with higher costs for fuel and food pushing inflation to 7%. president biden has for the first time accused vladimir putin, of committing genocide in ukraine. i called it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that putin is trying to wipe out the idea of people even able to be ukrainian and the evidence is mounting. police in new york are searching for a 62—year—old man following a shooting on the subway yesterday in which ten people were wounded. the prime minister and the chancellor are resisting calls to resign after they were fined, along with borisjohnson�*s wife carrie, for breaking covid lockdown rules. they all received fixed penalty notices for attending a birthday gathering for the pm in number 10 when gatherings of more than two people indoors were banned. as a result, mrjohnson became the uk's first serving prime minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law. all three apologised, but both the pm and mr sunak rejected calls to resign. opposition leaders have accused mrjohnson and rishi sunak of lying to the public after they both previously denied any wrongdoing. our political correspondent, jonathan blake, reports. the two men at the heart of government are now found to have broken the lockdown laws they set, designed to keep people safe during the pandemic. # happy birthday to you # june 2020, and borisjohnson visited a school on his birthday, which was allowed under the rules in place at the time. but later, he attended a gathering in the cabinet room of number 10, which police have decided broke the rules. rules which the prime minister has previously denied had been broken. i have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party, and that... and that no covid rules were broken and that is what i have been repeatedly assured. yesterday, though, he accepted the police findings and offered an apology. i understand the anger that many will feel that i myself fell short when it came to observing the very rules which the government i lead had introduced to protect the public, and i accept in all sincerity that people have the right to expect better. and now i feel an even greater sense of obligation to deliver on the priorities of the british people. the chancellor, also fined for his attendance at the cabinet room gathering, was asked earlier this year what he knew of any events that may have broken the rules. for the record, chancellor, you knew of nothing of any of these gatherings, even one that happened outside that window? people think i'm standing out here looking outside that window. i spent half my time in the treasury as well as working here. but what i was focused on at that time, as were many people was making sure that we could help the country through a period of enormous anxiety and it was incredibly busy. yesterday, he offered an unreserved apology, saying... for those who followed the rules and lost loved ones to covid, apologies are not enough. this man, a man of honour, voted for you, and i actually believe you let him down. you let me down. i was really angry, but also very upset that he would think that that was ok. you see, you got to survive, boris, my husband didn't. and it smacks to me, as somebody who really thinks he's above everybody else. and i didn't think that is who he was. conservative mps, even those critical of borisjohnson in the past, argue that with war in ukraine, now is not the time for a leadership challenge. but opposition parties were quick to call for both men to go. this is the first time in the history of our country that a prime minister has been found to be in breach of the law and then he lied repeatedly to the public about it. britain deserves better. they have to go. if you lie to parliament, then you resign. there is no ifs, there is no buts. they must go, and they must go immediately so we can - get fresh leadership. the police investigation into parties in whitehall continues, meaning there could be more fines for government figures to come. and the civil servant sue grey's report is yet to be published in full. so the prime minister and the chancellor have survived a difficult day but the partygate saga is unlikely to be over. jonathan blake, bbc news. )a conservative peer baroness helen newlove, has spoken to bbc breakfast about the partygate scandal... the public have lost confidence. until they get this right i will go on and i am with dominic raab because i will be on his app. we can get more now from our political correspondent, nick eardley. no conservative mp has called for the prime minister to resign after the prime minister to resign after the news came out, so what happens next? it the news came out, so what happens next? , . , the news came out, so what happens next? , ., , , ., next? it is an interesting question because that _ next? it is an interesting question because that is _ next? it is an interesting question because that is the _ next? it is an interesting question because that is the constituency l next? it is an interesting question | because that is the constituency to watch. all those tory mps who told us back at the start of the year that they were deeply uncomfortable with the stories or parties in downing street, they wanted to see what happened as part of the met investigation and then they would deliver their verdict. very few coming forward at the moment. we have tried to speak to many of them over the past 2a hours or so. it is not helped by the fact it is easter recess here, so a lot of people are on holiday away from westminster and they are waiting to see what happens over the next few days. one tory mp spoke out this morning. nigel mills, the mp for aber valley said he does not think the prime minister can survive or should survive, breaking the rules he put in place. he said, we have to have higher standards than that of people at the top. i do not think his position is tenable. the question is whether more tory mps start to say the same. i don't get the impression they are queueing up get the impression they are queueing up to do that at the moment. i think many of them seem likely to wait until parliament is back next week. we had a flavour of the arguments we are going to hearfrom the government defending the prime minister, basically saying he made a mistake and he did not realise he was breaking the rules despite being the person responsible for implementing them. have a listen to the transport secretary grant shapps. the transport secretary grant sha s. , ., , ., the transport secretary grant shaus. , ., , shapps. everyone is human, people make mistakes, _ shapps. everyone is human, people make mistakes, and _ shapps. everyone is human, people make mistakes, and in _ shapps. everyone is human, people make mistakes, and in this - shapps. everyone is human, people make mistakes, and in this case - shapps. everyone is human, people make mistakes, and in this case it | make mistakes, and in this case it has led _ make mistakes, and in this case it has led to— make mistakes, and in this case it has led to a — make mistakes, and in this case it has led to a fixed penalty £50 fine. he has_ has led to a fixed penalty £50 fine. he has paid the fine. it was an event — he has paid the fine. it was an event doesn't years ago. i feel the same _ event doesn't years ago. i feel the same anger as everybody else that these _ same anger as everybody else that these events took place not least because — these events took place not least because i— these events took place not least because i could not see my own dad who i_ because i could not see my own dad who i did _ because i could not see my own dad who i did not know whether i would see him _ who i did not know whether i would see him again ever, sol who i did not know whether i would see him again ever, so i completely -et see him again ever, so i completely get it _ see him again ever, so i completely get it i_ see him again ever, so i completely get it i also — see him again ever, so i completely get it. i also know it was not done out of— get it. i also know it was not done out of malice or intent, it was a mistake. — out of malice or intent, it was a mistake, and error, and ijudge somebody— mistake, and error, and ijudge somebody overall for the way they perform _ somebody overall for the way they perform. 50 somebody overall for the way they erform. ., , ..,, somebody overall for the way they erform. ., , ., perform. so that is the case for the defence from _ perform. so that is the case for the defence from the _ perform. so that is the case for the defence from the government. - defence from the government. certainly some of the tory mps i have spoken to privately do think the public has started to move on from this, but not all of them. there are tory mps worried about the idea that this is hypocritical, the idea that this is hypocritical, the idea that this is hypocritical, the idea that very many voters will see it as one rule for them and one rule for the rest of the country when it came to the pandemic regulations. the local elections coming up in a few weeks will be a very big test of whether this has had an impact on the electorate. the opposition parties are going to continue to say that the prime minister and the chancellor both have to resign. this is the shadow chancellor rachel reeves this morning. the? is the shadow chancellor rachel reeves this morning.— reeves this morning. they are totally distracted _ reeves this morning. they are totally distracted and - reeves this morning. they are totally distracted and not - reeves this morning. they are totally distracted and not able| reeves this morning. they are i totally distracted and not able to do their— totally distracted and not able to do theirjob because they are spending more time justifying themselves and the parties they have been going to, rather than focusing on the _ been going to, rather than focusing on the issues that we need them to address_ on the issues that we need them to address as — on the issues that we need them to address as a country. there was talk about— address as a country. there was talk about parliament being recalled this week to _ about parliament being recalled this week to discuss the use of chemical weapons _ week to discuss the use of chemical weapons in — week to discuss the use of chemical weapons in ukraine. i think parliament should be recalled. but now the _ parliament should be recalled. but now the government are recoiling from _ now the government are recoiling from that— now the government are recoiling from that because they know if it is recalled _ from that because they know if it is recalled that they will be asked questions about these parties and all the _ questions about these parties and all the lies. the idea we can't change — all the lies. the idea we can't change leadership now because of the war in— change leadership now because of the war in ukraine or the economic crisis. — war in ukraine or the economic crisis. i— war in ukraine or the economic crisis, i think it is the other way round, — crisis, i think it is the other way round, that— crisis, i think it is the other way round, that actually we need fresh leadership— round, that actually we need fresh leadership and we need leaders who can concentrate on the job in hand. i don't _ can concentrate on the job in hand. ldon't think— can concentrate on the job in hand. i don't think parliament will be recalled this week but it is due back next week. i don't think this story is going away. i think you are going to see borisjohnson coming under pressure when mps are back. he will be asked if he misled them when he said he had been assured that the rules had not been broken in downing street. he could also face more pressure if there are more fines issued. the met investigation is still continuing, remember. there is also sue gray, the civil servant looking into what had gone on in downing street and in whitehall buildings. she is due to come up with that second reportjust buildings. she is due to come up with that second report just after the met finish their investigation. speaking to some people close to that process, they expect that report to be detailed about what went on and potentially to be damaging, causing further damage to politicians and potentially senior civil servants as well. as i say, one of the big barometers of the story for tory mps has always been how the public react. we will be watching that very closely over the next few days. watching that very closely over the next few days— next few days. wherever you are watchin: next few days. wherever you are watching around _ next few days. wherever you are watching around the _ next few days. wherever you are watching around the country, - next few days. wherever you are | watching around the country, you next few days. wherever you are - watching around the country, you can contact me. you can send me an e—mail. joining me now is hannah white, deputy director of think tank the institute for government. has borisjohnson has boris johnson broken has borisjohnson broken the ministerial code which says if you knowingly mislead parliament you have to offer your resignation. his defence have to offer your resignation. h 3 defence as this is all a mistake, that he and the rules his government had set for the country, he didn't understand the gatherings he went to had broken those rules and therefore he did not knowingly mislead parliament, which is the part of the ministerial code which automatically means that you are expected to offer your resignation. but there are other parts of the ministerial code which you might think would apply in this context, including an overarching duty on ministers to comply with the law. i think the police have clearly found that that part of the code has been breached. but that part of the code does not have an automatic resignation attached to it. that part of the code is up to the prime minister to determine the consequences of a breach. we get into a slightly circular position here. he breach. we get into a slightly circular position here.- circular position here. he has already told _ circular position here. he has already told us _ circular position here. he has already told us it _ circular position here. he has already told us it was - circular position here. he has already told us it was a - circular position here. he has i already told us it was a mistake, circular position here. he has - already told us it was a mistake, he didn't realise when he was in that cabinet room where he works normally, that having some people there for his birthday for nine minutes, as he put it, was breaking the law. is that a defence when it comes to this obligation, this overarching duty of ministers to comply with the law? i overarching duty of ministers to comply with the law?— overarching duty of ministers to comply with the law? i don't think what he thought _ comply with the law? i don't think what he thought about _ comply with the law? i don't think what he thought about the - comply with the law? i don't think - what he thought about the gatherings is relevant to that part of the code. that part of the code is quite clear. you are required to comply with the law and if you have broken the law, it is inconsistent with that part of the code. has the law, it is inconsistent with that part of the code.- the law, it is inconsistent with that part of the code. as you say, it would then _ that part of the code. as you say, it would then be _ that part of the code. as you say, it would then be up _ that part of the code. as you say, it would then be up to _ that part of the code. as you say, it would then be up to him - that part of the code. as you say, it would then be up to him to - that part of the code. as you say, i it would then be up to him to decide whether he should resign for that? yes, exactly. whether he should resign for that? yes. exactly-— yes, exactly. what do you think of that? it puts _ yes, exactly. what do you think of that? it puts us _ yes, exactly. what do you think of that? it puts us in _ yes, exactly. what do you think of that? it puts us in a _ yes, exactly. what do you think of that? it puts us in a difficult - that? it puts us in a difficult situation. _ that? it puts us in a difficult situation. if _ that? it puts us in a difficult situation. if the _ that? it puts us in a difficult situation. if the prime - that? it puts us in a difficult - situation. if the prime minister's decision is that this is an offence that ministers should not have to resign for, if it is now henceforth a president, that if you break the law as a minister you don't automatically have to resign, that is quite a difficult precedent to have been set. but is quite a difficult precedent to have been set.— is quite a difficult precedent to have been set. �* . , , , have been set. but it has been set and notjust _ have been set. but it has been set and notjust by _ have been set. but it has been set and not just by the _ have been set. but it has been set and notjust by the prime - have been set. but it has been set| and notjust by the prime minister, but also by the chancellor. what do you think of his decision to stay in thejob? in you think of his decision to stay in the “ob? . , ., ., , ., the “ob? in all the situations what it the job? in all the situations what it ultimately _ the job? in all the situations what it ultimately comes _ the job? in all the situations what it ultimately comes down - the job? in all the situations what it ultimately comes down to - the job? in all the situations what it ultimately comes down to is - it ultimately comes down to is politics. it is a political calculation on the part of the prime minister and the chancellor whether their hand is going to be forced or what the consequences will be for them and their party if they remain in post. that is also the calculation that conservative mps are having to make. they are watching very carefully to see what the public reaction is. they are hoping that the anger around this has dissipated and they are trying to make that calculation. the question will be as matters evolve, as the met continue their investigations, there are a number of other parties they have not yet make determinations about, there may be further fines and then there is the sue gray report, which will be important when it comes to the calculations of conservative mps because it will provide a context. it will provide potentially evidence of things like e—mails that the prime minister may or may not have seen, talking about whether the party should go ahead. at that point mps will have more information at hand to decide is it possible when the prime minister says he really did not realise these things were outside the rules.— did not realise these things were outside the rules. thank you very much for talking _ outside the rules. thank you very much for talking to _ outside the rules. thank you very much for talking to us. _ outside the rules. thank you very much for talking to us. hannah i much for talking to us. hannah white. my colleague annita mcveigh is in downing street. good morning, everyone. it is less than since we heard about the fines for borisjohnson and rishi sunak and since then we have heard lots of supportive voices from within the conservative party, including some who had previously handed in letters of no confidence in the prime minister, saying because of the war in ukraine and the cost of living crisis now is not the time for a change of leadership. on the other hand, you have opposition leaders saying that borisjohnson and sunak should step down and voices saying why should the prime minister be trusted to handle these crises if he broke faith with people during the pandemic? where does all of this go from here? where does all of this go from here? with me now is the whitehall editor of the financial times, sebastian payne. good to have you with us. going back, not very far it has to be said, before the war began in ukraine, there were those within the conservative party saying that if the prime minister was fined, he would have to go. he has been fined and now we have the war and the cost of living crisis very much in the forefront of people's mines as well, so what do you think will happen next? it so what do you think will happen next? , ., ., ., , so what do you think will happen next? , , , next? it is extraordinary because six weeks ago — next? it is extraordinary because six weeks ago that _ next? it is extraordinary because six weeks ago that would - next? it is extraordinary because six weeks ago that would have i next? it is extraordinary because i six weeks ago that would have been the case when the scandal was at its zenith and everybody was very angry and tory mps were putting those letters of no confidence in. as you said, the war in ukraine has totally changed the dynamic and tory mps are focused on these other matters and you have heard lots of ministers and mps out and about this morning that they were focusing on the wider concerns and not the parties, pointing to the fact the prime minister has apologised and paid the fine, as has the chancellor rishi sunak. where does this go next? are there more fines? that is the first thing. the met have set quite a low bar because this party that happened in downing street onjune 2020 was an informal gathering for the prime minister. some of the other parties we know about have much greater breaches of coronavirus regulations and there is a wider expectation that the prime minister could be fined again. that is the next thing. all this comes with the conclusion of the full sue gray report, the senior whitehall official who is looking into this affair, an internal investigation. when the met have finished, her report will come out and that will be quite some months away. out and that will be quite some months away-— out and that will be quite some months awa . ,, , ., . , ., months away. she is a civil servant and she is — months away. she is a civil servant and she is not _ months away. she is a civil servant and she is not a _ months away. she is a civil servant and she is not a police _ months away. she is a civil servant and she is not a police officer - months away. she is a civil servant and she is not a police officer or. and she is not a police officer or the met who are saying that laws were broken. would her report because any shift in thinking that the police fines have not already? what you can see in the sue gray report is a lot of detail about what went on and the general culture within downing street. if we think of the timeline, because we are about to go into the local election periods on may the 5th, that means the sue gray report will not come out until after those elections, so you could see a scenario where the met continues its work, the fines could continue throughout april into may. you have those local elections which we assume will not go too well for the conservative party given where they are in the national polls, and then the sue gray report comes out and tory mps at that point might think where does this leave us? . , might think where does this leave us? ., , ., , might think where does this leave us? there was a history lesson yesterday. _ us? there was a history lesson yesterday. going _ us? there was a history lesson yesterday, going further- us? there was a history lesson yesterday, going further back. us? there was a history lesson - yesterday, going further back when prime ministers have changed or resigned during wartime. if those elections do not go well for the conservatives, both the may local elections and the wakefield by—election, are we then going to see a shift in thinking because of that from conservatives? that could be the final— that from conservatives? that could be the final straw _ that from conservatives? that could be the final straw if _ that from conservatives? that could be the final straw if you _ that from conservatives? that could be the final straw if you put - that from conservatives? that could be the final straw if you put it - that from conservatives? that could be the final straw if you put it on - be the final straw if you put it on top of everything else. conservative mps are most concerned about winning the next election and staying in power and if they see electoral evidence that things are not going in their direction and this situation is causing them to lose votes, that could change their thinking. but in some ways many voters have already made up their minds about the party gate scandal and what the fines did just confirmed the fact they thought the prime minister was there and there were parties and if you look at some of the explanations he has given in the house of commons and in public, people could go, of course there were parties. in some ways the met has just confirmed what people already thought. hasjust confirmed what people already thought.— already thought. going back to esterda already thought. going back to yesterday we _ already thought. going back to yesterday we saw _ already thought. going back to yesterday we saw quite - already thought. going back to yesterday we saw quite a - already thought. going back to yesterday we saw quite a gap i already thought. going back to - yesterday we saw quite a gap between the fines being announced and the statement from rishi sunak which came after eight o'clock in the evening. do you have any sense about what was happening in that time? was there any indication from your sources that he was thinking of resigning but was perhaps persuaded not to because that would have created additional pressure for the prime minister?— created additional pressure for the prime minister? there was a seven hour aa- prime minister? there was a seven hour gap and _ prime minister? there was a seven hour gap and in _ prime minister? there was a seven hour gap and in politics _ prime minister? there was a seven hour gap and in politics sometimes j hour gap and in politics sometimes it is important what you don't or do say. i think inside rishi sunak�*s team people were quite shocked, they did not think he was going to be fine. borisjohnson's team was quite surprised by this. it was more acute for the chancellor to look at the report on the gathering, he dropped in on it and was not there for the whole time, but the met had to deal with that. it is fair to say there was a wobble in the chancellor's team. i am not sure if he everfully considered resigning, but he was very uncertain. i know there were some conservative mps who urge him to go saying, you have to take a moral stand and you can say if you potentially misled parliament and you should make this a moral issue. others said, if you do go, there is a risk of bringing down the prime minister and the whole government with it and that will not serve you well either. there has been a lot of bad blood between number ten and number 11 downing st over the past two weeks, particularly over the non—dom status rishi sunak�*s wife and the fact he held a green card. some people around the chancellor feel boris johnson some people around the chancellor feel borisjohnson was responsible for that. feel borisjohnson was responsible forthat. both feel borisjohnson was responsible for that. both sides deny that. in a weird way the fact they have both been fined has drawn them closer together because they are now in this and if there are more fines for the prime minister or the chancellor, they are very much in this for the duration. six weeks ago when the party gate reports were at their peak, rishi sunak was being talked about as the future prime minister, but this whole thing has not those ambitions for the moment and he is battling down the hatches. the whitehall editor for the financial times with his thoughts on the party gate fine. it really does seem for the moment that we are in a bit of a holding pattern. as i said in my introduction, the prime minister and chancellor have apologised, there does not seem to be a ground swell of conservative opinion at the moment, at least in the voices we have heard, calling for them to go. but, lots of conservative mps we have not heard from yet. over the easter break will they continue to take soundings from their constituents and come up with a different response from what we have heard from the majority of conservative voices we have spoken to so far? i will be back here throughout the rest of the morning. for now, back to you, victoria. figures released by the office for national statistics show that the cost of living has risen again last month, partly driven by higher fuel prices. the office for national statistics figures show prices have risen by 7% in the 12 months to march, the fastest rate for 30 years. the inflation figures are up from 6.2% in february inflation is expected to rise even further after the energy price cap was increased, driving up gas and electricity bills for millions. the office for national statistics said the biggest contributor to rising inflation was transport, with average petrol prices rising by i2.6p per litre between february and march, the largest monthly rise since records began in 1990. our business correspodnet nina warhurst is at a market in birmingham. inflation for the month of march hitting 7%, that is higher than was predicted, driven fundamentally by an increase in fuel prices. you will all remember how quickly fuel prices went up in march and it is set to continue and there will be a trickle down to the entire economy. good morning. where have you seen the biggest increases? the morning. where have you seen the biggest increases?— biggest increases? the biggest increase we — biggest increases? the biggest increase we notice _ biggest increases? the biggest increase we notice is _ biggest increases? the biggest increase we notice is in - biggest increases? the biggest increase we notice is in salads, tomatoes, cucumber and lettuce. that is down to two factors, one being the weather in europe, which is very cold. the other is european prices, making it very expensive. timer;r cold. the other is european prices, making it very expensive.— making it very expensive. they are -aassin making it very expensive. they are passing on — making it very expensive. they are passing on the _ making it very expensive. they are passing on the increases _ making it very expensive. they are passing on the increases to - making it very expensive. they are passing on the increases to you. i making it very expensive. they are l passing on the increases to you. are you passing it the shops and us as buyers? you passing it the shops and us as bu ers? ., ., , ., ., , , buyers? no, we are trying to absorb as much as — buyers? no, we are trying to absorb as much as much _ buyers? no, we are trying to absorb as much as much as _ buyers? no, we are trying to absorb as much as much as we _ buyers? no, we are trying to absorb as much as much as we can. - buyers? no, we are trying to absorb as much as much as we can. there i buyers? no, we are trying to absorb i as much as much as we can. there are 50 50 the year and a lot of customers don't know what is happening and we have to calm the seas. hopefully this is the peak of everything and the prices will start to come down. you everything and the prices will start to come down.— everything and the prices will start to come down. you are trying to get our to come down. you are trying to get your prices — to come down. you are trying to get your prices consistent _ to come down. you are trying to get your prices consistent and _ to come down. you are trying to get your prices consistent and that - your prices consistent and that impacts your profit. steve is a fishmonger. different problems for you. a fish broker. my apologies. what different challenges are you seem to mark with his salad? aha, lat seem to mark with his salad? a lot ofthe seem to mark with his salad? a lot of the problems _ seem to mark with his salad? a lot of the problems have _ seem to mark with his salad? lot of the problems have come from overseas that we have to shift over, basically the rate of a container has gone up so much because of coronavirus. it is coping with demand. once you get a container you have to find a ship for it to go on and there is competition with chinese fish. it has gone up from about $4000 and peaked at $22,500 a month ago, and that is just for the freight. it has dropped down again to $15,500. it has to be passed on to $15,500. it has to be passed on to the customers.— to $15,500. it has to be passed on to the customers. those at sea are usin: to the customers. those at sea are using more — to the customers. those at sea are using more expensive _ to the customers. those at sea are using more expensive fuel - to the customers. those at sea are using more expensive fuel and - using more expensive fuel and passing it on to you. what do you say to the hotels and the families? we explained in detail because they ask you why it has gone up and some of them are not happy. some take it as it has to be, but that price has to be passed on otherwise we will close. that is not even adding in any extra to cover our own increased cost of electricity and fuel. that is the bottom _ cost of electricity and fuel. that is the bottom line. _ cost of electricity and fuel. that is the bottom line. they - cost of electricity and fuel. that is the bottom line. they are the expenses we are all seeing an increase in. a warning from the bank of england that inflation will go up to 8%, potentially higher. as things stand, the numbers we received today do not take in the full impact of the conflict in ukraine, they don't factor in the price increase of energy prices at the beginning of april. one thing is almost certain when we get inflation figures for next week, they will have gone even higher. let's talk to our economics correspondent andrew verity. what is fuelling this inflation? you correspondent andrew verity. what is fuelling this inflation?— fuelling this inflation? you have already answered _ fuelling this inflation? you have already answered your - fuelling this inflation? you have already answered your own - fuelling this inflation? you have - already answered your own question, it is the fuel and the energy. as you have mentioned in the vt, we have seen big increases in the price of petrol and diesel. according to the ons they are at record highs right now. about 1.61 litre and a litre of diesel is about 1.70. that is the highest it has ever been. and also the rise since last year is about 30%. you cannot have that happening without it having knock—on effects. the price of containers and generally the price of raw materials is going up at record rates, so we saw a 19% increase in the prices manufacturers paid for raw materials. sometimes they can absorb those fluctuations, but it is too much and they have to pass it on to consumers. that is why you have got 7% inflation. if you look at the old prices when we were kids and mars bars were going up from 5p prices when we were kids and mars bars were going up from sp to 10p, thatis bars were going up from sp to 10p, that is the highest it has been since 1991. 9%. that matters because a lot of the pensions are linked to the retail price index and it makes pensions more expensive and the government has a £343 billion of debt where it has issued bonds in order to borrow money. they are like ious and it is the government tell you iou money and i will pay you a rate of interest. that rate of interest is linked to rpi, so they are paying 9%. the debt interest cost for the government are higher. you have to break it down a little bit, apart from the frightening nature of everything, it is goods that are driving price increases and that are driving price increases and thatis that are driving price increases and that is a global phenomenon. the price of energy is a global phenomenon. services are only growing by about 4%. it is not like we have waged driven inflation, wages are lagging behind, and that is why millions of families are feeling the squeeze. if it is why millions of families are feeling the squeeze.— feeling the squeeze. if it is a rlobal feeling the squeeze. if it is a global phenomenon - feeling the squeeze. if it is a global phenomenon is - feeling the squeeze. if it is a global phenomenon is there | feeling the squeeze. if it is a - global phenomenon is there nothing anyone can do to try to control inflation?— inflation? traditionally we talk about interest _ inflation? traditionally we talk about interest rates _ inflation? traditionally we talk about interest rates and - inflation? traditionally we talk about interest rates and the i inflation? traditionally we talk i about interest rates and the bank inflation? traditionally we talk - about interest rates and the bank of england raised interest rates. it has been raising interest rates and it is expected to raise them again. the theory there is if you raise interest rates and make it more expensive for some people to pay mortgages or to borrow to invest, you slow down economic activity. but that work has already been done for the bank of england by what is happening through energy bills. if your energy bill is going up by 28%, as gas bills do, before the rise in the price cap, which is another 50% on top, if you have that, it is often an expenditure you do not have any choice about, particularly older people who need to heat their homes to a reasonable temperature. they don't have any choice, so it takes money away from other areas where they might be spending money and it slows down economic activity generally. what we have is economic growth at 0.1% and were used to call that a growth recession. that is happening at the same time as inflation we have not seen the like for 30 years. so really it is stagnation inflation, a stagnant economy and runaway inflation that the bank of england cannot do much about. the hope is that after this surge caused by the war and the reopening of the global economy post—pandemic things will settle down so it will peak this year perhaps close to 9%, but will come down after that and we will all be hoping that that prediction is true. if you wanted to boost economic growth, and i'm not sure they necessarily do, but if you wanted to is put some money back into the economy, eitherthrough is put some money back into the economy, either through tax cuts are through extra spending. the extra spending was something rishi sunak didn't want to do, a lot of people were calling for him to boost benefits beyond 3.1%, which means people on benefits are seeing a 6% of 5% fall in real terms in their benefit. he decided he didn't want to do that. he could cut taxes but he is raising them at the moment because of the long—term goal of funding social care. there are cross—party concerns that it has to be funded. but the question is whether it is good timing to do it now when people are being squeezed to have interest rates going up, energy bills going up and the national insurance going up on top of that. that is a squeeze like which we haven't seen since the early 1990s. which we haven't seen since the early 1990s— which we haven't seen since the earl 1990s. ., ,, , ., , . early 1990s. thank you very much, andrew. karen isaac has twojobs — working for a charity and her gp's surgery. thank you for talking to us. i am not sure it is a cost of living squeeze any more, it feels more like a financial hammering. yes. squeeze any more, it feels more like a financial hammering.— a financial hammering. yes, like an avalanche- — a financial hammering. yes, like an avalanche- l — a financial hammering. yes, like an avalanche. i think _ a financial hammering. yes, like an avalanche. i think normal _ a financial hammering. yes, like an avalanche. i think normal people, l a financial hammering. yes, like an avalanche. ithink normal people, a avalanche. i think normal people, a lot of people, families, everybody, i don't know how they are coping. i am struggling so much. i am almost 65 so i should be getting my pension, but that is another story. i am doing twojobs and still can't get above anything because i live really and a lot of things, about that people don't often mention about oil and i have to do have oil to heat my house and it has gone up so much i can't afford to buy any. it is ridiculous. it used to be about £250 for 500 litres and now it is 900 and it is still 500. you have to pay up front. is 900 and it is still 500. you have to pay up front-— is 900 and it is still 500. you have to pay up front. who has that money? so ou will to pay up front. who has that money? so you will rrot — to pay up front. who has that money? so you will not get _ to pay up front. who has that money? so you will not get oil— to pay up front. who has that money? so you will not get oil deliveries - so you will not get oil deliveries to your house for how long? llhtiii so you will not get oil deliveries to your house for how long? until i keep looking _ to your house for how long? until i keep looking if _ to your house for how long? until i keep looking if the _ to your house for how long? until i keep looking if the price _ to your house for how long? until i keep looking if the price goes - to your house for how long? ii�*ut ii keep looking if the price goes down, but it has but it is still not a price most normal people can afford to pay. 50 price most normal people can afford to .a _ ., . price most normal people can afford toa, ., . price most normal people can afford to'a _ ., . ,.,.'., to pay. so you are cutting back on our oil, to pay. so you are cutting back on your oil. which — to pay. so you are cutting back on your oil, which would _ to pay. so you are cutting back on your oil, which would heat - to pay. so you are cutting back on your oil, which would heat your i your oil, which would heat your home. are there other things you have to cut back on? the electricity because that _ have to cut back on? the electricity because that is _ have to cut back on? the electricity because that is another _ have to cut back on? the electricity because that is another thing, - have to cut back on? the electricity because that is another thing, i - have to cut back on? the electricity because that is another thing, i am j because that is another thing, i am on a fixed rate tariff which is helping. that runs out in february and god knows what will happen then. i have no idea. you can cut back but there comes a point where you can't any more and a lot of people saying this. ., , ., ., any more and a lot of people saying this. .,, ., ., ., ., , this. people have a reasonable expectation — this. people have a reasonable expectation that _ this. people have a reasonable expectation that when - this. people have a reasonable expectation that when they - this. people have a reasonable| expectation that when they get this. people have a reasonable i expectation that when they get to your age, 65, expectation that when they get to yourage, 65, you perhaps expectation that when they get to your age, 65, you perhaps take things slightly more easy. you are laughing, because it is...- laughing, because it is... some eo - le laughing, because it is... some people do. _ laughing, because it is... some people do. but _ laughing, because it is... some people do, but it _ laughing, because it is... some people do, but it is _ laughing, because it is... some people do, but it is a _ laughing, because it is... some people do, but it is a fallacy. i people do, but it is a fallacy. people my age are well off, we are not! a lot of people are struggling but they are too proud to let anyone know and i know this with the charity i work for, because there are so many people that are in dire straits and have to come to them for help. all walks of life, notjust the people you expect. help. all walks of life, not 'ust the people you expectfi help. all walks of life, not 'ust the people you expect. what could the people you expect. what could the government _ the people you expect. what could the government to _ the people you expect. what could the government to do _ the people you expect. what could the government to do now, - the people you expect. what could the government to do now, with i the government to do now, with inflation at 7% and projected to go even higher over the coming months, have they done enough? {guild even higher over the coming months, have they done enough?— even higher over the coming months, have they done enough? could they do more? i have they done enough? could they do more? i am — have they done enough? could they do more? i am no — have they done enough? could they do more? i am no expert. _ have they done enough? could they do more? i am no expert. i _ have they done enough? could they do more? i am no expert. i only— have they done enough? could they do more? i am no expert. i only see - have they done enough? could they do more? i am no expert. i only see it- more? i am no expert. i only see it as it is from my point of view. but i do think they really definitely need to do something with the benefit system because many people are under universal credit and keeping down manyjobs and it is just ridiculous. it doesn't cover income support was better in many ways. because it was fairer, but i think that is what they need to do to begin with. there are many families that i know are working full—time, have children, child care is so expensive, and they are working and working. they are exhausted when they come home. but they are not getting anywhere. i suppose the government might say to that, if they are working and also in receipt of some universal credit, which is a number of families, the government say they are putting their living wage up, they say they have eight £500 million fund for local councils for families in vulnerable situations. they have reduced their tape under universal credit so you keep more of your money, which is good when you are working. money, which is good when you are workinu. ~ . money, which is good when you are workinu. . ., ., i. money, which is good when you are workinu. ~ ., ., money, which is good when you are workina.~ ., ., �* working. what would you say? i can't reall sa working. what would you say? i can't really say on — working. what would you say? i can't really say on air! _ working. what would you say? i can't really say on air! say _ working. what would you say? i can't really say on air! say how— working. what would you say? i can't really say on air! say how you - working. what would you say? i can't really say on air! say how you feel, i really say on air! say how you feel, obviously without _ really say on air! say how you feel, obviously without using _ really say on air! say how you feel, obviously without using swear - really say on air! say how you feel, i obviously without using swear words. the taper rate is 55p in the pound so the government takes back over half of what people earn, which i think should be better than that because it doesn't sometimes support the fact that when you are working, you are hardly any better. you are a bit better, but by the time you pay petrol costs, parking costs if you have to working a job, everything has gone up. so you are no better off and the government don't seem to realise this, it is the smaller things that make their bigger things worse and then you start from the bottom. they need to help. and this grant they are giving through the councils, i am a parish councillor, and to be honest none of the people around here know anything about it. it is not advertised very well. nobody knows how to find it. it is like they are hiding the things that should be out there really out there for the public to find, and that is another thing.— for the public to find, and that is another thin. . ~ ,. , . another thing. thank you very much for talkin: another thing. thank you very much for talking to _ another thing. thank you very much for talking to us. _ now let's get the developments on ukraine. there are growing signs that russia could be close to fully capturing the key southern port city of mariupol, which has already suffered intensely in the past six weeks. president biden has accused putin of genocide and says he's trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be ukrainian. and finally, ukraine's deputy prime minister iryna vereshchuk says it won't be possible to open humanitarian corridors to allow people to escape today as the situation remains too dangerous. let's just listen to what president biden had to say. i call it genocide because it has become clearer and clearer that putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of being ukrainian and the evidence is mounting. more evidence is coming out of literally the horrible things that the russians have done in ukraine, and we can only learn more and more about the devastation. and we will let their lawyers decide internationally whether it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me. let's speak to our correspondent danjohnson, who is west of ukraine in lviv. i want to ask you about president brighton, but first, mariupol, is it about to fall totally to the russians? that seems to be the centre. they claimed that it happened yesterday. the ukrainian resistance claims it is clinging on, but some of its soldiers are trapped in the city, encircle, can't get fresh supplies. there are reports that more than 1000 ukrainian soldiers in mariupol have surrendered, they haven't been able to keep up their resistance and have put down their weapons and handed themselves over to the russians. that has not been confirmed by the ukrainian defence forces yet. but the people of mariupol have suffered. it is the place that has seen the most intense and prolonged fighting right since day one of the war. we know the city has been bombed and bombed again. there is very little left. so many homes, so much of the infrastructure has been destroyed. so many people have been killed. it is hard to verify the numbers. the city's meier says officials can't go out and count and collect the bodies any more. he reckons at least 21,000 of mariupol�*s residents have lost their lives and it is looking even harder to offer tape parties treatment passage to anyone left there he wants to get out to escape could be the final hours or days of the battle for that port city. so no chance of— battle for that port city. so no chance of agreement - battle for that port city. so no chance of agreement whereby anybody who is still alive and would have beenin who is still alive and would have been in a basement and with no electricity, food or water for weeks now could get out safely? no chance of some kind of agreement from the russians? , ., . ., . of some kind of agreement from the russians? , . . ., . , russians? there is a chance, but they haven't _ russians? there is a chance, but they haven't been _ russians? there is a chance, but they haven't been able _ russians? there is a chance, but they haven't been able to - russians? there is a chance, but they haven't been able to agree | they haven't been able to agree today. the fighting is too intense and we have seen in previous days, even when safe routes have been agreed, the ceasefires haven't been respected, the attacks have been continued. people trying to flee have come under attack and some of them lost their lives trying to get to safety. so it is a desperate situation for the people. mariupol must be one of the grimmest places on earth and it looks like it is getting into the final stages of what has already been a prolonged bombardment and could be an intense battle as russia tries to complete its takeover of the city which will then give it control of that south—eastern and eastern flank of ukraine. more military equipment is coming in to donbas as they prepare to launch a fresh offensive to take even more of ukraine. the significance _ even more of ukraine. the significance of _ even more of ukraine. the significance of president biden using the word genocide? it is a owerful using the word genocide? it is a powerful word. _ using the word genocide? it is a powerful word, an _ using the word genocide? it is a powerfulword, an important. powerful word, an important statement and it sounded at first like he set it off—the—cuff in the middle of a speech about fuel prices but he repeated it, stood by it and said he has got good reasons, evidence to back that up. the sort of thing we have seen in the places around here that the russians have already withdrawn from. but what does it mean in terms of response question mark will it make any difference? will the us do anything else to support ukraine? is nato going to take any action? that is a question that has not been answered yet. president zelinsky will be now be looking for that. china is in the middle of its most severe covert outbreak. china is in the middle of its most severe covid outbreak to date, with shanghai, the international financial hub, as the epicentre. the bad news is that today the numbers are back up again. we reported yesterday that for the first time since april, daily new infections had finally calmed down infections had finally calmed down in shanghai. well, you have the new numbers today. in shanghai. well, you have the new numbers today-— in shanghai. well, you have the new numbers today. those who must go to newcastle, yesterday _ numbers today. those who must go to newcastle, yesterday it _ numbers today. those who must go to newcastle, yesterday it was _ numbers today. those who must go to newcastle, yesterday it was under - newcastle, yesterday it was under 1000, today it is over 1000 new infections. those who go to these centralised warranting facilities who have either no symptoms are less serious symptoms. yesterday, around 22,000, today over 25,000 new cases. so not looking great on that front. the authorities are looking for a way of trying to ease the pressure on their own system because they are not only struggling to feed 25 million people confined to their homes, but to work this mass isolation. what they are saying is that on average people who go into these centres, these isolation centres which are not hospitals, on average they are spending around a week there rather than two weeks before. that will make people feel a bit better about getting out of those places more quickly and return to home, but also it is a way of being able to move more people through those centres, if you get my drift. another indication that there may be a slight shift toward easing off on the zero covid strategy, the authorities in some cities are testing, reducing the number of days that overseas arrivals will have to spendin that overseas arrivals will have to spend in quarantine. four days doesn't sound like a lot but it shows they are looking for ways to ease off on their systems because at the moment this complete elimination zero covid strategy is trashing the economy here. manufacturing is in all sorts of trouble. companies in shanghai have had to close. some people have been at home for more than a month in that city and no side that lockdown will finish. another suggestion has been —— perhaps all this effort which is going into mass isolation and mass testing, if it could be put into getting out, rolling out more booster vaccines. at the moment this country, only half the vaccination received that third vaccination. perhaps more people could stay at home instead of going to the centres but there is no sign the government is considering that at the moment. let's get more reaction to the prime minister and chancellor staying in their jobs minister and chancellor staying in theirjobs despite being fined. we will talk to karl may. cal's brother tom died with covid two days before that first national lockdown was announced. tom was 32. good morning. the prime minister and the chancellor had said sorry, they have paid their fine. chancellor had said sorry, they have paid theirfine. the prime minister says he wholly accepts he made a mistake and says it was an inadvertent breach. how do you respond? i think part of... i have two children. _ respond? i think part of... i have two children, boris _ respond? i think part of... i have two children, boris johnson - respond? i think part of... i have two children, boris johnson had i respond? i think part of... i have . two children, boris johnson had may two children, borisjohnson had may be many more than that. what i teach my children is that when you make an apology, part of that is a commitment to changing your behaviour and although that remains to be seen, i am highly doubtful we will see a change in this prime minister's behaviour.— will see a change in this prime minister's behaviour. there are a number of _ minister's behaviour. there are a number of people _ minister's behaviour. there are a number of people who _ minister's behaviour. there are a number of people who say, - minister's behaviour. there are a - number of people who say, including people in his own party who were previously calling for his resignation, we have a cost of living crisis, a war in ukraine. it would be absurd to get rid of the prime minister and the chancellor right now. prime minister and the chancellor riaht now. . , ., , ., right now. that is the conservative pa for right now. that is the conservative party for you- _ right now. that is the conservative party for you. dodge, _ right now. that is the conservative party for you. dodge, deflect, - party for you. dodge, deflect, smoke, party foryou. dodge, deflect, smoke, mirrors, look over here, look overthere. smoke, mirrors, look over here, look over there. but smoke, mirrors, look over here, look overthere— over there. but those were conservatives _ over there. but those were conservatives who - over there. but those were conservatives who are - over there. but those were i conservatives who are calling over there. but those were - conservatives who are calling for him to resign. so what has changed? they say a lot has changed. there is a war in europe... the they say a lot has changed. there is a war in europe. . ._ a war in europe... the has been the beacon of — a war in europe... the has been the beacon of a — a war in europe... the has been the beacon of a leader _ a war in europe... the has been the beacon of a leader he _ a war in europe... the has been the beacon of a leader he always - a war in europe... the has been the beacon of a leader he always has i beacon of a leader he always has dreamt of being! he beacon of a leader he always has dreamt of being!— beacon of a leader he always has dreamt of being! he hasn't made any... ukrainians _ dreamt of being! he hasn't made any... ukrainians say _ dreamt of being! he hasn't made any... ukrainians say he - dreamt of being! he hasn't made any... ukrainians say he has - dreamt of being! he hasn't made| any... ukrainians say he has been dreamt of being! he hasn't made i any... ukrainians say he has been a really strong ally and provided them with much legal aid and non—lethal aid. with much legal aid and non-lethal aid. ~ ., , ., ., with much legal aid and non-lethal aid. . ., , ., ., aid. well, that is for them to say and i wouldn't _ aid. well, that is for them to say and i wouldn't argue _ aid. well, that is for them to say and i wouldn't argue against - aid. well, that is for them to say. and i wouldn't argue against them aid. well, that is for them to say i and i wouldn't argue against them if thatis and i wouldn't argue against them if that is their experience and they are entitled to that, but from my point of view yet made any significant personal contribution that could have been —— that couldn't have been or better by someone who wasn't a liar. he would not be in someone who wasn't a liar. he would rrot be in the — someone who wasn't a liar. he would not be in the conservative _ someone who wasn't a liar. he would not be in the conservative party? i not be in the conservative party? you are asking me to pick my favourite flavour of animal to there! i favourite flavour of animal to there! ., �* ~ ., ~ there! i wouldn't know. when the prime minister _ there! i wouldn't know. when the prime minister say _ there! i wouldn't know. when the prime minister say sorry, - there! i wouldn't know. when the prime minister say sorry, what i there! i wouldn't know. when the j prime minister say sorry, what do you think he is saying sorry for? being caught! he could have admitted to all the parties, all the interactions that happened, he could have done that then but he didn't. it is classic of being sorry because you are caught. wait until what the police say. it is not a coincidence that it has come out during the easter break. do you think the metropolitan police have timed it deliberately? does it seem convenient to you that he will not be holed up in front of prime minister's questions tomorrow? i am sure he would — minister's questions tomorrow? i am sure he would absolutely reject that. sure he would absolutely re'ect that. �* , , ., , �* that. i'm sure they would but i'm 'ust that. i'm sure they would but i'm just putting _ that. i'm sure they would but i'm just putting it _ that. i'm sure they would but i'm just putting it out _ that. i'm sure they would but i'm just putting it out there. - that. i'm sure they would but i'm just putting it out there. i - that. i'm sure they would but i'm just putting it out there. i am i just putting it out there. i am livid. just putting it out there. i am livid- you _ just putting it out there. i am livid. you sound _ just putting it out there. i am livid. you sound really - just putting it out there. i am livid. you sound really angry| just putting it out there. i am livid. you sound really angry and for understandable reasons. it is unthinkable. _ for understandable reasons. it is unthinkable. i— for understandable reasons. it 3 unthinkable. i had to watch my mum and dad stand alone across my brother's great site. my brother who died two days into the first national lockdown. if that lockdown had been brought forward, there would be a good chance he would still be alive. and i wouldn't criticise him too much for that decision because that was a very difficult decision to bring the lockdown in. however, laws were in place at that time at my mother's funeral whereby i was to remain isolated and not interact outside my house hold. so i stood there and watch my family grieve my brother and we all stood there alone. my wife couldn't come to my brother's funeral, my nan and grandad couldn't come because we wanted to protect them. we had to split households and say only one could come from each household and be around the graveside. it is astonishing. he claims he understands what we have been through. he hasn't got a clue. if you would like to pass in my phone number, i will give him a call and tell him exactly how i feel maybe then his apology would mean more. he maybe then his apology would mean more. ., ., , ., ., , more. he had covid himself, and was in intensive — more. he had covid himself, and was in intensive care. _ more. he had covid himself, and was in intensive care. yes, _ more. he had covid himself, and was in intensive care. yes, you _ in intensive care. yes, you think that would _ in intensive care. yes, you think that would sharpen _ in intensive care. yes, you think that would sharpen the - in intensive care. yes, you think that would sharpen the mind i in intensive care. yes, you think that would sharpen the mind to | in intensive care. yes, you think i that would sharpen the mind to the seriousness of the disease and the importance of following the guidelines he put in place, wouldn't you? but looking at his behaviour during the pandemic thereafter at all these parties, if you can call them that, although borisjohnson doesn't call than that, you think he would change his behaviour but he didn't. he never learns. he is a charlatan, a scam artist and just like everything else in his past that he has wheedled out of, he will wheedle out of this. that guy is the most nonstick material known to man. if it was so important and he wasn't in charge of this country, i would be quite impressed by it. —— if it wasn't so important. is it plausible in our wasn't so important. is it plausible in your mind _ wasn't so important. is it plausible in your mind at _ wasn't so important. is it plausible in your mind at all _ wasn't so important. is it plausible in your mind at all that it - wasn't so important. is it plausible in your mind at all that it didn't i in your mind at all that it didn't occur to him that it wasn't in breach of the laws, because in the cabinet room that is where he works, where he has meetings? so a number of people in their 49 minutes to say happy birthday or sing happy birthday was white... i happy birthday or sing happy birthday was white. . .- happy birthday or sing happy birthday was white... i don't buy it for a second- _ birthday was white. .. i don't buy it for a second. i _ birthday was white... i don't buy it for a second. i work _ birthday was white... i don't buy it for a second. i work in _ birthday was white... i don't buy it for a second. i work in eight i for a second. i work in eight workplace, a laboratory scientist. we had heavy restrictions, as i am sure they had at number ten. we had to book areas, the masked up, screening and i am sure at a busy workplace like 10 downing street they had the same restrictions. if he genuinely believed that that was not a party, is that the sort of man we want to be running the country? a person that doesn't realise that when there is a cake and people singing happy birthday, that is not a party? that guy is famously very articulate and is a good grasp of the english lang which. i would love to hear what his definition of a party is. to hear what his definition of a -a is. . to hear what his definition of a .a is. ., ., to hear what his definition of a -a is. ., ., ., to hear what his definition of a party is. can i ask what your brother was _ party is. can i ask what your brother was like? _ party is. can i ask what your brother was like? just i party is. can i ask what your brother was like? just a... l party is. can i ask what your| brother was like? just a... a party is. can i ask what your - brother was like? just a... a lovely fella, a brother was like? just a... a lovely fella. a great _ brother was like? just a... a lovely fella, a great fellow. _ brother was like? just a... a lovely fella, a great fellow. he _ brother was like? just a... a lovely fella, a great fellow. he was i brother was like? just a... a lovely fella, a great fellow. he was my i fella, a great fellow. he was my counterpoint in life. he was my, in a family argument, he would tell me if i was being out of order and i would take his opinion. he was... from anxiety, i suffered from anxiety and he would tell me when it was time to chin up and march on. and i miss him so much. and that is the point of this. when all this has gone away and all this is tomorrow's chip papers, there are 150,000 people dead. 150,000 people of —— groups of loved ones, friends and family who have all lost people who have had to suffer. it is bad enough he had these parties but to write about them as well, how are people still giving them their backing? he has been proven to be a liar! he sa s he has been proven to be a liar! he says he made a mistake. i want to ask what your messages to conservative mps who at the moment at least until the next general election when the general public can have their say, hold his future in their hands. have their say, hold his future in their hands— have their say, hold his future in their hande— their hands. you have to put in their hands. you have to put in their vote _ their hands. you have to put in their vote of _ their hands. you have to put in their vote of no _ their hands. you have to put in their vote of no confidence. - their hands. you have to put in l their vote of no confidence. how their hands. you have to put in - their vote of no confidence. how can you have a confidence in a manner that has proven to like? he is a proven liar. he is not a great leader. he's only interested in being world king. it is ludicrous. the man is an absolute joke. being world king. it is ludicrous. the man is an absolutejoke. if being world king. it is ludicrous. the man is an absolute joke. if you have any shred of decency about you as a conservative mp, get your letter of no confidence in today. don't be on global about a man who doesn't know what that word means. the guy doesn't know what honour or doing the writing is! it is ludicrous. put your letter in now. do it now!— ludicrous. put your letter in now. do it now! ., ~ ., ., ~ ., do it now! thank you for talking to was this morning. _ the government has announced that it has reached an agreement with the housing industry to contribute a sum of £5 billion towards building safety measures following the grenfell tower tragedy in 2017, where more than 70 people died. a widespread inquiry into flammable rooftop covering or cladding has been under way since the incident. joining me now is liam spender, who is a spokesperson for the end 0ur cladding scandal group. tell us what this development might mean for you. if. it tell us what this development might mean for vom— tell us what this development might mean for yon-— mean for you. is it good news? i think it is _ mean for you. is it good news? i think it is a _ mean for you. is it good news? i think it is a big _ mean for you. is it good news? i think it is a big step _ mean for you. is it good news? i think it is a big step in _ mean for you. is it good news? i think it is a big step in the - mean for you. is it good news? i think it is a big step in the right| think it is a big step in the right direction but it depends entirely on whether the government can carry forward the principles it has announced today and to action for every affected building and that is the key. every affected building and that is the ke . ~ ., , every affected building and that is theke. . , ., the key. what is the state of play with our the key. what is the state of play with your own — the key. what is the state of play with your own fat? _ the key. what is the state of play with your own fat? i _ the key. what is the state of play with your own fat? i live - the key. what is the state of play with your own fat? i live in - the key. what is the state of play with your own fat? i live in a - with your own fat? i live in a buildin: with your own fat? i live in a building that _ with your own fat? i live in a building that should - with your own fat? i live in a building that should benefit| with your own fat? i live in a - building that should benefit from the announcement today. i live in a 14 the announcement today. i live in a 1k metre building with cladding on 1a metre building with cladding on the top floor which was built by one of the developers who signed up to the pledge. so at least in theory, that should meet the problems go away. but what of the agreement is calling for is for close supervision by michael gove's department. it depends entirely on the quality of that supervision if this translates into action. if. that supervision if this translates into action-— that supervision if this translates into action. , _, ., , ., into action. is the covering on your buildin: into action. is the covering on your building the _ into action. is the covering on your building the same _ into action. is the covering on your building the same as _ into action. is the covering on your building the same as what - into action. is the covering on your building the same as what was - building the same as what was on grenfell tower? ida. building the same as what was on grenfell tower?— grenfell tower? no, it is different, so on my building _ grenfell tower? no, it is different, so on my building it _ grenfell tower? no, it is different, so on my building it is _ grenfell tower? no, it is different, so on my building it is high - so on my building it is high pressure laminate, a compressed wood fibres with an all weather covering. and what is the issue with that? after grenfell tower, i think roughly in 2018 they decided it could bejust roughly in 2018 they decided it could be just as dangerous as what was on grenfell tower.— could be just as dangerous as what was on grenfell tower. thank you for talkin: to was on grenfell tower. thank you for talking to us- — was on grenfell tower. thank you for talking to us. we _ was on grenfell tower. thank you for talking to us. we will— was on grenfell tower. thank you for talking to us. we will see _ was on grenfell tower. thank you for talking to us. we will see what - talking to us. we will see what happens and hopefully it is good news for you. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. for some of us it is. there is sunshine. some cloud around at the moment and showers but the couch and break up, allowing sunshine to come through. and it is going to be warmer than yesterday. showers across wales and northern england, and through the afternoon showers will form towards lincolnshire and east anglia. they will be heavy and thundery. further north, cloud breaks up and we will see rain move away. not as cool on the north sea coastline today as it was yesterday with a top temperature of 18 or 19. pollen levels are high today across much of england and wales and we aren't talking tree pollen. in the evening and overnight, clear skies and low cloud, mist and fog lapping on shore in parts of the west and english channel coastline. at the end of the night, some rain coming in across the west and tonight will be cooler last night. good morning. i'm annita mcveigh, live in downing street this morning. the prime minister and the chancellor both insist they should carry on in theirjobs despite being fined by police for attending parties in lockdown. but with no sign of parliament being recalled to discuss it, political allies continue to defend borisjohnson and rishi sunak while the opposition continue to call for them to go. i completely get it. it was wrong, he has apologised, he has accepted responsibly, he paid the 50 quid fine and he has completely overhauled number ten since that time as well. they are totally distracted and not able to do theirjob because they are spending more time justifying themselves and the parties they have