this is bbc news with the latest headlines. businesses could have their energy bills cut by up to a third — government support is due to be announced this morning. liz truss says they want to help businesses get through the winter. we will review it after six months. we will review it after six months. we will review it after six months. we will make sure the most vulnerable businesses like pubs and shops continue to be supported. are you running a business? we really want to hear from you this morning. get in touch on twitter @annitabbc and use hashtag #bbcyourquestions. vladimir putin announces a partial military mobilisation for the war in ukraine. the russian president warns he �*will

use all the means russia has, and that his words are not a bluff�* translation: | repeat, | we are talking of a partial mobilisation only. only people in the military reserve will be drafted. the priority will be on people who served in the armed forces, who have military specialisation and experience. and ongoing crisis in maternity care. the royal college of midwives were in warns that new research shows that many units in england do not meet safety standards. the bbc obtains new material relating to the death of footballer emiliano sala, with the pilot of the plane which crashed calling it dodgy before it took off.

welcome to bbc news. businesses could have their energy bills cut by a third under new government plans. we're expecting more details this morning, but the measures are believed to include a cap on wholesale energy costs for businesses — which currently don't have an energy price cap. it is thought the limit will be 21.1p per kilo watt hour for electricity, compared to a current rate of around 28 pence. it is thought the limit will be 21.1 pence per kilowatt hour for electricity. and it's thought gas will be capped at 7.5p per kilo watt hour, compared to average prices now of 11p per unit. it's understood the changes will apply to contracts from the 1st of october and to fixed contracts taken out since april. and initially we're expecting the support to last for six months, but with an option to extend it for vulnerable businesses — although it's not clear which sectors would be included. it's a discount of around a quarter to a third on current market prices,

which would save around £10,000 on an energy bill of £110,000. speaking in new york yesterday, the prime minister said it's important to give firms some security through the winter months. well, we know that businesses are very concerned about the level of their energy bills. that is why we are putting in place a scheme for business that will be equivalent to this scheme for households, to make sure that businesses are able to get through the winter. we are going to review it after six months. we will make sure that the most vulnerable businesses, like pubs, like shops, continue to be supported after that. we will be announcing the scheme on wednesday. what i can say is that the scheme will apply from the 1st of october, to make sure businesses have that security through the winter. liz have that security through the winter. , , , , ., ~ winter. liz truss, speaking in new york. let's talk to our business correspondent, caroline davies.

i should point out that we have literally in the last couple of seconds got the information through on the official government announcements. so, we will be going through that with you, line by line. caroline, initial thoughts? through that with you, line by line. caroline, initialthoughts? let me read out a couple of sentences, which will give you a chance to digest some of it. so, the government outline plans to cut energy bills for uk businesses, public sectors and households. the energy prices for nondomestic energy companies such as businesses, charities and public sector organisations cut, protecting them from rising energy costs. the government will work with suppliers to reduce wholesale costs on significant rises in bills that businesses have seen. that's a pretty general introduction, caroline. pretty much what we were expecting to hear. is there much detail in this yet? i expecting to hear. is there much detail in this yet?— expecting to hear. is there much detail in this yet? i am only a few paragraphs _ detail in this yet? i am only a few paragraphs ahead _ detail in this yet? i am only a few paragraphs ahead of _ detail in this yet? i am only a few paragraphs ahead of you - detail in this yet? i am only a few paragraphs ahead of you at - detail in this yet? i am only a few paragraphs ahead of you at the i paragraphs ahead of you at the moment. in terms of some of the details, it was what we were expecting. just under two weeks ago,

the government announced it would be not only supporting households but also supporting businesses. that is crucially important because there are quite a lot of businesses that were expecting to see the prices rise. of course, because businesses are not covered by the energy price cap, unlike households, some of them were seeing some of their bills going up by five times the amount, which was leading people to say either they were going to have to pass that on, which could lead to inflation, or potentially they would have to make changes in their own businesses. may be cutting jobs or potentially closing their doors altogether. in terms of some of the details we have got on here, you can see that they have said that this is going to apply for energy usage from the 1st of october 2022, until the sist the 1st of october 2022, until the 31st of march 2023, a six month period. again, we were expecting that to come. that's been something that to come. that's been something that some businesses have said they are concerned about, because whereas the household freeze is going to be for two years, for businesses it is only for six months, which is

difficult for some businesses, they say, to be able to plan in the long term the government said that they were planning to allow more vulnerable businesses to have continued support after that. some ofthe continued support after that. some of the savings _ continued support after that. some of the savings will _ continued support after that. some of the savings will be _ continued support after that. some of the savings will be first - continued support after that. some of the savings will be first seen - continued support after that. some of the savings will be first seen in october bills, which are typically 0ctober bills, which are typically received in november. just on the point of vulnerable businesses, we don't know exactly yet he will fall under that definition? 0r don't know exactly yet he will fall under that definition? or do we? perhaps we haven't managed to read that far in the information coming through in the last few seconds? from what the government previously said, they planned to conduct a review to track and work out which businesses should fall within the vulnerable category. that will be over the course of about three months, where they will be assessing which businesses should be given further support after the six—month period. the ifs were speaking this morning about this. they were welcoming that idea because they were saying that there are some businesses which would be more robust and able to adapt their energy, and other businesses that would be struggling with that and will not be able to adapt it. the ifs was suggesting this was a better

option on the way households were being addressed, which is a blanket across the board, that energy is capped at a level. just well we have been speaking, i can see the price level which they have said was £211 per megawatt hour for electricity, £75 per megawatt hour for gas, i think that is the same as we were expecting, that we have heard and releases beforehand. the government back are saying that less than half the wholesale prices anticipated this winter. that's a really difficult assessment to make, the government's assessment to make of how high wholesale prices will go. in terms of how much this will cost the government, the garment making assessments on they will have experts feeding into that assessment. the concern is that gas prices are very volatile at the moment and those prices could go much higher. of course, they could

drop down as well. this is all assessment that the gunmen to a bit of unknown about the amount of money this is going to cost government, how high the gas prices and electricity prices are going to go, and also how bad the winter is going to be, how many people are going to be using this energy. to to be, how many people are going to be using this energy.— be using this energy. to recap, discounts _ be using this energy. to recap, discounts will _ be using this energy. to recap, discounts will be _ be using this energy. to recap, discounts will be applied - be using this energy. to recap, discounts will be applied to - be using this energy. to recap, - discounts will be applied to energy usage between the 1st of october and the 31st of march next year stop the discounts, we are told, will apply to contracts that have been signed since april the 1st of this year. and the government are saying in a statement that they are going to publish a review into the operation of the scheme in three months�* time, to inform decisions on future support after march 2023. certainly, that possibility of future support is definitely in the reckoning. i think it�*s important to mention that this will also cover close, schools, community halls. we are notjust talking about businesses in the pure

sense that we think are businesses? absolutely, we are notjust talking about businesses or manufacturers, a lot of other buildings as well that will be seeing energy prices going up. we will also see them struggling with their own budgets, too. the fact that we knew before because this was part of the initial announcement that was made just under two weeks ago by the prime minister, talking about this, we know that those bodies are also being covered by this cap. and getting more detail will be reassuring to people. in terms of exactly how this is going to be translated into people�*s bills, that will depend. there are some details about if you are on a fixed contract already, whether you are on a variable tariff. but also, this is going to be something that will be affecting businesses, whether they are on fixed or variable tariffs. what many businesses will want to know now, now they have seen some of these details about it, is exactly how that will translate to personal bills. the reason why it is

sometimes more complicated with businesses and households is that households, we can do a very rough way that 0fgem sets the energy price cap, then we can�*t work out how much typical a household uses is a typical a household uses is a typical household. businesses, it will depend what that business is. hairdressers will use a different amount of energy to a major manufacturing company, but all of their costs are important, and they are very unlikely to find a business that doesn�*t use energy in some form. this is why it�*s been done at the moment, across the board. what the moment, across the board. what the government have said is that after the six—month period, working out who is more vulnerable, in their terms, to energy price cap increases, that will depend on what is businesses can do to try to save their energy costs, what they can do to try to insulate themselves, to be able to help themselves in these situations. there will be certain businesses that are not able to necessarily adapt, and i think that is something the government matters recognising. businesses will be

asking if we fall into this gap or not, are we vulnerable or not? the government have said they will not have exact answers to that at this point. have exact answers to that at this oint. �* , , , , have exact answers to that at this oint. �* , ,, , ., have exact answers to that at this oint.�* , ,, , ., point. businesses need a certain amount of— point. businesses need a certain amount of certainty _ point. businesses need a certain amount of certainty looking - point. businesses need a certain - amount of certainty looking forward, don�*t they? it�*ll be interesting to get some reaction to that end we will be talking to the founder of a small business, anti—founder of small business, anti—founder of small business, anti—founder of small business britain, the organisation small business britain. —— and the founder of. we are still digesting the information that is coming in. let�*s get some political reaction to all of this. we can talk to our corresponding jonathan blake. good morning to you. just on that point that carrie was making, that the government does not know how much it�*ll cost. how is it going to pay for this? i ask in the context that official figures show higher than expected government borrowing for the last month.—

for the last month. well, in answer to our for the last month. well, in answer to your question. — for the last month. well, in answer to your question, the _ for the last month. well, in answer to your question, the government | to your question, the government must have not said how they are going to pay for it, just as they have not set in detail how they will pay for the domestic energy relief scheme. now that the support has been announced and outlined, after a delay for businesses, the total cost of course, can�*t necessarily be known at this point, because it depends on the wholesale cost of energy, how that rises and how much energy, how that rises and how much energy is used by businesses over time, and also how long the scheme will be in place for. so, big unanswered question is, as you suggest, about how these schemes, hugein suggest, about how these schemes, huge in their scope as they are, will be paid for. the suggestion was that for household prices, it would be in the region of £100 billion. by its own admission, the government cannot put a figure on how much this will cost. to pick up on the review that you are mentioning with caroline, it does seem like the

scheme for businesses to be more limited in terms of the time frame the government is prepared to keep it in place for before there are changes. there will be a review in three months�* time, and that will lead to possibly an extension of the scheme, it could be further targeted, the government has said, or it could be replaced with more efficient and more effective support. but certainly a promise from the prime minister today to ensure that more vulnerable businesses, and in the detail is the government backed report out this morning they talk about pubs, shops, for example, that they will be supported in the longer term. but a welcome package for many businesses and details about support and help for companies which has not come a moment too soon. i for companies which has not come a moment too soon.— for companies which has not come a moment too soon. i guess, jonathan, if ou ask moment too soon. i guess, jonathan, if you ask people — moment too soon. i guess, jonathan, if you ask people what _ moment too soon. i guess, jonathan, if you ask people what they _ if you ask people what they associate liz truss with in terms of her policies, ideologies, she is very much for cutting taxes, isn�*t she? so, how are these sums going to add up? on the one hand, schemes

which are going to necessitate a lot of borrowing, but on the other hand, cutting taxes, which she has also talked about. to what extent, a second point to this question, to what extent will the success of this and public reaction to this affect how people view her as prime minister? ~ how people view her as prime minister?— minister? well, it's clear the government _ minister? well, it's clear the government will _ minister? well, it's clear the government will have - minister? well, it's clear the government will have to - minister? well, it's clear the i government will have to borrow minister? well, it's clear the - government will have to borrow more, on the first point. as you suggest, there are two main ways, in fact only two ways, that the government battle has to raise money. it can either put up taxes or it can borrow. all we have heard from liz truss before and since she became prime minister is about cutting taxes. it is clear the government revenue from taxes in the immediate term at least will fall. they might make the argument that over time cutting taxes stimulus the economy, so there is more growth and revenues actually increased as a result. but it will have to borrow in the short term at least, to make up the shortfall and to fund these hugely expensive schemes that it is putting

in place. in the wider context, we have heard this phrase trickle down economics mentioned in the last day also, not least because of the tweet byjoe biden, which i don�*t think anything to do, really, with uk government�*s approach or liz truss�*s policies, but it has sparked a debate about whether the overall approach that liz truss is pursuing, to cut taxes, allow people to make more money and allow the economy to grow, even if it means the rich getting richer, because that benefit will trickle—down, as the phrase goes, and help people across the board, and help society and the economy across the board. plenty of arguments against that, suggesting that it doesn�*t really work and never really has. but certainly that is what this government is pursuing. these policies, energy relief schemes, perhaps they are an anomaly, given the huge rise in energy costs which customers both domestic and business were facing, resulting in the need for direct government intervention like this.

thank you very much. just another line to bring you from the government announcement in the last few minutes, firms do not need to contact suppliers about this cap. the government says it will be automatically applied to their bells. if you are a business owner, i would love to hear from you this morning as you absorb this news about the energy bill relief scheme for businesses. the energy price cap which has applied to domestic customers up until now, but not for businesses. the government announcing today that there will be announcing today that there will be a cap for businesses, lasting initially six months. it�*s going to be reviewed about halfway through that period, to consider what needs to happen after that six month period ends. we are also told that there will be discussion around vulnerable businesses and what further support might be needed for them. but not a lot of detail on that aspect yet. if you are a

business owner, i would love to get your reaction to all of this being announced this morning. you can get in touch with me on twitter and i would love to read out some of your comments. please get in touch. the energy relief scheme will see business rates capped for six months from the 1st of october, and hospitals, schools and other settings such as community halls and churches will also get the support. let�*s talk to yorkshire business woman carol vickers, whose is struggling with rising energy bills, michelle 0vens is the founder of small business britain — which advocates for small businesses around the uk. michelle and carol, you are both very welcome. carol, first, tell us a bit about your business is on the particular challenges you are facing. i particular challenges you are facina. ., ., , particular challenges you are facina. ., . , facing. i have a very young, fledgling — facing. i have a very young, fledgling business. - facing. i have a very young, fledgling business. i- facing. i have a very young, fledgling business. i am - facing. i have a very young, fledgling business. i am a l facing. i have a very young, - fledgling business. i am ajeweller fledgling business. i am a jeweller and silversmith. it is in less than and silversmith. it is in less than a second year still. in addition to

sales dropping when customer confidence is at the current state, i think it is essential to recognise that we are also facing squeezes from every angle. so, for example, petrol prices are proving a huge difficulty for lots of small businesses i know. the cost of raw materials is increasing. and that, alongside a drop in sales because obviously our customers are feeling the squeeze as well, is causing a lot of small businesses huge damage. from what you have heard, and we�*re alljust absorbing this news, admittedly, from what you have heard, your reaction to this announcement from the government? any support for business at the moment is obviously very welcome. i think there are a lot of details that still intrigued me. personally, i would like to know whether the definition of vulnerable businesses is going to include businesses owned ijy is going to include businesses owned by disabled people like myself. because there needs to be a recognition that we have additional costs that a lot of people don�*t face. a lot of people with long—term health conditions need to keep their

heating at a higher level, or they need to use more machinery than people who can do things by hand. so, i would people who can do things by hand. so, iwould be people who can do things by hand. so, i would be very interested to know which vulnerable businesses there are, and if there is additional support for disabled business owners. i additional support for disabled business owners.— additional support for disabled business owners. i know that you have a rare _ business owners. i know that you have a rare form _ business owners. i know that you have a rare form of _ business owners. i know that you have a rare form of arthritis - business owners. i know that you have a rare form of arthritis and l have a rare form of arthritis and you really need to keep yourself warm, and certainly your hands, which you need for yourjewellery making. you need to keep yourself warm. so, you don�*t have the option of turning your heat off, do you? absolutely. i have a type of arthritis and a condition called reinardt and if i get too cold, i cannot use my hands, which is no good when i am trying to shape metal and use a tiny stones. as a tiny business, a lot of things that have been announced do not apply to a sole trader that works from home. michelle, from small business

britain, your reaction to what we have heard from the government? 0verall, have heard from the government? overall, it is very positive. the devil— overall, it is very positive. the devil will— overall, it is very positive. the devil will be in the detail, of course, _ devil will be in the detail, of course, of— devil will be in the detail, of course, of how much of a reduction you're _ course, of how much of a reduction you're talking about and how that will apply— you're talking about and how that will apply to each business. of course, — will apply to each business. of course, it— will apply to each business. of course, it is going to vary, partly because — course, it is going to vary, partly because small businesses haven't had a price _ because small businesses haven't had a price cap _ because small businesses haven't had a price cap before, so they are on different— a price cap before, so they are on different tariffs. we have to understand how exact it that is going — understand how exact it that is going to — understand how exact it that is going to impact you. you look at businesses — going to impact you. you look at businesses that in some cases have had 800 _ businesses that in some cases have had 800 900% increases in their bills over— had 800 900% increases in their bills over the few months. raining some _ bills over the few months. raining some of— bills over the few months. raining some of that in is, of course, brilliant _ some of that in is, of course, brilliant. how much is that going to -et brilliant. how much is that going to get reined — brilliant. how much is that going to get reined in or when is it going to hit? to— get reined in or when is it going to hit? to carol's point, talking about a sector— hit? to carol's point, talking about a sector that is facing problems right— a sector that is facing problems right now. _ a sector that is facing problems right now, most small businesses do not have _ right now, most small businesses do not have more than four to six weeks of cash _ not have more than four to six weeks of cash in _ not have more than four to six weeks of cash in hand. so, we need help as fast as— of cash in hand. so, we need help as fast as possible. i think we need to understand — fast as possible. i think we need to understand what exactly are the impact — understand what exactly are the impact it's going to be, business by business _ impact it's going to be, business by business. the question about vulnerable businesses and what is

going _ vulnerable businesses and what is going to _ vulnerable businesses and what is going to happen after six months, that still— going to happen after six months, that still looms pretty large for businesses as well. the consumer cap is going _ businesses as well. the consumer cap is going on— businesses as well. the consumer cap is going on a _ businesses as well. the consumer cap is going on a lot longer. businesses need _ is going on a lot longer. businesses need certainty. they need visibility of what _ need certainty. they need visibility of what is — need certainty. they need visibility of what is going to happen down the line so— of what is going to happen down the line so that — of what is going to happen down the line so that they can plan, so that they can — line so that they can plan, so that they can budget, so that they can decide _ they can budget, so that they can decide what the best route forward is. ., ., ., ., , is. that definition of vulnerable businesses. — is. that definition of vulnerable businesses, likely _ is. that definition of vulnerable businesses, likely to _ is. that definition of vulnerable businesses, likely to be - is. that definition of vulnerable businesses, likely to be highlyl businesses, likely to be highly subjective. you know, if you were to talk to any business owner, they are going to give you different views on what defines a vulnerable business and what they can consider to be a point at which their business is in danger. on that six months, michelle, is that enough? yes, the government are saying it is going to review how this is working, three months through, and then consider what future support might be needed. but businesses need to plan ahead for quite a long period, don�*t they? absolutely. the immediate problem is right now. we are seeing more businesses fail now than we did at

the peak of the pandemic. so, the immediate challenge is right now. at businesses needing to look six months and 12 months down the line. they say they need confidence to know they are still going to be in business in 12 months�* time. confidence has really been shaken this year. carol mentioned all of the different parts of the business that businesses are facing challenges on, it is notjust energy costs. six months down the line, we are still going to be cold, it is still going to be in the winter, businesses are still going to need energy. it�*s going to come round fast. the sooner that we have more visibility on that, the better. in the meantime, businesses can�*t wait for government support. they can�*t wait to know what our vulnerable businesses, what will the impact be. we are seeing businesses starting to diversify, starting to pivot now. our research with american express,

we know that nearly 60% of businesses are diverse and revenue streams, thinking about, what else can i do, what else can i sell, what else can i provide to my customers. because we need to find routes through the winter, aside from the business of energy support, which sounds positive and is good, it will not be enough on its own. titer? not be enough on its own. very briefl , not be enough on its own. very briefly. carol. _ not be enough on its own. very briefly, carol, you _ not be enough on its own. very briefly, carol, you mentioned that it is becoming more difficult to keep your business competitive. have you considered... you are a very new and young business, have you considered it might not be possible to keep going because of rising energy costs?— to keep going because of rising energy costs? yes, i'm in a really tricky place- _ energy costs? yes, i'm in a really tricky place- l _ energy costs? yes, i'm in a really tricky place. i don't _ energy costs? yes, i'm in a really tricky place. i don't want - energy costs? yes, i'm in a really tricky place. i don't want to - energy costs? yes, i'm in a really tricky place. i don't want to put . energy costs? yes, i'm in a really. tricky place. i don't want to put my prices _ tricky place. i don't want to put my prices up _ tricky place. i don't want to put my prices up massively because my customers— prices up massively because my customers are also facing their own financial— customers are also facing their own financial difficulty. equally, i have — financial difficulty. equally, i have to _ financial difficulty. equally, i have to cover the cost of the business _ have to cover the cost of the business l _ have to cover the cost of the business i am running. i am putting in place _ business i am running. i am putting in place things like loyalty schemes and discounts, but overall i don't know— and discounts, but overall i don't know what's going to happen. carol, thank ou know what's going to happen. carol, thank you so — know what's going to happen. carol, thank you so much, _ know what's going to happen. carol, thank you so much, and _ know what's going to happen. carol,

thank you so much, and michelle, i know what's going to happen. carol, | thank you so much, and michelle, for your time today. carol and michelle. edward says, more clarity on standing charges would be useful, as mine are going up from £10.75, up to £139 per day. but great and substantial support, nonetheless, £139 per day. but great and substantialsupport, nonetheless, is substantial support, nonetheless, is the substantialsupport, nonetheless, is the reaction from edward on twitter. this says, my online businesses down and i need help from the government must go to put it back to work. i wonder how many people have put their business plans all their businesses on pause? will this make a difference? abdullah�*s restaurant asks how the energy cap applies to the businesses already on a contract with suppliers. we know that if your contract dates from your 1st of april this year, the cap does apply. i hope that answers the question for

you. we will do much more on this story throughout the morning. remember, if you are a business owner, get in touch and let me know your reaction to that announcement from the government. a related story... president putin has announced a partial military mobilisation, as he put it, to ensure russian territorial integrity. it comes a day after russian— occupied territories in ukraine announced votes on joining russia. the defence minister said the mobilisation would involve 300,000 reservists. in a television address, president putin said the west wanted the end of russia just as it had brought the soviet union to an end. let�*s hear some of his announcement. translation: | repeat, | we are talking of a partial mobilisation only. only people in the military reserve will be drafted. the priority will be on people who served in the armed forces, who have military specialisation and experience. those drafted before being sent

to the place of service will have mandatory additional training, relying on experience gained during the special military operation. a decree on partial mobilisation has been signed. sir emerones parry is a former uk ambassador to the un, and also a former uk permanent representative to nato. thank you for your time. first of all, your reaction to those key points from the putin address, the mobilisation of troops and also the plans for referendums on russian occupied areas of ukraine, and then that threat, i guess you would call it, that russia is prepared to use all means necessary to defend itself and its people?— and its people? well, it's very alarming. _ and its people? well, it's very alarming, isn't _ and its people? well, it's very alarming, isn't it? _ and its people? well, it's very alarming, isn't it? it- and its people? well, it's very alarming, isn't it? it is- and its people? well, it's very alarming, isn't it? it is a - and its people? well, it's very alarming, isn't it? it is a sign | and its people? well, it's very i alarming, isn't it? it is a sign of alarming, isn�*t it? it is a sign of the failure of putin so far in what

he is trying to achieve. in new york, there will be widespread concern, alarm and condemnation. there is the whole question of the referendum, the attempt to, really, assume that parts that are legitimately of ukraine, voting in a referendum at two days notice, without an electoral list, counted by russia, and in russia saying you are part of russia, that would be widely condemned within the un. why? because most countries in the world, territorial integrity is all—important. the thought of one state taking action against another, while russia claims it is being attacked while it illegally invaded ukraine, claiming its sovereignty is being violated, it is russia which

is annexed in part of an independent sovereign state. so, the international community�*s response to this will be even greater condemnation than we saw during the beginning of the invasion. share condemnation than we saw during the beginning of the invasion.— beginning of the invasion. are these votes, beginning of the invasion. are these votes. these — beginning of the invasion. are these votes, these parody _ beginning of the invasion. are these votes, these parody or— beginning of the invasion. are these votes, these parody or votes, - beginning of the invasion. are these votes, these parody or votes, i - votes, these parody or votes, i think, was the description made by president macron of france, ardee is an attempt by president putin to create a justification to escalate further, if then ukraine tries to get this territory back? it�*s further, if then ukraine tries to get this territory back? it's always been to justification _ get this territory back? it's always been to justification for _ get this territory back? it's always been to justification for the - been to justification for the invasion, that these are parts of mother russia, where the majority of the population favourjoining russia. but the tactic is very clear. ourfalse referendum, declare a result, declare the area as part of russia, and then if ukraine seeks to get back its own territory,

which, let�*s remember, russia six years ago in a treaty confirmed it accepted was part of ukraine, if ukraine tries to get that back, russia will say it is an attack on russia will say it is an attack on russia and therefore we are entitled to self defence, to escalate. it�*s a very clear tactic. it has been seen out already, i think, by the government of france or germany, they made it very clear they will not accept any such outcome in the referendum. i not accept any such outcome in the referendum-— referendum. i 'ust want to get your thou~hts referendum. i 'ust want to get your thoughts as — referendum. i just want to get your thoughts as well— referendum. i just want to get your thoughts as well on _ referendum. i just want to get your thoughts as well on his _ referendum. i just want to get your thoughts as well on his willingness| thoughts as well on his willingness to escalate in terms of his use of nuclear weapons. to escalate in terms of his use of nuclearweapons. he to escalate in terms of his use of nuclear weapons. he said in that address, and a warning to western nations, the prevailing winds can turn back in your direction.- turn back in your direction. well, he said such _ turn back in your direction. well, he said such a _ turn back in your direction. well, he said such a thing _ turn back in your direction. well, he said such a thing before. - turn back in your direction. well, he said such a thing before. this| turn back in your direction. -ii he said such a thing before. this is a repetition. the prospect of that is deeply alarming, but it is also

that russia has a certain knowledge that russia has a certain knowledge that he were to attack and use nuclear weapons, there would be a response. that is part of the nuclear doctrine. there would be serious pause for thought in russia before anybody actually did really contemplate using nuclear weapons. thank you very much for your thoughts are not developing story today. the former uk ambassador to the united nations. we have had a statement from the defence minister, ben wallace, in reaction to the televised address from president putin. he says, president putin�*s...

let�*s ta ke let�*s take a look at the weather forecast with carol kirkwood. ...ithas it has been a fairly cloudy start for some of us this morning, that cloud thinning and breaking, some of us seeing bright spells, some sunny spells. a chance of catching an isolated shower in wales, northern england, southern scotland, but they will be the exception rather than the rule. rain across the north and west of scotland, where the winds will strengthen through the afternoon. temperatures of 1a and lead to 21 in the south. through this evening and overnight, more heavy and persistent rain comes in across scotland and northern ireland, accompanied by gusty winds.

as we push across england and wales, with lighter winds and clearer skies, mist and fog forming, another mild night more or less across the board. the fog lifting tomorrow with some sunshine, then the weather front moving out into england and wales, the cloud ahead of it building, and behind ita return wales, the cloud ahead of it building, and behind it a return to sunshine and showers. pressure in the north tomorrow, mild in the south. —— fresher in the north tomorrow. hello, this is bbc news with annita mcveigh. the headlines: the government has announced plans to introduce a cap on wholesale energy bills for businesses from october 1st. liz truss says she wants to help businesses get through the winter. we are going to review it after six months, we will make sure the most vulnerable businesses, like pubs and shops, continue to be supported after that. vladimir putin calls up hundreds of thousands of reservists for the war in ukraine. the russian president warns he "will use all the means

russia has" and that his words are not a bluff. an ongoing crisis in maternity care. the royal college of midwives warns that new research shows many units in england don�*t always meet safety standards. the bbc obtains new material relating to the death of footballer emiliano sala. the pilot of the plane which crashed said the aircraft was "dodgy" before it took off. sport, and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. here isjohn watson. hello, everyone. england made a winning start in a historic series opener in pakistan, the first time they have played there in 17 years. captain moeen ali said they wanted to put on a show, and they did so in front of the karachi crowd, alex

hales with a of his own on his england return. joe wilson was there. there had been such a huge effort to achieve normality here. in 2009, a bus carrying sri lankan cricketers came under attack elsewhere in pakistan. here in karachi, this is the security convoy which is gods the security convoy which is gods the players of pakistan and england from their hotel to the stadium every time. and all of this so that cricket matches can be played. pakistan�*s players wore special shirts, on the back of the numbers are half submerged to symbolise solidarity with those affected by the floods. there are so many talented players, but pakistani cricket needs teams to tour here, and a sense of gratitude spans from

fans to the couch. bill and a sense of gratitude spans from fans to the couch.— fans to the couch. all the boys, all the players. _ fans to the couch. all the boys, all the players. you — fans to the couch. all the boys, all the players, you know, _ fans to the couch. all the boys, all the players, you know, they - fans to the couch. all the boys, all the players, you know, they havel fans to the couch. all the boys, all| the players, you know, they have a strong and long relation with each other, and a cricket, i always say that, you know, it brings the communities and countries towards each other. a ., communities and countries towards each other. a, ,, ., communities and countries towards each other-— communities and countries towards each other. ,, ., , ., ,, ., , each other. make no mistake, the “ob is to compete, — each other. make no mistake, the “ob is to compete, especially if i each other. make no mistake, the “ob is to compete, especially if you i each other. make no mistake, the job is to compete, especially if you are i is to compete, especially if you are luke wood. pakistan were restricted to 158 from their 20 overs. this was alex hales, back from the wilderness, reviving his international career, he made 53. and england remain in control of the chase. the value of the match was that it was played, but with four balls to spare, england were there. it is a particular triumph to win in pakistan, and it always has been. roger federer says he overachieved during his incredible career, according to the 20 time grand slam champion himself. the swiss spent a

record 237 weeks as world number one. he announced he was hanging up his racket last week but will play one final match at the rod laver cup this weekend. in an exclusive interview with bbc breakfast, he reflected on his achievements and his proudest moments, including being part of the history making golden era alongside rafa nadal, novak djkovic and andy murray. it was definitely very special in many ways, because when i came up, we didn�*t expect it, you know, we were more on a bit of a downslope didn't expect it, you know, we were more on a bit of a downslope sampras reauired, more on a bit of a downslope sampras required. agassi _ more on a bit of a downslope sampras required, agassi retired, _ more on a bit of a downslope sampras required, agassi retired, what - more on a bit of a downslope sampras required, agassi retired, what is - required, agassi retired, what is going to come next, right? here i came, then rafa, then novak, andy, and suddenly a beautiful mix of all winning for ten plus years, almost nobody else could win anything else, like a lock on the big tournaments. england defender eric dier, just

recalled to the international squad for the nations league matches, their last before the world cup, says fan base has become so bad he doesn�*t want his family attending matches. he has called the issue a real problem and says his mum hasn�*t attended away matches for years. he received a four match ban after confronting a fan understands a couple of seasons ago and revealed abuse was aimed at his brother when spurs face chelsea away last month. before we go, congratulations to the great britain men�*s side who qualified for the world baseball classic for the first time in their history, the sporty�*s equivalent of the world cup in football or cricket, marking a major moment for the team, who have the long—term ambition of reaching the 2028 los angeles olympics, where baseball is expected to be restored to the olympic programme. brilliant result for them. president putin has announced a partial military mobilisation to help fight the war ukraine.

in a television address, president putin said the west wanted the end of russia just as it had brought the soviet union to an end. it comes a day after russian—occupied territories in ukraine announced votes on joining russia. that mobilisation — the first since world war ii — is aimed at those with previous military experience — and begins today. 300,000 reservists will also be called up to reinforce the russian military in ukraine. mr putin also said that he would support independence in areas of eastern ukraine currently controlled by russia backed separatists. we�*re joined now by our correspondent in kyiv, hugo bachega. xinyu gao, hello to you. first of all, what is the reaction been to you from the string of announcement from president putin?— you from the string of announcement from president putin? yeah, we had a reaction from — from president putin? yeah, we had a reaction from one _ from president putin? yeah, we had a reaction from one of— from president putin? yeah, we had a reaction from one of the _

from president putin? yeah, we had a reaction from one of the president's i reaction from one of the president�*s top advisers, saying it is not surprising that putin made this announcement, and yesterday was pretty much the same reaction we had when those leaders from those occupied areas of the country announced plans for those referendums on the weekend on joining russia. so the ukrainians are saying that this is russia�*s reaction to what is happening on the ground, and that is the ukrainians are going ahead with this counteroffensive, they are making gains, and they are reclaiming territory from the russians. so yesterday we heard from the foreign minister here, saying that the announcements of those referendums was a reaction, were russia�*s reaction to defeats on the battlefield. so i think today we are going to be a pretty much the same reaction, and later today president zelensky will be addressing the

general assembly of the united nations, so it will be interesting to see what he has to say, whether he is going to react to this latest announcement, but i think we can expect to hearfrom announcement, but i think we can expect to hear from the president more calls for western countries to step up the level of military support, the support that they have been giving to the ukrainians in this war. brute been giving to the ukrainians in this war. ~ ., been giving to the ukrainians in this war. . ., ., this war. we heard from the uk defence mr. — this war. we heard from the uk defence mr, ben _ this war. we heard from the uk defence mr, ben wallace, - this war. we heard from the uk. defence mr, ben wallace, saying this war. we heard from the uk - defence mr, ben wallace, saying the reaction of president putin was a sign that he was concerned about how the russian efforts were going. i spoke to the ukrainian mp yesterday, and i asked her about the strategy of retaking territory, she said that she was hearing reports that russian soldiers were abandoning their posts, trying to find clothes to change out of their uniforms, you know, disappearing from the front line. what are you hearing about ukrainian efforts to re—take territory? ukrainian efforts to re-take territory?—

ukrainian efforts to re-take territory? yeah, that is very interesting. _ territory? yeah, that is very interesting, because - territory? yeah, that is very i interesting, because yesterday territory? yeah, that is very - interesting, because yesterday after those referendums were announced, we heard from a number of senior ukrainian officials, saying, look, this is russia�*s reaction to the counteroffensive which continues. it is interesting that this reaction is coming as the ukrainians seem to be going ahead, trying to reclaim territory in the east of the country. the ukrainians earlier this week said they had retaken a village in the luhansk region of the country. back injuly, the russians said they had taken full control of this region, and today president putin saying that one of the girls of this special military operation, as he calls it, is to liberate the donbas region, so their hands and donetsk, the two regions that make up donetsk, the two regions that make up the donbas region. —— so luhansk

and donetsk. so it is a very tall order, because the russians occupied of the luhansk region, but only two thirds of donetsk. so again, the ukrainians are saying that this is not going to change, the announcements from russia will not change their plans, they are going ahead with this counteroffensive to try to take back territory that has been occupied by the russians. hugill, thank you very much, hugo pacheco, our correspondent in kyiv. —— hugo —— bachega. more than half of all maternity units in england are not safe enough — that�*s the findings of a bbc investigation following a review of data from the regulator, the care quality commission. it follows a series of high profile cases relating to maternity units at trusts including morecambe bay and shrewsbury and telford. the royal college of midwives says the findings reflect an ongoing crisis in maternity care. our health correspondent catherine burns reports. you�*ve heard of "one born every minute".

it�*s actually more than that — one baby every 5a seconds. and the vast majority arrive safely. it was a dream! very easy birth, normal delivery. really empowering birth, you know? it'sjust knowing that you've just given birth to this wonderful little human being. i was a little bit nervous, but now i�*m happy because i�*ve got my little boy in my arms! that�*s the most important thing. unlike most hospital wards, maternity units are generally full of healthy patients and it is usually safe to give birth in the uk. but "usually" isn�*t "always". serious problems might be rare, but their impact can be devastating. something that laura ellis knows all too well. things seemed to be going as planned when she went into labour in april 2019, but midwives had failed to notice that her baby was breech — being delivered bottom first instead of head first. as soon as the midwife realised that,

it seemed to be a complete sense of panic. theo was part born — so his chest was born, but his head obviously still wasn�*t born. and at one point a lady said, "well, let�*s try to put a stethoscope on the baby to see if we can hear the heartbeat." so they put a stethoscope on theo and they didn�*t hear a heartbeat. and shejust said, "oh, i don�*t think the stethoscope�*s working," and didn�*t do anything. once theo had been delivered, they tried to resuscitate him. you never want to give up hope. and they came over to us and said, you know, "we�*re going to have to... we�*re going to have to stop." and my husband said, "please just try one more time." but it was no good. laura and her husband james were able to spend some time in hospital with theo — their baby who never got to take a breath. you just kind of wanted to stare at him, and try and remember every little. . . every little feature of his face, cos you knew that you were never going to see it again. yeah, just horrific, just so hard. so hard to deal with.

so hard to leave as well — how do you leave your baby at a hospital when you should be taking them home? maternity units in england are inspected by the care quality commission, the coc. not one unit has an outstanding rating for safety, but 45% are classed as good. that leaves 48% requiring improvement, and 7% in the worst possible category — inadequate. this means that 55% of maternity units do not always meet safety standards. there have been some changes to how the coc carries out inspections, but the picture has hardly changed and is actually slightly worse than it was a few years ago. we are worried. we are concerned. we have not seen the pace of improvement consistently, nationally, that we would hope and expect to see across maternity services. elsewhere, northern ireland�*s regulation and quality improvement authority

hasn�*t inspected care in maternity units yet but will in autumn next year. nhs wales says maternity services do need improvement. the scottish government says it�*s transforming maternity services with its best start programme. over the years, there�*ve been several plans to improve maternity. some have promised to transform care, others have set new ambitions for safety. but experts warn the same problems persist, and they put that down largely to issues with staffing and budgets. there�*s an ongoing crisis in maternity services, but it is fixable. it is fixable. more funding, particularly for the workforce. sometimes it feels like people aren�*t listening. we want maternity services and the safety of maternity services to stay on the top of the agenda. it must. i've been a midwife for 33 years, and this is— one of the most challenging times of my entire career. the first—ever chief midwifery officer says she wants england to be the safest place in the world for all women to give birth.

so one of my key priorities is to ensure safe and personal care for everybody using our nhs services in england — regardless of postcode, socio—economic status, or colour of their skin. what do you think is stopping safety from getting to the levels that you want to see? particularly over the last few years, workforce is a real key challenge in terms of midwifery/obstetric numbers. we have a long way to go, but we have a plan. circle this right arm, it comes down. reach it past baby, big stretch. but in the meantime, women will keep getting pregnant, and babies will keep being born. the hospital near these first—time mums requires improvement for safety. i am just preparing for the day for the worst—case scenario. i have a very detailed birth plan. i didn�*t feel that going into a hospital that requires improvement was a safe place for me to be. i need to feel safe. i honestly don't feel scared,

like, at all. i don't think it reflects - on the people who are there, day in and day out, working so hard to try and give us care. _ and for something that is such a huge part of life, like, it's a massive job and it should be an area that is well looked after. catherine burns, bbc news. rachel mcgrath is a volunteer with the birth trauma association, a charity that supports women who suffer birth trauma, a term for ptsd after birth. whiteshell, thank you so much for joining us today, and it was your own experience that led you to become a volunteer with the birth trauma association. —— rachel. tell us about the birth of your twins. mr; us about the birth of your twins. my twins us about the birth of your twins. ii twins were us about the birth of your twins. i twins were really us about the birth of your twins. iii twins were really wanted, us about the birth of your twins. iii: twins were really wanted, a long time in the making, and i got to 36 weeks pregnant and felt absolutely dreadful, so i called the community

with wife and said i really feel ill, but instead of heeding my concerns, she says it is all part and parcel of being at the end of a twin pregnancy, you are fine, don�*t worry. i took that as a reassurance and just sort of said, see you on wednesday, she said she would visit me. unfortunately, the next day, it transpired that i had pre—eclampsia and i suffered a total placental abruption at home, which is a life—threatening condition for mother and baby. so we were ambulance into hospital, and that ambulance into hospital, and that ambulance ride is literally etched into my memory, because i remember thinking of the depth of cruelty that we had come so close to happiness, because i wasn�*t in any way believing that we could survive this. arriving at the hospital, it was just a flurry of activity, straight to theatre, emergency c—section, during which time i lost three litres of blood, the twins

were born but required resuscitation, i was in an awful state, i went into renalfailure, requiring adrenaline, and it was just a hideous, traumatic experience. and after the children were safely here, thankfully, we were safely here, thankfully, we were sent to various parts of the hospital, and i remember meeting my daughter on day three and being able to hold her, and i think it was day five before i got to hold my son as well. then when i was moved to the maternity ward, where we were hopefully going to spend some time recovering, unfortunately i have lost so much blood and was in such a poor physical state, the section scar disintegrated, leading to further bloodlust, and this is where micah really went —— further blood loss. instead of immediately

addressing that, it happened late in the evening, and i was left shivering, lying in a pool of blood in the morning when help finally arrived, despite me repeatedly pressing the buzzer, asking for somebody to see me. i pressing the buzzer, asking for somebody to see me.- pressing the buzzer, asking for somebody to see me. i am sorry you had such such _ somebody to see me. i am sorry you had such such a _ somebody to see me. i am sorry you had such such a dreadful, _ somebody to see me. i am sorry you had such such a dreadful, dreadful i had such such a dreadful, dreadful experience, rachel, and it has left you, i think you arejust experience, rachel, and it has left you, i think you are just about to go on to tell me that it has left you with long—term health implications, hasn�*t it? you with long-term health implications, hasn't it? yes, it has. six months _ implications, hasn't it? yes, it has. six months of— implications, hasn't it? yes, it has. six months of hospital i has. six months of hospital treatment before the c—section scar actually healed, and that has left me with ongoing physical issues. but, really, once the section scar was sorted, it was then that the anxiety and trauma really kicked in, and i started to realise that things were not as they should be psychologically. so it was at that stage that a google search when i

was worrying about why i felt so anxious and scared about life in general, ifound the birth trauma association, and they helped navigate me towards my gp, who was beyond brilliant when i said what i was experience, which was actually ptsd. ., . ., was experience, which was actually ptsd. .,. ., ., was experience, which was actually sto. ., ., y ., was experience, which was actually sto. ., ., ., ptsd. rachel, what would you say to exectant ptsd. rachel, what would you say to expectant mothers _ ptsd. rachel, what would you say to expectant mothers who _ ptsd. rachel, what would you say to expectant mothers who are - ptsd. rachel, what would you say to expectant mothers who are listening| expectant mothers who are listening to this interview, who have watched that report from catherine and hearing the news that more than half of all maternity units in england are not safe enough? i mean, it is an anxious enough time as it is, isn�*t it, expecting a baby? you don�*t want to hear this sort of news, so what would your advice be? my news, so what would your advice be? my advice would be to advocate strongly for themselves, now that they have a voice and choices. if they have a voice and choices. if they want an elective c—section, they want an elective c—section, they can have one. if they want to

give birth at home, that is possible too. they do have a part to play, and the voice is important, their choices are there to be made. but i would say to them also, please it is not as a general ruled that these are not providing adequate care, it is the circumstances in the nhs that is the circumstances in the nhs that is grossly underfunded and understaffed, so it is putting your faith in that one member of staff... there are people who lack good care, but the vast majority of staff are doing their very best under incredibly difficult circumstances, the system is broken. i incredibly difficult circumstances, the system is broken.— incredibly difficult circumstances, the system is broken. i want to get our the system is broken. i want to get your reaction. _ the system is broken. i want to get your reaction, rachel, _ the system is broken. i want to get your reaction, rachel, to _ the system is broken. i want to get your reaction, rachel, to the - your reaction, rachel, to the statement from the department for health and social care, a spokesperson saying... "we want the nhs to be the best place in the world to give birth and have recently invested £127 million to grow the nhs maternity workforce and improve neonatal care." "this is on top of £95 million to recruit 1,200 more midwives and 100 more consultant obstetricians to ensure we have the staff in place

to deliver high—quality care." "we are also working closely with the nhs to equip leaders of maternity services with the skills and knowledge to address poor workplace culture and ensure strong leadership, backed by a £500,000 fund." sta rt start what it is going to take to make as far as the birth trauma association is concerned? i make as far as the birth trauma association is concerned? i think it is auoin to association is concerned? i think it is going to take — association is concerned? i think it is going to take more _ association is concerned? i think it is going to take more than - association is concerned? i think it is going to take more than that. i is going to take more than that. yes, they have put money towards that, they need to pay people better, for a start. they need to actively recruit and retain midwives and medical staff. actively recruit and retain midwives and medicalstaff. it actively recruit and retain midwives and medical staff. it is frightening when you think that we have a facebook support group with nearly 14,500 facebook support group with nearly 1a,500 members in it, and these are just the people who know about the association, people who say that their experience giving birth has left him deeply traumatised, feeling

like their life, although it was a wonderful day, nobody goes into childbirth expecting it to be the worst day of their lives, as well as the best, but people are coming out with psychological and physical injuries that are absolutely devastating, so yes, it is the dream that we will become the safest and best place to give birth, but it is a long way away. best place to give birth, but it is a long way away-— best place to give birth, but it is a long way away. rachel, thank you ve much a long way away. rachel, thank you very much for— a long way away. rachel, thank you very much forjoining _ a long way away. rachel, thank you very much forjoining me _ a long way away. rachel, thank you very much forjoining me today - a long way away. rachel, thank you very much forjoining me today and | very much forjoining me today and sharing your story, we really appreciate that. it is now 9:55am, let�*s take a look at the weather forecast with carol. thank you, good morning, a mixture of cloud, rain and sunshine, and that will be with us in some shape or form and sunshine, and that will be with us in some shape orform over and sunshine, and that will be with us in some shape or form over the next few days. high pressure at the moment is firmly in charge in the south, but a weather front coming in across the north west, and you can see from the isobars that the wind is going to strengthen, pretty

breezy at the moment. the weather front bringing rain to scotland initially in the north and west, later on that when getting into western parts of northern ireland. where we have got cloud at the moment, we will see some thin and bright, so bright skies and sunny intervals developing with an isolated risk of showers across wales, parts of northern england and southern scotland, but most will miss them. 19 in aberdeen, 18 in belfast, 19 in birmingham, up to 21 in london. you can see the breezes light across much of the country, just across the north—western corner, and these are sustained wind speeds, so gusts will be a bit more than that. so as well as wind strength increasing across the north west, rain will turn heavier through this evening and overnight, moving across scotland and also northern ireland, and by the end of the night some of that getting in towards cumbria. moving south across the rest of england and wales, clear skies, light winds, mist and fog

patches for men, but across the board another mild night. tomorrow, any mist and fog that is formed will lift, sunshine to start the day across england and wales, but you can see how our weather front bringing the rate moves out of scotland and northern ireland and head slowly southwards, cloud building ahead of it. gusty winds around us, lighter winds behind, and for scotland and northern ireland, a return to sunshine and showers, but colder airfiltering in behind the weather front, colder airfiltering in behind the weatherfront, still colder airfiltering in behind the weather front, still fairly mild ahead of it. so this is the weather front, overnight it continues southwards, developing what we call a wave, which means that the position could be further north or south as it waves. this is where we think it is going to be at the moment, producing cloud, spots of rain across southern england and the channel islands on friday. for the rest of the uk, largely dry with some sunny spells and a few showers,

the wind also changing direction to a northwesterly, cooler air penetrating further south, top temperature of 19.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. vladimir putin calls up hundreds of thousands of reservists for the war in ukraine. the russian president warns he will use all the means russia has, and that his words are not a bluff. translation: | repeat, | we are talking of a partial mobilisation only. only people in the military reserve will be drafted. the priority will be on people who served in the armed forces, who have military specialisation and experience. did he say to the russian people, this was our mistake, we got it wrong? of course he didn�*t. he did what he does so often, he turned

attention to the west and blamed the west.