lovely to see you both. i'lljust take our viewers through some of the front pages. the metro leads with the cost of living crisis, and claims that some families are getting food poisoning because they're turning off their fridges and freezers to save money. the ft focuses on comments by the chancellor that the next few months will be "tough" and that he can't control "global forces". the guardian leads with comments by the new chief inspector of constabulary, who says the cost of living crisis could lead to an increase in crime. the telegraph reports that vladimir putin is stealing grain and destroying farm machinery in ukraine in a deliberate attempt to disrupt food supplies. tories�* triple tax cut boost is the mail's headline — it says rishi sunak is drawing up plans for a major package to help with energy bills injuly,

potentially by cutting council tax. the sun has more from the "wagatha christie" court case and says rebekah vardy and her husband, jamie, will move to us in the wake of the embarrasing revelations at the high court. that was our quick look through the front pages. lovely to have you both this evening. just got my glasses, i'm blind without them. kate, if you could kick us off with the front page of the metro, and a really disturbing story featured on this front page, this case study that they mentioned.— front page, this case study that they mentioned. this is from a food bank, and some _ they mentioned. this is from a food bank, and some of— they mentioned. this is from a food bank, and some of the _ they mentioned. this is from a food bank, and some of the language - they mentioned. this is from a food | bank, and some of the language and it is really disturbing and upsetting, telling stories of parents who have accidentally poisoned their children because they've turned to the fridge off or only using one light bulb, sending their children to school hungry.

this is a really vivid picture of what these huge rises in the cost of living actually mean to people. it's really upsetting to read it. what really upsetting to read it. what did ou really upsetting to read it. what did you make — really upsetting to read it. what did you make of— really upsetting to read it. what did you make of it _ really upsetting to read it. what did you make of it when - really upsetting to read it. what did you make of it when you went through it? it did you make of it when you went through it?— did you make of it when you went throu~h it? .,, , , ., ., through it? it was pretty harrowing to read about _ through it? it was pretty harrowing to read about the _ through it? it was pretty harrowing to read about the impact _ through it? it was pretty harrowing to read about the impact on - through it? it was pretty harrowing to read about the impact on the i to read about the impact on the individuals and families that this is having, — individuals and families that this is having, because it's quite easy to get— is having, because it's quite easy to get lost— is having, because it's quite easy to get lost in the bigger numbers and the _ to get lost in the bigger numbers and the global economic politics in terms _ and the global economic politics in terms of— and the global economic politics in terms of what's going on, but thinking — terms of what's going on, but thinking about it on an individual and personal level is what brings it home _ and personal level is what brings it home i_ and personal level is what brings it home. i think this is what the government really needs to think about— government really needs to think about in— government really needs to think about in terms of bringing forward action— about in terms of bringing forward action to _ about in terms of bringing forward action to help people sooner rather than iater~ — action to help people sooner rather than later. ~ . ~ action to help people sooner rather than later. ~ ., ,, ., than later. when we talk about action to help _ than later. when we talk about action to help people, - than later. when we talk about action to help people, rishi - than later. when we talk about. action to help people, rishi sunak says he can't fix everything. he sa s he says he can't fix everything. he: says he can't fix everything. he:

says he can't fix everything. he: says he can't fix everything, but he was speaking at the tbi earlier today saying he will cut taxes, but business taxes. you can see the logic of that, because the idea is its burden to growth and job creation. but that feels like leaving out the people really hardest hit by all this, which is individuals, families. it seems a bit misplaced to think about cutting business taxes rather than personal taxes. ., . ., , business taxes rather than personal taxes. ., _, , _, taxes. one of the comments coming from the aa, — taxes. one of the comments coming from the aa, because _ taxes. one of the comments coming from the aa, because the _ taxes. one of the comments coming i from the aa, because the chancellor did outline some of the measures that he's already put in place, i think it was £22 billion worth of a support package — just looking at the highest prices on record for petrol and diesel, the aa details the chancellor's fuel duty cut was wiped out in 55 days.— the chancellor's fuel duty cut was wiped out in 55 days. yes, and that is one example _ wiped out in 55 days. yes, and that is one example of _ wiped out in 55 days. yes, and that is one example of the _ wiped out in 55 days. yes, and that is one example of the rises - wiped out in 55 days. yes, and that is one example of the rises acrossl is one example of the rises across

the board — is one example of the rises across the board in— is one example of the rises across the board in food prices and clothing _ the board in food prices and clothing. the government has taken steps _ clothing. the government has taken steps and _ clothing. the government has taken steps and spent money trying to help people. _ steps and spent money trying to help people, but the scale of the problem is immense. there's been global factors, — is immense. there's been global factors, like supply chain issues, but factors, like supply chain issues, hut this— factors, like supply chain issues, but this means the government needs to go back— but this means the government needs to go back to the drawing board and think about — to go back to the drawing board and think about what else can happen now _ think about what else can happen now. , _ think about what else can happen now , that— think about what else can happen now. , that means inviting more investment, _ now. , that means inviting more investment, but the question really is, how— investment, but the question really is, how does this help people now? because _ is, how does this help people now? because helping businesses will have a localised _ because helping businesses will have a localised impact, but the cost of living _ a localised impact, but the cost of living crisis— a localised impact, but the cost of living crisis is affecting everybody and this— living crisis is affecting everybody and this is— living crisis is affecting everybody and this is what the government needs— and this is what the government needs to — and this is what the government needs to think about quite carefully. needs to think about quite carefully-— needs to think about quite carefull . ., ., . ., carefully. turning to the financial times, carefully. turning to the financial times. the _ carefully. turning to the financial times, the story _ carefully. turning to the financial times, the story we _ carefully. turning to the financial times, the story we are - carefully. turning to the financial times, the story we are looking l carefully. turning to the financial| times, the story we are looking at their is "sunak warns of tough times ahead as inflation reads the a0 year high of 9%." certainly the bank of

england says that the strain could result at worse in a recession? recession, really high inflation — i remember what it was like in the 19805 and 905 when interest rates were really high, as well, and it just feels like we are being squeezed from every corner at the moment. it is difficult for the government to fend off all these pressures from every corner, but it's worth remembering that brexit has made this worse for all of us. the uk is doing significantly worse than other countries in the european block. �* ,., , than other countries in the european block. �* , ,, .,~ , than other countries in the european block. �* , ,, , ., block. also rishi sunak continues to outline and underscore _ block. also rishi sunak continues to outline and underscore the - block. also rishi sunak continues to outline and underscore the fact - block. also rishi sunak continues to outline and underscore the fact the l outline and underscore the fact the factors affecting this. a bit of a storm, you've got the war in ukraine, existing inflation as covid—19 restrictions were raised,

and here we are now. find covid-19 restrictions were raised, and here we are now.— covid-19 restrictions were raised, and here we are now. and you've also had economies _ and here we are now. and you've also had economies around _ and here we are now. and you've also had economies around the _ and here we are now. and you've also had economies around the world - had economies around the world coming — had economies around the world coming out of locked down over the last few _ coming out of locked down over the last few years, which must've had some _ last few years, which must've had some impact in terms of global finances. — some impact in terms of global finances, and just the way we are seeing _ finances, and just the way we are seeing now _ finances, and just the way we are seeing now. but the challenge is for the government now, in the pandemic, it took— the government now, in the pandemic, it took unprecedented steps to help people. _ it took unprecedented steps to help people. it _ it took unprecedented steps to help people, it spent lots of money. so it has— people, it spent lots of money. so it has shown it can help and take these _ it has shown it can help and take these steps. it's trying to move away— these steps. it's trying to move away from _ these steps. it's trying to move away from that, it doesn't want the taxpayer— away from that, it doesn't want the taxuayer to — away from that, it doesn't want the taxpayer to be the first port of call for — taxpayer to be the first port of call for everything — but once you've — call for everything — but once you've taken these measures, it's quite _ you've taken these measures, it's quite hard — you've taken these measures, it's quite hard to then roll back and say there's a _ quite hard to then roll back and say there's a limit to what we can do. i think— there's a limit to what we can do. i think that — there's a limit to what we can do. i think that will be the debate going forward _ think that will be the debate going forward. ., ., forward. turning to the front page ofthe forward. turning to the front page of the daily _ forward. turning to the front page of the daily mail," _ forward. turning to the front page of the daily mail," triple - forward. turning to the front page of the daily mail," triple tax-cut l of the daily mail," triple tax—cut boost" to ease the cost of living

crisis. as a former tory adviser, what sort of conversations do you expect are taking place right now? and when you look at the way the government is operating, do you think they are unified between number ten and think they are unified between numberten and 11? think they are unified between number ten and 11? i think they are unified between number ten and 11?— think they are unified between number ten and 11? i don't think there is unity. — number ten and 11? i don't think there is unity, they _ number ten and 11? i don't think there is unity, they are - number ten and 11? i don't think there is unity, they are being i there is unity, they are being pulled — there is unity, they are being pulled in _ there is unity, they are being pulled in different directions, i think— pulled in different directions, i think the — pulled in different directions, i think the chancellor is quite keen to go— think the chancellor is quite keen to go back— think the chancellor is quite keen to go back to some kind of fiscal conservatism and show that the state can't do _ conservatism and show that the state can't do everything and shouldn't do everything. — can't do everything and shouldn't do everything, and health should be targeted — everything, and health should be targeted. my sense of the prime minister— targeted. my sense of the prime minister probably wants to see more action— minister probably wants to see more action and _ minister probably wants to see more action and movement on the cost of living, _ action and movement on the cost of living, and _ action and movement on the cost of living, and you have these false starts _ living, and you have these false starts about an emergency budget, the government prevaricating on a windfaii— the government prevaricating on a windfall of tax it doesn't really want _ windfall of tax it doesn't really want to — windfall of tax it doesn't really want to give labour a win here who've — want to give labour a win here who've been proposing this for a white, _ who've been proposing this for a white, but — who've been proposing this for a while, but behind the scenes there are many— while, but behind the scenes there are many conservative mps and ministers — are many conservative mps and ministers who are saying "read the

room: _ ministers who are saying "read the room. look— ministers who are saying "read the room, look at what's happening now, we need _ room, look at what's happening now, we need to— room, look at what's happening now, we need to do that sooner rather than _ we need to do that sooner rather than iaterf' _ we need to do that sooner rather than later- "— we need to do that sooner rather than later." this is an awful lot of ressure than later." this is an awful lot of pressure for _ than later." this is an awful lot of pressure for the _ than later." this is an awful lot of pressure for the government, - than later." this is an awful lot of pressure for the government, but it's shown it can pull rabbits out of the bag when necessary —— out of the hat. the level of crisis particularly down to families and individuals, it's time to pull something out of the hat. what you think of one — something out of the hat. what you think of one of _ something out of the hat. what you think of one of these _ think of one of these options featured on the front page of the daily mail, and that is the fact that one option under examination is this change to the universal credit rules? i this change to the universal credit rules? . �* this change to the universal credit rules? ., �* , , ., rules? i haven't seen the rest of the story. _ rules? i haven't seen the rest of the story, unfortunately, - rules? i haven't seen the rest of the story, unfortunately, it - rules? i haven't seen the rest of the story, unfortunately, it cuts| the story, unfortunately, it cuts off right at the bottom, so not quite sure what's going on there. i also see it on the front of the daily mail, they're talking about cutting council tax, and also potentially business leaders having their taxes cut, which we talked about earlier, as well. billing this

is a triple tax—cut boost is possibly over egging the putting a bit because these are possible measures that haven't been decided yet, so everything is still up to grabs —— for grabs. i5 yet, so everything is still up to grabs -- for grabs.— yet, so everything is still up to grabs -- for grabs. is this the way to no for grabs -- for grabs. is this the way to go for the _ grabs -- for grabs. is this the way to go for the tories? _ grabs -- for grabs. is this the way to go for the tories? in _ grabs -- for grabs. is this the way to go for the tories? in some - grabs -- for grabs. is this the way i to go for the tories? in some ways, es, ou to go for the tories? in some ways, yes. you have _ to go for the tories? in some ways, yes. you have to — to go for the tories? in some ways, yes, you have to take _ to go for the tories? in some ways, yes, you have to take all— to go for the tories? in some ways, yes, you have to take all these - yes, you have to take all these measures— yes, you have to take all these measures and think about future job creation _ measures and think about future job creation and investment. but i think the most pressing thing now, as we've _ the most pressing thing now, as we've seen— the most pressing thing now, as we've seen the government intervene before, _ we've seen the government intervene before, is— we've seen the government intervene before, is looking at the individual cases— before, is looking at the individual cases and — before, is looking at the individual cases and the impact on families the country _ cases and the impact on families the country. we've seen this manifest in the locai— country. we've seen this manifest in the local elections that we just had, the — the local elections that we just had, the cost of living is now the biggest — had, the cost of living is now the biggest political challenge facing the government and the biggest real—world challenge facing people across _ real—world challenge facing people across the country. and if people are going — across the country. and if people are going to see an improvement to this, i_ are going to see an improvement to this, ithink— are going to see an improvement to this, i think that could bear quite badly— this, i think that could bear quite badly on the government's electoral prospects _ badly on the government's electoral prospects going forward. the badly on the government's electoral prospects going forward.— prospects going forward. the front .a i e prospects going forward. the front -a~e of prospects going forward. the front page of the _ prospects going forward. the front page of the guardian _ prospects going forward. the front page of the guardian brings -

prospects going forward. the front page of the guardian brings it - prospects going forward. the front i page of the guardian brings it home very sharply, when we talk about real—world challenges. 0ne very sharply, when we talk about real—world challenges. one of the things the police chiefs are warning is that, in terms of people managing or rather trying to get around the rules, we could see a surgeon crime? this isjust rules, we could see a surgeon crime? this is just breathtaking, rules, we could see a surgeon crime? this isjust breathtaking, isn't rules, we could see a surgeon crime? this is just breathtaking, isn't it, it's almost dickensian when you look at it. the police are saying, "actually we might be so pathetic to people who find themselves having to steal to eat." we shouldn't need to have people stealing to eat. this perfect storm as you said earlier of all these pressures piling up, one after the other, from what's going on in ukraine and the impact that staffing on fuel prices, to the fact that we are talking about children going to school hungry — and now the police are saying "we might have to be quite lenient about people stealing because they need to eat." this is just shocking, stealing because they need to eat." this isjust shocking, really. hagar this is 'ust shocking, really. how do this isjust shocking, really. how do ou this isjust shocking, really. how do you do _ this isjust shocking, really. how

do you do your — this isjust shocking, really. how do you do yourjob _ this isjust shocking, really. how do you do yourjob in _ this isjust shocking, really. how do you do yourjob in terms of policing and still be concerned about trying to avoid being seen as the arm of an uncaring state? i mean, what a job. the arm of an uncaring state? i mean, whatajob. it the arm of an uncaring state? i mean, what a job.— the arm of an uncaring state? i mean, what a job. mean, what a 'ob. it is, it's very challenging. — mean, what ajob. it is, it's very challenging, and _ mean, what ajob. it is, it's very challenging, and it's _ mean, what ajob. it is, it's very challenging, and it's also - mean, what ajob. it is, it's very challenging, and it's also quite i challenging, and it's also quite mind—boggling when you read what's actuaiiy _ mind—boggling when you read what's actually been said in this story. because — actually been said in this story. because the broad point is i think that turning a blind eye to burglary is not _ that turning a blind eye to burglary is not the — that turning a blind eye to burglary is not the way to approach this, it's a _ is not the way to approach this, it's a bit— is not the way to approach this, it's a bit of— is not the way to approach this, it's a bit of a sticking plaster and more _ it's a bit of a sticking plaster and more help— it's a bit of a sticking plaster and more help will be needed to aid people — more help will be needed to aid people through this. but also the police _ people through this. but also the police do — people through this. but also the police do need to be careful around not almost — police do need to be careful around not almost giving carte blanche to shoplifting because there's no such thing _ shoplifting because there's no such thing as— shoplifting because there's no such thing as a _ shoplifting because there's no such thing as a victimless crime. and i think— thing as a victimless crime. and i think getting these messages from the police is actually a dangerous place _ the police is actually a dangerous place for— the police is actually a dangerous place for society to be an overall. because — place for society to be an overall. because you can imagine there is more who turned towards crime hoping they can get away with that once

they can get away with that once they see stories like this. let's turn to the telegraph and the weaponisation of food supplies, from president putin. this weaponisation of food supplies, from president putin.— president putin. this is quite challenging. _ president putin. this is quite challenging, as _ president putin. this is quite challenging, as well. - president putin. this is quite challenging, as well. in - president putin. this is quite challenging, as well. in a - president putin. this is quite i challenging, as well. in a way, president putin. this is quite - challenging, as well. in a way, it's not surprising at all, it makes sense as a response to the draconian sanctions placed on russia that putin would be responding by dismantling the infra— structure need for food production dismantling the infra— structure need forfood production in ukraine and blocking the port so nothing can come out. it's worth noting ukraine is the breadbasket of europe, if they can't get their grain exports out, it's at for —— it adds further to the pressure. russia has destroyed silos and other food production infrastructure in places like donetsk. this is all going to add further pressure to the cost of living, raw materials feet into the prices we pay. that mightjust make

things even worse. i prices we pay. that might 'ust make things even worseh things even worse. i think it also oints to things even worse. i think it also points to the _ things even worse. i think it also points to the desperation - things even worse. i think it also points to the desperation of - things even worse. i think it also points to the desperation of the | points to the desperation of the russian — points to the desperation of the russian leadership, and the fact that their— russian leadership, and the fact that their military efforts have effectively failed, or stalled at least — effectively failed, or stalled at least in — effectively failed, or stalled at least in ukraine, but they still want — least in ukraine, but they still want to— least in ukraine, but they still want to try and make an impact. and this is— want to try and make an impact. and this is certainly having an impact, there _ this is certainly having an impact, there is— this is certainly having an impact, there is a — this is certainly having an impact, there is a statistic here which shows— there is a statistic here which shows that more than 100 countries are now— shows that more than 100 countries are now being affected by the surge in food _ are now being affected by the surge in food and — are now being affected by the surge in food and energy prices. so there will be _ in food and energy prices. so there will be an— in food and energy prices. so there will be an impact, but i think the question— will be an impact, but i think the question domestically and around other— question domestically and around other countries in the world is, yes. _ other countries in the world is, yes, there _ other countries in the world is, yes, there will be ongoing support for ukraine and certainly the uk has led the _ for ukraine and certainly the uk has led the way— for ukraine and certainly the uk has led the way and that, but if we feel the pinch _ led the way and that, but if we feel the pinch at home, how long will that support be maintained for? i think— that support be maintained for? i think that — that support be maintained for? i think that would be quite worrying if that— think that would be quite worrying if that were to turn in some way. theres— if that were to turn in some way. there's a — if that were to turn in some way. there's a lot _ if that were to turn in some way. there's a lot of discussion there about the idea of a marshall plan and how long foreign governments can

continue to support ukraine. just a final point on this, i don't know if you want to pick this up — when we talk about ukraine, like you said, it was the breadbasket. now it's receiving the very aid it would've supplied with some of its cereals and grains, as well.— and grains, as well. that's right, and grains, as well. that's right, and itjust _ and grains, as well. that's right, and itjust makes _ and grains, as well. that's right, and it just makes very _ and grains, as well. that's right, and itjust makes very clear - and grains, as well. that's right, and it just makes very clear that| and itjust makes very clear that what happens in the world doesn't happen in isolation to an individual country. this isn'tjust russia and ukraine, this affects entire world. the guardian, we are still staying in ukraine — a haunting picture here of a boy and a bunker, only one child left behind in the ruins of ukrainian village. bud child left behind in the ruins of ukrainian village.— child left behind in the ruins of ukrainian village. and what i piece this is, directly _ ukrainian village. and what i piece this is, directly from _ ukrainian village. and what i piece this is, directly from the _ ukrainian village. and what i piece this is, directly from the front - this is, directly from the front line. — this is, directly from the front line, focused on this little boy who's— line, focused on this little boy who's lived underground since february. _ who's lived underground since february, since this horrific war began — february, since this horrific war began it's_ february, since this horrific war began. it's trying to paint a picture _ began. it's trying to paint a

picture of what you'd expect a young boy to _ picture of what you'd expect a young boy to be _ picture of what you'd expect a young boy to be doing, playing with his toys and — boy to be doing, playing with his toys and trying to have some kind of normality. but none of this is normal, _ normality. but none of this is normal, his whole experience is completely turned upside down, and what's _ completely turned upside down, and what's happening above ground is up horrendous. it'sjust a reminder that— horrendous. it'sjust a reminder that actually, this is still going on in _ that actually, this is still going on in it— that actually, this is still going on in it may have changed in intensity— on in it may have changed in intensity compared to where we were a few _ intensity compared to where we were a few months ago, but the longer term _ a few months ago, but the longer term human aspect i think is yet to be seen _ term human aspect i think is yet to be seen of— term human aspect i think is yet to be seen of this. it�*s term human aspect i think is yet to be seen of this.— be seen of this. it's the ptsd and trauma we've yet _ be seen of this. it's the ptsd and trauma we've yet to _ be seen of this. it's the ptsd and trauma we've yet to see - be seen of this. it's the ptsd and trauma we've yet to see unfold. i be seen of this. it's the ptsd and i trauma we've yet to see unfold. the other thing — trauma we've yet to see unfold. the other thing i— trauma we've yet to see unfold. tue: other thing i was trauma we've yet to see unfold. tte: other thing i was going trauma we've yet to see unfold. t"te: other thing i was going to trauma we've yet to see unfold. t'te: other thing i was going to say trauma we've yet to see unfold. tte: other thing i was going to say about this was, like the way the metro is reporting on the cost of living crisis here, as we discussed at the start, this is another piece that really focuses in on the individual impact of something huge that's happening. it's a fantastic picture that really makes your heart bleed for these people of ukraine,

particularly the children.