>> good morning everybody, it is 8:00. you are very welcome to join us on our breakfast show here at sky news wherever you're watching around the world. it is not often that you hear from the spy boss, but this morning we have. and he has a view on president putin. meanwhile, as liz truss visits -- has told this program that she understands the country is sitting on the fence when it comes to not speaking out against the russian invasion. plus, we speak to the former chief of the defense staff, who

says that president putin may be being misled by his generals. and as the cost of living crisis worsens we speak to chancellor in just a few minutes time. it is thursday 31st of march. a massive misjudgment, british spy boss on putin's maneuvers, plus his view on how russian soldiers are refusing to carry out orders. >> it increasingly looks like putin has massively misjudged the situation. >> putin must have been misled by his generals and by his security staff. as to the capability of his armed forces before this campaign started. >> live in western ukraine as president zelenskyy warns his forces are preparing for new russian attacks in the east as moscow builds up its troops in the donbas. >> secretary heads to india for trade and security talks

despite reluctance to speak out against the war in ukraine. and government minister we asked if we are comfortable doing business with him. >> it's on the fence at the moment. they have connections in both directions. plus the crisis with bills on the rise and energy coming in, we speak to a pensioner and widow in dire straits. >> oh wow. wow. >> still processing it, chris rock speaks out about that oscars slap. as the academy reveals they asked will smith to leave, and he said no. >> on the last day of free universal -- a warning from a disability charity that the government issuing a disregard for the most vulnerable. >> as the parole board recommends -- we ask the former sheriff

decisions like this keep the public safe. also on the program for you this morning, sending my love. >> ♪ ♪ ♪ he edged sharon leads tributes to the star tom parker who has died from a brain tumor at the age of 33. and do you have any idea what this plant is? we will speak to the first western to get a glimpse of this rare flower in the philippines, about his mammoth track to get their. >> hello everybody. we start with an intervention from a spy boss on president putin's intentions and ukraine. uk's top spy chief, sir jamie fleming, who is the director of gchq has given a rare speech, saying that the russian leader has made a massive misjudgment

on the capabilities of his own military might. he also claims that putin's soldiers are defying orders and accidentally shooting down their own aircraft. so jeremy also said that the kremlin is turning to private mercenaries to help fund the war. saying that the wagner group is going into numbers but are unlikely to be used as cannon fodder to try to limit russian losses. the ukrainian president says that his troops are preparing for the russians to launch large results in the east of the country of the donbas region. and we spoke to lord richard down this morning who said that putin has been misled. >> it increasingly looks like putin has massively misjudged the situation. it is clear that he has missed judged the resistance of the ukrainian people. he underestimated the strength of the coalition. that his actions would galvanize. he underplayed the economic consequences of the sanctions regime and he overestimated the

abilities of his military to secure a rapid victory. we have seen russian soldiers short of weapons and morale, refusing to carry out orders, sabotaging their own equipment and even accidentally shooting down their own aircraft. and even though we believe putin's advisers are afraid to tell him the truth, what is going on and the extent of these misjudgements must be crystal clear to the regime. >> what is interesting is now the intelligence authorities of the uk and the u.s. are saying what many of us who have been observing have begun to believe, that putin must have been misled by his generals and by his security staff as to the capability of his armed forces before this campaign had started. i think he has been shielding

to an extent from the harsh reality of what has been going on. so he has believed that his military is more capable than it has turned out to be. and so you touch on the question, does that mean that he is still in the dark about the reality and he is going to order one more push if he would like, or is he going to accept where he is. and change the plan. >> tom standing by in beijing for us and also dominic is in lviv for us this morning. let's start with you dominic, should we? where we making about one of our top spots, gchq leaders had to say. >> yes, i don't think that it is that revealing surgery fleming sang, part from the fact that we have this revelation he believes that the russians have shot down at least one of their own aircraft. but as we said there, it is kind of confirming with a lot of people have assumed, that putin was misled into thinking that he could lead this puts

creek advance into ukraine. and that they would topple very quickly and as the west would have to accept that kind of change of regime. and what instead has happened, he has met huge resistance and that has perhaps been met by massive western sanctions and isolation. he was not expecting that, and that has ended up a huge strategic air. and the question now is, are his generals, his advisers who have ill advised him, are they now telling him the truth, are they saying to putin at the game's office, you are fancy of absorbing ukraine into this greater russia is simply not going to happen. and if they are not doing that, is he now going to press ahead, are we going to see more renewed defenses, pointless, futile offenses by the russians. and if this was going to grind on, or will his advisors and commanders find the courage to tell him the truth and say that it is over, we have got to have peace. >> let's bring in a chinese perspective, tom good morning.

>> good morning. so striking in the speech, the focus on ukraine obviously has a lot of attention given to china. sir jeremy warning of the alignment between russia and china, but also warning china that they have more to lose from it then russia, and they may be behaving opportunistic, but this was about the future governance of the globe. and there might be distance between russia and china, i think that was dispelled yesterday when so i get lavrov, the russian foreign minister came to china to meet his counterpart when you. saying that their relationship still knew no limits, that is where she jinping and vladimir putin had said before this invasion started, and had passed its first test as changing international situation. i.e., china is going to stick by russia, because they see this not just in terms of this complex, but in terms of the future to come. wang yi saying that what was going to change is not witnessed in 100 years, one of president xi jinping's favorite

phrases. but on, that i think certainly does agree with the chinese side, saying that there will be a generational of people. and it is clear that the attention is on ukraine, but he was still very much looking at china and its role in the future. gentlemen, thank you both very much indeed, just want to bring you some breaking news reaching out here at sky center by reuters. and it appears that the turkish prosecutor, who has asked the court and you stumbled to move the trial of those that are suspected of murdering jamal khashoggi to saudi arabia. now they are thought to be saudis who went to turkey and he was killed as you know in the embassy there and his body was then dismembered and he had actually gone into the embassy to try to get a visa so that he could marry his longtime girlfriend. and it now appears that turkish

prosecutor is asking the court that the trial of the saudi suspects in a khashoggi murder trial, should be moved to saudi arabia. and that as i said is from the reuters news agency, what's behind that? don't know. we will try to find out, more about that and bring it to you as soon as we can. >> n. >> with her russian counterpart sergei lab roth. also heading to the country earlier i asked the international trade secretary how she feels about trade talks with india. when the nation notably reluctant to comment on russia's offensive in ukraine? >> though he is the secretary. and has set out of position, i think or if you or i get a fine. we hopefully pay it.

and move on from there. and i hope, and i assume that those who have been fined by the police will pay their fines. and that will be the punishment that they have -- >> and why do we get a fine? we get a fine if we break the law? >> so indeed, when regulations. >> so 20 instances of fine being issued. means 20 instances of breaking the war. that that's what they did. therefore they've been fined. >> why would the prime minister not say that? >> i say he wants to wait until the whole process of the police. >> well -- >> that's the position he's taken. well you agree he's broken the law. let's see what's the chancellor -- prime minister, not going with those 20 fines they've necessarily broken the law. what do you think? >> i think it's blindingly obvious to everybody that the law has been broken. these parties were going on at number 10 downing street at a

time you'll remember k were people made huge sacrifices. the stories that we all here, and the sacrifices that we all made of not seeing loved ones. not even being with loved ones when they were air in their last days and hours. and funerals not going ahead. huge sacrifices at a time when the prime minister and those around him are having parties. >> why doesn't matter anymore? that was two years ago. the prime minister is getting on with running the country. and on the world stage, even the president of ukraine has said that he's offered more support than any other leader. >> it matters because it's a question of integrity, of telling the truth. because you will remember as well the prime minister originally said the rules have been divided by all times. later he said, he knew nothing about it. so it actually has been at this party. it is an issue of integrity and moral leadership. on the issue of russia and ukraine. parliament stands us one against russian aggression.

and in defense of the ukrainian people. whether boris johnson's prime minister, or another conservative mp. that support for ukraine, and that opposition to what russia is doing is resolute and steadfast. >> on the issue of golden visas, of course it was brought in under a previous labor government. where they are bad idea? >> it is clear that many of the people who have been sanctioned now actually came in on golden visas. i think we want to know the truth behind how these people got these visas. what was known about them. and the system has clearly not working. it's not fit for purpose. i don't think anyone could have foreseen when golden visas were introduced. what russia was going to do in the future. clearly the system does not work at all. it's much greater reform needed.

even now, it's so difficult to tell who really owns a yacht or a house. when i bought my house, with a mortgage, it wasn't our name. and yet you've got these big mansions on these yacht owned by shell companies. it's not clear who the owner's. as well as the sanctions. we need to clean up russian money and laundered money. so we know the true owner of properties, yachts, and bank accounts, and all the rest of it. >> the lunch -- the london laundromat at it's been called. obviously you want to talk about cost of living. we know that's going to increase again tomorrow. when we see the energy prices go up significantly. you calculated, that families will be 2620 pounds worse off under the conservatives. how have you calculated that? >> that's a combination of the tax increases, increases in the weekly food shop. increases and filling up the car with petrol, gas and

electricity bills like you say. we'll go up on an average of 693 pounds tomorrow. if you add that -- and also increase mortgage payments. because of the increase and bank of england base rate. if you add all of that up. the average family in this country will be 2600 pounds worse off, under the tories. they cannot afford any more of the conservatives families, pensioners can't, businesses count as well. we're in the middle of a cost of living crisis. and the response of the chancellor last week to that, it just did not rise to the challenge, that families pensions and businesses are facing right now. >> a lot of those costs worse would still be there if labor was in power, wouldn't they? >> we've been clear about what our priority would be right now. that is using -- on big profits being made by -- and using that money to reduce gas and electricity bills by up to 600 pounds were families who

need the most support. what we have under this chancellor is a buy now pay later scheme. 200 pounds off your energy bill this year, but then money added to your bills for years to come after that. that's not what people want or need. we are in the middle of an unprecedented cost of living prices. inflation, 6.2%, expected to rise to 9% by the end of the year. and the chancellor is basically dismissive of those concerns. and has not put together a package of measures to help people in these incredibly difficult times. >> -- the windfall tax will raise around three billion pounds, that's according to -- but labor want -- no rise and a national insurance, no v 80 on energy bills, and more than five pea off fuel duty. you get three billion pounds on windfall tax, but the plants cost 19 billion. so where do they come from? >> we would use that money from the windfall tax to take va tee

off bills. >> 16 billion pounds short still? >> no because the government are already doing something on gas and electricity bills an hour would be to pay for the package which is more generous to families and pensioners. so you've got to take into account the things that government have already done. and our package of measures is on top of that. >> so the 19 billion pounds figure what would you say? >> well we would raise around two, perhaps three billion pounds from the windfall tax. that's the additional support we would put in for gas and electricity bills to take up to 600 pounds. >> i understand that. >> we don't think this is the right time, on national insurance -- >> so how do you pay for it? >> we've said, because under national insurance, you know this. if you get your money from dealing with stocks and shares. you don't pay national insurance. if you get your money through renting out a portfolio you don't pay national insurance. how can it be right that some of those are the broad shoulders making the most money

do not pay these additional taxes? we want to tax fairly, spend wisely, and grow the economy. >> i'm looking at a wealth tax. >> it doesn't need to be a wealth tax. in needs to be taxes on different forms of income. >> on the income that you get from dealing stocks and shares. on the income that you get on the portfolio. the government don't include that. and that is not right. just ask working people and those. not -- >> so would you increase the a y e as well? >> no we're not looking to increase income tax. this is about income from different forms, different sources, like those stocks and shares. >> i just can't figure out how you will make up that shortfall, that difference. >> first of all the numbers that you use don't include the money that the government has already set aside for some of this. we would use the windfall tax to take money off peoples gas

and electricity bills. and we would tax fairly to raise the money needed for the nhs. not just going after working people. this government has increased taxes 15 times in two years. that's an incredible burden on ordinary working people. and yet they never come to those who have who make their money from dealing in stocks and shares. so we were taxed fairly, and not just ask ordinary working people to keep up the bill for their failure. >> just before i let you go, the party -- >>. if you are a woman, we share certain biological characteristics. we can name the different parts of the body if you like. and that is what makes you and me women. there are also people who were born a different gender. who go through a process through the gender recognition process. and want to be identified. i don't want to exclude those

people some of them we hear yesterday from the conservative mp who has come out as trends. that i don't want to exclude them and deny them the opportunity to live the life that they choose. but for 99.9% of people your gender is because of your biology. but i don't want to exclude other people. i think it's all simple and certain to say that we do need to ensure that there are single sex spaces and prisons, and in sport, which is also an issue of topical debate at the moment. so i hope that is a clear answer to a difficult question. and it is something we're all having to grapple with. these weren't things that were being debated, even when i became an mp. and it is important that spotlight is shown on some of these issues. and the terrible experiences that people like -- and many many others are going through. we shouldn't deny the fact that biology exists as well.

>> is it right that everybody should be asked whether they are pregnant whether they have a scan in hospital? >> i don't think that most men are asked that question. >> pilot nhs has decided that everybody must be asked if they are pregnant. >> that sounds a little bit odd to me. >> thank you so much for joining us. >> thanks casey. >> let us look at the papers. the telegraph carries a quote from the head of gchq with claims that vladimir putin's advisers are afraid to tell him the truth about how russia's invasion of ukraine is playing out. the ftc reports that the and austrian governments are poised to russian gas supplies from russia. and the metro airports on rachael reed, the conservative who came out as uk's first openly transgender mp, also revealed that he was raped and targeted in a black male plot.

in the meantime, organizers of the oscars say that will smith was asked to leave the ceremony after stopping chris rock but refused. let's just remind you of the moment. >> oh wow. well. will smith just smack me. >> he my wife's name out of your mouth. >> wow dude. it was a g.i. jane joke. >> he my wife's name out of your mouth. >> i am going to, okay. >> going on to win best actor oscars, just a few moments later, he was then seen dancing and singing to his own some summertime at the oscars vanity fair after party. and chris rock was seen for the

first time last night after arriving at his own gig as well. reportedly telling the audience that he is still processing what happens, let's get the latest from our correspondent. >> there has been a lot of questions as to why something was not done at the time of this incident. and it is clear that the economy was taken by surprise, as was everybody else who's watching, things unfolded in a way that we could not have anticipated they say in a statement. did you say the, that was smith was asked to leave the ceremony after that incident but refused. and they also say that they recognize they could have handled things differently. and they are now taking action though with these disciplinary proceedings for violating the code of conduct. they say in a appropriate physical conduct and threatening behavior. they accuse will smith of the potential punishments for that, going right up to expulsion from the academy. now in modern times, that has only happened to the likes of harvey weinstein, robin polanski, people who were guilty of serious sexual offenses of course. so that is seeing has been

unlikely to happen. also the suggestion that will smith could have that oscar taken back, again scene is unlikely. has only happened once in the history of the academy. we'll be goldberg, who is an academy governor said it is not going to happen in this case. the most likely result will be some sort of temporary suspension, perhaps a reprimand. but will smith has two weeks to respond before his fate is decided at a board meeting in the middle of april. we should also say that chris rock, who's on the other end of that slap of course, has been back on stage they stand up comic and he says that he is still processing what happened on the oscar stage. >> looking at today's other main stories for you here on sky. the london property was reportedly broken into all members of the family who are at home. said to be unaware that an intruder was in the property. in a statement, saying that they were called to the property in consenting on tuesday the 1st of march. >> formula 1 will return to las

vegas next year, taking place on the city's famous strip. the grand prix will be held on a saturday night in november, potentially around thanksgiving, with the track sweeping past some of the cities most legendary hotels and casinos. and from tomorrow, the majority of people in england will have to pay for lateral flow tests. the decision has been criticized by some, with the disability a quality charity scope saying that the move shows a total disregard from the government for the fears and concerns of people at risk. southwest london for us. and as far as i'm concerned, i've not been able to get a hold of these tests for a couple of weeks now. >> yes, and you are not the only one case. although there was officially ending, tomorrow i think it has already ended for a lot of people for a number of weeks now, including at this pharmacy, where they have not been able to get hold of tests for around the months now. and so customers have been

coming in here unable to get them. and some still will be eligible for free tests after tomorrow, including the most vulnerable, but only when they are symptomatic, and for a lot that is not enough. disability rights charity has been very critical this morning, accusing the government of showing a total disregard for the fears of disabled people, because do not forget, these free tests have been away for many people are the most vulnerable to return to living their normal lives. and without, them anyone feel unsafe and afraid to go out, and you will still be able to bilateral tests, but around five pounds pop, that will get very pricey, very quickly and in the current cost of living crisis we are seeing, it is going to be simply on affordable for a lot of people. the government, doing this to save money essentially, the free testing is costing billions every month, and they feel that with the vaccine, with the antiviral medicine, that we now have a way to do this, although many disagree. >> tributes are pouring in for the start of thom parker who

has died at the age of just 33. he had been diagnosed with inoperable brain tumor, let's have a quick reminder of one of his was well-known songs. ♪ ♪ ♪ we and the ban rose to fame in 2009, they had to number one singles, glad you came and all-time low. after they disbanded in 2014, they once again reunited last year for a charity benefit and told sky news, he was feeling a lot better. >> i think that with this disease you get quite a natural decline, but if anything seems to be on the incline, i feel a lot better than i did a few months ago, and yeah just with

my increasing health, not worry today. >> ed sheeran has led the music and's history in paying tribute to tom parker following his passing on wednesday. an instagram post had said that just so sad to see of his passing, thoughts and lavar with his children and family as it's a very sad day, what a lovely guy. as i said, he was only 33 when he passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. sad news to from the world of hollywood, bruce willis is retiring from his 30-year-long career after being diagnosed with a brain condition. here he is in action. >> we will show to a little bit later on. we've heard from the family, in a statement, the stars confirmed that her father has a facial. which is a condition that affects the ability to speak,

to write and to understand language. >> with much consideration, whose is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him. we are moving through this as a strong family unit and wanted to bring his fans in, because we know how much he means to you as you do to him. cruz always says live up and together, and we plan to do just that. of emma, demi, rumor, scout, to leyla and evil and. die hard. amazing he is now retired after suffering from a brain condition which, will affect his speech. and and his his ability to communicate. ability to communicate. now, the number of people who have fled ukraine since russian

troops invaded, has surpassed 4 million. and the un refugee agency says more than 2.3 million refugees have move west into poland. joining us now from warsaw is the conservative mp and former -- thank you for joining us on the program. this morning they are certainly doing the heavy lifting in poland. what's the situation there at the moment? >> yes indeed it's very much on the front line here they're feeling this. can i also just point out that britain is also including advancing its military footprint here as part of that presents. i'm here with the defense select committee and very pleased to see what we're britain is doing. not just on the military front, but the diplomatic activity to. ukraine's mission now, mission in kyiv move to lviv. and is now based here in poland. all doing a fantastic job and helping facilitate support for ukraine. but if i can add, in coming here you really appreciate both the scale and assistance of

this new threat. which is felt way beyond ukraine. this bleak turning point in history you feel here that putin is not going anywhere soon. he totally controls his own narrative in russia. and is turning russia into a police state. there won't be a clue, there won't be a purge, as we are hoping further in the west. his base is very safe now. so this conflict will go long, it will probably enter a darker chapter, and on this trajectory it will spell out well beyond ukraine. and the west needs to come to terms with this new normal. the uk is responding well, coalition of ukrainians acknowledge that. but the west itself does need to learn faster, the less risk adverse, to both assess and take calculated risks. there are ammunition weapons systems that are not arriving fast enough in ukraine. the west is debating the semantics of defensive and offensive weapons. and ukraine now needs tanks, a

pcs, those polish make planes that should have to put across. russia claims to be pulling back from kyiv right now, it's actually just regrouping. now is the time for ukraine to counter attack. but that's impossible if they don't have the tools, if we're not giving them the equipment to do so. so it's not just enough to short that part of ukraine survives. we must help ukraine win. and that will take i think greater international leadership, coordination, and more robust mindset. and an increase in defense spending. not least in the uk. >> what are you making of what the head of gchq, sir jeremy fleming has been saying, and suggesting, that the generals are lying to putin. and he doesn't realize how badly the russian troops are doing on the ground? >> he's absolutely right, the commander control, the logistical supply chain of the combat readiness if you like of these troops, has been absolutely appalling. but we shouldn't take away the

sheer mass that russia has. but more importantly, the sheer determination of putin to continue. look what we saw in mariupol. when normal tactics fail to take the city in a more conventional matter. he stepped back and blasted it from afar. and we've seen evidence as well, more munitions systems coming in via crimea. i fear we may see something similar in odessa as well. and there is the very high likelihood of chemical weapons, attacks as well. i can't stress that being here in poland, in warsaw, a huge appreciation for what britain is doing. it is a feeling that the west collectively needs to do more. >> to that end, we know that you weren't very happy with the prime minister at the beginning of february. when it came to partygate, and you did think he should consider his position. have you changed your view now? >> well you know, looking back at that, it's far away from what i'm focusing, what the defense community is focusing

here. you can't ignore the fact that a party lost its way. we were not exhibiting the leadership, the state craft that we are capable of. and i think that the nation expects, number 10 was in a bad place. if some of us had chosen to speak out, i was worried we would continue to drift. the prime minister has now acknowledge this, his new team has now been formed. the last time that i considered withdrawing my letter, given that i was pleased with the progress that was made. we then get a speech where the freedoms of brexit are compared with a very freedoms of ukraine are fighting for. and however well intended, that did not go down well here, or indeed in ukraine. both poland and ukraine want to be part of the eu. and it's the job of those people around the prime minister to offer that wise advice. that appreciates this bigger picture. and for the prime minister to listen. and i do hope these changes will take place. because there is a gap in the market, as we enter this bumpy

decade. european leadership on the security front. and i hope britain will seize that. >> okay so you did think about withdrawing your letter, but you decided to leave it there for now, is that right? >> i did, like i said i was astonished when i saw that. let's just get on with it, why do we keep reminding ourselves of it? it still remains a very heated issue in europe. we have a higher cause, a bigger threat to focus on. we've got to work with our international partners. we've done a great job, but every time we have a problem such as this, or comment such as this, it takes us back a couple of steps. and that's rather unfortunate. >> thank you very much indeed for taking the time to join us this morning. very much appreciated. keep well, thank you. >> thank you. >> and other news, the mother of baby p who died after months of abuse back in 2007 could well be finding herself in a position where she will be released from jail. and that is what the parole board has suggested.

and we will get more on that for you in just a moment or two. before that though, let's talk about energy bills should we. they're on the rise. and the energy price cap is coming. it's looking like the uk is set to have very gloomy april, april 1st -- tomorrow actually isn't it. but just how worried are people at home? what impact is it having on you personally? joining us now, diane, a pensioner who is based in london. hello diane, thank you for taking the time to join us this morning. what difference will it make for you when the energy big bills go up tomorrow? >> hard to tell, right here now. but i can tell you that up until now i already don't turn my heating on, my grandchildren wanted to sit. all that sorts of stuff, and that's because i can't have big bills. i'm not going to get into debt, i'm not going to do credit cards and that. so i already don't turn the heating on. so what am i supposed to do next? how can i use any less, is it

possible? and on top of that, it affects my mental health. because it worries me, it worries me about everybody else. and the fact that the people in charge of us the government are not doing anything. when they came up with a budget. why didn't they make some changes? why aren't they adopting? our way of living, where we have -- as fuel poverty action. we've come up with an idea how to change the way you can pay your bills. so there's a low level -- everybody would get a free amount of energy up to a certain point. it means certain people who are heating or eating, to decide which one is better. that's what they can do. they have a free amount of energy. you would not only those people who are very poor, and difficult, disabled people, all that sort of thing. they will be looked after. but ordinary people who are trying to keep their bills down, they would stay within that limit and therefore it saves the planet as well.

why hasn't the government come up with that? we have a petition going that got 147,000 signatures overnight. which just shows you how many people are worried, it's not just me. i have a roof over my head, i'm not in russia for example. so, what about all the people who are in a worse condition than me? i'm very lucky really. but what about all the other people? and i said, we actually came up -- first of all, we did an energy bill of rights. if our petition gets to be half 1 million, we're at 380,000 or something like that. lots of signatures. and if we get through, then we'll take the parliament. we met the parliament before, and we devised an energy bill of rights. i've got a coffee here, amazingly. this was a few years ago. yeah, someone has to make a difference. why isn't the government making a difference! they're supposed to be the ones

looking after us, it -- >> diane, thank you so much for taking the time to join us. and to explain to us the situation that you're facing in the coming months. we do appreciate you taking a few minutes out of your day, thank you. of course is not just pensions is it, like diane who are struggling. let's bring in carrie, who is at home in -- this morning. hello, tell us about how you are impacted by the cost of living at the moment? >> it's just horrific with its -- -- [inaudible] >> and your situation i think i'm right and saying has deteriorated in recent months. and you found yourself and that. >> oh yeah. yeah [inaudible]

. >> but kind of sacrifices have you had to make to keep your head above water? >> lord you cannot physically cut my shopping anymore. this different things. i'm lucky i've caught my mom who helps me a lot. and she buys my kids things. if i didn't have my mom, my kids would have to go without. [inaudible] [inaudible] >> and what about the 20 pounds of universal credit? the uplift which i know has now been removed? what's impact has that had on

you? >> that was a positive impact on me. it kept my head above water slightly, and removed it, and obviously is [inaudible] >> carrie, look after yourself. and the kids, and as you said, you are lucky that moms there to help. thank you very much for taking the time. >> thank you. >> thanks a lot. the cost of living and energy bills are going up from tomorrow, it's going to be a big problem. >> huge problem, tomorrow a lot of things happen. energy bills go up by an average of 700 pounds. tax bills go up, national insurance. for some people council tax will go up as well. and that's on top of course inflation and the cost of food and fuel going up for everybody. it's going to be a real multiple whammy of things that will increase and price.

we have figures out for the office of national statistics today. they survey thousands of people across the country. count eight and ten of us will be experiencing a rise in cost of living. it's a big political issue as well. and today labor are launching their local election campaign. we heard from rachel, -- the measures the government have brought in our pathetic. and it's labor who are on the side of working people. what will they do about it? frankly a lot of these things will be going up and price under labor as well. but they say that by levying a big tax on the profits of energy companies they will be getting -- more relief. this is a really important political battleground as well. boris johnson yesterday when he was questioned by mps conceded the cost of living. he said is running too high. but i think the reaction to rishi sunak's spring statement last week has been muted. and a lot of them feel he's going to have to do more is to regain peoples trust on this issue. >> thank you, tomorrow's take at 9:00, thank you very much.

let's have a look at this, here's a question for you. what's the difference between these two songs, are you ready? ♪ ♪ ♪ one of those songs was voted to contain the vegas guitarist of all-time. and the other didn't even make the top 30. can you guess which one? here's the list and this morning's male newspaper. here we go. guns and roses come up top. greatest guitarist of all-time,

sweet child of mine. the other one of course, is edging out, eye of the tiger by survivor. and on it goes, sex on fire, the chain, back in black. i bet you look good on the dance floor. and yet hotel california is not there. i mean seriously! who makes up these lists? what a lot of nonsense. still to come on the program for you this morning. speaking to an author about issues surrounding how the transgender community are treated by the nhs. that to come.

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russia shift the focus and its invasion to the east ukraine to shift its defense of towns and cities. and is the, 20,000 people surrounded by russian forces

after three weeks a fierce battles. across -- we have reports. >> on the road to is the there is a sign which reads russian soldier you've been sent to hell. it is a warning and a threat issued by ukrainian troops after three weeks of fighting for this city. and the battle has only just begun. amid the diplomatic chatter, the top of the escalation and mutual trust. we saw ukrainian troops getting ready. digging in, and reequipping, for the difficult days ahead. >> they are fortifying the local road system, building barricades with concrete and blocks of granite. and we have seen hundreds of troops perched on the top of armored vehicles. moving up to the front. the fighting there has been intense. it's clear the ukrainians

expected to intensify. the city of izyum is now unreachable. and the villages that surround it have been flattened by russian artillery and airplanes. and there are bomb craters here as big as a house. yet the mood of ukrainian troops is high. russia's much vaunted military seems to instill a little fear. >> [interpreter] they will not pass. >> he also swore at vladimir putin. then the russian military reminded us that they weren't very far away. [noise] do you feel vulnerable? there are russian planes circling overhead? >> it's solid.

>> they may feel confident of victory, but many here are scared. we've seen hundreds of local residents heading west in their own self organized convoys. but that's not an option for the people it is ian. it's encircled by the russians. with some 20,000 stuck inside. we met a man who managed to escape is the m by foot. he didn't want to reveal his identity, his relatives remain in the city. he left the city as a member of a group of eight, swimming through an icy river then walking for miles.

the damage is extensive. touching everyone everyone and everything and the appeals of the negotiating teams feel very far away. john sparks, sky news, on the outskirts of izzy am, eastern ukraine. >> hearing actually from the turkish foreign minister. he has been telling us that roman abramovich contribution to the peace talks in istanbul has been very helpful in his words. we'll get more on the preview. also telling you about the foreign secretary. heading to india today as part of a wider diplomatic push on the war in ukraine. her trip coincides with her russian counterpart -- i asked the international trade secretary how she feels about trade talks with india. with the nation notably reluctant to comment on

russia's offensive in ukraine. >> it's really important that we see india -- we understand why they've chosen to sit on the fence at the moment. they have connections in both directions. for us it's really important to see all countries who believe in democracy and the rule of law, and indeed defending your own territorial borders and wanting to have that sovereignty, respected by those around you. to stand up for that. >> but does it really sit comfortably with you doing business with a country that by omission is sanctioning the death of innocence? >> so no, it doesn't. i think we have to be clear that we continue to stand up as we say for democratic countries, where the right to live peacefully and your sovereign nation is something that should be respected by all. i know that this trust will be continuing to do what it is the foreign offices to do. to present those arguments, and to try to persuade her colleagues in india of the merits of giving their opinion on putin's outrageous for.

>> the weather is concerned for you this morning. northerly wind it will make it cold everywhere, and will bring some snow. mainly to the hills. western parts largely dry and sunny for now. the uk's oldest mountain rescue dogs being rescued honored with the animal -- she looks so happy with her job doesn't she. she's 15 years old she's a border colleague called sky. another reason to love her. carried out around 200 searches during her 11 year career. working in all weathers to help

locate missing people in the lake district. today she will become the 36th animal to receive the -- order of merit. oh here we go. she was lovely wasn't she. scientists have discovered what maybe the most distant star humanity has ever seen. researchers estimate its light has taken almost 13 billion years to reach earth. meaning it dates closer to the big bang than the previous record holder from nine billion years ago. i'm not very good at space stuff, that sounds pretty impressive doesn't it? i'm a person that thinks orion looks like a shopping trolley, am i the only one? time for a look at the pictures that caught our eye in the papers for you this morning. putting these together for you, everyone thinks their dog is the prettiest. look at this one. it's in the telegraph, and has this picture of a burn a doodle whose four husband died with giraffe prince.

except i'm not fooled. you might have thought summer was here last week. but this printed in the times, the scene and northumberland yesterday. after snow flow snowfall, with a beautiful picture. perhaps the most peculiar site, we have a special new headphones. with a face strap, designed to keep out noise and air pollution. what do you think? it does look a little bit -- benedict says it looks a little bit like hannibal lecter. i can't disagree with him. let us know what you think. you can tweet me directly if you would like to. somebody got on the tube next to me wearing that, i would move into the next carriages what i'm saying. i would be very anxious about it. still to come into the final hour of our program here on the breakfast show on sky news. we'll be telling you more about -- we have an author on who is also transgender. talking to us about how

politicians seem to be tying themselves in knots at the moment. about the transgender community. all of that to come in just one second.

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hello, everybody. how are you doing? it is 9:00 here in the u.k. welcome to the final hour of sky news this morning. putin's generals, the head of the armed forces this morning, we have a round glimpse into the mind of a spy bot and what he makes of the war in ukraine. stay tuned for more on that. plus, going to