a moment, a big decision, ahead of a big the minister of a big meeting. the prime minister heads to see president trump in america tomorrow, but first, raging" ’ w raging; w holdinga iconference holdinga 7 conferencein been holding a news conference in downing street in the last half hour, and we have the hour, and we will have the highlights shortly. is announced from april. and will you be lucky enough to catch sight of the rare bottom side southampton.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. will increase over the next two years, from 2.3% of the national income to 2.5%. sir keir starmer said the world was entering a "dangerous new era". billons in extra spending. the move comes as sir keir starmer prepares to fly to washington here's our deputy poltitical editor, vicki young. unwavering support — that is what keir starmer ukraine's keir starmer promised ukraine's president when they met in last president when they met in kyiv last month. providing ukraine with the firepower to repel russia at a and leaders ' ”iand” m"'[e’;d’er;'5;v’em price, and europe's leaders have been told by america it's time they

picked up more of the bill. is picked up more of the bill. is peace in a - prosraect. _ picked up more of the bill. is peace in a - prospect, sir? - picked up more of the bill. is peace in a - prospect, sir? for - in a realistic prospect, sir? for cabinet in a realistic prospect, sir? pr?" cabinet ministers today, it meant signing off on a new spending plan, when prime minister when the prime minister described as having painful we when the prime minister described as having painful consequences. we must find couraue having painful consequences. we must find courage in — having painful consequences. we must find courage in _ courage . find sewage “fie estes-"3". firs-rage who we fine sewage �*ee bless-"3". sewage who we are a because and whg we are as a nation. because is what our own era now of us. so, w of us. so, starting today, i demands of us. so, starting today, i can announce, this government will begin the biggest sustained increase defence s-cendin since in defence spending since the end of the cold war. in defence spending since the end of the cold war-— the cold war. the urgent boost to defence, from _ the cold war. the urgent boost to defence, from - of _ the cold war. the urgent boost to defence, from - of national i defence, from 2.3% of national income to 2.5, bad news for the income to 2.5, is bad news for the foreign aid budget, which will be cut by foreign aid budget, which will be cut b ., , ., ., cut by billions. that is not an announcement _ cut by billions. that is not an announcement i _ cut by billions. that is not an announcement i i happy i cut by billions. that is not an announcement i i happy to cut by billions. that is not an - announcement i i happy to make. cut by billions. that is not an _ announcement i i happy to make. he announcement i am happy to make. he said would look for other savings said he would look for other savings to protect the on aid to proted'thespend' g . .'. but... nonetheless, it remains cut, and i will not _

but... nonetheless, it remains cut, and i will not pretend _ but... nonetheless, it remains cut, and i will not pretend otherwise. i but... nonetheless, it remains cut, | and i will not pretend otherwise. we will do everything we can return a world 77 a world whereé a world wherefthat is ; worldwheregthat i; ' " the” ' to a world where that is not the and rebuild a capability on but at times like development, but at times like this, the defence of the the defence and security of the british must always come british people must always come first. ., , ., ., ., , first. the conservative leader has -reviousl first. the conservative leader has previously called _ first. the conservative leader has previously called for _ first. the conservative leader has previously called for defence i previously called for defence to rise, and welfare and spending to rise, and welfare and aid to cut. spending to rise, and welfare and - aid to i cut-— should . should always come first, interest should always come first, so i'm _ interest should always come first, so i'm very— interest should always come first, so i'm very to hear the so i'm very pleased to hear the prime — so i'm very pleased to hear the prime minister announce that increased to 2.5% by 2027. we on the side of— increased to 2.5% by 2027. we on the side of the _ increased to 2.5% by 2027. we on the side of the house welcome that. we ai de' at t he i'- ggae— welcome t hat: we * a ll si de at t he hefiee wetter-fie t hat: we i all wanted to si de at t he hefiee wetter-fie t hat: we all wanted to see more spending have all wanted to see more spending on �* ., have all wanted to see more spending on �* ~ , , have all wanted to see more spending on �* . , , ., on defence. but there are plenty of dissentin: on defence. but there are plenty of dissenting voices. _ on defence. but there are plenty of dissenting voices. some overseas i dissenting voices. some overseas aid charities say they are stunned, that the move is reckless and a betrayal of the world's most vulnerable a view shared by some children, a view shared by some labour mps. children, a view shared by some labour mps-_ children, a view shared by some labour mps. i've got to say, i am hu:el , labour mps. i've got to say, i am hugely. hugely — labour mps. i've got to say, i am hugely. hugely - at - labour mps. i've got to say, i am hugely, hugely - at this |

hugely, hugely frustrated at this very decision. it is hugely, hugely frustrated at this ver�* wrong decision. it is hugely, hugely frustrated at this ver�* wrong decision. ecision. it is hugely, hugely frustrated at this ver�* wrong decision. it's .ion. it is hugely, hugely frustrated at this ver�* wrong decision. it's going: is hugely, hugely frustrated at this ver�* wrong decision. it's going to the wrong decision. it's going to impact notjust on the poorest of the world but also on us does not make us here. this does not make us safer. preventing conflict makes us safer, and that's what development money and that's what development meney and that's what develepment meney mu mg: world's poorest children will be deprived — world's poorest children will be deprived of the support that provides, 5 provides, includin- aid provides, including vaccinations, support for nutrition lihooii 77 lihoofit 77 lihooiit e 77 % lihooiit % a decision? eéeisfizs; e eiifef will cause %:—27' 7 fifii fifecaus government éicaus government to i that will cause the government to themselves in that will cause the government to - i themselves in the i that will cause the government to themselves in the foot. at the shut themselves in the foot. at the we shut themselves in the foot. at the _ we - a _ shut themselves in the foot. at the _ we - a being _ shut themselves in the foot. at the we a being pitted shut themselves in the foot. at the defence, a being pitted shut themselves in the foot. at the defence, one ring pitted shut themselves in the foot. at the defence, one of; pitted shut themselves in the foot. at the defence, one of the ted shut themselves in the foot. at the defence, one of the other, against defence, one of the other, when _ against defence, one of the other, when in _ against defence, one of the other, when in fact these two things are crilical— when in fact these two things are critical and — when in fact these two things are critical and together. that when in fact these two things are critical and i together. critical and work together. that is not how president _ critical and work together. that is not how president trump - critical and work together. that is not how president trump sees i critical and work together. that is not how president trump sees it. | critical and work together. that is i not how president trump sees it. he others, including the french, 755537" " 7 spend more 7§57eriéiho7fe 7777d7efe7ndi7ng7 7 7 to spend more on defending themselves. in a press conference this evening, keir starmer was asked whether he had simply caved to pressure from america. - whether he had simply caved to pressure from america. i think, in our heart of _ pressure from america. i think, in our heart of - we've - pressure from america. i think, in our heart of - we've all- pressure from america. i think, in i our heart of - we've all known ow heartofhe-arts(we�*veall'known this decision has coming = -7 three years, 7 three years, the 7 three years, the beginnir7ig for three years, since the beginning of the conflict in ukraine. the last

have accelerated my few weeks have accelerated my thinking on when we to make announcement. 77n7nouncement. 77 7 in this announcement. ii??? in washinuton later this announcement; i in washington lam- this announcement; i in washington later this week. i be in washington later this week. people hope announcement people hope today's announcement deflects some donald was my deflects some of donald trump was my criticism. young, bbc criticism. vicki young, bbc news, westminster. here's our defence correspondent, jonathan beale. britain is still a major european military power. one of only two european that has european countries that has nuclear weapons. the royal is one of weapons. the royal navy is one of few to operate aircraft neither come but it carriers. neither come cheap. but it is russia's invasion of another that has ramped up european nation that has ramped up pressure more on the pressure to spend more on defence. ., the pressure to spend more on defence. go! in reality, the defence. let's go! in reality, the uk's _ armed - defence. let's go! in reality, the uk's _ armed forces | defence. let's go! in reality, the i uk's _ armed forces have uk's conventional armed forces have suffered decades of cuts. the

regular army is now its smallest regular army is now at its smallest since napoleonic times, just since napoleonic times. just over strong. since napoleonic times. islet over strong. with since napoleonic times. joist over strong. with questions 70,000 strong. with fresh questions �* what 70,000 strong. with fresh questions �*what security guarantees the out 7 7 outuk7 7 out uk 7 7 forces could to the says this in minister says this increase in defence spending will be the largest sustained rise since the of the sustained rise since the end of the cold war. but it still to the levels of, say, britain back to the levels of, say, the 19505, spending was nearly the 19505, when spending was nearly of gdp on defence. you see here, 8% of gdp on defence. you see here, the red line gradually declining. line in blue shows health the line in blue shows health 5pending, the line in blue shows health spending, the opposite. so, a rise 2.5%7 2.5% 7by 7 2.5% 7by 2027 i5 2.5% 7by 2027 is still relatively uk 7 ukto 7 ukto be 7 ukto bea 7 uk to be a nation in the uk to be a leading nation in both nato and europe. but other nations have also been some by 7

some by even more. i5 spendir7ig is spending more i5 spendir7ig more than of poland is spending more than 4% of its gdp on now. germany has its gdp on defence now. germany has almost its defence budget. almost doubled its defence budget. the reality is, 2.5% be enough the reality is, 2.5% won't be enough reverse all cuts. you the reality is, 2.5% won't be enough i reverse all i cuts.— to reverse all the cuts. you won't be able to _ to reverse all the cuts. you won't be able to i every _ to reverse all the cuts. you won't be able to i every hole - to reverse all the cuts. you won't be able to i every hole in i to reverse all the cuts. you won't be able to i every hole in the i be able to fill every hole in the provision — be able to fill every hole in the provision of defence for this nat'. 1 two provision of defence for this nation im— provision of defence for this nation two years. that's simply not there is not the capacity 7-=e7 7_=e7 7 do that. it is 7 7 do that. it is a 7 7_i—— t7 i do that. it is a job of many- to do that. it is a job of many years. — to do that. it is a job of many years. but— to do that. it is a job of many years. but i_ to do that. it is a job of many years, but i think this will you start on increase will mean you can start on that in_ increase will mean you can start on that in a _ increase will mean you can start on that in a way— increase will mean you can start on that in a way which the country increase will mean you can start on that ir been l which the country increase will mean you can start on that ir been able :h the country increase will mean you can start on that ir been able tothe country increase will mean you can start on that ir been able to do country increase will mean you can start on that ir been able to do forintry hasn't been able to do for some time _ hasn't been able to do for some time. , , time. the government is still to -ublish time. the government is still to publish its _ time. the government is still to publish its - review, i time. the government is still to i publish its - review, setting its 7 its priorities, 7 its priorities, but 7 its priorities, but the 7 its priorities, but the war 7 its priorities, but the war in 7 its i has ties, but the war in 7 its i has highlighted 5 war in 7 it5 y has highlighted the r in 7 77 7 7 7 hay/qt. as well 7 77 7 7 7 tags. as well as 777t7ra7v7e7l.7a757wel7l7a5 gaps britain 7 britain cosmic defences. in britain cosmic defences. mo5t shortfalls in in britain cosmic defences. most shortfalls in long—range notably, shortfalls in long—range and air defence systems. artillery and air defence systems. ukraine also the

ukraine also illustrates the revolution in drone ukraine also illustrates the revol cash in drone arfaje 7 7 7 77 77 7 77 777 ukraine also illustrates the revol cash won't1e arfaje 7 7 7 77 77 7 77777 ukraine also illustrates the revol cash won't1e art the 7 7 7 77 77 7 77777 ukraine also illustrates the revol cash won't1e art the armed 7 7 7 77777 extra cash won't provide the armed forces with everything they want. but, for satisfying the trump but, as for satisfying the trump administration, it 75—777 7777 a administration, it is certainly a start. the us defence secretary has called it a strong step. jonathan beale, bbc news. now from westminster. is this about smoothing the way ahead of the prime minister's meeting with donald trump on thursday? it is at least partly about without question. it is not a := this announcement come toda , ahead of, what is has come todayrabeao ofrwhatsis prime has come todayrabeaoofrwhatsis prime minister doing tomorrow? theprimemainiatehdoi—ngtomerrow? , on a plane to washington z7=z to see our president was tomorrow to see our president was wildly unpredictable, but we know he

is keen for the us's alloys to spend more on defence, and personally keen on cutting aid budgets, so both em fifth“?! 5's! fidget? ff�* e�*fith of em fifth“?! 5's! headsets sf�* �*ffith of the budgeting ledger sides of the budgetingtedger'her’e the uk are likely to be in the uk are likely to be warmly received in the white house. but it is also that there has an is also true that there has been an argument for time building argument for some time building at westminster in a number of political = -: 77 leases?” parties suggesting that defence spending had to go up. and then came question as to how the question as to how that would and what the prime minister happen, and what the prime minister has managed find is a solution has managed to find is a solution that doesn't involve having to crank — .7 tax is further, 7 tax is further, nor 7 tax is further, nor c7ut up tax is yet further, nor cut domestic spending, which people might feel instantly but might feel thehfltaateaataut " f' , we migntfeelina’eantlgrdagztegdaitlesit' " ”” "’ we heard in migntfeel inatantlydagztegdaitg'tisit' " ”” " ’ we heard in vicki's there migntfeelina’eantlgrdagztegdaitlesit' " ”” "’ we heard in in:ki's there migntfeelina’eantlgrdagztegdaitlesit' " ”” "’ we heard in in:ki's and 'e was opposition in parliament and to these eight cuts, and beyond to these eight cuts, and there is of a question, there is of a bigger question, if you like, further —— aid cuts, a bigger question for the coming — even with these increases months — even with these increases

in defence an 7 777586522777 77 77 7777 7 7777pol7ic7ie577h7er7e7 77 7777 set icies here effectively set in es here effectively set in the ere effectively set in the ere house. yely being set in the white house. we are first hand being set in the white house. we are - first hand what _ being set in the white house. we are - first hand what conflict - mm in euro-e in 2025. we looks like in europe in 2025. we have _ looks like in europe in 2025. we have to — looks like in europe in 2025. we have to respond to that for the safety — have to respond to that for the safety and of our safet and secur' - - - | e is very safety and secur'gy g; gg; ggggggy m 77sa7fety and security of our country. is very much my decision, so this is very much mysdesis' - so this is very much myedesisions my of the that we face as a circumstances that we face as a country — circumstances that we face as a country - it _ circumstances that we face as a country. it is first and country. and it is taken, first and foremost, — country. and it is taken, first and foremost, to _ country. and it is taken, first and foremost, to ensure that the united foremost, to ensure that the limited and foremost, to ensure that the limited -m_ foremost, to ensure that the limited and its citizens are safe kimgdorfl’amd'rts titizensare—safe - m— kimgdorfl’and'rts citizens are safe secure. that is the kimgdorfl’andits citizens are safe secure. that is the first duty i have prime i i have . prime minister. it| é i have % prime minister. its that i have as prime minister. it is - duty— that i have as prime minister. it is - duty and — that i have as prime minister. it is duty and responsibility, and that my duty and responsibility, and that is why— my duty and responsibility, and that is why i_ my duty and responsibility, and that is why i have taken this decision todayl - as today.- - as the today. as the prime minister puts it, duty as the prime ministerputs it, radically in the last it has changed radically in the last couple of weeks. given what the has said, stepping away president has said, stepping away from potentially the president has said, stepping away from po umbrella the president has said, stepping away from po umbrella to the president has said, stepping away from po umbrella to europe that security umbrella to europe that america for a generation has offered. all of teeing up that offered. all afthis teeingup that to washington, offered. all afthis teeihgup that to washington, which will be

trip to washington, whishswill. be important, and trip to washington! whishswill. be important, and fascinating. vitally important, and fascinating. chris mason, our political editor, you. than expected from april. the energy regulator, ofgem, is encouraging people to consider by £111 a year to £1,849. annual bill was £1,200. our cost of living correspondent colletta smith has more.

energy are always logical for energy are always logicalfor families, and that this energy are always logical for families, and that this may be class, chloe is dreading another rise. i've got three others — three—year—old, a nine—year—old, and a 13—year—old. it is a worry, because i don't want to get my children poorly by not having the heating on. i'm not sure when it's going to end, really, it back down again. the regulator says they've no choice but to allow suppliers to increase prices. and that means that we are all paying more for our energy bills as a result. but customers are still frustrated. it covered us through winter, but now it's not covered us,

so now we are paying extra. for an extra 2.7 million families to get £150 off bills next winter, bills for everyone with our mission fora clean, home—grown but there are ways to save money now, like opting for a fixed—price deal. there are savings to be made out there, so run a comparison, see what's out there for you, take a look at the deals on the market. if you are looking to fix, we recommend you take a look at the duration of the tariff. to keep a lid on their bills. get that good bit of insulation up there.

will become increasingly important. people are being encouraged to look for the best deal?— for the best deal? yeah, they are. for who for the best deal? yeah, they are. for - who hasn't _ for the best deal? yeah, they are. for - who hasn't already i for the best deal? yeah, they are. | for - who hasn't already fixed for anyone who hasn't already fixed �* energy prices, for anyone who hasn't already fixed �*energy prices, you for anyone who hasn't already fixed �* energy prices, you are talking an extra tenner a month if ou about an extra tenner a month if you are on that variable rate, this7777777777 7 7 thi57tim7e777777 thi57tim7e77las7t77 thi57t7im7e77las7t7year, there was and this time last year, there was very little b could say in terms of e—= forpeople for people to try and save money, but the landscape has really over the last months, changed over the last 12 months, with a lot more fixed price deals onto the market that are comings onto the market that are that price cap level. beneath that price cap level. obviously, the industry as well as customers realising that those price rises that you talked about there weren't just a rises that you talked about there weren'tjust a blip, that actually, they are here to stay, and theyarehete tostays and the is adjusting to that as a market is adjusting to that as a result. we have seen million just over the 777fixi7n7g7their 77 777fixi7n7g7their e7n7e7rg7y77 77 of people 77 of people coming 77 of people coming round to the lots of people coming round to the idea that, actually, if they shop

around, there are to be {lil till course. made. of course, that's increasingly impottapt.. . .. because of timin- of this rise, m —=—:§ = -=2 the 15t7of 7 the 15t7of if�* exact 7 on the 15t of april, the exact moment that the of 77 i7n7britain 7 7 77 i7n7britainwill 7 7 7 i7n7britain willals7o 7 7 i7n7britain will als7o face households in britain will also face a in their council tax and a rise in their council tax and their water bills, so any savings can be made would 7 can be made would really7 help. that can be made would really help. thank you. a 37—year—old man has pleaded guilty to stalking a six—year period. our correspondent ellie price has been following the story. the court has heard about the significant impact over a long period of time? yes, liverpool crown court shirley ballas had to move her that shirley'eattas'had'te nleee her in that shirtey'eattas'had'te nleee her in her 805, out of her home mother, in her 805, out of her home because of what was going on. m- ill-i in court, k le sure's according to the court, kyle sure's actions had a substantial impact on day—to—day life. she had to her day—to—day life. she had to increase their security measures and your and social ze— ze= f_om commitments. the 37—year—old from birkenhead pleaded guilty to

m and causin harm or stalking and causing harm or distress between august 2017 and november 2023. distress between august 2017 and november2023. of distress between august 2017 and november 2023. of course, she became the head judge on the show in 2017, so it all around that point. so it all started around that point. the court heard he made continued so it all started around that point. the court hi attempt iade continued so it all started around that point. the court hi attempt iai try ontinued so it all started around that point. the court hi attempt iai try to tinued so it all started around that point. the court hi attempt iai try to contact and wanted attempt to try to contact even posted a picture of her and even posted a picture of her house on social media and tried to get in contact with her 7 and work 7 7 and work colleagues. 7 7 and work colleagues. the family and work colleagues. the defendant was told was a very defendant was told there was a very real risk he would receive a prison term at his in april, but term at his sentence in april, but for now, he has been given conditional bail. thank you, ellie. uk defence spending is to rise to 2.5% of gdp by 2027. the increase will be funded by cuts to the foreign aid budget. coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on bbc news. can wales get their first win in the top tier northern irealnd and scotland

are also playing tonight. to end their own lives is in its final stages in the island's parliament. in the british isles to legalise assisted dying. after two years of debate on assisted dying for the terminally ill, the arguments are nearly over. possibly for the final time. i really do, because he would have opted for it. it'll give an awful lot of people

the chance that james didn't have. the bill that's poised to become law will make the isle of man the first who want to access assisted dying on the isle of man need and to have less than 12 months left to live. they also need to have the legal capacity to make the decision, at similar measures. i think key to any debate about legislation on assisted dying is to explain what it is and what it isn't, to look at some

in some way because they feel there is a burden, and really concentrating on the fact that assisted dying gives people and the danger of coercion. the safeguards that are in place on this one, i'm not going to know sooner than they wish. so, i really... i won't be getting involved in it. the isle of man legislation is now almost certain to become law, but the wider debate over assisted dying is farfrom over. from her role at the end of march. she'd recently come under scrutiny

from two committees of mp5 the "dynamism" needed to take the health service forward. well, it is not clear cut. what seems to have is, the seems to have'happened'is, the state wes streeting at secretary of state wes streeting at health and social care wants to bring nhsengland, an arms length body, much closer to his own to streamline it and devolve some powers to the then devolve some powers to the regions of england. of course, amanda prichard, when she took over the role in 2021 �* being number the role in 2021 after being number two for a couple of years before, was used for a different role 1547 00:20:40,703 --> 00:20:40,