breeze across drier, a bit more of a breeze across the south—west, otherwise wind will be light. quite a warm and muggy night to come for england and wales, no lower than 16 or 17, more likely low teens in scotland and northern ireland. tomorrow we start with lots of cloud, drizzle for western england and wales, this weather front working in from the west will bring rain to northern ireland and scotland initially and behind it it brightens up into the afternoon but it will be a bit fresher here. england and wales, apart from the odd heavy shower, will stay cloudy. any brightness could push temperatures up to 25 so it could feel warm and humid. wednesday night the rain band pushes southwards and eastwards and turns heavier into the midlands and south—east. elsewhere, clear night, one or two showers, clear night, one or two showers, clear spells, clear night, one or two showers, clearspells, it clear night, one or two showers, clear spells, it will turn quite chilly but warm and muggy in the south—east. it means if you want the rain in the south—east good news for thursday, some of the rain could be heavy and persistent in east anglia and the south—east and take its time

to clear. elsewhere on thursday it has a bright day, sunshine, one or two showers, a breeze in western scotland and fresher for all areas, the high teens and low 20s. closer to the seasonal norm. friday, a rather cloudy day with outbreaks of rain, most in the north and west. the weekend is brighter but most of the showers in the north and west and warmer and brighter in the south and warmer and brighter in the south and east. thanks, stav. and that's bbc news at ten theres more analysis and that's bbc news at ten. newsnight with victoria derbyshire which isjust getting under way on bbc two the news continues here on bbc one as now its time to join our colleagues across the nations and regions for the news where you are. but from the ten team, it's goodnight.

11 million people are estimated to be experiencing food insecurity in the uk. why? tomorrow the chancellor will summon the five economic regulators in the uk to try to force down prices for consumers. tonight new figures seen by newsnight show the scale of food insecurity across the country. can government intervention helped as people continue to struggle? my people continue to struggle? ij�*i grandchildren people continue to struggle? m: grandchildren is people continue to struggle? m; grandchildren is to stay with me in the holidays but i had to reduce that because i cannot feed them. i can barely feed myself. $1150 can barely feed myself. also

toniuht, can barely feed myself. also tonight, russia _ can barely feed myself. also tonight, russia launches- can barely feed myself. also tonight, russia launches a i can barely feed myself. also tonight, russia launches a fresh missile strike on the ukrainian city of kramatorsk. days after the chaotic tap—in with me. how events played out on the battlefield? mark is here with his analysis. and the covid inquiry hears from former health secretary matt hancock with some jaw—dropping health secretary matt hancock with somejaw—dropping revelations. the some jaw-dropping revelations. the doctrine some jaw—dropping revelations. tue: doctrine of the some jaw—dropping revelations. tue doctrine of the uk was to plan for the consequences of a disaster. can we buy enough body bags, where are we buy enough body bags, where are we going to bury the dead? and that was completely wrong. we we going to bury the dead? and that was completely wrong.— was completely wrong. we will talk to bereaved — was completely wrong. we will talk to bereaved who _ was completely wrong. we will talk to bereaved who was _ was completely wrong. we will talk to bereaved who was in _ was completely wrong. we will talk to bereaved who was in the - was completely wrong. we will talk to bereaved who was in the room. | to bereaved who was in the room. good evening for the financial and economic shock waves of recent years have affected millions. but the impact has been particularly severe for some. yet it remains shocking

that here in uk one of the five biggest economies in the world, some people are struggling to buy enough food to feed themselves. new figures from the trussell trust seen by newsnight show the nature and scale of food insecurity across the uk. 11 million people, 14% of all uk adults or their households have experienced it in the year up to last summer. today bosses at four of the big supermarkets denied making too much money from soaring prices telling mps the industry is the most competitive it has ever been. food inflation on things like bread, cereal, chocolate has come down slightly although it remains very high at 18.3%. doubled the headline rate. tonight we have details coming of an intervention from the chancellor tomorrow to try to tackle the problem. nick will explain in a few minutes. first ben has been to

meet some of those under most pressure. meet some of those under most ressure. g :, :, pressure. the jarrow crusade, the most iconic _ pressure. the jarrow crusade, the most iconic of _ pressure. the jarrow crusade, the most iconic of the _ pressure. the jarrow crusade, the most iconic of the hunger - pressure. the jarrow crusade, the | most iconic of the hunger marchers of the 1930s which began in the north—east of england. today almost a century later a new form of food insecurity is back in the region. most of us are aware that food insecurity is a serious and growing problem but what we now have thanks to the trussell trust is a comprehensive picture ofjust how pervasive it is. one in seven households are affected, 11 million people. here in the north—east the proportion affected is estimated to be one in four. and one group answering the call of those in need is hospitality, a social supermarket

in south shields. users pay £4 and get around 28 and is considered basic staples.— basic staples. when i “oined a sticky aah basic staples. when i “oined a sticky fact is that _ basic staples. when i “oined a sticky fact is that we _ basic staples. when i joined a l sticky fact is that we supported 3000 people in 2020 and now we have 10,000 people. this 3000 people in 2020 and now we have 10,000 maple-— 10,000 people. this is not a third bank? traditionally _ 10,000 people. this is not a third bank? traditionally with _ 10,000 people. this is not a third bank? traditionally with the - bank? traditionally with the food bank? traditionally with the food bank you're _ bank? traditionally with the food bank you're already _ bank? traditionally with the food bank you're already in _ bank? traditionally with the food bank you're already in crisis - bank? traditionally with the food | bank you're already in crisis when people turn up to a food bank, people turn up to a food bank, people do not get to select the third, it is prepacked. this is about a solution for longer term food support in the community and there is a massive shift from single people and couples, six in ten people and couples, six in ten people we support today are families. :: ' :, people we support today are families. :: , :, , families. 40% are in employment. next door families. 4096 are in employment. next door i _ families. 4096 are in employment. next door i met _ families. 4096 are in employment. next door i met some _ families. 4096 are in employment. next door i met some of- families. 4096 are in employment. next door i met some of the - families. 4096 are in employment. | next door i met some of the locals benefiting from the shot. we are in a cost of living crisis at the moment and we want to talk about what that is like an individual level. :, :, :, : , :,

level. you have to make choices, do ou -a level. you have to make choices, do you pay for— level. you have to make choices, do you pay for this _ level. you have to make choices, do you pay for this or— level. you have to make choices, do you pay for this or pay _ level. you have to make choices, do you pay for this or pay for— level. you have to make choices, do you pay for this or pay for that - you pay for this or pay for that because if you are on universal credit you cannot always pay for both. so you make a choice between gas and electricity, paying rent or feeding yourself.— feeding yourself. have you experienced _ feeding yourself. have you experienced it? _ feeding yourself. have you experienced it? in - feeding yourself. have you experienced it? in the - feeding yourself. have you| experienced it? in the past feeding yourself. have you i experienced it? in the past 18 months the — experienced it? in the past 18 months the prices _ experienced it? in the past 18 months the prices have - experienced it? in the past 18| months the prices have nearly doubled — months the prices have nearly doubled in the shots. it is getting worse _ doubled in the shots. it is getting worse every week. it is doubled in the shots. it is getting worse every week.— doubled in the shots. it is getting worse every week. it is hard for me because we _ worse every week. it is hard for me because i've never _ worse every week. it is hard for me because i've never been _ worse every week. it is hard for me because i've never been in - worse every week. it is hard for me because i've never been in the - because i've never been in the situation _ because i've never been in the situation-— because i've never been in the situation. : , :, situation. the recently widowed barbara adjusting _ situation. the recently widowed barbara adjusting to _ situation. the recently widowed barbara adjusting to life - situation. the recently widowed barbara adjusting to life alone l situation. the recently widowed i barbara adjusting to life alone with stretched finances has been a challenge. your on the state pension and you find it does not cover your bills? :, and you find it does not cover your bills? ida. and youjust and you find it does not cover your bills? ida. and you just have less bills? no. and you 'ust have less and less? _ bills? no. and you 'ust have less and less? yes. — bills? no. and you 'ust have less and less? yes. i_ bills? no. and you just have less and less? yes. i rarely _ bills? no. and you just have less and less? yes. i rarely put - bills? no. and you just have less and less? yes. i rarely put the i and less? yes. i rarely put the liuhts and less? yes. i rarely put the li . hts or and less? yes. i rarely put the lights or the — and less? yes. i rarely put the lights or the heating _ and less? yes. i rarely put the lights or the heating on. - and less? yes. i rarely put the lights or the heating on. i - and less? yes. i rarely put the | lights or the heating on. i don't eat a lot. i am eating less. haas eat a lot. i am eating less. how much less? _

eat a lot. i am eating less. how much less? less _ eat a lot. i am eating less. how much less? less than you're i much less? less than you're comfortable having? i much less? less than you're comfortable having? i do feel it in my health- _ comfortable having? i do feel it in my health- it _ comfortable having? i do feel it in my health. it is _ comfortable having? i do feel it in my health. it is survival, - comfortable having? i do feel it in my health. it is survival, having i comfortable having? i do feel it in| my health. it is survival, having to make choices whether to pay bills or buy food. and the kind of food that i buy has changed. no treats any more. it is like surviving to eat. i would just what i eat and if it wasn't for the community shot i probably would skip meals on a daily basis. if friends are going out to a restaurant to celebrate a birthday i have to budget for that. i might have to budget for that. i might have to budget for that. i might have to starve for a couple of days so i have extra to treat myself to just going out to a celebration with family. ida just going out to a celebration with famil . i. :, i. :, family. do you feel that you are food insecure? _ family. do you feel that you are food insecure? it _ family. do you feel that you are food insecure? it has _ family. do you feel that you are food insecure? it has got i family. do you feel that you are food insecure? it has got to i family. do you feel that you are food insecure? it has got to the sta . e food insecure? it has got to the stage where — food insecure? it has got to the stage where i — food insecure? it has got to the stage where i was _ food insecure? it has got to the stage where i was eating - food insecure? it has got to the stage where i was eating once i food insecure? it has got to the | stage where i was eating once a day, eating _ stage where i was eating once a day, eating at _ stage where i was eating once a day, eating at teatime and you would have a cup _ eating at teatime and you would have a cup of _ eating at teatime and you would have a cup of t_ eating at teatime and you would have a cup of t or— eating at teatime and you would have a cup of t or whatever at

dinnertime. but you could only afford — dinnertime. but you could only afford to— dinnertime. but you could only afford to eat once a day. i went from _ afford to eat once a day. i went from 17 — afford to eat once a day. i went from 17 stone to 12 stone and it wasn't — from 17 stone to 12 stone and it wasn't through dieting. can from 17 stone to 12 stone and it wasn't through dieting. can you see better times _ wasn't through dieting. can you see better times ahead? _ wasn't through dieting. can you see better times ahead? i _ wasn't through dieting. can you see better times ahead? i think - wasn't through dieting. can you see better times ahead? i think it i wasn't through dieting. can you see better times ahead? i think it is i better times ahead? i think it is doom and _ better times ahead? i think it is doom and gloom _ better times ahead? i think it is doom and gloom and _ better times ahead? i think it is doom and gloom and my - better times ahead? i think it is - doom and gloom and my grandchildren is to come and stay with me on the holidays. i've had to reduce that because i cannot afford to feed them. i can barely feed myself never mind feeling extra miles.— mind feeling extra miles. current on ortion mind feeling extra miles. current on portion sizes — mind feeling extra miles. current on portion sizes or _ mind feeling extra miles. current on portion sizes or missing _ mind feeling extra miles. current on portion sizes or missing meals i mind feeling extra miles. current on portion sizes or missing meals was i mind feeling extra miles. current on| portion sizes or missing meals was a common theme amongst this group and it tallies with the bigger national picture. helen barnard is policy director of the trussell trust, the charity which carried out this research. charity which carried out this research-— charity which carried out this research. , : , :, , research. third insecurity means eo - le research. third insecurity means people are _ research. third insecurity means people are having _ research. third insecurity means people are having to _ research. third insecurity means people are having to cut - research. third insecurity means people are having to cut back i research. third insecurity means people are having to cut back on i people are having to cut back on what to eat, to skip meals because they cannot afford to buy food and other essentials. so food insecurity and hunger is nothing to do with food but it is about income and over

the last five years what we've seen is the level of need has more than doubled, going up 120% over that period to which this record high of 3 million food parcels last year. in 2018 for context 1.3 million food parcels were handed out. in the past year it has been 3 million so more than doubling. if it is about income to people just need to be given a larger income? the to people just need to be given a larger income?— to people just need to be given a larger income? the key things we need to see. _ larger income? the key things we need to see, social— larger income? the key things we need to see, social security i need to see, social security systems, we want and essentials guarantee in legislation to say universal credit will always cover essentials. then the other issue is the labour market, so one in five people coming to the food banks are in a working household but the work that people are doing is low—paid and insecure so not getting a steady income every week. we need to improve security of work at the bottom end of labour market. just what levi says _

bottom end of labour market. just what levi says the government pulled to ease the financial burden on households? just as policy director at the centre for socialjustice, think tank sent up by iain duncan smith. ,:, :, , smith. government has intervened significantly _ smith. government has intervened significantly in _ smith. government has intervened significantly in this _ smith. government has intervened significantly in this area to - smith. government has intervened significantly in this area to the i significantly in this area to the tune of tens of billions and that should not be understated. you have household support fund, the energy price guarantee, back in april we saw benefits rise in line with inflation which on its own was an injection of 11 billion in the welfare system. we've also seen the national living wage increase are collectively best is a significant intervention but there is more we would like to see government deal. what i would say is we do not think this is a problem that can be solved exclusively by reliance on government benefits systems. the problem is very complex and fast. around 13% of what people need to

experience third insecurity but among the ethnic minority population is around 24%. doctor beckham is director of research at the runnymede trust. we director of research at the runnymede trust. director of research at the runn mede trust. . :, :, ~ runnymede trust. we have to think about income _ runnymede trust. we have to think about income equality, _ runnymede trust. we have to think about income equality, we - runnymede trust. we have to think about income equality, we are i about income equality, we are looking at persistent labour market inequalities where we have got black and minority ethnic groups some of whom have been in low—paid insecure work and if you attack the kind of work and if you attack the kind of work inequality that these communities often do not have that exacerbates and compounds problems so we have got some groups who have such low levels of savings and assets that when you have these kind of crises like the pandemic and cost of crises like the pandemic and cost of living crisis they do not have the financial resilience to be able to withstand some of the rising prices that we have all seen. but we cannot ignore the fact that we have got a social security system that is failing, i live in east london and i've seen the visible impact in my

community of food bank queues on a saturday morning and i do not think that it saturday morning and i do not think thatitis saturday morning and i do not think that it is a lack of knowledge or understanding of the scale of the problem, it can only be explained in terms of no political care or interest in addressing it. regardless of geographic region or social background, hunger and its essenceis social background, hunger and its essence is a stark and isolating reality for those forced to live with it. last reality for those forced to live with it. : :, :, with it. at the moment i am living in a nightmare _ with it. at the moment i am living in a nightmare and _ with it. at the moment i am living in a nightmare and i _ with it. at the moment i am living in a nightmare and ijust - with it. at the moment i am living in a nightmare and ijust need i with it. at the moment i am living in a nightmare and ijust need the i in a nightmare and ijust need the powers that be, the government to understand how difficult it has become for individual people. we do get benefits and that is wonderful, not everyone in this world does but they are just not going anywhere and we are suffering. abs, we are suffering. a government spokesperson — we are suffering. a government spokesperson told _ we are suffering. a government spokesperson told us _ we are suffering. a government spokesperson told us we - we are suffering. a government spokesperson told us we know. we are suffering. a government i spokesperson told us we know people are struggling which is why we are providing record financial support with an average of £3300 per

household. we also bearing down on inflation to help money go further. will is the government going to do more? : ~ :. . will is the government going to do more? x' :, , :, ,, more? nick, what is happening tomorrow? _ more? nick, what is happening tomorrow? the _ more? nick, what is happening tomorrow? the chancellor i more? nick, what is happening tomorrow? the chancellor is i tomorrow? the chancellor is convening a meeting of the five economic regulators in downing street, organisations like aftjam, ofwat and the competition and markets authority and i've been told it is unprecedented for a chance to have those five economic regulator is unprecedented for a chance to have those five economic regulators run the table all at the same time. what the chancellor is is that imi officials are looking at all the officials are looking at all the official data from the ons and the prices for many commodities are coming down, these are known as the input costs for industry and they do not believe that these are being passed on to consumers. essentially what the chancellor is going to say is this is our view, is it to the regulators, your view that these costs are not being passed on and they are going to say what he going

to do about that. you have some pretty sweeping and serious powers as chancellor and using those powers you may need to make serious economic intervention. the deal and the treasury is that they are not talking about price caps is that it would not work and is is right that companies should make profits but they do believe they may well be a need for quite a significant intervention here. i have to say there is a very grim mood in government, that inflation is too sticky and not coming down fast enough. and conservative mps are really beginning to get the jitters. let's talk to christine who is chair of the assured food standards and she was the first groceries code adjudicator and also ran the carbon farming business for 11 years. this meeting with the regulators tomorrow, can they force prices down for consumers? the tomorrow, can they force prices down for consumers?— for consumers? the treasury have already actually — for consumers? the treasury have already actually asked _ for consumers? the treasury have already actually asked the - already actually asked the competition and markets authority to

look at the three prices and fuel prices at the same time. i understand that they will be reporting on that next week. so i think they've already got the ball rolling on the groceries side. but i also think listening to those stories earlier, it is hard to listen to. and they made some very strong recommendations i felt. but i cannot see that food prices will be coming down and that will be something that we will see quite soon and i think it is extraordinary unlikely that there is any additional profiteering going on with the retailers because we do have one of the most competitive grocery markets in the world. when i was the regulator had 13 retailers with over a billion turnover in groceries and in some countries where i have been asked for advice they have gotjust two of them so we have a very competitive market. and also people will not necessarily want to hear this but we do have

some of the cheapest food in the eu as well. you don't believe the supermarkets are profiteering, before the business and trade select —— they went before the business and trade select committee today. they were asked, how come before the pandemic you are asking this much —— you are making this much profit and after the pandemic, it has gone up significantly? i the pandemic, it has gone up significantly?— the pandemic, it has gone up significantly? i don't think the actual percentage _ significantly? i don't think the actual percentage margins i significantly? i don't think the i actual percentage margins have really moved very much at all. because the retailers turn over stock so fast, they are aiming between 1% to 3% profit margin. and i think most of them have been maintaining their profit. i think it is justifiable to say, why are you not making less in these hard times when everybody else has got less? but you look at these retailers, some of them heavily in debt, that is getting more expensive with

interest going up. some of them want to maintain the value of the shares. but some of the discounters are privately owned and they have been really aggressive with pricing. and it is quite interesting to see how many retailers are openly saying, we have penned our prices to the same as aldi, so the discounters are leading the charge and the others make sure they are no more expensive because they don't want to lose share and that is what you get in truly competitive market, the discounters trying to increase their shares and the others don't want to let them have it. 5a shares and the others don't want to let them have it.— let them have it. so there is no more supermarkets _ let them have it. so there is no more supermarkets could do, | let them have it. so there is no| more supermarkets could do, in let them have it. so there is no i more supermarkets could do, in your view? ~ :, , more supermarkets could do, in your view? . :, , , , :, view? well, the answer is, should the be view? well, the answer is, should they be making — view? well, the answer is, should they be making the _ view? well, the answer is, should they be making the same - view? well, the answer is, should they be making the same margins view? well, the answer is, should i they be making the same margins that they be making the same margins that they have before? but i think it is misleading if people are saying the issue with food prices is that people are profiteering. the truth is, it is a hugely complex chain.

the farming industry, which i worked in myself, the cost of fertiliser, the cost of agrochemical inputs has gone up, the feed for the animals has gone up, the cost of labour has gone up. and you have the processes and their labour has gone up and they have the cost of packaging. every single bit of the chain has had their costs going up including the retailers with the amount they have had to pay more to staff. with food,it have had to pay more to staff. with food, itjust gets compounded because so many people are in the chain. :. ~ because so many people are in the chain. :, ~' i. because so many people are in the chain. :, ~ i. :, because so many people are in the chain. :, ~ :, :, ~ :, , chain. thank you for talking to us this evening. _ chain. thank you for talking to us this evening, christine, - chain. thank you for talking to us this evening, christine, thank i chain. thank you for talking to us | this evening, christine, thank you. going back to nick, you have more news from westminster. yes, this is a story about a former special adviser in david cameron's downing street, hoping to become the conservative candidate for the mayoral election, he is down to shortlist of three, daisy goodwin, a highly successful television producer, she alleged that ten years ago, the end of the meeting in 10

downing street with daniel korski, he allegedly touched her inappropriately. daniel korski categorically denies this allegation. but tonight, daisy goodwin has attempted to make a formal complaint to the cabinet office, the body she would have to make the complaint too, because the meeting took place in downing street. and i do have to say that in the last few hours, there is a really darkening mood about daniel korski's prospects in his camp amongst his supporters. sources close to rob halford, education minister, a strong supporter, they are saying robert halfon is pausing his support for the korski campaign. a former cabinet minister is taking the same view. one ally tells me it is difficult for daniel korski. from the heart of the campaign, there is a view that these developments are a bit double—edged for daniel korski. obviously, it is more difficult, one person told me, because there is now a formal complaint. but in a sense,

when there is a formal complaint, it is no easierfor him to when there is a formal complaint, it is no easier for him to defend himself this person told me. tonight, that campaign is saying daniel korski denies these allegations very strongly. the spokesperson said to me dad that welcomes any investigation. finally, i should tell you that one very long—standing friend of daniel korski who supports him has said, i stand by dan, but then this person added, but he is now in deep jeopardy. thank you very much, nick. if anyone thought president putin was distracted by the attempted mutiny at the weekend, think again. tonight, two russian missiles hit the city of kramatorsk in the east of ukraine injuring 40 people and killing three. there were reports denied president putin had to be talked out of killing his former ally, the head of the mercenary

wagner group, yevgeny prigozhin, and yevgeny prigozhin expected the russian army to change sides to support him. that is according to the belarus leader president lukashenko who has given asylum to yevgeny prigozhin as part of a deal to end the revolt. he was speaking at a press conference today. president putin tried to paint a picture of life returning to normal so how have these dramatic events affected russia's war in ukraine. we will discuss in a moment. first, this is mark. and there are graphic images in his film. so what difference have the last few days of turmoil in russia made to the war? not much if you listen to the war? not much if you listen to the british ministry of defence. iside the british ministry of defence. - shouldn't necessarily over credit the destabilisation that somehow, this is a massive derailment of the kremlin. what we see at the moment is prigozhin has gone to belarus, the wagner group is predominantly

spent, done, dissipated camp —— dissipated, howeveryou spent, done, dissipated camp —— dissipated, however you interpret it. in the war in ukraine are still being prosecuted by the russian general staff. but being prosecuted by the russian general staff.— general staff. but why is that? wa . ner general staff. but why is that? wagner brought _ general staff. but why is that? wagner brought 10,000 i general staff. but why is that? - wagner brought 10,000 well-equipped wagner brought 10,000 well—equipped troops onto the street at the weekend, can the hard—pressed russian military afford to disband those units? they had been out of the front line since last month, after taking heavy casualties during the fighting for bakhmut. disbanding them now implies the russians either put political loyalty ahead of having that reserve or they are comfortable with their current force levels. . . :. comfortable with their current force levels. , , :, :, , , comfortable with their current force levels. :, , , , levels. russia really needs people, which is why _ levels. russia really needs people, which is why i _ levels. russia really needs people, which is why i think _ levels. russia really needs people, which is why i think it _ levels. russia really needs people, which is why i think it was - levels. russia really needs people, which is why i think it was quite i which is why i think it was quite content — which is why i think it was quite content to— which is why i think it was quite content to divide wagner up into those _ content to divide wagner up into those who— content to divide wagner up into those who it sees still as loyalist of the _ those who it sees still as loyalist of the regime and those who would rather— of the regime and those who would rather purge. i don't think it is beyond — rather purge. i don't think it is beyond the realm of possibility that russia _ beyond the realm of possibility that russia might need to recruit ever more _ russia might need to recruit ever more soldiers to kind of make up for some _ more soldiers to kind of make up for some of— more soldiers to kind of make up for some of the — more soldiers to kind of make up for some of the shortfall of those who

did join— some of the shortfall of those who did join with the prigozhin rebellion, but i don't think that is a huge _ rebellion, but i don't think that is a huge number of people. it is very difficult _ a huge number of people. it is very difficult to — a huge number of people. it is very difficult to tell from russia really how many. stop prigozhin himself said the _ how many. stop prigozhin himself said the number was around 25,000, i think the _ said the number was around 25,000, i think the reality was closer to 8.000 — think the reality was closer to 8.000 -- _ think the reality was closer to 8,000 —— prigozhin himself. whether that is— 8,000 —— prigozhin himself. whether that is enough to tip the balance of the war— that is enough to tip the balance of the war in— that is enough to tip the balance of the war in ukraine's favour, i'm not really— the war in ukraine's favour, i'm not really sure — the war in ukraine's favour, i'm not really sure that it is. and the war in ukraine's favour, i'm not really sure that it is.— really sure that it is. and while the chaos _ really sure that it is. and while the chaos played _ really sure that it is. and while the chaos played out _ really sure that it is. and while the chaos played out in - really sure that it is. and while | the chaos played out in russia, really sure that it is. and while i the chaos played out in russia, the war in ukraine carried on. one significant change of the last few days with the ukrainians establishing a bridge on the left or southern bank of the dnipro. there are still many challenges to expanding that, but if ukrainians do manage that, it was great options, putting pressure on the western end of russia defence. over in the east, ukrainians have made some gains in the donbas. taking a village under

russian control since 2014. the obstacles till facing them are considerable. this footage from yesterday shows a successful ukrainian minefield breaching operation. the rocket lifts and explosive filled hose across the minefield and when it falls, it detonates. to clear a path which ukrainian troops went through, in this case, successfully. but on the main focus, so far at least, of the counter—offensive, progress remains slow. that is the area of the broad front attack southwards into zaporizhzhia district. russian video has come to light of ukrainian minefield breaching operation going horribly wrong. it is too graphic to show in its entirety, but in it, ukrainian troops tried on several mines and the operation degenerates into one aimed at evacuating the

wounded in these bradley vehicles rather than making further gains. the armour can be seen firing smoke grenades to cover their withdrawal. if we come out to the wider view of that key southern part of the front, we can see areas where the ukrainians have taken ground. yesterday, for example, this village. but come wider and we can see that more than three weeks into the counter—offensive, the gains are still rather limited. there are still rather limited. there are still five fresh brigades of western trained troops that haven't been committed to the fight so the ukrainian military still has many options. they all have to hope that those recent events in russia to undermine the morale of the troops facing them and that a breakthrough comes soon. let's speak now to head of regional security and conflict studies at a kyiv based think tank, democratic

initiatives foundation. also kurt volcker, former us ambassador to nato. and lord richard janet, former chief of the general staff of the british army. maria, why is the counter—offensive seemingly progressing so slowly? counter-offensive seemingly progressing so slowly?- counter-offensive seemingly huroressin so slowl ? progressing so slowly? good evening, i cannot say — progressing so slowly? good evening, i cannot say this _ progressing so slowly? good evening, i cannot say this is _ progressing so slowly? good evening, i cannot say this is progressing - i cannot say this is progressing slowly, i would say this is progressing confidently. first, you have the situation which is different from how it looked last year when ukraine made a great breakthrough in kherson and kharkiv, but it was building defence lines and altogether, ukraine is testing the defence of russian forces along the defence of russian forces along the entire front line and trying to pushitin the entire front line and trying to push it in order to find out whether the wake as places. actually, i think this is an explanation to why it is slow —— to find out where the

weakest places. but this is rather wise not to waste weapons or to you —— or to lose human life. mann wise not to waste weapons or to you -- or to lose human life.— -- or to lose human life. now that mr prigozhin _ -- or to lose human life. now that mr prigozhin is _ -- or to lose human life. now that mr prigozhin is in _ -- or to lose human life. now that mr prigozhin is in belarus, - -- or to lose human life. now that mr prigozhin is in belarus, does i mr prigozhin is in belarus, does that add a different dimension to people in ukraine or not particularly?— people in ukraine or not particularly? people in ukraine or not articularl ? ~ , ., ., particularly? well, up to a point. it depends— particularly? well, up to a point. it depends on — particularly? well, up to a point. it depends on who _ particularly? well, up to a point. it depends on who has _ particularly? well, up to a point. it depends on who has gone - particularly? well, up to a point. it depends on who has gone with i it depends on who has gone with prigozhin — it depends on who has gone with prigozhin to belarus, if a significant number of his soldiers and are _ significant number of his soldiers and are sick of an infinite amount of his_ and are sick of an infinite amount of his military capability has gone with him. — of his military capability has gone with him, potentially, this poses a greater— with him, potentially, this poses a greater threat to ukraine or their northern— greater threat to ukraine or their northern front and the axis from belarus — northern front and the axis from belarus to— northern front and the axis from belarus to kyiv. but i understand that access has always been, particularly since february last year. — particularly since february last year. one _ particularly since february last year, one that the ukrainians are watching — year, one that the ukrainians are watching very carefully and they have _ watching very carefully and they have got — watching very carefully and they have got good defensive structures in place _ have got good defensive structures in place i— have got good defensive structures in place. i think going back to the earlier— in place. i think going back to the earlier point that was just being discussed. there is a major issue here _ discussed. there is a major issue here the — discussed. there is a major issue here. the ukrainian army, which did extraordinary well over the last

year— extraordinary well over the last year or— extraordinary well over the last year or so — extraordinary well over the last year or so and its defensive battle, has got _ year or so and its defensive battle, has got to — year or so and its defensive battle, has got to trans—, transition from being _ has got to trans—, transition from being an — has got to trans—, transition from being an army in defence to an army ina being an army in defence to an army in a fence _ being an army in defence to an army in a fence. and against the well—prepared russian defensive lines _ well—prepared russian defensive lines created over the summer, the iines created over the summer, the winter— lines created over the summer, the winter and — lines created over the summer, the winter and the spring, ukrainians very carefully and cautiously have -ot very carefully and cautiously have got to _ very carefully and cautiously have got to probe those positions to see whether— got to probe those positions to see whether there are areas of weakness. and when— whether there are areas of weakness. and when they have found those areas of weakness, that is where we will find the _ of weakness, that is where we will find the attack brigades, western equipped and western trained and highly— equipped and western trained and highly motivated, will push. so we don't _ highly motivated, will push. so we don't want — highly motivated, will push. so we don't want to be too downhearted about _ don't want to be too downhearted about this — don't want to be too downhearted about this attack. it is a major challenge _ about this attack. it is a major challenge for the ukrainians. and i remain— challenge for the ukrainians. and i remain confident that the training, their equipment and the expertise and their— their equipment and the expertise and their focus and their motivation is such— and their focus and their motivation is such that — and their focus and their motivation is such that there will come in a moment— is such that there will come in a moment in_ is such that there will come in a moment in the not—too—distant future when _ moment in the not—too—distant future when they— moment in the not—too—distant future when they will find a weak point, they will— when they will find a weak point, they will break through and they will find — they will break through and they will find that they have got an

opponent hugely challenged. a command structure and also the motivation of the average soldier who probably didn't want to be in the army— who probably didn't want to be in the army in the first place, ill—equipped, illtrained the army in the first place, ill—equipped, ill trained and the army in the first place, ill—equipped, illtrained and poorly led. ill-equipped, ill trained and poorly led. ., ~' ill-equipped, ill trained and poorly led. ., ,, ., led. kurt volker, on saturday, he said he believed _ led. kurt volker, on saturday, he said he believed we _ led. kurt volker, on saturday, he said he believed we were - led. kurt volker, on saturday, he said he believed we were seeingl led. kurt volker, on saturday, he i said he believed we were seeing the end of russia's war in ukraine, why? —— you said. i think the prigozhin bubble _ —— you said. i think the prigozhin bubble underlies _ —— you said. i think the prigozhin bubble underlies that _ —— you said. i think the prigozhin bubble underlies that the - —— you said. i think the prigozhin bubble underlies that the putin l bubble underlies that the putin regime — bubble underlies that the putin regime has _ bubble underlies that the putin regime has been _ bubble underlies that the putin regime has been strained. - bubble underlies that the putin regime has been strained. he i bubble underlies that the putin i regime has been strained. he said when _ regime has been strained. he said when he _ regime has been strained. he said when he launched _ regime has been strained. he said when he launched this _ regime has been strained. he said when he launched this rebellion i regime has been strained. he said. when he launched this rebellion the effort _ when he launched this rebellion the effort to— when he launched this rebellion the effort to go— when he launched this rebellion the effort to go into _ when he launched this rebellion the effort to go into ukraine _ when he launched this rebellion the effort to go into ukraine itself- when he launched this rebellion the effort to go into ukraine itself was i effort to go into ukraine itself was a mistake — effort to go into ukraine itself was a mistake it— effort to go into ukraine itself was a mistake. it is a _ effort to go into ukraine itself was a mistake. it is a war, _ effort to go into ukraine itself was a mistake. it is a war, not- effort to go into ukraine itself was a mistake. it is a war, not a - a mistake. it is a war, not a special— a mistake. it is a war, not a special military— a mistake. it is a war, not a special military operation. i a mistake. it is a war, not al special military operation. it a mistake. it is a war, not a i special military operation. it is going — special military operation. it is going hadty~ _ special military operation. it is going hadty~ the _ special military operation. it is going badly. the number- special military operation. it is going badly. the number of. going badly. the number of casuatties— going badly. the number of casualties is— going badly. the number of casualties is far— going badly. the number of casualties is far higher- going badly. the number of casualties is far higher than what the kremtin— casualties is far higher than what the kremlin will— casualties is far higher than what the kremlin will admit. - casualties is far higher than what the kremlin will admit. and i casualties is far higher than what the kremlin will admit. and all. casualties is far higher than what| the kremlin will admit. and all of these _ the kremlin will admit. and all of these things _ the kremlin will admit. and all of these things i_ the kremlin will admit. and all of these things i think— the kremlin will admit. and all of these things i think resonated i the kremlin will admit. and all of. these things i think resonated with russian _ these things i think resonated with russian people _ these things i think resonated with russian people and _ these things i think resonated with russian people and with _ these things i think resonated with russian people and with russian . russian people and with russian mititary~ — russian people and with russian mititary~ so _ russian people and with russian military. so we _ russian people and with russian military. so we saw _ russian people and with russian military. so we saw when - russian people and with russian i military. so we saw when prigozhin entered _ military. so we saw when prigozhin entered russia _ military. so we saw when prigozhin entered russia that _ military. so we saw when prigozhin entered russia that you _ military. so we saw when prigozhin entered russia that you had - military. so we saw when prigozhinj entered russia that you had people coming _ entered russia that you had people coming out — entered russia that you had people coming out to — entered russia that you had people coming out to greet _ entered russia that you had people coming out to greet him, _ entered russia that you had people coming out to greet him, you had l coming out to greet him, you had military— coming out to greet him, you had military forces— coming out to greet him, you had military forces welcoming - coming out to greet him, you had military forces welcoming him, i coming out to greet him, you had. military forces welcoming him, not

contesting — military forces welcoming him, not contesting him _ military forces welcoming him, not contesting him in— military forces welcoming him, not contesting him in any— military forces welcoming him, not contesting him in any way, - military forces welcoming him, not contesting him in any way, lettingl contesting him in any way, letting him into— contesting him in any way, letting him into rostov_ contesting him in any way, letting him into rostov and _ contesting him in any way, letting him into rostov and voronezh. i contesting him in any way, letting . him into rostov and voronezh. with those _ him into rostov and voronezh. with those things. — him into rostov and voronezh. with those things. i— him into rostov and voronezh. with those things, ithink— him into rostov and voronezh. with those things, i think it— those things, i think it exposed that there _ those things, i think it exposed that there is _ those things, i think it exposed that there is a _ those things, i think it exposed that there is a lot _ those things, i think it exposed that there is a lot of— those things, i think it exposed| that there is a lot of uncertainty within— that there is a lot of uncertainty within russia _ that there is a lot of uncertainty within russia about _ that there is a lot of uncertainty within russia about the - that there is a lot of uncertainty within russia about the course. within russia about the course they are on _ within russia about the course they are on that— within russia about the course they are on that is— within russia about the course they are on. that is going _ within russia about the course they are on. that is going to— are on. that is going to trickle—down— are on. that is going to trickle—down to - are on. that is going to trickle—down to the i are on. that is going to. trickle—down to the people are on. that is going to- trickle—down to the people on are on. that is going to— trickle—down to the people on the front— trickle—down to the people on the front lines — trickle—down to the people on the front lines. nobody _ trickle—down to the people on the front lines. nobody fighting - trickle—down to the people on the front lines. nobody fighting on i trickle—down to the people on the| front lines. nobody fighting on the front lines. nobody fighting on the front lines— front lines. nobody fighting on the front lines in— front lines. nobody fighting on the front lines in ukraine _ front lines. nobody fighting on the front lines in ukraine wants- front lines. nobody fighting on the front lines in ukraine wants to i front lines. nobody fighting on the front lines in ukraine wants to be i front lines in ukraine wants to be there _ front lines in ukraine wants to be there to — front lines in ukraine wants to be there to die — front lines in ukraine wants to be there to die for— front lines in ukraine wants to be there to die for a _ front lines in ukraine wants to be there to die for a losing - front lines in ukraine wants to be there to die for a losing cause. i front lines in ukraine wants to be l there to die for a losing cause. and so i think— there to die for a losing cause. and so i think you — there to die for a losing cause. and so i think you are _ there to die for a losing cause. and so i think you are going _ there to die for a losing cause. and so i think you are going to- there to die for a losing cause. and so i think you are going to start i there to die for a losing cause. and so i think you are going to start tol so i think you are going to start to see this _ so i think you are going to start to see this fray — so i think you are going to start to see this fray over— so i think you are going to start to see this fray over the _ so i think you are going to start to see this fray over the next - so i think you are going to start to see this fray over the next few i see this fray over the next few weeks — see this fray over the next few weeks as— see this fray over the next few weeks as there _ see this fray over the next few weeks as there is _ see this fray over the next few weeks as there is real- see this fray over the next few i weeks as there is real uncertainty about— weeks as there is real uncertainty about what— weeks as there is real uncertainty about what russia _ weeks as there is real uncertainty about what russia is _ weeks as there is real uncertainty about what russia is fighting i weeks as there is real uncertainty about what russia is fighting for. | do you agree with that? it is a very long front line. is the morale of the russian soldiers going to disappear? l the russian soldiers going to disappear?— the russian soldiers going to disa ear? ., , ., disappear? i would say it is a huge hit on russian _ disappear? i would say it is a huge hit on russian morale _ disappear? i would say it is a huge hit on russian morale but - disappear? i would say it is a huge hit on russian morale but there i disappear? i would say it is a huge hit on russian morale but there is| disappear? i would say it is a huge| hit on russian morale but there is a difference between different parts because we know that from february 2022 even before russia invaded ukraine on a large scale they

started illegal mobilisation and conscription of ukrainian people in the donbas region and different developments on the front line last year showed that people who are actually forced to fight and illegally conscripted have shown even less willingness to do anything. and the russian regular army abandoned many units of those so—called regiments and left them unsupported. so i think we will see more cases like that and for the regular army it is the case that the morale will be much worse than before. ., ., ., . ., , before. lord dannatt, how much does morale matter— before. lord dannatt, how much does morale matter when _ before. lord dannatt, how much does morale matter when we _ before. lord dannatt, how much does morale matter when we saw- before. lord dannatt, how much does morale matter when we saw tonight l morale matter when we saw tonight russian missiles landing and killing at least three or four people and injuring 40?— at least three or four people and injuring 40? that is diametrically o- osed injuring 40? that is diametrically opposed issue. _ injuring 40? that is diametrically opposed issue, what _

injuring 40? that is diametrically opposed issue, what has - injuring 40? that is diametrically opposed issue, what has been i injuring 40? that is diametrically i opposed issue, what has been proved in this war and previous wars is when the civilian population is attacked if they believe that the cause is right then they will take penalty, take the pain and actually that their resolve will be increased. but the question more widely in terms of the morale of the ukrainian army versus the russian army, although it is a very long frontage with 200,000 russian soldiers defending it, the point really is that if the ukrainians can find a number of weak spots and can break through then this could have a really disconcerting effect on the defenders and went morale is low if a soldier thinks that he is beaten then he is beaten in the same for an army. it does not have to be destroyed in every part of the battlefield. the average thought of a soldier and commander—in—chief if they think the army is beaten then

it is and that is the effect that the claimants have got to try to create. and i think in the next weeks and months they will be able to do that. they've got the opportunity on the wherewithal to do it and critically they have got the morale and motivation to flee their homeland from the aggressor. practically every russian soldier does not want to be there and according to prigozhin should not be there and motivation is low. so this is an opportunity for that to really come into play. is an opportunity for that to really come into play-— is an opportunity for that to really come into play. thank you much for our come into play. thank you much for your time and _ come into play. thank you much for your time and contributions. i come into play. thank you much for your time and contributions. the i your time and contributions. the national covid inquiry is now in its third week of evidence and today brought what was for many a significant milestone. with the appearance of the former health secretary matt hancock. his arrival at the hearing was marked by protests from relatives of some who

died during the pandemic. we will speak later to one of those who suffered a loss and was in the room as he gave his evidence. matt hancock who had been health secretary for 18 months by the time the pandemic was declared delivered a devastating assessment of the uk planning for such a crisis. he told the inquiry it was completely wrong. here is kate. questions over test and trace and lockdown timings will have to wait until the autumn but to date matt hancock call the uk pandemic strategy woefully inadequate. this is high level risk registers from 2019 and it lists major national disease outbreaks is the most serious risks. these boxes are meant to be for plans to mitigate the risk but they have been left blank. matt hancock argued that despite this there was significant preparation under way and that preparation under way and that preparation he accepted was biased by an influential pandemic. he was

told that the stockpile of anti—virals would only work for the flu. when asked why he did not try to change that matt hancock said he was assured that the uk preparations were among the best in the world. the 2016 pandemic exercise warned that the uk preparations were not sufficient and made 22 recommendations for change but by 2020 only eight of them had been addressed. today the inquiry heard that brexit played a role and the department of health executive committee agreed that they needed to free up resources to plan for no—deal brexit. this document reveals which work was affected, the top the draft pandemic flu bill continued and became the coronavirus act giving the government emergency powers. but everything down here was stopped including refreshing the uk influence should strategy which hadn't been touched since 2011 despite it being called out of date

and unfit for purpose. also stopped was work to ensure that adult social care could cope with a surge in patients. the wide pandemic flu readiness board was supposed to meet every six to eight weeks but did not meet for a year between november 2018 and 2019. that was to help plan for no—deal brexit. matt hancock claimed that the brexit preparations actually stopped the uk running out of intensive care and medicines during the pandemic but he also made a bigger argument that none of this unfinished work would have made much material impact because he claimed there was much bigger mistakes, how there was much bigger mistakes, how the uk thought about pandemics in the uk thought about pandemics in the first place. the the uk thought about pandemics in the first place-— the first place. the doctrine of the uk was to plan — the first place. the doctrine of the uk was to plan for— the first place. the doctrine of the uk was to plan for the _ the first place. the doctrine of the i uk was to plan for the consequences of a disaster. can we buy in of body bags, where are we going to bury the dead? and that was completely wrong.

of dead? and that was completely wrong. of course it is important to have that in case you fail to prevent a pandemic but essential to pandemic planning needs to be how do you prevent the disaster from happening in the first place? how do you suppress the virus?— in the first place? how do you suppress the virus? matt hancock describe this _ suppress the virus? matt hancock describe this systemic _ suppress the virus? matt hancock describe this systemic failure i suppress the virus? matt hancock describe this systemic failure to i describe this systemic failure to consider preventive measures in advance and absolute tragedy and he agreed it was an issue of lions led by donkeys with the system not fit for purpose. let's talk to fran hall who attended the inquiry today. she got married to her partner steve in 2020 after 11 years together. steve died from temp to three weeks later. you were in the room today, what was that like? it you were in the room today, what was that like? ., , ., ., ., ., , that like? it was emotional. it was hard to hear _ that like? it was emotional. it was hard to hear matt _ that like? it was emotional. it was hard to hear matt hancock - that like? it was emotional. it was i

hard to hear matt hancock portraying himself as an innocent victim in some ways, slightly bewildered by the way things happened when in fact he was secretary of state for health and social care at the top of his department. and it started off by saying that he took full responsibility in that capacity. and then he proceeded to blame everyone else from the who to local authorities, to the emergency planners to the civil servants who did not tell him things. he was in a position where he could have changed did not tell him things. he was in a position where he could have changed policy and challenge documents and policy and challenge documents and question things. and he did not. h question things. and he did not. 1 question things. and he did not. i woke down lots of what he did say question things. and he did not. i woke down lots of what he did say today. he did say that he tried to today. he did say that he tried to challenge officials. but that there challenge officials. but that there were extraordinary admissions for were extraordinary admissions for example they did not know even how example they did not know even how many people were in care homes. thea;r many people were in care homes. many people were in care homes. they

did not know — many people were in care homes. they did not know how— many people were in care homes. the: did not know how many many people were in care homes. tu;e1: did not know how many care many people were in care homes. tu91: did not know how many care homes. and yet a