this is bbc news. i'm reeta chakrabarti. the headlines at 5pm: the bank of england raises interest rates to 4%, and says the uk may have "turned a corner" on inflation. but it warns of economic pressure 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 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. had. we think inflation is going to i come down rapidly, and a lot of that is because of energy prices. but there is a lot of risk out there that it may not happen in that way. an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 omagh bombing, 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 the inquiry, but we are still... it is still sinking in, to be honest. charges of attempted rape and assault are dropped against manchester united footballer mason greenwood, after a key witnesses withdraws involvement. the oil giant shell reports record annual profits of £32 billion — the highest in its 115—year history. 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 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 energy and food bills. the bank also says the uk will enter recession, but it won't be as severe as they predicted last year. the governor of the bank of england, andrew bailey, has been speaking with our economics editor, faisal islam. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly, and a lot of that is down rapidly, and a lot of that is down to energy prices, which have fallen rapidly, but i'm afraid there are big risks out there which mean that it may not happen in that way and we are still seeing stronger pressure from both price and wage in the economy. and the question is, will that start to ease off was —— ease off? -- ease off? with the industrial action- -- _ -- ease off? with the industrial action... the _ -- ease off? with the industrial action... the public _ -- ease off? with the industrial action... the public sector - action... the public sector strikers, some of them asking the

government for pay rises. i strikers, some of them asking the government for pay rises. i should sa we government for pay rises. i should say we look _ government for pay rises. i should say we look at _ government for pay rises. i should say we look at wages _ government for pay rises. i should say we look at wages across - say we look at wages across the whole economy, and a lot of the information we get comes from primary wage, and they have overshot in the last few months, but actually some of the more forward—looking information and contemporary information and contemporary information is suggesting maybe they are beginning to come off. that is important, that we don't have wages and price settings, it is both, let me be clear, that seek to get ahead of inflation, because if that happens, we will get more persistence of inflation. we will have to raise interest rates more. and therefore you will not get this shortfall in inflation. to and therefore you will not get this shortfall in inflation.— shortfall in inflation. to be clear, if the public-sector _ shortfall in inflation. to be clear, if the public-sector unions - shortfall in inflation. to be clear, if the public-sector unions ask. shortfall in inflation. to be clear, | if the public-sector unions ask for if the public—sector unions ask for a seven, 8% rise when inflation is ii%, a seven, 8% rise when inflation is ii%, how cannot inflation? i

a seven, 8% rise when inflation is 1196, how cannot inflation?- a seven, 8% rise when inflation is 1196, how cannot inflation? i am not auoin to 1196, how cannot inflation? i am not going to be — 1196, how cannot inflation? i am not going to be involved _ 1196, how cannot inflation? i am not going to be involved in _ 1196, how cannot inflation? i am not going to be involved in individual. going to be involved in individual wage settlements. my message is one for the economy as a whole, that there is a risk that as inflation comes down, the path down is not as fast and is interrupted if we get more domestic price inflation, and that can come from price setting and wage setting. the that can come from price setting and wage setting-— that can come from price setting and wage setting. the imf came out with a reort wage setting. the imf came out with a report saying _ wage setting. the imf came out with a report saying not — wage setting. the imf came out with a report saying notjust... _ wage setting. the imf came out with a report saying notjust. .. there - a report saying notjust... there was a recovery generally, the uk... your numbers seem to be consistent there. it your numbers seem to be consistent there. , , ., , , ., there. it is interesting, last year, when i there. it is interesting, last year, when i spoke _ there. it is interesting, last year, when i spoke on _ there. it is interesting, last year, when i spoke on the _ there. it is interesting, last year, when i spoke on the matter, - there. it is interesting, last year, - when i spoke on the matter, actually one of the stronger rates of growth was the uk. this year, we and the imf have a similar position. it is a mildly negative number. it is much less negative than if you want to go because we have seen energy prices

come down for instance and that helps a lot. going forwards them beyond that, the imf think the economy will recover quicker than we do, we take a different view on that, and is quite reasonable. how quickly demand will recover, the labour supply, quickly demand will recover, the laboursupply, how quickly demand will recover, the labour supply, how the quickly demand will recover, the laboursupply, how thejob quickly demand will recover, the labour supply, how the job losses will be. they take a quite more sombre view on that than we do. imilieu sombre view on that than we do. when it takes shocks — sombre view on that than we do. when it takes shocks to _ sombre view on that than we do. when it takes shocks to the _ it takes shocks to the economy... you have had a look at the brexit trade numbers. the hits are coming more quickly. trade numbers. the hits are coming more quickly-— trade numbers. the hits are coming more quickly. there are three things auoin on at more quickly. there are three things going on at the _ more quickly. there are three things going on at the moment. _ more quickly. there are three things going on at the moment. there - more quickly. there are three things going on at the moment. there is i more quickly. there are three thingsl going on at the moment. there is the covid hit him of the effect of the energy price rises we have had an brexit, on the supply side of the economy. it is very hard to accurately apportion the overall effects, but what i would say is we have taken a view over a long time,

over a longer period, we would see negative effects on brexit because the economy is left open. the evidence would seem to suggest the effect, the total effect may not have gotten larger, but it seems to be coming through faster. to have gotten larger, but it seems to be coming through faster.- be coming through faster. a report showin: be coming through faster. a report showing that _ be coming through faster. a report showing that since _ be coming through faster. a report showing that since the _ be coming through faster. a report showing that since the pandemic, l be coming through faster. a report i showing that since the pandemic, the size of the economy... the early part of 2026. size of the economy... the early part of 2026-_ size of the economy... the early part of 2026-— part of 2026. no. it is it's ordinary- _ part of 2026. no. it is it's ordinary- -- _ part of 2026. no. it is it'sl ordinary. -- extraordinary. part of 2026. no. it is it's - ordinary. -- extraordinary. you ordinary. —— extraordinary. you might have to conclude covid had longer run effects that we thought it would, particular things like the labour supply, it would, particular things like the laboursupply, people it would, particular things like the labour supply, people choosing to come out, but you are right, it is quite remarkable in that sense. that was the governor of the bank of england, andrew bailey. andy verityjoins me now. how would you summarise the strategy

here? in how would you summarise the strategy here? ., ._ , how would you summarise the strategy here? . , , ., here? in a way, it is hard line in the short _ here? in a way, it is hard line in the short term _ here? in a way, it is hard line in the short term so _ here? in a way, it is hard line in the short term so they - here? in a way, it is hard line in the short term so they can - here? in a way, it is hard line in the short term so they can take | here? in a way, it is hard line in l the short term so they can take a softer line in the medium term. raising interest rates by half a percentage point was as much is economist thought they would. there are members on the committee saying they did not want to raise them at all. those two dissenting members would be worried about the weakness of the economy. we all see indicators. business investment is on the floor for some all those things that might get economic growth going are not really happening at the moment. the bank of england however is saying it thinks the recession that probably now in will be shorter and shallower than it was previously pricking back in november, when things were more pessimistic, saying we will have a contraction in the economy, fewer goods and services, but next year we should come out of it —— predicting backin should come out of it —— predicting back in november. some people are saying, if you think we are hitting a slump, why are you making it worse

by raising interest rates? the answer there is, we need to make sure this global inflationary pressure does not become embedded domestically. we are seeing some of that in the prices shooting up. they don't want expectations of inflation to become so entrenched that we all demand higher wages and that drives up demand higher wages and that drives up inflation, but on the other hand if we are heading for a slump of the risk is that they raise interest rates to quickly and it makes it all worse. �* , ., , rates to quickly and it makes it all worse. ~ , . , ., rates to quickly and it makes it all worse. , ._ ., ~ , worse. andy, many thanks. andy verity there- _ the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris has announced there will be a independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 omagh 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. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page has more on the announcement. the focus of this investigation will be on intelligence material,

the thinking being from the families, and backed up by a 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 sdlp, both of them welcoming the announcement by the government in london. we have had a statement from the irish foreign minister, micheal martin. 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. nonetheless, micheal martin, the irish foreign minister, has 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. they are keen that the whole truth about 0magh comes out, though 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 has 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. that was chris page reporting. you saw there chris referring to michael gallagher's son aiden. he was 21 years old when he was killed in the attack. michael 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. the secretary of state has given us everything that we have asked for, and we are very appreciative of that. i think it was... well, 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, 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 campaigned for a public inquiry. was what was announced this morning, in your mind, sound very like that? are you happy that you will get the transparency, the accountability and the disclosure that you are looking for? my understanding is that it is 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 them, for example, who they talked to, what action did they take, what was the outcome of that action? that is the kind of answers that we need. but 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 terrorists who planned, prepared and delivered this bomb into 0magh. what we are looking at is the failings 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. are you and the families for the emotion of reliving this?

because that is what will undoubtedly be involved. there is no 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 if?" i have said to the secretary of state that maybe we have got it wrong, and if we have got it wrong, show us 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. michael gallagher, who lost his son. we can go live to 0magh now and speak to daniel mccrossan, who is the sdlp mla for west tyrone at stormont. good afternoon to you, daniel. thank you forjoining us. you have been calling for a inquiry of a public inquiry, into what happened for some time. are you satisfied with the terms of an set out by the northern ireland secretary? irate terms of an set out by the northern ireland secretary?— ireland secretary? we have been callin: for ireland secretary? we have been calling for a _ ireland secretary? we have been calling for a full— ireland secretary? we have been calling for a full public— ireland secretary? we have been calling for a full public inquiry - calling for a full public inquiry from the british and irish

governments, given the nature of what happened in 0magh in august 1998, given the bomb came from the south to 0magh, but today is a huge and significance tap in the right direction following on from the high courtjudgment in 2021, which deemed that, which basically said this was a necessary process that should happen, and obviously as outlined earlier, there is no power over the irish government, but certainly the british government have taken steps today through the secretary of state, and i wholeheartedly welcome it, yes. irate state, and i wholeheartedly welcome it, es. ~ ., state, and i wholeheartedly welcome it, es. . a ., ., it, yes. we heard michael gallagher the 're it, yes. we heard michael gallagher they're talking _ it, yes. we heard michael gallagher they're talking about _ it, yes. we heard michael gallagher they're talking about answers. - it, yes. we heard michael gallagher they're talking about answers. the | they're talking about answers. the answers that we need to stop what —— the answers that we need. what are they? irate -- the answers that we need. what are the ? ~ ~ . ., are they? we need the truth. michael and many others _ are they? we need the truth. michael and many others have _ are they? we need the truth. michael and many others have been _ are they? we need the truth. michael and many others have been working | and many others have been working tirelessly over the last 25 years, as you said, michael lost his son,

stanley lost his wife, many other people lost sons, daughters, mothers, fathers. behind those figures are lives. many continue to feel the devastation even after all these years. one family told me the pain today is as great as it was on that day. i think the families will be numbed by this today but certainly will be determined to see out the process, because this is what they have campaign for, what they have called on, and i am glad and i'm very reassured actually that the secretary of state have listened to the families and finally taking this necessary step towards truth. and that is what this is about. there has never been anybody prosecuted for the deaths of 29 people, of 220 —— two unborn children in 0magh. this will move us closer. but -- two unborn children in omagh. this will move us closer.— this will move us closer. but the focus is very _ this will move us closer. but the focus is very much _ this will move us closer. but the focus is very much on _ this will move us closer. but the focus is very much on whether i this will move us closer. but the l focus is very much on whether the bombing of the attack, might have been preventable? the

bombing of the attack, might have been preventable?— bombing of the attack, might have been preventable? the 'udgment of the hiuh been preventable? the 'udgment of the high count been preventable? the judgment of the high court obviously _ been preventable? the judgment of the high court obviously was, - been preventable? the judgment of the high court obviously was, given j the high court obviously was, given the high court obviously was, given the information that was there, the judge felt these inquiries were essential because it may be the case that the bomb in 0magh could have been prevented. that is very difficult for the families, but it goes along with the families have been saying for decades now, that there was information prior to the going off in 0magh that may have prevented it. this is a step in the entire process. this is not the beginning in the end, there is much more rainy to see. we need to see the taoiseach come forward, intelligence on the irish side, intelligence on the irish side, intelligence they may have said prior to the bomb going off in 0magh in 1998. it prior to the bomb going off in 0magh in 1998. it is prior to the bomb going off in omagh in 1998. , a, ., a, , prior to the bomb going off in omagh in 1998. , ._, a, , a, a, in 1998. it is extraordinary that a full quarter _ in 1998. it is extraordinary that a full quarter of— in 1998. it is extraordinary that a full quarter of a _ in 1998. it is extraordinary that a

full quarter of a century - in 1998. it is extraordinary that a full quarter of a century later, i full quarter of a century later, this public inquiry has been announced. it this public inquiry has been announced.— announced. it is. for those families. — announced. it is. for those families, time _ announced. it is. for those families, time has - announced. it is. for those families, time has stood i announced. it is. for those i families, time has stood still. announced. it is. for those - families, time has stood still. they have been searching every single day and put all of their energy and focus in trying to get to the truth as to what happened, could it have been prevented the what steps were taken? and as michael said, it does not take oilfrom taken? and as michael said, it does not take oil from the fact that evil in 0magh happened that day by a group of terrorists, the real ira, which went in and change the lives of people in that town. it is still felt every single day. you don't get over that, even after 25 years. really, time has stood still because people want to get to the truth of what happened and that is why today is such a major and significant step. because there has been very little sin if can process such as this. —— significant progress. it is all down to the belief of michael, stanley and many others. the groups

that have achieved this today. it is because they never gave up and never will give up to get the truth that may lead to the prosecution of those responsible for the murders of those people. responsible for the murders of those eo - le. ., ~ responsible for the murders of those --eole. . ~' , responsible for the murders of those --eole. ., ~ , . ., people. 0k, thank you very much for talkin: to people. 0k, thank you very much for talking to us- — people. 0k, thank you very much for talking to us. that _ people. 0k, thank you very much for talking to us. that is _ people. 0k, thank you very much for talking to us. that is daniel - talking to us. that is daniel mccrossan. thank you very much. 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. 0ur reporter rowan bridge gave us this update. 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. then this afternoon, we had a statement from the crown prosecution, saying they were discontinuing that prosecution against mason greenwood,

saying that there was no longer a realistic chance of getting a conviction. they say that they have withdrawn the case because of a key witness withdrawing from the case and new material, as they put it, that's 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. they went on to reiterate their commitment to fighting violence against women. mason greenwood himself has not played for 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. 0ur reporter rowan bridge there. 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. 0ur our business editor simon jack our business editor simonjack says the profits recorded by shell are record—breaking. it is the biggest profit in their 115—year history. as far as i can work out, it is the biggest profit any uk based company has made in history. 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 of money. how much tax are they paying? i can tell you, that in uk taxes, they paid £100 million in 2022 and are expecting 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 about this. a, 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 old oil rigs

in the north sea and investing in new oil and gas projects here in the uk, they are allowed to 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, they now pay 75% tax on any profit made in the uk and that is one of the highest anywhere in the world. i think what this shows is that it is not straightforward to tax a multinational company which does most of its business elsewhere here in the uk. 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. 0ur our business editor simon jack there. labour's shadow chancellor rachel reeves is urging the government to ensure companies like shell pay more tax.

what we saw today is shell make the biggest profits in its 150—year history, £32 billion just last year. we've got to tax those profits properly and use the money to help people are really struggling right now with higher gas and electricity bills. that's why labour have said we would extend that windfall tax and use the money to freeze bills this april, because at the moment, under this government's plans, gas and electricity bills are going up by £500 in april this year. is there a problem with shell being able to offset some of their tax against losses? is that something that you would look to change? we've said that the investment loophole, which sees shell reduce its tax burden by putting more money into fossil fuel investment, that's not the right approach. if you're making profits of £32 billion in one year, because of the windfalls of an illegal war in ukraine, then you should be taxed properly and that money should be used

to keep gas and electricity bills as low as possible for consumers. detectives searching for a missing mother who vanished on a riverside dog walk want to speak to a woman in a red coat who was seen in the area. nicola bulley was last seen walking next to the river wyre in st michael's on wyre in lancashire at about 9.15 last friday. a major police search is continuing, but so far, no trace has been found. lancashire police say the woman might have information to help the investigation. 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 ishakfrom rochdale. the toddler died from a respiratory condition, after prolonged exposure to mould in his family's flat. i'm joined now by dr tom wooley, a clean air expert and researcher

on healthy homes for over a0 years. good afternoon to you, tom. the vacatur thinks up to 80,000 homes in england's social housing sector could have serious problems. do you think that is a realistic assessment? i think that is a realistic assessment?- think that is a realistic assessment? i think it is significant _ assessment? i think it is| significant underreporting assessment? i think it is i significant underreporting of assessment? i think it is - significant underreporting of the problem. i have read the regulator's report and i cannot carry their official statistics, report and i cannot carry their officialstatistics, but report and i cannot carry their official statistics, but the point is they are only looking at a section of social housing, and those people who have actually been pulled, so this is a much bigger problem, and i think mould has reached epidemic proportions in the uk, inprivate landlord properties in particular, but even privately owned homes as well. it is a massive problem. homes as well. it is a massive problem-—

because these homes are not properly maintained by the landlords? 0r because these homes are not properly maintained by the landlords? or is it something to do with the building materials in the first place? i think it is to do with the building materials used in general. we are increasingly seeing buildings up with plastic materials, not allowing them to breed likely would have done in the old days, and also using materials which actually tend to encourage mould growth, and i think one of the things which the regulator has failed to address is the methods that are actually being used to tackle mould. thatjust is not addressed in the report at all. so one of the things i think needs to be done is they need to restrict the use of toxic chemical agents to clean off mould in houses which are occupied, as is standard practice by landlords to go in with this material and these chemical agents can actually cause asthma more seriously than mould growth itself, so they are using the wrong approaches to tackling the problem of and that is not addressed in the

regular�*s report. that of and that is not addressed in the regulars report-— regular's report. that is extraordinary, isn't i regular's report. that is extraordinary, isn't it? | regular's report. that is i extraordinary, isn't it? who regular's report. that is - extraordinary, isn't it? who is overseeing this, who is regulating the use of these chemicals? nobody is, it isjust — the use of these chemicals? nobody is, it isjust becoming _ the use of these chemicals? nobody is, it isjust becoming custom - the use of these chemicals? nobody is, it isjust becoming custom and i is, it is just becoming custom and practice. let's blame the tenants, first of all. they should open their windows and stop cooking and washing and even breathing, and then they should be smashing this toxic chemical agent around the house to trying get of the mould of that which simply doesn't work anyway. the mould comes back within a couple of weeks. we can renovate properties properly using materials which are breathable and can regulate the humidity in the building up those are not the methods and materials that are used by standard building contractors and housing associations and councils. contractors and housing associations and councils-— and councils. there has been this trauic and councils. there has been this tragic case _ and councils. there has been this tragic case of _ and councils. there has been this tragic case of awaab _ and councils. there has been this tragic case of awaab ishak - and councils. there has been this tragic case of awaab ishak in - tragic case of awaab ishak in rochdale which ash shown a spotlight

i suppose on this problem. is there not now a greater will to try and tackle this? i not now a greater will to try and tackle this?— not now a greater will to try and tackle this? ~ , ., , , tackle this? i think the problem is that everybody — tackle this? i think the problem is that everybody is _ tackle this? i think the problem is that everybody is saying, - tackle this? i think the problem is that everybody is saying, they i tackle this? i think the problem is that everybody is saying, they are wringing their hands, is in this terrible, this mould problem? at least is being recognised, i suppose, but it has been around for a long time, and the point is they are not sitting down to discuss with people about how it should be tackled stop for instance, i've tried to make contact with the ombudsman for housing to discuss this, and a rather unsatisfactory report they were producing a couple of months ago, they won't even talk to me about it. they don't have the right kind of expertise advising them and they are not looking at the right kind of materials to renovate properties. you have been campaigning on this issue for several decades, haven't you? i am told you have successfully taken landlord to court on behalf of tendons. is that what is needed?

that was in the days when we had legal aid. that was in the days when we had legalaid. law that was in the days when we had legal aid. law centres could get green forms and we could take battles to court very successfully. it is much, much more difficult now. there are lawyers involved in taking some of these cases up, but it is really... it would be so much better if the housing organisations, professional housing people, were willing to discuss how these problems can be mitigated and change the practice, the way in which buildings are being prepared. at the moment, they are not doing that. there is a shift, some recognition, particular on the uses of bio —based materials and set a plastic in buildings, but there are lots of people promoting plastic materials, making things worse and worse —— and using plastic. irate making things worse and worse -- and using plastic-— using plastic. we have to put a stop to that.

using plastic. we have to put a stop to that- we — using plastic. we have to put a stop to that. we have _ using plastic. we have to put a stop to that. we have to _ using plastic. we have to put a stop to that. we have to leave _ using plastic. we have to put a stop to that. we have to leave it there. l to that. we have to leave it there. dr tom wooley. time for a look at the weather with ben rich. a feed of mild, moist airfrom the atlantic which has brought some unseasonably high temperatures, 11 or 12 degrees quite widely, but in the north of scotland, as the radar picture shows, really quite heavy rain. some of this rain is going to sink a little further south and east as we head for this evening, but it will tend to weaken as it goes. it is also going to be quite windy through the evening in northern scotland. a really mild night in prospect, temperatures generally between six and 10 degrees. and then that band of cloud and rain that will be sticking southwards through the night, tomorrow, it pushes its way northeast towards once again. not a lot of rain, just some bits and pieces here and there. should be not ask quote wet a day as it was today. really mild, 12 to 1a

degrees. in mild search of the beacon on saturday. some rain. —— a mild start to the weekend. but a slightly cooler feel to the weather. this is bbc news, i'm reeta chakrabarti, the headlines. the bank of england raises interest rates to four per cent, and says the uk may have "turned

a corner" on inflation — but warns of economic pressure ahead. an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing, 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. charges of attempted rape and assault are dropped against manchester united footballer, mason greenwood, after a key witnesses withdraws involvement. the oil giant shell reports record annual profits of 32 billion pounds — the highest in its 115 year history good evening everyone. charges of rape and assault have been dropped against manchester united player mason greenwood. the 21—year—old had been due to face trial in november over allegations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, which he denied. the crown prosecution service said the charges were discontinued after a key witness withdrew their involvement. greater manchester police said it was "only fair" to announce greenwood would no longer face criminal proceedings. there has been no comment from manchester in the last few minutes manchester united have said... the club will

not conduct its own process before determining next steps, we will not make any further comment until that process is complete. 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 and 15 points from 20 games, dyche said he wants their fans to believe in him. it is easy to take 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.

england had coach has named his first team with london irish wenger ali hassan collins making his debut. the 2023 six nations get under way on saturday, wales play ireland while scotland and england will battle it out for the calcutta cup at twickenham. england head coach steve borthwick has named his first team with london irish winger 0llie hassell collins making his debut. while captain 0wen farrell will start at 12 partnering fly half marcus smith. but manu tui la ghie is left out of the 23 man matchday squad and joe marchant starts at outside centre. borthwick has promised fans "the start of the next chapter of english rugby". i feel like every one of the players and supporters who are excited about the start of the six nations championship are most excited about even the bits of scotland gamers these two fantastic teams babbling out for the calcutta cup in these two pictures of world rugby that have people more excited than this picture, the history, the rivals, the memories and i am looking

forward to the loud pack at twickenham this weekend and england's sports will be cheering on the steam. scotland head coach gregor townsend has named his team for their opener with finn russell at fly half and former captain stuart hogg at full back. but there's no place in the squad for established forwards zander fagerson and hamish watson or for glasgow warriors scrum half 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 full back 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 in to wear the number 15jersey. and the number one ranked side in the world ireland, will be without prop tige fur long. he's been ruled out after suffering with ankle and calf injuries in recent weeks. he'll be replaced by finlay bealham. that's all the sport for now. we'll have more for you in sportsday at half past six. back down to our top story. the bank of england has raised interest rates to four percent —

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. back down to our top story. joining us now is ray boulger, a mortgage brokerfrom john charcol. for people on fixed rate mortgages are all right for the moment but for people facing coming off of them this will be a very whirring time what sort of advice would you give to them? , ., ,., ::f what sort of advice would you give to them? _, ::f ., ., ., , to them? only about 2096 of mortgages are on a variable _ to them? only about 2096 of mortgages are on a variable rate _ to them? only about 2096 of mortgages are on a variable rate either _ to them? only about 2096 of mortgages are on a variable rate either a _ to them? only about 2096 of mortgages are on a variable rate either a rate - are on a variable rate either a rate link to their understandable variable rate and at this point increase was expected but i think the goodness for a people on a variable rate is the statement from the bank of england when this increase was announced was actually more encouraging than expected. it had been expected that the bank rate would peak at 4.25 or 4.5 and it is notjust would peak at 4.25 or 4.5 and it is not just that that it could would peak at 4.25 or 4.5 and it is notjust that that it could stop at 4.5%. as a result as that statement what we saw today in the government stock market was a fall of 0.3% in the cost of funds. that will feed

through to lenders. it does mean that lenders will be able to pass on that lenders will be able to pass on that cost and i do expect to see five year fixed rates coming in below 4% next week. so for anyone on a variable rate or tracker if they do want to switch to a fixed rate i think they will find some significantly cheaper rates of the next week or two. 50 significantly cheaper rates of the next week or two.— significantly cheaper rates of the next week or two. so although rates will be considerably _ next week or two. so although rates will be considerably higher- next week or two. so although rates will be considerably higher than - will be considerably higher than they were three or four months ago, they were three or four months ago, they are not going to be quite as bad as anticipated is that what you're saying? yes bad as anticipated is that what you're saying?— bad as anticipated is that what you're saying? yes i think that's riuht. you're saying? yes i think that's right- before — you're saying? yes i think that's right. before today's _ you're saying? yes i think that's| right. before today's statement, you're saying? yes i think that's i right. before today's statement, if you had a variable rate mortgage you had to work on the basis that the bank rate would peak at 4.25 or 4.5% and while it is not a done deal the bank of england has had in a statement there is lots of uncertainties and it does look now as if rates will peak at a lower level. was equally important is when rates start to fall, the market is expecting to rates actually to go

down by the end of this year. so if you prefer to be on a variable rate perhaps because that means repayment charges than the expectation now is that you want to such a big increase as you would have expected yesterday and you may see some falls by the end of this year. bud and you may see some falls by the end of this year.— end of this year. and a variable rate follows _ end of this year. and a variable rate follows the _ end of this year. and a variable rate follows the bank _ end of this year. and a variable rate follows the bank of - end of this year. and a variable i rate follows the bank of england? that's right. essentially there are two types of variable rate, a tracker rate which is directly linked to the bank rate and therefore he goes up and down in line with the bank of england rate. and then there is the lender standard variable rate which is known as a managed rates of the lender can determine how they change that rates. it will be interesting to see how different lenders response to this bank rate increase i suspect we'll see some lenders not passing on the whole of that increase. so if you have a tracker mortgage you know your rate is going to increase by a half percent. if

you have a discount mortgage based on new lender standard variable rate i think in many cases you may find not all of the increase is passed on. y ., not all of the increase is passed on. , ., on. do you get the impression that eo - le on. do you get the impression that people have _ on. do you get the impression that people have been _ on. do you get the impression that people have been particularly, i on. do you get the impression that people have been particularly, the| people have been particularly, the first holding off taking out mortgages what is mark doing with mac —— first—time buyers. mortgages what is mark doing with mac -- first-time buyers.— mac -- first-time buyers. activity has fallen — mac -- first-time buyers. activity has fallen sharply _ mac -- first-time buyers. activity has fallen sharply over _ mac -- first-time buyers. activity has fallen sharply over the - mac -- first-time buyers. activity has fallen sharply over the past i mac -- first-time buyers. activity i has fallen sharply over the past few months when liz truss was prime minister the budget behind that last age had such a big impact on the market people got really worried about the cost of funds. so the good news now is that things are beginning to stabilise and rates are coming down. actually, if you are a first—time buyer it is interesting to note that when 95% came back into the market after covid which was in the market after covid which was in the spring of 2021 rates for people

with a 5% deposit were around 4%. already rates have come back down to 5% if you have only have a small deposit and i think it will fall further. so the increased cost of mortgages for people with a small deposit is actually perhaps smaller than many may have expected. and first—time buyers will benefit from the fact that prices are falling. so there is positive news for first—time buyers. there is positive news for first-time buyers.- there is positive news for first-time buyers. there is positive news for first-time bu ers. ., ~ , first-time buyers. thank you very much for that. _ 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 gavew me the latest on this case. well, this is one of a number

of cases in northern ireland against former soldiers, which is very divisive for communities here. and that happened in 1998 that mr mcanespie, he was unarmed, he walking through the checkpoint and he 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 was just 18, he 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. and the judge found that there was gross negligence to have pointed the gun at mr mcanespie, that he shouldn't have assumed that the gun was not cocked, that it,

in fact, could have been primed and ready to fire, as it was. and he was found guilty of that, which was a very significant conviction here. but today, he has escaped a jail sentence, being given a three—year suspended sentence. but as i say, these type of cases are very divisive in northern ireland. there are a number of other cases where former veterans are awaiting charging decisions here. mr mcanespie's family have welcomed the fact that there was a conviction. 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. that there was a conviction. they would have liked to see, 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 known as the troubles 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 wants 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 aiden _ the whole talk was about poor him, poor him. he had a chance the start of this trial to come out on to tell the truth and to admit to what he 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 truth and justice. i wouldn't take away for other

families to seekjustice. the headlines on bbc news... the bank of england raises interest rates to four per cent —— and says the uk may have "turned a corner" on inflation — but warns of economic pressure ahead. an independent statutory inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing —— 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. charges of attempted rape and assault are dropped against manchester united footballer —— mason greenwood —— after a key witnesses withdraws involvement. 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. 0ur 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. british gas is facing an investigation by the energy watchdog after it was found to have used debt collectors to break into the homes of vulnerable people — and forcibly fit pre—payment metres. the measure can result in someone's heating being cut off, and the boss of the owner of british gas — centrica — has now called the tactic "inexcusable".

it comes after an undercover reporter from the times newspaper found the metres were being fitted in homes which should be protected. here's our business correspondent emma simpson. hello, british gas, your gas supplier. we're here with a court warrant. debt collectors, about to break in to install a prepayment meter. this is the exciting bit. i love 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. the energy minister, graham stuart, has said energy suppliers should 'hold their heads in shame'. it's just appalling. not good enough. 0nly last week british gas announced steps they were going to take to support vulnerable customers and it turns out they were doing anything but. so i am speaking to the chief executive this afternoon have already spoken to 0fgem and brought in all of the suppliers last week to talk about how we better

look after vulnerable people because there are clear rules and they are obviously not have been followed and therefore any of the regulator and the companies to do the right thing by people who are in the most difficult of circumstances and have been treated on this evidence appallingly. we can speak to peter tutton, the head of policy at the debt charity stepchange. shed a bit of light on the people going about this work, collectors, big lift. b, going about this work, collectors, bi lift. ~ , , ., , big lift. a bailiff is quite a broad term that comes _ big lift. a bailiff is quite a broad term that comes with _ big lift. a bailiff is quite a broad term that comes with lots - big lift. a bailiff is quite a broad term that comes with lots of i big lift. a bailiff is quite a broad i term that comes with lots of things. and have different powers and different things that may be called bailiffs how different powers. so in this case we are talking about installation of prepayment metres which is something that should be quite controlled. the regulator 0fgem has rules of the supplier, the

energy company should be following those rules in making sure the people that they contract follow those rules. it seems in this case that has broken down. so we would agree there needs to be an investigation on why that has. that probably needs to be a strengthening of standards to make sure these things don't happen to vulnerable people that cannot be subjected to false prepayment metres. and as part of your clip there probably needs to be a pause not on the fitting of prepayment metres while we think about the controls to be put in place to stop these things are happening. we see a huge increase in people struggling with fuel and other debts because of the cost crisis and that, as we go through the winter and later into the year, get worse. so now it is time to make sure that things are in place so that people are not subjected to very intrusive that enforcement. there are other sorts of things called bailiffs that go to your

house to collect debts, they can sometimes have powers to enter your house to collect debts, in certain circumstances. 0ften things dealing with public sector creditors. so again there is a sector which we think it is not regulated enough, we have argued for a long time the bailiff sector which is largely private firms needs to be regulated with an independent tree... we hope it will raise standards we have to look also to the organisations in this case the local government and in case of the prepayment metres, the energy companies who are instructing agents to do this work, they need to tighten up on thinking about, how old they are intensifying what the people have extreme financial difficulties or other vulnerabilities that would make that enforcement harmful and that

problems worse and cause more hardship. i5 problems worse and cause more hardshi -. , problems worse and cause more hardshi. , . ., ., , hardship. is it clear how these companies — hardship. is it clear how these companies have _ hardship. is it clear how these companies have identified i hardship. is it clear how these companies have identified the j hardship. is it clear how these - companies have identified the homes of families that had they have gone into? , ., ., . of families that had they have gone into? , ., .,. ., , of families that had they have gone into? ,~ .,, into? they are acting as contractors so they will — into? they are acting as contractors so they will get _ into? they are acting as contractors so they will get information - into? they are acting as contractors so they will get information from i so they will get information from the firm that is instructing them to do the work so whether that be bailiffs collecting debt or in this case the energy company is instructing people, getting information and are going in. so there is a chain of people with responsibility who should have oversight. the key thing is to remember that what we are dealing with here and generally is that a number of people who are struggling, low income in many cases promote which is what we see in fuel arrears council debts are struggling just to pay essentials having to use credit just to pay essentials making problems worse and also have other vulnerabilities like disabilities and mental health problems, young children. all of the stuff on top of

their debt problems and difficulties. so it is important that the regulators of the top of the tree, in this case 0fgem put strong requirements on the firms and their practices monitoring that and that firms are using contractors, are they really on top of looking at who they are. are they really on top of looking at who they are-— who they are. sorry to cut you off thereby thank— who they are. sorry to cut you off thereby thank you _ who they are. sorry to cut you off thereby thank you very _ who they are. sorry to cut you off thereby thank you very much, i who they are. sorry to cut you off. thereby thank you very much, peter. from the deck charity. ina in a moment the news at six but now for a time with the weather. not all that much in the way of sunshine some places have seen a lot of rain that was the scene earlier on in the highlands. that brain has come courtesy of this pipeline of cloud that has been streaming in from the atlantic and even further south we have had enough cloud to produce some splits and spots of rain and drizzle. very mild air

across the uk temperatures widely have been up 10—12. across the uk temperatures widely have been up 10—12 . unseasonably mild staying mild tonight, windy as well, this evening across the northern half of the uk. thus of 60 mph in the north of scotland where it has been so wet in northern scotland turning dry overnight at this band of cloud in increasingly patchy rain pushes south into northern ireland in northern england. very mild overnight temperatures between 5—10 . into tomorrow this band of cloud in patchy rain willjourney northeastward it's a bit of a damp start in northern ireland should brighten up here. that ring creeping across parts of northern england and “p across parts of northern england and up across scotland as well. brightening up in the south leftists of scotland in the north west of england for the afternoon. the wales comeau midlands, south of england, quite a lot of cloud that we should see some sunny breaks but it is mild, 12-14 see some sunny breaks but it is mild, 12—14 for many. we will start the weekend within this wedge of mild air but as you can see behind

me, there is something a bit different waiting of the wings. it is waiting behind this weather front, this band of cloud, outbreaks of rain speaking in across northern ireland the western side of scotland with her brain could be quite heavy on saturday. england and wales largely drive but rather cloudy it will be mild once again but, behind our bands of cloud and rain the air will start to turn colder because this band of cloudy roof rain is associated with a cold front, that will slip southwards leaving us in some colder air. it also we see this area of high pressure building strongly, just in time for sunday. so yes, feeling a bit colder but as he can see from the map, very little cloud, lots of sunshine. temperatures around eight or 9 degrees. so yes, a bit chillier than it has been say, today but certainly nothing unusually cold for this time of year. into next week, we stick with that slightly chillier feel, a lot of dry weather around the greatest chance of value rain to the

north and west of the uk. that is all for me for now more from nick miller during bbc news at six.

at six... the bank of england raises interest rates to their highest level for more than 14 years as it tries to curb soaring inflation. as interest rates are hiked to 4% the bank says the uk is set to go into recession this year but it will be shorter than predicted. we've only just begun we've onlyjust begun to turn the corner in my view, so it is too early to make that call with any degree of certainty, but i hope so. also on the programme... the 1998 0magh bombing killed 29 people. now the government announces an independent inquiry after years of campaigning by relatives.