this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh. the headlines at 9:00: tens of millions of people will see an 80% increase in gas and electricity bills, as ofgem announces a new price cap. the regulator and campaigners call for immediate government action. the government — with our support, with the support of the industry, with the support of ngos — needs to act urgently and decisively to address the situation that's before us. i am begging and praying and pleading that there is more government help for this winter, so that people will not, and the poorest... and this is not catastrophising, it is a catastrophe that we really want to hear your reaction to the news this morning about how this will affect you, and any questions you may have.

get in touch with me @annitabbc and use the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. the family of olivia pratt—korbel, who was shot dead by a gunman, speak of their heartbreak, as merseyside police vow to find her killer. royal mail has warned that letters won't be delivered today and some parcels could be delayed, as around 115,000 of its workers go on strike. ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky claims europe narrowly avoided a radiation disaster earlier this week. hundreds of remastered images of the apollo missions 50 years ago are released for the first time. hello and welcome to the bbc news

channel this morning. more news on the cost of living today. millions of households in england, scotland and wales will be paying much more for gas and electricity from october, after the energy regulator 0fgem announced a rise in the price cap — that's the maximum amount companies can charge consumers for energy. it means the average household bill will rise to £3,519 a year — an increase of more than 80%. analysts are now predicting that the price cap could rise again injanuary to more than £5,300. and then to more than £6,600 next april. the price cap doesn't apply to northern ireland, as the market there is regulated differently. prices in northern ireland will also increase, but it's less clear when this will happen, and by how much. the announcement today comes amid a cost—of—living crisis, with prices soaring and bills going up. frances reed reports.

we've known for months it was coming but now, it's been confirmed — the average household fuel bill will be £3,519 from october. the cap is set by the energy regulator 0fgem and is the maximum amount companies can charge customers for each unit of energy. 0fgem has acknowledged the situation as deeply worrying for many people. i accept this is devastating news for many families out there. so what we're also saying today is, we have ten days now until we will have a new administration, a new prime minister and a new ministerial team. now, we think that the government — with our support, with the support of the industry, with the support of ngos — needs to act urgently and decisively to address the situation that's before us. because the difficult news i have to give is when i look at what's happening later on this year and potentially into next year, there is still significant price pressure.

citizens advice have predicted a quarter of us won't be able to afford our fuel bills by the autumn. the struggle with living costs has already begun for marina. she's a former carer, who can't work because she has long covid. she's at the citizens' advice bureau in ipswich to apply for universal credit, and often sits in the dark to try to save money. to actually fear every day how you're meant to live, it's just something else. didn't think i'd get to this age and be worried about things like this. you just think it's going to be normal. but there are people trying to help. near ipswich, the rural coffee caravan is on its rounds. it's a charity which signposts people to various services that can help. and rising energy prices is the main concern. well, if i can't afford it, i won't put it on, because i won't get into debt. i've never been in debt in my life. i'd just cut back on food

as well, if i had to. i'd have a tin of soup and a roll. and, you know, hopefully, that would warm you up. today's rise is the largest single increase in the price cap, but most experts predict another is on the way injanuary. frances reed, bbc news. i'm joined now by the consumer financial specialist sarah pennells. sarah, good morning. ithink people need help and advice more than ever with this news today, i am sure you have been receiving so many questions from the public. just remind everyone why prices are so high. we know the global price of gas is at a record high, but why are the energy companies passing all of those increases on to customers? it is a really good question. 0fgem's role in setting this energy price cap is to work out basically the maximum profit energy companies can make. and by energy companies, i

mean the retailer selling us the gas and electricity. so not companies extracting those profits. and that helps them set this price cap, which we heard from your report and from the interview, i mean, it is going to be a real winter of worry for consumers and it is devastating news because it is such a high figure people are now facing having to pay. but there is a mechanics behind it, which is linked to making sure... the fallout on million —— millions of people's budgets, leaving those on the lowest incomes who spend the highest proportion of their income on things like energy and food and feel really struggling and making such difficult choices, notjust cutting back on the basics, but sitting with the lights off, not using their cookers, not putting the heating on when the weather does get colder. , , , ., ., ., , colder. these bills are already unaffordable _ colder. these bills are already

unaffordable for _ colder. these bills are already unaffordable for so _ colder. these bills are already unaffordable for so many - colder. these bills are already i unaffordable for so many people, colder. these bills are already - unaffordable for so many people, let alone the further increases predicted next year. so if someone is in a dire situation right now, what can they do, what would your advice to then be, is it about contacting their energy supplier? is there some way they can manage their bills differently? i there some way they can manage their bills differently?— bills differently? i think there are two strands _ bills differently? i think there are two strands to _ bills differently? i think there are two strands to this. _ bills differently? i think there are two strands to this. firstly, - bills differently? i think there are two strands to this. firstly, therej two strands to this. firstly, there are things individuals can do. but i have to be honest and say the room for manoeuvre is incredibly limited simply because of the scale of the increase. an 80% increase from october the 1st. we think back to 12 months ago, the bills will be three times higher, it is a tripling of what people were paying just last october. so i think there is the 0ctober. so i think there is the issue of what the government needs to do in terms of the new prime minister when they come in and the help they can offer and there is also steps individuals can take. the first step is to contact your energy company if you are struggling because they do have an obligation to help you to be able to pay your

bills. but that is not often going to be about wiping off your bills, it is restructuring how you pay it. and when we are facing bills of averaging out over £300 a month, in the winter months, when we use our heating more, it could be £500 or even more. so i think a lot of people will be very worried about taking on debt. there are charities, we heard about citizens advice, charities such as step change. turn to chemicals which helps you work out if you are entitled to state benefits. —— turn to us. there are millions of pounds of unclaimed benefits and there are benefits that act as a gateway to helping you with the cost of living and your energy bills. if you have always thought, maybe i won't qualify or i wouldn't get the state benefits, it is really worth going onto a website like turn to us, a charity, they have a website and you can find out if you

are entitled to this.— are entitled to this. individuals have limited _ are entitled to this. individuals have limited room _ are entitled to this. individuals have limited room for- are entitled to this. individuals i have limited room for manoeuvre are entitled to this. individuals - have limited room for manoeuvre and it is about restructuring bills. ultimately, as you indicated, the most significant help could come from the government, but we haven't heard from the two contenders to be the next prime minister in detail what their plans are, have we? so i just have this question, which is from a viewer, chris merriman, who says, why is the rest of europe having far lower price rises than we are? it is a good question because countries like france for example have imposed a windfall tax on some of the big energy companies. what do you think the government here needs to do, given the scale of this crisis? ~ ,., ., , crisis? well, the government has already given _ crisis? well, the government has already given some _ crisis? well, the government has already given some help - crisis? well, the government has already given some help which i crisis? well, the government has. already given some help which will start hitting people's bank accounts from october. but it does not deal with the scale of the problem we are facing now. the new prime minister

will have to decide which route they want to go down. under a huge amount of pressure to provide extra help. and i think the targeted help that really helps those people on the lowest incomes means they get the most money, that is the route they are going to have to go down. although we are all going to be struggling with higher bills, those with the broadest shoulders financially are in a position to cope better. this is against a backdrop of rising food, fuel, interest rates, inflation in general, all those things are hitting the pockets and budgets of those on the lowest incomes, so i think there is no doubt even though we have not heard detail at the moment, once the new prime minister is in place, they will have to come out pretty sharply with a package of measures and i suggest it will have to be targeted to really make an impact. 0therwise, to be targeted to really make an impact. otherwise, i don't think it is going to touch the sides of the scale of the issue due to the increase that we have seen announced today. 3

increase that we have seen announced toda . �* . , ,., today. a few glitches with the sound at the end, today. a few glitches with the sound at the end. but _ today. a few glitches with the sound at the end, but we _ today. a few glitches with the sound at the end, but we heard _ today. a few glitches with the sound at the end, but we heard almost - today. a few glitches with the sound at the end, but we heard almost all| at the end, but we heard almost all of what you had to say, thank you for your thoughts and advice on this this morning, consumer expert sarah pennells. there has been plenty of political reaction so far, but the government didn't put a minister forward for interview on the breakfast programme this morning. let's get more now from our political correspondent david wallace lockhart, who's at westminster. good morning. 0ne good morning. one of our viewers, and this is another comment someone has sent in, kevin mariette sane, where is the government spokesperson? they need to take responsibility. nobody up for interview on that breakfast round of interviews. liz truss has said in the daily mail, i know how hard it is for millions of you, but i will ensure support is on its way. people clearly want to know what that's right now. clearly want to know what that's ri . ht now. ~ . clearly want to know what that's riaht now. ~ ., ., ., . right now. with an announcement today becoming — right now. with an announcement today becoming official, - right now. with an announcement today becoming official, we - right now. with an announcement today becoming official, we knew| today becoming official, we knew roughly what the price cut was going to be, but now it is, that estimate is now officially there, there would be many people who would have

expected to hear a government minister this morning doing extended interviews telling us exactly what the government is doing and what the government hopes to do to try and make the situation better. we do expect to hear from the prime minister later today. we have heard a statement that has been released from the chancellor, nadhim zahawi acknowledges this price cut will be causing stress and anxiety for many. and that perhaps would cause many to question why we are not hearing from government ministers if he is acknowledging that situation. he does say there will be support from a future government, not the current one, but once a new prime minister takes over, and he is working flat out to develop options for the next prime minister. there has been a lot of political reaction to this, of course, we have heard from the first minister of scotland is nicola sturgeon saying this rise can't be allowed to go ahead, it must be cancelled. the snp want mps brought back to westminster from their recess to debate the issue. the lib

dems of course have called for an extension of the windfall tax on energy companies to cancel out this october rise in the price cap. and 0ctober rise in the price cap. and thatis 0ctober rise in the price cap. and that is something labour have been calling for as well. they have gone in front of the cameras this morning. we heard earlier today from labour's shadow chancellor, rachel reeves. these astronomical increases in prices, it is striking fear into the hearts of families right across the country, and that is why labour are saying the government must act. they must freeze gas and electricity prices through the winter, they should pay for that with an extension of the windfall tax on the oil and gas companies who are making huge profits, and use that money to keep bills as low as possible for everybody else. that is the right and fair thing to do, that is what labour would do, and that is what the government must now press on and do. the energy regulator this morning calling for immediate government

action, urgently and decisively, was the phrase that was used. how unusual is it for the regulator to make this direct appeal to the government? it make this direct appeal to the government?— make this direct appeal to the government? , , ., ., , ., make this direct appeal to the government? ,, ., ., , ., ., government? it is strong words for a re . ulator government? it is strong words for a regulator to — government? it is strong words for a regulator to say _ government? it is strong words for a regulator to say the _ government? it is strong words for a regulator to say the government - government? it is strong words for a regulator to say the government hasj regulator to say the government has to take action and has to take action now. however, that is probably not going to happen because borisjohnson has made it clear that he doesn't think it is a place as a prime minister withjust he doesn't think it is a place as a prime minister with just a short time left in office to make major decisions about supporting people —— it is his place. major decisions that would be about tax and spend, when he has only a matter of days left in office. the slight problem for many people is we don't exactly know what either candidate to be prime minister would do. liz truss has written in the daily mail this morning saying she will ensure support is on its way and we get through these tough times. she has talked about cutting taxes. but there is a big question about, what about the people you don't pay much tax or any tax? tax cuts doesn't really help them, especially in the short term, so will there be more

targeted support? the suggestion is there might well be, but she wouldn't announce that until when and if she becomes prime minister. rishi sunak has committed to more support for the most vulnerable in society but, crucially, what we don't have from him yet is a figure. how much would people get if he becomes prime minister? we will hear from him yet —— later today and that is perhaps something we will get from him. , , , ., from him. very briefly, we are almost out _ from him. very briefly, we are almost out of _ from him. very briefly, we are almost out of time, _ from him. very briefly, we are almost out of time, do - from him. very briefly, we are almost out of time, do you - from him. very briefly, we are l almost out of time, do you think from him. very briefly, we are - almost out of time, do you think the reason we are not hearing that level of detail people are calling for from rishi sunak or liz truss because with ten days to go until the result is announced, they know they cannot please everyone probably so they don't want to say something that will derail their campaign at this stage? that will derail their campaign at this stare? ._ that will derail their campaign at this stage?— that will derail their campaign at this stare? ._ , ., this stage? there may well be an element of _ this stage? there may well be an element of not _ this stage? there may well be an element of not wanting _ this stage? there may well be an element of not wanting to - this stage? there may well be an element of not wanting to rock l this stage? there may well be an l element of not wanting to rock the boat so much. the problem for them is the calls for concrete action are going so loud now, it might not be something they managed to do. rishi sunak did previously say once the price cap was official, he would be

able to give more detail, so perhaps the pressure on him for concrete numbers quite quickly.— the pressure on him for concrete numbers quite quickly. david, thank ou ve numbers quite quickly. david, thank you very much. _ numbers quite quickly. david, thank you very much, david _ numbers quite quickly. david, thank you very much, david wallace - you very much, david wallace lockhart. i suspect we are about to hear more calls for ideas and action from the government. victoria derbyshire is in ipswich for us today, talking to people about how this news will affect them. victoria. thank you very much. i mean, the question people have is, how am i supposed to pay this? that is the question most people are asking. we are here today at royal oak community cafe and self —— in suffolk. run by homeless prevention charity. helen hayes, good morning, she cares for her dad, your mum helps look after your dad and you have an nhs team who come in as well. when you heard the news of this new price cap, how did you feel? i this new price cap, how did you feel? ., . ., , this new price cap, how did you feel? ._ , feel? i actually felt physically sick. it shocked _ feel? i actually felt physically sick. it shocked me _ feel? i actually felt physically sick. it shocked me so - feel? i actually felt physically sick. it shocked me so much.

feel? i actually felt physically - sick. it shocked me so much. and the levels of anxiety that the worry about this has been causing me i thinkjust hit me when i heard it today. thinkjust hit me when i heard it toda . thinkjust hit me when i heard it toda. , , thinkjust hit me when i heard it toda _ , , ., ., , thinkjust hit me when i heard it toda. i, ., . today. so, yes. how does it affect ou, today. so, yes. how does it affect you. particularly _ today. so, yes. how does it affect you, particularly when _ today. so, yes. how does it affect you, particularly when it - today. so, yes. how does it affect you, particularly when it comes i today. so, yes. how does it affect you, particularly when it comes to looking after your dad?— you, particularly when it comes to looking after your dad? well, my dad has late stage _ looking after your dad? well, my dad has late stage dementia, _ looking after your dad? well, my dad has late stage dementia, he - looking after your dad? well, my dad has late stage dementia, he has - looking after your dad? well, my dad has late stage dementia, he has had| has late stage dementia, he has had a stroke and he is peg fed, so his food and medicine is administered by a tube. he is at the end of his life. he receives nhs funded care, but because of the care crisis, we deliver that care at home because there is no option of nursing home, there is no option of nursing home, there are no spaces, so we have a team of carers coming into the home 24 team of carers coming into the home 2a hours a day. so a small bungalow lived in by two pensioners has now got a team of people living there. my got a team of people living there. my dad is very, very old, so we don't have the option to turn the heating down, our electricity consumption has increased significantly because we have a hospital bed, we have lots of equipment, we have extra people, extra washing. and we have seen a

significant rise in the bill already. significant rise in the bill alread . ., significant rise in the bill already-— significant rise in the bill alread . ., ., ., , significant rise in the bill alread. ., ., , ., ., already. you told me last year at our already. you told me last year at your mum _ already. you told me last year at your mum and — already. you told me last year at your mum and dad's _ already. you told me last year at your mum and dad's electricity . already. you told me last year at | your mum and dad's electricity bill your mum and dads electricity bill orfuel bill was £60 your mum and dads electricity bill or fuel bill was £60 a your mum and dads electricity bill orfuel bill was £60 a month, your mum and dads electricity bill or fuel bill was £60 a month, wasn't it? then it went up to, what? tiff}. it? then it went up to, what? 170. and this is — it? then it went up to, what? 170. and this is before _ it? then it went up to, what? 12 and this is before today's increase? with that 8% increase, we are looking at about £300 a month. but my dad has not been in this situation for a full winter before so it will probably be more. find so it will probably be more. and althou:h so it will probably be more. and although that _ so it will probably be more. and although that team of carers, nhs carers, is funded, you don't get extra for using the electricity or the gas? extra for using the electricity or the as? ., , extra for using the electricity or theuas? ., , , the gas? no, this system is called continuin: the gas? no, this system is called continuing health _ the gas? no, this system is called continuing health care. _ the gas? no, this system is called continuing health care. so - the gas? no, this system is called continuing health care. so when i the gas? no, this system is called l continuing health care. so when you become very ill and you have complex needs, a very small number of people are awarded this nhs funded care. i have actually become a care provider to facilitate this, although the nhs provides the budget, but there is no consideration given to the extra pressures this is causing us as a

family to provide that setting, if that makes sense? so the home is now a care setting and there is no allowance made for funds beyond the direct care, if that makes sense? yes, you will know the government earlier this year when rishi sunak was still the chancellor back in may, announced up to £1,200 for the most vulnerable families. £400 for every household, an extra 650 for those on the lowest, lowest incomes, an extra £300 for pensioners, an extra £150 if you are on certain disability benefits. that is when we thought the price cut will be about 2,000 800. what you hope and what do you say whoever wins this contest needs to do as soon as they come in? -- £2800. needs to do as soon as they come in? —— £2800. they need to address this as a matter of urgency and provide real support for people like ourselves who are the most vulnerable people in our communities. and it isjust shocking we are in the situation in the first

place. but the extra pressures and anxiety it is causing is just terrific at a time when we should be going through the process of accepting our loved ones end—of—life. it is really causing pressure on every level, so they need to take action and provide real support forfamilies need to take action and provide real support for families like ours. find support for families like ours. and ou support for families like ours. and you know. — support for families like ours. and you know, everybody knows, apparently, we have to wait until september the 5th when the new prime minister is announced. there has been no government minister on the airwaves, the tv or radio, this morning. airwaves, the tv or radio, this morning-— airwaves, the tv or radio, this morning. airwaves, the tv or radio, this morninu. . ., ., ~ ., ., morning. what do you think of that? i think it is absolutely _ morning. what do you think of that? i think it is absolutely appalling. - i think it is absolutely appalling. i think it is absolutely appalling. i have been reading the papers the government not going to address the cost—of—living crisis. i did here this morning liz truss has said she will bring in support to help with this. she has talked about removing the green energy tariff, which is about £150, but it is a drop in the ocean. we need to have a policy put in place that keeps costs down for families like ours so we are not worrying about the extra electricity

we are having to use through no choice of our own.— we are having to use through no choice of our own. helen, thank you very much — choice of our own. helen, thank you very much for— choice of our own. helen, thank you very much for talking _ choice of our own. helen, thank you very much for talking to _ choice of our own. helen, thank you very much for talking to us - choice of our own. helen, thank you very much for talking to us this - very much for talking to us this morning, we really appreciate, and lots of love to your mum and dad. helen hayes. and we will talk to many more people throughout the day here in ipswich. victoria, thank you very much, see you later. and later this morning, as the new domestic energy price cap for england, scotland and wales has been set, we'll be answering your questions on energy costs. at 11:30 here on the bbc news channel, we'll be joined by our personal finance correspondent kevin peachey, laura mcgadie — from the energy saving trust — and richard neudegg, ceo of uswitch. get in touch with your questions by emailing yourquestions@bbc.co.uk, or get in touch on social media using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. just one more comment from you. although this reflects what i am hearing from a number of viewers. michael chapple saying, no leadership from government, shambles. lots of people saying they

want action from the government now, not when the new leader is declared on the 5th of september. keep those comments coming in. the time is 9:21am. the family of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel, who was killed in liverpool on monday, says "now is the time" for anyone who knows anything about her killer to come forward. 0livia was shot when a gunman burst into her house during a chase. one man has been arrested, but her killer has still not been traced. let's talk to our correspondent john maguire, who's in liverpool. i will get you to reflect on what 0livia's family have been saying and bring us up—to—date on that police investigation. bring us up-to-date on that police investigation.— investigation. yes, firstly on what olivia's family _ investigation. yes, firstly on what olivia's family have _ investigation. yes, firstly on what olivia's family have been - investigation. yes, firstly on what olivia's family have been saying. | 0livia's family have been saying. that statement released yesterday evening. we had seen some family photos of her over the last few days so i suppose got a sense of the type of little girl that she was. but the

family have now put words to those images. they knew her as liv. they said she was a unique, chatty, nosy little girl who broke the mold when she was born. although her life was short, her personality certainly wasn't, and i think that shines through in some of those lovely family pictures we have seen. they said she lived her life to the most and would blow people away with her wit and kindness. we as a family are heartbroken, they say, and have lost a huge part of our life. then a direct appeal to the wider community really, people who might know who is responsible for her shooting on monday night. they say now is the time to speak up. it is not about being a snitch or a grass, it is about finding out who took our baby away from us. and that last line, who took our baby away from us, goes, i suppose, who took our baby away from us, goes, isuppose, to who took our baby away from us, goes, i suppose, to describe in some

part of the family must be going through at the moment. but also, that direct appeal that somebody must know who shot liv on monday night, not only pulled —— you pull the trigger, but who perhaps ordered it and whose protecting those people. as we know, the police have told us they had a name on more than one name from several different sources over the past few days, so the investigation is proceeding. but this direct appeal from the family hopefully will persuade those who do have more information to come forward. just to show you here the location in kingsheath avenue, floral tributes have been building up floral tributes have been building up over the last few days. there are flowers and notes and letters from members of her family, flowers and notes and letters from members of herfamily, also flowers and notes and letters from members of her family, also from strangers, from across the country. and also, i noticed a note from a young child that had scrawled, dear 0livia young child that had scrawled, dear olivia and drawn a picture of a small angel, so that is a child that presumably has a family that will

have to try to explain to them exactly what happened here on monday night and why. exactly what happened here on monday night and why-— night and why. john, thank you for that update. _ night and why. john, thank you for that update, john _ night and why. john, thank you for that update, john maguire - night and why. john, thank you for that update, john maguire in - that update, john maguire in liverpool. more than 100,000 postal workers are going on strike this morning, in a dispute over pay. it is the first of four days of industrial action, with walkouts also taking place on 31st august and the 8th and 9th of september. royal mail says it has put contingency plans in place to minimise disruption. 0ur correspondentjon donnison is on a picket line in east london. during the summer of strike action ljy during the summer of strike action by british workers, this is being billed as the biggest so far, with 115,000 workers from the communication workers union working out. and with inflation running at 10%, you have been talking a lot about it on the programme this morning, the reason for this strike is familiar, it is pay. the union saying they have been offered a 2%

pay deal. in fact, that has been imposed on them, they say. they say thatis imposed on them, they say. they say that is simply not enough. royal mail, for its part, saying the off its closer to 5.5% with various conditions. —— the offer. at the moment, both sides say they are willing to continue talking, but they don't seem close to reaching any sort of agreement. and as you say, three further days of strike action planned over the next two weeks. thank you very much. with me now is the communication workers union's deputy general secretary terry pullinger, whojoined royal mail as a postman in 1985. thank you very much for your time this morning. so you at the union are saying men —— saying the management have offered a 2% pay rise, royal mailsay management have offered a 2% pay rise, royal mail say it is closer to 5.5% with various conditions. you are asking for a no strings pay rise, what are those conditions, those strings, as you call them, as

you see them?— those strings, as you call them, as you see them? well, we have got two disutes. you see them? well, we have got two disputes- 0n — you see them? well, we have got two disputes. on the _ you see them? well, we have got two disputes. on the changes _ you see them? well, we have got two disputes. on the changes royal - you see them? well, we have got two disputes. on the changes royal mail i disputes. 0n the changes royal mail are seeking and they are trying to use pay as a way of getting those through, but with a totally inadequate offer. they are massive changes and we have got a second dispute on that which will follow this, so there will be more industrial action regarding the changes they want to bring in which, to us, would drastically change this great public service and definitely have a major impact on our members. what are those changes? well, changes such as, changes to the pipeline of our operation which mean we would only deliver in the afternoon. the real threat of driving us towards part—timejobs in terms of delivery, different terms of —— terms and conditions for new entrants, all of our members on annualised hours, all our members forced to work across a seven—day week rather than the agreements we have been talking about. so massive

in position. proposals they know this union won't accept. but for reason, i think p&0 inspired, this union won't accept. but for reason, ithink p&0 inspired, the employer has suddenly turned, the relationship was fine untiljanuary. they disengage from january until april and have come back with totally unacceptable issues. on pay, they have imposed on a workforce which was responsible for a £1 billion turnaround in this company during the pandemic and working through the pandemic, they have only imposed a 2% pay rise. you have been talking about the different issues of inflation and energy prices, just nowhere near enough and it is totally disrespectful to a workforce that should be far more valued. where do you see the talks going on? it sounds like it is a pretty bitter dispute. sources in management, they are saying that the union hasn't engaged in a meaningful way. so it sounds pretty intractable, is it? yes, and it isjust simply not sounds pretty intractable, is it? yes, and it is just simply not true and you haven't got time on this programme for us to delve down into all of that. what i can say is you

can look at other industries and see how people have behaved. the fact that p&0 management got away with what they did without prosecution even though they admitted they broke the law and they would do it again has just signalled to every employer there are things you want to try and push through which ordinary would be unacceptable, now is your time to do it. there is a whole new senior management team in royal mail and it looks like they have been recruited for this very situation. i don't believe they want an agreement, i believe they want an agreement, i believe they want this opportunity to try and push through and break the trade union, all that sort of stuff. hopefully, it won't come to that, these people certainly don't deserve that. there are only 39 people work in this office behind me, but they are solid, and i have never known a workforce so disappointed and angry with its employer. disappointed and angry with its emlo er. ~ ., ., .,~ ., disappointed and angry with its emlo er. ~ ., ., ., , employer. what would it take to stop the strikes that _ employer. what would it take to stop the strikes that have _ employer. what would it take to stop the strikes that have already - employer. what would it take to stop the strikes that have already been i the strikes that have already been announced or to bring about some kind of movement in the discussions? well, we can only stop the strikes if there is some movement. we have tried, the general secretary and

myself, to say we want to meet the chairman of the and the ceo, both of whom are responsible for an agreement we mayjust over a year ago, which was working and delivering change and everything else, which they now seem to be tearing up, but they don't want that meeting. but you have to remember although we have announced the strikes now and other people are out on strikes, we wrote them back in february. this is not something we just into. we are just not giving it a chance, we have been in four months of talks, there has been absent no movement whatsoever. and even with the changes, this 5.5% they are saying is on the table, thatis they are saying is on the table, that is a lie, that is not. and i would ask you, anyjournalist that is a lie, that is not. and i would ask you, any journalist to challenge royal mail and tell them how any postal worker can get a 5.5% pay rise this year. they can't and they won't be able to explain that. it is a narrative, both sides will have their narrative, of course, i understand that. but our members are being treated appallingly and we are

not going to put up with it. just briefl , not going to put up with it. just briefly. to _ not going to put up with it. just briefly. to put _ not going to put up with it. just briefly, to put this another way, do you think the strikes are a necessary part of a process you have to go through in order to make the public sit up and take notice, to make royal mail sit up and take notice? ~ ~' ., notice? well, i think the whole nation, notice? well, i think the whole nation. people _ notice? well, i think the whole nation, people have _ notice? well, i think the whole nation, people have got - notice? well, i think the whole nation, people have got to - notice? well, i think the whole l nation, people have got to look, notice? well, i think the whole i nation, people have got to look, i don't believe and i don't think the nation believes royal mail should ever have been privatised and now you are seeing the real challenge of that. unfortunately on this occasion, if you have got somebody who won't negotiate with you and is just insisting on pushing through or putting things in like a 2% pay rise as if they believe that is enough after they have given millions of pounds to shareholders as well, yes, you have to strike and give it that profile, in the hope that someone or something will change and we can get in a room and negotiate a decent agreement. i would say this if i can, please. the last time we went on strike over pay was 1971, 51 years ago, and the last time we had a dispute over change was 2009. this

is not a union that does this easily, we totally respect the public, the vocational sense of purpose amongst our workers is tremendous, we are not happy with this, but if we don't do this, you won't have your postal service. terry pullinger, from the communication workers union, thank you very much. royal mail saying it has offered to talk pay and change at any point in time, but it needs to be about both, so three more strike dates set in place as things stand. now it's time for a look at the weather, with carol. hello again. as we go through the next few days, the weather's looking dry for many of us, with variable amounts of cloud. that can be said for today as well. we've got cloud across parts of scotland, northern ireland, southern england, wales and the south west, drifting eastwards, with just some showery outbreaks of rain here and there. heavier at times across southern scotland. and it will brighten up in the west, as we go into the late—afternoon period, with temperatures up to about 24 degrees. this evening and overnight,

you can see how the cloud breaks up. still one or two showers but, under clear skies, we'll see again some mist and fog patches forming and we've got some rain just skirting past the west of northern ireland. temperatures between seven and about 15 degrees, as our overnight lows. so tomorrow, we pick up that rain. you can see itjust clips the west of northern ireland, moving up towards the northern isles. a lot of dry weather around. a few showers through the central spine of england. we could see a few coming in on thicker cloud across the east coast at times, with a top temperature of 25. hello this is bbc news. the headlines... tens of millions of people will see an 80% increase in gas and electricity bills, as 0fgem announces a new price cap. the regulator and campaigners call for immediate government action. the government, with our support, with the support of the industry, with the support of ngos, needs to act urgently

and decisively to address the situation that's before us. the family of olivia pratt—korbel, who was shot dead by a gunman speak, of their heartbreak as merseyside police vow to find her killer. royal mail has warned that letters won't be delivered today and some parcels could be delayed as around 115,000 of its workers go on strike. sport, and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good morning, holly. england will be looking to build a decent lead on day two of the second test against south africa. james anderson and stuart broad took three wickets each as they bowled out the tourists for 151, on day one at old trafford. and, afterjonny bairstow helped steady a shaky start to their reply,

they'll resume day two on 111—3 at 11am. 0ur sports correspondent joe wilson reports. who put the "old" in old trafford? well, certainly not him. he'll never end. james anderson is a sprightly 40. edge of bat, catch, and another batter baffled. that's the way he does it, playing here in his 100th test match on home soil — and that's unique territory. and then there's stuart broad. south africa's captain was dismissed here. dean elgar had chosen to bat first. with a dash of anderson and a thump of lbw, south africa were soon all out. first part of the job was done. so having bowled south africa out forjust151, all england had to do was come out and score some runs themselves. that's all — pretty simple. of course, it never is. 0llie pope knows. south africa's bowlers are seriously good. but having lost three wickets quickly, jonny bairstow rebuilt steadily — that ball was going to the boundary — and england will resume just 40 runs behind. commentator: thank you very much.

zak crawley is out of form, but persevering. still there. yeah, well done. head up. still four days of opportunity, if required. joe wilson, bbc news, old trafford. europa league and conference league draws take place at noon today. hearts had to settle for a place in the latter after losing to zurich last night. west ham are also in it. they beat danish side viborg 3—0 in the second leg of their qualifier — progressing 6—1 on aggregate. linfield were just seconds away from becoming the first irish league club to reach the group stage of a european competition. but an own goal from jimmy callacher in the last minute of extra time sent it to a penalty shootout. 1—1 on the night, 3—3 on aggregate, however, latvia's rfs beat the northern irish side 4—2 on penalties. toulouse's time in rugby league's

super league is over after just one season. the french side have been relegated after being beaten 24—14 at home to fellow french side catalans dragons. fouad yaha with a hat—trick for the away side, who get the point they needed to secure their place in the play—offs. wins too for wakefield, salford and castleford. britain's heather watson and pauljubb are both just one win away from a place in the first round of the us open. they play in the final round of qualifying later. the grand slam gets under way on monday with emma raducanu returning to defend her title. the draw took place yesterday, and first up for raducanu, who'll be seeded 11th, is world number 37 alize cornet. jack draper was knocked out of the one of the warm up events — the winston—salem open in north carolina. the brit lost to swiss

player marc—andrea huesler in straight sets. draper was drawn to play finland's emil ruusuvuori in the first round at flushing meadows next week. details of the men's and women's draw are on the bbc sport website. england's matt fitzpatrick is lying in third place going into the second round of the tour championship in atlanta. the us open champion shot a 6—under—par 64 first round. but he's still six behind the leader, the world number one and masters champion scottie scheffler. players start the season ending event on different scores determined by their place in the fedex cup standings. that's all the sport for now. let's get more reaction now to the news that millions of households in england, scotland and wales are set to pay much more for gas and electricity from october, after the energy regulator 0fgem announced a rise in the price cap to £3,549 a year —

an increase of more than 80%. and there are predictions it'll rise again and next year. i'm joined now by the energy market expert and ceo of renewable energy platform ppaya, kristina rabecaite. thank you very much forjoining us. it's really quite hard to get your head around these figures, frankly. people are talking about feeling physically ill as they confront the scale of the bills they are facing. what is the best advice you can offer to them this morning? it’s offer to them this morning? it's absolutely _ offer to them this morning? it�*s absolutely terrifying where the energy market is heading. from being in the market, i watched the prices every day and they are not looking good. they are only increasing at the moment. we haven't even entered winter yet. the best advice is to be as efficient as you can potentially

be. chat with your supplier. there are suppliers offering various different products. for example, may be consumed during certain hours of the day when electricity is cheapest. when the wind is blowing you can save money that way. 0therwise you can save money that way. otherwise it's really... it is not in our hands at the moment. sorry to interru t, in our hands at the moment. sorry to interrupt. but — in our hands at the moment. sorry to interrupt. but it _ in our hands at the moment. sorry to interrupt, but it will _ in our hands at the moment. sorry to interrupt, but it will be _ in our hands at the moment. sorry to interrupt, but it will be really - interrupt, but it will be really difficult for people to be 80% more efficient, frankly.— efficient, frankly. yes, it will be. it is efficient, frankly. yes, it will be. it is hitting _ efficient, frankly. yes, it will be. it is hitting us. — efficient, frankly. yes, it will be. it is hitting us, and _ efficient, frankly. yes, it will be. it is hitting us, and hitting - efficient, frankly. yes, it will be. it is hitting us, and hitting us - it is hitting us, and hitting us hard. all we can sort of hope for is that we will have a warm winter. in terms of shopping around, people in the past have been able to look at various deals and perhaps go for a fixed rate but are fixed rates going to offer much help at this stage and are there many of them around? it is

tric . are there many of them around? it is tricky- and — are there many of them around? it is tricky- and in — are there many of them around? it 3 tricky. and in fact, obviously, 29, 30 suppliers have gone under in the space of 12 months. we don't have that many options at the moment. and all the suppliers out there are losing money providing electricity to all the households at the moment. so there's not really a product that is necessarily going to differ from company to company because everyone is just trying to charge as much as possible to hit the cap. that's all i can say, to be honest.- possible to hit the cap. that's all i can say, to be honest. looking at the bi aer i can say, to be honest. looking at the bigger picture _ i can say, to be honest. looking at the bigger picture and _ i can say, to be honest. looking at the bigger picture and the - i can say, to be honest. looking at the bigger picture and the longer. the bigger picture and the longer term picture, i know that an argument that you really want to put forward is that we need to be looking at the longer term to be proactive rather than reactive and look at issues like gas storage for example. do you think there will need to be a serious amount of catching up for the new prime minister to do on this particular

issue, looking at how to store gas for example, how to secure our energy supplies in the longer term? for sure. there is so much that can be done and i think we need to continue to invest in renewables like we have done so far. there has been a great outcome from the cfd auction. storage is so important and it's devastating to see how much gas is coming into the country and is then being sent back, sent to europe and then we import it back at higher prices because we physically have no way of storing it. we do have a facility that has been decommissioned a few years ago that we could bring back for next winter and that would help the prices. and although gas is not renewable, there are technologies that can capture carbon, so building more gas in the country, we are seeing that happen now. everything we can potentially do, the plan has to be scoped out

across the technologies, and not just concentrating on wind and solar only, or gas and coal only, it has to be a broad plan that will cover us for the long term. {eat} to be a broad plan that will cover us for the long term.— us for the long term. ceo of renewable _ us for the long term. ceo of renewable energy _ us for the long term. ceo of renewable energy platform l us for the long term. ceo of- renewable energy platform ppaya energy, thank you. some breaking news coming in to us about the killing of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel in liverpool. merseyside police have just announced that a 36—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder on monday night. 0livia pratt—korbel, police say a 36—year—old man, to repeat the news coming in in the last few seconds, arrested on suspicion of the murder of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel. herfamily had pratt—korbel. her family had appealed pratt—korbel. herfamily had appealed yesterday for people to help find their baby's killer, to do

the right thing. if i had any information, to make that information, to make that information known to the police. the police had found not to give up until they had found who was responsible. police on merseyside saying a 36—year—old man has been arrested on the suspicion of the murder of nine—year—old 0livia. we hope to speak to our correspondent live at the scene shortly. we can now continue with our top story today, in the news of that increase in the energy price cap. earlier, the founder of money saving expert, martin lewis, told bbc breakfast that there is a desperate need for more help from the government. we need to know now what extra help comes in because the government announced help in may based on the price cap from october to april of £2800.

we now know in october it's 3549 for someone on typical use and injanuary it's predicted to go to £5,300 for typical use because we now have a three monthly change in price cap which should not have changed but it has. we are seven months through a ten month assessment period so that is robust. it will not be exactly that but it will be in that ballpark. we don't know from april onwards. but forjanuary we are pretty certain. we are thousands of pounds short for the most vulnerable of money to enable them to survive through this energy crisis. and i pray the new prime minister, when they come in, and we should have heard this earlier, that they put proper help in place for the most vulnerable or this catastrophe will lose people's lies. when you talk about the calls for help, what tools are available for the government to help?

when the new prime minister comes in and we hear something, what tools can they go to? the funny thing is, the easy bit is how you help. i am relatively agnostic. you could freeze the price cap although it means people like me pay less and i am not sure that should happen. you could have a social tariff which i have supported. you could take the may package of help the government came up with and double every element, a little bit more, and that would help cover some of these problems. it is not about mechanics but the will. the issue is we will have to take money from government funds, whether from taxpayers or debt, and redistribute it to the most vulnerable. and stretching up to some middle earners. that is what you have to do. the question of how you distribute it is open for discussion but in some ways that is less of an issue than the fact you have to do it.

i am relatively agnostic about the methodology and i would happily work with any methodology. ijust bloody well hope it happens. let's go back to basics. people listening to you this morning will think about this and think about how they are struggling now. and how they will struggle in the future. take me through this scenario. you have done the right thing. you are struggling and know you cannot pay any more. you have phoned your energy company and you are advised to have the conversation. you have taken all the grants available, gone through the charities, and you know you have done all the right things and you still cannot pay your bills. you are still feeling like there is no more slack in your budget. what happens next? there will be a lot of households for whom that is a real circumstance. thankfully, if you are really struggling, it is very difficult for you to be disconnected these days, if you cannot pay,

which is different to not paying. you may be moved to a prepayment meter and there is an emergency help on prepayment meters. some people are going to have massive health problems because they do not have heating. people are voluntarily disconnecting. i said six months ago i was out of tools to help the most vulnerable on energy and government help is needed and you are asking the question. i have been a money saving expert for 20 years and i do not have an answer because there isn't one. that is why we are desperately in need of some government intervention. and the mental health catastrophe it is causing by not having an answer, not having firm plans in place on the day the price cap is announced is also a secondary symptom and catastrophe of this. i chair the money and mental health policy institute.

finance and mental health are so closely linked. to allow people to stare into the pit of financial doom that is coming this winter without offering them the torch at the end of the tunnel and saying help will come, without being specific, is terrible for people's mental health. i wish i had an answer, i do not have an answer. for years i have been doing thisjob. they do not provide me an answer with this situation apart from talk to your mp and let us beg and plead and pray that the new prime minister gets on this quickly and help save lives because we are in that type of emergency. an impassioned plea from martin lewis. and later this morning, as the new domestic energy price cap for england, scotland and wales has been set, we'll be answering your questions on energy costs.

at 11:30am here on the bbc news channel we'll be joined by our personal finance correspondent kevin peachey, laura mcgadie from the energy saving trust and richard neudegg — ceo of uswitch. get in touch with your questions by emailing yourquestions@bbc.co.uk or get in touch on social media using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. to bring in one more tweet you have sentin to bring in one more tweet you have sent in to me, this is from sean, who says i feel so ill. 0ur edf energy bill currently stands at £700 a month before another rise. i am self—employed, earning around 25,000 a year and live with my disabled wife and disabled mother—in—law and two kids aged nine and 18. thank you for getting in touch with us. throughout the day we will try to pull together the best advice and ask questions about what is going to be done to help people with their bills.

britney spears has released herfirst new music since 2016 — a duet with sir eltonjohn. # hold me closer, tiny dancer. # whoo—oo. the new song hold me closer incorporates three of sir elton's classic hits — tiny dancer, the one and don't go breaking my heart. it's britney's first step back into the music industry after her release from a conservatorship that controlled almost every aspect of her life. joining me now is professor jennifer 0tter bickerdike, a cultural historian, author and professor of popular music at the bimm institute. her latest book, being britney, is a biography of the star. we spoke at the time of the conservatorship, it's good to have you back with us. let's talk about the music in a moment, but this is about a lot more than just the music. about a lot more than 'ust the music. �* , ,., , about a lot more than 'ust the music. �* , , ., ,, about a lot more than 'ust the music. , ., ,, about a lot more than 'ust the music. , ., .

music. absolutely. thank you so much and it's great — music. absolutely. thank you so much and it's great to _ music. absolutely. thank you so much and it's great to see _ music. absolutely. thank you so much and it's great to see you _ music. absolutely. thank you so much and it's great to see you again. - music. absolutely. thank you so much and it's great to see you again. i - and it's great to see you again. i think the fact britney is teaming up with eltonjohn, we use the word icon so much, it is overused, but britney is an egg safe pair of hands with sir elton and it confirms her own iconic status to work on these songs with him. the fact he opened up songs with him. the fact he opened up this canon for them to play around with together and they recorded in hollywood together, it is a banger of a tune and you can't help but feel uplifted when you hear it. if the rebirth of britney. she said last year. _ it. if the rebirth of britney. she said last year, when _ it. if the rebirth of britney. she said last year, when she was released from the conservatorship in november, she said last year she was going to steer clear of the music industry and has spoken about her struggles so is it a surprise to see her back already?— struggles so is it a surprise to see her back already? absolutely. i get asked this all _ her back already? absolutely. i get asked this all the _ her back already? absolutely. i get asked this all the time, _ her back already? absolutely. i get asked this all the time, when - her back already? absolutely. i get asked this all the time, when will l asked this all the time, when will she do new music and when will a new record drop? i would probably have so much trauma if i was britney. i was very surprised she had already done this song with elton but it

makes sense if you think about it. elton supports the younger generation of artists and he has been through his own trials and tribulations so i think it is a fantastic re—entry for britney. whether or not we will see a full new record is a whole other thing but this shows her stepping her foot back into the arena to see what the appetite is and i wouldn't be surprised if this hit number one. do you think her fans will be concerned that this is the right move for her, as welcome as a new piece of music might be, do you think they will be concerned this is a step too far too soon? . , . concerned this is a step too far too soon? ., , ., ., , ., soon? that is a great question. something _ soon? that is a great question. something people _ soon? that is a great question. something people rarely - soon? that is a great question. something people rarely ever. soon? that is a great question. i something people rarely ever ask soon? that is a great question. - something people rarely ever ask is how is britney? and i think that is such an important thing to consider. this woman was in this extremely stressful, extremely limiting conservatorship for 13 years. and the fact she is already producing new material is a very pressurised situation. i think what this shows

is that what britney can do when she has her own means to do what she wants to do. and i think forfans, that will show they did the right thing in terms of fighting for her release from the conservatorship. a really important point to bring up, we have come to think of britney as this media figure, like tabloid catnip. i hope that by placing her with eltonjohn and showing him as this mentorfigure for with eltonjohn and showing him as this mentor figure for her coming back into music, it will remind us of why we love to britney to begin with, as a creative artist.- with, as a creative artist. finally, tell us more _ with, as a creative artist. finally, tell us more about _ with, as a creative artist. finally, tell us more about the _ with, as a creative artist. finally, tell us more about the song - with, as a creative artist. finally, tell us more about the song and l with, as a creative artist. finally, - tell us more about the song and also how this particular collaboration came about. the how this particular collaboration came about-— how this particular collaboration came about. ., ., came about. the two of them recorded it in hollywood — came about. the two of them recorded it in hollywood which _ came about. the two of them recorded it in hollywood which i _ came about. the two of them recorded it in hollywood which i think _ came about. the two of them recorded it in hollywood which i think is - it in hollywood which i think is fantastic. like you said, it combines several of elton's songs. we can't underestimate, tiny dancer is one of the most fantastic songs of all time. i loved it because the premiere of this song was elton

singing along to a dj playing a track of it in cannes yesterday. the fact he is so publicly supportive of britney. you see a lot of tweets and this and that, but the fact elton is out there in public making sure he shows his face as someone who is behind her is fantastic and a beautiful thing. the professor, thank you _ beautiful thing. the professor, thank you for— beautiful thing. the professor, thank you for talking _ beautiful thing. the professor, thank you for talking to - beautiful thing. the professor, thank you for talking to us - beautifulthing. the professor, i thank you for talking to us today. professor of popular music. let's get more now on the breaking news that there's been an arrest in connection with the shooting of 9 year old 0livia pratt—korbel who was killed in liverpool on monday. with the latest let's talk to alison freeman in liverpool. there was a statement from merseyside police in the last few moments saying they have arrested a

36—year—old man on suspicion of the murder of nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel. they say the man is from the area of huyton and he was arrested on two counts of attempted murder. it comes after an operation involving armed officers in merseyside last night. in the last few moments we have had footballers ian rush and ian snodin arrive on the scene and deliver floral tributes to 0livia. the liverpool tributes, rest in peace, 0livia, is what it says. with deepest sympathy from all of us at liverpool football club, neverwalk from all of us at liverpool football club, never walk alone. from all of us at liverpool football club, neverwalk alone. 0n from all of us at liverpool football club, never walk alone. 0n the everton card it said, no words will ever ease the pain or explain such a tragedy. 0ur city stands united for ever and our thoughts. in the past few moments, the news there has been an arrest made on suspicion of 0livia's murder and the attempted murder of two other people on monday

night. studio: thank you for the update, alison freeman. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. for most of us over the next few days it is going to remain dry with variable amounts of cloud. what we have today is a weather front which is in the west, it's moving east, so after a sunny start in eastern areas the cloud is going to build. and it will have some showery rain in it. but for most of the uk it's going to be a dry day. this is the weather front moving from the west towards the east. you can see high pressure is still really keeping things fairly settled, so it's a weak weather front, cloud moving eastwards. there will still be some sunshine but out towards the west it will brighten up as we head in through the course of the afternoon. but we can also see some heavier showers across southern scotland through the afternoon. breezy in the north with temperatures ranging from 15 to about 24 degrees. as we head on through the evening and overnight period, there will still be a few showers knocking around.

cloud will continue to break up and under clearer skies once again we will see some mist and fog patches forming. we also have this weather frontjust clipping the west coast of northern ireland, bringing in some splashes of rain, and rather like last night it's going to be a fresh night across the board, especially in the south, where in the previous few nights it has been quite muggy. so into tomorrow, this is the front clipping the west of northern ireland, pushing up towards the outer hebrides and western scotland. high pressure really building across us so for most it is going to be settled. any early morning mist and fog will lift quite rapidly and there will be a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine, but more cloud coming down the east coast of scotland could produce the odd shower, and it's the same across central parts of england, the odd shower is possible. and then we've got a weather front out towards the west. temperatures ranging from 14 to about 25 with a keen breeze coming down the north sea coastline, so here it will feel that bit fresher. into sunday, well, on sunday we are looking at a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine around. the cloud across southern scotland and northern ireland breaking up

through the course of the day, but once again quite a keen breeze down the north sea coastline and also the english channel. and temperatures ranging from 12 in the north to about 24 as we push down towards the south, but again, if you are exposed to the breeze it will feel that bit chillier. heading into monday, the forecast very similar in that there will be more cloud coming in from the north sea. we'll see a bit more cloud drifting further west as well, but it's in the west where we will see the highest temperatures.

this is bbc news. i'm annita mcveigh. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world: tens of millions of people across the uk will see an 80% increase in their gas and electricity bills, as 0fgem announces a new price cap. the regulator and campaigners call for immediate government action. the government — with our support, with the support of the industry, with the support of ngos — needs to act urgently and decisively to address the situation that's before us. i am begging and crying and pleading that there is more government help for this winter so that people will not and the poorest — and this is not catastrophising, it is a catastrophe. a man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder

of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel in liverpool on monday.