this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy and these are the latest headlines... the government announces a 15 billion pound package in the face of the rising cost of living with all households to receive a £400 discount on energy bills. millions of the most vulnerable — including elderly people, those with disabilities and households on the lowest incomes — will also recevie an extra one—off payment. we will send directly to around 8 million to the lowest income households a one—off cost of living payment of £615. the shadow chancellor hits out at the government for delaying the windfall tax on oil and gas giants to fund payments. this government dither and delay has

cost our— this government dither and delay has cost our country dearly. boris johnson faces fresh calls from mps to resign — a day after a damning report was released into lockdown parties across whitehall and downing street. a vigil for the 19 children and two teachers killed in a school shooting in texas as the debate over gun control in the us re—ignites. ukraine says russian forces have attacked more than a0 towns in the east, but the german chancellor insists russia will not win. a review criticises "weak decision making" in child protection services in england saying they need to "change fundamentally" after the deaths of star hobson and arthur labinjo—hughes. and...meet the abba—tars — the swedish supergroup prepare to take to the stage for the first time in a0 years — as digital avatars.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the chancellor rishi sunak has been setting out the government's measures to address the rising cost of living. the chancellor said his package is worth £15 billion. it is expected to be partly paid by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies — something ministers had previously opposed. the measures include eight million of the lowest income households will receive a one—off payment of £650. and from the autumn eight million pensioner households will receive an extra payment of £300. six million people on disability benefits will recieve a one—off payment of £150. and everyone will get a £400 grant towards their energy bills. the uk's energy regulator 0fgem says typical household energy bills are set to rise by £800 in october, to £2,800 a year. but the chancellor said

the government package "will provide significant support for the british people." 0ur political correspondent helen catt reports. as bills have gone up, so has the pressure on the government to do more. on the government to do more than it has. the chancellor of the exchequer. this lunchtime, rishi sunak announced £9 billion worth of measures to help households. he scrapped a scheme which would have seen households have to pay back the £200 reduction on their energy bills during the autumn. so, for the avoidance of doubt, this support is now unambiguously a grant. and, furthermore, we've decided that the £200 of support for household energy bills will be doubled to £400 for everyone. we are on the side of hard—working families with £6 billion of financial support. he announced extra one—off payments, £650 for those

on the lowest incomes. 350 to pensioners and 150 to disabled people and there was a major u—turn on how to pay for it. the new levy will be charged from the profits of oil and gas companies at a rate of 25%. it will be temporary and when oil and gas prices return to historically more normal levels, the levy will be phased out with a sunset clause written into the legislation. attacks on the unexpectedly high profits of north sea oil and gas companies had been called for repeatedly by labour. madama deputy speaker, after today's announcement that there be no doubt about who is winning the battle of ideas in britain! today it feels like the chancellor has finally realised the problem is that the country are facing. we first called for a windfall tax on oil and gas producers

nearly five months ago. the snp and the lib dems had backed a windfall tax. the government had been resistant. the business secretary said this two days ago. do you support a windfall tax? i've been very clear about a windfall tax. i don't think that it supports investment. i don't think it's necessarily the right thing. but, as i always say, that's up to the chancellor. even at the weekend, downing street sources were indicating that a big announcement on windfall tax wasn't imminent. so, what's changed? well, the government is keen to move on from partygate fast. the announcement earlier this week by the energy regulator that the typical household bill will go up by £800 a year from october is likely to have sharpened its focus. with prices set to keep rising, will this be the last time that rishi sunak has to intervene? helen catt, bbc news, westminster. let's talk to our economics correspondent andy verity.

andy, this is a very big set of measures. _ andy, this is a very big set of measures, isn't it, announced outside — measures, isn't it, announced outside the scale of things. the chancellor said he wasn't going to move _ chancellor said he wasn't going to move until— chancellor said he wasn't going to move until october but he's been forced _ move until october but he's been forced to— move until october but he's been forced to act and do a couple of u-tums — forced to act and do a couple of u-turns. �* ,.., ., , , u-turns. and, the scale of this is be ond u-turns. and, the scale of this is beyond anything _ u-turns. and, the scale of this is beyond anything we _ u-turns. and, the scale of this is beyond anything we normally - u-turns. and, the scale of this is| beyond anything we normally see outside budgets. you're talking about £15 million —— billion pounds of new measures. that would still be a big headline if i was reporting the budget for you but what we are looking at here is an emergency. we are in a way, in the same territory as we were in the pandemic. we've got that here too. we were going to wait until the or term but he's clearly decided more needs to be done. these aren't normally the sort of measures you would expect from a conservative chancellor who says

he's interested in fiscal certainty in curbing inflation. he's spending more. if you look at what he spending helping people universally that comes in at £6 billion. that additional money he's announced todayis additional money he's announced today is going to everybody in the form of that £400 discount that we are all going to get on our bills and the key is we won't have to repay it. it was that we were going to repay it but in addition to that, you've got targeted support which is far more than most people anticipated. £9 billion of targeted support. the £650 that's going to million households who receive benefits. that's the sort of thing that anti—poverty charity like the joseph rowntree foundation say is the best way to relieve households hardest hit. the conservative government says it wants to be fiscally cautious but it's putting more into the economy than it's

taking out. more into the economy than it's taking out-— more into the economy than it's takin: out. , ,, w , , ., taking out. rishi sunak is trying to sa he is taking out. rishi sunak is trying to say he is a — taking out. rishi sunak is trying to say he is a low _ taking out. rishi sunak is trying to say he is a low tax _ taking out. rishi sunak is trying to say he is a low tax chancellor - taking out. rishi sunak is trying to say he is a low tax chancellor but l say he is a low tax chancellor but taxes are high?— say he is a low tax chancellor but taxes are high? with 'ust had one of the bi est taxes are high? with 'ust had one of the biggest tax _ taxes are high? with 'ust had one of the biggest tax rises — taxes are high? with just had one of the biggest tax rises we've - taxes are high? with just had one of the biggest tax rises we've had - taxes are high? with just had one of the biggest tax rises we've had in i the biggest tax rises we've had in decades and that they hails and social care levy. that's going to raise roundabout £17 billion. in addition, they are freezing income tax. that's gaining £3 billion. he's raised taxes in that respect but there are tax cuts built in but those don't give back anything like what is being taken off from tax rises. so the net effect is actually very redistributive. you're raising money from everyone and you're handing it over to a targeted group that most need it. that's a budget you would often say from a labour chancellor. in you would often say from a labour chancellor-— you would often say from a labour chancellor. , ., ., j chancellor. in terms of what they're callin: the chancellor. in terms of what they're calling the temporary _ chancellor. in terms of what they're calling the temporary targeted - chancellor. in terms of what they're calling the temporary targeted levy | calling the temporary targeted levy for the energy companies. is that going to go far enough for those in the labour party who have been

calling on it for their policy idea? letsjust calling on it for their policy idea? lets just call calling on it for their policy idea? letsjust call it calling on it for their policy idea? lets just call it what it is, a windfall tax. the treasury don't like terms like that but this is a sort of thing that's been done over the years. georgia responded something quite similar when we had a cost of living crisis after the global financial crisis 11 years ago. it's worth remembering that. oil prices dropped precipitously, we oil prices dropped precipitously, we nearly had deflation in 2016 but that distant memory in this crisis. is it possible to say is yet whether these amounts of money that people see in the pockets over the next few months, is going to be enough or are we going to potentially face continuing calls into the autumn for people to be given more help? if you people to be given more help? if you look at the scale _ people to be given more help? if you look at the scale of _ people to be given more help? if you look at the scale of the _ people to be given more help? if you look at the scale of the bill _ people to be given more help? if you look at the scale of the bill rise. - look at the scale of the bill rise. it's gone from an average of 1200 to 2800. the poorest households is not far off covering that. you've got

that £50 addition to your bennett benefit but also for hundred pounds off your bills plus the rebates. for the poorest households it is a relief. the rest of us won't cover everything but it will help. joining me now is the conservative mp, and chair of the treasury select committee, mel stride. is this going far enough in your view. does this target those who most need to help at the moment? your question is really about scale of intervention which is huge and also about— of intervention which is huge and also about targeting, to what degree has he _ also about targeting, to what degree has he achieved helping those who need it _ has he achieved helping those who need it. those broader tests, he's passed _ need it. those broader tests, he's passed those quite significantly. it's passed those quite significantly. it's a _ passed those quite significantly. it's a huge move for about a third of all_ it's a huge move for about a third of all households in the country,

the poorest households, help of about— the poorest households, help of about £1200 and that is very significant. is about £1200 and that is very significant-— significant. is it wise to give everybody _ significant. is it wise to give everybody some _ significant. is it wise to give everybody some help - significant. is it wise to give everybody some help with l significant. is it wise to give . everybody some help with their bills? is it really necessary? well, these are the _ bills? is it really necessary? well, these are the kind _ bills? is it really necessary? well, these are the kind of _ bills? is it really necessary? well, these are the kind of questions i bills? is it really necessary? well, these are the kind of questions the treasury— these are the kind of questions the treasury select committee will look at. treasury select committee will look at we _ treasury select committee will look at we are — treasury select committee will look at. we are hoping the chancellor will before us after the current recess — will before us after the current recess in — will before us after the current recess in a _ will before us after the current recess in a week or so. the more targeted — recess in a week or so. the more targeted this approach then the more effectuat— targeted this approach then the more effectual get for the money that you are spending, but, as things stand, ithink— are spending, but, as things stand, i think the — are spending, but, as things stand, i think the most pleasing aspect of this is— i think the most pleasing aspect of this is the — i think the most pleasing aspect of this is the lowest 10% in terms of household — this is the lowest 10% in terms of household income are receiving by far the _ household income are receiving by far the greatest level of support and that's what it needs to be. because — and that's what it needs to be. because they are the very households that wiii— because they are the very households that will struggle the most with rising _ that will struggle the most with rising energy and food prices. is it going _ rising energy and food prices. is it going to _ rising energy and food prices. is it going to come fast enough? well, he suggested _ going to come fast enough? well, he suggested it's coming largely into parts _ suggested it's coming largely into parts in — suggested it's coming largely into parts. in the spring and then the

autumn — parts. in the spring and then the autumn. we are talking about electricity and gas, price rises that— electricity and gas, price rises that witi— electricity and gas, price rises that will happen in the autumn, sol think— that will happen in the autumn, sol think hes— that will happen in the autumn, sol think he's moved relatively quickly. these _ think he's moved relatively quickly. these are _ think he's moved relatively quickly. these are complicated approaches to put these are complicated approaches to out into _ these are complicated approaches to put into place. you can'tjust sit down _ put into place. you can'tjust sit down and — put into place. you can'tjust sit down and say we're going to pump lots of— down and say we're going to pump lots of money out in this way. it has to— lots of money out in this way. it has to he — lots of money out in this way. it has to be thought through and a lot of work— has to be thought through and a lot of work would have gone into this in the treasury. so, i think he's moved at the _ the treasury. so, i think he's moved at the right— the treasury. so, i think he's moved at the right time. he's obviously seen _ at the right time. he's obviously seen where oil and gas prices are going _ seen where oil and gas prices are going over— seen where oil and gas prices are going over the last month or so sol think— going over the last month or so sol think this _ going over the last month or so sol think this is — going over the last month or so sol think this is the right move at the right— think this is the right move at the right time — think this is the right move at the right time. is think this is the right move at the ri . ht time. , think this is the right move at the riaht time. , ., ., ., right time. is he doing enough on the question _ right time. is he doing enough on the question of— right time. is he doing enough on the question of inflation - right time. is he doing enough on the question of inflation if- the question of inflation if everyone is being given some cash of their bills, that is pumping more money into the column in? l their bills, that is pumping more money into the column in? i think that's a very _ money into the column in? i think that's a very legitimate _ money into the column in? i think that's a very legitimate question. | that's a very legitimate question. if that's a very legitimate question. if you _ that's a very legitimate question. if you start— that's a very legitimate question. if you start putting out payments of this magnitude across that timescale then that _ this magnitude across that timescale then that will stimulate the economy. the propensity to spend that money amongst the group that receive _ that money amongst the group that receive it _ that money amongst the group that receive it will be

disproportionately high and we had seen in _ disproportionately high and we had seen in america which has higher inflation — seen in america which has higher inflation and ask a broader use of this kind — inflation and ask a broader use of this kind of— inflation and ask a broader use of this kind of approach, of putting money— this kind of approach, of putting money into the economy in that way so i money into the economy in that way so i think— money into the economy in that way so i think it's — money into the economy in that way so i think it's a real question to be so i think it's a real question to he asked — so i think it's a real question to be asked and if it does contribute to further— be asked and if it does contribute to further inflation then that will put to further inflation then that will out more — to further inflation then that will put more pressure on the public finances — put more pressure on the public finances and not help the very people — finances and not help the very people we are trying to help through these _ people we are trying to help through these transfer payments. are people we are trying to help through these transfer payments.— these transfer payments. are you concerned about _ these transfer payments. are you concerned about the _ these transfer payments. are you concerned about the way - these transfer payments. are you concerned about the way the - concerned about the way the government has handled the cost of living crisis? it scrapped two of its own announcements, reversed on one, given in to labour demands for a windfall tax which it previously said was under conservative and the timing was distinctly for its own political ends given the suit grade report yesterday. do you think there is real focus at the top government on helping people who most need it, given this crisis is far from over and could get? in given this crisis is far from over and could get?— given this crisis is far from over and could net? , ., , and could get? in terms of the focus then ou and could get? in terms of the focus then you don't _ and could get? in terms of the focus then you don't need _ and could get? in terms of the focus then you don't need to _ and could get? in terms of the focus then you don't need to look- and could get? in terms of the focus then you don't need to look much i then you don't need to look much further— then you don't need to look much further than the announcement today.

this is— further than the announcement today. this is a _ further than the announcement today. this is a very. — further than the announcement today. this is a very, very significant statement _ this is a very, very significant statement and it will beep hourly —— be a powerfully helpful action by the government. it's important to be pragmatic _ the government. it's important to be pragmatic. we did see through the pandemic— pragmatic. we did see through the pandemic where, once again, the chanceiior— pandemic where, once again, the chancellor was intervening in several— chancellor was intervening in several different ways to support businesses and households and he often _ businesses and households and he often came back to the house of commons — often came back to the house of commons as things developed and changed _ commons as things developed and changed tack in different ways. is changed tack in different ways. is this changed tack in different ways. this rishi changed tack in different ways. i; this rishi sunak furnishing his own this rishi sunakfurnishing his own brand a bit too? i this rishi sunak furnishing his own brand a bit too?— brand a bit too? i certainly don't think its about _ brand a bit too? i certainly don't think its about his _ brand a bit too? i certainly don't think its about his brand - brand a bit too? i certainly don't think its about his brand but i brand a bit too? i certainly don't think its about his brand but it i brand a bit too? i certainly don'tj think its about his brand but it is about— think its about his brand but it is about helping households at the i’i l ht about helping households at the right time. i do have a feeling that this is— right time. i do have a feeling that this is reminiscent of the rishi sunak— this is reminiscent of the rishi sunak we _ this is reminiscent of the rishi sunak we saw at the beginning of the pandemic, _ sunak we saw at the beginning of the pandemic, in terms of stepping in, fairly— pandemic, in terms of stepping in, fairly creatively, quite dramatically in a sense and at scale and at _ dramatically in a sense and at scale and at pace — dramatically in a sense and at scale and at pace to fend off what is a

looming — and at pace to fend off what is a looming problem that is coming down the track— looming problem that is coming down the track by way of cost of living pressure — the track by way of cost of living ressure. ~ ,, ., ~ the track by way of cost of living ressure. ~ , ., ~ , ., y pressure. mel stride, thank you very much for your— pressure. mel stride, thank you very much for your time _ pressure. mel stride, thank you very much for your time today. _ pressure. mel stride, thank you very much for your time today. you i pressure. mel stride, thank you very much for your time today. you can i much for your time today. you can catch u- much for your time today. you can catch op now _ much for your time today. you can catch up now with _ much for your time today. you can catch up now with helen, - much for your time today. you can catch up now with helen, a - much for your time today. you can | catch up now with helen, a political correspondent. what has been the action, reaction from labour, cheering. how the conservative benches reacted? this cheering. how the conservative benches reacted?— benches reacted? this was an opposition — benches reacted? this was an opposition led _ benches reacted? this was an opposition led idea _ benches reacted? this was an opposition led idea so - benches reacted? this was an| opposition led idea so labour, benches reacted? this was an i opposition led idea so labour, we heard, pushing on this idea of a windfall tax quite some months. it was actually first proposed by the liberal democrats, the snp talking about the same but in a wider context, the idea of this knocking around for quite some time but the government being pretty resident to adopt this. they've been quite anti

this, saying its anti—investment. again, ithink this, saying its anti—investment. again, i think it's going to help them with some of the backbenchers who might be sceptical about this idea who might not feel that this tax on company profits is quite the way they would want to see things done. i think those sort of elements they petting are there to try and calm those who perhaps are not ideological a... this is not what they would have chosen. they've chanced they would have chosen. they've changed their — they would have chosen. they've changed their position _ they would have chosen. they've changed their position on - they would have chosen. they've changed their position on the i changed their position on the council tax rebate, haven't they? sorry i lost the line there. they've also changed _ sorry i lost the line there. they've also changed their _ sorry i lost the line there. they've also changed their position - sorry i lost the line there. they've also changed their position on i sorry i lost the line there. they've also changed their position on the| also changed their position on the bills, you know, they were going to give everyone to hundred pounds off bills having to be repaid overfive years. bills having to be repaid over five ears. bills having to be repaid over five ears, ,. ., , , ., years. the scrapping that in doubfinu years. the scrapping that in doubling the _ years. the scrapping that in doubling the amount? i years. the scrapping that in doubling the amount? this| years. the scrapping that in i doubling the amount? this was years. the scrapping that in - doubling the amount? this was not the council tax rebate, but the energy loan they were going to bring

in in october, £200 which they were going to take off people was bills in october but then people would have to repay it at £40 a years over five years. there was a lot of criticism about that, that it would be ineffective alone. so what they've done today, they've changed that site won't have to be repaid, it will be a grant and they've also decided to double the amount of it so that every household will get £400 instead of £200 so that's quite a big change there. what's interesting about that is that this is universal and we had been hearing from the government the idea of things being targeted, more limited, not wanting to do these big, big moves that they had made but then this is one of these big, universal moves that will go to every household and the understanding is that that will go as a credit on your energy bill so it's not like the council tax rebate where you had cash put directly into your account.

this is more of a credit on your energy bills. this is more of a credit on your energy bills-— this is more of a credit on your ener: bills. ., ,., . , energy bills. helen, on the politics and the timing _ energy bills. helen, on the politics and the timing of _ energy bills. helen, on the politics and the timing of this. _ energy bills. helen, on the politics and the timing of this. busy, i energy bills. helen, on the politics and the timing of this. busy, we i and the timing of this. busy, we just had the report from sue gray yesterday. two conservative mps saying that the prime minister should resign. some criticism about the government trying to bounce all that off the front pages. where do you think the conservatives are today at the moment? 50 you think the conservatives are today at the moment? so we've had three more — today at the moment? so we've had three more conservative _ today at the moment? so we've had three more conservative mps i today at the moment? so we've had three more conservative mps come| today at the moment? so we've had i three more conservative mps come out this morning to withdraw their support from borisjohnson. it support from boris johnson. it certainly support from borisjohnson. it certainly doesn't feel like it did a few months ago where it was at its height of people being really angry about party gate, of his leadership and direction. this seems to be calmer now but there is a trickle of people on the airways coming out saying that. you are right. the timing of this, it's a big announcement so it entirely be dismissed as a distraction but this

is very helpful by announcing this today for downing street, putting things in the agenda that they want to talk about just things in the agenda that they want to talk aboutjust before parliament breaks for recess.— breaks for recess. helen at westminster, _ breaks for recess. helen at westminster, thank - breaks for recess. helen at westminster, thank you i breaks for recess. helen at i westminster, thank you very breaks for recess. helen at - westminster, thank you very much. the government's support package comes as millions of people around the country are already struggling with the soaring price of food, energy and other key goods. 0ur consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith has been talking to people in warrington and finding out how the measures would help them. rising prices are the talk of the town from food banks... to workplaces- _ town from food banks... to workplaces. mark and his wife emma workplaces. mark and his wife emma work full—time but with three boys at home _ work full—time but with three boys at home energy doesn't come cheap. the one _ at home energy doesn't come cheap. the one thing that would help me most i think would be some help with the energy bills. if the government could assist me with that then that would be great.— could assist me with that then that would be great. mark's wishes come true. the chancellor _

would be great. mark's wishes come true. the chancellorjust _ would be great. mark's wishes come true. the chancellorjust gifted i would be great. mark's wishes come true. the chancellorjust gifted himl true. the chancellorjust gifted him and every other household 400 of gas and every other household 400 of gas and electricity bills. it will help but with another price rise in october he needs to find another 0ctober he needs to find another £1000 or more. we october he needs to find another £1000 or more.— october he needs to find another £1000 or more. we got the smart metre in the — £1000 or more. we got the smart metre in the living _ £1000 or more. we got the smart metre in the living room - £1000 or more. we got the smart metre in the living room which i £1000 or more. we got the smart| metre in the living room which was in a drawer but for the last 12—18 months we put it in pride of place. the thermostat is lower to keep things down. the wife was good at leaving the windows open and hating on to dry the washing so we've stopped doing that. just being a little bit more about what we do. showers instead of baths are a lot cheaper. that showers instead of baths are a lot chea er. �* , showers instead of baths are a lot chea er. . , ., ., showers instead of baths are a lot cheaer. . , ~ showers instead of baths are a lot cheaer. , ~ . cheaper. at this food bank, bernie has learned _ cheaper. at this food bank, bernie has learned to _ cheaper. at this food bank, bernie has learned to swallow _ cheaper. at this food bank, bernie has learned to swallow her- cheaper. at this food bank, bernie has learned to swallow her pride i cheaper. at this food bank, bernie i has learned to swallow her pride and ask for the help she needs. fiur ask for the help she needs. our neighbour _ ask for the help she needs. our neighbour has _ ask for the help she needs. oi" neighbour has entered some money for electrics. i thought thank god for that. �* , ., ., ., , that. there's a more generous

-aackae that. there's a more generous package available _ that. there's a more generous package available per- that. there's a more generous package available per bernie l that. there's a more generous i package available per bernie now including £200 of extra help was about one cover her full energy rise either but it will make a big difference when it arrives. greta smith, bbc news, in warrington. joining us from bristol is our reporter andrew plant. this is in the bedminster area of bristol— this is in the bedminster area of bristol which hasn't fared particularly well over the last ten years _ particularly well over the last ten years a— particularly well over the last ten years. a lot of shops closing in the last decade — years. a lot of shops closing in the last decade. speaking to people here throughout the morning it's difficult _ throughout the morning it's difficult to find anyone who has not felt the _ difficult to find anyone who has not felt the squeeze on it household budget — felt the squeeze on it household budget. broadly speaking, all of the concerns— budget. broadly speaking, all of the concerns falling to the same three categories, the weekly food shop, the gas _ categories, the weekly food shop, the gas bills and the prices they are paying at the petrol pumps. lots of people _ are paying at the petrol pumps. lots of people saying there actively searching the cheaper ingredients, people _ searching the cheaper ingredients, people saying they are buying less,

eating _ people saying they are buying less, eating fewer meals, watching what hot water — eating fewer meals, watching what hot water they use. people who are very worried about what will happen in the _ very worried about what will happen in the winterwhen very worried about what will happen in the winter when they need to switch _ in the winter when they need to switch their radiators on and people saying _ switch their radiators on and people saying they are really thinking about — saying they are really thinking about whether to make anyjourneys in their— about whether to make anyjourneys in their car— about whether to make anyjourneys in their carat all. about whether to make anyjourneys in their car at all. after rishi sunaks— in their car at all. after rishi sunak's announcement, i have asked people _ sunak's announcement, i have asked people how— sunak's announcement, i have asked people how they are feeling about their bills. we was peter allen —— we were — their bills. we was peter allen —— we were up... he their bills. we was peter allen -- we were op- - -_ their bills. we was peter allen -- we were up... their bills. we was peter allen -- wewereu... , ., we were up... he reckons he may have to stop driving — we were up... he reckons he may have to stop driving his _ we were up... he reckons he may have to stop driving his car— we were up... he reckons he may have to stop driving his car altogether. i to stop driving his car altogether. i heard you mention £400 but they reckon it's going to go up by £800 so £400 isjust reckon it's going to go up by £800 so £400 is just not going to cut it on top of what is already going to happen. it's still going to leave millions in fuel poverty no matter how you look at it. my car will

probably have to go so i can afford my food and energy.— probably have to go so i can afford my food and energy. there were be hunr my food and energy. there were be hunt in my food and energy. there were be hung in £650 _ my food and energy. there were be hung in £650 for— my food and energy. there were be hung in £650 for those _ my food and energy. there were be hung in £650 for those receiving i hung in £650 for those receiving benefits. —— they will also be that's grateful to buy don't only have partial sight, i have cerebral palsy as well. have partial sight, i have cerebral palsy as well-— palsy as well. i've got quite a lot of challenges — palsy as well. i've got quite a lot of challenges but _ palsy as well. i've got quite a lot of challenges but i _ palsy as well. i've got quite a lot of challenges but i have - palsy as well. i've got quite a lot of challenges but i have tried i palsy as well. i've got quite a lot of challenges but i have tried to | of challenges but i have tried to stay happy and cheerful. do of challenges but i have tried to stay happy and cheerful. do think it will be enough? _ stay happy and cheerful. do think it will be enough? i _ stay happy and cheerful. do think it will be enough? i hope _ stay happy and cheerful. do think it will be enough? i hope so. - stay happy and cheerful. do think it will be enough? i hope so. now, i will be enough? i hope so. now, interestingly _ will be enough? i hope so. now, interestingly the _ will be enough? i hope so. now, interestingly the only _ will be enough? i hope so. now, interestingly the only person i will be enough? i hope so. now, | interestingly the only person who isn't worried that i spoken to this morning as a man working round the corner on a building site. he says this so much work around and so few workers available that his wages have gone up in that helping him offset the energy crisis but he is the exception not the rule. many

feel that the rise will not help offsetting. we will be answering your questions on the cost of living just after 330 this afternoon. if there is something you would like to ask us or you are wondering about regarding today then reply to our hashtag or e—mail us your questions to our e—mail address. it's emerged that the teenager who killed 19 children and 2 teachers at a primary school in texas on tuesday wrote messages about the attack on facebook moments earlier. salvador ramos was shot dead by police after he barricaded himself inside a classroom. president biden is expected travel to the town of uvalde in the next few days, to meet the families of those killed. 0ur north america correspondent nomia iqbal reports from there. they came for the thoughts and prayers. families held each other tightly to try and make sense of the unimaginable. they sang and prayed. the mood was sombre,

and their grief palpable. this couple told us their eight—year—old grandson made it out of the school alive. i went and checked on my grandson. as soon as he saw me, he hugged me, he was so scared. and i cried with him also. i told him, it'll be ok. this is a community that's dealing with profound grief — and people came here inside the arena in their hundreds. usually rodeo shows happen here, but there was a prayer vigil, and people say this is their way of healing. the murder of 19 children and their two teachers has left this country reeling. xavier lopez was in his fourth year at primary school, as was elle garcia and ameriejo, just ten. theirteacher, eva mireles, died jumping in front of her students. they had all been barricaded in one classroom. how would you describe your daughter in a few words? how would you describe her?

full of love and full of life. she would do anything for anybody. and to me, she was a firecracker. it comforts me a little bit to think that she'd be the one to help her friends in need there and then. the shooter was next door, and whenever i heard - that he was in room number 18 and the shooter was in 19, i my heartjust dropped. i started panicking, crying. i was thinking that the shooter was shooting everywhere, i that it was going to go through one of the walls and shoot him. - the man who cruelly took their lives was this local teenager, 18—year—old salvador ramos. he sent out messages on social media saying he was going to attack an elementary school. he was killed by police. it's the worst school shooting in a decade. the death of small children has reignited the polarising issue of gun control in america. and whilst politicians unite in grief, they quickly divide on the politics. when in god's name will we do

what needs to be done to if not completely stop, fundamentally change the amount of carnage that goes on in this country? republicans here say this isn't about guns. they say strict gun control infringes on american people's constitutional right to bear arms. it divides america deeply and even after a horrific shooting, that divide deepens. the second amendment is a part of our liberties to even be here in america. this is not about politics, gun control is not about politics. guns don't kill people, people kill people. president biden says he will visit the city in the coming days. will this be a turning point? in america, when it comes to tougher gun laws, the grim expectation is either little or nothing will change. now it's time for a look

at the weather with darren. temperature wise highest in the south—east where is 21 degrees but quite chilly in scotland where we are seeing sunshine and showers. we have this weather front that's been bringing rain and drizzle with the rain petering out and pushing away into the english channel. we will keep some showers going in the north—west of scotland otherwise skies will clear and with lighter wins as well, it's going to be cooler than last night, typically nine celsius. into friday, heavy showers, blustery winds in scotland, southern scotland and northern ireland. wales and southern england, quite dry, sunny and the winds are lighter here so we looking at a top temperature of around 21 celsius. 0ver temperature of around 21 celsius. over the weekend, things are going to call down. we will get a more northerly wind which will build the

cloud on sunday which will bring one or two showers. hello. this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy. these are the headlines. the government announces a £15 billion package in the face of the rising cost of living with all households to receive a £400 discount on energy bills. millions of the most vulnerable — including elderly people, those with disabilities and households on the lowest incomes — will also recevie an extra one—off payment. the shadow chancellor hits out at the government for delaying the windfall tax on oil and gas giants to fund payments. boris johnson faces fresh calls from mps to resign — a day after a damning report was released into lockdown parties across whitehall and downing street. prayers and vigils for the 19 children and two teachers killed in a school shooting in texas as the debate over gun control in the us re—ignites. in ukraine, russian forces have attacked more than 40 towns in the eastern donetsk and luhansk regions — officials say at least

five civilians have been killed. a review criticises "weak decision making" in child protection services in england saying they need to "change fundamentally" after the deaths of star hobson and arthur labinjo—hughes. and, meet the abbatars — the swedish supergroup prepare to take to the stage for the first time in 40 years — as digital avatars. sport now, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's paul. good afternoon. britain's dan evans is in action later today at the french open. he's up against mikael ymer, as he bids to make it through to the third round at roland garros for the first time in his career. meanwhile there's already been a shock today in the women's draw. former french open semi—finalist karolina pliskova has gone down in straight sets to the world number 227.

france's leolia jeanjean dispatching the eighth seed 6—2, 6—2. no such drama for the men's second seed, though. daniil medvedev cruised through to round three with a straight sets win over serbia's laslo djere. he faces another serb, 28th seed miomir kecmanovic in the last 32. the mass exodus at manchester city women continues, defender lucy bronze is to follow the likes of georgia stanway and caroline weir out of the club when her contract ends in the summer. bronze re—joined city for a second spell in 2020 from lyon and was named as fifa best women's player that year. she'll feature for the lionesses this summer in the home european championship. "new adventures await, see you soon citizens" she said on twitter. northern ireland captain marissa callaghan has sustained a foot injury, just six weeks before those euros. the 36—year—old missed cliftonville's win over glentoran on wednesday, but was present at the ground.

she's set for further scans on her right foot. it's unclear, if the injury will impact her chances of leading her country at the euros. northern ireland's first game at their maiden major tournament, is against norway in southampton onjuly 7th. manchester united football director john murtough says fans will need to be patient with new boss erik ten hag. speaking at a fans' forum, murtough said ten hag was a "proven winner" who's set out a "long—term vision to build a successful, exciting team." the former ajax coach was unveiled as 0le gunnar solskjaer�*s successor on monday. jose mourinho was left in tears after he became the first manager to win all three major european trophies. and this is how some of the roma players celebrated, by gate—crashing mourinho's news conference, spraying him with what looks like water, he didn't seem to mind too much though, joining in with the singing and dancing. his roma side beat feyenoord 1—0

to win the inaugural uefa conference league. it means mourinho now has a perfect record, with five wins from five european finals. england's tammy abraham and chris smalling both picked up winner's medals. former manchester united defender smalling has been praised for his performances this season. he picked up the man of the match award and was was asked afterwards whether he thinks he could force his way back into the england squad ahead of the world cup later this year. i would never close the door on something like that but at the minute i am clearly not in gareth's plans but equally i would focus on playing my games and i would never close the door on such an opportunity. british gymnastics' head national coach amanda reddin has stepped down from her position with immediate effect. reddin had temporarily stepped aside in 2020 during an investigation into claims about her conduct. rio 2016 0lympian ruby harrold said reddin presided over a "culture of fear"

at british gymnastics camps. reddin "completely refuted" the claims, which were not upheld and her suspension was lifted, but another independent investigation is ongoing into "further historical complaints." that's all the sport for now. bbc sport website for all those stories and more. breaking news. the former labour mp claudia webbe has lost her appeal hearing over a conviction for harassment and she will now have to consider a ten week suspended sentence. she is a former mp and had been convicted for harassing a love rival. she represents leicester east as an independent because she was expeued as an independent because she was expelled from the labour party and targeted michelle merritt between

2018 and 2020. prosecutors say the campaign was driven byjealousy and obsession over her boyfriend's relationship with michelle merritt, who told the court that claudia webbe called her some fairly inappropriate names and had threatened to behave in a pretty difficult way, threatening to reveal embarrassing photographs for example to herfamily. i'mjust embarrassing photographs for example to herfamily. i'm just reading the details as we get them. claudia webbe is a former adviser to the national police chiefs' council on firearms and was found guilty of harassment and handed a ten week suspended jail sentence after a trial at westminster magistrates' court last year. she appeared at southwark crown court today but has again been found guilty by a judge

in two magistrates so has lost her appeal in that case. more now on the chancellor rishi sunak setting out measures to address the rising cost of living, as the government seeks to draw a line under partygate. one—off payments of different amounts will be given to the most vulnerable — the elderly, those with disabilities, and those with the lowest incomes. all households will receive a £400 discount on energy bills — and eight million of the lowest income families will also get a one—off payment of £650. we should not be ideological about this, we should be pragmatic. it is possible to both tax extraordinary profits fairly and incentivise investment. and so like previous governments, including conservative ones, we will introduce a temporary, targeted energy profits levy, but we have built into the new levy... laughter and shouting. but we have built into the new levy... into the new levy an annual investment allowance

that means companies will have a new and significant incentive to reinvest their profits. the new levy will be charged on profits of oil and gas companies at a rate of 25%. it will be temporary and when oil and gas prices return to historically more normal levels. the levy will be phased out with a sunset clause written into the legislation and, crucially, with our new investment allowance we are nearly doubling the overall investment relief for oil and gas companies. that means that for every pound a company invests they will get back 90% in tax relief. so, the more a company invests, the less tax they will pay. joining me now is the shadow

chancellor rachel reeves mp. borisjohnson seemed to be enjoying that announcement even though it is effectively a u—turn. i don't know if you could hear that, he was shouting out quite a bit. how does it feel to have some of your policy is taken? is this a measure of success for you or do you think the government hasn't gone far enough? well, it's clear where the ideas and politics are coming from and that is the labour party. we first called for a windfall tax on the huge profits that north sea oil and gas companies are making, at the beginning ofjanuary, four and a half months ago. the chancellor and the prime minister has been dragged kicking and screaming to the point we have reached today and finally, they have accepted the unanswerable calls for a windfall tax to help families and to help pensioners with the extraordinary increases in their gas and electricity bills, as well

as higherfood prices over the gas and electricity bills, as well as higher food prices over the last few months. so, i welcome the u—turn, i'm disappointed how long it's taken to get here. and i think we also need from the government a longer term plan so we don'tjust lurch from crisis to crisis and we don't end up in the same spot in a year's time. don't end up in the same spot in a year's time-— year's time. once they write, thou . h, year's time. once they write, though. to — year's time. once they write, though, to consider - year's time. once they write, though, to consider more i year's time. once they write, i though, to consider more widely before they made this decision a windfall tax doesn't raise enough in terms of paying for all these measures to bring support and the conservatives don't want to increase the national debt, although it seems there will have to be some borrowing?— there will have to be some borrowing? there will have to be some borrowin: ? ., ., , borrowing? the government has said toda the borrowing? the government has said today they are _ borrowing? the government has said today they are going _ borrowing? the government has said today they are going to _ borrowing? the government has said today they are going to be _ borrowing? the government has said today they are going to be borrowing j today they are going to be borrowing an additional 10 billion and they've admitted today that a windfall tax could bring in 5 billion. and yet they been resisting it for months and they said it would put off investment, the chief executive of bp said it would have no impact on investment, they said that energy

companies were struggling, the energy company said the energy crisis is like a cash machine for their businesses. the government have made excuse after excuse for why they weren't going to do a windfall tax, they got their mps to vote against it three times in parliament. it is only because of the persistence of labour mps that today they've been forced into this u—turn. we welcome that because it will make a big difference, as we've been saying for months, to families and pensioners.— been saying for months, to families and pensioners. does everyone need mone off and pensioners. does everyone need money off their _ and pensioners. does everyone need money off their bills? _ and pensioners. does everyone need money off their bills? even - money off their bills? even those who frankly don't need £400 in the pocket extra? 0r who can cope without it? everyone is feeling the squeeze, of course. i without it? everyone is feeling the squeeze, of course.— squeeze, of course. i asked the chancellor _ squeeze, of course. i asked the chancellor if _ squeeze, of course. i asked the chancellor if people _ squeeze, of course. i asked the chancellor if people with i squeeze, of course. i asked the i chancellor if people with multiple properties will get multiple £400 payments to help with their bills. so if you've got a second or third home, are you going to get 400 times two or three? i don't think that makes much sense and that's why i

asked the question today, which he didn't answer. it's of course right to target the support of those people who most need it but there are also people who are just above the benefits line, struggling also with their gas and electricity bills. mums and dads who thought they were doing 0k bills. mums and dads who thought they were doing ok but are now incredibly worried about how they are going to pay the bills during these really difficult times. it is right, and it's why labour have been calling for a cut in vat on gas and electricity bills from 5% to 0% to give support to everybody, but target then additional support at those people who need it most. that's the right approach during a cost of living crisis. share that's the right approach during a cost of living crisis.— cost of living crisis. are there more measures _ cost of living crisis. are there more measures you - cost of living crisis. are there more measures you think- cost of living crisis. are there more measures you think the government could consider and will they be forced to because inflation is still going up? they be forced to because inflation is still going op?— is still going up? well, i think it's the longer— is still going up? well, i think it's the longer term _ is still going up? well, i think it's the longer term challenge j is still going up? well, i think- it's the longer term challenge we've got which is why last october, keir starmer called for a big programme of home insulation to take money off

people's gas and electricity bills notjust people's gas and electricity bills not just for people's gas and electricity bills notjust for one year but people's gas and electricity bills not just for one year but for years to come. and a programme of insulating people's homes could boost energy security so we are importing less oil and gas from overseas. it could help us get to net zero but most crucially it could take £400 off of people's bills every year and i think it was notable that in today's announcements, welcome as a short—term measures are, there was no real plan for getting a grip with some of the long term, underlying issues around energy security or indeed plans to grow our economy so that people are earning higher wages and are less reliant on benefits or one—off payments from government. in one—off payments from government. in terms of the politics of this, rachel reeves, borisjohnson is still in downing street looking pretty secure even though there has been some level of criticism from his own side this morning. and the chancellor seems to be, again, back

on the front foot, as he was over furlough, is helping people who most need it in a time of unprecedented crisis. the conservatives really have an unprecedented majority in parliament and they look like they are back on stride, don't they? well, i'm not usually a cynical person but i think you have to ask the question why it was that today was the day we got the u—turn on a windfall tax and support for families and pensioners. was it perhaps because the government wanted to get off the front pages of the newspapers and on the news bulletins the stories of the culture of drinking and parties and illegality in downing street? but i think people can see today that the ideas in politics come from the labour party, where labour lead the tories now follow. we welcome the support to families and pensioners but labour were doing it because we felt it was the right thing to do. the tories are doing it because

they'd been dragged kicking and screaming to this point. fine they'd been dragged kicking and screaming to this point. one final ruestion, screaming to this point. one final question. i _ screaming to this point. one final question, i don't _ screaming to this point. one final question, i don't know _ screaming to this point. one final question, i don't know if - screaming to this point. one final question, i don't know if you've i question, i don't know if you've seen the bbc is announcing some big cuts because its funding has been frozen by the government with plans in future. obviously, the government is looking at reviewing the whole future funding of the bbc. ijust wondered, what is the labour party position on that because we are about to be announcing huge changes here? ~ ., ., , , ., here? well, the labour party is a big sopporter_ here? well, the labour party is a big sopporter of _ here? well, the labour party is a big supporter of the _ here? well, the labour party is a big supporter of the bbc - here? well, the labour party is a big supporter of the bbc and i here? well, the labour party is a j big supporter of the bbc and also here? well, the labour party is a i big supporter of the bbc and also of the licence fee. the bbc is a proud british institution and i do think that some of the government's approach notjust on the bbc but on the privatisation of the very successful channel 4, the privatisation of the very successful channel4, is the privatisation of the very successful channel 4, is not the right approach from this government but i haven't seen the specific announcements being made today. thank you very much. we appreciate it. we'll come back to you i'm sure

on the cost of living crisis as it unfolds. the bbc has announced plans to close some of its smaller broadcast channels in the next few years and move content online. it also plans to merge its two rolling news channels — bbc world and the bbc news channel — into one 24—hour tv news channel. the changes mean £200 million a year of cuts, as part of efforts to become what's described as being a "digital—first" organisation. 0ur media editor, amol rajan, joins me now. what's been announced ? what's been announced? it's a comlex what's been announced? it's a complex picture _ what's been announced? it's a complex picture to _ what's been announced? it's a complex picture to try - what's been announced? it's a complex picture to try and i what's been announced? it's a i complex picture to try and make sense of. the bbc director general has just sense of. the bbc director general hasjust on an sense of. the bbc director general has just on an all staff meeting where he announced a huge range of proposals. the bbc had for several years already been trying to shift, as every media organisation has

done, to become digitalfirst. the bbc is in a difficult position because it's got to make sure licence fee payers consuming through linear channels are kept happy. but basically what we have got today i think the radical acceleration of the bbc shift to a digital media entity and its really an attempt by tim davie as director general to address two big threats. 0ne tim davie as director general to address two big threats. one is financial, the bbc does have a two—year freeze in the licence fee, so the bbc has this amazing privilege of being funded by a licensee, it's been frozen at £159 for two years which means bbc has got to find savings. the second threat is technological, which is that more and more on future licence fee payers are consuming things online and that's not whether bbc resources are focused. to address those challenges there is this £500 million plan, 200 million of savings which the bbc has found 50 million and will have to find another 150

million, and then a 300 million reinvestment which is a reallocation of resources around digital. what that means in practice is among other things, that means in practice is among otherthings, in that means in practice is among other things, in three years or so, there are some channels which will be moving from linear to digital and amongst those is cbbc, the children's channel which i'm addicted to. the content will still be there, there might be some changes in what they do but it will become a digital channel. the same is true true of bbc four which has a lot of archive material and will grow to being digital. radio 4 extra. none of that will happen for the next three years but after three years those three channels will change and become digital. before that there will be a merger of bbc news and bbc world, they will become one. ~ . news and bbc world, they will become one. . ., ., ., , ., one. what did that -- what is that aroin to one. what did that -- what is that going to mean? —

one. what did that -- what is that going to mean? l _ one. what did that -- what is that going to mean? ithink— one. what did that -- what is that going to mean? i think the i one. what did that -- what is that going to mean? i think the idea i one. what did that -- what is that going to mean? i think the idea isj going to mean? i think the idea is there will be _ going to mean? i think the idea is there will be a _ going to mean? i think the idea is there will be a singular _ going to mean? i think the idea is there will be a singular service i there will be a singular service which all the bbcjournalists will be able to contribute to so that shouldn't have an impact on whether the bbc has a destination for breaking news. overall these changes will mean job cuts, breaking news. overall these changes will meanjob cuts, so breaking news. overall these changes will mean job cuts, so there will be “p will mean job cuts, so there will be up to 1000 fewer people employed in the public funded part of the bbc. what you had as a bbc that is not just changing shape at becoming a bit smaller, becoming smaller in relative terms, the bbc used to be a shark in the media pond and is now a sardine in the media ocean. it's also becoming slightly smaller in absolute terms because it's got less money in the short term. less money, fewer people and reduction in money has to go further in that it has to reach people digitally and that is what today is about. it's quite an ambitious bunch of proposals, albeit ambitious bunch of proposals, albeit a continuation of an attempt to shift to digital which we've seen

over the last few years. is shift to digital which we've seen over the last few years.- shift to digital which we've seen over the last few years. is there a risk people _ over the last few years. is there a risk people will _ over the last few years. is there a risk people will say _ over the last few years. is there a risk people will say we _ over the last few years. is there a risk people will say we are i over the last few years. is there a risk people will say we are paying | risk people will say we are paying the licence fee but not getting the senses we were getting and also, of course, it's difficult for you to discuss this but there is a lot of party politics involved in this in terms of the shape and future of the bbc and how much support there is for the bbc. bbc and how much support there is for the bbc-— for the bbc. there is obviously a risk from people _ for the bbc. there is obviously a risk from people would - for the bbc. there is obviously a risk from people would say i for the bbc. there is obviously a risk from people would say we i for the bbc. there is obviously a i risk from people would say we don't want to pay for this because we aren't getting value for money. i think thejudgment of aren't getting value for money. i think the judgment of the senior leadership at the bbc is you've got to compare with that risk of the young people not paying for the licensee at all. it is a unique british tax and will convince a new generation to pay for that. on the balance of risks, it's more important to address that risk, that's the view of the bbc. one party politics, there was this unique situation where you have a public broadcaster, the bbc is not a state broadcaster, it's a public

broadcaster, but it has a curious relationship with the government when it comes under pressure at times although it's regulated by 0fcom. it's true to say that it's operating in a political environment where there is a cost of living crisis and the culture secretary nadine dorries has said, there was a big negotiation, and she said partly to address the cost of living crisis, the licensee will be frozen for a couple of years. this is happening in a political context —— the licence fee. and the consequences of that political context is the bbc has got less money and got to do more with it. i'm conscious of it it sounds like wia, but it's i'm conscious of it it sounds like w1a, but it's true, the bbc has got to reach more people and will have less cash to do so over the next few years. less cash to do so over the next few ears. ~ . . less cash to do so over the next few ears, ~ ., ., , less cash to do so over the next few ears. . ., ., , ., ~ years. what we are still here, thank ou ve years. what we are still here, thank you very much _ years. what we are still here, thank you very much indeed. _ years. what we are still here, thank you very much indeed. laughter i a man whose hands were left unusable by an autoimmune disease has been given what is believed to be the world's first double hand

transplant for the condition. steven gallagher, who's 48, was diagnosed with scleroderma, which causes scarring of the skin and organs, as well as what he describes as "horrendous pain." but now, he says — he is pain free. 0ur health correspondent catherine burns has the story. these are the hands that have changed steven gallagher's life. when his consultant first mentioned the idea of a double hand transplant, the 48—year—old wasn't keen. i kind of laughed and i thought that's space age kind of things. no way i'm going through that, kind of thing. but he spent years in pain thanks to scleroderma. it's an autoimmune disease that causes scarring on the skin and internal organs. it got to the point where it was basically two fists, and then it was my hands were unusable, basically, i couldn't do a thing. it shapes your mouth

and pulled my teeth back, and it also makes the nose pointy as well. he knew there was a small risk he could lose his hands, but had the surgery in leeds last december. a 12—hour operation involving 30 different people. it's given me another lease of life, basically. yeah, i'm still finding things hard just now, but things are getting better every week. now he's able to do more for himself. there are still things he struggles with. he can't do up buttons, for example, but he's having regular physio and hopes to go back to work in the future. it's thought steven is the first person with scleroderma to have this surgery. for him, the biggest change is the pain. he says it used to be horrendous. now, it's gone. catherine burns, bbc news. it's more than 40 years since abba went on tour. now, from tonight — after a big

build up and a new album — fans can see the scandinavian foursome performing some of their greatest hits at a new show in london — thanks to digital technology. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin patterson has been finding out more about the abbatars. music: dancing queen by abba. abba — as you've seen them before, looking like they did in their 1970s heyday. # you are the dancing queen #. six years in the making, tonight it's the premiere of the abba voyage concert, featuring avatars, or, as they've come to be known, abbatars of the band, in a 3,000 capacity purpose—built arena in east london. where's the best place to watch the show in the arena? svana gisla has worked on the project since the start. we want to pull on the emotions, so if you come out of here and feel like you've seen a visual spectacle we have failed, unfortunately. if you've come out of here and feel like you've just seen something that is so emotional that you laughed and you cried and you can't wait to go back,

and everyone around you felt the same, that's what we want. # my my, at waterloo napoleon did surrender #. abba performed the songs in front of 160 cameras for five weeks, so every aspect of their movements could be captured. that is so lifelike! quite amazing. when i went to visit them in stockholm last year, they explained that sacrifices had to be made so the avatars could look as accurate as possible. you had to shave the beards for the avatar show, yeah. just how traumatic was that for you? no, again, just a decision. if it has to be done, it has to be done. to the end i tried, is there no other way we can do this? if the show�*s a hit and there's demand around the world, well, in true scandinavian flat pack style, the whole arena can be collapsed, transported and rebuilt in a different country,

on a different continent. and that's the dream for abba — to tour the globe bringing joy to thousands, whilst sitting at home in sweden. colin paterson, bbc news, the abba arena. with me now is self—proclaimed abba superfan, vine thorne. thank you forjoining us. are you going to go and see this? good afternoon- _ going to go and see this? good afternoon. yes, _ going to go and see this? good afternoon. yes, i'm _ going to go and see this? good afternoon. yes, i'm going i going to go and see this? good afternoon. yes, i'm going to i going to go and see this? (2an afternoon. yes, i'm going to see it with a friend on saturday afternoon. unfortunately i couldn't get tickets for tonight, a lot of my other friends have and i believe abba are going to be there in the whole foursome. and they've not been seen really together for a0 years, so very interesting times. really together for 40 years, so very interesting times. deeming toniaht? very interesting times. deeming tonight? do _ very interesting times. deeming tonight? do you _ very interesting times. deeming tonight? do you mean _ very interesting times. deeming tonight? do you mean for - very interesting times. deeming tonight? do you mean for real. tonight? do you mean for real or just in this form? 50.

tonight? do you mean for real or just in this form?— just in this form? so, abba will attend the _ just in this form? so, abba will attend the premiere _ just in this form? so, abba will attend the premiere of - just in this form? so, abba will attend the premiere of the - just in this form? so, abba will. attend the premiere of the voyage concert as a foursome. they aren't going to sing but they will be at the concert on the red carpet with a number of other celebrities like elton john number of other celebrities like eltonjohn and other people attending tonight. find elton john and other people attending tonight.— elton john and other people attending tonight. elton john and other people attendin: toniaht. �* ., , ., ~' attending tonight. and do you think it is actually — attending tonight. and do you think it is actually going _ attending tonight. and do you think it is actually going to _ attending tonight. and do you think it is actually going to be _ attending tonight. and do you think it is actually going to be worth - attending tonight. and do you think it is actually going to be worth it. it is actually going to be worth it to see just projections of them? it's notjust projections. so, industrial light and magic this, they are called ilm, so they are behind shows likejurassic park and all the big effects people. this is all the big effects people. this is a show five years in the making and when abba approached ilm they said they wanted to make it as real as possible. they said it is difficult to tell the real from the digital. so, apparently these are so real you think it is abba themselves but back

in 1977, which is fantastic. iwhen in 1977, which is fantastic. when ou're in 1977, which is fantastic. when you're sitting — in 1977, which is fantastic. when you're sitting quite _ in 1977, which is fantastic. when you're sitting quite far— in 1977, which is fantastic. when you're sitting quite far away - in 1977, which is fantastic. when you're sitting quite far away and| you're sitting quite far away and watching the stage and you've got big screens around you, you could almost be watching an artificial version of them if i could put it in basic terms. so, do you think it's going to feel like that or are they trying to make it feel like a unique experience? trying to make it feel like a unique exoerience?_ experience? yes, there is a 3000 seater arena _ experience? yes, there is a 3000 seater arena and _ experience? yes, there is a 3000 seater arena and a _ experience? yes, there is a 3000 seater arena and a dance - experience? yes, there is a 3000 seater arena and a dance floor- experience? yes, there is a 3000 seater arena and a dance floor in| seater arena and a dance floor in the middle. its purpose—built and can be flat packed and put anywhere on the planet, which is a bit like ikea. but they are swedish as well! they created a total immersive experience so wherever you are in the auditorium, you will be able to see abba as they were in full glory. i'm yet to experience it but from what i've been told it is jaw—dropping what i've been told it is jaw-dropping— what i've been told it is jaw-dropping what i've been told it is 'aw-dro...in ., ., , ., jaw-dropping and what is it about them that makes _

jaw-dropping and what is it about them that makes you _ jaw-dropping and what is it about them that makes you super - jaw-dropping and what is it about them that makes you super fan? | jaw-dropping and what is it about - them that makes you super fan? nay, it was a number— them that makes you super fan? nay, it was a number of— them that makes you super fan? may, it was a number of things. i came from a very troubled childhood and their is very melancholy in the lyrics —— their music is very melancholy in the lyrics but it makes you feel good. it's got melancholy lyrics but upbeat music. how that works, i don't know but however i listened to it has a child and absorbed myself with that music, so i became a fan around ten years old, i suppose. so i became a fan around ten years old, isuppose. yes, there's so i became a fan around ten years old, i suppose. yes, there's been a a0 year gap but abba have done other things as individuals, there's been solo albums and written musicals. the whole thing has been going for a0 years but then voyage came along which they created an album four years ago with these amazing ten songs. when that was coming out and i thought coming up tinkering with your legacy because it is a big

legacy, and they got it right. ihe’ll legacy, and they got it right. we'll have to leave _ legacy, and they got it right. we'll have to leave it _ legacy, and they got it right. we'll have to leave it there _ legacy, and they got it right. we'll have to leave it there but - legacy, and they got it right. we'll have to leave it there but it's great to speak to you and we hope you enjoyed the concert and will be looking out for them tonight as well. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren. we are keeping these brisk westerly winds for today, temperature —wise highest in the south—east where it's bright and dry, 21, quite chilly in northern scotland where we are seeing some sunshine and showers. in between this weather front has been bringing some rain and drizzle which is moving south. the rains are petering out in the cloud pushed away into the english channel. we'll keep some showers going in the north and west of scotland, at the way skies were clear and it will be cooler than last night, typically 7-9. cooler than last night, typically 7—9. heading into friday, will see heavier showers and blustery winds across northern scotland. one or two showers will develop in southern scotland, northern ireland and northern england. southern england likely to be dry, quite sunny and

the winds is lighter so feeling quite warm. we are looking at a top temperature in the south—east of 21. over the weekend, things are going to cool with a more northerly wind which will build the cloud on sunday and could bring one or two showers. this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy and these are the latest headlines... the government announces a 15 billion pound package in the face of the rising cost of living with all households to receive a £a00 discount on energy bills. millions of the most vulnerable — including elderly people, those with disabilities and households on the lowest incomes — will also recevie an extra one—off payment. we will send directly to around 8 million of the lowest income households a one—off cost of living payment of £650. the shadow chancellor hits out at the government for delaying the windfall tax on oil and gas giants to fund payments. this government's dither and delay

has cost our country dearly. and in half an hour, we'll be answering your questions on the cost of the living crisis with our personal finance correspondent, kevin peachey. boris johnson faces fresh calls from mps to resign — a day after a damning report was released into lockdown parties across whitehall and downing street. prayers and vigils for the 19 children and two teachers killed in a school shooting in texas as the debate over gun control in the us re—ignites. the bbc announces plans to merge its two rolling news channels — bbc world and bbc news channel — as well as close some of its smaller broadcast channels in the next few years and move the content online. the former labour mp claudia webbe has lost her appeal against her conviction for harassing a love rival over 18 months from september 2018. and...meet the abba—tars — the swedish supergroup prepare to take to the stage for the first time in a0 years — as digital avatars.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the chancellor rishi sunak has been setting out the government's measures to address the rising cost of living. the chancellor said his package is worth £15 billion. it is expected to be partly paid by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies — something ministers had previously opposed. the measures include eight million of the lowest income households will receive a one—off payment of £650. and from the autumn eight million pensioner households will receive an extra payment of £300. six million people on disability benefits will recieve a one—off payment of £150. and each household in great britain will get a £a00 grant towards their energy bills, with equivalent support pledged

by the chancellor for households in northern ireland. the uk's energy regulator 0fgem says typical household energy bills are set to rise by £800 in october, to £2,800 a year. but the chancellor said the government package "will provide significant support for the british people." our political correspondent helen catt reports. as bills have gone up, so has the pressure on the government to do more than it has. the chancellor of the exchequer. this lunchtime, rishi sunak announced £9 billion worth of measures to help households. he scrapped a scheme which would have seen households have to pay back the £200 reduction on their energy bills during the autumn. so, for the avoidance of doubt, this support is now unambiguously a grant. and, furthermore, we've decided that the £200 of support for household energy bills will be doubled to £a00 for everyone.

we are on the side of hard—working families with £6 billion of financial support. he announced extra one—off payments, £650 for those on the lowest incomes. 350 to pensioners and 150 to disabled people and there was a major u—turn on how to pay for it. the new levy will be charged from the profits of oil and gas companies at a rate of 25%. it will be temporary and when oil and gas prices return to historically more normal levels, the levy will be phased out with a sunset clause written into the legislation. a tax on the unexpectedly high profits of north sea oil and gas companies had been called for repeatedly by labour. madama deputy speaker, after today's announcement let there be no doubt about who is winning the battle of ideas in britain! it is the labour party! today it feels like the chancellor

has finally realised the problem that the country are facing. we first called for a windfall tax on oil and gas producers nearly five months ago. the snp and the lib dems had backed a windfall tax. the government had been resistant. the business secretary said this two days ago. do you support a windfall tax? i've been very clear about a windfall tax. i don't think that it supports investment. i don't think it's necessarily the right thing. but, as i always say, that's up to the chancellor. even at the weekend, downing street sources were indicating that a big announcement on windfall tax wasn't imminent. so, what's changed? well, the government is keen to move on from partygate fast. the announcement earlier this week by the energy regulator that the typical household bill will go up by £800 a year from october is likely to have sharpened its focus. with prices set to keep rising, will this be the last time that rishi sunak has to intervene? helen catt, bbc news, westminster.

i spoke to our economics correspondent andy verity earlier about the chancellors statement. and, the scale of this is beyond anything we normally see outside budgets. you're talking about £15 billion pounds of new measures. that would still be a big headline if i was reporting the budget for you but what we are looking at here is an emergency. we are in a way, in the same territory as we were in the pandemic. we've got that here too. we were going to wait until the autumn but he's clearly decided more needs to be done. these aren't normally the sort of measures you would expect from a conservative chancellor who says he's interested in fiscal certainty and curbing inflation. he's spending more.

if you look at what he spending helping people universally that figure comes in at £6 billion. that additional money he's announced today is going to everybody in the form of that £a00 discount that we are all going to get on our bills and the key is we won't have to repay it. it was that we were going to repay it but in addition to that, you've got targeted support which is far more than most people anticipated. £9 billion of targeted support. the £650 that's going to 8 million households who receive benefits. that's the sort of thing that anti—poverty charities like the joseph rowntree foundation say is the best way to relieve households hardest hit. the conservative government says it wants to be fiscally cautious but it's putting more into the economy than it's taking out. rishi sunak is trying to say he is a low tax chancellor but taxes are high?

we've just had one of the biggest tax rises we've had in decades and that is the health and social care levy. that's going to raise round about £17 billion. in addition, they are freezing income tax. that's gaining £3 billion. he's raised taxes in that respect but there are tax cuts built in but those don't give back anything like what is being taken off from tax rises. so the net effect is actually very redistributive. you're raising money from everyone and you're handing it over to a targeted group that most need it. that's a budget you would often see from a labour chancellor. in terms of what they're calling the temporary targeted levy for the energy companies. is that going to go far enough for those in the labour party who have been calling on it for their policy idea? i notice you are laughing. let's get

rid of the euphemisms. lets just call it what it is, a windfall tax. the treasury don't like terms like that but this is a george osbourne responded something quite similar when we had a cost of living crisis after the global financial crisis 11 years ago. it's worth remembering that. oil prices dropped precipitously, we nearly had deflation in 2016 but that distant memory in this crisis. is it possible to say as yet whether these amounts of money that people see in the pockets over the next few months, is it going to be enough or are we going to potentially face continuing calls into the autumn for people to be given more help? if you look at the scale of the bill rise. it's gone from an average of 1200 to 2800. that's a £1600 buys. it's not far off covering that amount for the poorest households.

you've got that £50 addition to your benefit but also for hundred pounds off your bills plus the rebates. for the poorest households it is a relief. the rest of us won't cover everything but it will help. but at the same time people are still being squeezed by a hike in taxes.'temporary targeted levy�* for energy companies. here's our political correspondent helen catt with more. the principle of this had been knocking around for quite some time and the government have seemed keen to adopt this going from pretty anti—it to actually bringing it into day and we've seen some of that incorporated into the policy, the fact that they will be this investment relief which i think is going to help them with some

backbenchers who might be sceptical about this idea, this sort of tax on company profits, a windfall tax is quite the way they'd want to see things done. i think those sorts of elements are there to try and calm days who perhaps are not ideal logically... this is not what they would have chosen. logically. .. this is not what they would have chosen.— logically... this is not what they would have chosen. they've renege on the council tax _ would have chosen. they've renege on the council tax rebate, _ would have chosen. they've renege on the council tax rebate, haven't - the council tax rebate, haven't they? the council tax rebate, haven't the ? , f the council tax rebate, haven't the ? , j . ., they? yes. they've changed their osition they? yes. they've changed their position on _ they? yes. they've changed their position on the _ they? yes. they've changed their position on the bills. _ they? yes. they've changed their position on the bills. they - they? yes. they've changed their position on the bills. they were l position on the bills. they were going to give everyone to hundred pounds of bills, having to be repaid in five years. they've scrapped that and are doubling the amount. 50 in five years. they've scrapped that and are doubling the amount. so this was not the — and are doubling the amount. so this was not the council _ and are doubling the amount. so this was not the council tax _ and are doubling the amount. so this was not the council tax rebate, - was not the council tax rebate, actually, but the energy line. £200 that they were going to take off people's bills in october but then people's bills in october but then people would have to repay it over £a0 a year over five years. there

was criticism it would be alone. so was criticism it would be alone. sr what they've done is to change that. it won't have to be repaid, it won't it will be a grant and they've doubled the amount so every household will get £a00 instead of £200. 50 household will get £a00 instead of £200. so that's quite a big change there. what is interesting there is that it there. what is interesting there is thatitis there. what is interesting there is that it is universal and we've been hearing from the government over recent weeks about things being targeted, more limited, not wanting to do these big, big moves that they had made. this, then, it's one of those universal moves that will go to every household. the understanding is that that will go as a credit on your energy bill so it's not like a rebate where you get cash into your account. this is more of a credit to your energy bills. helen, on the politics and the timing, wejust had the report helen, on the politics and the timing, we just had the report from sue gray yesterday. two conservative mps who said that the prime minster

should resign. some criticism about the government trying to bounce or that of the front pages. where do you think the conservatives are today, at the moment? on support for the prime minister or not? so we've had three more conservative mps come out this morning to withdraw their support from borisjohnson. it certainly doesn't feel like it did a few months ago where it was at its height of people being really angry about partygate, of his leadership and direction. this seems to be calmer now but there is a trickle of people on the airways coming out saying that. you are right. the timing of this, it's a big announcement so it entirely be dismissed as a distraction but this is very helpful by announcing this today for downing street, putting things in the agenda that they want to talk aboutjust before parliament breaks for recess. helen catt at westminster, thank you very much.

borisjohnson is resisting more calls to resign, after a damning report on government lockdown parties was released. an investigation by the senior civil servant, sue gray, concluded many of the events across whitehall and downing street "should not have been allowed to happen". three more conservative mps have publically called for borisjohnson to step down. john baron, david simmonds and julian sturdy both say it's time for new leadership. joining me now is james johnson, co—founder ofj l partners polling and former head of polling at downing street under theresa may thank you for coming in. you did a snap poll after the report was published yesterday.- snap poll after the report was published yesterday. what did you find? we did _ published yesterday. what did you find? we did a — published yesterday. what did you find? we did a focus _ published yesterday. what did you find? we did a focus group - published yesterday. what did you find? we did a focus group on - published yesterday. what did you find? we did a focus group on a i find? we did a focus group on a smaller— find? we did a focus group on a smaller group of voters. we do these all the _ smaller group of voters. we do these all the lime _ smaller group of voters. we do these all the time and have been since mid—january and are getting a similar— mid—january and are getting a similar picture. we spoke to swing voters _ similar picture. we spoke to swing voters in _ similar picture. we spoke to swing voters in yorkshire and a very similar— voters in yorkshire and a very similar picture to what we've seen throughout the year. they feel that boris _ throughout the year. they feel that borisjohnson lied to throughout the year. they feel that boris johnson lied to them, they are angry— boris johnson lied to them, they are angry about — boris johnson lied to them, they are angry about the party and they have

lost a _ angry about the party and they have lost a lot _ angry about the party and they have lost a lot of— angry about the party and they have lost a lot of faith in the prime ministen _ lost a lot of faith in the prime minister. you can see people getting bored _ minister. you can see people getting bored of— minister. you can see people getting bored of party gate. they can't face it any— bored of party gate. they can't face it any more — bored of party gate. they can't face it any more but ministers would be wrong _ it any more but ministers would be wrong to— it any more but ministers would be wrong to interpret that's good for boris _ wrong to interpret that's good for borisjohnson because wrong to interpret that's good for boris johnson because the wrong to interpret that's good for borisjohnson because the brand damage — borisjohnson because the brand damage that boris johnson borisjohnson because the brand damage that borisjohnson has taken in the _ damage that borisjohnson has taken in the public mind is going to still be there — in the public mind is going to still be there. ~ . .., , be there. what were the comments from yesterday? — be there. what were the comments from yesterday? lots _ be there. what were the comments from yesterday? lots of _ be there. what were the comments from yesterday? lots of talk - be there. what were the comments from yesterday? lots of talk about | from yesterday? lots of talk about eo - le from yesterday? lots of talk about people being _ from yesterday? lots of talk about people being able _ from yesterday? lots of talk about people being able delete - from yesterday? lots of talk about people being able delete unable i from yesterday? lots of talk about j people being able delete unable to id people being able delete unable to -o to people being able delete unable to go to theirfamily people being able delete unable to go to their family members's funerals _ go to their family members's funerals. the pictures caused offence _ funerals. the pictures caused offence. some wider comments from a long-term _ offence. some wider comments from a long—term tory voter said they'd never— long—term tory voter said they'd never vote — long—term tory voter said they'd never vote for boris johnson again, while _ never vote for boris johnson again, while "that— never vote for boris johnson again, while "that normal quote was leader. -- open _ while "that normal quote was leader. -- open that— while "that normal quote was leader.

—— open that man". ——"that man". borisjohnson is never been seen as a borisjohnson is never been seen as a moral— borisjohnson is never been seen as a moral bastian by voters but throughout 2021, he had always said he was _ throughout 2021, he had always said he was more trustworthy than untrustworthy. since january that has flipped, conservative voters saying _ has flipped, conservative voters saying he's more likely to be untrustworthy. it saying he's more likely to be untrustworthy.— saying he's more likely to be untrustworthy. saying he's more likely to be untrustworth . �* , , ., untrustworthy. it brexit ebbing away as a generation _ untrustworthy. it brexit ebbing away as a generation of _ untrustworthy. it brexit ebbing away as a generation of support _ untrustworthy. it brexit ebbing away as a generation of support for- as a generation of support for johnson? it as a generation of support for johnson? , ., , ., johnson? it used to be. remain voters always — johnson? it used to be. remain voters always had _ johnson? it used to be. remain voters always had and - johnson? it used to be. remain voters always had and more - johnson? it used to be. remain - voters always had and more negative view boris _ voters always had and more negative view borisjohnson than voters always had and more negative view boris johnson than positive. voters always had and more negative view borisjohnson than positive. in view borisjohnson than positive. in n1any_ view borisjohnson than positive. in many ways, — view borisjohnson than positive. in many ways, the worst impact of party -ate many ways, the worst impact of party gate is _ many ways, the worst impact of party gate is that _ many ways, the worst impact of party gate is that the first time voters of the _ gate is that the first time voters of the conservative party are angry. if the _ of the conservative party are angry. if the tories — of the conservative party are angry.

if the tories decide they might replacejohnson the general election, are any of his potential rivals in a better position? according to the voting? {line rivals in a better position? according to the voting? one of the few defences _ according to the voting? one of the few defences boris _ according to the voting? one of the few defences boris johnson - according to the voting? one of the few defences boris johnson has - according to the voting? one of the few defences boris johnson has at l few defences boris johnson has at the moment is that sometimes people say who— the moment is that sometimes people say who else? they question whether there is— say who else? they question whether there is an _ say who else? they question whether there is an obvious successor. if you look— there is an obvious successor. if you look at— there is an obvious successor. if you look at approval ratings, all attentional leaders have better approval ratings than boris johnson. work— approval ratings than boris johnson. work in _ approval ratings than boris johnson. work in february shows that seat across _ work in february shows that seat across the — work in february shows that seat across the country pull better in every _ across the country pull better in every seat _ across the country pull better in every seat. i'm talking about people like rishi _ every seat. i'm talking about people like rishi sunak, liz truss sajid javid is the most

popular~ _ truss sajid javid is the most --oular. ~ �* , truss sajid javid is the most --oular.~ �* , ., , popular. we've seen poll ratings full for the _ popular. we've seen poll ratings full for the tories. _ popular. we've seen poll ratings full for the tories. where - popular. we've seen poll ratings full for the tories. where do - popular. we've seen poll ratingsj full for the tories. where do you think that leaves us if there was a general election?— think that leaves us if there was a general election? bearing on some wa off. if general election? bearing on some way off. if there _ general election? bearing on some way off. if there was _ general election? bearing on some way off. if there was a _ general election? bearing on some way off. if there was a general - way off. if there was a general election— way off. if there was a general election now based on everything we know and _ election now based on everything we know and real votes we would not expect _ know and real votes we would not expect labour to be romping to a landslide — expect labour to be romping to a landslide but we would expect them to deprive _ landslide but we would expect them to deprive this conservatives of the manrity_ to deprive this conservatives of the majority and everything in the polls and boris _ majority and everything in the polls and borisjohnson's brand is it's going _ and borisjohnson's brand is it's going to — and borisjohnson's brand is it's going to be harder to turn that around — going to be harder to turn that around than in the past. the}r going to be harder to turn that around than in the past. they need more than labour _ around than in the past. they need more than labour because - around than in the past. they need more than labour because they - around than in the past. they need | more than labour because they will need more to go into a coalition whereas could go into a minority government the lib dems? the conservatives _ government the lib dems? the conservatives don't need a blair style _ conservatives don't need a blair style wipe—out to lose power, they could _ style wipe—out to lose power, they could lose — style wipe—out to lose power, they could lose their power by being ahead — could lose their power by being ahead in— could lose their power by being ahead in the vote share because that's— ahead in the vote share because that's how— ahead in the vote share because that's how the system works. is not a time _ that's how the system works. is not a time to— that's how the system works. is not a time to sit— that's how the system works. is not a time to sit back and think they are going —

a time to sit back and think they are going to recover. all the signs show— are going to recover. all the signs show at _ are going to recover. all the signs show at the — are going to recover. all the signs show at the moment that the conservative party may be sleepwalking to defeat. james johnson, thank _ sleepwalking to defeat. james johnson, thank you _ sleepwalking to defeat. james johnson, thank you for - sleepwalking to defeat. jamesj johnson, thank you for coming sleepwalking to defeat. james i johnson, thank you for coming in today. it's emerged that the teenager who killed 19 children and 2 teachers at a primary school in texas on tuesday wrote messages about the attack on facebook moments earlier. salvador ramos was shot dead by police after he barricaded himself inside a classroom. president biden is expected travel to the town of uvalde in the next few days, to meet the families of those killed. our north america correspondent nomia iqbal reports from there. they came for the thoughts and prayers. families held each other tightly to try and make sense of the unimaginable. they sang and prayed. the mood was sombre, and their grief palpable. this couple told us their eight—year—old grandson made it out of the school alive. i went and checked on my grandson. as soon as he saw me,

he hugged me, he was so scared. and i cried with him also. i told him, it'll be ok. this is a community that's dealing with profound grief — and people came here inside the arena in their hundreds. usually rodeo shows happen here, but there was a prayer vigil, and people say this is their way of healing. the murder of 19 children and their two teachers has left this country reeling. xavier lopez was in his fourth year at primary school, as was elle garcia and ameriejo, just ten. theirteacher, eva mireles, died jumping in front of her students. they had all been barricaded in one classroom. how would you describe your daughter in a few words? how would you describe her? full of love and full of life. she would do anything for anybody. and to me, she was a firecracker. it comforts me a little bit to think that she'd be the one

to help her friends in need there and then. the shooter was next door, and whenever i heard - that he was in room number 18 and the shooter was in 19, - my heartjust dropped. i started panicking, crying. i was thinking that the shooter was shooting everywhere, - that it was going to go through one of the walls and shoot him. - the man who cruelly took their lives was this local teenager, 18—year—old salvador ramos. he sent out messages on social media saying he was going to attack an elementary school. he was killed by police. it's the worst school shooting in a decade. the death of small children has reignited the polarising issue of gun control in america. and whilst politicians unite in grief, they quickly divide on the politics. when in god's name will we do what needs to be done to if not completely stop, fundamentally change the amount of carnage that goes on in this country? republicans here say

this isn't about guns. they say strict gun control infringes on american people's constitutional right to bear arms. it divides america deeply and even after a horrific shooting, that divide deepens. the second amendment is a part of our liberties to even be here in america. this is not about politics, gun control is not about politics. guns don't kill people, people kill people. president biden says he will visit the city in the coming days. will this be a turning point? in america, when it comes to tougher gun laws, the grim expectation is either little or nothing will change. in ukraine, russian forces have attacked more than a0 towns in the eastern donetsk and luhansk regions.

killed. two key cities have come under intense bombardment, and there's heavy fighting for a crossroads connecting ukranian territory. our ukraine correspondent joe inwood reports from kyiv. russia is trying to take the donbas with overwhelming force. these shots, released by the ukrainian ministry of defence, show a thermobaric bombardment of their positions. russia's current targets are the twin cities of severodonetsk and lysychansk. they're not cut off — yet. but the only route to them has been under increasing bombardment for days. if it becomes impassable, thousands of ukraine's best soldiers may be cut off, along with civilians. towns across the region are emptying out. translation: idon't- know where we are going. we are just trying to get as far away as possible from the war, that is the main thing. the increasing human cost of this war has led to some people questioning whether it's worth ukraine giving up some land to save lives. recently the suggestion was made

by former us secretary of state, henry kissinger, at the world economic forum. it's fair to say it did not go down well here in kyiv. translation: no matter. what the russian state does, there's always someone who says, let's take its interests into account. this year in davos it was heard again. despite thousands of russian missiles hitting ukraine, despite tens of thousands of ukrainians killed, despite bucha and mariupol, despite the destroyed cities. and that destruction continues. this footage was released by the kremlin. and every day, the list of destruction gets longer. this is kramatorsk, a key city in the donbas, for both the russians and ukrainians. people know that if, when, severodonetsk falls, their city will be next. yevgen isjust 13. distant bombing he barely flinches at the sound of shelling now. "i got used to it in my village," he says. "that was a 122 shell." the longer this war goes on, the greater the scars — notjust on the towns and villages of this country, but on the people

that live there too. joe inwood, bbc news, kyiv. some breaking news this hour that the actor kevin spacey has been charged with four counts of sexual assault against three men. that's come from the crown prosecution service and one of our correspondence has given us more detail on this. there are four offences of sexual assault, contrary to the sexual offences act and one offence of causing a person to gauge in penetrative sexual activity without consent. this took place in 2005, 2008 and 2000 -- 2013. for charges there against the well—known

actor and producer kevin spacey. we'll give you more details on that as soon as we can. the bbc has announced plans to close some of its smaller broadcast channels in the next few years and move content online. it also plans to merge its two rolling news channels, bbc world and the bbc news channel, into one 2a—hour tv news channel. the changes mean £200 million pounds a year of cuts, as part of efforts to become what's described as being a "digital—first" organisation. injanuary, in january, the injanuary, the latest licensee settlement was announced, keeping it flat. earlier our media editor, amol rajan, told me more about the changes. the bbc had for several years already been trying to shift, as every media organisation has done, to become digitalfirst. the bbc�*s in a difficult position because it's got to make sure licence fee payers consuming through linear channels

are still kept happy. but basically what we have got today i think is the radical acceleration of the bbc shift to a digital media entity, and it's really an attempt by tim davie as director general to address two big threats. one is financial, the bbc does have a two—year freeze in the licence fee, so the bbc has this amazing privilege of being funded by a licence fee, it's been frozen at £159 for two years, which means bbc has got to find savings. after 202a it'll rise by inflation. the second threat is technological, which is that more and more future licence fee payers are consuming things online, and that's not where the bbc�*s resources are focused. to address those challenges there is this £500 million plan, £200 million of savings which the bbc£has found $50 million which the bbc has found £50 million

and will have to find another £150 million, and then a £300 million reinvestment which is a reallocation of resources around digital. what that means in practice is among other things, in three years or so, there are some channels which will be moving from linear to digital and amongst those is cbbc, the children's channel which i'm addicted to. so that won't be on the television? it won't be on the television, no. the content will still be there, there might be some changes in what they do but it will become a digital channel. the same is true true of bbc four which has a lot of archive material and will grow to being digital. radio a extra. none of that will happen for the next three years but after three years those three channels will change and become digital. before that there will be a merger of bbc news and bbc world, did tim davie say anything else? i think the idea is there will be a singular service which all the bbc journalists will be able

to contribute to so that shouldn't have an impact on whether the bbc has a destination for breaking news. overall these changes will mean job cuts, so there will be up to 1,000 fewer people employed in the public funded part of the bbc. what you have is a bbc that is notjust changing shape at becoming a bit smaller, becoming smaller in relative terms, the bbc used to be a shark in the media pond and is now a sardine in the media ocean. it's also becoming slightly smaller in absolute terms because it's got less money in the short term. less money, fewer people and reduction in money has to go further in that it has to reach people digitally and that is what today is about. it's quite an ambitious bunch of proposals, albeit a continuation of an attempt to shift to digital, which we've seen for a few years. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren.

we are keeping this run of brisk, westerly wins today. 21 degrees. chilly in northern scotland we are seeing some sunshine and showers and this is the area we will all get into tomorrow. in northern england and north wales we have had cloud and drizzle and that is moving southwards. this is weakening as it runs southwards and it is petering out and what is left of the cloud will get blown away into the english channel. heading into friday, some every shower is an blustery when. 12 showers in southern scotland, northern ireland, northern england. quite sunny as well. the wins are lighter here and it will feel quite warm. top temperature in the south—east of around 21 celsius. over the weekend, though, things will cool down. northerly wind which will cool down. northerly wind which will build a cloud on sunday and could bring one or two showers.

hello. this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy. these are the headlines. the government announces a £15 billion package in the face of the rising cost of living with all households to receive a £a00 discount on energy bills. millions of the most vulnerable — including elderly people, those with disabilities and households on the lowest incomes — will also recevie an extra one—off payment. the shadow chancellor hits out at the government for delaying the windfall tax on oil and gas giants to fund payments. boris johnson faces fresh calls from mps to resign — a day after a damning report was released into lockdown parties across whitehall and downing street. prayers and vigils for the 19 children and two teachers killed in a school shooting in texas as the debate over gun control in the us re—ignites. the bbc announces plans to merge its two rolling news channels — bbc world and bbc news channel — as well as close some of its smaller broadcast channels in the next few

years and move the content online. the former labour mp claudia webbe has lost her appeal against her conviction for harassing a love rival over 18 months from september 2018. and meet the abba—tars — the swedish supergroup prepare to take to the stage for the first time in a0 years — as digital avatars. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's paul. good afternoon. britain's dan evans is in action later today at the french open. he's up against mikael ymer as he bids to make it through to the third round at roland garros for the first time in his career. meanwhile there's already been a shock today in the women's draw. last year's wimbledon finalist karolina pliskova has gone down in straight sets to the world number 227. france's leolia jeanjean dispatching

the 8th seed 6—2, 6—2. afterwards, pliskova admitted it was a difficult day at the office, but didn't want to take anything away from her wildcard opponent. i think the score is a bit too brutal, i would say, because i think i could have played a bit different some points and had many more games. but serve wasn't working, i think overall i don't have a horrible feeling but of course i'm not happy about it. ijust want feeling but of course i'm not happy about it. i just want to feeling but of course i'm not happy about it. ijust want to give credit to her, she played a great match. elsewhere, daniil medvedev crusied through to round three with a straight sets win over serbia's laslo djere. he faces another serb, 28th seed miomir kecmanovic in the last 32. former f1 boss bernie ecclestone has been arrested in brazil for illegally carrying a gun while boarding a private plane.

the 91—year—old acknowedged owning the weapon and said he didn't realise it was in his luggage at the time. he was released after paying bail and was allowed to continue his journey to switzerland. ecclestone spent a0 years as the head of formula 1 before stepping down in 2017. british gymnastics' head national coach amanda reddin has stepped down from her position with immediate effect. reddin had temporarily stepped aside in 2020 during an investigation into claims about her conduct. rio 2016 olympian ruby harrold said reddin presided over a "culture of fear" at british gymnastics' camps. reddin "completely refuted" the claims, which were not upheld and her suspension was lifted, but another independent investigation is ongoing into "further historical complaints". the mass exodus at manchester city women continues. defender lucy bronze is to follow the likes of georgia stanway and caroline weir out of the club when her contract ends in the summer. bronze re—joined city for a second spell in 2020

from lyon and was named as fifa best women's player that year. she'll feature for the lionesses this summer in the home european championship. "new adventures await, see you soon citizens," she said on twitter. jose mourinho was left in tears after he became the first manager to win all three major european trophies. this is how some of his roma players celebrated, gatecrashing mourinho's news conference, spraying him with what could be water, he didn't seem to mind though, joining in with the celebrations. roma beat feyenoord 1—0 to win the inaugural uefa conference league. it means mourinho has now won all 5 european finals he's managed in. england's tammy abraham and chris smalling also picking up winner's medals. former manchester united defender smalling has been praised for his performances this season. he was named man of the match and was was asked afterwards whether he thinks he could force his way back into the england squad ahead of the world cup later this year. i would never close the door

on something like that but at the minute i am clearly not in gareth's plans but equally i would focus on playing my games and i would never close the door on such an opportunity. that's all the sport for now. the former labour mp claudia webbe has lost her appeal against her conviction for harassment. webbe, who represents her leicester east constituency as an independent after being expelled from the party, targeted michelle merritt, 59, between september 2018 and april 2020. let's get more from our correspondent, tony roe. what has happened today? in the last few minutes the _ what has happened today? in the last few minutes the mp _ what has happened today? in the last few minutes the mp has _ what has happened today? in the last few minutes the mp has actually - what has happened today? in the last few minutes the mp has actually had. few minutes the mp has actually had her custodial element of the sentence overturned because evidence was heard in the appeal hearing

which changed the circumstances for those making the decision. what michelle merritt, the alleged victim said in hearing caused a judge to actually reduce the sentence from a ten week custodial sentence to one of 80 hours community service. claudia webbe has already served 150 hours so that part has been reduced. it's quite significant because it means they can no longer be a recall petition at this stage which would give the voters of leicester east a chance to sack her.— welcome to your questions answered. you've been sending in your questions on the cost of living crisis. with me is our personal finance

correspondent, kevin peachey. thank you for coming in today. we are going to start with one on energy costs, an anonymous question saying, please can you start discussing energy costs in cost per unit? the average annual cost means nothing to most people whereas the price per unit now and projected for october would be more helpful. yes. october would be more helpful. yes, this is helpful — october would be more helpful. yes, this is helpful and _ october would be more helpful. yes, this is helpful and it's _ october would be more helpful. use: this is helpful and it's the way october would be more helpful. isis this is helpful and it's the way it explains how our energy bills are going up. because the price cap which we've heard so much about is a cap on each unit, the price of each unit of energy that we use. so, they use that to calculate what a typical bill might be. so, if we use more energy bills will be higher, if you use less it's going to be lower. but what we've heard this week, and in effect this the financial hole made clear which the chancellor today has worked out how we're going to climb out of it, they've said week, 0fgem,

that the typical bill will go up to £2800 per yearfrom october that the typical bill will go up to £2800 per year from october and that the typical bill will go up to £2800 per yearfrom october and that is a big increase of £800 compared with now. so, it is a very complicated process in trying to work out what the bills are going to be under its obviously different for different people but that's why they use this typical amount. the government _ use this typical amount. the government has _ use this typical amount. the government has said they can only go so far in terms of helping people. one viewer from manchester says, so far in terms of helping people. one viewerfrom manchester says, why is no one suggesting the government intervene and prevent the price cap rising, bring it down and reduce people's bills that way? the energy firms have made 7 billion in profit on the old price cap so they can clearly survive with a lower price cap. clearly survive with a lower price ca n . ,, ., ., clearly survive with a lower price ca. ., ., ., clearly survive with a lower price cap. so, to boilthat down, i think what he's — cap. so, to boilthat down, i think what he's saying _ cap. so, to boilthat down, i think what he's saying is _ cap. so, to boilthat down, i think what he's saying is why _ cap. so, to boilthat down, i think what he's saying is why doesn't i cap. so, to boilthat down, i think. what he's saying is why doesn't the government say bring down the cap, everybody pays less, it will be an easy way to do it. but actually what

happens is 0fgem, the regulator who sets the cap, and that cap is reflective of the costs faced by suppliers. so, if suppliers have higher wholesale costs it means that will be reflected in the bills we pgy- will be reflected in the bills we pay. now, if theyjust brought that down to a more manageable level, then there will be companies that go under and the cost of that is picked up under and the cost of that is picked up by everybody�*s bills. so, the way it's being done is obviously the bills come through and then the chancellor has today outlined some of the support put in four people, one—off payments, payments to everybody, and to discount those bills. it won't happen directly with the reduced cap, although it will happen automatically in many cases. and other questions as, regarding the estimated increase by 0fgem on the estimated increase by 0fgem on the energy price cap in october why can't they let people know what the increase in standing charges will be? ,, ., . ., , increase in standing charges will be? ,, ., . ., , ,., increase in standing charges will

be? ,, ., . ., ., be? standing charges come up a lot. because people _ be? standing charges come up a lot. because people are _ be? standing charges come up a lot. because people are worried - be? standing charges come up a lot. because people are worried about, l because people are worried about, hang on, if i really reduce my energy use as much as possible at home, it's not going to affect my standing charge which has gone up and that's true, because the standing charges something paid by everyone and it's that bit of your bill that is paying the cost of some of those companies that have gone bust over the last year. obviously, that cost is going to be borne by all bill payers and that's the bit of the bill they put it in. so, it's a common worry about standing charges but that's why. the standing charges but that's why. the standing charges in effect are charged because you've got your energy in place, you've got all the pipes and the metres and so on. so, that's how it works and it's paid by everybody so that's the reason.— it works and it's paid by everybody so that's the reason. another viewer sa s, will so that's the reason. another viewer

says. will the _ so that's the reason. another viewer says, will the chancellor— so that's the reason. another viewer says, will the chancellor include - says, will the chancellor include people on the benefit esa this time as during the pandemic it didn't get as during the pandemic it didn't get a £20 uplift? 50. as during the pandemic it didn't get a £20 uplift?— a £20 uplift? so, these are what the call a £20 uplift? so, these are what they call legacy _ a £20 uplift? so, these are what they call legacy benefits. - a £20 uplift? so, these are what they call legacy benefits. so, - they call legacy benefits. so, people who haven't moved on to universal credit are getting some of the older style benefits and their are many people in that situation who didn't get the support during the pandemic but they will be this time. so, the government has said expressly that the support that is being given to millions of people, 8 million people on benefits, will include people on universal credit but also include people on legacy benefits. then there's the extras, the extra £150 for those on disability benefits. they are payments being made to all of those people and so as far as we know,

there don't seem to be people missing out on these payments. one area that will be looked at quite closely will be people just above benefits levels who are seeing people who look as though they are in a similar situation to them but are getting hundreds of pounds more support through these payments. quite right. a question here which says, will scotland be included in this payout? == says, will scotland be included in this payout?— says, will scotland be included in this payout?- yes, - says, will scotland be included in this payout?- yes, they | this payout? -- right. yes, they will. i this payout? -- right. yes, they will- i think _ this payout? -- right. yes, they will. i think it's _ this payout? -- right. yes, they will. i think it's referring - this payout? -- right. yes, they will. i think it's referring here i this payout? -- right. yes, they will. i think it's referring here to the £a00 being discounted off of your energy bill and now remember we had about £200 of that which we thought everybody was going to have to pay back in instalments, the chancellor said today he is going to make it £a00 and you won't have to pay it back. make it £400 and you won't have to pay it back-— make it £400 and you won't have to pay it back-_ so. i pay it back. how will we get it? so, it will be taken _ pay it back. how will we get it? so, it will be taken off _ pay it back. how will we get it? so, it will be taken off of _ pay it back. how will we get it? so, it will be taken off of your - pay it back. how will we get it? so, it will be taken off of your bill- it will be taken off of your bill from october over the following six months and that will include

prepayment metre, as well. so up until october— prepayment metre, as well. so up until october you _ prepayment metre, as well. so up until october you will _ prepayment metre, as well. so up until october you will pay - prepayment metre, as well. so up until october you will pay high - until october you will pay high bills? , , , ., bills? this is designed to come in when those _ bills? this is designed to come in when those bills _ bills? this is designed to come in when those bills are _ bills? this is designed to come in when those bills are increasing i bills? this is designed to come in| when those bills are increasing for 23 million people across england, wales and scotland. so, that's the timing. scotland is included, wales and england as well. the complication comes with northern ireland, who aren't protected by a price cap but have seen prices rising and the payment will be, is designed to be paid to them but there are some complications in getting it to them. the government still saying they are going to work out, they will make the equivalent payment but will work out how that's happening and it's all to do with the situation with the executive and so on. so, there is still some details clearly to be ironed out but it should be that everybody across the uk gets this support. interesting. an anonymous question that says, why is there a little if any mention of people on just the

state pension in the present cost of living crisis? the promise of triple—lock was broken leaving many pensioners struggling. i’ee triple-lock was broken leaving many pensioners struggling.— triple-lock was broken leaving many pensioners struggling. i've got some aood news pensioners struggling. i've got some good news for _ pensioners struggling. i've got some good news for this _ pensioners struggling. i've got some good news for this person. _ pensioners struggling. i've got some good news for this person. there - pensioners struggling. i've got some good news for this person. there is l good news for this person. there is support, because there are 8 million pensioner households who will get an extra £300 and that's because they get the winter fuel payments. if you've got one person of pension age you�*ve got one person of pension age in you've got one person of pension age in your household who receives the winter fuel payments, you're going to get an extra £300. pensioner households will receive more. all]! households will receive more. all pensioners? yes. _ households will receive more. all pensioners? yes. as _ households will receive more. all pensioners? yes. as long - households will receive more. all pensioners? yes. as long as you | households will receive more. all - pensioners? yes. as long as you have one person — pensioners? yes. as long as you have one person of— pensioners? yes. as long as you have one person of pensionable _ pensioners? yes. as long as you have one person of pensionable age - pensioners? yes. as long as you have one person of pensionable age in - one person of pensionable age in your household. in addition, people on lower income pensions receive pension credit will also be entitled to the £650, so that's added on in addition. if they have a disability, and receive disability benefits,

that could be another £150. you will also receive the £a00 discount on your bill. so, there will be a group of pensioners who this winter will receive a package which is worth £1500. �* ., receive a package which is worth £1500. ~ ., , £1500. ok. another viewer says, i was wondering _ £1500. ok. another viewer says, i was wondering if _ £1500. ok. another viewer says, i was wondering if you're _ £1500. ok. another viewer says, i was wondering if you're reporting l £1500. ok. another viewer says, i l was wondering if you're reporting on the government moved could look into the government moved could look into the millions of people in the uk who don't have mains gas but rely on home heating oil. the 0fgem price cap does nothing for us, continue to be ignored? i cap does nothing for us, continue to be ignored?— be ignored? i must admit, getting into the detail _ be ignored? i must admit, getting into the detail of _ be ignored? i must admit, getting into the detail of some _ be ignored? i must admit, getting into the detail of some of- into the detail of some of this, we haven't got to that stage yet, to be honest. but there is an issue here with the cost of lpg and so on, again, that's been going up in price as his right to say, not protected by the price cap. it's quite difficult to see how some of these payments will be passed on to them.

there is also the issue of prepayment metre customers, we've got about a million people or households who are on prepayment metres, which means they top up the energy with tokens in advance. they should be paid with some kind of credit, and again, that will have to be worked out, the mechanics of that, when that's paid and over what sort of period of time and whether it's in a lump sum or spaced out over the winter. it's in a lump sum or spaced out over the winter. [30 it's in a lump sum or spaced out over the winter.— it's in a lump sum or spaced out over the winter. do we know whether if ou're over the winter. do we know whether if you're on — over the winter. do we know whether if you're on home _ over the winter. do we know whether if you're on home heating _ over the winter. do we know whether if you're on home heating oil- if you're on home heating oil whether you're going to get any help? i whether you're going to get any hel ? .. ., whether you're going to get any hel ? ~ ., ., ., help? i think we need to go through some of the — help? i think we need to go through some of the fine _ help? i think we need to go through some of the fine print. _ help? i think we need to go through some of the fine print. it's - help? i think we need to go through some of the fine print. it's all- some of the fine print. it's all re some of the fine print. it's all pretty new- — some of the fine print. it's all pretty new. another - some of the fine print. it's all pretty new. another viewer i some of the fine print. it's all- pretty new. another viewer says, if costs of energy have massively increased of late, how have the energy companies made such large profits? did they not have to pay equally high costs to acquire it in the first place in order to produce the first place in order to produce

the energy? 50. the first place in order to produce the energy?— the first place in order to produce the ener: ? ., ., i., ~ the energy? so, for anyone thinking about how the _ the energy? so, for anyone thinking about how the energy _ the energy? so, for anyone thinking about how the energy companies . the energy? so, for anyone thinking | about how the energy companies are working and how they are juggling their costs, you've got the energy suppliers, they are the ones facing high wholesale costs, the ones some of which have gone under as a result of which have gone under as a result of these high prices in the last year, those costs are being passed on to us as consumers through our bills, that's why your energy bill has been going up. so, those suppliers are facing much higher costs. you've also got the energy companies who generate the gas and say they are the ones who today we've heard of facing a temporary levy in the words of the chancellor, windfall tax. you might want to call it instead. this is going to raise five billion and its attacks on the profits made —— it is a tax on the

profits made —— it is a tax on the profits made —— it is a tax on the profits made by the generators who have clearly made more money and have clearly made more money and have had quite large profits in the last few months. quite another viewer says, the energy prices are ridiculous, i can hardly afford them, god knows what's going to happen in the winter. i tried to get a salary increase because it's been eight years since my last one but the answer is no pay rise. what is the answer is no pay rise. what is the public supposed to do, get into debt? that is the only clear answer i can see. that's what the chancellor is doing with the national finances, chancellor is doing with the nationalfinances, increasing the national finances, increasing the national finances, increasing the national debt nationalfinances, increasing the national debt but for individuals who don't have access to a cheap way of raising debt, it's really frightening. yes, two issues at play here. the first is the squeeze on people who are already in a financial predicament. i've spoken to people in the last couple of weeks and all the time, frankly, who are really struggling to pay their bills, they don't know how they are

going to find the money. clearly, they were hoping for and waiting for support from the government. there are debt charities who say they are seeing the number is increasing, the number of people who require some kind of charitable support increasing. and it is difficult. and clearly the concern is that without any kind of protection, people just borrow if they can, even if it's just a family and friends to pay for their energy bills, find themselves in a spiral of debt and could get into a realfinancial in a spiral of debt and could get into a real financial hole. clearly, if you feel as an individual you are in that kind of situation, debt charities, experts, will always seek help early. it's much, much easier to work out how to deal with the expenditure you have compared with the income you're getting if you tackle the problem early. if you wait too long then it could become

much harder. the other thing is, you know, the point made here is that he's asked for a pay rise and that takes us to the wider cost of living debate. it's notjust energy bills that are going up, its food, fuel and so on. i think there has been concern, the bank of england governor raised it with some controversial comments that people may go to their employers and say, we've got all these bills going up, the cost of living is rising at a rate we haven't seen for a0 years, give me a massive pay rise orjust give me a massive pay rise orjust give me a pay rise that covers the amount. if employers give out that amount, the theory is that fuel is more inflation and we find ourselves over a very, very long period of high inflation where clearly the bank of england, the government

would like to bring inflation back under control. remember what that means, it means prices will still be rising. they won't fall but it means they will be rising at a slower rate than we are seeing at the moment. very quickly, everyone is going to try and get a pay rise, it's the logical thing to do if you're struggling. regardless of what the bank of england governor says, i think. if you can't, and for this person with no answers, who is the best person or place to get advice from in terms of what their options might be? it from in terms of what their options miaht be? , , ., from in terms of what their options miahtbe? , ,., might be? it depends on your situation but _ might be? it depends on your situation but for _ might be? it depends on your situation but for those - might be? it depends on your situation but for those in - might be? it depends on your. situation but for those in serious financial problems, there are a whole host of debt advice charities and that debt advice is free, it's important to say that you can go somewhere where you don't have to pay for the advice and they will help you with things like, for

example, claiming the benefits to which you are entitled. by, lot example, claiming the benefits to which you are entitled.— which you are entitled. a lot goes unclaimed- _ which you are entitled. a lot goes unclaimed. millions _ which you are entitled. a lot goes unclaimed. millions a _ which you are entitled. a lot goes unclaimed. millions a year - which you are entitled. a lot goes unclaimed. millions a year goes l unclaimed. millions a year goes unclaimed- _ unclaimed. millions a year goes unclaimed. when _ unclaimed. millions a year goes unclaimed. when we _ unclaimed. millions a year goes unclaimed. when we look - unclaimed. millions a year goes unclaimed. when we look at - unclaimed. millions a year goes | unclaimed. when we look at the support package today, a lot of it is linked to current benefit claims. if you are never claiming the original benefit in the first place, you will not receive this extra support, so that's clearly an area where the people need to look through their budgets and check what they are entitled to.— they are entitled to. absolutely. this question — they are entitled to. absolutely. this question sent _ they are entitled to. absolutely. this question sent before - they are entitled to. absolutely. | this question sent before today's announcements but says, we were supposed to be getting 150 from the council but we've heard nothing, the loan of 250 is a waste of time and money because of the administration costs. can you tell us when we can expect these payments? 50. costs. can you tell us when we can expect these payments?— costs. can you tell us when we can expect these payments? so, this is somethin: expect these payments? so, this is something announced _ expect these payments? so, this is something announced previously i expect these payments? so, this is. something announced previously but which the chancellor referred to again today, this energy rebate which was being paid to people, 80%

of households, through their council tax generally or from their council. for many people it's been quite straightforward but for some it's taken a while and lots of councils haven't got through all of the rebates so far. so, they have £150 which should be going to people but may not be paid until, well, the cut—off for september. so, if you haven't received it yet, it may be worth getting in contact with your council to check where it is and see if it's being paid. if you pay your council tax through direct debit, thatis council tax through direct debit, that is the simple way of getting it back. . .. that is the simple way of getting it back. . ~ , ., ., ., back. thank you for running through some of those _ back. thank you for running through some of those questions _ back. thank you for running through some of those questions for - back. thank you for running through some of those questions for us - some of those questions for us today. hello. it's going to cool down this weekend as we see the wind direction

changing. today we've got a westerly wind, quite brisk particularly in scotland where we've seen sunshine and showers. across parts of northern england and north wales, we've had cloud, rain and drizzle. that's moving southwards. ahead of it in the southeast with some brighter skies and temperatures of 21. still quite chilly across northern parts of scotland. this weather front is bringing and drizzle south, its weakening as it runs southwards. the rain is petering out and what's left of the cloud will get blown away into the english channel. skies will clear away from scotland. elsewhere with clearer skies and light winds, cooler than last night. moving into friday, one of these is heading our way. high pressure means dry weather and should mean sunshine but it's not arriving everywhere. we still got stronger winds in scotland and that's where we'll see heavy showers in the north. as the cloud built in

southern scotland, northern ireland and northern england, one or two light showers but for wales, the midlands and southern england, dry with a lot of sunshine around and the wind is a here. feeling quite warm. heading into the weekend, the main story is the cooler air that's going to be heading our way. temperatures will be dropping and we may see a few more showers arriving during the second half of the weekend. they could be one or two showers in northern scotland on saturday, otherwise dry, sunny start with cloud building and spreading out a bit through the day. those temperatures probably peaking at 20 across the south. the high pressure that's been trying to build towards the uk is going to retreat back towards iceland and it keeps these northerly winds heading away on sunday and that's bringing in this much cooler air. with pressure dropping, likely to find the cloud

on sunday and that could lead to a few showers around as well, particularly across eastern areas. try it in the west. that's probably where we will find the highest temperatures. rather cool.

this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy and these are the latest headlines. the government announces a £15 billion package in the face of the rising cost of living with all households to receive a £a00 discount on energy bills. millions of the most vulnerable — including elderly people, those with disabilities and households on the lowest incomes — will also recevie an extra one—off payment. we will send directly to around 8 million of the lowest income households a one—off cost of living payment of £650. the shadow chancellor hits out at the government for delaying the windfall tax on oil and gas giants to fund payments. this government's dither and delay has cost our country dearly. boris johnson faces fresh calls

from mps to resign — a day after a damning report was released into lockdown parties across whitehall and downing street. prayers and vigils for the 19 children and two teachers killed in a school shooting in texas as the debate over gun control in the us re—ignites. the bbc announces plans to merge its two rolling news channels — bbc world and bbc news channel — as well as close some of its smaller broadcast channels in the next few years and move the content online. the cps charges actor kevin spacey with four counts of sexual assault against three men. and... we meet the man with a new lease of life — after a double hand transplant

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the chancellor rishi sunak has been setting out the government's measures to address the rising cost of living. the chancellor said his package is worth £15 billion. it is expected to be partly paid by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies — something ministers had previously opposed. the measures includes 8 million of the lowest income households will receive a one—off payment of £650 and from autumn 8 million pensioner households will receive an extra payment of £300 million. 6 million people on disability benefits will recieve a one—off payment of £150 and each household in great britain will get a £a00 grant towards their energy bills, with equivalent support pledged by the chancellor for households in northern ireland. the uk's energy regulator 0fgem says typical household energy bills are set to rise by £800

in october, to £2,800 a year. but the chancellor said the government package "will provide significant support for the british people." our political correspondent helen catt reports. as bills have gone up, so has the pressure on the government to do more than it has. the chancellor of the exchequer. this lunchtime, rishi sunak announced £9 billion worth of measures to help households. he scrapped a scheme which would have seen households have to pay back the £200 reduction on their energy bills during the autumn. so, for the avoidance of doubt, this support is now unambiguously a grant. and, furthermore, we've decided that the £200 of support for household energy bills will be doubled to £a00 for everyone. we are on the side of hard—working families with £6 billion of financial support.

he announced extra one—off payments, £650 for those on the lowest incomes. 350 to pensioners and 150 to disabled people and there was a major u—turn on how to pay for it. the new levy will be charged from the profits of oil and gas companies at a rate of 25%. it will be temporary and when oil and gas prices return to historically more normal levels, the levy will be phased out with a sunset clause written into the legislation. a tax on the unexpectedly high profits of north sea oil and gas companies had been called for repeatedly by labour. madam deputy speaker, after today's announcement that there be no doubt about who is winning the battle of ideas in britain! it is the labour party! today it feels like the chancellor has finally realised the problem

that this country is facing. we first called for a windfall tax on oil and gas producers nearly five months ago. the snp and the lib dems had backed a windfall tax. the government had been resistant. the business secretary said this two days ago. do you support a windfall tax? i've been very clear about a windfall tax. i don't think that it supports investment. i don't think it's necessarily the right thing. but, as i always say, that's up to the chancellor. even at the weekend, downing street sources were indicating that a big announcement on windfall tax wasn't imminent. so, what's changed? well, the government is keen to move on from partygate fast. the announcement earlier this week by the energy regulator that the typical household bill will go up by £800 a year from october is likely to have sharpened its focus. with prices set to keep rising, will this be the last time that rishi sunak has to intervene? helen catt, bbc news, westminster. earlier, i spoke to our economics correspondent andy verity

about the chancellor's statement. these are not the sort of measures you would — these are not the sort of measures you would expect _ these are not the sort of measures you would expect from _ these are not the sort of measures you would expect from a _ these are not the sort of measures . you would expect from a conservative chancellor _ you would expect from a conservative chancellor who — you would expect from a conservative chancellor who said _ you would expect from a conservative chancellor who said his _ you would expect from a conservative chancellor who said his interested - chancellor who said his interested in fiscal— chancellor who said his interested in fiscal conservatism _ chancellor who said his interested in fiscal conservatism in _ chancellor who said his interested in fiscal conservatism in curbing i in fiscal conservatism in curbing inflation — in fiscal conservatism in curbing inflation. he's _ in fiscal conservatism in curbing inflation. he's spending - in fiscal conservatism in curbing inflation. he's spending more, i inflation. he's spending more, helping — inflation. he's spending more, helping people _ inflation. he's spending more, helping people universally. - inflation. he's spending more, i helping people universally. that figure _ helping people universally. that figure comes _ helping people universally. that figure comes in _ helping people universally. that figure comes in at _ helping people universally. that figure comes in at £6 _ helping people universally. that figure comes in at £6 billion- helping people universally. that figure comes in at £6 billion of. figure comes in at £6 billion of additional— figure comes in at £6 billion of additional monies— figure comes in at £6 billion of

additional monies announced i figure comes in at £6 billion of- additional monies announced today so that's— additional monies announced today so that's going _ additional monies announced today so that's going to — additional monies announced today so that's going to everybody— additional monies announced today so that's going to everybody in _ additional monies announced today so that's going to everybody in the - that's going to everybody in the form _ that's going to everybody in the form of— that's going to everybody in the form of £400 _ that's going to everybody in the form of £400 discount - that's going to everybody in the form of £400 discount that - that's going to everybody in the form of £400 discount that wel that's going to everybody in the - form of £400 discount that we organ to get— form of £400 discount that we organ to get on— form of £400 discount that we organ to get on the — form of £400 discount that we organ to get on the bills _ form of £400 discount that we organ to get on the bills and _ form of £400 discount that we organ to get on the bills and the _ form of £400 discount that we organ to get on the bills and the keys - to get on the bills and the keys won't _ to get on the bills and the keys won't have _ to get on the bills and the keys won't have to _ to get on the bills and the keys won't have to repay— to get on the bills and the keys won't have to repay it. - to get on the bills and the keys won't have to repay it. the - to get on the bills and the keys - won't have to repay it. the previous measure _ won't have to repay it. the previous measure was — won't have to repay it. the previous measure was that _ won't have to repay it. the previous measure was that we _ won't have to repay it. the previous measure was that we would - won't have to repay it. the previous measure was that we would have i won't have to repay it. the previous measure was that we would have toj measure was that we would have to repay _ measure was that we would have to repay. £400 — measure was that we would have to repay. £400 for— measure was that we would have to repay. £400 for every _ measure was that we would have to repay. £400 for every household i measure was that we would have to i repay. £400 for every household that pays the _ repay. £400 for every household that pays the bills — repay. £400 for every household that pays the bills in _ repay. £400 for every household that pays the bills. in addition _ repay. £400 for every household that pays the bills. in addition to - repay. £400 for every household that pays the bills. in addition to that, i pays the bills. in addition to that, there's— pays the bills. in addition to that, there's more _ pays the bills. in addition to that, there's more than— pays the bills. in addition to that, there's more than people - pays the bills. in addition to that, i there's more than people anticipate. billion— there's more than people anticipate. billion pounds— there's more than people anticipate. billion pounds of— there's more than people anticipate. billion pounds of support. _ there's more than people anticipate. billion pounds of support. into - there's more than people anticipate. billion pounds of support. into 8 i billion pounds of support. into 8 million _ billion pounds of support. into 8 million households— billion pounds of support. into 8 million households that - billion pounds of support. into 8 million households that need i million households that need benefits _ that's the sort of thing that anti—poverty charity like the joseph rowntree foundation say is the best way to relieve households hardest hit. the conservative government says it wants to be fiscally cautious but it's putting more into the economy than it's taking out. rishi sunak is trying to say

he is a low tax chancellor but taxes are high? with just had one of the biggest tax rises we've had in we've just had one of the biggest tax rises we've had in decades and that they hails and social care levy. that's going to raise roundabout £17 billion. in addition, they are freezing income tax. as our pay goes up, more of us get dragged into the higher thresholds where we pay tax. that's gaining £3 billion. he's raised taxes in that respect but there are tax cuts built in but those don't give back anything like what is being taken off from tax rises. so the net effect is actually very redistributive. you're raising money from everyone and you're handing it over to a targeted group that most need it. that's a budget you would often say from a labour chancellor. that's a budget you would often see from a labour chancellor. in terms of what they're calling the temporary targeted levy for the energy companies. is that going to go far enough for those in the labour party who have been calling on it for their policy idea? lets just call it what it is, a windfall tax. the treasury don't like terms like that but this is a sort of thing that's been done over the years.

george osbourne responded with something quite similar when we had a cost of living crisis after the global financial crisis 11 years ago. it's worth remembering that. oil prices dropped precipitously, we nearly had deflation in 2016 but that distant memory in this crisis. is it possible to say is yet whether these amounts of money that people see in the pockets over the next few months, is going to be enough or are we going to potentially face continuing calls into the autumn for people to be given more help? if you look at the scale of the bill rise. it's gone from an average of 1200 to 2800. the poorest households is not far off covering that. you've got that £50 addition to your benefits but also for hundred pounds off your bills plus the rebates.

it adds up to about £1200. for the poorest households it is a relief. the rest of us won't cover everything but it will help. here's our political correspondent helen catt with more on the chancellor's announcement. this was an opposition led idea so labour, we heard, pushing on this idea of a windfall tax quite some months. it was actually first proposed by the liberal democrats, the snp talking about the same but in a wider looking at companies who'd made money out of the pandemic, so the principle of this, the idea of this knocking around for quite some time but the government being pretty resident to adopt this. they've been quite anti this, saying its anti—investment. but now they are bringing it in today. again, i think it's going to help them with some on the back bench who might be sceptical about this

idea who might not feel that this tax on company profits is quite the way they would want to see things done. i think those sort of elements they put in are there to try and calm those who perhaps are not ideological a... this is not what they would have chosen. they've changed their position on the council tax rebate, haven't they? they've also changed their position on the bills, you know, they were going to give everyone two hundred pounds off bills having to be repaid over five years. they're scrapping that and doubling the amount? this was not the council tax rebate, but the energy loan they were going to bring in in october, £200 which they were going to take off people was bills in october but then people would have to repay it at £a0 a years over five years. a year over five years. there was a lot of criticism about that, that it would be ineffective alone. so what they've done today, they've changed that so it won't have to be repaid,

it will be a grant and they've also decided to double the amount of it so that every household will get £a00 instead of £200 so that's quite a big change there. what's interesting about that is that this is universal and we had been hearing from the government the idea of things being targeted, more limited, not wanting to do these big, big moves that they had made but then this is one of these big, universal moves that will go to every household and the understanding is that that will go as a credit on your energy bill so it's not like with the council tax rebate where you had cash put directly into your account. this is more of a credit on your energy bills. helen, on the politics and the timing of this. obviously, we've just had the report from sue gray yesterday. two conservative mps saying that the prime minister should resign. some criticism about the government trying to bounce all that off the front pages. where do you think the conservatives are today at the moment?

on support for the prime minister or not? so we've had three more conservative mps come out this morning to withdraw their support from borisjohnson. it certainly doesn't feel like it did a few months ago where it was at its height of people being really angry about partygate, of his leadership and direction. this seems to be calmer now but there is a trickle of people on the airways coming out saying that. you are right. the timing of this, it's a big announcement so it entirely be the timing of this, it's a big announcement so it can't entirely be dismissed as a distraction but this is very helpful by announcing this today for downing street, putting things in the agenda that they want to talk aboutjust before parliament breaks for recess. helen catt at westminster, thank you very much. joining me now is kirsty blackman, the snp's work and pensions spokesperson. the government have listened and they and are now protecting the most

honourable? iuglilh they and are now protecting the most honourable? ~ they and are now protecting the most honourable?— honourable? with said this should not be should _ honourable? with said this should not be should be _ honourable? with said this should not be should be alone _ honourable? with said this should not be should be alone or- honourable? with said this should not be should be alone or a i honourable? with said this shouldj not be should be alone or a grant. i'm glad _ not be should be alone or a grant. i'm glad he — not be should be alone or a grant. i'm glad he has listened to that. he's_ i'm glad he has listened to that. he's listened to our we made in orderm — he's listened to our we made in orderm we _ he's listened to our we made in order... we said we need to be giving — order... we said we need to be giving people money, those at the lowest _ giving people money, those at the lowest end of the income spectrum are being _ lowest end of the income spectrum are being given cash in order to get through— are being given cash in order to get through this. we actually ask for £1000 _ through this. we actually ask for £1000 tapered so it would be less as she went _ £1000 tapered so it would be less as she went up the income scale. he hasn't _ she went up the income scale. he hasn't done — she went up the income scale. he hasn't done that, he's done 650 which _ hasn't done that, he's done 650 which is — hasn't done that, he's done 650 which is different. yes, he's moved towards _ which is different. yes, he's moved towards our— which is different. yes, he's moved towards our position. still failed towards our position. still failed to do— towards our position. still failed to do a — towards our position. still failed to do a number of key things, including _ to do a number of key things, including how people with prepayment metres— including how people with prepayment metres are going to cope. will they -et metres are going to cope. will they get a _ metres are going to cope. will they get a voucher scheme? because it seems _ get a voucher scheme? because it seems it's— get a voucher scheme? because it seems it's pretty unworkable. we need _ seems it's pretty unworkable. we need to— seems it's pretty unworkable. we need to make sure people on the

lowest _ need to make sure people on the lowest incomes generally are able to see the _ lowest incomes generally are able to see the benefit of this cash coming in. see the benefit of this cash coming in we _ see the benefit of this cash coming in we also— see the benefit of this cash coming in. we also need to see the upgrading of benefits. the chancellor was trying to make the argument — chancellor was trying to make the argument today that a one—off payment — argument today that a one—off payment of £650 is better than increasing benefits by 9%. when it comes _ increasing benefits by 9%. when it comes to — increasing benefits by 9%. when it comes to this message energy price rising _ comes to this message energy price rising october, then the benefits will not — rising october, then the benefits will not be able to keep pace, if you like. — will not be able to keep pace, if you like, with a rate of inflation. then— you like, with a rate of inflation. then he — you like, with a rate of inflation. then he refused to completely acknowledge the fact that brexit has increased _ acknowledge the fact that brexit has increased our food prices by 6%. this is— increased our food prices by 6%. this is not— increased our food prices by 6%. this is not being replicated across europe _ this is not being replicated across europe or— this is not being replicated across europe or the world. it's a specific issue _ europe or the world. it's a specific issue affecting the uk at the moment and food _ issue affecting the uk at the moment and food prices. the issue affecting the uk at the moment and food prices.— and food prices. the windfall tax doesnt and food prices. the windfall tax doesn't cover _ and food prices. the windfall tax doesn't cover the _ and food prices. the windfall tax doesn't cover the expenditure, l

and food prices. the windfall tax i doesn't cover the expenditure, about £5 billion. does that mean the uk is going into more debt. will we see higher taxes on middle and higher earners? where do you think the burden of this should fall? so that when full tax _ burden of this should fall? so that when full tax should _ burden of this should fall? so that when full tax should have - burden of this should fall? so that when full tax should have been i when full tax should have been broader, — when full tax should have been broader, notjust on oil and gas companies _ broader, notjust on oil and gas companies. we are aware that the north-east — companies. we are aware that the north—east of scotland is the powerhouse of the uk. we are disproportionately taking the hit here _ disproportionately taking the hit here it — disproportionately taking the hit here. it should been broader. should have covered other companies of this world _ have covered other companies of this world but _ have covered other companies of this world but if— have covered other companies of this world. but if you look at figures from _ world. but if you look at figures from march, there was a significant amount— from march, there was a significant amount of— from march, there was a significant amount of fiscal manoeuvre. with £28 billion— amount of fiscal manoeuvre. with £28 billion extra _ amount of fiscal manoeuvre. with £28 billion extra with 32 billion in terms — billion extra with 32 billion in terms of— billion extra with 32 billion in terms of the public sister ointment levels _ terms of the public sister ointment levels -- _ terms of the public sister ointment levels —— public—sector employment levels — — public—sector employment levels. _ levels — — public—sector employment

levels. he _ levels —— public—sector employment levels, he could have done significantly more than what done today _ significantly more than what done today he — significantly more than what done today. he could have done this without — today. he could have done this without the when full tax. i'm glad he's done — without the when full tax. i'm glad he's done it— without the when full tax. i'm glad he's done it we have been asking for it for— he's done it we have been asking for it for awhile — he's done it we have been asking for it for awhile, but he still got massive _ it for awhile, but he still got massive amount of fiscal headroom and don't _ massive amount of fiscal headroom and don't know why he is keeping this money— and don't know why he is keeping this money in the bank when people need halp— this money in the bank when people need help and support now. do this money in the bank when people need help and support now.- need help and support now. do you think there — need help and support now. do you think there are _ need help and support now. do you think there are specific _ need help and support now. do you think there are specific amounts i need help and support now. do youj think there are specific amounts for different groups, do you think it's enough? inflation is still going to go enough? inflation is still going to 9° up enough? inflation is still going to go up possibly until the end of the year and into next year? the uplift for disabled _ year and into next year? the uplift for disabled people _ year and into next year? the uplift for disabled people isn't _ year and into next year? the uplift for disabled people isn't enough, i for disabled people isn't enough, i'm concerned, because we are not seeing _ i'm concerned, because we are not seeing enough legacy benefits or increasing that, particularly disabled people, even if they are getting _ disabled people, even if they are getting a — disabled people, even if they are getting a means tested amount as welli _ getting a means tested amount as well, i_ getting a means tested amount as well, i don't think it's enough because — well, i don't think it's enough because we are not seeing for everybody, but for a number of disabled — everybody, but for a number of disabled people, and increase in bills like — disabled people, and increase in bills like special diets, because of

the amount of inflation in food prices — the amount of inflation in food prices so — the amount of inflation in food prices so i'm concerned that that does _ prices so i'm concerned that that does not — prices so i'm concerned that that does not go far enough.- does not go far enough. kirsty blackman, _ does not go far enough. kirsty blackman, for _ does not go far enough. kirsty blackman, for the _ does not go far enough. kirsty blackman, for the snp, i does not go far enough. kirsty blackman, for the snp, thank| does not go far enough. kirsty i blackman, for the snp, thank you very much forjoining us today. borisjohnson is resisting more calls to resign, after a damning report on government lockdown parties was released. an investigation concluded many of the events across whitehall and downing street "should not have been allowed to happen". two more conservative mps have publically called for borisjohnson to step down. john baron and david simmonds both say it's time for new leadership. the headlines on bbc news... the government announces a £15 billion package in the face of the rising cost of living with all households to receive a £a00 discount on energy bills. the most vulnerable will also be given an extra one—off payment. boris johnson faces fresh calls from mps to resign — a day after a damning report

was released into lockdown parties across whitehall and downing street. prayers and vigils for the 19 children and two teachers killed in a school shooting in texas as the debate over gun control in the us reignites. more on that. it's emerged that the teenager who killed 19 children and 2 teachers at a primary school in texas on tuesday wrote messages about the attack on facebook moments earlier. salvador ramos was shot dead by police after he barricaded himself inside a classroom. president biden is expected travel to the town of uvalde in the next few days, to meet the families of those killed. our north america correspondent nomia iqbal reports from there. they came for the thoughts and prayers. families held each other tightly to try and make sense of the unimaginable. they sang and prayed.

the mood was sombre, and their grief palpable. this couple told us their eight—year—old grandson made it out of the school alive. i went and checked on my grandson. as soon as he saw me, he hugged me, he was so scared. and i cried with him also. i told him, it'll be ok. this is a community that's dealing with profound grief — and people came here inside the arena in their hundreds. usually rodeo shows happen here, but there was a prayer vigil, and people say this is their way of healing. the murder of 19 children and their two teachers has left this country reeling. xavier lopez was in his fourth year at primary school, as was elle garcia and ameriejo, just ten. theirteacher, eva mireles, died jumping in front of her students. they had all been barricaded in one classroom. how would you describe your daughter in a few words? how would you describe her?

full of love and full of life. she would do anything for anybody. and to me, she was a firecracker. it comforts me a little bit to think that she'd be the one to help her friends in need there and then. the shooter was next door, and whenever i heard - that he was in room number 18 and the shooter was in 19, i my heartjust dropped. i started panicking, crying. i was thinking that the shooter was shooting everywhere, i that it was going to go through one of the walls and shoot him. - the man who cruelly took their lives was this local teenager, 18—year—old salvador ramos. he sent out messages on social media saying he was going to attack an elementary school. he was killed by police. it's the worst school shooting in a decade. the death of small children has reignited the polarising issue of gun control in america. and whilst politicians unite in grief, they quickly divide on the politics. when in god's name will we do

what needs to be done to if not completely stop, fundamentally change the amount of carnage that goes on in this country? republicans here say this isn't about guns. they say strict gun control infringes on american people's constitutional right to bear arms. it divides america deeply and even after a horrific shooting, that divide deepens. the second amendment is a part of our liberties to even be here in america. this is not about politics, gun control is not about politics. guns don't kill people, people kill people. president biden says he will visit the city in the coming days. will this be a turning point? in america, when it comes to tougher gun laws, the grim expectation is either little or nothing will change. in ukraine, russian forces have attacked more than a0 towns in the eastern donetsk and luhansk regions. officials say at least five

civilians have been killed. two key cities have come under intense bombardment, and there's heavy fighting for a crossroads connecting ukranian territory. our ukraine correspondent joe inwood reports from kyiv. russia is trying to take the donbas with overwhelming force. these shots, released by the ukrainian ministry of defence, show a thermobaric bombardment of their positions. russia's current targets are the twin cities of severodonetsk and lysychansk. they're not cut off — yet. but the only route to them has been under increasing bombardment for days. if it becomes impassable, thousands of ukraine's best soldiers may be cut off, along with civilians. towns across the region are emptying out. translation: idon't- know where we are going. we are just trying to get as far away as possible from the war, that is the main thing. the increasing human cost of this war has led to some people

questioning whether it's worth ukraine giving up some land to save lives. recently the suggestion was made by former us secretary of state, henry kissinger, at the world economic forum. it's fair to say it did not go down well here in kyiv. translation: no matter. what the russian state does, there's always someone who says, let's take its interests into account. this year in davos it was heard again. despite thousands of russian missiles hitting ukraine, despite tens of thousands of ukrainians killed, despite bucha and mariupol, despite the destroyed cities. and that destruction continues. this is kramatorsk, a key city in the donbas, for both the russians and ukrainians. people know that if, when, severodonetsk falls, their city will be next. yevgen isjust13. distant bombing he barely flinches at the sound of shelling now.

"i got used to it in my village," he says. "that was a 122 shell." the longer this war goes on, the greater the scars — notjust on the towns and villages of this country, but on the people that live there too. joe inwood, bbc news, kyiv. the crown prosecution service has authorised sexual assault charges against us actor and producer kevin spacey. the 62—year—old has been charged with four counts of sexual assault against three men, dating between 2005 and 2008. he has also been charged with causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. it's after a review of the evidence gathered by the met police's investigation. the former labour mp claudia webbe has lost an appeal against her conviction for harassing a woman who was having a sexual relationship with her then partner. webbe, who represents her leicester east constituency as an independent after being expelled from the party, targeted michelle merritt, 59, between september

2018 and april 2020. her appeal was dismissed at southwark crown court, however the ten—week suspended sentence she received in november was reduced to community service amounting to 80 hours — a reduction from the 200 hours she was originally ordered to complete. the bbc has announced plans to close some of its smaller broadcast channels in the next few years and move content online. it also plans to merge its two rolling news channels — bbc world news and the bbc news channel — into one 2a—hour tv news channel. the changes mean £200 million pounds a year of cuts, as part of efforts to become what's described as being a "digital—first" organisation. in january, the latest licence fee settlement was announced which will keep it at £159 a year for two years and then rise in line with inflation. earlier, our media editor, amol rajan, told me more about the changes. the bbc had for several years already been trying to shift,

as every media organisation has done, to become digitalfirst. the bbc�*s in a difficult position because it's got to make sure licence fee payers consuming through linear channels are still kept happy. but basically what we have got today i think is the radical acceleration of the bbc shift to a digital media entity, and it's really an attempt by tim davie as director general to address two big threats. one is financial, the bbc does have a two—year freeze in the licence fee, so the bbc has this amazing privilege of being funded by a licence fee, it's been frozen at £159 for two years, which means bbc has got to find savings. after 202a it'll rise by inflation. the second threat is technological, which is that more and more future licence fee payers are consuming things online, and that's not where the bbc�*s resources are focused.

to address those challenges there is this £500 million plan, £200 million of savings which the bbc has found £50 million and will have to find another £150 million, and then a £300 million reinvestment which is a reallocation of resources around digital. what that means in practice is among other things, in three years or so, there are some channels which will be moving from linear to digital and amongst those is cbbc, the children's channel which i'm addicted to. so that won't be on the television? it won't be on the television, no. the content will still be there, there might be some changes in what they do but it will become a digital channel. the same is true true of bbc four which has a lot of archive material and will grow to being digital. radio a extra. none of that will happen for the next three years but after three years those three channels will change and become digital. before that there will be a merger of bbc news and bbc world, they will become one. what is that going to mean? did tim davie say anything else?

the impatience for breaking news in the uk and around the world? the implication for breaking news in the uk and around the world? i think the idea is there will be a singular service which all the bbc journalists will be able to contribute to so that shouldn't have an impact on whether the bbc has a destination for breaking news. overall these changes will mean job cuts, so there will be up to 1,000 fewer people employed in the public funded part of the bbc. what you have is a bbc that is notjust changing shape at becoming a bit smaller, becoming smaller in relative terms, the bbc used to be a shark in the media pond and is now a sardine in the media ocean. it's also becoming slightly smaller in absolute terms because it's got less money in the short term. less money, fewer people and reduction in money has to go further in that it has to reach people digitally and that is what today is about.

it's quite an ambitious bunch of proposals, albeit a continuation of an attempt to shift to digital, which we've seen for a few years. stephen hammond of wimbledon has submitted a letter saying he has no confidence in borisjohnson. he says all he could as a backbencher is speak out and issue a letter. he said, " i've done all i can as a backbencher." he says "i cannot defend the indefensible. i'm struck by the number of colleagues who are really concerned but it seems to be that... i'm not sure that's possible in the current situation." so, stephen hammond submitting a letter

calling for borisjohnson to go. he is the third person today, following a fourth yesterday after the sue gray report came out. let's catch up with your weather now. we are keeping this run of brisk, westerly winds today. 21 degrees. chilly in northern scotland we are seeing some sunshine and showers and this is the area we will all get into tomorrow. that cloud will get pushed away into the english channel. some showers going across the north and west of scotland in particular, otherwise skies will clear and cooler than last night, typically 7—9. heading into friday, some heavy showers, blustery winds in northern scotland. one or two showers developing across southern scotland, northern ireland and northern england. wales and southern england likely to be dry. winds are lighter here so feeling quite warm. top temperature of

around 21 in the south—east. over the weekend, things will cool down, more of a northerly wind which will build the cloud on sunday and could bring one or two showers. hello. this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy. these are the headlines. the government announces a £15 billion package in the face of the rising cost of living with all households to receive a £a00 discount on energy bills. millions of the most vulnerable — including elderly people, those with disabilities and households on the lowest incomes — will also receive an extra one—off payment. the shadow chancellor hits out at the government for delaying the windfall tax on oil and gas giants to fund payments. boris johnson faces fresh calls from mps to resign — a day after a damning report was released into lockdown parties across whitehall and downing street. prayers and vigils for the 19 children and two teachers killed in a school shooting in texas as the debate over gun control in the us re—ignites.

the bbc announces plans to merge its two rolling news channels — bbc world and bbc news channel — as well as close some of its smaller broadcast channels in the next few years and move the content online. the cps charges actor kevin spacey with five counts of sexual assault against men. and we meet the man with a new lease of life — after a double hand transplant. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's paul. good afternoon. it's all about the tennis. great britain's dan evans has started his second round match at the french open. he's up against mikael ymer, more on that in a moment. but women's top seed iga swiatek has booked her place in the last 32

in double quick time. booked her place in the last 32 the 2020 roland garos champion was in a hurry as she thrashed american alison riske 6—0 6—2 in a little over an hour. it's remarkably her 30th consecutive win. she now faces montenegro's danka kovinic in round three. meanwhile, there's already been a shock today in the women's draw. last year's wimbledon finalist karolina pliskova has gone down in straight sets to the world number 227. france's leolia jeanjean dispatching the eighth seed 6—2 6—2. afterwards, pliskova admitted it was a difficult day at the office, but didn't want to take anything away from her wild card opponent. i think the score is a bit too brutal, i would say, because i think i could have played a bit different some points and had many more games. but serve wasn't working, i think overall i don't have a horrible feeling but of course i'm not happy about it. i just want to give credit to her,

she played a great match. elsewhere — daniil medvedev cruised through to round three with a straight sets win over serbia's laslo djere. he faces another serb, 28th seed miomir kecmanovic in the last 32. former f1 boss bernie ecclestone has been arrested in brazil for illegally carrying a gun while boarding a private plane. the 91—year—old acknowedged owning the weapon and said he didn't realise it was in his luggage at the time. he was released after paying bail and was allowed to continue his journey to switzerland. ecclestone spent a0 years as the head of formula 1 before stepping down in 2017. british gymnastics' head national coach amanda reddin has stepped down from her position with immediate effect. reddin had temporarily stepped aside in 2020 during an investigation into claims about her conduct. rio 2016 olympian ruby harrold said reddin presided over a "culture of fear"

at british gymnastics' camps. reddin "completely refuted" the claims, which were not upheld and her suspension was lifted, but another independent investigation is ongoing into "further historical complaints". mark cavendish's hopes of a second stage win at the giro d'italia were dashed by a four—man breakaway at stage 18. the flat run into the finish looks for a mass sprint but four riders held off the chasing pack. the pellets in including cavendish and richard carapaz finished 1a seconds behind. —— peloton. players and coaches are calling for a limit to the number of back—to—back games to protect them from burnout. almost nine in ten players who took

part in a survey for global footballers' union fifpro believe that limit should be six matches or fewer. they say players should be involved in no more than 55 matches in a season. liverpool's mohamed salah and sadio mane could both play their 70th game of the season — including preseason — at the champions league final on saturday against real madrid. manchester united football director john murtough says fans will need to be patient with new boss erik ten hag. speaking at a fans' forum, murtough said ten hag was a proven winner who's set out a long—term vision to build a successful, exciting team. the former ajax coach was unveiled as ole gunnar solskjaer�*s successor on monday. that's all the sport for now. thank you. concerns raised by family members of two children who were later murdered by their parents

partners weren't taken seriously enough by child protection professionals, according to a report into the case of star hobson and arthur labinjo—hughes. a child safeguarding review also says the cases reflect wider problems with the child protection system in england. alison holt has the details. arthur, are you going to play for england? no?! why not? arthur labinjo—hughes was six when he was murdered by his father's girlfriend after weeks of spiteful, horrific abuse. today's report says, whilst responsibility for the children's deaths lies solely with their abusers, both children were also failed by child—protection professionals who too often disregarded the concerns of their wider families. his cousin finds it hard to hear. arthur was a gorgeous child. it could have had such a wonderful future. he would have been encouraged to achieve all his goals and ijust think encouraged to achieve all his goals and i just think to say that a

mistake is the reason we don't have him is not enough. bind mistake is the reason we don't have him is not enough.— mistake is the reason we don't have him is not enough. and star hobson, here in the — him is not enough. and star hobson, here in the arms _ him is not enough. and star hobson, here in the arms of _ him is not enough. and star hobson, here in the arms of her _ him is not enough. and star hobson, here in the arms of her mother's i here in the arms of her mother's partner who would like to kill her, was 16 months old. the report found concerns raised by widerfamily was 16 months old. the report found concerns raised by wider family were too often disregarded by child protection professionals. star's aunt and step great—grandfather say when family told the professionals they were worried, even providing photos of bruising, they didn't investigate properly thought they were being malicious. if investigate properly thought they were being malicious.— were being malicious. if social services had _ were being malicious. if social services had done _ were being malicious. if social services had done their- were being malicious. if social services had done theirjobs i were being malicious. if social services had done theirjobs in first place, star would still be with us. because they would have come down to see us, seen that there were a problem with star and said, right, we need to step in.— right, we need to step in. maybe if the had right, we need to step in. maybe if they had sat _ right, we need to step in. maybe if they had sat down _ right, we need to step in. maybe if they had sat down and _ right, we need to step in. maybe if they had sat down and spoken i right, we need to step in. maybe if they had sat down and spoken to l right, we need to step in. maybe if| they had sat down and spoken to us in person. _ they had sat down and spoken to us in person, they might have thought, han- in person, they might have thought, hang on— in person, they might have thought, hang on a _ in person, they might have thought, hang on a minute, they are notjust being _ hang on a minute, they are notjust being malicious because literally

they took their word for it that we were _ they took their word for it that we were being malicious and they didn't bother— were being malicious and they didn't bother hearing our side of what was going _ bother hearing our side of what was going on _ bother hearing our side of what was going on. the bother hearing our side of what was auoin on. ,., bother hearing our side of what was auoin on. ., bother hearing our side of what was uuoinon. ., _ going on. the report carried out by a national panel— going on. the report carried out by a national panel of— going on. the report carried out by a national panel of experts - a national panel of experts concluded that in both cases, family concerns were disregarded, decision making by social workers and police was weak, information sharing poor and this reflected problems found in many parts of the country. the woman who led the review wants to see new expert teams bringing together social workers, expert teams bringing together socialworkers, police expert teams bringing together social workers, police and others to investigate and oversee cases. i don't think we can ever exaggerate how complicated and how difficult it is to do this work and we must give every child, every family and every practitioner who is working in this area at the best possible chance of protecting children well and keeping them safe. in protecting children well and keeping them safe. ,., protecting children well and keeping them safe. , them safe. in the report says the failinus them safe. in the report says the failings identified _ them safe. in the report says the failings identified in _ them safe. in the report says the failings identified in arthur i them safe. in the report says the failings identified in arthur and i failings identified in arthur and star's cases need to lead to

fundamental change that means of the children are better protected in the future. the government says it will publish its plans later this year. while the inquiry into the grenfell tower fire continues, victims are being remembered in a series of events to mark five years after the tragedy. the club's charity has been supporting them. it's a beautiful game for so many and for the community affected by the fire, football has been a healing force. queens park rangers has been working with young people since the fire began and with the fifth anniversary in a few weeks, they opened its doors to hundreds of locals as part of the memorial tournament. community continues to go through the public inquiry, which is extremely difficult for everyone involved. to have a day like this

where the sun is shining, we can get the community into the stadium, playing football, meeting friends, seeing each other, supporting each other, it's our way of marking the fifth anniversary.— other, it's our way of marking the fifth anniversary. having here today means so much _ fifth anniversary. having here today means so much to _ fifth anniversary. having here today means so much to me _ fifth anniversary. having here today means so much to me on _ fifth anniversary. having here today means so much to me on a - fifth anniversary. having here today| means so much to me on a personal level— means so much to me on a personal level and _ means so much to me on a personal level and i_ means so much to me on a personal level and i feel like today has been an amazing opportunity to have everyone — an amazing opportunity to have everyone come down, have participants, a lot of local people get the _ participants, a lot of local people get the chance to play on the pitch. 600 players took part in the grenfell memorial cup and teams from across londonjoined local squad such as grenfell athletic. brute across london joined local squad such as grenfell athletic.- such as grenfell athletic. we are deahnu such as grenfell athletic. we are dealing with _ such as grenfell athletic. we are dealing with mental _ such as grenfell athletic. we are dealing with mental health i such as grenfell athletic. we are dealing with mental health every such as grenfell athletic. we are i dealing with mental health every day and our players are struggling with mental health, our men and women. so, this is such an incredible occasion for them to have this opportunity and there's a lot of smiles and support and it's such a community event. the smiles and support and it's such a community event.— smiles and support and it's such a community event. the final match was between a team _ community event. the final match was between a team of— community event. the final match was between a team of bereaved _ community event. the final match was between a team of bereaved and i between a team of bereaved and survivors against a squad made up of

players from the metropolitan police and london fire brigade. i feel players from the metropolitan police and london fire brigade.— and london fire brigade. i feel on a dam live and london fire brigade. i feel on a damp live alleged _ and london fire brigade. i feel on a damp live alleged to _ and london fire brigade. i feel on a damp live alleged to call _ and london fire brigade. i feel on a damp live alleged to call a - and london fire brigade. i feel on a damp live alleged to call a lot i and london fire brigade. i feel on a damp live alleged to call a lot of. damp live alleged to call a lot of the players on the bereaved answer survive aside my friends, they are heroes to me. i get emotional talking about it, i'm on the pitch with my heroes.— with my heroes. with the fifth anniversary — with my heroes. with the fifth anniversary in _ with my heroes. with the fifth anniversary in a _ with my heroes. with the fifth anniversary in a few _ with my heroes. with the fifth anniversary in a few weeks, i with my heroes. with the fifth l anniversary in a few weeks, it's with my heroes. with the fifth i anniversary in a few weeks, it's a difficult time. many people here. something like this shows the resilience of this community and how coming together has a healing power for their grief. a man whose hands were left unusable has been given a new lease of life after what is believed to be the world's first double hand transplant for the condition. a8—year—old steven gallagher was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes scarring of the skin and internal organs, after he developed an unusual rash on his cheeks and nose about 13 years ago, and pains in his right arm. professor simon kay was part of the 30—strong medical team who carried out the operation.

these are the hands that have changed steven gallagher's life. when his consultant first mentioned the idea of a double hand transplant, the a8—year—old wasn't keen. i kind of laughed and i thought that's space age kind of things. no way i'm going through that, kind of thing. but he spent years in pain thanks to scleroderma. it's an autoimmune disease that causes scarring on the skin and internal organs. it got to the point where it was basically two fists, and then it was my hands were unusable, basically, i couldn't do a thing. it shapes your mouth and pulled my teeth back, and it also makes the nose pointy as well. he knew there was a small risk he could lose his hands, but had the surgery in leeds last december. a 12—hour operation involving 30 different people. it's given me another lease of life, basically. yeah, i'm still finding things hard just now, but things are getting

better every week. now he's able to do more for himself. there are still things he struggles with. he can't do up buttons, for example, but he's having regular physio and hopes to go back to work in the future. it's thought steven is the first person with scleroderma to have this surgery. for him, the biggest change is the pain. he says it used to be horrendous. now, it's gone. catherine burns, bbc news. i'm hoping we can speak to stephen gallacherjoining us from ayrshire. also i'm joined by professor simon kay, professor of plastic surgery at the university of leeds, who led the team of surgeons who performed the transplant. welcome. stephen, we saw that film, how are you doing and how do your hands feel now? i’m how are you doing and how do your hands feel now?— hands feel now? i'm doing really well, hands feel now? i'm doing really well. thanks- — hands feel now? i'm doing really well, thanks. everything - hands feel now? i'm doing really well, thanks. everything is i

hands feel now? i'm doing really well, thanks. everything is going good. at the moment my hands are slightly swollen because i've got some fluid in them but that will go away. some fluid in them but that will go awa . , ~' some fluid in them but that will go awa . a , ., ., away. the risk when you had the o eration away. the risk when you had the operation was _ away. the risk when you had the operation was that _ away. the risk when you had the operation was that you - away. the risk when you had the operation was that you might i away. the risk when you had the l operation was that you might lose both hands, is that right? yes operation was that you might lose both hands, is that right?- both hands, is that right? yes but that was a minimal _ both hands, is that right? yes but that was a minimal risk. - both hands, is that right? yes but| that was a minimal risk. professor both hands, is that right? yes but i that was a minimal risk. professor k and professor hard explained to me that that could happen, theoretically but it was very, very low risk. �* , ., ., ., theoretically but it was very, very low risk. �* ., ., ., theoretically but it was very, very lowrisk. ., ., ., ., low risk. but you had a lot of pain before? yes. _ low risk. but you had a lot of pain before? yes, that _ low risk. but you had a lot of pain before? yes, that was _ low risk. but you had a lot of pain before? yes, that was the - low risk. but you had a lot of pain before? yes, that was the worst i before? yes, that was the worst thing about _ before? yes, that was the worst thing about it. _ before? yes, that was the worst thing about it, the _ before? yes, that was the worst thing about it, the pain - before? yes, that was the worst thing about it, the pain was i thing about it, the pain was horrendous. it was constant. trying to describe it, going to bed in pain, waking up in pain, he would spend your whole day in pain. it was

a horrible, horrible thing to go through. a horrible, horrible thing to go throu~h. �* �* , a horrible, horrible thing to go throu~h. . �*, ., ., a horrible, horrible thing to go throu~h. �* �*, ., ., , through. and it's now gone? yes, everything _ through. and it's now gone? yes, everything has — through. and it's now gone? yes, everything has gone. _ through. and it's now gone? yes, everything has gone. it _ through. and it's now gone? yes, everything has gone. it really i through. and it's now gone? yes, everything has gone. it really is, l everything has gone. it really is, from the moment i _ everything has gone. it really is, from the moment i woke - everything has gone. it really is, from the moment i woke up, i everything has gone. it really is, i from the moment i woke up, even with all the scars and stuff, i didn't have, there was no pain. it was brilliant. it was like a new lease of life. ., ,, ., brilliant. it was like a new lease oflife. ., ,, ., , of life. professor simon kay, is this the first — of life. professor simon kay, is this the first time _ of life. professor simon kay, is this the first time this - of life. professor simon kay, is this the first time this has i this the first time this has happened?— this the first time this has happened? this the first time this has hauened? i, , , i, this the first time this has ha ened? t, , , i, i, happened? so, to the best of our knowledge. _ happened? so, to the best of our knowledge. i'm _ happened? so, to the best of our knowledge, i'm sure _ happened? so, to the best of our knowledge, i'm sure it _ happened? so, to the best of our knowledge, i'm sure it is - happened? so, to the best of our knowledge, i'm sure it is the - happened? so, to the best of our knowledge, i'm sure it is the first time _ knowledge, i'm sure it is the first time it's— knowledge, i'm sure it is the first time it's a — knowledge, i'm sure it is the first time. it's a sign of how very confident— time. it's a sign of how very confident we are now about the outcome — confident we are now about the outcome of hand transplantation that we can_ outcome of hand transplantation that we can remove hands that are not working _ we can remove hands that are not working and that painful knowing that it's — working and that painful knowing that it's reliable to replace them. and that it's reliable to replace them. ami what— that it's reliable to replace them. and what was causing that, tell us

briefly about the mt.— and what was causing that, tell us briefly about the mt. you've picked the wron: briefly about the mt. you've picked the wrong person — briefly about the mt. you've picked the wrong person for— briefly about the mt. you've picked the wrong person for that. -- - briefly about the mt. you've picked the wrong person for that. -- tell l the wrong person for that. —— tell us about— the wrong person for that. —— tell us about scleroderma. professor delgado — us about scleroderma. professor delgado is the expert and works here in leeds _ delgado is the expert and works here in leeds. we don't know the cause but if you — in leeds. we don't know the cause but if you go— in leeds. we don't know the cause but if you go back to why does the body _ but if you go back to why does the body begin to take against itself, we just— body begin to take against itself, we just don't know the answer. what was the biggest _ we just don't know the answer. what was the biggest set _ we just don't know the answer. what was the biggest set of _ we just don't know the answer. transit was the biggest set of risks we just don't know the answer. iii"usgit was the biggest set of risks about the operation? i was the biggest set of risks about the operation?— the operation? i guess there's alwa s a the operation? i guess there's always a risk— the operation? i guess there's always a risk of _ the operation? i guess there's always a risk of rejection - the operation? i guess there's always a risk of rejection and i always a risk of rejection and failure — always a risk of rejection and failure but the risk of that is fairly— failure but the risk of that is fairly well managed, so the risks of other— fairly well managed, so the risks of other things, fairly well managed, so the risks of otherthings, it's fairly well managed, so the risks of other things, it's a very long operation _ other things, it's a very long operation and the risks of infection, bleeding and bone fracture _ infection, bleeding and bone fracture and all the other things that are — fracture and all the other things that are attendant upon that kind of surgery— that are attendant upon that kind of surgery is— that are attendant upon that kind of

surgery is real. i was delighted stephen — surgery is real. i was delighted stephen woke up pain free and i'm very pleased to see his progress from _ very pleased to see his progress from the — very pleased to see his progress from the functional point of view. but what — from the functional point of view. but what i — from the functional point of view. but what i would say is that will go on improving for three years at least — on improving for three years at least. �* . on improving for three years at least. . . ., , ., on improving for three years at least. . . ., ,., , ., least. and at what point did you know this was _ least. and at what point did you know this was going _ least. and at what point did you know this was going to - least. and at what point did you know this was going to be - least. and at what point did you - know this was going to be hopefully successful? £18 know this was going to be hopefully successful? j~ ., , ,, successful? 48 hours, i think, afterwards- — successful? 48 hours, i think, afterwards. we _ successful? 48 hours, i think, afterwards. we knew - successful? 48 hours, i think, afterwards. we knew it - successful? 48 hours, i think, afterwards. we knew it wasn't successful? 48 hours, i think, - afterwards. we knew it wasn't going to reject _ afterwards. we knew it wasn't going to reject immediately and if it doesn't — to reject immediately and if it doesn't reject immediately, which is very unusual, then it's not going to reject— very unusual, then it's not going to reject in— very unusual, then it's not going to reject in the — very unusual, then it's not going to reject in the foreseeable future. and because, the rest of his arms were _ and because, the rest of his arms were in— and because, the rest of his arms were in such — and because, the rest of his arms were in such good condition, we were very clear— were in such good condition, we were very clear he — were in such good condition, we were very clear he would get a good functional result and i'm very confident— functional result and i'm very confident he will.— functional result and i'm very confident he will. ,, , . . confident he will. stephen, what are the functions — confident he will. stephen, what are the functions you _ confident he will. stephen, what are the functions you can _ confident he will. stephen, what are the functions you can do _ confident he will. stephen, what are the functions you can do now - confident he will. stephen, what are the functions you can do now all - confident he will. stephen, what are the functions you can do now all the | the functions you can do now all the things that are still a bit

difficult?— things that are still a bit difficult? �* , ., , ., , difficult? there's lots of things i can do. i difficult? there's lots of things i can do- i can — difficult? there's lots of things i can do. i can get— difficult? there's lots of things i can do. i can get dressed - difficult? there's lots of things i can do. i can get dressed on - difficult? there's lots of things i can do. i can get dressed on myj difficult? there's lots of things i - can do. i can get dressed on my own now. albeit some of these small buttons and zips and things i'm slightly slower with. but i can get them in the end. and things like getting a drink of water, just simple things that i couldn't do before. , , simple things that i couldn't do before. , .,., ., before. just psychologically, how did ou before. just psychologically, how did you cope _ before. just psychologically, how did you cope with _ before. just psychologically, how did you cope with this _ before. just psychologically, how did you cope with this huge - before. just psychologically, how i did you cope with this huge change? quite easily, to be honest. i went through the process with a psychologist from leeds, went through numerous interviews and stuff with her. she made it clear there were a lot of different

aspects to think about, which obviously when you look down at your hands, i still see my own hands, so to me everything is good. thank you very much forjoining us today and obviously congratulations on this amazing piece of surgery and very best wishes for the future. thank you. the crown prosecution service has authorised sexual assault charges against the us actor and producer kevin spacey. i“m joined by our correspondent, what do we know? we know there are five charges that have been levied against kevin spacey and three complainants, three male complainants. the first charge on the second charge of sexual assault are alleged to have occurred in march 2005. second complainant

has made an allegation of sexual assault in august the 2nd complainant has also made an allegation of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent in august 2008. and a third man has made an allegation of sexual assault that occurred in april 2013. these charges spun quite a time span, they are historic, but they also occurred in both london and gloucestershire. kevin spacey has always denied all allegations against him and, yes, kevin spacey is known for a number of memorable films including the usual suspects, of memorable films including the usualsuspects, house of memorable films including the usual suspects, house of cards and he also won an oscar for american beauty. five charges levied against kevin spacey today, the cps has

confirmed. kevin spacey today, the cps has confirmed-— kevin spacey today, the cps has confirmed. ., ,, , ., confirmed. thank you. dame deborah james has visited _ confirmed. thank you. dame deborah james has visited the _ confirmed. thank you. dame deborah james has visited the chelsea - confirmed. thank you. dame deborah james has visited the chelsea flower| james has visited the chelsea flower show to see the rose that has been named after her. the host of the podcast revealed she is receiving end—of—life care after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. more than 6 million has been raised for her bowel cancerfund more than 6 million has been raised for her bowel cancer fund and she said she hopes one day the raise might feature in her daughter's wedding bouquet. —— the rose. its more than 40 years since abba went on tour and tonight they can be seen performing some of their greatest hits at a london show thanks to digital technology. colin paterson has been finding out more.

music: dancing queen. abba, as you've seen them before — looking like they did in their 19705 heyday. # you are the dancing queen... six years in the making, tonight is the premier of the abba voyage concert, featuring avatars — or as they've come to be known, abbatars — of the band in a 3,000 capacity purpose—built arena in east london. where's the best place to watch the show in the arena? svana has worked on the project since the start. we want to pull on the emotions, so if you come out of here and feel like you've seen a visual spectacle, we would have failed, unfortunately. if you come out of here and feel like you've just seen something that is so emotional that you laughed and you cried and you can't wait to go back and everyone around you felt the same, that's what we want. # my, my. # at waterloo napoleon did surrender. _ abba performed the songs in front of i60 cameras for five weeks, so every aspect of their movements

could be captured. that is so lifelike. quite amazing. when i went to visit them in stockholm last year, they explained that sacrifices had to be made, so the avatars could look as accurate as possible. you had to shave the beards for the abbatar show. yeah. just how traumatic was that for you two? oh, no. again, just the decision — if it has to be done, it has to be. to the end i tried! "is there no other way we can do this? if the show“s a hit and there's demand around the world — well, in true scandinavian flatpack style, the whole arena can be collapsed, transported, and rebuilt in a different country, on a different continent. and that's the dream for abba — to tour the globe, bringing joy to thousands while sitting at home in sweden. colin patterson, bbc news, the abba arena. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren.

hello. it's going to cool down this weekend as we see the wind direction changing. today we've got a westerly wind, quite brisk particularly in scotland where we've seen sunshine and showers. across parts of northern england and north wales, we've had cloud, rain and drizzle. that's moving southwards. ahead of it in the southeast with some brighter skies and temperatures of 21. still quite chilly across northern parts of scotland. this weather front is bringing and drizzle south, its weakening as it runs southwards. the rain is petering out and what's left of the cloud will get blown away into the english channel. skies will clear away from scotland. elsewhere with clearer skies and light winds, cooler than last night. moving into friday, one of these is heading our way. high pressure means dry weather and should mean sunshine but it's not arriving everywhere. we still got stronger winds in scotland and that's where we'll

see heavy showers in the north. as the cloud built in southern scotland, northern ireland and northern england, one or two light showers but for wales, the midlands and southern england, dry with a lot of sunshine around and the wind is a here. feeling quite warm. heading into the weekend, the main story is the cooler air that's going to be heading our way. temperatures will be dropping and we may see a few more showers arriving during the second half of the weekend. they could be one or two showers in northern scotland on saturday, otherwise dry, sunny start with cloud building and spreading out a bit through the day. those temperatures probably peaking at 20 across the south. the high pressure that's been trying to build towards the uk is going to retreat back towards iceland and it keeps these northerly winds heading away on sunday and that's bringing in this much cooler air.

with pressure dropping, likely to find the cloud on sunday and that could lead to a few showers around as well, particularly across eastern areas. drier in the west. that's probably where we will find the highest temperatures. rather cool.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the government announces a £15 billion package in the face of the rising cost of living with all households to receive a £400 discount on energy bills. millions of the most vulnerable — including elderly people, those with disabilities and households on the lowest incomes — will also receive an extra one—off payment. whilst i can't solve every problem and no government could we want to show that we have on people's side and we will ease the burden where we can. —— we are on people's side. —— we are on people's side. the shadow chancellor hits out

at the government for delaying the windfall tax on oil and gas giants to fund payments.