hello, i'm frankie mccamley. we are nowjust an hour away from the bank of england's interest rates decision which will be keenly watched by mortgage holders, renters and business owners here in the uk. many economists expect the base rate to rise to 5.25%. that would be the highest rate for more than 15 years. it comes after a series of moves by the bank to tackle high inflation. 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 is a terrifying situation. you know, if you have young families like ourselves who have been swayed into the housing market by government, who's 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. 0ur sale figures are pretty much the same as they were through the pandemic. what has 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 is 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 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 fran boait, director of campaign group positive money. thank you forjoining us here as we approach the decision by the bank of england due in 57 minutes�* time to be exact. just on the programme we had rebecca, a mother of five, who kindly shared her story about how she is struggling, but we are potentially going to see these interest—rate increases. isn't this the lesser of two evils to avoid runaway inflation? my organisation has been outside _ runaway inflation? my organisation has been outside the _ runaway inflation? my organisation has been outside the banking - runaway inflation? my organisation | has been outside the banking today demonstrating and making two demands, firstly they don't raise rates. this is the wrong tool for tackling inflation and it will deepen the cost of living crisis as your listeners and viewers are saying, and secondly, the government

implements a windfall tax on banks, who are the top winners from these rate hikes and who are making billions off the back of them. we know tackling inflation currently isn't straightforward. there are system level challenges like the impact of possible fuel prices, climate change, food prices, but that doesn't mean we should be responding using the wrong tools which rate hikes are. it will deepen the crisis for many households across the country. i the crisis for many households across the country.— the crisis for many households across the country. i mean, some economists — across the country. i mean, some economists are — across the country. i mean, some economists are saying _ across the country. i mean, some economists are saying this - across the country. i mean, some economists are saying this needs| across the country. i mean, some l economists are saying this needs to happen. it is short—term pain, long—term gain. but how badly would you say people have been struggling with these interest—rate hikes? and it's notjust that. we got the cost of living crisis, things are going up of living crisis, things are going up everywhere you look? 50 of living crisis, things are going up everywhere you look? so what we are seeinu up everywhere you look? so what we are seeing i — up everywhere you look? so what we are seeing i think _ up everywhere you look? so what we are seeing i think is _ up everywhere you look? so what we are seeing i think is 1.4 _ up everywhere you look? so what we are seeing i think is 1.4 million - are seeing i think is 1.4 million households whose disposable income look set to fall by about 20% and

that's likely to bring the uk economy into recession, maybe even a deep one. this idea from economists that what we will need is a recession to bring down demand isn't correct when we look at what driving inflation. the bank of england governor himself is said it's mainly energy prices, and we've seen those coming down which brought inflation down to an extent. it is not straightforward. it doesn't mean we should be using the wrong tools and rate hikes will not bring down interest rates and they may deepen and push it into reception and at the same time we are seeing banks who make 80% higher profits in the first half of this year, £30 billion, 80% higher than 2022, and there's no reason why we shouldn't be implementing a windfall tax, similar to what we saw in the gas and oil companies also benefiting from the cost of living crisis. a tax of around 35% could bring in £20 billion to the government which could help support households who are really struggling right now. we

are really struggling right now. we are looking at the uk at the moment, focused on the bank of england in that announcement, but what about the rest of the world? is this something that's specifically unique to the uk? we something that's specifically unique to the uk? ~ ., ~' something that's specifically unique to the uk? ~ ., ~ ., to the uk? we work in the usa and the eu and — to the uk? we work in the usa and the eu and everywhere, _ to the uk? we work in the usa and the eu and everywhere, and - to the uk? we work in the usa and the eu and everywhere, and we - to the uk? we work in the usa andi the eu and everywhere, and we are talking about the fact we do have the system level drivers, fossil inflation climate inflation, not going away anytime soon. the european central bank project by 2030 food prices may be contributing 3% to inflation annually, so what we are seeing is challenges economic policy has not faced before so we really need to think what are our targets, our policies, ourtools really need to think what are our targets, our policies, our tools and what is the institutional setup that can be done? at the moment wejust don't have the right tools or the right institutional setup for the job. right institutional setup for the 'ob. . ~ right institutional setup for the 'ob. ., ~ , ., , . right institutional setup for the job. 0k, thank you very much for shafini job. 0k, thank you very much for sharing your _ job. 0k, thank you very much for sharing your insight _ job. 0k, thank you very much for sharing your insight on _ job. 0k, thank you very much for sharing your insight on bbc - job. 0k, thank you very much forl sharing your insight on bbc news. so a reminder the bank of england decision is in 50 minutes' time.

we will bring you that decision live here on bbc news and you can also follow it on the live page on the bbc news website or app. staying in the uk, 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 go to westminster. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is there for us now. jonathan, just bring it up to date with what we know so far.-

jonathan, just bring it up to date with what we know so far. well, a cou - le with what we know so far. well, a coule of with what we know so far. well, a couple of hours _ with what we know so far. well, a couple of hours ago _ with what we know so far. well, a couple of hours ago now- with what we know so far. well, a i couple of hours ago now greenpeace posted on social media a striking picture of activists outside the prime ministers family in his constituency in north yorkshire, covering the facade of what is quite a sizeable country residence there in black fabric and they were holding a banner in front of that saying rishi sunak, oil profits or ourfuture? a statement saying rishi sunak, oil profits or our future? a statement released by greenpeace accompanying this protest this morning says that it is against the prime minister mammoth backing of major expansion of north sea oil and gas drilling licences amidst what they say is a summer of escalating climate impacts. they go on that we desperately need our prime minister to be a climate leader, not a climate arsonist as they put it, calling the expansion of oil and gas drilling in the north sea cynical beyond belief. there was a relatively swift response from downing street. a source from number ten said we make no apology for

taking the right approach to ensure our energy security, using the resources we have here at home to never reliant on aggressors like putin for energy and we are investing in renewables and out protecting thousands of british jobs for provoking something of a debate over the governments approach to energy security, which earlier this week saw the prime minister announced those new licences for oil and gas drilling in the north sea which drew sharp criticism from environmental groups and others. but there's also a course a security aspect to what has happened here and the police in north yorkshire told us firstly they were responding to an ongoing protest incident at an address in the village with the prime minister is houses, they say they are at the scene now and managing the situation. the protesters seem to be staying put for the time being and the prime minister and his family are not there. they are on holiday or going

on holiday to california as he said yesterday in an interview. qm. yesterday in an interview. 0k, jonathan. _ yesterday in an interview. 0k, jonathan. i— yesterday in an interview. 0k, jonathan, ijust _ yesterday in an interview. 0k, jonathan, i just think - yesterday in an interview. 0k, jonathan, i just think it's - jonathan, ijust think it's important to note that the bbc doesn't usually use video film by campaign groups but we are on this story to help you understand the serious security concerns raised and we are showing those pictures from the campaign group there as campaign groups have been to rishi sunak putt house in yorkshire. jonathan, what are we hearing from the prime minister's office? what are they saying? what are the police saying? this is a serious, serious operation taking place. this is a serious, serious operation taking place-— taking place. well, the police are sa in: taking place. well, the police are saying that _ taking place. well, the police are saying that they _ taking place. well, the police are saying that they are _ taking place. well, the police are saying that they are managing i taking place. well, the police are| saying that they are managing the situation on the scene. there seems to be quite a sizeable police presence they are now from what we can see. very various vehicles and doris is diverting traffic and keeping pedestrians away. they say

they are managing the situation. from downing street, nothing officially on the record, but a source at number ten sending us a quote to say they make no apology for the energy policy that downing street is pursuing. the security implications are perhaps not what they might be if the prime minister was at home or even in the area, he and his family are away, but nevertheless, perhaps highlighting some concerns about the ease of access that these protesters were able to get to the prime minister's family home there. there has been limited political reaction. 0ne msp, member of the scottish parliament murdoch fraser conservative saying this action is beyond the pale and the book should be thrown at protesters staging stunts like this. thank you for that update, jonathan blake, reporting there, and will be

following that story closely. now to the us, where security has been tightened in washington ahead of former president donald trump's appearance in court later. we are seeing some live pictures now as the sun begins to rise on capitol hill for what will be another busy day of politics. he'll be formally charged with plotting to overturn the result of presidential election in 2020. a 45—page indictment, or charge sheet, accuses him of knowingly spreading "pervasive and destabilising lies" and threatening american democracy. mr trump's campaign has likened the allegations to the persecution carried out by nazi germany. the former president has now been impeached twice, arrested twice and charged in three criminal cases. earlier i spoke to nicole d antonio from cbs news who said he may not be seen in person.

0ne one of the big question is whether he will be here in person or virtually, donald trump was the former president, and was given the option but i do want to mention if he appears here in person it's very unlikely we will see him so a little peek behind the curtain here. actually no cameras are allowed inside the score is behind me. there's also this underground tunnel underneath where we are standing that can bring the former president in and out of the courthouse, but we do know that a lot of eyes will be on this courthouse later today and also a lot of security so where we are standing in this area there is a lot of security here around the federal courthouse. we are just blocks away from the us capitol. these security barriers just behind me, theyjust went up overnight and dc police have also said they're working with law enforcement to make sure things stay safe in this area but we are going to keep a close eye on this. that first court appearance starting at 4pm this afternoon. we

will have a court case, donald trump may arrive, what are we expecting to happen afterwards? what are proceedings after that? well, that's one of the big _ proceedings after that? well, that's one of the big question _ proceedings after that? well, that's one of the big question is, - proceedings after that? well, that's one of the big question is, the - one of the big question is, the timing of all of this. special counseljack smith has said he wants a speedy trial. we will have to see what happens but that's one of the many questions that we are hoping to see here as all of this unrolls both today and in the coming weeks and months. �* ., .., , today and in the coming weeks and months. ., , ., , months. and of course, donald trump, he's not against — months. and of course, donald trump, he's not against putting _ months. and of course, donald trump, he's not against putting out _ he's not against putting out statements, going on to social media and making his voice 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?— rallying to become the next resident? ~ ., ., ., .,

president? well, and i do want to mention, president? well, and i do want to mention. you _ president? well, and i do want to mention, you said _ president? well, and i do want to mention, you said the _ president? well, and i do want to mention, you said the former - mention, you said the former president has been very vocal again giving another statement on his truth social platform overnight where he argues his actions were not criminal. he also said that he wants to move this case from here in washington, dc to a neighbouring state in western virginia so of course this is just one of three indictments that he is facing just this year, but again, those are just one of a number of questions that he faces today. this is just the latest court case that mr trump is facing as our washington correspondent, nomia iqbal, explains. third time round, and it's another indictment and another court appearance for the former president, donald trump. this time, he's heading to the scene of the alleged crime — washington, dc. but this criminal indictment is staggering. a former president stands accused of trying to overturn democracy, of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

the investigation is focused in detail on what donald trump did from the moment he refused to concede the election in november 2022, to the capitol riots that unfolded two months later, here in dc. we saw his supporters storm congress, as lawmakers certified democratic president joe biden's victory. donald trump denies any wrongdoing. he calls this indictment ridiculous, and has repeated his claims that this is all part of a political witchhunt. in his previous arraignments, donald trump has appeared in court in new york and in miami. this time, he has the option to appear virtually in the courthouse behind me. the judge overseeing the trial, judge tanya chutkan was appointed by former president barack 0bama. she is known for handing out some of the most severe sentences for rioters charged over january the 6th. the republican frontrunner now faces an extraordinary mix of criminal and civil trials over the next year. donald trump has said,

if he is convicted orjailed, it won't stop him from running for the presidency. 0ur washington correspondent, nomia iqbal reporting. and a reminder we will have full live coverage of donald trump's court appearance from 2pm washington time. that's 7pm here in the uk on bbc news. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. police investigating the disappearance of a woman have released cctv of her, in an attempt to find her body. a murder investigation was launched after 48—year—old fiona holm was reported missing in london by her family onjune 29th.

last month there was a fall 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 at 12.15, we're running a special your questions answered session here on bbc news as a decision on interest rates is expected at midday from the bank of england. if the rate does move its going to have an impact on many so please be sure to send in your questions using the hashtag bbc your questions. you're live with bbc news. next to niger and some breaking news. in the past few minutes france has said that it has finished the evacuation of hundreds of french and european citizens from the country after the coup last week. in total, 1,079 people

were evacuated, including 577 french nationals. us presidentjoe 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 from 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. 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.

earlier i spoke to bbc sport's hugh ferris. i asked him whether today's news was another example of foreign investors, like ryan reynolds, seeing high value — in english football. u nfortu nately we unfortunately we do not have that report. the deputy prime minister 0liver dowden has said he thinks the british people are "sick of these stupid stunts" after greenpeace protesters scaled rishi sunak�*s home in north yorkshire. 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. more now on police being called to rishi sunak putt house in yorkshire after greenpeace climbed on top of the property to stage a protest and the property to stage a protest and the uk deputy prime minister has been reacting to the stunt. i think most people would say can you stop the stupid stunts. actually what they want to see from government is action, that's what you're seeing here today, the worlds largest offshore wind farm being built right here, creating jobs but, at the same time, we are going to needin at the same time, we are going to need in the coming decades oil and gas as part of our energy fix. the question is do we produce it here when we get more tax, we create more jobs microns do we do what the labour party never say which is say no more investment in the north sea

and gas, that means fewerjobs here, and gas, that means fewerjobs here, and more reliance on less stable energy which is shipped into this country? i don't think that's a sensible approach and it's not one this government is to take. that was the prime jeopardy _ this government is to take. that was the prime jeopardy premised - this government is to take. that was the prime jeopardy premised on - this government is to take. that was the prime jeopardy premised on a i the primejeopardy premised on a medallion speaking here. this is bbc news. hello again. 0verthe medallion speaking here. this is bbc news. hello again. over the next few days the weather remains unsettled. it's not until the middle of next week it looks like things will settle down a touch as high pressure starts to build in. but today what we've got our isobars are showing the direction of the wind coming from the north and the north—west. that is pulling in a fair bit of cloud across northern scotland with some patchy rain on and off through the course of the day. this mornings rain across the south—west and the channel islands continuing to pull away. in between we'll see further showers developing but they will be well scattered. some heavy ones across south—east scotland, northern england and also the west midlands.

top temperatures up to 21. through this evening and overnight, the showers will tend to move from central parts of the country over toward the east. allowing clearer skies with fewer showers in the west. still quite blustery, though. 0vernight lows 10—14. a little bit cooler than last night. tomorrow, eastern parts of england producing some showers here and there. lincolnshire, east anglia, the south—east, brighter skies with fewer showers in the north and west. then the cloud. to build in northern ireland ahead of this next system coming our way. temperatures, 13—20. the next system coming our way is another area of low pressure. that will push across us, overnight friday into saturday, positioning and timing can change that this is what we think at the moment. heavy rain sweeping across us to all but the far north of scotland. it's going to be windy with the strongest

winds especially with exposure in the west and through the english channel. it could well prove to be windier than it was yesterday with gusts up to 61 mph or so. temperatures, 13—19. as we head into sunday, the low pressure pulls away allowing a lot of dry weather to come our way. there will still be some showers in the forecast. it won't be as windy and temperatures 14-20. with a bit won't be as windy and temperatures 14—20. with a bit more sunshine and lighter winds it will feel that bit more pleasant. the outlook beyond that, beginning of the week still remains unsettled. as we head into the middle of the week temperatures start to rise and it looks like the weather will settle down but for how long is the question.

ever higher rates. within the next half hour, the bank of england is expected to announce an rise in interest rates for the 14th time. but is it enough to rein in inflation? plus — screen burn! shares of chinese tech firms sink — on beijing's plans to crack down on under—18 smartphone use. welcome to world business report. i'm ben thompson. we start here in the uk — where the cost of borrowing

is on the rise again. within this half hour, the bank of england is expected to increase interest rates by at least a quarter of a percent, as it battles to bring inflation under control. it would be the 14th rate rise in a row, piling yet more pressure on many households and businesses. the bank's main interest rate is already at 5% — the highest in around 15 years. inflation is starting to ease but consumer prices are still rising at almost 8% a year. that's four times the bank's target. so it has a tricky balancing act to perform — reining in inflation without strangling the economy. let's cross live now to dr steve nolan, who's a senior lecturer in economics at liverpooljohn moores university. we've not got long to wait. what are you expecting? i we've not got long to wait. what are you meeting?— you expecting? i think there will be a rate rise and _