tonight at ten... the pressure on household budgets laid bare — new figures show wages falling further behind the rapidly rising cost of living. counting the cost of every purchase — when the real value of wages is shown to have shrunk by 3%. we have a baby and it is pretty hard with our wages to keep on track of everything. we'll be looking at the challenge for the incoming prime minister posed by the growing gap between earnings and prices. also on the programme: the two contenders to be prime minister are quizzed at a hustings in perth — with questions about their approach to the proposed second referendum on scottish independence. the former manchester united footballer ryan giggs gives evidence at his trial for allegedly

assaulting his former partner, and her sister. we report from wyoming where a key political battle is taking place seen as a test of donald trump is �*s continuing appeal. and 20 years of radio 1xtra celebrating black music and culture. and coming up on the bbc news channel: mixed relay gold for great britain in the 4x200m freestyle at the european aquatics championships in rome. good evening. there are more figures out today confirming the squeeze on people's living standards — they show the real value of wages has fallen at its fastest rate since records began just over 20 years ago. the office for national statistics

says average wages have risen recently — as you can see by this red line — by 4.7% between april and june this year. but that's been massively outpaced by inflation. as you can see — the blue line, which represents the rate at which prices are rising, is running well above wage growth — and is fully expected to increase further — with the latest figures out tomorrow. it means the �*real value�* of pay has fallen by 3% — according to the ons. our economics correspondent andy verity has this report. in barnsley, andrea is looking through toys for her baby after getting a pay rise of £1 an hour in herjob as a packer at a warehouse. that came as a pleasant surprise. but with prices rising much faster, even that higher wage can't buy what it could have bought a year ago. we thought, "wow, that is a big raise, honestly." but after that, when we went

in the shop and left £100 for three or four days of food, and everything necessary, it was quite a shock. from the outside, 4.7% is the best average pay rise for years. but the inside story is the average worker is dealing with astronomical price rises that more than cancel that out. aiming to attract the instagram generation, this extravagantly decorated restaurant in hethe, oxfordshire, reopened, post—pandemic, to a strange new world, where even when you offer training and bump up the pay, you can't get the staff. we can't open up, which is a massive shame, apart from friday and saturday evenings, because of lack of people. try as he might, the restaurant's boss can't recruit enough experienced servers to offer a fine dining service in this room for more than two days a week. we believe it is costing about 30% more for anybody that has a hotel, pub or restaurant to employ people, than it used to pre—march 2020, so what we're trying to do at the moment is to find other ways to incentivise our people to come,

and, you know, as an industry, we need to be looking at, are we open for maybe four days a week, and do an amazing service, rather than trying to open for seven? the recruitment crisis does mean if you're looking for work, you're in a better bargaining position than you've been for decades, but it also slows down economic growth — this restaurant could be open — and it has other negative effects, subtle kinds of inflation, visible not so much in higher prices, but in queues and longer waiting times. in the public sector those longer waiting times are getting worse, partly because it's harder to recruit more staff when the pay is getting poorer. there is now a gaping distance between pay in the private sector, up 5.9%, and in the public sector upjust1.8%. after allowing for inflation that is a real—terms pay cut of more than 6%. labour is pressing its plan for much more government support for the cost of living. more government support this wage stagnation has been going on for ten years so i really understand just how people are struggling. it's one of the reasons

that we announced our energy price freeze yesterday to keep those bills down and to make the choice that the oil and gas companies in the north sea should pay a windfall tax to help those struggling through this winter period. so it is further evidence, i think, of the pressure so many millions of people are under. it is the biggest drop in living standards since the silverjubilee way back in 1977, according to the living standards think tank the resolution foundation. the government said today's figures show the jobs market remains resilient and that it is providing £30 billion of support to households with the cost of living. andy verity, bbc news. there's more updates, news and analysis on bbc news 0nline — that's bbc.co.uk/news — and by using the bbc news app. both conservative candidates have

said they will not allow a second referendum on scottish independence. liz truss and rishi sunak have promised greater scrutiny of the scottish government in the latest hustings in perth. here's our scotland editorjames cook. anger, outside about conservative policies. with passion aboutjobs, immigration, the climate and of course independence. inside perth concert hall the issues were broadly the same, although the atmosphere was rather more relaxed. it is the same, although the atmosphere was rather more relaxed.— was rather more relaxed. it is quite frankly barbie _ was rather more relaxed. it is quite frankly barbie for— was rather more relaxed. it is quite frankly barbie for politicians - was rather more relaxed. it is quite frankly barbie for politicians to - was rather more relaxed. it is quite frankly barbie for politicians to be l frankly barbie for politicians to be trying to focus on a divisive and unnecessary constitutional referendum —— frankly barmy. people are worried about heating their homes. ~ ., , ., are worried about heating their homes. ~ ., ., ., ., ., homes. would you allow another independence — homes. would you allow another independence referendum? - homes. would you allow another independence referendum? i - homes. would you allow another. independence referendum? i can't imaaine independence referendum? i can't imagine the _ independence referendum? i can't imagine the circumstances - independence referendum? i can't imagine the circumstances in - independence referendum? i can'tl imagine the circumstances in which independence referendum? i can't l imagine the circumstances in which i would. �* , ., imagine the circumstances in which i would. �* ., .,

imagine the circumstances in which i would. ., ., ., ., would. are you saying not now or not ever to another _ would. are you saying not now or not ever to another independence - ever to another independence referendum? _ ever to another independence referendum? if— ever to another independence referendum? [fl— ever to another independence referendum?— ever to another independence referendum? if i am elected as prime minister i referendum? if i am elected as prime minister i will — referendum? if i am elected as prime minister i will not _ referendum? if i am elected as prime minister i will not allow _ referendum? if i am elected as prime minister i will not allow another - minister i will not allow another independence referendum. cheering this is... independence referendum. cheering this is- -- we — independence referendum. cheering this is... we had — independence referendum. cheering this is... we had a _ independence referendum. cheering this is... we had a referendum - independence referendum. cheering this is... we had a referendum in - this is... we had a referendum in 2014— this is... we had a referendum in 2014 and — this is... we had a referendum in 2014 and it — this is... we had a referendum in 2014 and it was once in a generation.— 2014 and it was once in a reneration. ., ., , generation. scotland is en'oying the last s - lash generation. scotland is en'oying the last splash of — generation. scotland is en'oying the last splash of summer. _ the seasons are about to change, students are heading back to school, and these day—trippers are selecting sunflowers. rather than picking prime ministers. i think the scots feel ignored in general. is that something you hope whoever becomes the new prime minister would do something about? hope so. not moving towards independence but perhaps acknowledging that scotland has perhaps independent needs.

lam i am ready for someone who is a strong _ i am ready for someone who is a strong leader. i will not vote for the conservatives myself, but i think_ the conservatives myself, but i think we — the conservatives myself, but i think we need a change. get the tories out- _ think we need a change. get the tories out. why? _ think we need a change. get the tories out. why? because - think we need a change. get the tories out. why? because they l think we need a change. get the i tories out. why? because they are think we need a change. get the - tories out. why? because they are no aood for tories out. why? because they are no good for scotland _ tories out. why? because they are no good for scotland and _ tories out.“ because they are no good for scotland and they— tories out.“ because they are no good for scotland and they do - tories out.“ because they are no good for scotland and they do not - good for scotland and they do not care about — good for scotland and they do not care about it. _ good for scotland and they do not care about it, they— good for scotland and they do not care about it, they never - good for scotland and they do not care about it, they never have - good for scotland and they do not| care about it, they never have and they never— care about it, they never have and they never with _ care about it, they never have and they never will.— care about it, they never have and they never will. what is the answer for scotland? _ they never will. what is the answer for scotland? independence. - independence, has been| for years, always will be. independence is still looming. james cook, bbc news, perth. 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth is at westminster. whoever wins the race to become prime minister will face a huge challenge given the stark economic news? as james said of the economy has been dominant in the conservative leadership contest so far, and today the news about pay packets lays bare

the news about pay packets lays bare the reality facing households and families and individuals across the uk, and it lays bare the challenge facing the government. there has been a package of support in oz, £37 billion, some of which will kick in in the autumn, but there needs to be more, according to a lot of people, and the current government have said they will have to wait until the new prime minister is in place, and so attention turns to those who want the job. attention turns to those who want thejob. yesterday attention turns to those who want the job. yesterday we attention turns to those who want thejob. yesterday we heard attention turns to those who want the job. yesterday we heard from the labour leader keir starmer who said if he was in power he would freeze the energy price cap to stop bills going up and tonight that was put to the candidates, liz truss and rishi sunak, neither of whom suggested they would follow suit, and rishi sunak did not think it was the right approach and there should be targeted support for pensioners and the poorest households and liz truss talked about tax cuts and growing the economy. she was also asked about a leaked report obtained by the guardian from when she was a minister at the treasury a few years ago, and in that she is her talking about british workers and she says

in that context, we need more graft. that comment has been criticised by labour and tonight liz truss said that productivity did need to improve, that would help the economy and that would help wages, but the truth is we have not had any more detail from the candidates about exactly what they would do when they get into the doors of number ten and thatis get into the doors of number ten and that is going to be the issue that dominates, notjust fortheir premiership but for the country as well. . ., ., , now to the crisis in afghanistan — and a year ago today, the desperation of some afghans to escape their country was crystallised by this image — of people clinging to the side of a moving us military plane leaving kabul as the taliban seized power. tens of thousands who worked with foreign governments, including the uk, are still stuck in afghanistan. the british government acknowledges more than 6,000 eligible people are still waiting to be relocated. for those still there, many are in hiding, moving from place to place.

some have been detained by the taliban, accused of spying for western countries. they fear for their lives and feel betrayed by the people they worked for. 0ur south asia correspondent yogita limaye has been speaking to some of them — we've hidden their identities and changed their voices to protect them. in a seemingly calm kabul, fear runs deep. hidden away behind the bustle, people who worked with foreign governments, left in an afghanistan now ruled by men who were the enemy. a translator who used to work with us troops. it's not safe to go to his home so we are meeting at a secure location. photos and papers from his time on the front line. being found with them could put him in danger. he's moving from one province to another,

hiding from the taliban, who he once helped to kill. translation: i was in combat, standing shoulder to shoulder . with american soldiers at every step. i saved their lives in many ways but in the end, they forgot me. if i had known this is how i would be left, i would never have chosen to work with them. it's notjust those in combat roles. this man worked to implement uk and us development projects in afghanistan. a senior adviser, he had faced death threats even before the taliban takeover. in the past year, he has received multiple such summons from the group's interior ministry. translation: i have moved seven times since the last year. _ i am suffering from stress and depression. i don't sleep. i don't allow my children to go to school in case they are recognised. i facilitated the uk and the us to work in the country and now there is no place where i can live with safety and dignity.

he had been called by uk officials to the airport... ..during this chaos that followed the taliban's takeover. amid the tens of thousands desperate to flee, many who should have been evacuated did not make it through. when the taliban walked into kabul, foreign militaries and diplomats moved into this airport complex overnight. they had not expected it to happen so quickly and so perhaps it was understandable that they could not have evacuated everyone who worked with them then. but now it has been one year and people here are asking if western governments will honour the commitments they have made and how long it will take. this british council teacher is one of more than 100 stuck in afghanistan. he showed us documents that could be

a lifeline, or a death warrant. proof that he taught the english language and uk values. two weeks ago, he was detained by the taliban, accused of spying for the uk. released because they did not find the papers. translation: i don't think it's over. - they are keeping an eye on me. we taught uk values of equality, diversity and inclusion. _ according to the taliban, - that is unlawful and not islamic. they think we are criminals and should be punished. i i think the uk will only act if one of us dies. . sooner or later, that is going to happen. many of his colleagues are women. in the past year, the most significant change in afghanistan has been the clampdown on female freedoms. independent women who had jobs face a dark future. for two years, she worked for the british council. now, herfamily is finding it hard to get by.

translation: sometimes i think i'm losing my mind. _ it's the worst feeling, when you are just trying to find a way to survive every day. the uk has made us feel like we are dispensable. we worked for their goals and aims but when we needed them, they left us. the uk and us governments say they are trying to respond as quickly as they can. at stake is the reputation of the western world, already diminished by the rise of the taliban. yogita limaye, bbc news, kabul. here, the high court has been told that government ministers — who have backed sending asylum seekers to rwanda — were warned by their own independent adviser that the rwandan government tortures and kills political opponents. the warning came from a foreign office expert came weeks before the government tried and failed to send asylum seekers to rwanda. our legal correspondent dominic casciani is here. how did this come out?

this came out today in a preparatory hearing ahead of a make or break full case, full test of the home secretary's rwanda policy, that goes before the courts in september and part of that case is going to revolve around what evidence the home secretary and other ministers had about the situation in rwanda. today we have disclosure from this hand picked independent adviser who told ministers in late april that rwanda had state—controlled surveillance and security apparatus to effectively quash any kind of political dissent, and i quote, arbitrary detention, torture and even killings are accepted measures of enforcing control. other parts of what this official said are currently secret and the government wants to keep it that way, saying it could be harmful to international relations were it to be released. the claimants, the migrants, who don't want to be put on the plane is critical their case but also the legal test about whether or not the home secretary acted reasonably and rationally in deciding that rwanda

was a safe place to go.— was a safe place to go. dominic, thank you _ was a safe place to go. dominic, thank you very — was a safe place to go. dominic, thank you very much. _ the former footballer ryan giggs has told manchester crown court he has never been faithful in relationships, but he denied ever physically assaulting a woman. he denies charges of controlling behaviour, and assaulting his former partner kate greville and her younger sister emma in november 2020. laura scott reports. in his glittering football career, ryan giggs had countless important days, many of them in manchester. today, arriving at court for day seven of his trial, it was a different kind of important. this, the former manchester united star's first chance to put his case to the jury. the court heard that, hours after being arrested on suspicion of assaulting his then—girlfriend kate greville and her sister in november 2020, he had told police he felt emotional about the incident. in a statement, he said a tussle with miss greville involved him being caught in the face leaving him bleeding. "i may have caught her and her

sister during the scuffle but at no time was there ever any intent to harm either," he said. "i would agree that both sisters were hurt. i regret that this argument got so out of hand." in a later statement, responding to kate greville's accusations that he was controlling, he told police, "neither one of us had any more control over the other." this afternoon, for the first time, giggs made his way from the dock to the witness box. his barrister, chris daw qc, introduced him as a famous footballer, but went on to address his reputation as a love cheat, which giggs said he deserved. but when asked, "have you ever physically assaulted a woman," giggs said, "never." asked, "have you ever set out to coerce a woman," he replied, "i have not, no." during two hours giving evidence, giggs spoke of getting his dream job as wales manager while they were together. he refuted ms greville's claim that he had thrown her out of their hotel room naked in dubai in 2017, and dealt with questions about their sex life.

giggs will take the stand again tomorrow. he denies the charges. laura scott, bbc news, manchester. voters in the us state of wyoming are going to the polls today in a republican primary election, seen as a key test of donald trump's enduring popularity. the incumbent is this woman, liz cheney. fiercely critical of the former president, she's facing a major challenge from harriet hageman, who's a political newcomer and a trump—backed candidate. unlike in the uk where political parties mostly choose their prospective mps internally, in the us candidates for congressional office are first chosen directly by voters. so far, in places like south carolina, washington state and michigan — potential candidates who've been openly critical of donald trump, have had huge trouble winning republican primary races. our north america correspondent, john sudworth, has been speaking with voters

across the state of wyoming. at wyoming'sjunior rodeo finals... ..some children don't stay on for long. a fitting metaphor, perhaps, for the state's republican congresswoman liz cheney and her hard fall from grace. for the most part the state of wyoming is very big trump supporters. so when she goes against the masses it doesn't work good for us. for hours, donald trump chose not to answer the pleas from congress. liz cheney is one of only two republicans to have joined the committee investigating donald trump's attempts to cling to power. the people of wyoming are going to tell her, "liz, you're fired, get out of here." cheering. "get out of here." and he is out for revenge, personally picking her challenger, harriet hageman, who is now way ahead in the race to become

the official republican candidate. wyoming is a place of stunning beauty but the high rocky mountains loom over a landscape with deepening political fault lines, too. with 70% voting for trump here, truth is now in the minority. the widespread belief that the 2020 election was stolen from donald trump in wyoming is very concerning to me as a journalist. and all i can do is report people's beliefs and i report the truth. they are not bad people, it is just a heartfelt belief that they have. and other than that, they're just ordinary folks here in wyoming. ordinary folks but extraordinary times. there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than donald trump. liz cheney's famous father, once a hate figure for the american left, now on common ground. and at the polling stations some democrats have been registering

as republicans to try to keep liz cheney on the party ticket. i've never agreed with one thing liz cheney has ever said but i respected how she fought for democracy. election denialism is now a potent political force, notjust here, but in arizona, wisconsin, other key states. the process remains intact, the polling booths and ballot papers, but amid a torrent of misinformation and false, something seismic is shifting and the concern is the very essence of democracy is under threat. doorbell rings. good morning. we are just knocking on doors for liz cheney. these republicans, rare voices of support for liz cheney, are from out of state. evan and his dog have driven 17 hours to be here, from austin, texas. when you have republicans, former republicans, independents, democrats, a socialist, knocking on doors for liz cheney, of all people, i think you have to look at why. and i think the reason

is she is standing for principle and she is saying, "i don't care if i lose myjob, i'm going to do the right thing." all eyes are on the "cowboy state" and a test for party and country — just how much donald trump still calls the tune. john sudworth, bbc news, wyoming. great britain's athletes have been in action at the european championships in munich tonight. zharnel hughes took silver in the 100 metres final. in the women's race daryll neita secured bronze for great britain but dina asher—smith struggled with cramp. nesta mcgregor was watching. dina asher—smith may have been the top attraction. dina asher-smith may have been the top attraction-— top attraction. come on, bring home the old! top attraction. come on, bring home the gold! itut — top attraction. come on, bring home the gold! itut in _ top attraction. come on, bring home the gold! but in zharnel— top attraction. come on, bring home the gold! but in zharnel hughes - the gold! but in zharnel hughes britain had _ the gold! but in zharnel hughes britain had another _ the gold! but in zharnel hughes britain had another defending . britain had another defending champion and the 27—year—old had company and competition in team—mates reece prescod and jeremiah azu. the gold medalist,

however, would go to the italian michaeljacobs in lane six. hughes were second and jeremiah azu atjust 21 a european bronze medallist. i am very proud of this guy because he was in the zone from the heats and then he came out and did it again so i'm very proud of him and happy tonight. i wanted the gold medalist. i happy tonight. i wanted the gold medalist. . , . ., medalist. i gave everything i could . ive medalist. i gave everything i could rive but medalist. i gave everything i could give but jacobs _ medalist. i gave everything i could give but jacobs was _ medalist. i gave everything i could give but jacobs was just _ medalist. i gave everything i could give but jacobs was just better - medalist. i gave everything i could| give but jacobs was just better than me tonight. for give but jacobs was 'ust better than me toniaht. ., , ., give but jacobs was 'ust better than me toniaht. ., , . �* ., give but jacobs was 'ust better than metoniuht. ., , . �* ., ., me tonight. for great britain and northern ireland, _ me tonight. for great britain and northern ireland, dina _ me tonight. for great britain and - northern ireland, dina asher-smith! northern ireland, dina asher—smith! less northern ireland, dina asher—smith! less than _ northern ireland, dina asher—smith! less than a _ northern ireland, dina asher—smith! less than a month since a hamstring injury, hertitle less than a month since a hamstring injury, her title on the line, among those trying to topple her, fellow gb athlete darryl neita and imani lansiquot. asher—smith in lane three again pulled up, the result of the race, meanwhile, was initially too close to call, just a hundredth of a second separating the top three. finally, to everyone's surprise but the crowd's delight, a home—grown

hero, and gb's darryl neita added european bronze to her medal collection. heartbreak for dina asher—smith, she has not defended her european title, but three sprinting medals for britain, so still plenty of reasons to celebrate. perhaps not the perfect picture ending they had in mind, but a perfect picture to end the night. so, respectfully, the men's and women's100 metres are usually the showpiece event at these races and just behind me tonight they did not disappoint, perhaps not the colour of the medals the domenech britain have wanted but with the four by 100 and 200 metres still to come plenty of time to put that right, and whether saying, of time to put that right, and whethersaying, dina of time to put that right, and whether saying, dina asher—smith, this will be good news, confirmed it was clap and not a serious injury while she pulled out. so nothing

good rest and a massage shouldn't fix. back to you guys. thank you very much, nesta mcgregor. former pop idol and theatre star darius campbell danesh has died at the age of 41. the scottish singer rose to fame on the itv show pop stars and pop idol. his debut single colour—blind went straight to the top of the charts and he went on to forge a successful stage career performing in west end shows. today marks 20 years since the bbc launched radio 1xtra, a station dedicated to celebrating the very best in black music and culture. in the past two decades, it's helped bring music like grime, afrobeat and drill into mainstream music, and kick—started the careers of countless artists. ashleyjohn—baptiste has been looking at the station's impact. # i got 21 seconds to go...# # mi thank god for di journey, di earnings...# these are just some of the stars and sounds that have shaped the current music scene.

# it's a free for all...# garage, grime, afrobeat and r&b are amongst the genres that have moved into the mainstream over the past 20 years, something that undeniably 1xtra has had a hand in. 1xtra. the bbc is delighted to announce the arrival of a new baby... it's1xtra's commitment to black british music in particular that has set it apart since launching in 2002, something that broadcaster trevor nelson recalls. british black music primarily. so for the first time, there was support for artists, there was a proper platform for artists. 1xtra didn'tjustjump on an artist for one tune — they would support that artist. i'm remi burgz, your local energy provider... and beyond music, just as important for 1xtra is reflecting the real experiences of black communities in the uk. one thing that 1xtra definitely does extremely well is it tells you about the black experience,

it shares our experiences, it shares our pain. the station is known for launching some of the biggest names in pop music. ed sheeran got his first radio play on 1xtra. 1xtra was the first radio station to play me. we were. i want you to say that everywhere you go. you were, you were. and it was while performing on a 1xtra show that emeli sande made a connection that would change her career. there were two guys i was working with at the time, two managers, . and they said, "do you want to come and do this 1xtra live show?" - in the crowd was naughty boy and he said, you know, - "i really felt like you were singing that song to me."| that translated into fantastic careers for both of us. - it's about bringing the colour and the vibe... yet, despite the vital role it has played in promoting home—grown uk talent, the challenge to remain relevant is tougher than ever. radio, for me, still has a fundamental role in articulating the music, the culture, and giving those artists more

of a platform to have that conversation, as well asjust kind of uploading their tracks. while some might question the value of radio in an ever changing media landscape, 1xtra remains integral to drawing younger audiences to the bbc. because 1xtra attracts a younger audience, i think it will exist, it has to exist in some way, shape orform. there is no point investing 20 years in something like this and then letting it go. ashleyjohn—baptiste, bbc news. and you can find out more about the stories behind the uk's first national black music radio station in a special documentary called homegrown: 20 years of bbc 1xtra on the bbc iplayer now. time for a look at the weather. here's stav daneos. the theme of the day has been thunderstorms. it has been, certainly across england and wales, torrential downpours in some places.

could evening, impressive thunderstorm image behind me taken in sheffield by one of our weather watchers, we had ferocious downpours and localised flooding reported in many areas but these storms have been hit and miss, other areas escaped and stayed dry. these thunderstorms have been stretching from the west country through the midlands into yorkshire and lincolnshire, the lightning activity has been easing down, a fresh cluster of thunderstorms moving out of northern france, perhaps pushing it to east anglia and the south—east during the night. it stays thundery across southern areas, thunderstorms may return to east anglia and the south—east during the early hours. further north, much quieter story thanks to high pressure building here. under clearskies thanks to high pressure building here. under clear skies quite chilly, one or two spots in single digits, but generally across england and we also freshen night to come, still quite humid and still on the mild side. here's the pressure pattern for tomorrow, a ridge of high pressure across the north of the country bringing fine weather, bringing rain to western areas on

thursday, but we still have this