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. and if you're looking for work, let us know how that's going. you can get in touch with me. the footballing world throws its support behind blackpool�*s jake daniels, who has become the uk's first current male professional footballer in more than 30 years to come out as gay. i feel like i ifeel like i am ready to i feel like i am ready to tell people about my story. i want people to know the real me. lying all the time is not what i wanted to do, and it has been a struggle. now ijust do feel like i'm ready to be myself, be free and just be confident with it all. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world.

the foreign secretary liz truss is expected make a statement to the uk 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 means nationalists and unionists have to agree to share power for a governemnt to be formed. 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. i asked our chief political correspondent, adam fleming, how far the foreign secretary liz truss will go in the house of commons later this afternoon. the 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 because i think what she is going to do is state the government �*s existing position, which is that they want to get changes to the protocol through negotiations with the eu, so that process is going to continue. but she will give more clarity about what the prime minister called 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 brandon lewis described it. we northern ireland secretary brandon lewis described it.— lewis described it. we have always said we take _ lewis described it. we have always said we take nothing _ lewis described it. we have always said we take nothing off— lewis described it. we have always said we take nothing off the - lewis described it. we have always said we take nothing off the table. | said we take nothing off the table. if we do— said we take nothing off the table. if we do need to legislate we will not shy— if we do need to legislate we will not shy away from doing that. the foreign— not shy away from doing that. the foreign secretary will outline the

decisions — foreign secretary will outline the decisions we make on that later today, — decisions we make on that later today, but— decisions we make on that later today, but one of the challenges we have got _ today, but one of the challenges we have got to — today, but one of the challenges we have got to deal with is the fact that at— have got to deal with is the fact that at the moment we have got over 200 businesses in great britain not slippiying _ 200 businesses in great britain not supplying northern ireland, people unable _ supplying northern ireland, people unabie to— supplying northern ireland, people unable to access goods and products in northern— unable to access goods and products in northern ireland the way they should _ in northern ireland the way they should be — in northern ireland the way they should be able to do as citizens of the uk _ should be able to do as citizens of the uk it— should be able to do as citizens of the uk it is— should be able to do as citizens of the uk. it is one of these things, when _ the uk. it is one of these things, when boris — the uk. it is one of these things, when borisjohnson was the uk. it is one of these things, when boris johnson was with me yesterday— when boris johnson was with me yesterday and meeting political party— yesterday and meeting political party leaders, all of them, of all parties. — party leaders, all of them, of all parties, have a common view that there _ parties, have a common view that there are — parties, have a common view that there are issues with the protocol that need — there are issues with the protocol that need to be resolved. we would like to _ that need to be resolved. we would like to do— that need to be resolved. we would like to do that by agreement with the eu, _ like to do that by agreement with the eu, but if we can't do that, we have _ the eu, but if we can't do that, we have always — the eu, but if we can't do that, we have always said we will take the action— have always said we will take the action we — have always said we will take the action we need to take. so action we need to take. 50 that— action we need to 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. now, 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's 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 to go from great britain to northern ireland and not leave northern ireland, and they should go through a green channel when they leave great britain, said they would need very few checks or no checks at all. and only goods at risk of going to ireland, or elsewhere in the eu would have to go through the red channel, where they will be subjected to full checks. maybe that is something the eu would consider, but one of the reasons they might be opposed to it as a 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 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 to 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 a green channel, you are abandoning the 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 up would be quite a big deal. in terms of the response by the eu today, i suspect this will not come as far as they are concerned, count as the unilateral action from the uk that rips up the protocol that brussels fears. 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, so i think we will be in a place where the two sides are continuing to negotiate for several months yet. we're joined now by our correspondent charlotte gallagher at stormont. that is where the northern ireland assembly should sit if it was functioning, but it's not. so, there was a visit yesterday by boris

johnson, the prime minister of the uk, do northern ireland. has that shifted any perspective there, or reassured anyone? i shifted any perspective there, or reassured anyone?— reassured anyone? i think it sli . htl reassured anyone? i think it slightly reassured _ reassured anyone? i think it slightly reassured the - reassured anyone? i think it slightly reassured the dup. | reassured anyone? i think it - slightly reassured the dup. they came out of those talks yesterday saying that was what they had wanted, that's what they had waited for, but they still said they are not taking him at his word over action on the protocol. they are going to wait until definitive action is taken until they return to work it out stormont, which is not what boris johnson work it out stormont, which is not what borisjohnson wanted. he wanted them to return to work straightaway. but from the dup �*s point of view, they said borisjohnson told us there would be no border in the irish sea, and now that's what we have been left with, so they are not taking anything on trust. sinn fein on the other hand, now the largest party in stormont, came out of those talks yesterday and said they felt they got no straight answers. we

have heard more from michelle 0'neill, the sinn fein vice president and the first minister in waiting this morning, and she says she feels if the uk takes unilateral action on this protocol, northern ireland will be left in a dangerous place because the potential retaliation from the eu, and she said northern ireland would almost be like a game of chicken and they would be in the middle. so she is incredibly concerned about that. she wants to get back to work in stormont, as does the alliance party, the third—largest party. and its leader has suggested docking the pay of people that don't turn up to work in stormont. there is a lot of frustration in northern ireland at the moment and a lot of political instability and it is hard to see how it will be resolved in the near future and the majority of assembly members do want to return to work

there, and also the majority of politicians are either happy with the protocol, including some politicians from the ulster unionists party. i politicians from the ulster unionists party.— politicians from the ulster unionists party. i “ust wonder whether the h unionists party. i “ust wonder whether the idea _ unionists party. ijust wonder whether the idea of _ unionists party. ijust wonder whether the idea of any - unionists party. i just wonder i whether the idea of any solution thatis whether the idea of any solution that is coming forward which would see goods coming from great britain to northern ireland, but staying in northern ireland, being treated differently to those which might go on to the republic of ireland, whether that is the basis of a workable solution, or whether it could create more problems. it is interesting _ could create more problems. it 3 interesting because it could create more problems if they take this action unilaterally, the uk, with sinn fein saying we are happy with this deal, we don't want any implications with the eu and the republic of ireland. the dup have gone back slightly on what they had said a week ago saying they could not live with the protocol, and now they are saying if it is tweaked to their standards, they can go back to work in stormont and they can deal with it. but yes, it is a really

difficult balancing act for boris johnson and the uk government, and the eu as well because they want to get stormont back up and running, and they need to make both sides happy, but at the moment, the dup are very entrenched in their view, and sinn fein seem to be being a lot more tough about not getting rid of the protocol or changing it because they are worried about the future implications of that.— implications of that. charlotte galla . her implications of that. charlotte gallagher at _ implications of that. charlotte gallagher at stormont - implications of that. charlotte gallagher at stormont for - implications of that. charlotte gallagher at stormont for us. | 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 novo—azovsk, 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. i asked our correspondent joe inwood what more news there was on the soldiers, and whether they might form part of a prisoner exchange.

that is what 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 details than that. but we do know as well, we think certainly there are still some fighters inside, presumably they decided they did not want to surrender, they wanted to carry on fighting. but more than 250, 53 of them severely wounded. you can see from the pictures, some of them barely moving and i have seen images of wounded people inside, 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, managed by the united nations and the icrc. as i say, 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's what is going to happen. what the whole exit, but we think that's 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, the red cross, given that we know as you say they have been some incredibly badly wounded soldiers who have needed to get out of that steelworks well before this point, but they had been holding 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. we do know that their involvement really, when it comes to the fighters in the family trapped in there, the civilians and the workers, their involvement seems to have been decisive. there were a failed attempt to get a humanitarian corridor before the red cross and the icrc got involved. it was only once the international organisation stepped in that we have seen any

sort of successful humanitarian corridor here. as i say, they have not been saying what they have been up not been saying what they have been up to, but we know that they have been involved, president zelensky gave us that information last night, and as i say, it seems their involvement has been the decisive factor here. we involvement has been the decisive factor here-— involvement has been the decisive factor here. we have been hearing the line from _ factor here. we have been hearing the line from russia _ factor here. we have been hearing the line from russia that - factor here. we have been hearing| the line from russia that president putin is now personally involved in overseeing operations in ukraine. that said, can you give our viewers an overview of the relative fighting on both sides, and the status of the ukrainian forces versus the russian forces around the country? yes. ukrainian forces versus the russian forces around the country? yes, that is an extraordinary _ forces around the country? yes, that is an extraordinary report. _ forces around the country? yes, that is an extraordinary report. there - forces around the country? yes, that is an extraordinary report. there is l 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 a brigadier, the idea that he is down in the weeds working on the minutiae of the tactics. that is extraordinary and in a way it gives you, if true, it gives you an indication of the failures, the tactical failures of the russian forces, specifically the crossing

over the donetsk river. i'm sure our viewers saw the pictures over the weekend, and entire battalion, and about 80 vehicles wiped out by ukrainian itinerary as they made a failed attempt at crossing that river. —— ukrainian artillery. that is starting to filter through, the news that russian forces are doing badly in many places, and maybe that is why we are seeing president putin getting his hands dirty personally. notjust there, notjust getting his hands dirty personally. not just there, not just around the river, but also in the fortress city of kharkiv. they seem to have pushed russian troops really quite a long way back, outside the artillery range of the city, to give some sort of 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 painted on the colours of the ukrainian flag. they planted it in the ground and sent a message to the president saying, "mr president, we have arrived". the headlines on bbc news... 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 — earnings in the uk are down 1.2% from last year when adjusted for inflation — their biggest fall since 2013. the united nations childrens' fund says the number of severely malnourished children around the world is rising. the reasons include the combined effects of armed conflicts, the coronavirus pandemic, and climate change. and unicef has warned that the cost

of helping these children is becoming more expensive because of the rising price of food. let's take you live now to nairobi, and our correspondent catherine byaru hanga. catherine, hello. how does what unicef is saying fit with the picture there in kenya and africa more broadly?— picture there in kenya and africa more broadly? yes, what unicef is t in: to more broadly? yes, what unicef is trying to say _ more broadly? yes, what unicef is trying to say by _ more broadly? yes, what unicef is trying to say by publishing - more broadly? yes, what unicef is trying to say by publishing this - trying to say by publishing this report today is to avert what it calls a potential global crisis. so where i am in kenya, this country is experiencing severe drought in the north and north—east of the country. it is also spreading to ethiopia, somalia, and right now, that means about 1.7 million children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, or severe wasting. away from east africa, when you go to west and central africa, their

countries are fighting islamic extremist groups, and that means that there are close to 2 million children there who are also facing severe value nutrition. now what happens in situations like this is that it happens in situations like this is thatitis happens in situations like this is that it is harder for families to be able to reach nutritious food, to be able to reach nutritious food, to be able to reach nutritious food, to be able to access health care, and all of these conditions are really impacting families, and are pushing more and more children to the brink of death, according to unicef. and as for the rising price of food, what impact is that having? are charities and aid agencies are still managing to bring in food in the same quantities as before, before the prices really started to rise, or is that becoming more of a struggle for them? for or is that becoming more of a struggle for them?— or is that becoming more of a stru: ale for them? ., ., struggle for them? for the moment, the are struggle for them? for the moment, they are able — struggle for them? for the moment, they are able to _ struggle for them? for the moment, they are able to get _ struggle for them? for the moment, they are able to get things _ struggle for them? for the moment, they are able to get things like - they are able to get things like cereal, wheat and maize to communities that need that help, but for example, the world food programme is warning that, because of the war in ukraine, there could

be severe impacts on their abilities to access food. remember that ukraine and russia are some of the world's biggest producers of wheat, which then goes to countries in africa, in the middle east, and because of that war we are seeing that ukraine is not able to export the quantities of grain that usually go to these communities. so there is a concern there. another issue is the interventions that children need to be able to survive if they are severely malnourished. this is called ready to use therapeutic food and it is a nut paste that has sugar, high calories, high nutrients. i was in madagascar at the end of last year, and there was again a drought there and there were young children severely malnourished and they would feed on this food and this would help rebuild their bodies. right now, because of rising food prices, unicef is warning that this therapeutic paste could see a price increase by 16% in the next six months, so that is a huge worry for a lot of aid organisations that step in to try to help communities.

catherine, thank you for that. 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. our 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 by tracy brown, co—chair of chelsea pride — chelsea football club's lgbt supporters group and membership officerfor pride in football. thank you forjoining us. it is really quite something, isn't it, forjake daniels in such a prominent role at the age ofjust17, to be open about his sexuality in this way. open about his sexuality in this wa . . ~' open about his sexuality in this wa . ., ~ , ., open about his sexuality in this wa. ., ., ., , way. thank you for having me this morninu. way. thank you for having me this morning- yes. _ way. thank you for having me this morning. yes, i've _ way. thank you for having me this morning. yes, i've got _ way. thank you for having me this morning. yes, i've got to - way. thank you for having me this morning. yes, i've got to admit, i j morning. yes, i've got to admit, i could not believe the news yesterday. i think we were all feeling just the same, it takes an incredible amount of courage at the best of times to come out, and you don'tjust come out once in your life, you persistently do this with everything. but to do it in such a

young age with the whole spotlight of the world looking at you is incredible and i am so proud of him. i guessed i spoke to earlier said it was a series of incremental changes, not only in sport but in society as a whole that had allowed him, in some way, to do this. but it has been 30 years sincejustin fashanu came out as gay, so you know, why now, why has it taken so long? i think around the world now, and definitely within the footballing community, we are trying our utmost to educate and make everyone aware of the disk of a nation that is within the game, specifically around homophobia, and today is the perfect day to do this as it is the international day against our community, as such. it is a proud moment and it really highlights the importance of being at your unique self. yes, it has taken many years, and what happened tojustin is something that will sit with us for ever. i hope he is looking down

right now so incredibly proud of what has happened. we do have a way to go. this is a time for the social media platforms to really get behind this because unfortunately, as much as the whole footballing world has pride about this, there will be many online who don't, and this is a good time to start educating. ijust hope that the club back him, and when it comes to next season, really the spotlight being on him, if anything happens to him in a more negative light, i would happens to him in a more negative light, iwould hope happens to him in a more negative light, i would hope the team will support him off the pitch, it's time for the fa to make a stand. we have a good moment here to really promote what it is to be your unique self within the game.— what it is to be your unique self within the game. yes, because jake daniels himself _ within the game. yes, because jake daniels himself has _ within the game. yes, because jake daniels himself has said _ within the game. yes, because jake daniels himself has said that - within the game. yes, because jake daniels himself has said that there l daniels himself has said that there will probably be some abuse, and what more do you think that, not only at a club level and footballing

authority level, but in the stands, from regular supporters who perhaps have not voice an opinion one way or another, you know, if they hear someone being abusive, what can the regular football fans do to support people like jake daniels?- regular football fans do to support people like jake daniels? there is a reall bi people like jake daniels? there is a really big powerful— people like jake daniels? there is a really big powerful message - people like jake daniels? there is a really big powerful message that i people like jake daniels? there is a l really big powerful message that can come from our allies. it isn't so much the fashanu committee who need to be shouting this out, it is our allies that need to be taking the stand —— mike lgbgtq+ community. whether you are supporting black bull or you are supporting anyone within this country, if you hear any disco nation within the stands, call it out and speak to the club, raise awareness, report it to your club. we have worked tirelessly to get the chelsea pride and to get the chance seen as a hate crime and it took five years to do that with some great support. the fa also say we

need change. that needs to continue. so education with our allies is so important. so education with our allies is so important-— so education with our allies is so important. finally and briefly, so work to be _ important. finally and briefly, so work to be done, _ important. finally and briefly, so work to be done, you _ important. finally and briefly, so work to be done, you are - important. finally and briefly, soj work to be done, you are saying, important. finally and briefly, so - work to be done, you are saying, but do you really believe this is a turning point? it do you really believe this is a turning point?— turning point? it is a turning oint. turning point? it is a turning point- what _ turning point? it is a turning point. what i _ turning point? it is a turning point. what i would - turning point? it is a turning point. what i would love - turning point? it is a turning point. what i would love to. turning point? it is a turning i point. what i would love to see is may be some other people follow in his footsteps. he is very young. we normally have this happen when someone gets to the end of their career. to be so young and have the courage to be your unique self, and as he said, the moment he was honest he went and scored a bucket load of goals. i mean, just the pressure and mental health, and just how well that has done for him. i am hoping, we know there are others and i'm hoping they will take one look at this and know that there is power in numbers. instead ofjust having him be that one person, but of course around the world, of course if there is power in numbers and someone else feels there is the time to do this, they will have our full backing. tracy, thank you.

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 1.2% 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. 0ur economics correspondent andy verity took me through the details. we have a fall in living standards. that was predicted by the bank of england last year. also by other economists. living standards are slipping by 1.2%. that is after inflation. remember that inflation in the first three months of this year was running at about 5.5%. but that predates 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 use of pay, including bonuses, go up by 10.7%. but that is not the general picture and it is clearly the better of —— 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. for example, in the hospitality industry, accommodation and restaurants, you've seen an 8.5% rise in pay including bonuses. that is comfortably enough to beat inflation. by contrast, in the public sector, it is 1.6%, so public sector pay is significantly lagging behind inflation. and that is a problem too, because we have skills shortages there. how do you fill skill shortages if you can't offer people inflation beating pay.

and if someone is looking for a job, i mean, clearly the prospects for that are on the up, and there are jobs out there? yes, so if you are looking for a job, you are much more likely to be attracted by the private sector where you have seen 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 do i mean by tight? i mean there's lots of vacancies out there, record vacancies, and actually, more people, 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 for decades in terms of picking the wage you want. that is why there is talk of high quit rates as well. we are seeing in this country, like we have in the united states, what is called great resignation, where lots of people are saying, well, my employer won't bump up my pay enough to keep up my living standards, i'm going to leave and go and do anotherjob." and it is partly by hiking wages to attract people that wages

are going up as opposed to any kind of pay bargaining. but, it's certainly 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. i ask you to let me know about your job hunting and wages and are you noticing a difference in how far your money goes? it has been a struggle to find a role that has been paid well or is remote and suits my living preferences. this person says that, i don't know if it's a male or female, person says that, i don't know if it's a male orfemale, but person says that, i don't know if it's a male or female, but has three degrees in aeronautics and as a disabled engineer, it is really difficult to find a job due to lack of support in the industry. joining me now from westminster is the conservative mp chloe smith — who's the minister for disabled people,

health and work. it was interesting that i got that tweet today talking about the aeronautics industry and their difficulty in finding a job and support at a disabled person, what is the picture at the moment in terms of people with disabilities and unemployment figures? i am really interested _ and unemployment figures? i am really interested you _ and unemployment figures? i —n really interested you have had that feedback and i am sure lots of others because the picture has some positive points in that we can see today. today's figures show that well over 1 today. today's figures show that well over1 million more disabled people are in work than five years ago. i am delighted about that because that is part of the government being able to show our manifesto commitments working to see more disabled people in work. it is testament to wider progress through society as well that there are many more disabled people able to be starting and staying and succeeding

in work. but there is more to do and perhaps that is what lies behind those comments earlier. there is more to do in industries to help people get those opportunities to help employers to see that the talent is out there and to make sure that we are keeping the momentum up of this achievement we see today in the figures. but keeping it going forward so that even more people can have those opportunities too. what have those opportunities too. what is bein: have those opportunities too. what is being done _ have those opportunities too. what is being done on _ have those opportunities too. what is being done on a _ have those opportunities too. what is being done on a practical level if someone is qualified, wants to work, but are having a struggle with the particular industry and breaking into that and getting the support they need to be able to go to work. what practical support is there for them? late what practical support is there for them? ~ ., ., , , them? we are urging more employers to sin u- them? we are urging more employers to sign on to — them? we are urging more employers to sign on to our _ them? we are urging more employers to sign up to our disability _ to sign up to our disability confident scheme to help employers see how they can make use of that fantastic talent that is out there amongst disabled job—seekers. again, thatis amongst disabled job—seekers. again, that is about helping people to

start and then stay and succeed and thrive in work. the disability confident scheme is a call to action that i'm making this week and i want any employer who is listening to this interview to think about whether they can do more themselves inside their own organisations and we can help you to do that through our disability confident scheme. in addition to that, we are investing £1.73 addition to that, we are investing £1.3 million in their spending period and support for disabled job—seekers all of which goes into programmes that have been shown to be able to help people make their way and make use of the opportunities out there. way and make use of the o- ortunities out there. a, , ., , opportunities out there. more people are in employment _ opportunities out there. more people are in employment as _ opportunities out there. more people are in employment as you _ opportunities out there. more people are in employment as you have i are in employment as you have pointed out, for some people, they are able to pick and choose to an extent, if they are not happy with the wage they are earning, there are vacancies where they can earn some more. that is not the case for everyone, clearly, especially in the public sector. wages are not keeping pace with the rise in the cost of what more can you do to help people

who are being left behind, who feel that their wages simply are not going far enough?— that their wages simply are not going far enough? there are two strands to this, _ going far enough? there are two strands to this, we _ going far enough? there are two strands to this, we recognise i going far enough? there are two i strands to this, we recognise there are pressures, more broadly, that is why we are making sure there are £22 billion of support available on those pressures on the cost of living. we are also looking at the long term solutions which is why you see this focus growing the economy and on looking for those long—term opportunities. my key point today is i want disabled people to be part of that economic growth, there are record numbers of vacancies out there, and i want anybody to be able to look at those and say that is for me, i am going to go for this. and thatis me, i am going to go for this. and that is why i am putting so much effort into the support that can help disabled job—seekers to get into those. the broader point is that we do see that being able to progress in work is the best route to independence and to resilience at

the household level. ? not everybody can work more hours... not everyone can work more hours... not everyone can work more hours... not everyone can work more hours or get a better job, was that a tone deaf comment on her part? i am not going to refer to other people's comments, i am looking at the work we do across our plan forjobs which is helping all sorts ofjob—seekers, including those who have other pressures in their life. it those who have other pressures in their life. , ., their life. it is about demonstrating i their life. it is about demonstrating as i their life. it is about demonstrating as a | their life. it is about _ demonstrating as a government that you understand that people have circumstances where they not be able to work more hours to earn enough money and as a result are struggling to put food on the table or heat their homes.— to put food on the table or heat their homes. first of all, we are actin: in their homes. first of all, we are acting in the _ their homes. first of all, we are acting in the short _ their homes. first of all, we are acting in the short term - their homes. first of all, we are acting in the short term to give | acting in the short term to give people help with the cost of living, £22 billion in helping in various ways to support people with those

day—to—day pressures, and secondly, it is right to focus on the long—term solutions here and it is right to do what we have already done by improving universal credit, which helps people to make progress and work across a range of circumstances. this government is absolutely focused on the pressures of the household level, and on the long—term solutions. the main thing i would like to say today is to make sure that disabled people are part of that. that is the right thing to do. we have seen progress, today's figures are really welcome, 1.3 million more disabled people in work than five years ago, it is important to celebrate that and to show that we can make things happen with disabled people so that they are able to be part of that economic growth and there is so much more to do besides. share growth and there is so much more to do besides-— growth and there is so much more to do besides. �* , ., , ., ., do besides. are there people who are not bein: do besides. are there people who are not being reached _ do besides. are there people who are not being reached today? _ do besides. are there people who are not being reached today? the - do besides. are there people who are not being reached today? the rebate| not being reached today? the rebate to help with the rising cost of fuel, our correspondent showed there

are people who do not have bank accounts, who do not have direct debit, perhaps they are not comfortable with handling money in that way. they pay largely in cash for example, and they are at the back of the queue when it comes to getting rebates. they are the people who need their help. what is being done to reach groups of people like that? is done to reach groups of people like that? , ., ., that? is a good point, that demonstrates _ that? is a good point, that demonstrates the - that? is a good point, that i demonstrates the government that? is a good point, that - demonstrates the government has that? is a good point, that _ demonstrates the government has done its part, set up the scheme, made the funding available, and we need councils to do that part as well and make sure the money reaches those that need the help the most. thank ou ve that need the help the most. thank you very much- _ this morning, bbc radio 5 live are in dover with a special programme on the uk's relationship with immigration. more than 600 people have crossed the channel over the weekend. on sunday, a36 migrants used 9 boats to arrive , the highest number in a single day. previously, the british government

announced plans to send some asylum seekers to rwanda — a policy which is meant to deter human traffickers sending people across the channel in the first place. let's speak to our correspondent simonjones who's in dover. 0ver over to you. the debate is in full swin: over to you. the debate is in full swing here _ over to you. the debate is in full swing here in _ over to you. the debate is in full swing here in dover— over to you. the debate is in full swing here in dover on, - over to you. the debate is in full swing here in dover on, lots i over to you. the debate is in full swing here in dover on, lots of i swing here in dover on, lots of strong views, and as it has been taking place, a number of people have arrived, i am told the lifeboat has brought in around 60 people here in dover and another lifeboat has brought in a similar number. conditions in the channel are very calm to do, it is not surprising that people have made the crossing. with the caveat, the busiest shipping lane in the world, and the dangers that involves. 0ne shipping lane in the world, and the dangers that involves. one of those taking part in the debate is daniel. he came over to the uk aged 15. tell

your story. ma; he came over to the uk aged 15. tell our sto . ~ , ., , he came over to the uk aged 15. tell oursto . g ., , ., your story. my name is daniel and i are from eritrea. _ your story. my name is daniel and i are from eritrea. i— your story. my name is daniel and i are from eritrea. i came _ your story. my name is daniel and i are from eritrea. i came here i your story. my name is daniel and i are from eritrea. i came here in i are from eritrea. i came here in 2015 _ are from eritrea. i came here in 2015 i— are from eritrea. i came here in 2015 iwas— are from eritrea. i came here in 2015. i was pleased with a foster family— 2015. i was pleased with a foster family for— 2015. i was pleased with a foster family for three years. and then i moved _ family for three years. and then i moved to— family for three years. and then i moved to an independent house and i went to _ moved to an independent house and i went to university. i am studying business — went to university. i am studying business management, second year. you reach _ business management, second year. you reach the uk and a lorry. what was that like? it you reach the uk and a lorry. what was that like?— was that like? it was horrible, it was that like? it was horrible, it was dangerous _ was that like? it was horrible, it was dangerous and _ was that like? it was horrible, it was dangerous and it _ was that like? it was horrible, it was dangerous and it was i was that like? it was horrible, it was dangerous and it was not i was that like? it was horrible, it i was dangerous and it was not safe. we had _ was dangerous and it was not safe. we had to— was dangerous and it was not safe. we had to take that risk to get some say. we had to take that risk to get some sa . ., ., ., , ., say. you have made your life here, ou are say. you have made your life here, you are at — say. you have made your life here, you are at university, _ say. you have made your life here, you are at university, why - say. you have made your life here, you are at university, why did i say. you have made your life here, you are at university, why did you i you are at university, why did you want to come to the uk? i you are at university, why did you want to come to the uk?- you are at university, why did you want to come to the uk? i came here

because there — want to come to the uk? i came here because there was _ want to come to the uk? i came here because there was no _ want to come to the uk? i came here because there was no safe _ want to come to the uk? i came here because there was no safe country i because there was no safe country for me _ because there was no safe country for me at— because there was no safe country for me at that time. i travelled from _ for me at that time. i travelled from several countries, it was not safe _ from several countries, it was not safe i_ from several countries, it was not safe i had — from several countries, it was not safe. i had to keep going with a group _ safe. i had to keep going with a group of— safe. i had to keep going with a group of people, i was young and i knew— group of people, i was young and i knew nothing about england or different countries. the reason we keep— different countries. the reason we keep going is because it was not safe and — keep going is because it was not safe and we were outside and homeless. a safe and we were outside and homeless-— safe and we were outside and homeless. ., ., , ., homeless. a lot of people say to get here ou homeless. a lot of people say to get here you have _ homeless. a lot of people say to get here you have passed _ homeless. a lot of people say to get here you have passed through i homeless. a lot of people say to get here you have passed through other| here you have passed through other countries, why not stay in france or italy or spain? [30 countries, why not stay in france or ltaly or spain?— countries, why not stay in france or italy or spain? do you know how many --eole sta italy or spain? do you know how many people stay in — italy or spain? do you know how many people stay in france? _ italy or spain? do you know how many people stay in france? many - italy or spain? do you know how many people stay in france? many people i people stay in france? many people stay in _ people stay in france? many people stay in france. there are many refugees— stay in france. there are many refugees in— stay in france. there are many refugees in france as well. more --eole refugees in france as well. more people are _ refugees in france as well. more people are claiming _ refugees in france as well. more people are claiming asylum i refugees in france as well. more people are claiming asylum in i refugees in france as well. ire people are claiming asylum in france and germany than in the uk, when you hear about people making the crossing in small boats, what you of that? �* , ., , crossing in small boats, what you of that? �*, ., , ., ., that? it's really dangerous, we all

know how dangerous _ that? it's really dangerous, we all know how dangerous the - that? it's really dangerous, we all know how dangerous the sea i that? it's really dangerous, we all know how dangerous the sea is, l that? it's really dangerous, we all} know how dangerous the sea is, it that? it's really dangerous, we all i know how dangerous the sea is, it is possible _ know how dangerous the sea is, it is possible to _ know how dangerous the sea is, it is possible to come across, they risk their_ possible to come across, they risk their lives— possible to come across, they risk their lives to get here. because they— their lives to get here. because they are — their lives to get here. because they are desperate to survive and desperate — they are desperate to survive and desperate to be somewhere safe. it is not _ desperate to be somewhere safe. it is not because they want to come here _ is not because they want to come here we — is not because they want to come here. we just want to be safe, somewhere safe. do here. we just want to be safe, somewhere safe.— here. we just want to be safe, somewhere safe. , . somewhere safe. do you understand wh --eole somewhere safe. do you understand why peeple are _ somewhere safe. do you understand why people are concerned _ somewhere safe. do you understand why people are concerned about - somewhere safe. do you understand why people are concerned about the | why people are concerned about the number we see making the crossing, making this dangerous crossing? hi say that again. do you understand people are concerned about the number of people making the crossing, coming to the uk? irate number of people making the crossing, coming to the uk? we all know that in _ crossing, coming to the uk? we all know that in england, _ crossing, coming to the uk? we all know that in england, less - crossing, coming to the uk? we all know that in england, less than - know that in england, less than germany— know that in england, less than germany or france, there are more refugees— germany or france, there are more refugees there than in england. if you see _ refugees there than in england. if you see the statistics, it is very low _ you see the statistics, it is very low. . ., �* , low. the idea of the british government _ low. the idea of the british government is _ low. the idea of the british government is to _ low. the idea of the british government is to send - low. the idea of the british i government is to send people arriving by boat to rwanda on a

one—way ticket. what do you think of that? it one-way ticket. what do you think of that? , ., , , u, that? it is horrible. they came throuuh that? it is horrible. they came through from _ that? it is horrible. they came through from so _ that? it is horrible. they came through from so many - that? it is horrible. they came| through from so many different countries — through from so many different countries. they risked their lives, some _ countries. they risked their lives, some of— countries. they risked their lives, some of them are losing their life. they— some of them are losing their life. they have — some of them are losing their life. they have lost their friends and family — they have lost their friends and family to — they have lost their friends and family. to get here, to be somewhere safe, _ family. to get here, to be somewhere safe, they— family. to get here, to be somewhere safe, they get here and send them 4000 _ safe, they get here and send them 4000 miles from here? it's not nice. i 4000 miles from here? it's not nice. idon't _ 4000 miles from here? it's not nice. idon't think— 4000 miles from here? it's not nice. i don't think that represents british— i don't think that represents british society.— i don't think that represents british socie . ~ , , ., , british society. well it put people off cominu british society. well it put people off coming here? _ british society. well it put people off coming here? number - british society. well it put people off coming here? number is - british society. well it put people off coming here? number is very| british society. well it put people - off coming here? number is very low, we should help _ off coming here? number is very low, we should help people _ off coming here? number is very low, we should help people who _ off coming here? number is very low, we should help people who are - we should help people who are fleeing — we should help people who are fleeing from war, whatever it is, it is dangerous in their country. i think— is dangerous in their country. i think we — is dangerous in their country. i think we should help each other as human— think we should help each other as human beings. you think we should help each other as human beings— think we should help each other as human beings. you have been for a few years. — human beings. you have been for a few years. how— human beings. you have been for a few years, how welcoming - human beings. you have been for a few years, how welcoming has - human beings. you have been for a few years, how welcoming has it i human beings. you have been for a i few years, how welcoming has it been as a country? how much support have

you been given? i as a country? how much support have you been given?— you been given? i am very thankful for the opportunity _ you been given? i am very thankful for the opportunity i _ you been given? i am very thankful for the opportunity i got _ you been given? i am very thankful for the opportunity i got here, - you been given? i am very thankful for the opportunity i got here, i - for the opportunity i got here, i was in — for the opportunity i got here, i was in a — for the opportunity i got here, i was in a foster family for three years. — was in a foster family for three years. i— was in a foster family for three years, i love my foster family and they treat — years, i love my foster family and they treat me like their own son. we had a _ they treat me like their own son. we had a really— they treat me like their own son. we had a really good friendship in the family _ had a really good friendship in the family. even yesterday, i was with my family— family. even yesterday, i was with my family to visit, we had lunch together, — my family to visit, we had lunch together, it was so nice. to have a family— together, it was so nice. to have a family here — together, it was so nice. to have a family here. when i first came, i couldh't— family here. when i first came, i couldn't even speak english. i learnt — couldn't even speak english. i learnt it— couldn't even speak english. i learnt it here, i went to school, i finished — learnt it here, i went to school, i finished my— learnt it here, i went to school, i finished my college and i went to university. — finished my college and i went to university, i am finished my college and i went to university, iam in finished my college and i went to university, i am in my second year studying _ university, i am in my second year studying business management. i am very grateful for the opportunity i -ot very grateful for the opportunity i got here, — very grateful for the opportunity i got here, and i am very happy to be here _ got here, and i am very happy to be here it— got here, and i am very happy to be here it was— got here, and i am very happy to be here. it was not easy at the beginning. here. it was not easy at the beginning-— here. it was not easy at the bearinnin. . , . ., beginning. thank you very much for 'oinin: us, beginning. thank you very much for joining us. he _ beginning. thank you very much for joining us, he came _ beginning. thank you very much for joining us, he came to _ beginning. thank you very much for joining us, he came to the - beginning. thank you very much for joining us, he came to the uk - beginning. thank you very much for joining us, he came to the uk in - beginning. thank you very much for| joining us, he came to the uk in the back of a lorry, he is focused on people coming over to by boat, the

number of people arriving by lorry have fallen. rising prices is notjust an issue affecting the uk, but millions around the world. for the next two weeks our correspondents in ghana, thailand and new zealand are meeting the people and businesses being hit hard by by rising prices. on monday, we heard from people in brazil struggling to put food on their table. today we travel to italy's industrial north where high energy prices are hitting both businesses and families in italy's industrial north. the country's metal and steel plants are, at the same time, dealing with major disruptions to global trade — due to the war in ukraine and covid lockdowns in china. our europe correspondent, jessica parker, reports from brescia in the region of lombardy. steel runs through the veins of this community, but it is an industry under strain. with the war in ukraine and covid—i9 lockdowns in china, globaltrade is being disrupted. here, they feel the impact of crises erupting many miles

away. paolo tries to stay positive. but he is on reduced hours as factories grapple with volatile energy costs. the father of two started work age 15. now his life savings are gone. translation: our finances are zero. that's to say that they are under. we are in the red. but with the hope of trying to break even again. during your 40 years in the industry, is this the worst you have known it? translation: this is the worst moment i have seen. because no—one can predict what will happen. whether it is steel or other construction or car production. but the metalwork still binds people together. narella and lucas met at this foundry. she says there was a spark between them. living together, two steady wages are up against rising food, petrol

and energy prices. translation: with regard to electricity, we have recently suffered like everyone. our bill has doubled. even though we are never at home. because we leave in the morning at seven and we arrive home at five in the evening. we are tightening our bills more. instead of saving a lot, we will save less. if this is life, you have to accept it. orders at this cast iron foundry continue to flow but a crucial source of raw materials was the ukrainian city of mariupol. now shortages have ignited higher costs. over at one of italy's largest steel mills, there are mountains of scrap metal, some 7,000 tonnes are melted down here in a day. a production line that burns through electricity.

these are freshly made bars of solid steel. you can really feel the heat and they make around 100 of these an hour here. it is a hugely energy intensive process which means it is hugely expensive. since last autumn, i'm told, energy prices have rocketed. sometimes we have to shut down for some hours because it is too expensive. we have tried to adapt to the situation. of course, the main concern is the price of the finished product is rising a lot. and this is a problem for our clients, of course, because they still need to buy our product. are you worried for the future? of course we are worried. brescia's industrial history is written all over its landscape. this was once a bustling steel mill. tens of thousands ofjobs in the region still rely on a sector thatjust in the last 15 years has weathered the financial crash and coronavirus.

in the local union offices, families seek advice about securing their futures. stefano's grandfather was a union representative. now he is fighting for local workers. translation: at the moment, the metalworking industry is watching and waiting. the war in ukraine risks leading to a serious crisis. there is even talk of a recession. we look at the future with concern. there are ominous signs about the global economy echoing in communities across the world. workers here, like many, can only keep an anxious eye on shocks they may feel but can't control. jessica parker, bbc news, brescia, northern italy. on thursday we'll travel to ghana to hear how rising prices are impacting a local food catering business. kay mellor, the actress and writer

who wrote hit series including itv�*s girlfriends, band of gold and the syndicate, has died aged 71, mellor was best known for creating the tv series fat friends. our correspondent tim muffett is here in the studio. she acted and directed but her writing struck such a chord with so many people, her bodies of work had strong female characters at their core. she began working on coronation street, she created the children's drama, children's ward, you look at some of her work and there are standout television series of the last 20, 30 years, band of gold, was considered life —— ground breaking, sex workers in bradford

who try to run their own street business. fat friends, which helped launch the career of james corden, ruthjones, sheridan smith, the story of a slimming group in leeds. it starred her daughter who went on to appear in coronation street, emmerdale and the chase which she co—wrote with her mother. people who were affected by lottery wins and girlfriends, itv comedy drama and the life of three middle—aged women who have been friends since their teenage years. an extraordinary body of work, the tributes have been paid, very warm tributes, her production company said that the deeply mourned the passing of a beloved friend and colleague. the bbc chief content officer said she was shocked and saddened and kay mellor was an

outstanding writer and a creative force behind many of the nation's best loved television series, she wrote with heart, humanity and humour. many people will fully agree. four more people in england have been diagnosed with monkeypox. the uk health security agency says the risk to the public remains very low, although it appears the individuals caught it in the uk. monkeypox is usually associated with travel to west africa. let's speak to our global health correspondent, naomi grimley: then, are we looking at community transmission of this disease? yes, the uk health security agency thinks there has been community transmission but as you stressed in your introduction, they think this will be a cluster, not something like an epidemic outbreak or a pandemic like we have been used to

with covid—i9. monkeypox is a rare infection and is usually connected to travel to west africa. it is the first case that was discovered in the uk this year on the 7th of may had a travel link to nigeria. since then, they have had other cases, the last four have been in gay or bisexual men and it is thought the quartet in london. health officials are saying people should be on the lookout for unusual lumps on their bodies and fever —type symptoms that come with monkeypox. swollen lymph nodes and feeling very hot or cold. thank you very much. zimbabwe has asked the european union to support its bid to sell over a hundred—and—fifty—thousand tonnes of ivory that it has accumulated due to the global ban on the sale of tusks. the international trade in ivory has

been banned since 1989, as gail maclellan reports. zimbabwe is trying to enlist the support of the european union to sell off its stockpile of ivory, a haul estimated to be worth around $600 million. the old tusks have been acquired through culling, natural deaths, and mostly through seizure of the proceeds of poaching. the eu ambassadors are taken on a tour of the vaults in harare, and told by the head of the international union for conservation of nature that the money would be used to help with local conservation. it isa it is a crisis, we are appealing for

support, the stockpiles that we have. in 2019, cites, orthe convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, rejected a similar request from countries like botswana, namibia and zambia. charities are hoping that the current appeal will not succeed, believing that sales of stockpiles would only stimulate demand for ivory. gail maclellan, bbc news. several countries in the middle east have been battered by severe dust storms. skies have turned red across nothern syria, much of iraq and part of saudi arabia. such extreme weather is increasingly common in the region this year — with warnings that dust storms could eventually become a near daily experience, as the climate heats up. this frequency could increase as the climate heats up. a tweet on the

direct debit story, cost of living, not because i am well off, but because i know it is paid. you are watching bbc news. by quite a margin today, the warmest day of the year so far with temperatures at 26 celsius across london and south—east england. furtherwest, outbreaks of rain, heavy and thundery, some showers breaking out ahead of that feature. this area of cloud is the area that will bring heavy thundery rain to the west of the uk, working in pretty quickly. rain turning increasingly heavy across south—west england this afternoon, wales, northern ireland, western scotland, some heavy falls of rain, to bring surface water flooding and thundery

showers ahead of the feature across the midlands and central and southern england. a warm day, temperatures at the highest in the south east, 26 celsius. overnight, the heavy rain will go north and east so if you are flashes of lightning and cracks of thunder to come. during the second half of the night, the weather will quieten down. in mild night, temperatures ten to 14 celsius. wednesday, a dry start, some sunshine, a few showers in the morning across scotland, wednesday afternoon and evening, thundery rain moving out once again affecting northern ireland and large areas of england and wales late in the day. temperatures, still warm for the time of year, 23 or 24 celsius. wednesday night, another

batch of thunder moving north and east, you could have a disturbed sleep on account of the weather. thursday should be quiet weather—wise, it will feel fresh, more cloud but we will keep some sunny spells. a few thunderstorms, in eastern areas of england, temperatures, 17 to 22 celsius. friday and the weekend, some further thundery showers, widespread on friday, saturday and sunday the showers across the northern half of the uk. dry in the south—east.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling. the headlines at 11: 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 — earnings are down 1.2% 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 uk's first current male professional footballer in more

than 30 years to come out as gay. i feel like i am ready to tell people about my story. i want people to know the real me. lying all the time is not what i wanted to do, and it has been a struggle. now ijust do feel like i'm ready to be myself, be free and just be confident with it all. health officials say four more people in england have caught a rare viral infection called monkeypox — taking the total confirmed cases since 6th may to seven. 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 formed. 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 [and border with eu member, the republic of ireland, and an open border is seen as an essential part of the peace process.

our correspondent charlotte gallagher is at the northern irelans assembly building in hillsborough. she told us what the impact of borisjohnson's talks with northern ireland's political parties yesterday had been. i think it slightly reassured the dup. they came out of those talks yesterday saying that was what they had wanted, that's what they had waited for, but they still said they are not taking him at his word over action on the protocol. they are going to wait until definitive action is taken until they return to work it out stormont, which is not what borisjohnson wanted. he wanted them to return to work straightaway. but from the dup's point of view, they said borisjohnson told us there would be no border in the irish sea, and now that's what we have been left with, so they are not taking anything on trust. sinn fein on the other hand, now the largest party in stormont, came out of those talks yesterday and said they felt they got no straight answers.

we have heard more from michelle o'neill, the sinn fein vice president and the first minister in waiting this morning, and she says she feels if the uk takes unilateral action on this protocol, northern ireland will be left in a dangerous place because the potential retaliation from the eu, and she said northern ireland would almost be like a game of chicken and they would be in the middle. so she is incredibly concerned about that. she wants to get back to work in stormont, as does the alliance party, the third—largest party. and its leader naomi long has suggested docking the pay of people that don't turn up to work in stormont. there is a lot of frustration in northern ireland at the moment and a lot of political instability and it is hard to see how it will be resolved. we can get more now from our political correspondent helen catt. expect that the foreign

secretary liz truss will restate the position of government that it will keep talking to the eu. what she will also do as set out what boris johnson has described as an insurance policy, this idea of the possibility of taking unilateral, putting through domestic legislation to change at some parts of the protocol. here is what the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis said earlier. well, we've always said we take nothing off the table. _ if we do need to legislate, we - will not shy away from doing that. as i say, the foreign secretary will outline the decisions - that we make on that later today. one of the challenges we've got to deal with is the fact -

that at the moment we've got over 200 businesses in great britain - not supplying northern ireland, people unable to access goodsl |and products in northern irelandj the way that they should be able to do as citizens of the uk. and it's one of the things when the prime ministerl was in northern ireland with me | yesterday and met the political| party leaders, all of them, j i have to say, of all parties with the common view that there are issues of the protocol- that need to be resolved, - and we're very cognizant of that. we would like to do that. by agreement with the eu. but if we can't do that, - we've always said we would take the action we need to take. we can get more now from our political what is it the uk government wants to do? there is a suggestion that perhaps would like to see a green and a red channel. the green channel would be for goods moving from great britain to northern ireland and they will not go anywhere else, they will stay in northern ireland so i think the argument of the government there as they could have very light touch checks and not really any checks at all and any goods seen at risk of moving into ireland of the eu more generally forced would go through a red channel and they would have to have the full set of checks. that is one solution. whether the eu would

see that is enough to protect the single market, i think that is the key question. joining me now is katy hayward, professor of psychology and sociology at queen's university in belfast and a senior fellow of think tank, "uk in a changing europe." ijust want i just want to read the ijust want to read the opening line of an article you wrote this morning because it is a pretty powerful one, and it is that of all the places to threaten to provoke a war over, northern ireland is an unfortunate one to pick. how much of what we are hearing is rhetoric and how concerned actually are you about how fragile the piece is? —peace. the rhetoric is very high and we should be aware of the stakes are very high as well, notjust around the altar to colbert where we are in respect to colbert where we are in respect to the democratic institutions not function and the dup holding up the

formation of the assembly and the new executive and there is a great sense this is a critical moment for northern ireland, on top of which were notjust having announcements made around the protocol but announcements from the secretary of state for northern ireland in regard to legacy so there is a very real sense that it's not a lot in the mix here, dealing with the past as well as the future of northern ireland and everybody certainly is concerned that things may get more unstable before they get better. what do you see is the way through? fundamentally, the only possible outcome is an agreement between the uk and the eu. we can't even have the prospect of ongoing conflict and tension between the uk and the eu, at some point they will come to an agreement whether that be sooner or later and that agreement will have to entail movement on both sides and

if you look at the good friday belfast agreement that is very good example of dealing with a very complicated in northern ireland. you have continual negotiation and adjustment and flex to negotiation. that is really uncomfortable and intel's compromise of fundamental principles but is really the only way northern ireland can work and so we will have to have that with the protocol as well. the uk needs to move and businesses have been asking for the eu to move as well but all of the movement on the eu side depends on being able to trust the uk and some commitment on the uk and whether they are willing to align are willing to give more information and willing to prove they can be trusted for the eu to be able to shoulder flexibility needed and as required for the protocol to work. obviously it is about a negotiated

settlement between the uk and the eu, but what about the interested parties northern ireland, how active parties northern ireland, how active part they play in the background because unless they agree, most obviously the dup, how does it work? it is clear that the majority of parties northern ireland, the majority of mlas explicitly want an agreed outcome between the eu in the uk and the do not want an escalation of tensions. it depends on the amount the dup as well as keep things at a standstill in order to try as it sees it to push the eu via the uk to move further and so there is an awful lot at stake here in these negotiations. we don't know exactly the specifics of what the dup will be willing to accept. one would hope we are we see movement

from the eu and request from the uk they will be based on evidence from northern ireland and certainly something that is prioritised and we see is continually emphasised by political parties and stakeholders the other should be more direct engagement with northern ireland so any decision made are based on evidence from here and the real needs rather than some of the rhetoric we have seen in the past round at the impact of the protocol here. —— around at the impact of the protocol here. 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 asked our correspondent,

joe inwood, for more news on the soldiers — and whether they might form part of a prisoner exchange. that is what we understand is going to happen is that these soldiers essentially have surrendered, given themselves over to be prisoners of the russians, are going to be handed back to the ukrainians in exchange for russian prisoners of war. we haven't got more details than that. we do know as well that we think, certainly, there are still some fighters still inside. presumably, they decided they didn't want to surrender, they wanted to carry on fighting. but more than 250, 253 of them severely, severely wounded. you can see from the pictures, some of them barely moving. i've seen images of wounded people from inside, their arm is broken, missing limbs, they're in a very bad way. so, i think what we're going to see is those people receive medical attention at first and then handed over as some sort of negotiated prisoner swap is the expectation, managed by the united nations and the icrc. as i say, all of this is provisional at this point. we haven't been getting a running

commentary from the people behind this prisoner swap or behind the whole exit, but we think that's what's going to happen. we have a video from the russian defence industry showing what they see as ukrainian troops and azov battalion fighters surrendering the azovstal steelworks. let's watch these pictures and see what comes through full stop we have just received these in the past few moments. that is some of those who were led out of the azovstal steelworks where they had been holding out for three months. as we can see from these pictures, as had been reported, some injured, some managing to walk to the buses. these

are pictures, just to make absolutely clear, that we have received from the russian defence ministry, and so it is those trips are being taken to a hospital in the russian —controlled town of the headlines on bbc news. 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 —

earnings in the uk are down 1.2% from last year when adjusted for inflation — their biggest fall 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 1.2% 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. our economics correspondent andy verity has the details. we have a fall in living standards. that was predicted by the bank of england last year. also by other economists. living standards are slipping by 1.2%. that is after inflation. remember that inflation in the first three months of this year was running at about 5.5%. but that predates 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 use of pay, including bonuses, go up by 10.7%. but that is not the general picture and it is clearly the better of —— 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. for example, in the hospitality industry, accommodation and restaurants, you've seen an 8.5% rise in pay including bonuses. that is comfortably enough to beat inflation. by contrast, in the public sector, it is 1.6%, so public sector pay is significantly lagging behind inflation. and that is a problem too, because we have skills shortages there. how do you fill skill shortages if you can't offer people inflation beating pay.

greg thwaites — who's research director at the resolution foundation — an independent think tank focused on improving living standards for those on low to middle incomes. as we were hearing from mandy, a mixed. then you throw into the mix —— as we were hitting from andrew, and mixed picture. and then you hear from the governor of the bank of england and a government minister has also said if you are struggling maybe get a job that pays more. there are two big things going on in the labour market. the first one is that we do see very low unemployment and plenty of vacancy and lots of people moving jobs and lots of people moving jobs and lots of people coming back to work. the other thing we are seeing is that

which is not keeping in line with prices so we are seeing wages rising very fast and the inflation prices will get higher still and the governor touched on both those things yesterday, such as asking for a pay rise. i don't think a lot of people pay a huge amount of attention to that but he says that we are in for some very difficult times in living standards he is absolutely right and this will be one of the worst years for living standards in a very long time. what standards in a very long time. what can --eole standards in a very long time. what can people do _ standards in a very long time. what can people do to — standards in a very long time. what can people do to mitigate it? standards in a very long time. what | can people do to mitigate it? people will have to take _ can people do to mitigate it? people will have to take a _ can people do to mitigate it? people will have to take a personal - will have to take a personal financial decisions that make sense in their own circumstances so we do see people moving work, moving jobs and if there are higher paid jobs available that is a mitigation they can put in place but it is not for me to see how individuals need to

manage these very difficult circumstances, myjob is to suggest that the government what they could do differently. because we see food prices and energy prices rising quickly that is going to head the people at the bottom of the wage distribution the hardest and the government needs to do more to help people on low to middle incomes. needs to make sure benefits keep pace with rising prices and not how fast prices were rising a few years ago. the other thing it is to do is get serious about economic growth so everyone can get a pay increase. expand a bit more than what you think the government should be doing, benefits keeping pace with the rise in the cost of living, up to 10% inflation by the end of the year, so are you saying benefits get operated by that? and what else are you talking about?—

you talking about? that's right. the government — you talking about? that's right. the government normally _ you talking about? that's right. the government normally operates - you talking about? that's right. the i government normally operates based on how fast prices were rising a few months ago because that is changing very quickly people are losing out and this comes after of course the cut in benefits that we sell as the pandemic came to an end so we think the government should increase universal credit and some other benefits in line with prices now and we think the government can afford that stop of course the government can't bail everyone out because this is a global crisis and the whole country is products like i said the other thing the government is to do is get serious about boosting growth, about boosting investment and making sure our trade is as free as possible with our closest partners rather than creating new problems with them.— partners rather than creating new problems with them. thank you very much forjoining _ problems with them. thank you very much forjoining us. _ if you're still waiting

for that £150 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. our 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 this 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 were 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. 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.

the 17—year—old said it is a relief to be honest about his sexuality. it's been such a long time of lying and i've just processed and processed every day about how i want to do it, when i want to do it. and i think now isjust the right time to do it. you know, ifeel 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've wanted to do and it's been a struggle, but now ijust do feel like i'm ready to be myself. i can speak to gary ginnaw, co—founder and player with charlton invicta — an lgbt inclusive football club in south east london. what was your reaction when you heard him talking?— what was your reaction when you heard him talking? thanks for having me on. it heard him talking? thanks for having me on- it was — heard him talking? thanks for having me on- it was a _ heard him talking? thanks for having me on. it was a really _ heard him talking? thanks for having me on. it was a really exciting - me on. it was a really exciting time. i watched jake's interview yesterday on sky sports and you can't underestimate the impact of

that, as an openly gay man for football at a grassroots level he is a major inspiration. he football at a grassroots level he is a major inspiration.— a major inspiration. he says that since i have _ a major inspiration. he says that since i have come _ a major inspiration. he says that since i have come out _ a major inspiration. he says that since i have come out to - a major inspiration. he says that since i have come out to my - a major inspiration. he says that i since i have come out to my family club and team mates, that period of over thinking everything and the stress it created has gone. it was impact on my mental health and now i am just confident and happy to be myself finally. so sad to know from what he is saying what he must have been going through inside his own mind. what do you think it is going on in football that has made it so difficult for someone to come out? coming out is never an easyjourney. it's a journey that all of us have to make and all the journeys are different. to come out as such a young age to such a wide audience means it is notjust a major moment

for him, football needed that role model and looking over your shoulder forfear model and looking over your shoulder for fear of model and looking over your shoulder forfear of somebody model and looking over your shoulder for fear of somebody outing you not knowing whether people will accept you for being your authentic self. and to be in football and that spotlight where your private life isn't really your private life, that's what makes it really difficult for professional footballers to be their authentic self because with social media, a day doesn't go by without them getting a tweet or whatever it might be on social media without people wanting to take photos in the street and knowing everything about what footballers get up to off the pitch. and she are always trying to hide that. if you're worried about somebody finding out you are cutting that about every single day and jake

mentioned yesterday that after telling his mum and her sister he went and scored four goals against accrington softly that you are weight off his shoulders. gem;r weight off his shoulders. gary lineker has _ weight off his shoulders. gary lineker has said _ weight off his shoulders. gary lineker has said it _ weight off his shoulders. gary lineker has said it should be completely unremarkable this is happening. what impact do you think it will have going forward? it is hue, it will have going forward? it is huge. you _ it will have going forward? it is huge. you can't— it will have going forward? it 3 huge, you can't underestimate the importance of yesterday and the news. i can't stop smiling because i knowjust how much that would have meant to me if i was a young kid. i know those troubles i had coming to terms of my sexual orientation years ago and i didn't come out till i was 34 and jake is 17. he has not only come out to friends and family back to the world on national media and there would be young lgbtq+ people

sitting at home yesterday watching the news unfold and they might have been filling the were struggling to tell their friends and family and all of a sudden they have this icon who will be a role model for the next generation because he is the next generation because he is the next generation because he is the next generation of football. he is 17 and he will be around for a long time and has a great career ahead of him but he will also impact older lgbtq+ people because when you see somebody being who they are, and footballers for everybody, it makes me incredibly proud. now it's time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes today will be by quite a wide margin

the warmest day of the year so far with temperatures surging up to 26 celsius across london and south—east england. further west, outbreaks of rain on the way, turning heavy and thundery, a few thundery showers. the more unsettled weather is due to this on the weather front to our south—west at the moment, bringing a zone of heavy rain across south—west england, wales, northern and 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.

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 — earnings are down 1.2% 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 uk's first current male professional footballer in more than 30 years to come out as gay. health officials say four more people in england have caught a rare viral infection called monkeypox — taking the total confirmed cases since 6th may to seven. sport — and for a full round—up from the bbc

sport centre, here's isaac. good morning. the rebuild of english cricket continues, as tom harrison, the chief executive of the england and wales cricket board, resigns after seven years in charge. our sports correspondentjoe wilson joins us from london. just talk us through tom harrison's achievements in his time in charge. i think tom harrison will be a figure that divides opinion within cricket. if you look at the fact that the men's and women's team won the 50 over world cup during his time in charge, that's a significant achievement. what he will be closely associated with is the 100 franchise, the new format that came into existence last summer. that was his baby. plenty of people in cricket will say that through unnecessary time, attention, resources and money away from existing structures. tom harrison would point to the increased participation, interest amongst

women's cricket in particular as justification for that tournament andindeed justification for that tournament and indeed for the bonus he'd arrived. the other thing we have too of course reference is what's dominated attention is azeem rafiq and what his testimony told us about the realities of diversity or the lack of it within english cricket. significant to me that in the job spec for the new ceo, they say are part of the role will be taking on leadership in action and improvement to make cricket a welcoming and diverse sport. i think the ecb are lucky to have claire, stepping in as interim chief executive and that's another glass ceiling she's broken through in cricket. this departure is another in a long list recently, there's been a complete clear out since that embarassing ashes series. absolutely. if you think of any real key significant position where the coach, captain, chief executive,

it's all changed. i think some change was inevitable and necessary but can you actually grow when there's so much turbulence in any organisation? what attention will turn to is england's men's team getting a side that could win a test match when that begins in a few weeks against new zealand. but i think it's clear that actually making cricket a relevant and inclusive game in england right now is a keyjob for the next chief executive. is a key job for the next chief executive-— derby county looks like it will have a new owner soon. chris kirchner has exchanged 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. he 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". they're hoping for it all to be said and done by the 31st of may. manchester city are losing their all—time top goal—scorer as england midfielder georgia stanway says she is leaving the club. the 23—year—old is out of contract injune and has been linked with a move to bayern munich. stanway made her senior debut for city at 16 and she leaves with 57 goals in 165 appearances. there's been lots of praise and encouragement after blackpool forward jake daniels announced that he was gay. he is the only openly gay footballer in the men's game in the uk. 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 has been praised by prime minister borisjohnson, england captain harry kane and several charity groups. other footballers have come out as gay after they retired, including thomas beattie.

at the age of 17, he knows that he is brave enough, he knows he is strong enough to cope with all of the attention and that's why i wish him all the power and the lucky needs to be strong and cope with sometimes if it comes criticism but also all the attention, even if it's positive, because it's a lot that's going to happen. hopefully he becomes a great football player and at the same time that his dream becomes true, that he helped a lot of people outside of football and be that role model that he wants to be. i think he's moved the debate forward much further because that's what a lot of people have been waiting for in the game. and some sad news to bring you — former rugby league chief executive maurice lindsay has died aged 81. lindsay also masterminded wigan's revival in the 19805 as chairman and was heavily involved in the creation of super league in 1996. and just before i go, england's rugby union team have called up 19—year—old london irish

full back henry arundell into a 36—man england training squad to prepare forjuly�*s test series against australia. more on that and all the day's other stories on the bbc sport website. thank you very much, isaac. we have some happy surprise news about the queen because we've just heard she's made a surprise appearance this morning at paddington station. she went to see the completed elizabeth line, which is named in her honour. she rarely carries out public engagements these days away from windsor. we saw her in the past few days at events to mark the platinum jubilee involving the windsor horse show. but today this is the first time since she's been out of windsor for a visit, sorry, the first engagement outside of the windsor area since she attended the duke of edinburgh's memorial service at seven weeks ago. basically, they

were told she might be able to attend but the attendance wasn't publicly announced in advance because of how ongoing mobility problems. but buckingham palace has said, in a happy development her majesty the queen is attending today's event to mark the completion of the elizabeth line. her majesty was aware of the engagement and the organisers were informed of the possibility she may attend. so, also at the event the prime minister borisjohnson, mayor of london sadiq khan and transport for london commissioner andy byford and she was accompanied by her youngest son the earl wessex for that visit. no pictures yet but hopefully we will get some and be able to bring them to you. this morning, bbc radio 5 live is in dover with a special programme on the uk's relationship with immigration. more than 600 people have crossed the channel over the weekend. on sunday, 436 migrants used nine boats to arrive — the highest number in a single day.

previously, the british government announced plans to send some asylum seekers to rwanda — a policy which is meant to deter human traffickers sending people across the channel in the first place. let's speak to our correspondent simonjones, who's in dover. well, it's been a lively two hour debate held here in dover by 5 live and as it was taking place, news of yet more crossings over the channel. early this morning dungeness lifeboat was launched and brought around 60 people into dungeness. also, the border force has been out in the channel bringing another 60 people into dover and the day the lifeboat is currently out at sea picking up a boat with around 40 people on board. not really surprising today given the conditions, it's incredibly calm in the channel once again today. it is very warm. that obviously dover is

at the sharp end of the debate on migration, with a particularfocus on the people arriving from france who are crossing the channel in small boats, often dangerously overloaded. let's talk to david foley, who has fostered more than 30 asylum seeking children and also you are from the local chambers of commerce. tell me, some of the children you've fostered have made the journey across the channel by boat. f . the journey across the channel by boat. j . ,., the journey across the channel by boat. j . . , boat. they've had some remarkable 'ourne s boat. they've had some remarkable journeys and _ boat. they've had some remarkable journeys and when _ boat. they've had some remarkable journeys and when the _ boat. they've had some remarkable journeys and when the asylum - boat. they've had some remarkable i journeys and when the asylum seekers get here, there have been some remarkable individual characters. what i know is particularly assiduous and got an apprenticeship at british airways and some of them are now running their own companies. those who are working in other companies, if they hadn't made that journey, they are not going to complain about not getting biscuits with their morning tea. taste complain about not getting biscuits with their morning tea.— with their morning tea. we had durin: with their morning tea. we had during the _ with their morning tea. we had during the debate _ with their morning tea. we had during the debate that - with their morning tea. we had during the debate that this - with their morning tea. we had during the debate that this is i with their morning tea. we had i during the debate that this is very polarised with certain people saying no one should be allowed to come in who makes the journey across the

channel. it who makes the 'ourney across the channel. . . . . who makes the 'ourney across the channel. , . . . channel. it is a nuanced debate. those people — channel. it is a nuanced debate. those people who _ channel. it is a nuanced debate. those people who think- channel. it is a nuanced debate. those people who think we - channel. it is a nuanced debate. l those people who think we should accept everyone, there are 130 million in ethiopian, 90 million in the democratic republic of the congo, the whole of sub—saharan africa and we know the pressures on the nhs, on our schools are severe. if you look at the number of doctors per 1000 it's now 2.95 in the uk which is the second lowest in europe. austria has five doctors per 1000 and most of our close neighbours, france, germany, spain have only four so there are serious pressures on schools and one our precious nhs. taste pressures on schools and one our precious nhs-_ pressures on schools and one our precious nhs. we talk a lot about numbers, precious nhs. we talk a lot about numbers. you've _ precious nhs. we talk a lot about numbers, you've quoted - precious nhs. we talk a lot about numbers, you've quoted some . precious nhs. we talk a lot about numbers, you've quoted some of| precious nhs. we talk a lot about - numbers, you've quoted some of them there but in reality more people, far more people are claiming asylum in france and germany than currently in france and germany than currently in the uk. ~ ~ in france and germany than currently in the uk. ~ ,, . . in the uk. well, i think we have a lona in the uk. well, i think we have a long tradition _ in the uk. well, i think we have a long tradition in _ in the uk. well, i think we have a long tradition in this _ in the uk. well, i think we have a long tradition in this country - in the uk. well, i think we have a long tradition in this country with | long tradition in this country with refugees, going back to the huguenots at the end of the 17th

century, we welcomed those people in genuine fear of their lives. the answer clearly is not for the uk to accept everybody, the answer is for the countries, particularly in western europe, to get together with a series of international agreements and i'm sure that's what our government is trying to do, we need the other countries in europe to join us and further afield as well. the usa probably as well, to reach an international agreement because it is dangerous and wrong and i feel particularly sorry for our lifeboatman. they go out there in the channel, putting their lives at risk, they are a largely volunteer workforce, they can hardly be expected to say, do you have the right to be had? this is a problem that needs to be addressed urgently. you talked about international agreements and in many ways reaching some sort of deal with france on the eu would be a potential solution, it might be a deterrent to people were told actually if you come to the uk and you've travelled through france you will get sent back but it seems

france are in no hurry to reach any sort of deal. france are in no hurry to reach any sort of deal-— france are in no hurry to reach any sort of deal. well, we've had some recent examples _ sort of deal. well, we've had some recent examples in _ sort of deal. well, we've had some recent examples in sweden - sort of deal. well, we've had some recent examples in sweden and - recent examples in sweden and finland where outside pressures have caused a complete change of policy, notably in germany, deciding to rearm. so it can be done, it needs skilled diplomacy. we have some of the best diplomats in the world and i think it can be done but i'm saying it should be done urgently before this gets completely out of hand and more people die crossing the channel. hand and more people die crossing the channel-— hand and more people die crossing the channel. with your chambers of commerce hat _ the channel. with your chambers of commerce hat on, _ the channel. with your chambers of commerce hat on, you _ the channel. with your chambers of commerce hat on, you are - the channel. with your chambers of commerce hat on, you are talking l the channel. with your chambers of| commerce hat on, you are talking to local businesses, what sort of use are you getting on the whole migration issue from the businesses and ferns you speak to?— and ferns you speak to? that's a aood and ferns you speak to? that's a good question. _ and ferns you speak to? that's a good question, it's _ and ferns you speak to? that's a good question, it's not - and ferns you speak to? that's a good question, it's not top - and ferns you speak to? that's a good question, it's not top of. and ferns you speak to? that's a l good question, it's not top of their agenda. congestion, interest rates and inflation is heading for 10%, these affect them every day. but it's also worth noting that over 35% across the country fall in unemployment which means people are

finding it difficult to find skilled workers. six or seven months ago it was it staff, hgv drivers, now it's right across sectors. there is some difficulty in finding the right people and we know british airways has offered people £1000 to join them and easyjet i think has offered back to current workers to remain, so there is a shortage of workers and that affects us economically in this part of the world.— and that affects us economically in this part of the world. david foley, thank ou this part of the world. david foley, thank you for— this part of the world. david foley, thank you forjoining _ this part of the world. david foley, thank you forjoining us. _ this part of the world. david foley, thank you forjoining us. in - this part of the world. david foley, thank you forjoining us. in terms i thank you forjoining us. in terms of conditions, it remains calm and it's likely to be a busy afternoon ahead for the life i border force who will be picking up people in the channel. —— the lifeboat and the border force. health officials say four more people in england have caught a rare viral infection called monkeypox — taking the total confirmed cases since 6th may to seven. the uk health security agency says investigations were under way to establish links between the latest four cases

who appear to have been infected in london and do not have known connections with the other three cases. monkeypox is a rare viral infection similar to human smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980. the uk health security agency thinks there has been some community transmission but as you stressed in your introduction, they very much think this will be a cluster not something like an epidemic outbreak or a pandemic like we've been used to with covid. monkeypox is a rare viral infection and is usually connected to travel to west africa, and certainly the first case that was discovered this year on the 7th of may did have a travel link to nigeria. but since then, they have had other cases in the last four have all been in gay or bisexual men and it's thought they caught it in london. so, that's why health

officials are saying people should be on the lookout for rashes, unusual bumps and also the usual fever symptoms that come with monkeypox. so, swollen lymph nodes and chills and feeling very hot. let's speak to dr michael head, senior research fellow in global health at the university of southampton. thank you forjoining us. there is no scaremongering but hot on the heels of what we've seen with covid—19 and mask wearing and concerns about things spreading, what can you say to reassure people? good morning. yes, we can reassure people, as you said with the other commentaries, it doesn't spread easily and we are not going to see anything like what we've seen with covid—19. not all infectious diseases transmitted in the same way or to the same degree. monkeypox is

hard to transmit, you need very close contact with another person who is infectious and we can only expect to see a small outbreak. i would be surprised if we see too many more cases. the public health teams will be looking to do some contact tracing to work out all possible main contacts again to reemphasise to the general public, the risks are extremely low and we do not need to be concerned at this point. do not need to be concerned at this oint. ., ., , . ,, ., point. how ill does it make someone? could someone _ point. how ill does it make someone? could someone be _ point. how ill does it make someone? could someone be walking _ point. how ill does it make someone? could someone be walking around - could someone be walking around without knowing they've got it? there is an incubation period of ten days. once you get symptoms, they are usually very clear, for example chickenpox style rashes. it has a mortality rate of about 1% so it's quite a severe infection, albeit most cases are in poorer parts of sub—saharan africa where there is less access to health care services. so, we would probably expect a lower

mortality rate here but if you do get monkeypox it is a serious infection and you should seek treatment immediately. what infection and you should seek treatment immediately. what is the treatment? it's _ treatment immediately. what is the treatment? it's mostly _ treatment immediately. what is the treatment? it's mostly supportive i treatment? it's mostly supportive care and isolation _ treatment? it's mostly supportive care and isolation from _ treatment? it's mostly supportive care and isolation from any - treatment? it's mostly supportive care and isolation from any other| care and isolation from any other contact, whilst your body looks to heal itself essentially. there are anti—virals which can help a bit, there is not yet a vaccine available, so there is little way to go in terms of generating fully effective treatments but supportive care and health care environment is the main treatment that will be offered. ~ . . the main treatment that will be offered. ~ . , , ., , ., offered. what is the history of monkeypox — offered. what is the history of monkeypox in _ offered. what is the history of monkeypox in terms - offered. what is the history of monkeypox in terms of - offered. what is the history of monkeypox in terms of how i offered. what is the history of i monkeypox in terms of how long offered. what is the history of - monkeypox in terms of how long it's been around, where it has spread and is it odd that it hasn't shown up here until now, or has it? taste is it odd that it hasn't shown up here until now, or has it? we don't know its huge _ here until now, or has it? we don't know its huge amount _ here until now, or has it? we don't know its huge amount about - know its huge amount about monkeypox. the name itself is a bit misleading, it was first spotted in some monkeys in the 19505 but mostly it's thought to be in small mammals and rats. we have seen a few places

in the uk before and we've seen a case of human—to—human transmission in the uk before in recent years. so, it's not an unknown virus here. we don't think we've seen a cluster of four or five contacts like we have right now but certainly large outbreaks of very uncommon. it's mainly endemic in west africa including nigeria, ghana and parts of the drc. . ~ including nigeria, ghana and parts of the drc. . ,, kay mellor, the actress and writer who wrote hit series including itv�*s girlfriends, band of gold and the syndicate, has died aged 71, mellor was also known for creating the tv series fat friends. a spokesperson for her tv production company, rollem productions, said... "it is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely and sudden passing of our beloved friend, mentor and colleague. we have lost a phenomenal talent and a true luminary." i'm joined now by entertainment

journalist, caroline frost. welcome. she had a big impact, didn't she? for welcome. she had a big impact, didn't she?— welcome. she had a big impact, didn't she? for sure. the terribly sad day but _ didn't she? for sure. the terribly sad day but what _ didn't she? for sure. the terribly sad day but what a _ didn't she? for sure. the terribly sad day but what a body - didn't she? for sure. the terribly sad day but what a body of - didn't she? for sure. the terribly sad day but what a body of work| didn't she? for sure. the terribly i sad day but what a body of work to celebrate, which is a small consolation today. band of gold, the children's drama children's ward, she worked on her nation street in brookside and then turned her pen to what she became most celebrated for, those wonderful dramas often with female characters up front and centre stage. she wrote of what she knew and as well as all that great work, people today are remembering what a lovely, kind and supportive woman she was in an industry where it's too easy to be competitive. she was enormously collaborative and supportive of everybody else. she

will also be _ supportive of everybody else. she will also be remembered for playing a part in launching the careers of people who went on to even greater things, james corden in fat friends, he starred in that along with rhys jones, sheridan smith and alison steadman, so, something was germinating there between them under the auspices of what kay mellor was doing. the auspices of what kay mellor was doinu. . the auspices of what kay mellor was doin i _ ., ., , the auspices of what kay mellor was doinu. ., :::::: the auspices of what kay mellor was doin. ., ijijij doing. that was back in 2000. it was a story about — doing. that was back in 2000. it was a story about a _ doing. that was back in 2000. it was a story about a swimming _ doing. that was back in 2000. it was a story about a swimming club - doing. that was back in 2000. it was a story about a swimming club and i a story about a swimming club and the members and their lives and the impact their weight had on their lives and kay mellor was determined to cast as authentically as possible, she wanted talented, bigger people playing the roles, she wanted to really tell the story and story has it that she spotted james corden in a tango him down, she got her agent to seek out that person she had spotted on screen because as she said later, both he and ruthjones really had

the stuff and clearly she had an eye for casting the talent as she did for casting the talent as she did for writing because they went on to such great things and four of those people in fat friends went on to being an gavin and stacey and bigger and greater things. a5 being an gavin and stacey and bigger and greater things. as well as her own work she could claim credit for being able to spot a good person on screen. ~ . screen. well, we will remember her and she obviously _ screen. well, we will remember her and she obviously will— screen. well, we will remember her and she obviously will go _ screen. well, we will remember her and she obviously will go on - screen. well, we will remember her and she obviously will go on living i and she obviously will go on living through that great body of work. thank you very much. it's day six in the multi—million pound 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 the high court. our entertainment reporter colin paterson is at the high court. today the star witness is wayne rooney, coleen rooney's husband, england's all—time leading goal—scorer — and someone who has

been in court for every minute of this trial. but 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 put her worries on anyone else. so, wayne rooney as one of the witnesses will be hearing from today, presumably saying that he didn't know anything about the sting operation. we're also going to be hearing from paul stretford, who is wayne rooney's manager, ian monk, who runs a pr company, and his company has done much work with the roomys over the years, and we're going to hear from claire rooney, wayne rooney's cousin. not the first family member to give any evidence, because yesterday we heard from joe mcloughlin, coleen rooney's brother. and he was in charge of her social media accounts. and we heard that the first time he heard about the sting operation was when coleen rooney gave him a handwritten of that

famous "it's...rebekah vardy�*s account" post. so, he was actually given a handwritten version of that post and he was the one who typed it up and put it online. zimbabwe has asked the european union to support its bid to sell over a 150,000 tonnes of ivory that it has accumulated due to the global ban on the sale of tusks. the international trade in ivory has been banned since 1989, as gail maclellan reports. zimbabwe is trying to enlist the support of the european union to sell off its stockpile of ivory, a haul estimated to be worth around $600 million. the old tusks have been acquired through culling, natural deaths, and mostly through seizure of the proceeds of poaching. the eu ambassadors were taken on a tour of the vaults in harare, and told by the head of the international union for conservation of nature

that the money would be used to help with local conservation. it will help, we are appealing for support so they understand our issues, they understand the issue. in 2019, cites, or the convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora, rejected a similar request from countries like botswana, namibia and zambia. wildlife charities are hoping that the current appeal will not succeed, believing that sales of stockpiles would only stimulate demand for ivory. gail maclellan, bbc news. several countries in the middle east have been battered by severe dust storms. skies have turned red across nothern syria, much of iraq and part of saudi arabia. such extreme weather is increasingly common in the region this year — with warnings that dust storms could eventually become a near daily experience,

as the climate heats up. now it's time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes. hello again. by quite a margin, today is going to be the warmest day of the year so far with temperatures surging up to 26 degrees celsius across london and south east england. but further west, we've got outbreaks of rain that will turn increasingly heavy and thundery. a few thundery showers breaking out ahead of that feature as well. let's take a look at the satellite picture. this area of cloud is the area that's going to be bringing heavy thundery rain to western areas of the uk, that continues to work its way in pretty quickly. so rain turning increasingly heavy across southwest england this afternoon, getting into wales, northern ireland and western areas of scotland. there will be some heavy falls of rain in places, heavy enough to bring some localised surface water flooding with a few thundery showers breaking out. ahead of that feature probably across the midlands and central southern england as well. a warm day for many of you, though.

temperatures at the highest across the southeast with highs, as i say, reaching 26 degrees celsius overnight. that zone of heavy thundery rain will drive its way northwards and eastwards as well. so, a few more flashes of lightning and cracks of thunder to come. but eventually, during the second half of the night, the weather will slowly quieten down. it'll be a mild night, temperatures ten to 14 degrees celsius now for wednesday. for many of you, we've got a dry start to the day with some sunshine, but still a few showers left over through the morning working northwards across scotland into wednesday afternoon and evening time. we are looking at thundery rain moving up once again. this will affect northern ireland and probably quite large areas of england and wales late in the day. temperatures still on the warm side for the time of year on wednesday afternoon, reaching highs of around 23 or 24 degrees celsius. now for wednesday night, we've got another batch of thundery rain that's going to be moving its way northwards and eastwards. so again, it's a night where you could have some disturbed sleep on account of the weather. thursday should be a quieter kind of day weather—wise and certainly

a fresher feel to things, probably a bit more cloud in the sky as well. but we'll still keep some sunny spells. there's a chance of a few thunderstorms here and there. maybe if you're running into eastern areas of england and our temperatures highs of around 17 to about 22 degrees celsius. friday and the weekend, we will see some further thundery showers that'll be quite widespread on friday, saturday and sunday. most of the showers will be across the northern half of the uk, drier towards the southeast.

that is the latest.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling. 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. she's expected to make her statement at the house of commons in around half an hour. we'll take you there live when that happens. 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 — earnings are down 1.2% from last year when adjusted for inflation — their biggest fall since 2013. health officials say four more

people in england have caught a rare viral infection called monkeypox — taking the total confirmed cases since 6th may to seven. the corn makes a surprise visit to paddington station to mark the completion of the elizabeth line which is named in her honour. —— her majesty the queen. the foreign secretary, liz truss, is expected make a statement to parliament this afternoon — 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 formed. 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 [and border with eu member, the republic of ireland, and an open border is seen as an essential part of the peace process. let's talk to our correspondent at parliament buildings in northern ireland, charlotte gallagher. what charlotte gallagher. i5 what charlotte gallagher. is the expectation there? frar sinn what is the expectation there? from sinn fein, there _ what is the expectation there? from sinn fein, there is _ what is the expectation there? from sinn fein, there is a _ what is the expectation there? from sinn fein, there is a fear, _ what is the expectation there? from sinn fein, there is a fear, they - what is the expectation there? f'f7�*fl sinn fein, there is a fear, they are the largest party at stormont, than britain it will take unilateral action against the protocol and they

are very worried about that. we had from the vice president and first minister in waiting michelle o'neill who said she thought as unilateral action leave ireland a very dangerous territory in respect of trade was and she did not want northern ireland to become pawn in trade wars between the eu and the uk. i went into the building about half oogle and there is only a handful of people because members of the assembly will not go back to work, the dup, until definitive action is taken on the protocol, the post—brexit trading arrangements. they have said they are happy with what so far but are not taking anything on not excepting —— might not taking anything on trust and not

prepared to accept a promise. boris johnson said there would be no sea border in the irish sea. that is what we have ended up with and what they are so unhappy with. alliance, their leader naomi long said that those who refuse to turn up at stormont should have their pay cut. it is something that is annoying a lot of voters here.— lot of voters here. boris johnson was at stormont _ lot of voters here. boris johnson was at stormont yesterday, - lot of voters here. boris johnson | was at stormont yesterday, what impact did the visit have? the leader of the _ impact did the visit have? the leader of the dup _ impact did the visit have? the: leader of the dup sirjeffrey donaldson said he had been waiting to have the sit down chat with boris johnson about the protocol but was not taking anything on trust and wanted to see action on the protocol before the dup made any decision

about returning to the power sharing executive. sinn fein came out of the meeting very frustrated and the president mary lou mcdonald said they did not get any straight answers to the question they paused borisjohnson so at the moment it is very hard to see how power sharing will return to stormont in the near future and that is what boris johnson set out to achieve yesterday. the eu will be closely watching what foreign secretary liz truss has to say later this afternoon. let's talk to our brussels correspondent, nick beake. what is the feeling there? i think the will what is the feeling there? i think they will wait _ what is the feeling there? i think they will wait and _ what is the feeling there? i think they will wait and see _ what is the feeling there? i think they will wait and see what - what is the feeling there? i think they will wait and see what the i they will wait and see what the foreign secretary says but certainly the mood here has been one of trying to calm things down. we had a spokesman at the european commission seeing the solution to all of this is dialogue, keeping these joint i5 dialogue, keeping these joint discussions going and the eu really has said that it won't give in to

what it has described as blackmail threats, the suggestion that brussels somehow i5 threats, the suggestion that brussels somehow is not taking its role seriously, that the crucial role seriously, that the crucial role of keeping peace in northern ireland and officials deny that they are applying checks within the northern ireland protocol too rigidly. so that is the position within the european commission and they do not want to be sucked into a war of words or any talk of a trade war of words or any talk of a trade war because war in europe, millions of people as refugees coming into eu countries not to mention soaring energy prices and the cost of living crisis for many people across the continent. more than 260 wounded soldiers from the azov—stal 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'5 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 novozovsk, which is a russian—controlled town in eastern ukraine. at least 50 of them are said to have been taken to local hospitals in russian—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 asked our correspondent, joe inwood, for more news on the soldiers — and whether they might form part of a prisoner exchange. that is what we understand is going to happen, that these soldiers who essentially have surrendered, given themselves over to be prisoners of the russians, are going to be handed back to the ukrainians in exchange for russian prisoners of war. we haven't got more details than that. we do know as well that we think, certainly, there are still some fighters still inside. presumably, they decided they didn't want to surrender, but more than 253 of them severely, severely wounded. you can see from the pictures, some of them barely moving. i've seen images of wounded people from inside, their arm is broken, missing limbs, they're in a very bad way. so, i think what we're going to see is those people receive medical attention at first and then handed over as some sort of negotiated prisoner swap is the expectation, managed by the united nations and the icrc.

as i say, all of this is provisional at this point. we haven't been getting a running commentary from the people behind this prisoner swap or behind the whole exit, but we think that's what's going to happen. 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 1.2% 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. our economics correspondent andy verity has the details. we have a fall in living standards. that was predicted by the bank of england last year. also by other economists. living standards are slipping by 1.2%. that is after inflation. remember that inflation in the first three months of this

year was running at about 5.5%. but that predates 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. for example, in the hospitality industry, accommodation and restaurants, you've seen an 8.5% rise in pay including bonuses. that is comfortably enough to beat inflation. by contrast, in the public sector, it i51.6%, so public sector pay is significantly lagging behind inflation. and that is a problem too, because we have

skills shortages there. how do you fill skill shortages if you can't offer people inflation beating pay? earlier i spoke to greg thwaites — who's research director at the resolution foundation — and began by asking him about the overall picture of the labour market. there are two big things going on in the labour market. the first one is that we do see very low unemployment and plenty of vacancy and lots of people moving jobs and lots of people coming back to work having not been in work for some time. the other thing we are seeing is that which is not keeping in line with prices so we are seeing wages rising very fast and the inflation,

prices will get higher still and the governor of the bank of england touched on both those things yesterday, such as asking for a pay rise. i don't think a lot of people pay a huge amount of attention to that but he says that we are in for some very difficult times in living standards he is absolutely right and this will be one of the worst years for living standards in a very long time. people will have to take personal financial decisions that make sense in their own circumstances so we do see people moving work, moving jobs and if there are higher paid jobs available that is a mitigation they can put in place but it is not for me to see how individuals need to manage these very difficult circumstances, myjob is to suggest to the government what they could do differently. because we see food prices and energy prices rising quickly that is going to head the people at the bottom of the wage

distribution the most and the hardest and the government needs to do more to help people on low to middle incomes. it needs to make sure benefits keep pace with rising prices now and not how fast prices were rising a few years ago. the other thing it is to do is get serious about economic growth so everyone can get a pay increase. the queen has made a surprise visit to paddington station to see the completed elizabeth line. the queen — who was using a walking stick — met crossrail and elizabeth line workers. she was given an oyster card and shown how to use it on a ticket machine — before being given a tour of the station. here are some pictures of her majesty the queen on that surprise visit. she was accompanied by her youngest son the errol of wessex.

- -earl — —earl of wessex. no one was told officially because it did turn out to be surprised. ——earl of wessex. you're watching bbc news and it's goodbye now to viewers watching on bbc two. if you're still waiting for that £150 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. our 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. we 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, this 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 around 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 were 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. four more people in england have been diagnosed with monkeypox. the uk health security agency says the risk to the public remains very low, although it appears the individuals caught it in the uk. monkeypox is usually associated with travel to west africa. symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, our global health correspondent naomi grimley gave us this update,

the uk health security agency thinks there has been some community transmission but as you stressed in your introduction, they very much think this will be a cluster not something like an epidemic outbreak or a pandemic like we've been used to with covid. monkeypox is a rare viral infection and is usually connected to travel to west africa, and certainly the first case that was discovered this year on the 7th of may did have a travel link to nigeria. but since then, they have had other cases in the last four have all been in gay or bisexual men and it's thought they caught it in london. so, that's why health officials are saying people should be on the lookout for rashes, unusual bumps and also the usual fever symptoms that come with monkeypox. let's speak to professor jimmy whitworth, professor of international public health at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine. after our experience with covid

people would be forgiven for feeling how quickly things can spread, what do you think? i how quickly things can spread, what do you think?— how quickly things can spread, what do you think? i fully understand why --eole do you think? i fully understand why people would _ do you think? i fully understand why people would be _ do you think? i fully understand why people would be concerned - do you think? i fully understand why people would be concerned about i do you think? i fully understand why. people would be concerned about this and yes, this is an urgent public health matter but is your correspondence says this will not turn into a widespread epidemic or pandemic as we have seen with coronavirus. it is likely we will have a cluster of cases and know we are aware of them and can take action i hope that we can bring this to control for simply. —— fairly simply. i think the main things that need to be done are to have good communication with the gay community right now, to make sure people know that this virus is in the uk, how to recognise it, and to contact health facilities if they have any concerns

that they might have it, and then on top of that we need to be able to identify and isolate and treat any cases that are all culling —— that are occurring and also find contacts and isolate them in because they have any symptoms of theirs. it sounds as if the cases have been found in london but might be more geographically disseminated in that sort is going to be quite challenging i think to identify all the potential contacts you. truth? challenging i think to identify all the potential contacts you. why the a the potential contacts you. why the gay community? — the potential contacts you. why the gay community? i— the potential contacts you. why the gay community? i know _ the potential contacts you. why the gay community? i know it - the potential contacts you. why the gay community? i know it is - the potential contacts you. why the gay community? i know it is being i gay community? i know it is being said the latest cases in london are amongst the gay community. the s - reads amongst the gay community. the spreads by _ amongst the gay community. tt9 spreads by close amongst the gay community. tt9: spreads by close contact, amongst the gay community. tt9 spreads by close contact, and that is either touching the skin of somebody who is infected are from bedding orfrom somebody who is infected are from bedding or from shared somebody who is infected are from bedding orfrom shared utensils, and so once it gets into really any

community, then it can spread quite rapidly and that seems to be what has happened in this case. that rapidly and that seems to be what has happened in this case.- has happened in this case. at the moment we _ has happened in this case. at the moment we do _ has happened in this case. at the moment we do not _ has happened in this case. at the moment we do not know - has happened in this case. at the moment we do not know how- has happened in this case. at the moment we do not know how it i has happened in this case. at the i moment we do not know how it has spread and how these people had contact with each other and honestly there will be contacts all across... we don't know what other contacts they will have had so it is a case of being allowed for the symptoms. yes, it will have come in from west of central africa in the first place and then spread by close contact. it doesn't necessarily need to be on somebody who is within the gay community, anybody sharing a house or with close contact with somebody who has the infection could be infected so it is important to identify any close contacts of people who have been exposed. th

people who have been exposed. in previous outbreaks in west africa or elsewhere how much of these tended to spread and how easy has it been to spread and how easy has it been to contain them? it is to spread and how easy has it been to contain them?— to contain them? it is not a very transmissible _ to contain them? it is not a very transmissible disease _ to contain them? it is not a very transmissible disease from - to contain them? it is not a very i transmissible disease from person to contain them? it is not a very - transmissible disease from person to person. this is a virus that is normally found in small rodents in west and central africa and villagers come into contact with those animals and become infected. in previous cases that we have had outside of west africa, in europe and the united states, transmission from one person to another person is extremely rare, and a cluster of this sort is unprecedented. thank ou ve this sort is unprecedented. thank you very much — this sort is unprecedented. thank you very much indeed _ this sort is unprecedented. thank you very much indeed for - this sort is unprecedented. thank you very much indeed forjoiningl this sort is unprecedented. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. we are hearing that the founder of

the neal terrorist group neo—nazi terrorist group national action has been found guilty. the welsh co—founder of the group was found giving a nazi salute in a concentration camp execution chamber and the court heard how national action was the first terrorist group to be bound in those circumstances since 1992 and alex davies has been phone guilty of remaining in the group after it was

banned. 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. it's been such a long time of lying and i've just processed and processed every day about how i want to do it, when i want to do it. and i think now isjust the right time to do it. you know, ifeel 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've wanted to do and it's been a struggle, but now ijust do feel like i'm ready to be myself. earlier i spoke to gary ginnaw, co—founder and player with charlton invicta — an lgbt—inclusive football club in south east london — this was his reaction to the news. obviously i can relate to jake.

coming out is never an easyjourney. it's a journey that all of us have to make and all the journeys are different. to come out as such a young age to such a wide audience means it is notjust a major moment for him, football needed that role model and you carry this weight on your shoulders for fear of somebody outing you not knowing whether people will accept you for being your authentic self. and to be in football and that spotlight where your private life isn't really your private life, that's what makes it really difficult for professional footballers to be their authentic self because with social media, a day doesn't go by without them getting a tweet or whatever it might be on social media without people wanting to take photos in the street and knowing everything about what footballers get up to off the pitch.

and you are always trying to hide that. if you're worried about somebody finding out you are carrying that about every single day and jake mentioned yesterday that after accrington so that shows you that weight is firmly off his shoulders. gary lineker has said it should be completely unremarkable this is happening. what impact do you think it will have going forward? it is huge, you can't underestimate the importance of yesterday and the news. i can't stop smiling because i know just how much that would have meant to me if i was a young kid. i know those troubles i had coming to terms with my sexual

orientation years ago and i didn't come out till i was 24 and jake is 17. he has not only come out to friends and family but to the world on national media and there would be young lgbtq+ people sitting at home yesterday watching the news unfold and they might have been feeling they were struggling to tell their friends and family and all of a sudden they have this icon who will be a role model for the next generation because he is the next generation of football. he i517 and he will be around for a long time and has a great career ahead of him but he will also impact older lgbtq+ people because when you see somebody being who they are, and footballers for everybody, it makes me incredibly proud.

zimbabwe has asked the european union to support its bid to sell over a 150,000 tonnes of ivory that it has accumulated due to the global ban on the sale of tusks. the international trade in ivory has been banned since 1989, as gail maclellan reports. zimbabwe is trying to enlist the support of the european union to sell off its stockpile of ivory, a haul estimated to be worth around $600 million. the old tusks have been acquired through culling, natural deaths, and mostly through seizure of the proceeds of poaching. the eu ambassadors were taken on a tour of the vaults in harare, and told by the head of the international union for conservation of nature that the money would be used to help with local conservation. it will help, we are appealing for support

so they understand our issues, they understand the issue. in 2019, cites, the convention on international trade in endangered species rejected a similar request from countries like botswana, namibia and zambia. wildlife charities are hoping that the current appeal will not succeed, believing that sales of stockpiles would only stimulate demand for ivory. gail maclellan, bbc news. and now the weather. we have already seen some rain in england and wales and telling what i'm northern ireland. also pushing into wales. it is a warmer day and one across eastern scotland. quite widely from eastern side of wales and across england and the low 205

and across england and the low 205 and up to 26 in south—east england with the highest temperature in the uk recorded so far. rain and thundery downpours pushing east across all parts this evening and in the northern isles and most places will see rain for the end of the day and temperatures for many holding up in double figures. some early showers across north—west scotland clearing away and most places having a fine wednesday of broken cloud and sunny spells before rain heads into northern ireland in the late afternoon and evening and heavy showers pushing into southern areas during the day. hello, this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling. 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. she's expected to make her statement at the house of commons imminently. we'll take you there live when that happens. 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 — earnings are down 1.2% from last year when adjusted for inflation — their biggest fall since 2013. health officials say four more people in england have caught a rare viral infection called monkeypox — taking the total confirmed cases since may 6th to seven. and the queen makes a surprise visit to paddington station to mark the completion of the elizabeth line, which is named in her honour. president biden will visit buffalo to meet members of the community that lost relatives in the gun attack. an investigation is under way to see whether authorities missed tell—tale signs left by the suspected gunmen.

relatives of those in buffalo, new york, are now facing the loss of their loved ones, searching for meaning in a hate filled attack. he...took away my mother and my best friend. how dare you? this needs to be fixed, asap. the shooting is believed to be racially motivated. it happened in a predominantly black neighbourhood, and most of the victims were black. they were in a supermarket when the gunman arrived, shooting ten of them dead and leaving three others injured. those killed were between 32 and 86 years old. officials say they included store workers, a retired police officer and an elderly woman who planted trees on her local street. the youngest victim is 20 years old and survived despite being shot in the neck.

on her first day at the podium, the us's first black and openly gay press secretary addressed the killings. we must do everything in our power to end hate filled domestic terrorism, and we must reject hatred and extremist ideology that seek to divide americans whenever we find it in our society. # i once was lost, but now i'm found...#. her words were echoed by families of the victims as their community rallies around them and the nation mourns alongside. azadeh moshiri, bbc news. alex davis, the founder of national action has been found guilty of being a member of the group after it was banned. our home affairs correspondent reports. it was the

most provocative neo—nazi group to emerge in britain since the 19705. alex davis, seen here with the megaphone, was its founder. national action members were openly white supremacist and said they were preparing for a race war. social media, alex davis was shown giving a nazi salute at a concentration camp. when jo cox nazi salute at a concentration camp. whenjo cox was murdered, one account celebrated saying, only 649 mp5 to go. it led to them being banned in 2016. but more than five years on, alex davis has now been found guilty of remaining a member after the ban. during the trial in winchester, alex davis was quite open about his neo—nazi views. he

said he was the founder of national action, he said it was his idea but he insisted he wasn't involved in it after it was banned as a terrorist organisation. ban us, so what? he wrote on a wall in swansea, within weeks of the band coming into force and new year, same struggle. he will soon organising fight camps including this one near swindon where he is seen with ben hanlin, a neo—nazi who infamously laterjoined neo—nazi who infamously later joined the neo—nazi who infamously laterjoined the police. neo-nazi who infamously later 'oined the olice. ~ , the police. when the time comes the 'll be the police. when the time comes they'll be in _ the police. when the time comes they'll be in the _ the police. when the time comes they'll be in the chambers - the police. when the time comes they'll be in the chambers of. - the police. when the time comes i they'll be in the chambers of. over they'll be in the chambers of. over the next few _ they'll be in the chambers of. over the next few years, _ they'll be in the chambers of. over the next few years, jack _ they'll be in the chambers of. over the next few years, jack renshaw from national action admitted plotting to kill an mp with a large knife. a serving british army corporal was jailed for national action membership. he collected a frightening array of weapons. in all, 19 people have now been convicted of remaining members after the ban. . . :. , convicted of remaining members after the ban. , , :, , ., :, , the ban. this is a very dangerous u-rou the ban. this is a very dangerous a-rou of the ban. this is a very dangerous group of individuals. _ the ban. this is a very dangerous group of individuals. they - the ban. this is a very dangerousj group of individuals. they sought the ban. this is a very dangerous i group of individuals. they sought to push forward that extreme,

right—wing ideology, their use of violence was seen as a method to do that, they clearly thought that it was acceptable to use weapons, to further their ideological cause. the trial heard how this man, and neo—nazi living in moscow whose real name, helped coordinate contacts between national action and the violent neo—nazi group in america. it also heard alex davis had twice been referred to the government's counter extremism programme prevent as a teenager but that hasn't stopped him setting up the most dangerous neo—nazi group britain has seen for decades. it's 15 months since nasa successfully landed its perseverance rover on mars and since then it's been doing plenty of raving and i5 then it's been doing plenty of raving and is ready for the most important part of the mission,

searching for signs of life. our science editor has the details. the parachute has deployed and we are seeing significant deceleration. it's a mission that began with a jaw—dropping descent, beaming back real footage of a mars landing, as nasa's perseverance rover was lowered onto the martian surface. over the last year, it's revealed the planet as never seen before — taking some selfies along the way. it's been busy trundling across the dusty terrain... ..and it's made history by flying a helicopter — the first powered flight on another planet. now perseverance is ready to begin the most important part of its mission — hunting for signs of life — and it's reached an area where it has the best chance of finding it. i have been staring at this delta for years now, mostly in orbiter images, and now we're finally right in front of it, seeing it through the eyes of the rover. we know there was once liquid water on the surface of mars. we know there are organics on the surface of mars.

and so all signs point to the surface of mars, 3.5 to 4 billion years ago, being a habitable planet. the rover�*s exploring an area called thejezero crater. billions of years ago, it was a huge lake — you can clearly see a river running into it. and this gives you an idea of what it once would have looked like. if we zoom in, this coloured area shows where the river met the lake, depositing sediment to create a delta. the rover landed here, in the floor of the crater. it's spent more than a year travelling the seven miles — that's about 11 kilometres — to get to the base of the delta. now it has a 40—metre climb to reach the top, so it's deployed the mini mars helicopter to scout the best path ahead. the scientists hope the rover�*s high—tech instruments will find clear signatures of life... ..but the best samples will be left on the martian surface, and collected by a future mission that will bring the rocks back to earth.

imagine if we found evidence that there was some sort of microscopic life there. that's huge — it's mind—blowing in a way — and so i think the opportunity to look for that and bring it back to earth and then see what we see is going to rewrite history books regardless of the answer! the mission is revealing the eerie beauty of mars — even showing us a martian solar eclipse, and capturing sounds of the rover hard at work. tapping. the red planet is dry and dusty today, but exploring the delta over the next six months will give us a new window into its past, and could finally answer the question of whether life ever existed on mars. rebecca morelle, bbc news. swimming lenders warning rising energy bills could force some pools and leisure centres to be shut down. i will correspond at a pool in

somerset to tell us more. families enjoying the fun of the water. this is alfred's first time in the pool, i5 alfred's first time in the pool, his mum feels it's important to him to learn to swim. but as pool operators struggle with rising energy bills, prices are on the up. it's difficult to pay more because everything is going up, the petrol i5 everything is going up, the petrol is going up to get yet, it's going to be harder and we're going to have to be harder and we're going to have to cut down on the paid activities we do. �* . to cut down on the paid activities we do. �* , , , to cut down on the paid activities wedo. h, , to cut down on the paid activities wedo. , :,:, we do. uk's biggest pool operator runs the council— we do. uk's biggest pool operator runs the council leisure _ we do. uk's biggest pool operator runs the council leisure centre - we do. uk's biggest pool operator runs the council leisure centre in l runs the council leisure centre in cornwall. they say the average cost of running the pool has gone up by almost a quarter of a million and that energy costs have gone up by 150% since 2019, meaning an additional 35 million in costs. these are our gas boilers. swimming fees have already _ these are our gas boilers. swimming fees have already gone _ these are our gas boilers. swimming fees have already gone up _ these are our gas boilers. swimming fees have already gone up by - these are our gas boilers. swimming fees have already gone up by 596. .. i fees have already gone up by 5%...

the foreign secretary liz truss i5 the foreign secretary liz truss is about to start speaking on the northern ireland protocol. mr speaker, i would like to update the house on the northern ireland protocol and to lay out the next steps. howeverfirst protocol and to lay out the next steps. however first priority is to uphold the belfast good friday agreement in all its dimensions. that agreement put in place a new arrangement for the governance of northern ireland and these islands composed of three interlocking stripes. a power—sharing government at stormont on the basis of consent and parity of esteem for all communities. intensified north—south cooperation on the island of ireland. and enhanced arrangements for east—west co—operation. so much of the progress that we have seen in northern ireland rests on this

agreement and for the agreement shall continue to operate successfully all three strands must function successfully. these are the arrangements and the foundation on which the modern thriving northern ireland is built. it commands the support of parties across this house and we will continue to work with all communities in northern ireland to protect it. as a government, we want to see a first minister and deputy first minister in place and we want to work with them to make further progress. the basis for successful power—sharing remains strong as my right honourable friend the prime minister laid out yesterday. however, the belfast good friday agreement is under strain and regrettably northern ireland executive has not been fully functioning since early february. this is because the northern ireland protocol does not have the support necessary in one part of the

community in northern ireland. i would also note that all of northern ireland plasma political parties agree on the need for changes to the protocol. the practical problems are clear to see. as the house will know the protocol has not yet been implement in full due to the operation of grace periods and easements. however eu customs procedures for moving goods within the uk have already meant companies are facing significant costs and paperwork. some businesses have stopped trade altogether. these challenges have been sharpened by the postcode economic recovery. rules on taxation means that citizens in northern ireland are unable to benefit fully from the same advantages as the rest of the uk. like the reduction in vat on solar panels. sbs rules means that

producers face restrictions including veterinary certification including veterinary certification in order to sell foodstuffs in shops in order to sell foodstuffs in shops in northern ireland. these practical problems have contributed to the sense that the east—west relationship has been undermined. without resolving these and other issues, we will not be able to re—establish the executive and preserve the hard won progress sustained by the belfast good friday agreement. we need to restore the balance in the agreement. mr speaker, our preference is to reach a negotiated outcome with the eu and we have worked tirelessly to that end and will continue to do so. i have had six months of negotiations with the vice president and this follows a year of discussions undertaken by my predecessor. the uk

has proposed what we believe to be a comprehensive and reasonable solution to deliver on the objectives of the protocol. this includes a trusted trader scheme to provide the eu with real—time commercial data, giving them confidence that goods intended to northern ireland are not entering the eu single market. we are already sharing over1 million rows of data with the eu every week. our proposed solution would meet both our and the eu's original objectives for the protocol. it would address the friction is an east—west trade while protecting the eu single market and the belfast good friday agreement. the challenges, this solution requires a change in the protocol itself as its current drafting prevents it from being implemented. but the eu's mandate does not allow the protocol to be changed. that is

why their current proposals are not able to address the fundamental concerns. in fact it is our assessment that they would go backward from the situation we have today with a standstill. a5 backward from the situation we have today with a standstill. as the prime minister said, our shared objective has to be to find a solution that can command the broadest possible cross community support for years to come and protect the belfast good friday agreement and all its dimensions. that is why i am announcing our intention to introduce legislation intention to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to make changes in the coming weeks to make changes in the coming weeks to make changes in the protocol. our preference remains the negotiated solution with the eu. in parallel with the legislation being introduced, we remain open to further talks if we can achieve the same outcome through a negotiated settlement. i have invited the vice president to a meeting of the withdrawal agreement

joint committee to discuss this as soon as possible. to respond to the very grave and serious situation in northern ireland we are clear there is a duty to act to ensure normal order can be restored as soon as possible. the bill in alignment with international law and in support of our prior obligations with the belfast good friday agreement was that we will consult businesses and people in northern ireland before changes as our proposals are put forward. i want to be clear to the house this is not about scrapping the protocol. our aim is to deliver on the protocol�*s objectives. we will cement those provisions which are working in the protocol including the common travel area,

single electricity market and north— south cooperation. whilst fixing those elements that are not, on the movement of goods, goods regulation, vat, subsidy control and governance. the bill will put in place the necessary measures to lessen the burden on east—west trade and ensure the people of northern ireland are able to access the same benefits as the people of great britain. the bill will ensure bills moving and staying within the uk are freed of unnecessary bureaucracy through our new green channel, respecting northern ireland's place in the uk, in its customs territory and protects the uk internal market. at the same time, it ensures goods destined for the eu undergo the full checks and controls applied under eur. this will be underpinned by data sharing arrangements that i have already set out. it will allow

both east—west trade and the eu single market to be protected whilst removing customs paperwork for goods remaining in the united kingdom. the bill will remove regulatory barriers to goods made to uk standards being sold in northern ireland. businesses will be able to choose between heating uk or eu standards in a new deal regulatory regime. the bill will provide the government with the ability to decide on tax—and—spend policies across the whole of the uk. it will address issues related to governance, bringing the protocol in line with international laws. at the same time it will take new measures to protect the eu single market by implementing robust penalties for those who seek to abuse the new system. and it will continue to ensure there is no hard border on

the island of ireland. i will publish more detail on these solutions in the coming weeks, let me be crystal clear, even as we do so we will continue to engage with the eu. the bill will contain an explicit power to give effect to new revised protocol if we can reach an accommodation that meets our goal of protecting the belfast good friday agreement. we remain open to a negotiated solution. but the urgency of the situation means we cannot afford to delay any longer. the uk has clear responsibilities as a sovereign government of northern ireland to ensure parity of esteem and the protection of economic rights. we are clear that the eu will not be negatively impacted in any way. just as we have ensure the protection of the eu single market since the existence of the protocol. we must restore the primacy of the

belfast good friday agreement and all of its dimensions as the basis of the restoration of the executive. and we will do so through technical measures designed to achieve the stated objectives of the protocol, tailored to the reality of northern ireland. we will do so in a way that fundamentally respects both unions. that of the united kingdom and of the eu. we will live up to our commitments of all communities of northern ireland. a5 co—signatory, co—guarantor of the belfast good friday agreement, we will take the necessary decisions to preserve peace as that verity. i commend this statement to the house. —— peace and stability. taste statement to the house. -- peace and stabili . ~ :. statement to the house. -- peace and stabili . 9 :, :, ., stability. we are grateful for advance side _ stability. we are grateful for advance side of _ stability. we are grateful for advance side of the - stability. we are grateful for. advance side of the statement stability. we are grateful for- advance side of the statement from the foreign secretary, apologies on behalf of the shadow foreign secretary, self isolating due to covid. over2.5 secretary, self isolating due to covid. over 2.5 years since the

withdrawal agreement was signed and negotiated. including the good friday agreement, clear from the outset, the controls and checks on the irish sea, barely two years later the government is trying to convince people its flagship achievement was not in negotiating triumph but a deal so flawed they cannot abide weight. either they cannot abide weight. either they cannot understand their own agreement, they were not up front about the reality of it all they intended to break it all along. the prime minister negotiated this deal, signed it, run an election campaign on it, he must take responsibility for it and make it work. the situation in northern ireland is incredibly serious. power—sharing has broken down, stormont i5 incredibly serious. power—sharing has broken down, stormont is not functioning, political tensions have risen. people in communities across northern ireland face rising bills as the cost of living crisis deepens. the operation of the protocol has created new tensions that do need to be addressed by

listening to all sides, to business and consumers. both the uk government and eu need to show willing and good faith, this is not a time for political posturing or high—stakes brinksmanship. everyone recognises the situation in northern ireland is unique and we want checks to be reduced to a necessary minimum and properly reflect trade —related risks. it cannot be right goods leaving great britain that have no prospect of leaving northern ireland —like supermarket sandwiches face the same burdens. unnecessary barriers will only hamper business, inhibit trade, undermine confidence and consent. the good friday agreement was one of the proudest achievements of the last labour government, it is essential it is protected and that is why we need calm heads and responsible leadership. we need a uk government capable of the heart, diplomatic graph to find solutions and an eu willing to show flexibility. the

right response to these challenges cannot simply be to broach our commitments. it is deeply troubling for the foreign secretary to propose a bill to break the treaty the government itself signed just two years ago. that will not resolve issues in northern ireland in the long term and rather it will undermine trust, make a breakthrough more difficult. drive a downward spiral in our relationship with the eu that will have damaging consequences for british businesses and consumers. it is cornish fisherman, scotch whisky makers, county down farmers who will lose out, holding back the economy, growth forecasts are already being revised down. this goes beyond matters of trade, britain should be a country that keeps its word. the rest of the world is looking at us and wondering if they are wanting to do business with us. when we seek to negotiate new things, does the government want to make other countries question whether we will keep a rent of the bargain? there are wide ranging, damaging repercussions undermining our ability to hold others to account

for their own commitments when we should for example the pulling together in of ukraine, not feeling divisions with our european allies. the right approaches for the government and the eu to work together to find practical solutions together to find practical solutions to these problems. to brief the media less and to negotiate more. there is no long term you only a solution that works for all sides and has durability and will provide political stability. and has durability and will provide politicalstability. —— and has durability and will provide political stability. —— no long—term durability. new zealand, mr speaker, has an equivalence agreement and it should not be beyond the government and eu to negotiate one that reflects the unique circumstances in northern ireland. we would also negotiate with the eu for more flexibility in vat in northern ireland to fully align northern ireland to fully align northern ireland vat rules with great britain and words use that to take vat off northern ireland's energy bills

funded by a one—off windfall tax on oil and gas profits to ease the cost of living crisis. if the government is determined to plough on with the bill the foreign secretary has proposed, will be a greater scrutiny with the foreign affairs select committee? and set out clearly why this does not break international law. labourwants this does not break international law. labour wants to make brexit work and for britain to flourish outside the eu. we want the government... la to ta ke to take responsibility for the deal it signed to negotiate in good faith and find practical solutions, not to take regular steps to prolong uncertainty in northern ireland and damage britain's reputation. we want the eu to show the necessary possibility. listen to all sides in northern ireland. that is the right, responsible approach and what is in the long—term interests of the people of northern ireland and indeed the whole of the united

kingdom. indeed the whole of the united kin . dom. indeed the whole of the united kinudom. , :, , :,, :, indeed the whole of the united kinudom. , :, , :, , kingdom. our priority has to be as the united kingdom _ kingdom. our priority has to be as the united kingdom government i kingdom. our priority has to be as - the united kingdom government peace and stability in northern ireland. and the protection of the belfast good friday agreement. it is vitally important that we get the executive back up and running and functioning. and we fix the very real issues with the northern ireland protocol. i welcome the honourable gentleman's acknowledgement there are issues with taxation, with customs, with procedures and bureaucracy. in order to fix those issues, it does require the eu to be open to changing the protocol. a5 the eu to be open to changing the protocol. as yet, and i have had six months of talks with vice president sefcovic, my predecessor had 12 months of talks, as yet the eu have been willing to open the protocol. without that, we cannot deal with the tax issue, the customs issue and

will not sort out the fundamental issues in northern ireland. it is our responsibility as the government of the united kingdom to restore the primacy of the belfast good friday agreement, to catch the executive up and running. in answerto agreement, to catch the executive up and running. in answer to the honourable gentleman's question about legality, we are very clear this is legal in international law. we will be setting out our legal position in due course. the first duty of government is to uphold the law. if it tries to bob and weave and attack around that duty when it is inconvenient, if government does that then so will the government. nothing is safe, not home liberty but life itself, margaret thatcher's words. respect for the rule of law runs deep in our

tory veins. ifind it for the rule of law runs deep in our tory veins. i find it extraordinary that a tory government needs to be reminded of that. could my right honourable friend assuming that support for and honouring of the rule of law is important to them? we are committed to upholding the rule of law. we are clear this bill is legal. in international law. and we will set out the legal position in due course. will set out the legal position in due course-— will set out the legal position in due course. :, :, ~ :, due course. can i thank the foreign secretary for _ due course. can i thank the foreign secretary for advanced _ due course. can i thank the foreign secretary for advanced sight - due course. can i thank the foreign secretary for advanced sight of - due course. can i thank the foreign secretary for advanced sight of her| secretary for advanced sight of her statement? we have heard plenty about the alleged shortcomings of the protocol. just to have an acknowledgement of the government of my own role in negotiating the protocol, it does not even seem to have reached the level of even being limited and specific in what we have heard today. ultimately the problem that this legislation purports to do with is not to do with the protocol

only made necessary by the kind of brexit the government eventually negotiated, the very nature of that that contained the seeds of the problem. i do not delight for one moment and neither do my colleagues the hurt and upset caused by many to northern ireland by the protocol. let's not forget that scotland and northern ireland as a whole both voted against brexit and there was naught cross union consent. if the consequences of that deal are judged to not be working in the best interests of the people of northern ireland, we need mr speaker to also be honest and recognise the consequence of the entire withdrawal agreement are not working in the interest of anywhere else in the uk other. getting brexit done has great punishment meant creating projects. it is an absolute free sta ble

stable agreement which works for all parts of