today at six... the chancellor unveils a new £15 billion package to help millions of families through the cost of living crisis. rishi sunak says he wants to help those for whom the struggle is too hard. there's more than £1000 for the poorest households. this government will never stop trying to help people. to fix problems, to fix problems where we can, to do what is right. today it feels like the chancellor has finally realised the problems the country are facing. zoe is on universal credit. she's already wondering how she and her daughter will get through the summer, so has the chancellor come to the rescue? i am over the moon that— the government is finally making us feel like we are being listened to and i actually feel - like we are being taken

care of, for a change. i the chancellor is rasing some of the cash from a one—off tax on oil and gas companies. we'll have their reaction, too. also tonight... the texas primary school mass shooting — questions about how long it took for police to challenge the gunman. up to an hour, some say. the actor kevin spacey has been charged with four counts of sexual assault against three men. the allegations date back to when he was in the uk. abba as you've never seen them before. a0 years after they last toured, digital technology takes them on the road again. and coming up on the bbc news channel... rhys mcclenaghan is told he won't be allowed to defend his gold medal at the commonwealth games in a move that's been described as reprehensible.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. timely, targeted and temporary — the three words chancellor rishi sunak used this afternoon to sum up a £15 billion package to help millions of households across the country through the cost of living crisis. let's look at the measures. all households, regardless of income, will receive a grant of £400. this will replace the £200 payment, initially planned as a loan, which was announced earlier this year. on top of that, those on the lowest incomes — around 8 million households — will receive a one off payment of £650. and pensioner households who receive the winter fuel allowance will also receive an extra one—off payment of £300. people receiving non—means tested disability benefits will also receive an extra payment of £150. so where's the money coming from?

part of it will come from a temporary windfall tax of 25% on the profits of oil and gas companies. that will raise £5 billion. that tax is precisely what some opposition parties have been calling for since january, prompting the shadow chancellor to say mr sunak had been dragged "kicking and screaming" into a u—turn. here's our political editor, chris mason. it is the one thing that everybody is talking about.— it is the one thing that everybody is talking about. leila tells me the customers at _ is talking about. leila tells me the customers at her— is talking about. leila tells me the customers at her coffee _ is talking about. leila tells me the customers at her coffee and - is talking about. leila tells me the customers at her coffee and vinyll customers at her coffee and vinyl shopin customers at her coffee and vinyl shop in watford talk of little else but spiralling prices. are you going to cope as a business? the but spiralling prices. are you going to cope as a business?— to cope as a business? the magic cuestion. to cope as a business? the magic question- i'm _ to cope as a business? the magic question. i'm ever _ to cope as a business? the magic question. i'm ever an _ to cope as a business? the magic question. i'm ever an optimist, . to cope as a business? the magic. question. i'm ever an optimist, i'm question. i'm everan optimist, i'm going to say yes, absolutely, we will still be here. we faced brexit, a global pandemic and now this unimaginable inflation. it is asking us tojust unimaginable inflation. it is asking

us to just re—evaluate our business, almost constantly at the moment. fire almost constantly at the moment. are the tories taxing business? for - the tories taxing business? for weeks and _ the tories taxing business? igrr' weeks and weeks, plenty have demanded the government do more and today, and the chancellor. m0 today, and the chancellor. fir? government can solve every problem, particularly the complex and global challenge of inflation. but this government will never stop trying to help people. government will never stop trying to help maple-— government will never stop trying to help peeple-— help people. opposition parties had already demanded _ help people. opposition parties had already demanded oil— help people. opposition parties had already demanded oil and _ help people. opposition parties had already demanded oil and gas - already demanded oil and gas companies faced a new tax. we pushed for a windfall — companies faced a new tax. we pushed for a windfall tax, _ companies faced a new tax. we pushed for a windfall tax, they _ companies faced a new tax. we pushed for a windfall tax, they adopted - companies faced a new tax. we pushed for a windfall tax, they adopted it. - for a windfall tax, they adopted it. this government is out of ideas, out of touch, _ this government is out of ideas, out of touch, and — this government is out of ideas, out of touch, and out of time. when it comes_ of touch, and out of time. when it comes to — of touch, and out of time. when it comes to the big issues facing this country. _ comes to the big issues facing this country, the position is now clear. we lead. — country, the position is now clear. we lead, they follow. it�*s country, the position is now clear. we lead, they follow.— we lead, they follow. it's not enou:h we lead, they follow. it's not enough madam _ we lead, they follow. it's not enough madam deputy - we lead, they follow. it's not. enough madam deputy speaker. we lead, they follow. it's not - enough madam deputy speaker. what we lead, they follow. it's not _ enough madam deputy speaker. what he has announced _ enough madam deputy speaker. what he has announced fails _ enough madam deputy speaker. what he has announced fails to _ enough madam deputy speaker. what he has announced fails to operate _ has announced fails to operate benefits, — has announced fails to operate benefits, it _ has announced fails to operate benefits, it fails _ has announced fails to operate benefits, it fails to _ has announced fails to operate benefits, it fails to account - has announced fails to operate benefits, it fails to account for| benefits, it fails to account for the fact — benefits, it fails to account for the fact that _ benefits, it fails to account for the fact that the _ benefits, it fails to account for the fact that the energy- benefits, it fails to account for the fact that the energy price i benefits, it fails to account for. the fact that the energy price cap is coming —

the fact that the energy price cap is coming in _ the fact that the energy price cap is coming in october— the fact that the energy price cap is coming in october and - the fact that the energy price cap is coming in october and it- the fact that the energy price cap is coming in october and it will. is coming in october and it will still he — is coming in october and it will still he in — is coming in october and it will still be in place _ is coming in october and it will still be in place next _ is coming in october and it will still be in place next year. - is coming in october and it will still be in place next year. later, i sat still be in place next year. later, i sat down _ still be in place next year. later, i sat down with _ still be in place next year. later, i sat down with the _ still be in place next year. later, i sat down with the chancellor, l still be in place next year. later, i i sat down with the chancellor, who was on a visit to a diy shop. indie was on a visit to a diy shop. we have was on a visit to a diy shop. - have announced £15 billion of new support to help with the cost of living, with one third of all households, the most vulnerable, receiving around £1200 of help. there is also support for everyone. let's talk about the windfall tax. the prime minister has said i don't like them, the business secretary said he was never a supporter so i put it to you that you were either logically opposed to the idea. i logically opposed to the idea. i have always been pragmatic about it and that is what i have said. i think it is entirely fair we look at the extraordinary profits these companies are making at the moment and when prices return to historically more normal levels, the energy profits levy will be removed. i notice you don't want to call it a windfall tax. it’s i notice you don't want to call it a windfall tax.— windfall tax. it's a very specific le we windfall tax. it's a very specific levy we have — windfall tax. it's a very specific levy we have designed - windfall tax. it's a very specific levy we have designed which i windfall tax. it's a very specific - levy we have designed which contains in it a very generous investment...

come on, chancellor, it is a windfall tax.— come on, chancellor, it is a windfall tax. people can call it what they _ windfall tax. people can call it what they want... _ windfall tax. people can call it what they want... call - windfall tax. people can call it what they want... call it - windfall tax. people can call itj what they want... call it that? windfall tax. people can call it - what they want. .. call it that? they what they want... call it that? they are windfall profits from extraordinary profits, and they will be taxed. ~ ., , ., ., , ., be taxed. millions of families are dee -l be taxed. millions of families are deeply worried — be taxed. millions of families are deeply worried about _ be taxed. millions of families are deeply worried about the - be taxed. millions of families are i deeply worried about the economy. how worried are you? i am concerned about the inflationary _ how worried are you? i am concerned about the inflationary pressures - how worried are you? i am concerned about the inflationary pressures we i about the inflationary pressures we are facing because i know they are having an enormous impact on families up and down the country. could be facing recession? i am more confident about _ could be facing recession? i am more confident about the _ could be facing recession? i am more confident about the future _ could be facing recession? i am more confident about the future of - could be facing recession? i am more confident about the future of our - confident about the future of our economy. confident about the future of our econom . a . ~' confident about the future of our econom . 1, . ~ .. ., economy. back in the lp cafe, leila welcomes help _ economy. back in the lp cafe, leila welcomes help but _ economy. back in the lp cafe, leila welcomes help but she _ economy. back in the lp cafe, leila welcomes help but she knows - economy. back in the lp cafe, leilal welcomes help but she knows things will still be tough. ii i welcomes help but she knows things will still be tough.— will still be tough. if i break my lei , will still be tough. if i break my leg, thank you for _ will still be tough. if i break my leg, thank you for my - will still be tough. if i break my leg, thank you for my crutch i will still be tough. if i break my| leg, thank you for my crutch but will still be tough. if i break my - leg, thank you for my crutch but we need the surgery. we need to get that bone fixed and that is an announcement i would like to hear. that is the soundtrack of this colossal problem, even a big government intervention cannot turn off the crackle of prices spinning upwards. chris mason, bbc news, in

watford. now, you may remember just a few days ago, we reported on the energy regulator's forecast that the average bill could go up by a further £800 a year by the autumn. and up to 12 million households could be in fuel poverty. that gives you some idea of the scale of the problem the chancellor was trying to address today. our business editor, simonjack, has been taking a closer at all the numbers. can we do some maths? single mum zoe from the wirral — can we do some maths? single mum zoe from the wirral is _ can we do some maths? single mum zoe from the wirral is one _ can we do some maths? single mum zoe from the wirral is one of— can we do some maths? single mum zoe from the wirral is one of the _ can we do some maths? single mum zoe from the wirral is one of the 8 _ from the wirral is one of the 8 million people on low incomes who will qualify as a benefit recipient for two lump—sum payments totalling £650 this year in addition to the £400 everyone will see a knocked off their bills, a boost to her over £1000. 4' their bills, a boost to her over £1000. ~ , ., ., ., , . £1000. i think it is a fantastic step forward- _ £1000. i think it is a fantastic step forward. my _ £1000. i think it is a fantastic step forward. my worry - £1000. i think it is a fantastic step forward. my worry is - £1000. | think it is a fantastic| step forward. my worry is that £1000. i think it is a fantastic l step forward. my worry is that if £1000. i think it is a fantastic - step forward. my worry is that if we get it in three separate payments, when we come to the winter, it is just going to be a doorstop for now but i am over the moon that the government is finally making us feel

like we are being listened to, and actually feel like we are being taken care of, for a change! global rice taken care of, for a change! global price pressures — taken care of, for a change! global price pressures have _ taken care of, for a change! global price pressures have made - taken care of, for a change! global price pressures have made it - taken care of, for a change! global price pressures have made it hard | taken care of, for a change! global. price pressures have made it hard to balance the books here at home. big! balance the books here at home. by! ten! as wholesale _ balance the books here at home. by! ten! as wholesale energy _ balance the books here at home. by! ten! as wholesale energy prices - balance the books here at home. by! | ten! as wholesale energy prices have surued, so ten! as wholesale energy prices have surged. so has— ten! as wholesale energy prices have surged, so has the _ ten! as wholesale energy prices have surged, so has the price _ ten! as wholesale energy prices have surged, so has the price at _ ten! as wholesale energy prices have surged, so has the price at which - surged, so has the price at which companies are allowed to sell it. the price cap would introduced in early 2019 and was pretty stable until it shot up to nearly £2000 this april and it is forecast to hit £2800 this october. there are already 6 million households spending more than 10% of their disposable income on energy, one definition of fuel poverty. that was forecast to hit 12 million later this year and it's notjust energy thatis this year and it's notjust energy that is crushing household incomes. general inflation is already at 9%, a 40 year high, and expected to hit 10% later this year. leading economists say many will now be spared fuel poverty but some nagging questions remain. this spared fuel poverty but some nagging questions remain.— questions remain. this is a big ackaue, questions remain. this is a big package. the _ questions remain. this is a big package, the chancellor - questions remain. this is a big

package, the chancellor is - questions remain. this is a big package, the chancellor is do | questions remain. this is a big | package, the chancellor is do a questions remain. this is a big - package, the chancellor is do a lot for those _ package, the chancellor is do a lot for those on the lowest incomes who he has _ for those on the lowest incomes who he has effectively ignored until now _ he has effectively ignored until now he — he has effectively ignored until now. he might have some worries. first, _ now. he might have some worries. first. can— now. he might have some worries. first. can it— now. he might have some worries. first, can it really be a one—off given— first, can it really be a one—off given what— first, can it really be a one—off given what might be coming down the road? _ given what might be coming down the road? second, is it enough to impact inflation _ road? second, is it enough to impact inflation itself? third, what about the families who are just above the means— the families who are just above the means tested benefit level? they might _ means tested benefit level? they might be — means tested benefit level? they might be quite peeved that people very much like them are getting a lot of— very much like them are getting a lot of money and they are not. the oil and gas — lot of money and they are not. iie: oil and gas industry got hit lot of money and they are not. i“ie: oil and gas industry got hit with eight £5 billion bill as the chancellor completed his u—turn on the windfall tax but he promised the more they invested in the future, the less extra tax they pay. these rofits the less extra tax they pay. these profits come _ the less extra tax they pay. these profits come on _ the less extra tax they pay. these profits come on the _ the less extra tax they pay. these profits come on the back - the less extra tax they pay. these profits come on the back of - profits come on the back of significant losses over the past couple of years. this is a long—term investment industry that has to be really thoughtful about the investment decisions it makes and these kinds of interventions by government that are a surprise to the sector to undermine those investment decisions. millions of eo - le investment decisions. millions of --eole not investment decisions. millions of people got some _ investment decisions. millions of people got some relief _ investment decisions. millions of people got some relief today - investment decisions. millions of people got some relief today but| people got some relief today but suchis people got some relief today but such is the scale of the tightening squeeze, millions still face a tough

time when the days start shortening. now, the ultimate test of whether the chancellor's rescue package is going to work lies with the millions of people who are already unable to make ends meet. our consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith has been talking to people in handforth in cheshire, finding out how the measures could help them. everyone at this class is looking for work, and each of them is feeling the pinch. so we are all ears for what the chancellor has to say. we have decided that the £200 of support for household energy bills will be doubled, to £400, for everyone. it was overwhelming for lisa just listening to the announcements. i didn't know how i was going to... cope. ..cope during the winter because, my goodness, some help at last, you know. we might not have to struggle as much and it will help me in that in between time before i get a job, you know.

i could make £10 probably a year agoj last a good seven days whereas now, it is probably averaging _ between four days and you are down to a couple of pounds. and this is in the summer. raymond is in a different position. he is not on benefits but, like every household, he will get the £400 grant in october. it is related to energy bills as well, i think that is good. it makes me happy that the people who need the help are going to benefit. charities who work with the most vulnerable have welcomed the news. it is great that people know that payments are coming injune and again in the autumn. but i think it is the longer term implications, you know, the cost of living crisis hasn't finished and we don't know what that is going to look like in a year. we know it is already pushing people into debt that weren't in debt before. it will not cover the whole gap but it is more than expected to equip people for the months ahead. colletta smith, bbc news, in handforth. our political editor, chris mason, is in watford. chris, judging by your report and

what we heard in the others, there is a broad welcome for these measures but i wonder if it helps get the government out of the political challenges it faces? i think even the most mildly sceptical soul might have wondered if there was a bit of cheap politicking going on with the government coming along with this big announcement from the state just a day after all those awkward headlines about partying within government during the covid restrictions. what can we say about that? we can say that yes, there were some tactics going on but this was a big intervention and one the government was keen to do anyway. mr sunak pointed out to me, insisting that categorically this had not been rushed in orderfor it that categorically this had not been rushed in order for it to that categorically this had not been rushed in orderfor it to happen that categorically this had not been rushed in order for it to happen to shift the headlines on. and whether it was politicking or not, it is an expensive intervention, a big intervention, a big increase in tax and a very big increase in spending. some conservatives don't like it,

they see it as red meat for socialists in the words of one. they simply think that perhaps a conservative chancellor should not be doing this. mr sunak says it is pragmatic and necessary. the extent to which it will change the political dial is all down to to the extent to which, in our pockets, we feel a little less worse off as a result of it.— feel a little less worse off as a result of it. , ., ~ , ., ., result of it. chris, thank you. you can find more _ result of it. chris, thank you. you can find more information - result of it. chris, thank you. you can find more information about i result of it. chris, thank you. you i can find more information about all the measures announced today on the bbc news website. now to that mass shooting at a primary school in texas on wednesday. as families try desperately to come to terms with what's happened, the local police force is being criticised for taking too long to confront the gunman, salvador ramos. officials say he managed to evade armed guards outside the school and lock himself in a classroom for up to an hour, during which he killed 19 children and two teachers. our north america editor sarah smith reports from uvalde.

all of the 19 children who were killed in the same school class. this boys family had to wait 12 hours before they were told he was dead. this girl had been given a phone for her tenth birthday and she usedit phone for her tenth birthday and she used it to try to call the police. jackie had just celebrated herfirst communion and she died alongside her cousin, annabel. these pictures show the scene outside the school on tuesday. "there's a shooting," one man yells. distraught parents pleading with police officers, being told to stay back. get back! holding on to each other, desperate to know what is happening inside. questions are now being raised about how long it took for the police to go into the school and tackle the gunman. it was 90 minutes after the first emergency call that he was shot and killed. we are now learning more details

about what was happening inside the school, the two teachers who were killed as they threw themselves in front of their students to try to save them to save them from the gunman, and what the terrified children saw as he burst into their classroom. he shot our legs and we have a door in the middle and he opened it and then he came in and he said, "it's time to die." "it's time to die," is what the gunman told the children. according to this boy. he says one girl was shot after the police were on the scene. the girl was shot after the police were on the scene-— girl was shot after the police were on the scene. the cop said, help if ou need on the scene. the cop said, help if you need help _ on the scene. the cop said, help if you need help and _ on the scene. the cop said, help if you need help and they _ on the scene. the cop said, help if you need help and they got - on the scene. the cop said, help if you need help and they got one i on the scene. the cop said, help if you need help and they got one of| you need help and they got one of the persons in my class said help. he overheard and he came in and shot her. right across america, students walked out of their schools in protest, demanding action to keep schools safe. not later, now! in washington, democratic

politicians pledged to try to work with their opponents to find a compromise on gun control. we are not going to allow this to become the new normal. we are not prepared to allow our schools to continue as killing fields. we are not prepared to allow the gun lobby and the gun industry to continue to run this town and this place. in uvalde, a small, grief stricken town, 21 bereaved families are now starting to plan 21 funerals. there is now an official investigation into the police response here because there are differing accounts from witnesses about exactly what they did and when and that is raising some serious questions about whether the police acted quickly enough whilst the government was inside the school. of course, people want to know if he could have been stopped sooner. sarah, thank you.

the time is nearly 17 minutes past six. our top story this evening... the chancellor rishi sunak unveils a package to help millions of families through the cost of living crisis. and still to come, we are live from the red carpet of abba's digital show on its opening night. here they are in real life. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel... we look at why fan violence is on the rise. the chief executive of the pfa tells us why it's a growing problem and what's being done to tackle it. 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 — that's according to a report into the cases of 16—month—old star hobson and six—year—old arthur llabinjo—hughes.

a child safeguarding review also says the two cases reflect wider problems with the child protection system in england. the government says it will publish plans for change soon. our social affairs editor alison holt reports. smiling and happy. this is how star hobson's wider family remember her. but today's report says they were kept at arm's length by her abusers, and disregarded by child protection professionals. the 16—month—old was killed by her mother's partner, the woman holding her here. in herfinal week she had become a shadow of herself. you're a spoilt pretty girl. star's family says when they told social workers and police of their increasing concerns, even providing photos of bruising on star, they didn't investigate properly and thought relatives were being malicious. if social services had done theirjobs in the first place, i think star...well, star, we know our star would

still have been with us. maybe if they'd have sat down and spoke to us in person, they might have actually thought, "oh, hang on a minute. they're notjust being malicious." arthur, are you going to play for england? i and the report found the failings in arthur labinjo—hughes' case was strikingly similar. the six—year—old was murdered by his father's girlfriend after weeks of abuse. again, wider family wasn't listened to by professionals, and the report says decision—making and information sharing were poor. arthur was a gorgeous child. he could have gone on to have such a wonderfulfuture. he would have been 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. many of the problems found in these tragic cases reflect pressures across the child protection system, including high caseloads and the high turnover of social workers.

the woman who led the review says there needs to be fundamental change. she wants new 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, but also every practitioner who's working in this area the best possible chance of protecting children. part of the tragedy in star and arthur's cases is that the failings identified in this report are failings which have been found in past terrible child deaths. the question now is whether the changes recommended can make a real difference. # happy birthday to you...# it would have been star's third birthday this month. her family marked it together. they say they will keep pushing to ensure other children

are better protected. alison holt, bbc news. the hollywood actor kevin spacey is facing charges of four sexual assaults against three men and a further charge of engaging in sexual activity without consent. our special correspondent lucy manning is with me now. what more can you tell us about these charges? there are five charges he's facing, two of them are sexual assault on a man now in his 30s, that is alleged to have happened in 2005 in london. there's also another charge he is facing of sexual assault against a man now in his 30s, that is from 2008 in london, again the same alleged victim is facing a charge of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. the final charge he is facing is another count

of sexual assault, that is on another man now in his 30s, that is alleged to have happened in gloucestershire in 2013. during the period these charges he is facing, he was the artistic director of the old vic theatre in london. we don't know when he will appear in court, we understand he is out of the country at the moment. if he doesn't return to the uk, perhaps there may well be extradition. he has always denied any allegations of sexual assault. . , denied any allegations of sexual assault. , ., ~ , ., denied any allegations of sexual assault. , . ~' , ., , denied any allegations of sexual assault. , . ~' , . let's take a look at some of today's other news. bbc four and cbbc will end as traditional tv channels as part of plans for the bbc to become "digital—first". in a speech mapping out the corporation's future, director—general tim davie said that 1,000 jobs will be cut across the public—funded part of the corporation. easyjet has apologised after 200 flights were cancelled this afternoon because of computer issues. the company advised passengers to check the status of their flight

before making their way to the airport. universal credit fraud is at a record high, costing the taxpayer £5.6 billion in the year to april. one in four claims was overpaid. that was due to error or fraud. from the start of the pandemic, the government eased certain conditions to allow unprecedented numbers of people to access benefits. ukraine's deputy defence minister says fighting in the donbas has reached maximum intensity, with the russians storming ukrainian positions in several areas simultaneously. two key cities — severodonetsk and lysychansk — have come under bombardment, and there's heavy fighting for control of roads connecting ukrainian territory. earlier, the authorities said the russians had attacked more than 40 towns in their offensive. james waterhouse is in kyiv. most people watching the coverage would have said the fighting is already

intense, how bad is it now? i think the ukrainian _ intense, how bad is it now? i think the ukrainian government - intense, how bad is it now? i think the ukrainian government think i intense, how bad is it now? i think the ukrainian government think it| intense, how bad is it now? i thinkl the ukrainian government think it is starting to peak. it is this part of the conflict which could well define the conflict which could well define the outcome of this war. we are seeing slow, very deliberate and very familiar tactics from the russians in the east where they are trying to surround an increasing number of locations. severodonetsk where there is a single bridge, that has been targeted today we understand by russian forces, and khaki in the north—east has been left alone for a number of weeks —— kharkiv. seven people we have been told died today as rockets once again land on the city. russia isn't just trying to increase its 20% grab so far of ukraine, it is also looking to consolidate in the south tjy looking to consolidate in the south by bringing in more ground, sea and airforces. by bringing in more ground, sea and air forces. , . . by bringing in more ground, sea and air forces. , . , . ., ., , air forces. james waterhouse in k iv, air forces. james waterhouse in kyiv. thank— air forces. james waterhouse in kyiv. thank you _ air forces. james waterhouse in kyiv, thank you very _ air forces. james waterhouse in

kyiv, thank you very much. - the chief executive of p80 ferries has denied that the decision to sack 800 staff meant that the company was taking part in a race to the bottom on pay and standards. today he agreed to talk to the bbc. as katy austin reports, he still insists he did the right thing. ten weeks on, most of p805 ferries are running again, but questions remain, including about the way the company suddenly dismissed its staff. how would you feel if somebody did that to you? well... er... it's not, it is not pleasant, being made redundant and we have tri... it was more than being made redundant, wasn't it? it was being told on the day, this is your last day at work. no warning. yeah, as i've said, i recognise that we had to make a very difficult decision. we have issued the largest redundancy package in maritime history. the company's boss has already admitted choosing not to consult unions in advance — a legal requirement. do you regret doing that? i'm incredibly sorry on the... the decision we took had a material

impact on a number of ex employees and i do regret that. some crew are now paid at a rate below the uk minimum wage. do you feel you have taken part in a race to the bottom on pay here? you were paying more, you're now paying less. that sets a precedent. so, we've implemented a crewing model that is consistent with 80% of shipping around the world. it makes us competitive. it took the company weeks to resume sailing on the busy dover—calais route. some ferries failed safety inspections — in one case, three times before being cleared to sail. lack of ferry capacity contributed to long lorry cues to dover before easter. do you think you badly misjudged that? well, first of all, i want to say sorry to our customers about the delay in us getting back to service. but i think it is absolutely right and appropriate that we hold safety as our number one priority in the business, that we don't rush through that and we work with the regulator. we are holding ourselves and we are being rightly held

to a very high standard. p&0's reputation has suffered, but peter hebblethwaite insisted customers were coming back and that the changes being made would give the company a bright future. civil and criminal investigations by the insolvency service into the circumstances around the redundancies continue. katy austin, bbc news, in calais. 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, all thanks to digital technology. our entertainment correspondent colin patterson is outside the arena in east london. and you know it is an abba premiere when the king and queen of sweden have just walked the red carpet. there was huge excitement about half an hour ago when all four members of abba arrived. the fans who had flown

in from around the world were cheering, and abba are so proud of this digital concert which they have created. here is how it all came together. music: dancing queen, by abba it's more than 40 years since abba played live. this is as close as it is ever going to get. the band spent five weeks performing in front of 160 cameras so every movement could be captured, allowing them to be turned into avatars. and i have personally given more than 1000 tickets for the opening night for free to the longest serving members of their fan club, free to the longest serving members of theirfan club, who free to the longest serving members of their fan club, who have come from as far as australia and the usa. �* , ., ., ., usa. any other thing that was new, i 'ust usa. any other thing that was new, i just couldn't — usa. any other thing that was new, i just couldn't ever— usa. any other thing that was new, i just couldn't ever imagine _ usa. any other thing that was new, i just couldn't ever imagine myself - just couldn't ever imagine myself being there. i thought it was... i essentially missed my time. i have

come _ essentially missed my time. i have come from — essentially missed my time. i have come from tasmania in australia, this is— come from tasmania in australia, this is a _ come from tasmania in australia, this is a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity and i wasn't going to miss— opportunity and i wasn't going to miss it — opportunity and i wasn't going to miss it. .. , miss it. then the red carpet, with all four members _ miss it. then the red carpet, with all four members of— miss it. then the red carpet, with all four members of abba - miss it. then the red carpet, withl all four members of abba together again. what made you change your mind and decide to work with abba again? bbba decide to work with abba again? abba has never left — decide to work with abba again? abba has never left us, _ decide to work with abba again? abba has never left us, in _ decide to work with abba again? 32.35. has never left us, in my decide to work with abba again? 2.335. has never left us, in my heart, decide to work with abba again? 2.33: has never left us, in my heart, in our hearts. has never left us, in my heart, in our hearts-— has never left us, in my heart, in our hearts. we love our music, we love to sing. _ our hearts. we love our music, we love to sing. we — our hearts. we love our music, we love to sing, we love _ our hearts. we love our music, we love to sing, we love the - our hearts. we love our music, we love to sing, we love the material| love to sing, we love the material that benny — love to sing, we love the material that benny bjorn right. and love to sing, we love the material that benny bjorn right.— that benny b'orn right. and if the show is a that benny bjorn right. and if the show is a hit. _ that benny bjorn right. and if the show is a hit, then _ that benny bjorn right. and if the show is a hit, then abba - that benny bjorn right. and if the show is a hit, then abba plan - that benny bjorn right. and if the show is a hit, then abba plan for| show is a hit, then abba plan for their digital versions of the play sold—out concerts simultaneously in different countries around the world. it is time for the weather now. good evening to you. it's been a mixed day out there with quite a lot of cloud across england and wales, outbreaks of rain. further north we have had blustery showers and through tonight it looks like it

will turn drier across southern areas as the front with patchy rain clears away into the near continent. largely clear skies as you can see, but further blustery showers for much of north and west scotland. lighter winds further south. there is a cool air mass moving in, so a chilly night to come, typically seven to 9 degrees for most areas. into friday, ending the week on a fine note across southern areas, thanks to this area of high pressure pushing in from the south—west. still much of scotland influenced by pressure from scandinavia. if you showers developing for northern ireland and northern england, but the majority of wales having a fine day with a lot more sunshine than today. the temperatures will respond. the wind are lighter in the south, still blustery in the north with scattered showers, but we could see 21 degrees again across the south—east. as you drift further northwards, the air mass is cooler. that's friday, the weekend is looking quite mixed as well. i think

as we start to