hello, welcome to bbc news. i'm victoria derbyshire and these are the latest headlines. ministers face calls to increase benefits and state pension now to help people struggling with the surge in cost of living. the chancellor says he knows things are challenging, and says he is ready to do more to help. the challenging, and says he is ready to do more to help.— challenging, and says he is ready to do more to help. the next few months will be tough. — do more to help. the next few months will be tough. but _ do more to help. the next few months will be tough, but where _ do more to help. the next few months will be tough, but where we _ do more to help. the next few months will be tough, but where we can - do more to help. the next few months will be tough, but where we can act, i will be tough, but where we can act, we will. . will be tough, but where we can act, we will, ., ., will be tough, but where we can act, we will. ., ., , ., 4, we will. so, what do you think the government _ we will. so, what do you think the government should _ we will. so, what do you think the government should do? _ we will. so, what do you think the government should do? should i we will. so, what do you think the i government should do? should they give you more help, or is the £9 billion they are giving to help people with fuel bills enough? and when should they do this? do let me know. the un warns that global food shortages and mass hunger in poorer countries could follow russia's invasion of ukraine.

there's new guidance for health professionals to spot eating disorders after hospital admissions rose by 84% in the last five years. the number of young men affected is higher than ever before. the line—up for the queen's platinum jubilee star—studded concert has been revealed, and it includes soul legend diana ross. rangers suffer an agonising penalty shootout defeat in their fifth european final as eintracht frankfurt picked up their second europa league trophy. ministers are facing growing calls to bring forward large increases in benefits and the state pension which will be paid from next april. charities want benefits to increase

now to help people struggling with the cost of living, particularly energy bills. last night the chancellor rushi sunak warned the next few months will tough as he spoke to business leaders about the rising cost of living. our political correspondent jonathan blake reports. high and getting higher. prices are rising faster than they have for decades. and we don't need inflation figures to tell us that. the rate at which goods are getting more expensive will be a worry for the chancellor, who last night warned of harder times ahead. there is no measure that any government could take, no law we could pass that can make these global forces disappear overnight. the next few months will be tough. but where we can act, we will. more than a hint of help to come for households struggling with soaring bills. he also said he would cut taxes on businesses to encourage them to invest. inflation this high, now at 9%, has not been seen

in the uk for a0 years. and looking back, figures show that when it rises to such a level, it can take years and not months as currently forecast to come down again. debate is raging in government about what to do and when to ease the rising cost of living. opposition parties and some conservatives say action is urgently needed. during the pandemic we saw an emergency response and i think the emergency is different now. but it still requires emergency response. a lot more needs to be done, a lot more needs to be done. that's why we absolutely need a windfall tax sooner rather than later. the oil companies have made £40 billion of profit. with no letup in sight for families feeling the effects of economic shocks from covid and the war in ukraine, the government is still weighing its options. but under increasing pressure to act. jonathan blake, bbc news.

let's speak to our chief political correspondent, adam fleming. the chancellor said again last night he is standing by, ready to help people. we keep hearing this from the prime minister and from him, but when? , ., ., , when? good question. i have 'ust listened to — when? good question. i have 'ust listened to the i when? good question. i havejust listened to the director-general l when? good question. i have just| listened to the director-general of listened to the director—general of the cbi on the radio saying there should be help for the most vulnerable right now, and that could be done without stoking inflation. that calls into question one of the government �*s arguments for not acting straightaway. rishi sunak last night was talking to an audience of business leaders, so it was a business focused speech. the centrepiece of it was talking about, or hinting that they would be tax cuts for businesses to encourage them to invest in people and staff and innovation later in the year. but of course, he had to address the cost of living, and he had quite a grim message which is that things are going to be bad and tough, in his words, for a few months. so this is not going to be over quickly. he

then said that the government �*s thinking was going to evolve as the situation evolves, which is a far cry from what treasury officials were telling us a few months ago, when they said the plan to do the rebate on council tax bills from april, and to rebate energy bills in october would get them through the year, that is no longer the case. he dropped a big hint about what that future support could look like, or at least what he thinks it should look like, and he said support should be targeted at the most vulnerable. it sounds to me like he is looking at expanding existing things like the warm homes discount, or the winter fuel payments, or stuff around the benefit system, rather than across—the—board tax rather than across—the—boa rd tax cuts rather than across—the—board tax cuts for everyone. although someone else who was on the airwaves this morning, a former adviser to george osborne, said there should be a vat cut 2.5 percentage points, back to what alistair darling did during the financial crisis.— financial crisis. what about this suggestion _ financial crisis. what about this suggestion from _ financial crisis. what about this suggestion from some - financial crisis. what about this i suggestion from some charities financial crisis. what about this - suggestion from some charities and politicians of bringing forward the

benefits and pension rise, which people are going to get from next april, which is always based on the inflation figure of the september before, so september 2010. we know inflation is going to be high —— back september 2022. the inflation is going to be high -- back september 2022. the government said to uuite back september 2022. the government said to quite a — back september 2022. the government said to quite a lot _ back september 2022. the government said to quite a lot of— back september 2022. the government said to quite a lot of derision _ back september 2022. the government said to quite a lot of derision last - said to quite a lot of derision last week that the computer system that does most of the benefit system could not be updated in a way that meant the increase could be brought forward. talking to treasury officials, they are insistent that thatis officials, they are insistent that that is the case, and they discovered during the pandemic that you couldn't do that. universal credit seems to be different, and so there are now calls from the tuc and others that actually, maybe we could increase universal credit payments, as was done in the pandemic. and then of course, you've got the question about what happens with the triple lock for pensions, that will be decided in the autumn budget as well. so yes, a lot to discuss, and the reason it seems a bit chaotic at the reason it seems a bit chaotic at the moment is because the government

is having those discussions and no decisions have been made. so everyone is weighing in with their favourite bit of support that could be offered, and you can see that with this idea of the windfall tax as well. it has been put forward by opposition parties that you tax the excess profits of the oil and gas companies, who are making billions because of the increase in global oil and gas prices. at the moment, the covenant has a holding position which is that they are not in favour of it, but they are not ruling it out if it's needed further down the line. government ministers are now picking their favourite half of that sentence, with some saying we don't like tax rises, it shouldn't happen at all, and other saying actually, it could be a good idea. so there is some growing pains around the government position on the windfall tax as well, so when you read the papers you can see one half of the government briefing against the other. ., ~' , ., government briefing against the other. . ~ ., the cost of living crisis deepends families throughout the uk are being faced with difficult choices sarah withrington a single mother of two boys

joinds us now from surrey. good morning. how are you doing at the moment?— good morning. how are you doing at the moment? every day is a struggle, eve week the moment? every day is a struggle, every week is — the moment? every day is a struggle, every week is a _ the moment? every day is a struggle, every week is a struggle. _ the moment? every day is a struggle, every week is a struggle. i _ the moment? every day is a struggle, every week is a struggle. i have - the moment? every day is a struggle, every week is a struggle. i have to - every week is a struggle. i have to budget very tightly. yes, luckily i have got online banking, so i have to check what is coming in and what is going out, shopping is very tight, as i say. two teenage boys. they do nothing but eat. and game and sleep. and everything is going up. i had to get rid of my car in the first lockdown, i just wasn't using it so it was sitting on the driveway and i had to give that up. my driveway and i had to give that up. my youngest is autistic, so i have a companion bus pass for him. i am doing what i can as a single parent, as many single parents out there are struggling with prices going up. my build, i have got more bills going out than i have coming in. i am left

with about £550 a month, and that is for food. with about £550 a month, and that is forfood. yes, that is with about £550 a month, and that is for food. yes, that is what i'm going through. for food. yes, that is what i'm going through-— for food. yes, that is what i'm going through. for food. yes, that is what i'm auaointhrouh. ., . , going through. have you received yet the £150 off your _ going through. have you received yet the £150 off your council _ going through. have you received yet the £150 off your council tax, - going through. have you received yet the £150 off your council tax, which l the £150 off your council tax, which is one of the things the government has... ., �* ~' is one of the things the government has... ., �* ~ _, has... no, i didn't thinki could a- -l has... no, i didn't thinki could apply for— has... no, i didn't thinki could apply for that- _ has... no, i didn't thinki could apply for that- i _ has... no, i didn't thinki could apply for that. i don't - has... no, i didn't thinki could apply for that. i don't know - has... no, i didn't thinki could| apply for that. i don't know how that works. i apply for that. i don't know how that works-— apply for that. i don't know how that works. . �* ., ., ., that works. i haven't heard of that. reau that works. i haven't heard of that. really question _ that works. i haven't heard of that. really question mark _ that works. i haven't heard of that. really question mark well, - that works. i haven't heard of that. really question mark well, if - that works. i haven't heard of that. really question mark well, if you i really question mark well, if you are in a particular council tax band,it are in a particular council tax band, it should just be cut off your bill, buti band, it should just be cut off your bill, but i know a lot of people haven't... i bill, but i know a lot of people haven't- - -_ bill, but i know a lot of people haven't... ., �* . ., haven't. .. i don't pay council tax. so it wouldn't _ haven't. .. i don't pay council tax. so it wouldn't help _ haven't. .. i don't pay council tax. so it wouldn't help you. - haven't. .. i don't pay council tax. so it wouldn't help you. right, i haven't. .. i don't pay council tax. | so it wouldn't help you. right, so in the autumn what you will get is a £200 discount on your energy bills because everyone is going to get that, but we have to pay it back slowly over the next few years. right. yes, british gas has gone up. i have raised my direct debit each month now. yes, just trying to budget as much as i can. [30

month now. yes, just trying to budget as much as i can. do you think it is _ budget as much as i can. do you think it is the — budget as much as i can. do you think it is the government - budget as much as i can. do you think it is the government 's - budget as much as i can. do you think it is the government 'sjob| budget as much as i can. do you i think it is the government 's job to help people who are really struggling right now with more measures?— struggling right now with more measures? ~ ., ., , , ., measures? when i am on benefits, and i know i'm measures? when i am on benefits, and i know i'm lucky — measures? when i am on benefits, and i know i'm lucky to _ measures? when i am on benefits, and i know i'm lucky to have _ measures? when i am on benefits, and i know i'm lucky to have that _ measures? when i am on benefits, and i know i'm lucky to have that and - i know i'm lucky to have that and i'm lucky to have a council house, but you can't save on benefits. it is not for that. it is living, it is existing. as i say, i have got rid of my car, i'm helping my mum out more because she can't drive, so i am using her car. even so, it'sjust an ongoing struggle. i have struggled for 1h years i've been raising the boys are my own, and i don't get child maintenance or anything like that either. it is just an ongoing struggle for me, and things are getting tighter as we come out of the pandemic. things are tiuht. come out of the pandemic. things are tiht. do come out of the pandemic. things are tight- do you — come out of the pandemic. things are tight. do you think _ come out of the pandemic. things are tight. do you think the _ come out of the pandemic. things are tight. do you think the prime - tight. do you think the prime minister and his top team get it? no, not at all. i think they live in not our reality.—

not our reality. well, they have uiven £9 not our reality. well, they have given £9 billion _ not our reality. well, they have given £9 billion of _ not our reality. well, they have given £9 billion of support, - not our reality. well, they have i given £9 billion of support, that's not an insignificant sum.- given £9 billion of support, that's not an insignificant sum. well, they need to see — not an insignificant sum. well, they need to see what _ not an insignificant sum. well, they need to see what it _ not an insignificant sum. well, they need to see what it is _ not an insignificant sum. well, they need to see what it is like _ not an insignificant sum. well, they need to see what it is like raising i need to see what it is like raising two children on your own and having an autistic challenging child as well. no, it is a different life. sarah, thank you for talking to us. we appreciate it. thank you. sarah, bringing up her two boys on her own. i'm joined now by kate bell, head of economics at the trade unions congress. thank you for talking to us. i mean, £9 billion they have put in to help people. £9 billion they have put in to help --eole. ., £9 billion they have put in to help neale, ., £9 billion they have put in to help --eole. ., ., £9 billion they have put in to help neale, ., ., , £9 billion they have put in to help n-eole. ., ., , ., £9 billion they have put in to help theole, ., ., , ., ., people. you say that is not enough. absolutely it's _ people. you say that is not enough. absolutely it's not _ people. you say that is not enough. absolutely it's not enough, - people. you say that is not enough. absolutely it's not enough, and - people. you say that is not enough. absolutely it's not enough, and you| absolutely it's not enough, and you have just heard from sarah there how desperately she needs support. i think we have seen before and we saw in the pandemic that when families are facing this kind of emergency, government does have to step in and help. we absolutely need a big increase in social security now to help families cope with rising energy bills, where they have no options left. they are already

cutting food at the table to pay those bills. we cutting food at the table to pay those bills-— cutting food at the table to pay those bills. ~ ~ ., ., ., ., those bills. we know that inflation in a - ril those bills. we know that inflation in april was _ those bills. we know that inflation in april was 7% — those bills. we know that inflation in april was 7% and _ those bills. we know that inflation in april was 7% and is _ those bills. we know that inflation in april was 7% and is now - those bills. we know that inflation in april was 7% and is now 9% - those bills. we know that inflation in april was 7% and is now 9% and | those bills. we know that inflation i in april was 7% and is now 9% and is projected to go to 10%, are you saying bring forward the rise that's going to come next year to now? we could, going to come next year to now? - could, but for a long time we thought benefits needed a significant increase. at the moment, benefits are worth around 14% of your wages. benefits are worth around 14% of yourwages. back benefits are worth around 14% of your wages. back in 1982 when inflation was this high, they were worth about 25% of your wages, so the value of our benefit system has gone down over the years. that's one reason why families are struggling to cope now. as sarah just said, reason why families are struggling to cope now. as sarahjust said, you can't save if you are receiving benefits. we want people to be saving, we want people to put a little bit aside, but because our benefit system has been cut again and again overtime, benefit system has been cut again and again over time, familiesjust can't do that. it is notjust about emergency help, it is about making our social security system fit for the future and families more able to cope when challenges like this come

along. cope when challenges like this come alonu. ~ ., , ., cope when challenges like this come alonu. ~ ., ., ., cope when challenges like this come alona.~ ., ., ., , , along. where are you on wage rises because the — along. where are you on wage rises because the bank— along. where are you on wage rises because the bank of _ along. where are you on wage rises because the bank of england - along. where are you on wage rises because the bank of england has i along. where are you on wage rises i because the bank of england has said people should not be asking for rises anywhere near the rate of inflation, but do you agree there should be wage restraint? absolutely not. wares should be wage restraint? absolutely not- wages at — should be wage restraint? absolutely not. wages at the _ should be wage restraint? absolutely not. wages at the moment _ should be wage restraint? absolutely not. wages at the moment are - should be wage restraint? absolutely not. wages at the moment are going | not. wages at the moment are going up not. wages at the moment are going up at about 4%, that's the same as before the financial crisis. that used to be normal wage rises, but inflation is going up by 9% so people are taking real wage cuts. in the public sector, that means they are earning about £130 a month less. we are not seeing any calls for profit restraint. profits went up by 8% in the fourth quarter of this year. we don't think that families should be taking that hit.- should be taking that hit. right, but if people _ should be taking that hit. right, but if people ask _ should be taking that hit. right, but if people ask for _ should be taking that hit. right, but if people ask for wage - should be taking that hit. right, but if people ask for wage rises, and if anyone was lucky enough to get a wage rise that matched inflation, that will fuel further inflation. , ., inflation. there is no sign that the inflation. there is no sign that the inflation we _ inflation. there is no sign that the inflation we are _ inflation. there is no sign that the inflation we are seeing _ inflation. there is no sign that the inflation we are seeing at - inflation. there is no sign that the inflation we are seeing at the - inflation we are seeing at the moment is coming because of wage rises. we know all the challenges, the conflict in ukraine, but also

driving up our energy crisis... it is definitely the global supply shortage, the war in ukraine and so on, but if they did increase, wages, are you saying that would have no impact on inflation? i are you saying that would have no impact on inflation?— impact on inflation? i don't think we have a _ impact on inflation? i don't think we have a risk— impact on inflation? i don't think we have a risk of— impact on inflation? i don't think we have a risk of wages - impact on inflation? i don't think we have a risk of wages driving i impact on inflation? i don't think. we have a risk of wages driving up inflation right now. i don't think we are seeing wage rises anything like what it would take to do that. i think people do desperately need a pay rise. as i said, the longest pay freeze for 200 years. that is what we need to prevent, that real threat of a recession. our economy is driven by consumer spending. if people don't have pounds in their pockets we are going to risk getting into that terrible recession in spiral and we have got to avoid that. wage rises, support for families is what we need to help people through the cost of living crisis, and to keep our economy on track. ., ~ crisis, and to keep our economy on track. . ~' , .. crisis, and to keep our economy on track. . ,, , ., .. crisis, and to keep our economy on track. . ,, , ., ., ., ,, ., , if you want to get in touch, do get

in touch through the various means. harriet says, i'm a carerfor my mum on universal credit and i can't afford to live with two children. another says the cost of living is taking its toll on all of us. poppy says, is a family with a disabled child being a full—time carer to them, plus anotherfamily child being a full—time carer to them, plus another family member, means only one parent can work. that is not good. kelly says, i earn £55,000 a year. i live outside london and i commute into work. once the bills and rent come out, i can barely afford anything else. that someone on £55,000 a year. another says he is a newly single dad working part—time, also paying for childcare. he is struggling to pay his bills and skip meals so i can feed my toddler. do keep those coming in. if you want to send me a message, do get in touch. i will read more out later

on. the impact of the war in ukraine is being felt around the world, with the un secretary general warning it could lead to years of mass hunger in poorer countries, and increase the risk of a global food shortage. the crisis has sent food prices soaring, and it is warned that the world could face famines lasting for years. the bbc�*s azaday moshiri has more. realising the war in his country is unlikely to end any time soon, president zelensky has asked ukraine's lawmakers to extend martial law for another 90 days. translation: how long will this last? l only the actual situation on the battlefield will give the answer to this question. but the effects of this extended battle are being felt around the world. with the un secretary general warning it is threatening a global food shortage unless russia releases grain stored in ukrainian ports. it threatens to tip tens of millions of people over the edge

into food insecurity, followed by malnutrition, mass hunger and famine, and the crisis would last for years. so i ask president putin, if you have any heart at all, please, open these ports. together, russia and ukraine produce 30% of the world's wheat supply, 20% of its corn, and 80% of its sunflower oil. that's why ukraine was often referred to as the world's bread basket. and because of the war, the un says global food prices are almost 30% higher than the same time last year. so leaders are laying the blame firmly at russia's feet. russia has launched a grain war, stoking a globalfood crisis. us secretary of state antony blinken echoed those thoughts, calling it russia's war of choice. but in the meantime, the un secretary general has said he is in intense talks to create food corridors. he warned that until then,

the world's poorest nations will suffer. azadeh moshiri, bbc news. russia says almost 700 ukrainian fighters at the azovstal steelworks in mariupol have surrendered in the past 2a hours. pictures released by the russian ministry of defence appear to show them leaving the site. russia says the total number of fighters brought out since monday is almost 1,000. joe inwood is in lviv. so, russia used the word surrendered. i don't know what the ukrainians are saying about this. i think that is probably an accurate term, a negotiated surrender. they had run out of food, ammunition, water. i think the feeling was and

it was explicitly said by president zelensky that they had achieved their mission. the original aim, they say, was to hold out for as long as they possibly could, to keep the defence of mariupol going long enough to allow the rest of ukrainian forces to regroup for weaponry to come in. they say they did that. they released a statement just before the surrender was announced, saying that they had achieved their mission, and a new mission now was to save as many lives as possible. interestingly, one thing we don't know yet is whether everyone has come out. the numbers have always been uncertain on this. we were told there were around 2000 people inside. around 1700 have come out now. it could be the 300 difference is that people who were killed in the intervening period. there was huge amounts of bombardment. but have the leaders of this battalion come out? as a few days ago they were told they hadn't, and it may be that, given what we are hearing from russia, these reports from a leading member of the body that they should reintroduce the death penalty for members of

this battalion, it may be that the leaders of it decide it is not worth coming out and they would rather stay and fight. find coming out and they would rather stay and fight-— coming out and they would rather sta and fiuht. �* . ., , , stay and fight. and what will happen to those who — stay and fight. and what will happen to those who have _ stay and fight. and what will happen to those who have come _ stay and fight. and what will happen to those who have come out? - stay and fight. and what will happen to those who have come out? it - stay and fight. and what will happen to those who have come out? it is i stay and fight. and what will happen to those who have come out? it is a| to those who have come out? it is a aood to those who have come out? it is a good question. _ to those who have come out? it is a good question, and _ to those who have come out? it is a good question, and the _ to those who have come out? it is a good question, and the honest - to those who have come out? it 3 —. good question, and the honest truth is, we don't really know yet. it is part of the initial settlement, we understand, which was negotiated along with the united nations and the red cross. the idea was there would be some sort of prisoner exchange. as i was suggesting, there has been talk almost straightaway amongst russian parliamentarians, including the speaker of the russian parliament, that these people should not be treated as prisoners of war, but as war criminals. that would mean something very different, and that would mean they would not be exchanged and they would be left to see out presumably a very long sentence in russian prisons. but, as i say, the red cross are involved, the united nations are involved, and we understand the red cross are documenting the details of the men who have come out, so i think they will try and bring some pressure to bear on the russians to treat them

as they should be treated under the geneva convention, rather than as a paramilitary is which would mean they were subject to a different set of rules. they were sub'ect to a different set of rules. , .. ., ~ they were sub'ect to a different set of rules. , ., ., ,, the british medical association says the government failed in its duty of care to doctors and the health and care workforce with its handling of the pandemic. the doctors' trade union says there were errors ofjudgement in government policy, which led to shortages of ppe, lack of adequate risk assessments and negative effects on mental and physical health. the findings will be part of the public inquiry which begins next year. a government spokesperson said billions of items of ppe had been delivered to nhs frontline staff and there was a commitment to learn lessons and respond openly to the inquiry. the "wagatha christie" high court libel battle will draw to a close today, as lawyers for each of the women involved set out each of their cases. coleen rooney is being sued for libel by rebekah vardy, who denies mrs rooney's accusation that she leaked private

information about her. our correspondent colin paterson is at the high court. so, what are you expecting today, colin? ~ ., so, what are you expecting today, colin? ~ . ., , colin? well, here we are, finally after more _ colin? well, here we are, finally after more than _ colin? well, here we are, finally after more than 30 _ colin? well, here we are, finally after more than 30 hours - colin? well, here we are, finally after more than 30 hours of - colin? well, here we are, finally - after more than 30 hours of evidence being given, it is the end of the trial date seven. this could have all finished yesterday, but the judge decided to give both sides an extra 2a hours to write their closing arguments, and that is what we are going to hear this morning. important to say, there is nojury, it is thejudge important to say, there is nojury, it is the judge who decides what happens here. we are not expecting anything to be announced today. we are expecting a reserved judgment, meaning that thejudge are expecting a reserved judgment, meaning that the judge will go away, spent a couple of weeks going through all the evidence that she has heard, and then they will be called back to the high court and we will find out who she has ruled in

favour of. �* , , ., favour of. let's 'ust remind our viewers. h favour of. let'sjust remind our viewers, rebekah _ favour of. let'sjust remind our viewers, rebekah vardy - favour of. let'sjust remind our viewers, rebekah vardy is - favour of. let'sjust remind our| viewers, rebekah vardy is suing coleen rooney, and coleen rooney 's team has to prove what? that coleen rooney, and coleen rooney 's team has to prove what?— team has to prove what? that is correct. team has to prove what? that is correct- her _ team has to prove what? that is correct. her team _ team has to prove what? that is correct. her team has _ team has to prove what? that is correct. her team has to - team has to prove what? that is correct. her team has to prove i team has to prove what? that is| correct. her team has to prove it was a rebekah vardy who leaked the information from coleen rooney 's private instagram to the sun newspaper, or it was rebekah vardy who instructed caroline watt, her agent at the time, to leak the information from the private instagram to the sun newspaper. that's what this whole trial has been about. so many highlights, and when i think back over the last six days there have been accusations of betrayal, we have been looking into the detective work of coleen rooney, we have heard how a crucial piece of evidence ended up at the bottom of the north sea. evidence, has been a husband in the witness box, there has been a cousin, a brother, a mobile phone expert. i have heard a highjudge being explained to out

the settings on instagram stories work. they really struggled with that. i have seen two of the most pre—eminent barristers in the uk having to ask for the differentiation between two differentiation between two different emoji signs. but it is also important to say, while this is given so many people entertainment, it's had a serious impact on the two people involved. rebekah vardy gave evidence for four days and towards the end of questioning she said she felt bullied and intimidated by the questioning. we heard wayne rooney in court on tuesday, describing how the last 2.5 years since coleen rooney made that accusatory post have been traumatic for his wife. he said he had watched her struggle and she had changed as a mother and as a wife. �* �* , ., ., . wife. and let's remind our audience, there was an — wife. and let's remind our audience, there was an opportunity _ wife. and let's remind our audience, there was an opportunity for - wife. and let's remind our audience, there was an opportunity for both i wife. and let's remind our audience, there was an opportunity for both of| there was an opportunity for both of there was an opportunity for both of the women, both parties, to sort this out before it reached this point, wasn't there? absolutely, and coleen rooney _ point, wasn't there? absolutely, and coleen rooney 's _ point, wasn't there? absolutely, and coleen rooney 's written _ point, wasn't there? absolutely, and coleen rooney 's written statement | coleen rooney 's written statement given to the courts, in it she says

three times she went to rebekah vardy, trying to sort this out of court. she offered mediation to try and prevent this coming to the high court, and in that written statement she said she knew that if it came to the high court, it would not be good for both of them. i think that has proven to be the case. from the point of view of rebekah vardy, what she said is if coleen rooney had been willing to apologise before this got to the high court, then it would never have had to come, but she has felt she had to come here because she needed to protect her reputation both for her sake, and for the sake of her children. colin, many thanks. colin paterson will be in court again today for the "wagatha christie" trial. thank you. diana ross, duran duran and sir rod stewart are just some of the stars set to perform at a star—studded concert in london, to celebrate the queen's platinum jubilee next month. more than 20,000 people will attend the platinum party at the palace, which will feature several stages and 3d projections. simonjones has more details.

it's being billed as a once—in—a—lifetime event to unite the nation. three stages are being set up by buckingham palace for a star—studded tribute to her majesty's unprecedented anniversary. 20 years on from performing at the goldenjubilee concert, queen are back. brian may says after playing the palace roof last time, he's got another surprise in store. thejubilee girl is here, huzzah! it was of course the queen herself who stole the show back then and like in 2002, some of the biggest names in the world of music have come together for this new celebration. # i'm still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah.# sir eltonjohn will record a special performance for the 22,000 guests who will be in front of the palace. 10,000 of the tickets

were allocated in a public ballot, another 7500 have been given to key workers, members of the armed forces, volunteers and charities. nile rodgers will play some of his biggest hits. also on the bill, duran duran and mabel, and diana ross, her first uk live performance in 15 years. # get in the middle of a chain reaction.# sir rod stewart says it will be a momentous occasion, to show how lucky the world is to have the queen. # i'm up in space, man.# and fresh from his success in eurovision, sam ryder will hope to put on another out of this world performance for royal approval. and there will be stars from the stage and screen as well with sir david attenborough making an appearance. here in central london, they have been putting up even more flags overnight as the countdown to the celebrations continues.

there will be events right across the country, and the palace will certainly be hoping they will put a smile on the face of the nation after a difficult couple of years in the pandemic. more than 2,800 platinum jubilee beacons will be lit across the globe, like these ones that marked the queen's 90th birthday. beacons will blaze for the first time in all the capital cities of the commonwealth, 5a in total. the organisers say the queen has lit up the nation for 70 years, and it's only fitting that we do the same for her. a sentiment sure to be echoed at the platinum party at the palace which will be broadcast across the bbc on saturday 4thjune. simon jones, bbc news. injust over an in just over an hour we injust over an hour we are in just over an hour we are going injust over an hour we are going to hearfrom the injust over an hour we are going to

hear from the gloucestershire couple, who have won £181; million on the euro millions. they have become a 's biggest ever euro millions lottery winners. they are going to reveal themselves to the world and say yes, it is us, and this is what we are going to do with the money, and this is how it is going to change our lives. that press conference is at about 10:35am. let's bring you the weather forecast now. after a heavy thunderstorm and showery night last night, warm and mostly dry with some sunny spells developing. missed across parts of england and wales, but it will be clearing away. any isolated showers will push away from the east coast. lots of dry weather, long spells of sunshine across the uk. tempt is for most of us 17—23 with a bit more clad across the far north—west. overnight tonight, most places are

looking dry. more cloud creeping in from the south and that will bring the odd spot of light rain and drizzle into the early hours of friday morning. clear spells further north and it will be mild and a bit murky where you have got the low cloud. the rain in the south becomes heavier and more persistent as it sweeps across central and eastern parts of england with the odd rumble of thunder. that clears eastwards and it returns to sunny spells, scattered showers and fresher at around 12—18 c. goodbye. i'm victoria derbyshire. these are the headlines. ministers face calls to increase benefits and state pensions now to help those struggling with the surging cost of living — the chancellor says he knows things are challenging and says he's ready to do more to help people. the un warns that global food shortages and mass hunger in poorer countries could follow russia's invasion of ukraine. there's been a huge rise in people

with eating disorders being admitted to hospital — up 84% on 5 years ago — with the number of young men affected higher than ever before. soul legend diana ross, queen and duran duran are among the star—studded line—up for the queen's platinum jubilee concert. and rangers suffer an agonising penalty shoot—out defeat in their fifth european final as eintracht frankfurt win in seville. sport — a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. good morning. so close to glory, but rangers were beaten by five flawess frankfurt penalties in the europa league final. jane dougall sent this report from seville. the dejected rangers players watched the trophy lift they had wanted to do. the europa league final

held so much hope. glasgow rangers and eintracht frankfurt players all hoping to become club legends. the first goal didn't come until the second half, but it was for rangers. a defensive error gifted joe aribo a chance, and he did not miss. joe aribo takes his big chance. but theirjubilation was short lived. connor goldson should have done better. rafael borre got in and they had equalised. extra time did not break the deadlock, so it went to penalties. both looked strong initially, but somebody had to miss. it fell to substitute aaron ramsey. the agony palpable, and thoughts of what might have been. i am just gutted, but a good effort and i'm glad i got to experience it. we were underdogs from the beginning of the season and comparing nine years ago to now.

we got beat, but do you know what, we took them to the deadline, to penalties and that is what matters. honestly, my heart is broken. i wanted to see once - in my lifetime for rangers to win a european trophy. i travel all over the world with them and i will- continue to travel all over the world with them. - i will always love them - and i will always support them. despite the result, rangers's journey here has been impressive. ten years ago the club are placed into administration and then went into liquidation, so to get to a european final is an astonishing achievement. i know the fans will be hurting now, perhaps, on reflection, they will be proud of their clubs progression. jane dougall, bbc news seville. like all of those fans in that piece you just saw, rangers boss giovanni van bronkhorst was proud of his side's effort. of course a big disappointment and if you play a final in europe and you lose it will hurt. because you play a final, you will do everything

you can to win it and then in the end with penalties it is a lottery. and tonight we went on the good side but i can't complain with everything my players gave today and the games before this. my players gave today and the games before this. contrast that pain with this joy. eintracht are the first german team to win the competition since schalke in 1996—97, back when it was the uefa cup. more than 50,000 fans watching at a screening event in their stadium in frankfurt. it is their second major european trophy, 42 years after winning the uefa cup against borussia monchengladbach. a big night ahead at the bottom of the premier league. a burnley win at home to aston villa could see them leave the relegation zone and everton could be safe with a game left if they beat crystal palace at goodison park. we have got less points than i feel

we deserve and that is just a reality which means we go into this game and the last two games knowing that we need a couple more points for safety. at the same time, it is all about focusing on ourselves and being ready for the games ahead. to golf next where the us pga championship begins later in oklahoma. the defending champion phil mickelson won't be there, he hasn't played since february. tiger woods has good memories of the southern hills country club, he won the pga title back in 2007. and he'll be back there tonight as he continues his return from that career threatening car crash 1a months ago. he made the cut at last months masters and says he can win his 16th major title this weekend. he'll go round the course with a couple of fellow superstars rory mcilroy and jordan speith. that's all the sport for now. ministers are facing growing calls to bring forward large increases in benefits and the state pension

which will be paid from next april. last night the chancellor rushi sunak warned the next few months will tough as he spoke to business leaders about the rising cost of living. one charity in york says that some families are choosing to eat cold food because they can't afford the energy to make a hot meal. heidi tomlinson reports. jay phoenix was referred to york food bank six weeks ago when she began to choose feeding the cat over herself. some shower gel, please. jay is a recovering drug addict. she has been clean for three years. life was slowly improving until the bills began creeping up. there were four or five days every couple of weeks i was going without food. and itjust got to the point that i was struggling with my mental health. donations here come from the public and supermarkets. referrals have increased by 30% in the last year. volunteers say some stretched families are thinking twice about heating food, as it is cheaper to eat cold meals. people are telling us

that they don't have energy to cook and in that situation it's really heartbreaking to see that. there is some support available to help, but it is not enough. people are distressed. we are seeing people who have never used these services before, who don't know what is available, and have never needed to ask for help with something as simple as food. higher energy bills are hitting millions of people and businesses, as firms pay more to produce goods, they are forced to charge customers more. inflation today stands at 9%. that's up from 7% last month. prices are rising at the fastest rate for a0 years. an increase thatjohn hind's pension doesn't cover. he keeps a close eye on the thermostat. retirement isn't anywhere near as comfortable as he expected. it is everything. the cost of living. every time my wife comes back from the shop, everything has gone up 10p, 20p like that. and the heating as well that has sort of doubled. how are you managing? well, it's a blanket on a night.

not using the heating since about january. john has received help from the citizens advice bureau in york. yes, you do qualify for a fuel voucher. record numbers are turning to the charity in the face of escalating costs. i think debt is a tsunami coming towards us now. for people in very vulnerable - situations, we can give them food vouchers and fuel vouchers. that kind of support has transformed jay's situation. i know i can eat without feeling guilty. i can look after my cat and myself. citizens advice say people should seek help as soon as possible to avoid debt. thanks for your messages. bob in cumbria said he switched off the heating in february. the water heating, he put on on alternate

nights. led bulbs. istill heating, he put on on alternate nights. led bulbs. i still have got into arrears, added 255 quid to my arrears. i have no chance of keeping my head above water. i gave up my car. itjust goes on. i am really sorry to hear that, bob. some more messages on instagram. bear with me. my my partner works full—time, i work, after our mortgage and child care is paid we are living off a credit card to pay for food each week. we were getting ourselves into debt and i am so worried about this. a i shopping a little, walk up where i can, and i can't remember the last time we went out as a family. i don't know what else i can do. these are really desperate, actually. these are really desperate, actually. i'm joined now by miatta

fahnbulleh, chief economics at new economics foundation — a left—of—centre think tank. thanks for talking to earth. do you support the calls by some charities and labour politicians to bring forward the writers that are going to happen in benefits and state pension next april?— to happen in benefits and state pension next april? 100%. that is a relatively easy _ pension next april? 10096. that is a relatively easy thing _ pension next april? 10096. that is a relatively easy thing that _ pension next april? 10096. that is a relatively easy thing that the - relatively easy thing that the government can do that will have no impact because they have to put the rises up anyway next year so why not bring it forward? but i would go further. i think we need to be boosting benefits by about £50 billion. that would go a long way to ensuring the benefits keep up with inflation and also reversing that cut to universal credit, that £20 uplink that was taken away from people, £1000 a month that would help cushion the blow.— people, £1000 a month that would help cushion the blow. when you say benefits, help cushion the blow. when you say benefits. do — help cushion the blow. when you say benefits, do you _ help cushion the blow. when you say benefits, do you include _ help cushion the blow. when you say benefits, do you include state - benefits, do you include state pensions? i have a message from marion on instagram that says that

chancellors budget did not include pensioners. we got a five quid a week pay rise. but that is not enough on my gas and electricity, which has doubled, as has my food shop. the chancellor has done nothing for me and most of the pensioners in the uk.— nothing for me and most of the pensioners in the uk. there are two arts. pensioners in the uk. there are two parts- people _ pensioners in the uk. there are two parts- people who _ pensioners in the uk. there are two parts. people who are _ pensioners in the uk. there are two parts. people who are on _ pensioners in the uk. there are two parts. people who are on universall parts. people who are on universal credit and legacy benefits, low income families that are really struggling and have been short—changed over the course of the last ten years and we have got to provide attention and supported them. but also pensions should be operated with inflation. i think pensioners will feel it really tough and that is something the government can do but it can bring forward what it will have to do next year. we have heard _ it will have to do next year. we have heard the prime minister and the chancellor saying there is more they can do. they are going to help people through to the other side, as the prime minister put it on wednesday. and it sounds like they

are just debating, discussing what is the right thing to do. do you feel that there is more help coming? i think so because i think notjust they are under huge amount of pressure but let's take a step back and remember the shots we are seeing. food prices spiralling, it is not normal, it is not run—of—the—mill. it is a big external shock that has to be cushion because people can't get on with it. they will need to parts of the government will have to act. the big question is, does it do enough and it in the right areas because you have got to support people on benefits. it seems... the chancellor has been squeamish about doing that but that is the quickest way to get help to people who are literally on the brink, who are making choices between heating and eating. alongside that, he will have to find a way of helping the majority of people, which is why that windfall tax becomes so important because

that becomes a way in which he can use that to bear down on bills. finally, we are seeing rising bills for the medium term so i'm really want to see us prioritising insulating homes, to reduce the energy we use and bring down our bills. you could do a big national programme. it will cost about £12 billion. it would insulate millions of homes really quickly. in billion. it would insulate millions of homes really quickly.- billion. it would insulate millions of homes really quickly. in the £12 billion, of homes really quickly. in the £12 billion. let — of homes really quickly. in the £12 billion, let say _ of homes really quickly. in the £12 billion, let say they _ of homes really quickly. in the £12 billion, let say they did _ of homes really quickly. in the £12 billion, let say they did that, - billion, let say they did that, would they get back from raising taxes or borrow that? i would they get back from raising taxes or borrow that?— taxes or borrow that? i would recommend _ taxes or borrow that? i would recommend that _ taxes or borrow that? i would recommend that they - taxes or borrow that? i would recommend that they borrow| taxes or borrow that? i would i recommend that they borrow it. taxes or borrow that? i would - recommend that they borrow it. it is a long—term investment so a lot of the things we are doing in order to help us transition to net zero i think that there will be long—term gains far. it is a capital investment and the sort of thing that you could reasonably use as something you borrow for because it pays back over time.— pays back over time. thank you for talkin: to pays back over time. thank you for talking to us- _ thank you for talking to us.

the royal college of psychiatrists has introduced new guidance for uk health care professionals on how to recognise patients with eating disorders who are dangerously ill. it says too many young people have died from anorexia, bulimia and binge—eating when their lives could have been saved with earlier treatment. hospital admissions for eating disorders have risen 84 percent in the last five years in england. our health correspondent jim reed reports. james downs developed anorexia when he was 15, but it was nearly seven years before he saw an eating disorder specialist because there were none where he lived in south wales. after i was first diagnosed, i wasjust being patched up in a&e, mental health services, and then sent back to my day—to—day life struggling. and by the time i did get treatment, i was much, much harder to treat and it was so much harder to start to change. new figures show almost 25,000 people needed hospital treatment for an eating disorder in england

in the first year of the pandemic, up from 13,000 five years ago, with the sharpest rise in children and young people. the vast majority of those affected are women, but the number of young men admitted to hospital has more than doubled in that time. the royal college of psychiatrists has now published new guidance to help doctors spot cases earlier. as a child, debbie howard was a gymnast training for the commonwealth games. it took her more than a decade to ask for help with anorexia. she now runs her own eating disorder charity. there is still a massive misconception about eating disorders, actually eating disorders, they have got the highest death rate of all psychiatric illnesses. they are very, very serious and very complex mental health disorders. the government says extra funding will pay for at least another 2,000 young people in england to access eating disorder support. jim reed, bbc news. let's speak now to dr dasha nicholls — who chaired the development

of the new guidelines. how do you think they will help? thank you for your interest in this issue. we are very keen to make sure as many people as possible are aware of this new guidance we're today. which is, as your previous speaker said, all about making sure that people recognise when an eating disorder has become very serious. i think it is easy for people to think of eating disorders as lifestyle choices. ,. , of eating disorders as lifestyle choices. . , .. of eating disorders as lifestyle choices. ,, , ., . , choices. surely not medics! clinics don't think of them _ choices. surely not medics! clinics don't think of them with _ choices. surely not medics! clinics don't think of them with lifestyle l don't think of them with lifestyle choices. i don't think of them with lifestyle choices. ., , don't think of them with lifestyle choices. .. , .. don't think of them with lifestyle choices. ., , ., , . , choices. i hope not, but medics get ve little choices. i hope not, but medics get very little training _ choices. i hope not, but medics get very little training on _ choices. i hope not, but medics get very little training on these - very little training on these disorders during their training years and it is very easy to believe that this is their domain of a specialist. what the guidance is about is saying that every health care professional, particularly doctors, are confident and competent to manage when people have become a

serious knee unwell with a eating disorder. —— seriously unwell. the numbers are rising and it is a common problem now. that numbers are rising and it is a common problem now. that is a massive rise _ common problem now. that is a massive rise in _ common problem now. that is a massive rise in hospital- common problem now. that is a i massive rise in hospital admissions over five years. 84% massive rise in hospital admissions overfive years. 84% in england. what do you think is behind that? in some senses it is not a surprise, knowing from the data presented to my colleagues, since the pandemic there has been an increase, a doubling of urgent referrals to community services and we are now seeing this reflected in this other data as well. but their advice was starting before the pandemic. there has been a slow and steady increase in eating disorders and particular groups, we are seeing greater increases than others, particularly young people and men and boys. this reflects the fact that our understanding of eating disorders aren'tjust restricted to anorexia.

there is a range of eating disorder behaviours that could result in someone becoming medically unwell. and the challenges to recognise the difference between healthy eating and healthy weight loss, healthy exercise, and when it is starting to take on a different quality in terms of becoming really a sign that someone is struggling with their mental health.— someone is struggling with their mental health. ., ,, , ., , . thank you very much. joining me now isjoss walden. she's a volunteer for eating why do you think there has been such a massive rise in hospital admissions in england? i a massive rise in hospital admissions in england? a massive rise in hospital admissions in encland? ., admissions in england? i think there are many factors _ admissions in england? i think there are many factors but _ admissions in england? i think there are many factors but actually - admissions in england? i think there are many factors but actually in - are many factors but actually in some ways it is positive. maybe it is reflecting people not being so scared of coming forward, recognising earlier science, seeking treatment, people getting referred along the process further and faster which can be a positive thing. but

also we just live in a more stressful society. also we just live in a more stressfulsociety. i also we just live in a more stressful society. i think compared to when i was diagnosed back in 2008 and social media wasn't a thing, we are now in so many social streams which tell us to have perfect bodies, perfect lifestyles, perfect careers. it is a lot of stress to be bombarded with every day. our brains aren't built to handle that. i think it might be reflected in that stressful society we are now living in. .. stressful society we are now living in. ., ., ., ,, stressful society we are now living in. how long did it take you to get a diagnosis? _ in. how long did it take you to get a diagnosis? i _ in. how long did it take you to get a diagnosis? i got _ in. how long did it take you to get a diagnosis? i got ill— in. how long did it take you to get a diagnosis? i got ill during - in. how long did it take you to get a diagnosis? i got ill during my. a diagnosis? i got ill during my gcse year— a diagnosis? i got ill during my gcse year and _ a diagnosis? i got ill during my gcse year and that _ a diagnosis? i got ill during my gcse year and that is - a diagnosis? i got ill during my gcse year and that is when - a diagnosis? i got ill during my gcse year and that is when my| gcse year and that is when my perfectionist streak started kicking in and i made it from everything from grades to my body to eating. and everyone around me thought it was a phase. she will come out of it. i got diagnosed that following five months after i hit crisis point. but i was in denial during

that time my eating disorder was setting itself in. i was aware that my eating had changed and my approach to my body and my self esteem had changed but i wasn't thinking it was an eating disorder. but eating disorders when widely talked about. i've never met anyone with anorexia or heard of it before. so there was a time when i was having my symptoms, i realised i am really anxious now and low and not wanting to eat the things i enjoy and i am preoccupied with my weight and i am preoccupied with my weight and shape but i didn't know it as an eating disorder. it was only until a family friend of my mum aside and said, jossey is really ill, you need to get some help, that my mum dragged me kicking and screaming to the doctor. i didn't want to go. i could say that i was very underweight but i didn't want to be made to gain weight. so there was a real tug of war between the medical system and me wanting to recover. and that tokyo is. these guidelines

are so that clinicians can recognise eating disorders earlier. is it right that if it is recognised earlier and there is a earlier intervention, what is the impact? brute intervention, what is the impact? we have intervention, what is the impact? - have known this for years that early intervention is the best for prognosis. this is not news to us. the argument that we should be using is also an ongoing debate that has been going on for the last ten years or so. been going on for the last ten years orso. i have been going on for the last ten years or so. i have been heavily involved in it. we go to gps for medical problems that they are very much trained within a medical model of treatment. that is, you can describe a pill that ranks prescribe a pill, you can put a broken leg in a car. but a mental health disorder in the world of psychology we want to treat people looking at this holistic model of care instead of saying what is wrong with you and may be saying what has happened to you? and identifying the function of your

illness. so it requires gps to be trained in multiple models of practice and have this wider holistic model of care in their mind that someone with an eating disorder, they may have physical symptoms such as blood tests showing strange results, they might be underweight or not, but actually their issue is a mental health issue and it has a function for them, just like an alcoholic goes to a bottle of wine may be. someone with an eating disorder goes to their behaviour, purging, bingeing and restricting, and that function has a bigger purpose for them. for me it was control and handling stress and numbing emotions. and until that was sorted, the behaviour didn't change. so we need a change of the model they are working with.— so we need a change of the model they are working with. thank you for talkin: to they are working with. thank you for talking to us. _ they are working with. thank you for talking to us, joss. _ thank you for talking to us, joss. if you've been affected by any of the issues raised, the bbc action line homepage has contact details

for a range of organisations which offer help and support. go to bbc.co.uk/actionline. the singer—songwriter taylor swift has received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from new york university. speaking to her fellow graduates, she passed on the advice she's gleaned from a career filled with awards, chart—topping hits but also intense public scrutiny. emily brown has more. it's the graduation she never had, surrounded by the class of 2022, as well as those who missed out on their own big day is because of the pandemic. i am pleased to confer upon you the degree of doctor of fine arts. when taylor swift is on a podium, she is usually accepting a grammy award, but here in yankee stadium, it was an honorary doctorate. not the type of doctor you would want around in case of an emergency.

unless your specific emergency was you desperately needed to hear a song with a catchy hook and an intensely cathartic bridge section. speaking to thousands of graduates in a sea of purple, she took the opportunity to offer her own guide that is best summarised as "shake it off". learn to live alongside cringe. having the world treat my love life like a spectator sport in which i lose every single game was not a great way to date in my teens and 205. but it taught me to protect my private life fiercely. her last piece of advice, one taught by living life in the limelight, was to breathe in and breathe out. she would know, after all. she's a doctor now.

at the cannes film festival — currently underway in the south of france — tom cruise has been the biggest attraction so far. the actor was there to help launch his top gun sequel top gun: maverick and the festival paid a special tribute to him and his a0 year career in hollywood. he also was given a surprise honorary palme d'or — the festival's highest award. from cannes, tom brook reports. the french air force put on a big show for tom cruise at the cannes film festival, honouring him with an impressive fly—past by eight fighter jets. people were standing in line for hours to get a glimpse of him and screaming and yelling. "tom! turnaround! look at me!" in recent days, cruise has been at several premiered for his new top gun maverick film. despite all the hoopla that surrounds him, he is keen to point out that his new picture is celebrating us naval aviation culture. it is really representing that culture, aviation, the navy culture and it kind of has the same ethics of doing the right thing, about family, about tradition.

tom cruise made his big breakthrough in 1983 in the coming of age comedy risky business. he was also the star of the hugely successful mission impossible series. rightly or wrongly, he is perceived as a commercial actor. some wonder if his career warrants a special tribute from the cannes film festival, including giving him an honorary surprise palm d'or, the festival's highest award. i think what cannes is doing by saying, "come here, tom cruise," there were some reservations, he doesn't make the finest movies. he doesn't make arthouse pictures. but he does power cinema. and i think that is why cannes is honouring him this year. in 1986, tom cruise starred in the original top gun, playing a us navy test pilot. it was a huge hit. it was made in cooperation with the pentagon. in the wake of the film, recruitment into the us military reportedly shot up. some say the film glamorised combat, a point that i put to a very young tom cruise at that time.

if i wanted to make a war film that glamorised combat, we would have been blowing people away from the beginning to the end. it's a film about character, and essentially, in the ending battle, the adversary is faceless. the opponent is symbolic of the character and his conflict. now, 36 years later, we have the top gun maverick sequel. the film has been getting outstanding reviews. it is seen as less jingoistic than its predecessor. tom cruise is not an actor without controversy. he has long been an outspoken advocate of scientology, but it doesn't seem to have harmed his hollywood career. top gun maverick is set to put him back on top and bring some solid, much—needed business to cinemas around the world struggling to recover from the impact of covid. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas.

after a lively night of whether last night with heavy showers, thunderstorms and lightning across southern and eastern parts, today is much quieter. warm, mostly dry with sunny spells developing. we have had some mist and merck across england and wales but it will be clearing away. isolated showers pushing away from the east coast. lots of dry weather, long spells of sunshine, temperatures for most of 17 to 23 degrees. more clout in the far north—west. some shall within the western isles. overnight in eye, mostly dry. cloud creeping in from the south and light rain and drizzle in the early hours of friday morning. he was pulled further north but it will be mild and murky where you have low cloud. the rain in the south becomes heavier and more persistent as it sweeps across central and eastern part of england, thunder. buckley cleared and returns to sunny spells, customary showers and fresh air. 12 to 18 celsius.

goodbye.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. ministers face calls to increase benefits and state pensions now to help those struggling with the surging cost of living — the chancellor says he knows things are challenging and says he's ready to do more to help people. the next few months will be tough, but where we can act, we will. do you think the government should give you more help? or is the £9 billion they are giving to help people with fuel bills enough? do you support a windfall tax on the energy companies? we want to hear your stories. get in touch. message me on twitter, instagram or tiktok. russia says 1,700 ukrainian soldiers from mariupol�*s besieged steel plant have now surrendered. they're being registered by the icrc as prisoners of war.