this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh and these are the latest headlines. "we've had the words, we now need action" — liz truss plans to set out the new trade deal for northern ireland. hailed as heroes, nearly 300 ukrainian fighters are left the seat works in mariupol, having been trapped there for more than two months. more evidence that wages are failing to keep pace with the cost of living. basic pay levels are down 2% from last year, when adjusted for inflation. the biggest fall since 2013. and we are asking you today if you are noticing that your wages are not going as far as they once did. and if you are looking for work, let us know how that is going and get in

touch with me. blackpool�*s jake daniels becomes the first current male professional footballer in more than 30 years to come out as gay. now ijust do feel like i'm ready to be myself, be free and just be confident with it all. lying all the time is not what i wanted to do, and it has been a struggle. football manager wayne rooney is due to give evidence in his wife's libel trial, dubbed "wagatha christie", as the multimillion—pound case enters its final days at the high court.

hello and welcome to bbc news. the foreign secretary liz truss is expected make a statement to parliament today, paving the way for making changes to the post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland, known as the protocol. one of the main parties, the democratic unionists is refusing to enter power—sharing at stormont unless the existing protocol is changed or scrapped. devolution in northern ireland mean nationalists and unionists have to agree to share power for a governemnt to be formerd. ireland's foreign minister, simon coveney, has urged the uk to work with the eu to resolve the row, and has warned against unilateral action. let's remind ourselves about what the northern ireland protocol actually is. when the uk left the eu, it was agreed that goods arriving in northern ireland from the rest of the uk would be monitored to make sure they met eu standards — that's because northern ireland shares a land border with eu member, the republic of ireland, and an open border is seen as an essential part

of the peace process. we can get more now from our chief political correspondent adam fleming. hello, adam. so, a warning from the republic of ireland that the uk should not take unilateral action on the protocol yet. the government has suggested that it might do that. so, how far is liz truss going to go today in what she says to parliament?— today in what she says to parliament? ,., ., ., parliament? good morning. the forei . n parliament? good morning. the foreign secretary _ parliament? good morning. the foreign secretary may - parliament? good morning. the foreign secretary may go - parliament? good morning. the foreign secretary may go less i parliament? good morning. the i foreign secretary may go less than far today than some people expected, and some briefings to newspapers over the last few days kind of hinted at. i think what she is going to do is state the government has micro—existing position, is that they want to get changes to the protocol through negotiations with the eu, so that process is going to continue, but she willjust give more clarity about what the prime minister calls his insurance policy, this idea of the uk proposing domestic legislation, domestic laws, which could allow them to abandon

parts of the northern ireland protocol at some point in the future. here is how the northern ireland secretary described it. we have always said we would take nothing — have always said we would take nothing off the table. if we need to legislate. _ nothing off the table. if we need to legislate, we will not shy away from doing _ legislate, we will not shy away from doing that — legislate, we will not shy away from doing that. the foreign secretary would _ doing that. the foreign secretary would outline the decisions we make on that— would outline the decisions we make on that later today, but one of the challenges — on that later today, but one of the challenges we have got to deal with is the _ challenges we have got to deal with is the fact— challenges we have got to deal with is the fact that at the moment we have _ is the fact that at the moment we have got— is the fact that at the moment we have got over 200 businesses in great _ have got over 200 businesses in great britain not supplying northern ireland, _ great britain not supplying northern ireland, people unable to access goods— ireland, people unable to access goods and products in northern ireland — goods and products in northern ireland in— goods and products in northern ireland in the way that they should be able _ ireland in the way that they should be able to— ireland in the way that they should be able to do as citizens of the uk, and when _ be able to do as citizens of the uk, and when the prime minister was in northern— and when the prime minister was in northern ireland with me yesterday and ntet— northern ireland with me yesterday and met political party leaders, all of them _ and met political party leaders, all of them of— and met political party leaders, all of them of all parties had the common— of them of all parties had the common view that there are issues with the _ common view that there are issues with the protocol that need to be resolved~ — with the protocol that need to be resolved. we would like to do that by agreement with the eu, but if we can't do _ by agreement with the eu, but if we can't do that, we have always said we will— can't do that, we have always said we will take — can't do that, we have always said we will take the action we need to take _ take. so that is the take. — so that is the public rhetoric. behind the scenes there seems to be a lot of discussion around the idea of differentiating between goods that come from gb to northern ireland, which are destined to stay

in northern ireland, and those which potentially move on to the republic of ireland. is that a possible solution, or could that create its own set of problems? that solution, or could that create its own set of problems?— own set of problems? that is something — own set of problems? that is something that _ own set of problems? that is something that the _ own set of problems? that is something that the uk - own set of problems? that is something that the uk is - own set of problems? that is - something that the uk is proposing, and it sounds like something they have put on the table although it is not clear what ideas are going backwards and forwards at the moment. the big uk idea is that, as you laid out, you have goods that are only going from great britain to northern ireland and not leaving northern ireland and not leaving northern ireland, they should go through a green channel when they leave great britain which means they would need no checks at all. and then only goods that were at risk of going to ireland or elsewhere in the eu would have to go through the red channel, where they would be subjected to the full checks. maybe thatis subjected to the full checks. maybe that is something that you would consider, but one reason they might be opposed to it is the whole basis of the protocol at the moment is that the goods that are in northern ireland are safe to be in northern ireland are safe to be in northern ireland and potentially the rest of

the eu from the point of view of brussels because they can form eu regulations. eu law for goods, and certainly a lot of it applies in northern ireland, if you are then talking about a red and green channel, you are abandoning that concept of only products that are compliant with the single market rules, potentially heading anywhere near the single market. that is the foundation on which the protocol is based. so, for the eu to give that “p based. so, for the eu to give that up would be quite a big deal. in terms of the response by the eu today, i suspect this will not, as far as they are concerned, count as the unilateral action from the uk that rips up the protocol that brussels clears. i think liz truss saying let's carry on negotiating and we will have this insurance policy for the uk domestically, i don't think that goes quite far enough for this to blow up the talks today. i think we'll be in a place where the two sides are continuing to negotiate for several months yet. yes, some space still there for more talks. adam, thank you very much.

we're joined now by our correspondent charlotte gallagher at stormont. first of all, a daily reminder that many politicians are elected to sit there at stormont, although there is not a functioning government, and they are happy with the protocol. they are indeed, anita. sinn fein are happy to work with the protocol alliance, who are now the third—largest party here at stormont. they have said they think there are some issues with it, but they are happy to work with it. even they are happy to work with it. even the ulster unionists party is a look, we need to get back to government, they are not happy with the protocol, but they think they need to be working in parliament and they can't simply not go back to work because they are not happy with this border in the irish sea. the dup, however, they are the stumbling block. they say they simply cannot return to work unless the protocol is gone. they are also saying they are not happy with promises from

borisjohnson, they are not happy with promises from boris johnson, they are are not happy with promises from borisjohnson, they are not going to take it on trust that the protocol will be significantly altered. they want action to be taken before they go back to stormont, and actually, it was interesting, the leader of the alliance party is saying that members who refuse to go to work should actually have their pay docked because, of course, the politicians here at stormont are still being paid, even though the appellant behind me isjust a parliament on paper, to be honest. —— the parliament. the things people are concerned about here in northern ireland... i knew that was going to happen! the cost of living, education, health care, that is not being addressed because everything is so focused on this protocol. sinn fein said yesterday they did not get any straight answers from boris johnson, and there was quite a famous photo of the president of sinn fein giving borisjohnson a very stern look when they were in negotiations yesterday. 50 it very stern look when they were in negotiations yesterday.— negotiations yesterday. so it is fair to say. _ negotiations yesterday. so it is fair to say, charlotte, - negotiations yesterday. so it is fair to say, charlotte, that - negotiations yesterday. so it is fair to say, charlotte, that the | fair to say, charlotte, that the visit from the prime minister

yesterday did not significantly unlock anything new or change opinions? unlock anything new or change oinions? ., ., ., ., opinions? no, not at all. even the dup came — opinions? no, not at all. even the dup came out _ opinions? no, not at all. even the dup came out and _ opinions? no, not at all. even the dup came out and said _ opinions? no, not at all. even the dup came out and said that - opinions? no, not at all. even the dup came out and said that they i opinions? no, not at all. even the - dup came out and said that they were happy, that they had had this meeting, but they have still not changed their position on coming back to work here at stormont, which was the thing that borisjohnson really wanted to get sorted yesterday. he came to northern ireland saying, i want stormont to get back to work, but it is simply not happening. until the dup. get back to work, but it is simply not happening. untilthe dup. i get back to work, but it is simply not happening. until the dup. i am so sorry. i not happening. untilthe dup. i am so sor . ., , ., not happening. untilthe dup. i am so sorry-_ i— not happening. untilthe dup. i am so sorry._ i have - so sorry. i feelfor you. i have 'ust so sorry. i feelfor you. i have just given _ so sorry. i feelfor you. i have just given up _ so sorry. i feelfor you. i have just given up on _ so sorry. i feelfor you. i have just given up on my _ so sorry. i feelfor you. i have just given up on my hair, - so sorry. i feelfor you. i have just given up on my hair, to i so sorry. i feel for you. i have | just given up on my hair, to be honest. the dup are still saying they are not coming back to work until action is taken on the protocol. meanwhile, you have got sinn fein and the other parties saying the time is now to act on the cost of living crisis, and other things that people in northern ireland voted for.— things that people in northern ireland voted for. charlotte, thank ou ve ireland voted for. charlotte, thank you very much _ ireland voted for. charlotte, thank you very much and _ ireland voted for. charlotte, thank you very much and good _ ireland voted for. charlotte, thank you very much and good luck- ireland voted for. charlotte, thank you very much and good luck with | ireland voted for. charlotte, thank. you very much and good luck with the weather there. charlotte gallagher

at stormont. more than 260 wounded soldiers from the azovstal steelworks on the edge of the ukrainian city of mariupol have been evacuated. they'd been holding out against a russian offensive for nearly three months, gaining almost legendary status among many ukrainians in the process. this map, created by the uk's ministry of defence, shows what it says are the latest front lines, with the dark pink shaded area showing parts of ukraine which have been taken by russian troops. you can see mariupol on the bottom right — a key port on the sea of azov, deep inside that russian—held area, and effectively cut off from other ukrainian forces. these pictures suggest that the soldiers were bussed out and have now reached novoazovsk, which is a russian—controlled town in eastern ukraine. at least 50 of them are said to have been taken to local hospitals in russia controlled areas. it's not clear at this stage if they will be released into ukrainian government hands. ukranian president volodymyr zelensky has stressed the importance

of their release. translation: we hope - to save the lives of our boys. among them are the heavily wounded — they are being treated. i want to underline, ukraine needs its ukrainian heroes alive. this is our principle. i think these words can be understood by all adequate people. we keep working to get our boys back home. this work needs to be delicate, and needs time. 0ur correspondencejoe inward joins us from the city of lviv in ukraine. what further news is there of these soldiers, and the suggestion that they might be used as some sort of a prisoner exchange? yes. they might be used as some sort of a prisoner exchange?— prisoner exchange? yes, that is what we understand _ prisoner exchange? yes, that is what we understand is _ prisoner exchange? yes, that is what we understand is going _ prisoner exchange? yes, that is what we understand is going to _ prisoner exchange? yes, that is what we understand is going to happen, i we understand is going to happen, that these soldiers essentially have surrendered, given themselves over to be the prisoners of the russians, and they will be handed back to the ukrainians in exchange for russian

prisoners of war. we have not got more detail than that. but we do know as well that we think there are still some fighters inside, and presumably they decided they did not want to surrender and wanted to carry on fighting. but more than 250, 53 of them severely wounded, you can see some of them are barely moving in these pictures. their arm is broken, missing limbs, in a bad way. i think what we are going to see is those people will receive medical attention and then be handed over as some sort of negotiated prisoner swap. that is the expectation. it will be managed by the united nations and the icrc. all of this is provisional at this point. we have not been getting a running commentary from the people behind this prisoner swap, or behind the whole exit, but we think that is what is going to happen. what the whole exit, but we think that is what is going to happen. what more can ou what is going to happen. what more can you tell— what is going to happen. what more can you tell us _ what is going to happen. what more can you tell us about _ what is going to happen. what more can you tell us about the _ what is going to happen. what more can you tell us about the role - what is going to happen. what more can you tell us about the role of - can you tell us about the role of the un and the icrc, given that we know, as you say, there have been some incredibly badly wounded

soldiers, who have needed to get out of that steelworks well before this point, but they have been holding out, haven't they?— out, haven't they? absolutely. in terms of what _ out, haven't they? absolutely. in terms of what we _ out, haven't they? absolutely. in terms of what we know _ out, haven't they? absolutely. in terms of what we know for - out, haven't they? absolutely. in| terms of what we know for certain about the role of the united nations and the red cross, the answer is very little. they have kept their cards close to their chest in the build—up to any of these negotiations and prisoner swaps, or humanitarian corridors. what we do know is that their involvement really, when it comes to the fighters and families trapped in their comedy civilians and workers, their comedy civilians and workers, their involvement seems to have been decisive. there were veiled attempts to get a humanitarian corridor before the red cross and icrc got involved, and it was only once the international organisations accepting that we have seen any sort of successful humanitarian corridor here. they have not been say what they have been up to, but we know that they have been involved, president zelensky gave us that information last night. as i say, it seems their involvement has been the decisive factor here. we seems their involvement has been the

decisive factor here.— decisive factor here. we have been heafina decisive factor here. we have been hearing the — decisive factor here. we have been hearing the line _ decisive factor here. we have been hearing the line from _ decisive factor here. we have been hearing the line from russia - decisive factor here. we have been hearing the line from russia that i hearing the line from russia that president putin is now personally involved in overseeing operations in ukraine will stop that said, can you give our viewers an overview of the relative fighting on both side and the status of the ukrainian forces versus the russian forces around the country? versus the russian forces around the count ? , ., , ., country? yes, that is an extraordinary _ country? yes, that is an extraordinary report. i country? yes, that is an i extraordinary report. there is country? yes, that is an - extraordinary report. there is an interesting article in the guardian this morning talking about that, the fact that putin is operating at the level of a kernel or brigadier, the idea that he is down in the words working —— down in the weeds working on the minutiae of tactics. if that is true, it gives you an indication of the failures, the tactical failures of the russian forces. specifically the crossing of the donetsk river, an entire battalion, about 80 vehicles, were wiped out by ukrainian artillery as they made a failed attempt to cross the river. that is starting to filter through, the news of how badly russian forces

are doing in many places, and may thatis are doing in many places, and may that is why we are seeing president putin getting his hands dirty personally. notjust there, notjust around the river, but also up in the fortress city of kharkiv, we have seen ukrainian troops on the counter offence and they seem to have pushed russian troops really quite a long way back, outside the artillery range of the city to give some respite to the people there after more than 70 days of bombardment. and yesterday, one final thing worth noting, an interesting video was released by the troops in kharkiv, where they showed themselves and what they said was the international border between ukraine and russia, carrying a big fence post page and in the colours of ukrainian flag. they planted it in the ground and sent a message of the president saying, we have arrived. thank you, joe. the headlines on bbc news...

liz truss prepares to set out the strategy for changing the post—brexit trade deal for northern ireland. hailed as heroes, nearly 300 ukrainian fighters have left a steelworks in the besieged ukrainian city of mariupol, having been trapped there for more than two months. more evidence that wages are failing to keep pace with the cost of living. basic pay levels are down 2% from last year when adjusted for inflation. that's the biggest fall inflation. that's the biggest fall in wages since 2013. uk wages suffered a sharp fall in the first three months of this year — according to the office for national statistics. earnings — when adjusted for inflation — dropped by one point 2% in the biggest fall since 2013. but unemployment figures have reached the lowest level in nearly 50 years — as job vacancies hit a fresh high — with 1.2 million people out of work between

january and march. let's speak to our economics correspondent, andy verity. good morning. so, wages. people are clearly seeing that what they earn is not going as far as it once did. but there is a big contrast between different groups, isn't there? abs, big different groups, isn't there? a big contrast, different groups, isn't there? a big contrast. yes- _ different groups, isn't there? a big contrast, yes. so _ different groups, isn't there? a big contrast, yes. so we _ different groups, isn't there? a big contrast, yes. so we have - different groups, isn't there? a big contrast, yes. so we have a - different groups, isn't there? an contrast, yes. so we have a fall in living standards. that was predicted by the bank of england last year, and also by other economists. we are seeing living standards are slipping by 1.2%. seeing living standards are slipping by i.2%. that is after inflation, and remember that inflation in the first three months of this year was running at about 5.5%. but that predate the big rises in the energy price cap, and also in petrol prices since the ukraine war began, so the squeeze on living standards has intensified since these figures came out. nevertheless, you can glean quite a lot from these figures about how different groups are doing. it is clear that some people are seeing above inflation pay rises,

particularly in the financial services sector, where you saw pay, including bonuses, go up by 10.7%. but that is not the general picture, and it is clearly the better off segments of society, the people on higher incomes already, who are getting inflation busting pay rises. further down the income scale, you see a big drop in living standards, and of course that is going to get worse as the squeeze on living standards intensifies. but for example, in the hospitality industry, accommodation and restaurants, we have seen an 8.5% rise in pay, including bonuses. that is comfortable enough to beat inflation. by contrast, in the public sector, it is just i.6%, inflation. by contrast, in the public sector, it isjust i.6%, so public sector, it isjust i.6%, so public sector, it isjust i.6%, so public sector pay is significantly lagging behind inflation and that is a problem because we have skills shortages there. how do you fill skills shortages if you can't offer people inflation beating pay? yes. people inflation beating pay? yes, and if someone _ people inflation beating pay? yes, and if someone is _ people inflation beating pay? yes, and if someone is looking for a job, clearly the prospects for that are

on the up, there are jobs out there. yes, that's right. if you are looking for a job, you are more likely to be attracted by the private sector, where you are seeing pay 9° up private sector, where you are seeing pay go up by much more. in fact, in the private sector and the public sector, you have got the tightest labour market in living memory. what i mean? i mean, there are lots of vacancies out there, record vacancies. and actually, more vacancies. and actually, more vacancies than there are people unemployed for the first time. so that means that, when you go out and look for work, there is a much stronger, you are in a much stronger position than you have been really for decades in terms of picking the wage you want. and that's why there is talk of high quit rates as well. we have seen in this country what is called the great resignation, where lots of people are saying, my employer won't bump up my pay to keep my living centres, so i'm going to leave and do anotherjob. it is partly by hiking wages to attract people that wages are going up, as opposed to any kind of pay bargaining. but it is one of the best times to be looking for work in

terms of the number of vacancies out there, and your position to command a higher salary than it has been for decades. . ~ a higher salary than it has been for decades. ., ,, , ., leading figures in sport, politics and entertainment have praised the blackpool striker jake daniels after he announced he is gay. it's the first time in more than 30 years that a male footballer has come out while still playing for a professional uk club. the 17—year—old said it's a relief to be honest about his sexuality. 0ur correspondent lauren moss reports on a turning point for british football. he's one of the championship's emerging young stars, and usually jake daniels' football does the talking. he scored 30 goals for blackpool�*s youth side this season. but now, at the age of 17, he says he doesn't want to hide who he is off the pitch any more, and has become the first uk footballer in the men's side to come out as gay in 30 years. it's been such a long time of lying, and i've just processed and processed every day, just about how i want to do it, when i want to do it.

and i think now isjust the right time to do it. i feel like i'm ready to tell people about my story, i want people to know the real me, and lying all the time isn't what i wanted to do and it's been a struggle. now ijust feel like i'm ready to be myself. justin fashanu was the first — and, until now — the only professional player to reveal he was gay while still in the game in 1990. he took his own life eight years later. daniels is just one of two openly gay footballers in the world, after australia's josh cavallo made his own announcement last october. i'm a footballer, and i'm gay. 0thers spoke out after hanging up their boots. you go from being scared to excited to being worried to being apprehensive, but all of that combined, it's a really special moment and it saves lives. the bottom line of it is, somebody somewhere thinks they are better off dead than for the world to know who they are. so first and foremost,

it adds a layer of confidence and inspiration and hope for people who are living in silence. daniels' announcement has also been welcomed by colours across the political and sporting spectrum. prime minister borisjohnson tweeted to thank him for his bravery, saying it would have taken huge courage. former man united and england star rio ferdinand said the decision deserved massive respect, and called for a safe and supportive environment. a sentiment echoed by the premier league, which tweeted, "football is for everyone." he's going down a path that many, many others will follow. they've probablyjust been waiting to see how it pans out for whoever is first. and i think once they see that the overwhelming majority of people are more than accepting, others will follow suit. jake daniels only made his championship debut earlier this month. he says he has taken another step into the unknown, but keeping his sexuality secret affected his mental health. being open is already having results on the pitch.

the day i told my mum and my sister — the day after, i scored four, so it shows how much a weight off my shoulders it was. it was a massive relief. he hopes his truth will be the inspiration for others. lauren moss, bbc news. i'm joined byjack murley, presenter of the bbc�*s lgbt sport podcast. good to have you with us. the thing that strikes me about this is that he is just 17 and that strikes me about this is that he isjust i7 and he has done that strikes me about this is that he is just 17 and he has done that. it is huge, very brave. it he isjust 17 and he has done that. it is huge, very brave.— it is huge, very brave. it is, and i think anyone _ it is huge, very brave. it is, and i think anyone watching _ it is huge, very brave. it is, and i think anyone watching this i it is huge, very brave. it is, and i think anyone watching this who i it is huge, very brave. it is, and i| think anyone watching this who is taoiseach will have struck a chord. jake has a supportive group of friends around him and his family, who have not only helped him feel comfortable with who he is on a personal level, but also given him the confidence to speak publicly, and it is rare that something so

personal to an individual is coming out, sharing their story can also be a landmark moment for a culture, frankly, for british sporting culture, and i have been thinking about how different football is this morning. it is odd that in our line of work, you can point to a moment and say, before things looked one—way, and after things look another. but british football is different this morning than it was yesterday morning as a result of this 17—year—old from blackpool. i want to come back to that point in a moment, but before that, why do you think it has 30 years sincejustin fashanu said he was gay for this to happen again. what does that say about football and sport generally? it's a difficult question, and what we have to be careful of is separating sport from society. as football has changed, so society has changed, and the society, notjust

in football, but thatjustin fashanu goes existing in in his day—to—day life was very different. what has changed in the men's game, and it's important to say that the men's game has had a differentjourney to the women's game, is that we have seen more people speak up. we have seen more people speak up. we have seen more inclusive supporters group formed by premier league football teams. players sharing their story at non—league and grassroots level. we have seen premier league and football the club step up with pride games and supporting rainbow laces campaigns and showing that football is a welcoming place. we have had incremental steps that have maybe been unreported that have led to this moment. jake daniels speaks about it on his statement on the blackpool website. he says, "i was looking at people like matt morton, who many viewers might not know, because he was absorbing those stories. while this is something that for folks on the outside

looking in will think it is a sudden flash from nowhere, those on the inside football, who have been working to make these gradual changes, will know that this is the latest step in a series of moves towards more inclusivity.- towards more inclusivity. yes, incremental _ towards more inclusivity. yes, incremental steps _ towards more inclusivity. yes, incremental steps leading i towards more inclusivity. yes, incremental steps leading to l towards more inclusivity. yes, incremental steps leading to this, as you say. nowjake daniels has come out and said that he is gay and he is a current male professional footballer, do you think that is really going to be a turning point? will we see more footballers potentially come out and talk about their sexuality? the potentially come out and talk about their sexuality?— potentially come out and talk about their sexuality? the short answer is es, and their sexuality? the short answer is yes. and the _ their sexuality? the short answer is yes, and the slightly _ their sexuality? the short answer is yes, and the slightly more - their sexuality? the short answer is yes, and the slightly more detailed| yes, and the slightly more detailed answer is, it won'tjust be in sport. whenjake daniels is talking about his story, he is talking about football, but also the likes of tom daley. we have been doing our podcast for four years, and we've been fortunate enough to share peoples stories for the first time on our podcast and what they have all seen is seeing this ability in sport makes a huge difference. so

don't be surprised if the next time a rugby player or cricketer, or whoever it may be comes out, if they don't cite jake daniels. the temptation is to save now we've got this player, job done we can all go home and have a rest. the next step is, what does football do? if someone sees jake daniels and goes to watch a game when the new season kicks off, or goes this weekend and they hear homophobic chanting, who will step up to call that out? if someone goes on to their local club, is the culture going to be what it needs to be to make them feel welcome? jake has moved this conversation on a huge way, and something that people may not have thought was possible. now it is for football to say ok, where do we go next? ,., ., ., football to say ok, where do we go next? ., ., ~ football to say ok, where do we go next? ., ., ,, ., ,., football to say ok, where do we go next? ., ., ,, ., ., ,, next? good to talk to you, thank ou. next? good to talk to you, thank you- jack. _ next? good to talk to you, thank you. jack, presenter _ next? good to talk to you, thank you. jack, presenter of - next? good to talk to you, thank you. jack, presenter of the i next? good to talk to you, thank you. jack, presenter of the lgbt| you. jack, presenter of the lgbt sports podcast. it's day six in the multi—million pounds libel trial between rebekah vardy and coleen rooney. mrs rooney, is being sued for libel by mrs vardy after she alleged

that the wife of leicester city playerjamie vardy was leaking stories from her instagram account to the sun. today mrs rooney's husband, wayne rooney, is due to give evidence in court. 0ur entertainment correspondent, colin paterson is there. colin, tell us in a bit more detail about what we are expecting from today. about what we are expecting from toda . , , ._ , about what we are expecting from toda. , , ., ., today. yes, it is day six of what we were told would _ today. yes, it is day six of what we were told would be _ today. yes, it is day six of what we were told would be a _ today. yes, it is day six of what we were told would be a seven-day i were told would be a seven—day trial. now we are hearing it could be heading for extra time. in fact, there are so many witnesses today, court proceedings were supposed to start at 10:30am, but they have brought forward a kick—off to 10am, so i have got to head into court in a moment. as you say, today the star witness is wayne rooney, coleen rooney �*s husband, all england �*s all—time leading goal—scorer, and someone who has been in court for every minute of this trial. today he will be brought into the witness box. yesterday we heard from coleen rooney speaking in court, that when she did her sting operation, she did not even tell wayne rooney about it,

saying that she did not want to put her worries on anyone else. so, wayne rooney is one of the witnesses we will hear from today, presumably saying he did not know anything about the sting operation. we will also hear from about the sting operation. we will also hearfrom paul stretford, the manager of wayne rooney. ian monk runs a pr company, and his company has done much work with the loonies over the year, and will also hear from wayne rooney �*s cousin. not the first family member we will have heard from. we heard that the first time his brother had about the sting operation was when coleen rooney gave him a hand written version of that famous its rebekah vardy �*s account post. he was given a handwritten account of that post and he was the one that typed it up and put it online. and there is, of course, a vast

amount of interest in this case. i can only imagine that that is growing by the day, especially as we get to this stage in the trial. absolutely, there is more and more paparazzi every day outside, more people taking photos. i think people are actually starting to realise the members of the public can come along and watch in the overspill room if they want to. of course in british courts they are never televised, but this is being shown in the overspill room in the royal courts ofjustice, suchis room in the royal courts ofjustice, such is the interest in this case. colin, thank you. much more from you later on the day. now it's time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes

western areas of scotland through the course of the afternoon. the rain will be heavy enough to cause surface flooding issues, heavy downpours, and thunderstorms likely to break out ahead of that feature. for many of us, it is a warm day, temperatures to high teens and low 20s, peaking at 26 degrees across south london and south—east england. the heavy rain will push north and east. that is the latest.

hello, this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh. these are the headlines... foreign minister, liz truss, prepares to set out the british government's strategy for changing the post—brexit trade deal for northern ireland. hailed as heroes — nearly 300 ukrainian fighters have left a steelworks in the besieged ukrainian city of mariupol, having been trapped there for more than two months. more evidence that wages are failing to keep pace with the cost of living — basic pay levels are down two percent from last year when adjusted for inflation — their biggest fall since 2013. the footballing world throws its support behind blackpool�*s jake daniels who has become the first current male professional footballer in more than 30 years to come out as gay. and football manager wayne rooney is due to give evidence in his wife's libel trial, dubbed wagatha christie, as the multimillion—pound case enters its final days at the high court.

sport and here's a full round up from the bbc sport centre: good morning. champions league football is now out of arsenal's hands after they were beaten 2—0 at newcastle. it means mikel arteta's side need to win and hope north london rivals tottenham lose on the final day of the season. craig templeton reports. looking at newcastle's league position, you would say they have nothing left to play for this season. looking at st james's park, you would have to disagree. there's been a party on tyneside ever since they became one of the richest clubs in the world. not the welcome arsenal would have wanted with champions league football on the line. if that helped to create nerves for arsenal's young side, it was showing. aaron ramsdale not doing much to calm things down. though, when allan saint—maximin went on one of his slaloming runs, ramsdale was the only one who could stop him. newcastle getting close,

which meant back to the drawing board at half time for mikel arteta. but whatever was written down had little impact. and when newcastle attacked down the left again, they had what their play deserved. arsenal defender ben white with the final touch. a disastrous goal for their top four hopes. things so nearly got even worse when callum wilson hit this remarkable effort. it would have been one of the goals of the season. arsenal's chances sliding away. and when the ball broke in the box, it was over. bruno guimaraes with a simple finish. safe to say they enjoyed it. safe to say he, and they, did not. craig templeton, bbc news. well, one playerfrom arsenal was particularly scathing about their performance — here's granit xhaka. if someone is not ready for this pressure like today, stay at home, watch the game from home and that's it. you can't come here and perform like this. we can't accept it.

we looked, today, very, very, very bad. yeah, the game plan was totally different. we played a different game. there was running us over from the first minute until 96. today, when you play like this, you perform like this, you don't deserve to play in the champions league. huddersfield town are through to the championship play—off final at wembley after a 2—1 aggregate semi—final win over luton town. the tie was level at 1—1 from the first leg whenjordan rhodes got on the end of that free kick late in the game to reach the final — where they'll meet either nottingham forest or sheffield united on the 29th of may. many across the world of football and beyond continue to praise jake daniels' decision to come out as gay — making him the uk's only openly gay footballer in the men's game. the blackpool forward, who is just 17 years old, spoke of the "relief" he has felt in publicly revealing his

sexuality on monday. his announcement was praised by prime minister borisjohnson, england captain harry kane and several charity groups. 0ther footballers have come out as gay after they retired, including thomas beattie... he is ina he is in a position to really influence a lot of people, some may want to come out and some may not, but at least there is someone they can look at, he is doing all right, hopefully, there is a knock—on but regardless, it has been ground—breaking. chris kirchner is set to officially become the new owner of derby county after exchanging contracts for the sale of the club with administrators. the american businessman will fund the club, who have been relegated from the championship, from next week, and says he doesn't "anticipate any issues" completing the process of the sale. in a statement, the administrators quantuma, said the exchange

was "conditional on the sale of the stadium, efl approval and receiving secured creditor consent". completion of it all is targeted for on or before the 31st of may. that's all the sport for now. you can stay up—to—date on the bbc website. this morning bbc 5live are in dover holding a special programme on the uk's relationship with immigration. previously, borisjohnson says that 50 immigrants will be sent to rwanda within the next two weeks, as part of a new deal with the government there to process migrants that have come to uk. the government says this is needed to deter the traffickers who have increasingly been sending migrants across the english channel. let's speak to our correspondent simon jones who is in dover:

the debate on five live is on full swing. lots of opinions on both sides of the debate, but dover is at the sharp end of the issue of migration given the number of people making the crossing over the channel by boat. this morning, we are hearing one boat has been brought by the lifeboat with 60 people on board. the boats are getting bigger but more and more people are being crammed onto them. at the weekend more than 600 people made the crossing over the channel from france, so this is a big issue and it does cause strong opinions. let's talk to the former chief immigration officer at uk border force. we are talking about rwanda, the government is planning to send some asylum seekers there, borisjohnson said initially 50 people could go within

weeks. what you think? it is initially 50 people could go within weeks. what you think?— initially 50 people could go within weeks. what you think? it is a good idea, i weeks. what you think? it is a good idea. i would _ weeks. what you think? it is a good idea, i would like _ weeks. what you think? it is a good idea, i would like to _ weeks. what you think? it is a good idea, i would like to see _ weeks. what you think? it is a good idea, i would like to see more i weeks. what you think? it is a good idea, i would like to see more than| idea, i would like to see more than 50 being _ idea, i would like to see more than 50 being sent, obviously, you have to deal— 50 being sent, obviously, you have to deal with — 50 being sent, obviously, you have to deal with each person in turn, i think— to deal with each person in turn, i think it _ to deal with each person in turn, i think it will — to deal with each person in turn, i think it will send a message, because _ think it will send a message, because once we start removing beoble — because once we start removing people to — because once we start removing people to rwanda, that is going tom _ people to rwanda, that is going tom the — people to rwanda, that is going to... the drums will be quickly, the people _ to... the drums will be quickly, the people in— to... the drums will be quickly, the people in calais will realise that what _ people in calais will realise that what the — people in calais will realise that what the prime minster said is going to happen, _ what the prime minster said is going to happen, and hopefully it will make _ to happen, and hopefully it will make them change their mind about coming _ make them change their mind about coming across this awful channel crossing — coming across this awful channel crossinu. ., , ., ., crossing. people are united whatever side of the debate _ crossing. people are united whatever side of the debate you _ crossing. people are united whatever side of the debate you are _ crossing. people are united whatever side of the debate you are on, - side of the debate you are on, people should not be risking their lives in the channel, but you have been aware of the criticism of the scheme about rwanda, people are saying it is immoral and inhumane and unworkable and not cost—effective. and unworkable and not cost-effective.- and unworkable and not cost-effective. , . cost-effective. the figures i have seen it is cost _ cost-effective. the figures i have seen it is cost effective. - cost-effective. the figures i have seen it is cost effective. i - cost-effective. the figures i have seen it is cost effective. i do i cost-effective. the figures i have seen it is cost effective. i do not| seen it is cost effective. i do not think— seen it is cost effective. i do not think it — seen it is cost effective. i do not think it is — seen it is cost effective. i do not think it is inhumane, rwanda is a safe country. it

think it is inhumane, rwanda is a safe country-— safe country. it has issues with human rights. _ safe country. it has issues with human rights. the _ safe country. it has issues with human rights. the un - safe country. it has issues with i human rights. the un themselves safe country. it has issues with - human rights. the un themselves are sendin: human rights. the un themselves are sending people _ human rights. the un themselves are sending people from _ human rights. the un themselves are sending people from civil— human rights. the un themselves are sending people from civil disputes i sending people from civil disputes in africa _ sending people from civil disputes in africa to rwanda. if the un are sending _ in africa to rwanda. if the un are sending them there, it can't be unsafe — sending them there, it can't be unsafe otherwise they would not send them there. they are sending them there _ them there. they are sending them there from — them there. they are sending them there from niger. we them there. they are sending them there from niger.— there from niger. we talk about channel crossings, _ there from niger. we talk about channel crossings, the - there from niger. we talk about channel crossings, the sea i there from niger. we talk about channel crossings, the sea is i channel crossings, the sea is incredibly calm today, it is going to be a busy day for the border force and the mod. they have been brought in to take operational command in the channel but the numbers have continued. we needed the mod to come _ numbers have continued. we needed the mod to come in _ numbers have continued. we needed the mod to come in and _ numbers have continued. we needed the mod to come in and the - numbers have continued. we needed the mod to come in and the navy i numbers have continued. we needed the mod to come in and the navy to l the mod to come in and the navy to commence — the mod to come in and the navy to commence a command control because they are _ commence a command control because they are experienced in command and control, _ they are experienced in command and control, border force are not. we needed _ control, border force are not. we needed the — control, border force are not. we needed the navy to come in and with the navy— needed the navy to come in and with the navy came some very good pieces of equipment to help them see what was coming across the channel, where it was— was coming across the channel, where it was coming from, and more importantly, what the french were trying _ importantly, what the french were trying to _ importantly, what the french were trying to do to stop it if anything.

surveillance is all very well and good but it is not stopping the crossings. it good but it is not stopping the crossinus. , ., good but it is not stopping the crossings-— good but it is not stopping the crossinus. , ., , ., , , crossings. it is not stopping the crossings. _ crossings. it is not stopping the crossings, but _ crossings. it is not stopping the crossings, but it _ crossings. it is not stopping the crossings, but it is _ crossings. it is not stopping the crossings, but it is showing i crossings. it is not stopping the| crossings, but it is showing that crossings. it is not stopping the i crossings, but it is showing that we are trying _ crossings, but it is showing that we are trying to — crossings, but it is showing that we are trying to get a hand on what is going _ are trying to get a hand on what is going on— are trying to get a hand on what is going on in— are trying to get a hand on what is going on in the channel. at the end of the _ going on in the channel. at the end of the day, — going on in the channel. at the end of the day, the only 100% certainty in stopping the crossings is at the french— in stopping the crossings is at the french will— in stopping the crossings is at the french will get off their backsides and start— french will get off their backsides and start patrolling the border on the channel and stopping these people — the channel and stopping these people coming across. the the channel and stopping these people coming across. the view from the french is — people coming across. the view from the french is that _ people coming across. the view from the french is that there _ people coming across. the view from the french is that there is _ people coming across. the view from the french is that there is miles i people coming across. the view from the french is that there is miles of i the french is that there is miles of coastline and they cannot have an office or on every single beach. they don't need an on every beach, the need _ they don't need an on every beach, the need to— they don't need an on every beach, the need to get their maritime into the need to get their maritime into the channel to stop the boats coming across _ the channel to stop the boats coming across. what we are seeing at the moment— across. what we are seeing at the moment is— across. what we are seeing at the moment is the maritime escorting the migrant— moment is the maritime escorting the migrant boats to our side of the channel — migrant boats to our side of the channel. they could quite easily turn around and send them back to france _

turn around and send them back to france. . _ , turn around and send them back to france. . , , ., ., france. the french say it is too dangerous _ france. the french say it is too dangerous and _ france. the french say it is too dangerous and if _ france. the french say it is too dangerous and if they - france. the french say it is too dangerous and if they try i france. the french say it is too dangerous and if they try to i dangerous and if they try to intervene, people could threaten to jump on the water. the intervene, people could threaten to jump on the water.— jump on the water. the french will say anything- _ jump on the water. the french will say anything- they _ jump on the water. the french will say anything. they are _ jump on the water. the french will say anything. they are upset i jump on the water. the french will say anything. they are upset with l jump on the water. the french will. say anything. they are upset with us because _ say anything. they are upset with us because of— say anything. they are upset with us because of brexit, because of northern— because of brexit, because of northern ireland and because of fishing — northern ireland and because of fishing i— northern ireland and because of fishing. i am afraid that emmanuel macron— fishing. i am afraid that emmanuel macron and his colleagues in paris will come — macron and his colleagues in paris will come up with any excuse not to do anything — will come up with any excuse not to do anything. the will come up with any excuse not to do anything-— do anything. the french are saying the are do anything. the french are saying they are doing _ do anything. the french are saying they are doing what _ do anything. the french are saying they are doing what they _ do anything. the french are saying they are doing what they can. i i do anything. the french are saying they are doing what they can. i am j they are doing what they can. i am going to move on, if it is not turning boats back at sea, if we wonder has a limited effect, what is the solution? is it safe illegal routes? i the solution? is it safe illegal routes? ~ , ., ., routes? i like the new legislation because the _ routes? i like the new legislation because the new _ routes? i like the new legislation because the new legislation i routes? i like the new legislation because the new legislation says| because the new legislation says that if— because the new legislation says that if you arrive illegally or unlawfully which ever term you want to use, _ unlawfully which ever term you want to use, you — unlawfully which ever term you want to use, you cannot make an asylum claim _ to use, you cannot make an asylum claim in— to use, you cannot make an asylum claim in the — to use, you cannot make an asylum claim in the uk. that's important. we are _ claim in the uk. that's important. we are taking thousands and thousands of people from the

ukraine, _ thousands of people from the ukraine, quite lawfully, quite properly. _ ukraine, quite lawfully, quite properly, and we should be doing it. we are _ properly, and we should be doing it. we are doing something correctly. but we _ we are doing something correctly. but we have to process these people, but while _ but we have to process these people, but while we are processing these people. _ but while we are processing these people, we have got 8000 migrants that have _ people, we have got 8000 migrants that have turned up whojumped to the front— that have turned up whojumped to the front of the queue because they immediately have to be accommodated. and what— immediately have to be accommodated. and what have you. before we can deal with — and what have you. before we can deal with the other people. a and what have you. before we can deal with the other people. its lot and what have you. before we can deal with the other people. a lot of eo - le deal with the other people. a lot of people arriving _ deal with the other people. a lot of people arriving whether— deal with the other people. a lot of people arriving whether by - deal with the other people. a lot of people arriving whether by boat i deal with the other people. a lot of people arriving whether by boat or| people arriving whether by boat or not will have genuine asylum claims. i am sceptical about this. that not will have genuine asylum claims. i am sceptical about this.— i am sceptical about this. that is what the statistics _ i am sceptical about this. that is what the statistics say. - i am sceptical about this. that is what the statistics say. no, i what the statistics say. no, the stic sa what the statistics say. no, the cystic say a _ what the statistics say. no, the cystic say a lot _ what the statistics say. no, the cystic say a lot of _ what the statistics say. no, the cystic say a lot of people - what the statistics say. no, the cystic say a lot of people come | cystic say a lot of people come across. — cystic say a lot of people come across, what we are seeing is people invent— across, what we are seeing is people invent a _ across, what we are seeing is people invent a reason to claim asylum, whether— invent a reason to claim asylum, whether it — invent a reason to claim asylum, whether it is religion or something else _ whether it is religion or something else what — whether it is religion or something else. what we do not know is who these _ else. what we do not know is who these people are who are coming across— these people are who are coming across because they destroy other documents. across because they destroy other documents-— across because they destroy other documents. ., ,, , ., , . ., documents. thank you very much for “oininu us. documents. thank you very much for joining us- the _ documents. thank you very much for joining us. the view _ documents. thank you very much for joining us. the view from _ documents. thank you very much for joining us. the view from the - joining us. the view from the government is a lot of people who

come over our genuine asylum seekers but they want to change the way to have different routes to get across. if you come across the channel it could count against your asylum claim. strong views in dover in the debate right now. if you're still waiting for that 150—pound energy bill rebate — which was offered by the government to help cushion rising prices — it may be because of the way you pay your bills. the bbc has found that councils in england and wales have prioritised payments to direct debit customers — who are often better off than those who pay via other methods. the campaign group national energy action says that means help is not necessarily getting to those who need it most. 0ur consumer affairs correspondent — colletta smith — has the story. £150 of free money is a nice thought... ..but those who don't pay their council tax by direct debit are having to wait longer than everyone else to get it. just because you pay direct debit,

what gives them the priority? we're all still paying it. should all be treated equal. like lots of people at this community coffee morning, chris pays his council tax in weekly instalments, and hasn't heard how he can get his energy rebate yet. i've lost out on things before because i don't do online. so many people don't have the computer skills, you know, to do that — go on the computer and apply to all those, you know, information they need to send them. many struggle with that. would you be worried if a letter arrived just from the council? yeah, i'd be paranoid and i'd be all stressed, where i burst out crying. i'll go to my neighbour in tears because of it. so it's... it's really hard with people with learning needs. most councils say they've now started making the one—off payments to households who they already have direct debit details for, and then they'll work out how to pay everybody else. this is a big government promise, but the money is being dished out through local councils and that's

why it's taking so long. each council has had to work out a new process for how to actually get the money to us. i don't blame local authorities, as it was something that was foisted upon them without any warning. the people i feel most sorry for are those who desperately need the money and are going to have tojump through hoops and round rings in order to access what government told them was £150 easy money. here in rochdale, more than a third of households don't pay by direct debit. and we recognise that most of those people are probably the ones who are most in need, the most vulnerable members of the community. do you think the government realised what a complicated process this would be? probably not, no. i think governments very often sat in london don't always necessarily know what's taking place. it creates a logistical issue for us — which we will work through, but give me another alternative as to how we can manage it. a cash payment that was supposed

to help everyone with their energy bills hasn't yet reached those who are most in need. volunteer police officers in england and wales will be authorised to use tasers, the home secretary is to announce. priti patel will say in a speech to police that special constables should be able to use the electric stun guns if they complete the specific training. the home office said it would ensure they are not "at a disadvantage" when facing attackers. joining me now is wayen mcdonald, whose brother adrian was killed by a taser in 2014. thank you forjoining us. tell us about adrian and what happened to him. he about adrian and what happened to him. ., ., , . , him. he died on the 22nd of december 2014 in stoke-on-trent. _ him. he died on the 22nd of december 2014 in stoke-on-trent. he _ him. he died on the 22nd of december 2014 in stoke-on-trent. he was i 2014 in stoke—on—trent. he was tasered whilst being mauled by a police dog. he did not pose a threat

to anyone. he had barricaded himself in a room while having a psychotic episode. he desperately needed help but instead they tasered him. then, this case went to the coroner, didn't it? what was the conclusion of that? they said he died from the stress of the incident. they did not put any blame on the police who had tasered him whilst setting a dog on him and refusing him medical assistance because he called for an ambulance numerous times, but they were more interested in looking at the police dog who caused most of the police dog who caused most of the injuries. the police dog who caused most of the injuries-_ the injuries. given your family's experience. _ the injuries. given your family's experience, what _ the injuries. given your family's experience, what do _ the injuries. given your family's experience, what do you - the injuries. given your family's experience, what do you think. the injuries. given your family's - experience, what do you think about the news, volunteer police officers, special constables of the complete training would be able to use tasers? ~ ., ., ., , .,

tasers? we do not condone the use of tasers? we do not condone the use of tasers as long — tasers? we do not condone the use of tasers as long as _ tasers? we do not condone the use of tasers as long as they _ tasers? we do not condone the use of tasers as long as they are _ tasers? we do not condone the use of tasers as long as they are used - tasers as long as they are used properly, in the case of my brother, the officer who used the taser, five seconds, they tasered him for nearly 25 seconds, and he died of a heart attack. 50 25 seconds, and he died of a heart attack. 25 seconds, and he died of a heart attack, 25 seconds, and he died of a heart attack. ., , ., , , 25 seconds, and he died of a heart attack. , ., attack. so the taser was used for [on . er attack. so the taser was used for longer than _ attack. so the taser was used for longer than protocol _ attack. so the taser was used for longer than protocol suggested. l attack. so the taser was used for. longer than protocol suggested. five times longer— longer than protocol suggested. f a: times longer than it longer than protocol suggested. f 2 times longer than it should have been. the officer also turned of his body pamela. while he was doing what he was doing to adrian. but body pamela. while he was doing what he was doing to adrian.— he was doing to adrian. but you say now that you _ he was doing to adrian. but you say now that you can — he was doing to adrian. but you say now that you can see _ he was doing to adrian. but you say now that you can see a _ he was doing to adrian. but you say| now that you can see a circumstance in which officers might use them but they need to be trained properly. what confidence do you have that officers are getting the correct training? i officers are getting the correct trainin: ? ., officers are getting the correct trainin: ? . ., , .., training? i am not very confident, in the case _ training? i am not very confident, in the case of _ training? i am not very confident, in the case of my _ training? i am not very confident, in the case of my brother, two - in the case of my brother, two lethal weapons and refused assistance. rolling out tasers to

voluntary officers could be quite dangerous. i think there should be more emphasis on using other techniques like diversion, calming people down before going straight to the taser. you people down before going straight to the taser. ., ., ., ., ., the taser. you are a mental health nurse, the taser. you are a mental health nurse. do — the taser. you are a mental health nurse. do you _ the taser. you are a mental health nurse, do you think _ the taser. you are a mental health nurse, do you think police - the taser. you are a mental health nurse, do you think police officers| nurse, do you think police officers have a greater understanding now of how to help her deal with the difficult situation where someone is suffering from a mental health breakdown and needs specialist support and specialist care? i breakdown and needs specialist support and specialist care? i don't think they do- _ support and specialist care? i don't think they do. i _ support and specialist care? i don't think they do. i think _ support and specialist care? i don't think they do. i think they - support and specialist care? i don't think they do. i think they are - think they do. i think they are scared of mentally ill patients and the first thing they would go to is the first thing they would go to is the taser unfortunately. because it could... it is usually fight or flight. if they are going to ramp up, the person on the other side is going to fight or flight basically. thank you very much for talking to us today and sharing your family's

experience, his brother adrian was killed after it is was used on him. no thank you. we've all seen the price of heating our homes go up at an alarming rate — so just imagine what our councils are paying to keep swimming pools at the right temperature. swim england is warning that rising energy bills could force some pools and leisure centres to be shut down. our correspondentjenny kumah has this report. it looks lovely there. is that pool under threat?— under threat? this is a heated community — under threat? this is a heated community run _ under threat? this is a heated community run lie _ under threat? this is a heated community run lie deal- under threat? this is a heated community run lie deal and i under threat? this is a heated community run lie deal and it| under threat? this is a heated i community run lie deal and it has been very busy this morning, early exercise, what they are finding here is that the cost of swimming is going up and the temperature of the water is going down. that is due to rising energy costs. this is an

issue affecting small community run pools as well as larger public pools. i have been looking at the issue at bodmin leisure centre. families enjoying the fun of the water. this is alfred's first time in the pool. his mum feels it's important for him to learn to swim. but as pool operators struggle with rising energy bills, prices are on the up. it's really difficult to pay more because everything is going up. petrol is going up to get here, it's going to be harder and i think we definitely have to cut down on the kind of paid activities that we do. gll, the uk's biggest pool operator, runs the council's leisure centres here in cornwall. they say the average cost of running a pool has gone up by almost a quarter of a million pounds, and that energy costs have gone up by 150% since 2019, meaning an additional £35 million in costs. these are our gas boilers which heat the pool. swimming fees have already gone up by 5% here in the last year. prices could go up further

to help meet energy bills. is there anything you can do as an organisation to be more energy efficient? i mean, projects like this, having new equipment installed is more energy efficient, we have solar panels, we have covers on the pool to keep the heat in. but there's only so much we can do to keep the costs down. it is expensive to run a swimming pool. another energy—saving measure they are looking at is turning down the temperature of the pool. i'm not too keen on the colder—pools bit. but i appreciate that there almost certainly will be higher costs to things, it's kind of what's happening everywhere with everything at the minute. it's not ideal and i think it means that access to things like this becomes much more reduced, as well. the governing body swim england say the health benefits of swimming can be costed at £350 million a year, with four out of ten pool—users saying it's their only exercise. but campaigners warn that energy

costs could force pool closures. to see leisure centres close is heartbreaking when they have such a purpose in the local community. the public health benefits are... well, are fantastic for all aspects of our community, and i would hate to see more closures. it breaks my heart, if i'm honest. closing falmouth swimming pool was one of the worst experiences of my life, being perfectly honest. this is that pool in falmouth. it closed last month. gll say it was too costly to run. it's just one example of the financial and pandemic pressures providers were facing even before the energy hikes. oh, it's extremely sad. we've now got this building up here that's shut, we've got hundreds of children that haven't got swimming lessons. across the country we need support from the government, we need support to keep the centres open that are already open, find ways again to make them sustainable, or looking at sustainable ways of opening new centres.

this isn't going to be the first or last leisure centre that we see closing down. a government spokesman says they've given sports centres £1 billion to help them through the pandemic, and that they're in regular contact with different sectors to see how they can best be supported. but leisure providers say they need more support soon to keep services afloat. here at the pool, the swimming pool is 25 degrees, they have turned the temperature down by 2 degrees, that saves 30% in energy costs. here are the boilers that are heating the pool the boilers that are heating the pool, they look like ordinary domestic boilers but the cost of heating this swimming pool has tripled in the last year and that is having a big impact on the small community run swimming pools like this. i am joined

community run swimming pools like this. iamjoined by community run swimming pools like this. i am joined by the chair of the swimming pool. talk me through the swimming pool. talk me through the impact this is having in terms of the future of the swimming pool. we realise after the pandemic how important — we realise after the pandemic how important it is to everyone, we need to keep _ important it is to everyone, we need to keep it_ important it is to everyone, we need to keep it going, the tripling of the gas — to keep it going, the tripling of the gas price is horrendous, it is a real challenge for us, we really need _ real challenge for us, we really need to— real challenge for us, we really need to keep it open for everybody around, _ need to keep it open for everybody around, for— need to keep it open for everybody around, fortheir need to keep it open for everybody around, for their mental health and their physical exercise. it is a very— their physical exercise. it is a very important part of the community. very important part of the community-— very important part of the community. very important part of the communi . ., ., ., community. you have tried to miti . ate community. you have tried to mitigate those _ community. you have tried to mitigate those costs - community. you have tried to mitigate those costs by - community. you have tried to . mitigate those costs by installing renewable energy. we mitigate those costs by installing renewable energy.— mitigate those costs by installing renewable energy. we have solar anels renewable energy. we have solar panels out _ renewable energy. we have solar panels out the — renewable energy. we have solar panels out the back _ renewable energy. we have solar panels out the back which - renewable energy. we have solar panels out the back which is - renewable energy. we have solar. panels out the back which is helping our electricity costs, we need funding — our electricity costs, we need funding to do something different on the gas, _ funding to do something different on the gas, something more affordable and sustainable. how the gas, something more affordable and sustainable.— and sustainable. how important in terms of accessibility _ and sustainable. how important in terms of accessibility and - terms of accessibility and affordability for you to get some support? we affordability for you to get some su ort? ~ affordability for you to get some suuort?. , affordability for you to get some su--ort? , support? we need support, everybody needs to be able to come, we do not want to—

needs to be able to come, we do not want to put the prices up and people can't come _ want to put the prices up and people can't come any more. it is important for everyone — can't come any more. it is important for everyone to use the pool. swimming pools like households are struggling trying to work out how to deal with these rising energy costs. now it's time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes today will be the warmest day of the year so far, 26 degrees across london and south—east england. furtherwest, outbreaks of rain, if you thundery showers breaking out as well. the more unsettled weather conditions is due to this weather front to the south—west of us at the moment. it is going to bring heavy rain across south—west england, wales, northern ireland and western areas of scotland through the afternoon. the rain will be heavy enough to cause

flooding issues, and a few thunderstorms ahead of that feature across the midlands and central southern england as well. for many, a warm day, temperatures are high teens to low 20s, peaking at 26 degrees across london and south—east england. the heavy rain will push northwards and through the night.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world... uk foreign minister liz truss prepares to set out the british government's strategy for changing the post—brexit trade deal for northern ireland. hailed as heroes — nearly 300 ukrainian fighters have left a steelworks in the besieged ukrainian city of mariupol, having been trapped there for more than two months. i want to underline, ukraine needs its ukrainian heroes alive. this is our principle. more evidence that wages are failing to keep pace with the cost of living — basic pay levels in the uk are down 2% from last year when adjusted for inflation — their biggest fall since 2013. we're asking you today if you're really noticing

that your wages aren't going as far as they once did.