closely with the of portsmouth's dental closely with the of portsmouth�*s dental academy to look at some long—term solutions around recruitment and retention, and also for the university of portsmouth to become a centre of dental developments. i become a centre of dental developments.— become a centre of dental developments. i think we all recognise — developments. i think we all recognise their _ developments. i think we all recognise their workforce . recognise their workforce challenges, but what you are describing is a fundamental problem, which is irrespective of who is commissioning dental services, unless the contract is fundamentally reformed and moves away from this uda structure to something else, which i come on to talk about, it doesn't really matter who is commissioning services because it will not change the landscape. i think there are things we can do locally within a national contract framework there has been some success around that with general

medical services. success around that with general medicalservices. i success around that with general medical services. i think having that local commission service, it allows you to be more innovative and flexible around local needs, but we have to work with international contracts so we would welcome... let's talk now to debbie clears from norfolk. she's been struggling to access the dental care she needs. talk if you would about your quest to try to find an nhs dentist. i have been looking everywhere for a dentist, with no avail. i have an appointment in hounslow, over 100 miles away. 10c! appointment in hounslow, over 100 miles away-— miles away. 100 miles away, it will cost ou miles away. 100 miles away, it will cost you money — miles away. 100 miles away, it will cost you money to _ miles away. 100 miles away, it will cost you money to get _ miles away. 100 miles away, it will cost you money to get there - miles away. 100 miles away, it will cost you money to get there and i cost you money to get there and back. ~ , ,., cost you money to get there and back. g ,., ., , cost you money to get there and back. g ., , ., back. my son lent me the money to net there. back. my son lent me the money to get there- tell— back. my son lent me the money to get there. tell me _ back. my son lent me the money to get there. tell me about _ back. my son lent me the money to get there. tell me about some - back. my son lent me the money to get there. tell me about some of i back. my son lent me the money to i get there. tell me about some of the roblem is

get there. tell me about some of the problem is that _ get there. tell me about some of the problem is that you _ get there. tell me about some of the problem is that you have _ get there. tell me about some of the problem is that you have been - get there. tell me about some of the i problem is that you have been having with your teeth which need serious intervention. 1 with your teeth which need serious intervention-— intervention. i have a partial denture at — intervention. i have a partial denture at the _ intervention. i have a partial denture at the bottom - intervention. i have a partial denture at the bottom and l intervention. i have a partial denture at the bottom and i | intervention. i have a partial- denture at the bottom and i have two loose teeth that are coming out, they will be out soon and they need to be taken out and added onto my denture that i have already, but i just can't get any to do it. that is a serious intervention. regular checkups, you can get? no, no, unless it is private and they don't have the money to do it, it is too expensive. have the money to do it, it is too exoensive-_ have the money to do it, it is too exensive. ., . ., . expensive. how much would it cost ou to net expensive. how much would it cost you to get this _ expensive. how much would it cost you to get this kind _ expensive. how much would it cost you to get this kind of _ expensive. how much would it cost you to get this kind of treatment i expensive. how much would it cost you to get this kind of treatment if| you to get this kind of treatment if you to get this kind of treatment if you don't have to pay for it? i think it is about £600, £700. 6r think it is about £600, £700. so simply money you don't have. think it is about £600, £700. so . simply money you don't have. when think it is about £600, £700. so - simply money you don't have. when is our simply money you don't have. when is your appointment? — simply money you don't have. when is your appointment? my _ simply money you don't have. when is your appointment? my appointment i simply money you don't have. when is your appointment? my appointment isj your appointment? my appointment is on the ltth of may and that is just for the assessment. did on the 4th of may and that is 'ust for the assessmenti on the 4th of may and that is 'ust for the assessment. did you have to wait lona for the assessment. did you have to wait long for— for the assessment. did you have to wait long for an _ for the assessment. did you have to wait long for an appointment - for the assessment. did you have to wait long for an appointment even l wait long for an appointment even with this dentist? i wait long for an appointment even with this dentist?—

wait long for an appointment even with this dentist? i phoned them up to ask them — with this dentist? i phoned them up to ask them if _ with this dentist? i phoned them up to ask them if they _ with this dentist? i phoned them up to ask them if they would _ with this dentist? i phoned them up to ask them if they would take - with this dentist? i phoned them up to ask them if they would take on i to ask them if they would take on nhs and they said they are taking on a few at the moment and they could offer me an appointment on the ltth offer me an appointment on the ltth of may. offer me an appointment on the ltth of ma . ~ . , . offer me an appointment on the ltth ofma. ., , ., ., of may. was that several weeks that ou make of may. was that several weeks that you make a — of may. was that several weeks that you make a phone — of may. was that several weeks that you make a phone call? _ of may. was that several weeks that you make a phone call? yes, - of may. was that several weeks that you make a phone call? yes, yes. i you make a phone call? yes, yes. then you will have to make another appointment. then you will have to make another appointment-— appointment. yes, go back again. what do you _ appointment. yes, go back again. what do you think _ appointment. yes, go back again. what do you think can _ appointment. yes, go back again. what do you think can be - appointment. yes, go back again. what do you think can be done i appointment. yes, go back again. i what do you think can be done about this? ., , ., , what do you think can be done about this? .,, ., , ., this? something has to be done. it is not 'ust this? something has to be done. it is notjust me. _ this? something has to be done. it is notjust me, it _ this? something has to be done. it is notjust me, it is _ this? something has to be done. it is notjust me, it is loads _ this? something has to be done. it is notjust me, it is loads of - is notjust me, it is loads of people who need to see an nhs dentist. children and adults older than me, younger than me. share dentist. children and adults older than me, younger than me. are you comin: than me, younger than me. are you coming across _ than me, younger than me. are you coming across other _ than me, younger than me. are you coming across other people - than me, younger than me. are you coming across other people in - than me, younger than me. are you coming across other people in the i coming across other people in the same position?— same position? yes. i'm on a facebook _ same position? yes. i'm on a facebook page _ same position? yes. i'm on a facebook page called - same position? yes. i'm on a l facebook page called toothless same position? yes. i'm on a - facebook page called toothless in england and they have given me advice and supported me. it's brilliant, but something needs to be done really quickly, i think. {lime done really quickly, i think. once this dentist _ done really quickly, i think. once this dentist has _ done really quickly, i think. once this dentist has taken _ done really quickly, i think. once this dentist has taken you - done really quickly, ithink. once this dentist has taken you on, do they have to keep you on the books

for whatever reason? i they have to keep you on the books for whatever reason?— for whatever reason? i don't know. who were you _ for whatever reason? i don't know. who were you with _ for whatever reason? i don't know. who were you with before, - for whatever reason? i don't know. who were you with before, where i for whatever reason? i don't know. l who were you with before, where we are getting dental treatment? i was are getting dental treatment? i was with a practice _ are getting dental treatment? i was with a practice that _ are getting dental treatment? i was with a practice that not _ are getting dental treatment? i was with a practice that not only - are getting dental treatment? ims with a practice that not only do private care. with a practice that not only do private care-— with a practice that not only do rivate care. , ,, , , , private care. debbie i wish you best of luck for that _ private care. debbie i wish you best of luck for that appointment - private care. debbie i wish you best of luck for that appointment on - private care. debbie i wish you best of luck for that appointment on the | of luck for that appointment on the 4th of luck for that appointment on the ltth of may. thank you. low—income households are now starting to receive the latest cost—of—living payment from the government to tackle ongoing high bills. eight million means—tested benefits claimants, including people on universal credit, should receive the £301 instalment between now and 17 may. further almost identical payments will come in the autumn and next spring. all will be transferred automatically. with more on this, let's cross

to our cost—of—living correspondent kevin peachey. how will this work? households across the uk and in many parts of the world are facing stubbornly high bills, be that grocery bills, gas and electricity bills, to help soften the blow the uk government is giving these cost—of—living payments which we have seen before. last year there were £650 paid in two instalments, and now we are seeing the start of three new instalments for 8 million people who are on low incomes and tear on means tested benefits. we have the bbc news website story about this behind me. those payments will come in three instalments, starting between now and the 17th of may, so don't panic if you have not received it today, it will be coming. the second will be in the autumn and the third next

spring. they are slightly different. £301 this time, then 299, and then 300 for the next couple. how is it paid? let's start with how it is paid. it will be directly in people personal bank accounts, the bank account that is used to pay their benefits into. that is really important to say, that it is automatic and it will be with the reference dwp ceo al and then their national insurance number. the fact it is going directly means that unfortunately fraudsters will be trying to take advantage of this, but if someone tries to get in contact and says we need your bank details to transfer this payment, that clearly is a scam. he is eligible? 8 million people. people who qualify who are already in

receipt of certain benefits, one of universal credit, jobseeker�*s allowance, the employment and support allowance, working tax credits, child tax credit or pension credits. it is all there on the website. the people receiving it would have needed to have had those benefits paid between late january and late february. those benefits are a gateway, if you like to the cost of living payment. what is it for? well, clearly bills are going up for? well, clearly bills are going up at the moment, hopefully going down a bit, certainly with gas and electricity bills, and originally these payments were intended to try to help people with tear gas and electricity bills which still remain high, but many may choose instead to use it for the grocery bill because food prices rising at their fastest rate for 45 years at the moment in the uk. we are here to help you, so

if you look on the bbc website, go to the top of the page and you will see the cost of living section. you can go on there and we have all of our section on tackling it together, our section on tackling it together, our full our section on tackling it together, ourfull guide to who our section on tackling it together, our full guide to who is getting the cost payments, various recipes and is low priced recipes and various other guides for you. of course we will be covering it across the bbc and terms of how it affects the money in your pocket.- and terms of how it affects the money in your pocket. kevin, thank ou. live now to alannah simpson, who will be receiving the cost—of—living payment. she also receives disability payment for a chronic illness which affects her mobility. welcome. have you worked out what you're going to get and when? what welcome. have you worked out what you're going to get and when? mhati you're going to get and when? what i knew is that — you're going to get and when? what i knew is that disability, _ you're going to get and when? what i knew is that disability, i _ you're going to get and when? what i knew is that disability, i think - knew is that disability, i think there is similarity to the cost of living payment, which i think it's

about a then the cost of living payment, as well. is about a then the cost of living payment, as well.— about a then the cost of living payment, as well. is this going to make a substantial— payment, as well. is this going to make a substantial difference - payment, as well. is this going to make a substantial difference to i make a substantial difference to your situation currently? could you explain debates about what is causing you to feel pinch? yes and no. it will help _ causing you to feel pinch? yes and no. it will help us _ causing you to feel pinch? yes and no. it will help us in _ causing you to feel pinch? yes and no. it will help us in order- causing you to feel pinch? yes and no. it will help us in order to - no. it will help us in order to cover gas and electricity bill, which is £238 a month. that gives us the opportunity to stock up on food cupboard things that we can cook with, snacks for my son, and it also means we have the opportunity to try to keep on top of our bills, because with everything going up in price each month there is always a bill that we fall behind in, so it is a constant battle of trying to keep up, then obviously catching up, as well. ~ ., . ~' up, then obviously catching up, as well. ~ ., ., ,, ., up, then obviously catching up, as well. ~ ., .,~ ., , ,, ., ., well. would it make a substantial difference to _ well. would it make a substantial difference to your _ well. would it make a substantial difference to your finances, - well. would it make a substantial difference to your finances, welll well. would it make a substantial| difference to your finances, well it ease the pain abates? it difference to your finances, well it ease the pain abates?— ease the pain abates? it will certainly ease _

ease the pain abates? it will certainly ease things - ease the pain abates? it will certainly ease things a - ease the pain abates? it will certainly ease things a bit, l certainly ease things a bit, definitely. each month i spent about £30 on isotonic drinksjust definitely. each month i spent about £30 on isotonic drinks just to definitely. each month i spent about £30 on isotonic drinksjust to keep me out of hospital. they have really gone up in price. they are now 89p per bottle and i go through two creates a month.— per bottle and i go through two creates a month. what else do you think the government _ creates a month. what else do you think the government could - creates a month. what else do you think the government could be - creates a month. what else do you l think the government could be doing to make life a little bit more bearable for you at the moment financially?— bearable for you at the moment financially? not 'ust for me, but for people — financially? not 'ust for me, but for people like — financially? notjust for me, but for people like me _ financially? notjust for me, but for people like me and - financially? notjust for me, but for people like me and for - financially? notjust for me, but l for people like me and for parents and working families i think they need to try to establish an even level of what future cost, and the same with gas and electricity it is just going up and up and up. we need to find that stable level otherwise people will struggle even more. lots more people are going to end up getting intact. more people are going to end up getting intact-— more people are going to end up getting intact. ultimately, this is three instalments, _ getting intact. ultimately, this is three instalments, that's - getting intact. ultimately, this is three instalments, that's it. - getting intact. ultimately, this is| three instalments, that's it. yes, and then what _ three instalments, that's it. yes, and then what are _ three instalments, that's it. yes, and then what are people - three instalments, that's it. yes and then what are people like me three instalments, that's it. 123 and then what are people like me and people were simply like to do? it is great we are getting that extra money because it does help at the

time, but once that money has gone and that month is, this yes, it's going to be summer, but for parents and people with chronic illness, you do rely on electricity because everything is always getting dirty. for some people, summer is great, but within those between monthly inflation of food and everything and feel fluctuating, it will not be steady and it will not be easy. thank you. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello there. it's been a very cold and frosty start for many of us, but dry with plenty of sunshine around away from the north of scotland, which has seen wintry showers. as we move through the second half of today it will remain quite chilly and it looks like the blue skies will be replaced by quite a lot of cloud. this cloud infilling across many areas. there will still be some sunny spells around, but it could be quite chilly and grey for some. we'll continue to see showers peppering northern and eastern scotland, eastern parts of england. these will be wintry,

certainly over the high ground across scotland. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. hello there. it's been a very cold and frosty start for many of us, but dry with plenty of sunshine around away from the north of scotland, which has seen wintry showers. temperatures below minus—five celsius in a few spots. so another cold, frosty start across northern scotland for wednesday. sunny spells, a few wintry showers continuing, but elsewhere it's less cold. there will be more cloud around, limited sunshine, a few spots of rain here and there, as well. again, temperatures range around seven to perhaps 12 degrees across more southern areas. but then we start to see some changes taking place as we move out of wednesday into thursday. this low pressure system with its weather fronts working its way in across the country brings thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain. more crucially, it's going to change the feel of the weather as milder air starts to push northwards across many areas, but still you can see northern scotland

in the blue colours there. with weather fronts pushing into the cold air, we could see a spell of rain, sleet and snow, certainly over the mountains through thursday across scotland. further south, more weather fronts pushing in, bringing showery bursts of rain, some of which will be quite heavy in places later in the day. but those temperatures rising generally in the south, where we're up to 13 to 15 degrees. still another cold day, though, for northern scotland. as we move into friday that heavy rain clears into the near continent. then it's a day of rather cloudy weather, benign weather, i think, with one or two spots of rain or showers around. very mild airfor england, wales and also northern ireland. we're up to the mid—teens there, perhaps 16 degrees. still cold for northern scotland. it turns milder still into the weekend, but it's quite a mixed picture. quite a lot of cloud around. some heavy showers perhaps on saturday. given some sunshine, it will feel very mild indeed.

live from london. this is bbc news. sudan's warring forces agree a ceasefire. british forces launch an evacuation mission. joe biden has confirmed he will stand for a second term as united states president. at the age of 80, mr biden is already the oldest holder of the office in history — and would be 86 by the end of a potential second term. prince william has settled a phone hacking claim for a very large sum after a secret deal struck with buckingham palace.