hello. with the cost of living rising at its fastest rate in a0 years, welcome to this special edition of your questions answered. over the next half hour,

we will be examining in detail different areas of the squeeze on the pound in your pocket and some of the solutions individuals — and communities — are finding. so, we have a panel of experts, sarah pennells is a consumer finance specialist at royal london, which calls itself the uk's largest mutual life, pensions and investment company. sabine goodwin is coordinator at the independent food aid network — which provides help to those at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis. and mercedes osborne is a mortgage expert at pointers financial — based in exeter. welcome based in exeter. to all of you. also with us this week is our climate editorjustin rowlatt, who is out and about giving tips to householders on simple measures that may help reduce their energy use. we will beat with justin we will beat withjustin a bit later. we have a whole range of topics lined up. first, kevin peacheyis topics lined up. first, kevin peachey is has analysis on working age benefits and whether they should be linked to inflation, that is prices, ratherthan be linked to inflation, that is prices, rather than wages.

working age benefits cost the government £87.4 billion last year. now, to put that into context, the defence budget is about half of that at 42 billion, while health and careful england is more than double at 192 billion. the benefits budget covers a range of payments, including housing benefit, personal independence payment, and employment and support allowance, a sickness benefit. but the biggest chunk of it goes on universal credit. around 5.7 million people claim this benefit. more than 40% of these claimants are in work. for those who are unemployed and older than 25, they get £77 a week. now, benefits are rated each april, usually in line with the previous september's inflation figure, which is published later this month. as you can see here, benefits didn't actually rise at all for a few years from 2016, and when they have risen since, that is not necessarily

in line with inflation. and now inflation is currently running at 9.9% but average wages only increased by 5.2% before bonuses in the latest figures. increasing benefits by the lower amount would save the government about £5 billion. the prime minister says that pensions will increase by inflation, and some other benefits, like a personal independence payment, must also illegally increased in line with inflation. ——payment, must also legally increased in line with inflation. but it is the other ones, particularly universal credit, that are under scrutiny. more from kevin in a moment. but if i can just turn to sabine goodwin... you coordinate hundreds of food banks across the country and have an understanding of how much pressure those most hard up are under at the moment. some research has been done by money transfers.com on the impact of the cost of living crisis on people's mental wellbeing, and they found 54% of adults they spoke to — in a survey of 2,000 people —

are facing increasing anxiety because of rising bills. what are people saying to you? what our food bank members are saying is that it is increasing at a rate of knots in the situation is really untenable, both the people are struggling to afford food and for that food banks trying to afford them. there were a few insecurity crisis here in the uk before the pandemic, 43% reported food insecurity up to march 2020 but now our members are seeing normal people struggling, needing their help, more and more people needing regular support where they might have been able to get by with support once a month, also, and more and more people who have never needed the help of a food bank needing help, may be people who used to donate to a food bank now seeking help from

food banks. a food bank now seeking help from food bank-— a food bank now seeking help from food banks. thank you, sabine, we will be back— food banks. thank you, sabine, we will be back with _ food banks. thank you, sabine, we will be back with you _ food banks. thank you, sabine, we will be back with you more - food banks. thank you, sabine, we will be back with you more for- food banks. thank you, sabine, we| will be back with you more for more a little bit later but let's talk about the politics of it because the government has pledged to link pensions to inflation but the issue of what is going to happen with benefits still hasn't been resolved and that is likely to go on. here's our political correspondent leila nathoo on the other cost of living issues facing the government. after having announced a series of tax cuts funded by borrowing, the government is now having to look at ways to find savings to convince the markets its plans are credible. now, one thing the prime minister seems to have her eye on is the benefits bill. she has so far refused to commit to raising benefits in line with inflation. that is something the previous conservative government promised to do, and it is something labour are calling for, too. now, it's prompted the latest row within the tory party, it dominated the final days of the tory party conference, you had backbenchers, including former work and pensions secretaries, as well as cabinet ministers, openly calling for the rise in benefit payments to be linked

to inflation and not wages. the critics think it is politically impossible to be penalising the poorest in society at a time when prices are rising so rapidly. but the thinking in downing street is that support is already being channelled to those who need it the most through support with energy bills and targeted cost of living payments. they think they are their big intervention on energy bills to keep them down this winter is addressing the main component of inflation and will have the effect of bringing inflation down over time. so, they could argue that increasing benefits in line with inflation, while wages aren't keeping up, is in effect duplicating support. but there is likely to be more difficult decisions to come, as the government tries to balance its books. they have already asked departments to find efficiency savings, and there is likely to be a further squeeze on public spending. and, remember, high inflation is already eating into departmental budgets as well as driving up

the cost of living. sabine — tell us more about food aid in this country. tell us about the increase in the use of food banks and the increasing demand for food aid use of food banks and the increasing demand forfood aid in use of food banks and the increasing demand for food aid in this country. so, first of all, it is important to understand that most people struggling to afford food won't actually access a food bank at all. we know from data that 15% of people in england and wales and northern ireland up to 2021 were reporting foods insecurity but 4% of those people, or 4% of people in those regions were accessing a food bank so there is a huge difference and thatis so there is a huge difference and that is because people are ashamed or worried orfeel that is because people are ashamed or worried or feel the stigma that is because people are ashamed or worried orfeel the stigma of having to use a food bank. so, people's mental health is being impacted, whether they are using a food bank or not. they are struggling and worrying about how

they are going to meet their bills forfood and energy they are going to meet their bills for food and energy and they are going to meet their bills forfood and energy and rent they are going to meet their bills for food and energy and rent and we know that this is, you know, terrible for people, but we're also seeing on the ground this terrible worry that people who are trying to support people who are to afford food are facing because they can't actually, they don't have the capacity to cope. recent data showed that one in five organisations were actually having to reduce the size of their food parcels actually having to reduce the size of theirfood parcels because actually having to reduce the size of their food parcels because they couldn't access sufficient food or surplus food to be able to make up the usual parcels they had been distributing. food donations, financial donations have dropped, and food banks are having to dip into the financial reserves in order to try to cope, so the situation is really unsustainable and we need to see a solution that increases people's incomes and reduces the need for food aid very urgently indeed. ., ~ , ., need for food aid very urgently indeed. ., ~ i. ,

need for food aid very urgently indeed. ., ~ , ., , ., indeed. thank you, sabine, we have many questions _ indeed. thank you, sabine, we have many questions for _ indeed. thank you, sabine, we have many questions for you _ indeed. thank you, sabine, we have many questions for you and - indeed. thank you, sabine, we have many questions for you and we - indeed. thank you, sabine, we have many questions for you and we shall be putting them through to you. 14 kevin. have you any idea when we will receive the second cost of living payment as i'm on benefits on employment support allowance. i'm sure many people would also like to know as money is very tight. 8 billion people will want to know because they are legible for the cost of living payments. it goes to people on a low income who are already in receipt of benefits. they received the first instalment towards the end ofjuly and this week we learned the second instalment, the second payment, that is coming between the eighth and 23rd of november, that is something we learned for the first time this week. if you are eligible for this payment through tax credits, you might have to wait a little bit longer. it is really important to

say that this is an automatic payment, it goes directly into your account, and inevitably, depressingly, fraudsters are being seized in on this, try to get people's bank account details, but it is important to stress this is an automatic payment made into your account, you don't have to hand over any kind of banking details. that account, you don't have to hand over any kind of banking details.— any kind of banking details. that is really important _ any kind of banking details. that is really important for _ any kind of banking details. that is really important for people - any kind of banking details. that is really important for people to - any kind of banking details. that is. really important for people to know, thank you, kevin. we have heard british households will lose power for three hours at a time if gas supplies are low. the company says it is an unlikely scenario but added that supply interruptions or apology if the energy crisis escalates. but none of us need any extra incentive to try to reduce our energy bills. well, our climate editor is at a property in east london helping with solutions on how to cut down energy spending. interesting that it has

urged the government isn't going ahead with a public information campaign to tell what people want to do because the view is people know what to do and people are already doing a lot, so tell us more about what you have been looking at? the what you have been looking at? tue: government what you have been looking at? tte: government is taking quite a hard line on this, the report in the times today suggested there was a plan to have a demand, a campaign to encourage people to reduce their energy demand that was vetoed, we spoke to the climate change minister today, he said there was an agreement across the cabinet that this would not be an appropriate way to move forward. but i am here in hackney at a flat owned by a guy called rob mcmanus and i can guarantee that i can save you money and reduces impact on the environment. i think i can that his energy bills by a third, quite significant savings, by managing demand. hi, rob are you there? hi.

we start in that main room here, this is the kitchen and front room. starting in the kitchen, very evie savings you can make. when you boil a cup of tea, measure out the water in a cup, only use as much as you need. heat stuff up in a microwave not in another and, that will save money. boilwater not in another and, that will save money. boil water in a kettle when you make pasta, then put it in a pan. such an intrusion, i have been going around his house looking at everything. i notice you've got a halogen light bulb, if you put your hand up to it when it is on, you will feel the heat coming off it, you can save yourself £6 a year by changing that to an led light bulb and because the cost of the light bulb so it is saving. if you have halogen light bulbs, go through your house, get the warm led light bulbs, and think about your house, where do you spend most of your time? i suspect it is in here. i suggest you

only heat this room and up the rest of your house, you will get a big saving if you do that. what i would suggest is, can you see the window there? get yourself a curtain, that will massively reduce drafts, you wouldn't believe how much cold air comes through the window. get yourself a draft excluder for the door so you are only heeding this room, which means, let's go down the corridor and have a look,, which means you don't need to heat at the other rooms. first, before we go into one of the other rooms, come on, liam, let's have a look at your boiler. it's an electric boiler, they are not the most efficient. what you have got here is a giant cattle. boiling up water. i would make sure that the temperature of the water is down at about 40 or 50, you don't need any hotter than that, thatis you don't need any hotter than that, that is hot enough for a shower. i would also suggest that you look and see, lots of energy companies now are saying to people if you use energy at low peak times at night,

they will give you money back. you could make as much as £10 a day by changing your demand patent so check with your energy supplier to see if you can do this, but even if you can't, i would suggest you only do it at night, and don't heated during the day. i am very glad to see you are drying yourself —— stuff on the rack, much more efficient than a tumble dryer, these radiators are inefficient anyway but what i am saying is don't run the radiator this winter. he's already said this gets cold in the winter, but i am saying you can stay warm, get another duvet, think of the cost of another duvet, think of the cost of a duvet, compared to heating the radiator, it will save you a lot of money. will come on to how much at the moment. more bad news for you, rob, no more bars, only showers, short showers, get yourself clean and get out of the shower. hot water

is really expensive. don't run the tablet rack. hang in there, much more efficient. let's go to the front room and i can see how much i can save you. i reckon if you do everything i have said, and we have spoken to experts on this, we reckon we can save you about a third of your energy bill, possibly more, if your energy bill, possibly more, if you are really rigorous with the stuff and when it is really cold, if you stick with that, and have an extra duvet in your bedroom, a third of your energy. at a time like this when energy prices are high, that is a significant savings. it is a punishing regime, what you think? t punishing regime, what you think? i think it is doable and i need to cut back on_ think it is doable and i need to cut back on energy. if think it is doable and i need to cut back on energy-— back on energy. if you're watching tell , sit back on energy. if you're watching telly, sit under _ back on energy. if you're watching telly, sit under a _ back on energy. if you're watching telly, sit under a blanket. - back on energy. if you're watching telly, sit under a blanket. it - back on energy. if you're watching telly, sit under a blanket. it is - telly, sit under a blanket. it is quite cosy. maybe two blankets. you know what i mean, little things like that really make a difference. i think you have a question for you. my think you have a question for you. my question was charging a lap at

and a _ my question was charging a lap at and a screen, working from home, using _ and a screen, working from home, using the _ and a screen, working from home, using the additional energy there as opposed _ using the additional energy there as opposed to going into the office. if opposed to going into the office. [t you -o opposed to going into the office. you go into opposed to going into the office. tf you go into the office, you will use a laptop and contributor as well, there is an argument that the offices heating itself so you will save home heating. if you are careful in here, i suspect, and you also have to look, if you look at the environment on impact, you have to look at your commute, i use cycling, taking the train, look, i think it is probably a marginal benefit, going into the office, probably slightly better, but not huge, i think it really depends on what you are most comfortable with. do you think you are going to stick to what— do you think you are going to stick to what i_ do you think you are going to stick to what i am suggesting? i definitely need to cut back on the amount_ definitely need to cut back on the amount of— definitely need to cut back on the amount of rooms i am heating, for sure _ amount of rooms i am heating, for sure i_ amount of rooms i am heating, for sure i will— amount of rooms i am heating, for sure. i will try my best and see how it goes _ sure. i will try my best and see how it noes. ~ ., ,, ~' sure. i will try my best and see how it noes. ~ ., ~ it goes. what you think your flatmate will _ it goes. what you think your flatmate will say? _ it goes. what you think your flatmate will say? he's - it goes. what you think your flatmate will say? he's a - it goes. what you think your - flatmate will say? he's a stickler for heating. _ flatmate will say? he's a stickler for heating, so _ flatmate will say? he's a stickler for heating, so i _ flatmate will say? he's a stickler for heating, so i will— flatmate will say? he's a stickler for heating, so i will to - flatmate will say? he's a stickler for heating, so i will to convince | for heating, so i will to convince him _ for heating, so i will to convince him. ~' ., for heating, so i will to convince him. ~ ., ., , him. looks like there are no lights

on there, him. looks like there are no lights on there. i— him. looks like there are no lights on there. i am _ him. looks like there are no lights on there, i am guessing _ him. looks like there are no lights on there, i am guessing you - him. looks like there are no lights l on there, i am guessing you ordered him not to put the on. you said about keeping the curtains shut. i'm assuming you mean in rooms you are not in in the daytime because there is that sort of coming out, the cost of putting that lights on versus the cost of losing the heating. yes. of putting that lights on versus the cost of losing the heating. yes, the li . ht, cost of losing the heating. yes, the liuht, if cost of losing the heating. yes, the light. if you — cost of losing the heating. yes, the light. if you are _ cost of losing the heating. yes, the light, if you are using _ cost of losing the heating. yes, the light, if you are using low - cost of losing the heating. yes, the light, if you are using low energy i light, if you are using low energy light, if you are using low energy light they are not massive, but i missed it, you should always turn the lights off when you are not in a room, and he has been quite scrupulous with that. the curtains is more an issue of heat loss rather than light. don't close the curtains during the day but at night, in the evening, you are going to lose a lot of energy through the windows because it is a coles panel and readily exposed to the atmosphere outside, so curtains make a massive difference, actually. —— because it is a cold panel. difference, actually. -- because it is a cold panel.— is a cold panel. katie from york sa s is a cold panel. katie from york says what _ is a cold panel. katie from york says what is — is a cold panel. katie from york says what is happening - is a cold panel. katie from york says what is happening about i is a cold panel. katie from york. says what is happening about the green levy? how will the government

reach zero targets with all of this borrowing?— reach zero targets with all of this borrowinu? ., , ., , ., borrowing? that is a good question, lots of people _ borrowing? that is a good question, lots of people have _ borrowing? that is a good question, lots of people have asked _ borrowing? that is a good question, lots of people have asked that. - borrowing? that is a good question, lots of people have asked that. liz l lots of people have asked that. liz truss said she is doubling down on the net zero commitment. she says she is determined to meet it, she will do that by increasing your renewables and nuclear as well as, they argue, fracking, they say gas is a lower carbon fuel than some of the other fuels used in britain and if we generate our own gas, that will contribute to reaching that goal, a controversial approach to it but they say they will do it through those means, they will still reach zero. . ~' those means, they will still reach zero. ., ~ y those means, they will still reach zero. ., ~ , . those means, they will still reach zero. ., , . g , zero. thank you very much, justin. let's ut zero. thank you very much, justin. let's put some _ zero. thank you very much, justin. let's put some questions - zero. thank you very much, justin. let's put some questions to - zero. thank you very much, justin. let's put some questions to sarah | let's put some questions to sarah penneu let's put some questions to sarah pennell is from the viewers at home. welcome, sarah. sandra asks why is the energy cap being set too high for people on benefits? she says £2500 might benefit there's a middle income is but it won't help those of us struggling to pay now. it fails the poorest and benefits those

middle earners. fin the poorest and benefits those middle earners.— the poorest and benefits those middle earners. on that point, the ener: middle earners. on that point, the energy price _ middle earners. on that point, the energy price guarantee _ middle earners. on that point, the energy price guarantee and - energy price guarantee and previously the energy price cap sets a limit on how much energy companies can charge for a unit of gas and electricity and also your daily standing charge. but it doesn't set a limit on your bills so this 2500 figure that we are often hearing of, isn't actually how much you will necessarily pay, and it is worth saying that there is extra help, there is £400 of your energy bill for everybody who has a domestic electricity supply, so basically everyone who pays for their actors to use, whether that is a prepayment metre or by direct debit, those payments will be starting to be made, the first one this month, if you are on sudden means tested benefits, then you will get the cost of living payment that kevin referred to earlier on, your correspondent kevin peachey, the £600. and if you are of state pension age and on means tested benefits, you will get more. so all

in all this help could bring down a typical bill for someone on working age benefits of about £1400, rather than 2500, unless you are either disabled or over state pension age. and in terms of pensions, barbara croft says what is happening with the triple lock pension increase with inflation at 9.9% and wages up, she says, what can pensioners expect as a rise? she says, what can pensioners expect asa rise? , ., she says, what can pensioners expect as a rise? , ., , , ., as a rise? so, the state pension, traditionally _ as a rise? so, the state pension, traditionally has _ as a rise? so, the state pension, traditionally has risen _ as a rise? so, the state pension, traditionally has risen by - as a rise? so, the state pension, traditionally has risen by this - traditionally has risen by this triple lock, which is the highest and inflation earnings or 2.5%. it was suspended last year, due to a technical rise in earnings because of the after effects of covid. it is due to kick on again from next april, and we have heard that, i guess a few mixed messages, but most recently that there is more of a kit meant meant that. cashmore is a commitment to that. —— more other

commitment to that. —— more other commitment to that. that would take state pension after 2016 to about £10,000 a year. for people who retired before 2016, then a basic part of the state pension, that will increase to about £8,000 a year from £7,200. for people who don't get the full state pension, and there are quite a few of them, there are benefits that you may be entitled to, specifically that can help with a cost of living.— to, specifically that can help with a cost of living. mortgages now kevin. last week we had mortgages being pulled off the shelf — what's happened this week? we've been explaining that the interest rate on a typical five—yearfixed rate mortgage has topped 6% for the first time in 12 years. there has been a repricing this week

of the mortgages on offer. if we look at the grass, what has happened, if you took out a fixed rate at the start of december, then you are looking at two to 3% interest rate, and that rose consistently over the following months, as the bank of england revised those rates, so that is over the course of months. the second column we see is the day of the mini budget, and as we can see, the two weeks after that, a new fixed rate deal has got more expensive, really jumped up, a two—yearfixed rate deal over 6% interest rate for the first time for 14 years, so we are going back to the financial crisis, and then a five year deal over 6% for the first time for 12 years, and clearly the difference between back in december, if you took out a fixed deal then with now, could be hundreds of pounds on your monthly repayments extra that you would

spend now if you have taken it out now, compared with december. so, the interest rate on a typical five year mortgage has topped 6%. let's take a closer look at some of the figures. the typical deal now has a rate of 6.02% which is a level not seen since february 2010. mortgage rates have risen over the last few months, as we were just hearing from kevin, but the average interest rate charge on two and five year fixed deals has interest rate charge on two and five yearfixed deals has gone up interest rate charge on two and five year fixed deals has gone up to around 6%, it is actually a bit cheaper to get a two—year fixed than a five year fixed. let's talk now to mercedes usborne. mercedes, we spoke to you last week when mortgages were being polled and we are just hearing there about the sorts of rates that are on offer. —— pulled. what is the best advice for someone who needs to remortgage or take out a mortgage

imminently? the remortgage or take out a mortgage imminently?— imminently? the best advice is, as of last week. _ imminently? the best advice is, as of last week, get _ imminently? the best advice is, as of last week, get advice, _ imminently? the best advice is, as of last week, get advice, is - imminently? the best advice is, as of last week, get advice, is the - of last week, get advice, is the most important thing, and get advice as early as possible. a lot of lenders, and even more so in the last week, have switched that you are in a position where you can obtain a new fixed rate up to six months before it ends, and typically that used to only be three months historically. as kevin was saying, the interest rates have jumped considerably since the early part of the year, they have been a steady rise but last week we did see lots of products withdrawn. in actual fact now, lots of those have returned, so we do have more rights on offer than we did week ago. thank ou ve on offer than we did week ago. thank you very much. _ on offer than we did week ago. thank you very much, mercedes. _ on offer than we did week ago. thank you very much, mercedes. let's - on offer than we did week ago. thank you very much, mercedes. let's go back to food poverty and the increasing pressures on people trying to feed their households. we have a question from a farmer. yes, we are going to hearfrom erin,

a farmer. farmers are struggling financially, and the main issue on my farm is the rise in input costs. these costs have risen sharply, with fertiliser rising over 200% in the past year and animalfeed 60%. with farmers struggling to pay their bills, they're looking at other options, like reducing the amount of food they produce to cut costs. so, what can be done to ensure farmers like myself can successfully run our family farm businesses and continue to put quality food on the plates of british people? this cuts to the heart of everything, the increasing costs for businesses, and they get passed onto consumers, inflation goes up, what is the answer to her question about what can do? tt is is the answer to her question about what can do?— what can do? it is a really difficult — what can do? it is a really difficult one _ what can do? it is a really difficult one to _ what can do? it is a really difficult one to answer. i what can do? it is a really - difficult one to answer. we've got farmers, as you say, seeing high prices. a lot of that is to do with global pressures, not least the war

in ukraine which pushed up some of those prices for the things they really need, like feed and so on. and that has been seen also with other businesses, there is cost that they face, they can't get away from, have been rising and clearly they are having to pass some of those on to consumers. we see that most obviously with higher food to consumers. we see that most obviously with higherfood prices. there has been helpful business with energy costs, that is new, and also we had seen petrol prices falling a little bit, which is clearly a major cost for many businesses, too. so, there are some things that are moving now, but what is really difficult to tell is what is going to happen in the future, how long this is going to stretch out for. clearly, that kind of certainty is what any business craves. thank you, kevin, what any business craves. thank you, kevin. let's — what any business craves. thank you, kevin, let's talk _ what any business craves. thank you, kevin, let's talk now _ what any business craves. thank you, kevin, let's talk now to _ what any business craves. thank you, kevin, let's talk now to carol - kevin, let's talk now to carol jones. she runs a community food store in north dorset and she is also a conservative councillor on

dorset council. tell us how your food store works. we dorset council. tell us how your food store works.— dorset council. tell us how your food store works. ~ ., ., . ., , food store works. we are a community food store works. we are a community food store works. we are a community food store so — food store works. we are a community food store so we _ food store works. we are a community food store so we are _ food store works. we are a community food store so we are a _ food store works. we are a community food store so we are a registered - food store so we are a registered charity, we have to purchase our food, we deal with around 300 families each week. they make a small contribution and they are able to choose their foods, unlike a food bank, we have chilled foods and meat, fish, dairy, lots of fruit and veg. and it is about giving dignity, choice, and hope to those who need us, and it is a challenge at the moment, i can tell you. tell us, and it is a challenge at the moment, i can tell you. tell us more about the challenges _ moment, i can tell you. tell us more about the challenges you _ moment, i can tell you. tell us more about the challenges you are - moment, i can tell you. tell us more about the challenges you are facing. | about the challenges you are facing. two real challenges, the first one is raising enough money to buy the food we need each week, we are spending over 3000 a week, but what worries me terribly at the moment is that we now have got families who can't afford the fuel to get into us, and we need to find a way of getting to them, so next project, if we can, if we can find a way of resourcing a van where we could actually offer an outreach service,

we are in a very rural area and wages are low, rents are high, and is very difficult for so many families, but i am worried about those that can't actually get into us at the moment.— those that can't actually get into us at the moment. thank you very much, us at the moment. thank you very much. carol— us at the moment. thank you very much, caroljones, _ us at the moment. thank you very much, caroljones, who _ us at the moment. thank you very much, caroljones, who runs- us at the moment. thank you very much, caroljones, who runs a - us at the moment. thank you very i much, caroljones, who runs a pantry in north dorset. thank you to all of my guest, sarah, sabine, carol, justin, and mercedes. if you would like to find out more about where you can get help from, contact the bbc action line. calls are free. or go to the website. that is all from us for now. goodbye.

this is bbc news. the headlines. social care providers in england warn that a complete overhaul of the system is needed to prevent millions of people from being left without support. the uk's fiscal watchdog prepares to deliver its initial forecast for the economy to the chancellor kwasi kwarteng today — its full report will be published next month the department for transport has told the train operator, avanti west coast, to "drastically improve" its services, after giving it a six—month extension to its contract. this year's nobel peace prize has been jointly awarded to the belarussian human rights activist ales bialiatski and two organisations: the russian human rights group memorial and the centre for civil liberties in ukraine. this year's laureates have revitalised and honoured alfred nobel's vision of peace and fraternity between nations.