this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a helicopter has crashed into a kindergarten in a suburb of the ukrainian capital kyiv, killing 18 people — at least two of the dead are children. ukrainian police say the country's interior minister — denys monastyrsky — and his deputy are among those killed. it's a devastating blow for kyiv to lose such a prominent figure in ukraine's government at this stage. here in the uk — thousands of nurses have begun a two—day strike over pay — affecting a quarter of hospital and community health services in england. inflation — the rate at which prices are rising —

slows in the uk for a second month in a row, but remains close to a ao—year high. there is still a long way to go in the battle against inflation for families up and down the country who are seeing food price inflation of nearly 17% and that is causing a massive hike in the cost of the weekly shop. philippinejournalist and nobel peace prize winner maria ressa is cleared of tax evasion charges. in tennis — defending men's champion rafa nadal is out of the australian open at the second round stage after defeat by american mackenzie mcdonald. hello and welcome if you're watching

in the uk or around the world. officials in ukraine have told the bbc that the country's interior minister denys monastyrsky and his deputy are among at least 18 people who've been killed in a helicopter crash in a suburb of kyiv. there were nine people — including mr monastyrsky — aboard the helicopter. some of those killed were on the ground. the regional governor said the aircraft came down near a kindergarten in the town of brovary, when children and staff were inside the building. at least three of the dead are children. 29 people have been injured. an officialfor the an official for the ukrainian president said denys monastyrskyy was travelling to a war zone, to the front line, when his helicopter crashed. our kyiv correspondentjames

waterhouse gave us this update from the scene earlier. it's a picture of devastation, to be honest with you. over my shoulder there is a country garden where there is a country garden where there is a country garden where there is smoke coming out of the roof, and further towards us, there is a residential plot, and there is the rotary part of the helicopter, which is stuck in the reef. there are three or four bodies we can see underfoil blankets, and as are three or four bodies we can see under foil blankets, and as you say, children are among the 17 dead, we are told now two and 22 people are being treated in hospital. the human trauma is plain to see, and then there is the symbolic damage to ukraine, one of the dead being the interior minister denys monastyrskyy. he is, was a prominent member of president zelensky�*s cabin rentals would see him at missile strikes across ukraine and he would

travel by helicopter, the way government officials, rescue teams, get ready vast country and fly at low altitude to stay out of the way of enemy fire. it is a misty day, but we don't really know the cause, yet. this is a reminder that while you have the fighting along a vast front line, there is no part of ukraine which can escape events, disasters, tragedies like this. it is a small town, one that has gone through a lot in the past 12 months. when the russians first advanced in kyiv last year, they made it this far, this was once a battlefield where the russians where trying to push in the capital, they were ultimately repelled, but this is a very small town, another town in kyiv�*s orbit which has gone through

devastation, really, from the advance last year, but with moments like this. you could tell when the news came down, with the soldiers here and police realised it was a government minister, the perimeter has been pushed right back. this will be felt by a lot of ukrainians, because each individual minister has seen their profile rise extraordinarily since the outbreak of this full—scale invasion, they have all had to be extremely visible, attend briefings, attend scenes of devastation like this, so it is a very cruel outcome for denys monastyrskyy that he would lose his life in a crash such as this. let's go live to kyiv and speak to viktoriia zhuhan from the bbc ukrainian service. what more are you hearing about this

crash at this early stage? the what more are you hearing about this crash at this early stage?— crash at this early stage? the state rescue service _ crash at this early stage? the state rescue service which _ crash at this early stage? the state rescue service which belongs - crash at this early stage? the state rescue service which belongs to - crash at this early stage? the state i rescue service which belongs to the ministry of the interior, and is usually the service that comes to save people, it is the same service his helicopter has crashed. it informs there were six members of the ministry of the interior on board and three members of the coup in a helicopter at all nine of them have died. figs in a helicopter at all nine of them have died-— in a helicopter at all nine of them have died. ~ , ., , .,, ., have died. as for the people on the round, have died. as for the people on the ground. many _ have died. as for the people on the ground. many very _ have died. as for the people on the ground, many very young _ have died. as for the people on the ground, many very young children | ground, many very young children among them, what news do you have of them? 50 among them, what news do you have of them? ., ., , among them, what news do you have of them? . ., , ., them? so we have heard the number of three children — them? so we have heard the number of three children to _ them? so we have heard the number of three children to have _ them? so we have heard the number of three children to have been _ them? so we have heard the number of three children to have been killed - three children to have been killed by this accident. we have also got the information that many of them were taken to the hospital, some of them have been wounded, and we understand that part of the staff and children did manage to evacuate part of them did not.— and children did manage to evacuate part of them did not. when we spoke a little air there _ part of them did not. when we spoke a little air there you _ part of them did not. when we spoke a little air there you are _ part of them did not. when we spoke a little air there you are saying - part of them did not. when we spoke a little air there you are saying it - a little air there you are saying it was believed to helicopter was on its way to the front line, not sure

if we know where it was on its way to come exactly, what more can you tell us about what the plans had been for denys monastyrskyy and his team? we been for denys monastyrskyy and his team? ~ ., ., ~ ., ., ., team? we do not know that, and usually such _ team? we do not know that, and usually such information - team? we do not know that, and usually such information is - team? we do not know that, and usually such information is not i usually such information is not classified but no one usually would tell you in advance, but has the level of security for such high—profile figures is extremely high, and usually even for the journalists there would be a press conference sometimes, we would get a notification at a very last moment. but the office of the president has issued a statement that denys monastyrskyy and his team were headed to the hotspot, and that might mean they may be en route to one of the places where the national guard of ukraine is stationed. the national guard of ukraine is under the ministry's umbrella, but at the same time, these units take active part in front line battles in the

war with russia. is part in front line battles in the war with russia.— war with russia. is there any speculation _ war with russia. is there any speculation at _ war with russia. is there any speculation at this _ war with russia. is there any speculation at this stage - war with russia. is there any speculation at this stage a i speculation at this stage a suggestion as to the cause of this crash, victoria?— crash, victoria? ukrainian authorities _ crash, victoria? ukrainian authorities make - crash, victoria? ukrainian authorities make it - crash, victoria? ukrainian authorities make it very i crash, victoria? ukrainian i authorities make it very clear crash, victoria? ukrainian - authorities make it very clear they will spend lots of time and effort to investigate this incident, and the speaker of the air forces of ukraine said it is not going to be won in two days, he only informed the helicopter was french maid, so there will be a joint investigation committee and we hope to get more details soon, but ukrainian officials, government, regional governors do not yet comment on the possible causes. governors do not yet comment on the possible causes-— possible causes. telesales bit more about denvs — possible causes. telesales bit more about denys monastyrskyy - possible causes. telesales bit more about denys monastyrskyy and - possible causes. telesales bit more about denys monastyrskyy and the | about denys monastyrskyy and the work he did. he about denys monastyrskyy and the work he did-— work he did. he took the position not so long _ work he did. he took the position not so long ago — work he did. he took the position not so long ago before _ work he did. he took the position not so long ago before russia - not so long ago before russia invaded ukraine. he stepped into this position in summer of 2021, and

when he died he said president zelensky invited him to take this position. before that he was a parliament member from the presidential party and he was cheering the law enforcement committee in the parliament —— charing. he has been close with the president and his party... as we see in ukraine, he was a civilian minister of interior, which means he had not been in the law enforcement before stepping up to such an important position. mariia is a ukrainian member of parliment representing kharkiv — she was a friend of mr monastyrskyy. she joins us from davos in switzerland where the world economic forum is taking place. thank you forjoining us and condolences on the loss of your

friend. what news have you heard from ukraine about this crash? weill. from ukraine about this crash? well, eve hint from ukraine about this crash? well, everything that _ from ukraine about this crash? well, everything that has _ from ukraine about this crash? well, everything that has been _ from ukraine about this crash? in everything that has been said is very correct. we see the losses within the ministry of the interior, which denys monastyrskyy has chaired just before this terrible incident, and three co—workers from the state emergency services. we've been asking what was the route, what was the cause of the strip? i can say denys monastyrskyy has always been very active, as he was a parliamentarian, passing many laws which were in terms of our approximation to european integration, to international enforcement of our law, travelled with him to paris to sign an agreement with the pompidou group to

strike for many problems dealing with prevention of drug taking and many other problems, so he was responding 20 a7, had a lot of energy, responding to colleagues, friends and family, and we will always remember him as a very bright, smiley, friendly patriotic person, and a civil servant of ukraine, which our state will always remember. indeed, he was very close to president zelensky, being next to him from day one of his campaigning. i can say the same things about his deputy, and the others who have died today in this terrible crash. we are waiting for details to be revealed, i am not authorised to comment, but it is very unfortunate. unfortunate that there were losses, 15 adults

and ten, plus ten children injured, so 25 in total are injured, and the circumstances will be revealed shortly. indeed, it will not take one hour or one day, but we do want to know what has actually happened. my to know what has actually happened. my first feelings when i saw the news, i thought it was fake, but unfortunately this is true. but! news, i thought it was fake, but unfortunately this is true. and your thou . hts, unfortunately this is true. and your thoughts, obviously, _ unfortunately this is true. and your thoughts, obviously, we'll- unfortunately this is true. and your thoughts, obviously, we'll very - unfortunately this is true. and your i thoughts, obviously, we'll very much be with those young children, the staff at the country garden, all the families there in bovary affected by this as well. families there in bovary affected by this as well-— this as well. absolutely. condolences _ this as well. absolutely. condolences to - this as well. absolutely. | condolences to everyone this as well. absolutely. - condolences to everyone who was touched today by this tragedy, actually to all ukrainians. here in davos we are continuing with discussions, the next panel will go ahead with the responsibility of the russian federation, international instruments at the suggestion of the special court for the tribunal is, because the aggression has

continued. this is possibly at another... we are waiting for the details to be revealed. thank you for this opportunity to talk. i have great memories that will always remain with me and my colleagues, of those who are not with us any more. there is a significant ukrainian delegation there at davos, which you are part, of course. what will the loss of denys monastyrskyy mean to the ukrainian war effort? you mentioned he was close to president zelensky. what will his loss mean? i can only say that the ministry of the interior was active, not only from the 2ath of february, but for all the brutal war against ukraine by russia, they were recording the war crimes, helping people daily with different cases of emergency. i will always remember how much we

worked on the promotion of conventions, international document to prevent violence against women. this is a daily basis, 20 a7, no rest, no day off, he and his team, shortly we will have to be someone who will replace him, but this is a key ministry at the work time and this is definitely big human loss for our team this is definitely big human loss for ourteam and a this is definitely big human loss for our team and a theme of every ukrainian, because he was a bright person as well as those who are next to him, very energetic, very patriotic as i have said. i mean, i have no words. i am trying to keep calm but this is very hard, this is very hard because this is a tragedy for everyone. we hope we can get over it but the details have to be revealed so we can judge on who was possibly involved and who can be responsible for this.—

possibly involved and who can be responsible for this. thank you very much for your— responsible for this. thank you very much for your time _ responsible for this. thank you very much for your time today, - responsible for this. thank you very much for your time today, joining . responsible for this. thank you very | much for your time today, joining us from davos. patients in england are being warned to expect major disruption to nhs services today and tomorrow, as thousands of nurses stage a two—day strike in a dispute about pay. the strike is by members of the royal college of nursing, who want a pay rise 5% above inflation. the impact will vary depending on where you are — about one in every four hospitals and community health services in england will be affected. the strikes today and tomorrow follow two walk—outs last month. the biggest disruption is likely to be to pre—booked appointments for procedures like knee and hip replacements — as well as community nursing. but gp practices will run as normal — as will community pharmacies and dentists. the advice is for anyone who hasn't been contacted to go to their appointment as normal. this report from zoe conway. safe staffing saves lives! it's five weeks since nurses first went on strike this winter.

yet there's no resolution in sight. in fact, the dispute is only intensifying. nurses are taking industrial action at even more nhs trusts today than they did before christmas. we want to make nursing a safe and sustainable profession for all. we want our colleagues and the patients we care for to receive the care they deserve. nurses at 55 trusts in england are on strike today and tomorrow. next month, the industrial action will be more widespread, covering 73 trusts. 12 health boards and organisations in wales will also go on strike. a decision on further strikes in northern ireland will be taken in the coming weeks, while in scotland industrial action remains paused as negotiations continue. the advice for people who have medical appointments on strike days is to assume they're going ahead

if the hospital hasn't been in touch. nhs leaders are warning that the strikes couldn't come at a more difficult time for the nhs, with emergency care under pressure and high rates of flu and covid. i think it's getting increasingly frustrating that no, no solution has been found to this strike action in the nhs. it's bad for patients, it's bad for staff, it's bad for everyone. in a statement, the health secretary, steve barclay, said patients will understandably be worried by the prospect of further strike action. the previous two days of nurse strike saw around 30,000 elective procedures and outpatient appointments cancelled. and the department said the health secretary had constructive talks with the royal college of nursing and other unions about the 2023—2a pay process. and he looks forward to continuing that dialogue. there's more disruption on the way. the rcn says that next month nurses will stage their biggest strikes so far. and later today, the gmb union

could announce as many as six new ambulance strikes. zoe conway, bbc news. we can speak now to our reporter sean dilley, who's at university college hospital in london. brief update, take a listen... reacting very much to the support from motorists, but not everybody, including the government, happy that rises are the way forward. you work here, you are a newly qualified nurse, why are you personally shaking? nurse, why are you personally shakin: ? ~ ., nurse, why are you personally shakin: ? ~ . , ., , shaking? we are understaffed, underpaid. _ shaking? we are understaffed, underpaid, underappreciated,| shaking? we are understaffed, - underpaid, underappreciated, that is why the reason i am shaking today. because of patient safety is a concern, because we are understaffed.— concern, because we are understaffed. ., ., ., understaffed. today, how safe do think patients _ understaffed. today, how safe do think patients feel _ understaffed. today, how safe do think patients feel today - understaffed. today, how safe do think patients feel today if - understaffed. today, how safe do think patients feel today if they . think patients feel today if they have an appointment has been cancelled?— cancelled? yes, that is a very difficult situation, _

cancelled? yes, that is a very difficult situation, and - cancelled? yes, that is a very difficult situation, and it - cancelled? yes, that is a very difficult situation, and it is . cancelled? yes, that is a very i difficult situation, and it is very difficult situation, and it is very difficult for us, very difficult for our patients, but there is no way we can keep the nhs running without striking today, so that is why we are here. ., ., ., , ., are here. you are a newly qualified nurse, are here. you are a newly qualified nurse. you — are here. you are a newly qualified nurse. you were — are here. you are a newly qualified nurse, you were a _ are here. you are a newly qualified nurse, you were a barber- are here. you are a newly qualified i nurse, you were a barber beforehand, you knew that he was not great when you knew that he was not great when you went into this. but you are a bit concerned about the levels now? i think coming in i did not expect... i knew it wasn't... but i did not expect what i was paid on my first payment. we did not expect what i was paid on my first payment-— first payment. we are going to pass back to the city _ first payment. we are going to pass back to the city office _ first payment. we are going to pass back to the city office and _ first payment. we are going to pass back to the city office and breaking | back to the city office and breaking news, but thank you very much from university college hospital in london. we are going to take united a world economic forum in davos in switzerland. the annual gathering of global leaders and international influencers — is about to get under way. antonio guterres is speaking. he says the world is confronting

significant challenges.- significant challenges. soaring -rices, significant challenges. soaring prices. rising _ significant challenges. soaring prices, rising interest - significant challenges. soaring prices, rising interest rates, . significant challenges. soaring - prices, rising interest rates, along with inflation. and those levels, vulnerable countries, yet all of that, the lingering effects of the pandemic, overstill straining economies, with the world's failure to prepare for future economies, with the world's failure to prepare forfuture pandemics, that failure is straining her credibility. somehow after all we have in charge we have not learned that global public health lessons of the pandemic, we are nowhere near ready for the pandemics to come. and to all... we are flirting with climate disaster. every week brings a new climate horror story.

greenhouse gas emissions are at record levels and growing. the commitment to limit global temperature rises is never going up in smoke. without further action, we are headed to a two point a degree increase and the consequences, as we all know, would be devastating. several parts of our planet will be inhabitable —— uninhabitable, and for many it will be a death sentence. but this is not a surprise. the science has been cleared for decades. and i'm not talking only about un scientists. and talking about fossil fuel scientists. we learned last week that certain fossil fuel producers

were aware in the 70s that their core products were wrecking our planet, and just like the tobacco industry, they rolled roughshod over their own science. some in big oil buried the big lie. those responsible must be held to account. today, fossil fuel producers and their enablers are still racing... they know this business model is inconsistent with human survival. this insanity belongs in science fiction, yet we know the ecosystem meltdown is cold, hard, scientific fact. and another combustible factor, conflict, violence, war.

especially the russian invasion of ukraine. not only because of the untold suffering of the ukrainian people, because of its impact on trade and supply chains, global energy prices, questions trade and supply chains, global energy prices, questions of trade and supply chains, global energy prices, questions of nuclear safety, and on the very foundations of international law and the united nations charter. we are doing our best, making progress where we can, but equally in facilitating exports of food and fertilisers from ukraine and also from russia, but we are a far cry from being in line with international law and the united nations charter. so, dearfriends, all these challenges are interlinked and they are piling up like cars in and they are piling up like cars in a chain reaction crash. now, let's be clear, it will be difficult to

find solutions to this global intellect problems in the best of times, and in a world that would be united. but these are far from being the best of times, and the world is far from the best of times, and the world is farfrom being united. instead, we face the gravest levels of geopolitical division and mistrust in generations, and it is undermining everything. first, the history device. we risk what i call the great fractures, the decoupling of the world's two largest economies. the tectonic drift that would create two different sets of trade rules, to dominant currencies, two internet in two conflicting strategies on artificial intelligence. this is the last thing we need. the imf reported that dividing the global economy into two blocks could cut global gdp by a

whopping 1.a trillion us dollars. there are many aspects in which the us and china relations will inevitably divert, but i think in questions of human rights and on some areas of regional security, but despite that, it is possible and i will say it is essential for the two countries to have meaningful engagement on climate, trade and technology, to avoid the decoupling of economies, and the possibility of future confrontations. for the historians that might be listening, we must avoid a 21st—century sequel. at the same time and secondly, the north—south divide, i am not convinced in my context, that the wealthy world and their leaders

truly grasps the degree of frustration and even anger in the global... the anger about the gross inequity seen in the recent past. frustration about pandemic recovery, with support overwhelmingly concentrated in wealthier countries that can print money, trillions printed in the global loss and of course developing countries could not print money because there currencies would go down the drain. frustration and anger about the climate crisis that this crippling countries, and the lack of financial resources to respond to the challenge. in frustration and anger over a morally bankrupt financial system in which systemic inequalities are amplifying societal inequalities. a system that is still

routinely denying debt relief and concessional funding to middling countries that are in desperate need. because the rules are not made to allow it. a system in which most of the well�*s put this country solve their debt service payments skyrocketed by 35% in the last year alone. now, we need to bridge all these divides, and we need to restore trust. how can we do it? first, by reforming and building fairness into the global financial system. developing countries need access to... i have urged the g20 to agree on a global plan that will provide support to countries of the global south, including the vulnerable middle income ones. they need to necessary debt relief and

restructuring as well as long—term lending to invest in sustainable development. in short, we need a new debt architecture. multilevel development banks must change their business model to stop the on their own operations, which are very important, they must concentrate on multiplying the impact leveraging massively private finance, any systematic way, providing guarantees, accepting to be first risk takers and correlations, financial institutions to support developing countries. without creating the conditions for massive inflow of private finance, a reasonable cost to the developing world, there is simply no solution. international financial institutions are too small and the capacity to increase as not to be seen in the short term. second, bridging divides

and restoring trust means meaningful climate action on climate action now. the battle to keep to 1.5 degrees alive will be lost on our watch. and right now we have to confess that the battle is being lost. so we need to act together to close the emissions cap, and that means to phase out progressively: supercharge the renewable revolution. to end the addiction to fossil fuels the revolution. to end the addiction to fossilfue - ,, . ., , , ., fossil fuels the secretary general ofthe fossil fuels the secretary general of the united _ fossil fuels the secretary general of the united nations _ fossil fuels the secretary general of the united nations addressing| fossil fuels the secretary general- of the united nations addressing the world economic forum in davos, confronting some big global issues in his speech, saying it was difficult to find solutions at the best of times, but said this is far from the best of times and the world is not united. he said the world had not learned the global public health lessons of the pandemic and said the world is flirting with climate disaster. he said without further

action, we were heading for a 2.8 degrees increase in global temperatures for many, meaning a death sentence for many. this is not a surprise, he won. they questions confronted their in the speech to the world economic forum in davos. inflation — the rate at which prices are rising — has slowed in the uk for a second month in a row , but the cost of living is still close to a a0 year high. the uk's inflation fell to ten point five % in the year leading up to december 2022 , that's down from ten point seven % in november. the reason for that drop is due to fuel prices falling, along with the price of clothes and footwear. however, that drop is offset by rising costs in the hospitality industry, particularly restaurants and hotels. there's also been a big jump in air fares, and the cost of food also continued to rise. now although some analysts believe the cost of living might slowly be beginning to ease, that ten point five % figure

is still way above the two % the bank of england is supposed to be keeping inflation at. the chancellorjeremy hunt has welcomed the small dip in inflation, but said the government needs to stick to its plan to bring it down further. there is still a long way to go in the battle against inflation. any country anywhere in the world with inflation over 10% is seeing it at frankly dangerous levels for the stability of the economy. but for families up and down the country, they are seeing food price inflation of nearly 17%. that is causing a massive hike in the cost of a weekly shop. and what that really shows is for us and other countries, the most important thing is to stick to a plan to bring down inflation. the prime minister has said that he wants to halve inflation in the coming year and for families and businesses, it's absolutely essential to stick to that plan.

than, the second modest consecutive dip in inflation, the rate at which prices are increasing. the average erson is prices are increasing. the average person is not _ prices are increasing. the average person is not going _ prices are increasing. the average person is not going to _ prices are increasing. the average person is not going to be - prices are increasing. the average person is not going to be feeling l person is not going to be feeling this, are they? 1ng person is not going to be feeling this, are they?— this, are they? as you say, it is the second _ this, are they? as you say, it is the second month _ this, are they? as you say, it is the second month in _ this, are they? as you say, it is the second month in a - this, are they? as you say, it is the second month in a row - this, are they? as you say, it is the second month in a row of l this, are they? as you say, it is l the second month in a row of this inflation, it is the first time that has happened since the start of the pandemic. certainly heading in the right direction but very slowly. 10.5% is about own consensus, we say that when it is essentially in line with what economists are forecasting. it is not a surprise but it does not mean prices are going down, itjust means they are increasing at a slower rate. it still means that on average, things we buy in the shops and elsewhere were 10.5% higher in december than they were 12 months earlier. and it is on average. certain things going up is on average. certain things going up by a lot more than the headline figure. and as we know now, we all

have our own personal inflation rate. that depends on what we spent most of our income on. when you take into the details on this, as you said, the price of petrol, clothes, shoes, alcohol is not going up by as much. food inflation, a massive part of all of our incomes, our disposable income, what we spend on, food inflation went up again and is that a massive 16.8%, the highest since 1977. housing costs, restaurants, hotels, way above the headline rate. economists are expecting that inflation will come down this year. they are expecting it to have, which is what the government says it wants to happen as well. it is going to be a long battle. we are in a long battle to get inflation down and even if it does come down, stale way of the 2% target and for the average household, it is going to make things incredibly difficult. thank

ou ve things incredibly difficult. thank you very much _ things incredibly difficult. thank you very much for _ things incredibly difficult. thank you very much for that. - things incredibly difficult. thank you very much for that. i - things incredibly difficult. thank you very much for that. i am - things incredibly difficult. thank. you very much for that. i am joined by the chief economist for the office of national statistics. my question is the second consecutive fall in inflation, the rate at which prices are rising, important to remind people what inflation is. is it way too early to say it's a trend? if not, how quickly might it continue to fall? 1ng trend? if not, how quickly might it continue to fall?— trend? if not, how quickly might it continue to fall? as the chancellor said, it is continue to fall? as the chancellor said. it is good _ continue to fall? as the chancellor said, it is good to _ continue to fall? as the chancellor said, it is good to see _ continue to fall? as the chancellor said, it is good to see a _ continue to fall? as the chancellor said, it is good to see a second - said, it is good to see a second month, it is still double digits under high—level, overall prices are still rising strongly over the past past year. what is encouraging is in recent months it has been all outward, now it is a mixed picture with some inflation, components heading downwards and others still going up. food prices as was mentioned just then. we are getting a mixed picture now. what is

noticeable as well is goods prices are starting to come down quite markedly. that reflects global factors such as lower energy prices, lower shipping costs as global supply chain problems ease. some fall in food prices following the impact of their russian ukraine invasion last february. mit? impact of their russian ukraine invasion last february.- impact of their russian ukraine invasion last february. why a dip in the rice invasion last february. why a dip in the price of— invasion last february. why a dip in the price of petrol _ invasion last february. why a dip in the price of petrol but _ invasion last february. why a dip in the price of petrol but not - invasion last february. why a dip in the price of petrol but not in - invasion last february. why a dip in the price of petrol but not in food? | the price of petrol but not in food? both items which have been affected by the war in ukraine? that both items which have been affected by the war in ukraine?— by the war in ukraine? that is true, food is a mixed _ by the war in ukraine? that is true, food is a mixed picture, _ by the war in ukraine? that is true, food is a mixed picture, they - by the war in ukraine? that is true, food is a mixed picture, they are i by the war in ukraine? that is true, food is a mixed picture, they are a| food is a mixed picture, they are a number of factors which drive it. wheat prices, vegetable oils hit by what happened in ukraine, they have come down significantly from their postinvasion spike. other things, meat, dairy, are high because everything is more expensive including energy, and that is feeding into food production. one of the big changes over the last 12 months, if you go back 12, 18 months

ago, the key driverfor inflation was high energy prices, and how good is because of the pandemic supply chain disruption. now inflation is broadly based. not only include spot services inflation, picking up and that reflects more domestic factors such as higher wages. iloathed that reflects more domestic factors such as higher wages.— such as higher wages. what is the short-term _ such as higher wages. what is the short-term and _ such as higher wages. what is the short-term and medium-term - such as higher wages. what is the - short-term and medium-term outlook? short—term and medium—term outlook? we do not try to predict the future of the office of national statistics, but if you look at the forecast by the bank of england, the general consensus is we will see a large fall in the headline rate of inflation over the course of 2023. it is important to remember, though, thatis it is important to remember, though, that is the rate of change in prices, even if inflation comes down, prices will still be at high levels. ., ~' , ., , . down, prices will still be at high levels. ., ,, , . ., down, prices will still be at high levels. ., ~ , . ., levels. thank you very much for your thou~hts levels. thank you very much for your thoughts today- _ levels. thank you very much for your thoughts today. the _ levels. thank you very much for your thoughts today. the chief _ levels. thank you very much for your thoughts today. the chief economist | thoughts today. the chief economist at the office for national statistics.

the philippinejournalist and nobel peace prize winner, maria ressa has been acquitted of tax evasion charges by a manila court. her news site, rappler, was also cleared of tax evasion. ms ressa, who was awarded the nobel prize alongside a russian journalist in 2021, is head of rappler, which earned a reputation for its in—depth reporting and tough scrutiny of the former president rodrigo duterte. she was convicted in 2020 for libel — and faces several other charges, which she says are politically motivated. she spoke to journalists outside the court. today, facts win. truth wins. justice wins. a brazen abuse of power... voice waivers. and meant to stop journalists from doing theirjobs,

but these cases are where capital markets, where rule of law, where press freedom meet, right? so, this acquittal is notjust for rappler, it is for every filipino who has ever been unjustly accused. we are bringing you a line from president zelensky reacting to the news story about the helicopter crash in a suburb to the east of kyiv which has killed at least 18 people including the interior ministry, someone said to be very close to president zelensky, the

interior minister, denys monastyrsky. today, a terrible tragedy occurred in breviary according to the statement from president zelensky, a helicopter crash and a fire at the crash site as of this minute. he is saying 15 people died, sold varying accounts of the number of people who have been killed in this crash. the exact number of victims of the tragedy is currently being established, among them, the minister of internal affairs, denys monastyrsky, his first minister and the helicopter crew, 25 people injured in total including ten children and we know that as of the most recent update, three children have died. the pain is unspeakable says president zelensky. he has instructed the security service of ukraine and the national police and other authorities to find out all of the

circumstances of what happened. he sent his condolences to all the families and friends of the victims. that is from president zelensky on the helicopter crash to the east of kyiv earlier today. with me now is the former british army officer and later research analyst who is senior lecturer in security at the university of bath. thank you very much forjoining us. i want to ask you about the helicopter crash, the circumstances obviously will be established, the calls will be established, the calls will be established in due course. denys monastyrsky was close to president zelensky, appointed by him to this role. what impact will that help on the ukrainian government and the war effort, the loss of their interior minister? it effort, the loss of their interior minister? , effort, the loss of their interior minister? ., _ effort, the loss of their interior minister? , ., , , ., effort, the loss of their interior minister? ., ., . minister? it is obviously a tragic crash, at minister? it is obviously a tragic crash. at the — minister? it is obviously a tragic crash, at the moment, - minister? it is obviously a tragic crash, at the moment, we - minister? it is obviously a tragic crash, at the moment, we are l minister? it is obviously a tragic- crash, at the moment, we are waiting to see what emerges over the coming days. denys monastyrsky was

essentially one of president zelensky�*s political appointments in 2021, he had a long background as a lawyer, phd in law, and essentially the law reformer inside the interior ministry, that was his brief. equally important, potentially, even more so in the context of the war, was his first deputy, yevhen, he was the security specialist... d0 was his first deputy, yevhen, he was the security specialist. . ._ the security specialist... do you have a fire _ the security specialist... do you have a fire alarm? _ the security specialist... do you have a fire alarm? it _ the security specialist... do you have a fire alarm? it is - the security specialist... do you have a fire alarm? it is a - the security specialist... do you have a fire alarm? it is a test. l the security specialist... do you l have a fire alarm? it is a test. as lona as have a fire alarm? it is a test. as long as it — have a fire alarm? it is a test. as long as it is _ have a fire alarm? it is a test. as long as it is not _ have a fire alarm? it is a test. as long as it is not an _ have a fire alarm? it is a test. as long as it is not an actual- have a fire alarm? it is a test. as long as it is not an actual fire - long as it is not an actual fire alarm. ., , ., long as it is not an actual fire alarm. ., ., , . , long as it is not an actual fire alarm. , . , , alarm. yevhen was a security expert who served — alarm. yevhen was a security expert who served in _ alarm. yevhen was a security expert who served in the _ alarm. yevhen was a security expert who served in the internal _ alarm. yevhen was a security expert who served in the internal security l who served in the internal security services and the external security services and the external security services of ukraine. he would have been the one that a lot of contacts

and knowledge about the counterespionage, counter intelligence missions and foreign intelligence missions and foreign intelligence missions and foreign intelligence missions of ukraine, and then you have got the state secretary who is responsible for running the ministry day cumulatively, this loss is grave. some ukrainian say it is like a decapitation of the ministry of interior. there will be people who can step up, but at the moment it is a significant blow. by, can step up, but at the moment it is a significant blow.— a significant blow. a significant blow for ukraine, _ a significant blow. a significant blow for ukraine, it _ a significant blow. a significant blow for ukraine, it comes - a significant blow. a significant blow for ukraine, it comes at l a significant blow. a significant blow for ukraine, it comes at a a significant blow. a significant - blow for ukraine, it comes at a time as we have been discussing here at bbc in the wake of the uk government promising to sent tanks, challenger two tanks to ukraine. what might other nato countries be ever to deliver? what are your thoughts on that? i deliver? what are your thoughts on that? 4' ., that? i think with the uk leading the wa , that? i think with the uk leading the way. the _ that? i think with the uk leading the way, the challenger- that? i think with the uk leading the way, the challenger tanks, l that? i think with the uk leading l the way, the challenger tanks, and the way, the challenger tanks, and the artillery pieces which is important as well. it is a small amount, but it opens the floodgates.

as people have been discussing over the last few days, the german export controls on the leper, says much more of the new europe, the whole logistics and supply chains are central europe base, it makes a lot more sense be given to the ukrainians and the challenger two for numerous different reasons. i think the ultimate goal, ukraine has asked for 300 tanks, we will see how many they actually get, hopefully, news comes at the nato meeting on friday. it would be great to see we have already seen in the 110 armoured infantry fighting vehicles, similar to tanks carry infantry and not as heavily protected. 1&1 similar to tanks carry infantry and not as heavily protected.- not as heavily protected. 14 tanks here, it doesn't _ not as heavily protected. 14 tanks here, it doesn't tanks _ not as heavily protected. 14 tanks here, it doesn't tanks of - not as heavily protected. 14 tanks here, it doesn't tanks of there, i here, it doesn't tanks of there, president zelensky says it is not what ukraine needs, talking in the region of several hundred tanks. if there is to be a spring offensive and if ukraine is to absolutely gain

the front foot in this war, how much time realistically is there to get tanks insufficient number and other artillery and weaponry to ukraine for that? , ., ., ., for that? they need to go now. the ukrainians have _ for that? they need to go now. the ukrainians have proven _ for that? they need to go now. the ukrainians have proven themselves remarkably adaptable at learning how to operate western cape, the challenge is, they are using cruiser three, it's a whole newjob to learn there but they will do it quickly. but the leopard needs to go in in quantity. they are looking to the summer. they need to try to take back as much ground as they can, they'd probably have to weather a russian offensive at some stage. tanks and all the supporting arms and elephants that deal with them will be crucial to breaching lines and punching through and at least enabling a break—out where more

territory can be taken back, but for now they need mass. t0 territory can be taken back, but for now they need mass.— territory can be taken back, but for now they need mass. to what extent is art of now they need mass. to what extent is part of the — now they need mass. to what extent is part of the consideration _ now they need mass. to what extent is part of the consideration still - is part of the consideration still whether sending equipment on scale at scale to ukraine is seen as an escalation by russia? that at scale to ukraine is seen as an escalation by russia?— at scale to ukraine is seen as an escalation by russia? that will be ortra ed escalation by russia? that will be portrayed as _ escalation by russia? that will be portrayed as such. _ escalation by russia? that will be portrayed as such. they _ escalation by russia? that will be portrayed as such. they will - escalation by russia? that will be portrayed as such. they will try i escalation by russia? that will bej portrayed as such. they will try to target these tanks coming and if they can. they have struggled with their ability to target mobile supply lines with precision, yes, they will view it as an escalation. nevertheless, you know, for example, they have started to use cruise missiles against civilian infrastructure, there is also that escalation. it has all been very carefully calibrated by nato. can i ask one more _ carefully calibrated by nato. can i ask one more question, _ carefully calibrated by nato. can i ask one more question, hopefully, yourfire alarm does not ask one more question, hopefully, your fire alarm does not get in the

way. if tanks and other equipment and artillery is delivered to ukraine in the numbers president zelensky once, what is the ability of russia to respond to that in any spring offensive? what does it have on its arsenal that could respond like for like? the on its arsenal that could respond like for like?— on its arsenal that could respond like for like? the russian military has been heavily _ like for like? the russian military has been heavily degraded, - like for like? the russian military. has been heavily degraded, suffering with the problems we know about over the last year. they are getting mobilised troops, they have not committed, 150,000, they will be purely layered, poorly trained, fully equipped, quantity has equality all of its own. we are expecting at some point, analysts are differing on wayne, depending on how the russian army is, it could be fairly soon, it could be in six months' time. some point, we can expect a rush and attempt to regain the initiative in a major way, i think.

the initiative in a ma'or way, i think. ~ ,, .,~ the initiative in a ma'or way, i think. . ,, .,~ ., ., the initiative in a ma'or way, i think. ~ , , ., ~ ., ., ., think. we may speak again, on the da of the think. we may speak again, on the day of the big _ think. we may speak again, on the day of the big conference, - think. we may speak again, on the day of the big conference, natal. day of the big conference, natal analyst and senior analyst, former british army captain. thank you very much. more international aid organisations have partially restarted their work in afghanistan after receiving assurances from the taliban government that women will be able to work in some sectors. the international rescue committee and care havejoined save the children in resuming a number of programmes, mostly in health and nutrition. there was global condemnation in december, when the tailiban ordered aid organisations not to let female staff work, saying they'd not adhered to their interpretation of islamic dress code. most aid agencies stopped their aid efforts as a result. here's david wright, spokesman for save the children the position of the taliban hasn't changed, so the ban still remains in place. we had been able to start some activities through local associations, with ministries in certain provinces, notably health and nutrition activities which are very important because they are

life—saving activities. they are absolutely essential. you know, you really want the humanitarian community operating at full throttle with all its capacity and capability to deal with the sheer amount of need in that country, and even if we were, we still wouldn't be able to deal with it all. let's get some of the day's other news: italian police have released cctv footage, showing the alleged mafia boss matteo denaro arriving at a private hospital, just minutes before he was arrested. this is him, wearing a hood, mask and dark glasses, at the la maddalena clinic on monday morning. he had been receiving treatment for cancer, having spent three decades on the run. a ten thousand dollar reward is being offered for help in catching the people who killed three generations of one family at their home in california on monday. a teenage mother, her baby and a grandmother were among six people killed at a residence in the small town of goshen. the address had recently been linked to drug—related activity.

the american rapper cardi b has been given an extension to complete community service she was ordered to do after being convicted of taking part in a brawl at a strip club in new york in 2018. she was sentenced to fifteen days of service — but failed to carry them out within the allotted timeframe. she's been given until the first of march to complete her punishment. jury selection has begun in california for a civil case against the tesla owner, elon musk. it centres on two tweets which mr musk put out in 2018 which caused big fluctuations in the tesla share price. the case is considering whether those tweets constituted fraud. it's being brought by investors who say the tweets were materially false and cost them billions of dollars. mr musk has already been fined twenty million dollars by the american stock market regulator — he denies having been deceitful. our north america correspondent david willis has been following story and gave this update:

this dates back more than four years to two tweets elon musk put out saying that he had reason to believe that he could acquire tesla, float it, basically, acquire it privately and that funding had been secured for that. the $70 billion in funding that was necessary. those two tweets caused the share price of the company to soar, only for it to plummet ten days later when it became clear that funding had indeed not been secured. now, that group of shareholders are suing elon musk and other former and current directors of tesla for undisclosed damages, claiming that basically they committed fraud in share price manipulation. so what we have here is elon musk being sued by his investors for remarks that he made

on a social media platform that he himself later acquired to the chagrin of many of the same investors. now, to many people, you don't have to be a tesla investor to find that all a little bit bizarre, but in the often wacky world of elon musk, it is just wednesday. thousands of children have gone back to school in malawi, more than 250,000 people have died from cholera in the last year, and schools in the capital were closed for two weeks as a precaution. life returns to normal in malawi skills. for two weeks, these children have been forced to stay—at—home as an

outbreak of cholera ravaged their country. malawi's cholera epidemic began after tropical storm hanna and the cyclone because extensive flooding last year and overwhelmed the country's water and sanitation systems. between december and january, more than 300 deaths were recorded, with 19 lives lost on new year's eve alone. the ministry of health postponed the reopening of schools in the capital and the second largest city, blantyre, in order to check the spread. on tuesday, the students were allowed to go back to their classrooms, though the death toll continues to rise. authorities have given assurances that the schools sanitation has improved. itide assurances that the schools sanitation has improved. we have buckets where _ sanitation has improved. we have buckets where we _ sanitation has improved. we have buckets where we will _ sanitation has improved. we have buckets where we will put - sanitation has improved. we have buckets where we will put water l sanitation has improved. we have| buckets where we will put water to wash their hands and soap. we also have disinfectants, chlorine, for

cleaning the toilets and the classrooms.— cleaning the toilets and the classrooms. , , , , . ., , classrooms. the supplies unicef has brou:ht in classrooms. the supplies unicef has brought in will— classrooms. the supplies unicef has brought in will help _ classrooms. the supplies unicef has brought in will help 89 _ classrooms. the supplies unicef has brought in will help 89 schools - classrooms. the supplies unicef has brought in will help 89 schools in i brought in will help 89 schools in the capital and blantyre, and will help around 200,000 learners to have access_ help around 200,000 learners to have access to _ help around 200,000 learners to have access to better hygiene. in colac malawi _ access to better hygiene. in colac malawi is— access to better hygiene. in colac malawi is among 31 countries hardest hit by— malawi is among 31 countries hardest hit by cholera. the malawi is among 31 countries hardest hit by cholera-— hit by cholera. the disease affects 1.3 million and 4 million _ hit by cholera. the disease affects 1.3 million and 4 million people i 1.3 million and a million people each year, causing 1a3,000 deaths. the world health organization has warned that the planet is witnessing a worrying upsurge in outbreaks with climate change adding to traditional triggers such as poverty and conflict. these students can only hope that the who sponsored vaccination programme under way in the country will provide a permanent

solution. critics say the move would give too much party critics and civil servants rather to mps. the government ancestry moving regulations will help to drive economic growth. bbc news has learned that leaders of the church of england will not back a plan to allow priests to conduct weddings for same—sex couples when they meet next month. gay marriage has been legal in england and wales since 2013 , but after a five year consultation on the issue, it's understood that bishops won't back a change in teaching. some showbiz news now — and madonna has announced a new tour this summer— to mark more than a0 years of hit singles. the best—selling female music artist in history used instagram to share a video teeing up the tour — which will take her to 35 cities, starting in vancouver. here's canadian entertainment journalist will reid on what he's hoping for.

there's three shows here in canada, very excited about that. i think looking at it, there's a lot we can expect including the scale of it. it is a return to form for her in the sense of pre—covid 19, she had done theatre shows for her madame x tour, before that she hadn't done stadiums, arenas, rather, since 2016. so it's a return to the massive scale we know from madonna. also the return of the stage because it has been four years since she's toured. there's a lot to look forward to on that front, but also, a0 years of hits to cover. that's a lot. there's very few artists still touring compared to that. so there's a lot to fit into the show and of course, we know that madonna has set the precedent for a lot of the pop stars that we know today in terms of the scale of the show, the content of the show, the boundary pushing. so i think we can expect it to be competing with a lot of younger artists we see today that she has influenced and who have said that they have been influenced by her. a french nun who was officially recognised as the world's oldest living person has died — at the age of 118. lucile randon was born ten

years before the start of the first world war. you are watching bbc news. hello again. for the last few days some of us have not seen snow at all and have had dry weather and sunshine but others have seen quite a bit of snow, today, further snow showers in the forward pass particularly in the north and west and still the rest of the ice. the cold air remains over the next few days, something milderfrom the atlantic will move across northern ireland, scotland and parts of england and wales at the weekend. not into the far south—east until sunday, possibly monday. a lot of dry weather once again today.

pressure down the north sea coastline could bring rain and sleet in the course, snow flurries inland. further snow across parts of scotland, northern ireland, north—west england, wales and the south—west. it will be windy in the west, east northeast and felt the take the edge of the temperatures, bitterly cold today. this evening and overnight under clear skies, temperatures will fall, low pressure clears away, further rain, sleet and slope across northern scotland, showers across northern ireland, northern england, wales and the south—east and in the midlands as well. widespread frost and the rest of ice on untreated surfaces. tomorrow, we have a system which is very close to cornwall, which could bring the old shower, another system moving south across scotland bringing more snow. snow showers in northern ireland and northern england, the midlands and also wales, a lot of dry weather and the

winds will not be as strong. temperatures tomorrow, 2 degrees in the north and miles are in the south—west, 7 degrees in the channel islands. into friday, still a lot of dry weather, variable amounts of cloud, a weather system not too far away from the south—west introducing rain times. temperatures up a little bit, 2 degrees, to 8 degrees. with the lighter winds if you are in the higher temperatures, the lighter winds if you are in the highertemperatures, it will the lighter winds if you are in the higher temperatures, it will not feel as cold. as we go through the weekend, mild air comes in from the west, it still remains cool in the south—east.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11: inflation — the rate at which prices are rising — slows for a second month in a row, but remains close to a a0—year high. there is still a long way to go in the battle against inflation. forfamilies up and down the country, they are seeing food price inflation of nearly 17%, and that is causing a massive hike in the cost of the weekly shop. ukraine's interior minister and his deputy are reported to be among 18 people killed in a helicopter crash in a suburb of kyiv. we are hoping to get more details soon, but ukrainian officials, president, government, regional governor, they do not yet comment on the possible causes.

here, thousands of nurses have begun a two—day strike over pay — affecting a quarter of hospital and community health services in england. church of england bishops won't allow that it might back a change to allow that it might back a change to allow same—sex couples. in tennis, defending men's champion rafa nadal is out of the australian open at the second round stage after defeat by american mackenzie mcdonald. inflation has slowed for a second month in a row, but the cost of living is still close to a a0 year high. the rate of price rises fell to 10 point 5% in the year leading up to december 2022,

that's down from 10 point 7% in november. the reason for that drop is due to fuel prices falling, along with the price of clothes and footwear. however, that drop is offset by rising costs in the hospitality industry, particularly restaurants and hotels. there's also been a big jump in air fares, and the cost of food also continued to rise. now although some analysts believe the cost of living might slowly be beginning to ease, that 10 point 5% figure is still way above the 2% the bank of england is supposed to be keeping inflation at. the chancellorjeremy hunt has welcomed the small dip in inflation, but said the government needs to stick to its plan to bring it down further. there is still a long way to go in the battle against inflation. any country anywhere in the world with inflation over 10% is seeing it at frankly dangerous levels for the stability of the economy. but forfamilies up

and down the country, they are seeing food price inflation of nearly 17%. that is causing a massive hike in the cost of a weekly shop. and what that really shows is for us and other countries, the most important thing is to stick to a plan to bring down inflation. the prime minister has said that he wants to halve inflation in the coming year and for families and businesses, it's absolutely essential to stick to that plan. our head of statistics robert cuffe is here. give us a bit more detail on those figures. first off we can show the audience just how far we still have to go, because we have seen from 10.7 down to 10.5, it's really not going to bring it all the way down, and even if inflation falls, prices are still rising. they are still 10.5% higher than they were a year ago. you can see how inflation has run over the

past number of years, that huge rise last year, what we're seeing on the far right at the chart is just a little ticked down in the last two months. that's driven by falls in petrol prices, they were running up may 190 a litre of petrol injuly, that down to more reasonable levels now. ok sales in december help, but it's really that the sales this year for clothes were ok, not great, the sales last year were rotten. so, it's only a slightly improvement on that point. so what's coming next? as you see for the uk, they are coming down. if you look across leading advanced economies, they are coming down as well. their problem past the peak, but the question is how quickly become down. projections from leading economists say hopefully half by the end of the year, so the prime minister is probably a on something that is likely to happen, but with talking about coming down not to 5% but to

2%, if you look at the chart we were looking at a couple of seconds ago, and remove it on to hopefully the next bit, you can see what happens if you take out the big things that have been driving that inflation. take away fuel, energy, the ukraine effect, you are left with inflation that still running about 6%. that is pretty high, and it will be harder to take those down to 2%. that suggested inflation is quite sticky, a lot of that is wages and things like that, they are still running at quite high levels of inflation as well. the reasons are that we are going the right direction, but may dots of a happy place. itide going the right direction, but may dots of a happy place.— going the right direction, but may dots of a happy place. we will have more on that _ dots of a happy place. we will have more on that in _ dots of a happy place. we will have more on that in a _ dots of a happy place. we will have more on that in a moment. - we can talk now to danni hewson, a financial analyst with aj bell. let me ask you first of all, what do you think about this? the first time

since the pandemic we have seen this very slight full inflation, but it is so tiny, does it really mean anything? ih is so tiny, does it really mean anything?— is so tiny, does it really mean an hint ? ., ,. ., anything? in the grand scheme of thins, to anything? in the grand scheme of things. to people _ anything? in the grand scheme of things, to people going _ anything? in the grand scheme of things, to people going out - anything? in the grand scheme of things, to people going out to - anything? in the grand scheme of things, to people going out to do| things, to people going out to do their weekly shop today, it doesn't mean anything at all, but it's the fact that we have seen inflation come down for two months in a row for the first time since the pandemic that i think a lot of people will grab hold of, and think it does suggest that the peak has finally passed. we did say inflation dropped in the summer ever so slightly, but of course it bounced back up again to record levels. if you are talking aboutjust people's cost of living, it's things like food, energy, despite the protection we have been given by the price cap from the government, those are things that people have to pay for, particular when it comes to food, they are things that are still going up. they are things that are still going u i . ., they are things that are still going u -. ., . they are things that are still going u i _ ., . . ., ., they are things that are still going

up. how much control does the government — up. how much control does the government have _ up. how much control does the government have in, _ up. how much control does the government have in, what - up. how much control does the government have in, what it i up. how much control does the l government have in, what it says up. how much control does the - government have in, what it says is their battle to bring down inflation?— their battle to bring down inflation? ,., their battle to bring down inflation? ., , �* inflation? the government doesn't have a huge _ inflation? the government doesn't have a huge amount _ inflation? the government doesn't have a huge amount of _ inflation? the government doesn't have a huge amount of control- inflation? the government doesn't have a huge amount of control in l inflation? the government doesn't i have a huge amount of control in the battle to bring down inflation. obviously those energy bills are a big part of this equation and we are expecting we are going to have to pay a substantial amount more in the spring, there is the rays of the cap and we lose the money we are getting on energy bills as well, the big party involved in trying to keep inflation down, to bring it to the 2% target that it's got to uphold as the bank of england. it is doing that by increasing interest rates. we have seen expectations of another half a percentage point increase in the meeting in februaryjump up from 75% to over 80% this morning after we had these inflation figures in. i think primarily that is because

inflation, as we were just hearing, is really sticky, and a lot of this is really sticky, and a lot of this is about wage increases. i know people will be sent, even if i'm getting a wage increase of over 6%, which is the average, it's not keeping up with inflation, but it does mean employers are having to pay for that somehow and what they are doing as they are putting up prices, and that of course just begins that loop all over again. so it feels as if this is a vicious cycle. how does one gets oneself out of it? ., , ., ., cycle. how does one gets oneself out of it? ._ ., ., , of it? the way we get out of it is basically to _ of it? the way we get out of it is basically to refuse _ of it? the way we get out of it is basically to refuse to _ of it? the way we get out of it is basically to refuse to pay - of it? the way we get out of it is basically to refuse to pay as - of it? the way we get out of it is l basically to refuse to pay as much for stuff. they always say the best cure for high prices is high prices themselves, because that certain point in time businesses and people just can't afford to buy things. however, we are already seeing signs that inflation will cool because of external issues. commodity prices have come down, we have producer

plate price inflation coming down, the amount would be in charge. when it is leading the factory door, we are seeing the reopening of china. a lot of people don't know which way thatis lot of people don't know which way that is going to fall, whether it is going to add to inflation or bring inflation down, it will increase the amount of goods flowing back and forth, and we know that disruption to supply chains has been a big part of it, but the x factor is just how much energy they will use, will they be looking to build infrastructure, will help push up commodity prices? that is the big question, but overall we are expecting that inflation will continue this downward trend, we just don't know what will happen of course in ukraine, and if there are any other things which make up part of the blue. �* , ., ,., blue. always good to get your

anal sis. you can get more on inflation, the cost of living crisis and what it means for you, also advice about how to deal with the cost of living crisis where you are on our website. president zelensky says the pain is unspeakable after this helicopter crash. there there were nine people — including mr monastyrsky — aboard the helicopter. some of those killed were on the ground. the regional governor said the aircraft came down near a kindergarten in the town of brovary, when children and staff were inside the building. at least three of the dead are children and about 29 others were injured. pupils and staff were in the kindergarten at the time of the crash, and had to evacuate

the burning building. a ukrainian presidential official said mr monastyrsky was travelling to a war zone when his helicopter crashed. our kyiv correspondentjames waterhouse gave us this update from the scene a short while ago well, it's a picture of devastation, to be honest with you. over my shoulder there is their kindergarten where there is smoke coming out of the roof, and thirds towards us there is a residential block, the rotary part of the helicopter, is stuck in the roof. there are three orfour stuck in the roof. there are three or four bodies we can see under foil blankets, and as you say, the human trauma is plain to see, and then there is the symbolic damage to ukraine, was one of the dead being the interior minister. he was a prominent minister in the cabinet. we would see him across the ukraine,

and he would travel by helicopter, which is the way they get around this vast country, and they fly at very low altitudes to stay out of the way of enemy fire. it is a misty day, but we don't really know the cause yet, and this is a reminder that while you have the fighting along a vast front line, there is no part of ukraine which can escape events, disasters, tragedies like this. this was once a battlefield, where russians tried to push on and the capital, they were ultimately repelled, but it's a very small town, another town in kyiv? orbit which is going through devastation

from the advance last year, with moments like this. you could tell, the perimeter has been pushed right back, and this could be felt by a lot of ukrainians, because each individual minister has seen it rise, they've all had to be extremely visible, attend briefings, attend scenes of devastation like this, so it is a very cruel outcome for denys monastyrskyy that he would lose his life in a crash such as this.

we have all the latest of elements, you can scroll down to see, that's on the website. we've also heard from mariia mezentseva, ukrainian mp for kharkiv and a friend of mr monastyrskyy, she spoke about his work and shared some of her memories of him we see the losses within the ministry of interior, which denys monastyrsky had chaired, just before this terrible incident, and three co—workers from the state emergency services, i can say he has always

been very active, passing many laws he travelled with the pm to paris, dealing with prevention or drug—taking, many other problems, he was responding 20 a7 to his colleagues, friends and family, and we will always remember him as a very bright, smiley, civil servants of ukraine, he was very close to president zelensky, i can say he was close to ministers, can only say

that the ministry was active from the 2ath of february, all of this brutal invasion of ukraine, they were dealing on a daily basis with the front line of the emergency, he worked on the promotion of istanbul, for instance, preventing violence against women, it was 2a/7, no rest, no day off, this is a key ministry in wartime, and this is definitely a big human loss for our team in the team of president zelensky and for every ukrainian, because he was a

bright person as well as those next to him, very energetic. i have no words. i'm trying to keep calm, but this is very hard, this is a tragedy for everyone. we hope we can get over it, but the details have to be given so we can judge who was possibly involved for he was responsible for this. patients in england are being warned to expect major disruption to nhs services today and tomorrow, as thousands of nurses stage a two—day strike in a dispute about pay. the strike is by members of the royal college of nursing, who want a pay rise 5% above inflation. the impact will vary depending on where you are — about one in every four hospitals and community health services in england will be affected. the strikes today and tomorrow follow two walk—outs last month. the biggest disruption is likely to be to pre—booked appointments

for procedures like knee and hip replacements — as well as community nursing. but gp practices will run as normal — as will community pharmacies and dentists. the advice is for anyone who hasn't been contacted to go to their appointment as normal. let's cross live now to our reporter in london. what is going on there? for a start, apologise, it's going to look slightly as though i'm eating a microphone because of the noise here. we have vehicles driving up noise here. we have vehicles driving up the busy road, we get this kind of reaction. these people, i will step away from the camera, if you look ahead, these people are all nurses, members of the royal college of nursing, they have around 300,000 members. one of the important point to remember is, although the request is for the 5% above that inflation,

and the retail price index, essentially a 19% pay rise, the royal college of nursing themselves have said actually there are be willing to negotiate on the 10% mark. the complaint is that the government is not really willing to entertain any discussions, because they say the independent body has already ruled on that. now, that is the politics. what i would like to know some of the personal. you work here, victoria? know some of the personal. you work here. victoria?— here, victoria? yes, i work at university _ here, victoria? yes, i work at university college _ here, victoria? yes, i work at university college hospital. l here, victoria? yes, i work at. university college hospital. my here, victoria? yes, i work at- university college hospital. my sign i university college hospital. my sign i made _ university college hospital. my sign i made yesterday, it's says whilst departed, — i made yesterday, it's says whilst departed, we save lives. during the pandemic— departed, we save lives. during the pandemic we were redeployed and we were not— pandemic we were redeployed and we were not having parties like number ten, were not having parties like number ten. we _ were not having parties like number ten, we were working here, trying to save as _ ten, we were working here, trying to save as many— ten, we were working here, trying to save as many people as we possibly can from _ save as many people as we possibly can from a — save as many people as we possibly can from a very stressful situation. i'd can from a very stressful situation. i'd like _ can from a very stressful situation. i'd like to— can from a very stressful situation. i'd like to know a bit about you and how this impacts you, but perhaps if

you could just explain, how do you feel about the patients who are not treating today?— treating today? yeah, it's very hard, treating today? yeah, it's very hard. i've _ treating today? yeah, it's very hard, i've been _ treating today? yeah, it's very hard, i've been in _ treating today? yeah, it's very hard, i've been in sa- treating today? yeah, it's very hard, i've been in sa for- treating today? yeah, it's very hard, i've been in sa for the i treating today? yeah, it's very l hard, i've been in sa for the last 20 years. — hard, i've been in sa for the last 20 years. so— hard, i've been in sa for the last 20 years, so it's very difficult for me today— 20 years, so it's very difficult for me today to be out here, but we have to fight _ me today to be out here, but we have to fight for— me today to be out here, but we have to fight for everybody. we know that our patients are safe inside, we have _ our patients are safe inside, we have minimum staffing levels today. what is _ have minimum staffing levels today. what is your struggle as far as the nurses, we know the politics, what about people who might ordinarily be turning up for routine procedures? obviously that is not our aim, we don't _ obviously that is not our aim, we don't want — obviously that is not our aim, we don't want things to be cancelled, we want _ don't want things to be cancelled, we want things to happen as normal as possible, to have our voices heard — as possible, to have our voices heard. ~ ., ., , ., , ., heard. what does all this do, the current pay _ heard. what does all this do, the current pay level, _ heard. what does all this do, the current pay level, to _ heard. what does all this do, the current pay level, to your - heard. what does all this do, the | current pay level, to your heating levels in food levels? are you getting on?— getting on? it's a struggle for man , getting on? it's a struggle for many. the — getting on? it's a struggle for many, the qualified _ getting on? it's a struggle for many, the qualified nurses i getting on? it's a struggle for| many, the qualified nurses are getting on? it's a struggle for i many, the qualified nurses are the backbone — many, the qualified nurses are the backbone of our health service, they struggle _ backbone of our health service, they struggle to _ backbone of our health service, they struggle to put the heating on, and for extra _

struggle to put the heating on, and for extra cash people it is working nonstop. — for extra cash people it is working nonstop, doing extra shifts to help with the _ nonstop, doing extra shifts to help with the cost of living. this nonstop, doing extra shifts to help with the cost of living.— with the cost of living. this is a story about _ with the cost of living. this is a story about people, _ with the cost of living. this is a | story about people, ultimately, with the cost of living. this is a i story about people, ultimately, we will be here, more view on bbc news and of course online on the website. thank you very much. you can see there is support on the ground for nurses. what about generally? i'm nowjoined by keiran pedley. he is the research director of public affairs at ipsos with expertise in political polling and public opinion research. thanks forjoining us. what are public attitudes towards the nurses strikes? is there support out there? i think the important point talk about strikes and trade unions and such not all strikes or industrial action are created equal. when we talk about nurses, teachers, firefighters and so on they tend to have more support than other professions such as barristers, civil servants and traffic wardens, this comes down to what people's

preconceived notions are. currently our polling shows that a5% of the public support the nurses going on strike this week. when we compare to past strikes in the last few months, thatis past strikes in the last few months, that is a softening of support. back in november, 59% supported nurses. what we are tending to find is that where support has fallen, it tends to be people becoming more undecided or neutral on the question rather than sort of mass opposition. as i say, the challenge for the government looking forward to is that there is a lot of sympathy generally for workers in the cost of living crisis, but particularly for nurses given how revered they are, and the nhs in general. interesting, the olls and the nhs in general. interesting, the polls found _ and the nhs in general. interesting, the polls found the _ and the nhs in general. interesting, the polls found the majority - and the nhs in general. interesting, the polls found the majority of i the polls found the majority of britons likely to see the government at fault here. britons likely to see the government at fault here-— at fault here. yes, one question was who blame — at fault here. yes, one question was who blame for— at fault here. yes, one question was who blame for this _ at fault here. yes, one question was who blame for this to _ at fault here. yes, one question was who blame for this to be _ at fault here. yes, one question was who blame for this to be going i at fault here. yes, one question was who blame for this to be going on i who blame for this to be going on for so long, we found that 57% of the public blamed the government,

while only 9% blame mostly the nurses, with the rest kind of thinking there is equal claim on both sides of that they are undecided. it's a real challenge for the government because even 38% of the government because even 38% of the people who voted conservative at the people who voted conservative at the last election are inclined to believe the government are multiple in the nurses, so i think itjust goes back to what we sow the beginning of the discussion, which is that when you look at the list of professions out there in the country, the public are some of the most sympathy is reserved for nurses, because of the pandemic and sacrifices that group of workers are seen to have made in that time, partly also just that people think nursing is a strong public good and they revere the nhs and so on, is having said that, one caveat with any strikes is depending on the level of disruption and how long things go on. we have seen support follows nurses declined somewhat over the past couple of months. even if that is more people moving

towards neutrality rather than a strong position, it shows how the picture can change over time, so in public opinion terms there are no blank cheques. public opinion terms there are no blank cheques-— public opinion terms there are no blank cheuues. ., ~ i. , . blank cheques. thank you very much. let's blank cheques. thank you very much. let's return — blank cheques. thank you very much. let's return to — blank cheques. thank you very much. let's return to the _ blank cheques. thank you very much. let's return to the news _ blank cheques. thank you very much. let's return to the news about - blank cheques. thank you very much. let's return to the news about the i let's return to the news about the helicopter crash in ukraine. our security correspondent frank gardner is here. when something like this happens in a country that is war, people want to establish what happened exactly as soon as they can. i was a terror, mechanicalfailure, sabotage as soon as they can. i was a terror, mechanical failure, sabotage and hostile fire. there is no indication at the moment that it was brought down by hostile fire. it was not a military helicopter. i've looked at the footage, it seems to be one that was delivered in the last nine

months, quite new, so it's perfectly possible that in foggy weather in the semi—darkness that the pilot simply didn't see an obstacle that was in his or her way, but we are going to have to wait for the results of the investigation. the silence so far from the russians. but i think if they had shut it down there would be crowing about it and trumpeting it on social media, because make no mistake, this is a big blow for the ukraine. the loss of the interior ministry is huge, already western leaders have been pouring out their condolences, ukraine's first lady who is that davos has got tears in her eyes. president zelensky has been talking about the tragic loss, so it is a big blow, but it does appear to be accidental. stand big blow, but it does appear to be accidental. �* ., , big blow, but it does appear to be accidental. . ., , , ., , accidental. and as you said, big blow for ukraine. _ accidental. and as you said, big blow for ukraine. he _ accidental. and as you said, big blow for ukraine. he was - accidental. and as you said, big blow for ukraine. he was very l accidental. and as you said, big i blow for ukraine. he was very close to the president, wasn't he?- to the president, wasn't he? yeah, not only close _ to the president, wasn't he? yeah, not only close to _ to the president, wasn't he? yeah, not only close to the _ to the president, wasn't he? yeah, not only close to the present, i to the president, wasn't he? yeah, not only close to the present, he i not only close to the present, he had been appointed the job

not only close to the present, he had been appointed thejob in not only close to the present, he had been appointed the job in 2021, but he had also met a lot of western leaders as well, who liked him, and said he was a friend of britain, a friend of the west. already there have been condolences from uk leaders. would it make a difference to ukraine's war effort? not really, no, but that said, the interior ministry has said that after the war effort it is the next most important wing of government, it's basically one that looks after security, police, intelligence... it’s one that looks after security, police, intelligence... it's like the home _ police, intelligence... it's like the home office, _ police, intelligence... it's like the home office, isn't - police, intelligence... it's like the home office, isn't it, i police, intelligence... it's like the home office, isn't it, in i police, intelligence... it's like. the home office, isn't it, in the uk? it the home office, isn't it, in the uk? , ~ ., ' . ., uk? it is like the home office, and to do all of— uk? it is like the home office, and to do all of that _ uk? it is like the home office, and to do all of that while _ uk? it is like the home office, and to do all of that while they - uk? it is like the home office, and to do all of that while they fight i uk? it is like the home office, and to do all of that while they fight a l to do all of that while they fight a war and try to repel this invasion, it's a very important ministry and they have had some purges early on where president zelensky sacked a number of people, interior ministry officials, minor ones we wouldn't have heard of, but in places where these were suspected of colluding

and collaborating with the russians, but it's notjust him and it's been killed, to deputy and various other officials, so the interior ministry has taken a huge hit from this, almost as if the effect is almost as if a cruise missile at it it while people were at work there. igrate if a cruise missile at it it while people were at work there. we are 'ust people were at work there. we are just getting _ people were at work there. we are just getting some _ people were at work there. we are just getting some news _ people were at work there. we are just getting some news on - people were at work there. we are just getting some news on that i just getting some news on that helicopter incident, the deputy head of the presidential office has corrected the earlier statement regarding the number of victims in the crash. he says the number of victims stands at 16, not 18 as previously said, but he says the rescue operation continues. 13 people hospitalised including 12 children. 16 people we believe to have lost their lives in this helicopter incident. bbc news has learned that leaders of the church of england will not propose marriage equality for same—sex couples

when they meet next month. gay marriage has been legal in england and wales since 2013, but after a five year consultation on the issue, it's understood that bishops won't back a change in teaching. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. over the next few days, some of us will continue to see some snow showers, but some of us will have a lot of dry weather and some sunshine. that's the case today. snow showers coming in across the north of scotland, some getting into northern ireland, wales, into the south—west, and the system pushing down the north sea will bring some sleet and some rain on the coast. if it moves inland we'll see some snow. but temperatures, although a little bit higher than yesterday, it's going to be windy today, so the wind chill will still make it feel cold, and the cold theme continues tonight under some clear skies, some rain, sleet and snow comes in across northern scotland, snow showers coming in across northern ireland, parts of northern england, wales, the south—west and the midlands. so, to start the day tomorrow, once again, there's the risk of ice on untreated surfaces, so you can see where we'll have some snow showers for a time.

further snow coming in across the north of scotland, one or two showers in the south—west, but a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine, temperatures 2 to about 7.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... inflation — the rate at which prices are rising — slows for a second month in a row but remains close to a a0—year high. ukraine's interior minister and his deputy appear to be among victims of helicopter crash nikki. here, thousands of nurses have begun a two—day strike over pay, affecting a quarter of hospital and community health services in england. church of england bishops won't back a change allowing priests to marry same—sex couples, sources tell the bbc.

and in tennis, defending men's champion rafa nadal is out of the australian open at the second round stage, after defeat by american mackenzie mcdonald. sport, and now for a full round up from the bbc sport centre. here's laura. good morning. some breaking news, the chinese snooker players suspended as part as an ongoing investigation have all been charged by the integrity unit of the w dps a, the sports world governing body. fixing matches, approaching players to cheat and betting on snooker. for more on this, we arejoined by betting on snooker. for more on this, we are joined by anti—swiss. for those who have not followed this story, who has not only been implicated but who has been charged? this is really significant use as you say. ten players have been

charged with either fixing matches or being concerned in fixing matches. all the players are from a real superpower on snooker over previous years. the investigation into corruption that snooker has ever seen. the snooker authority integrity unit have been looking into betting patterns around the world in those ten players include big names. a former winner of the english open has been concerned in fixing matches and approaching players to fix matches in the world snooker tour, as well as seeming to instruct the investigation. he was the first of the ten players to be suspended back in october. another big name has also been charged, he reached the former quarterfinals of the championship last year. the top 16 player. he has been charged with fixing map which is on the top

sticker world tour and fixing matches. in 2021, also a top 16 player, he has been charged with being concerned in fixing matches and betting on snooker. two others have both featured and have been charged with corruption as well, as have five less high—profile players. ten players in total charged with corruption. all currently suspended and they will face a forward hearing at a later date.— at a later date. what punishments are we looking _ at a later date. what punishments are we looking at _ at a later date. what punishments are we looking at here, _ at a later date. what punishments are we looking at here, and - at a later date. what punishments are we looking at here, and what. are we looking at here, and what will they do to the integrity of the sport? igrate will they do to the integrity of the sort? ~ ., , will they do to the integrity of the sort? ., , ,., will they do to the integrity of the sort? ., , sport? we have seen cases of match fixin: in sport? we have seen cases of match fixing in snooker _ sport? we have seen cases of match fixing in snooker before. _ sport? we have seen cases of match fixing in snooker before. china i fixing in snooker before. china player was banned from snooker for ten years. in 2013, england's stephen lee, who was one of the top players at the time was banned for

12 years. for match fixing. a lot of players would say they would like to see lifetime bans for anyone involved in match fixing, but there are complications with lifetime bans. snooker is concerned that such punishments could be challenged in court. but this is huge news. ten players charged with corruption. thank you very much for that update. defending champion, rafael nadal is out of the australian open after losing in the second round to world number 65 mackenzie mcdonald. he says he is mentally destroyed. the 36—year—old suffered what appeared to be a hip injury in the second set, crouching down, visibly in pain before seeking medical treatment. his wife was in tears. nadal showed his usual fight after but was still in discomfort, losing in straight sets, his earliest exit at the australian open in seven years, as macdonald the world number 65 moves into the third round. emma raducanu is also out of the australian open,

losing a fascinating battle dubbed the blockbuster tie of the second round, which ended in a straight sets to seventh seed coco gauff in melbourne. gauff controlled the opening set, her power helping her take that 6—3. there were fears raducanu was hampered by an injury, but she burst into life and forced the second set to a tie—break. the final rally epitomised the match, a battle between two of the best young players on the planet, but gauff edged it to knock raducanu out. it means the briton hasn't reached the third round of a grand slam since her stunning 2021 us open win. that's all this but for now. i'll be back shortly with another update. a tragic helicopter crash in the suburbs of kyiv. at least 16 people have been killed. we have been

seeing pictures from the scene where the helicopter crashed into a kindergarten, and hearing reactions from the scene. i will kyiv correspondent james waterhouse, we heard from him a little water and he has just sent to sir a new report. this is a picture of devastation of ukraine, in human sense, where this earlier this morning was kindergarten when parents were dropping their kids off before the helicopter came down. you can see part of the rotary blade that has come down there. and to the left here is a kindergarten, where smoke has been coming out of a roof. we don't know the cause yet, but this is a way that visitors get around at low altitude to stay out of enemy fire. to up to scenes of devastation

like this and he would travel by helicopter. it is devastating for president zelensky and his administration. it cuts right to the heart of the leadership to continue time of warand heart of the leadership to continue time of war and crisis for ukraine where ministers have had exaggerated profiles in the outbreak of this conflict. so, this will be a blow in that sense, and of course this is a reminder that there is no part of ukraine that can escape the trauma of loss of life, of damage and demonstrate —— and devastation. the international rescue committee and care of save the children have

resumed programmes of health and nutrition. the taliban said it... most aid agencies stop their aid agent efforts as a result. here is david wright as a spokesperson for save the children. the david wright as a spokesperson for save the children.— save the children. the band still remains in _ save the children. the band still remains in place. _ save the children. the band still remains in place. we _ save the children. the band still remains in place. we have i save the children. the band still remains in place. we have been| save the children. the band still i remains in place. we have been able to start some activities with ministries in certain provinces. this is going to be health and nutrition activities which are very important. they are life—saving activities. they are absolutely essential, and you know, you really want their humanitarian community upgrading capacity and capability to deal with the sheer amount of in that country. and we wouldn't be able to deal with it all. the government will be challenged in the commons today over plans to scrap thousands of eu—era

laws by the end of the year. critics say the move would give too much power to ministers and civil servants, rather than to parliament. the government insists that removing regulations would help to drive economic growth. craig bennett is chief executive of the wildlife trusts. i wanted to talk to you today because i want to make it clear to people watching at home, how is this going to affect uk wildlife? it eaiiiii going to affect uk wildlife? it will affect us in _ going to affect uk wildlife? it will affect us in so — going to affect uk wildlife? it will affect us in so many _ going to affect uk wildlife? it will affect us in so many different i going to affect uk wildlife? it ii affect us in so many different ways. these laws represent the absolute basis of protection for nature in this country, protection for trying to stop our rivers and beach is being too polluted. protection of our air pollution. even protection of harmful chemicals in the home. we are talking of well over 1000 bits of legislation here. the government does not even know how much they are talking about, but they are talking about scrapping them. itirui’hat talking about, but they are talking about scrapping them.— about scrapping them. what are the main issues — about scrapping them. what are the main issues that _ about scrapping them. what are the main issues that you _ about scrapping them. what are the main issues that you have _ about scrapping them. what are the main issues that you have about i about scrapping them. what are the i main issues that you have about what is going on? what are the main issues that you are worried about? it is anti—democratic. it is an

established law. this law today would give ministers the power to decide on a whim whether to keep or get rid of existing uk legislation. it should not be ministers that have that power. it should be parliament and only power parliament that has that power. secondly, we are really concerned about the impact of this in devolved nations. parliament is a devolved issue. so, even if the uk government says they can get rid of these legislations, but it is going to keep some of them, the scottish and welsh parliaments will have to go through their own processes to keep them and they are not mad about that. but the government in ireland doesn't exist at the moment. this will remove legislation in northern ireland at a time when there is no one in place in northern ireland to put them back in. there are huge concerns about this. in this big list, there will be legislation that we can't even track because we are talking about so many. yes we are

putting particular attention on some, like trying to reduce pollution on beaches and so on, but there are just far too many for deaf to look at over the months. if you can imagine, the government are looking at thousands of bits of legislation in months. they cannot do it. it is a deeply ideological bill and it is sharad and a joke that the government is saying that this is the process. the government has said that _ this is the process. the government has said that the _ this is the process. the government has said that the uk _ this is the process. the government has said that the uk is _ this is the process. the government has said that the uk is a _ this is the process. the government has said that the uk is a world - has said that the uk is a world leader in environment protection and it says it will not come at the expense of the uk's already house bandits and it will not be degraded. in black—and—white, here is a piece of legislation going through the final stages in the house of commons business which will remove this legislation unless the minister decides to keep it. that's what we really pay attention to. what is in black—and—white been put through the commons today, and that means far more than assurances from ministers.

they are saying they will protect and enhance standards. that promise is being brutally broken today. what is being brutally broken today. what is happening here, this is all about ideology. this was a billjumped up byjacob rees—mogg during the liz truss government, and i think we need to ask conservative mps to look at their conscience today and decide to do the right thing and keep these legislations or line up like tommy does behind jacob rees—mogg and vote for something that will remove some of our most precious wildlife protections. thank you for coming on the programme. thank you. jury selection has begun in california for a civil case against the tesla owner, elon musk. the case centres on two tweets which mr musk put out in 2018 which caused big fluctuations in the tesla share price. the case is considering whether those tweets constituted fraud. it's being brought by investors who say the tweets were materially false and cost them billions of dollars. mr musk has already

been fined $20 million by the american stock market regulator. he denies having been deceitful. our north america correspondent david willis has been following story and gave this update. this dates back more than four years to two tweets elon musk put out saying that he had reason to believe that he could acquire tesla, float it, basically, acquire it privately and that funding had been secured for that. the $70 billion in funding that was necessary. those two tweets caused the share price of the company to soar, only for it to plummet ten days later when it became clear that funding had indeed not been secured. now, that group of shareholders are suing elon musk and other former and current directors of tesla for undisclosed damages, claiming that basically

they committed fraud in share price manipulation. so what we have here is elon musk being sued by his investors for remarks that he made on a social media platform that he himself later acquired to the chagrin of many of the same investors. now, to many people, you don't have to be a tesla investor to find that all a little bit bizarre, but in the often wacky world of elon musk, it is just wednesday. the philippinejournalist and nobel peace prize winner maria ressa has been acquitted of tax evasion charges by a manila court. her news site, rappler, was also cleared of tax evasion. ms ressa, who was awarded the nobel prize alongside a russian journalist in 2021, is head of rappler, which earned a reputation for its in—depth reporting and tough scrutiny

of the former president rodrigo duterte. she was convicted in 2020 for libel and faces several other charges, which she says are politically motivated. she spoke to journalists outside the court. today, facts win. truth wins. justice wins. a brazen abuse of power... voice waivers. and meant to stop journalists from doing theirjobs, but these cases are where capital markets, where rule of law, where press freedom meet, right? so, this acquittal is notjust for rappler, it is for every

filipino who has ever been unjustly accused. when peter davies appeared on bbc breakfast after receiving his honour at new year, he captured viewers' hearts with his positive outlook on life. the ioo—year—old received the british empire medal for his work volunteering to help children to read at his local school. graham satchell went along to see him and meet some of the pupils who have been inspired by him. peter davies is 100 years old. twice a week he heads to his local primary school. as well as doing quite a bit of chuckling... good afternoon, year two. good afternoon, mr davies.

peter has been helping year two students with their reading. oh, come in, jo—jo. hey, how are you today? if i make a mistake, you get a point. when you read that one, if you made a mistake, i geta point. right, off you go. and those could help us in lots of ways. a boy was at sea with his family, he fell into the water. but he couldn't. .. could not swim. oh, the kids are great, they really are. they're so... they're like sponges. it's most important, i mean, to read and to be able to enjoy it. this is the thing, enjoy it. these dogs can find people who are trapped in very deep snow. is there no very? there's no very, is there? right, give yourself a mark. you're getting good at this game. 0ne—to—one time like this is priceless. the children's reading

and confidence has soared. some dogs visit hospitals to help people relax. and over time, friendships are made, secrets shared. i've been told, whose father says their mother snores when she's in bed at night and things like... some of the most, some of the parents would be aghast at what some of the kids tell me about their parents. but it's lovely to think that when i first get hold of them, some of them are very, very poor readers. and yet, you know, when they come to me after a term, how good readers they are. he is inspirational, he is generous, he is considerate, he is thoughtful. and he is somebody who has gifted his time for so many children over the last six years to instil a love of reading that we will never be able to say thank you.

peter started volunteering after his wife died. i'd been married for 72 years, and at that time i became something of a lost soul, you know? what was there... what was there in life? what was there worth living for? i only ever cried once, graham. and i was in hospital and i sat in a corner for about two or three minutes. and then i thought, "who are you crying for, davies?" i look back and think how lucky i was that i met the girl i did. because, i mean, within an hour of meeting her, i proposed marriage to her. and, you know, that was it. it's a gamble. and here again, you see, life's been good to me. i've come out tops.

the largest wooden aircraft ever constructed. the glider needs one of our largest four—engined bombers to tow it. peter has been lucky. he served in the army air corps in the war, ending up as a glider pilot. now there's a chunk of tiger moth aircraft that i managed to destroy. he crash—landed more than once and walked away. i happened to look forward, and i should have done that before, i assure you, but i looked forward and lo and behold, there was an aircraft on the ground in front of me that had just landed. so back came the stick, i shot up to about 50 or 60 feet, stalled and spun into the ground. and as i spun into the ground, the only thing that registered in my mind was how beautiful the buttercups looked in this grassy airfield, and they were getting bigger and bigger. and then the aircraft

just crashed around me. we got taken to hospital, we were pronounced fit, the two of us, and we had to walk back. and we're in full flying kit! ah, it's a great life. i may look fright... frightening, good. frightening. back at school, peter's next victim, as he calls them, is jacoby. i think he's a very special man that he's made it up to 100. little girl, please take me out of this zoo. i used to be very bad at reading, and now i'm really good at reading because he's helped me a lot. in the new years honours list, peter was given the british empire medal for his work as a reading volunteer, the oldest person on this year's list. what's the score? 2-1. who's got two? me! my first thought when i opened

the envelope and read the letter from the cabinet office was that this was some form of con. you know, i'm just a run of the mill guy, who just does something which has helped me get through my week. i enjoy it, i get more out of it than the children i'm sure do, plus the fact that my street cred is tremendous. because i'll be going anywhere in the village, as it were, and a child will shout out, "hello, mr davies!" and i feel ten feet high. it's a lovely, warm feeling. i belong, i belong. i'm not this old man who lives on his own. i'm part of the community, which is great.

thank you, mr davies! best teacher in the world! best reading teacher in the world! bye, bye, mr davies! well that is definitely the story we all read them need right now, isn't it? very heart—warming. a french nun who was officially recognised as the world's oldest living person has died at the age of 118. lucile randon was born ten years before the start of the first world war. she took holy orders in 1944, at the age of 40, and became known as sister andre. she lived through 21 us presidents and 30 british prime ministers, this and she survived a covid infection last year. a spokesman said she died in her sleep at a nursing home in toulon in the south of france. she said she tried to live by the code that people should help each other and love each other.

when she was asked about the secret of her longevity, she said, "only god knows." it's been a week since the golden globes, and it seems some of the stars who attended may have gone home with more than an award, because there appears to have been an outbreak of covid infections. several of the celebrities who were there have announced coronavirus infections, including collin farrell, brendan gleeson, jamie lee curtis and michelle pfeiffer. it's had a knock—on effect for other award ceremonies, with the critics choice awards, which were held last sunday, missing several high—profile stars, and even imposing covid test requirements for those who were still able to come. no—one is reported to have become seriously ill, and anyone who caught covid should be well again in time for the oscars, in march. prime minister's questions is due to start shortly in the house of

commons. lader is at westminster for us. the strikes are very much front and centre today.— us. the strikes are very much front and centre today. yes, we've heard very much — and centre today. yes, we've heard very much about — and centre today. yes, we've heard very much about the _ and centre today. yes, we've heard very much about the strikes - and centre today. yes, we've heard very much about the strikes in - very much about the strikes in previous sessions of prime minister is quick questions, so some discussion at least about that. the nurses strike in england today. a lot of questions about whether there is any progress been made between the government in talks with the health unions on any breakthrough to avoid strikes across the health service. the health minister today stephen barclay looking at how unions should look forward and does want to have constructive discussions, but it does seem from the tone we're hearing from both sides, that there is some initial optimism last week after talks between them, but that seems to have come to a bit of a standstill with no further progress. of course, we have had those inflation figures today as well. inflation is still running very high, in words from the

chancellor, jeremy hunt, saying that he doesn't want to do anything to jeopardise the central aim of the government to bring inflation down, which is the main issue for everyone. i think there was hoping government that lower inflation figures might give some room for manoeuvre, certainly where it talks about pay discussions next year, which the government is very keen to focus on. of course, a lot of disputes causing the strikes are focused on pay for the last financial year. so i think there is a lot to go on there for the labour leader kissed armour, given what we have seen today.— have seen today. questions from stehen have seen today. questions from stephen flynn — have seen today. questions from stephen flynn with _ have seen today. questions from stephen flynn with regard - have seen today. questions from stephen flynn with regard to - have seen today. questions from - stephen flynn with regard to general reforms in scotland. this stephen flynn with regard to general reforms in scotland.— reforms in scotland. this has been a hue reforms in scotland. this has been a huge exnlosive _ reforms in scotland. this has been a huge explosive issue _ reforms in scotland. this has been a huge explosive issue between - reforms in scotland. this has been a huge explosive issue between the i huge explosive issue between the government and the snp, and i think we should expect some questions on that around why the government is choosing to use section 35 order to stop that bill pass in the scottish

parliament from giving consent. plenty of serious issues for discussion at today's session. thank ou ve discussion at today's session. thank you very much _ discussion at today's session. thank you very much indeed. _ discussion at today's session. thank you very much indeed. we - discussion at today's session. thank you very much indeed. we await - you very much indeed. we await queuesin you very much indeed. we await queues in the next few minutes and we will bring that life do you hear on bbc news. it is very cold in many parts of the country. time now for a look at the weather with carol. cold air remains with us as we go through the next few days. it will move across northern ireland, scotland and parts of england and wales as we head through the weekend. not into the far south—east until perhaps sunday or monday. a lot of dry weather once again today.

pressure is getting down the north sea coastline could bring rain and sleet to the coast and snow flurries in line, but firstly snow to come across northern parts of scotland and showers across north—east england and wales in the south west. it is going to be windy in the west, the east in the north—east and that will bring down the temperatures. through this evening and overnight under clear skies, temperatures will be falling quite rapidly. low pressure clears away. there will be further rain, sleet and snow coming our way from scotland. showers coming in across northern ireland and england and one or two in the midlands as well. widespread frost again and also the risk of ice on untreated surfaces. through tomorrow, we have the system very close to cornwall, which could mean a shower for you, close to cornwall, which could mean a showerfor you, and close to cornwall, which could mean a shower for you, and another system across scotland bringing in some more snow. we could also see some more snow. we could also see some more snow. we could also see some more snow showers coming in across northern ireland, but you can see a

lot of dry weather and the winds won't be as strong. temperatures tomorrow still on the low side, two in the north and something a bit milder in the north—west. and the channel islands seven celsius. friday, still a lot of dry weather around. we have a weather system not too far away from the south—west introducing some rain at times. temperatures are up a little bit. we're looking at two to about six eight celsius. overnight, especially in higher temperatures, it won't feel as cold. as we go through the weekend, we can see how mild it is. it starts to come in from the west but will still remain cool in the south—east.

this is bbc news. the headlines: inflation — the rate at which prices are rising — slows for a second month in a row, but remains close to a ito—year high. ukraine's interior minister and his deputy are reported to be among more than a dozen people killed in a helicopter crash in a suburb of kyiv. here, thousands of nurses have begun a two—day strike over pay — affecting a quarter of hospital and community health services in england. we'll take your life to the house of commons shortly by rishi sunak will face premises questions.

we are about to go to the house of commons for prime minister's questions today. the prime minister is due to face questions in the house of commons from keir starmer and other mp5 at prime minister's questions shortly. the focus today will very much no doubt be the strikes. it comes against a backdrop of disruption to health services is nurses stage more strikes in england. currently we think one in every four hospitals and community services are affected by walk—outs by the royal college of nursing members as part of an ongoing row over improved patient safety and pay. i'm sure he will be facing questions on back. the prime minister previously said he had enormous respect and gratitude for nurses, let's have a listen.

truly sickening and our thoughts are with his victims. the police must address the failings in this case, restore public confidence and assure the safety of women and girls. there will be no place to hide for those who use their position to intimidate women's and girls or those who have failed to act to reprimand and remove those people unfit from office. this morning, i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. in addition to my duties in this house, i shall have further such meetings later today. i5 this house, i shall have further such meetings later today. is the ro'ect such meetings later today. is the proieet champion _ such meetings later today. is the project champion for— such meetings later today. is the project champion for the - such meetings later today. is the project champion for the north i project champion for the north midlands manufacturing corridor, next week, i am bringing together businesses, leaders and local councillors from across the region in parliament to set out to department for transport officials the importance of the a50 a500 corridor. the prime minister understands the importance of investing in our infrastructure, so was the urge government colleagues to attend the meeting and hear more about the benefits this strategy

would bring to our region? the government — would bring to our region? the government recognises the strategic importance of the a50— a500 corridor to the midlands and a final decision on this scheme will be made in a third road investment strategy, which will be published next year, but i know my honourable friend will be contacting ministers in the relevant departments to invite them to hear her case. keir relevant departments to invite them to hear her case.— relevant departments to invite them to hear her case._ can | to hear her case. keir starmer. can i 'oin with to hear her case. keir starmer. can lioin with the _ to hear her case. keir starmer. can i join with the prime _ to hear her case. keir starmer. can ijoin with the prime minister- to hear her case. keir starmer. can ijoin with the prime minister in - ijoin with the prime minister in his comments about the dreadful case of character. it is three minutes past 12 if somebody phones 999 now, because they have chest pains and stayed there it might be a heart attack, when would the prime minister expect an ambulance to arrive? it minister expect an ambulance to arrive? , ., , ,., , ., arrive? it is absolutely right that --eole arrive? it is absolutely right that people can reh! _ arrive? it is absolutely right that people can rely on _ arrive? it is absolutely right that people can rely on the _ arrive? it is absolutely right that. people can rely on the emergency services when they need them, and

thatis services when they need them, and that is why we are rapidly implementing measures to improve the delivery of ambulance times and urgent and emergency care, but i would say to the honourable gentleman, if he cares about ensuring that patients get access to life—saving emergency care they need it, why won't he support our minimum safety legislation? mr it, why won't he support our minimum safety legislation?— safety legislation? mr speaker, the prime minister _ safety legislation? mr speaker, the prime minister deflects _ safety legislation? mr speaker, the prime minister deflects all- safety legislation? mr speaker, the prime minister deflects all he - safety legislation? mr speaker, the prime minister deflects all he likes | prime minister deflects all he likes but, for the person suffering from chest pains, the clock started ticking straightaway and every minute counts. that is why the government says an ambulance should be there in 18 minutes. in that case, it would bejust be there in 18 minutes. in that case, it would be just about 20 past 12, and i know he doesn't want to answer the question i asked, so i am going to ask him again, when will that ambulance arrived?-

going to ask him again, when will that ambulance arrived? because of the extra funding _ that ambulance arrived? because of the extra funding we _ that ambulance arrived? because of the extra funding we are _ that ambulance arrived? because of the extra funding we are putting - that ambulance arrived? because of the extra funding we are putting in l the extra funding we are putting in to relieve pressure in urgent and emergency care departments, because of the investment we are putting in an ambulance call handling, we will improve ambulance times as we are recovering from the pandemic and the pressures of this winter, but i say again, because he makes my case for me, he describes the life—saving care that people desperately need, so why when, in other countries like france, spain, italy and others, why is he depriving people here of that care? he is he depriving people here of that care? ., , ., , , is he depriving people here of that care? ., _ ., ,�* ~ ., ., care? he obviously doesn't know or doesnt care? he obviously doesn't know or doesn't care- _ care? he obviously doesn't know or doesn't care- i _ care? he obviously doesn't know or doesn't care. i will— care? he obviously doesn't know or doesn't care. i will tell— care? he obviously doesn't know or doesn't care. i will tell him. - care? he obviously doesn't know or doesn't care. i will tell him. if- doesn't care. i will tell him. if our heart attack victim has called for an ambulance in peterborough at 12:03pm, it wouldn't arrive until ten part two. these are our constituents waiting for ambulances to dip if it was northampton, it wouldn't arrive... measurement order, order.

wouldn't arrive... measurement order. order-— wouldn't arrive... measurement order, order. ., ., ., ., ., order, order. you are going to have to behave better. _ order, order. you are going to have to behave better. i _ order, order. you are going to have to behave better. i am _ order, order. you are going to have to behave better. i am talking - order, order. you are going to have| to behave better. i am talking about our constituents. _ to behave better. i am talking about our constituents. if _ to behave better. i am talking about our constituents. if they _ to behave better. i am talking about our constituents. if they were - our constituents. if they were in northampton, it wouldn't arrive until 2:20pm. northampton, it wouldn't arrive until2:20pm. if northampton, it wouldn't arrive until 2:20pm. if they were in plymouth, it wouldn't arrive until 2:40pm. that is why someone who fears a heart attack waiting more than two and a half hours for an ambulance. not the worst case scenario, just the average weight. for one week, will he stop blaming others, take some responsibility and just admit, under his watch, the nhs is in crisis, isn't it? i just admit, under his watch, the nhs is in crisis, isn't it?— is in crisis, isn't it? i notice one lace is in crisis, isn't it? i notice one place the _ is in crisis, isn't it? i notice one place the honourable _ is in crisis, isn't it? i notice one | place the honourable gentleman didn't mention was wales. we know ambulance times are even worse than they are in england there. the reason that is the case is because this is not about politics. this is

about the fact that the nhs in scotland and wales and england is dealing with unprecedented challenges, recovering from covid, dealing with a virulent flu season and everyone is doing their best to bring down those white times, but again i will ask him, if he believes so much in improving ambulance wait times, why won't he support our minimum safety legislation? he won't answer any questions _ minimum safety legislation? he won't answer any questions and _ minimum safety legislation? he won't answer any questions and he - minimum safety legislation? he won't answer any questions and he won't . answer any questions and he won't take any responsibility. by 1pm, our heart attack victim is in a bad way. sweaty, dizzy, chest tightening. this is a heart attack, this is your constituent. by that time, they should be getting treatment. an hour after they have called 999, they are still lying, waiting, listening to the clock ticking. how does he think

they feel, knowing an ambulance could still be hours away? mr speaker. _ could still be hours away? mr speaker, the specific and practical things we are doing improve ambulance times are clear. we are investing more in urgent and emergency care create more bed capacity, we are ensuring the flow of patients through emergency care is faster than ever, we are discharging people at a record rate out of hospitals to ease the constraints they are facing, and we are reducing current rates by moving people out of tablet stacks and been dealt with in the community. these are practical steps that will make a difference in the short term but i ask again, and we know why, reason not putting patients first when it comes to ambulance waiting times is because he is simply in the pockets of his union paymasters. mr speaker, this isn't hypothetical. _ of his union paymasters. mr speaker, this isn't hypothetical. this _ of his union paymasters. mr speaker, this isn't hypothetical. this is - this isn't hypothetical. this is real life. stephanie from plymouth

was battling cancer. she collapsed at home. her mum rang 999. desperate for help. she only lived a couple of miles from the hospital but they couldn't prioritise her. she was 26. she died waiting for that ambulance. a young woman whose life was ended far too soon. i can't even fatten back pain. on behalf of stephanie and herfamily, will he stop back pain. on behalf of stephanie and her family, will he stop the excuses, stop shifting the blame, stop play political games and simply tell us when he will sort out these delays and get back to the 18 minute wait? at}! delays and get back to the 18 minute wait? . ., , delays and get back to the 18 minute wait? _, , ,, , ., .,, delays and get back to the 18 minute wait? , ,, ,., wait? of course, stephanie was case is a tragedy- — wait? of course, stephanie was case is a tragedy- of— wait? of course, stephanie was case is a tragedy. of course, _ wait? of course, stephanie was case is a tragedy. of course, people - wait? of course, stephanie was case is a tragedy. of course, people are l is a tragedy. of course, people are working as hard as they can to ensure people get the care they need. he talked about political games. a living example of playing

political games when it comes to people's health care. i've mentioned what is going on in wales. is he confident in the labour run wales nhs that nobody is suffering right now? of course they are, because the nhs everywhere is under pressure. we should be supporting those doctors and nurses to make the changes we are doing to bring the care to those people but i will ask this, it is so concerned about making sure that the stephanies of the future get the care they need, why is he denying those families the guarantee of emergency, life—saving care? 50 those families the guarantee of emergency, life-saving care? so that is his answer— emergency, life-saving care? so that is his answer to _ emergency, life-saving care? so that is his answer to stephanie's - emergency, life-saving care? so that is his answer to stephanie's family. l is his answer to stephanie's family. deflect, blame others, nevertake responsibility. just like last week, he won't say when he is going to deliver the basic minimum service levels people need. over the a0

minutes or so that these sessions tend to last, 700 people will call an ambulance. two will be reporting an ambulance. two will be reporting a heart attack. four will be reporting a stroke but, instead of the rapid help they need, many will wait and wait and wait. if he won't answer any questions, will he at least apologise for the lethal chaos under his watch? mr least apologise for the lethal chaos under his watch?— least apologise for the lethal chaos under his watch? mr speaker, he asks about the minimum _ under his watch? mr speaker, he asks about the minimum safety _ under his watch? mr speaker, he asks about the minimum safety levels. - under his watch? mr speaker, he asks about the minimum safety levels. we | about the minimum safety levels. we will deliver them as soon as we can pass them. why won't he vote for them? we are on them? we are delivering on the people priorities. as seen people priorities. as we have seen week, the honourable gentleman this week, the honourable gentleman will say anything if the politics suits him to dip it's as simple as that. he will break promises left, right and centre for the he promised

to nationalise public services. he promised a second referendum. he promised a second referendum. he promised to defend the mass migration of the eu and now we are led to believe... i migration of the eu and now we are led to believe. . ._ led to believe... i expect the front bench to keep _ led to believe... i expect the front bench to keep a _ led to believe... i expect the front bench to keep a little _ led to believe... i expect the front bench to keep a little quiet - bench to keep a little quiet because, if they don't,... mr speaker. _ because, if they don't,... mr speaker. if— because, if they don't,... mr speaker, if we _ because, if they don't,... m speaker, if we are going to deliver for the british people, people need strong convictions but, when it comes to the honourable gentleman, isn'tjust comes to the honourable gentleman, isn't just for the free movement of people, he also has the free movement of principles. on monday, the independent net zero review was published by my honourable friend, the memberfor kingswood. does my right honourable friend join me in welcoming many of those recommendations and, in particular, to provide clarity and

continuity to all those working to decarbonise our economy, especially those supporting shropshire climate action group in my constituency? i thank my honourable friend, the man for kingswood, but also pay tribute to my honourable friend for his work in this area. i'm pleased the report recognise the uk's leadership in tackling climate change. we have, as the report acknowledged, exceeded expectation to decarbonise and we are responding to the full range of the review�*s recommendations in the coming year. to the review's recommendations in the coming year-— coming year. to promise is one thin, to coming year. to promise is one thing. to keep _ coming year. to promise is one thing. to keep it— coming year. to promise is one thing, to keep it is _ coming year. to promise is one thing, to keep it is another. - coming year. to promise is one | thing, to keep it is another. the scottish cup and kept their manifesto promise to the people and, thanks to support from members of all political parties, in holyrood, the gr bill was passed. surely in

that context, the prime minister must recognise it is a dangerous moment for devolution when both he and, indeed, the leader of the opposition seek to overturn a promise made between scotland's politicians and scotland's people? centred on the legislation's consequences for reserved matters. as it is laid out on the scotland act which established the scottish parliament which the honourable gentleman talked about and is supported by the snp, this bill would have a significant adverse affect on uk why the qualities matters and so, the scottish secretary, with regret, has rightly acted. mr secretary, with regret, has rightly acted. ~ ., ~ , secretary, with regret, has rightly acted. ~ , ., acted. mr speaker, let me be crystal clear. this acted. mr speaker, let me be crystal clear- this is — acted. mr speaker, let me be crystal clear. this is the _ acted. mr speaker, let me be crystal clear. this is the conservative - clear. this is the conservative party is seeking to stoke a culture war against some of the most

marginalised in society and scotland's democracy is simply collateral damage. and on that issue of democracy let's reflect. on monday the uk government introduced legislation to ban the right to strike against the express wishes of the scottish government. on tuesday they introduced legislation to overturn the grr bill against the express wishes of the scottish government and this evening they will seek to put in place legislation that rips up thousands of eu protections against the express wishes of the scottish government. are we not now on a slippery slope from evolution to direct rule? slippery slope from evolution to direct role?— slippery slope from evolution to direct rule?— direct rule? no, mr speaker, of course we _ direct rule? no, mr speaker, of course we are — direct rule? no, mr speaker, of course we are not. _ direct rule? no, mr speaker, of course we are not. -- _ direct rule? no, mr speaker, of| course we are not. -- devolution direct rule? no, mr speaker, of- course we are not. -- devolution to course we are not. —— devolution to direct rule. this is about protecting uk wide legislation and ensuring the safety of women and children, not about the devolution settlement. i would urge the

honourable gentleman and his party to consider engaging with the uk government on this bill as we did before the legislation passed, so we can find a constructive way forward, in the interests of the people of scotland and of the united kingdom. the pair, education and support that children receiving their earliest years have the biggest impact on theirfuture years have the biggest impact on their future life outcomes, and that is why the affordability, accessibility and quality of childcare are so important for families, right across the country and yet despite significant investment by the uk government since 2010, a0 many families the system remains inflexible, complex and expensive so can i ask my right honourable friend to restate to this house is commitment to address this essential, pressing issue so that every child can have the best start in life. i every child can have the best start in life. ~' ., every child can have the best start in life. ~ ., , , ., .,, . every child can have the best start in life. ~ ., , , ., . ., in life. i know this is a topic that my honourable _ in life. i know this is a topic that my honourable friend _

in life. i know this is a topic that my honourable friend knows - in life. i know this is a topic that | my honourable friend knows well in life. i know this is a topic that - my honourable friend knows well from his own background and he is right, it is essential to access quality childcare which is why we provide every three and four—year—old with at least 15 hours a week of free childcare and we are considering plans to improve the cost, choice and of childcare whether insulting on ratios or supporting more people to become childminders. the transport _ to become childminders. iie: transport secretary to become childminders. tie: transport secretary implying to become childminders. ti2 transport secretary implying nhs workers are deliberately, i have secretary pitting dedicated nurses against vulnerable patients, does the prime minister expect the public to believe that the very people who have dedicated their lives to saving life and limb are so reckless or is it not the case that this government have pushed them to their absolute limit, and they have no other option but to strike? mr limit, and they have no other option but to strike?— but to strike? mr speaker, we have enormous respect _ but to strike? mr speaker, we have enormous respect and _ but to strike? mr speaker, we have enormous respect and gratitude - but to strike? mr speaker, we have enormous respect and gratitude forj enormous respect and gratitude for all public sector workers, especially those in the nhs, which is why we have backed them with not just record funding but also record

investment, more doctors and nurses, 15,000 more doctors, 30,000 more nurses add more life—saving equipment to help in theirjobs and we continue to engage constructively in dialogue with them.— we continue to engage constructively in dialogue with them. thank you, mr seaker. in dialogue with them. thank you, mr speaker- there _ in dialogue with them. thank you, mr speaker. there are _ in dialogue with them. thank you, mr speaker. there are a _ in dialogue with them. thank you, mr speaker. there are a great _ in dialogue with them. thank you, mr speaker. there are a great many - in dialogue with them. thank you, mr speaker. there are a great many cart| speaker. there are a great many cart dependent older and disabled constituents, many of whom are horrified to read that the mayor of london may have manipulated the outcome of... may have manipulated the outcome of his own consultation to impose an unwanted £12 50 daily charge, and every time they go to a medical appointment or attend hospital so does my right honourable agree that any further roll—out of ulez should be paused until these matters have been fully investigated? mr; matters have been fully investiiated? y ., ., investigated? my honourable friend has riihtl investigated? my honourable friend has rightly pointed _ investigated? my honourable friend has rightly pointed out _ investigated? my honourable friend has rightly pointed out that -

has rightly pointed out that transport is devolved to the labour mayor of london and it is disappointing that he back by the leader of the opposition is choosing not to listen to the public, expanding the zone against the overwhelming views of residents and businesses, and i urge the mayor to respond to these serious concerns. the prime minister showed his cards this week by ramming through the sacking nurses bill. he has literally gone from clapping nurses to sacking them. his transport secretary has said that the bill is unworkable and the education secretary has said that it is not needed. why does he still wanted the bill? ., , needed. why does he still wanted the bill? . , ., ., , ., bill? it was the labour party that shared their _ bill? it was the labour party that shared their cards _ bill? it was the labour party that shared their cards this _ bill? it was the labour party that shared their cards this week - bill? it was the labour party that | shared their cards this week when bill? it was the labour party that i shared their cards this week when it came to backing working people, buy, what i say to the honourable gentleman... what i say to the honourable gentleman, if he really

cares about supporting patients, if you really cares about children getting the education they receive, working people being able to go about their lives free from disruption, he should join in legislation that is in many other countries to ensure minimum safety levels on critical public services and get off the picket lines himself. ., ., himself. continuing a theme, evidence is _ himself. continuing a theme, evidence is now _ himself. continuing a theme, evidence is now very clear . himself. continuing a theme, | evidence is now very clear that himself. continuing a theme, - evidence is now very clear that the mayor of london's sham consultation has suppressed 5000 negative responses from members and supporters of fairfuel responses from members and supporters of fair fuel uk of which i am the appg chairman. this is a tax against my residence in south thanet, against the residents of kent, i guess all of the home counties. this is taxation without representation and with my right honourable friend assured me that he will do all he can to stop this because it is a tax that is a fellow

against a failed mayor's budget and they failed mayor. mi; against a failed mayor's budget and they failed mayor.— they failed mayor. my honourable ffiend they failed mayor. my honourable friend makes _ they failed mayor. my honourable friend makes an _ they failed mayor. my honourable friend makes an excellent, - they failed mayor. my honourable i friend makes an excellent, powerful point. the labour mayor is imposing a tax on a public that does not want it, he is right to highlight back and expanding this is not something communities want and i look forward to working with him to urge the mayor to properly consider and respond to all of these views and to stop this unfair tax. mr respond to all of these views and to stop this unfair tax.— stop this unfair tax. mr speaker, durini a stop this unfair tax. mr speaker, during a period _ stop this unfair tax. mr speaker, during a period of _ stop this unfair tax. mr speaker, during a period of 12 _ stop this unfair tax. mr speaker, during a period of 12 months - stop this unfair tax. mr speaker, during a period of 12 months twoj stop this unfair tax. mr speaker, i during a period of 12 months two of my constituents have lost their lives after being attacked by dangerous dogs. the ten—year—old boy and a senior citizens. fatalities have also occurred in other parts of the country. it is clear that the dangerous dogs act is woefully inadequate. the government has commissioned studies and has debated the subject at length, but it has done nothing. my question is, when will the government take action on

theissue will the government take action on the issue of dangerous dogs? the honourable _ the issue of dangerous dogs? the honourable gentleman raises a very important point and i am sorry to hear about the specific families that he mentions and we recognise that he mentions and we recognise that dog attacks can have horrific consequences and we take the issue incredibly seriously, which is why we have established a working group between police, local authorities and other key stakeholders, to consider all aspects of tackling a responsible dog ownership. our working group will make recommendations later this year and the government will respond promptly. mr the government will respond promptly-— the government will respond i-romtl. ~ ,, . promptly. mr speaker, the district council run — promptly. mr speaker, the district council run by _ promptly. mr speaker, the district council run by the _ promptly. mr speaker, the district council run by the conservatives i promptly. mr speaker, the district i council run by the conservatives has an excellent track record of delivering for my constituents while keeping council tax now. we have put in a bid to the levelling up fund and i know that money would make such an incredible difference to my constituents so will he use his good office to encourage the department for levelling up to look favourably on us this week. the

for levelling up to look favourably on us this week.— on us this week. the right honourable _ on us this week. the right honourable friend - on us this week. the right honourable friend has - on us this week. the right. honourable friend has been a stalwart champion for our community and in particular the levelling up fund bid which i never make a massive difference to her community and i wish her and her every success when we announced the next successful round of bidders that fund. many of my constituents in chesham and amersham are struggling to keep up with energy bills this winter. ~ , ., ., , winter. when they do fall behind, too often. — winter. when they do fall behind, too often, families _ winter. when they do fall behind, too often, families are _ winter. when they do fall behind, too often, families are punished l too often, families are punished by being switched to prepayment meters which are more expensive. which does nothing to help their financial situation. will the prime minister back our report to ban energy companies from forcibly installing prepayment meters and stop energy companies from switching smart meters over to prepayment meters, remotely. i meters over to prepayment meters, remotel . ., ., ., , , remotely. i want to assure the honourable — remotely. i want to assure the honourable lady _ remotely. i want to assure the honourable lady that - remotely. i want to assure the honourable lady that ofgem i remotely. i want to assure the i honourable lady that ofgem has specific regulations in place regarding the use of prepayment

meters and how energy companies should treat those who are struggling with our bills but what i am pleased to say is that her constituents will receive around £900 minimum support with energy bills this winter, as a result of the actions of this government. iiiiiiiili the actions of this government. will m ri i ht the actions of this government. ii. my right honourable friend join me in paying tribute and thanks to the several thousand people of the mod defence equipment and support in my abbie wood constituency who worked tirelessly to ensure that military equipment and supplies we are pledged to the people of ukraine are dispatched quickly and efficiently and does he agree with me that events in ukraine are a reminder yet again of the need to invest more in our own sovereign defence manufacturing capability? mi; manufacturing capability? my honourable friend makes an excellent point and i'm honourable friend makes an excellent pointand i'm happy honourable friend makes an excellent point and i'm happy to join honourable friend makes an excellent point and i'm happy tojoin in paying tribute to his constituents at the mod facility but work they are doing is making a critical difference in the fight to combat russian aggression in ukraine, and

thatis russian aggression in ukraine, and that is appreciated by the president of ukraine and its people. he is right also that it highlights the need for more investment which is why you are putting in £2a billion of investment to our armed forces but also increasing the amount of kit we manufacture here at home. thank you, mr speaker. it is almost the end of the day since the business secretary visited the british volt site and my constituency, promised the company £100 million and posted to the national media that he could not think of a better project, that better demonstrated levelling up. yesterday the company entered administration having received not a penny of financial support from the government. would the prime minister agreed with me that there is not a single project in the country that better demonstrates the government was not a lack of industrial strategy, failure of levelling up and abandonment of the north—east?

let me say my thoughts are with the company employees and families and we stand ready to support them. let me just say, outline what exactly has happened. we did offer significant support to british volt through the automotive transformation fund, a considerable amount of funding but, entirely reasonably, not something i expect the labour party to understand, that was conditional on the company receiving private investment as well, which i think was a sensible protection for taxpayers. unfortunately that did not materialise. it is completely wrong to take from that about what else is happening in the north—east. across the north—east there is new investment. in the new nissan plant, electric vehicle manufacturing, £1 billion of investment, in teesside on clean energy this government has and will deliver more jobs to the

north—east under this conservative administration. north-east under this conservative administration.— administration. thank you, mr sieaker. administration. thank you, mr speaker- the _ administration. thank you, mr speaker. the prime _ administration. thank you, mr speaker. the prime minister. administration. thank you, mrj speaker. the prime minister is administration. thank you, mr - speaker. the prime minister is more than a friendly business. as chancellor he listened to businesses in stoke—on—trent central, which has a wide range of manufacturing, fabrication and engineering excellence, and does he agree that drawing these activities is a vital strand of levelling up ambitions and could i invite him to revisit my constituency to meet with them? mi; constituency to meet with them? my honourable friend is an excellent champion for her constituents and particularly advanced manufacturing businesses which i have had the pleasure of visiting with her in the past. it is important we support those businesses on energy prices which we are doing through the announcement the chance recently made with regard to generous support for energy intensive industries and indeed they can also apply for up to £350 million of capital grant funding to help them make the transition to net zero. mr speaker,

when i had — transition to net zero. mr speaker, when i had breast _ transition to net zero. mr speaker, when i had breast cancer— transition to net zero. mr speaker, when i had breast cancer i - transition to net zero. mr speaker, when i had breast cancer i had - when i had breast cancer i had phenomenal nurses, when i had to be rushed to a&e, the ambulance crew looked after me and now they are on strike because no one is negotiating with them. for the first time the royal college of nursing has balloted and i are on strike today. i have spoken to the general secretary of the rcn, who is adamant she wants to end the dispute, she just needs a meeting with the prime minister. will the prime is to show leadership and meet with the rcn, yes or no? mr leadership and meet with the rcn, es or no? ~ ,,, ., ,, ., leadership and meet with the rcn, es or no? i ,,, ., «i ., yes or no? mr speaker, at the turn ofthe yes or no? mr speaker, at the turn of the year — yes or no? mr speaker, at the turn of the year the _ yes or no? mr speaker, at the turn of the year the government - yes or no? mr speaker, at the turn of the year the government wrote l yes or no? mr speaker, at the turn i of the year the government wrote to all unions including the rcn to invite them forfrank, all unions including the rcn to invite them for frank, open, all unions including the rcn to invite them forfrank, open, honest, two—way dialogue with the secretary of state, i am pleased at those meetings are happening in several sectors and i hope we can find a constructive way through this. b5 sectors and i hope we can find a constructive way through this. as we a- iroach constructive way through this. as we approach holocaust _ constructive way through this. as we approach holocaust memorial - constructive way through this. is "iii2 approach holocaust memorial day, colleagues can sign the early day

motion and book of commitment, and attend various commemorative services. i have to report some sad news to the house that the well—known holocaust survivor, rcn died, a survivor of auschwitz, and other concentration camps, he spent his luck —— ziggy schiffer died. respect is now spreading his message of hope to young people. well my honourable friend join me in thanking ziggy for his message and his life, which is vitally important as we sit here today, do not hate. mr speaker, iam as we sit here today, do not hate. mr speaker, i am very sorry to learn that rcn has passed away and my thoughts are with his family. i know he was a man with —— that ziggy has died. i pay tribute to him for his work and that of all holocaust survivors who have bravely shared testimony. we must neverforget

survivors who have bravely shared testimony. we must never forget the holocaust. as my honourable friend rightly said, i know the whole house willjoin me in echoing ziggy�*s message which is poignant and accurate, do not hate. will the prime ministerjoin his conservative predecessors in going to the nhs to project which is manchester, or does he still believed that investment should be taken for poorer areas in the north and giving today more affluent of kent? this government is investing record sums in transport infrastructure across the country but especially the north and midlands, with the integrated rail plan, which will improve journey times east—west across the north and connectivity in the east midlands. it's a record we are proud of and we will get on with delivering it. are proud of and we will get on with delivering it— delivering it. there has been a 40% increase in patients _ delivering it. there has been a 40% increase in patients on _ delivering it. there has been a 40% increase in patients on role - delivering it. there has been a 40% increase in patients on role with - increase in patients on role with gps in biggleswade in the last 15

years but last week proposal for a biggleswade health hub were not progress despite financial support from conservative controlled central bedfordshire council, so can my honourable friend advise me what is the status of our manifesto commitment for infrastructure first, and will he and his ministers worked with me to bring together the various parts of the nhs to bring biggleswade health hub back on track? i biggleswade health hub back on track? ., , ., , _ ., ., ., , track? i would be happy to organise a meetini track? i would be happy to organise a meeting for— track? i would be happy to organise a meeting for the _ track? i would be happy to organise a meeting for the honourable - a meeting for the honourable gentleman to discuss how to progress his project. he is right about the importance of primary care. there is more investment going in and we want to make sure it works for his constituency and i look forward to arranging a meeting with him with the relevant minister. the arranging a meeting with him with the relevant minister.— the relevant minister. the prime minister is _ the relevant minister. the prime minister is well _ the relevant minister. the prime minister is well aware _ the relevant minister. the prime minister is well aware of - the relevant minister. the prime minister is well aware of the - minister is well aware of the injustice of prepayment meters, and he commented on it earlier, because it is long—standing, higher tariffs and higher standing charges. what has he allowed a situation where hundreds of thousands have been

forced into that pen jury at a time when winter is upon us and prices are rocketing, and we face a situation of 8.a million people facing fuel poverty in april? all he requires to do is to instruct through himself or administer ofgem to ensure there is an equalisation of tariffs between debit and credit at all so that his government takes steps to provide fund for those who have seen that arise because of his government but were failures. will he enter that manifest injustice where the poor pay most? i think that proposal _ where the poor pay most? i think that proposal would _ where the poor pay most? i think that proposal would also - where the poor pay most? i think that proposal would also increase bills for many millions of families so i am not sure it is the right approach but we are providing about £900 of specific support with all families' energy bills this winter. there is target support for the most vulnerable which is absolute the right thing to do, and as the chancellor has announced we are consulting on what the best thing to do is going forward, including options like a social tariff as part

of our wider reforms to the retail energy market. of our wider reforms to the retail energy market-— of our wider reforms to the retail energy market. every single country in the g7 requires _ energy market. every single country in the g7 requires some _ energy market. every single country in the g7 requires some level - energy market. every single country in the g7 requires some level of - in the g7 requires some level of minimum service to be provided when structs take place in essential public services, often with laws that go much further than that. does my right honourable friend agree the british people should be entitled to the same basic level of protection when structs take place in the services and does he think the former labour prime minister tony blair had a point when he said last year the defect of the birth of the labour party was its tie to organised labour? mi; labour party was its tie to orianised labour? g ., ., ., , organised labour? my honourable friend iut organised labour? my honourable friend put it _ organised labour? my honourable friend put it well, _ organised labour? my honourable friend put it well, but _ organised labour? my honourable friend put it well, but she - organised labour? my honourable friend put it well, but she is - organised labour? my honourable friend put it well, but she is right| friend put it well, but she is right to make the point that what we are proposing is in line with the majority of other countries around the world. many countries ban structs in blue light services altogether. we are not doing that. we arejoining altogether. we are not doing that. we are joining countries across europe and having minimum safety laws which i think reasonably the public would expect to have a level

of emergency life—saving care in the event of strikes. i think that their common sense and reasonable position and we all know why the party opposite can't bring themselves to support it. opposite can't bring themselves to sm iort it. , ., support it. this month, the honourable _ support it. this month, the honourable member. - support it. this month, the honourable member. in i support it. this month, the honourable member. in an| support it. this month, the - honourable member. in an open was forced to pay millions to hmrc in a tax dispute. was the parameter aware of that when he appointed him chair of that when he appointed him chair of the conservative party? will he demand accountability from his cabinet about their tax affairs? mi; cabinet about their tax affairs? m honourable friend cabinet about their tax affairs? m; honourable friend is really addressed this matter in full and there is nothing more i can add. ii there is nothing more i can add. if i may, iwould there is nothing more i can add. if i may, i would like to put on record this house was a brick at the tragic death this morning of our friend, this house was a brick at the tragic death this morning of ourfriend, a minute in ukraine at all those killed in that tragic accident. turning to our local affairs, i

understand the government is in the final furlongs of giving out its levelling up bids and i must ask him to look kindly on building a borough market in the midlands and a mini tech hub spin in rutland. will rural areas also be left up? i tech hub spin in rutland. will rural areas also be left up?— areas also be left up? i 'oin with my honourable h areas also be left up? i 'oin with my honourable friend _ areas also be left up? ijoin with my honourable friend in - areas also be left up? ijoin with my honourable friend in paying l my honourable friend in paying tribute to the family of the interior minister in ukraine and i know our thoughts will be with him in this difficult time and i can confirm to her this government believes levelling up should apply equally everywhere across the uk, urban and rural communities up and down the country will get the benefit of having the investment they deserve, making sure we can spread opportunity and ensure everyone has pride in the place they call home. ., ., call home. david cameron said the scottish parliament _ call home. david cameron said the scottish parliament was _ call home. david cameron said the scottish parliament was one - call home. david cameron said the scottish parliament was one of- call home. david cameron said the scottish parliament was one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world yet the prime minister to use to block their clear mandate to use to block their clear mandate to allow scots choose their own future and on monday he set out to

deny scottish workers the right to strike, despite overwhelming scottish parliament opposition, and on tuesday he said the secretary of state for scotland to block an act of the scottish parliament voted for by 70% of msps, including tories philip that he still think david cameron but look ridiculous assertion holds any water? there have been _ assertion holds any water? there have been 347 — assertion holds any water? there have been 347 acts _ assertion holds any water? there have been 347 acts passed - assertion holds any water? there have been 347 acts passed by - assertion holds any water? there| have been 347 acts passed by the have been 3a7 acts passed by the scottish parliament, which is undeniably one of the most powerful devolved legislatures in the world. in this exceptional case, it is clear that the act does have adverse consequences for uk wide equalities legislation so, in those very exceptional circumstances, the scottish secretary has regretfully taken the decision to block parts of the legislation but, as i said, we want to engage in a dialogue with the scottish government to ensure we can find a constructive way through.

the british people rightly expect us to be able to control our borders so i was pleased the prime minister made a priority the need to stop the boats in the channel. can he reassure me and my constituents in newcastle—under—lyme that not only will he increase patrols on the french bridges but he will ensure that people make the dangerous journey are removed? mi; that people make the dangerous journey are removed? my honourable friend is right — journey are removed? my honourable friend is right this _ journey are removed? my honourable friend is right this is _ journey are removed? my honourable friend is right this is a _ journey are removed? my honourable friend is right this is a priority - friend is right this is a priority for all my constituents and he is right to highlight the new deal for france which increases bondage patrols on french beaches by a0% and, as he said, we must go further to solve this problem once and for all, which means introducing new legislation that makes it unequivocally clear that, if you enter the uk illegally, you should not be able to stay here but instead will be swiftly detained and removed.

i just what more does the foreign office know if his involvement in this grave act of ethnic cleansing? mr speaker, the uk government position has been clear on this and their sons changed. of course we don't tolerate persecution anywhere, but i'm not sure i agree at all with the proposition put forward. that comiletes the proposition put forward. that completes prime _ the proposition put forward. that completes prime minister's

questions. that is the conclusion of prime minister's questions there. the prime minister asking a question from an mp on the indian prime minister. no real surprises there, leila, in terms of what we are going to be hearing from the prime minister on various issues today. iigie minister on various issues today. we were minister on various issues today. 2 were talking before about how we expected case reference the strikes. we expected it, but i think it was interesting how the two leaders approached the issue. kay starmer was talking about the ambulance service and waiting times for patients waiting for an ambulance across the country, drawing attention to specific cases, including the case of a woman in plymouth. he wanted to talk about the waiting times in general, about people waiting hours for an

ambulance and well in excess of the target times. the prime minister however was drawing kay starmer into however was drawing kay starmer into how he would respond to safety levels and strike action. kay starmer pressing rishi sunak on why there was such waiting times in the ambulance service. rishi sunak drawing attention to the money he was putting into the health service and saying it was on and dare unprecedented pressure because of backlogs through covid—19. i think his starmer quite effective in his drawing attention to just how long people awaiting for ambulance times. questions of course as we expected from stephen flynn on the government's blocking of their the reform bill in scotland. he called it in a dangerous movement in his

work on devolution, and said they were talking about a slippery slope from the devolution to direct rule. rishi sunak saying this was an additional thing you faced on this issue. he described this as an exception should not case and a regrettable issue. he said it was rested on the ledges relative concerns on reserved matters for the uk and quality legislation. a very contentious issue they're being by the smp leader, stephen flynn, but in the main quite familiar territory on strikes and contentious issues between reducing act and kay starmer. patients in england are being warned to expect major disruption to nhs services today and tomorrow, as thousands of nurses stage a two—day strike in a dispute about pay. the strike is by members of the royal college of nursing, who want a pay

rise 5% above inflation. the impact will vary depending on where you are — about one in every four hospitals and community health services in england is affected. the strikes today and tomorrow follow two walk—outs last month. the biggest disruption is likely to be to pre—booked appointments for procedures like knee and hip replacements, as well as community nursing. but gp practices will run as normal, as will community pharmacies and dentists. the advice is for anyone who hasn't been contacted to go to their appointment as normal. our correspondent sean daly spoke to us from university hospital in london earlier.— us from university hospital in london earlier. these people. i'm ioiin to london earlier. these people. i'm going to step— london earlier. these people. i'm going to step away _ london earlier. these people. i'm going to step away from - london earlier. these people. i'm going to step away from the - london earlier. these people. i'm i going to step away from the camera. if you look ahead, these people are all nurses and members of the royal couege all nurses and members of the royal college of nursing. they have about 3000 members. one of the important points to remember is that although the request is for the 5% above that inflation retail price index, so

essentially a 19% pay rise, the royal college of nursing themselves have said that actually they would be able to renegotiate around the 10% mark. they say the government is not really willing to entertain any discussion about the current rate of pay because they say that their independent body has already ruled on that. that's the politics. what i would like to know some of the personal. victoria is a geriatric nurse. tell us about tell us about your sign. it nurse. tell us about tell us about our sin , ., nurse. tell us about tell us about our sin ,.,, nurse. tell us about tell us about your sign-— your sign. it is a sign are made yesterday- _ your sign. it is a sign are made yesterday. from _ your sign. it is a sign are made yesterday. from hero - your sign. it is a sign are made yesterday. from hero to - your sign. it is a sign are made yesterday. from hero to zero. | your sign. it is a sign are made i yesterday. from hero to zero. all through the pandemic we were redeployed through different departments, and we were not having parties like number ten, we were working here to save as many people as we possibly could through a very stressful situation. it! as we possibly could through a very stressful situation.— stressful situation. i'd like to know about _ stressful situation. i'd like to know about you _ stressful situation. i'd like to know about you and - stressful situation. i'd like to know about you and how - stressful situation. i'd like to know about you and how thisj stressful situation. i'd like to - know about you and how this impacts you. perhaps you could just explain how you feel about the patients

you're not treating today. it’s how you feel about the patients you're not treating today. it's very hard. i've been _ you're not treating today. it's very hard. i've been a _ you're not treating today. it's very hard. i've been a nurse _ you're not treating today. it's very hard. i've been a nurse over- you're not treating today. it's very hard. i've been a nurse over the l hard. i've been a nurse over the past 20 years so it is very difficult for me today to be up here. but we have to fight everybody. for underqualified or over nurses. everybody. for underqualified or over nurses-— everybody. for underqualified or over nurses. what is your struggle as far as the _ over nurses. what is your struggle as far as the patients _ over nurses. what is your struggle as far as the patients you - over nurses. what is your struggle as far as the patients you are - over nurses. what is your struggle as far as the patients you are not i as far as the patients you are not treating? what would you like to say to the people who might ordinarily be turning up for a routine procedure is?— be turning up for a routine procedure is? be turning up for a routine irocedure is? , ., , , ., procedure is? obviously, that was not our aim _ procedure is? obviously, that was not our aim and _ procedure is? obviously, that was not our aim and we _ procedure is? obviously, that was not our aim and we didn't - procedure is? obviously, that was not our aim and we didn't want i not our aim and we didn't want things to be cancelled, and we want things to be cancelled, and we want things to be cancelled, and we want things to run as normal as possible, but this is the only way to get our voices heard.— voices heard. how you getting on with the mus? — voices heard. how you getting on with the bills? it _ voices heard. how you getting on with the bills? it is _ voices heard. how you getting on with the bills? it is a _ voices heard. how you getting on with the bills? it is a struggle - voices heard. how you getting on with the bills? it is a struggle for| with the bills? it is a struggle for many people- — with the bills? it is a struggle for many people. people _ with the bills? it is a struggle for many people. people are - with the bills? it is a struggle for many people. people are having | with the bills? it is a struggle for. many people. people are having to use food banks, people are negotiating whether they can put the heating on. and to get extra cash, people are just working nonstop to

get extras shifts to get help with their cost of living. this get extras shifts to get help with their cost of living.— their cost of living. this is a story about _ their cost of living. this is a story about b _ their cost of living. this is a story about b ultimately - their cost of living. this is a i story about b ultimately here their cost of living. this is a - story about b ultimately here and across the uk. we will be online on the bbc website. i'm nowjoined by simon sapper. he is a former negotiator with the trade union prospect and also with the communications workers' union. he currently runs an industrial relations consultancy. thank you forjoining us. how do you see these negotiations playing out. if we are talking particularly about the negotiations in the health sector, not very well, i have to say. on the one hand, you have nurses that don't want to go on strike. they are crossing... they are walking across shattered glass with bare feet, and some of them of judge that that is the only thing they can do in the circumstances. the leadership saying they are willing to negotiate. and the government saying that they seem to be accelerating costs... so unless

there is a concerted effort by both sides, and i see the rcn doing it, but i don't hear government ministers doing it, to create space for constructive and genuine can discussions for those concerned, it's going to get worse before it gets better. it's going to get worse before it gets better-— it's going to get worse before it iets better. ~ , ., , ., «i gets better. why do you think the government _ gets better. why do you think the government are _ gets better. why do you think the government are playing _ gets better. why do you think the government are playing it - gets better. why do you think the government are playing it this - gets better. why do you think the l government are playing it this way? that is a really good question. i think the government is so averse to taking advice from people like me or people who have got a more rounded view of these things, that you could be open to the suggestion that they're not really interested. certainly they don't seem to be interested, from the way they behave, and that's just not going to work. the rcn and many other unions have had overwhelming majority routine values in terms of turnout and industrial action. itjust shows how angry and frustrated all members

of those unions are. you cannot legislate your way out of this, you have to negotiate.— have to negotiate. those talking from the government, _ have to negotiate. those talking from the government, save - have to negotiate. those talking from the government, save the | from the government, save the government has to pressure and gives pay rise to the nurses, it may encourage other unions to continue with their strikes. i encourage other unions to continue with their strikes.— with their strikes. i think you have to look around _ with their strikes. i think you have to look around and _ with their strikes. i think you have to look around and you _ with their strikes. i think you have to look around and you can - with their strikes. i think you have to look around and you can see i with their strikes. i think you have i to look around and you can see that there are workers that are already sick cured inflation might chink payment settlements. baggage handlers at luton airport. i think the only incentive vacation to go by this dance is one of disappointment and frustration. why won't people get round the table and negotiate and to have a genuine dialogue to address the issues of concern. that frustration is going to do is —— to drive these disputes forward. you have a lot of _ drive these disputes forward. you have a lot of experience in said trade union official and someone who advises people. if you were advising

the government now, what would you be saying? i the government now, what would you be sa ini ? .. the government now, what would you be sa ini ? «i ., be saying? i think the government the problem _ be saying? i think the government the problem is _ be saying? i think the government the problem is the _ be saying? i think the government the problem is the government. be saying? i think the government the problem is the government is| be saying? i think the government i the problem is the government is not seeking advice. my message for the government would be quite clear. you cannot legislate your way out of it. it is addressing it in terms of parliament, it has got to be a negotiation settlement and the negotiations have to bring in all theissues negotiations have to bring in all the issues of concern, notjust of the issues of concern, notjust of the government but of the workers and the unions as well. i the government but of the workers and the unions as well.— and the unions as well. i was told earlier there _ and the unions as well. i was told earlier there is _ and the unions as well. i was told earlier there is still _ and the unions as well. i was told earlier there is still a _ and the unions as well. i was told earlier there is still a lot - and the unions as well. i was told earlier there is still a lot of - earlier there is still a lot of support out there particularly for workers strikes. in the latest poll that was shown. is that it make a difference to how the government view things or not? it difference to how the government view things or not?— view things or not? it should do, but it doesn't _ view things or not? it should do, but it doesn't seem _ view things or not? it should do, but it doesn't seem too, - view things or not? it should do, but it doesn't seem too, does i view things or not? it should do, | but it doesn't seem too, does it? clearly, the service uses that are being disrupted themselves, as saying we understand why nurses,

ambulance workers and others are doing this. we have empathy with them. we need we think there needs to be a solution. so the really does need to step back from the precipice and stop digging a hole, stop waiting sticks, just get round the table and start talking. goad waiting sticks, just get round the table and start talking.— table and start talking. good to talk to you- _ table and start talking. good to talk to you. thank _ table and start talking. good to talk to you. thank you - table and start talking. good to talk to you. thank you for - table and start talking. good to | talk to you. thank you for taking the time to speak to us today. inflation has slowed for a second month in a row, but the cost of living is still close to a a0—year high. the rate of price rises fell to 10.5% in the year leading up to december 2022 — that's down from 10.7% in november. the reason for that drop is due to fuel prices falling, along with the price of clothes and footwear. however, that drop is offset by rising costs in the hospitality industry, particularly restaurants and hotels. there's also been a big jump in air fares and the cost of food

also continued to rise. now, although some analysts believe the cost of living might slowly be beginning to ease, that 10.5% figure is still way above the 2% the bank of england is supposed to be keeping inflation at. officials have told the bbc that the country's interior minister, denys monastyrsky, and his deputy are among at least 16 people who've been killed. president zelensky says "the pain is unspeakable". when peter davies appeared on the bbc after receiving an award in the new year's honours list, he captured viewers' hearts with his positive outlook on life. the 100—year—old was given the british empire medal for his work volunteering to help children to read at his local school. our reporter graham satchell went along to see him and meet some of the pupils who have been

inspired by him. peter davies is 100 years old. twice a week he heads to his local primary school. as well as doing quite a bit of chuckling... good afternoon, year two. good afternoon, mr davies. peter has been helping year two students with their reading. oh, come in, jo—jo. hey, how are you today? if i make a mistake, you get a point. when you read that one, if you made a mistake, i geta point. right, off you go. and those could help us in lots of ways. a boy was at sea with his family, he fell into the water. but he couldn't. .. could not swim. oh, the kids are great, they really are. they're so... they're like sponges. it's most important, i mean,

to read and to be able to enjoy it. this is the thing, enjoy it. these dogs can find people who are trapped in very deep snow. is there no very? there's no very, is there? right, give yourself a mark. you're getting good at this game. one—to—one time like this is priceless. the children's reading and confidence has soared. some dogs visit hospitals to help people relax. and over time, friendships are made, secrets shared. i've been told, whose father says their mother snores when she's in bed at night and things like... some of the most, some of the parents would be aghast at what some of the kids tell me about their parents. but it's lovely to think that when i first get hold of them, some of them are very, very poor readers. and yet, you know, when they come

to me after a term, how good readers they are. he is inspirational, he is generous, he is considerate, he is thoughtful. and he is somebody who has gifted his time for so many children over the last six years to instil a love of reading that we will never be able to say thank you. peter started volunteering after his wife died. i'd been married for 72 years, and at that time i became something of a lost soul, you know? what was there... what was there in life? what was there worth living for? i only ever cried once, graham. and i was in hospital and i sat in a corner for about two or three minutes. and then i thought,

"who are you crying for, davies?" i look back and think how lucky i was that i met the girl i did. because, i mean, within an hour of meeting her, i proposed marriage to her. and, you know, that was it. it's a gamble. and here again, you see, life's been good to me. i've come out tops. the largest wooden aircraft ever constructed. the glider needs one of our largest four—engined bombers to tow it. peter has been lucky. he served in the army air corps in the war, ending up as a glider pilot. now there's a chunk of tiger moth aircraft that i managed to destroy. he crash—landed more than once and walked away. i happened to look forward, and i should have done that before, i assure you, but i looked forward and lo and behold, there was an aircraft on the ground

in front of me that had just landed. so back came the stick, i shot up to about 50 or 60 feet, stalled and spun into the ground. and as i spun into the ground, the only thing that registered in my mind was how beautiful the buttercups looked in this grassy airfield, and they were getting bigger and bigger. and then the aircraft just crashed around me. we got taken to hospital, we were pronounced fit, the two of us, and we had to walk back. and we're in full flying kit! ah, it's a great life. i may look fright... frightening, good. frightening. back at school, peter's next victim, as he calls them, is jacoby. i think he's a very special man that he's made it up to 100. little girl, please

take me out of this zoo. i used to be very bad at reading, and now i'm really good at reading because he's helped me a lot. in the new years honours list, peter was given the british empire medal for his work as a reading volunteer, the oldest person on this year's list. what's the score? 2-1. who's got two? me! my first thought when i opened the envelope and read the letter from the cabinet office was that this was some form of con. you know, i'm just a run of the mill guy, who just does something which has helped me get through my week. i enjoy it, i get more out of it than the children i'm sure do, plus the fact that my street cred is tremendous. because i'll be going anywhere in the village, as it were,

and a child will shout out, "hello, mr davies!" and i feel ten feet high. it's a lovely, warm feeling. i belong, i belong. i'm not this old man who lives on his own. i'm part of the community, which is great. thank you, mr davies! best teacher in the world! best reading teacher in the world! bye, bye, mr davies! that is the story we'll need to watching right now. now time for a look at the weather. frosty weather is continuing to grip the uk. the rest of the day will

stay cold and windy. some of us will see some more wintry showers. for the rest of the day, some of those showers will mainly be affecting scotland, northern ireland, lots of gales in the north sea coast as well. we will start to be fewer of these, there will be plenty of dry and clear skies as well. still cold, with temperatures up to seven celsius, but we will be feeling colder than that with those strong winds. into tonight, some of these showers will be staying wintry through scotland, and some parts of the west as well. it is icy in these areas. the rest of the weather the country will have dry clear skies overnight. temperatures down to —a and minus eight celsius in parts of scott lund. tomorrow and friday, we will stay cold, but should be drier. fewer wintry showers.

more disruption to nhs services as nurses begin a two—day strike across england in their dispute about pay. about a quarter of all services are affected, the government saying an wage rises would take money away from patient care. we wage rises would take money away from patient care.— wage rises would take money away from patient care. we have enormous resiect from patient care. we have enormous respect and — from patient care. we have enormous respect and gratitude _ from patient care. we have enormous respect and gratitude for— from patient care. we have enormous respect and gratitude for all— from patient care. we have enormous respect and gratitude for all our- respect and gratitude for all our public sector workers, especially those in the nhs.— public sector workers, especially those in the nhs. . , ., . ., «i , those in the nhs. ambulance workers are to strike — those in the nhs. ambulance workers are to strike again. _ those in the nhs. ambulance workers are to strike again. more _ those in the nhs. ambulance workers are to strike again. more dates - those in the nhs. ambulance workers are to strike again. more dates in - are to strike again. more dates in february and march have been announced by the gmb union. we will have the latest on all the strike action. also this lunchtime... the rate at which prices are rising has slowed for a second month,

but the cost of living is still close to a a0—year high. ukraine's interior minister is among 18 people killed when a helicopter