their decision at midday, we make their decision at midday, we are seeing the fastest rise in rates in modern history at the moment. this will be the 14th consecutive rise, it is all aimed at tackling inflation, trying to control inflation, trying to control inflation, managing inflation, and we know it is a bitter medicine from the bank, this is the intention, getting us to borrow less, to spend less, dampen demand, so it does seem to be working, the rate of inflation is finally slowing. under 8% for the first time in the year, but at what cost? walking an economic tightrope because fears of recession are swirling again. i want to hearfrom you. are you worried about the impact the rate rise could have on your business, we have been hearing from hairdressers and businesses,

from hairdressers and businesses, from a cafe, if you look around your workplace, do you think things are not moving in the right direction? do you worry about what it might mean for yourjob? what about your mortgage? we are getting lots of listeners and viewers getting in contact about mortgages and where they go from this. rent as well, landlord saying what are we meant to do? we are seeing the rises in mortgage rates that we are having to face. maybe you are hoping for a better return on your savings. let's hear from some savers. and, better return on your savings. let's hearfrom some savers. and, more broadly, if you look on a macro level, are the tactics of the bank working for you the idea of higher interest rates taming inflation is there an alternative to that pass? this issue matters to every one of us, all of us, one way or another. it's a rate rise good for you?

despite saying goodbye to our viewers on the bbc news channel? we are still with our listeners and just after ten o'clock, it is time to get the news. the bank of england is expected to raise main interest later for the 14th time in a row. is expected to raise main interest laterfor the 14th time in a row. it is helping to tackle high inflation but some analysts are concerned that the high cost of borrowing could cause a recession. greenpeace has been staging a protest at the home of the prime minister. activists are on the roof and have covered the building in black fabric. they are protesting the government decision to allow oil and gas drilling in the north sea. downing street says the

police are there and rishi sunak will not apologise for ensuring energy security. the deputy prime minister... plans have been delayed after safety concerns. donald trump is due to appear in court in washington later where security is being ramped up. he is accused of conspiring to change the results of the 2020 election. he is also facing separate charges related to his handling of classified documents and falsifying of business records. denies all charges. good morning. great to have your company this morning. that question we are asking, is a rate rise good for you? the reason we are asking is because lots of expectation, the bank of england is going to increase

its base rate to 5.25%. from the current 5%. remember, in legislation did fall, much more than expected in june, at 7.9%, the lowest level in over one year. it is still nearly four times higher than the bank of england target of 2%. the tuc are seeing a rate hike today is the very last thing that we need. manufacturing figures last month, the worse for the year which they are pointing out as well. house prices falling, the fastest rate in 14 prices falling, the fastest rate in m years last month. mortgage course iii years last month. mortgage course hitting a 15 year 1a years last month. mortgage course hitting a 15 year high. if you own a business, if you are looking to buy, if you are one of those coming off a fixed rate, call 08085 909 693, and what about savers? they should be your moment. the financial watchdog has already this week... welcome

back. you are watching bbc news. we have had some technical problems. let's return to our top story now. here in the uk. we start this hour here in the uk where home owners, renters and business owners are waiting for an interest rates decision — in two hours' time — from the bank of england. it's expected to increase them for a 14th time in a row. the bank's main interest rate is already at 5 percent — the highest in more than 15 years. it will be the latest move to combat high inflation — currently running at four times higher than the official target. hannah miller has this report. for father—of—two peter, sorting out the family finances is proving hard. he and his wife bought their first home using the help to buy scheme. but when their mortgage comes up for renewal early next year, they'll have to find an extra £750 a month in repayments. somehow we're supposed to spend less and find £750 extra

a month to pay for that. so, you know, for many families, it's a terrifying situation. if you have young families like ourselves who have been swayed into the housing market by government, whose advertised help to buy as an affordable scheme, right, when things become unaffordable, you can't simply turn around and say, that's your problem. a rise of 0.25 percentage points would take the bank of england's base rate to 5.25%, the highest since april 2008. for someone with an average tracker mortgage of £200,000, that would mean a rise of more than £23 a month. and for around 800,000 homeowners due to renegotiate their fixed deal in the second half of this year, it could mean an even bigger increase in their monthly repayments. whites, good afternoon. but at this estate agent in salisbury they say

there are still more people wanting houses than there are properties available. a supply and demand issue that tony believes will prevent house prices from plummeting even as mortgage costs go up. our sales figures are pretty much the same as they were through the pandemic. what's changed is the price levels. so our higher end is definitely quieter, but our lower end is busier. you wouldn't think first time buyers were on the scene, but they are. and i think that's due to the high rents. rents are climbing very, very quickly and first time buyers are saying, should we take a mortgage or should we spend the rent and lose the money? and parents are helping the first time buyers, so the lower end is propping everything else up. but the bank of england hopes that raising interest rates will bring down demand in the wider economy as it tries to slow the rise in the cost of living just enough without causing a period of decline. hannah miller, bbc news.

let's talk to paul dales, chief uk economist at capital economics. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. let's look at the reason behind this. why would the bank of england do this? the behind this. why would the bank of england do this?— behind this. why would the bank of england do this? the truth is the uk still has an inflation _ england do this? the truth is the uk still has an inflation problem, - england do this? the truth is the uk still has an inflation problem, yes, | still has an inflation problem, yes, it is true that the overall rate of inflation has come down from 11% at the end of last year to the latest ofjust below the end of last year to the latest of just below 8%, the end of last year to the latest ofjust below 8%, if the end of last year to the latest of just below 8%, if you the end of last year to the latest ofjust below 8%, if you look beneath that and look at the drivers of inflation such as wage growth, wage growth is accelerating too close to 7% and unless the bank of england reduces that rate of wage growth, inflation is never going to fully return to the 2% target and stay there. that means the bank has to raise interest rates to take a bit more money out of the pockets of people to convince businesses not to

raise wages and prices as rapidly. i raise wages and prices as rapidly. i think the audience will hear you saying taking money out of our pockets and panicking, so many people are already struggling to keep their heads above water, pay their mortgage, the cost of living crisis, is it really fair to take more money out of the pockets of people? more money out of the pockets of --eole? ., ., , , more money out of the pockets of --eole? ., . , , ., ., people? unfortunately, it is not a ureat people? unfortunately, it is not a great situation, _ people? unfortunately, it is not a great situation, inflation - people? unfortunately, it is not a great situation, inflation does - great situation, inflation does that. inflation does it by stealth, it does it to everyone, and it makes a really big difference over a long period of time if you have inflation well above the 2% target. so, actually, this is the lesser of two evils, it is creating some pain for households and businesses, but unfortunately, that probably has to be necessary to get inflation back which means everyone would be any better position further ahead. it is like if you are ill and the medicine taste very nice, it is still

sensible to take the medicine for the long—term benefits of the economy and everyone with a net. and? thank you very much for speaking to us.— and? thank you very much for s-ueakin to us. _, ., , let's bring you some breaking news. here, the environmental group greenpeace says protesters have climbed on to the roof of prime minister rishi sunak�*s yorkshire home. activists blanketed the building in black fabric. the protest was aimed at mr sunak�*s announcement earlier this week — backing more licences for oil and gas drilling in the north sea. the prime minister's office says police are at the scene. let's speak to our our political correspondent jonathan blake at westminster. talk is three what is happening,

lots of pictures of activists outside the home of the prime minister. , ., , ., minister. the first we saw was a ost minister. the first we saw was a post from _ minister. the first we saw was a post from greenpeace _ minister. the first we saw was a post from greenpeace on - minister. the first we saw was a post from greenpeace on social| minister. the first we saw was a - post from greenpeace on social media this morning which showed that picture of activists having scaled the roof of rishi sunakconstituency home in north yorkshire. they unfurled a giant black fabric and they have done this, they say, in protest at the recent announcement for new and oil gas drilling licences in the north sea describing that as a new drilling frenzy and in a statement put out by greenpeace to accompany this protest, they say they object to him backing a major expansion of north sea oil and gas drilling admits to a summer of escalating climate impacts, the banner reads, rishi sunak, oil profits are ourfuture? banner reads, rishi sunak, oil profits are our future? we desperately need the prime minister to be a climate leader and not a climate arsonist. the disc —— might

they describe it as cynical beyond belief. there has been a response or a source in number ten who has told us that the police are under way. that was half an hour ago, they could be there by now. they have engaged on the issue that greenpeace are protesting about as well saying they make no apology for taking the right approach to ensure energy security using the resources we have at home so we are never reliant on aggressors like president putin for our energy, we are also investing in renewables and our approach supports thousands of british jobs. 0ne renewables and our approach supports thousands of british jobs. one more update to bring you from north yorkshire police, they say they are responding to an ongoing protest incident at an address in yorkshire. and? thank you very much. jonathan blake reporting from westminster. we will keep you up—to—date with the story as it develops. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other

stories making news police investigating the alleged murder of a woman have released cctv of her in a bid to find her body. a murder investigation was launched after 48—year—old fiona holm was reported missing in london by her family on 29june. officers believe she was killed up to nine days earlier. last month, there was a full... in the number of people visiting high street shops, retail parks and shopping centres. the analysis firm, springboard, says it is the first time since 2009 that footfall has declined between june and july. rising interest rates, the wet weather and industrial action on the railways are thought to be responsible. and a reminder about interest rates — a decision is expected at midday the bank of england. we'll be live in the city of london when the decision is announced.

uart live with bbc news. the other big story we are following today is in the us where security has been tightened in washington ahead of former president donald trump's appearance in court later. he's been charged with plotting to overturn the presidential result of 2020. the 45—page indictment, or charge sheet, accuses him of knowingly spreading �*pervasive and destabilising lies' about election fraud, that threatened american democracy. mr trump's campaign has likened the allegations to the persecution inflicted in nazi germany. the former president has now been impeached twice, arrested twice and charged in three criminal cases. let's speak to nicole d'antonio from cbs news. thank you forjoining us. give us an

update, we are hearing security has been tightened, donald trump, he usually does appear in court, are we expecting him today and what do we expecting him today and what do we expect to happen? that expecting him today and what do we meet to happen?— expecting him today and what do we expect to happen? that is one of the big questions — expect to happen? that is one of the big questions if— expect to happen? that is one of the big questions if he _ expect to happen? that is one of the big questions if he will— expect to happen? that is one of the big questions if he will be _ expect to happen? that is one of the big questions if he will be in - big questions if he will be in person or virtually. donald trump, the former president was given the option. i want to mention if he appears in person it is unlikely we will see him, a little peek behind the curtain here, no cameras are allowed inside the courthouse. there is also an underground tunnel underneath where we are standing that can bring the former president and of the courthouse. we know that and of the courthouse. we know that a lot of eyes will be on this courthouse later today and also a lot of security. there we are standing, iam born lot of security. there we are standing, i am born and lot of security. there we are standing, iam born and bred lot of security. there we are standing, i am born and bred from this area, there is a lot of security around the federal courthouse, we are blocks away from the us. these security barriers went up the us. these security barriers went up overnight and the police have said they are working with the law

enforcement to ensure that things stay safe in this area. we will keep a close eye on this, the first court appearance arching at four o'clock this afternoon. we appearance arching at four o'clock this afternoon.— this afternoon. we will have the court case. _ this afternoon. we will have the court case. he _ this afternoon. we will have the court case, he may _ this afternoon. we will have the court case, he may arrive, - this afternoon. we will have the court case, he may arrive, whatj this afternoon. we will have the - court case, he may arrive, what are we expecting to happen afterwards? what are the proceedings after that? that is one of the big questions. the timing of all this. special counsel has said he wants a speedy trial, we will have to see what happens, that is one of the many questions that we are hoping to see here as all of this unrolls today and in the coming weeks and months. donald trump, he is not against putting out statements, going on social media and making his was clear, what do you think donald trump might do next following on from this court appearance? is he

going to go back rallying to become the next president? i going to go back rallying to become the next president?— the next president? i want to mention you _ the next president? i want to mention you said _ the next president? i want to mention you said the - the next president? i want to mention you said the former| mention you said the former president has been very vocal, again, giving another statement on his social platform over night where he argued his actions were not criminal, he also said that he wants to move this case from here in washington to a estate in west virginia, this isjust one of washington to a estate in west virginia, this is just one of three indictments that he is facing just this year, those are just one of a number of questions that he faces today. number of questions that he faces toda . ., ~ i. number of questions that he faces toda . . ~' ,, , number of questions that he faces toda. ., , . number of questions that he faces toda . ., ~ i. , . ., number of questions that he faces toda. ., , . ., today. thank you very much, from cbs news bringing — today. thank you very much, from cbs news bringing as _ today. thank you very much, from cbs news bringing as up-to-date - today. thank you very much, from cbs news bringing as up-to-date as - news bringing as up—to—date as donald trump is expected to head to court later today. next to niger — and the aftermath of last week's military coup. in the last hour president biden has called for the immediate release of the country's elected president, mohamed bazoum, and for the preservation of democratic rule.

the uk has become the latest country to cut the number of diplomatic staff it has in niger — due to ongoing security issues. 0ur correspondent catherine byaruhanga is following developments on the ground in nigerfrom nairobi. she sent this update a short while ago. things seem to be changing today, and that's because an influential civil society coalition called m62 has called for widespread protests in niger today. they say that they're there to support the new military leaders in the country against international and regional pressure to step down. so protests are expected to centre in the capital, niamey. now, when there were similar protests over the weekend, the french embassy was attacked, its windows were smashed, and that then led to france and other western countries, including the uk, urging its citizens to leave the country.

and now what we're hearing from the uk government is that they think the security situation could get worse because today is also independence day in niger when it gained independence from france. it's expected these protests might be bigger than previous ones, and that's why the uk government is withdrawing some of its embassy staff. the united states is also making a similar move, withdrawing nonessential diplomatic staff at its embassy in niger. very interesting. there has been international reaction to this, of course. niger is a strategic security base for western countries. what steps do we know of are being made to resolve the situation, if any? so you have a lot of actors really trying to resolve the situation there in niamey. so on the one hand, you have the united states. the secretary of state actually

spoke to the former president, who we believe is still being held by the military, saying that he wanted to remind him that they're committed to a return to civilian rule in the country. a large part of the effort at the moment is being carried out by regional countries, parts of a regional bloc called ecowas. now they're trying different strategies. 0n the one hand, there are diplomatic talks. they've sent high level delegations to niamey to speak to the military there to urge them to step down. but they've also issued a threat. they've said that if the military doesn't hand power back to civilians by the weekend, there could be possible military intervention. now, this is something that nobody in the region wants to see. there's a real risk that they could make the situation worse because you could have an all—out conflict. now, in niger, ecowas is saying this is a last resort. but we're seeing that the situation is developing really quickly on the ground. you do have some countries

in the region — burkina faso, mali — who are backing the military and they would say they would step in to defend the military in niger. so it's a complicated situation, but all of this is pointing to the fact that right now it seems like the military leaders really are in power in niger and they have no plans of stepping down. and we're also just hearing, catherine, that there's been sanctions imposed. just talk us through those briefly and how they're affecting not only coup leaders, but people on the ground. exactly. so sanctions really are the first tool that ecowas has used in trying to punish the military, really. so first of all, there have been financial sanctions, assets freezes, the borders with ecowas countries have been closed. and then there was this story yesterday of cuts of electricity supplies to niger, and then people saw blackouts. so this also points to the fact that even though international partners,

regional partners might want to impose sanctions to force the military to step down, there is going to be an impact on people in the country. so we've seen also european countries cutting back aid. the world bank is cutting back financial support for the government. all of this is eventually going to impact services and that will affect a lot of people on the ground in niger, which is already one of the world's poorest countries. 0ur correspondent reporting. back to the uk. now football fans of birmingham city here in the uk got a bit of a shock when they woke up this morning. the club shared this video from an american football legend. have a look. so here's the deal. i'm officially coming on board at birmingham city football club. and maybe you're asking, "what do you know about english football, tom?" well, let's just say,

i've got a lot to learn. yes, seven—time super bowl champion tom brady isjoining championship side birmingham city — not to play — but rather as a minority owner. the nfl legend retired from the sport in february. let's get more from our sports presenter hugh ferris. we have seen the likes of wrexham, and hugh is of wrexham, this just another example of foreign investors seeing a lot of value in english football clubs? is slightly different situation to wrexham because there is no talk in that, either a video or pronouncement from birmingham city or their new owners who art the night said capital management group, from america, of any investment by tom brady. he is becoming a minority owner because a partnership he has entered with night said to spread

the word of his expertise not only in terms of leadership and success on the american football field but in terms of nutrition which he credits to the that he fact was able to play until the age of a5. the deal at wrexham is an investment, they bought the club, they had the money, but this from tom brady as more of a growing trend among superstars who are getting involved in more of a pr capacity, the minority owner of burnley recently promoted to the premier league, lebronjames in the fenway sports group that owns liverpool football club, lewis hamilton has a small stake in the denver broncos, a reverse of the uk to american sports scene. there is, yes, a growing trend, the pr late superstar names helping to not only increase the brand value of the team, but birmingham city will be known to a lot of people in the united states

of america, and also to the financial value to some of the investors coming in and investing in what is a team that finished 17th in the championship last season. thank ou ve the championship last season. thank you very much- _ stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. 0ver hello again. over the next few days the weather is unsettled and it's not until the middle of next week that things will settle down as high pressure starts to build then. we have isobars throwing the direction of the wind from the north or north—west. it is filling and cloud across northern scotland with patchy rain on and off through the course of the day. the rain across the southwest and channel islands continuing to pull away, in between we will see further showers develop, they will be scattered. some heavy ones at rosyth in scotland, northern

england and the west midlands. top temperatures up to 21 degrees. through this evening and overnight, these showers will move from central parts of the country to the east. this will allow clear skies and future errors in the west. blustery though. overnight, 13 or 1a celsius, cooler than last night. we have extensive cloud across eastern england, producing showers, heavy and thundery in lincolnshire, east anglia, the south—east, bright skies with fewer showers in the north and west, the cloud will build the northern ireland ahead of the next system. temperatures 13 to 20 celsius. the next system is another area of low pressure pushing across as overnight friday into saturday. the position and timing might change but this is what we think at the moment. heavy rain sweeping across to all but the far north of

scotland. windy as well, the strongest winds in the west and through the english channel. it could prove to be more windy than it was yesterday with 61 mph. temperatures 13 celsius to 17 degrees or 19 degrees. the low pressure pushes away and we will have dry weather, some showers in the forecast, it will not be as windy and temperatures 1a degrees to 20 degrees. with light winds it will feel more pleasant. the outlook beyond that, the beginning of the week unsettled, the middle of the week unsettled, the middle of the week temperatures start to rise, it looks like the weather will settle down, but we don't know how long for.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the bank of england is expected to raise interest rates to 5.25% — the highest in 15 years. environmental campaigners wrap the prime minister's yorkshire home in black fabric, in a protest against oil and gas drilling. and freddie mercury fans are in full rhapsody—mode as a new exhibition promises �*a kind of magic�*. we are nowjust 90 minutes away from the bank of england decision on interest rates.

the bank is expected to increase them for a 1ath time in a row. many economists expect the base rate to rise by 0.25 percentage points, to 5.25%. that would be the highest rate for more than 15 years. it'll be the bank's latest move to combat high inflation. let's talk to our work and money reporter peter ruddick. just reporter peter ruddick. talk us through why the ba doing just talk us through why the bank is doing this and what it means for people who, for example have mortgages?— mortgages? absolutely. it is a twistin: mortgages? absolutely. it is a twisting day — mortgages? absolutely. it is a twisting day for _ mortgages? absolutely. it is a twisting day for the _ mortgages? absolutely. it is a twisting day for the bank - mortgages? absolutely. it is a twisting day for the bank of i twisting day for the bank of england. 18 months on from the first interest rate hike, essentially, backin interest rate hike, essentially, back in december 2021. think what we are beginning to get now is the economic theory meeting the reality for households and businesses. therefore, a debate, remember this is a choice about whether this is the right choice, the medicine to try and cure inflation is worth the