and investigators to tap his phone and pedal his house. we are bringing more on that as we get it. at least 11 people have been killed and around 50 injured in a russian missile attack on the northern ukrainian city of chernihiv. that's according to ukraine's president zelensky. he said the destruction wouldn't have taken place if ukraine had suffient air defences. the mayor of chernihiv said a high—rise building in a densely—populated neighbourhood was hit. rescue efforts are continuing. the authorities have issued an appeal for blood donations. let's speak to our ukraine correspondent, james waterhouse. what we know about what has happened here? , . ., ., _ ,., , here? these are familiar symptoms for ukrainians. _ here? these are familiar symptoms for ukrainians. we _ here? these are familiar symptoms for ukrainians. we saw _ here? these are familiar symptoms for ukrainians. we saw footage - for ukrainians. we saw footage online of people running for cover in one case of a trolley bus where there were loud explosions and columns of smoke going into the air. according to authorities in this

northern ukrainian city, which is 60 miles from the border with russia, there were three missiles which hit there were three missiles which hit the centre of the city and as you say, authorities say an 8—storey building was hit in a residential area. this is a fact of life, really, for people across this country, where you see shattered windows, human devastation in places that might not necessarily be close to the front line. the death too has now gone up to 13 and as we look at rescuers trying to retrieve people or rescue them from the rubble, that number are set to go up. more than 60 have been injured and when you're in a place like this, i was last there in august last year after the main city hall was hit by a missile, where seven people were killed, there is less of a time gap between air raid sirens going off and the

moment of impact because of its proximity to russia, but what is interesting, when you look at what the local mayor is saying, what president zelensky are saying, what his foreign secretary is saying, they see this as both a source of political frustration but also opportunity. they are being explicit that it was not for ukraine's western allies being more coordinated in its help for ukraine, thenit coordinated in its help for ukraine, then it might have been able to protect this attack with well supplied air defences. there has been a feeling of frustration in the last few days when you look at israel, another non—nato country, you see how its own allies rallied against large—scale drone attack from iran, which is what ukraine experiences all the time. president zelensky is saying if allies can rally behind as well, why can't they do the same for us? it is a continuation of this message that we are getting here in care. police in paris have removed hundreds of homeless migrants from a squat in the city

which is believed to be the biggest in france. the removal comes as the capital prepares to host the olympic more than 400 migrants were believed to be living in the camp, to the south of paris. some human rights groups have questioned the legality of the eviction. i'm joined now by lisa louis who is a freelance journalist in paris. she's been following this story. just took us through what happened here? in just took us through what happened here? ., , ., here? in the morning, this morning, olice here? in the morning, this morning, police moved _ here? in the morning, this morning, police moved in _ here? in the morning, this morning, police moved in and _ here? in the morning, this morning, police moved in and as _ here? in the morning, this morning, police moved in and as you - here? in the morning, this morning, police moved in and as you said, - police moved in and as you said, they evacuated hundreds of migrants, according to stations, were mostly legal migrants had been living there and working across the paris region and working across the paris region and they move them elsewhere. we don't know yet where to. generally speaking, the authorities tend to

bring at least some of those they evacuate during such actions to reception centres a bit further away from paris but we don't have confirmation on thatjust yet. what confirmation on that 'ust yet. what are the authorities _ confirmation on thatjust yet. what are the authorities say _ confirmation on thatjust yet. what are the authorities say is _ confirmation on that just yet. what are the authorities say is the reason behind all this? i are the authorities say is the reason behind all this? i have been talkin: to reason behind all this? i have been talking to the _ reason behind all this? i have been talking to the authorities _ reason behind all this? i have been talking to the authorities if- reason behind all this? i have been talking to the authorities if you - talking to the authorities if you weeks ago because there have been some stories about evacuations ahead of the olympic games starting in latejuly here in paris. aid associations have been saying that the authorities were trying to get people out of the city centre, out of areas where the games will be happening, orwhere of areas where the games will be happening, or where people will be staying in this area. this morning, some delegations say they will be no competitions there but for example, the chap annoys team is part of the limbic games will stay there so some

people have been saying, you are bringing them away to make the area prettier. howeverthe bringing them away to make the area prettier. however the government is saying, no, this is what we always do, and we provide temporary shelter or even permanent shelter, we want to bring people to safety and this is what we always do. however, the authorities admit that there are certain areas in paris where people, homeless people cannot stay during the games, one of these areas is right next to the non—in front of the museum because there you will have the archery competition and there will be a temporary stadium that will be built there so people cannot sleep rough there. what that will be built there so people cannot sleep rough there. what about human grouo. — cannot sleep rough there. what about human group, what _ cannot sleep rough there. what about human group, what have _ cannot sleep rough there. what about human group, what have they - cannot sleep rough there. what about human group, what have they to - cannot sleep rough there. what about human group, what have they to say? they are complaining that the authorities are allegedly cracking down on people sleeping rough and migrants and anybody who could disturb this image of a beautiful paris during the limbic games and

the paralympic games that will start in late august. they also say that the number of places and temporary shelters are not far from enough for the number of people who live and sleep rough here in paris. there are estimates there are maybe more than 3,000 people who do not have a home here in paris and authorities have been telling me, will provide three or 400 places for people, so the figures seem to divert. the aid agencies are accusing the authorities of underestimating the needs. let's turn now to the war in ukraine. for more than two years, bbc news russian service and its partners, mediazona, have been gathering and verifying the identities of more than 50,000 russian fighters killed in ukraine. lead investigator 0lga ivshina has more.

in russia, the number of war graves is growing fast. 5th of november... 9th of november... listing the dates of death, volunteers have sent us this video from the city of vladivostok. here is the same cemetery from above. in the last two years, it has grown twice in size a pattern seen in graveyards all over russia. since the start of the invasion the bbc and its partners have verified photos of graves, social media posts and news articles to track down the number of russians killed fighting in ukraine. so far we have verified 50,000 names. our data shows that russia has lost 23% more troops in the second year of the invasion compared to the first. this reflects a shift in tactics. at first russia was relying on its professional soldiers. but since january 2023, russia started sending thousands

of inexperienced troops to what soldiers called themselves the meat grinder. the russians are now able to bring a lot more firepower to bear against the ukrainian positions when they go into the offensive. as long as the ukrainians are unable to shift that balance of firepower, the meat grinder tactics will very likely continue to be successful in taking limited areas of ground across the front. prisoners are recruited and sent to war and have been crucial to these tactics. in return for six months on the frontline they were promised freedom, if they survived. to understand the average military lifespan of a prison recruit, we have tracked down more than 1,000 inmates from the day they signed up to the day they died. our data reveals that more than half of the prisoners in our sample have died within just 12 weeks of arriving at the frontline.

the prisoners will be sent first to the ukrainian positions and that would force the ukrainians to reveal themselves and engage possibly with artillery. the real units would then be able to conduct their own offensive against already pre—weakenedd ukrainian positions. whilst our account only includes deaths recorded publicly, data from cemeteries across russia suggests the true figure is likely to be twice as high. asked for comment, the russian government did not respond. as russian forces continue to push on, pictures of new graves keep coming every day. heavy rain has battered the gulf states, causing flash flooding — with some places recording a year's worth of rain in a single day. these pictures in dubai show cars being washed away in the streets, and several buildings were flooded — following the heaviest

rainfall for 75 years. there are no reports of any deaths — but the authorities in neighbouring 0man said 19 people had been killed there since the weekend. 0n the business news is coming up, stay with us for that. stay with us, this is bbc news. let us start with some positivity because more of you will get a break from the rain clouds this weekend as this area of high pressure made its way in. we have not seen early january. we must see areas trapped in that. there still could be some drizzle especially in scotland but

the emphasis is on the dry weather. varying amounts of cloud but when the sunshine aside, it will feel pleasantly warm. still a bit of cloud to come and the dry weather went asked all the way through next week. certainly in the short—term, still some rain to come over the next few days and staying chilly. northerly winds with us at the moment, that has been bringing in some showers from scotland into parts of england for the afternoon and cloud across northern ireland and cloud across northern ireland and patchy rain spreads its way into wales at the south—west. in between those areas, there will be some drier weather to be had this afternoon. but for all, drier weather to be had this afternoon. but forall, nine drier weather to be had this afternoon. but for all, nine to 12 celsius out of the sunshine but that will feel distinctly chilly. we finished the day with heavy showers in eastern england, strong men's and patchy rain towards the south—west. that all clears and we will see cloud and rain spread into the north—west of scotland later in the night, lifting temperatures, but tonight will be even colder than last night. a greater chance of frost as we go into thursday

morning. after a bright start particular across southern areas, low—pressure dominates from the north bringing abrasive rain through the morning. but to much rain in some central and eastern areas. patchy rain in northern ireland and eventually after a bright start, the afternoon will be cloudy with occasional rain in northern england and the far north of wales as well as isle of man. staying dry through thursday. increasing amounts of cloud. feeling a little less chilly compared with today. it is that weather system that pushes through through thursday night bringing a box of rain for many of us. then clearing and we're back into northerly winds and strong winds as well. a blustery day on friday with strong ones and eastern areas and the chance of some showers as well but still some dry and bright weather to be had. in the wind, and out of the sunshine, it will feel rather cool. high pressure gradually builds on this weekend.

in the uk — inflation keeps falling — now down to 3.2% in the year to march. we will ask what this means for cutting the interest rates.

also on the programme — as indians prepare to head to the polls, we crunch the numbers of what's expected to be the world's most expensive election. welcome to world business report. i'm tadhg enright. uk inflation has fallen to its lowerst level to its lowest level in two and a half years. the headline rate for march has been reported today at 3.2%. it's fallen from 3.4% reported for february, but the drop is not as significant has had been expected and hoped for. economists and the office for national statistics identified stubornly high prices for meat and baked goods such as crumpets and chocolate biscuits as obstacles to reducing inflation. you don't get more british than that. the key question on the minds of consumers, investors and politicians is how this affects the bank of england's decision about when to cut

the cost of borrowing. paul hollingsworth is chief european economist at bnp paribas. thank you for being with us. break this down for us, falling inflation is obviously good news but some are disappointed by the pace at which it is falling but on balance, how good or bad as the data we have received today? i or bad as the data we have received toda ? ., or bad as the data we have received toda ? . , ., , . today? i agree it is a mixed picture and it is good _ today? i agree it is a mixed picture and it is good news _ today? i agree it is a mixed picture and it is good news that _ today? i agree it is a mixed picture and it is good news that inflation . and it is good news that inflation fell further and on our forecast we expect inflation to fall further still in the coming months but there are two important caveats, that service inflation remains strong still at about 2.6% and this is typically driven more by domestic pressures and so it is something that policymakers, and particularly the bank of england, place... apologies for the break—up. we are having a break up on your line there, paul, i'm not sure if you're

still able to hear me. we will have to pause that and try to come back to pause that and try to come back to paul if the line does become better later on. but let's shift gears and talk about inflation in the united states. doubts are growing about just how soon interest rates may be cut. the chair of the federal reserve, jerome powell, said on tuesday that inflation was taking longer than expected to return to the central bank's 2% target which would justify cuts to interest rates. mr powell's remarks came after higher—than—expected figures for consumer price index inflation in march. investors now forecast the first move to cut interest rates will come in september. from new york, here's michelle fleury with more. higherfor longer. that is the message from america's top banker, jerome powell, on us interest rates. the chair of the federal

reserve said policymakers hadn't seen enough progress on inflation since its rapid decline last year. and with inflation likely to take longer to return to the fed's desired target of 2%, a cut in rates, he said, didn't seem justified. so we've said at the fomc that we'll need greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2% before it would be appropriate to ease policy. the recent data have clearly not given us greater confidence and instead indicate that it's likely to take longer than expected to achieve that confidence. today's remarks highlight the different paths being taken by central banks around the world, with the european central bank's christine lagarde reaffirming that the ecb was still on track to cut rates. many people expect the ecb will cut rates injune. now, the timing of the first rate cut here in the united states this cycle has become a subject of much debate from main street to wall street to the campaign trail. the fed had previously signaled

it intended to cut rates several times this year from a 23—year high of 5.5%. us stocks fell after mr powell spoke. michelle fleury talking there on the picture in the united states but let's go back to paul hollingsworth, chief economist at bnp paribas. we had been talking about interest rates before our line went dead, and the bank of england has been sending out signals that a cut in the cost of borrowing on the horizon and market expectations are changing not least based on that inflation data we have just received today. what are those of us who watch the bank of england closely expecting will now happen with the uk interest rates? i now happen with the uk interest rates? ~ ., now happen with the uk interest rates? ~ . . , ., , rates? i think rate cuts are still on the horizon _ rates? i think rate cuts are still on the horizon to _ rates? i think rate cuts are still on the horizon to horizon - rates? i think rate cuts are still on the horizon to horizon is - rates? i think rate cuts are still- on the horizon to horizon is perhaps just a bit further away than we previously thought. today's data is stronger than we expected, the consensus of the bank of england and

this is one key element and second is yesterday's labour market data which revealed that growth is stronger than the bank of england fought and we previously expected the first cut to come injune but we now think it is more likely to come in august so we are effectively still approaching that price cuts by the bank of england needs a bit more confidence that underlying inflationary pressures are beginning to wane. ., ., , ., ., to wane. 0k, paul hollingsworth from bnp paribas, — to wane. 0k, paul hollingsworth from bnp paribas, thank— to wane. 0k, paul hollingsworth from bnp paribas, thank you _ to wane. 0k, paul hollingsworth from bnp paribas, thank you for _ to wane. 0k, paul hollingsworth from bnp paribas, thank you forjoining - bnp paribas, thank you forjoining us and i bring with us through our technical gremlins today. —— bearing with us through our technical gremlins. we often talk about chip makers in this programme — not potato products, but the growing importance of semi—conductors to the technology industry. but what about the companies that makes the machines that make those chips? dutch tech giant asml is the largest supplier of equipment to computer chip makers and europe's most valuable tech company. today it's reported first—quarter earnings of 1.22

equivalent to $1.3 billion usd. nearly half of asml sales of equipment in the first quarter were to customers in china, despite export restrictions. the dutch government has said it will spend something like 2.5 million euros to improve infrastructure in the area where asml is based in order to keep the company there. we asked ben barringer, global technology analyst, quilter cheviot if there is a risk asml would move. it's absolutely vital to the dutch economy, and i think they have very close political links with the dutch government. so, no, i think it's... they do an awful lot for the local economy, so i think it's very unlikely that it moves. obviously, it does have offices around the world, but most of the r&d happens in belt hoven in the netherlands. and actually you're seeing an expansion of their capacity over the next couple of years.

so they're actually doubling down on their investment in the netherlands. let's head to india now, where the world's most populous nation is all set for its biggest show of democracy. over the next 6 weeks, indians will vote in an election where prime minister narendra modi is contesting to win a record third term. with the size and scale, it is expected to be the world's most expensive elections ever. archana shukla has been crunching the numbers. the stage is all set. 970 million indian voters decide on who runs the country for the next five years. the scale and magnitude of this election — bigger than ever before. 5.5 million electronic voting machines, 15 million polling officers, and a million polling stations in internal elections are the most expensive in the world.

—— indian elections are the most expensive in the world. more than $8 billion were spent in 2019 general elections, and this year the numbers are expected to double. interestingly, the cost of conducting elections isjust 15 to 20% of this figure. the rest spent on political campaigning. more than ever, political parties are flush with cash, mainly through something called electoral bonds, a controversial scheme that allowed for people and companies to donate anonymously to political parties. $2 billion were raised through these bonds until february, when supreme court banned them. more than half the proceeds went to prime minister modi's ruling bjp party, making them the richest political party going into elections. this election is nothing but corporatisation of the poll campaign on the trajectory of the development and democracy and the governance. the money which is floating around is going to be

at least three times more than what it was in 2019. while there is a cap on how much an individual candidate can spend on campaigning, there is no limit on political parties�* spending. hence extensive travels, rallies and road shows, many opting for expensive helicopters and jets. i invite you tojoin politics. and this time around, advertising on digital platforms, including using social media influencers, is estimated to cost nearly 15% of the entire campaign budget. and then there are the freebies and gifts given during campaigning, such as appliances, bicycles, laptops, and what's most difficult to trace are the illegal cash hand—outs given directly to the voters, which never make it to the official book—keeping. already so far, the regulator has seized more than $600 million worth of illegal cash, alcohol and drugs connected to election campaigning, clearly showing the scale of the role black money

plays in indian elections and the challenges authorities have in stamping it out. in other business news... united airlines says it has lost $200 million this year so far, because of the grounding of boeing 737 max 9 planes. the planes were grounded after an unused door plug blew out mid—air on an alaska airlines flight in the us. united also said it will lease planes from airbus going forward, because of a delay in boeing deliveries. adidas has bounced back from the break—up of its partnership with kanye west and says it expects to make profits of more than $740 million this year. the german sportswear giant cut ties with west and his yeezy trainer brand in 2022 after the rapper posted antisemitic comments on social media. tuesday's upbeat comments

from adidas come a month after the company posted its first losses in 30 years. mps in the uk have overwhelmingly backed plans to ban anyone born after 2009 from ever buying cigarettes. the proposals are among the strictest anti—smoking measures in the world. they also include restrictions designed to make vapes less appealing to children. shares in morgan stanley were up almost 4% on tuesday following better than expected results. the banking giant's first—quarter profits were driven by a resurgence in investment banking and growth in wealth management. it follows strong earnings from other us banks in the past week, with goldman sachs reporting a 28% rise in profits. let's have a look at the markets before i go. there is quite a bounce back happening in european trading

today. that is despite that warning from the us federal reserve about a potential delay to the expected interest rate cuts. european indices are climbing today, bouncing back from gloom earlier this week sparked by concerns about conflict in the middle east. that is it for me but we will have more business news in a few hours. goodbye.

hello from the bbc sport centre. let's start with a night of drama in the european champions league, as paris st germain arrived in barcelona with a first—leg deficit, but they left with a place in the semi—finals. barcelona, who led 3—2 coming into this second leg, extended their advantage early

on, with a first half goalfrom raphinha. however, the french side, who so often under—achieve in this tournament, hit back after barca were reduced to 10 men. 0usmane dembele, vitinha, and two goals from kylian mbappe sealed a 4—1win on the night for psg, and a stunning 6—4 victory on aggregate. translation: it is a source of great ride to translation: it is a source of great pride to playing _ translation: it is a source of great pride to playing for _ translation: it is a source of great pride to playing for this _ translation: it is a source of great pride to playing for this club, - pride to playing for this club, representing the capital city of my country. it is something special. i grew up here and it is great for any prissy and it is great for any presume to live evenings like this one. i have the dream of with paris saint—germain and this is another step forward for a great team, i wish them luck but right now, lookers on our side and we will try to wembley. —— for any parisian. there was

as much drama in the other quarterfinal, where borussia dortmund reached the last four for the first time in 11 years after a superb comeback against atletico madrid. having lost the first leg 2—1 in madrid, dortmund were ahead at the break in germany after 2 first half goals. however, atletico twice equalised in the second half, before marcel sabitzer scored the winner for the hosts to send them through to the semi—finals 5—4 on aggregate. well, in the competition later on wednesday, premier league sides manchester city and arsenal could be on a collision course for a semi—final meeting. both, though, have work to do in the second legs of their quarterfinals. the gunners are all square at 2—all against bayern munich. we'll get the latest ahead of the match in germany in a moment. but we'll start with that other huge clash — at the etihad — between city and real madrid. manager pep guardiola says his side are well prepared to secure the title for a second consecutive year. in this time of games, i am not talking winning or losing, i am

talking winning or losing, i am talking being present and being who we are. we have always had the feeling that we are prepared, prepared to perform well at maximum, are best. 0therwise prepared to perform well at maximum, are best. otherwise you can't reach the semifinals against teams like madrid. arsenal have a tough task away against bayern munich after their 2—all draw last week. this is bayern's last chance of silverware this season, the bundesliga title they had won for the past 11 seasons, going to leverkusen over the weekend. but striker harry kane says his side are a different beast in europe. yisays yi says he is looking forward to facing his former premier league rivals. —— he says. i facing his former premier league rivals. -- he says.— rivals. -- he says. i had a lot of history of— rivals. -- he says. i had a lot of history of arsenal— rivals. -- he says. i had a lot of history of arsenal playing - rivals. -- he says. i had a lot of history of arsenal playing for i rivals. -- he says. i had a lot of. history of arsenal playing for spurs are also many years and that north london derby was probably the biggest game of the season every yearin biggest game of the season every year in the premier league but will be there is a different moment, i am playing for a different team obviously, so my focus is on trying to beat a really good side and arsenal. i of course know there will

be a lot of spurs fans watching as well hoping that bayern munich go through tomorrow night but i can't focus on that. the man in charge of the paris 2024 olympic games has been telling the bbc about the security measures that are being put in place to help host the event this summer. tony estanguet, a former 0lympian himself, says that he is very satisfied with how things stand, withjust 100 days to go before the games officially get underway. estanguet said that the games will be protected by an "unprecedented" security operation and that people heading to france this summer can have confidence in the organisers. it was just after the attacks of 2015 happened in france that we decided to go to host this event. at that time, security was really unprecedented. we invested in the

budget 350 million euros of private funds in terms of security, ten times more than what happened in the past, because we all know it is non—negotiable. security is the priority. lebronjames scored 23 points as the los angeles lakers beat the new orleans pelicans 110—106 to reach the nba play—offs. he chipped in with nine rebounds, nine assists and three steals to help the lakers seal the seventh seed in the western conference. the lakers face defending champions the denver nuggets in the first round of the play—offs. james is set to feature in the play—offs for the 17th time in his 21—season career. we can get healthy and when we are healthy and how healthy we can get will determine how well we played but tonight we showcase what we are able to do both offensively and defensively and we had a good group, rotation and plan going right now and we are ready to go. jos buttler hit 107 not out to lead rajasthan royals

to a thrilling final—ball win in pursuit of 224 against kolkata knight riders. england's white—ball captain struggled for his touch early on but burst into life when the seventh wicket fell. he faced every ball in the last three overs and scored the single needed from the last ball to seal a two—wicket win. the royals�* chase was the joint—highest in the indian premier league — the result puts them top of the table. and that's all the sport for now. goodbye. hello, you are watching bbc news. the actor hugh grant has settled a lawsuit against the publisher of the sun newspaper iran claims journalist used private investigators to tap his phone and burgle his house. alongside prince harry, hugh grant was suing

newspapers for alleged unlawful information gathering. just reminders about this case. this is 'ust used reminders about this case. this is just used coming _ reminders about this case. this is just used coming through - reminders about this case. this is just used coming through this - just used coming through this morning where there was effectively a hearing at the high court which was going through details and crossing the and dotting the eyes before the court cases which were due to get under way injanuary of next year. —— this is news coming through just this next year. —— this is news coming throughjust this morning. this next year. —— this is news coming through just this morning. this was a skeleton argument put forward by the newsgroup group of newspapers who publish the sun that it has emerged that one of the litigants in this case, hugh grant, who as you say, was alleging along with prince harry and several other individuals that they had unlawful methods had been used by the sun to gather stories about them back in the day, so as you say, these examples of private investigators using two tap

his home and burgle his house. in the document there, it says that actually hugh grant has settled this claim and hugh grant to self as treated today on x, formerly known as twitter, and he says for anyone interested in my lawsuit against the sun, the news is i have had to settle my claim out of court before it gets to trial and i can tell you that social media message has a little symbol that says thread, which normally indicates there is a thread of messages to follow, presumably giving reasons as to why hugh grant said he had to settle his claim out of court but at the moment, we have the three dots and we are waiting to find out why and we are waiting to find out why and we are waiting to find out why and we are interested to find out why because you know that you grant along with prince harry have been very prominent campaigners on the subject of a legal, unlawful methods being used by newspapers over the year, so hugh grant was very much one of those who i would say was not

expected to settle, if you like, very much a champion of this subject so it is quite a surprise. so we are waiting for the dots to be filled in and you find out exactly why hugh grant has settled this case. fiifi grant has settled this case. ok, thank you _ grant has settled this case. ok, thank you for— grant has settled this case. ok, thank you for filling _ grant has settled this case. 0k, thank you for filling is in from the newsroom. the post office mac inquiry is continuing to date with former investigatorjohn longman and former investigatorjohn longman and former german giving evidence. a sub—postmaster was wrongly convicted and jailed while pregnant in 2010, and jailed while pregnant in 2010, and the post office convicted many people due to the faulty horizon system and some are convicted and sent to prison while many others were left financially ruined and lost theirjobs, businesses and homes. it isjohn longwood speaking aboutjennifer oh dowell who was about jennifer oh dowell who was wrongly aboutjennifer oh dowell who was wrongly accused of stealing more than £9,600 due to a computer system floor. i

than £9,600 due to a computer system floor. , ., u, ., , floor. i seem to recall that this was a case _ floor. i seem to recall that this was a case where _ floor. i seem to recall that this was a case where i _ floor. i seem to recall that this was a case where i asked - floor. i seem to recall that this was a case where i asked why l floor. i seem to recall that thisl was a case where i asked why is floor. i seem to recall that this i was a case where i asked why is it being sent over to the investigation department. —— beat assistant. 95% of the investigation had already been carried out by the retired line but looking back on it, this was a case where it should have gone back to see where there was a fault, and it should have gone back to fujitsu for review, because i think i've said in my statement that fujitsu would be the ones to identify a problem or a fault more than the investigator. the council to the inquiry has been asking about the case of someone who was pregnant with her second child when she was sentenced to 16 months in prison. let's have a listen.—

sentenced to 16 months in prison. let's have a listen. where there was a case that — let's have a listen. where there was a case that was _ let's have a listen. where there was a case that was discontinued - let's have a listen. where there was| a case that was discontinued because of a concern — a case that was discontinued because of a concern that there may have been _ of a concern that there may have been a _ of a concern that there may have been a problem with horizon, do you now accept— been a problem with horizon, do you now accept that is something that should _ now accept that is something that should have been disclosed in their case? _ should have been disclosed in their case? , , ~ ., case? yes, my thinking at the time was only cases _ case? yes, my thinking at the time was only cases where _ case? yes, my thinking at the time was only cases where a _ case? yes, my thinking at the time was only cases where a bug - case? yes, my thinking at the time was only cases where a bug could l was only cases where a bug could have _ was only cases where a bug could have been— was only cases where a bug could have been identified _ was only cases where a bug could have been identified needed - was only cases where a bug could have been identified needed to. was only cases where a bug could | have been identified needed to be disclosed — have been identified needed to be disclosed hut— have been identified needed to be disclosed but i— have been identified needed to be disclosed but i can _ have been identified needed to be disclosed but i can see _ have been identified needed to be disclosed but i can see what - have been identified needed to be disclosed but i can see what you l have been identified needed to be l disclosed but i can see what you are saying _ disclosed but i can see what you are saying now — disclosed but i can see what you are saying now that _ disclosed but i can see what you are saying now that yes, _ disclosed but i can see what you are saying now that yes, this _ disclosed but i can see what you are saying now that yes, this should - saying now that yes, this should have _ saying now that yes, this should have been— saying now that yes, this should have been mentioned _ saying now that yes, this should have been mentioned or- saying now that yes, this should i have been mentioned or presented to the defence _ have been mentioned or presented to the defence so — have been mentioned or presented to the defence so that _ have been mentioned or presented to the defence so that obviously- have been mentioned or presented to the defence so that obviously they i the defence so that obviously they could _ the defence so that obviously they could make — the defence so that obviously they could make their— the defence so that obviously they could make their own _ the defence so that obviously they could make their own inquiries. i the defence so that obviously theyj could make their own inquiries. as an investigator. _ could make their own inquiries. as an investigator, you _ could make their own inquiries. as an investigator, you should - could make their own inquiries. as an investigator, you should be i could make their own inquiries. as an investigator, you should be fair| an investigator, you should be fair and open — an investigator, you should be fair and open and _ an investigator, you should be fair and open and i_ an investigator, you should be fair and open and i take _ an investigator, you should be fair and open and i take what- an investigator, you should be fair and open and i take what you i an investigator, you should be fair and open and i take what you arel and open and i take what you are saying. _ and open and i take what you are saying. this — and open and i take what you are saying, this should _ and open and i take what you are saying, this should have - and open and i take what you are saying, this should have been i saying, this should have been disclosed _ saying, this should have been disclosed or— saying, this should have been disclosed or at _ saying, this should have been disclosed or at least - saying, this should have been i disclosed or at least mentioned saying, this should have been - disclosed or at least mentioned and then advice — disclosed or at least mentioned and then advice given _ disclosed or at least mentioned and then advice given from _ disclosed or at least mentioned and then advice given from our - then advice given from our harristers— then advice given from our barristers to _ then advice given from our barristers to what - then advice given from our barristers to what should l then advice given from our - barristers to what should happen in terms _ barristers to what should happen in terms of— barristers to what should happen in terms of whether— barristers to what should happen in terms of whether it _ barristers to what should happen in terms of whether it should - barristers to what should happen in terms of whether it should be - terms of whether it should be disclosed _ terms of whether it should be disclosed-— terms of whether it should be disclosed. �* , _, , , disclosed. argues correspondent is at the inquiry _ disclosed. argues correspondent is at the inquiry and _ disclosed. argues correspondent is at the inquiry and joins _ disclosed. argues correspondent is at the inquiry and joins me - disclosed. argues correspondent is at the inquiry and joins me now. i at the inquiry and joins me now. good to see you. —— are like news correspondence. what are stood out to you from the evidence given

today? i to you from the evidence given toda ? .. ., , to you from the evidence given toda ? ., , to you from the evidence given toda ? ._ , ., to you from the evidence given toda? , ., ., today? i actually 'ust spoke to that la er for today? i actually 'ust spoke to that lawyer for the — today? i actuallyjust spoke to that lawyer for the case _ today? i actuallyjust spoke to that lawyer for the case you _ today? i actuallyjust spoke to that lawyer for the case you were i today? i actuallyjust spoke to that lawyer for the case you were just l lawyer for the case you were just hearing about their and when we are talking about it, he said the key here is that a lot of the questions revolved around, did the investigator and did the post office understand that there were problems with the horizon it system? because the keyword we keep hearing is they were told it was robust and they understood it was robust, but clearly, because of the 0'dell case and some other documents showing this morning, bugs were known to exist. the important part that is difficult to ascertain here is whether people likejohn longman, investigators understood that that put into question whether it was changing the discrepancies, the shortfall is that victims kept having to see rack up in their accounts. there is also a big point here about disclosure and about whether victims, former sub—postmasters who were accused of

theft and faulty accounting, had all theft and faulty accounting, had all the information they needed to defend themselves. and whatjulian blake, the king's council was arguing here is that had seema mizra known she was not the only one facing these kind of couple shortfall is, if her counsel and defence team knew there were problems with horizon in other cases perhaps things could have turned out differently because remember that seema misra was wrongly convicted of having stolen money and was sentenced to prison when she was 15 weeks pregnant and whenjohn longman was asked if he knew what he knows today and what has been established through this inquiry would he have acted differently, would he have escalated some of these issues and pushed for them to be investigated further by fujitsu and he said yes.

thank you. if you would like to continue following that story, we are trimming the post office inquiry nonstop today on the bbc iplayer. —— we are streaming the post office inquiry. we will be going live to prime minister's questions very shortly, the first four mps who are backin shortly, the first four mps who are back in most ministerfrom their easter break but we will go to our correspondent ben wright in westminster. i imagine events in the middle east will be top of the agenda today. i middle east will be top of the agenda today-— middle east will be top of the arenda toda. ., , , , , agenda today. i would be surprised if keir starmer _ agenda today. i would be surprised if keir starmer did _ agenda today. i would be surprised if keir starmer did not _ agenda today. i would be surprised if keir starmer did not at _ agenda today. i would be surprised if keir starmer did not at some i if keir starmer did not at some point in this afternoon's search ask the prime minister about his latest assessment of the situation in the middle east. a huge amount of uncertainty a course about a way thatis uncertainty a course about a way that is coming next and what israel might do in response to that attack by iran. i think it will then move quite quickly on to domestic politics though, and there is a lot of it around. we have fresh inflation figures to date which shows the pace of inflation continues to slow. the prime

minister has already talked about that this morning in a brief interview for broadcasters in which he used the opportunity to show that the government's plan for the economy was working and urging voters to stick for the conservatives and was pointing out the prices are still rising and clearly voters are not better off than they were five years ago, and i think they are the contours of the economic argument we will hear a lot between now and the end election and we may here run through at prime minister's question time as well so i think inflation will certainly be something the prime minister want to talk about and maybe we hear a bit about rwanda two, of course, because as well as the promise two of inflation which rishi sunak made in january of last year, he also promised to stop the boats, the crossings of migrants over the english channel to the uk which... i will stop you there at the prime minister is on his feet.

this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. in addition to my duties in this house, i shall have further such meetings later today. does my right honourable friend agree tales like barnstaple, the main transport hub in north devon, should have a fully functioning station? lib dems north devon council has not reopened it since the pandemic, leaving residents out in the cold with no facilities. as people start to feel the difference with tax cuts and falling inflation, does he agree we should be making it easierfor people to does he agree we should be making it easier for people to use the bus, come to town and support the local economy and will buy right honourable friend join me in calling on the lib dems to get on with reopening the bus station? brute on the lib dems to get on with reopening the bus station? we know how vital bus — reopening the bus station? we know how vital bus services _ reopening the bus station? we know how vital bus services are _ reopening the bus station? we know how vital bus services are for - how vital bus services are for communities across the country. that is why we are providing devon with £17 million to deliver better services and we introduced the £2 affair bus cap. i know the secretary

of state was recently visiting my honourable friend, seeing the benefits of reopening the station and it is clear the local liberal democrats should get on and do it —— we introduced the £2 fare. the leader we introduced the £2 fare. the leader of _ we introduced the £2 fare. the leader of the _ we introduced the £2 fare. the leader of the opposition, keir starmer~ _ leader of the opposition, keir starmer~ |_ leader of the opposition, keir starmer. . ., leader of the opposition, keir starmer. _, ., , , starmer. i welcome the postmasters in the gallery — starmer. i welcome the postmasters in the gallery in _ starmer. i welcome the postmasters in the gallery in their _ starmer. i welcome the postmasters in the gallery in their quest - starmer. i welcome the postmasters in the gallery in their quest for i in the gallery in their quest for justice. this week we marked 35 years passing of the hillsborough law. we also lost lawyer richard rosser, a lifelong member of the labour party. he will be greatly missed and our thoughts will be with his wife, family and friends. i am privileged to be the proud owner of a copy of the former prime minister's new

book. it is a rare, unsigned copy... laughter it is quite... the only unsigned copy. it is quite the read. she claimed the tory party's, budget that triggered chaos for others was "the happiest moment" of her premiership. has the prime minister met anyone with a mortgage who agrees? met anyone with a mortgage who aurees? ~ ., ., _ met anyone with a mortgage who aurees? ~ ., ., , agrees? well, all i would say is he ou:ht to agrees? well, all i would say is he ought to spend — agrees? well, all i would say is he ought to spend a _ agrees? well, all i would say is he ought to spend a bit _ agrees? well, all i would say is he ought to spend a bit less - agrees? well, all i would say is he ought to spend a bit less time i ought to spend a bit less time reading that book and more time reading that book and more time reading the deputy leader's tax advice. i think we will have less... order. i think we will have less... order. i want _ i think we will have less... order. i want to— i think we will have less... order. i want to get— i think we will have less... order. i want to get through pmqs. keir

starmer~ — i want to get through pmqs. keir starmer. mr i want to get through pmqs. keir starmer. ~ ,,, ., ,, ~ i want to get through pmqs. keir starmer. ~ .,~ ~ .,~ starmer. mr speaker... mr speaker... we have got — starmer. mr speaker... mr speaker... we have got a — starmer. mr speaker... mr speaker... we have got a billionaire _ starmer. mr speaker... mr speaker... we have got a billionaire prime i we have got a billionaire prime minister, a billionaire prime minister... both of whose families have used schemes to avoid millions of pounds of tax, smearing a working—class woman. and the former prime minister has a long list of people to blame for the economic misery. they don't want to hear it, they may have prime minister and millions of people are paying the price. she has a long list of people to blame. she names the governor of the bank of england, the treasury, the bank of england, the treasury, the office for budget responsibility, the american president is blamed at one point. we even learned that the poor old letters was part of the state —— who

are old lettuce. does the premise agree it was the unfunded tax cut, tens of billions of pounds of unfunded tax cuts, that crash the economy and left millions paying more on their mortgages, wasn't it? everyone knows that two years ago i was not afraid to repeatedly warn about what her economic policies would lead to, even if it wasn't what people wanted to hear at the time. mr speaker, iwas what people wanted to hear at the time. mr speaker, i was right... what people wanted to hear at the time. mr speaker, iwas right... i was right then that i am also right now when i say that his economic policies would be a disaster for britain. he would send inflation up, mortgages up, and taxes up and working people would pay the price. appreciate the prime minister having the stomach to say it out loud but everyone knows it is the tory party's obsession with wild unfunded tax cut that crashed the economy. we

know it, he knows it, they know it, and the whole country is living it. so when is he finally going to learn the lesson from his predecessor's mistakes and explain where the money is coming from for his own completely unfunded £46 billion promise to scrap national insurance? mr speaker, when my predecessor was running for leader, to use his words, i did have the stomach to argue out loud about her economic policies, had the conviction to say that they were wrong. but not once, but twice, he tried to make his predecessor prime minister. despite him opposing nato and trident, ignoring anti—semitism, and siding with our enemies. it is clear what he did, putting his own interests ahead of written's. == he did, putting his own interests ahead of written's._ he did, putting his own interests ahead of written's. -- ahead of the country's- — ahead of written's. -- ahead of the

country's- when — ahead of written's. -- ahead of the country's. when he _ ahead of written's. -- ahead of the country's. when he was _ ahead of written's. -- ahead of the country's. when he was running i ahead of written's. -- ahead of thej country's. when he was running for leader, he explained how he was funnelling money from poor areas into richer areas. we know his record. i notice he is not denying the £46 billion promise to scrap national insurance. but he is refusing to say where the money will come from. we have been trying for months to get to the bottom of this, so now is his chance. no more spin, waffle, diversion. i know that will be difficult. he can either... this is the choice, he can either cut the state pension or the nhs that the national insurance funds. that is the first route. or he can put up income tax. which one is it? mr speaker. _ income tax. which one is it? mr speaker, we have just cut taxes by £900 for a typical worker. we delivered the biggest tax cut for businesses since the 1980s. while we are cutting taxes, labour is already

putting them up. in wales. putting up putting them up. in wales. putting up taxes right now are small businesses stop in birmingham, putting up council tax by 21%. and in london... in london his mare has put up taxes by 70%, mr speaker, and this isjust a glimpse of put up taxes by 70%, mr speaker, and this is just a glimpse of what they do if they got empowered —— in london, his mayor. he finally admitted, what would he say he would do? he said we would put up taxes. it is always the same, higher taxes and working people paying the price. no single politician has ever put tax up more times than he has. but... what, just hang on, because he was given the chance... no, he wasjust given the he was given the chance... no, he was just given the chance to rule out cutting the nhs or state pensions to pay for scrapping... he... i was a lawyer long enough to

know when someone is avoiding the question. i am going to give him another chance. will he now rule out cuts to the nhs, cuts to the state pension, or putting up taxes to pay for his unfunded £46 billion promise to scrap national insurance? which is it? i to scrap national insurance? which is it? ., to scrap national insurance? which isit? . , ., to scrap national insurance? which isit? . , , is it? i made absolutely no apology about wanting _ is it? i made absolutely no apology about wanting to _ is it? i made absolutely no apology about wanting to end _ is it? i made absolutely no apology about wanting to end the _ is it? i made absolutely no apology| about wanting to end the unfairness of the double taxation on workers. the nhs is receiving record funding under this conservative government. pensioners have just received a £900 increase under this government. but if you want to talk about tax, let's have a look at what labour's brand newly appointed tax advisor has to say. this adviser thinks that supporting pensioners is a complete disgrace, he believes theirfree supporting pensioners is a complete disgrace, he believes their free tv licences are ridiculous, and if it wasn't bad enough, this adviser has called for increases in income tax,

national insurance, and vat. it all makes sense now. that is who the shadow chancellor has been copying and pasting from.— and pasting from. so... so... so this is genuinely _ and pasting from. so... so... so this is genuinely extraordinary. i and pasting from. so... so... so i this is genuinely extraordinary. two chances... two chances to rule out... mr speaker, two chances to rule out cuts to state pension, cuts to the nhs, or income tax rises to fund his promise to abolish national insurance. ., , ., ., , insurance. order. i want you to set a aood insurance. order. i want you to set a good example. — insurance. order. i want you to set a good example, not _ insurance. order. i want you to set a good example, not a _ insurance. order. i want you to set a good example, not a bad - insurance. order. i want you to set a good example, not a bad one. i insurance. order. i want you to set i a good example, not a bad one. keir starmer~ _ a good example, not a bad one. keir starmer~ lsir— a good example, not a bad one. keir starmer. ~ ,,, ., ,, , a good example, not a bad one. keir starmer. ~ ., ,, , ., , starmer. mr speaker, this matters. he has had — starmer. mr speaker, this matters. he has had two _ starmer. mr speaker, this matters. he has had two chances _ starmer. mr speaker, this matters. he has had two chances to - starmer. mr speaker, this matters. he has had two chances to relax i starmer. mr speaker, this matters. | he has had two chances to relax cuts to the nhs, tax to pensions, this matters to millions of people watching who will want to know what is happening to their nhs and pensions. it really matters to millions of people watching so i will be really generous now. give

him one last chance. very simple... is his £46 billion promise to abolish national insurance being paid for by cuts to the nhs, cuts to the state pension, or yet another tory tax rise? mr the state pension, or yet another tory tax rise?— the state pension, or yet another tory tax rise? mr speaker, he has reall not tory tax rise? mr speaker, he has really got to _ tory tax rise? mr speaker, he has really got to keep _ tory tax rise? mr speaker, he has really got to keep up, _ tory tax rise? mr speaker, he has really got to keep up, mr- tory tax rise? mr speaker, he has| really got to keep up, mr speaker. it is this government that has just delivered a £900 increase to the state pension, this government that has already committed to the triple lock for the next parliament. he had six opportunities, i don't think i heard him say that. when it comes to the nhs you would much rather be treated in a conservative run nhs in england, not the labour run nhs in wales. it is another week where all we heard was political sniping, not a word for the plans for the country. he has failed to acknowledge that since we last met, taxes have been cut by £900, state pension has gone up, free childcare

has been expanded, wages have risen for nine months in a row and just today, inflation down again. 3.2%. our plan is working and the conservatives are delivering a brighter future for britain. he will not be surprised to learn that i'm very much welcoming the £20 million allocated to my constituency as part of the long term plan for towns. i am eager to see this money spent are going to look at wishes. i know there will be consultations following the setting up of the town is a board so will he join following the setting up of the town is a board so will hejoin me in urging residents to take part in the forthcoming consultation is to make sure their voices are heard and to ensure this money is spent whether people want? flan ensure this money is spent whether people want?— ensure this money is spent whether people want? can i thank you for his tireless campaigning _ people want? can i thank you for his tireless campaigning on _ people want? can i thank you for his tireless campaigning on behalf i people want? can i thank you for his tireless campaigning on behalf of i tireless campaigning on behalf of the residents of carlton? our long—term plan for towns means 25 —— 75 towns across the country will

benefit from £20 million each to invest in their local area but crucially, as he said, that will be in the hands of local people deciding on their priorities for the place we live, whether it is regenerating local high streets, investing in parks and green spaces, or tackling anti—social behaviour that we are levelling up across the country and he deserves enormous praise for his role in securing that investment. praise for his role in securing that investment-— praise for his role in securing that investment. , ,, ., ., , ., investment. this week a former pro minister who _ investment. this week a former pro minister who oversaw _ investment. this week a former pro minister who oversaw a _ investment. this week a former pro minister who oversaw a financial i minister who oversaw a financial crash before being unceremoniously turfed from office told the public the truth, and i'm not referring to that one, mr speaker. on monday gordon brown told the people of these aisles that the forces pulling britain apart are greater than the forces holding it together. maybe the prime minister can find sometime this afternoon to perhaps agree with just one of his predecessors. look.

just one of his predecessors. look, mr speaker- -- _ just one of his predecessors. look, mr speaker... where _ just one of his predecessors. look, mr speaker... where i _ just one of his predecessors. look, mr speaker... where i do - just one of his predecessors. look, mr speaker... where i do agree i just one of his predecessors. look, mr speaker... where i do agree with my predecessor very strongly is that scotland would be far stronger inside the uk. mr scotland would be far stronger inside the uk.— scotland would be far stronger inside the uk. ~ .,~ ., , inside the uk. mr speaker, of course were garden — inside the uk. mr speaker, of course were garden tiller— inside the uk. mr speaker, of course were garden tiller neck— inside the uk. mr speaker, of course were garden tiller neck gordon i inside the uk. mr speaker, of course | were garden tiller neck gordon brown was correct in stating scottish independence is not simply off the agenda and indeed those remarks were echoed just yesterday by the general secretary of the scottish trade union congress who stated that it remains an unresolved issue, before going on to state, and you may laugh at her but she said, that can be a very dangerous place to end up in when you are not allowing people to express their wishes in a democratic manner. may i ask... may i ask... may i ask the prime minister, does he welcome the folsom, wholehearted and warm support of the labour party in denying the people of scotland that opportunity to have a say over

their own future?— their own future? well, mr speaker- -- _ their own future? well, mr speaker... we _ their own future? well, mr speaker... we did - their own future? well, mr speaker... we did have i their own future? well, mr speaker... we did have a l their own future? well, mr- speaker... we did have a democratic vote on that topic, but what i would suggest to the snp is that rather than obsessing about independence andindeed than obsessing about independence and indeed wasting time cracking down on free speech and trying to lock on jk down on free speech and trying to lock onjk rowling he should focus on what the people of scotland actually care about, schools, hospitals, jobs and our new tax cuts. i hospitals, “obs and our new tax cuts. . , ., ., , .,, hospitals, “obs and our new tax cuts. ., .,, cuts. i abhor it a pleasing system and we must _ cuts. i abhor it a pleasing system and we must ensure _ cuts. i abhor it a pleasing system and we must ensure everyone i cuts. i abhor it a pleasing system and we must ensure everyone is| and we must ensure everyone is treated bleakly —— check out to tf policing system. the beer gate scandal, they handed their police constable a new three—year contract while the investigation into the labour party leader and deputy leader was ongoing. two former labour mps overseeing the voice due to investigate the deputy leader. —— opposition deputy leader. does he read as complete transparency is of the utmost importance?

my my right honourable friend makes an important point. a key principle of our country as there are the same rules for everyone and when it comes to this topic, the labour leader should show some leadership, avoid stop reading the legal advice, simply publish it and get a grip of the situation. and it says a lot about his that when it comes to his legal expertise which are famed, is more than happy to use it for his own career, but refuses to use it to defend his deputy leader. the recentl defend his deputy leader. tie: recently published report defend his deputy leader. ti2 recently published report makes it clear the ira was riddled with british agents from top to bottom. those agents were involved in abduction, torture and murder of british and irish citizens. the british and irish citizens. the british government, successive british government, successive british governments knew all about it and did nothing. the report also calls for an apology from the government to those victims. will the prime minister take this opportunity now to make that

apology? mr opportunity now to make that aolo: ? ~ apology? mr speaker, as the honourable _ apology? mr speaker, as the honourable gentleman i apology? mr speaker, as the honourable gentleman will . apology? mr speaker, as the i honourable gentleman will know, apology? mr speaker, as the - honourable gentleman will know, this is an interim report and the secretary of state has laid out that we cannot comment on the findings until we get a final report. but we would never condone wrongdoing where there is evidence of this. but i will say this also because it is not said enough. the overwhelming majority of the police, armed forces and intelligence service served with great distinction. they defended democracy in the face of some horrendous violence and without their service and their sacrifice, there would have been no peace process. they help to ensure that the future of northern ireland will never be decided by violence, but by the consent of its people. does never be decided by violence, but by the consent of its people.— the consent of its people. does my riuht the consent of its people. does my right honourable _ the consent of its people. does my right honourable friend _ the consent of its people. does my right honourable friend agree i the consent of its people. does my| right honourable friend agree with me and we don't agree with everything, but we do agree on this that if anyone wants to see why this government has introduced strong laws, he only needs to look to the tees valley. saving airports, saving

freeports, we deliver. does he agree with me the best thing ben has done is doing this without charging any merrell tax, which is labour opponent would need to do to fund his unfunded spending cuts? == his unfunded spending cuts? -- ma oral his unfunded spending cuts? —— mayoral tax. my right honourable friend is absolutely right to raise the great work of ben houchen and over—65s share his concerns about the pledges of the labour candidate. over £130 million of unfunded spending, showing that labour can't be trusted. and we'll see the results of that in labour run birmingham. taxes are going up by 20% -- birmingham. taxes are going up by 20% —— and we all see. that is a story of what labour in local government means, working people paying the price and that is exactly why he and i completely agree that the people of teesside should vote ben houchen and vote conservative. last year in shropshire, 10,000 people waited for more than 24 hours in a&e.10,000 people over 65

waiting on hard plastic chairs or in trolleys in our accident and emergency department. the prime minister tells us he has a plan for the nhs, but what people in north shropshire want to know is how long they are going to have to wait for him to get on and fix the issues where we are. mr him to get on and fix the issues where we are.— him to get on and fix the issues where we are. ~ ,,, ., ,, where we are. mr speaker, with the record funding _ where we are. mr speaker, with the record funding we _ where we are. mr speaker, with the record funding we are _ where we are. mr speaker, with the record funding we are putting i where we are. mr speaker, with the record funding we are putting into i record funding we are putting into the nhs, our urgent emergency care plan is delivering more ambulances, more beds and also fast to discharge through our hospitals to speed the flow and that plan is working. of course there is more to do, but this winter, we saw ambulance and a&e waiting times improved from the year before for the first time in many years and if we stick to the plan, we will continue to deliver improvement for her constituents and everyone else. mr improvement for her constituents and everyone else-— everyone else. mr speaker, in 2010, somebody earning _ everyone else. mr speaker, in 2010, somebody earning £15,000 - everyone else. mr speaker, in 2010, somebody earning £15,000 a - everyone else. mr speaker, in 2010, somebody earning £15,000 a year i everyone else. mr speaker, in 2010, i somebody earning £15,000 a year paid £1700 in income tax. today, somebody earning £15,000 a year pays less

than £500 of tax. so does the prime minister agree with me that this has helped create jobs, minister agree with me that this has helped createjobs, growth and self—reliance? mr; helped create 'obs, growth and self-reliance?— helped create “obs, growth and self-reliance? g ., ., self-reliance? my honourable friend is uuite self-reliance? my honourable friend is quite right- _ self-reliance? my honourable friend is quite right. and _ self-reliance? my honourable friend is quite right. and because - self-reliance? my honourable friend is quite right. and because of i self-reliance? my honourable friend is quite right. and because of our i is quite right. and because of our plan, the economy after a tough few years has indeed turned a corner. inflation has fallen from over 11% to 3.2%, it is forecast to return back to target in just a few months. a year ahead of expectations. and that's why we have been able to cut people's taxes, a tax cut as he mentioned with £900 for an average worker, which by the way is part of our plan to end the long—term unfairness of the double taxation on work. ., ~ unfairness of the double taxation on work. . ,, , ., unfairness of the double taxation on work. ., ~' ,, ~ unfairness of the double taxation on work. . ,, ~ ., ,, ., work. thank you, mr speaker. four ears work. thank you, mr speaker. four years ago. — work. thank you, mr speaker. four years ago. my _ work. thank you, mr speaker. four years ago, my constituent - work. thank you, mr speaker. four years ago, my constituent was i years ago, my constituent was drugged and raped by her then boyfriend. after her conviction, she was advised reading a transcript of his trial would help her to come to

terms with her experience, but when requesting that, she was told she would have to pay more than £7,000. astonishingly, giuliana is not alone, i have heard of victims quoted fees of up to £22,000 to re—trial transcripts which are part of their own story. justice should not have a price tag. the liberal democrats amendment to the victims bill would give all victims the right to read sentencing remarks and summing upfree right to read sentencing remarks and summing up free of charge. giuliana is here in the gallery today and she asks of the prime minister will support that amendment. will he look her in the eye and say yes? i am extremely _ her in the eye and say yes? i am extremely sorry _ her in the eye and say yes? i am extremely sorry to _ her in the eye and say yes? i am extremely sorry to hear - her in the eye and say yes? i am extremely sorry to hear about giuliana's case and my sympathies are with her and indeed herfamily. we are committed to improving victims's access to court transcripts to help them move on and rebuild their lives, we already offer free service to families of homicide victims for example. and that's why we have already committed to a one—year pilot to help identify the current demand and alongside

this, we are looking actively at other options to immediately reduce the costs. mr other options to immediately reduce the costs. ~ ,, , ., ,, other options to immediately reduce thecosts. ~ the costs. mr speaker, bracknell forest council _ the costs. mr speaker, bracknell forest council has _ the costs. mr speaker, bracknell forest council has a _ the costs. mr speaker, bracknell forest council has a particular- forest council has a particular challenge with special educational needs and i am keen to support them. i am grateful to the government for the recent review that significantly increases resources and the programme for bracknell. but additional school places are needed now. could the prime minister please agree today to release the funding for new send units at sandhurst and edge borough schools and, to fully funding up front our new send school in crowthorne? can funding up front our new send school in crowthorne?— in crowthorne? can i thank my honourable — in crowthorne? can i thank my honourable friend _ in crowthorne? can i thank my honourable friend for - in crowthorne? can i thank my i honourable friend for highlighting how bracknell forest�*s local authority has worked positively with the department through the safety valve programme and is part of that agreement over the next four years, the council will receive £16 million in extra funding to provide the vital education that my honourable friend's constituents deserve. i am told that the department is still reviewing capital bids for the

safety valve programme, but they will be in touch with local authorities directly as soon as possible. in authorities directly as soon as ossible. . ., , authorities directly as soon as ossible. . . , ., possible. in the exchanges earlier, we didn't hear— possible. in the exchanges earlier, we didn't hear much _ possible. in the exchanges earlier, we didn't hear much of— possible. in the exchanges earlier, we didn't hear much of a _ possible. in the exchanges earlier, we didn't hear much of a defence l we didn't hear much of a defence from the prime minister of his predecessor, so perhaps he could tell the house what is considered to be her greatest achievement? mr speaker... mr speaker, while the party opposite were busy trying to take us back into the eu and reverse the referendum result, my predecessor was signing trade deals around the world which have now meant that brexit britain has overtaken the netherlands, france and japan to become the fourth largest exporter in the world. thank ou, mr largest exporter in the world. thank you. mr speaker- — largest exporter in the world. thank you, mr speaker. my _ largest exporter in the world. tiafiaz you, mr speaker. my constituent claire, and one of her two children, almost lost their lives in a fire at her home in very 2023. since then, claire has been a victim of bullying by aggressive claims handlers,

negligent and unprofessional conduct, including violating a policy and withdrawing alternative accommodation by the insurer, part of the accredited insurance europe group and europe trinity claims management. claire has raised institutional failings with the financial conduct of oratory and has successfully raised individual issues with the financial ombudsman, but the delay tactics of the insurance company mean she is no closer to resolution. claire is in the gallery today and asks if the prime minister will meet with her and me to look at how we can better protect consumers against bad practices in the insurance industry and does he agree with me that it time to establish an office of the whistleblower? mr; time to establish an office of the whistleblower?— time to establish an office of the whistleblower? ~ , ., ., ., , whistleblower? my honourable friend is an excellent _ whistleblower? my honourable friend is an excellent campaigner _ whistleblower? my honourable friend is an excellent campaigner on - whistleblower? my honourable friend is an excellent campaigner on behalf| is an excellent campaigner on behalf of her constituent and can i extend my sympathies to claire and her family? whilst i cannot comment on individual cases, i'm sure she will understand, i know the financial conduct authority does have the powers it needs to take action against firms that breached its

rules and further customers can contact the financial ombudsman service, whose decisions are binding. buti service, whose decisions are binding. but i will immediately ensure the relevant minister meets with my honourable friend look more closely at the specific issue and the case she raises. the ukrainian member of _ the case she raises. the ukrainian member of parliament _ the case she raises. the ukrainian member of parliament is - the case she raises. the ukrainian member of parliament is in i the case she raises. the ukrainian member of parliament is in the i member of parliament is in the public gallery at this afternoon and i'm sure we wish to welcome him and wish ukraine the best. ukraine has the people, ukraine has the courage, but ukraine does not currently have the weapons and the air defence to secure her freedom. the weapons and the air defence to secure herfreedom. in light of today's russian attack this morning which has killed at least ten and injured —— and injured many more, cani injured —— and injured many more, can i ask the prime minister if he will respond to the statements by president volodymyr zelensky this would not have happened if ukraine had received sufficient defence equipment?— had received sufficient defence equipment? had received sufficient defence ea-uiment? ~ equipment? well, mr speaker, it was a leasure equipment? well, mr speaker, it was a pleasure to — equipment? well, mr speaker, it was a pleasure to address _ equipment? well, mr speaker, it was a pleasure to address members i equipment? well, mr speaker, it was a pleasure to address members of. equipment? well, mr speaker, it was| a pleasure to address members of the ukrainian parliament when i visited ukraine earlier this year. indeed,

it was my first foreign visit of the year, i was the first foreign leader to visit ukraine and president zelensky to demonstrate our strong support for the ukrainian people at their moment of struggle against russian aggression. we have increased the amount of support we have given to ukraine this year. indeed, the first major country to do so. and a big part of that support concerns air defence, where we have lead in supporting ukraine's efforts, we will continue to do so and continue to encourage other countries around the world to step up countries around the world to step up and match our leadership because we all want to see a future for ukraine based on freedom from tyranny. {3h ukraine based on freedom from rann . ., . , ukraine based on freedom from rann . . . , ., tyranny. on a recent visit to pimlico in — tyranny. on a recent visit to pimlico in my _ tyranny. on a recent visit to pimlico in my constituency, | tyranny. on a recent visit to i pimlico in my constituency, the prime minister heard directly from local people concerned about the eye—watering rise in violent crime and robberies. does my right honourable friend agree with me that the london labour mayor has failed to take advantage of extra government funding to recruit more police and that made a second,

londoners can send him a very clear message that he has let them down? sadiq khan is failing london. while burglary is down across england, it is up in london. violent crime is down across england, but it is up in london. and the labour mayor is the only one 43 police and crime commissioners to have missed his police recruitment target. londoners will have a chance to cast their vote on the 2nd of may and i hope that they kick him out, because we all know they will be safer with susan hall. all know they will be safer with susan hall-— all know they will be safer with susan hall. ., ,, ~ ., ,, susan hall. thank you, mr speaker. m local susan hall. thank you, mr speaker. my local community _ susan hall. thank you, mr speaker. my local community is _ susan hall. thank you, mr speaker. my local community is reeling i susan hall. thank you, mr speaker. my local community is reeling from | my local community is reeling from the discovery of 35 bodies and unidentifiable cremated ashes at a local funeral home. unidentifiable cremated ashes at a localfuneral home. their pain has been made worse when they realised the funerals —— fewer plans they use their life savings for were fake. does the prime minister agree in these unique services, a discretion

should be offered when deciding if payback applies to refunds? can i ex - ress payback applies to refunds? can i express my _ payback applies to refunds? can i express my sympathies _ payback applies to refunds? can i express my sympathies to - payback applies to refunds? can i express my sympathies to the families affected by the case the honourable lady raises. i believe the ministry ofjustice are urgently looking in a matter she raises and i will ensure someone gets in touch with her as soon as possible. robotic surgery allows laparoscopic surgery to be performed with increased precision, flexibility and control which can reduce —— result in reduced convocation rates, reduced days in hospital and reduce hospital readmissions. but there's currently no robotic surgery provision in cornwall. as a result, residents of, have to travel to devon for robotic procedures, a journey of than 80 miles, 120 miles for some, for less, residents. will my friend the prime minister ring—fence capital funding for cornwall to establish a robotic surgery service and address the health inequalities our constituents have lived with for far too long?

can i thank my honourable friend for highlighting the potential of this innovative technology for patient care. i'm delighted to see more generally that cornel is benefiting from our new hospital programme, providing a new women's and children'shospital in, which we discussed. but i can tell him nhs england are actively exploring opportunities to expand robotic —assisted surgery. any decisions on funding new allocations will factor in healthy low quality such as areas with less access to robots today and i will ensure the current access to robotic surgery in my honourable friend's community is appropriately considered by the relevant health minister. mr considered by the relevant health minister. ~ ,,, ., ,, minister. mr speaker, the prime minister. mr speaker, the prime minister told _ minister. mr speaker, the prime minister told us _ minister. mr speaker, the prime minister told us on _ minister. mr speaker, the prime minister told us on monday i minister. mr speaker, the prime minister told us on monday that | minister. mr speaker, the prime i minister told us on monday that he was off to make a telephone call to mr netanyahu to urge restraint on a government that has killed and maimed well over 100,000 people in six months. 72% of them, women and

children. can he tell us how the telephone call went and what he will do if his advice is not taken? and an unrestrained war begins. mr speaker, i was pleased to speak with prime minister netanyahu, who thanked the uk for their support of israel's security over the weekend. we also discussed the situation and how iran is isolated on the world stage. and also, i made the point to him that significant escalation is not in any one�*s interest on debt —— and it is a time for calm heads to prevail. i also reiterated our concerns about the humanitarian situation in gaza, where i welcome the statements and commitments of the statements and commitments of the israeli government about significantly increasing aid into gaza and now we need to see those commitments delivered. residents in smalley and denby are now faced by two huge solar farm

applications with only 500 metre gap between them. both sites are wholly in the green belt. would he agree we should change planning guide is to make it absolutely clear that productive farms in the green belt are not the right place for solar farms and the investment and time being spent should go on sites that might be appropriate like car parks or brownfield land rather than wasting time? he or brownfield land rather than wasting time?— or brownfield land rather than wasting time? he is right that particularly — wasting time? he is right that particularly at _ wasting time? he is right that particularly at a _ wasting time? he is right that particularly at a time - wasting time? he is right that particularly at a time of - wasting time? he is right that - particularly at a time of increased geopolitical risk we must protect our nation's food security and our most valuable agricultural land. we want to see more solar, one of the cheapest forms of energy, but as he said, on brownfield sites, rooftops and away from our best agricultural land and that is why our recently published national infrastructure planning rules set out the requirement for solar not to be placed on what is described as best and most valuable land where possible. the energy and environment secretaries are making sure that

developers and planning authorities strike the right balance so we can deliver what he wants, which is more british food grown here at home. the ma oral british food grown here at home. tue: mayoral candidate in teesside, i spoke with him and it is clear that residents are really worried about crime. levels in tory run teesside out some of the highest in the country. residential burglary rate is 52% higher than anywhere else in the country. when will the prime minister realise he has not only lost control of his party, but of crime in this country? mr speaker... what a joke! — crime in this country? mr speaker... what a joke! police _ crime in this country? mr speaker... what a joke! police and _ crime in this country? mr speaker... what a joke! police and crime - what a joke! police and crime commissioner elections are happening across the country and she should look at the record. under this government crime has been cut by 50%. 20,000 more police officers. here are the facts and what it so extraordinary to hear what she said. people with a labour police and crime commissioner are more likely

to be victims of burglary and twice as likely to be victims of robbery. the facts completely speak for themselves, vote conservative for safer streets.— safer streets. every month my constituents _ safer streets. every month my constituents spent _ safer streets. every month my constituents spent nearly - safer streets. every month my constituents spent nearly £45 million on interest payments to cover their £1.8 billion debt —— my constituency council. borrowing they used to spend on an energy company that went bust, offices in birmingham and manchester, and even a business park that they purchased through an offshore company you would like to avoid paying tax. —— presumably to avoid paying tax. would he agree with me that it is time to send in inspectors? the council has gone too far in its moneymaking schemes. local councils should focus on delivering great services and the way to achieve that is vote conservative on the 2nd of

may. is vote conservative on the 2nd of ma . , , ., ., may. this year the government announced _ may. this year the government announced a — may. this year the government announced a further— may. this year the government announced a further £600 - may. this year the government i announced a further £600 million may. this year the government - announced a further £600 million in extra funding for local councils. a real terms increase, as it has done every single year of this parliament. we all know what happens when a labour are in charge. whether it is racking up debt in warrington as my honourable friend said, the 21% council tax increase in labour run birmingham or its lashing services in nottingham or, as ijust said, higher crime on average in each labour police and crime commissioner area. each labour police and crime commissionerarea. it each labour police and crime commissioner area. it is crystal clear that whenever labour are in charge it is working people that pay the price. charge it is working people that pay the rice. ~ ~ :: :: :: charge it is working people that pay the rice. ~ ~ 11:11: , charge it is working people that pay the rice. ~ 11:11: , ., the price. while 64,000 people on the price. while 64,000 people on the waitin: the price. while 64,000 people on the waiting list _ the price. while 64,000 people on the waiting list for _ the price. while 64,000 people on the waiting list for a _ the price. while 64,000 people on the waiting list for a council - the price. while 64,000 people on the waiting list for a council house | the waiting list for a council house in the midlands, families are living in the midlands, families are living in hotels, cold and damp flats. andy street has built 46 social homes in eight years. does the prime minister think that is good enough? mr speaker... andy street is absolutely delivering for the west midlands.

unlike the labour mayor in london he has delivered on all of his housing targets, in fact. has delivered on all of his housing targets, infact. it has delivered on all of his housing targets, in fact. it is a labour run council in birmingham imposing on her constituents and others are 21% council tax rise. what are they getting in exchange for that? 600 job losses, cuts to services and on some streets they are even turning off the lights stop what labour have done to birmingham, the conservatives will never let them do it to britain. flan conservatives will never let them do it to lmain-— it to britain. can i 'ust ask the prime minister _ it to britain. can i 'ust ask the prime minister to _ it to britain. can i just ask the prime minister to thank - it to britain. can i just ask the prime minister to thank his i it to britain. can i just ask the i prime minister to thank his right honourable friend the secretary of state for transport for further meetings with hitachi this morning, indeed with the union representatives, we are all glad to see what has happened yesterday but it is important we do the same to support the factories up at hitachi. can i thank my honourable friend for his role in championing the rail industry in the uk? is he rightly said, the department for transport and the secretary of state have been

actively engaged with companies to make sure we have rubber supply chain and we are investing record amounts of rail investment, especially in the north and are pleased to see it is being delivered. we will leave prime minister's questions there, the speaker is collin oneword. let's introduce our guests. resettlement, the chief political correspondent. . —— henrik zeffman. let's start with what keir starmer wanted to focus on. he could not resist although make sure the government response to this injustice? i am response to this in'ustice? i am sor to response to this in'ustice? i am sorry to hear _ response to this injustice? i am sorry to hear about _ response to this injustice? i am sorry to hear about the - response to this injustice? i am sorry to hear about the situation impacting the honourable lady's consistence and i am more than happy to make sure that we look into it and get back to her as soon as

possible. —— the honourable lady's constituents. that was prime minister's questions taking place in the house of commons. rishi sunak and labour's sir keir starmer have been debating on the economy. starmer began by criticising the government's economic record, saying the conservatives have "crashed the economy". prime minister rishi sunak says labour's economic policies would be a "disaster "for britain" and "working people would pay the price". keir starmer also criticised ex—prime minister liz truss. sunak says he had the "stomach" to question truss's policies at the time. let's go back to the house of commons where david lammy is asking an urgent humanitarian question. humanitarian situation in gaza. minister. ., ~ , ., humanitarian situation in gaza. minister. ., ~ ~ humanitarian situation in gaza. minister. ., ~ minister. thank you, mr speaker. the

deu minister. thank you, mr speaker. the deputy foreign _ minister. thank you, mr speaker. the deputy foreign secretary _ minister. thank you, mr speaker. the deputy foreign secretary is _ deputy foreign secretary is regrettably unable to respond to this question in person as he is in the world bank meetings in washington. i will respond on his behalf. earlierthis washington. i will respond on his behalf. earlier this month, we passed a grim milestone — six months since hamas's horrific terrorist attack on israel. the uk government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including british nationals. we want to see the release of all hostages. the palestinian civilians and spent these months suffering with conditions worsening by the day. the humanitarian situation in gaza is dire. the iran attack and i was for israel had not changed our focus on ensuring israel reaches it commitment to allow at least 580 trucks a day into gaza, open ashdod port for aid deliveries, open a crossing into northern gaza and extend i was at kerem shalom crossing and another. we are pushing

as hard as we can to get aid to palestinian civilians and as israel knows, we will be urging israel to take immediate action on the bottlenecks holding up a listing in relief. we have recently seen a small increase in the number of a drug is being allowed into gaza, but not all of them are full —— in the number of aid trucks being allowed to enter gaza. the number is not adequate given the humanity and severity of the situation we now see. we will continue to press israel to take action to open ashdod fully to allow humanitarian aid. we will also be allowing life—saving support by sea to gaza including the deployment of a royal navy ship which is now ready to integrate with its us peer and provide a command and control platforms. we also committing up to 9.7 million for fade deliveries through this corridor inks as well as providing

deliveries and equipment. in the last six weeks, the air force has conducted seven airdrops in the gaza coast delivering more than... tonnes of fuels. uk med is up and running in gaza, treating more than 8000 people already, a high proportion of them children. we need to see the operating environment within gaza improve so as more aid gets and it can be distributed quickly, safely and effectively. israel must ensure the un has the access equipment and staff needs to do this. we were horrified by the attack on the world central kitchen convoy, which killed seven aid workers, including three very dedicated british nationals. israel must do more to protect aid workers, including guaranteed deconfliction for aid convoys and other humanitarian work to ensure they can operate safely. the findings of israel's investigation must be published in full and followed up with a wholly

independent review to ensure the utmost transparency and accountability. six months on, mr speaker, however much we might wish otherwise, the fighting has not yet come to an end. we cannot and will not stand buying. these foreign secretary is in the region this week pressing for further action —— we cannot and will not stand by. pressing for further action -- we cannot and will not stand by. thank ou, mr cannot and will not stand by. thank you. mr speaker- — cannot and will not stand by. thank you, mr speaker. thank _ cannot and will not stand by. thank you, mr speaker. thank you - cannot and will not stand by. thank you, mr speaker. thank you for - you, mr speaker. thank you for granting this urgent question. conditions in gaza are desperate and didn't tolerable. —— intolerable. famine is taking hold. there is sewage pooling in the streets. the water has still not been switched back on. almost nothing is reaching northern gaza, where people already dying of starvation. the health care system has been utterly devastated. yesterday, leading ngos told me about specific blocks and restrictions they face from israeli authorities ending life—saving work. he sat waiting unable to reach those

in need. —— unable to do their life—saving work. some aid rotting where it stood. items removed from trucks of that explanation. doctors were using single—use medical equipment from patients who have died. —— items removed from trucks without explanation. the un report today said more than 10,000 women have been killed. mr speaker, this it is description of hell on earth and it cannot go on. for months, we demanded that aid flow without restrictions. unfettered, unimpeded, at a level to meet you and say we need. the un security council has demanded it. the icj has ordered it. but despite the pledges made, un figures show that there was more aid going on some days injanuary than there was yesterday. so i have three questions for the government. first, can the minister be clear that israel is not meeting its commitments and what pressures the government applying to change that?

second, why has the government not yet announced it restoring funding to unrwa. it is shocking that in the face of famine, the uk is one of the last major donors that has not yet resumed funding that explanation. third, wide is the government seemingly softening its message to benjamin netanyahu on the rafah crossing —— the rafah city. mrs bickley, 1.5 million civilians sheltering with nowhere to go. they cannot yet be a humanitarian operation to meet the scale of need without an immediate ceasefire now. both sides need to comply and we know it is hamas and their leader, sinwar who rejected the latest deal. we urgently need to make progress now to prevent the loss of innocent life, free the hostages held by hamas and allow a surge of aid into gaza. . ..

hamas and allow a surge of aid into gaza. ., ~ i. hamas and allow a surge of aid into gaza. ., ~' ,, ~ hamas and allow a surge of aid into gaza. ., ~ i. ~ ., ~ gaza. thank you, mr speaker. important _ gaza. thank you, mr speaker. important point _ gaza. thank you, mr speaker. important point have - gaza. thank you, mr speaker. important point have been - gaza. thank you, mr speaker. i important point have been made gaza. thank you, mr speaker. - important point have been made and i thought it is important to welcome israel's commitment to increase the amount of aid getting into gaza and the limited steps that have been made but, and this is an important but, more must be done, as the right honourable gentleman was saying to realise these commitments and we continue to urge this. as i said, the foreign secretary is in the region. we are working hard on the issues. the right honourable gentleman also talked about unrwa. the final report is due at the end of april. we will review that and they make a decision on future funding. we do recognise the important role that unrwa plays and on the wider strategic point as well in terms of our approach it is very clear that we want to see humanitarian pause and then push for the conditions for a sustainable ceasefire. , , ., .,

ceasefire. does my right honourable friend agree — ceasefire. does my right honourable friend agree with _ ceasefire. does my right honourable friend agree with me _ ceasefire. does my right honourable friend agree with me that _ ceasefire. does my right honourable friend agree with me that the - friend agree with me that the position of the hostages is absolutely key to this? is he able to report any more progress because mackie explained that hamas had not agreed the later situation, but does he agree with me that pressure needs to be put on them by their interlocutors were working with them to really something solid on the hostage problem and do it speedily? weight the government continues to call for an immediate humanitarian pause, as we said to call for an immediate humanitarian pause, as we said— pause, as we said to allow for the release of — pause, as we said to allow for the release of hostages. _ pause, as we said to allow for the release of hostages. we - pause, as we said to allow for the release of hostages. we cannot i release of hostages. we cannot provide a running commentary on the negotiations, which are highly sensitive and ongoing, uk is using all of our diplomatic channels to support diplomatic efforts being facilitated by egypt, qatar and the us. ,, facilitated by egypt, qatar and the us. snp spokesperson. understandably, - us. snp spokesperson. i understandably, perhaps, us. snp spokesperson. - understandably, perhaps, the us. snp spokesperson. _ understandably, perhaps, the world's attention has been on the shocking iranians missile attack on the

weekend but we cannot and we must not forget about the humanitarian crisis in gaza and the plight of millions of innocent civilians facing a man—made famine and living with a constant threat of attack. neither can we forget those immensely brave humanitarian aid workers, particularly the seven world central kitchen employees whose status as humanitarians appears to have offered them at little or no protection from the idf. despite the promises made, united nations reported this week more than 40% of what they try to take into gaza was rejected. and those of us who have been to the border and seen the efforts of the egyptian red crescent and their warehouse full of rejected medical equipment have a pretty good idea what those items were and this is an area which has no single operational hospital. but the elephant in the room is export. arms export licenses. the how much longer as the uk going to send humanitarian aid to

gaza while simultaneously licensing weapons sales to israel? and wouldn't the best form of humanitarian aid for the people of gaza be to end supplying israel with the weapons that will kill them? hear, hear. delivering this year, it has been a strong record of curbing inflation, getting _ strong record of curbing inflation, getting taxes down, getting more people _ getting taxes down, getting more people intojobs. by getting taxes down, getting more people into join-— he is right to highlight what happened in iran recently and we must not forget the situation on the ground in gaza, we are working hard to make sure eight can come through he talked about, i highlighted that in my opening remarks. he also talked about export, the latest assessment carried out by the foreign secretary, our position on export licence is unchanged consistent with the advice ministers have received and we will keep this position under review. he should remember his opening point about iran and what happened recently and iran and what happened recently and i will leave it there on export controls. i will leave it there on export controls-— i will leave it there on export controls. ~ ., ., ., ., controls. with humanitarian aid caettin controls. with humanitarian aid getting into _ controls. with humanitarian aid getting into the _ controls. with humanitarian aid getting into the aid _

controls. with humanitarian aid getting into the aid getting - controls. with humanitarian aid getting into the aid getting into the gaza strip is very important. as he noticed the white house national security spokesperson said in an interview with nbc that aid getting into gaza has increased by a large amount over the last few days, more than 2000 trucks able to get ten, about 100 in the last 24 hours alone. three bakeries have reopened in northern gaza in the last week producing 3 million per to bread daily and food aid convoys are continuing via the northern crossing newly opened. there is always more to do of course and as i said it is very important but will he accept there are considerable improvements considering this is an active war zone. i considering this is an active war zone. . . considering this is an active war zone. ., ., ., , zone. i am grateful for his comments. _ zone. i am grateful for his comments. as _ zone. i am grateful for his comments. as i _ zone. i am grateful for his comments. as i said - zone. i am grateful for his comments. as i said in i zone. i am grateful for his| comments. as i said in my zone. i am grateful for his _ comments. as i said in my response to the opposition, it... can you

give me the question again? bid to the opposition, it... can you give me the question again? aid is improving- — give me the question again? aid is improving. excuse _ give me the question again? aid is improving. excuse me. _ give me the question again? aid is improving. excuse me. we - give me the question again? aid is improving. excuse me. we have i give me the question again? aid is i improving. excuse me. we have seen a limited improvement. _ improving. excuse me. we have seen a limited improvement. he _ improving. excuse me. we have seen a limited improvement. he says - improving. excuse me. we have seen a limited improvement. he says it - improving. excuse me. we have seen a limited improvement. he says it has i limited improvement. he says it has been significant, from a low base but clearly our aspirations are higher, there are a number of key areas we want to see further improvement and we are working with israel on that. excuse me.— israel on that. excuse me. airdrops. promises of— israel on that. excuse me. airdrops. promises of harbours, _ israel on that. excuse me. airdrops. promises of harbours, promises i israel on that. excuse me. airdrops. promises of harbours, promises of l promises of harbours, promises of money to come, these are not touching the sides of the scale of the problem. people are starving to death. at the beginning of march my committee published a report for the uk government to press for more than 500 humanitarian aid data be allowed into gaza, for all of the crossings to be opened, for israeli military

to be opened, for israeli military to cooperate better with aid agencies, deconfliction so that humanitarian workers can live but also safely carry out their vital work and despite the foreign secretary's optimism weekly averages just over 1100 trucks a week. why is this government not doing more to persuade israel to meet its responsibilities under international law and facilitate the aid to the people of gaza. how many more people have to die? i people of gaza. how many more people have to die? , . have to die? i understand her concerns. _ have to die? i understand her concerns, particularly - have to die? i understand her concerns, particularly in - have to die? i understand her concerns, particularly in her. concerns, particularly in her position as chair of the select committee but i have to highlight we are pressing incredibly hard with israel. to make further progress. it has been limited progress. the foreign secretary is in the region and continues to press for these cases, as does my honourable friend the minister for development doing

important work in this area as well. i'm sorry to question the minister again on the same theme but he will start to appreciate the frustration in the house that over the last six months we have heard the government beg, plead, press, have telephone calls, meetings, conversations, even the raf in the sky to rightly defend israel from iran, and yet it is occurring to many others that the israeli government cares little for what we say to the extent medical aid from palestinians are sport a famine is all but inevitable over the next few weeks. in gaza. when we going to realise saying things is making no difference and we actually have to act, not least to take steps to enforce the judgment of the international court of justice, to enforce the judgment of the international court ofjustice, when will we actually do something concrete to save these lives? b5

will we actually do something concrete to save these lives? $5 i concrete to save these lives? as i said, we concrete to save these lives? as i said. we are _ concrete to save these lives? as i said, we are pressing incredibly hard to make sure... to see that we see further progress in this vital area and as i highlighted before, one of the key things we do is committing 9.7 million for a delivery through the life—saving aid corridor. this action being taken, clearly we will continue to put pressure on the israelis, they made commitments, we want them to stand up commitments, we want them to stand up and realise or allow agencies to realise those commitments. crossings are still not open, _ realise those commitments. crossings are still not open, trucks _ realise those commitments. crossings are still not open, trucks are - realise those commitments. crossings are still not open, trucks are going i are still not open, trucks are going and half empty, 41% of requests from the un to send in aid have been refused from the israeli government. that is the reality on the ground. the report comes out this saturday the 20th of april, not the end of the 20th of april, not the end of the month. when will the government come to this house to tell us when it will reinstate funding to unrwa,

the only aid organisation with the infrastructure to deliver a scale. we will be reviewing that report and make your final decision, and explain to parliament what that decision is. more importantly the development to recognise the vital role unrwa plays. the development to recognise the vital role unrwa plays.— role unrwa plays. the foreign secretary was _ role unrwa plays. the foreign secretary was proud _ role unrwa plays. the foreign secretary was proud to - role unrwa plays. the foreign i secretary was proud to announce role unrwa plays. the foreign - secretary was proud to announce that the united kingdom set up a contact group of the middle east which has members from europe, the middle east and the united states. a key partner linked to the humanitarian situation in palestine and gaza is this— all those members have decided to fund unrwa. they have and they are part of the contact group solution to the middle east therefore why is it taking us so long when our european counterparts have made that

decision? and i asked the minister to ask the foreign secretary i read it with him and the prime minister to set up an international donors conference for palestine. we did it with friends of syria, we now need to move forward urgently and show our leadership in this matter as the situation is getting very, very very critical. i situation is getting very, very very critical. ,., , situation is getting very, very very critical. ,, ., ., critical. i will say it again, we wait for the _ critical. i will say it again, we wait for the final _ critical. i will say it again, we wait for the final report - critical. i will say it again, we wait for the final report and l critical. i will say it again, we i wait for the final report and make decision on another. the situation around this was particularly concerning so we need that report to make the decision. he will remember we have also treble the amount of aid we provided to occupied palestinian territories and now our task is to make sure that we can and find ways to get that aid end. doctors briefed parliamentarians yesterday, very movingly about their

experiences of treating people in gaza. they impressed upon us how important it was they were kept safe, how many of their colleagues had died and i'm sure the minister will thank them for their tireless work and aid workers and anyone who gives a weather safety and pointed out they are more vulnerable to disease. a report from the has projected a fit continues as it has 70,000 excess deaths beyond those who have died will die if something is not done. will the minister agree with me the only thing that needs to happen now is that immediate bilateral ceasefire but also rebuilding the medical situation in gaza now, not later, because that is what is stopping people from getting the life—saving treatment they desperately need. i

the life-saving treatment they desperately need.— the life-saving treatment they desperately need. i 'oin her in the most challenging i desperately need. i 'oin her in the most challenging of— desperately need. ijoin her in the | most challenging of circumstances responding there about the desperate aid situation in gaza, they said they were pushing as hard as they can to get more aid into get to the israelis to do that and asked about why they hadn't restored funding for the aid organisation will draw, they said they were waiting for the report on an investigation that some will draw workers were operating on the october the 7th hamas attacks. we will step away from that there, you are watching bbc news, stay with us. —— unrwa workers. hello, there. the direction of the wind will play a key role in the whether story over the next few days with lighter winds which has given it is a chance to enjoy some sunshine and a beautiful cherry blossom we have but it is

still coming from the north and this area of high pressure is trying to dominate but it means we have showers coming in from a north—easterly direction along the east coast and west coast as well. sandwiched in between the two for the remainder of the afternoon is where we are likely to see you at showers and some sunny moments but because of the rain direction coming from the north, it is cool out there for the time of year, has between eight and 13 celsius. —— the wind direction. clear blue skies developing overnight tonight and thatis developing overnight tonight and that is going to allow the temperatures to fall away. gardeners and growers take note, we could see and growers take note, we could see a touch frost of out of the west under those clearer skies. not quite as cold in the north—west because there is more cloud and yes, there is more rain. rain pushing into north—west scotland and gradually drifting down to the borders and moving out of northern ireland and pushing into north—west england and north wales are gradually after a steady start, clouding over. with the exception, east anglia and the south—east where it will be a degree also warm up with that sunshine, 15

degrees is the high. that means rain for all of us at some point through thursday night but easing awake during friday morning at the height trying to continue to establish itself at still the wind direction coming from the north, so after a cool and sunny start on friday, we will start to see cloud amounts continue to develop, a blustery afternoon for most of us and temperatures once again a little bit under part for this time of year. but still, get a bit of shelter and some sunshine. one or two others might feel as though it's not too bad. the high pressure stays with us into the weekend. it is still sitting out to the north—west, which means we still potentially feed in wind direction from the north—east, so along those exposed east coast, it could still be a little bit disappointing. west is best, closer to that area of high pressure. into the weekend, there is a chance those temperatures may well continue to struggle to the east of showery outbreaks of rain and further west, it will be warmer and there will

continue to be some sun.

today at one — falling food prices push down the rate of inflation. it fell slightly to 3.2% last month — the lowest for two and a half years. but have shoppers noticed? it is getting more difficult. every day. so i don't see any real changes. to every day. so i don't see any real chances. ., , ., , , changes. to be honest, everything seems to be _

changes. to be honest, everything seems to be rising _ changes. to be honest, everything seems to be rising at _ changes. to be honest, everything seems to be rising at the - changes. to be honest, everything| seems to be rising at the moment, i'm not— seems to be rising at the moment, i'm not particularly seen a considerable drop in anything, unfortunately. also on the programme this lunchtime... the actor hugh grant settles a privacy case against the publisher of the sun newspaper — he says for an enormous sum of money. explosions. a russian missile strike in ukraine kills at least 14 people — president zelensky blames his ——says it would not have happened if western allies had sent more air defences. the foreign secretary has been injerusalem meeting israeli government leaders as they decide on their response to iran's drone and missile attack. # didn't think i'd do # but now i see...# and the searchers then... ..and now. one of pop music's longest running bands are back on stage. and coming up on bbc news... after a dramatic night in the champions league yesterday, defending champions manchester city, as well as arsenal, now look to book

their places in the final four.