live from london, this is bbc news. russia's defence ministry claims to have thwarted a major ukrainian push — while kyiv says it's moving forward in what appears to be the start of a counter—offensive. prince harry prepares to become the first senior british royal for more than a century to give evidence from the witness box — as his legal battle against a newspaper publisher heats up. we'll have the latest live from london, as the high court begins hearing detailed arguments. the uk prime minister set to again promise to "stop the boats" — under pressure over his government's migration policy.

we are expecting now the uk prime minister, rishi sunak, to speak shortly from a border force patrol boat. let's cross live now. risking their lives, let's cross live now. risking their lives. gangs _ let's cross live now. risking their lives, gangs taking _ let's cross live now. risking their lives, gangs taking upon - let's cross live now. risking their. lives, gangs taking upon themselves to decide who comes to our country. our asylum system is being overwhelmed with people travelling from safe countries, taking away our capacity help those in greatest need and the british people are having to pay £6 million a day putting up illegal migrants in hotels. i set out priorities to of halve inflation, grow the economy, cut debt, and stop the boats. i would like to update you on the progress we are making. my message is this, our plan is starting to work. before i launched my plan in december, the number entering the uk illegally in

small boats had more than quadrupled in two years. some said this programme was insoluble, orjust a fact of life. they lost faith in politicians to put in the hard yard tos do something about it. and of course we still have a long way to go. but in the five months since i launched the plan, crossings are now down 20% compared to last year. that's right, crossings are down 20%. this is the first time since this problem began... that they have fallen compared to the year before. this progress is not replicated across the channel. illegal migrants entering the rest of europe have risen by 30%. but we are not complacent, because we know smugglers are organised and will change their tactics if we let them. i will not rest until the boats are

stopped. with grit and determination the government can fix this and we are using every tool at our disposal. first, i promised to work closely with our international partners, because this is a global phenomenon. there are 100 million people displaced around the world. and european countries saw a million asylum applications last year. this international approach is delivering. 0ur partnership with france stopped around 33,000 last year. 40% more than the year before. i put co—operation on tackling illegal migration on the agenda of every international summit i have been to, from the g7 to last week's political community summit in moldova. we agreed a new action plan with bulgaria and worked with with

the european board agency and i reached a deal with albania. last year nearly a third of those arriving in small boats were from that safe european country. that is delivering too. we have now returned 1,800 to albania injust delivering too. we have now returned 1,800 to albania in just six months. we have gone from accepting around one in five albanian asylum cases now just one one in five albanian asylum cases nowjust one in 50. in line with our european partners. what is the result of this? so far is in year, the number of albanian small boat arrivals has fallen by almost 90%. this is proof that our deterrence strategy can work. when people know that if they come here illegally they won't get to stay, they stop coming. second, i promised to improve enforcement. so we doubled

the funding given to the national crime agency for tackling organised immigration crime and arrests here of illegal workers have more than doubled. third, i promised to stop people using modern slavery claims to s to frustrate their removal. since we started asking for evidence the refusal rate has tripped. i —— tripled. i promised to clear the backlog of people waiting for decisions, the initial backlog is down by over 17,000. and we are on track to clear it entirely by the end of the year. fifth i promised we will get illegal migrants out of hotels and into alternative sites.

alternative sites will open with hundreds moving in over the summer. while we are bringing those sites on line, we are making more efficient lose of hotels. by asking people to share rooms where it is appropriate to do so. we found an additional 11,500 places. which will save taxpayers an extra £250 million a year. and i say to those migrants who are objecting, this is more than fair. if you're coming here illegally, claiming sanctuary from death, torture or persecution, then you should be willing to share a taxpayer funded you should be willing to share a taxpayerfunded hotel you should be willing to share a taxpayer funded hotel room you should be willing to share a taxpayerfunded hotel room in central london. to reduce pressures on communities we will also house people on ships. the first will arrive in portland in the next fortnight and we have secured two that will accommodate another thousand. finally, i promised not

just to reform our asylum system, but to reform our laws. so we have introduced unprecedented legislation to make clear if you come here illegally, you will be detained and removed in weeks. either to your own country or a safe third country like rwanda. we are preparing now so that once any legal challenges are complete we can put the bill into practice. i will ensure we have more detention capacity to hold those who arrive illegal and court capacity to process case and the planes to remove them to rwanda. i know these are tough measures and i make no apology for that. we cannot allow our generosity of spirit to be used

as a weapon against us, or against those who are being pushed to risk their lives in the channel by criminal gangs. 0ur their lives in the channel by criminal gangs. our approach is working. forthe criminal gangs. our approach is working. for the first time, crossings are down by 20%. but we are not complacent. this won't be solved overnight, and people will continue to come this summer, which is why it is so important that we change the law. my policy is very simple — it is this country and your government who should decide who comes here and not criminal gangs. i will do what is necessary to achieve it. i said i would stop the boats. and i meant it. thank you. if we take some questions from the media next the and could i start please with the bbc?—

next the and could i start please with the bbc? ., ~ , a, with the bbc? reporter: thank you, chris mason. — with the bbc? reporter: thank you, chris mason, you're _ with the bbc? reporter: thank you, chris mason, you're continuing - with the bbc? reporter: thank you, chris mason, you're continuing to - chris mason, you're continuing to promise to stop the boats, yet there has been around 7,500 migrants so far this year, with the summer months ahead. is it credible to stop them, literally no more boats? thank ou. i them, literally no more boats? thank yom i think— them, literally no more boats? thank yom i think the _ them, literally no more boats? thank you. i think the most _ them, literally no more boats? thank you. i think the most important - you. i think the most important people to take away from today is our plan is working. i have always said this isn't an easy problem and we won't fix it overnight and there is no one simple solution, but we are doing a range of things and that is the plan i announced. that plan is the plan i announced. that plan is working, why do i have confidence in that? because for the first time since the small boats phenomenon arose, a few years ago, numbers are down. this year, january to may, the numbers are down by 20%. we haven't seen that before. it is specific to the uk, because if you look at what is happening in europe, the numbers

so far this year are up almost a third. so i think that to me shows that the plan we put in place is working. of course, there is work to do. as i said, people will still come here in the summer. but the measures are starting to work and i think you can see that when it comes to the albanian situation, where the number of crossings is down by 90%. so i have confidence that the plan is working. we are not there yet. there is a lot of work to do. but i'm here to give people an update on this priority and i think the message is have confidence, because the plan is working, numbers are down for the first time and there is a lot more that we are doing. next if we could go to channel 5? reporter: do you have any evidence that it _ reporter: do you have any evidence that it is _ reporter: do you have any evidence that it is your policies of deterrence that are leading to this

drop and _ deterrence that are leading to this drop and not something like bad weather— drop and not something like bad weather that there has been reducing the number crossing?— the number crossing? thank you, there are two _ the number crossing? thank you, there are two things _ the number crossing? thank you, there are two things i _ the number crossing? thank you, there are two things i would - the number crossing? thank you, j there are two things i would point to. one is the fact that crossings elsewhere in europe are up, are up by almost a third over a similar time and yet crossings into the uk are down by a fifth. that should tell us something that something is going on here and that as a result of the actions we have put in place and there is a range of actions that are contributing to that. the best example is when you look at the number coming from albania. i think people will remember when we last spoke about this, i said to everyone, albania accounted for around a third of all small boat arrivals last year. albania is a safe european country. we put in place a range of changes, a new deal with albania and i pay tribute to the home secretary for work on this

situation. a new deal with albania that allows us to return people. a change in how we process albanian claims. and you can see the proof is in the numbers. that claims. and you can see the proof is in the numbers.— in the numbers. that was the prime minister rishi _ in the numbers. that was the prime minister rishi sunak _ in the numbers. that was the prime minister rishi sunak speaking - in the numbers. that was the prime minister rishi sunak speaking in - minister rishi sunak speaking in dover on that policy of promising to end small boat crossings, focussing on albanians entering the uk and the phrase gangs usurping the government and touched on the policies such as the use of military facilities to house migrants and that deal with rwanda. in ukraine, where kyiv says it's "moving forward" in what appears to be the start of a counter—offensive. the russian defence ministry and media are reporting multiple

attacks across the frontline — with intense fighting specifically at these locations. and although nothing has been confirmed by ukrainian authorities the situation has clearly changed on the battlefield. earlier in the day, the ukrainian army released this video — which appears to refer to the long—awaited counter—offensive. these words appear at the end — "plans love silence. there will be no announcement about the start". 0ur ukraine correspondent, james waterhouse has the latest in kyiv for us. this appears to be the start of ukraine's long—awaited counter—offensive. there have been weeks, months of building rhetoric, of ukrainian forces trying to probe different parts of the front line. there have also been russian forces launching wave after wave of attack, at huge human cost, to take small towns and villages. there really has been no let up in the fighting. it reminds me a lot of the invasion

last year, where we saw this building up of the language and tone and then we saw it translate into military action. things are a lot more different now. but last year millions were forced from ukraine, millions still are, but we are starting to see thousands return to their homes close to the 600 mile long front line, which ukraine so desperately wants to unlock, despite all of the very real risks and warnings they're being presented with. we have been to an eastern town of pokrovsk. the end of line. we are on a journey which people are being told not to take. a train, notjust to the battlefield, but home. victoria has had enough of being a refugee and is heading back with her precious cargo — baby yeva. translation: it was impossible

to live like that, i travelled all around slovakia and ukraine, but i have to settle our family, this is where we belong. after travelling across the country, she's welcomed by who she left behind. her husband serghei. translation: i feel overwhelmed, i'm very glad to see my beautiful daughter and my wife. here, men typically stay behind to eitherfight, or in this case, work. he and thousands of others chose to stay for this coal mine. it is a major employer which binds pokrovsk together. workers have to balance their safety with simple economics. "i had to continue working," he tells us, "i also need

to financially support my family who have come back". his employer is still hiring staff. despite the dangers, it is an enticing prospect for those thinking about returning. mining is after all part of the donetsk region's dna. before the full—scale invasion, pokrovsk�*s population was 65,000, it dropped to a third, but is now rising. it has become a destination for those escaping occupied cities. residents have also been enticed back by power and water being restored. but the sharp end of this conflict is just 26 miles from here. it's why locals are being told to stay away. is it safe enough for people to return to pokrovsk? translation: no, even though the town is not right at the front of the donetsk region we cannot

say it's a safe city. multiple rocket launchers can reach here. 0n the outskirts of the city, closer to that threat, is the last line of defence. amidst all of the talk of ukrainian counter offensive, there is always a risk of the russians breaking through the line. there is a sympathy in the trenches for those wanting to come home. "if you have to die," he tells me, "it's better to die at home than somewhere abroad". it's the watchful eyes of soldiers like this which are allowing people to move back into harm's way. for serghei and victoria it's a conscious decision. translation: who knows when it will become safe here? _ maybe a year, two or five? we don't want to wait even one year. overall we are prepared.

yes? in these times of turmoil there is a hope and belief they won't last forever. futures depend on it. james waterhouse, bbc news, pokrovsk, ukraine. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. picking up rubbish in a boat is not easy. particularly when it is windy. but where there is a will there is a way. this litter picking exercise in nottingham is part of a much—wider litter sweep on our water ways throughout the country. tote litter sweep on our water ways throughout the country. we find all sorts from things _ throughout the country. we find all sorts from things such _ throughout the country. we find all sorts from things such as _ throughout the country. we find all sorts from things such as bottles . throughout the country. we find all| sorts from things such as bottles to those more unusual finds like an inflatable flamingo, a chair, a garden fork. rivers are carrying the

water to our oceans, causing damage there as well. water to our oceans, causing damage there as well-— there as well. children and adults have been encouraged _ there as well. children and adults have been encouraged to - there as well. children and adults have been encouraged to take - there as well. children and adults l have been encouraged to take part. the clean up has another ten days to 90, the clean up has another ten days to go, but the hope is the public can be reminded how important it is not to litter. you're live with bbc news. let me just take you to the high court in london. these are live pictures. it's where the duke of sussex will this week become the first member of the royal family for more than 100 years to give evidence in court — as he enters the witness box in his legal battle against mirror group newspapers. it has been confirmed he won't appear in court today.

0ur correspondent is at court. what more are we hearing? yes. our correspondent is at court. what more are we hearing?— our correspondent is at court. what more are we hearing? yes, we have heard from — more are we hearing? yes, we have heard from colleagues _ more are we hearing? yes, we have heard from colleagues who - more are we hearing? yes, we have heard from colleagues who inside i more are we hearing? yes, we have. heard from colleagues who inside the court building. let me show you the scene behind us. you can see dozens of photographs waiting for prince harry's arrival here at court. it wasn't certain that he would be turning up today. we know he is going to be entering the witness box this week. that will probably happen from tomorrow morning. but there was some expectation that he might turn up some expectation that he might turn up today. and just to give you if outline of the time table that we expect to happen today, both sides in this case, prince harry's barrister and the publisher of the newspapers, mgm, mirror group newspapers, they will be giving their opening submissions. it is after that prince harry is going to enter the witness box. but we have

just, from colleagues we are hearing from court in the last 15 minutes or so, the barrister who is representing prince harry, david sher bourne has told the court that prince harry will not attend court today. our colleagues say that is to the apparent frustration of the judge. and also mirror group newspapers�* lawyers. thejudge newspapers�* lawyers. the judge directed newspapers�* lawyers. thejudge directed the duke of sussex should be available if needed to give evidence from this afternoon. if the two lawyers from both sides manage to get through their submissions with enough time at the end of the day, the anticipation, or hope was perhaps prince harry could enter the witness box this afternoon. but we have been told, or the court has been told, that prince harry will not be attending court this afternoon. mr sherborne, the

barrister for prince harry, afternoon. mr sherborne, the barristerfor prince harry, we afternoon. mr sherborne, the barrister for prince harry, we are keeping on the eyes going past us, the barrister said prince harry flew in from america after his daughter�*s birthday, but he will not be attending court today, but will be here tomorrow to enter the witness box to give evidence.— box to give evidence. thank you. you're watching _ box to give evidence. thank you. you're watching bbc— box to give evidence. thank you. you're watching bbc news. - itv�*s this morning host holly willoughby said finding out that her former co—presenter phillip schofield hadn�*t told the truth "was a lot to process". this was holly�*s first show since her schofield resigned from the programme, after he revealed he�*d lied about an affair with a younger colleague. josie gibson is her co—host for today�*s programme, and other guest presenters will fill in over the next few weeks and months. here was holly speaking on the programme earlier. it feels very strange indeed sitting here without phil. and i imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like i have —

shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the well—being of people on all sides of what�*s been going on and full of questions. you, me, and all of us at this morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth. who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from itv and step down from a career that they loved. that is a lot to process. with me is tv critic and broadcaster scott bryan. thank you forjoining us. what did you make of holly�*s announcement? you can tell it must have been difficult to give. and you also tell the balance she has had to take with this statement, pointing out that what phil did was wrong and acknowledging how difficult it must have been on his mental health. there is an emphasis on a new chapterfor there is an emphasis on a new chapter for this morning. there is an emphasis on a new chapterfor this morning. the there is an emphasis on a new chapter for this morning. the fact phil and holly were such a big reason for the show�*s success and

the new partnership int reason for the show�*s success and the new partnership in t programme and this morning will try to move op too. the challenge is whether the viewers will be able to move on too. it was striking that holly said, phil, then never mentioned his name again and never referred to his gender, it is feels it is trying to put a punctuation mark into the situation? , ., situation? yes, reading the statement _ situation? yes, reading the statement and _ situation? yes, reading the| statement and emphasising situation? yes, reading the - statement and emphasising that he was not telling the truth, according to her, that it is a lot to process, the fact she has been shaken, troubled and let down. there has been a number of statements from instagram and a lot of tabloid speculation, you can thame tell it has affected itv and raised questions of the work culture at itv and there have been reports of a

toxic culture and itv have denied this. this will rumble on. we have the head of itv at a dcms meeting, that will be televised and questions will be made about what itv knew and when. and it is how to get trust back, a lot of viewers feel let down and i think it will take a long time for viewers to think about what�*s actually on this morning, rather than this morning being in the news. thank you. you can watch that interview with philip schofield. plenty more including that announcement from rishi sunak about stopping the boats. thank you, stay

with us here on bbc news. hello again. the weather this week is not dissimilar to last week pollen levels will be high today across northern ireland, much of england and all of wales. were talking grass pollen now. high pressure still in charge of our weather. it has been with us for a while. just moving position. it is still dragging in cloud, from the north sea and we have that keen north—easterly breeze in east anglia, kent and the channel. through the afternoon we will find any cloud will be out to the east. that will hold temperatures back. in the sunshine it is turning warm, up to 24 the sunshine it is turning warm, up to 2a degrees in glasgow and northern ireland. here we could

catch the odd shower. but they will be hit and miss. uv levels are high, more or less across the board. there will be some early evening sunshine, later on in the evening, more cloud comes in from the north sea and drifts west. we hang on to the north—easterly breeze in the south—east with overnight lows of between six and 11. tomorrow starts off cloudy and that cloud pushes back to the east coast. some will be stubborn. we still have that breeze. 0ut stubborn. we still have that breeze. out to the west, something drier and warmer, but again there is an isolated chance you may catch the odd shower in scotland and northern ireland. during wednesday, cloudy start, that melts away. again parts of the east coast will see more cloud at times. still with that breeze. we could see the odd shower on higher ground in scotland on wednesday. and temperatures 12 to

about 22 or 23. as we move into thursday, more cloud in scotland and north—east england. brighter in the far south—east. north—east england. brighter in the farsouth—east. but north—east england. brighter in the far south—east. but a will lot of dry weather. showers not too far away. temperatures cooler on the north—east coast. remember the showers i showed you? during friday and saturday we could see some coming up from the south. but most will stay dry and getting warmer.