support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. we managed to have a decisive breakthrough with our negotiations with the eu, reached an agreement, which i think is an extraordinary, positive step in northern ireland. a couple who disappeared with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton, but their child is still missing. a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. the number of people sleeping rough in england has grown, according to recent figures. thousands of schools face disruption as teachers go on strike again.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister is in northern ireland, trying to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements. rishi sunak says he's confident that the windsor framework, as the new agreement is called, addresses the concerns of the democratic unionist party. and that it removes any sense of a border down the irish sea, which the dup objects to. he said his deal was not about one political party but about what's best for people and communities. the leader of the dup, sirjeffrey donaldson, said the deal represented progress, but he thought there were still issues with it.

the brexitjourney has lasted for seven years. borders have moved to the centre, dominating politics here. does everyone hear that? it's about people... but the prime minister thinks he's finally found a solution. at a factory in county antrim, he told people the devolved governments would have a unique economic advantage, with local businesses having full access to the british and eu markets. and that is the prize. i can tell you when i go around the world and talk to businesses, they know that. they're like, "that's interesting. "if you guys get this sorted, then we want to invest "in northern ireland because nowhere else does that exist. "that's like the world's most exciting economic zone." the windsor framework means goods moving from great britain into northern ireland only will go into a green lane. there'll be no routine physical inspections. there'll be a red lane for products due to move on into the republic of ireland. those goods will be checked. there's also a measure known as the stormont break, which would enable the northern ireland assembly

to raise objections to eu rules. whether the assembly will be restored will depend on the dup's eventual verdict. progress has been made. we continue to have some concerns. we will examine the legal text. we'll look at all of this in the round and come to a decision. we're reasonable people, but we want to ensure that what the prime minister has said is matched by what is actually in the agreement itself. but there were also more sceptical remarks from the party, particularly over how much eu law would still apply in northern ireland. you don't defend the union by acting in a way which takes you out of the united kingdom because you implement foreign law which drives you further and further away from the country you belong to. so, i mean, the first thing to fix is the requirement of unionists to have to implement laws which are designed for their destruction. aside from the politics, there are the practicalities. it's at businesses like this where

the brexit rubber hits the road. the haulage company based here in larne believes the new agreement will drastically reduce costs and paperwork. it says more work's needed to maximise the benefits. we also have to focus on those suppliers in gb as well and let them know how easy it hopefully will be to move goods over here and, you know, to say we're open for business and we want you to send, you know, your goods to us. rishi sunak sealed his deal with the eu, but there remain hard miles ahead. the way forward for northern ireland isn't completely clear yet. chris page, bbc news, larne. let's go to westminster now and join our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. good to see you. how difficult an afternoon does rishi sunak have a

head, trying to convince politicians to back this and convince eurosceptics in his own party? it seems the most difficult groups he or facing the seems the most difficult groups he orfacing the dup party seems the most difficult groups he or facing the dup party politicians. that is the crux of the issue. he seems sort of confident he can push this idea that this deal is on their say on the laws and rules northern ireland has to follow. they, of course, are concerned about the practicalities of how all this works in practice. is it enough for them? we are yet to see. they are still preserving theirjudgment, still preserving their judgment, still combing preserving theirjudgment, still combing through it, as our mps here. what is interesting is use either hasn't been much open criticism

voiced from his own ranks here. i was in the house of parliament area and leading brexit supporters saying to me, reserving judgment still, still going to detect what a few things they are concerned about, but nobody wanting to commit to saying they wouldn't support it. even boris johnson, i saw him, asked they wouldn't support it. even boris johnson, isaw him, asked him they wouldn't support it. even boris johnson, i saw him, asked him for his thoughts on the deal, and he wouldn't commit. all he said, nice to see you and headed off to lunch. that is interesting, he's not nailed his colours to the mast, he is not saying if he will come out against it. he is may be biding his time. rishi sunak will be back from northern ireland here at five o'clock to meet backbench mps and talk to them. 6pm, those backbench mps from the european research group, the brexit supporting group,

the core of the pressures on the passover deals in the past, they will have their own meeting —— on the past deals. note signed they are coalescing over any organised opposition. coalescing over any organised opposition-— opposition. thank you for the updates- _ let's talk to a business in northern ireland to get their view on this new deal. ellie mcbride runs a web design company in belfast called calibrated concepts. thank you for coming in. what impact the northern ireland protocol has had on your business. the northern ireland protocol, _ had on your business. the northern ireland protocol, i'm _ had on your business. the northern ireland protocol, i'm a _ had on your business. the northern ireland protocol, i'm a service - ireland protocol, i'm a service —based business, said hasn't directly impacted me very much, but it impacts my clients. i build websites what e—commerce businesses who are struggling to get supplies and packaging in since the northern ireland protocol. and then it might beissues ireland protocol. and then it might be issues getting their products

back out to other countries. what be issues getting their products back out to other countries. what do ou make back out to other countries. what do you make of — back out to other countries. what do you make of what _ back out to other countries. what do you make of what you've _ back out to other countries. what do you make of what you've heard - back out to other countries. what do you make of what you've heard of. back out to other countries. what do | you make of what you've heard of the new deal and how it could improve the situation for those clients? i think myself and my clients are hopeful it will reduce costs and time around importing supplies on the mainland. it is early days and we hope these promises come to play in practice, notjust on paper. but my product —based businesses, when i work with them, it comes back around, they can't sell things, i can't help them. businesses like mine may not be directly impacted, but we are still impacted based on who we can support. what but we are still impacted based on who we can support.— who we can support. what is the im act who we can support. what is the impact been _ who we can support. what is the impact been on _ who we can support. what is the impact been on running - who we can support. what is the impact been on running the - who we can support. what is the - impact been on running the business without a functioning government? for a lot of my clients who are product based businesses, it can make differences in terms of funding. there are grants that go out to allow people to have a

website made for them and reduce the costs of somebody building an internet e—commerce website. those clients are harder to come by without a government to approve funding for these programmes. additionally, things like the energy credit. northern ireland had ruled out later. businesses are mainly home base that i work with. having that extra support and finances around there is money for heating and electric is one of those small things. and electric is one of those small thins. ~ ~' ., , and electric is one of those small thins. ~ ~ ., , ., things. we know the dup are reserving _ things. we know the dup are reserving judgment, - things. we know the dup are reserving judgment, rishi . things. we know the dup are i reserving judgment, rishi sunak things. we know the dup are - reserving judgment, rishi sunak is meeting with its leaders this afternoon. how hopeful are you this new framework will result in a deal, will result in a functioning government being restored to northern ireland question mark i’m northern ireland question mark i“n personally fairly hopeful. i think the small businesses, it's about getting on with our lives and doing business in a way with more ease.

especially what is a trying economic times. . , especially what is a trying economic times. ., , , ., times. really interesting to get our full. times. really interesting to get your full. thank _ times. really interesting to get your full. thank you _ times. really interesting to get your full. thank you for - times. really interesting to get your full. thank you for telling l times. really interesting to get i your full. thank you for telling us about your business. police seaching for the baby of a couple who disappeared with the child injanuary, when it was just days old, say they're racing against time. officers found and arrested constance marten and mark gordon, who were spotted north of brighton last night. a helicopter and police dogs are being used in the search for their baby, who was not with them. our correspondent howard johnson has sent this report. two metres apart, all the way down here. police officers carry out a fingertip search of an allotment close to where constance marten and mark gordon were spotted last night shortly before being arrested. this residential area in north brighton backs onto woods and a golf course. police say the couple were moving towards open land when they were stopped. they have launched an urgent search

for the baby as they are extremely concerned for its well—being. both constance and the baby had no medical attention pre or post—birth. we have seen the change in the weather forecast and we have had since 5th january and so my concern is always is the exposure from the elements to the baby. a countrywide search took place for the couple before they were found last night. on 5th january the pair were reported missing after their car broke down on the m61 near bolton. it is believed miss marten gave birth in or near the car a day or two earlier. on the 7th of january police say they dumped some remaining belongings including a pushchair near brick lane in london and one day later the last confirmed sighting of the couple was in new haven in sussex a few miles away from where they were found in northern brighton. they were thought to be carrying a large amount of cash and to be using camping

equipment to live off grid. authorities previously thought the couple had been sleeping rough in a blue tent, avoiding being traced by police by moving around frequently and keeping their faces covered in cctv. constance marten, from a wealthy family, was a drama student when she first met mark gordon in 2016. since meeting, the couple led an isolated life and in september when marten was well into her pregnancy, began moving around rented flats. gordon, a registered sex offender, was deported to britain from the united states in 2010 after spending 20 years in prison for a rape he committed aged 14. constance's father napier marten has told the independent newspaper of his immense relief that his daughter has been found, but it tempered by the very alarming news her baby is still missing. the latest here is that police continue to comb this allotment area, dozens of police officers looking through the sheds behind this residential area.

a transgender rapist who attacked two women has been sentenced to eight years in prison followed by three years supervision after release. isla bryson committed the crimes as a man called adam graham prior to identifying as a woman. the 31—year—old was found guilty following a trial last month. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon has been at the sentencing at edinburgh and gave us more of the detail of what was said in court. our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon was at the sentencing in edinburgh and gave us more detail of what was said in court. isla bryson was initially sent to a women's prison and days later moved to a men's jail after the case attracted political controversy. today at the high court in edinburgh, bryson's defence lawyer said private and personal decisions on gender should have no bearing on court proceedings and that since being found guilty of double rape bryson had been subjected to illjudged, ill informed and ignorant comments. thejudge lord scott said he took no account of anything said outside of court. he said that bryson had preyed on two vulnerable women, raping them in their own homes where they were

entitled to feel safe. lord scott said bryson presented a particularly significant risk to any women the 31—year—old might form a relationship with and that bryson was at high risk of reoffending. bryson's estranged wife has commented. she has said, i quote, that bryson did the crime as a man and should do the time in a man's jail. she also said the focus should be on the victims. the isla bryson case raids to an urgent review in scotland and a change in prison policy. all newly convicted or remanded prisoners here in scotland will now initially be placed injails according to their sex at birth. the headlines. the prime minister is in belfast trying to win support for his new deal on post—brexit arrangements for northern ireland. a

couple who disappeared with their newborn baby several weeks ago had been arrested in brighton, but their child are still missing. a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stanch real has been jailed for eight years —— waiting to stand trial. the number of people sleeping rough in england last year increased by more than a quarter, according to figures released by the government. the rise in 2022 comes after four years of decreases — those years included exceptional measures for rough sleepers introduced by the government in response to the covid pandemic — to take people off the streets. ministers say they're spending £500 million tackling the problem. our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has more. after a night on the streets, the need is for heat and food. at this bristol homeless service, they're feeding up to 100 people a day. and numbers are rising. i'm not happy. the streets will kill me, or the drugs will.

simon gilchrist has been rough sleeping for a fortnight. he lost his flat last year. a hostel place last month. at the heart of both is a long—term drug addiction. people say go and get a job or they don't know about addiction or why people take crack cocaine and heroin and alcohol to sustain the feelings. a military veteran, the 48—year—old doesn't think he'll see 50. if god can take my addiction away and god can say, "look, "i want to put you into this place, here's another go," i would go for that. some of the other people using this service scuttle in, embarrassed, driven here by cost of living pressures. we've seen people that have never been homeless before. people that have lost their employment and accommodation purely because of the rent increases. it's really frightening for those people that have never experienced rough sleeping before.

today's increased figures come after several years of decreases from 2017's peak, aided by a huge effort through covid to get everyone off the streets. but overall, rough sleeping is up nearly 75% since 2010. what our team is seeing in terms of their caseload, of the number of people who are approaching us for help when they're rough sleeping is a sustained increase and an increased risk for sleeping, and it's slightly harder to get people into accommodation. at the night shelter in bristol, run by the julian trust, sam atkinson has turned up early, hoping to secure a bed. been using the bristol bus shelter if i don't get a bed here. the 23—year—old has been homeless for two months after leaving what he said was a toxic relationship. but life's looking up. he's shortly about to move into a flat. it would mean the world to me because then i know i have got my own place. i don't have to continuously be

on my feet all day moving around. i can have my own space at the end of the day. sam was soon joined by simon, who'd spent the day in a&e with chest pains. when the shelter opened, sam managed to get one of the dozen available beds, but the rest had been allocated. so simon was forced to join the thousands of others who each evening call england's pavements their home. michael buchanan, bbc news, bristol. joining me now is emma haddad, chief executive of st mungos homeless charity. good to see you. what are you seeing there? . ~' ,, good to see you. what are you seeing there? ., ~ i. ., ., ., j, there? thank you having me. today's statistics unfortunately _ there? thank you having me. today's statistics unfortunately confirmed - statistics unfortunately confirmed what we have feared, which is a huge increase in the number of people eitherfinding increase in the number of people either finding themselves homeless or on the brink of homelessness and seeking support from our services and many others. it is heartbreaking to see, it is contrary to the government strategy of ending rough sleeping by next year. it looks like things are going at the wrong

direction. ~ , , , , , direction. why these numbers up so dramatically? _ direction. why these numbers up so dramatically? 7596 _ direction. why these numbers up so dramatically? 7596 up _ direction. why these numbers up so dramatically? 7596 up since - direction. why these numbers up so dramatically? 7596 up since 2010. it| dramatically? 75% up since 2010. it is all the cost of living crisis? it has contributed. we are seeing people who we wouldn't normally see homeless. more more people in employment but not able to afford the rent. and people who haven't got those long leads. but the system was under strain before the cost of living crisis there is a really, really high lack of affordable housing options for people to move onto, that they can afford and hold down, whether they are in employment or through housing benefit, which has failed to keep up with soaring rents. as well as people need support. often mental health support, the drug and alcohol addiction and getting into work. all

of these are working against the system, and we are often finding people after they falling through the cracks, fallen through the system and need help recovering, rather than preventing them falling into rough sleeping. the government sa s it is into rough sleeping. the government says it is spending — into rough sleeping. the government says it is spending £500 _ into rough sleeping. the government says it is spending £500 million. - says it is spending £500 million. why is that money going, and what more needs to be done? we why is that money going, and what more needs to be done?— more needs to be done? we are crateful more needs to be done? we are grateful for _ more needs to be done? we are grateful for the _ more needs to be done? we are gratefulfor the money, - more needs to be done? we are grateful for the money, but - more needs to be done? we are grateful for the money, but it i more needs to be done? we are gratefulfor the money, but it is| grateful for the money, but it is simply not enough. the biggest thing the government can do is unfreeze housing allowance, which is what people get on housing benefits. people are trapped on the streets or in temporary accommodation and unable to move on because they are but can't afford rent in the private rented sector, where a lot of people are forced to seek more permanent solutions, there isn't enough social housing to go around. and a lot of

the people who are just failing to keep hold of their tenancies don't need supported accommodation, they look in the rented sector. the government needs to unfreeze housing allowances, in line with rent, and reform rent bill which will stop the evictions. ~ .,, reform rent bill which will stop the evictions. ~ , ., , reform rent bill which will stop the evictions. , ., , evictions. most people roll remember the campaign — evictions. most people roll remember the campaign before _ evictions. most people roll remember the campaign before covid _ evictions. most people roll remember the campaign before covid to - evictions. most people roll remember the campaign before covid to get - the campaign before covid to get people off the streets. why couldn't that be continued? it people off the streets. why couldn't that be continued?— that be continued? it was a fantastic — that be continued? it was a fantastic campaign, - that be continued? it was a fantastic campaign, the - that be continued? it was a - fantastic campaign, the lessons learned showed that if you give people accommodation, you are more able to support them with all the needs they have, to help them stay off the streets are not to return. whether it is mental health support, help with finances, back into employment, immigration support. the

absolute aim was to get people off the streets, because it was a public health crisis. with the end of the pandemic, that funding is no longer under a few roots to bring people off the street. that was be the prevention support, when everyone has the same aim, where you can then build the recovery and trust were people to help them get off the street and stay off the street. thank you. the trial of nurse lucy letby has been hearing evidence from a hospital consultant who is said to have interrupted her during an alleged attack. the nurse is accused of taking a breathing tube away from a premature baby girl. the 33—year—old is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others, she denies 22 charges. our correspondentjudith moritz is following the case at manchester crown court. yes, first of all you may remember that a court order means we can't identify any of the babies

in this case. the baby we've been hearing about today is known as adk, a very premature girl he born 15 weeks early weighing just £1 and eight ounces in february 2016. it alleged that lucy letby tried to murder her within the first two hours of her life by interfering with her breathing tube. now we were told that the baby was being looked after by a different nurse, a different member of staff, who left the room for a few minutes to go and talk to the babies parents, leaving her in the care of lucy letby. we've also heard here that the consultant on duty had become concerned at that stage about the number of babies who had been having collapses and deaths on the unit and that he went to check. we heard today from him who said, at the time we were aware of a number of incidents, unusual incidents on the unit, and lucy letby�*s presence at them.

he said, call me hysterical but i was worried and i went to check to satisfy myself everything was ok. as i went into the room, he said, i saw lucy letby standing by the incubator, the baby's oxygen levels had dropped severely, the alarms were not going off, and he said lucy letby wasn't doing anything to help. he got involved and helped with the baby. who recovered at that stage. now, what the court has been told first of all by lucy letby�*s defence team firstly, they say the breathing tube may have dislodged itself because the baby was moving, and the court has also been told that the little girl was transferred to a different hospital and she died there three days later. lucy letby is accused of trying to murder her but not being the cause of her death. and she denies all of the charges against her, seven counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, against a total of 17 babies. this trial continues.

a muslim preacher who was close to the manchester arena bomber had been suspected by m15 of being a radicaliser more than a decade earlier, the bbc has found. a public inquiry into the atrocity — which killed 22 people in may 2017 — will this week report on how salman abedi was radicalised, and whether the security service missed chances to stop him. the preacher had been investigated even before another associate of his tried to carry out a suicide bombing in exeter in 2008. daniel de simone reports. the 2017 manchester arena bombing stole 22 lives. this week, a public inquiry will report on how suicide bomber salman abedi was radicalised and whether m15 missed chances to stop him. some evidence was heard in secret, away from bereaved families. our investigation reveals information not heard before in public, and possibly not

examined at all. the inquiry was told about this man, known as mansour al—anezi, who lived in devon. he died before the attack and detectives say they couldn't fully understand his link to salman abedi but... whatever connection there was, clearly mr al—anezi is dead, and salman abedi is dead as well. but there was clearly a connection. of significance. al—anezi was arrested in 2008 after a close associate, nicky reilly, attempted a suicide bombing in exeter. al—anezi, who wasn't charged, had been with reilly the day before. sources had said that before al—anezi moved to his home here in plymouth over 20 years ago, he was of concern to m15 because of his activities in manchester, where he had first lived in britain. he was suspected of being a radicaliser and was placed

under investigation. that is why he fell under suspicion after the exeter attack. al—anezi had led prayers at a plymouth mosque but those who ran it say he was told no politics and barred from preaching. he regularly visited manchester and also stayed with salman abedi. we found he used different identities. family knew him by another name. he arrived in the uk on a false passport. salman abedi was at al—anezi's bedside when he died in hospital of cancer. the only other close friend present told me the bomber was in tears. the day after al—anezi's manchester funeral, salman abedi and his brother purchased their first bomb—making chemical. a lawyer representing victims�* families thinks if our evidence wasn't heard in the secret part of the inquiry it should be made known. if there is material

which of the inquiry may not have uncovered then it is vital it is supplied to the chair so they can pursue that even at this late stage. in a statement, five bereaved families told us they are disappointed to learn of more within the case that doesn't appear to have been investigated. the inquiry�*s final verdict on the arena atrocity is due on thursday. daniel de simone, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello. well, some of you have had the sunshine bit, a bit of a great day for many so far. that's the way it stays, , for most into the end of the evening. but we will see things turn a bit soggy towards the south east corner, potentially into the london area for the evening rush hour. still one or two showers from the cloud across the rest of england and wales, but some breaks there, western scotland especially, and towards the far south west of england. now it's going to this evening and overnight the rain we have

in the southeast corner will push erratically. westwards does mean with clearing skies across the southeast. there could be a risk of frost and some ice here into the morning frost potentially in some clearer skies in western scotland, too, but most will be frost free again thanks to extensive amounts of clouds. still one or two showers. but tomorrow, more of a breeze and the cloud will start to break up a little bit more. still, lots of cloud around. sunny conditions will be to the east of the english channel, western scotland, and later across shetland as well. but a chilly wind developing here and for all it's going to feel chilly in that strong wind. little changes into thursday. bryson f hello, t bryson f his is bbc news. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: the prime minister is in belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland.

we had a decisive breakthrough with our negotiations with the eu and we now have the windsor framework which is a hugely positive step forward for me during northern ireland. == for me during northern ireland. -- hu:el for me during northern ireland. » hugely positive step for northern ireland. a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. the number of people sleeping rough in england has increased by more than a quarter year—on—year, according to latest government figures. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales face disruption as teachers go on strike again. sport now and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. england captain ben stokes said he felt blessed to be part of their thrilling finish, to the second test with new zealand

— despite losing the match byjust a single run. it means the series finishes level 1—1. with a target of 258, england were all out for 256, jimmy anderson with the chance to hit the winning runs for the first time in his career. but he was caught. it was new zealand celebrating a remarkable comeback, after being forced to follow on in their second innings. this just the second time in test history a match has been won by a single run. history a match has been england continue to prove the great entertainers, despite missing the chance to win seven tests on the bounce. you have got —— you have got to give credit to new zealand for allowing themselves 250 runs to be able to bowl at. in terms of the decision making and things like that, i will stand by, because i know that especially with jimmy, broad and robbo with the ball, teams have got to play very well to get totals like new zealand

got. fly—half marcus smith has been left out of england's training squad before their next six nations match against france, with george ford returning for the first time in a year. it means smith will now return to harlequins and it indicates he will not be in the matchday squad to face france. it also means a long—awaited return for ford, who has not played for england since march last year. now to a warning from sport england which says 2.5 million fewer women are enjoying sport than men. the this girl can campaign, aimed at getting more women into sport — is funded by the national lottery and aims to get women active. the study claims fear of harrasment, the cost of living, and feeling judged, are all barriers. olympic champion boxer — nicola adams — is part of their work — and says more has to be done. when i first started boxing it was very different. there wasn't any girls in the gym apart from me, and you do feel some of these things. you don't feel as included. i was lucky enough to have a gym that i did feel inclusive in but for a lot of my friends, it wasn't the same for them.

they were turned away from gyms, they weren't encouraged to go to the gym. so this is about being able to get a lot more women involved in sport and enjoying it and having fun with it. because exercise is fun. a couple of big night's of fa cup action ahead with seven football league sides left in the competition. manchester city will be hoping to move a step closer to fa cup glory — the last time lifted they trophy was four years ago. they face championship side bristol city, in one of four 5th round ties tonight. four more are tomorrow evening. pep guardiola's side are in the running for two other trophies — the premier league, and champions league, 12 games, no defeat, means they are there. my scouts say they are a good team. the manager has experience. did really well against leicester and watford when i was there. he was there one or two seasons ago. it's a final, so the fa cup is an important competition. really, really important.

fulham's fifth round game against leeds is on bbc1 at 7:45 tonight. you can also watch leicester city against blackburn rovers on the iplayer, and on the bbc sport website at half past seven. tottenham play in the cup tomorrow against sheffield united, the 5th round familiar ground for them — but they're spreading their wings into new territor today. the club announcing a 15—year partnership with formula one which will see a new karting track built underneath their stadium. the venue which was built four years ago and cost a billion pounds, already hosts boxing, nfl and rugby. the electric karting circuit will be installed beneath the south stand at the stadium, with f1 president stefano domenicali saying it'll help to open motorsport to new and diverse audiences. that's all the sport for now. let's get more now on our top story — the prime minister rishi sunak is in belfast — as he calls for mps to back his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for

northern ireland. so what could the new agreement mean for businesses? here's our global trade correspondent — dharshini david. these rules will make it simpler to take your pet from britain to belfast and for those in northern ireland to order online shopping from the rest of the uk but the new deal matters where ever you are in the country, it will shape our future relationship with europe and all our fortunes for the it will streamline this process here sending goods across the irish sea, the good news for those selling fresh foods and sausages, eggs, it will get easier, the current czech said irish ports and the paperwork, dozens of forms, added costs and times, to aimless but some producers —— the current checks at irish ports. two thirds of consumers noticed smaller ranges and high prices in shops, and one cafe took smoothies of the menus because they could not get the ingredients. the new deal should help them and it should spell

minimal formalities for the majority of british goods, those going by the green lane destined to stay in northern ireland and the chairman of marks & spencer because they do a big step forward, solving the big scheme of the protocol. you should also mean a smoother passage for the rest, going by the red lane where the sharing of trade data with the eu will also help in those good setting for the eu will still have to follow the existing rules and standards in the eu and staying in the single market has helped some businesses in the province to trade with the rest of europe and the northern ireland economy may have suffered a smaller hit claims one study, equalto suffered a smaller hit claims one study, equal to about 0.7% of its income, compared to the uk as a whole, and these new arrangements may help further. more over the warmer tone between the eu and the uk could help agreement in areas where our post—brexit arrangements are yet to be settled, for example, financial services, the manufacture

of electric vehicles, they could even help iron out issues with the existing trade deal and relationships.- existing trade deal and relationshis. ., ., , , relationships. the relationship with president macron _ relationships. the relationship with president macron is _ relationships. the relationship with president macron is good _ relationships. the relationship with president macron is good and - relationships. the relationship with president macron is good and the l president macron is good and the relationships with the germans is better_ relationships with the germans is better than it used to be which means— better than it used to be which means the eu felt able to make the concessions it has in the steel on issues _ concessions it has in the steel on issues like state subsidies and vat and it_ issues like state subsidies and vat and it means it will be easier to unlock— and it means it will be easier to unlock other areas of cooperation like in _ unlock other areas of cooperation like in research and finally what it means _ like in research and finally what it means is— like in research and finally what it means is that it will be easier for the uk _ means is that it will be easier for the uk and — means is that it will be easier for the uk and the eu to work together on issues _ the uk and the eu to work together on issues like ukraine. this framework _ on issues like ukraine. this framework could _ on issues like ukraine. this framework could also - on issues like ukraine. in 3 framework could also remove uncertainty and one reason why economists reckon investment in the uk and equipment, factories, technology, that is the red line, it stalled after the referendum, making us less efficient then we could be, and this green line shows where investment could be if you grow at the same rate as it was before the referendum. the impact of that gap code, a bank of england study

claims, it will over £1000 per uk household —— code. before the plan becomes a reality the government is looking becomes a reality the government is lookin- for political becomes a reality the government is looking for political backing becomes a reality the government is looking for political backing and becomes a reality the government is looking for political backing and in this the most bitterly contested part of the post—brexit agreement. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales are facing further disruption this week as teachers go on strike again over pay. teachers are set to strike on different days depending on which union they are in. richard galpin reports. the continuing strike action by education unions is today affecting schools here in the north of england. secondary schools say they are prioritising pupils who are facing exams, including year 11s and those taking gcses. in previous action by the national education union in england, more than half of schools completely closed or partially. this primary school teacher who has taught for 17 years says he is joining the strike today

as a last resort. my son is 16, he's doing his gcses. he is not going to school today because of the strike. i fully understand why his teachers are not going on. obviously he is losing out. with teachers i would say the workload is a huge issue. when you have a massive workload and you are not being rewarded in your salary, it makes people a little sickened. the action coincides by strikes by the educational institute of scotland and two other unions. teachers in wales started action short of a strike at the beginning of february. most teachers in northern ireland walked out for half a day on february 1st. the unions are calling for pay above the rising rate of inflation. they also want schools to be given extra money to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets. most state school teachers

in england and wales had a 5% pay rise last year. teachers in wales rejected a recent offer of an extra 1.5% pay rise plus an additional one—off payment of 1.5%. in scotland, teachers rejected a 5% increase and a subsequent offer of up to 6.85%. the scottish government proposed a 6% pay rise this year and a further 5.5% in april. the neu could have paused the strikes, we could have been sat round the table since last thursday. i offered the weekend, as well. we had time. richard galpin, bbc news. a full list of strike dates and where they are taking place can be found on our website at bbc.co.uk/news people from ethnic minority backgrounds who lost loved ones in the pandemic have said they're being sidelined by the covid—19 public inquiry.

have said they're being sidelined more than 20 organisations have written to the covid inquiry calling for race to be a key focus of the investigations. ethnic minorities in the uk were significantly more likely to die of covid, according to official figures. our community affairs correspondent ashitha nagesh reports. my dad was a very kind, loving and nurturing man. just someone who brought a lot ofjoy and warmth into people's lives. and, yeah, i miss him every day. it's been almost three years since lobby�*s dad femi died in the first wave of the pandemic. he didn't have any underlying health conditions, he was a relatively fit, healthy guy. a care worker, he lived with his family in leamington spa. lobby welcomes a public inquiry but feels that people like him are being shut out. do you feel like you've been included in the inquiry? personally, no.

a black man from a black family, it feels like race, and the impact that race has had in the pandemic has also kind ofjust been sidelined. it feels like it's more of an afterthought than being a priority for the inquiry. today, the inquiry�*s chairwoman, baroness hallett, said everyone's views would be listened to. to ensure that we reach as many people as possible across the united kingdom, from the seldom heard and from those who are more often heard, to find out from them directly what their experience of the pandemic was. dozens of health and equality organisations say there's not enough focus on the issue of race. we know that black and minority ethnic people were hit first, - they were hit hardest, - and they suffered the most disproportionate rates of death as well. - our position and the position - of bereaved families is quite clear, that structural racism has to be embedded in every— part of this process.

a spokesperson for the covid inquiry has told bbc news that it is committed to looking at inequalities and that their impact on the pandemic will be at the forefront of its work and its investigations. lobby�*s greatest wish is to address the inquiry directly and to tell his dad's story. i think it would mean everything to know that his death wasn't in vain and that something, something good at least, could come from all of this pain. ashitha nagesh, bbc news. police in barcelona say the disappearance of the british rugby player, levi davis, is now being examined by a criminal investigation unit. catalan police say the case contains some "disturbing issues" with "no logical explanation". the 26 year old, who had signed a record deal after appearing on a celebrity version of x factor, was last seen in barcelona four months ago. rachel stonehouse reports.

levi davis is a 24—year—old with talent. a professional rugby player turned musician who appeared on celebrity x factor in 2019 and later went on to sign a record deal. but he went missing on the 29th of october last year. levi had been staying with a friend in ibiza for a couple of weeks when he left suddenly and travelled to barcelona by ferry. he sent his mum, julie, this video on his way. less than 12 hours later, he disappeared. i think it was after the boat when i tried to phone him. the phone had gone dead. initially it was sort of, "well, maybe his battery's ran out." and of course, levi, sometimes it's like, "oh, well, he's "forgotten his charger or something." so ijust kind of thought, all right, we'll give him, you know, a day, because i knew that that boat trip was eight hours. and then, of course,

a day or two went by and i thought, right, ok, perhaps he'sjust gone away for a couple of days. we know when levi arrived into the city, he went to this bar and was spotted leaving on their cctv at around 10:30pm. hey, mate, wasjust ringing to show you some sights. yeah, so this was when he was at the old irish pub. mike was the last friend or family member to hearfrom levi. we're four months on now from when he went missing. how are you feeling about the situation? i kind of compartmentalise it, put it in my little box and keep it away, because otherwise i'd be thinking about it 211/7. you still send levi messages, don't you? tell me the sorts of messages you send and why you do it. a lot of the time it's just... it's kind of seasonal things. so, like christmas came and went and obviously we hadn't heard anything from him. so it was sending that christmas message.

and sometimes it's just getting things off my own chest and making sure, like, i know and he, if he sees them, knows that i was thinking about him no matter what. levi's passport was found at the port in the middle of november. and then a few weeks ago, this video emerged online. hello. my name is levi davis, and my life is in danger. he originally posted it on instagram a few days before his disappearance, but later deleted it. it's unsettling to watch and says he's being blackmailed. it's led to a lot of headlines and speculation on social media. you then start to wonder, well, how much of it is true? but your mind could just go off into so many different angles and areas that actually it then becomes, well, it doesn't help, it doesn't help your mind. you know, you have to kind of keep saying to yourself, well,

just stick to the facts. the local police in barcelona have told the bbc that while levi's case is not a criminal investigation, what they call disturbing issues have emerged that they say have no logical explanation. so it's being handled by a specialist criminal division. mavis davis, my grandma, what a name, first rock star. famous in the church. she'll be rocking out to this one. while levi remains missing, julie watches his social media videos, hoping he'll come home. rachel stonehouse with that report. you can listen to file on 4's �*looking for levi' investigation tonight on radio 4 at 8pm or on the bbc sounds app. the headlines on bbc news... the prime minister is in belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. a couple who disappeared with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton — but their child is still missing.

a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. in the past four weeks, grocery prices have risen to 17.1% from a year ago, research firm kantar said. this is the highest rate since its records began in 2008 and means households will be faced with an £811 increase to their annual grocery bill if they did not change shopping habits. i am joined in the studio by iceland ceo richard walker to discuss the grocery price hike. thanks forjoining us. how are the price rises impacting on your business and your customers? customers first, we serve 5 million customers per week and many of those are on a tight budget, struggling to make ends meet and feed families, may be on as little as £25 per week,

to feed their family, so may be on as little as £25 per week, to feed theirfamily, so it may be on as little as £25 per week, to feed their family, so it is very tough and as a business we are trying to absorb as much of the price inflation as we can in terms of the cost of our products, and we have committed to freezing the price of our £1 lines so we will hold that price because it is really important for our core customer that we can offer them the absolute best value possible but as we all know, there are price increases at shelf across are price increases at shelf across a range of products.— are price increases at shelf across a range of products. what impact is that havin: a range of products. what impact is that having on _ a range of products. what impact is that having on the _ a range of products. what impact is that having on the shopping - a range of products. what impact is that having on the shopping habits| that having on the shopping habits of people? that having on the shopping habits of --eole? .,, ., that having on the shopping habits of --eole? ., , ., ,, that having on the shopping habits of eole? ., , ., of people? people are shopping more freauentl of people? people are shopping more frequently but — of people? people are shopping more frequently but maybe _ of people? people are shopping more frequently but maybe less, _ of people? people are shopping more frequently but maybe less, spendingl frequently but maybe less, spending less per shop, because they are topping up with what they need, but interestingly, we are attracting a new type of customer who are maybe trading down if you use the phrase, from more expensive supermarkets, and looking to us for value, so our luxury ranges are performing well, because they provide an entry level alternative to some more expensive competitors. alternative to some more expensive competitors-—

alternative to some more expensive cometitors. ., ., ., . , competitors. iceland announced they are closin: competitors. iceland announced they are closing half _ competitors. iceland announced they are closing half a _ competitors. iceland announced they are closing half a dozen _ competitors. iceland announced they are closing half a dozen or— competitors. iceland announced they are closing half a dozen or so - are closing half a dozen or so stores and putting on hold the opening of some new ones, so what do you see the short and long—term impact of the price rises? fin you see the short and long-term impact of the price rises? on the stores we _ impact of the price rises? on the stores we have _ impact of the price rises? on the stores we have over _ impact of the price rises? on the stores we have over a _ impact of the price rises? on the stores we have over a thousand l stores we have over a thousand across the uk and we invariably close stores and we will close at hand for every year, it is about getting the right portfolio but because of the cost base we are having to pull back on some of the store expenditure programmes. we are still committed to the high street, committing to opening more shops and supporting jobs. you committing to opening more shops and supporting jobs-— supporting “obs. you have also got the hue supporting jobs. you have also got the huge rise _ supporting jobs. you have also got the huge rise in _ supporting jobs. you have also got the huge rise in energy _ supporting jobs. you have also got the huge rise in energy bills - supporting jobs. you have also got the huge rise in energy bills which| the huge rise in energy bills which you have got to pay. we the huge rise in energy bills which you have got to pay.— the huge rise in energy bills which you have got to pay. we have a lot of frid . es you have got to pay. we have a lot of fridges and _ you have got to pay. we have a lot of fridges and freezers _ you have got to pay. we have a lot of fridges and freezers which - you have got to pay. we have a lot of fridges and freezers which is - you have got to pay. we have a lot of fridges and freezers which is a l of fridges and freezers which is a big electricity bill but actually wholesale prices have come down and we can fix our energy prices which means we can plan for the long term and manage our costs accordingly. looking at the long term for shoppers, these prices of 17.1% from a year ago, they don't even take

into account the shortages we are seeing of salad and some vegetables. so what do you see because you have got to do forecast, what are you predicting in the coming months and the next year? you predicting in the coming months and the next year?— the next year? you are right on the fresh vegetables, _ the next year? you are right on the fresh vegetables, that _ the next year? you are right on the fresh vegetables, that is _ the next year? you are right on the fresh vegetables, that is a - fresh vegetables, that is a particular moment in time problem but it is temporary and i say to customers, just bear with us because it is beyond our control and it is about exceptional weather in morocco and spain and there's not much we can do about that. hour and spain and there's not much we can do about that.— can do about that. how is that impacting _ can do about that. how is that impacting on _ can do about that. how is that impacting on your _ can do about that. how is that impacting on your store, - can do about that. how is that. impacting on your store, because can do about that. how is that - impacting on your store, because you are mostly frozen?— are mostly frozen? mostly frozen but we do have frozen _ are mostly frozen? mostly frozen but we do have frozen veg _ are mostly frozen? mostly frozen but we do have frozen veg which - are mostly frozen? mostly frozen but we do have frozen veg which has - we do have frozen veg which has increased sales which people are switching to. we are in the same boat as everyone else, it is a problem with fresh vegetables, but i'm confident it will only take a couple of weeks to get us back that “p couple of weeks to get us back that up would you like to see more help for the government with people who are for the government with people who ar- , for the government with people who ar , i think for the government with people who are— i think they - for the government with people who are_ i think they have - are struggling? i think they have done a lot actually _ are struggling? i think they have done a lot actually and _ are struggling? i think they have done a lot actually and the - done a lot actually and the government is not the answer to

every problem. the cost of living crisis and the war in ukraine are global problems, the government stepped in in terms of the energy price cap, and there's only so much more they can do, but they are listening and we do have a constant dialogue with them. thea;r listening and we do have a constant dialogue with them.— dialogue with them. they for the challen . es dialogue with them. they for the challenges we _ dialogue with them. they for the challenges we are _ dialogue with them. they for the challenges we are facing - dialogue with them. they for the challenges we are facing with - dialogue with them. they for the | challenges we are facing with the cost of living crisis, you have got your own personal challenge? i am auoin to your own personal challenge? i am going to climb _ your own personal challenge? i am going to climb everest. _ your own personal challenge? i —.n going to climb everest. i'm going to the south side of everest with a world leading mensah net cord kenton cool who has —— world leading mountaineer called kenton who has climbed everest 16 times. i want to raise money for a support centre in london, and my late mother died of early onset alzheimer's a few years ago and it affects many families around the uk but there is no support and no centre where people can go so this is a first and

hopefully something that can be repeated across the uk if it works. we are going to try to climb it in 3-4 we are going to try to climb it in 3—4 weeks so it is a speed ascent and just the two of us and we have a very ambitious fundraising target of £1 million. we are imploring everyone to go to the just giving a link and that is when you can find out more about the expedition and also the good because we are raising money for. also the good because we are raising mone for. . . , , ., ., money for. richard, we wish you all the best, thanks _ money for. richard, we wish you all the best, thanks for _ money for. richard, we wish you all the best, thanks forjoining - money for. richard, we wish you all the best, thanks forjoining us. - the auroraborealis — or northern lights as they are more commonly known — have been putting on a magnificent show in the skies over the uk and parts of europe over the last few days. an endless stream of colourful photos have been uploaded to social media platforms and clear skies meant that those in southern parts of britain were also able to see them. our correspondent alison freeman has spent the morning at an observatory in county durham. lovely clear skies here at grace home observatory because it is one of those places

you come to see the sky without any light pollution. we're going to bring you in now into the main observatory here. and you see behind me, gary, who will be talking to you in a second. but this main bit of kit, the main telescope. but i'm here to talk to you, the lead astronomer here, gary fowlds, about the northern lights. gary, why has it been such a spectacular set of images that we've been able to capture this week? it wasjust wonderful. you know, we had a full, full observatory. lots of guests had come along through the night to see the northern lights. and the story actually starts between this rich dynamic between magnetism

and particle physics. it's getting way more active now and when it gets active like this, it's producing some intense magnetic fields. and it's these magnetic fields that harnessed so much energy, these positively charged particles, like the sun from time to time, can hurtle our way. and that's sort of what happened the other night. and as these particles travel through space that interact with our magnetic field and produce that amazing display that we saw. now greens, we associate with northern lights a lot of deep reds this time. that's pretty unusual, isn't it? yeah, it is. i mean, seeing the northern lights is tricky anywhere you go, as i'm sure people will testify. and it all depends on the weather. of course, we need to have really clear skies and cloud free skies and starry skies, but red light under dark conditions is very difficult for our eyes to resolve. and this is down to the biology of our eyes, of course, because red light has the longest wavelength of all that our eyes can resolve. so seeing that any way is tricky in the dark conditions. but we did see it the other night and it was absolutely wonderful.

and it's the first time around for seven or eight years that i've seen actually red in the sky. and underneath the red we saw those secondary electron interactions and we saw all the green light. now the green light is much easier to resolve for our eyes. we know that it is unusual to see it with the naked eye. but people did, didn't they? yes, they absolutely did. and there were astounded. i mean, it took a moment or two for people to be able to see it. now, the interesting thing, and i think people need to realise is that when we see images of the aurora, like the one we took as well, you know, we see all these bright colours and this is because a camera's taken that image. now a camera will work very different in our eyes. so if you're outside in the countryside trying to see the northern lights, don't expect to see really, really bright colours. it's quite a subtle effect that you see, but they are visible. so is it possible to see it now? people can come here, can't they, if they want to see it over the course? absolutely. this is the best observatory in the entire universe to see the northern lights from. so, yes, this is a public observatory run sessions four or five times a week. so people come along. we do get a disproportionate

amount of clear sky, so that's even better. so we're in all sorts of events to do with stargazing. as you see, gary very passionate about it. you can come along to grass home in county durham if you want to have a look at those northern lights, the lovely clear skies. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello. a few of you have been blessed with sunny skies today. for many, though, it has been a fairly gray day. some splashes of rain around as well. but what we've not had and what we've not had for a while, scenes like this, believe it or not, it was on the balearic island majorca. tuesday and wednesday have brought some outbreaks of rain and some heavy snow in the hills as well, which has been mounting up quite readily. this area of low pressure storm juliet continue to churn away will eventually bring some welcome rain across northern italy, but the reason the low pressure is in the mediterranean rather than with us, is that we've got high pressure in charge. it's a fairly stubborn area of high pressure, pushing areas of low pressure well away from us. but as you've seen over the last couple of days, a lot of cloud has been trapped underneath that. there has been some breaks and will continue to be so into this evening. central western scotland and some in the far southwest, lots of cloud

elsewhere, quite a breeze as well. the cloud could be thickening with some outbreaks of rain, wettest towards the southeast corner into the evening. but the temperatures, 6 to 8 degrees make it feel cooler by the strength of the wind through this evening and overnight, outbreaks of rain in the south will push away westwards towards south west england and south wales means clearer skies in the far southeast corner could be some frost and ice forming here. best of the breaks elsewhere. probably western scotland again with a touch of frost into tomorrow morning. but tomorrow actually starts off fairly cloudy for most. the chance of one or two showers. but actually the cloud may break up a bit more readily at times compared with today. a stronger breeze than today, but we'll see more sunshine. western scotland, a sunny day in the far north across shetland and more sunshine through the eastern side of the english channel as well. but again, another chilly day in that breeze. the breeze eases down there as we go

through wednesday night and into thursday. if high pressure starts to recede just a little bit, there's going to still be some rain just tied in amongst parts of that cloud that we'll see across the country, particularly southern scotland, the far north of england and northern ireland, one or two isolated showers elsewhere. most will have a dry day, a bit more sunshine towards southern most counties. and again, the far north around shetland will see a sunny day. sunny conditions continue to dominate. temperatures still single figures for most, but there will be changes in the week and into the weekend whilst we start cloudy and cool as we go through the weekend, notice the deeper blue colours starting to appear and from the north and northerly winds will develop through sunday into monday. and with that, as temperatures continue to drop a little bit more across the country, there's a chance of a few wintry showers. we'll keep you updated. this is bbc news. the headlines: the prime minister is in

belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. we managed to have a decisive breakthrough with our negotiations with the eu, reached agreement, the new windsor framework, which i think is an extraordinary, positive step for northern ireland. a couple who disappeared with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton, but their child is still missing. the number of people sleeping rough in england has increased by more than a quarter year—on—year, according to latest government figures. a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales face disruption as teachers go on strike again.

good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister is in northern ireland, trying to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements. rishi sunak says he's confident that the windsor framework, as the new agreement is called, addresses the concerns of the democratic unionist party. and that it removes any sense of a border down the irish sea, which the dup objects to. he said his deal was not about one political party, but about what's best for people and communities. the leader of the dup, sirjeffrey donaldson, said the deal represented progress, but he thought there were still issues with it. our ireland corrrespondent, chris page, reports. the brexitjourney has lasted for seven years. borders have moved to the centre, dominating politics here. does everyone hear that? it's about people... but the prime minister thinks he's finally found a solution. at a factory in county antrim,

he told people the devolved governments would have a unique economic advantage, with local businesses having full access to the british and eu markets. and that is the prize. i can tell you when i go around the world and talk to businesses, they know that. they're like, "that's interesting. "if you guys get this sorted, then we want to invest "in northern ireland because nowhere else does that exist. "that's like the world's most exciting economic zone." the windsor framework means goods moving from great britain into northern ireland only will go into a green lane. there'll be no routine physical inspections. there'll be a red lane for products due to move on into the republic of ireland. those goods will be checked. there's also a measure known as the stormont break, which would enable the northern ireland assembly to raise objections to eu rules. whether the assembly will be restored will depend on the dup's eventual verdict. progress has been made.

we continue to have some concerns. we will examine the legal text. we'll look at all of this in the round and come to a decision. we're reasonable people, but we want to ensure that what the prime minister has said is matched by what is actually in the agreement itself. but there were also more sceptical remarks from the party, particularly over how much eu law would still apply in northern ireland. you don't defend the union by acting in a way which takes you out of the united kingdom because you implement foreign law which drives you further and further away from the country you belong to. so, i mean, the first thing to fix is the requirement of unionists to have to implement laws which are designed for their destruction. aside from the politics, there are the practicalities. it's at businesses like this where the brexit rubber hits the road. the haulage company based here in larne believes the new agreement will drastically reduce costs and paperwork.

it says more work's needed to maximise the benefits. we also have to focus on those suppliers in gb as well and let them know how easy it hopefully will be to move goods over here and, you know, to say we're open for business and we want you to send, you know, your goods to us. rishi sunak sealed his deal with the eu, but there remain hard miles ahead. the way forward for northern ireland isn't completely clear yet. chris page, bbc news, larne. let's go to westminster now and join our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. let's talk about those hard miles ahead for rishi sunak, holding talks this afternoon with northern ireland's political leaders. the hard one convincing the dup getting on board. what do you think his

chances are?— on board. what do you think his chances are? ~ ., ~ ., , , ., chances are? who knows, the dup have said they will — chances are? who knows, the dup have said they will look _ chances are? who knows, the dup have said they will look at _ chances are? who knows, the dup have said they will look at the _ chances are? who knows, the dup have said they will look at the detail - chances are? who knows, the dup have said they will look at the detail of - said they will look at the detail of how the stormont brake works. we've heard some sceptical voices there. there were a number in the dup talking about more demands that have been achieved in this. some were talking about removing northern ireland from eu law entirely. that is not possible. the prime minister said he accepted it and was the right thing because it gives northern ireland what he called a unique position to be still part of the single market. so the question will be, is there enough in this? that is what the dup will have to decide. it is also what mps here are considering, although i think it is notable nobody on the conservative side has stuck their head above the parapet to say they reject and

cannot support what is here. we are aoian cannot support what is here. we are aoain to cannot support what is here. we are going to see — cannot support what is here. we are going to see this — cannot support what is here. we are going to see this meeting _ cannot support what is here. we are going to see this meeting between i going to see this meeting between rishi sunak and some of the more eurosceptic mps in his own party. no one has said they are against it, but will it still be a tricky meeting for rishi sunak? it but will it still be a tricky meeting for rishi sunak? it will be interesting- _ meeting for rishi sunak? it will be interesting. he _ meeting for rishi sunak? it will be interesting. he is _ meeting for rishi sunak? it will be interesting. he is meeting - meeting for rishi sunak? it will be interesting. he is meeting the - interesting. he is meeting the backbench mps, those not part of the government, who are not signed up to it. we've not had any resignations yet, so you can assume they are behind him. what then of the others who don't have position in government, backbenchers? he is meeting them this afternoon. the sort of rumblings are, you hear from some who are prominent on the brexit campaign, the brexit supporting side of the argument, saying they are pretty happy with it. andrea leadsom, i was talking to her, she said she would be delighted if it

was offered to her. she seems happy, even though some of the eu law remains, the european court of justice sits in the background. figures like her or influential, they seem happy. there is former members of the eurosceptic group, like steve baker, seem happy. the others, talking to some of them, still looking out the details, want to check the fine print and ultimately what is being talked about is actually what is delivered in the documents. and then there is borisjohnson, the question of would he come openly in opposition to it. i saw him earlier, he didn't want to engage. he headed off for lunch. but will he come out against it? you sense he's waiting to see how the ground shapes, how things fall. that

could be a powerful intervention, but at the minute we don't see a groundswell of opposition. rishi sunak will be speaking to the backbench mps at 6pm, and the eurosceptic research group will be about an hour later. police seaching for the baby of a couple who disappeared with the child injanuary, when it was just days old, say they're racing against time. officers found and arrested constance marten and mark gordon, who were spotted north of brighton last night. a helicopter and police dogs are being used in the search for their baby, who was not with them. our correspondent howard johnson has sent this report. two metres apart. we need to go all the way down to this path. police officers carry out a fingertip search of an allotment close to where constance marten and mark gordon were spotted last night, shortly before being arrested. this residential area in north brighton backs onto woods and a golf course. police say the couple were moving towards open land when they were stopped. they've launched an urgent

search for the baby, as they're extremely concerned for its well—being. both constance and the baby had no medical attention, obviously pre or post birth. and we've seen the climb and the change in the weather forecasts that we've had since the 5th of january. and so, obviously, you know, my concern has, as always has been, has been the exposure from the elements to the baby. a country—wide search took place for the couple before they were found last night. on the 5th of january, the pair were reported missing after their car broke down on the m61 near bolton. it's believed miss marten gave birth in or near the car a day or two earlier. on the 7th of january, police say they dumped some of their remaining belongings, including a pushchair near brick lane in east london. and a day later, the last confirmed sighting of the couple was in new haven in sussex, just a few miles away from where they were found in northern brighton. they were thought to be carrying

a large amount of cash and to be using camping equipment to live off grid. authorities previously thought the couple had been sleeping rough in a blue tent, avoiding being traced by the police by moving around frequently and keeping theirfaces covered in cctv. constance marten, who was from a wealthy family, was a drama student when she first met mark gordon in 2016. since meeting, the couple led an isolated life and in september, when marten was well into her pregnancy, began moving around rental flats. gordon, a registered sex offender, was deported to britain from the united states in 2010 after spending 20 years in prison for a rape he committed aged 16. constance's father, napier marten, has told the independent newspaper of his immense relief that his daughter has been found. but it is tempered by the very alarming news her baby is still missing. howard johnson, bbc news.

a transgender rapist who attacked two women has been sentenced to eight years in prison followed by three years supervision after release. isla bryson committed the crimes as a man called adam graham prior to identifying as a woman. the 31—year—old was found guilty following a trial last month. our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, was at the sentencing in edinburgh and gave us more detail of what was said in court. isla bryson was initially sent to a women's prison and days later moved to a men's jail after the case attracted political controversy. today at the high court in edinburgh, bryson's defence lawyer said private and personal decisions on gender should have no bearing on court proceedings and that since being found guilty of double rape bryson had been subjected to illjudged, ill informed and ignorant comments. thejudge lord scott said he took no account of anything said outside of court. he said that bryson had preyed on two vulnerable women, raping them in their own homes

where they were entitled to feel safe. lord scott said bryson presented a particularly significant risk to any women the 31—year—old might form a relationship with and that bryson was at high risk of reoffending. bryson's estranged wife has commented. she has said, i quote, that bryson did the crime as a man and should do the time in a man's jail. she also said the focus should be on the victims. the isla bryson case raids to an urgent review in scotland and a change in prison policy. all newly convicted or remanded prisoners here in scotland will now initially be placed injails according to their sex at birth. the headlines on bbc news: the prime minister is in belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. a couple who disappeared with their newborn baby more

than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton, but their child is still missing. the number of people sleeping rough in england has increased by more than a quarter year—on—year, according to latest government figures. the number of people sleeping rough in england last year increased by more than a quarter, according to figures released by the government. the rise in 2022 comes after four years of decreases. those years included exceptional measures for rough sleepers introduced by the government in response to the covid pandemic to take people off the streets. ministers say they're spending £500 million tackling the problem. our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has more. after a night on the streets, the need is for heat and food. at this bristol homeless service, they're feeding up to 100 people a day. and numbers are rising. i'm not happy.

the streets will kill me, or the drugs will. simon gilchrist has been rough sleeping for a fortnight. he lost his flat last year. a hostel place last month. at the heart of both is a long—term drug addiction. people say go and get a job or they don't know about addiction or why people take crack cocaine and heroin and alcohol to sustain the feelings. a military veteran, the 48—year—old doesn't think he'll see 50. if god can take my addiction away and god can say, "look, "i want to put you into this place, here's another go," i would go for that. some of the other people using this service scuttle in, embarrassed, driven here by cost of living pressures. we've seen people that have never been homeless before. people that have lost their employment and accommodation purely because of the rent increases. it's really frightening for those people that have never experienced

rough sleeping before. today's increased figures come after several years of decreases from 2017's peak, aided by a huge effort through covid to get everyone off the streets. but overall, rough sleeping is up nearly 75% since 2010. what our team is seeing in terms of their caseload, of the number of people who are approaching us for help when they're rough sleeping is a sustained increase and an increased risk for sleeping, and it's slightly harder to get people into accommodation. at the night shelter in bristol, run by the julian trust, sam atkinson has turned up early, hoping to secure a bed. been using the bristol bus shelter if i don't get a bed here. the 23—year—old has been homeless for two months after leaving what he said was a toxic relationship. but life's looking up. he's shortly about to move into a flat. it would mean the world to me because then i know i have got my own place. i don't have to continuously be on my feet all day moving around. i can have my own space at the end of the day.

sam was soon joined by simon, who'd spent the day in a&e with chest pains. when the shelter opened, sam managed to get one of the dozen available beds, but the rest had been allocated. so simon was forced to join the thousands of others who each evening call england's pavements their home. michael buchanan, bbc news, bristol. joining me now is matt downie, chief executive of crisis uk, the homeless charity. what are you seeing on the ground? the figures out today reflect what we've been saying for some time, which is the numbers of people experiencing rough sleeping but otherforms experiencing rough sleeping but other forms of homelessness have been going up steadily. that is because obviously the cost of living crisis is pushing more people into extreme poverty, that the numbers of homes available to rent are going down because as rents go up, and

housing benefit is frozen, there's more people unable to find somewhere else to live. and because we still have a system in this country where our answer to row sleeping is to put people into hostels or night shelters or other forms of homelessness. there have been big effort over the last few years to deal with the issue but we haven't seen the joinder policy response we need. seen the “oinder policy response we need. ~ . seen the “oinder policy response we need. . ., ., ,. ~' seen the “oinder policy response we need. . ., ., ,., ~ , seen the “oinder policy response we need. . ., ., ~' , ., seen the “oinder policy response we need. . ., ., ~ , ., , need. what do you think needs to be done? first — need. what do you think needs to be done? first and _ need. what do you think needs to be done? first and foremost, _ need. what do you think needs to be done? first and foremost, let's - need. what do you think needs to be done? first and foremost, let's cut l done? first and foremost, let's cut off the flow — done? first and foremost, let's cut off the flow of _ done? first and foremost, let's cut off the flow of people _ done? first and foremost, let's cut off the flow of people into - off the flow of people into homelessness, and i would say there are two things the government can do. they can restore the true link between housing benefit and the cost of renting through housing benefit changes, and the government can do it in the upcoming budget, they did it in the upcoming budget, they did it in the pandemic. the second thing is the government have committed four years to plan no—fault evictions, and the leading cause is

people losing their private rented tenancy. they can do that. it is about the long—term picture, getting it sorted. if we build all the housing we need, it will take sometime. but if we don't acknowledge it, it will take even longer. these things need to be joined up, a full strategy to tackle all forms of homelessness, and this can be done. this is not an impossible issue. every month and year that goes by where it isn't sorted, we see more people living and dying on our streets, and that is unacceptable. the and dying on our streets, and that is unacceptable.— and dying on our streets, and that is unacceptable. the government says it has committed _ is unacceptable. the government says it has committed £500 _ is unacceptable. the government says it has committed £500 million - is unacceptable. the government says it has committed £500 million to - is unacceptable. the government says it has committed £500 million to the| it has committed £500 million to the issue. why is it going? thea;r it has committed £500 million to the issue. why is it going?— issue. why is it going? they have s-ent a issue. why is it going? they have spent a lot _ issue. why is it going? they have spent a lot of— issue. why is it going? they have spent a lot of money, _ issue. why is it going? they have spent a lot of money, and - issue. why is it going? they have spent a lot of money, and there i issue. why is it going? they have| spent a lot of money, and there a good rough sleeping strategy to help people with specialised help and providing more rough sleeping services up and down the country. at

the same time, there are other policies leading to homelessness, or at least not tackling it. you see on the 100 government causing it and trying to pick up the pieces, which is nonsensical —— on one hand. i am sure they are frustrated the other parts of government that deal with welfare policy and housing supply haven't got behind the effort to end rough sleeping. we saw a commitment to end it by 2024, and i think we know it won't be possible. resort the government _ know it won't be possible. resort the government commit - know it won't be possible. resort the government commit with - know it won't be possible. resort the government commit with the | the government commit with the everything in case. what happened to most people? aha, everything in case. what happened to most people?— most people? a short stay in a hotel or student accommodation, - most people? a short stay in a hotel or student accommodation, or - or student accommodation, or whatever orstudent accommodation, or whatever it was, is definitely a

good thing, and it did save lives and protected people from the virus at the time. it also taught us that the big issue... yet what we didn't see is all those people being offered real housing and support they need. there is something called housing first in scotland, where rough sleeping has come down, where instead of temporary accommodation, a home of their own. we need to see the government adopt it, because it has all the evidence it needs to do so. . ~' has all the evidence it needs to do so. . ~ , ., y has all the evidence it needs to do so. . ~' , ., , . let's return now to the news that the prime minister is in northern ireland trying to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements. let's talk now to charles grant,

who is the director of the centre for european reform. what do think of this deal? i think it will bring _ what do think of this deal? i think it will bring them _ what do think of this deal? i think it will bring them closer _ what do think of this deal? i think it will bring them closer together. j it will bring them closer together. this deal gives the opportunity to move forward. we will see britain taken part in the horizon programme. basically, the eu proved willing to compromise. rishi sunak is a man who they can do business with. the previous two prime ministers, there was little trust. they find they can do business with rishi sunak. where ou are a do business with rishi sunak. where you are a director _ do business with rishi sunak. where you are a director at, _ do business with rishi sunak. where you are a director at, your— do business with rishi sunak. where you are a director at, your mission . you are a director at, your mission is to make the eu work better. will

this do it? ., , ., this do it? no, it is about iirritain's _ this do it? no, it is about britain's relationship - this do it? no, it is about britain's relationship with this do it? no, it is about - britain's relationship with the eu. the british economy is quite small in terms of it. in terms of security, the british have so much to offer in terms of their expertise. if they do develop a close relationship with the eu, that could lead to strengthening foreign policy and law. we will stay out of the single market. it won't make much difference to the european community. much difference to the european community-— community. has the eu made concessions? _ community. has the eu made concessions? more _ community. has the eu made concessions? more than - community. has the eu made concessions? more than i - community. has the eu made - concessions? more than i thought, this so-called _ concessions? more than i thought, this so-called stormont _ concessions? more than i thought, this so-called stormont break - concessions? more than i thought, this so-called stormont break that| this so—called stormont break that the eu has given to the northern ireland assembly. the details are

quite complicated. food and plant forms coming from the uk into northern ireland won't have to apply for eu rules on animal health, they were coming through something similar to the green channel. they be more flexible than i thought, because it wanted to get a deal. it was bawling negotiations that dragged on year—on—year, and we need to focus on more important things. you talked about the storemont brake, who does it benefit more, and will it be tricky going forward if it is agreed upon by the dup, who are discussing and contemplating whether they want to support it? fin whether they want to support it? on the dup, i can't speak for them, whether they want to support it? (m the dup, i can't speak for them, but the dup, i can't speakfor them, but it seems to me they have a history

of attracting things and then accepted them slowly —— history of accepting things. i suspect they will end up accepting this so—called windsor framework. there is no alternative. on your point about the storemont brake, it sounds great, but in practice it is more complicated. the matter goes to a joint committee in the british government and the eu, and if they can't reach agreement, the eu can take retaliation methods against the uk. it is more complicated than it sounds, and i expect it will be used seldom. it does show the eu is willing to develop new institutions to keep those happy. rishi willing to develop new institutions to keep those happy.— willing to develop new institutions to keep those happy. rishi sunak has been meeting — to keep those happy. rishi sunak has been meeting with _ to keep those happy. rishi sunak has been meeting with the _ to keep those happy. rishi sunak has been meeting with the dup, - to keep those happy. rishi sunak has been meeting with the dup, and - to keep those happy. rishi sunak has been meeting with the dup, and is i been meeting with the dup, and is heading back to westminster to talk

to his own party's backbenchers, among the hardline eurosceptics. what reception will he get? no one has come out against it yet. the macro i think many of the members of the so—called research group have been surprised by the concessions, such as vat and duty. a lot of this deal is surprising.— deal is surprising. you've seen steve baker. _ deal is surprising. you've seen steve baker, the _ deal is surprising. you've seen i steve baker, the self-proclaimed steve baker, the self—proclaimed brexit hard man, saying it is a fantastic deal. evenjacob rees mark has been more or less in favour of it. those like david jones have yet to reveal their hands. even if there are a few people who reject the deal, overall it's clearly a majority in favour of it. the vote

will be passed without the need for labour mps to help get rishi sunak out of a mess. i think his problem is more the dup, his own party is pretty much behind it. ok. is more the dup, his own party is pretty much behind it.— is more the dup, his own party is pretty much behind it. ok, great to talk to you- — the trial of nurse lucy letby has been hearing evidence from a hospital consultant who is said to have interrupted her during an alleged attack. the nurse is accused of taking a breathing tube away from a premature baby girl. the 33—year—old is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others. she denies 22 charges. our correspondentjudith moritz is following the case at manchester crown court. yes, first of all you may remember that a court order means we can't identify any of the babies in this case. the baby we've been hearing about today is known as baby k, a very premature girl born 15 weeks early weighing just 1lb

8oz in february 2016. it's alleged that lucy letby tried to murder her within the first two hours of her life by interfering with her breathing tube. now we were told that the baby was being looked after by a different nurse, a different member of staff, who left the room for a few minutes to go and talk to the baby's parents, leaving her in the care of lucy letby. we've also heard here that the consultant on duty had become concerned at that stage about the number of babies who had been having collapses and deaths on the unit and that he went to check. we heard today from him who said, at the time we were aware of a number of incidents, unusual incidents on the unit, and lucy letby�*s presence at them. he said, call me hysterical but i was worried and i went to check to satisfy myself everything was ok. as i went into the room, he said, i saw lucy letby

standing by the incubator, the baby's oxygen levels had dropped severely, the alarms were not going off, and he said lucy letby wasn't doing anything to help. he got involved and helped with the baby. who recovered at that stage. now, what the court has been told first of all by lucy letby�*s defence team firstly, they say the breathing tube may have dislodged itself because the baby was moving, and the court has also been told that the little girl was transferred to a different hospital and she died there three days later. lucy letby is accused of trying to murder her but not being the cause of her death. and she denies all of the charges against her, seven counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, against a total of 17 babies. this trial continues. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt. hello. well, some of you have had the sunshine, a bit of a grey day for many so far. that's the way it stays for most

into the end of the evening. but we will see things turn a bit soggy towards the south east corner, potentially into the london area for the evening rush hour. still one or two showers from the cloud across the rest of england and wales, but some breaks there, western scotland especially, and towards the far south west of england. now it's going to this evening and overnight the rain we have in the southeast corner will push erratically westwards. it does mean with clearing skies across the southeast, there could be a risk of frost and some ice here into the morning, frost potentially in some clearer skies in western scotland, too, but most will be frost free again thanks to extensive amounts of clouds. still one or two showers. but tomorrow, more of a breeze and the cloud will start to break up a little bit more. still, lots of cloud around. sunny conditions will be to the east of the english channel, western scotland, and later across shetland as well. but a chilly wind developing here and for all it's going to feel chilly in that strong wind. little changes into thursday.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: the prime minister is in belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. we managed to have a decisive breakthrough with our negotiations with the eu, reached agreement, the new windsor framework, which i think is an extraordinary, positive step for northern ireland. a couple who disappeared with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton — but their child is still missing. the number of people sleeping rough in england has increased by more than a quarter year—on—year, according to latest government figures. a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales face disruption as teachers go on strike again.

sport now and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. it was first class entertainment — captain ben stokes said he was blessed to be part of it, but his england side were on the end of a dramatic single run loss to new zealand, in the second test. it's only the second time a test has been won byjust one run. joe wilson reports. in wellington, anything could happen. everything did. new zealand needed nine wickets and took four of them quickly. england helped. look closely here to spot the world's most exciting young batter harry brooke run out without facing a ball. oh my word! ifjoe root felt some responsibility, he channelled his feelings into his batting. he had ben stokes for support, although the captain only had one good leg to stand on. he made 33. joe root could guide england home, but are 95, he found a

fielder. ben foakes took england to the brink, just six behind, but nine wickets down when he fell. hang on, there was stilljames anderson. james anderson to win it but he brushed it to the wicketkeeper, or out, but from the england captain, perspective. —— all out. even though we are on the losing side of it, just a great game to be part of. i think when you have the mindset in terms of, you know, what we want to go and do and try and give ourselves the best opportunity to win games all the time, you have to lose games. new zealand have been excellent losers before. and, universally, nothing sells sport like excitement. joe wilson, bbc news. fly—half marcus smith has been left out of england's training squad before their next six nations match against france, with george ford returning for the first time in a year. it means smith will now return to harlequins and it indicates he will not be in the matchday squad to face france. it also means a long—awaited return

for ford, who has not played for england since march last year. now to a warning from sport england which says 2.5 million fewer women are enjoying sport than men. the this girl can campaign, aimed at getting more women into sport — is funded by the national lottery and aims to get women active. the study claims fear of harrasment, the cost of living, and feeling judged, are all barriers. olympic champion boxer — nicola adams — is part of their work — and says more has to be done. when i first started boxing it was very different. there wasn't any girls in the gym apart from me, and you do feel some of these things. you don't feel as included. i was lucky enough to have a gym that i did feel inclusive in but for a lot of my friends, it wasn't the same for them. they were turned away from gyms, they weren't encouraged to go to the gym. so this is about being able to get a lot more women involved in sport and enjoying it and having fun with it. because exercise is fun. a couple of big night's of fa cup action ahead

with seven football league sides left in the competition. manchester city will be hoping to move a step closer to fa cup glory — the last time lifted the trophy was four years ago. they face championship side bristol city, in one of four 5th round ties tonight. four more are tomorrow evening. pep guardiola's side are in the running for two other trophies — the premier league and champions league, having knocked out premier league leaders arsenal in the last round. 12 games, no defeat, means they are there. my scouts say they are a good team. the manager has experience. did really well against leicester and watford when i was there. he was there one or two seasons ago. it's a final, so the fa cup is an important competition. really, really important. fulham's fifth round game against leeds is on bbc1 at 7:45 tonight. you can also watch leicester city against blackburn rovers on the iplayer, and on the bbc sport website at half past seven. tottenham play in the cup tomorrow against sheffield united, the 5th round familiar ground

for them — but they're spreading their wings into new territor today. the club announcing a 15—year partnership with formula one which will see a new karting track built underneath their stadium. the venue which was built four years ago and cost a billion pounds, already hosts boxing, nfl and rugby. the electric karting circuit will be installed beneath the south stand at the stadium, with f1 president stefano domenicali saying it'll help to open motorsport to new and diverse audiences. that's all the sport for now. let's get more now on our top story — the prime minister rishi sunak is in belfast as he calls for mps to back his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. so what could the new agreement mean for businesses? here's our global trade correspondent dharshini david. these rules will make it simpler to take your pet from britain to belfast and for those in northern ireland to order online shopping from the rest of the uk but the new deal matters where ever you are in the country.

it will shape our future relationship with europe and all our fortunes. it will streamline this process here — sending goods across the irish sea, good news for those selling fresh foods, like sausages, eggs, it will get easier. the current checks at irish ports and the paperwork, dozens of forms, added costs and time, too onerous for some producers. in fact, two thirds of consumers in northern ireland noticed smaller ranges and high prices in shops. one cafe took smoothies off the menus because they could not get the ingredients. the new deal should help them and it should spell minimal formalities for the majority of british goods, those going via the green lane destined to stay in northern ireland. the chairman of marks & spencer calls it a big step

forward, solving the issues with the protocol. it should also mean a smoother passage for the rest, going by the red lane where the sharing of trade data with the eu will also help. those goods heading for the eu will still have to follow the existing rules and standards in the eu and staying in the single market has helped some businesses in the province to trade with the rest of europe and the northern ireland economy may have suffered a smaller hit, claims one study, equal to about 0.7% of its income, compared to the uk as a whole, and these new arrangements may help further. more over the warmer tone between the eu and the uk could help agreement in areas where our post—brexit arrangements are yet to be settled, for example, financial services, the manufacture of electric vehicles, it could even help iron out issues with the existing trade deal and relationships. the relationship with president macron is good and the relationships with the germans is better than it used to be which means the eu felt

able to make the concessions it has on issues like state subsidies and vat and it means it will be easier to unlock other areas of cooperation like in research. finally, what it means, is that it will be easier for the uk and the eu to work together on key issues like ukraine. this framework could also remove uncertainty. one reason why economists reckon investment in the uk and equipment, factories, technology, that is the red line, it stalled after the referendum, making us less efficient than we could be, and this green line shows where investment could be if we grow at the same rate as it was before the referendum. the impact of that gap could, a bank of england study claims, mean over £1000 per uk household. before the plan becomes a reality the government is looking for political backing — in this, the most bitterly contested part of the post—brexit agreement. let's get the view from

europe now, and speak to our brussels correspondent, jessica parker. we have the press since yesterday, but has the reaction been there to do steel? , ., ., but has the reaction been there to do steel? , . ., , ., do steel? things are a bit more muted back _ do steel? things are a bit more muted back there _ do steel? things are a bit more muted back there to _ do steel? things are a bit more muted back there to this - do steel? things are a bit more muted back there to this deal? | do steel? things are a bit more - muted back there to this deal? the eu commission has not had to go on the hard sell with members but there is talking going on behind—the—scenes because some 27 member countries of the eu only started getting proper sight of the deal yesterday basically along with everyone else so they are poring over the detail but a couple of important points, rather differentiates what rishi sunak might have to do to sell his daily in the uk and what the eu might have to do, we are not expecting a strong political pushback from individual member states, political pushback from individual memberstates, but political pushback from individual member states, but you never know, it could happen, but there was a fixed mandate that the chief negotiator was given and so far from what i can tell they are not major

nerves, and the other thing, even if you eu felt like saying, look, here are negotiating wins on our side, we have retained the role of the european court ofjustice, it is unlikely to do that because it wants to help rishi sunak so his deal back home because one thing is for sure, it is not want to get back into another renegotiation. —— it does not. another renegotiation. -- it does not. ~ . , ., another renegotiation. -- it does not. ~. ., not. much has been made about the difference between _ not. much has been made about the difference between the _ not. much has been made about the difference between the relationship| difference between the relationship between rishi sunak and ursula von der leyen and borisjohnson and ursula von der leyen, so that will help, the fact there's more trust? there is more trust on the eu side and it is no secret that people in brussels were on the whole not overly fond of boris johnson, brussels were on the whole not overly fond of borisjohnson, seen as a poster boy for brexit, and they felt and accused him of basically signing the northern ireland protocol, the original treaty for trading arrangements, in bad faith,

and they did not much like liz truss either. she launched legislation that could have seen the uk start unilaterally changing parts of the original treaty. unilaterally changing parts of the originaltreaty. boris unilaterally changing parts of the original treaty. borisjohnson's team and that of liz truss made disagree with these characterisations but that was the feeling amongst many here. rishi sunak, i am told by eu officials, once he entered downing street, they felt the negotiations became more serious and earnest and less ideological and that he was a man they could do business with and that he was focused on finding pragmatic answers to some of the problems the protocol had created. going forward, of course, we have heard about it, there are hopes of a new chapter in there are hopes of a new chapter in the relationship which has been soured by this dispute in recent years and one of the first things we will look out for is whether the eu allows the uk back into this big science funding programme called horizon, the eu has been blocking

the uk from entering that programme fully because of the dispute on the post—brexit arrangements northern ireland. post-brexit arrangements northern ireland. ,, ., ,, ireland. jessica parker, in brussels. _ ireland. jessica parker, in brussels, thanks - ireland. jessica parker, in brussels, thanks for- ireland. jessica parker, in i brussels, thanks forjoining ireland. jessica parker, in - brussels, thanks forjoining us. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales are facing further disruption this week as teachers go on strike again over pay. teachers are set to strike on different days depending on which union they are in. richard galpin reports. the continuing strike action by education unions is today affecting schools here in the north of england. secondary schools say they are prioritising pupils who are facing exams, including year 11s and those taking gcses. in previous action by the national education union in england, more than half of schools completely closed or partially. this primary school teacher, who has taught for 17 years, says he is joining the strike today as a last resort. my son is 16, he's doing his gcses.

he's not going to school today because of the strike. i fully understand why his teachers are not going in. obviously, he's losing out. with teachers i would say the workload is a huge issue. when you have a massive workload and you are not being rewarded in your salary, it makes people a little sickened. the action coincides with strikes by the educational institute of scotland and two other unions. the national association of head teachers in wales started action short of a strike at the beginning of february. most teachers in northern ireland walked out for half a day on february 1st. the unions are calling for pay above the rising rate of inflation. they also want schools to be given extra money to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets. most state school teachers in england and wales had a 5% pay rise last year. teachers in wales rejected a recent offer of an extra 1.5% pay rise plus an additional one—off

payment of 1.5%. in scotland, teachers rejected a 5% increase and a subsequent offer of up to 6.85%. the scottish government proposed a 6% pay rise this year and a further 5.5% in april. the neu could have paused the strikes, we could have been sat round the table since last thursday. i offered the weekend, as well. we had time. richard galpin, bbc news. a full list of strike dates and where they are taking place can be found on our website at bbc.co.uk/news the headlines on bbc news... the prime minister is in belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal

on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. a couple who disappeared with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton — but their child is still missing. the number of people sleeping rough in england has increased by more than a quarter year—on—year, according to latest government figures. in the past four weeks, grocery prices have risen to 17.1% from a year ago, research firm kantar said. this is the highest rate since its records began in 2008 and means households will be faced with an £811 increase to their annual grocery bill if they did not change shopping habits. i am joined by national director of a feeding britain andrew forsey to tell us more on what it means for food charities. thanks means forfood charities. forjoining us. how it is

impacting thanks forjoining us. how it is impacting you? me thanks forjoining us. how it is impacting you?— thanks forjoining us. how it is impacting you? we haven't seen concern for _ impacting you? we haven't seen concern for a — impacting you? we haven't seen concern for a number _ impacting you? we haven't seen concern for a number of - impacting you? we haven't seen concern for a number of people | impacting you? we haven't seen. concern for a number of people in our country who have been seeking help from food banks because they had little money, and i was told a few years ago that a decade later we would see grocery price inflation hit 17% and that those food banks would be having to give out more and more and more food parcels to people in need. i would have struggled to believe that, but that is the reality we are now facing. for ourselves, where we develop food clubs, like pantries and social supermarkets, which operate slightly differently to food banks, but help families on low incomes stretch their budgets further, and i have noticed striking trends, firstly, the sheer growth in the numbers of people having to seek our help in recent months, but especially amongst working families. glued in both part—time and full—time employees. —— including. and a

striking increase in the frequency with which people visit our projects to seek help, we have seen people return every week rather than once a month or every couple of months like we used to. thirdly, a real overlap between those items that have shot up between those items that have shot up most in price, milk, butter, cheese, eggs, fruit and veg, and the same items that family are seeking from our projects, and fourthly, we try to have specialist advice workers on site at the projects to get some restructure going for people in their outgoings and get the right benefits being claimed, but even after that we are seeing households struggling to afford the food they need. share households struggling to afford the food they need.— households struggling to afford the food they need. are you able to help those people? _ food they need. are you able to help those people? we _ food they need. are you able to help those people? we do _ food they need. are you able to help those people? we do our— food they need. are you able to help those people? we do our best. - food they need. are you able to help those people? we do our best. we l those people? we do our best. we have developed _ those people? we do our best. we have developed 250 _ those people? we do our best. we have developed 250 food - those people? we do our best. we have developed 250 food clubs - those people? we do our best. we l have developed 250 food clubs which support a collective membership of around 50,000 households and having

looked back over a decade of an explosion in the growth of numbers of food banks, being asked to respond to destitution in our country, we are working with a growing number of communities to develop the slightly different response, providing low—cost food, filling the gap between supermarkets and food banks, essentially, so we can help people stretch budgets further before they hit the crisis point that brings that need for food banks into play, but that said, while the costs facing households has shot up, the same is true of projects that we create and develop, so it is costing us more to get the food we need to meet the rise in need and to pay for the electricity which is needed to keep ourfridges and freezers running. which is needed to keep our fridges and freezers running.— and freezers running. nobody could have foreseen _ and freezers running. nobody could have foreseen what _ and freezers running. nobody could have foreseen what has _ and freezers running. nobody could have foreseen what has happened l and freezers running. nobody could| have foreseen what has happened in terms of energy prices and the impact on the ukraine war but you have seen the trend growing over the last decade, you said, what is going wrong?

last decade, you said, what is going wrona ? ., ., . wrong? looking at our current crisis, clearly _ wrong? looking at our current crisis, clearly there _ wrong? looking at our current crisis, clearly there are - wrong? looking at our current crisis, clearly there are some| crisis, clearly there are some gargantuan issues in the supply chain, that will take some time to resolve. before it resembles anything like normality. that being said, we think there are three immediate moves the government could make to help families stretch their budgets a bit further when it comes to food and utilities. firstly, across england, wales and northern ireland, there is a fantastic scheme run by the nhs called healthy starts but awareness of the scheme is so low it may as well be covered by the official secrets act, this is a scheme which helps families on low incomes with children under the age of four receive at least £4 25 every week towards some of those items i listed a moment ago, fruit and veg, milk and others. but at the moment 200,000 people who are eligible to receive that support are not in fact doing so because they are not

registered, so one thing we suggest to the government is that they shift the scheme from opt in to opt out through a process of auto enrolment. and around half of all people now in receipt of universal credit have on average £60 per month deducted from their incomes to repay some old loans to the government and to their credit the government in recent years have begun to ease the rate at which those sums are deducted but we are asking them to go further in the budget, to keep more money in the pockets of people who need it most. thirdly, we think there is a role for ofgem in eliminating those rip—off practices in the energy industry which see mainly poorer people using prepayment meters to get their gas and electricity, being asked to pay more per unit of energy than people who pay by direct debit. these are three reforms which could help to address some of these underlying causes of hardship and make a real difference to people's budgets in the weeks ahead. andrew,

thanks forjoining _ budgets in the weeks ahead. andrew, thanks forjoining us. _ 83% of those who took part in the strike ballot voted for action but no strike dates have been confirmed. people from ethnic minority backgrounds who lost loved ones in the pandemic have said they're being sidelined by the covid—19 public inquiry. more than 20 organisations have written to the covid inquiry calling for race to be a key focus of the investigations. ethnic minorities in the uk were significantly more likely to die of covid, according to official figures. our community affairs correspondent ashitha nagesh reports.

my dad was a very kind, loving and nurturing man. just someone who brought a lot ofjoy and warmth into people's lives. and, yeah, i miss him every day. it's been almost three years since lobby�*s dad femi died in the first wave of the pandemic. he didn't have any underlying health conditions, he was a relatively fit, healthy guy. a care worker, he lived with his family in leamington spa. lobby welcomes a public inquiry but feels that people like him are being shut out. do you feel like you've been included in the inquiry? personally, no. a black man from a black family, it feels like race, and the impact that race has had in the pandemic has also kind ofjust been sidelined. it feels like it's more of an afterthought than being a priority for the inquiry. today, the inquiry�*s chairwoman, baroness hallett, said everyone's views would be listened to.

to ensure that we reach as many people as possible across the united kingdom, from the seldom heard and from those who are more often heard, to find out from them directly what their experience of the pandemic was. dozens of health and equality organisations say there's not enough focus on the issue of race. we know that black and minority ethnic people were hit first, - they were hit hardest, - and they suffered the most disproportionate rates of death as well. - our position and the position - of bereaved families is quite clear, that structural racism has to be embedded in every— part of this process. a spokesperson for the covid inquiry has told bbc news that it is committed to looking at inequalities and that their impact on the pandemic will be at the forefront of its work and its investigations. lobby�*s greatest wish is to address the inquiry directly and to tell his dad's story.

i think it would mean everything to know that his death wasn't in vain and that something, something good at least, could come from all of this pain. ashitha nagesh, bbc news. the aurora borealis — or northern lights as they are more commonly known — have been putting on a magnificent show over the uk and parts of europe over the last few days. clear skies meant that those in southern parts of britain were also able to see them. an endless stream of colourful photos have been uploaded to social media platforms from the north of scotland down to cornwall. our correspondent alison freeman has spent the morning at an observatory in county durham. lovely clear skies here at this observatory because it is one of those places

you come to, to see the sky without any light pollution. we're going to bring you in now into the main observatory here. and you see behind me, gary, who we will be talking to you in a second. but this main bit of kit, the main telescope. but i'm here to talk to you, the lead astronomer here, gary fowlds, about the northern lights. gary, why has it been such a spectacular set of images that we've been able to capture this week? it wasjust wonderful. you know, we had a full observatory. lots of guests had come along through the night to see the northern lights. and the story actually starts between this rich dynamic between magnetism and particle physics. it's getting way more active now and when it gets active like this, it's producing some intense magnetic fields. and it's these magnetic fields that harnessed so much energy, these positively charged particles, that from time to time, can hurtle our way. and that's sort of what happened the other night. and as these particles travel through space that interact with our magnetic field and produce that amazing display that we saw. now greens, we associate with northern lights.

a lot of deep reds this time. that's pretty unusual, isn't it? yeah, it is. i mean, seeing the northern lights is tricky anywhere you go, as i'm sure people will testify. it all depends on the weather. of course, we need to have really clear skies and cloud free skies and starry skies, but red light under dark conditions is very difficult for our eyes to resolve. and this is down to the biology of our eyes, of course, because red light has the longest wavelength of all that our eyes can resolve. so seeing that is tricky in the dark conditions. but we did see it the other night and it was absolutely wonderful. it's the first time in around for seven or eight years that i've seen actually red in the sky. and underneath the red we saw those secondary electron interactions and we saw all the green light. the green light is much easier to resolve for our eyes. we know that it is unusual to see it with the naked eye. but people did, didn't they? yes, they absolutely did. and they were astounded. it took a moment or two for people to be able to see it. now, the interesting thing, and i think people need to realise is that, when we see images of the aurora, like the one

we took as well, you know, we see all these bright colours and this is because a camera's taken that image. now a camera will work very differently to our eyes. if you're outside in the countryside trying to see the northern lights, don't expect to see really, really bright colours. it's quite a subtle effect that you see, but they are visible. so is it possible to see it now. people can come here, can't they, if they want to see it over the course? absolutely. apparently, this is the best observatory in the entire universe to see the northern lights from! so, yes, this is a public observatory run sessions four or five times a week. so, people, come along. we do get a disproportionate amount of clear sky, so that's even better. all sorts of events to do with stargazing. as you see, gary very passionate about it. you can come along to grass home in county durham if you want to have a look at those northern lights, the lovely clear skies. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello.

well, some of you have had the sunshine bit, a bit of a great day for many so far. that's the way it stays, , for most into the end of the evening. but we will see things turn a bit soggy towards the south east corner, potentially into the london area for the evening rush hour. still one or two showers from the cloud across the rest of england and wales, but some breaks there, western scotland especially, and towards the far south west of england. now into this evening and overnight the rain we have in the southeast corner will push erratically. that means clearing skies across the southeast. there could be a risk of frost and some ice here into the morning, frost potentially in some clearer skies in western scotland, too, but most will be frost free again thanks to extensive amounts of clouds. still one or two showers. but tomorrow, more of a breeze and the cloud will start to break up a little bit more. still, lots of cloud around. sunny conditions will be to the east of the english channel, western scotland, and later across shetland as well. but a chilly wind developing here and for all it's going to feel chilly in that strong wind.

this is bbc news. i'm samantha simmonds. the headlines: a couple who disappeared

with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton, but their child is still missing. this is about that baby. the fact that from our investigation, both constance and the baby had no medical attention, obviously pre or post—birth. the prime minister is travelling back from belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. the number of people sleeping rough in england has increased by more than a quarter year—on—year, according to latest government figures. a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales face disruption as teachers go on strike again.

more than 200 police officers are seaching for the baby of a couple who disappeared with the child injanuary, when it was just a few days old. constance marten and mark gordon were spotted and arrested near brighton last night. a helicopter and police dogs are being used in the search for their baby, who was not with them. our correspondent howard johnson has sent this report. two metres apart. we need to go all the way down to this path. police officers carry out a fingertip search of an allotment close to where constance marten and mark gordon were spotted last night, shortly before being arrested. this residential area in north brighton backs onto woods and a golf course. police say the couple were moving towards open land when they were stopped. they've launched an urgent search for the baby, as they're extremely concerned for its well—being. both constance and the baby had no medical attention, obviously pre— or post—birth.

and we've seen the climate and the change in the weather forecasts that we've had since 5th january, and so, obviously, you know, my concern has, as always has been, the exposure from the elements to the baby. a country—wide search took place for the couple before they were found last night. on 5th january, the pair were reported missing after their car broke down on the m61 near bolton. it's believed miss marten gave birth in or near the car a day or two earlier. on 7th january, police say they dumped some of their remaining belongings, including a pushchair near brick lane in east london. and a day later, the last confirmed sighting of the couple was in new haven in sussex, just a few miles away from where they were found in northern brighton. they were thought to be carrying a large amount of cash and to be using camping equipment to live off—grid. authorities previously thought the couple had been sleeping rough in a blue tent, avoiding being traced

by the police by moving around frequently and keeping their faces covered in cctv. constance marten, who was from a wealthy family, was a drama student when she first met mark gordon in 2016. since meeting, the couple led an isolated life, and in september, when marten was well into her pregnancy, began moving around rentalflats. gordon, a registered sex offender, was deported to britain from the united states in 2010 after spending 20 years in prison for a rape he committed aged 14. constance's father, napier marten, has told the independent newspaper of his immense relief that his daughter has been found. but it is tempered by the very alarming news her baby is still missing. howard johnson, bbc news. the prime minister is in northern ireland trying to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements. rishi sunak says he's confident that the windsor framework, as the new agreement is called,

addresses the concerns of the democratic unionist party — and that it removes any sense of a border down the irish sea, which the dup objects to. he said his deal was not about one political party, but about what's best for people and communities. the leader of the dup, sirjeffrey donaldson, said the deal represented progress, but he thought there were still issues with it. our ireland corrrespondent, chris page, reports. the brexitjourney has lasted for seven years. borders have moved to the centre, dominating politics here. does everyone hear that? it's about people... but the prime minister thinks he's finally found a solution. at a factory in county antrim, he told people the devolved governments would have a unique economic advantage, with local businesses having full access to the british and eu markets. and that is the prize. i can tell you when i go around the world and talk to businesses, they know that.

they're like, "that's interesting. "if you guys get this sorted, then we want to invest "in northern ireland because nowhere else does that exist. "that's like the world's most exciting economic zone." the windsor framework means goods moving from great britain into northern ireland only will go into a green lane. there'll be no routine physical inspections. there'll be a red lane for products due to move on into the republic of ireland. those goods will be checked. there's also a measure known as the stormont break, which would enable the northern ireland assembly to raise objections to eu rules. whether the assembly will be restored will depend on the dup's eventual verdict. progress has been made. we continue to have some concerns. we will examine the legal text. we'll look at all of this in the round and come to a decision. we're reasonable people, but we want to ensure that what the prime minister has said is matched by what is actually in the agreement itself. but there were also more sceptical

remarks from the party, particularly over how much eu law would still apply in northern ireland. you don't defend the union by acting in a way which takes you out of the united kingdom because you implement foreign law which drives you further and further away from the country you belong to. so, i mean, the first thing to fix is the requirement of unionists to have to implement laws which are designed for their destruction. aside from the politics, there are the practicalities. it's at businesses like this where the brexit rubber hits the road. the haulage company based here in larne believes the new agreement will drastically reduce costs and paperwork. it says more work's needed to maximise the benefits. we also have to focus on those suppliers in gb as well and let them know how easy it hopefully will be to move goods over here and, you know, to say we're open for business and we want

you to send, you know, your goods to us. rishi sunak sealed his deal with the eu, but there remain hard miles ahead. the way forward for northern ireland isn't completely clear yet. chris page, bbc news, larne. let's go to westminster now and join our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. the prime minister had anger to talk to backbenchers? yes. the prime minister had anger to talk to backbenchers?— the prime minister had anger to talk to backbenchers? yes, he's had some of those meetings _ to backbenchers? yes, he's had some of those meetings in _ to backbenchers? yes, he's had some of those meetings in northern - of those meetings in northern ireland, he is coming to me because own backbenchers. one person he is a meeting from the northern irish party as colum eastwood. you've not had your meeting yet, you will in the next few days. generally, you are supportive. brute the next few days. generally, you are supportive-— are supportive. we are glad we finally have _ are supportive. we are glad we finally have a _ are supportive. we are glad we finally have a deal. _ are supportive. we are glad we finally have a deal. it _ are supportive. we are glad we finally have a deal. it shows i are supportive. we are glad we|

finally have a deal. it shows the difference between borisjohnson's difference between boris johnson's cavalier— difference between boris johnson's cavalier approach difference between borisjohnson's cavalier approach and a grown—up in downing _ cavalier approach and a grown—up in downing street, working with their partners _ downing street, working with their partners in — downing street, working with their partners in the european commission. we have _ partners in the european commission. we have the _ partners in the european commission. we have the basis for moving forward _ we have the basis for moving forward. we have some concerns about the storemont brake, which we think is unnecessary, it could add another burden, _ is unnecessary, it could add another burden, because we are due market access _ burden, because we are due market access this— burden, because we are due market access. this is good for everybody to get— access. this is good for everybody to get is— access. this is good for everybody to get is back in stormont and deal with the _ to get is back in stormont and deal with the crises. the reality is, during — with the crises. the reality is, during all— with the crises. the reality is, during all the politics, our health service _ during all the politics, our health service waiting list have got longer and on _ service waiting list have got longer and on the — service waiting list have got longer and on the verge of collapse. on the storemont brake, _ and on the verge of collapse. on the storemont brake, your _ and on the verge of collapse. on the storemont brake, your concern - and on the verge of collapse. on the storemont brake, your concern is i storemont brake, your concern is that basically unionists could trigger it? there is no cross duty need, one side could trigger it and cause instability?— need, one side could trigger it and cause instability? yes, and we want to tell the world _ cause instability? yes, and we want to tell the world we _ cause instability? yes, and we want to tell the world we have _ cause instability? yes, and we want to tell the world we have dual - to tell the world we have dual

market — to tell the world we have dual market access. we had it for a couple — market access. we had it for a couple of _ market access. we had it for a couple of years, but the british government didn't want to sell it. we want — government didn't want to sell it. we want to create jobs, but we don't want to— we want to create jobs, but we don't want to add — we want to create jobs, but we don't want to add any burdens to that proposition. we can get around these issues, _ proposition. we can get around these issues, we _ proposition. we can get around these issues, we want to speak to the prime _ issues, we want to speak to the prime minister about how this will worka _ prime minister about how this will work. and — prime minister about how this will work, and we will. the reality is, what _ work, and we will. the reality is, what needs— work, and we will. the reality is, what needs to happen is the leadership of the dup need to realise — leadership of the dup need to realise the negotiation owes over, now is— realise the negotiation owes over, now is the — realise the negotiation owes over, now is the time to lead and govern. you want _ now is the time to lead and govern. you want them to get back up and running, they don't need to wait. they can have a day or two, but what are we _ they can have a day or two, but what are we waiting for? the health service — are we waiting for? the health service waiting less are getting longer~ — service waiting less are getting longer. we need people to take power in their— longer. we need people to take power in their hands. we've waited too long _ in their hands. we've waited too long the — in their hands. we've waited too long. the dup have done well out of this, they— long. the dup have done well out of this, they should say yes. we long. the dup have done well out of this, they should say yes.— this, they should say yes. we are heafina this, they should say yes. we are hearing some _ this, they should say yes. we are hearing some unionist _ this, they should say yes. we are hearing some unionist voices - this, they should say yes. we are i hearing some unionist voices saying

they rejected. hearing some unionist voices saying they rejected-— they rejected. these people re'ect an hina. they rejected. these people re'ect anything. rf — they rejected. these people re'ect anything. rf we �* they rejected. these people re'ect anything. if we are i they rejected. these people re'ect anything. if we are worried i they rejected. these people reject anything. if we are worried aboutl anything. if we are worried about jim allister, we will never get a deal— jim allister, we will never get a deal done — jim allister, we will never get a deal done on anything. the dup need to lead. _ deal done on anything. the dup need to lead, show people they are prepared _ to lead, show people they are prepared to lead and govern again. there's— prepared to lead and govern again. there's no— prepared to lead and govern again. there's no other way of doing this in northern— there's no other way of doing this in northern ireland, we have to come together— in northern ireland, we have to come together and work on our common interest— together and work on our common interest to — together and work on our common interest to deliver for the public. rishi _ interest to deliver for the public. rishi sunak was saying, you talked about the benefits of being in both markets, rishi sunak said the same thing, it was a unique opportunity that no one else has. do you think... there are still some formalities, it's not totally free. misses all as a result of brexit. didnt— misses all as a result of brexit. didn't have them before —— this is all a _ didn't have them before —— this is all a result — didn't have them before —— this is alla result i_ didn't have them before —— this is alla result. lam didn't have them before —— this is all a result. i am sure didn't have them before —— this is all a result. lam sure people in

england — all a result. lam sure people in england and scotland and wales will be asking, why can't we be part of the single — be asking, why can't we be part of the single market? northern ireland hazard, _ the single market? northern ireland hazard, we — the single market? northern ireland hazard, we need to sell it and see investment— hazard, we need to sell it and see investment from the british government into infrastructure and higher— government into infrastructure and higher education, so we can fully maximise — higher education, so we can fully maximise the benefit of the opportunity. maximise the benefit of the opportunity-— maximise the benefit of the o- -ortuni . ., . ,. opportunity. you will have your meetina opportunity. you will have your meeting to _ opportunity. you will have your meeting to make _ opportunity. you will have your meeting to make your - opportunity. you will have your meeting to make your point. i opportunity. you will have your. meeting to make your point. rishi sunak will be here in an hour to meet with his own backbench mps and continue that process of selling his deal. a transgender rapist who attacked two women has been sentenced to eight years in prison followed by three years supervision after release. isla bryson committed the crimes as a man called adam graham prior to identifying as a woman. the 31—year—old was found guilty following a trial last month. our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, was at the sentencing in edinburgh and gave us more detail of what was said in court. isla bryson was initially sent to a women's prison and days later moved to a men's jail after the case

attracted political controversy. today at the high court in edinburgh, bryson's defence lawyer said private and personal decisions on gender should have no bearing on court proceedings and that since being found guilty of double rape bryson had been subjected to illjudged, ill informed and ignorant comments. thejudge lord scott said he took no account of anything said outside of court. he said that bryson had preyed on two vulnerable women, raping them in their own homes where they were entitled to feel safe. lord scott said bryson presented a particularly significant risk to any women the 31—year—old might form a relationship with and that bryson was at high risk of reoffending. bryson's estranged wife has commented. she has said, i quote, that bryson did the crime as a man and should do the time in a man's jail. she also said the focus

should be on the victims. the isla bryson case raids to an urgent review in scotland and a change in prison policy. all newly convicted or remanded prisoners here in scotland will now initially be placed injails according to their sex at birth. the trial of nurse lucy letby has been hearing evidence from a hospital consultant who is said to have interrupted her during an alleged attack. the nurse is accused of taking a breathing tube away from a premature baby girl. the 33—year—old is accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others. she denies 22 charges. our correspondentjudith moritz is following the case at manchester crown court. yes, first of all you may remember that a court order means we can't identify any of the babies in this case. the baby we've been hearing about today is known as baby k, a very premature girl born 15 weeks early weighing just 1lb 8oz in february 2016.

it's alleged that lucy letby tried to murder her within the first two hours of her life by interfering with her breathing tube. now we were told that the baby was being looked after by a different nurse, a different member of staff, who left the room for a few minutes to go and talk to the baby's parents, leaving her in the care of lucy letby. we've also heard here that the consultant on duty had become concerned at that stage about the number of babies who had been having collapses and deaths on the unit and that he went to check. we heard today from him who said, at the time we were aware of a number of incidents, unusual incidents on the unit, and lucy letby�*s presence at them. he said, call me hysterical but i was worried and i went to check to satisfy myself everything was ok. as i went into the room, he said, i saw lucy letby standing by the incubator,

the baby's oxygen levels had dropped severely, the alarms were not going off, and he said lucy letby wasn't doing anything to help. he got involved and helped with the baby. who recovered at that stage. now, what the court has been told first of all by lucy letby�*s defence team firstly, they say the breathing tube may have dislodged itself because the baby was moving, and the court has also been told that the little girl was transferred to a different hospital and she died there three days later. lucy letby is accused of trying to murder her but not being the cause of her death. and she denies all of the charges against her, seven counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, against a total of 17 babies. this trial continues. the headlines on bbc news: a couple who disappeared

with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton but their child is still missing. the prime minister is in belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. the number of people sleeping rough in england last year increased by more than a quarter, according to figures released by the government. the rise in 2022 comes after four years of decreases. those years included exceptional measures for rough sleepers introduced by the government in response to the covid pandemic to take people off the streets. ministers say they're spending £500 million tackling the problem. our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has more. after a night on the streets, the need is for heat and food. at this bristol homeless service, they're feeding up to 100 people a day.

and numbers are rising. i'm not happy. the streets will kill me, or the drugs will. simon gilchrist has been rough sleeping for a fortnight. he lost his flat last year. a hostel place last month. at the heart of both is a long—term drug addiction. people say go and get a job or they don't know about addiction or why people take crack cocaine and heroin and alcohol to sustain the feelings. a military veteran, the 48—year—old doesn't think he'll see 50. if god can take my addiction away and god can say, "look, "i want to put you into this place, here's another go," i would go for that. some of the other people using this service scuttle in, embarrassed, driven here by cost of living pressures. we've seen people that have never been homeless before. people that have lost their employment and accommodation purely because of the rent increases.

it's really frightening for those people that have never experienced rough sleeping before. today's increased figures come after several years of decreases from 2017's peak, aided by a huge effort through covid to get everyone off the streets. but overall, rough sleeping is up nearly 75% since 2010. what our team is seeing in terms of their caseload, of the number of people who are approaching us for help when they're rough sleeping is a sustained increase and an increased risk for sleeping, and it's slightly harder to get people into accommodation. at the night shelter in bristol, run by the julian trust, sam atkinson has turned up early, hoping to secure a bed. been using the bristol bus shelter if i don't get a bed here. the 23—year—old has been homeless for two months after leaving what he said was a toxic relationship. but life's looking up. he's shortly about to move into a flat. it would mean the world to me because then i know i have got my own place. i don't have to continuously be

on my feet all day moving around. i can have my own space at the end of the day. sam was soon joined by simon, who'd spent the day in a&e with chest pains. when the shelter opened, sam managed to get one of the dozen available beds, but the rest had been allocated. so simon was forced to join the thousands of others who each evening call england's pavements their home. michael buchanan, bbc news, bristol. joining me is the founder of the big issue. i know you prefer being called john. what are you seeing out on the streets? brute called john. what are you seeing out on the streets?— called john. what are you seeing out on the streets? we are seeing one of the bia on the streets? we are seeing one of the big problems _ on the streets? we are seeing one of the big problems after _ on the streets? we are seeing one of the big problems after the _ on the streets? we are seeing one of the big problems after the covid - the big problems after the covid hit, we saw many, many new people falling into evictions and falling into homelessness. you've got nearly

100,000 people, 126,000 children caught up in temporary accommodation, so you've got a shift in the economy, which is the covid thing. and the war in ukraine, the rise in inflation, and the fact landlords are talking about repossessing. there are 70,000 houses out there that are probably going to face repossession. you've got this real perfect storm, as people say, and the government is talking about spending an extra 500 million around rough sleeping, but what you've got to do is accept the fact there we may not be at war, we are not in a war scenario, we are having the same effects that happens if we were. because we've got rising costs, we've got inflation on all

sorts of things like heat. so the government has to start supporting people in a much, much more dramatic way than they are so far. iloathed people in a much, much more dramatic way than they are so far.— way than they are so far. what would that look like? _ way than they are so far. what would that look like? the _ way than they are so far. what would that look like? the way _ way than they are so far. what would that look like? the way that - way than they are so far. what would that look like? the way that we've i that look like? the way that we've been looking _ that look like? the way that we've been looking at _ that look like? the way that we've been looking at is _ that look like? the way that we've been looking at is topping - that look like? the way that we've been looking at is topping up - been looking at is topping up people, keep them in homes, keep people, keep them in homes, keep people away from the streets, keep people away from the streets, keep people away from the streets, keep people away from the problems the street throw up. all of those children, if they are living in temporary accommodation, what that will mean is that for decades, they will mean is that for decades, they will have all of the problems that come from at one time in the lives of being homeless. i'm a next homeless person, it took me decades of getting over it. i wouldn't want to see the mental health problems coming down to another generation. i guess the government might say they are putting the money in, we can't help every vulnerable person at risk

of losing their homes. in help every vulnerable person at risk of losing their homes.— of losing their homes. in the end, the do of losing their homes. in the end, they do help _ of losing their homes. in the end, they do help because _ of losing their homes. in the end, they do help because the - of losing their homes. in the end, they do help because the costs i of losing their homes. in the end, j they do help because the costs go up, they go up to the community and nhs. if you look at the way 50% of people who use the nhs, they have health problems which come from poverty and food poverty. actually, what you do is make a saving in a particular area and you find yourself having to spend more in other areas. the disruption in our schools means to say we have all these pressures on our schools because we've got more children now coming from a homeless or unstable background, not least to a situation whether schools can't function. the government has to take a holistic view and not say, we can't spend money here. why is it the treasury is always prepared to spend money when the crisis has happened? they

don't spend money to prevent the crisis from happening, and that is exactly what we need to get the government to do. truth? exactly what we need to get the government to do.— government to do. why is it successive _ government to do. why is it successive governments - government to do. why is it - successive governments haven't really tackled the issue? why is it bad in this country? it is really tackled the issue? why is it bad in this country?— bad in this country? it is the way the treasury _ bad in this country? it is the way the treasury works, _ bad in this country? it is the way the treasury works, they - bad in this country? it is the way the treasury works, they have i bad in this country? it is the way - the treasury works, they have always responded to crisis... it does it well sometimes, in covid, when 38,000 people came in from the streets, living rough. they are good at that. the only thing, and i would accuse them of starting back and saying, hang on, when will we turn the tap off? when will we stop people from falling on the streets? this is the real problem. we need the government to be reinvented, i'm sorry to say. it passes problems from one department to the other, so

the dwp picks up problems that are caused further down the line, picks up caused further down the line, picks up problems where instead of helping people to prevent them from falling into affection, instead of saying, what we will do is make sure you don't get affected, we will support you. but they don't do that, not is the real problem. i am saying the next government, whether it is labour or conservative, need to wake up labour or conservative, need to wake up the fact we run government and how we do our budgeting, we do not budget for prevention, we only budget for prevention, we only budget for prevention, we only budget for emergency.- budget for prevention, we only budget for emergency. thank you very much. a muslim preacher who was close to the manchester arena bomber had been suspected by m15 of being a radicaliser more than a decade earlier, the bbc has found. a public inquiry into the atrocity — which killed 22 people in may 2017 — will this week report on how

salman abedi was radicalised, and whether the security service missed chances to stop him. the preacher had been investigated even before another associate of his tried to carry out a suicide bombing in exeter in 2008. daniel de simone reports. the 2017 manchester arena bombing stole 22 lives. this week, a public inquiry will report on how suicide bomber salman abedi was radicalised and whether m15 missed chances to stop him. some evidence was heard in secret, away from bereaved families. our investigation reveals information not heard before in public, and possibly not examined at all. the inquiry was told about this man, known as mansour al—anezi, who lived in devon. he died before the attack and detectives say they couldn't fully understand his link to salman abedi but... whatever connection there was,

clearly mr al—anezi is dead, and salman abedi is dead as well. but there was clearly a connection. of significance. al—anezi was arrested in 2008 after a close associate, nicky reilly, attempted a suicide bombing in exeter. al—anezi, who wasn't charged, had been with reilly the day before. sources had said that before al—anezi moved to his home here in plymouth over 20 years ago, he was of concern to m15 because of his activities in manchester, where he had first lived in britain. he was suspected of being a radicaliser and was placed under investigation. that is why he fell under suspicion after the exeter attack. al—anezi had led prayers at a plymouth mosque but those who ran it say he was told no politics and barred from preaching. he regularly visited manchester

and also stayed with salman abedi. we found he used different identities. family knew him by another name. he arrived in the uk on a false passport. salman abedi was at al—anezi's bedside when he died in hospital of cancer. the only other close friend present told me the bomber was in tears. the day after al—anezi's manchester funeral, salman abedi and his brother purchased their first bomb—making chemical. a lawyer representing victims�* families thinks if our evidence wasn�*t heard in the secret part of the inquiry it should be made known. if there is material which of the inquiry may not have uncovered then it is vital it is supplied to the chair so they can pursue that even at this late stage. in a statement, five bereaved families told us they are disappointed to learn of more within the case

that doesn�*t appear to have been investigated. the inquiry�*s final verdict on the arena atrocity is due on thursday. daniel de simone, bbc news. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with matt. hello. well, some of you have had the sunshine, a bit of a grey day for many so far. that�*s the way it stays for most into the end of the evening. but we will see things turn a bit soggy towards the south east corner, potentially into the london area for the evening rush hour. still one or two showers from the cloud across the rest of england and wales, but some breaks there, western scotland especially, and towards the far south west of england. now it�*s going to this evening and overnight the rain we have in the southeast corner will push erratically westwards. it does mean with clearing skies across the southeast, there could be a risk of frost and some ice here into the morning, frost potentially in some clearer skies in western scotland, too, but most will be frost free again thanks to extensive amounts of clouds. still one or two showers. but tomorrow, more of a breeze

and the cloud will start to break up a little bit more. still, lots of cloud around. sunny conditions will be to the east of the english channel, western scotland, and later across shetland as well. but a chilly wind developing here and for all it�*s going to feel chilly in that strong wind. little changes into thursday.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: a couple who disappeared with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton — but their child is still missing. this is about the baby and the fact that they had no medical attention for this baby. the prime minister is traveling back from belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements

for northern ireland. the number of people sleeping rough in england has increased by more than a quarter year—on—year, according to latest government figures. a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales face disruption as teachers go on strike again. sport now and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. it�*s been described as an unforgetable day of test cricket. the drama going right to the wire — as england lost their second test to new zealand by a single ruin. it�*s only the second time a test has been won by such fine margins. and forjames anderson, it was so nearly a day to remember. joe wilson reports. in wellington, anything could happen. everything did. new zealand took four wickets quickly.

england helped. dashing harry brooke run out without facing a ball. oh my word! ifjoe root felt some responsibility, he channelled his feelings into his batting. he had ben stokes for support, although the captain only had one good leg to stand on. sore knee? he made 33. joe root could guide england home, but on 95, he found a fielder. ben foakes took england to the brink, just six behind, he then fell. hang on, there was stilljames anderson. he hit a boundary to take this to the knife edge. james anderson to win it but he brushed it to the wicketkeeper, all out, but from the england captain, perspective. even though we are on the losing side of it, just a great game to be part of. i think when you have the mindset in terms of, you know, what we want to go and do and try

and give ourselves the best opportunity to win games all the time, you have to lose games. well, new zealand have been excellent losers before. and, universally, what sells sport like excitement? joe wilson, bbc news. katie taylor�*s highly anticipated homecoming fight has been postponed, with her opponent amanda serrano picking up an injury. the world title rematch was due to take place in dublin on 20th may. the fight promoters say they�*re trying to find a �*revised date�*. irish fighter taylor beat puerto rico�*s serrano to retain her undisputed lightweight title in new york last may. fly—half marcus smith has been left out of england�*s training squad before their next six nations match against france, with george ford returning for the first time in a year. it means smith will now return to harlequins and it indicates he will not be in the matchday squad to face france. it also means a long—awaited return for ford, who has not played for england since march last year. a couple of big nights of fa cup action ahead

with seven football league sides left in the competition. manchester city will be hoping to move a step closer to fa cup glory — the last time they lifted the trophy was four years ago. they face championship side bristol city, in one of four 5th round ties tonight. four more are tomorrow evening. pep guardiola�*s side are in the running for two other trophies — the premier league, and champions league, having knocked out arsenal in the last round. 12 games, no defeat, means they are there. my scouts say they are a good team. the manager has a lot of experience. did really well against leicester and watford when he was there. one or two seasons ago. it�*s a final, so the fa cup is an important competition. really, really important. fulham�*s fifth round game against leeds is on bbc1 at 7:45 tonight. you can also watch leicester city against blackburn rovers on the iplayer, and on the bbc sport website at half past seven. tottenham play in the cup tomorrow against sheffield united, the 5th round familiar ground for them — but they�*re spreading their wings into new territor today. the club announcing a 15—year

partnership with formula one which will see a new karting track built underneath their stadium. the venue which was built four years ago and cost a billion pounds, already hosts boxing, nfl and rugby. the electric karting circuit will be installed beneath the south stand at the stadium, with f1 president stefano domenicali saying it�*ll help to open motorsport to new and diverse audiences. that�*s all the sport for now. thanks forjoining us. we are waiting for a police news conference at brighton concerning the disappearance of a couple seven weeks ago with their baby, the couple were arrested in brighton last night but the baby has not been found. police have been searching an area on the sussex downs around a golf course and allotments. we are hoping to bring you the news conference which we are expecting

shortly. people from ethnic minority backgrounds who lost loved ones in the pandemic have said they�*re being sidelined by the covid—19 public inquiry. more than 20 organisations have written to the covid inquiry calling for race to be a key focus of the investigations. ethnic minorities in the uk were significantly more likely to die of covid, according to official figures. our community affairs correspondent ashitha nagesh reports. my dad was a very kind, loving and nurturing man. just someone who brought a lot ofjoy and warmth into people�*s lives. and, yeah, i miss him every day. it�*s been almost three years since lobby�*s dad femi died in the first wave of the pandemic. he didn�*t have any underlying health conditions, he was a relatively fit, healthy guy. a care worker, he lived with his family in leamington spa. lobby welcomes a public inquiry but feels that people like him are being shut out. do you feel like you�*ve been included in the inquiry? personally, no.

a black man from a black family, it feels like race, and the impact that race has had in the pandemic has also kind ofjust been sidelined. it feels like it�*s more of an afterthought than being a priority for the inquiry. today, the inquiry�*s chairwoman, baroness hallett, said everyone�*s views would be listened to. to ensure that we reach as many people as possible across the united kingdom, from the seldom heard and from those who are more often heard, to find out from them directly what their experience of the pandemic was. dozens of health and equality organisations say there�*s not enough focus on the issue of race. we know that black and minority ethnic people were hit first, - they were hit hardest, - and they suffered the most disproportionate rates

of death as well. - our position and the position - of bereaved families is quite clear, that structural racism has to be embedded in every— part of this process. a spokesperson for the covid inquiry has told bbc news that it is committed to looking at inequalities and that their impact on the pandemic will be at the forefront of its work and its investigations. lobby�*s greatest wish is to address the inquiry directly and to tell his dad�*s story. i think it would mean everything to know that his death wasn�*t in vain and that something, something good at least, could come from all of this pain. ashitha nagesh, bbc news. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales are facing further disruption this week as teachers go on strike again over pay. teachers are set to strike on different days depending on which union they are in. richard galpin reports.

the continuing strike action by education unions is today affecting schools here in the north of england. secondary schools say they are prioritising pupils who are facing exams, including year 11s and those taking gcses. in previous action by the national education union in england, more than half of schools completely closed or partially. this primary school teacher, who has taught for 17 years, says he is joining the strike today as a last resort. my son is 16, he�*s doing his gcses. he�*s not going to school today because of the strike. i fully understand why his teachers are not going in. obviously, he�*s losing out. with teaching, i would say the workload is a huge issue. when you have a massive workload and you are not being rewarded in your salary, it makes people a little sickened. the action coincides with strikes by the educational institute of scotland and two other unions. the national association of head teachers in wales started

action short of a strike at the beginning of february. most teachers in northern ireland walked out for half a day on february 1st. the unions are calling for pay above the rising rate of inflation. they also want schools to be given extra money to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets. most state school teachers in england and wales had a 5% pay rise last year. teachers in wales rejected a recent offer of an extra 1.5% pay rise plus an additional one—off payment of 1.5%. in scotland, teachers rejected a 5% increase and a subsequent offer of up to 6.85%. the scottish government proposed a 6% pay rise this year and a further 5.5% in april. the neu could have paused the strikes, we could have been sat

round the table since last thursday. i offered the weekend, as well. we had time. richard galpin, bbc news. a full list of strike dates and where they are taking place can be found on our website. some breaking news concern —— concerning the arrest of a couple last night. this is constance martin and mark gordon, they have now been additionally arrested on suspicion of gross negligence and manslaughter. the baby has still not been found and the couple were found after disappearing seven weeks ago in brighton last night with no sign of their missing baby. they were

arrested and kept in custody and they were questioned. the metropolitan police say they have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence, manslaughter. the police have asked local people to search for signs of the baby including in sheds and outhouses because the baby was not with them when they were found last night. dozens of police officers were spotted searching a golf course and allotments on the sussex downs where they have hailed the news conference where they made the news conference where they made the announcement. —— where they have held. the appeal is all about the baby and the arrest location was close to open land and the couple were moving towards that land and they were travelling some distances. we can listen to the news conference.— we can listen to the news conference. . , , ., , we can listen to the news conference. . , , ., conference. where is your focus of the search? _ conference. where is your focus of the search? we _ conference. where is your focus of the search? we are _ conference. where is your focus of the search? we are working - conference. where is your focus of the search? we are working hard l conference. where is your focus of i the search? we are working hard and the search? we are working hard and the hypothesis _ the search? we are working hard and the hypothesis remains _ the search? we are working hard and the hypothesis remains that - the search? we are working hard and the hypothesis remains that we - the hypothesis remains that we believe them to be and have been in the open land in open areas which is

why ourfocus and the open land in open areas which is why our focus and our search is where it is. we are conscious of the fact that the outbuildings, this is a vast amount of land, and my colleague can outline the geography. the location is vast and we are looking — the location is vast and we are looking at— the location is vast and we are looking at a corridor between when they were — looking at a corridor between when they were last sighted and here of about— they were last sighted and here of about seven miles by 13 miles length in duration. — about seven miles by 13 miles length in duration, so 91 square miles worth— in duration, so 91 square miles worth to — in duration, so 91 square miles worth to be searched. we would encourage — worth to be searched. we would encourage the public to be vigilant and if— encourage the public to be vigilant and if you — encourage the public to be vigilant and if you see anything report it and if you see anything report it and our— and if you see anything report it and our dedicated police officers are working through that and our focus _ are working through that and our focus remains when they are still some _ focus remains when they are still some hope of finding this young baby, _ some hope of finding this young baby, on— some hope of finding this young baby, on doing so.— baby, on doing so. have they abandoned — baby, on doing so. have they abandoned the _ baby, on doing so. have they abandoned the camping - baby, on doing so. have they - abandoned the camping equipment? baby, on doing so. have they _ abandoned the camping equipment? we abandoned the camping equipment? e have not abandoned the camping equipment? have got no further information at this time, no information from the custody process which is supporting the location. custody process which is supporting the location-— the location. going back to when the location. going back to when the were the location. going back to when they were arrested, _ the location. going back to when they were arrested, a _ the location. going back to when they were arrested, a couple - the location. going back to when they were arrested, a couple of. they were arrested, a couple of things. — they were arrested, a couple of things. can _ they were arrested, a couple of things. can you—

they were arrested, a couple of things, can you give _ they were arrested, a couple of things, can you give a - they were arrested, a couple of things, can you give a bit- they were arrested, a couple of things, can you give a bit more| things, can you give a bit more detail— things, can you give a bit more detail about _ things, can you give a bit more detail about the _ things, can you give a bit more detail about the member- things, can you give a bit more detail about the member of. things, can you give a bit more| detail about the member of the publicly— detail about the member of the publicly reported _ detail about the member of the publicly reported them - detail about the member of the publicly reported them how- detail about the member of the| publicly reported them how that unfolded? — publicly reported them how that unfolded? and _ publicly reported them how that unfolded? and also _ publicly reported them how that unfolded? and also going - publicly reported them how that unfolded? and also going back. publicly reported them how that. unfolded? and also going back to publicly reported them how that - unfolded? and also going back to the footage, _ unfolded? and also going back to the footage, it _ unfolded? and also going back to the footage, it appears _ unfolded? and also going back to the footage, it appears that _ unfolded? and also going back to the footage, it appears that constance i footage, it appears that constance marten _ footage, it appears that constance marten might— footage, it appears that constance marten might have _ footage, it appears that constance marten might have been— footage, it appears that constance marten might have been wearing i footage, it appears that constance j marten might have been wearing a puffer— marten might have been wearing a pufferiacket — marten might have been wearing a puffer jacket and _ marten might have been wearing a pufferjacket and dress _ marten might have been wearing a pufferjacket and dress and - marten might have been wearing a pufferjacket and dress and mark l pufferjacket and dress and mark gordon— pufferjacket and dress and mark gordon also— pufferjacket and dress and mark gordon also in _ pufferjacket and dress and mark gordon also in puffer— pufferjacket and dress and mark gordon also in pufferjacket - pufferjacket and dress and mark gordon also in pufferjacket with| pufferjacket and dress and mark. gordon also in pufferjacket with a walking _ gordon also in pufferjacket with a walking stick, _ gordon also in pufferjacket with a walking stick, so _ gordon also in pufferjacket with a walking stick, so what _ gordon also in pufferjacket with a walking stick, so what were - gordon also in pufferjacket with a walking stick, so what were they i walking stick, so what were they wearing — walking stick, so what were they wearing you _ walking stick, so what were they wearing you arrested _ walking stick, so what were they wearing you arrested them? - walking stick, so what were they. wearing you arrested them? what walking stick, so what were they wearing you arrested them? what i can say around _ wearing you arrested them? what i can say around the _ wearing you arrested them? what i can say around the arrest, - wearing you arrested them? what i can say around the arrest, it - wearing you arrested them? what i can say around the arrest, it was i wearing you arrested them? what i can say around the arrest, it was a | can say around the arrest, it was a diligent member of the public who observed them accessing a cash machine and then entering the shop and they remained vigilant ringing 999 which alerted the police and swat response from the initial call to the arrest of about six minutes —— alerted the police and a swift response. aha, -- alerted the police and a swift response-— response. a follow on from the arrest, response. a follow on from the arrest. is _ response. a follow on from the arrest, is anything _ response. a follow on from the arrest, is anything in _ response. a follow on from the

arrest, is anything in their- arrest, is anything in their condition— arrest, is anything in their condition suggesting - arrest, is anything in their condition suggesting they| arrest, is anything in their- condition suggesting they have arrest, is anything in their— condition suggesting they have been livin- condition suggesting they have been living outdoors — condition suggesting they have been living outdoors for— condition suggesting they have been living outdoors for a _ condition suggesting they have been living outdoors for a sustained - living outdoors for a sustained period — living outdoors for a sustained period of— living outdoors for a sustained period of time? _ living outdoors for a sustained period of time? i�*m _ living outdoors for a sustained period of time?— living outdoors for a sustained reriod oftime? �* ., , _ ., period of time? i'm happy to confirm that from the — period of time? i'm happy to confirm that from the initial _ period of time? i'm happy to confirm that from the initial assessment - period of time? i'm happy to confirm that from the initial assessment we | that from the initial assessment we have, it links to the reasoning for the open land search, that is because upon locating the couple and arresting them, there is significant intelligence as part of the arrest process that brings us to a hypothesis that they have been spending a significant amount of time outdoors living in the countryside and the vast land we have in sussex here. we countryside and the vast land we have in sussex here.— countryside and the vast land we have in sussex here. we will do one more question- _ have in sussex here. we will do one more question. you _ have in sussex here. we will do one more question. you mentioned - have in sussex here. we will do one more question. you mentioned thatj more question. you mentioned that there might — more question. you mentioned that there might be _ more question. you mentioned that there might be a _ more question. you mentioned that there might be a possibility - more question. you mentioned that. there might be a possibility someone was taking _ there might be a possibility someone was taking care — there might be a possibility someone was taking care of _ there might be a possibility someone was taking care of the _ there might be a possibility someone was taking care of the baby— there might be a possibility someone was taking care of the baby on - there might be a possibility someone was taking care of the baby on their i was taking care of the baby on their behalf, _ was taking care of the baby on their behalf, is that— was taking care of the baby on their behalf, is that a _ was taking care of the baby on their behalf, is that a possibility? - was taking care of the baby on their behalf, is that a possibility? we - behalf, is that a possibility? we have to behalf, is that a possibility? have to keep an open mind to behalf, is that a possibility?“ have to keep an open mind to the investigation and it is the reason why we offered the £10,000 reward

and that remains open because what we know is that constance marten and mark gordon had a substantial amount of cash within this investigation, but what we don�*t know is during the movements, have they come across an individual who has taken the baby and threw the cash available to them, allowed them to receive refuge in a premises or outbuildings, and it is to those individuals we say, thatis it is to those individuals we say, that is where the reward sits, we have got to keep an open mind. and thatis have got to keep an open mind. and that is one of the hypotheses that we are working to. i�*m that is one of the hypotheses that we are working to.— we are working to. i'm afraid no more questions. _ we are working to. i'm afraid no more questions. we _ we are working to. i'm afraid no more questions. we thank- we are working to. i'm afraid no more questions. we thank you | we are working to. i'm afraid no i more questions. we thank you for your time — more questions. we thank you for your time this afternoon and we thank— your time this afternoon and we thank the — your time this afternoon and we thank the public for their support on this— thank the public for their support on this and we want to work diligently to see whether we can still find — diligently to see whether we can still find this baby at this time so thank— still find this baby at this time so thank you — still find this baby at this time so thank you very much, everyone. studio: —

thank you very much, everyone. studio: that was the news conference there. held by chief superintendent james collis from the sussex police and detective superintendent, lewis basford from the metropolitan police. we know that the couple have been rearrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter but they have clarified that the baby has still not been found and they said they are searching a huge area, 91 square miles. they still hope to find a baby and i have asked the public to be vigilant and they said they are remaining open minded and there is a £10,000 reward which is open for anyone who has information at leading to the discovery of the baby —— they have asked the public to be vigilant. when asked if somebody could be looking after the baby, they say they know the couple had a lot of cash on them so they

may have appealed to somebody to look after the child so they are still very much undergoing a search for the baby despite the fact they have now additionally arrested constance marten and mark gordon on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. the police said the risk to the welfare of the infant is as high as it has been in the investigation. the couple disappeared about seven weeks ago and they were arrested in brighton on monday night of suspicion of child neglect. after several weeks of managing to avoid the police. the child has not been seen with them and the couple were detained after a 999 call by a member of the public. the member of the public had seen the reports in the media about the couple. we will bring you more on that as soon as there are any updates. police in barcelona say the disappearance of the british rugby player, levi davis, is now being examined by a criminal investigation unit.

catalan police say the case contains some "disturbing issues" with "no logical explanation". the 24 year old, who had signed a record deal after appearing on a celebrity version of x factor, was last seen in barcelona four months ago. rachel stonehouse reports. levi davis is a 24—year—old with talent. a professional rugby player turned musician who appeared on celebrity x factor in 2019 and later went on to sign a record deal. but he went missing on the 29th of october last year. levi had been staying with a friend in ibiza for a couple of weeks when he left suddenly and travelled to barcelona by ferry. he sent his mum, julie, this video on his way. less than 12 hours later, he disappeared. i think it was after the boat when i tried to phone him. the phone had gone dead. initially it was sort of, "well, maybe his battery�*s ran out." and of course, levi, sometimes it�*s like, "oh, well, he�*s

"forgotten his charger or something." so ijust kind of thought, all right, we�*ll give him, you know, a day, because i knew that that boat trip was eight hours. and then, of course, a day or two went by and i thought, right, ok, perhaps he�*sjust gone away for a couple of days. we know when levi arrived into the city, he went to this bar and was spotted leaving on their cctv at around 10:30pm. hey, mate, wasjust ringing to show you some sights. yeah, so this was when he was at the old irish pub. mike was the last friend or family member to hearfrom levi. we�*re four months on now from when he went missing. how are you feeling about the situation? i kind of compartmentalise it, put it in my little box and keep it away, because otherwise i�*d be thinking about it 24/7. you still send levi messages, don�*t you? tell me the sorts of messages

you send and why you do it. a lot of the time it�*s just... it�*s kind of seasonal things. so, like christmas came and went and obviously we hadn�*t heard anything from him. so it was sending that christmas message. and sometimes it�*s just getting things off my own chest and making sure, like, i know and he, if he sees them, knows that i was thinking about him no matter what. levi�*s passport was found at the port in the middle of november. and then a few weeks ago, this video emerged online. hello. my name is levi davis, and my life is in danger. he originally posted it on instagram a few days before his disappearance, but later deleted it. it�*s unsettling to watch and says he�*s being blackmailed. it�*s led to a lot of headlines and speculation on social media. you then start to wonder, well, how much of it is true?

but your mind could just go off into so many different angles and areas that actually it then becomes, well, it doesn�*t help, it doesn�*t help your mind. you know, you have to kind of keep saying to yourself, well, just stick to the facts. the local police in barcelona have told the bbc that while levi�*s case is not a criminal investigation, what they call disturbing issues have emerged that they say have no logical explanation. so it�*s being handled by a specialist criminal division. mavis davis, my grandma, what a name, first rock star. what a name first! rock star. famous in the church. she'll be rocking out to this one. while levi remains missing, julie watches his social media videos, hoping he�*ll come home. rachel stonehouse with that report. you can listen to file on 4�*s �*looking for levi�* investigation tonight on radio 4 at 8pm

or on the bbc sounds app. in the past four weeks, grocery prices have risen to 17.1% from a year ago, research firm kantar said. this is the highest rate since its records began in 2008 and means households will be faced with an £811 increase to their annual grocery bill if they did not change shopping habits. joining me is rachelle earwaker, a senior economist from joseph rowntree foundation. thanks forjoining us behind this huge increase and what impact is it having on people? —— what is behind this huge increase. the having on people? -- what is behind this huge increase.— this huge increase. the impact is enormous _ this huge increase. the impact is enormous and _ this huge increase. the impact is enormous and you _ this huge increase. the impact is enormous and you talk— this huge increase. the impact is enormous and you talk about - this huge increase. the impact is - enormous and you talk about people having to make choices and trade—offs around what kind of food they are buying, but for millions of low income households, it is not about being able to substitute what you are buying any more, it is about not being able to afford enough food

and making really impossible trade—offs across other essentials across your and energy and your transport. these are difficult times where for lower income households, essentials like food take up such a big proportion of your household budget, that when you are seeing increases like 17%, year on year, that really decimate your budget. millions are facing negative budgets at the moment and simply don�*t have enough to be able to afford to put enough to be able to afford to put enough food on the table. 50 enough food on the table. so difficult for so many people and it does not really feel like there is a solution out there when so much of what is happening is being caused by geopolitical events that nobody has any control. geopolitical events that nobody has an control. . , geopolitical events that nobody has any control-— any control. that is absolutely ri a ht. any control. that is absolutely right- and _ any control. that is absolutely right. and for _ any control. that is absolutely right. and for lower _ any control. that is absolutely right. and for lower income i right. and for lower income households, it means they are very much reliant on our social security system which at the moment is wildly inadequate, to be able to cover

those essentials. so inadequate, to be able to cover those essentials.— inadequate, to be able to cover those essentials. so what help is there out there _ those essentials. so what help is there out there for _ those essentials. so what help is there out there for people, - those essentials. so what help is there out there for people, what| there out there for people, what would you say to people who are saying out there, that is me? maw; saying out there, that is me? many households — saying out there, that is me? many households are _ saying out there, that is me? many households are reliant _ saying out there, that is me? many households are reliant on _ saying out there, that is me? ia’iafiy households are reliant on having to use food banks and talking to local authorities about extra support, and looking at what our social security system can offer them but what we are calling for at the moment is for the government to be helping and stepping in, it is nobody�*s fault at the moment that inflation is rising like it is, but what it means is that the government needs to step up and we are calling on them to make sure that universal credit comes with an essentials guarantee so that everyone who needs universal credit can at least cover basic essentials like food and washing up liquid and the utilities. social security system should be there to be able to support people if you don�*t have enough money for things like food but at the moment it is falling short. what we are calling on is for

the government to really step up and to make that landmark change to universal credit and make sure that no one is going without essentials like food at the moment.- no one is going without essentials like food at the moment. thanks for “oinina us. like food at the moment. thanks for joining us. rachel— like food at the moment. thanks for joining us. rachelfrom _ like food at the moment. thanks for joining us. rachel from the - like food at the moment. thanks for joining us. rachel from the joseph i joining us. rachel from thejoseph rowntree foundation there. the breaking news, police in brighton have said a couple who were arrested last night who disappeared seven weeks or so ago with their infant, have been additionally arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. but they said the baby has still not been found and they are still hoping the baby can be found, they are searching a vast area, around 91 square miles. now we can have a look at the weather. a lot of cloud tomorrow, but we can have a look at parts of western scotland, to prove there has been

some sunshine today, in central south—western scotland there has been quite a lot of sunshine. we have not seems like this, and this is actually the sunshine island of majorca. torrential rain, strong winds, it has had a massive impact on power supply and travel across the island. caused by storm juliet, which is churning its way to the western mediterranean and edging its way towards italy during the next 24 hours in the area of low pressure is stuck almost trapped because we have got our area of high pressure which is dominating things and that high pressure is keeping things dry for some of you but not everywhere and we have seen a lot of cloud trapped underneath and through the rest of the day and tonight, a few heavy bursts working through the south than most counties by clearing skies later towards the far south east and we have a chance of frost in tomorrow morning. clear skies in

western scotland and a chance of frost here but most people will be frost here but most people will be frost free to begin with. outbreaks of rain and drizzle to begin with on wednesday and we will see more sunshine compared to today across the eastern portion of the english channel, still some sunny spells, but also developing widely in shetland and later orkney, winds light but if anything more than a breeze across england and wales so a cold feeling day, feeling cold with temperatures around 7—9 but feeling colder than that would suggest. tomorrow is the first day of meteorological spring and thursday it has little change although high pressure receives and so the isobars will be an indication that the winds will be an indication that the winds will be a bit lighter, plenty of cloud around, some sunny breaks in the south, lots of sunshine across shetland and the odd brighter break elsewhere but the cloud could still be thick enough in some areas for a

few spots of rain and drizzle. into the weekend, chilly air in place but we have some deeper blues developing, an indication of even colder air pushing its way into sunday and beyond, so going into next week, temperatures drop and we could see a bit of snow for a few of you. this is bbc news, i�*m reeta. the headlines

a couple who disappeared with their newborn baby more than seven weeks ago have been arrested in brighton — but their child is still missing. if you see anything please report it. our dedicated officers are working their way through that and our focus for the remains can at this time, while there is still some hope of finding this young lady. the prime minister is traveling back from belfast as he tries to win support for his new deal on post—brexit trading arrangements for northern ireland. ——hope of finding this young baby. the number of people sleeping rough in england has increased by more than a quarter year—on—year, according to latest government figures. a double rapist who changed gender while waiting to stand trial has been jailed for eight years. thousands of schools across england, scotland and wales face disruption as teachers go on strike again.