plausible arguments that the rise to plausible arguments that the bombing could have been prevented, and the inquiry will also need to take account of the findings of previous investigations to avoid duplication. the oil and gas giant shell reports £32 billion in profits — the highest in its 115—year history. an apology from the head of the company that owns british gas after it emerged the company is force—fitting prepament meters in vulnerable homes. there is nothing that i can say that can express the horror i had when i heard this, when i saw this. it is completely unacceptable. a watchdog urges social landlords to "act now" after tens of thousands of homes were found to have serious damp and mould issues.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the bank of england has raised interest rates from 3.5 to li% — their highest level since 2008. the increase will leave millions of households facing higher mortgages at a time when many people are already struggling with energy and food bills. it will also have an impact on repayment charges on bank loans and credit cards — but it is better news for savers, who should get a higher return. the bank of england says the increase will help to curb rising prices. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. in leeds like every where else, the cost of keeping up a mortgage isjumping, because of interest rates. stu is used to saving after spending much of his life on a minimum wage. he got a better paying job as a

librarian, but like many, his wages have stagnated. when his mortgage expired his payments went from £90 a month to £360. i thought the days of checking the bank balance were gone. but they're back with a vengeance now. it is back to the days of you know panicking every time there is an unexpected bill. today the bank of england raised interest rates further, by half a percentage point. the aim is to make it more expensive to borrow and spend, so businesses and households spend less overall. it said inflation isn't yet beaten. it is too soon to declare victoryjust yet. inflationary pressures are still there and we can see that in the data and we hear from it our agents. we need to be sure that we really are turning the corner on inflation. that is why we have

increased the bank rate. 1.8 million home owners will see big hikes in mortgage costs as they come off fixed rates in the coming year. alex did have an interest rate fixed at i.6%. now the best deal is nearly 5%, or £300 a month more. forcing her and her husband to put their plans to become parents on hold. it impacts us tremendously, because both financially and mentally, because the money that we were thinking of spending on the child a month, that has been mostly eaten up by the mortgage rates going up. this is what has been happening to interest rates. at the start of pandemic they dropped. over the past year they have been rising consecutively and this dotted line is what the markets thinks will happen, with rates up to just under 4.5% before dropping back

again in the autumn. that's changed the calculation for new mortgage borrowers. brokers are saying more people are looking at variable rates. seek advice, if you're using mortgage calculators online, it is important to speak to an expert and suss out your options. the bank of england now forecasts a shorter recession. lasting a shorter recession. for six months rather than two lasting for six months rather than two years. it is also forecasting inflation will drop to li% by the end of year. and less than 2% next year. but it warns it could stay higher than that. andy verity, bbc news. andyjoins me now. there are some glimmers of hope in what the bank is saying? we there are some glimmers of hope in what the bank is saying?— what the bank is saying? we are foruuettin what the bank is saying? we are forgetting how _ what the bank is saying? we are forgetting how pessimistic - what the bank is saying? we are forgetting how pessimistic they l what the bank is saying? we are - forgetting how pessimistic they have been because they were talking about the recession lasting two years beforehand, that would shrink the economy by about i.2%, but now the

activity will shrink next year but only by about 0.56% so much shallower and shorter recession than they previously forecast but nevertheless some critics might say, why are you raising interest rates which makes life harderfor households and gives them less money to spend when we are heading for recession? they are worried that inflationary pressure which had been imported so far from gas prices inflationary pressure which had been imported so farfrom gas prices is becoming embedded domestically in the price of services which has gone up the price of services which has gone up by the price of services which has gone up by more than they expected, so they are worried that wage rises are reflecting expectations that inflation will stay high and that could become a self fulfilling prophecy so they want to take the heat out of the economy and the pressure on prices.— heat out of the economy and the pressure on prices. interest rates are auoin pressure on prices. interest rates are going to — pressure on prices. interest rates are going to go — pressure on prices. interest rates are going to go up— pressure on prices. interest rates are going to go up a _ pressure on prices. interest rates are going to go up a bit _ pressure on prices. interest rates are going to go up a bit more - pressure on prices. interest rates are going to go up a bit more but| are going to go up a bit more but then a tail off?— are going to go up a bit more but then a tail off? this is interesting because when — then a tail off? this is interesting because when the _ then a tail off? this is interesting because when the liz _ then a tail off? this is interesting because when the liz truss - because when the liz truss government was around the market said interest rates might get up to 6.5% and that looked really bad for fixed—rate mortgages, and used to

have 1.8 million people coming off them and they will still get payment shock as their payments jump but not by as much as they thought and the bank of england is indicating the market may be overdoing it, saying rates might get up to 4.2.5%, and it could be even less than that, so this could be one of the last rate rise as we see from the bank of england if you take the optimistic view and then you might want to get a variable rate mortgage if you want to benefit from rates coming down again at the back half of this year. andy verity, thanks forjoining us. staying on this story, we can now speak to a pensions expert and lawyer at the royal london insurance group, clare moffat. thanks forjoining us. how do you see this rate rise? let's talk about those people for whom it is bad news, with mortgages. are they going to be surprised by this? probably not i suppose. i to be surprised by this? probably not i summe— to be surprised by this? probably not i suppose. i don't think people are surprised _ not i suppose. i don't think people are surprised because _ not i suppose. i don't think people are surprised because we - not i suppose. i don't think people are surprised because we have - not i suppose. i don't think people i are surprised because we have been expecting this and as we just heard,

people were may be expecting this to carry on for longer and for rates to go carry on for longer and for rates to 9° up carry on for longer and for rates to go up more, but that does not mean it is not difficult used to hear especially if you are on a tracker mortgage or on a variable rate or yourfixed rate is coming mortgage or on a variable rate or your fixed rate is coming to an end and you are going to have that shock of an increased mortgage payments because of the difference in the mortgage rate. you might have taken out a fixed—rate mortgage five years ago, ten years ago, even, and really benefited over that time, and you might be a bit unsure about what to do, do i go fora might be a bit unsure about what to do, do i go for a variable rate or have the certainty of a fixed rate, so these are worrying times and we have also got the cost of living crisis as well. people do not have as much money so those with mortgages are going to have even less money. mortgages are going to have even less money-— mortgages are going to have even less money. mortgages are going to have even less mone . ., , ., ., , ., less money. people who are trying to net on the less money. people who are trying to get on the housing _ less money. people who are trying to get on the housing ladder, _ less money. people who are trying to get on the housing ladder, young - get on the housing ladder, young people, perhaps, looking to get their first people, perhaps, looking to get theirfirst mortgage, what people, perhaps, looking to get their first mortgage, what is your advice to them? it is their first mortgage, what is your advice to them?—

advice to them? it is really tricky because what — advice to them? it is really tricky because what we _ advice to them? it is really tricky because what we are _ advice to them? it is really tricky because what we are finding - advice to them? it is really tricky because what we are finding as l because what we are finding as people might be delaying that decision and they might be saving up a bit more, and we have seen the amount of mortgages being agreed declining. people might be waiting and seeing what is going to happen, especially your first mortgage, maybe you do not have as much equity in your property, so it will be quite considerable if you are caught by rising interest rates, but even if you are just waiting a few months, that might be a good thing to do, build up more savings, because on the savings side of things, the interest rate rise will follow through, and people should shop around a bit to get the best they can on their savings. but it may be holding off and seeing how the housing market is and seeing what happens with fixed rates and we know the market has probably priced in another interest rate rise but

especially for younger people, sometimes they value the certainty of a fixed rate to make sure that they know what they are going to be paying for the next two years or the next five years. you paying for the next two years or the next five years— paying for the next two years or the next five years. you mention savers so let's talk— next five years. you mention savers so let's talk about _ next five years. you mention savers so let's talk about them _ next five years. you mention savers so let's talk about them because . so let's talk about them because that was the other side of the coin. and for so long people have struggled to get very much money at all in terms of interest on their savings, and this at least is potentially good news for them? definitely. forthe potentially good news for them? definitely. for the last ten, 15 years, those who have savings and do not have mortgages, they have really struggled because interest rates have been so low. traditionally we think of retirees in that space, they did not used to have as much mortgage debt or rent to pay, and they were really interested in how their savings were doing, but the only thing to say now is we are finding that a fifth of retirees are worried about housing costs and that

shows that there are more people entering retirement with mortgage debt as well so they might still be worrying about the increase in their mortgage even though they might have savings and are benefiting from the increase in their savings. but of course even with the increase in savings, everything else has got more expensive, so the cost of living crisis, energy bills, food costs, so even with the increase it is not going to deal with the impact that high inflation has had.- that high inflation has had. indeed. that is claire _ that high inflation has had. indeed. that is claire moffat, _ that high inflation has had. indeed. that is claire moffat, thanks - that high inflation has had. indeed. that is claire moffat, thanks for - that is claire moffat, thanks for joining us. the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris has announced there will be a independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing. 29 died as a result of the attack by the real ira — the biggest single atrocity in the troubles. more than 200 were injured. mr heaton—harris said he hoped the decision would give some comfort to those families who've long

campaigned for this outcome. the independence of any future investigation and the costs to the public purse and how best to allay wider public concern, i have weighed these up against the clear finding set up by the court which we must meet for any investigation to be effective and compliant with our international obligations, and which are at the core of my decision. i intend to establish an independent statutory inquiry into the 0magh bombing and i have informed members of the 0magh support group and representatives of families moving on with this decision, and the inquiry will focus specifically on the foreground is that the court held as given rise to plausible arguments that the bombing could have been prevented —— pad grounds. the inquiry will need to take account of the findings of previous investigations to avoid duplication. i know that this is a significant

decision and i am keen to explain now to the house why i believe it is also the most appropriate course of action. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page is in 0magh. we are expecting to hear from the families who have been campaigning for a new inquiry a little bit later this afternoon but i would imagine based on what they have been calling for over a number of years now, they may well be pretty satisfied with what they have just heard from chris heaton—harris, that there is going to be an independent statutory inquiry and at least elements of it will be public. chris heaton—harris said that and also made the point that not all the evidence he said could be heard in public because of national security considerations. remember, the focus of the investigation will be on

intelligence material, the thinking being from the families and backed up being from the families and backed up by being from the families and backed up by legaljudgment, they secured in 2021, that there is a prospect that if the security forces on both sides of the irish border had pieced together intelligence that they had in the run—up to the 0magh bombing, then maybe the attack could have been prevented. as far as political reaction goes, we have heard from the democratic unionist party, and the democratic unionist party, and the sdlp, and both of them welcoming the sdlp, and both of them welcoming the announcement by the government in london. we have had a statement from the irish foreign minister as well, micheal martin, and thejudge who made the ruling 18 months ago which has now led to this british government moved to establish an inquiry, said that there should be an investigation carried out by the

irish government as well, although it was not in his power to roll that the irish government should dojust that. —— rule. but micheal martin the irish foreign minister said he will be consulting with his ministerial colleagues in dublin including the minister forjustice to decide on their next steps, and the cross—border element to all of this may well be important in that the bomb was transported into 0magh from the other side of the irish border. so this has been a long—running story now, nearly a quarter of a century since the bomb exploded just yards from where i am standing now in the town centre of 0magh on a saturday afternoon in august 1998, 0magh on a saturday afternoon in august1998, in 0magh on a saturday afternoon in august 1998, in terms of lives lost, the worst atrocity in the history of the worst atrocity in the history of the conflict in northern ireland. 29 people murdered including a woman who was pregnant with twins. police forces on both sides of the border

have been involved in investigations over the years although nobody has been successfully prosecuted. so that has added to the sense of grief of the families over the years, and they are keen that the whole truth about 0magh comes out and they are keen, the families campaigning for the inquiry, that this is not seen to shift the blame away from the bombers who planted the explosive device in the centre of 0magh, and they say that it will always be those dissident republicans in the real ira who were to blame for the loss of life and the devastating effect on so many other families here, more than 200 people were injured in the bombing. they say it is not about apportioning blame to the security forces but it is about learning lessons and according to michael gallagher, the dad of a man

gallagher who died in the blast, who has led the campaign, michael gallagher said a full inquiry establishing the whole truth and lessons to be learned for future generations is the least that can be done to honour the memory of the people who died in 0magh. we have some breaking news now. this is about the manchester united footballer mason greenwood. this is coming from greater manchester police and they say charges including attempted rape and assault against mason greenwood have been discontinued by the crown prosecution service. a statement from greater manchester police's head of public protection, given the significant media coverage of the case we have to share the news that the 21—year—old man who was arrested and charged in connection with an

investigation opened injanuary last year, no longerfaces criminal proceedings in relation to this, they said. the statement continues, they said. the statement continues, the investigation team has remained in regular contact with legal team providing any updates of note and understand the rationale for the discontinuation of proceedings at this stage and the decision has not been taken lightly. the statement continues, we would like to use this opportunity to reiterate greater manchester police's commitment to investigate allegations of violence against women and girls, supporting those affected regardless of their circumstances throughout what can be a hard and upsetting time for them. just to recap that greater manchester police are saying that charges including attempted rape and assault against manchester united footballer mason greenwood, one of the brightest stars in the manchester united youth setup and

then broke into the first team, mason greenwood, all those charges we are hearing have been discontinued by the crown prosecution service. we will bring you more on that later. the energy multinational shell has announced record profits of over £32 billion for 2022. it's more than double what the company made in the previous year. surging oil and gas prices since russia's invasion of ukraine have played a big part. let's talk to our business editor simonjack. bumper profits, mega profits. how much tax will they pay? it is bumper profits, mega profits. how much tax will they pay?— much tax will they pay? it is the bi est much tax will they pay? it is the biggest profit — much tax will they pay? it is the biggest profit in _ much tax will they pay? it is the biggest profit in their— much tax will they pay? it is the biggest profit in their 115 - much tax will they pay? it is the biggest profit in their 115 year i biggest profit in their 115 year history, and as far as i can work out it is the biggest profit in the uk that any uk based company has made in history and they have benefited from the surge in oil and gas prices. how much tax are they

paying? i can tell you, that in uk taxes they paid £100 million in 2022 and are expected to pay £400 million in 2023. a lot of people will say thatis in 2023. a lot of people will say that is peanuts compared to these enormous profits but two things to bearin enormous profits but two things to bear in mind when thinking about this, 95% of their revenue and activity happens outside of the uk and is taxed outside of the uk and secondly they are quite legally allowed to offset certain costs like decommissioning or rigs in the north sea and investing in new oil and gas projects in the uk, they can offset those costs against their profits, so they do a tiny amount of business here and they are allowed to offset certain things. some politicians have said we need to have a higher windfall tax but bear in mind it was increased and they now pay 75% tax on any profit made in the uk and

thatis on any profit made in the uk and that is one of the highest anywhere in the world. what this shows is that it in the world. what this shows is thatitis in the world. what this shows is that it is not straightforward to tax a multinational company which does most of its business elsewhere and that will not satisfy those people who think they are not paying enough tax here, and one interesting thing is they are paying more to their shareholders, 5 billion, in 2022, then they are investing in renewables, and that is where they are going to come under big pressure. d0 are going to come under big pressure-— are going to come under big pressure. are going to come under big ressure. , ., ~ , ., pressure. do you think these mega rofits, is pressure. do you think these mega profits. is that _ pressure. do you think these mega profits, is that a _ pressure. do you think these mega profits, is that a high _ pressure. do you think these mega profits, is that a high water - pressure. do you think these mega profits, is that a high water mark? | profits, is that a high water mark? is it going to start falling? most --eole is it going to start falling? most people would — is it going to start falling? most people would want _ is it going to start falling? most people would want to _ is it going to start falling? most people would want to think- is it going to start falling? i’aifisii people would want to think that this record will not be broken in the very near future and i think it is unlikely that it will so the good news is that the profits of share will almost certainly be lower next year and that is because energy prices have fallen quite considerably after the surge after the russian invasion of ukraine —— the russian invasion of ukraine —— the profits of shell. the bank of

england says it expects inflation to start coming down mainly because i was so energy, oil and gas prices are coming down as well, —— wholesale energy. although they raised interest rates by another half a percent to tackle inflation, this may be, or close to the top that we may have and we may be on the way down after that, and that would be good news, and households will be hoping that never makes this kind of money again. what will be hoping that never makes this kind of money again.— kind of money again. what about shell? are _ kind of money again. what about shell? are they _ kind of money again. what about shell? are they embarrassed - kind of money again. what about shell? are they embarrassed by | kind of money again. what about. shell? are they embarrassed by this profit level? 0r shell? are they embarrassed by this profit level? or do they think, great? profit level? or do they think, ureat? ., ., ., . , great? there are two audiences in these corporate _ great? there are two audiences in these corporate stories, _ great? there are two audiences in these corporate stories, the - these corporate stories, the shareholders will be very happy because they are getting bumper dividends and payouts and then you have the other constituency which is energy bill payers and politicians who sense the anger of their constituents and people in the

country about their energy bills, so two very different audiences. 0ne country about their energy bills, so two very different audiences. one of whom will be super pleased and the other will be understandably outraged. i will stick my neck out and say that shell will never make that kind of money again. we and say that shell will never make that kind of money again.- that kind of money again. we will hold ou that kind of money again. we will hold you to _ that kind of money again. we will hold you to it- — that kind of money again. we will hold you to it. let's _ that kind of money again. we will hold you to it. let's have - that kind of money again. we will hold you to it. let's have about! i hold you to it. let's have about! laughter —— let's have a bet. simonjack, thanks forjoining us. a former british soldier has been given a three year suspended sentenced for shooting dead a man in northern ireland 35 years ago as he travelled to a football match. david holden was convicted of manslaughter, for opening fire on aidan mcanespie with a machine gun at a border crossing point. he's the first veteran to be convicted of an historical offence in northern ireland since the good friday agreement. 0ur ireland correspondent emma vardy can tell us more. talk us through the background and what happened originally and then the latest developments? this what happened originally and then the latest developments?- what happened originally and then the latest developments? this is one

of a number — the latest developments? this is one of a number of _ the latest developments? this is one of a number of cases _ the latest developments? this is one of a number of cases in _ the latest developments? this is one of a number of cases in northern - of a number of cases in northern ireland against former soldiers which is very divisive for communities here. what happened in 1998 was that aidan mcanespie was unarmed and walking through this checkpoint and he was struck by a bullet which ricocheted off the road and killed him. david holden at the soldier responsible at the time, he argued that his hands had slipped and he was just 18 and he was on duty for the first time and he had not meant to fire at mr aidan mcanespie, and he was given a find by the army and he very much considers the matter closed. but the family of aidan mcanespie campaign for many years to getjustice and finally the case was reopened and then manslaughter charges were brought against david holden in 2018 and last year he was found guilty of manslaughter and the judge found that it was gross negligence to have pointed the gun at aidan mcanespie and he should not have assumed that the gun was not cocked and that it

could have been primed and ready to fire, as it was, and he was found guilty of that which was a significant conviction, but today he has escaped a jail sentence and has been given a three—year suspended sentence, but these cases are very divisive in the ireland. there are other cases where former veterans are awaiting charging decisions here. the family of aidan mcanespie have welcomed the fact there was a conviction, and they would have liked to have seen and other groups of victims would like to have seen a custodial sentence but there are many others in northern ireland who are deeply opposed to the idea of former soldiers who have served in northern ireland during the conflict known as the trouble is, being brought back to court decades later, and prosecuted. what the government wants to do about this is largely to draw a line under this or not to have any more of these legacy prosecutions going forward but they want to bring in legislation to achieve that but that plan is also divisive and was also opposed on both sides.

divisive and was also opposed on both sides-— divisive and was also opposed on both sides. . . , ., ., both sides. emma vardy, thanks for 'oinin: us. up to 80,000 homes in england's social housing sector have serious mould and damp problems, according to the national regulator. the initial findings come from a survey carried out, following the inquest into the death of two year old awaab ishak from rochdale. the toddler died from a respiratory condition, after prolonged exposure to mould in his family's flat. now, we're joined in the studio by richard blakeway, the housing ombudsman. thanks forjoining us. talk us through the scale of the problem. the regulators work with social landlords and it is all valuable and it sets out as you say the scale of the challenge and what it shows is about 180,000 homes have some sort of significant damp and mould problem and around about half of those have a very serious damp and mould problem. but beneath that

scale and establishing the scale is, how do landlords tackle it, questions about what is the right response? as the housing ombudsman we have also published a report today which sets out very clearly the good practice that we are seeing from landlords especially the use of technology, increasing use of that, but also some of the poor practice and still be owners being placed on the resident to sort the issue out when actually the landlord may have responsibilities. —— onus. hold? when actually the landlord may have responsibilities. -- onus.— responsibilities. -- onus. how can ou ush responsibilities. -- onus. how can you push the _ responsibilities. -- onus. how can you push the landlords _ responsibilities. -- onus. how can you push the landlords to - responsibilities. -- onus. how can you push the landlords to make i you push the landlords to make progress in this area because it is a real health condition, a health hazard, potentially?— hazard, potentially? absolutely ri . ht. the hazard, potentially? absolutely right. the inquest _ hazard, potentially? absolutely right. the inquest we _ hazard, potentially? absolutely right. the inquest we saw i hazard, potentially? absolutely right. the inquest we saw at i hazard, potentially? absolutelyl right. the inquest we saw at the hazard, potentially? absolutely i right. the inquest we saw at the end of last year was a really significant moment because it set out very clearly the direct causal link that could happen from prolonged exposure to damp and mould but i see every week casework where

people are experiencing distress, embarrassment, inconvenience, from damp and mould, and i think there are a number of things which landlords need to consider. the first is that the public policy framework is really clear that homes should meet certain standards and homes should be habitable, that can be strengthened but it is still clear even today and in addition to that landlords need to think about how their relationship with their residence and how they take this issue seriously, how are they proactive rather than reactive, so they are trying to look at the homes that may be affected by damp and mould and try to get ahead of the issue and do work now, rather than wait for a complaint. but when they receive a complaint, they need to respond to that effectively and efficiently and take action when necessary. i5 efficiently and take action when necessa . , , efficiently and take action when necessary-— efficiently and take action when necessa . , , ., necessary. is this a problem, that until the death _

necessary. is this a problem, that until the death of _ necessary. is this a problem, that until the death of the _ necessary. is this a problem, that until the death of the young i necessary. is this a problem, that until the death of the young boy, | until the death of the young boy, which shocked many people, had this been underestimated as a problem? yes, i think that is absolutely right. there has been a fatalism around damp and mould and a kind of acceptance that homes are old and design issues may cause damp and mould and you just live with it, and thatis mould and you just live with it, and that is obviously completely the wrong attitude. what i would say about damp and mould, it is a indicator of the landlord's relationship with its residents and when we have been doing our work and when we have been doing our work and when we have been doing our work and when we published an important report setting out how landlords needed to change their approach, we engaged with many residents and those who have not had damp and mould look to landlords response to that as an indicator of the trust they have got in the landlord and they have got in the landlord and the confidence in the way the landlord tackles issues and the

failures i see in damp and mould when they happen other kind of failure is that i see elsewhere whether it is other repairs or issues and that means those are structural things which landlords really need to address so they can improve their services and residents can have a great experience living in their homes.— can have a great experience living in their homes. these problems feel like something _ in their homes. these problems feel like something from _ in their homes. these problems feel like something from another- in their homes. these problems feel like something from another era, i like something from another era, almost, sort of dickensian, people should not be expected to live in these conditions. i should not be expected to live in these conditions.— these conditions. i think that is riuht. these conditions. i think that is right- people — these conditions. i think that is right. people will— these conditions. i think that is right. people will be _ these conditions. i think that is right. people will be shocked i these conditions. i think that is i right. people will be shocked that there are homes which still experience quite significant damp and mould and one of the things which can be profoundly shocking is how they can deteriorate and the condition can really deteriorate and i have seen some real challenges around attitudes and culture, this lifestyle blaming of tenants, and i think some landlords have shifted away from that. some landlords have recognised that is not the right response and that is not the right

language and tone to use. but there are other landlords who need to go further and faster.— further and faster. richard, thanks for 'oinin: further and faster. richard, thanks forjoining us- _ further and faster. richard, thanks forjoining us. the _ further and faster. richard, thanks forjoining us. the housing - forjoining us. the housing ombudsman there. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. there is a bit of sunshine out there today, the best of that in southern and eastern parts, but for many, quite a cloudy story. for the rest of thursday, some spots of drizzle and some mist and murk over hills in the west northwest scotland and indeed the northern isles seeing some very heavy rain temperatures, 11 to 13 degrees, turning quite windy, particularly in the northern half of the uk and especially gusty conditions across scotland. this band of cloud and patchy rain sinking a little further southwards before beginning itsjourney north eastwards again. so through tomorrow, that band of cloud and patchy rain will move its way north eastwards across scotland, affecting northern england for a time for the north of england and the south west of scotland. it will brighten up a little

through the afternoon. northern ireland, wales, the midlands, the south of england seeing some spells of sunshine temperatures seven degrees in lerwick, 14 for hull and for london. so unseasonably mild, another mild day to come on saturday. by sunday it will feel colder, but it will be much brighter. hello this is bbc news.

the headlines: the bank of england announces its interest rate increase from 3.5 to 4% — in a bid to to tackle soaring prices. the uk government confims an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing, the biggest single atrocity in northern ireland's troubles. northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris made a statement in the house of commons today. the inquiry will focus specifically on the foreground that the bombing could have been prevented. oil and gas giant shell reports £32 billion pounds in profits — the highest in its 115—year history. a watchdog urges social landlords to "act now" after tens of thousands of homes were found to have serious damp and mould issues.

let's find out what is happening in the world of sport. news coming in at about the manchester united player, mason greenwood. all charges against him have been dropped. he had been charged with rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, which he denied. greater manchester police said criminal proceedings have been discontinued by the crown prosecution service. there has been no comment from manchester united as yet. sean dyche has spoke to the media for the first time as everton manager. he replaced frank lampard last week with the club second from bottom in the premier league table. it the players and my staff to make sure we are aligned. we are the team behind the team and we have to make the team perform. whichever way, even all the best will in the work,

you have got to win games and get points on the board. it you have got to win games and get points on the board.— points on the board. it has been announced _ points on the board. it has been announced that _ points on the board. it has been announced that some _ points on the board. it has been announced that some fans i points on the board. it has been announced that some fans will l points on the board. it has been. announced that some fans will be allowed to stand at wembley later this month. 867 safe standing seats will be allocated to both newcastle and manchester united. it will be the first major domestic men's final in almost 35 years to allow standing. the 2020 36 nations get under way on saturday. wales play ireland while scotland will battle it out for the calcutta cup at twickenham. gregor townsend has named his team for his opener with a finn russell fly—half and stuart hogg are full back. no place for zander fagerson and hamish watson of four ali price. the place for zander fagerson and hamish watson of four ali price.— watson of four ali price. the last time we were — watson of four ali price. the last time we were at _ watson of four ali price. the last time we were at twickenham i watson of four ali price. the last time we were at twickenham we | watson of four ali price. the last i time we were at twickenham we played really well but there were no crowds that day. two years prior to that we

were 31 nil down after 30 minutes. we didn't have the best performances that day. we came back and almost won the game. as a venue it is one of the toughest places to go. but we have memories in there that if we play our game and if we focus and are accurate, we can make it difficult for england. wales will be without leigh halfpenny against ireland in cardiff. he was due to make his first start for wales in 19 months but has been ruled out following a back spasm. lee williams comes into wear the number 15 jersey. more countries could join ukraine in calling for a boycott of the next 0lympics if a russian and belarusian athletes are allowed to compete. russia has said a campaign to exclude it from international sport will fail and the international olympic committee president says he doesn't want to punish individual

athletes. latvia, estonia and lithuania are meeting today discussing a joint appeal to the ioc asking them to maintain the ban. insanity? absurdity, even? we cannot be really thinking seriously about equal opportunities for the russian and belarusian athletes to prepare to compete against ukrainian. yet they are trying to put them in the same field to compete against each other. there is massive support through the ranks of the athletes towards the war yet we still allow the people who support the atrocities and murders of the russian army to compete on a global stage of peace. russian army to compete on a global stage of peace-— stage of peace. seriously, it cannot be riuht. stage of peace. seriously, it cannot be right. rhiannon _ stage of peace. seriously, it cannot be right. rhiannon ahmed - stage of peace. seriously, it cannot be right. rhiannon ahmed has- stage of peace. seriously, it cannot| be right. rhiannon ahmed has been called up to england's limited overs squad for the first time. the 18—year—old became the youngest man to play for england in the final

test in pakistan just before christmas. he took five wickets in the second innings and although he has been left out of the test squad for new zealand this month, he has now been included for the one—day and t20 tour of bangladesh in march. that is all the support for now, i will be back in an hour. a former russian army officer has told the bbc that he witnessed russian soldiers committing war crimes in ukraine, including torture, looting, and threats of rape. konstantin yefremov said he saw one ukrainian prisoner of war being beaten, shot and humiliated. mr yefremov, who is now seen by russia as a traitor, is the most senior officer to speak openly. 0ur russia editor, steve rosenberg has this exclusive interview. this is the war in ukraine — the official russian version of it. packaged, promoted, propagandised by moscow. fearless russian soldiers

fighting the good fight, defending the motherland. but konstantin yefremov was there, and the reality, he says, is very different. konstantin was a senior lieutenant in the russian army, but he's fled russia. and he's agreed to tell me about crimes he says he saw russian soldiers committing in ukraine. starting here. this is one of konstantin's first photos from ukraine, an airbase seized by russian troops in melitopol. translation: i saw looting there. soldiers and officers grabbed everything they could. they climbed all over the planes, and went through all the buildings. 0ne soldier took away a lawnmower. he said proudly, "i'll take this home and cut the grass next to our barracks." buckets, axes, bicycles — they bunged it all in trucks.

konstantin says that on the day russia invaded ukraine, he tried to quit the army. he was warned he'd face up to ten years in prison for desertion. in occupied ukraine, he was sent to guard this artillery unit. and then, a facility where he says he witnessed ukrainian prisoners of war being tortured. translation: the ukrainian had a blindfold on. _ the colonel put a pistol to the prisoner's forehead and said, "i'm going to count to three, and then shoot you in the head." he counted and then fired just to the side of his head, on both sides. the colonel started shouting at him. i said, "comrade colonel, he can't hear you. "you've deafened him." the interrogations, this torture, continued for about a week. every day, at night,

sometimes twice a day. the interrogations became increasingly violent, claims konstantin. translation: during another interrogation the colonel shot| the prisoner in the arm and in the right leg, under the knee, and hit the bone. i went to the commanders and said, "the ukrainian needs to go to hospital. "he'll be dead by morning from blood loss." we dressed him up in a russian uniform and took him to hospital. we told him, "don't say you're a ukrainian prisoner of war, "because either the doctors will refuse to treat you, "or the injured russian soldiers will hear you and shoot you." the bbc has verified documents, photographs and videos provided by konstantin, confirming his identity and his movements. 0nce he'd returned to russia,

back on base, he was accused of a serious breach of discipline for refusing to go back to ukraine. he was dismissed from the army. a russian human rights group, gulagu.net, has helped him leave the country. translation: | apologise i to the whole ukrainian nation for coming to their home as an uninvited guest with a weapon in my hands. i don't even have a moral right to ask forforgiveness from the ukrainians. i can't forgive myself. so i can't expect them to forgive me. konstantin says that senior officers called him a traitor for being anti—war. but he points out that he gave an oath to protect his country, not to attack another. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow.

a global wave of bird flu, which has killed more than 200 million birds, is spilling over to some mammals, according to research in the uk. public health officials have detected the disease in otters and foxes. more targeted testing and surveillance is to be carried out, but currently the risk to human beings is described as very low. here's our environment and rural affairs correspondent, claire marshall. this is now, by far, the worst avian flu outbreak in global history. more than 200 million birds both wild and farmed have died or had to be culled. a development that's worrying scientists now is the spillover into mammals. in the uk, the virus has been found in foxes. they're scavengers and can feed on birds. it's also been found in otters, the kind of animal also likely to encounter infected birds. so, what about the risk to humans? ok, so, this is our

genetics laboratory. we were shown into the government lab in surrey at the heart of the uk's fight against avian flu. so, here we have some of the latest technology and innovation in order to speed our work and generate that really important data. so this virus is absolutely on the march. how much of that is a worry to you that this might be be the next covid—19? well, i think when you're working with this disease every day, you're acutely aware of the risks and what it can become. without overplaying, this global spread is a concern. if we don't solve the problem across the globe, we're going to continue to have that risk. this view is held around the globe. we spoke to the head of science at the world organisation for animal health. there is a risk for further transmission between species and we cannot underestimate the potential adaptation to human virus. and that, in addition to the risk

for impacting animal health, will have a very important impact on public health. the threat to humans is still said to be very low. overwhelmingly, the virus infects birds. on a global level the situation with this virus is getting more and more critical, and yet the first line of defence is often people just out and about. in warwickshire, this lake is treasured by locals. many migrating waterfowl come here. last month there was an outbreak of avian flu and restrictions are still in place. it's been horrendous, been awful. sue runs a volunteer group. we're out here every day. we can see what's going on and we can see the state of the birds that are in. we check all the areas around with the binoculars to make sure there is no dead animals in the corners. the advice is clear. heed any warning signs and don't touch any dead or dying birds. claire marshall, bbc news.

the man at the top of the welsh rugby union has told politicians that there had been 'warning signs' about sexism but the governing body was 'in denial�*. it follows allegations of sexism and misogyny aired as part of a bbc investigation. 0ur wales correspondent wyre davies is in cardiff. ever since the bbc wales investigation a week ago, which outlined allegations of sex sick —— sex six behaviour, union bosses have admitted the industry is facing an existential crisis. today the interim chief executive of the union, nigel walker, appeared with the chair of the union at a senate committee hearing in cardiff. they admitted they perhaps turned a blind eye to many of the accusations in

the bbc investigation for far too long. this is similar to the racism allegations in yorkshire cricket and allegations in yorkshire cricket and allegations of bullying in british gymnastics. both men face questioning from the committee and they had already commissioned a survey to look into the allegations raised in the programme and a task force would be setup. they may proposals for widespread reform of the welsh rugby union itself and of course, some changes have already been made to personnel at the top. the welsh government also has questions to answer, i think, over what it knew about the allegations of sexism and misogyny and what it knew about a very damning internal review into the women's girls game in wales and why it didn't act sooner. all of thisjust in wales and why it didn't act sooner. all of this just a couple of days before wales are due to start their six nations campaign against ireland in cardiff. the headlines on bbc news...

the bank of england is expected to announce that it will raise interest rates for a tenth consecutive time the uk government confims an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing , the biggest single atrocity in northern ireland's troubles. the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris made a statement in the house of commons today. the oil and gas giant shell reports record annual profits of £32 billion — the highest in its 115—year history firefighters in dorset and wiltshire have told the bbc they raised complaints about a toxic culture of bullying and harassment in the service, at least 18 months ago. a police investigation and an independent inquiry have been launched after allegations female firefighters were sexually harassed at work and claims some firefighters

shared photographs of women who'd died in car accidents. 0ur west of england correspondent danjohnson reports. they fly the flag for equality and respect, but are those values protected throughout this fire service? i've witnessed individuals manipulate and bully other members of crew, and the atmosphere has always been what i'd class as toxic. this former firefighter says not. they've had ample opportunities to look into this and they've decided not to. they've turned a blind eye to it and ignored it and brushed under the carpet for too long now. he left 18 months ago, e—mailing his concerns to the fire service chief. so i reminded the man at the top about that. what have you done in the last 18 months to tackle these issues to improve the culture? so i'm not prepared to talk about a specific case or a specific individual. i'm not asking you to talk about this specific case. my question was, what have you done in the last 18 months to improve things or to tackle those sorts of issues? so what we've done in the last 18 months and before that is we've worked incredibly hard with the culture of our organisation.

we have implemented the national fire chiefs council and the local government association employers' core code of ethics. we've had a significant period of training as well. has anyone been suspended in that time? so i'm not able to comment on individual cases. i'm not asking you to comment on individual cases. i'm saying, has anybody? i can say that we have had cases that have come before us and those cases have been investigated thoroughly and that has been up to and including dismissal. another former firefighter told me that he'd seen a colleague taking pictures on the scene of a crash and that he knew female firefighters who'd been harassed and felt forced out of the service, and he said hr knew about these issues but didn't do anything. i think when they dive deeper into the stations, from the north of wiltshire to the bottom of dorset, it's going to be a culture they find everywhere. it's going to be rife throughout and it's going to take a lot of fixing. there are now investigations. staff are encouraged to speak up and this is not the only emergency service having its workplace

culture examined. danjohnson, bbc news, salisbury. the review follows the murders of six—year—old arthur hughes and one—year—old star hobson in 2020. stacey works at durham university and used to have a very independent life. now she is a kinship care for her four—year—old life. now she is a kinship care for herfour—year—old niece, georgie. aduu herfour—year—old niece, georgie. adult activity has been replaced by around a school, gymnastics, soft play. i around a school, gymnastics, soft .la . ., around a school, gymnastics, soft play. i love my life now. it is vastly different _ play. i love my life now. it is vastly different to _ play. i love my life now. it is vastly different to what i play. i love my life now. it is vastly different to what it i play. i love my life now. it is| vastly different to what it was play. i love my life now. it is i vastly different to what it was and what it could have been. i love my little person, i love that she is cheeky, mysterious and it is an

avenue i didn't think i wanted. certainly don't want my own children but i love georgie.— but i love georgie. stacey stepped in to stop georgie _ but i love georgie. stacey stepped in to stop georgie being _ but i love georgie. stacey stepped in to stop georgie being taken i but i love georgie. stacey stepped in to stop georgie being taken in l in to stop georgie being taken in care. a court order made her georgie's special guardian but she doesn't get an allowance of foster care award and it can be hard to make ends meet. i care award and it can be hard to make ends meet.— care award and it can be hard to make ends meet. . ., ., , ., ., make ends meet. i am not ashamed to sa that we make ends meet. i am not ashamed to say that we make _ make ends meet. i am not ashamed to say that we make it _ make ends meet. i am not ashamed to say that we make it into _ make ends meet. i am not ashamed to say that we make it into a _ make ends meet. i am not ashamed to say that we make it into a game i make ends meet. i am not ashamed to say that we make it into a game that l say that we make it into a game that jojic will go and find the yellow stickers when we are shopping. they don't know why they are doing that. but kind of making the most of the amount of money we've got. the government _ amount of money we've got. the government has _ amount of money we've got. the government has promised to support carers like stacey and the strategy for children's social care announced for child ren's social care announced today. for children's social care announced today. it says it will put families at the heart of reform, focus on more family —like placements, including kinship carers and give early support forfamilies including kinship carers and give early support for families with addiction, domestic abuse and mental health difficulties. what

addiction, domestic abuse and mental health difficulties.— health difficulties. what we are t in: to health difficulties. what we are trying to do _ health difficulties. what we are trying to do is _ health difficulties. what we are trying to do is make _ health difficulties. what we are trying to do is make sure i health difficulties. what we are i trying to do is make sure families can get— trying to do is make sure families can get the — trying to do is make sure families can get the early help they need and they don't— can get the early help they need and they don't end up escalating into crisis _ they don't end up escalating into crisis and — they don't end up escalating into crisis and can keep more families togethen — crisis and can keep more families together. but when children cannot stay with _ together. but when children cannot stay with their families, they can io stay with their families, they can go into— stay with their families, they can go into a — stay with their families, they can go into a family environment, either with a _ go into a family environment, either with a kinship carer or foster carer and it— with a kinship carer or foster carer and if that— with a kinship carer or foster carer and if that is— with a kinship carer or foster carer and if that is not possible, into a children's— and if that is not possible, into a children's home and they can have a stable _ children's home and they can have a stable and _ children's home and they can have a stable and loving environment. this children's centre _ stable and loving environment. try 3 children's centre in north london is a model the minister would like to see copied elsewhere. it has helped cut the number of children going into care. it cut the number of children going into care. , ., ., ., ~ ., into care. it is down to taking a whole system _ into care. it is down to taking a whole system approach - into care. it is down to taking a whole system approach and i into care. it is down to taking a i whole system approach and making into care. it is down to taking a - whole system approach and making the decision to invest in early intervention to make sure families can get the support when they need it at the first opportunity. can can get the support when they need it at the first opportunity.— it at the first opportunity. can you aet a it at the first opportunity. can you get a green _ it at the first opportunity. can you get a green one- _ it at the first opportunity. can you get a green one. such _ it at the first opportunity. can you get a green one. such early i get a green one. such early intervention _ get a green one. such early intervention is _ get a green one. such early intervention is expensive i get a green one. such early i intervention is expensive and observers say the government's plans are too small scale. they only promise a fifth of the money recommended by last year's independent review into the sector, so there won't be any more cash in

stacey's wallet. last week the chancellorjeremy hunt said getting over—50s back to work is a major part of his plans to address persistent labour shortages. it's thought the number of over—50s not working has jumped from 37,000 to 308,000 since 2020. one idea to address this is forjob coaches to be stationed at gp surgeries, with the aim of getting unemployed over—50s back to work. stephen evans is chief executive at the research organisation — the learning and work institute. it published a report on how the pandemic has triggered a labour market crisis. how much of a crisis is it? these figures seem extraordinary on the face of it, this leap of over 50s who have just withdrawn themselves from the labour market? i who have just withdrawn themselves from the labour market?— from the labour market? i think it is a really big _ from the labour market? i think it is a really big challenge. - from the labour market? i think it is a really big challenge. you i from the labour market? i think it| is a really big challenge. you have long term trend which is an ageing population and the baby boomer

generation is starting to retire. you have this big effect on the pandemic where people lost their jobs and people reassess what they wanted to do. it is all contributing to the shortages we see in the economy and employs struggling to fill the vacancies.— fill the vacancies. under this new lan but fill the vacancies. under this new plan but there — fill the vacancies. under this new plan but there is, _ fill the vacancies. under this new plan but there is, coaches - fill the vacancies. under this new plan but there is, coaches would | plan but there is, coaches would hold sessions in local gp surgeries and try to talk to over 50s and recruit them into the labour market, is that how it would work? yes. recruit them into the labour market, is that how it would work?— is that how it would work? yes, we are expeeting _ is that how it would work? yes, we are expecting more _ is that how it would work? yes, we are expecting more details - is that how it would work? yes, we are expecting more details from i is that how it would work? yes, we | are expecting more details from the government later this month. but we know that 60% of those in their 50s say they are interested in going back to work but it has to be work that suits them and meets their skills and is flexible and all of those sorts of things. and only one in ten of those out of work over 50 is getting employment support from thejob is getting employment support from the job centre. is getting employment support from thejob centre. so is getting employment support from the job centre. so trying to find people where they are, including health centres and gp surgeries is a

good idea. offering them help if they want to go back to work is also a good idea. i think one of the missing links is working with employers to help them think about how do they design jobs, how can they offer things flexibly, how do they offer things flexibly, how do they attract the over 50s back? do those employers want the over 50s? i have heard it said they don't because why invest a lot in training and so on for workers who might then be retiring injust a and so on for workers who might then be retiring in just a few years? i be retiring injust a few years? i think there is definitely ageism in some employers and some sectors. what i would say is first of all, this is a great talent pool we are missing out on. lots of people with lots of experience and lots of expertise. we are all having longer working lives, said the state pension age is heading up to 68. if you havejust turned pension age is heading up to 68. if you have just turned 50 you have another 18 years to go, which hopefully will be an inspiring thing if you can find a job that suits you and what you want to do and an

employee that values you. stephen evans, employee that values you. stephen evans. good _ employee that values you. stephen evans. good to _ employee that values you. stephen evans, good to talk— employee that values you. stephen evans, good to talk to _ employee that values you. stephen evans, good to talk to you, - employee that values you. stephen evans, good to talk to you, chief. evans, good to talk to you, chief executive of learning and work institute. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. good afternoon. some of us are getting to see a little bit of brightness today, but sunshine is in fairly short supply. we've got a lot of cloud that's been rolling its way in from the atlantic. in fact, this pipeline of cloud, which has been bringing some really heavy rain across parts of northwest scotland. but all of us are in this wedge of mild air, so temperatures are above where they should be at this point in early february. so through the rest of the day, we will continue to see outbreaks of rain across the northern isles, the north west of mainland scotland. in fact, the rain here turning a little heavier again through the afternoon. elsewhere, large amounts of clouds from spots of drizzle for western hills, but some sunny spells and in any sunshine feeling particularly mild highs of 13 degrees, but turning really quite windy out there, particularly across northern areas. gusts of 40, 50, 60 miles per hour in northern scotland for a time this evening. overnight, this band of cloud and patchy rain will sink a little further southwards before beginning to drift northwards again.

it is going to be a mild night. temperatures generally between six and ten degrees. now into tomorrow, this band of cloud and patchy rain will be pushing its way north eastwards up across northern england and scotland. much of the rain will be quite light and quite patchy, but it's just going to be a grey and damp day for many further south, for northern ireland, for wales, the midlands down into the south of england, we will see some spells of sunshine developing, perhaps a bit more sunshine than we have today. and again, that will lift temperatures to 13 or 14 degrees. and we begin the weekend within this wedge of mild air but there is something colder waiting out in the wings. it is waiting behind this weather front, this band of rain and that will sink south eastwards into northern ireland and scotland as we go through saturday. ahead of it, increasing amounts of cloud, some limited sunny spells. it is going to be another mild day, perhaps not quite as mild, but still ten to 12 degrees. however, as that frontal system drifts its way southwards through saturday night into sunday, it'll take a little bit of rain with it.

behind it high pressure will build, so it is going to be on sunday, a mainly fine day with lots of sunshine, but we will be in the colder air. a little bit more cloud perhaps in the northwest of scotland, maybe the far south west of england, but otherwise, largely sunny skies overhead. a much brighter looking day, but a slightly colder feeling day.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the bank of england announces its interest rate increase from 3.5 to 4% — in a bid to tackle soaring prices. the government announces an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing — the biggest single atrocity in northern ireland's troubles. michael gallagher's son aiden was 21—years—old when he was killed in the attack. it has been 25 years of struggle and

we still have to work out the details of the inquiry but we are still... it is still sinking in, to be honest. a former soldier has been given a suspended sentence for killing an unarmed man, aidan mcanespie, at an army checkpoint in northern ireland, 35 years ago. oil and gas giant shell reports £32 billion in profits — the highest in its 115—year history. charges of attempted rape and assault against manchester united footballer, mason greenwood are dropped. a watchdog urges social landlords to "act now" after tens of thousands of homes were found to have serious damp and mould issues.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the bank of england has raised interest rates from 3.5 to 4% — their highest level since 2008. the increase will leave millions of households facing higher mortgages at a time when many are already struggling with crippling energy and food bills. it will also have an impact on repayment charges on bank loans and credit cards — but it is better news for savers, who should get a higher return. the bank of england says the increase should help to control rising prices. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. in meanwood in leeds, like every where else, the cost of keeping up a mortgage on a house isjumping, because of higher interest rates. homeowner stu hennigan is used to scrimping after spending much of his life on a minimum wage. he got a better paying job as a librarian, but his wages, like those of many, have stagnated.

when his mortgage deal expired in november, his payments went from £590 a month to £760. i was kind of hoping the days of nervously checking the bank balance once you get a couple of weeks into the month were gone. but they're back with a vengeance now and it's back to the days of, you know, panicking every time there's an unexpected bill. today, the bank of england raised interest rates further, by half a percentage point. the aim is to make it more expensive to borrow and spend, so businesses and households spend less overall, meaning less buying activity and therefore less upward pressure on prices. it said inflation isn't yet beaten. it is too soon to declare victoryjust yet. inflationary pressures are still there and we can see that in the data and we hear it from our agents. we need to be sure that we really are turning the corner on inflation. that is why we have

increased bank rate today. but 1.8 million homeowners will see big hikes in monthly mortgage costs as they come off fixed rate deals in the coming year. alex, from ashchurch, gloucestershire, did have an interest rate fixed at 1.6%. but now the best deal she can find is nearly 5%, or £300 a month more, forcing her and her husband to put their plans to become parents on hold. it impacts us tremendously, because both financially and mentally, because the money that we were thinking of spending on the child a month, that has been mostly eaten up by the mortgage rates going up. this is what has been happening to interest rates. at the start of the pandemic they dropped. but over the past year they have been rising consecutively and this dotted line is what the market thinks is going to happen in the next few months, with rates getting up to just under 4.5% before dropping back again in the autumn.

that's changed the calculation for new mortgage borrowers. the brokers who arrange their deals say more and more are now looking at variable rate mortgages so that they might benefit when rates start falling again. always seek expert advice. it's going to be quite scary if you're using mortgage calculators online, you're going from a 2% interest rate to 4.5%. it is really important to speak to an expert and suss out your options. the bank of england now forecasts a shorter, shallower recession lasting for six months rather than two years. it is also forecasting inflation will drop to around 4% by the end of year and less than 2% next year. but it warns it could well stay higher than that. andy verity was with me a little earlier — and told me the bank of england has changed its view on how the economy is likely to perform.

activity will shrink next year but only by about 0.56% so much shallower and shorter recession than they previously forecast but nevertheless some critics might say, why are you raising interest rates which makes life harder for households and gives them less money to spend when we are heading for recession? they are worried that inflationary pressure which had been imported so farfrom gas prices is becoming embedded domestically in the price of services which has gone up by more than they expected, so they are worried that wage rises are reflecting expectations that inflation will stay high and that could become a self fulfilling prophecy so they want to take the heat out of the economy and some of the upward pressure on prices. interest rates are going to go up a bit more but then tail off? this is interesting because when the truss government was around the market said interest rates might get up to 6.5% and that looked really bad for fixed—rate mortgages. you still have 1.8 million people coming off them

and they will still get payment shock as their payments jump but not by as much as they thought. the bank of england is indicating the market may be overdoing it, saying rates might get up to 4.25%, and it could be even less than that, so this could be one of the last rate rises we see from the bank of england if you take the optimistic view and then you might want to get a variable rate mortgage if you want to benefit from rates coming down again at the back half of this year. andy verity, there. joining me now is michael saunders, the senior policy advisor at the independent advisory firm oxford economics and former member of the bank of england's monetary policy committee. he knows a lot about how these decisions are made. so it is not a surprise what happened today, but what do you think will happen next in terms of interest rates? the bank of encland in terms of interest rates? the bank of england has _ in terms of interest rates? the bank of england has raised _ in terms of interest rates? the bank of england has raised interest i in terms of interest rates? the bank of england has raised interest rates| of england has raised interest rates quite sharply by almost four percentage points since late 2021 and they have done most of the work which is going to be needed to get inflation back to the 2% target, and

maybe they will have to raise rates a bit further in the next few months, but most of this tightening cycle is now completed. it will be a painful period and the economy is probably now going into recession and we are likely to see unemployment beginning to rise during the course of this year and may be into next year as well. this will be a pretty tough year.- will be a pretty tough year. when ou have will be a pretty tough year. when you have these _ will be a pretty tough year. when you have these debates - will be a pretty tough year. when you have these debates on i will be a pretty tough year. when you have these debates on the i you have these debates on the committee about whether or not to put up interest rates, how much argument is there are about the rights and wrongs of fighting inflation against fighting off a recession and trying to re—stimulate the economy? mi recession and trying to re-stimulate the economy?— recession and trying to re-stimulate the economy? all members past and resent the economy? all members past and present share _ the economy? all members past and present share the _ the economy? all members past and present share the same _ the economy? all members past and j present share the same commitment the economy? all members past and i present share the same commitment to achieving the aim of low inflation, thatis achieving the aim of low inflation, that is the remit of the mpc and the target which all members share, so the difference amongst mpc members over thejudgments of the difference amongst mpc members over the judgments of what to do with interest rates, really comes down to differences in judgment over the economic outlook, so some people

might think the economy will be a bit worse and others might think it would be a bit less bad and it is that which drives the differences in their interest rates decisions. but it is not that some members share, that some members lack the commitment to low inflation, i think thatis commitment to low inflation, i think that is shared amongst all of them. and a lot of the inflation is caused by soaring energy prices, for example, because of what is happening in ukraine, that is beyond the control of interest rates, so is it a limited tool in fighting inflation or still effective? the rise in energy _ inflation or still effective? tis: rise in energy prices has played a fairly big role in pushing inflation up fairly big role in pushing inflation up over the last year. as that effect fades, inflation will fall quite sharply during the next year or two, quite sharply during the next year ortwo, but quite sharply during the next year or two, but part of the rise in inflation has been because of domestic costs and the bank of england published their survey this year of pay deals and that shows that firms are expecting pay deals this year to be close to 6%, the

highest they have recorded since they began their survey is about 15 years ago, and a page to be consistent with a return to the 2% inflation target —— and too high a pace to be consistent. they are trying to lean against the domestic pressures which are home—grown in that respect. igrate pressures which are home-grown in that respect-— that respect. we have had very low interest rates _ that respect. we have had very low interest rates which _ that respect. we have had very low interest rates which is _ that respect. we have had very low interest rates which is bad - that respect. we have had very low interest rates which is bad for i interest rates which is bad for savers but good for those with mortgages, do you think those days are long gone? we are never going to see those very low interest rates again? see those very low interest rates auain? .,, see those very low interest rates aiain? , see those very low interest rates auain? , again? those days when interest rates were _ again? those days when interest rates were 0.1, _ again? those days when interest rates were 0.1, we're _ again? those days when interest rates were 0.1, we're not - again? those days when interest rates were 0.1, we're not going i again? those days when interest i rates were 0.1, we're not going go back to that. may a bit more of an increase in the coming months and markets price in cuts in interest rates from late this year and that is a bit early, but conceivably next year that interest rates might come down a bit but you should not expect them to go back to those very low levels. normal interest rate in the

coming years is more likely to be three something with a bit of movement on either side of that but probably not zero or one and what has changed compared to the pre—pandemic period is that this episode of very high inflation has pushed up inflation expectations and so you need a higher nominal interest rate in order to make sure that those inflation expectations do not translate into higher pay grade and high prices. that will shape the background for monetary policy in the coming years.— background for monetary policy in the coming years. really interesting to net our the coming years. really interesting to get your analysis. _ the coming years. really interesting to get your analysis. that _ the coming years. really interesting to get your analysis. that is - to get your analysis. that is michael saunders, senior policy adviser at an economic firm. thanks forjoining us. the energy multinational shell has announced record profits of over £32 billion for 2022. it's more than double what the company made

in the previous year. surging oil and gas prices since russia's invasion of ukraine have played a big part. our business editor simonjack says the profits recorded by shell are record—breaking. it is the biggest profit in their 115 year history, and as far as i can work out it is the biggest profit any uk based company has made in history and they have benefited from the surge in oil and gas prices. some people are saying, great, they have made lots money, or awful, they have made lots money, or awful, they have made lots of money. how much tax are they paying? i can tell you, that in uk taxes they paid £100 million in 2022 and are expected to pay £400 million in 2023. a lot of people will say that is peanuts compared to these enormous profits but two things to bear in mind when thinking when thinking about this — 95% of their revenue and activity happens outside of the uk and is taxed outside of the uk.

secondly, they are quite legally allowed to offset certain costs like decommissioning oil rigs in the north sea and investing in new oil and gas projects in the uk, they can offset those costs against their profits, so they do a tiny amount of business here and they are allowed to offset certain things. some politicians have said we need to have a higher windfall tax. bear in mind it was increased and they now pay 75% tax on any profit made in the uk and that is one of the highest anywhere in the world. what this shows is that it is not straightforward to tax a multinational company which does most of its business elsewhere. but that will not satisfy those people who think they are not paying enough tax here, and one interesting thing is they are paying more to their shareholders, 5 billion in 2022, 5 billion this year, than they are investing in renewables, and that is where they are going

to come under big pressure. do you think these mega profits, as we call them, is that a high water mark? is it going to start falling? most people would want to think that this record will not be broken in the very near future and i think it is unlikely that it will so the good news is that the profits of shell will almost certainly be lower next year and that is because energy prices have fallen quite considerably after the surge after the russian invasion of ukraine. today, the bank of england says it expects inflation to start coming down mainly because wholesale energy, oil and gas prices are coming down as well. although they raised interest rates by another half a percent to tackle inflation, this may be close to the top that we may have and we may be

on the way down after that, and that would be good news, and households will be hoping that shell never makes this kind of money again. what about shell? are they embarrassed by this profit level? or do they think, "great"? there are two audiences in these corporate stories, the shareholders will be very happy because they are getting bumper dividends and payouts, and then you have the other constituency which is energy bill payers and politicians who sense the anger of their constituents and people in the country about their energy bills. so, two very different audiences. one of whom will be super pleased and the other will be understandably outraged. i will stick my neck out and say that shell will never make that kind of money again. simonjack, there.

the crown prosecution service has dropped all charges against the manchester united footballer mason greenwood. the 21 year—old had been charged in october with offences including attempted rape. let's talk to our correspondent rowan bridge. it was first arrested in january last year after videos appeared on social media and in october he was charged with three offences by the crown prosecution service, controlling and coercive behaviour, assault, and attempted rape, and this afternoon we had a statement from the crown prosecution saying they were discontinuing that prosecution against mason greenwood, saying there was no longer a realistic chance of getting a conviction. they say they have withdrawn the case because of a key witness withdrawing from the case and new material that has come to light, meaning they were no longer likely to get a reasonable chance of conviction. greater manchester police have said the decision was not taken lightly but it was only fair that mason greenwood would no longer face criminal charges and they went on to reiterate their commitment to fighting violence against women and mason greenwood himself has not played for

manchester united since his arrest in january. the manchester united since his arrest injanuary. the club have been asked to comment but at the moment he has not been training or playing for united. ., not been training or playing for united. . ., ., , the headlines on bbc news... the bank of england has increased interest rates to 4% to try to curb inflation. the bank also said the uk is entering recession — but it wouldn't be as severe as previously thought. the government's announced an independent inquiry into the 0magh bombing in county tyrone in 1998. 29 people died as a result of the attack by the real ira — the biggest single atrocity in the troubles. prosecutors have dropped charges of attempted rape and assault against the manchester united footballer mason greenwood. the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris has announced

there will be an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing. 29 people died as a result of the attack by the real ira — the biggest single atrocity in the troubles. more than 200 were injured. our ireland correspondent chris page has more on the announcement. the focus of the investigation will be on intelligence material, the thinking being from the families and backed up by legaljudgment, that they secured in 2021, that there is a prospect that if the security forces on both sides of the irish border had pieced together intelligence that they had

in the run—up to the 0magh bombing, then maybe the attack could have been prevented. as far as political reaction goes, we have heard from the democratic unionist party, and the sdlp, both of them welcoming the announcement by the government in london. we have had a statement from the irish foreign minister as well, micheal martin, and the judge who made the ruling 18 months ago which has now led to this british government moved to establish an inquiry, said that there should be an investigation carried out by the irish government as well, although it was not in his power to rule that the irish government should do just that. but micheal martin the irish foreign minister said he will be consulting with his ministerial colleagues in dublin, including the minister forjustice, to decide on their next steps. the cross—border element to all of this may well be important in that the bomb was transported into 0magh from the other side of the irish border.

so this has been a long—running story now, nearly a quarter of a century since the bomb exploded just yards from where i am standing now in the town centre of 0magh on a saturday afternoon in august 1998, in terms of lives lost, the worst atrocity in the history of the conflict in northern ireland. 29 people murdered including a woman who was pregnant with twins. police forces on both sides of the border have been involved in investigations over the years although nobody has been successfully prosecuted. so that has added to the sense of grief of the families over the years, and they are keen that the whole truth about 0magh comes out and they are keen, the families campaigning for the inquiry, that this is not seen to shift the blame away from the bombers who planted

the explosive device in the centre of 0magh in that summer. they say that it will always be those dissident republicans in the real ira who were to blame for the loss of life and the devastating effect on so many otherfamilies here — more than 200 people were injured in the bombing. so while they say it is not about apportioning blame to the security forces, it is about learning lessons, and according to michael gallagher, the dad of aiden gallagher who died in the blast, who has led this campaign. mr gallagher said a full inquiry establishing the whole truth and lessons to be learned for future generations is the least that can be done to honour the memory of the people who died in 0magh. chris page reporting. michael gallagher's son aiden was 21—years—old when he was killed in the attack.

i thought i would never see this, there was a good contribution from there was a good contribution from the other mps. the secretary of state has given us everything we asked and i'm very appreciative of that. i don't know what i would say, but it has been 25 years of struggle and we still of course have to work out the detail of the inquiry but it is still sinking in to be honest. it is still sinking in to be honest. it is going to be a long time to come to terms with the fact that we are going to hopefully get the answers we need and we can move on. you cam aiun we need and we can move on. you campaign for _ we need and we can move on. you campaign for a _ we need and we can move on. you campaign for a public inquiry. was what _ campaign for a public inquiry. was what was — campaign for a public inquiry. was what was announced _ campaign for a public inquiry. was what was announced this - campaign for a public inquiry. was what was announced this morning| what was announced this morning sounding — what was announced this morning sounding very— what was announced this morning sounding very likely— what was announced this morning sounding very likely —— _ what was announced this morning

sounding very likely —— very- what was announced this morning sounding very likely —— very like i sounding very likely —— very like that? _ sounding very likely -- very like that? ' , sounding very likely -- very like that? ~ , , ., , sounding very likely -- very like that? g , ., , ., , that? my understanding is that it is a ublic that? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry. — that? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry. a _ that? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry, ajudicial- that? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry, ajudicial inquiry. a public inquiry, a judicial inquiry with powers of investigation, and thatis with powers of investigation, and that is exactly what we wanted. so that is exactly what we wanted. so that the chairman and the panel can look at evidence presented from witnesses and they can question witnesses and they can question witnesses and they can question witnesses and ask them for example, what was the outcome of the action, thatis what was the outcome of the action, that is the kind of answer is that we need. but is also important and i would appeal to you and your colleagues make it clear that this is not a case of deflecting the blame from those who are responsible, that was the criminal terrorist who planned and prepared and delivered this bomb into 0magh. what we are looking at is the failings of the people that are there to protect us. we do support

those people, we want to make it clear, but it is important that when 31 people die including two unborn children there needs to be lessons learned and those lessons need to be passed on to others so if they are in a similar position they are better prepared to deal with it. share better prepared to deal with it. are ou and better prepared to deal with it. are you and the families prepared for the emotion— you and the families prepared for the emotion of— you and the families prepared for the emotion of reliving _ you and the families prepared for the emotion of reliving this - you and the families prepared for. the emotion of reliving this because that is— the emotion of reliving this because that is what— the emotion of reliving this because that is what will— the emotion of reliving this because that is what will undoubtedly - the emotion of reliving this because that is what will undoubtedly be i that is what will undoubtedly be involved? — that is what will undoubtedly be involved? , ., ., , ., involved? there is no doubt that it would be a — involved? there is no doubt that it would be a difficult _ involved? there is no doubt that it would be a difficult process, i involved? there is no doubt that it would be a difficult process, but i involved? there is no doubt that it would be a difficult process, but if| would be a difficult process, but if we don't have this process, for the rest of our lives, we are going to be wondering what if, and i have said to the secretary of state that maybe we have got it wrong and if we have got it wrong, show where we have got it wrong, show where we have got it wrong, show where we have got it wrong, and this is a necessary, painfulas have got it wrong, and this is a necessary, painful as it will be, a necessary, painful as it will be, a necessary exercise that we have got to go through. necessary exercise that we have got to go through-— to go through. michael gallagher's there whose _ to go through. michael gallagher's there whose son _ to go through. michael gallagher's there whose son was _ to go through. michael gallagher's there whose son was 21 _ to go through. michael gallagher's there whose son was 21 when - to go through. michael gallagher's there whose son was 21 when he i to go through. michael gallagher's i there whose son was 21 when he died in the 0magh bombing.

a former british soldier has been given a three year suspended sentenced for shooting dead a man in northern ireland 35 years ago as he travelled to a football match. david holden was convicted of manslaughter, for opening fire on aidan mcanespie with a machine gun at a border crossing point. he's the first veteran to be convicted of an historical offence in northern ireland since the good friday agreement. earlier i spoke to our ireland correspondent emma vardy who gave me the latest on this case. this is one of a number of cases in northern ireland against former soldiers which is very divisive for communities here. what happened in 1998 was that mr mcanespie was unarmed and walking through this checkpoint and he was struck by a bullet which ricocheted off the road and killed him. david holden, the soldier responsible at the time, he argued that his hands had slipped and he was just 18 and he was on duty for the first time

and he had not meant to fire at mr mcanespie, and he was given a fine by the army and he very much considered the matter closed. but the family of mr mcanespie campaigned for many years to get justice and finally the case was reopened and then manslaughter charges were brought against david holden in 2018 and last year he was found guilty of manslaughter and the judge found that it was gross negligence to have pointed the gun at mr mcanespie and he should not have assumed that the gun was not cocked and that it could have been primed and ready to fire, as it was. he was found guilty of that which was a significant conviction, but today he has escaped a jail sentence and has been given a three—year suspended sentence, but these cases are very divisive in northern ireland. there are other cases where former veterans are awaiting charging decisions here. the family of aidan mcanespie have welcomed the fact there was a conviction, and they would have liked to have seen and other groups of victims

would like to have seen a custodial sentence but there are many others in northern ireland who are deeply opposed to the idea of former soldiers who have served in northern ireland during the conflict known as the troubles, being brought back to court decades later, and prosecuted. what the government wants to do about this is largely to draw a line under this and not to have any more of these legacy prosecutions going forward and they want to bring in legislation to achieve that but that plan is also divisive and was also opposed on all sides. emma vardy, there. nothing takes away from the fact that david holden was found guilty of unlawfully shooting our brother aiden. the whole talk was about poor him, he had a chance at the start of this trial to come out and tell the truth and to admit to what he had

done. but he dragged us through the courts for years. we lost our father and sister in the duration of that. it was like being stabbed at the checkpoint every time we came here. we were not looking for a pound of flesh. we were looking for truth and justice. i would flesh. we were looking for truth and justice. iwould not flesh. we were looking for truth and justice. i would not take away from all the families to seekjustice. we all the families to seek 'ustice. we can now all the families to seekjustice. we can now have a look at the latest weather forecast. hello. there is a bit of sunshine out there today, the best of that in southern and eastern parts, but for many, quite a cloudy story. for the rest of thursday, some spots of drizzle and some mist and murk over hills in the west northwest

scotland and indeed the northern isles seeing some very heavy rain. temperatures, ii to 13 degrees, turning quite windy, particularly in the northern half of the uk and especially gusty conditions across scotland. this band of cloud and patchy rain sinking a little further southwards before beginning itsjourney north eastwards again. so through tomorrow, that band of cloud and patchy rain will move its way north eastwards across scotland, affecting northern england for a time. for the north of england and the south west of scotland it will brighten up a little through the afternoon. northern ireland, wales, the midlands, the south of england seeing some spells of sunshine. temperatures 7 in lerwick, 111 for hull and for london. so unseasonably mild, another mild day to come on saturday. by sunday it will feel colder, but it will be much brighter.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines: the bank of england has increased interest rates to ii% to try to curb

inflation. the uk is entering recession but not as severe as previously thought. the government has announced an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 omar bombing, the biggest single atrocity in northern ireland's troubles. michael gallagher's son was 21 when he died in the attack. it gallagher's son was 21 when he died in the attack-— in the attack. it has been 25 years of struggle _ in the attack. it has been 25 years of struggle and — in the attack. it has been 25 years of struggle and we _ in the attack. it has been 25 years of struggle and we still— in the attack. it has been 25 years of struggle and we still have - in the attack. it has been 25 years of struggle and we still have to i of struggle and we still have to have the detail of the inquiry. but, you know, it is still sinking in, to be honest. aha, you know, it is still sinking in, to be honest-— be honest. a former soldier has received a _ be honest. a former soldier has received a suspended _ be honest. a former soldier has received a suspended sentence| be honest. a former soldier has i received a suspended sentence for killing an unarmed man. aidan mack and sp was killed at a northern ireland 35 years ago. shell has reported £32 billion in profits. more than double the company made in the previous year. sport and a full round—up,

from the bbc sport centre. sean dyche has spoke to the media for the first time as everton manager. he replaced frank lampard last week with the club second from bottom in the premier league table. he said he wants the fans to believe him. it he said he wants the fans to believe him. , . , , he said he wants the fans to believe him. , . _ ., he said he wants the fans to believe him. , ,, him. it is easy when a ship is in calm water. — him. it is easy when a ship is in calm water, but _ him. it is easy when a ship is in calm water, but not _ him. it is easy when a ship is in calm water, but not so - him. it is easy when a ship is in calm water, but not so easy - him. it is easy when a ship is in i calm water, but not so easy when him. it is easy when a ship is in - calm water, but not so easy when it is choppy waters. we need the fans to take their part in it. the clip is not where it needs to be but we want the fans to reconnect with us. i have got to earn my spurs, i understand that. i am willing to put the hard yards into earn their respect. it the hard yards into earn their resect. ., , , the hard yards into earn their resect. ., , . ., . respect. it has been announced some fans will be — respect. it has been announced some fans will be able _ respect. it has been announced some fans will be able to _ respect. it has been announced some fans will be able to stand _ respect. it has been announced some fans will be able to stand at - respect. it has been announced some fans will be able to stand at the - fans will be able to stand at the carabao cup final at wembley later this month. 867 safe standing seats will be allocated to both newcastle

and manchester united. it will be the first major domestic english men's final in almost 35 years to allow standing. the 2023 six nations get under way on saturday. wales play ireland while scotland will battle it out for the calcutta cup at twickenham. gregor townsend has named his team for his opener with a finn russell fly—half and stuart hogg are full back. jo march and starts at outside centre. borthwick has promised fans the start of the next chapter of english rugby. gregor townsend has named his team for his opener with a finn russell fly—half and stuart hogg are full back. no place for zander fagerson and hamish watson of four ali price. the last time we were at twickenham

we played really well but there were no crowds that day. two years prior to that we were 31—0 down after 30 minutes. we didn't have the best performances that day. we came back and almost won the game. as a venue it is one of the toughest places to go. but we have memories in there that if we play our game and if we focus and are accurate, we can make it difficult for england. wales will be without leigh halfpenny against ireland in cardiff. he was due to make his first start for wales in 19 months but has been ruled out following a back spasm. liam williams comes into wear the number isjersey. and the number one ranked team will be without a player and will be

replaced by finlay bealham. rhiannon ahmed has been called up to england's limited overs squad for the first time. the 18—year—old became the youngest man to play for england in the final test in pakistan just before christmas. he took five wickets in the second innings and although he has been left out of the test squad for new zealand this month, he has now been included for the one—day and t20 tour of bangladesh in march. jofra archer is also in the squad. he will be hoping to build on his return to south africa. he has given his captain a big boost. his performance _ his captain a big boost. h 3 performance was outstanding. he managed to take a wicket and the game was probably in the balance with that partnership and for him to come back and pick up the wicket straightaway was fantastic. that is all this but for _ straightaway was fantastic. that is all this but for now. _

straightaway was fantastic. that is all this but for now. there - straightaway was fantastic. that is all this but for now. there will - straightaway was fantastic. that is all this but for now. there will be l all this but for now. there will be another sport update in an hour. thank you, laura. let's get more now on the news that the energy company shell has announced record profits of over 32 billion pounds for 2022. it's more than double what the company made in the previous year. joining me to discuss this is the leader of the liberal democrats sir ed davey. not a bad year's profit, £32 billion? i not a bad year's profit, £32 billion? ., �* ~' not a bad year's profit, £32 billion? ., �* ~ ., , , billion? i don't think any company should be making _ billion? i don't think any company should be making these _ billion? i don't think any company i should be making these outrageous profits out of vladimir putin's illegal invasion of ukraine. the liberal democrats warned rishi sunak as chancellor, now as prime minister he needed to implement a proper windfall tax on these profits of the oil and giants like shell. he has manifestly failed to do so. they are not paying anywhere near the amount of tax they could. meanwhile, the flip side of this is that families across the country are finding it difficult to heat their homes and

feed theirfamilies and difficult to heat their homes and feed their families and the government isjust doing feed their families and the government is just doing nothing. they could tax these profits seriously and make sure that, for example, we freeze the energy cap because the government wants to put it up by another £500.— it up by another £500. these are rlobal it up by another £500. these are global profits. — it up by another £500. these are global profits, it _ it up by another £500. these are global profits, it is _ it up by another £500. these are global profits, it is hard - it up by another £500. these are global profits, it is hard to - it up by another £500. these are global profits, it is hard to tax i global profits, it is hard to tax them, it is not as simple as that because it's not made all in this country. the british government cannot slap taxes on this that easily. it cannot slap taxes on this that easil . . cannot slap taxes on this that easil . , ., , , ., cannot slap taxes on this that easil. , ., , , ., easily. it is more simple than some --eole easily. it is more simple than some peeple are — easily. it is more simple than some peeple are trying — easily. it is more simple than some peeple are trying to _ easily. it is more simple than some people are trying to have _ easily. it is more simple than some people are trying to have us - people are trying to have us believe. a lot of these profits are made in uk waters. secondly, the company is headquartered in the uk and has all the benefits of being a uk based company. even they have admitted they should be paying more taxes. it is only the conservatives who think it is somehow wrong and they have given them huge investment allowances, so shell on its third—quarter profits despite them

being record profits, it had paid none of the windfall tax the government had put in. that is why liberal democrats have said, let's have a proper windfall tax so they can pay their way and provide them money so we can shield families and businesses from these high energy costs? ,, ., , , costs? shell would say this is capitalism. — costs? shell would say this is capitalism, you _ costs? shell would say this is capitalism, you have - costs? shell would say this is i capitalism, you have shareholders, they have a good year and the shareholders do very well. that is because they have invested in the company. they take a risk and sometimes there are good times, sometimes there are good times, sometimes there are bad times? home sometimes there are bad times? none of these profits — sometimes there are bad times? none of these profits have _ sometimes there are bad times? home: of these profits have been made because putin invaded ukraine. if i was running an oil and gas uk in, i would say what the ceo of shell has said, they should pay more taxes. the people who are not listening is rishi sunak and the conservatives. they have been warned, the liberal democrats for the first party to argue for a windfall tax. i am not suggesting we take all their

profits... suggesting we take all their rofits. .., . suggesting we take all their profits- - -— suggesting we take all their rofits. .. . , , ., ., suggesting we take all their rofits... , , ., ., ., profits... just give us an idea, of the 32 billion, — profits... just give us an idea, of the 32 billion, how _ profits... just give us an idea, of the 32 billion, how much - profits... just give us an idea, of the 32 billion, how much would i profits... just give us an idea, of i the 32 billion, how much would the liberal democrats be seeking to take? it liberal democrats be seeking to take? . liberal democrats be seeking to take? , ., , ,, �* ., take? it is not 'ust shell, bp and other oil and i take? it is notjust shell, bp and other oil and gas _ take? it is notjust shell, bp and other oil and gas companies i take? it is notjust shell, bp and other oil and gas companies in l take? it is notjust shell, bp and i other oil and gas companies in the uk. there is probably £50 billion of tax revenue we could get from the sector as a whole and we could use it to support people who are in trouble. for example, liberal democrats want the government to cancel the increase in the energy costs that they are imposing on households this april. everyone will be paying another £500 this april because of the decisions of the conservatives in their energy bills. that is wrong, that could be cancelled and it could be easily afforded by the sword of proposals that liberal democrats are making. just to be clear, shell £32 billion of profits last year, just for that company alone, what sort of taxes do you think they should be taking on that? i

you think they should be taking on that? ., �* ., .,. that? i don't have the exact figures- -- — that? i don't have the exact figures... give _ that? i don't have the exact figures... give us— that? i don't have the exact figures... give us a - that? i don't have the exact figures... give us a rough i that? i don't have the exact i figures... give us a rough idea? several billion _ figures... give us a rough idea? several billion will— figures... give us a rough idea? several billion will be _ figures... give us a rough idea? several billion will be their i figures... give us a rough idea? | several billion will be their share of the figure i gave you a minute ago. there are other oil and ask companies and we believe there is up to £15 billion of tax revenue the government are deciding not to take. i cannot be clear on the figures but the proposal i am making, the liberal democrats are making for this april, we freeze the £500 rise in energy bills the conservatives are putting forward, it would cost about 3 billion, just over 3 billion. we could afford to do it if we had a proper windfall tax. the government are choosing to favour the oil and ask companies and not support families who are struggling. when the liberal democrats were part of the coalition government, did you pursue this agenda? we of the coalition government, did you pursue this agenda?— pursue this agenda? we pursued an ener: pursue this agenda? we pursued an energy policy _ pursue this agenda? we pursued an energy policy which _ pursue this agenda? we pursued an energy policy which was _ pursue this agenda? we pursued an energy policy which was helping i energy policy which was helping people with their bills. in

energy policy which was helping people with their bills.- energy policy which was helping people with their bills. in terms of taxinr the people with their bills. in terms of taxing the energy _ people with their bills. in terms of taxing the energy companies i people with their bills. in terms of taxing the energy companies on i taxing the energy companies on profits, you didn't pursue it then when you had the chance? first of all, let's remember— when you had the chance? first of all, let's remember the _ when you had the chance? first of all, let's remember the gas i when you had the chance? first of all, let's remember the gas and i when you had the chance? first of| all, let's remember the gas and oil prices were not at their record levels, the companies were not making these record profits. thea;r making these record profits. they were still making _ making these record profits. they were still making pretty decent profits in those days? if were still making pretty decent profits in those days? itt were still making pretty decent profits in those days?— were still making pretty decent profits in those days? if i can take ou back profits in those days? if i can take you back to _ profits in those days? if i can take you back to what _ profits in those days? if i can take you back to what actually - profits in those days? if i can take i you back to what actually happened, the oil price collapse during the coalition, there was a cat problem of actually making any real profits. it was a very different time and the reality is, we are in an unusual time, this has never happened before. and for these companies to before. and for these companies to be making tens of billions of pounds of profit out of, frankly, the gas price rise caused by putin's illegal invasion of ukraine, anyone with any moral compass whatsoever would realise it is their duty to pay more in a fairer society to protect

pensioners and families who are struggling to heat their homes. these companies should pay some more tax. ed davey, leader of the liberal democrats, thank you for being with us. . ~' democrats, thank you for being with us. . ~ , ., british gas is facing an investigation after it was found to be using debt collectors that collectors after it forcibly broke into peoples homes to force them to fit prepaid gas meters. it comes after an undercover reporter from the times newspaper found the metres were being fitted in homes which should be protected. this from emma simpson. it should be protected. this from emma simson. . should be protected. this from emma simson. , �* , should be protected. this from emma simpson-_ debt - simpson. it is british gas. debt collectors _ simpson. it is british gas. debt collectors about _ simpson. it is british gas. debt collectors about to _ simpson. it is british gas. debt collectors about to break i simpson. it is british gas. debt collectors about to break into i collectors about to break into install a prepayment meter. i love this bit. install a prepayment meter. i love this bit- the _ install a prepayment meter. i love this bit. the customer, _ install a prepayment meter. i love this bit. the customer, a - install a prepayment meter. i love this bit. the customer, a single i this bit. the customer, a single father with _ this bit. the customer, a single father with three _ this bit. the customer, a single father with three young - this bit. the customer, a single father with three young kids i this bit. the customer, a single. father with three young kids isn't

home. the team includes an undercover reporter. it was clear there were vulnerabilities. there was an inhaler, a ventolin asthma inhaler for a child, eczema cream, but we proceeded and we switched the meter over, so that essentially the person living there if they couldn't afford to top up, they would go off supply. energy suppliers can legally force fit these prepayment meters. it should be a last resort and vulnerable customers shouldn't be switched. if you can't afford to top up, you're cut off. british gas use a company arvato financial solutions on its behalf. the times sawjob notes showing forced installations for other vulnerable customers too. if they're saying i'm a single mum with three kids, that is not vulnerability. it is a vulnerability. but i'm a bit old school, a bit hard—nosed. arvato told the times, any inappropriate comments didn't reflect its views or policies. the boss of british gas says he's horrified. it's completely unacceptable, i

that language is unacceptable. the contractor we have employed, arvato, has let us down, - but i'm accountable for this. as soon as we heard this, we suspended arvato. i he has suspended all installation of prepayment meters under warrant. campaigners want a ban across the industry. you have to hit the pause button right now, given the scale of the crisis that we're seeing, number of prepayment meters that suppliers are installing and the sheer inability of people to afford to top up those prepayment meters. that is why it has got to be paused while a new set of protections is put in place. soaring energy bills have put so many under pressure, the government's already urged energy suppliers to stop forcibly switching customers to prepayment meters. the pressure's now been upped for more to be done to protect the poorest customers who can't afford to pay. emma simpson, bbc news.

households in england and wales will see the largest increase to their water bills for almost 20 years from april. the industry body water uk says bills could rise by 7.5% to an average £1148 a year. consumer groups have warned it could be the tipping point for customers already struggling to pay. water uk says that the increase is due to higher energy costs. last week the chancellorjeremy hunt said getting over—50s back to work is a major part of his plans to address persistent labour shortages. it's thought the number of over—50s not working has jumped from 37,000 to 308,000 since 2020. one idea to address this is forjob coaches to be stationed at gp surgeries, with the aim of getting unemployed over—50s back to work.

i'm joined now by dr shriti pattani, president of the society of occupational medicine— which has piloted the initiative in a number of surgeries. thank you for being with us. what has been the result from the pilots? thank you for inviting me to speak about this. we are still at an early stage in terms of the pilots, but what we are finding is people who are out of work or actually in work but are not well or having trouble at work are much more likely to see work coaches who are placed in a gp practice rather than going to the job centre. we are finding those that do see the job coaches are either leaving the caseload because they have got a newjob or a more appropriatejob, or in fact

they have got a newjob or a more appropriate job, or in fact they have returned to work whilst they have returned to work whilst they have been off sick prior to seeing the work coach. so the initial results are very encouraging. we hope to have some more concrete results later this year. what we are finding is both gps are referring to the work coaches, but also people are referring each other, so patients are talking to each other or family patients are talking to each other orfamily members who patients are talking to each other or family members who then go along and see thejob or family members who then go along and see the job coach. so lots of positive feedback at the moment. i talked in the introduction about the huge number of people, the huge rise in the number of over 50s who have left the workplace. we know it is partly the pandemic, the result of the pandemic, but what are the main reasons do you think those people aged over 50 and above have decided they don't want to be working any

more? , , .,. ., ., more? definitely multifactorial. there is no _ more? definitely multifactorial. there is no real _ more? definitely multifactorial. there is no real consensus i more? definitely multifactorial. there is no real consensus but| there is no real consensus but several cited reasons, which i will talk you through. the changing demographics with a larger number who are reaching the 50 plus bracket. and also a change in lifestyle. i think covid for some people gave them an opportunity to re—evaluate work, work, life balance, so there is certainly an element of that. and then long—term ill health and we know there is a contribution of long—term conditions leading to unemployment and the economically inactive. and finally, changes in the government changes in the pension scheme and people being able to get their pensions earlier so more financial flexibility in your 50s and early 60s.- so more financial flexibility in your 50s and early 60s. even if you can persuade _ your 50s and early 60s. even if you can persuade people _ your 50s and early 60s. even if you

can persuade people to _ your 50s and early 60s. even if you can persuade people to go - your 50s and early 60s. even if you can persuade people to go back i your 50s and early 60s. even if you | can persuade people to go back into the workplace, the over 50s, the challenge is to persuade companies and employers to take them back, isn't it and employ older people? maybe somebody in their late 50s or early 60s and those employers might say, do i want to spend a lot of time and money training somebody who may retire in another three or four years? i may retire in another three or four ears? ~ . may retire in another three or four ears? ~' ., . ., , years? i think there are certainly lots of benefits _ years? i think there are certainly lots of benefits of _ years? i think there are certainly lots of benefits of having - years? i think there are certainly lots of benefits of having 50 i years? i think there are certainlyj lots of benefits of having 50 plus and even those in their 60s in the workplace. lots of transferable skills, lots of experience. but also people are living longer and therefore working longer and certainly for some employers, particularly at this time, the way the labour market is, probably and hopefully an investment worth making. the idea of seeing a work coach really is to support that individual, but also potentially support the employer to provide some

flexibility. and i think that is one of the big things people in their 50s and 60s want. their life may have changed, they may have caring responsibilities, naturally having flexibility can be really useful. but also the world of work has changed and there is much more hybrid working. you know, i do believe there is a place here for employers to consider employment of those over 50 and in their 60s. i}i(. those over 50 and in their 60s. 0k, thank you- — a global wave of bird flu — which has killed more than 200 million birds — is spilling over to some mammals, according to research in the uk. public health officials have detected the disease in otters and foxes. more targeted testing and surveillance is to be carried out, but currently the risk to human beings is

described as very low. here's our environment and rural affairs correspondent, claire marshall. this is now, by far, the worst avian flu outbreak in global history. more than 200 million birds both wild and farmed have died or had to be culled. a development that's worrying scientists now is the spillover into mammals. in the uk, the virus has been found in foxes. they're scavengers and can feed on birds. it's also been found in otters, the kind of animal also likely to encounter infected birds. so, what about the risk to humans? ok, so, this is our genetics laboratory. we were shown into the government lab in surrey at the heart of the uk's fight against avian flu. so, here we have some of the latest technology and innovation in order to speed our work and generate that really important data. so this virus is absolutely on the march. how much of that is a worry to you that this might be be the next covid—i9? well, i think when you're working

with this disease every day, you're acutely aware of the risks and what it can become. without overplaying, this global spread is a concern. if we don't solve the problem across the globe, we're going to continue to have that risk. this view is held around the globe. we spoke to the head of science at the world organisation for animal health. there is a risk for further transmission between species and we cannot underestimate the potential adaptation to human virus. and that, in addition to the risk for impacting animal health, will have a very important impact on public health. the threat to humans is still said to be very low. overwhelmingly, the virus infects birds. on a global level the situation with this virus is getting more and more critical, and yet the first line of defence is often people just out and about. in warwickshire, this lake

is treasured by locals. many migrating waterfowl come here. last month there was an outbreak of avian flu and restrictions are still in place. it's been horrendous, been awful. sue runs a volunteer group. we're out here every day. we can see what's going on and we can see the state of the birds that are in. we check all the areas around with the binoculars to make sure there is no dead animals in the corners. the advice is clear. heed any warning signs and don't touch any dead or dying birds. claire marshall, bbc news. an mp has said she was "bombarded" with death and rape threats after speaking out against controversial social media influencer andrew tate. alex davies—jones, the labour mp for pontypridd, said she received the abuse to her email and her office. andrew tate, who's amassed millions of followers for his divisive content, has been detained in romania as part

of a human trafficking and rape investigation. he denies the allegations. let's talk more about this to gershom clarke from the charity onside — which supports young people through youth work across the uk. do you think people like andrew tate have a big influence, in your experience, on young men and boys? with young men and young people generally, where they access information is to the influences. people like andrew tate who use social media platforms, three quarters of young people are spending a lot of their time on screens and andrew tate is part of where they access the information. we understand that young people have

access to this information, but the key point for us as young people have an opportunity to engage in real life time and they can use these topics in healthy debate and create a safe space where young people can share their views and concerns over topics that are in the mainstream media or in their current lives. ~ , ., ., , lives. when you have these discussions _ lives. when you have these discussions and _ lives. when you have these discussions and debates, i lives. when you have these | discussions and debates, do lives. when you have these i discussions and debates, do you lives. when you have these - discussions and debates, do you try to guide people through the discussions and talk about the views of people like andrew tate, which many people around the world to find completely hateful and misogynistic, and so on? i completely hateful and misogynistic, and so on? ~ ., , and so on? i think that guide is important. _ and so on? i think that guide is important. we _ and so on? i think that guide is important, we have _ and so on? i think that guide is important, we have the - and so on? i think that guide isj important, we have the trusted adults and professionals that young people are engaging with so you can create the safe space to guide young people to have those discussions and eventually make their own and informed choices. the difference

with young people engaging on screens in social media you don't have the extra level of engagement with a person, just information presented on the actual advice. people like andrew tate to push this creed of masculinity, if you like, which some people do find attractive. but listening to a debate the other day, there's nothing wrong with masculinity per se, it is when it sometimes veers into misogyny and it is a difficult line to tread. do you find that when you are talking to boys and young men? i you are talking to boys and young men? ~ ., , ., men? i think what we find is that toics men? i think what we find is that topics that _ men? i think what we find is that topics that young people - men? i think what we find is that topics that young people at i men? i think what we find is that topics that young people at the i men? i think what we find is that i topics that young people at the time relate to. when we had a debate in dagenham, it wasn't about do you like andrew tate or you don't like him, it was about some of the things you can justify and him, it was about some of the things you canjustify and reasons him, it was about some of the things you can justify and reasons as to why you might think andrew tate is

ok. a lot of young people can probably associate with wealth, working hard, wanting to aspire to having a luxury lifestyle, but they probably are against the other views of hatred she wards women and how they are treated. that was the general consensus, notjust from young boys, but also from girls and young boys, but also from girls and young people who don't identify with any of those genders. t0 young people who don't identify with any of those genders.— any of those genders. to talk to, very interesting. _ now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. there is a bit of sunshine out there, the best of that in southern and eastern parts, but a cloudy story for the rest of thursday, spots of drizzle and mist and murk over hills and the west. north—west scotland and indeed the northern isles seen some very heavy rain.

temperatures ii to 13 degrees, turning windy particularly in the northern half of the uk and gusty conditions across scotland over night. this band of patchy cloud and rain sinking southwards before beginning itsjourney rain sinking southwards before beginning its journey north eastwards again. tomorrow that band of cloud and patchy rain will move its way north eastwards across scotland affecting northern england for a time. for the north of england in south—west scotland it will brighten up a little through the afternoon. northern ireland, wales, midlands, the south of england seeing spells of sunshine. temperatures 7 degrees in lerwick, 14 temperatures 7 degrees in lerwick, 1a in hull and london. a seasonably mild. on sunday it will feel colder but it will be much brighter.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the bank of england raises interest rate to li%, to tackle soaring costs, but says the uk may have "turned a corner" on inflation. a further witnesses sought on the search for a missing mother who vanished on a riverside dog walk. an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing which killed 29 people, is announced by the government. michael gallagher's son aiden was 2i—years—old when he was killed in the attack.

it's been 25 years of struggle and we still of course have to work out the detail of the inquiry but erm, you know...it�*s still sinking in, to be honest. a former soldier is given a suspended sentence for killing unarmed man, aidan mcanespie, at an army checkpoint in northern ireland, 35 years ago. charges of attempted rape and assault against manchester united footballer, mason greenwood are dropped. thus after a key witness with true involvement. —— withdrew involvement. and a watchdog urges landlords to "act now" , after tens of thousands of homes were found to have serious damp and mould issues.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the bank of england has raised interest rates from 3.5 to li% — their highest level since 2008. the increase will leave millions of households facing higher mortgages at a time when many are already struggling with crippling energy and food bills. it will also have an impact on repayment charges on bank loans and credit cards — but it is better news for savers, who should get a higher return. the bank of england says the increase should help to control rising prices. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. in meanwood in leeds, like everywhere else, the cost of keeping up a mortgage on a house isjumping, because of higher interest rates. homeowner stu hennigan is used to scrimping after spending much of his life on a minimum wage. he got a better paying job as a librarian, but his wages, like those of many, have stagnated. when his mortgage deal expired in november, his payments went from £590

a month to £760. i was kind of hoping the days of nervously checking the bank balance once you get a couple of weeks into the month were gone. but they're back with a vengeance now and it's back to the days of, you know, panicking every time there's an unexpected bill. today, the bank of england raised interest rates further, by half a percentage point. the aim is to make it more expensive to borrow and spend, so businesses and households spend less overall, meaning less buying activity and therefore less upward pressure on prices. it said inflation isn't yet beaten. it is too soon to declare victoryjust yet. inflationary pressures are still there and we can see that in the data and we hear it from our agents. we need to be sure that we really are turning the corner on inflation. that is why we have increased bank rate today. but 1.8 million homeowners will see big hikes in monthly mortgage costs

as they come off fixed rate deals in the coming year. alex, from ashchurch, gloucestershire, did have an interest rate fixed at 1.6%. but now the best deal she can find is nearly 5%, or £300 a month more, forcing her and her husband to put their plans to become parents on hold. it impacts us tremendously, because both financially and mentally, because the money that we were thinking of spending on the child a month, that has been mostly eaten up by the mortgage rates going up. this is what has been happening to interest rates. at the start of the pandemic they dropped. but over the past year they have been rising consecutively and this dotted line is what the market thinks is going to happen in the next few months, with rates getting up to just under 4.5% before dropping back again in the autumn. that's changed the calculation for new mortgage borrowers. the brokers who arrange their deals

say more and more are now looking at variable rate mortgages so that they might benefit when rates start falling again. always seek expert advice. it's going to be quite scary if you're using mortgage calculators online, you're going from a 2% interest rate to 4.5%. it is really important to speak to an expert and suss out your options. the bank of england now forecasts a shorter, shallower recession lasting for six months rather than two years. it is also forecasting inflation will drop to around li% by the end of year and less than 2% next year. but it warns it could well stay higher than that. earlier, i spoke to claire mofatt, pensions expert and lawyer at the royal london insurance group. i don't think people are surprised, because we have been expecting this, and as we just heard, people perhaps were expecting this to carry on for longer, offer rates to up more. that

doesn't mean that it's not difficult news to hear, especially if you are on a tracker mortgage, you have a variable rate on your fixed rate is coming to an end, and you're going to have that the shock of an increase in mortgage payments because of that difference in the mortgage rate. they might have taken out a fixed rate mortgage of five years ago, ten years ago, even, and have really benefited over that time, and you might be a bit unsure what to do. do i go for a variable rate, do i have the certainty of a fixed rate? it is definitely worrying times, and of course we have got the cost of living crisis as well, so people don't have as much money. and those with mortgages are good to have even less money. and people who are trying to get on the housing ladder, young people perhaps looking to get the first mortgage, what is your advice to them? it mortgage, what is your advice to them? . . , mortgage, what is your advice to them? , them? it is really tricky, because what we're _ them? it is really tricky, because what we're finding _ them? it is really tricky, because what we're finding is _ them? it is really tricky, because what we're finding is people i them? it is really tricky, because. what we're finding is people might be delaying that decision, they might be setting up a bit more. in certain we have seen the amount of

mortgages being a great decline. and so, people might bejust waiting mortgages being a great decline. and so, people might be just waiting and seeing is going to happen, especially on yourfirst seeing is going to happen, especially on your first mortgage, perhaps you have not got as much equity in your property, so it will be quite considerable, if you are caught by rising interest rates. but evenif caught by rising interest rates. but even if you just wait a few months, then that might be a good thing to do, build up some more servings, because obviously in the saving side of things, hopefully that interest rate rise will follow through. and people should shop around a little bit to try to get the best that they can on their savings. but maybe holding off and seeing how the housing market is, seeing what happens with fixed rates. and we know that the market has probably priced in another interest rate rise, but especially for younger people, sometimes of the value of the certainty of a fixed rate to make sure that they know what you're going to be paying for the next two

years of the five years. bind going to be paying for the next two years of the five years.— years of the five years. and you mention servers _ years of the five years. and you mention servers there. - years of the five years. and you mention servers there. let's i years of the five years. and you | mention servers there. let'sjust mention servers there. let's just talk a bit more about them, because thatis talk a bit more about them, because that is the other side of the coin, really. forso that is the other side of the coin, really. for so long, that is the other side of the coin, really. forso long, people that is the other side of the coin, really. for so long, people have really. for so long, people have really struggled to get very much money at all in terms of interest on their savings. money at all in terms of interest on theirsavings. i money at all in terms of interest on their savings. i suppose there is at least as potentially good news for them. , , ~ ~ ., them. definitely. and i think, for them. definitely. and i think, for the last ten. _ them. definitely. and i think, for the last ten, 15 _ them. definitely. and i think, for the last ten, 15 years, _ them. definitely. and i think, for the last ten, 15 years, those i them. definitely. and i think, for the last ten, 15 years, those who | the last ten, 15 years, those who have savings and don't have mortgages, they have really struggled, because interest rates have been so low, and certainly be traditionally think people and the space we didn't have as much in mortgage debt, or rent to pay. and so they were really interested in how their savings were doing. the only thing to say now is that we're actually finding that a fifth of retirees are worried about housing costs now, i think that shows that there are more people entering retirement with mortgage debt as well. so, they might still be

worrying about the increase in the market even though they might have savings and are benefiting from the increase in the savings. but of course, even with that increase in savings, everything else has got more expensive, hasn't it? the cost of living crisis, our energy bills are, ourfood costs are up. even without that inches, it is not going to deal with the impact that high inflation has had. detectives searching for a missing mother who vanished on a riverside dog won't want to speak to women in a red coat to be seen in the area. the moment was last seen walking next to deliver wire in lancashire. at about 915 last friday. a major police search is continuing. so far, there has been no trace. lancashire police at the women might have information that could help that investigation. the crown prosecution service has dropped all charges against the manchester united footballer mason greenwood. the 21—year—old had been charged

in october with offences including attempted rape. i've been speaking to our correspondent rowan bridge who has the latest. the background to this is that mason greenwood was first arrested in january last year after videos appeared on social media. in october, he was charged with three offences by the crown prosecution service. controlling and coercive behaviour, assault and attempted rape. this afternoon, we had a statement from the cp saying are disc and turning that prostitution against mason greenwood, saying there was no longer a realistic chance of getting a conviction. they say they have withdrawn the case because of a key witness withdrawn from the case, and new material, as they put it, that has come to light. meaning, that there were no longer likely to get a reasonable chance of conviction. greater manchester police have said that the decision was not taken lightly, but it was only fair that mason greenwood would no longer face criminal charges. they went on to reiterate the

commitment to fighting violence against women. mason greenwood himself has not played for manchester united since his arrest in january. the manchester united since his arrest injanuary. the club have been asked to comment, but at the moment, he has not been training or playing for united. the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris has announced there will be a independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing. 29 people died as a result of the attack by the real ira , the biggest single atrocity in the troubles. more than 200 were injured. our ireland correspondent chris page has more on the announcement. the focus of this investigation will be on intelligence material. the thinking being, from theirfamilies, and backed up by a legaljudgment day secured in 2021, that there is a prospect that if the security forces on both sides of the irish model had pieced together intelligence that they had in the run—up to the 0magh

bombing, may be the attacker could have been prevented. as far as political reaction goes, we have already heard from the democratic unionist party commander national as part of the sdlp, both of them welcoming the announcement by the government in london. also we have just had a statement through from the irish foreign minister, micheal martin, as a chris heaton—harris said in his statement. thejudge who made that ruling 18 months ago, which has not led to this british government never to establish an inquiry, said that there should be an investigation carried out by the irish government. also, it wasn't in his power to rule that the irish government should dojust his power to rule that the irish government should do just that. nonetheless, mick martin, the irish foreign minister, has said that she will be consulting with his ministerial colleagues in dublin, including the minister forjustice,

to decide next steps. on the cross—border elements may well be important, and that the bomb was transported into 0magh from the other side of the irish border. so, this has been a long—running story now. it is nearly a quarter of a century since the bomb exploded just yards from where i'm standing now and the town centre of 0magh come on and the town centre of 0magh come on a saturday afternoon in august 1998. in terms of lives lost, the worst atrocity in the history of the conflict in northern ireland. 29 people murdered, including a woman who was pregnant with twins. so, police forces on both sides of the border have been involved in investigations over the years, although nobody has been successfully prosecuted. so, that has come families would say, very much added to the sense of grief over the years. they are keen that the whole truth about 0magh comes

out, although they are keen, the families that are campaigning for this inquiry, that is, that this isn't seen to shift the blame away from the bombers who planted the explosive device in the centre of 0magh in that summer. they say that it will always be those dissident republicans in the real ira who were to blame for the loss of life and a devastating effect on so many other families here. more than 200 people were injured. so come up say it is not about apportioning blame to the security forces, it is about learning lessons, and according to michael gallagher, the dad of aidan gallagher, who died in the blast, it has led this campaign, mr gallagher has led this campaign, mr gallagher has said that a full inquiry, establishing the whole truth, establishing the whole truth, establishing lessons to be learned for future generations, establishing lessons to be learned forfuture generations, is establishing lessons to be learned for future generations, is the least that can be done to honour the memory of the people who died.

michael gallagher's son aiden was 2i—years—old when he was killed in the attack. he said he's been waiting a long time for this day. i really never thought that i would see that, and there was a good contribution from the other mps. it is a secretary of state has given us everything that we have asked for, and we are very appreciative of that. i think it's... welcome i don't know what i would say, but it has been 25 years of struggle, and we still of course have to work out the detail of the inquiry. but we are... it is still sinking in, the detail of the inquiry. but we are... it is stillsinking in, to be honest. i think it is going to be a long time to come to terms with the fact that we are going to hopefully get the answer is that we need, and we can move on. you

get the answer is that we need, and we can move on-_ get the answer is that we need, and we can move on. you campaign for a ublic we can move on. you campaign for a public inquiry- _ we can move on. you campaign for a public inquiry. was _ we can move on. you campaign for a public inquiry. was what _ we can move on. you campaign for a public inquiry. was what was - public inquiry. was what was announced this morning, in your mind, sounded very like that? are you happy that you will get the transparency and accountability and a disclosure that you are looking for? ~ , . . a disclosure that you are looking for? ~ , , ., , ., , for? my understanding is that it is a ublic for? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry- — for? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry. it— for? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry. it is— for? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry. it is a _ for? my understanding is that it is a public inquiry. it is ajudicial- a public inquiry. it is a judicial inquiry with powers of investigation, and that is exactly what we wanted, so that the chairman and the panel can look at evidence presented from witnesses, they can question witnesses, ask, for example, who they talk to, what action did they take what was the outcome of that action? that is the kind of answer is that we need. i think it is also important, and i would appeal to you and your colleagues, to make it clear that this is not a case of deflecting the blame from those who are

responsible. that was the criminal terrorist who planned, prepared and delivered us a bomb into 0magh. what we are looking at is the feelings of the people that are there to protect us, and we do support those people. i want to make that clear. but it is important that when 31 people died, including two unborn children, there has to be lessons learned, and those lessons need to be passed on to others, so if they're in a similar position, they are better prepared to deal with it. share position, they are better prepared to deal with it.— to deal with it. are you and the families for _ to deal with it. are you and the families for the _ to deal with it. are you and the families for the emotion - to deal with it. are you and the families for the emotion of i to deal with it. are you and the i families for the emotion of reliving this? because that is what will undoubtedly be involved. there is no doubt in our — undoubtedly be involved. there is no doubt in our mind _ undoubtedly be involved. there is no doubt in our mind it _ undoubtedly be involved. there is no doubt in our mind it is _ undoubtedly be involved. there is no doubt in our mind it is going - undoubtedly be involved. there is no doubt in our mind it is going to i undoubtedly be involved. there is no doubt in our mind it is going to be i doubt in our mind it is going to be a difficult process, but if we don't have this process, for the rest of our lives, we are going to be wondering what to. i have said to the secretary of state that may be we have got it wrong, and if we have got it wrong, shows where we have

got it wrong, shows where we have got it wrong, and i think that this is a necessary, painful as it will be, it is a necessary exercise that we have to go through. some breaking news before or headlines. royal mail workers, we are hearing, are to stage another strike in february the 16th. it is all part of the long—running dispute over pay and conditions. that has just been announced by the communication workers union, so yet more industrial action in this winter wave of strike action. royal mail workers will stage a fresh strike on the 16th of february in the dispute over pay and conditions. the headlines on bbc news... the bank of england has raised interest rates at li% to tackle soaring costs, but says the uk may have turned a corner on inflation. detectives are seeking a further witness and the search for a missing mother who vanished on a riverside dog walk last friday. and the

government, as you havejust dog walk last friday. and the government, as you have just been hearing, has announced an independent statutory inquiry into the i998 independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing, which left 29 people dead. it was the worst single atrocity in the northern ireland troubles. a former british soldier has been given a three year suspended sentenced for shooting dead a man in northern ireland 35 years ago as he travelled to a football match. david holden was convicted of manslaughter, for opening fire on aidan mcanespie with a machine gun at a border crossing point. he's the first veteran to be convicted of an historical offence in northern ireland since the good friday agreement. earlier, i spoke to our ireland correspondent, emma vardy, who gave me the latest on this case. this is one of a number of cases in northern ireland against former soldiers, which is very divisive for communities here. what happens in

1998 that aidan mcanespie was unarmed, walking through the checkpoint, and was struck by a bullet which ricocheted off the road and killed him. david holden, the soldier responsible at the time argued back then that his hands had slipped, he wasjust18 argued back then that his hands had slipped, he was just 18 was on duty for the first time, that he hadn't meant to fire at mr mcanespie. at that time, he was given a fine by the army, and he very much considered the matter closed. but mr mcanespie's family campaigned for many years to getjustice, and finally, the case was reopened, and then manslaughter charges were brought against david holden in 2018. and last year, he was found guilty of manslaughter. on the judge found that there was gross negligence to her pointed the gun at mr mcanespie, and that he shouldn't have assumed that the gun was not cocked, that it could have been primed and ready to fire. when he was found guilty of that, which was

a very significant conviction. but today, he has escaped a jail sentence, being given a three—year suspended sentence. but these cases are very divisive in northern ireland. there are a number of other cases were former veterans are awaiting charging decisions here. mr mcanespie's family have welcomed the fact that there was a conviction. they would have liked to have secombe and other victims group would have liked to see a custodial sentence, but on the other hand, there are many others in northern ireland who are deeply opposed to the idea of former soldiers who have served in northern ireland during the conflict, being brought back to court decades later and prosecuted. what the government wants to do about this is likely to draw a line under all this and not to have any more of these types of legacy prosecutions going forward, but it wanted to bring in legislation to achieve that. but that plan too is very divisive here, and was also opposed on all sides. sean mcanespie, aiden's brother, spoke outside belfast crown court.

nothing takes away from the fact that mr holden was found guilty of unlawfully shooting our brother aidan. the whole top was about poor him, poor. she had a chance the start of this trial to come out on to tell the truth and to admit to what she has done. but he dragged us through the courts for years. we lost our father and sister in the duration of that. it was like being stabbed at the checkpoint every time i came here. we weren't looking for a pound of flesh, we were looking forjust a pound of flesh, we were looking for just a truth a pound of flesh, we were looking forjust a truth and justice. i wouldn't take away for other families to seekjustice.

there is to be 200 x thousand pounds of social care justice. it there is to be 200 x thousand pounds of social care justice.— of social care 'ustice. it will transform — of social care justice. it will transform the _ of social care justice. it will transform the sector- of social care justice. it will transform the sector and i of social care justice. it will i transform the sector and provide better support to the vulnerable families. the review follows the murders of two children in 2020. stacey works at durham university, and used to have a very independent life. now, she is a kinship care for her four—year—old life. now, she is a kinship care for herfour—year—old niece, georgie. aduu herfour—year—old niece, georgie. adult activity has been replaced by the rent of school, gymnastics, sort of way. i the rent of school, gymnastics, sort of wa . ., , ., , of way. i love my life now. it is vastly different _ of way. i love my life now. it is vastly different to _ of way. i love my life now. it is vastly different to what - of way. i love my life now. it is vastly different to what it i of way. i love my life now. it is vastly different to what it was l of way. i love my life now. it is i vastly different to what it was and what could have been. i love my little person. i love that she is cheeky, mysterious, and it is an avenue that i didn't think i wanted. i certainly don't want my own

children, but i love georgie. stacey steed in children, but i love georgie. stacey stepped in to _ children, but i love georgie. stacey stepped in to stop _ children, but i love georgie. stacey stepped in to stop georgie - children, but i love georgie. stacey stepped in to stop georgie being i stepped in to stop georgie being taken into care. a court order and return georgie's special guardian, but she doesn't get an allowance as a foster carer words, and it can be hard to make ends meet. i’m a foster carer words, and it can be hard to make ends meet.— hard to make ends meet. i'm not ashamed to _ hard to make ends meet. i'm not ashamed to say _ hard to make ends meet. i'm not ashamed to say it, _ hard to make ends meet. i'm not ashamed to say it, but _ hard to make ends meet. i'm not ashamed to say it, but we - hard to make ends meet. i'm not ashamed to say it, but we make| hard to make ends meet. i'm not| ashamed to say it, but we make it into a game for she will go and find the yellow stickers when we are out shopping, and they don't know why we are doing that, but are just making the most of the amount of money we have got. the most of the amount of money we have not. , ., the most of the amount of money we have not. ,., ., , have got. the government has promised _ have got. the government has promised to — have got. the government has promised to support _ have got. the government has promised to support carers i have got. the government has| promised to support carers like stacey, in the strategy for children's social care and is today. it says it will put families at the heart of reform, focus on more family —like placements, including kinship carers, give early support forfamilies with kinship carers, give early support for families with addiction, domestic abuse and mental health difficulties. irate domestic abuse and mental health difficulties. ~ . , domestic abuse and mental health difficulties. ~ ., , ., ., ~ difficulties. we are trying to make sure that firms _ difficulties. we are trying to make sure that firms can _ difficulties. we are trying to make sure that firms can get _ difficulties. we are trying to make sure that firms can get the - difficulties. we are trying to make sure that firms can get the early i sure that firms can get the early help that they need, they don't end

“p help that they need, they don't end up escalating in crisis, and we can keep families together. but when children can't stay with their farms, they are going to a family —like environment, with a kinship care of foster carer, and when that is not possible going into children's homes, but we also make sure they have a stable and loving environment.— sure they have a stable and loving environment. . . environment. this children centre in north london _ environment. this children centre in north london helps— environment. this children centre in north london helps families - environment. this children centre in north london helps families from i environment. this children centre in | north london helps families from the very beginning. this approach was put forward by the independent review of the children social care, and is now supported by the government. but the strategy announced today promises only a first of the money to review recommended. i first of the money to review recommended.— first of the money to review recommended. i am eternally frustrated _ recommended. i am eternally frustrated when _ recommended. i am eternally frustrated when things - recommended. i am eternally frustrated when things don't i recommended. i am eternally i frustrated when things don't move faster, because i sat down on peoples living rooms come in foster care as homes, and young offenders institutes with young people who have been caught inside places that have been caught inside places that have not been helped by the public places they rely on, and sometimes made worse. and these young people whose job search, only get one crack at it, and we need moral urgency on

this topic. at it, and we need moral urgency on this toic. ., ., this topic. so, for now, there will be at no extra _ this topic. so, for now, there will be at no extra cash _ this topic. so, for now, there will be at no extra cash and _ this topic. so, for now, there will be at no extra cash and the i this topic. so, for now, there will. be at no extra cash and the wallets of kinship carers like stacey. up to 80,000 homes in england's social housing sector have serious mould and damp problems, according to the national regulator. the initial findings come from a survey carried out, following the inquest into the death of two—year—old awaab ishak from rochdale. the toddler died from a respiratory condition, after prolonged exposure to mould in his family's flat. let's hear now from social housing regulator's deputy chief executive, jonathan walters, to tell us more about the report. just tell us about your findings, because we know from that case of that to your toddler how dangerous mould can become even one flat, it

is one too many. but what is the scale of this problem? we is one too many. but what is the scale of this problem?— scale of this problem? we have surve ed scale of this problem? we have surveyed 4 _ scale of this problem? we have surveyed 4 million _ scale of this problem? we have surveyed 4 million social - scale of this problem? we have | surveyed 4 million social homes scale of this problem? we have i surveyed 4 million social homes in surveyed 11 million social homes in england, and we have found that, if you say one to 2% potentially have damp and mould that could be an issue. that is clearly far too many, so our message today to those landlords is that they need to be taken that seriously. they need to be responding to the tenants' concerns and taking steps straightaway to sort these issues out. ~ . . straightaway to sort these issues out. . ., , . ., , straightaway to sort these issues out. ., , , ., out. what is the mechanism to make them do that? _ out. what is the mechanism to make them do that? are _ out. what is the mechanism to make them do that? are you _ out. what is the mechanism to make them do that? are you just _ out. what is the mechanism to make them do that? are you just giving i them do that? are you just giving them do that? are you just giving them a choice or is there a mechanism to force them into this? more social landlords in this country are trying to do the right thing, and the vast majority of the stock in the sector is free of damp and mould. what we have found from the server that we have carried out is that landlords are beginning to really take this very seriously now. clearly, the tragic events in rochdale has focused on everyone's mind. that is never been an increase

in tenants referring cases of damp and mould to the darned outcome and we have definitely seen landers taking a step change in how they are treating thatand responded very quickly. that is good, but we have still got too many concerts have got damp and mould, and we have been very clear today that of the situation continues, we will arrange regulatory actions.— regulatory actions. partly, it is up to the tenants _ regulatory actions. partly, it is up to the tenants to _ regulatory actions. partly, it is up to the tenants to raise _ regulatory actions. partly, it is up to the tenants to raise the - regulatory actions. partly, it is up to the tenants to raise the alarm l to the tenants to raise the alarm and say, there is a problem here. initially, so to the ladder, please deal with it, but if they don't deal with that, then try to make one of a fuss about it, i suppose. the with that, then try to make one of a fuss about it, i suppose.— fuss about it, i suppose. the very best landlords, _ fuss about it, i suppose. the very best landlords, and _ fuss about it, i suppose. the very best landlords, and all _ fuss about it, i suppose. the very best landlords, and all good i best landlords, and all good landlords, should be proactive about this. this should be proactively trying to find the site, but if tenants find to have got damp and mould in the property, they should contact at landlords straightaway and let them not as there is a problem, and that they can hopefully address the issue. if tenants feel that the landlord does not listen, if they are not getting what they want, then the housing ombudsman service will take up cases where

tenants feel they are not being listened to.— tenants feel they are not being listened to. , , :: ,': , , listened to. this is 2023, it seems dickensian — listened to. this is 2023, it seems dickensian that _ listened to. this is 2023, it seems dickensian that people _ listened to. this is 2023, it seems dickensian that people are - listened to. this is 2023, it seems dickensian that people are living l listened to. this is 2023, it seems | dickensian that people are living in these conditions in some cases. and it is notjust unpleasant to have more than damp, it is, as we have heard, it can be really, really unhealthy, and potentially fatal. it can be really serious, you're absolutely right. and for individual tenants, but the proportion of stock, it is smart nationally, for there is an divisional tenets is a really serious issue, which is why we need to take this really seriously and engaged with it and put it right. and we today have indicated that all the dandos resort would where we think that our landlords aren't taking this seriously, we will be following up. we have a range of regulatory actions we need to take, and we were making sure that to focus on helping the tenants. _, ., making sure that to focus on helping the tenem— making sure that to focus on helping

the tenants-— the tenants. good to talk to you, thank you — the tenants. good to talk to you, thank you for— the tenants. good to talk to you, thank you for making _ the tenants. good to talk to you, thank you for making all - the tenants. good to talk to you, thank you for making all of - the tenants. good to talk to you, thank you for making all of that l thank you for making all of that clear. now it's time for a look at the weather. good afternoon to you. a lot of cloud out there, actually, for many of us. limited is bright or sunny spells, and that cloud has been producing some outbreaks of patchy rain and drizzle here and there, and some heavier rain, as you can see from earlier radar picture, which has been affecting northern and north—western parts of scotland. it is turning really quite windy now as well in the north of scotland. very blustery through the evening. and this band of rain, increasing it light and patchy rain, will put a little further southward through the night into northern england, parts of northern ireland. then it will go north—eastwards again, but it is going to be a really mel's night. six to ten in many places, tomorrow, hugois six to ten in many places, tomorrow, hugo is a badge of courage and patchouli and moving north which once again. behind that, a resurgence of mild air. quite a lot of cloud, but some spells of

sunshine, the best in northern ireland, israel's, midlands, southern england. highs of 14 degrees. another mild day on saturday. sunday will be cold a proprietor. hello this is bbc news. the headlines: the bank of england raises interest rates to 1r%, to tackle inflation — but it's governor, andrew bailey, says the uk will see a shorter recession. detectives seek a further witness in the search for a missing mother who vanished during a riverside dog walk, last friday. an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing which killed 29 people, is announced by the government. michael gallagher's son aiden was 2i—years—old when he was killed in the attack. it has been 25 years of struggle and we still of course have to work out the detail of the inquiry. but, you

know, it is still sinking in to be honest. a former soldier is given a suspended sentence for killing unarmed man, aidan mcanespie, at an army checkpoint in northern ireland, 35 years ago. charges of attempted rape and assault are dropped against manchester united footballer, mason greenwood, after a key witnesses withdraws involvement. laura has got all the sport. good afternoon- _ laura has got all the sport. good afternoon. the _ laura has got all the sport. good afternoon. the new _ laura has got all the sport. good afternoon. the new everton - laura has got all the sport. good afternoon. the new everton boss sean dyche has been speaking to the media for the first time since replacing frank lampard. with the club lying 19th in the premier league with just three wins in 15 points from 20 games, he says he wants the fans to believe in him. it is games, he says he wants the fans to believe in him.— believe in him. it is easy to take the ship in _ believe in him. it is easy to take the ship in calm _ believe in him. it is easy to take the ship in calm water, - believe in him. it is easy to take the ship in calm water, but - believe in him. it is easy to take the ship in calm water, but not. believe in him. it is easy to take i the ship in calm water, but not so much when it is choppy waters. we

want the fans to play their part in that. the club is not where it wants to be, but we want the fans to join in and reconnect with us. it is easy to say, i have got to earn my spurs, i understand that. i am a bit of a marmite manager anyway, but i am willing to put the hard yards into earn their respect.— willing to put the hard yards into earn their respect. graham potter said he was _ earn their respect. graham potter said he was excited _ earn their respect. graham potter said he was excited about - earn their respect. graham potter said he was excited about the - said he was excited about the challenge his bigger squad will bring after the club spent £289 million injanuary. the blues signed eight players during the transfer window including a british transfer record fee for enzo fernandez from benfica. under uefa rules only three can be added to their squad for european fixtures. the can be added to their squad for european fixtures. the challenge is the riaht european fixtures. the challenge is the rightward. _ european fixtures. the challenge is the right word, but _ european fixtures. the challenge is the right word, but i _ european fixtures. the challenge is the right word, but i am _ european fixtures. the challenge is the right word, but i am not - the right word, but i am not complaining about it. it is exciting, it tests for me and for the staff and for everybody, but it is an exciting one. we have got a

lot of really good players. we have to create an environment where there is competition, where there is healthy competition and push each other. we understand there will be frustration at times because only 11 can play, but that is how it is. that is the reality of where we are because only 11 can play and only a certain amount can be in squad so there will be some who are disappointed.— there will be some who are disa ointed. :: :: g; ~ ., ., , disappointed. the 2020 36 nations aet under disappointed. the 2020 36 nations get under way _ disappointed. the 2020 36 nations get under way on — disappointed. the 2020 36 nations get under way on saturday. - get under way on saturday. wales play ireland while scotland and england battle it out for the calcutta cup at twickenham. england head coach steve borthwick has named his first team london irish wenger ollie hassell—collins making his debut. owen farrell will start at 12 partnering marcus smith. money to a laddie is left out of the match day squad and joe marchand start at outside centre. borthwick has promised fans the start of the next

chapter of english rugby. scotland head coach has named his team for the opener with thin russell at fly—half and stuart hogg at fullback. no place in the squad for zander fagerson and hamish watson 04 ali price. the for zander fagerson and hamish watson 04 ali price.— for zander fagerson and hamish watson 04 ali price. the last time we were at — watson 04 ali price. the last time we were at twickenham _ watson 04 ali price. the last time we were at twickenham we - watson 04 ali price. the last time we were at twickenham we played really well, but there were no crowds that day. two years prior to that we were 31 nil down after 30 minutes, so we didn't have the best of performances that day. but we came back and almost won the game. as a venue, it is one of the toughest places to go, but we have recent memories and evidence that if we play our game and if we are focused and accurate, we can make it really difficult for england. wales will be without _ really difficult for england. wales will be without leigh _ really difficult for england. wales will be without leigh halfpenny l really difficult for england. wales will be without leigh halfpenny when they play ireland in cardiff on saturday. he was due to make his first wales start in 19 months but

has been ruled out following a back spasm. liam williams comes into wear the number 15jersey. the number 15 jersey. the number—one the number 15jersey. the number—one ranked side in the world, ireland, it will be without tyga furlong. he has been ruled out after suffering with ankle and calf injuries. he will be replaced by finlay bealham ham. the teenage leg—spinner has been called up tooing and's limited overs squad for the first time. the 18—year—old became the youngest man to play for england in the final test against pakistan just before christmas. he took five wickets in the second innings and although he has been left out of the test squad for new zealand this month, he has been included for the one—day and t20 tour of bangladesh in march. that is all the sport for now. more on those stories on the bbc sport website. i will be back in an hour. lovely, laura, see you later. a global wave of bird flu — which has killed more

than 200 million birds — is spilling over to some mammals, according to research in the uk. public health officials have detected the disease in otters and foxes. more targeted testing and surveillance is to be carried out but currently the risk to human beings is described as very low. here's our environment and rural affairs correspondent, claire marshall. this is now, by far, the worst avian flu outbreak in global history. more than 200 million birds both wild and farmed have died or had to be culled. a development that's worrying scientists now is the spillover into mammals. in the uk, the virus has been found in foxes. they're scavengers and can feed on birds. it's also been found in otters, the kind of animal also likely to encounter infected birds. so, what about the risk to humans? ok, so, this is our genetics laboratory. we were shown into the government lab in surrey at the heart of the uk's fight against avian flu.

so, here we have some of the latest technology and innovation in order to speed our work and generate that really important data. so this virus is absolutely on the march. how much of that is a worry to you that this might be be the next covid—19? well, i think when you're working with this disease every day, you're acutely aware of the risks and what it can become. without overplaying, this global spread is a concern. if we don't solve the problem across the globe, we're going to continue to have that risk. this view is held around the globe. we spoke to the head of science at the world organisation for animal health. there is a risk for further transmission between species and we cannot underestimate the potential adaptation to human virus. and that, in addition to the risk for impacting animal health, will have a very important impact on public health. the threat to humans is still said to be very low. overwhelmingly, the virus infects birds. on a global level the situation

with this virus is getting more and more critical, and yet the first line of defence is often people just out and about. in warwickshire, this lake is treasured by locals. many migrating waterfowl come here. last month there was an outbreak of avian flu and restrictions are still in place. it's been horrendous, been awful. sue runs a volunteer group. we're out here every day. we can see what's going on and we can see the state of the birds that are in. we check all the areas around with the binoculars to make sure there is no dead animals in the corners. the advice is clear. heed any warning signs and don't touch any dead or dying birds. claire marshall, bbc news. the energy multinational shell has announced record profits of over £32 billion for 2022. it's more than double

what the company made in the previous year. surging oil and gas prices since russia's invasion of ukraine have played a big part. let's get some reaction from fiona hyslop, deputy convener of holyrood's net zero energy and transport committee and a member of the scottish parliament. thank you for being with us. record profits, what would you do with them, tax them a little bit more? we what would you do with them, tax them a little bit more?— them a little bit more? we have --eole them a little bit more? we have peeple living — them a little bit more? we have peeple living in _ them a little bit more? we have people living in fuel _ them a little bit more? we have people living in fuel poverty - them a little bit more? we have people living in fuel poverty and them a little bit more? we have i people living in fuel poverty and in scotland we are and companies like shell have benefited greatly over many years, notjust shell have benefited greatly over many years, not just this last year from that. we are seeing prices increasing in april, so the uk government should use their powers, we have got a budget coming up and they should ensure these profits are taxed properly. make sure they are reinvested for individuals, but also

businesses. a lot of businesses are suffering. this is absolutely outrageous that they can make all these profits and have to pay tax. they are paying tax. they are paying tax, in fact, the oil and firms are subject to energy profits levy at the moment which has been increased from 25% to 35%.— the moment which has been increased from 25% to 35%. what do you suggest it should be? — from 25% to 35%. what do you suggest it should be? u _ from 25% to 35%. what do you suggest it should be? it was _ from 25% to 35%. what do you suggest it should be? it was 250 _ from 25% to 35%. what do you suggest it should be? it was 250 million - it should be? it was 250 million last year and 500 million this year, thatis last year and 500 million this year, that is a new energy windfall tax because of the price energy hikes. you cannot compare that 32 billion. i know they make most of their profits elsewhere but they have done and still make significant profits elsewhere and they get away without having to pay as much tax. they can offset that against shareholders and tax shareholder buy—backs would be a way forward. i do think we should be

supporting the decommissioning, but thatis supporting the decommissioning, but that is another example of the uk government not making the most of the enormous resource we have had. yes, we want them to invest in renewables and most of that will be in scottish waters in terms of the profits. but it is in their interest to do that. they don't need to necessarily be let off in terms of the tax before. we want them to do well as a company, we understand that, they are transitioning to renewables and that is to be welcomed. it is extremely concerning the circumstances of this with the war in europe and obviously ukraine suffering so much. but unfortunately in any war there are companies who do make profits, indirectly or directly and for shell to have made these profits, they also have an obligation when so many people are suffering. the uk government have the powers, they should make the decisions and there is a budget coming up and i think my

constituents expect the chancellor to make good on retrieving some income from shell... to make good on retrieving some income from shell. . ._ to make good on retrieving some income from shell... let's 'ust pin ou down income from shell... let's 'ust pin you down a — income from shell... let's 'ust pin you down a bit * income from shell... let's 'ust pin you down a bit more h income from shell... let's 'ust pin you down a bit more in _ income from shell... let'sjust pin you down a bit more in terms - income from shell... let'sjust pin you down a bit more in terms of. income from shell... let'sjust pin i you down a bit more in terms of how much? we know their profits last year were 32 billion, how much of thatis year were 32 billion, how much of that is taxable in the united kingdom? aha, that is taxable in the united kingdom?— that is taxable in the united kinudom? �* , ., ., ., , , kingdom? a smaller amount, because as i said, i kingdom? a smaller amount, because as i said. i know— kingdom? a smaller amount, because as i said, i know most _ kingdom? a smaller amount, because as i said, i know most of— kingdom? a smaller amount, because as i said, i know most of their - as i said, i know most of their profits are made elsewhere but they are headquartered in the united kingdom. that gives more levers and powers for the uk government to use. they certainly want to benefit in the future from our next set of renewable windfall with our wind farms in scotland and indeed elsewhere. there are far more levers in the uk chancellor's pocket than he has used today. quite frankly, the energy windfall had to be dragged, kicking and screaming to enforce... ., . ., , .,

enforce... how much roughly, in an ideal world. — enforce... how much roughly, in an ideal world, if _ enforce... how much roughly, in an ideal world, if you _ enforce... how much roughly, in an ideal world, if you were _ enforce... how much roughly, in an ideal world, if you were in - enforce... how much roughly, in an ideal world, if you were in charge i ideal world, if you were in charge of all this, would they be paying in tax out of the 32 billion? i am of all this, would they be paying in tax out of the 32 billion?— tax out of the 32 billion? i am not in charue tax out of the 32 billion? i am not in charge of— tax out of the 32 billion? i am not in charge of this, _ tax out of the 32 billion? i am not in charge of this, the _ tax out of the 32 billion? i am not in charge of this, the uk - tax out of the 32 billion? i am not. in charge of this, the uk government is. , , ., in charge of this, the uk government is. give us a ballpark figure, how much do you _ is. give us a ballpark figure, how much do you think _ is. give us a ballpark figure, how much do you think they - is. give us a ballpark figure, how much do you think they should i is. give us a ballpark figure, howl much do you think they should be paying? in much do you think they should be -a in: ? , much do you think they should be .a in. ? , ., much do you think they should be -a in: ? , ., , ., , paying? in terms of their profits that are taxable _ paying? in terms of their profits that are taxable here, _ paying? in terms of their profits that are taxable here, the - paying? in terms of their profits i that are taxable here, the increase in that windfall tax substantially, certainly doubling it, if not more would be the way forward. it has been doubled, they should double it again. that is only one tax, they can certainly use other... that is where their share tax, the buy—backs could be another lever, as well as their corporation headquarters. there are a number of avenues. i don't have their books, i am not sitting and looking at their books, but everybody knows they can be taxed more and they should be. what taxed more and they should be. what do ou sa

taxed more and they should be. what do you say to — taxed more and they should be. what do you say to the _ taxed more and they should be. what do you say to the argument that this is what capitalism is, it is about companies making profits and investors and shareholders getting dividends in return for their investments and sometimes these companies, even energy giants don't make any profit, or they get into debt some years. in a good year, yes, they have made a bumper profits may be the shareholders are entitled to a slice of that and it is a good thing? to a slice of that and it is a good thin ? , ,., , to a slice of that and it is a good thin? , ~ ., , ., thing? everybody knows we are in extreme circumstances. - thing? everybody knows we are in extreme circumstances. as - thing? everybody knows we are in extreme circumstances. as i - thing? everybody knows we are in extreme circumstances. as i havej extreme circumstances. as i have said, the war in ukraine is absolutely desperate and in times of war, some companies benefit directly and some indirectly. because of the energy price in the european market you can see how shell has benefited. that is also an opportunity for governments to react responsibly as well. in market cap it is part and parcel of that that the governments

can be as agile in tax and excess profits as those companies. we have seen it before in utilities and energy is a natural resource, scotland is abundant in natural resources. we are shifting to renewables and shell and other companies are very much part of that. but nobody can deny, these are excess profits in unusual circumstances and the government has the right and i am saying the obligation to use that for energy prices for households and businesses.— prices for households and businesses. ., ., businesses. thank you for your time from the snp _ businesses. thank you for your time from the snp and _ businesses. thank you for your time from the snp and a _ businesses. thank you for your time from the snp and a member - businesses. thank you for your time from the snp and a member of - businesses. thank you for your time from the snp and a member of the l from the snp and a member of the scottish parliament. thank you for talking to us on bbc news. last week the chancellorjeremy hunt said getting over—50s back to work is a major part of his plans to address persistent labour shortages. it's thought the number of over—50s not working has jumped from 37,000 to 308,000 since 2020. one idea to address this is forjob coaches to be

stationed at gp surgeries, with the aim of getting unemployed over—50s back to work. let's talk now with lisa edgar, who is chief insight officer at saga — a company which provides insurance products and services, catering specifically to people over 50. do you think there are lots of people over 50 who were not in the workplace who could easily be persuaded to get back into the workplace? the persuaded to get back into the workplace?— persuaded to get back into the worklace? , ., _ workplace? the first thing to say, i am delighted _ workplace? the first thing to say, i am delighted to _ workplace? the first thing to say, i am delighted to be _ workplace? the first thing to say, i am delighted to be having - workplace? the first thing to say, i am delighted to be having a - am delighted to be having a conversation about the incredible value of older people. what we do know is that people over 50, indeed over 60 and over 70 are very active. whether they are employed formally or not, we know that when people leave formal work they are

volunteering, supporting their communities, doing charitable work. they are caring for their loved ones. i havejust come off they are caring for their loved ones. i have just come off a they are caring for their loved ones. i havejust come off a call talking to saga customers where i had 84—year—old ron who had his first publishing contract news today. and louise and mary who are very, very busy volunteering. what we is people want what work brings them, which is purpose, stimulation, a sense of value, individuality and so on. i guess maybe the question is do they want to go back to the pre—pandemic structure of work? do they want to work in the same kind of way? perhaps the answer to that is no, but they still want what work brings to them because they continue to do that post work. iliai’hat brings to them because they continue to do that post work.—

to do that post work. what do you think about _ to do that post work. what do you think about this _ to do that post work. what do you think about this idea _ to do that post work. what do you think about this idea to _ to do that post work. what do you think about this idea to get - to do that post work. what do you think about this idea to get life i think about this idea to get life coaches into gp surgeries, to talk to people over 50 and maybe try and advise them about how to get back into the workplace, or encourage them to do so? i into the workplace, or encourage them to do so?— into the workplace, or encourage them to do so? i am delighted to hear about _ them to do so? i am delighted to hear about any _ them to do so? i am delighted to hear about any avenue _ them to do so? i am delighted to hear about any avenue explored l them to do so? i am delighted to. hear about any avenue explored to look at people getting back into work or exploring their skill base or what they want to do going forward. the gp idea and thejob coaching idea is one of those. you do need to take a stand back and think about where do we access people as they go through the different age bands? what are they doing? what are they reading, how do they access news and information? of course, the gp surgeries willjust be one of those. i think we need to explore a whole band of ways of reaching older people. i

explore a whole band of ways of reaching older people.— explore a whole band of ways of reaching older people. i mean, it is not 'ust a reaching older people. i mean, it is not just a case _ reaching older people. i mean, it is notjust a case of— reaching older people. i mean, it is notjust a case of persuading - reaching older people. i mean, it is notjust a case of persuading older| notjust a case of persuading older people to go back to the workplace, it is a case of persuading employers to hire older people and some of them might be reluctant to do so, for various reasons. maybe they are just a just, they may be thinking is it worth retraining somebody in the late 50s and early 60s when they might not be around for too long? i worked in 2016 and 2017 with the might not be around for too long? u worked in 2016 and 2017 with the fca and all of their work on the ageing population and the ageing mind. what we do know is that actually we accumulate this magical thing called experience and we talk a lot about it at saga. that experience accumulates over the years and actually we look like we make our best decisions in our mid to late 50s and early 60s. there is absolutely no reason for employers to think that people bring less

value as they get older, when actually we know they bring better value and betterjudgment. in my own team, half of my team are 50 and over. why? because with experience bringsjudgment over. why? because with experience brings judgment and there is over. why? because with experience bringsjudgment and there is nothing better thanjudgment and insight bringsjudgment and there is nothing better than judgment and insight and research of course. we know how incredibly valuable older people are and i am sure employers are waking up and i am sure employers are waking up to that. in and i am sure employers are waking u- to that. . ., ., up to that. in a way, the whole country is _ up to that. in a way, the whole country is perhaps _ up to that. in a way, the whole country is perhaps throwing - up to that. in a way, the whole i country is perhaps throwing away that experience and expertise that has been developed over many years in the workplace? the has been developed over many years in the workplace?— in the workplace? the country is benefitin: in the workplace? the country is benefiting from _ in the workplace? the country is benefiting from that _ in the workplace? the country is benefiting from that experience | in the workplace? the country is i benefiting from that experience all the time. the aforementioned voluntary work and charity work in the community that people are doing. we have just been looking at the economic contribution that older people make to society and the 50 plus bring about £600 billion worth

of net positive contribution to the economy when you look at everything they contribute. even when you look at the over 65 is, somewhere in the region of 23, 20 4 billion net positive contribution because of the swathe of activities people are doing. it would be devastating if we weren't using that contribution. we are. i guess the key question is, how do we bring people back into formal work where we need them and we need to think really innovatively about that. i guess the gp surgeries, thejob coaching and other mechanisms are examples of that. ,., , other mechanisms are examples of that. , ., ., ., other mechanisms are examples of that. , ., ., ,, ., that. lisa, very good to talk to ou. it that. lisa, very good to talk to you- it is _ that. lisa, very good to talk to you- it is a _ that. lisa, very good to talk to you. it is a fascinating - that. lisa, very good to talk to i you. it is a fascinating discussion and unnecessary discussion as well. thank you.

the acting boss of welsh rugby union, nigel walker, has told a senedd committee there had been "warning signs" about sexism in the wru but the governing body had been "in denial". a bbc investigation last week uncovered claims of bullying and sexual harassment. on monday, the wru's chief executive steve phillips resigned. our wales correspondent wyre davies is in cardiff. ever since the bbc wales investigation a week ago, which outlined allegations of sexist behaviour, union bosses have admitted the industry is facing an existential crisis. today the interim chief executive of the union, nigel walker, appeared with the chair of the union at a senedd committee hearing in cardiff. they admitted they perhaps

turned a blind eye to many of the accusations in the bbc investigation for far too long. this is similar to the racism allegations in yorkshire cricket and allegations of bullying in british gymnastics. both men face questioning from the committee and they had already commissioned a survey to look into the allegations raised in the programme and a task force would be set up. they made proposals for widespread reform of the welsh rugby union itself and of course, some changes have already been made to personnel at the top. the welsh government also has questions to answer, i think, over what it knew about the allegations of sexism and misogyny and what it knew about a very damning internal review into the women's girl's game in wales and why it didn't act sooner. all of this just a couple of days before wales are due to start their six nations campaign against ireland in cardiff. households in england and wales will see the

largest rise to their water bills and they could rise to an average of £448 a year. consumer groups have warned it could be the tipping point for customers who are already struggling to pay. water uk says the increase is because of higher energy costs. king charles will not feature on australia's new $5 note, the country's central bank has announced. the new design will pay tribute to the culture and history of indigenous australians. a portrait of the late queen elizabeth ii appears on the current design of the $5 note. rita is coming up next, but first let's see what the weather is doing. good afternoon. sunshine in short supply and in the north of scotland

it has been a very wet day. this is a picture from the highlands and a little bit of flooding on some of the roads. it is because of this cloud pushing in from the atlantic and bringing those outbreaks of rain. even where we haven't had the heavy rain we have had spits and spots of rain and drizzle, hill fog and we have been in a wedge of very mild air and temperatures have been in double digits. it is quite windy right now across the far north of england, but more especially across scotland. we could see gusts of 60 mph in the far north in these outbreaks of rain which will tend to push southwards for a time over night before weakening and then starting to diff northwards again tomorrow. it will be a really mild night. temperatures between five and 10 degrees. i'll start to friday with this band of cloud and patchy rain pushing its way slowly northwards and eastwards across england and scotland. south—west scotland, far north of england may

brighten up a little in the afternoon. for northern ireland and wales, central and southern parts of england we should see some sunny spells. large areas of cloud at times but temperatures peaking at around 14 degrees. that is unseasonably mild for this time of year and we start the weekend in this wedge of mild air. however, behind me we can see signs of a change. something colder lurking behind this weather front, this band of cloud and rain which during saturday will roll in across northern ireland, the western side of scotland. the head of the cloud, limited sunny spells and another mild day, ten, 11 or 12 degrees. saturday night, this weather front, the cold front will push south eastwards. the rain weakening as it goes but behind it this area of high pressure builds its way in. we will be in some colder air by sunday. but the weather should look quite a lot brighter. mainly sunny skies on

sunday, a bit of cloud lurking in the far south—west and far north of scotland but in between lengthy spells of sunshine, temperatures down a little, eight or 9 degrees. we stick with the chilly feel as we head into next week. many places are likely to be dry with high pressure close by and the greater chance of seeing high pressure will be across the north and west of the uk.

this is bbc news. this is bbc news. i'm reeta chakrabarti. i'm reeta chakrabarti. the headlines at 5pm: the headlines at 5pm: the bank of england raises the bank of england raises interest rates to 4%, interest rates to 4%, and says the uk may have and says the uk may have "turned a corner" on inflation. "turned a corner" on inflation. is announced by the government. but it warns of economic pressure but it warns of economic pressure had. ~ ~ ., ., , ., ., had. ~ ~ ., ., , ., ., had. we think inflation is going to come down _ had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, _ had. we think inflation is going to had. we think inflation is going to come down _ had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, _ had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, and _ had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, and a - had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, and a lot - had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, and _ had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, and a - had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, and a lot - had. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, and a lot of. come down rapidly, and a lot of. had. we think inflation is going to i come down rapidly, and a lot of that had. we think inflation is going to i come down rapidly, and a lot of that is because of energy prices. but is because of energy prices. but there is a lot of risk out there there is a lot of risk out there that it may not happen in that way. that it may not happen in that way. an independent statutory inquiry an independent statutory inquiry

into the 1998 0magh bombing, into the 1998 0magh bombing, which killed 29 people, which killed 29 people, is announced by the government. michael gallagher's son aiden was 21 years old when he was killed in the attack. it's been 25 years of struggle, and we still, of course, work out the detail of