz truss, that is still very much a pressure for ukraine. what does it say about the supply of weapons it is getting at the moment? i think weapons it is getting at the moment? ithink ukraine weapons it is getting at the moment? i think ukraine has very much

changed their rhetoric and mood music about this. at first there was almost a sense of desperation about the level of weapons and support they are getting. i think now they feel that it is really coming in, notjust in the levels but also with the urgency required. we have seen the urgency required. we have seen the russians target supply lines, trying to target the railway infrastructure bringing that equipment to the front line, but our understanding it is still getting through. 0bviously understanding it is still getting through. obviously the ukrainians don't give a running commentary, in fact they are incredibly secretive about this so it is difficult to know what is happening. but we see videos coming on social media and that sort of thing, of western supplied equipment getting onto the front lines. it is circumstantial evidence but it seems it is getting there. jae evidence but it seems it is getting there. , ., ., ., ., ~ there. joe inwood in lviv, thank ou. eurovision is upon us once again. after all the build—up and the excitement, it's almost time for the grand final of the world's most—watched music competition.

200 million people are expected to tune in tomorrow, with the uk's sam ryder among the favourites — yes, the favourites — to win. david sillito is in turin for us. 0h, have i got a sunglasses mark? we are in turin, and you've got to look your best. we are in italy, after all. and our meeting with sam was a brief chat over a mint tea. cool! am i 0k? yeah, yeah. one, two, three... cheering because things have got a bit hectic for the uk's eurovision hopeful. are you getting any sleep while you are here? lam, actually, yeah. sleep is... i'm glad you brought it up. so it's been absolutely relentless, going here, there and everywhere. so you really have to keep an eye on your diet, your rest pattern, staying hydrated. i know these are such obvious things. you're like an athlete. yeah, i always thought that! the worst athlete in the world! sam ryder and space man.

if this gets nil points, then there really is no eurovision justice. indeed, as soon as we sat down, the fans began to gather. even the swedes, who know their eurovision, think the uk has got a real chance. i would be so happy for the uk because you have had such terrible years. i felt it was so terrible last year when they said "zero!" i wasjust screaming, "oh, no, it's not possible!" it was so bad for the uk. but this time you're just nailing it. but for sam, this is all very new. two and a half years ago, december 2019, where was your singing career? i did a little bit of everything. i was a labourer, a dogsbody, basically. so december 2019, yourjob is a labourer? yeah. what changed his life... # so give me a sign...#. ..was this tiktok video.

so january 2020... yeah, i shared my first video, of me singing in my mum's kitchen, singing britney spears, hit me baby one more time, as high as i could. and i thought nothing of it because i went to bed that night ijust thought, "that was funny." and i woke up — 2 million people had seen it. my mum was absolutely, like, scared to death that the kitchen was untidy, but it was spotless. the first day, you had 2 million views? yeah, yeah. music: space man by sam ryder and two years on, the lockdown tiktok star's space man was picked for eurovision. # there's nothing but space, man~~# _ did you have any doubts about eurovision? yeah, but they were all made by me, so i could turn them off. as soon as i got the offer, my heart, as a fan, i was like, "yes, i want to do it", and then a split second later, because this is how the human brain works for all of us,

you get the "yeah, but what if you get nil points?" laughter. 0r, like, "what if you never work again? this could ruin you." all of these stupid things. but it's important that you realise that you make those thoughts, that you make those doubts and fears, and you can choose to follow them or you can choose to switch it and just think positively, and that's... the attitude is key, absolutely key. here we are, i've got eurovision odds here. where are we now? you are number two. i mean, look, it's so cool, but i don't want to, i don't know, believe it too much. no, forget it. numbers are not the game. yes, let's notjinx anything. but i did have one final question... what's up, friends? i am here in torino with my good friend david from bbc breakfast and these legends over here. are you guys excited about eurovision?

yeah! could we make a tiktok? ciao! laughter. bbc breakfast, there we go. then you just hit post. hit the post. i rather doubt this will be getting millions of views, but hey. i'm not sure if that's a viral video. i think we may get at least 100 views after this goes out. yeah, you can count on that. so i now understand tiktok, and all i can say is you are making the uk are very proud at the moment and it has been an honour and a privilege. bless you, my friend. good luck. thanks, mate. come here. thank you. thanks so much for taking the time to chat and for the lovely folks supporting at home, i appreciate you. myself and the whole team, and these guys too, we are stoked for eurovision and we're going to give it everything. peace.

love you. bye — bye. cheering. let's get more now with our media and arts correspondent david sillito who's in turin. living his best life is the phrase i would apply to some living his best life is the phrase i would apply to some rider living his best life is the phrase i would apply to some rider there. living his best life is the phrase i would apply to some rider there. and you may be as well. that's a nice back to report from, isn't it? let’s back to report from, isn't it? let's retend back to report from, isn't it? let's pretend it's _ back to report from, isn't it? let's pretend it's not _ back to report from, isn't it? let's pretend it's not the _ back to report from, isn't it? let�*s pretend it's not the greatest hardship, however, everyone this week goes without sleep. i've just been chatting to meeko who is one of the presenters, and he explained that each time he does a show, they've had two semifinals, and tonight is the big night because it is thejury final that tonight is the big night because it is the jury final that we don't see because half the votes are cast by the jury, because half the votes are cast by thejury, and then of because half the votes are cast by the jury, and then of course there's the jury, and then of course there's the big night that everyone watches. he has to do that five times. he effectively does 25 full shows before we get to the big night on saturday night. and you realise why everybody looks kind of a little wide—eyed and mad. at the end of all

this. because eurovision isjust mammoth, absolutely mammoth, but joyous as well. and this year, yeah, there is a chance. people are trying to avoid jinxing this, but there is a possibility that the success will be a left—hand finish, which means, maybe we are in the top 20, or maybe top 12 i would suggest would be considered a success, but i think sam ryder is going to do rather better. what an utterly lovely man he is as well. better. what an utterly lovely man he is as well-— he is as well. yeah, he's certainly brinuain he is as well. yeah, he's certainly bringing the _ he is as well. yeah, he's certainly bringing the charm _ he is as well. yeah, he's certainly bringing the charm offensive, - he is as well. yeah, he's certainly | bringing the charm offensive, isn't he. this is the uk's best chance for some years, but the site there's so much buzz around ukraine entry. mar; much buzz around ukraine entry. way ahead of much buzz around ukraine entry. — ahead of everybody else. so, we're talking about spain and italy in the uk doing well. but if you look at the arts, it is going to be ukraine,

ukraine, ukraine. and does the story of them and how they managed to get special permission to leave ukraine. 0ne special permission to leave ukraine. one of their members had to be left behind because he is defending, joined the ukrainian military. and the day this all finished, they go straight back and they are helping refugees, helping handing out food. they consider this all part of the national struggle, the national effort to raise awareness around the world of ukraine. and when you watch their performance, whatever you think of ukrainian rap and folk music, it's quite catchy. but the staging, if it does not get you here in some way, you don't have a heart at all. so i think that will have a major impact. well it can convince the jury? major impact. well it can convince thejury? i don't know. i met the italian contender who was second in tel aviv and he hasn't great song

now. eurovision has made him a massive star. i think an awful lot of record labels as well a kind of realising now that this isn't a joke. this is a pathway to stardom. manor skin last year, the italian winners, just went off the scale as soon as they won eurovision, so it is a different world here. tt’s soon as they won eurovision, so it is a different world here.— is a different world here. it's a different world. _ is a different world here. it's a different world. a _ is a different world here. it's a different world. a lot - is a different world here. it's a different world. a lot to - is a different world here. it's a different world. a lot to watch | is a different world here. it's a - different world. a lot to watch out for. thank you very much and enjoy beautiful children. just to let you know, i will be talking to mika, one of the hosts at half past ten about that hectic schedule he has had and the grand final. it's time now for a look at the weather forecast. blue sky and sunshine for many parts of the uk today. for the majority of us, the skies will look like this. sunny spells, but you will notice the strength of the wind blowing into day with the west or south

westerly direction. a few splashes of rain, but sunny spells breaking through and long spells of sunshine for the south of england and wales. 22 or 23 celsius the top temperature in the south—east and a little cooler up towards the north—west. 0vernight, the winds are going to be falling light. sky is clear for many of us, but if you mist and fog patches forming here and there. temperatures seven to 11 celsius first thing tomorrow. lots of dry, sunny and warm weather on saturday. wendy later today, sunny and warm weather on saturday. wendy latertoday, but sunny and warm weather on saturday. wendy later today, but there will be some thundery downpours moving across the english channel. they may well spread across england and wales bringing thunder and lightning to saturday night. let's head to the bbc sports centre. spores have regular rep —— spurs resurrected hopes of that back in

north london derby with significant consequences, spurs 13—0. a derby demolition, the north of london tinged in white after spurs fans enjoy one of their most memorable night so far. inside the new stadium. at kick—off, the dream of finishing in the top four were still alive for both sides. arsenal knew a win would guarantee their spot in the champions league next season, and with so much at stake, the manager said it was his biggest game as arsenal boss, but quickly it went horribly wrong. a penalty. harry kane stepped up to take it. you know what happens next. so, a goal behind, away from home and a moment for arsenal to stay calm. instead, they lost their heads. two yellows further holding. mccain doesn't need

much more of an invitation to take advantage. the new england captain doubling spurs lead at the break. a huge second half, the key to that is starting well. it did not happen. kane the architect once again, and this time his partnerfinished it off. game over, just seconds into the second half. t off. game over, 'ust seconds into the second half.— off. game over, 'ust seconds into the second half. i cannot give you an honest — the second half. i cannot give you an honest assessment. _ the second half. i cannot give you an honest assessment. i - the second half. i cannot give you an honest assessment. i really i the second half. i cannot give you | an honest assessment. i really am worried about today.— an honest assessment. i really am worried about today. what makes you worried? itut— worried about today. what makes you worried? but it _ worried about today. what makes you worried? but it is _ worried about today. what makes you worried? but it is not _ worried about today. what makes you worried? but it is not a _ worried about today. what makes you worried? but it is not a worry - worried about today. what makes you worried? but it is not a worry about . worried? but it is not a worry about my players- — worried? but it is not a worry about my players- i _ worried? but it is not a worry about my players- i want _ worried? but it is not a worry about my players. i want to be _ worried? but it is not a worry about my players. i want to be where - my players. i want to be where we deserve to be. the my players. i want to be where we deserve to be— deserve to be. the gap is down to 'ust one deserve to be. the gap is down to just one point- — deserve to be. the gap is down to just one point. the _ deserve to be. the gap is down to just one point. the labour- deserve to be. the gap is down to | just one point. the labour continue will be staying at aston villa next season. the brazilian has signed permanently from barcelona. it's a deal worth £70 million. he linked up with coach steven gerrard with whom

he played at liverpool. since then he played at liverpool. since then he has scored goals and made four assists. brendon mccullum says it is assists. brendon mccullum says it is a tremendous honour and humbling to be appointed the new coach of the test cricket team. he says he took the job because of the challenge of improving a side that is at rock bottom. england are winless in nine tests. the black caps, chris silverwood left his position in february full following a defeat in australia. fist february full following a defeat in australia. �* ., , australia. at the moment it is tantalising — australia. at the moment it is tantalising and _ australia. at the moment it is tantalising and exciting. - australia. at the moment it is l tantalising and exciting. english fans should be relishing what could come of this with stokes and mccullen in charge. in 140 years of test cricket, it's got to be one of the most exciting thing is looking ahead to what england have done. in ahead to what england have done. in a dress rehearsal for the challenge cup final, wigan went —— wigan loss.

louis senior scored this try to complete a hat—trick late on in the game. it sealed the win for the giants. the heads of the two teams meeting once again in the cup final injust over two weeks' meeting once again in the cup final in just over two weeks' time. the rugby union world cup will be back in england in 2025. the rfu say it wants to be the tournament to be there best women's world cup in history. 82,000 seats for the final to see the record crowd of over 16,000 at leicester earlier this year. that's all you're spot for now. since the start of the war in ukraine, hundreds of children fleeing the violence have been enrolled in schools across the uk. school leaders have welcomed the arrival of the new pupils, but say extra counselling and language tuition is needed

to help support them in england. 0ur education correspondent elaine dunkley has more. my name is margarita. hello. iam ukrai... ..from ukraine. from ukraine. margarita arrived in manchester a month ago with her family. she couldn't speak any english. nose. she's keen to learn. eyes. lip. like many children, she had to leave behind so much that she loved. ah, beautiful face. it was painful because rita was star in school. she made the sport competitions. she played chess, she danced, she knitting. every time she was very busy with everything. she wanted to say hello to their friends from lviv. margarita has just been offered a place at a local primary school,

and it can't come soon enough. war has taken its toll on young lives. she remembers everything. we have problems with sleeping. every night, two, three times, she goes to check us, we are here or no. butterfly. those things which ukrainian children saw... ..i don't believe, um, that it will be without any traumas. this is what childhood should be. nine—year—old alisa is from a city in the south of ukraine, which is close to intense fighting. she's just started at st martin's church of england primary in norfolk. alisa speaks very little english, but her new friend poppy is determined to make her feel as welcome as possible. do you understand each other? sometimes.

ijust point at her and do a thumbs up. i've written a poem for alyssa. it was about the war. and in the end i said, "we are yourfriends and you are safe here." it's been lovely having alisa here. it's been really good for the class to kind of rally together. we're starting to see smiles and laughter and communicating and joking with her friends. of course, at first we weren't seeing that. we are now, and that is telling us that she is feeling welcome and enjoying her time in school. label it with your ruler and write the word... the department for education says it's working closely with local authorities to understand the costs of supporting children from ukraine. many councils are offering additional help with english. and children who arrive here on the homes for ukraine scheme will receive a grant for a school uniform. but one of the biggest challenges is emotional support.

it's only one way for us to feel better, to see that alisa brings some sunshine. the war has torn families apart. alisa and her mum are staying with her aunt. but alisa's father has to stay in ukraine to fight. everyone's been so good, but we still don't know how long it will last and what to expect. we don't think about future. we just holding our breath, and taking day by day. for now, margarita attends saturday school at the ukrainian centre in manchester. the war has taken so much, but margarita still has her dreams. she said, "mama, i need to be very good in school, because i want to be doctor." and i said, "it's not so difficult, if it's your dream." that was our education

correspondent, elaine dunkley, reporting. with me now is zira hanif, assistant principal atjohn smeaton academy in leeds who runs their own in—school refugee welcome programme that they created themselves because they say they have not received any support from the department of education. tell us about your ukrainian students and how they are settling in. you will see in the broadcast the journey about one of our ukrainian pupils who joined the journey about one of our ukrainian pupils whojoined us the journey about one of our ukrainian pupils who joined us from the very first visit of the school where we gave her a tour and gave her a unit —— information on what to expect on herfirst her a unit —— information on what to expect on her first day and see what events they would like as well. they've only been us with us for a week so far, but they've hadn't absolutely fantastic time at the school. our responsibility of course is making sure they are safe, welcome and are at ease and very calm at school, because we do appreciate the challenges that they

have gone through before they arrived with us.— arrived with us. you've got exoerience _ arrived with us. you've got experience with _ arrived with us. you've got| experience with welcoming arrived with us. you've got - experience with welcoming people from across afghanistan after the taliban takeover, so you have experience in this. th taliban takeover, so you have experience in this.— taliban takeover, so you have experience in this. in october last ear, we experience in this. in october last year. we were _ experience in this. in october last year, we were the _ experience in this. in october last year, we were the first _ experience in this. in october last year, we were the first secondary | year, we were the first secondary school in leeds to welcome a group of 11 refugee students. that has increased to 30 students. so we are well established. in making sure they are settling into school life. have you had any extra support or resources to help your student settling with counselling or language resources? this settling with counselling or language resources?- settling with counselling or language resources? as it stands, eve hinu language resources? as it stands, everything out _ language resources? as it stands, everything out in _ language resources? as it stands, everything put in place _ language resources? as it stands, everything put in place has - language resources? as it stands, everything put in place has been l everything put in place has been largely supported and funded by the academy and the academy trust. as far as we know, we do what we think is right for them, but at this moment in time, additional guidance is the key from external agencies. perhaps that will come in time.

ireland fast tracked paperwork for teachers in ukraine so that they could be in the schools beginning at the same time as pupils. would something like that have helped? the something like that have helped? tte: language barrier absolutely pose challenges. we are lucky to have our aal experts but we are having to rely on an awful lot of things to translate or take on things at a slower pace. if there were professionals that speak the language then of course that would help these people.— help these people. what's your exoerience. — help these people. what's your experience, of _ help these people. what's your experience, of course - help these people. what's your experience, of course you - help these people. what's your experience, of course you talk| help these people. what's your i experience, of course you talk to them and told them the pupils are coming in? me them and told them the pupils are cominu in? ~ ., , them and told them the pupils are cominu in? ~ . , .., ., coming in? we are very welcoming of these young — coming in? we are very welcoming of these young people- _ coming in? we are very welcoming of these young people. we _ coming in? we are very welcoming of these young people. we know - coming in? we are very welcoming of| these young people. we know they've had a very difficult time. they want to be their bodies, help fund raise, get involved to support the

community and these young people as much as possible. our school really is a sanctuary in a safe place for the students.— is a sanctuary in a safe place for the students. ., ~ , ., . ., the students. thank you so much for tellin: us the students. thank you so much for telling us all — the students. thank you so much for telling us all about _ the students. thank you so much for telling us all about that. _ the department for education that mike london's newest rail line, the elizabeth line, has finally been given the green light — following three years of delays and soaring costs. apart from bond street, all the new stations on the project known as crossrail — between paddington and abbey wood have been cleared for customers and passed their final safety checks. it's expected to reduce journey times for commuters and visitors wanting to cross the capital. katy austin has been to see it.

i'm 34 metres underground, inside one of the new stations that will open on the 24th of may, on the elizabeth line, the result of the crossrail project. now, building all this... one of those platforms is just there to my right. building all of this has been a massive undertaking. the point is to increase capacity, to cut journey times, and to give more people quick access to central london. there have been delays, and costs have ballooned, but finally it is nearly here. train now standing _ on platform a is your elizabeth rnnn non standing — on platform a is your elizabeth on platform a is your elizabeth line service to abbey wood. no one is getting on or offjust yet, but this new railway is getting ready for its first paying passengers. the line will link shenfield in essex to reading in berkshire via central london. but the full timetable and seamless end—to—end travel won't be in place until next year. it will initially run in three separate parts. from the 24th of may, the section between paddington and abbey wood will run monday to saturday with a train every five minutes. this is one of the escalators that takes you down onto the platforms

of the new liverpool street station. and it is when you come down here that you get a sense of the scale of the project, the size of the stations. and when passengers come down and get onto the trains, they will be 200m long, and they can carry up to 1,500 people at any one time. final preparations for opening have included testing various scenarios, including evacuations. building this railway has been an extremely complex project, involving a huge feat of engineering. 0ne expert told me, despite the delays, it is an achievement to celebrate. the trains are very modern, air—conditioned, there are platform doors, the stations are absolutely like cathedrals. this is really a transforming moment both in london and for the railways. 70% of the cost has been funded by london, and 30% by the central government. the pandemic means that, for now, passenger numbers won't be as high as first predicted, but those behind this project hope the elizabeth line will deliver a genuine boost to london,

the south east of england and beyond. this train is now going to depart. please stand clear of the doors. mind the closing doors, please. a lemon trifle described as "sunshine in a bowl" has won a national competition to find a pudding to mark the queen's platinum jubilee. more than 5,000 amateur cooks took part, and jemma melvin from southport won it with her lemon swiss roll and amaretti trifle. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph has been to meet the champion baker. jemma's lemon swiss roll and amaretti trifle. it was a unanimous decision from the judges. and a popular choice among herfellow finalists. i hope people just stick a spoon in it, and eat it how they want to eat it. jemma's trifle is a twist on the traditional trifle, based on recipes passed down from her gran and her nan, and inspired by lemon posit, served at the queen's wedding.

i cannot believe it. everything that i was up against was just the most beautiful desserts and puddings, with beautiful stories. so, that this quite humble trifle has won, is a bit surreal. this will hopefully go down in history. it's something i'm going to have to try and process for a few weeks, i think. almost 5,000 entries were cut down to just five. the all—female shortlist had to make their pudding for the queen of baking. very happy. fit for a queen, mary. quite right. the competition was tough, but the friendship between the finalists was strong. i have absolutely loved every second. i've tried to absorb it all, because it is just so far removed from my everyday life. it's just incredible. and to have shared the experience with the girls is just amazing. the pudding will now be sold at fortnum mason. all proceeds will go to charity. the flavours were incredible.

from a point of view as a chef, she made every element, but you could also buy most of the elements. so, that became accessible to everybody. and, you know, it's a trifle, but it's a beautiful, beautiful trifle. and it'sjust — it's sunshine in a bowl. a trifle to mark a moment in history. alongside victoria sponge and coronation chicken, we now have a queen elizabeth ii platinum pudding. daniela relph, bbc news, central london. there is a very obvious segway as we go to the weather. sunshine overhead. can't promise wall—to—wall sunshine through the weekend because we've got some thunderstorms in the way, particularly by the time we get to saturday night, but for the here and now, plenty of sunshine around for you. this is the picture in

staffordshire this morning. it won't be wall—to—wall blue sky because we have got some cloud and where it will be producing rain in parts of northern scotland in particular, but most of the glad tending to break up and allowing the blue sky to come through. low pressure towards the north and high pressure towards the north towards the south. gusts up to about 40 mph at towards the north—west. still a bit of patchy rain of in scotland. for much of the uk, the glad tending to thin and break up allowing some sunshine, the best of which towards the south and south—east. 22 a 23 celsius here. a bit cooler into the cloud and in the breeze in parts of scotland. we got some late sunshine, the breeze oozing out and some reigning the north petering out as well. largely dry into the hours of tomorrow. temperature is about seven to 11 celsius to kick off your weekend. plenty of dry weather as we have got high pressure around, but take a look through the weekend. blue

colour say showing some heavy showers and thunderstorms that will be breaking down the dry warm spell of weather. the saturday much of the day looking dry. lighter winds we have got out there today. more sunshine, particularly for scotland and ireland out there today. feeling and ireland out there today. feeling a bit warmer because it is less windy as well. temperature is 2223 celsius down towards the south—east again. high teens towards the north—west of the uk. notice these heavy downpours pushing across the channel isles into the afternoon and pushing northwards across parts of england and wales. expect to be woken up perhaps with some thunderstorms, lightning and hail and some of these. as we head into sunday, we've still got some of those showers and thunderstorms pushing their way a little bit further north than. perhaps into southern scotland. they are hit and miss with some sunshine in between. a little cooler across the east coast, but still warm it was the

south. into next week, an unsettled picture. rain around towards monday. a little bit dry and warmer towards tuesday. feeling quite humid particularly towards the south.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. british intelligence says ukrainian forces have destroyed dozens of russian armoured vehicles during a failed attempt to cross a river in the eastern donbas region. as russia struggles to make progress in ukraine, the british foreign secretary says vladimir putin is humiliating himself on the world stage. in the uk, borisjohnson orders ministers to find savings by cutting more than 90,000 civil service posts, to raise funds to tackle the cost of living crisis. a damehood for deborahjames, the british cancer campaigner is honoured by the queen. she's now raised more than £4 million for charity injust four days. the deadlock in stormont continues — the democratic unionist party say they'll block the formation

of a power—sharing government due