as we move into tomorrow, i am afraid. it's all because of this area of low pressure still sitting across the far north and west. for the next few hours, we stopped to see showers using away but, as we go into tomorrow morning, though showers are really going to start together as we develop into the afternoon. once again, some of them could be quite heavy and possibly thundering to you can't be too clever about it. it's sunshine and showers for the afternoon to tip top temperatures of around 17 in the sunnier moments but those temperatures will pull away in the sharper showers. further north and west, we might see 18 degrees in sheltered western scotland, but underneath this low cloud in the north and east, temperatures more subdued at ten to 12. high pressure will start to build as we head into the weekend. a bit tricky with this weather front and a bit of a west east provide with the weather story perhaps on friday for the further west you go, the best sunshine will

likely see and it could be quite promising, but that north—easterly breeze will continue to push in some cloud off the north sea and a few scattered showers come running down to east anglia. cool, 13 or 1a but up to east anglia. cool, 13 or 1a but up to the west 17 or 18 the —tip the start of the week and looks a bit more promising, that high pressure continues to build, dry, settled and sunny and there could be more showers, i'm afraid, on sunday. thanks, louise. and that's bbc news at ten. there's more analysis of the day's main stories on newsnight with victoria derbyshire, which is just getting under way on bbc two. the news continues here on bbc one, as now it's time to join our colleagues across the nations and regions for the news where you are, but from the ten team it's goodnight.

and what does that tell us about the state of the criminaljustice system in england and wales under the party that claims to be the one of law and order? tonight, exclusive figures reveal how hundreeds of crown court cases are taking years to come to trial. why is it so bad?

i'v e i've been to court where there is still the same maintenance issues that i found when i was a barrister in a practice in 2008. they still have not been fixed. we'll talk live to this woman who waited four years for her case to come to court, and london's victims commissioner. also tonight — are we experiencing "greedflation," when big companies increase prices to such an extent that it fuels inflation? it is an economic theory that is growing in popularity, but is it meditate or an unhelpful distraction? we will investigate. —— is it merited? and the arrest that sparked nationwide unrest in pakistan. the former prime minister imran khan is detained for eight days after pleading not guilty to charges of corruption. we'll talk to one of his supporters who fears others will also be arrested, and an analyst who thinks the army are muscling into the country's politics. hello.

"justice delayed is justice denied," prime minister william gladstone once said. it's as true now as it was in the 1860s. so new figures revealed by newsnight tonight shed more light on the lengthy waits before some cases finish — more than 300 crown court cases in england and wales have been waiting four years or longer to reach a conclusion, and nearly 200 cases have been stuck in the system over six years. for an alleged victim and for a defendant, it can mean their lives are essentially in limbo, although the government says in a statement to us tonight that the "average prosecution is now completed within ten months and that's falling." why is it taking so long for some cases to come to trial, and what does it tell us about the way the conservatives have managed the criminaljustice system through austerity, the pandemic, and a barristers�* strike? newsnight�*s focusing this year on the justice system, and here's sima with our latest report. it had a massive impact on my mental health

and just my normal day—to—day life. it literally just felt like i was, like, in prison. waiting can be hard, and it can be a lot harder when you're a victim or a defendant in a court case, potentially having to face a long time forjustice. when it would be cancelled, it literally would just feel like everything was just closing in. like, it'sjust, there's no end to it. it just felt like a constant nightmare. t was assaulted by her ex—boyfriend. the case was delayed several times, exacerbating her anxiety. i think it was six times that my case was delayed. i felt like it was like a countdown. i felt like my life was on pause because i felt like i couldn't move forward until i knew the outcome.

now newsnight can reveal the most up—to—date figures on the long delays seen by some crown court cases in england and wales. more than 300 outstanding cases have been waiting for four years or more for a conclusion. while 173 outstanding cases remain stuck in the system after six years. already—published government data shows 4,893 crown court cases have been waiting for two or more years to be heard, with a quarter of outstanding cases having been open for a year or more. barristers tell us there are multiple factors at play here. they say most of these cases are bail cases. those who are placed on remand have to have their cases heard by a certain time. and that often means that people who are on bail have their cases repeatedly adjourned and put to the back of the queue while newer cases take priority.

they also argue a shortage ofjudges and barristers is contributing to the delays. the criminaljustice system is in crisis. it's obvious, because there aren't enough barristers to prosecute and defend. this means that cases that actually get to court are adjourned on a regular basis, and they're adjourned not just for a few days or a few weeks, but they're adjourned for months and even years. that is a system that is on the edge of collapse. analysis of recent moj data shows 118 sexual offence cases were adjourned on the day because no barristers were available between october and december 2022. this represents a tenfold increase over the same timeframe in 2021, when 15 sexual offence trials were adjourned because no prosecution or defence barristers were available.

according to the government, there are currently more than 62,500 outstanding crown court cases in england and wales. ministers have a target of cutting that backlog to 53,000 by early 2025, but there is no target for how long it should take for a trial to finish. well, yes, thejustice committee have looked at this on a number of occasions, and we found it's been underinvestment for decades. for example, i've been to courts where there are still the same maintenance issues that i found when i was a barrister in practice in 2008. they still haven't been fixed. and we're not talking about big sums. we're talking about less than 1% of public expenditure, well under 1% goes on criminaljustice. it's a fraction of a fraction that's involved here. and that's a minor sum to put into the pot to rectify what ought to be a world—class system. the ministry ofjustice told newsnight:

it says: there have been five changes ofjustice secretary in just 18 months, each one having to get across their brief and the way their department works. conservative party has long called themselves the party of law and order, but these long delays in the criminaljustice system have been seized upon by the opposition. but away from politics, for those waiting forjustice, the impact can be devastating. even though the scars and the bruises and the marks have gone, mentally it still affects

me like it was yesterday. sima kotecha reporting. let's talk now to amy conjaerts, who went to the police in december 2018 to report that she had been raped. her case finally got to court four years later, december 2022. amy has waived her right to anonymity to talk to you tonight. also with us is london victims�* commissioner claire waxman, who has been lobbying government to tackle delays. welcome both of you. amy, i know this is your first event of you about your experience, so thank you very much for talking to newsnight. i wonder if you can give our audience and insight into what it is like to wait for four years for your case to reach court. it like to wait for four years for your case to reach court.— case to reach court. it was extremely — case to reach court. it was extremely debilitating. - case to reach court. it was extremely debilitating. i i case to reach court. it was i extremely debilitating. i was case to reach court. it was - extremely debilitating. i was not really able to work properly, like truly could not hold down a job or take on clients. it really was my

light was on pause, even now still kind of seems like that, because it was just in december, kind of seems like that, because it wasjust in december, and there kind of seems like that, because it was just in december, and there was no real outcome. so the whole entire thing was a waste, really. how no real outcome. so the whole entire thing was a waste, really.— thing was a waste, really. how did ou thing was a waste, really. how did you cape? — thing was a waste, really. how did you cape? i _ thing was a waste, really. how did you cope? i did — thing was a waste, really. how did you cope? i did not— thing was a waste, really. how did you cope? i did not cope. - thing was a waste, really. how did you cope? i did not cope. i- thing was a waste, really. how did you cope? i did not cope. i do - you cope? i did not cope. i do not thinkl you cope? i did not cope. i do not think i have _ you cope? i did not cope. i do not think i have coped _ you cope? i did not cope. i do not think i have coped at _ you cope? i did not cope. i do not think i have coped at all. - you cope? i did not cope. i do not think i have coped at all. you're l think i have coped at all. you're not allowed to be in therapy properly when you're going through the system, or if you are in therapy, you are not allowed to talk about the rape itself.— therapy, you are not allowed to talk about the rape itself. because those notes would — about the rape itself. because those notes would then _ about the rape itself. because those notes would then be _ about the rape itself. because those notes would then be available? - about the rape itself. because those l notes would then be available? yeah, the wa the notes would then be available? yeah, the way the system _ notes would then be available? yeah, the way the system works _ notes would then be available? yeah, the way the system works is - notes would then be available? yeah, the way the system works is that - the way the system works is that his lawyers would have access to the notes. so that whole time that i was waiting, i could havejust avoided that whole scenario and been in therapy and tried to move on, but instead it'sjust therapy and tried to move on, but instead it's just halted everything instead it's just halted everything in my life. instead it's “ust halted everything in m life. ., instead it's “ust halted everything inm life. ., ., instead it's “ust halted everything inmlife. ., ., ., in my life. your case was meant to beain last in my life. your case was meant to begin last april- — in my life. your case was meant to begin last april. but _ in my life. your case was meant to begin last april. but you _ in my life. your case was meant to begin last april. but you were - begin last april. but you were told on the day that the judge, the day

before, had got covid. presumably usually gear yourself up for that moment when you are going to go into court and take the stand.— court and take the stand. yeah, it was an absolute _ court and take the stand. yeah, it was an absolute nightmare. - was an absolute nightmare. the communication was so poor, they communicated with some of my witnesses but not me until on the day. and at that point, ijust really wanted to give up for the 100th time, and honestly, i wish i did. ., 100th time, and honestly, i wish i did. . yes, 100th time, and honestly, i wish i did-- yes. i _ 100th time, and honestly, i wish i did.- yes, i waited - 100th time, and honestly, i wish i did.- yes, i waited from i did. really? yes, i waited from aril did. really? yes, i waited from april until— did. really? yes, i waited from april until december _ did. really? yes, i waited from april until december to - did. really? yes, i waited from april until december to get - did. really? yes, i waited from april until december to get a l did. really? yes, i waited from i april until december to get a new court date, to go for one day, so... and what happened when it did finally begin, which was december 2022, it was discontinued after one day, because there was a discrepancy over dates, unrelated to the four year delay. how did you feel then?

just... useless. year delay. how did you feel then? just. .. useless.— just... useless. you felt useless? wh ? just... useless. you felt useless? why? because — just... useless. you felt useless? why? because i — just... useless. you felt useless? why? because i had _ just... useless. you felt useless? why? because i had tried - just... useless. you felt useless? why? because i had tried so - just... useless. you felt useless? why? because i had tried so hard| just... useless. you felt useless? i why? because i had tried so hard to ush this, why? because i had tried so hard to push this, command _ why? because i had tried so hard to push this, command even _ why? because i had tried so hard to push this, command even when - why? because i had tried so hard to push this, command even when i i push this, command even when i did want to drop it, and the police wanted me to stay in the case, it's just, for what? so the whole thing was a complete blur, it wasjust just, for what? so the whole thing was a complete blur, it was just one moment in a room, and they said it was over, and took the stay, i have not heard from them, so, yeah, it was just no real assistance at all, no care, no support. wasjust no real assistance at all, no care, no support.— wasjust no real assistance at all, no care, no support. claire waxman, i mean, no care, no support. claire waxman, i mean. it — no care, no support. claire waxman, i mean. it is — no care, no support. claire waxman, i mean, it is really _ no care, no support. claire waxman, i mean, it is really shocking - i mean, it is really shocking to hear of amy's experience and the outcome. how unusual, when we are talking about delays, is amy's case? sadly, not unusual at all. it is pretty— sadly, not unusual at all. it is pretty standard, the experience that amy has _ pretty standard, the experience that amy has had. for most victims and

survivors— amy has had. for most victims and survivors that we hear, especially in london. — survivors that we hear, especially in london, just disproportionately affected _ in london, just disproportionately affected by these crown court backlogs, have victims and survivors risen from _ backlogs, have victims and survivors risen from the time of reporting to try and _ risen from the time of reporting to try and get— risen from the time of reporting to try and get into court five, six years— try and get into court five, six years now. _ try and get into court five, six years now, and as amy has described so brilliantly, that lives are on hold. — so brilliantly, that lives are on hold. and _ so brilliantly, that lives are on hold, and especially if you are a victim _ hold, and especially if you are a victim of— hold, and especially if you are a victim of rape, you then cannot access— victim of rape, you then cannot access therapeutic services to help you cope _ access therapeutic services to help you cope and recover, because those thorally— you cope and recover, because those therapy notes will be requested by therapy notes will be requested by the police and cps, and likely to be disclosed _ the police and cps, and likely to be disclosed to defence and the defendant as well, so that deters victims _ defendant as well, so that deters victims from accessing vital therapeutic services that will help them _ therapeutic services that will help them stay supported and engaged in really— them stay supported and engaged in really lengthy and complex justice process _ really lengthy and complex justice process. and amy talks about that lack of _ process. and amy talks about that lack of information, that again as standard, — lack of information, that again as standard, that victim comes into the system, _ standard, that victim comes into the system, and — standard, that victim comes into the system, and the system then forgets about _ system, and the system then forgets about that _ system, and the system then forgets about that victim, which is what that case — about that victim, which is what that case is about, and nobody is there _ that case is about, and nobody is there to — that case is about, and nobody is there to update the victim, give clear— there to update the victim, give clear information, timely information about what is happening, and then— information about what is happening, and then cases are adjourned too

often, _ and then cases are adjourned too often, as— and then cases are adjourned too often, as you have just seen in your video. _ often, as you have just seen in your video. you — often, as you have just seen in your video, you know, cases where the defendant— video, you know, cases where the defendant is on the mound, they are the priority— defendant is on the mound, they are the priority cases, so lots of other cases. _ the priority cases, so lots of other cases. the — the priority cases, so lots of other cases, the bail cases, get put to the back— cases, the bail cases, get put to the back of— cases, the bail cases, get put to the back of the queue.— cases, the bail cases, get put to the back of the queue. quiet “ourney be so long. — the back of the queue. quiet “ourney be so long. both * the back of the queue. quiet “ourney be so long, both for the _ the back of the queue. quiet journey be so long, both for the alleged - be so long, both for the alleged victim the defendant? it is victim the defendant? it is chronically _ victim the defendant? it is chronically underfunded, and it is broken. _ chronically underfunded, and it is broken. it— chronically underfunded, and it is broken, it is in crisis, those number. _ broken, it is in crisis, those number, the record crown court backlogs — number, the record crown court backlogs they were there before the pandemic. _ backlogs they were there before the pandemic, we had over30,000 backlogs they were there before the pandemic, we had over 30,000 cases nationally. _ pandemic, we had over 30,000 cases nationally, record, in the crown court _ nationally, record, in the crown court backlog, that has doubled because — court backlog, that has doubled because of the pandemic but there are a _ because of the pandemic but there are a number of issues we heard about— are a number of issues we heard about as — are a number of issues we heard about as to— are a number of issues we heard about as to why it is not workinging we don't _ about as to why it is not workinging we don't have enoughjudge, we don't have enough prosecutor, defence barristers — have enough prosecutor, defence barristers the and prosecution barristers _ barristers the and prosecution barristers so the case cannot go ahead _ barristers so the case cannot go ahead because there isn't prosecution or defence, lots of other— prosecution or defence, lots of

other issue, i have been will with a rape _ other issue, i have been will with a rape victim — other issue, i have been will with a rape victim has turned up and the technology is not working, court rooms _ technology is not working, court rooms have not been maintained for year. _ rooms have not been maintained for year. some — rooms have not been maintained for year, some of the rooms are appall, you have _ year, some of the rooms are appall, you have water coming in through the roof, you have water coming in through the roof. one _ you have water coming in through the roof. one of— you have water coming in through the roof, one of the court rooms has to be closed _ roof, one of the court rooms has to be closed because the heating is not working. _ be closed because the heating is not working, there has been no investment in ourjustice system and so itjust _ investment in ourjustice system and so itjust can't investment in ourjustice system and so it just can't function effectively. | so it just can't function effectively.— so it just can't function effectively. so itjust can't function effectivel. ., effectively. i was looking at the firures effectively. i was looking at the fi . ures of effectively. i was looking at the figures of m01 _ effectively. i was looking at the figures of moj funding - effectively. i was looking at the figures of moj funding from - effectively. i was looking at the i figures of moj funding from 2010, back then it was 8.5 billion net spend. it went down to 6.5 billion. it has gone back up, 2021202210.8 billion and the government add as we saw in that film, some of the cases are really complex, sexual offence cases can be really complex, a lot of digital evidence, and some of them are fraud case, you know, you have multi—defendant, multi—witness, hugely complicated. they are some of the reasons are. but

hugely complicated. they are some of the reasons are.— the reasons are. but you talk of those figure. — the reasons are. but you talk of those figure, the _ the reasons are. but you talk of those figure, the crime - the reasons are. but you talk of those figure, the crime was i those figure, the crime was different— those figure, the crime was different back enthen. you talked about fraud _ different back enthen. you talked about fraud the _ different back enthen. you talked about fraud the request - different back enthen. you talked about fraud the request for i different back enthen. you talked | about fraud the request for digital evidence, that _ about fraud the request for digital evidence, that needs _ about fraud the request for digital evidence, that needs investment, | about fraud the request for digital i evidence, that needs investment, so you have _ evidence, that needs investment, so you have to— evidence, that needs investment, so you have to put more money into the system _ you have to put more money into the system to _ you have to put more money into the system to investigate properly and build strong cases, what we see, is case quality— build strong cases, what we see, is case quality and case management is poor often— case quality and case management is poor often in these case, that is why they— poor often in these case, that is why they don't go ahead as quickly and swiftly as they should, and then we have _ and swiftly as they should, and then we have seen an increase, in non-guilty— we have seen an increase, in non—guilty pleas, so it keeps the cases— non—guilty pleas, so it keeps the cases in— non—guilty pleas, so it keeps the cases in the system for longer. the government _ cases in the system for longer. tie: government say cases in the system for longer. tt;e: government say they cases in the system for longer. tt9 government say they have introduced various measures they say will speed things up, including recruiting up to 1,000 judges over 20222023. increasing spending on criminal legal aid, increasing spending on criminal legalaid, remote increasing spending on criminal legal aid, remote hearings are continuing after the pandemic, the nightingale courts are continuing do you accept they are trying to do something?— you accept they are trying to do somethin: ? , :, , :, :, something? they are trying to do somethin: something? they are trying to do something but — something? they are trying to do something but we _ something? they are trying to do something but we need _ something? they are trying to do something but we need more i something? they are trying to do something but we need more of. something? they are trying to do | something but we need more of a commitment. they have investment in

the courts— commitment. they have investment in the courts but the investment runs out soon — the courts but the investment runs out soon ls — the courts but the investment runs out soon. is there a commitment to continue _ out soon. is there a commitment to continue with them. they talk about complex— continue with them. they talk about complex cases and multi—handed defendant case, we have proposed the idea about _ defendant case, we have proposed the idea about supercourt room, in order to hear— idea about supercourt room, in order to hear these — idea about supercourt room, in order to hear these case, they open up one in match— to hear these case, they open up one in match hatch but not anywhere else. _ in match hatch but not anywhere else. so — in match hatch but not anywhere else, so there are lots of things they— else, so there are lots of things they could — else, so there are lots of things they could and should be doing but in relation — they could and should be doing but in relation to victims there is certainly— in relation to victims there is certainly not enough investment in the support going through the criminal— the support going through the criminaljustice system and access to special— criminaljustice system and access to special support services as well, and that— to special support services as well, and that has to be remedied. amy. — and that has to be remedied. amy. i— and that has to be remedied. amy, i wonder what your advice would be to someone who is watching, who may be considering reporting a serious crime, what would you say to them? t serious crime, what would you say to them? :, �* : :, serious crime, what would you say to them? :, �* ::, :, them? i wouldn't recommend that an one them? i wouldn't recommend that anyone report _ them? i wouldn't recommend that anyone report a — them? i wouldn't recommend that anyone report a rape _ them? i wouldn't recommend that anyone report a rape to _ them? i wouldn't recommend that anyone report a rape to the i them? i wouldn't recommend that anyone report a rape to the met, i j anyone report a rape to the met, i would definitely not recommend that, the system is so long, dealing with the system is so long, dealing with the met has been worse than the rape

itself, it's brought on so much distress in my life, having to deal with the met every time they call, it's, it is reallyjust debilitating, i disassociated from that entire section of my life. if you are experiencing something like that, or i mean not a violent crime perhaps, but... iwouldn't that, or i mean not a violent crime perhaps, but... i wouldn't even know what to suggest to you but the met is not where i would go. qk. what to suggest to you but the met is not where i would go.— is not where i would go. 0k. thank ou ve is not where i would go. 0k. thank you very much _ is not where i would go. 0k. thank you very much for _ is not where i would go. 0k. thank you very much for talking - is not where i would go. 0k. thank you very much for talking to i is not where i would go. 0k. thank you very much for talking to us i you very much for talking to us tonight, amy. thank you claire waxman. i want to read this statement from the met. they say they are undertaking measures to improve victim survives trust and confidence, as well as the number of cases being brought to court. if you want to contact an organise to help, because some of the issues contact the

there are loads of charity, and support groups, that are there and can help you. are there and can help you. the bank of england will unveil its latest move on interest rates tomorrow. it's expected to raise them to 4.5%, amid fears that inflation isn't coming down as rapidly as it hoped. inflation in the uk remains above 10%. the focus of concern has been on workers' wages rising too fast. but some analysts are pointing to a different driver of high prices — profiteering by companies. it's been dubbed "greedflation." but how compelling is the argument that we should focus on companies, rather than workers, to bring down inflation? we'll talk in a moment to one of its key proponents, and also a former member of the bank of england's rate—setting committee. but first, here's ben. one of the most visible forms of inflation to many of us is food inflation, but who is responsible for those soaring prices? some are

claiming the evidence points to supermarket, padding their profits their customers expense, this for example shows the price of wheat, the blue line, it has shot up last year but is falling raply down 20% year but is falling raply down 20% year on year, but look at the price of bread, the red line, it is still rising by 19%, so is there corporate profiteering going on? are, we pences what some have labelled greed resignation, the trade unions have been making this case arguing governments and central banks should be clamping down on corporate profiteering not wage increases aped the liberal democrat leader has called for an inquiry into greed resignation by the uk competition authorities, what about economic policy makers? joe biden in the us has been vocal in this area warning oil and gas companies against price gouging, christine lagarde has linked eurozone inflation to corporate profits and even the genge has scene to give its —— governor of the bank of england. so what to make

of this? the first thing to say is that the term greed resignation is used in different ways, some use it to argue most of the price increases we have seen are a result of corporate profiteering, some use it to argue companies smuggled in extra price hikes on the back of a jump in general inflation and some use to it talk of firms keeping retile prices high despite costs coming down. down. most economist reject the bulk of the inflation we vlad is a result of the inflation we vlad is a result of corporate greed, the main objection is that the timing doesn't work, it is implausible that companies suddenly all got greedier after the pandemic. it is much more likely that the main cause of global inflation was a surge in demand, after lockdowns ended, and a shock to global energy markets from the russian invasion of ukraine. the more nuanced argument is a preexisting lack of competition enabled an opportunity for price gouging by firms, its legitimate to

question how competitive the economies are now, analysts have warned about rising mark ups, the difference between companies cost and prices they charge in recent decade, yet again there is some of a evidence problem for some to link that to current inflation, let us look at it through the global tracker lens, in the us overall corporate profits have shot up recently at round 15% of the economy. in the eurozone profit margins also jumped economy. in the eurozone profit margins alsojumped in economy. in the eurozone profit margins also jumped in the wake of the pandemic, and are currently round 8.5%. yet, in the uk, as you can see here, corporate profit rates have not moved up in recent years though we have still had high inflation. , , :, , inflation. everybody would recognise that the behaviour _ inflation. everybody would recognise that the behaviour of _ inflation. everybody would recognise that the behaviour of firms, - inflation. everybody would recognise that the behaviour of firms, and i that the behaviour of firms, and their pricing behaviour is a key element in determining what

inflation ends up being. i suspect most observers throw would be sceptical that a major cause of excess inflation problem is down to excessive profiteering, if you want to call it that, by businesses. however we should be humble about what we know and don't know, it is by no means impossible some firms have been opportunity notice tickly raising prices though the supermarkets deny they are doing this, inflation is forecast to decline but if headline prices don't come down rapidly —— while corporate profits remain high make inflation stickier, expect that to strengthen the case the appropriate innocents of the greed resignation thesis. i've been talking to isabella weber, professor of economics at the university of massachusetts, amherst, and michael saundars, senior policy advisors at oxford economics and former member of the bank of england's

rate—setting committee. i asked them why they thought the price of bread was rising so rapidly. price of bread was rising so raidl . :. price of bread was rising so raidl. :, ,:,,:,_ rapidly. there are probably different factors _ rapidly. there are probably different factors of - rapidly. there are probably different factors of course l rapidly. there are probably i different factors of course the input prices that the baker would have paid would not necessarily reflect the spot rice prices he would be observing at the moment, but there can be situations and there have been situations where firms manage to increase price, in a situation even when firms, when costs started to fall, in ways that ended up increasing profits. so that might also be the case for bread in the uk. ~ : :, :, , :, the uk. michael saundars do you arree? the uk. michael saundars do you agree? so. _ the uk. michael saundars do you agree? so. in— the uk. michael saundars do you agree? so, in part, _ the uk. michael saundars do you agree? so, in part, look, i the uk. michael saundars do you agree? so, in part, look, the i agree? so, in part, look, the icture agree? so, in part, look, the picture for— agree? so, in part, look, the picture for bread, _ agree? so, in part, look, the picture for bread, indeed i agree? so, in part, look, the picture for bread, indeed for| agree? so, in part, look, the i picture for bread, indeed for food prices _ picture for bread, indeed for food prices in — picture for bread, indeed for food prices in general, is we had a really— prices in general, is we had a really large rise in agricultural commodity prices and energy course during _ commodity prices and energy course during the _ commodity prices and energy course during the course of last year, that is fed _ during the course of last year, that is fed through with a lag to consumer food price, is fed through with a lag to consumerfood price, now is fed through with a lag to consumer food price, now nose rises

in agricultural commodities and energy— in agricultural commodities and energy have come to an end, they have _ energy have come to an end, they have been— energy have come to an end, they have been falling recently, food prices _ have been falling recently, food prices are — have been falling recently, food prices are still going up, but there are lag. _ prices are still going up, but there are lag, food price inflation is going — are lag, food price inflation is going to _ are lag, food price inflation is going to come cowen sharply over the rest of— going to come cowen sharply over the rest of this— going to come cowen sharply over the rest of this year, now i have to say this thing — rest of this year, now i have to say this thing of— rest of this year, now i have to say this thing of greed resignation, there _ this thing of greed resignation, there are — this thing of greed resignation, there are some isolated cases of out but it— there are some isolated cases of out but it is— there are some isolated cases of out but it is not— there are some isolated cases of out but it is not the big cause of inflation _ but it is not the big cause of inflation in the uk. in company profits. — inflation in the uk. in company profits, overall, of many sectors have _ profits, overall, of many sectors have been— profits, overall, of many sectors have been squeezed over the last year. _ have been squeezed over the last year. so — have been squeezed over the last year. so it— have been squeezed over the last year, so it is notjust households that are — year, so it is notjust households that are suffering, many firms have been _ that are suffering, many firms have been suffering from big rises in energy— been suffering from big rises in energy costs which they haven't been able to _ energy costs which they haven't been able to fully pass on. and presumably. _ able to fully pass on. and presumably, you - able to fully pass on. and presumably, you would i able to fully pass on. mr. presumably, you would accept that, that as you said there are a number of reasons are behind sellers inflation, greed resignation or prop tiering? inflation, greed resignation or prop tierin: ? . inflation, greed resignation or prop tierinr? , : :, , inflation, greed resignation or prop tierinr? ,: :, , inflation, greed resignation or prop tierinr? , : :, , :, tiering? yes, certainly. so of course there _ tiering? yes, certainly. so of course there are _ tiering? yes, certainly. so of course there are firms i tiering? yes, certainly. so of course there are firms that i tiering? yes, certainly. so of. course there are firms that are lose, its is no like it is completely homogenous picture where all are win, but we see by quarter

one 2002 profits were up by about one 2002 profits were up by about one third, for uk listed company, thatis one third, for uk listed company, that is about three times the inflation, and we do see in earnings, including, including food companies, that they have been increasing prices, at a time when volumes were going down, sojust increasing prices, at a time when volumes were going down, so just to give you some examples for example for pepsi, first quarter 2023 prices up for pepsi, first quarter 2023 prices up 16%, volume down 2%, uni lever up, prices 10.7, volume down, 0.2. these are two examples, the list is long. this is rather puzzling because we would expect that when volumes are going down, the prices would start to fall, and instead we see very strong increases in prices, so, we have a situation where firms are very confidently announcing on earnings, that they can achieve

organic growth, but what has been dubbed price overvolume. that. organic growth, but what has been dubbed price overvolume. that, that, in terms of those _ dubbed price overvolume. that, that, in terms of those profits _ dubbed price overvolume. that, that, in terms of those profits that - dubbed price overvolume. that, that, in terms of those profits that might i in terms of those profits that might be true of us companies profits, some companies in the eurozone but in the uk, companies' profits are broadly flat after the company pandemic and the uk has worse inflation than the usa or the eurozone. inflation than the usa or the eurozone-— inflation than the usa or the eurozone. :, , , , ., eurozone. the last numbers i have seen are the _ eurozone. the last numbers i have seen are the profit, _ eurozone. the last numbers i have seen are the profit, in _ eurozone. the last numbers i have seen are the profit, in some i seen are the profit, in some sectors have been pretty strong, right. it can of course be overall the, the profits would still end up not beinger, not going up because it depends on the distribution, right. but nevertheless, i would say that the phenomenon of price over volume is one that is pretty global and we also can see in companies that keir —— clearly sail in the uk market that, a phenomenon that is rather puzzling because in normal times if a company would decide to simply increase its price rwhile losing volume, that would be some sort of a

suicidal strategy but in the current situation, because of the shocks that we have experienced, because of the emergency we have experienced, it seems like there has marmeed some sort of implicit agreement on than kind of price over volume strategy which means if all competitors in one market are behaving that way, they are increasing prices even though volumes are going down, they are not at risk of losing market shares in the way they would in normal time, shares in the way they would in normaltime, in shares in the way they would in normal time, in other words we have a situation where competition is not constraining price hikes in the ways in which we would normally expect, which is the reason the governor of the bank of england has been calling on companies to restrain further price hikes. on companies to restrain further price hikes-— on companies to restrain further rice hikes. ~ : :, :, , price hikes. 0k, michael saundars, that is true. _ price hikes. 0k, michael saundars, that is true, andrew _ price hikes. 0k, michael saundars, that is true, andrew bailey - price hikes. 0k, michael saundars, that is true, andrew bailey did i price hikes. 0k, michael saundars, that is true, andrew bailey did say| that is true, andrew bailey did say that is true, andrew bailey did say that in march. it was like a plea to company, that look, inflation is going to be coming down so take yet when you are setting price, so there

is acknowledgement, notjust by the bank of england but by the european central bank they are potentially is some profiteering going on. you know i am sor some profiteering going on. you know i am sorry but — some profiteering going on. you know lam sorry but i _ some profiteering going on. you know i am sorry but i have _ some profiteering going on. you know i am sorry but i have to _ i am sorry but i have to disagree, the uk overall profit figures, as published by the office for national statistics, show that prof fists, of uk company, apart from oil and gas who have made large profit, profits of companies other than oil and gas, they are their lowest sense 2009. profit margins have fallen sharply, you see, the same message of falling margins, in the surveys by the bank of england's agent, from round the country, and in surveys from the cbi, they are ride spread long running surveys so this theme of greed resignation is one of isolated examples in the uk, rather than the general picture, i do think in the us, there is more legitimate concern, that widen company profit

margins have been adding to inflation, but that is not the picture in the uk. that was isabella weber and michael saunders talking to me a little earlier. pakistan's former prime minister imran khan has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges a day after his arrest sparked nationwide protests. nearly 1,000 people have been arrested, police say, and eight people have died. there's tight security at the police guesthouse where he is being detained, which is also serving as a courtroom. the arrest dramatically escalated tensions between mr khan and the military at a time of economic crisis. conviction would permanently disqualify the former cricket star — prime minister from 2018 to 2022 — from standing for office. elections are due later this year. let's discuss the situation in pakistan with ayesha siddiqa, author of two books on the pakistani military & expert on military affairs, she is also a senior

fellow at king's college. and down the line from pakistan is the former federal minister for human rights, from 2018 to 2022 whilst imran khan was prime minister. what has it been like that tonight? we have now had, since yesterday evening, paramilitary forces with the police behind them, open using live ammunition against protesters in all the major cities from lahore, islamabad and others. and people are out in the streets, there is no particular control, it has become a very organic protest all across pakistan, and the problem is that

after khan's abduction, the second tier leadership of the pti has also been arrested, there is mass arrests of the readership and all the cities, so there's nobody now even to control how the protests continue, but they are continuing, and the military has been called in in aid of civil government, according to the constitution, there is a provision. i according to the constitution, there is a provision-— is a provision. i notice you call his arrest _ is a provision. i notice you call his arrest and _ is a provision. i notice you call his arrest and abduction, they| his arrest and abduction, they would say it has an arrest. ayesha, what is your analysis of what is going on? t is your analysis of what is going on? ~' :, :, :, , on? i think i would agree he was very rudely _ on? i think i would agree he was very rudely taken _ on? i think i would agree he was very rudely taken away - on? i think i would agree he was very rudely taken away from i very rudely taken away from the islamabad high court building, where he was _ islamabad high court building, where he was for— islamabad high court building, where he was for his biometrics. he refused — he was for his biometrics. he refused to— he was for his biometrics. he refused to attend an inquiry which is going _ refused to attend an inquiry which is going on, the corruption charges by the _ is going on, the corruption charges by the national accountability bureau. — by the national accountability bureau, we also know that the

national— bureau, we also know that the national accountability bureau, since _ national accountability bureau, since its — national accountability bureau, since its inception in 2001, has been _ since its inception in 2001, has been used _ since its inception in 2001, has been used politically against political opponents of political government and also the military, so that part. _ government and also the military, so that part. i— government and also the military, so that part, i think is very unfortunately where he has been taken. _ unfortunately where he has been taken, but i think that this is something which will have an impact on pakistan's politics, and definitely have an impact on imran khan's _ definitely have an impact on imran khan's future. i see it definitely is an— khan's future. i see it definitely is an effort to push him back... push— is an effort to push him back... push him — is an effort to push him back... push him back?— is an effort to push him back... push him back? , :, :, �* . ~ push him back? push a man can't back and make them _ push him back? push a man can't back and make them cooperate _ push him back? push a man can't back and make them cooperate with i and make them cooperate with the military _ and make them cooperate with the military. they are probably going to disqualify— military. they are probably going to disqualify him, the effort is to disqualify him, the effort is to disqualify him, the effort is to disqualify him, or pressure him to surrender— disqualify him, or pressure him to surrender and cooperate with the military — surrender and cooperate with the milita . ~ :. surrender and cooperate with the milita . . :, :, military. 0k. what are your concerns. _ military. 0k. what are your concerns, now _ military. 0k. what are your concerns, now that - military. 0k. what are your concerns, now that he i military. 0k. what are your concerns, now that he is i military. 0k. what are your i concerns, now that he is under tension, and in detention at least for the next eight days? —— now that

he is in detention? mr; for the next eight days? -- now that he is in detention?— he is in detention? my concern is rimaril he is in detention? my concern is primarily for _ he is in detention? my concern is primarily for his _ he is in detention? my concern is primarily for his life, _ he is in detention? my concern is primarily for his life, because... | primarily for his life, because... and four if he is kept alive, for his physical well—being, because over the last year, we have seen whenever our leadership has been arrested, or whether it is a spokesperson, there has been custodial torture inflicted on them, same with our social media activists, the young kids who have been picked up, so there a very real chance that custodial torture could be inflicted on him, especially since we really don't know where he is being kept in custody because nobody has been allowed to see him. his lawyers met him in the temporary court, what i would refer to as the kangaroo court, that was set up in a police guesthouse, and the lawyers also had a very short chance to talk to him or meet him. the leadership was not allowed to. and when the

leadership went to the high court in islamabad to seek permission through a partition, the secretary—general was arrested. since then, other leadership, central leadership, plus the provincial leadership some are all being arrested. let the provincial leadership some are all being arrested.— all being arrested. let me ask a esha, all being arrested. let me ask ayesha. if— all being arrested. let me ask ayesha. if i — all being arrested. let me ask ayesha, ifi may. _ all being arrested. let me ask ayesha, if i may. the - all being arrested. let me ask ayesha, if i may. the gloves l all being arrested. let me ask i ayesha, if i may. the gloves are off as far as the motor is concerned, what might they do next, briefly? i think they are going to isolate him from a _ think they are going to isolate him from a support base, from his party, that is— from a support base, from his party, that is the _ from a support base, from his party, that is the intention. definitely. i have _ that is the intention. definitely. i have had — that is the intention. definitely. i have had his party is concerned about— have had his party is concerned about his — have had his party is concerned about his life. that is the worst case _ about his life. that is the worst case scenario. his about his life. that is the worst case scenario.— case scenario. his wife is at threat? yes, _ case scenario. his wife is at threat? yes, but _ case scenario. his wife is at threat? yes, but that i case scenario. his wife is at threat? yes, but that is i case scenario. his wife is at threat? yes, but that is a i threat? yes, but that is a worst-case _ threat? yes, but that is a worst-case scenario. i i threat? yes, but that is a i worst-case scenario. i think we threat? yes, but that is a - worst-case scenario. i think we will worst—case scenario. i think we will try to _ worst—case scenario. i think we will try to keep— worst—case scenario. i think we will try to keep him as long as they can in prison. _ try to keep him as long as they can in prison, incarcerated, and disqualify— in prison, incarcerated, and disqualify him so he does not participate in the next elections. i am not _ participate in the next elections. i am not even sure at this point if

elections — am not even sure at this point if elections will happen in october as is being _ elections will happen in october as is being said. elections will happen in october as is being said-— is being said. thank you both very much for speaking _ is being said. thank you both very much for speaking to _ is being said. thank you both very much for speaking to us _ much for speaking to us this evening. thank you. opposition figures in belarus, a country that's a close ally of russia, have been persecuted since the late 1990s. not only have they been jailed, but they've been allegedly killed, with their murders never solved. theirfamilies, though, were usually spared. now that appears to be changing. bbc russian'sjevstafjeva has spoken to two exiled belarusian activists who believe their loved ones were arrested in retaliation for the anti—government actions of their fathers. artyom was a normal 37—year—old belarusian. he was married with a four—year—old daughter and had a job in real estate. but on 28th march, he was detained in minsk, the capital of belarus, and he's been in custody ever since.

|translation: my son's wife called and said that they've taken artyom. the thing is, his father is anatoly, an opposition figure and a staunch critic of the belarusian leader, alexander lukashenko. but artyom, unlike his father, has never been involved in politics. translation: my son wasn't a member of any political party- — he didn't have anything to do with politics. anatoly was forced to leave belarus in 2021. now he lives in lithuania, where he advises the exiled opposition leader svetla na ti kha novs kaya. translation: my son is a textbook | example of a hostage who's bearing j responsibility for the actions of his father. his son artyom, was initially detained for 15 days for allegedly swearing and harassing police officers. translation: in a country that lives in a state of fear, -

like in a concentration camp, the accusation that someone comes to the police building and starts swearing and harassing police officers, well, it's completely absurd. he spent 30 days in the detention centre which is synonymous with allegations of torture and abuse. and then authorities opened a criminal case against him. now he faces up to five years in prison forfinancing extremism. the un says that belarusian authorities use extremism laws to suppress dissent. between august 2020 and july 2022, they initiated more than 11,000 criminal cases relating to extremism. translation: during the first week, i couldn't sleep at all, _ and now i wake up at 6am every day and say good morning to him. at 10pm, i say good night. alexander lukashenko has ruled the country since 1994.

he's a close ally of vladimir putin, whom he calls big brother. lukashenko has repeatedly said that his country stands for peace between russia and ukraine. but despite this, he allowed russia to use belarus as a platform to send troops into ukraine in 2022. in 2020, lukashenko claimed another presidential victory, but the results have not been recognised by the west. the election sparked unprecedented protests demanding lu kashenko's resignation. these ended in a repression that continues to this day. translation: it would have happened in 2020 if it wasn't for several - pillars of lukashenko's regime. the main ones are putin and fear. i'll give you this example. lukashenko didn't change the name kgb, not because he lacks imagination. he, as a deeply soviet person, understands that the kgb represents fear.