begins, — cheltenham roar, is the festival begins, kicking off four days of racing. — begins, kicking off four days of racing, culminating in the gold cup on friday — on friday. good morning. a fairly on friday. — good morning. a fairly cloudy day for most of us today. patchy light rain in the north. heavy rain in the south. the temperature continues to climb in the next few days. details later in the programme. good morning. it's tuesday, 12th march. a long—awaited report into veterinary services will be published this morning, after concerns pet owners are facing expensive bills when paying for treatments. the competition and markets authority launched the review last year, and has previously said that fees were rising faster than other goods and services during the cost—of—living crisis. nina has the details. good morning. are you paying too much to care for your furry friend? why have vet costs been rising faster than general inflation? are you getting a fair deal when it comes to costing, and shopping around? these are the important questions the competition and marketing authority has been seeking to answer. 57% of you have a pet at home and you might know an average one off trip to a vet now costs almost £400. as we all face increasing financial pressure, the bbc has learned some households are sacrificing holidays, heating and even food to ringfence that money. jim connolly has been speaking with some pet owners about the pressures they're facing. ziggy, say hello. people will do anything for their pets. when they get sick that love can mean big bills. extortionally expensive, for anything. this is ziggy. he's a rescue dog, and he's very vocal. huge, huge expense. it depends which vets you choose. and you've got to shop around. bunny, fetch! they're outrageous. but the vets aren't getting rich. it's the multinational hedge funds that are getting rich. _ good girl. who owns vets, and the effects on prices, is one of the main things the competition and markets authority, or cma, have been looking at. independent vet practices accounted for 89% of the industry in 2013. now it's the way more than half are owned by six big companies. and, go! shambhu rules the roost around here. sit. good girl. she's my baby. she's my little girl. we don't have children, so that's our child. dominic and vinita took shambhu to a practice owned by one of the big corporates for an operation to prevent her getting arthritis. it's very scary as well. you know, an operation, you know, they're putting a pin in the bone. the treatment cost more than £5,000. and dominic wanted to know why. i looked at the bill and there were lots of items that we didn't, not familiar with, they're medical terms. but one jumped out at me, which was paracetamol, and it was £20 for a pack of paracetamol. i pay 60 pence in the supermarket. i was shocked that we were being charged that much for such a simple item, and it makes you wonder how much they're overcharging on other items as well. and are you being exploited? that's what it felt like. the oxford cat clinic has been both corporately and independently owned in recent years. perfect, thank you. we asked the new independent owner if pet owners would have noticed any difference in care. no, i don't think they particularly suffered. i think the level of care that we delivered to our patients still was as high as it ever was. i think that some of our clients don't like the idea of using a corporate practice. i do think some of our clients did move away because of that. they wanted to go back to an independent practice. we approached all six corporate chains and have not yet received a formal response. the british veterinary association says it's good that the industry is being looked at, but doesn't think it's as simple as corporates versus independents when it comes to price. we've seen a lot of prices increase. i think historically vets have rather undervalued their time, and so we're trying to catch up with the situation which hasn't been supporting veterinary businesses well. i think we've also seen problems around the number of vets, the veterinary workforce, and the supply of veterinary medicines. many supply chains have been really impacted by covid and brexit. all the vets i've spoken to say that because humane treatment is free on the nhs, we've lost perspective on how much medical care costs. but that's little comfort for the two thirds of us who own a pet when it comes to paying the bills. jim connolly, bbc news. the british veterinary association says there is no nhs for pets and of thejob is highly skilled and says there is no nhs for pets and of the job is highly skilled and takes constant investment in technology and supplies. we will find out the authority's findings after seven. they will tell us whether they feel pet owners are getting a fair deal, and if not what the industry will have to do to ensure impropvement. let us know about your experience of the vet. maybe you've seen rising prices, a lack of transparency with costs, and difficulty shopping around. get in touch in all the usual ways. thank you. i think would correct or we will be inundated. the government has committed to building new gas—fired power stations, warning that failure to do so would risk blackouts. the new plants will replace stations coming to the end of their lives. environmentalists argue it's a step backwards but the government says they have to be realistic in the move towards clean energy. haiti's prime minister, ariel henry, has agreed to resign following weeks of mounting pressure and increasing violence in the country. mr henry is currently stranded in puerto rico after being prevented by armed gangs from returning home. some prisoners in england and wales could be released up to two months early to relieve overcrowding. the justice secretary said these changes would be for a limited period and would only apply to less serious offenders. labour has accused the government of sneaking out the announcement, which was posted on the uk parliament website. one of the conservative party's biggest donors has been accused of making racist remarks about the labour mp, diane abbott. frank hester has accepted that he was rude, but insisted his comments, made in 2019, had nothing to do with ms abbott's gender or skin colour. 0ur chief political correspondent henry zeffman joins us now. what do we know about what has been said? . ~ , , what do we know about what has been said? ., ~ , , ., what do we know about what has been said? ., ~' , , ., ., said? frank hester runs a health where, health _ said? frank hester runs a health where, health care _ said? frank hester runs a health where, health care software - said? frank hester runs a health - where, health care software company, and he is one of the conservative party's biggest donors. he gave £10 million to the party last year. yesterday the guardian newspaper reported that in a meeting back in 2019, at his company, mr hester was talking about an executive from another company and then said this. it's like trying not to be racist but you see diane abbott on the tv and you just want to hate all black women because she is there a man i don't hate all black women at all, but i think she should be shot. it is important to say the bbc has not independently verified for ourselves that mr hester did make those alleged remarks. a statement issued by his company after this report came out in the guardian said he accepts he was rude about diane abbott in a private meeting several years ago, but that his criticism had nothing to do with her gender zero colour of skin. we should also note his company say that statement is not a confirmation that mr hester made those remarks alleged by the guardian. there is already a big row over this in westminster. just a few hours after the guardian story broke, wes streeting, the shadow health secretary, was up in the house of commons, saying these comments were revolting, racist and insightful. the labour party have called on the conservatives to hand back mr hester�*s donations, as have the lib dems. the conservatives are resisting calls to do so. they have pointed to mr hester�*s apology and repeated his claim that any comments he made were not racist and were not targeted at diane abbott's race or gender. targeted at diane abbott's race or aender. ., , ~ , ., , gender. you will be keeping an eye on that this — gender. you will be keeping an eye on that this morning. _ gender. you will be keeping an eye on that this morning. also, - gender. you will be keeping an eye on that this morning. also, any - on that this morning. also, any fallout from the fact that lee anderson, former deputy chairman of the conservative party, hasjoined reform uk? i the conservative party, has “oined reform um— the conservative party, has “oined reform uk? ~ ., . reform uk? i think worth reflecting on what a topsy-turvy _ reform uk? i think worth reflecting on what a topsy-turvy political - on what a topsy—turvy political career at lee anderson has had. he has only been an mp since 2019. for years before that he was a labour councillor, and activist, in ashfield, where he is now mp. as recently as january, he was the deputy chairman of the conservative party. hand selected by rishi sunak for thatjob. that is one thing worth thinking about. some conservatives i spoke to yesterday thought he would not be an electoral asset to reform. some people were concerned he would turbo—charge that challenge your party to the conservatives. but one person who clearly did think come backin person who clearly did think come back injanuary, back last year we back in january, back last year we gave him the back injanuary, back last year we gave him thejob, that back in january, back last year we gave him thejob, that lee back injanuary, back last year we gave him the job, that lee anderson had political qualities was rishi sunak. we will find out if he was right. thank you. a former boeing whistle—blower, who was known for raising concerns about the firm's production standards, has been found dead in the united states. john barnett had worked for the company for 32 years. in the days before his death, he had been giving evidence in a lawsuit against boeing. more than 900,000 young people in england who did not get their measles, mumps and rubella jab as children are being invited to take part in a catch—up campaign. mmr vaccine coverage is now the lowest it has been for more than a decade. it comes after a rising number of measles cases. banana lovers might soon see the price of their favourite fruit rise, because climate change is posing an enormous threat to the world's supply. that's the warning from one economist at the world banana forum, which will meet today to tackle some of the challenges facing the yellow fruit. the world banana forum. who knew? now we know. do theyjust get together and talk about bananas. 0r together and talk about bananas. or maybe they'd just go bananas. they are getting more expensive. let's go to carol, who has a misty view this morning. is that what is going to be like for some of us today? yes, it is, sell. good morning. it is a cloudy, misty and murky start. some hill and coastalfog around. and we have some rain, the heaviest across england and wales, moving eastwards through the course of the day. we have also got some rain pushing northwards across scotland. it will rest in shetland. this is the heavier batch of rain coming in from the west, drifting east. it will continue to do so. if you are under it you will have about three hours of rain before it moves away. again, a lot of standing water. and a surface water generally leading to some tricky travelling conditions. it is falling on an already saturated ground. there is the risk of some local flooding. behind that rain you can see we hang onto still a lot of cloud, some showers, brighter skies today likely across the far north of scotland. a blustery day but not particularly windy. we have that yet to come. temperatures are higher than they were yesterday. six in lerwick, to 13 as we pushed down towards the south. as we head on through the evening and overnight the next weather front comes evening and overnight the next weatherfront comes in. it evening and overnight the next weather front comes in. it is a cold front. it is sinking south across scotland and northern ireland, getting into northern england. the rain is likely to be heavy. quite a bit of cloud out of it. behind it we are looking at showers. blustery showers. the wind picking up. the wind will be a feature tomorrow. gail is likely. the weather front continues to drift southwards for a time across parts of england and wales. ahead of it, a lot of cloud. behind it, the showers. temperatures 15, possibly16 behind it, the showers. temperatures 15, possibly 16 degrees. behind it, the showers. temperatures 15, possibly16 degrees. hire 15, possibly 16 degrees. hire for most behind it, the showers. temperatures 15, possibly16 degrees. hire 15, possibly 16 degrees. hire for most away behind it, the showers. temperatures 15, possibly16 degrees. hire 15, possibly 16 degrees. hire for most away from behind it, the showers. temperatures 15, possibly16 degrees. hire 15, possibly 16 degrees. hire for most away from the behind it, the showers. temperatures 15, possibly16 degrees. hire 15, possibly 16 degrees. hire for most away from the northern behind it, the showers. temperatures 15, possibly16 degrees. hire 15, possibly 16 degrees. hire for most away from the northern isles. thank you. the bbc has seen evidence that doctors, nurses and other hospital staff were detained, beaten and prevented from carrying out vital medical duties when israeli forces overran a hospital in gaza last month. israel said it occupied nasser hospital believing it was used by hamas and said several released israeli hostages were also held there, as our correspondent wyre davies reports. not for the first time in this war, israeli soldiers have been filmed standing over stripped and kneeling detainees in gaza. but these are medical staff, detained after the israeli army overran the nasser hospital in khan yunis. most of them are still held captive. for weeks, the medics had witnessed israel's military advance closing in around their hospital. the fighting in khan younis was fierce. thousands of people who'd sought refuge in the grounds, fled under gunfire. what should have been a place of safety was completely the opposite. 0ne nurse was shot inside a hospital operating theatre through a window. another person shot at the main entrance. the hospital was under siege. on february the 15th, after giving warnings, israeli tanks overran the hospital. there were chaotic scenes as troops took control. patients who'd been unable to evacuate were moved by medics from collapsing wards. israel says it found hamas weapons, also medication which they say supports accounts from israeli hostages that they were held there. in the idf�*s own footage, you can see that hospital patients had their hands zip tied, detained outside in their beds and wheelchairs. this was when troops also detained the medical personnel, more than 50 of them forced to leave their posts and remove their surgical clothing. israel says it did so in case there were concealed weapons, and that among the 200 arrested at nasser were terrorists posing as medics. dr amira had remained at nasser throughout the siege, before the israeli incursion, risking her own neck to save lives, as people were shot inside the grounds. she later witnessed what happened to her fellow doctors. | translation: it was tough for us to | see how the doctors, who had bravely stayed at the hospital despite the dangers, were stripped and beaten. their hands were tied behind them and they were left in the sun for hours. his hand broken in captivity, dr ahmed sabbah is one of the very few medics to have since been released. he shows the positions they were forced to adopt for hours, and says they were also tortured. translation: they forced us to kneel down with our eyes blindfolded. - there was a pit in the ground, and we thought they would execute us and bury us there. we said our prayers, but they were just intimidating us. israel says any abuse of detainees is against idf orders and is strictly prohibited. but crucially, according to the hospital manager who dealt with the israelis during the raid, the detention of so many of his staff left his hospital woefully short of doctors. translation: eight doctors and 15 nurses were left - treating 250 patients. you can imagine the level of care we could give with no water or electricity in the hospital at that point. during this time, 13 patients and injured people died. the israeli army says it operated within nasser in a precise and focused manner, and says it provided equipment enabling it to function and treat patients. but with the war continuing, and at least 46 medics still detained or missing, the hospital has been closed for weeks. wyre davies, bbc news. let's take a look at today's papers. the sun is calling for its readers to lay off kate in its headline. the paper says the reaction from the release of her family photo on mother's day now looks like what it calls a bullying campaign against a devoted mum recovering from a serious operation. meanwhile, the daily mirror says the image was meant to reassure the world that the princess was well after her recent surgery, but has only fuelled more conspiracy theories about her health. the daily telegraph is reporting that several conservative mps are demanding rishi sunak changes course urgently, after former tory mp lee anderson defected to reform uk. reform say there could be nine mps who might cross over. and the times carries a warning on its front page, that electric cars can travel significantly less far on a single charge than is often claimed. this is range anxiety. the paper quotes what car magazine, saying the official testing system is flawed and needs overhauling. so you might buy a car that can claim to do 200 miles before the next charge, but then put the radio on, the lights on, the fan on... you have to switch everything off. there is a story in the times i love. how to learn to be happy. apparently you can teach yourself to be happy but you have to keep practising. you know how you do it? bananas! you go to the world banana forum. it's basically about making better use of your own brain and your mood, and if you have negative thoughts, writing them down. meditation is supposed to be good, exercise is supposed to be amazing, and it's a little bit like the opposite of the current trend for self—care, which has us thinking about how we feel. think about other people instead and express gratitude for your friends. thank you, jon. thank you, sally. that was very interesting. the idea of writing it down? yes, it clears it out of your head and you don't think about anything. it's like the opposite of manifesting. it gets rid of the bad stuff. hang on. i hope that list isn't too long! alfie was just eight year's old when he lost his dad to suicide. he said the lost left him feeling isolated, without anyone to talk to who had been through something similar. determined to change this, he set up alfie s squad ? a support service for young people and their families bereaved by suicide. abi smitton has been to meet alfie and the children he 5 already helped. one, two, three...! it makes me feel at home. it's like a little family, it is, it really is. itjust makes me feel, like, supported. - like, there are other people i out there who know how i feel. i'm very proud. i knew it'd have a good reaction. it's been life changing. this youth club is a safe space forfamilies bereaved by suicide. it was set up by alfie. he lost his dad in 2017, when he was eight. he was funny. he was a chef. so he made really good food. i remember him teaching me how to make meatballs. it was just something that i held onto for some reason. with me is the hardest part of losing me dad is the fact that i know i won't really be able to create more memories with him. alfie received counselling, but he was desperate to find other people who knew what he had been through. when suicide's such a specific issue, and it feels so isolating and so personal, because when i first lost my dad, i couldn't help but blame myself for it. its a very isolating experience. for the past seven years, alfie and his mum, alison, have been working on his plan to provide support for children. last year, alfie's squad was finally launched. i knew it would have a good reaction to what he wanted to do, but i didn't think it would be as good as it was. and, you know, it's been life changing for some of the children, and for the families as well. and it's all come from alfie's ideas. every week, the group does a different activity — painting, magic, quizzes. this week it's drumming. very loud, but very fun. i've made so many friends since we've came here. and like, knowing that can relate to you and they can talk to you if you need to. we get a lot of opportunity- that we normally wouldn't have. we're always here all together. and like, we can all talk together if we need to, and we understand each other. so we all get along really well as well. while the children take on whatever weekly challenge is in store, the parents also get a chance to meet and talk. some days we laugh, some days we cry. sometimes we do both. we very often bring cake. amy's husband passed away four years ago. she's been coming to alfie's squad since day one, along with two of her children. until you've been in that situation, you have no idea what that feels like. so having that community of people who get that, who understand how difficult it is, who can literally walk with you side by side, has just been amazing. so we are like family. janine and her daughter, annalise, found alfie's squad six months after she lost her husband. it's like home from home. you know, us mums, we've all got our little group chat. annalise and a few of the girls, they'll go out on different days and, you know, go trampolining, do fun stuff. they've all got something in common. there's nothing like this out there. there's so many people who i know have gone through the same thing as me, so i'm comfortable here talking about what happened. i think my mum is really open to talk about stuff now as well, like, because she has so many new friends. just to see her little character bounce back and just become her again is, yeah. _ it's like a little family, it is, it really as. # happy birthday to you...# just like any family, they'll go out of their way to embarrass someone on their birthday. hip—hip... hooray! let's go! ifeel like it could make a massive difference, because knowing that it's working for me and it's working for everyone else in the group, i feel like it shows how far it can reach. we've had loads of people say that they've never really considered how the families of people who've taken their own life feel. and now we've got the ability to share and to help them. the first week i didn't it think would be anywhere near what it is now. i'm really, really looking forward to everything that's going to come. so i'm hopeful. well done, alfie. he, and his mum alison, and other members of the squad, will be here on the sofa later to tell us more. coming up... we'll meet the hero dog vesper, who got a special award at crufts for her brave work rescuing survivors of the turkey earthquake. vesper will be with us on the sofa just before eight o'clock. talking of dogs and cats and hamsters and parrots and everything, are or inbox is filling up for the story about vets' fees. we will bring you some of those comments. do keep in touch with us about that. time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. hello, good morning from bbc london, i'm tolu adeoye. a bbc investigation has uncovered how scammers have been impersonating genuine recruitment companies and advertising fakejobs to try obtain personal information from job hunters. fraudsters are posting positions that don't exist online and sending whatsapp messages to potential victims. 0ne recruitment firm in surrey is warning the public after it was impersonated. we were taking calls from candidates saying, "is there a david there?" and we said, "no, we don't have a david." so that's instantly when we thought somebody could have been scamming. "what has david asked you?" "well, he's contacted us about a job that you're advertising." so i would reply and say, "well, we're not advertising that particularjob — that's not a job that's on our books." physiotherapists in the major trauma ward at st george's hospital in tooting are using virtual reality to help patients with their rehab. physios say vr helps distract patients from the pain when they move — it means they can exercise at their bedside by playing games through a headset. yes, rehab is painful, but at the same time it can be... it is ultimately good for you. so being able to have that mixture of it's fun and also good for you — it is something a little bit different from just normal of, "right, we're going to drag you out of bed today and go and walk you down the hall," so... now, the museum of london is moving from the london wall at the barbican to a new site in west smithfield — and bbc london has been given behind the scenes access to the big move. the museum is set to re—open in 2026 in what was smithfield's general market until the 1990s. staff are now half way through transferring its huge collection of items. you can read about the history of the new site on our website. let's turn to the travel now. now onto the weather with kate. good morning. the rain is already moving in from the west — some of it quite heavy and persistent — it's breezy, but the temperature is feeling a little milder. now, this rain moving across through this morning — it is going to be quite a wet commute. gradually clearing, though, through this afternoon — by the end of the day, should be drier, but we are going to hang on to that cloud. it is breezy, but temperatures milder than yesterday at 13 celsius. then, overnight, there is a chance of a shower but largely dry. still quite breezy, still very cloudy, maybe one or two breaks, but the minimum temperature barely dropping — between nine and 11 celsius. now, down in the southeast tomorrow, it is looking largely dry, but we are going to hang on to this cloud. maybe one or two brighter spells, but the temperature that little bit milder with a maximum of 15 celsius. and that trend continues as we head further through this week. a little more sunshine around, though, for thursday morning, at least. the temperatures perhaps a little bit higher. staying mild as we head into the weekend, but turning more unsettled. i'll be back with another update in around half an hour. plenty more on our website and social media until then. have a very good day. bye— bye. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. thank you forjoining us. as we've been hearing this morning, the former conservative deputy chairman lee anderson has become reform uk's first mp — after defecting to the party following his suspension from the tories. he's represented the people of ashfield, in nottinghamshire, since 2019, and our reporter simon ward has been finding out what his constituents there make of his decision. please welcome mr lee anderson. introduced by the man he'd once dismissed as a pound—shop nigel farage, lee anderson — the mp for ashfield — arrived to confirm he wasjoining reform uk. surrounded by union flags — some a little too obtrusive — he kept regularly using one key phrase... i want my country back. the 57—year—old said he'd been told tojoin the reform by his parents. constituents like my mum and dad, who told me they could not vote for me unless ijoined reform uk. back in his constituency, civic dignitaries were marking the history of international relations on commonwealth day — and, unsurprisingly, opponents weren't impressed by his defection. well, it was the worst—kept secret. i mean, he's had more parties than borisjohnson had in downing street. it was just a matter of time. this isjust more drama that is covering up an even bigger problem. we need a general election — not just for the people of ashfield, but for the whole of the uk. but opposite the council's offices, there was indifference to his change of political colour. well, reform won't be any sorti of power anyway, but he is good for the local community. i'm sorry he's going. i like the man. he's not going anywhere — he's just changing party. yes, i know, but is he going to stand for ashfield? i suspect so. oh, well, that's a good thing, then. up the road at his favourite pub — where he said a voter recently left money behind the bar to buy him a pint to thank him for his recent controversial comments — it was all shut up, but he was still in the doghouse with some. i think he should have apologised for what he said. i mean, other people would after, wouldn't they? i'm really disappointed in him. i really am. lee anderson says he'll continue to represent the people of ashfield until the general election — whenever that is. that was simon ward reporting in ashfield. john is here with the sport. cheltenham, very exciting but we start with football. when you have the european championship on the horizon in germany this summer and places are up for grabs, you want to be putting in big performances front of the international manager, gareth southgate and cole palmer is doing at the chelsea and he could be a late bolter into that england squad. everyone has their eyes on gareth southgate, who is he watching? he was watching him last night, he was in the stands, so what a great night for cole palmer to be doing what he did, scoring and assisting and maybe he will get potentially a ticket to germany this summer. we wait to see. good morning. a name and a face to keep an eye on. cole palmer who mightjust be thinking of cancelling his summer holiday plans. he scored and assisted in chelsea's victory over newcastle, playing a big part in theirfirst as nicolas jackson tapped in palmer's effort gareth southgate giving nothing away there. he would have been impressed with his goal and in an up—and—down campaign, the youngster — who joined from manchester city, no less — has been the shining light for the club. he said, "if you'd told me at the start of the season i had a chance of going to the euros, i wouldn't have believed you." well, that belief that will be growing. when they scored, we thought we'd better defend better than we did before we conceded. it was a great goal. but to get the three points was a good step in the right direction. another great performance from you — man of the match again. gareth was here tonight. another nudge in his direction from your point of view? hopefully — we'll see, yeah. like i said, though — i've said this before — it'sjust game by game. see... try and put in good performances and see what happens. heartbreak for the only non—premiership side in the scottish cup, who missed out on a spot in the semifinals to hearts. greenock morton of the championship — they held on for 86 minutes, were right in it, but lost to this late effort from kenneth vargas. and so it is hearts who progress to play rangers, while aberdeen will face celtic for a place in the final. the action continues tonight, with arsenal hoping to reach the quarterfinals of the champions league. it is some season so far for mikel arteta's side, topping the premier league table and chasing european success. they do need to overturn a one—goal deficit from the first leg, if they're to go through. and he's calling on the fans to play their part. for 96 minutes, bring your energy, bring your noise and let's be together. i think the impact that it can make, it's incredible. i don't think that they realise. so we need that — we need that noise, we need them to play in every single ball with us. but it's a beautiful opportunity to live those nights. it's been 14 years, so everything that we put in there is going to be worth it. there was double disappointment for british players at indian wells, with cameron norrie and emma raducanu knocked out. raducanu was beaten in straight sets by world number two aryna sabalenka in the third round. raducanu only returned to the tour injanuary, following eight months out with injury. while cameron norrie will feel frustrated — he was a set and 3—0 up against gael monfils, before a stirring comeback from the mecurial frenchman, who's now 37 years old. one of the sport's great entertainers — not that norrie will be feeling that this morning. emily scarratt is back in the england squad for the women's six nations, despite only playing three hours of rugby since returning from a career—threatening neck injury that left her sidelined for 1h months. marlie packer retains the captaincy, after leading england to the grand slam last year. saracens' sydney gregson might make her first england appearance in nine years — her last cap was in 2015. the women's tournament gets under way after the men's tournament. and talking of putting on a show... the cheltenham festival begins today, kicking off four days of racing culminating in the running of the historic gold cup this friday, in what will be the 100th anniversary of the historic race. and as steve knibbs has been finding out, the prize pot might have changed a bit, but some thing stays the same, like that famous cheltenham roar. a century ago, and red splash, ridden by dick rees, crosses the line to become the first—ever winner of the cheltenham gold cup. the prize money was just £685 — a lot less than this year's £625,000. well, to celebrate 100 years, a special photo with a who's who of gold cup—winning jockeys. rachael blackmore — the only woman to win — next to surely one of the sport's most—loved jockeys and trainers — jonjo 0'neill. he won the cup aboard alverton in 1979, and dawn run in 1986. cheltenham is the ultimate, and everybody wants to be here, and that's the race you want to win, really. so, yeah, very lucky, as you say, to win on alverton and then to be able to win and on dawn run and the champion whole, and then very lucky to have a great horse bred by noreen mcmanus, and to train him to win here was just fantastic, really. that horse was synchronised — whenjonjo chose ap mccoy to take him over the gold cup line in 2012 — which, despite his thousands of wins, remains a key milestone for ap. that was my most memorable day in horse racing. i was lucky to win the grand national forjonjo and forjp on don't push it. and, yeah, is the most famous horse race in the world, but the best horse wins the cheltenham gold cup, and that was always the benchmark for me, and to do it forjonjo and forjp was the best day. in 2010, it was paddy brennan, who rides now for gloucestershire trainer fergal 0'brien, but he rode imperial commander to a famous gold cup victory — beating favourites denman and kauto star. honestly, it's a dream, and you forget it sometimes when you've ridden in other gold cups and it hasn't quite worked out, but, yeah, you feel proud. you've just got to look around here atjohn frank and tony mccoy and others — it's some great faces. a race that lives long in the memory. so with 100 years of history behind it, undoubtedly history will be made here again this week. there'll be winners, losers, congratulations and, of course, commiserations as the festival returns for what will be a special year. £685100 years ago for the winner. that was a lot.— that was a lot. now it is 625,000, so in 100 years. — that was a lot. now it is 625,000, so in 100 years, fair _ that was a lot. now it is 625,000, so in 100 years, fair to _ that was a lot. now it is 625,000, so in 100 years, fair to say - that was a lot. now it is 625,000, so in 100 years, fair to say things l so in 100 years, fair to say things have changed a bit but the raw, the way it kind of kicks off the festival, that great roar that you'll hear, so many racing fans down there, so many travel over from ireland and a great trainer, always do so well. it ireland and a great trainer, always do so well-— ireland and a great trainer, always do so well._ you | do so well. it will be his day. you feel it and _ do so well. it will be his day. you feel it and he _ do so well. it will be his day. you feel it and he has _ do so well. it will be his day. you feel it and he has so _ do so well. it will be his day. you feel it and he has so many - do so well. it will be his day. you. feel it and he has so many runners and a very good chance he willjust reap the rewards over the next four days but, yeah, sad news that constitution hill won't be running but it gears up to friday with the running of the gold cup. find but it gears up to friday with the running of the gold cup. and that famous hill. _ running of the gold cup. and that famous hill, you _ running of the gold cup. and that famous hill, you got _ running of the gold cup. and that famous hill, you got an _ running of the gold cup. and that famous hill, you got an indication in that piece how steep the hill is. when you are there you see them going up the hill at the end and see how hard it is. you going up the hill at the end and see how hard it is.— going up the hill at the end and see how hard it is. you can only imagine bein: a how hard it is. you can only imagine being a jockey. _ how hard it is. you can only imagine being a jockey. just _ how hard it is. you can only imagine being a jockey, just experiencing - being a jockey, just experiencing that, feeling it, heading up towards the grandstands at the finish, amazing. thank you. for the first time since becoming fully fledged members, sweden and finland are taking part in nato's biggest military exercise since the end of the cold war. the drills are amid warnings of a renewed threat from russia, following its full scale invasion of ukraine. jonathan beale reports from the arctic circle. nato says it's a bulwark for peace. but it's preparing for war. this, just part of its massive military exercise taking place right across europe. and with newest members sweden and finland in no doubt as to why theyjoined. being alone against russia is like, why take that risk when you canjoin nato? i personally feel a lot safer because now we have allies to depend on. in this scenario, they've come to defend northern norway after it's been invaded. they're not calling the enemy russia, but it is a near neighbour. the aim of this exercise is to demonstrate how nato would come to the aid of an ally under attack. it is the very principle of the alliance — an attack on one is an attack on all. butjust how likely is that? no—one's saying the threat is imminent — russia's preoccupied with its war in ukraine — but it is moscow's aggression that's sounding the alarm. the important thing is, it's not if they will reinforce themselves, it's how long will it take? you're sure russia is a threat? i'm sure that russia is the threat, yes. and that we need to become even stronger as an allied country in the upcoming five and ten years. it's those living closest who are most aware of the threat. the country's now boosting defence spending, but also mentally preparing themselves for war. both finland and norway share a border with russia... ..and they've already strengthened their defences with a citizen army — teachers, nurses and carpenters who are also part—time soldiers. these are members of norway's home guard, but it's no dad's army — most are young and ready to fight. you know, in world war two, this county was burned down — the whole county. so my grandparents, everyone, they had to flee. and, yes, if that's my option — just stay here and fight and do something i'm trained for, i'd rather stay in here and fight, yeah. i look at the newspaper more often now than i did before just to see if there's something — something that's happened, or... yeah, especially with russia. for these nordic allies, it is now strength in numbers. but for russia, it's the mother of all unintended consequences — more nato on its border. jonathan beale, bbc news, the arctic circle. senior doctors are warning that cancer patients in the uk are being "let down" and some are at risk of dying because they are not being treated on time. 0ne oncologist said cancer care is in a "crisis" — but the department of health says cutting waiting lists is one of the government's priorities. cancer diagnoses are increasing at a rate of 2% every year. the government has a target to make sure that 85% of patients begin cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral by a gp. but in december last year, only around 65% of patients began their treatment within the nhs target time. and the last time the target was met nationwide was in 2015. one person who knows only too well about the delays is a former nurse who spent 35 years working in the nhs. she had to wait 158 days between her first appointment and the start of her cancer treatment, as charliejones reports. tina bean was a nurse for 35 years, but when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer, she felt let down by the service she'd dedicated her life to. to actually get told that i'd got cancer was 80 days. till i've started my treatment — which i'm now into my second week of chemo and radiotherapy — it's been a total of 158 days. so how difficult has it been for you, waiting all this time for treatment? the waiting has been so hard. you know, i've been at the lowest points i could tell you. so all of that time i've sat there thinking, "whew, where else is it going?" you know, "what else is it doing?" like, all i've wanted to do since i've known is, "please get it out of me, please give me the treatment." 66% of cancer patients in england started their treatment on time in december. but in mid and south essex, where tina is being treated, that was just 47%. the trust has apologised to tina, and says it is investigating. we're showing that over 200,000... some doctors are campaigning for the government to reprioritise cancer. let's not pretend there's not a problem — there is a massive problem, and this is going to get worse as we have an increased risk of cancer, increase to patients coming through. we can't cope now unless we do something. there needs a screeching u—turn by the government, and really get this right. the workforce — you're lucky because you've got world—class workforce. since stephen fry backed the campaign, more than half a million people have signed a petition on cancer delays. cancer is a... it's a verb — it moves and acts quickly. and so must we if we want to save our loved ones. since 2020, 225,000 people have waited too long for cancer treatment — and these waits can be deadly. tina says she wouldn't have coped without the support of her family and friends. as a nurse, she treated hundreds of cancer patients, and feels frustrated that she hasn't received the same standards of care. i feel... i feel let down by a service that i've worked for for 35 years. ifeel that, personally, you know, i've not been prioritised. i'm aware that there's nothing that i can do — it doesn't matter how loud you shout — that i am in the queue with everybody else waiting to get my treatment, and hopefully to survive. so many families watching this morning affected by that moment. that was tina bean finishing that report there from our reporter charliejones. we are going to go to carol with the weather. i have had a peek at the picture behind you and i am going to try and guess where that is and i'm going to be wrong, i know.- try and guess where that is and i'm. going to be wrong, i know.- is going to be wrong, i know. brave. is that richmond _ going to be wrong, i know. brave. is that richmond hill? _ going to be wrong, i know. brave. is that richmond hill? you _ going to be wrong, i know. brave. is that richmond hill? you could - going to be wrong, i know. brave. is that richmond hill? you could be i that richmond hill? you could be riuht. that richmond hill? you could be riht. it that richmond hill? you could be riuht. it is that richmond hill? you could be right. it is from _ that richmond hill? you could be right. it is from our _ that richmond hill? you could be right. it is from our library, - that richmond hill? you could be right. it is from our library, is - right. it is from our library, is all i _ right. it is from our library, is all i can— right. it is from our library, is all i can tell— right. it is from our library, is all i can tell you! laughter we willjust laughter we will just say yes. laughter we will 'ust sa es. �* ., we will 'ust say yes. brilliant, thank we willjust say yes. brilliant, thank you- — we willjust say yes. brilliant, thank you. pleasure. - good morning. the picture tells its own story— good morning. the picture tells its own story because it is a cloudy start _ own story because it is a cloudy start to — own story because it is a cloudy start to the day, it is murky, some hail start to the day, it is murky, some bail and _ start to the day, it is murky, some hail and coastal fog around. and we have some — hail and coastal fog around. and we have some rain. it will remain cloudy— have some rain. it will remain cloudy for— have some rain. it will remain cloudy for most today. the heaviest rain across — cloudy for most today. the heaviest rain across england and wales at the moment _ rain across england and wales at the moment. that is pushing eastwards. rain across — moment. that is pushing eastwards. rain across scotland moving up into shetland _ rain across scotland moving up into shetland where it will reside for much _ shetland where it will reside for much of— shetland where it will reside for much of the day. this rain will eventually— much of the day. this rain will eventually clear stop if you are stuck _ eventually clear stop if you are stuck under it you could have as much _ stuck under it you could have as much of— stuck under it you could have as much of three hours of rain. not surprisingly, a lot of flood warnings in force stock 41 in england. _ warnings in force stock 41 in england, 13 in wales and six in scotland _ england, 13 in wales and six in scotland. lots of water on the ground — scotland. lots of water on the ground. you may recognise scenes like the _ ground. you may recognise scenes like the one — ground. you may recognise scenes like the one behind me and there is more _ like the one behind me and there is more rain _ like the one behind me and there is more rain to— like the one behind me and there is more rain to come in the next few days _ more rain to come in the next few days what — more rain to come in the next few days. what is happening today is we have this _ days. what is happening today is we have this weather front drifting towards — have this weather front drifting towards the east and we have one resting _ towards the east and we have one resting across shetland, will become at leaving _ resting across shetland, will become at leaving rain there through the day. at leaving rain there through the day a _ at leaving rain there through the day a lot— at leaving rain there through the day. a lot of cloud, and as the rain pushes _ day. a lot of cloud, and as the rain pushes over— day. a lot of cloud, and as the rain pushes over to the east, there will be a lot— pushes over to the east, there will be a lot of— pushes over to the east, there will be a lot of cloud left in its wake. 0ne be a lot of cloud left in its wake. one or— be a lot of cloud left in its wake. one or two — be a lot of cloud left in its wake. one or two showers. dampness in the air. one or two showers. dampness in the air the _ one or two showers. dampness in the air. the brighter skies today will be across— air. the brighter skies today will be across the far north of scotland and also _ be across the far north of scotland and also parts of northern and western — and also parts of northern and western isles. a breezy day today but temperatures across the avoid will be _ but temperatures across the avoid will be higher. exception in the northern— will be higher. exception in the northern isles. through the evening and overnight, cloudy for a time a weather— and overnight, cloudy for a time a weather front comes in across scotland — weather front comes in across scotland and northern ireland and that will— scotland and northern ireland and that will produce heavy rain. pushing _ that will produce heavy rain. pushing south through the night, the wind picking up behind it and it will be — wind picking up behind it and it will be cloudy for most ahead of it, as welt _ will be cloudy for most ahead of it, as wait it — will be cloudy for most ahead of it, as well. it will not be a cold night — as well. it will not be a cold night. overnight temperatures ten and ii _ night. overnight temperatures ten and ii in _ night. overnight temperatures ten and 11 in the south. as we had three tomorrow. — and 11 in the south. as we had three tomorrow, very slowly this rain will continue _ tomorrow, very slowly this rain will continue to— tomorrow, very slowly this rain will continue to push southwards across other— continue to push southwards across other parts — continue to push southwards across other parts of england and also wales — other parts of england and also wales. ahead of it, some breaks in the cloud — wales. ahead of it, some breaks in the cloud, quite a bit of cloud at times, _ the cloud, quite a bit of cloud at times, and — the cloud, quite a bit of cloud at times, and behind it we are looking at some _ times, and behind it we are looking at some sunshine and showers but the wind really— at some sunshine and showers but the wind really picking up. we are looking — wind really picking up. we are looking at gales across the north—west of scotland. at times we could _ north—west of scotland. at times we could have _ north—west of scotland. at times we could have gusts of wind as much as 70 mph— could have gusts of wind as much as 70 mph and — could have gusts of wind as much as 70 mph and it will be a windy day across— 70 mph and it will be a windy day across scotland and northern ireland — across scotland and northern ireland. these are our temperatures. eight _ ireland. these are our temperatures. eight in _ ireland. these are our temperatures. eight in lay— ireland. these are our temperatures. eight in lay wicket to 15, possibly 16 eight inlay wicket to 15, possibly to in_ eight in lay wicket to 15, possibly to in any— eight in lay wicket to 15, possibly 16 in any sunshine as we push down towards _ 16 in any sunshine as we push down towards the — 16 in any sunshine as we push down towards the south—east. then, as we had from _ towards the south—east. then, as we had from wednesday into thursday, the weather front starts to push back— the weather front starts to push back northwards. low pressure to the north, _ back northwards. low pressure to the north, the _ back northwards. low pressure to the north, the air— back northwards. low pressure to the north, the air around low pressure moves _ north, the air around low pressure moves anticlockwise. you can see how the rain _ moves anticlockwise. you can see how the rain pushes northwards, as well. some _ the rain pushes northwards, as well. some hill— the rain pushes northwards, as well. some hill snow for a time. in the south, _ some hill snow for a time. in the south, a — some hill snow for a time. in the south, a lot— some hill snow for a time. in the south, a lot of cloud and some showers — south, a lot of cloud and some showers but we are still in this mild _ showers but we are still in this mild air— showers but we are still in this mild air with south—westerly winds and that— mild air with south—westerly winds and that will be reflected in the temperatures. we are looking at around _ temperatures. we are looking at around 14— temperatures. we are looking at around 14 to 16 degrees. if we see any sunshine in the south we could well hit _ any sunshine in the south we could well hit possibly 17 degrees. push north— well hit possibly 17 degrees. push north of that, the temperatures not as high— north of that, the temperatures not as high but— north of that, the temperatures not as high but still eight to 11 degrees. you can see how we hang onto the _ degrees. you can see how we hang onto the milder air through friday, as well, _ onto the milder air through friday, as well, but— onto the milder air through friday, as well, but then we have a change in the _ as well, but then we have a change in the wind — as well, but then we have a change in the wind direction to more of a north—westerly for a time, but it will be _ north—westerly for a time, but it will be short lived, so temperatures will be short lived, so temperatures will diu— will be short lived, so temperatures will dig a _ will be short lived, so temperatures will dip a bit before they rise once again _ will dip a bit before they rise once again the — will dip a bit before they rise once again. the outlook still remains unsettled — again. the outlook still remains unsettled. we are looking at some rain at _ unsettled. we are looking at some rain at times, also some showers at times, _ rain at times, also some showers at times, a _ rain at times, also some showers at times, a lot — rain at times, also some showers at times, a lot of cloud but some sunshine — times, a lot of cloud but some sunshine here and there. is that mun . sunshine here and there. is that muggy feel— sunshine here and there. is that muggy feel in — sunshine here and there. is that muggy feel in worcestershire?! | muggy feel in worcestershire?! laughter gosh, look at the time, i am sure i need _ gosh, look at the time, i am sure i need to— gosh, look at the time, i am sure i need to brush my air or something. looking _ need to brush my air or something. looking specifically at the river severn and gloucestershire because we will be there later, the tidal wave today, where we will see surface. how is it looking? it is not a great morning for the surfing. at the moment it is really wet but the rain _ at the moment it is really wet but the rain is — at the moment it is really wet but the rain is pushing eastwards as we io the rain is pushing eastwards as we go through— the rain is pushing eastwards as we go through the course of the morning but you _ go through the course of the morning but you are _ go through the course of the morning but you are right, it is pouring buckets — but you are right, it is pouring buckets just now and as the rain clears _ buckets just now and as the rain clears we — buckets just now and as the rain clears we will see a lot of cloud left in — clears we will see a lot of cloud left in its — clears we will see a lot of cloud left in its wake. | clears we will see a lot of cloud left in its wake.— clears we will see a lot of cloud left in its wake. i work reporter fi lamdin will _ left in its wake. i work reporter fi lamdin will need _ left in its wake. i work reporter fi lamdin will need her _ left in its wake. i work reporter fi lamdin will need her rain - left in its wake. i work reporter fi lamdin will need her rain jacket. | lamdin will need her rain jacket. she will. what do morecambe and wise, frank sinatra and the beatles all have in common? they've all performed in blackpool — and this week the town's illustrious history of entertainment is being celebrated with a new multi—million—pound attraction. the museum, called showtown, will open to the public on friday ? but our arts correspondent david sillito has been given a sneak preview of what's on offer. # every year when - summer comes round. # off to the sea i go. # i don't care... hello and welcome to blackpool. yes — welcome to blackpool, and showtown... hello, sir. # with me little stick of blackpool rock! - ..a new multi—million—pound attraction telling the story of blackpool�*s place in the history of entertainment. where's charlie cairoli? he's here. # i'm leaning on a lamp post at that corner of the street, in case... the girls took me round somewhere. i think it's round this way. is it? i think it's round this way. 0h, right. 0h, here we go! and i invited a blackpool connoisseur to test it out... you're enjoying this, aren't you? i really am! it's, er... it's fantastic, really is. it's round here — oh, here you go. go on, do a bit of the buddy holly! i love him doing this. go on, do buddy holly! ..sid little of little and large. born in blackpool... # peggy sue... ..and, in the �*70s and �*80s, top of the bill. 1979. wow. your heyday. two shows a day — look at that — 6:10 and 8:50. you were doing two shows a day? yeah, yeah. how many days a week? six days a week. that's what you did. and then you got sunday off? no — you went to scarborough or somewhere like that and did a one—night show. you were working seven days a week, two shows a day? seven days a week, yeah. that was always the go in the �*60s. ali bongo, norman wisdom! frank carson — look at that. # 0h, there's no business... and sid knows his stuff. he really has... there you are — charlie cairoli. look at that. look at that. ..met everyone, beginning with the town's most famous clown. charlie cairoli is a legend, you know? so you you played with the cairolis? so you played with the cairolis? yes! keith harris and orville. he hated... he hated that green duck. they always hate the thing that made them famous. it's amazing — you know... he hated the duck? he didn't like the duck, no, no. that was just the beginning. victoria wood — she was our guest on our radio show. even vic and bob. we actually did their tv show. everybody that was anybody played blackpool. however, blackpool these days isn't quite what it was. it is a familiar story in seaside towns of britain, but this is a chance to remember what made this place great when it really was, for millions, the home of entertainment. there is such a lot to celebrate in blackpool, and we're - here to do just that. it's not the richest of towns now. this is a reminder of just how extraordinary the place is, isn't it? i think that's really fair to say. yeah, blackpool is quite easily knocked, to be honest. - it is a town that is well worn, well used, and in real need l of additional development. look — stan laurel�*s hat. orville and his silver disc. and, of course, strictly! so how many shows are we talking about in the �*60s, �*70s? oh, you had 25 shows... so 25 venues? venues, yeah, yeah. but that's not 25 shows, though. no — sometimes they had multiple shows a day. i mean, that's thousands and thousands of people, isn't it? absolutely. more than the west end in london. 0h, bigger than the west end? yeah, yeah. so that you could have more bums on seats in blackpool per day than you could at the west end in london. newsreel: after dark, - lancashire's favourite resort becomes a blackpool of light. it's the illuminations — _ and everybody's welcome who prefers the blackpool prom to the albert halt _ absolutely everyone seems to have played blackpool. we've got the beatles, frank sinatra, lady gaga, cilla... sweep squeaks. 0h, sooty and sweep, of course. because... what's that? yeah, you're proper blackpool talent. sweep squeaks. you're from blackpool? sweep squeaks. 19...? 1948?! sweep squeaks. so this is your 75th anniversary year? sweep squeaks. ah, you're looking... well, you're looking pretty good, actually, for being 75 years old. sweep squeaks. sweep squeak—sings. # oh, i do like to be beside the sea side! and sid... you're enjoying this, aren't you? iblinkin' am! it's miles better than i thought it would be. ..he didn't want to leave. yeah, really is. david sillito... sweep squeaks. ..bbc news... sweep squeaks. blackpool. sweep squeaks. laughter suite! orville! ._ , ., suite! orville! orville may be not as popular— suite! orville! orville may be not as popular as _ suite! orville! orville may be not as popular as we _ suite! orville! orville may be not as popular as we thought. - suite! orville! orville may be not as popular as we thought. even l suite! orville! orville may be not. as popular as we thought. even with keith. as popular as we thought. even with keith- lovely _ as popular as we thought. even with keith. lovely piece. _ coming up... in a few minutes we'll be joined by sir ranulph fiennes, who will be here to tell us all about his new book around the world in 80 years. they call him the greatest explorer on earth. he has done everything, everywhere, and he will run us through some of the highlights and how to keep warm! time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. hello, good morning from bbc london. i'm tolu adeoye. a bbc investigation has uncovered how scammers have been impersonating genuine recruitment companies and advertising fake jobs to try steal personal information. fraudsters are posting positions that don't exist online and sending whatsapp messages to potential victims. one recruitment firm in surrey is warning the public after it was impersonated. we were taking calls from candidates saying, "is there a david there?" and we said, "no, we don't have a david." so that's instantly when we thought somebody could have been scamming. "what has david asked you?" "well, he's contacted us about a job that you're advertising." so i would reply and say, "well, we're not advertising that particularjob — that's not a job that's on our books." physiotherapists in the major trauma ward at st george's hospital in tooting are using virtual reality to help patients with their rehab. physios say vr helps distract patients from the pain when they move. it means they can exercise at their bedside by playing games through a headset. yes, rehab is painful, but at the same time it can be... it is ultimately good for you. so being able to have that mixture of it's fun and also good for you — it is something a little bit different from just normal of, "right, we're going to drag you out of bed today and go and walk you down the hall," so... now, the museum of london is moving from the london wall at the barbican to a new site in west smithfield, and bbc london has been given behind the scenes access to the big move. the museum is set to re—open in 2026 in what was smithfield's general market until the 1990s. staff are now half way through transferring its huge collection of items. you can read about the history of the new site on our website. let's turn to the travel now. now onto the weather with kate. good morning. the rain is already moving in from the west — some of it quite heavy and persistent — it's breezy, but the temperature is feeling a little milder. now, this rain moving across through this morning — it is going to be quite a wet commute. gradually clearing, though, through this afternoon — by the end of the day, should be drier, but we are going to hang on to that cloud. it is breezy, but temperatures milder than yesterday at 13 celsius. then, overnight, there is a chance of a shower but largely dry. still quite breezy, still very cloudy, maybe one or two breaks, but the minimum temperature barely dropping — between nine and 11 celsius. now, down in the south—east tomorrow, it is looking largely dry, but we are going to hang on to this cloud. maybe one or two brighter spells, but the temperature that little bit milder with a maximum of 15 celsius. and that trend continues as we head further through this week. a little more sunshine around, though, for thursday morning, at least. the temperatures perhaps a little bit higher. staying mild as we head into the weekend, but turning more unsettled. i'll be back with another update in around half an hour. plenty more on our website and social media until then. have a very good day. bye— bye. good morning, welcome to breakfast with sally nugent and jon kay. our headlines today. are pet owners paying too much in vets fees? a long awaited review is published into the way the industry operates. prices have been rising farfaster than average inflation. we look at the sacrifices families have been making to care for their furry friends, and consider what will now be done to improve veterinary prices and practice. one of the conservative party's biggest donors, frank hester, has denied making racist remarks about the labour mp, diane abbott. scammers posing as ecruitment companies are conning people out of their money and personal information through fake job adverts. the chelsea player with the ever growing reputation how cole palmer could force his way into the england squad this summer after another impressive display. good morning. a cloudy day ahead with some rain. later in the north, heavier in the south. as we go through the next few days, for most the temperatures will rise. details later. good morning. it's tuesday, 12th march. in the next few minutes a long—awaited report into veterinary services will be published. it follows concerns pet owners are facing expensive bills when paying for treatments. the competition and markets authority launched the review last year, and has previously said that fees were rising faster than other goods and services during the cost—of—living crisis. nina has the details. putting off treatment a pet desperately needs, going abroad for a cheaper care, and sadly, having pets put down to avoid ongoing costs, just a few of the experiences we have heard already this morning. are you paying too much to care for your furry friend? why have vet costs been rising faster than general inflation? are you getting a fair deal when it comes to costing, and shopping around? these are the important questions the competition and markets authority has been seeking to answer. 57% of you have a pet at home and you might know an average one—off trip to a vet now costs almost £400. as we all face increasing financial pressure, the bbc has learned some households are sacrificing holidays, heating and even food to ringfence that money. jim connolly has been speaking with some pet owners about the pressures they're facing. ziggy, say hello. people will do anything for their pets. when they get sick that love can mean big bills. extortionately expensive, for anything. this is ziggy. he's a rescue dog, and he's very vocal. huge, huge expense. it depends which vets you choose. and you've got to shop around. bunny, fetch! they're outrageous. but the vets aren't getting rich. it's the multinational hedge funds that are getting rich. _ good girl. who owns vets, and the effects on prices, is one of the main things the competition and markets authority, or cma, have been looking at. independent vet practices accounted for 89% of the industry in 2013. now it's the way more than half are owned by six big companies. and, go! shambhu rules the roost around here. sit. good girl. she's my baby. she's my little girl. we don't have children, so that's our child. dominic and vinita took shambhu to a practice owned by one of the big corporates for an operation to prevent her getting arthritis. it's very scary as well. you know, an operation, you know, they're putting a pin in the bone. the treatment cost more than £5,000. and dominic wanted to know why. i looked at the bill and there were lots of items that we didn't, not familiar with, they're medical terms. but one jumped out at me, which was paracetamol, and it was £20 for a pack of paracetamol. i pay 60 pence in the supermarket. i was shocked that we were being charged that much for such a simple item, and it makes you wonder how much they're overcharging on other items as well. and are you being exploited? that's what it felt like. the oxford cat clinic has been both corporately and independently owned in recent years. perfect, thank you. we asked the new independent owner if pet owners would have noticed any difference in care. no, i don't think they particularly suffered. i think the level of care that we delivered to our patients still was as high as it ever was. i think that some of our clients don't like the idea of using a corporate practice. i do think some of our clients did move away because of that. they wanted to go back to an independent practice. we approached all six corporate chains and have not yet received a formal response. the british veterinary association says it's good that the industry is being looked at, but doesn't think it's as simple as corporates versus independents when it comes to price. we've seen a lot of prices increase. i think historically vets have rather undervalued their time, and so we're trying to catch up with the situation which hasn't been supporting veterinary businesses well. i think we've also seen problems around the number of vets, the veterinary workforce, and the supply of veterinary medicines. many supply chains have been really impacted by covid and brexit. all the vets i've spoken to say that because human treatment is free on the nhs, we've lost perspective on how much medical care costs. but that's little comfort for the two thirds of us who own a pet when it comes to paying the bills. jim connolly, bbc news. the british veterinary association says there is no nhs for pets, and that the job is highly skilled and takes constant investment in tech and supplies. in fact, we've heard from vets and veterinary nurses this morning. one who says vet—bashing is on the increase and it's gettting harder to go to work. we will bring you the authority's findings shortly, telling us whether pet owners are getting a fair deal, what the industry must do to improve. keep your experiences of the vet costs, transparency, and choice coming in. get in touch in all the usual ways. thank you. lots of you getting in touch on that this morning. one of the conservative party's biggest donors has been accused of making racist remarks about the mp, diane abbott. frank hester has accepted that he was rude, but insisted his comments, made in 2019, had nothing to do with ms abbott's gender or skin colour. our chief political correspondent henry zeffman joins us now. henry, what do we know about what's happened? frank hester runs a health care soft care company. he is one of the conservative party pass biggest donors. — conservative party pass biggest donors. just last year he gave the party— donors. just last year he gave the party e10 — donors. just last year he gave the party £10 million, 5 million himself. _ party £10 million, 5 million himself, and £5 million through his company _ himself, and £5 million through his company it— himself, and £5 million through his company. it was adding a meeting of that company back in 2019 where the guardian— that company back in 2019 where the guardian alleges he was talking about— guardian alleges he was talking about an — guardian alleges he was talking about an executive from a rival firm and he _ about an executive from a rival firm and he went— about an executive from a rival firm and he went on to say this. "it's like trying not to be racist, but you see diane abbott on the tv and you just want to hate all black women, because she is there. i don't hate all black women at all, but i think she should be shot." it's important to say the bbc has not independently verified of those alleged _ not independently verified of those alleged remarks. but mr hester did roof -- _ alleged remarks. but mr hester did roof —— responded to the guardian yesterday — roof —— responded to the guardian yesterday. in a statement his company— yesterday. in a statement his company said he accepts he was rude about— company said he accepts he was rude about diane _ company said he accepts he was rude about diane abbott in a private meeting — about diane abbott in a private meeting several years ago. but his criticism _ meeting several years ago. but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender— criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor— criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin. also worth— gender nor colour of skin. also worth us— gender nor colour of skin. also worth us noting that his team say that response, that apology of sorts, — that response, that apology of sorts, is — that response, that apology of sorts, is not a confirmation that he made _ sorts, is not a confirmation that he made the — sorts, is not a confirmation that he made the comments as quoted by the guardian _ made the comments as quoted by the guardian. there is already a big row over this _ guardian. there is already a big row over this in — guardian. there is already a big row over this in westminster. just moments _ over this in westminster. just moments after the guardian's report went live _ moments after the guardian's report went live wes streeting, the shadow health _ went live wes streeting, the shadow health secretary, stood up in the house _ health secretary, stood up in the house of— health secretary, stood up in the house of commons and said they were revolting, _ house of commons and said they were revolting, racist and insightful. labour— revolting, racist and insightful. labour and the liberal democrats are calling _ labour and the liberal democrats are calling on— labour and the liberal democrats are calling on conservatives to hand the money _ calling on conservatives to hand the money back. the conservatives are resisting _ money back. the conservatives are resisting that. they have pointed to mr hester's apology and repeated his claim that _ mr hester's apology and repeated his claim that the comments had nothing to do with _ claim that the comments had nothing to do with diane abbott's gender or colour— to do with diane abbott's gender or colour of— to do with diane abbott's gender or colour of skin. thank you. the government has committed to building new gas—fired power stations, warning that failure to do so would risk blackouts. the new plants will replace stations coming to the end of their lives. environmentalists argue it's a step backwards but the government says they have to be realistic in the move towards cleaner energy. haiti's prime minister, ariel henry, has agreed to resign following weeks of mounting pressure and increasing violence in the country. mr henry is currently stranded in puerto rico after being prevented by armed gangs from returning home. a ship with humanitarian aid for gaza remains docked in cyprus. it was due to depart on sunday. the boat is carrying 200 tonnes of food, including rice, flour and cans of meat and fish. our middle east correspondent yolande knelljoins us now. it has left at last. how long will it take to get it to its destination?- it take to get it to its destination? ~ ., , . destination? we are expecting it will take about _ destination? we are expecting it will take about a _ destination? we are expecting it will take about a day _ destination? we are expecting it will take about a day and - destination? we are expecting it will take about a day and a - destination? we are expecting it will take about a day and a half i destination? we are expecting it| will take about a day and a half to get here because it is towing this barge with all the food supplies on it and that slows down the journey somewhat. but we are expecting this, this ship to leave on sunday. it is operated by a spanish charity. it has been working with world central kitchen, was has provided millions of meals in gaza since october. and also now will be making its way across. the delay is because they were constructing a temporaryjetty in gaza. that needed to be there in orderfor them to get in gaza. that needed to be there in order for them to get the aid to sure. we still don't know, there are still logistical questions about how exactly distribution which has been such an issue in northern gaza, where people are so desperate, how long that is going to take. we will find out now. this will be the pilot test for this new maritime corridor announced last week by the european union, with britain involved, the united arab emirates as well. and the us has said it is also sending, it will take about 60 days to get there, but it is sending a military ship which will in the end build a floating pier that will be used in gaza. thank you. some prisoners in england and wales could be released up to two months early to relieve overcrowding. the justice secretary said these changes would be for a limited period and would only apply to less serious offenders. labour has accused the government of sneaking out the announcement, which was posted on the uk parliament website. more than 900,000 young people in england who did not get their measles, mumps and rubella jab as children, are now being invited to take part in a catch—up campaign. it comes after a rising number of measles cases. mmr vaccine coverage is the lowest it has been for more than a decade. banana lovers might soon see the price of their favourite fruit rise, because climate change is posing an enormous threat to the world's supply. that's the warning from one economist at the united nations world banana forum, which will meet today to tackle some of the challenges facing the yellow fruit. imean, we i mean, we all love a banana. i don't love a banana. we have found the only person in britain who does not love bananas. i bet there are loads. it is the most popular fruit. you still can't convince me. and now they are really expensive. a downer on the bananas. the world banana forum will not be happy with you. i want a i want forum will not be happy with you. i want a chocolate forum. morning, carol.— i want a chocolate forum. morning, carol. i want a chocolate forum. mornin: , carol. ., ., morning, carol. good morning. you ma be morning, carol. good morning. you may be familiar _ morning, carol. good morning. you may be familiar with _ morning, carol. good morning. you may be familiar with pictures - morning, carol. good morning. you may be familiar with pictures and i may be familiar with pictures and seems rather like this one behind me. this one was taken in kent where the ground water is actually coming through the ground, the water table is so saturated. we have got more rain on the cards, notjust today but as we go through this week. you can see the extent of cloud across the uk. this is where we have currently got the rain across england and wales. there is some rain in scotland but that is lighter. as this rain goes eastwards, you may have it for three hours. brighterskies eastwards, you may have it for three hours. brighter skies today. that in northern scotland. a lot of cloud, some showers, some dampness in the air. the rain advancing eastwards, leaving a lot of cloud in wales and south—west england. again, some coastal and hill fog and generally murky conditions. it will take time before the rain pulls away from the far south—east. before the rain pulls away from the farsouth—east. behind before the rain pulls away from the far south—east. behind it, a breezy day. milderthan far south—east. behind it, a breezy day. milder than yesterday for most. six to 13 degrees. through this evening and overnight we start off on a cloudy note. we have got a weather front coming in which is introducing some heavy rain across scotland and northern ireland. eventually getting into the north of england. ahead of that, a lot of cloud. look at those overnight temperatures. tens and 11 is. on the other side of that we are looking at some showers, some clear spells, and blustery conditions. the wind is starting to pick up. that takes us into tomorrow. a band of cloud and rain sinks further south across northern england and also wales. ahead of that, some brightness in the sky. a fair bit of cloud around at times. gales in the north west. they could charge 70 miles per are at times. some showers. temperatures seven in lerwick to 14, 15, possibly 16 in the far south—east. 16 in the far south—east. thank you. as we've been hearing this morning, a review of veterinary services in the uk has been carried out, addressing concerns that pet owners could be paying too much. in the last few minutes that report has been published and nina is here with the details. there are real concerns, and there? yes, there are. it is the job of the competition and markets authority to protect us as consumers and how we spend our money. they have been scrutinising this £2 billion industry because prices have been rising faster than inflation. concerns around a few providers dominating the market. and the lack of choice. they say they have had an unprecedented response since september. 56,000, they have never had a number that high, and they will now lodge a formal investigation. they say consumers might not have been given enough information to enable them to make the right choices. they think there are concentrated local market is driven by sector consolidation, and implication there is monopolisation happening. they say large corporate groups may have incentives to act in a way which reduces choice and weakens competition. we have heard about about recommending treatment at different veterinary practices associated with them. they say the framework is no longer fit for purpose. this formal investigation will mean they will have access to a wide range of legally enforceable remedies. they say they might be able to mandate the provision of certain information for consumers so we automatically get more choice. if necessary, impose massive —— maximum prescription fees for the sale and disposal of businesses. prices may be regulated and sat in a certain way so we all know what we are getting. there are obviously two sides to this. the british veterinary association has pointed to the fact there is no pot of money, there is no nhs for vets, they point to rising costs, and say they point to rising costs, and say they are constantly investing in medicine. we have had an overwhelming response from the audience. interestingly, we have heard from vets and veterinary nurses. sarah says, please remind people to be kind to their vets today. discussions about costs are difficult and that bashing is a real thing. remember, it is not be vets, it is not us as they nurses or the receptionists that set the prices, but this one sums it up from cheryl. my but this one sums it up from cheryl. my french bulldog murphy is seven years old. he has had a blocked saliva gland. i have been quoted £6,500 per treatment, which i cannot afford. it is not covered for insurance. murphy will have to live with this massive swelling on his neck. it's not fair. someone else says the prices are extortionate, it makes them angry, and if you have a pet he will do everything in your power to take care of it. they use that as an emotional advantage to make money. that's the difficulty. the cma investigation will begin now. it has been escalated to a formal investigation. we will find the outcomes on april the 11th. we are being absolutely inundated as you speak. i can see the inbox. dozens and dozens and dozens of messages coming in all the time. the top one here from brian who has got a dog called papa, has to have medication to ayes —— twice a day for a heart murmur. medication to ayes —— twice a day fora heart murmur. he medication to ayes —— twice a day for a heart murmur. he says the vets want £68 a month for the tablets but he can get them for £25 a month online. how can a vetjustify charging three times as much for the same product? i guess that is one of the kinds of things they will be asking. there are opportunities to shop around, not for surgery, necessary —— necessarily? than necessary —— necessarily? in appointment may cost an necessary —— necessarily? fifty appointment may cost an average £400. the next step is, before you know it, you have agreed to a series of interventions costing thousands of interventions costing thousands of pounds. important to save this investigation over the next month will look at recommendations, so the impact on your bank account, the impact on your bank account, the impact on your household pet may be some time. and also, we will be talking to the competition and markets authority at half past seven on the programme to get more information about what you should be looking for if you take your pet to the vet. thank you. the number is on your screen. do get in touch by that what's up. —— whatsapp. keen to put some of your points to the decision makers this morning on breakfast. scammers posing as genuine recruitment companies are conning people out of their money and personal information through fake job advertisements. the fraudsters are posting sham vacancies online and through messaging apps, to entice people into handing over their details, and action fraud says the number of people reporting these scams are on the rise, as fiona irving reports. a good salary, fantastic benefits, the chance of working from home. the only problem is, the job doesn't exist. more and more of us are falling for recruitment scams — elaborate and sophisticated frauds, where the criminals contact job—seekers, often posing as genuine recruiters. we were taking calls from candidates saying, "is there a david there?" and we said, "no, we don't have a david." when david, the con man, posted a job on the jobs website indeed, pretending to be a 2i recruitment employee, the genuine firm in surrey was inundated with calls from angryjob—seekers. "what has david asked you?" "well, he's contacted us about a job that you're advertising." so i would reply and say, "well, we're not advertising that particularjob — that's not a job that's on our books." you know, "can you send us a screenshot of the vacancy? can you discuss it further?" and they were very, very upset. you know, they were basically implying that people from my business had been trying to get their personal information and talk to them aboutjobs that we weren't actually recruiting for. these scammers are, of course, after money. but first, they want your details. and recruiters can ask for a lot of personal information. fraudsters use that to apply for credit in your name, but they also groom jobseekers directly out of money. jula from surrey was conned after being contacted by a fake recruiter claiming to be from a legitimate recruitment firm. the job offered was fairly convincing — he had to complete simple online tasks to help boost the popularity of certain apps. but the payment system was complicated, and in order to earn money, he was told he'd have to put down a deposit. he lost £7,000. i got a sort of panic attack. like, i lost my balance, i started seeing blurry, like being nervous. i felt my temperature went high. i should... i should have realise these things. i should see the signs. but i didn't see it. they were so clever with hiding all these things behind the friendliness. a few months ago, a bbcjournalist who lives in the south east was contacted by a fraudster posing as the cheshire firm nolan recruitment — that's a company more than 200 miles away. they say scammers have been using their name for nearly 18 months. it's so frustrating because there's literally no support. we reported it to action fraud and they said there's nothing that can be done because there's no crime being committed to us as a company. and, yeah, so it's really frustrating — you know, especially if you, you know, you get home after a long day at work and then somebody�*s left a review, you know, calling us a joke of a company, and it's nothing that we've done. these scammers can be really tricky to track down. they use encrypted messaging systems like whatsapp, meaning their communications are largely untraceable. and they're often not operating from within the uk. their crimes can have devastating financial consequences. we've had instances where people think that they've got this genuinejob lined up, they've maybe paid this advance fee for a criminal record check or some sort of spurious online course. they hand their notice in, they leave theirjob, and in some cases have relocated — so they've relocated to a different part of the country, they've taken up a rental property where they've perhaps had to pay out a month's rent in advance. so they're immediately out of pocket. and then, of course, they turn up at their place of work — we've had instances, again, where they actually — these people turn up at the office they think is their new place of work, only to be turned away because no such business exists. the jobs website indeed says it removes tens of millions ofjob listings each month that don't meet its quality guidelines. but with so many scammers evading justice, arejobs boards and messaging services doing enough to disable the criminals' operations? fiona irving, bbc news. 25 minutes past seven. forget california. surfers from across the globe are descending upon the uk what is described as the greatest rider on earth. and today, we're expecting a five star severn bore tidal wave. fiona lamdin is in gloucester for us, with the surfboarders limbering up to chase some waves. i hope we are not building this up. it is impressive. we haven't had one in daylight for a few years. fi lamdin is in gloucestershire with surfers limbering up to chase some waves. morning. it is the first time in five years they have had a 5—star one in daylight. and look at it. you wouldn't think anything is going to happen but hopefully something will. let me just show you the all—important tiffin. the servers have been making tiffin when they got up. good morning. you are not actually surfing, but tell us, how does it work? what is the wave? i’m does it work? what is the wave? i'm a historian, so i research the wave and how— a historian, so i research the wave and how it — a historian, so i research the wave and how it works is the river severn flows _ and how it works is the river severn flows down — and how it works is the river severn flows down into the severn estuary that has _ flows down into the severn estuary that has one of the highest tidal range _ that has one of the highest tidal range in— that has one of the highest tidal range in the world. second highest. the energy— range in the world. second highest. the energy of the tide has to go somewhere on a high tide. it pushes back up— somewhere on a high tide. it pushes back up the — somewhere on a high tide. it pushes back up the river, creating a way that moves— back up the river, creating a way that moves inland, quite fast. it goes _ that moves inland, quite fast. it goes for— that moves inland, quite fast. it goes for miles. —— wave. it's an amazing — goes for miles. —— wave. it's an amazing natural phenomenon, it happens — amazing natural phenomenon, it happens on the amazon, in china, in france, _ happens on the amazon, in china, in france, but — happens on the amazon, in china, in france, but the river severn is one of the _ france, but the river severn is one of the best— france, but the river severn is one of the best places in the world to see it _ of the best places in the world to see it. ~ ., ., ., ~' of the best places in the world to see it. ~ ., ., ., ~ , see it. wow. peter, he took up surfin: see it. wow. peter, he took up surfing when — see it. wow. peter, he took up surfing when he _ see it. wow. peter, he took up surfing when he was _ see it. wow. peter, he took up surfing when he was 65. - see it. wow. peter, he took up surfing when he was 65. you . see it. wow. peter, he took up i surfing when he was 65. you have been doing it for ten years. tell me what it is like surfing here? it’s what it is like surfing here? it's 'ust what it is like surfing here? it's just wonderful. i very quickly got addicted — just wonderful. i very quickly got addicted to — just wonderful. i very quickly got addicted to it. _ just wonderful. i very quickly got addicted to it. it— just wonderful. i very quickly got addicted to it. it is _ just wonderful. i very quickly got addicted to it. it is about- just wonderful. i very quickly got i addicted to it. it is about engaging with the _ addicted to it. it is about engaging with the river _ addicted to it. it is about engaging with the river and _ addicted to it. it is about engaging with the river and a _ addicted to it. it is about engaging with the river and a wonderful- with the river and a wonderful group of people _ with the river and a wonderful group of people it — with the river and a wonderful group of people. it is — with the river and a wonderful group of people. it is not _ with the river and a wonderful group of people. it is notjust the - of people. it is notjust the surfing _ of people. it is not 'ust the surfina. �* ., ., of people. it is not 'ust the surfina. . ., ., i. of people. it is not 'ust the surfina. �* ., ., surfing. and how long will you hope to ride back — surfing. and how long will you hope to ride back to _ surfing. and how long will you hope to ride back to the _ surfing. and how long will you hope to ride back to the way _ surfing. and how long will you hope to ride back to the way forward? . to ride back to the way forward? probably the best right back is 25 minutes — probably the best right back is 25 minutes but— probably the best right back is 25 minutes. but usually _ probably the best right back is 25 minutes. but usually it _ probably the best right back is 25 minutes. but usually it is - probably the best right back is 25 minutes. but usually it is a - probably the best right back is 25 minutes. but usually it is a five . minutes. but usually it is a five minute — minutes. but usually it is a five minute ride _ minutes. but usually it is a five minute ride back. _ minutes. but usually it is a five minute ride back.— minutes. but usually it is a five minute ride back. you have been trainin: minute ride back. you have been training all— minute ride back. you have been training all sorts _ minute ride back. you have been training all sorts of _ minute ride back. you have been training all sorts of people. - minute ride back. you have been| training all sorts of people. these are two of your... you say peter is your hero? are two of your. .. you say peter is your hero?— your hero? yeah, we met peter last ear when your hero? yeah, we met peter last year when we _ your hero? yeah, we met peter last year when we first _ your hero? yeah, we met peter last year when we first came _ your hero? yeah, we met peter last year when we first came to - your hero? yeah, we met peter last year when we first came to watch i your hero? yeah, we met peter lastl year when we first came to watch the ball and _ year when we first came to watch the ball and he _ year when we first came to watch the ball and he has been sharing his tips and — ball and he has been sharing his tips and knowledge of the river and has been _ tips and knowledge of the river and has been so useful, so helpful. it is such— has been so useful, so helpful. it is such a — has been so useful, so helpful. it is such a lovely community to be part of — is such a lovely community to be part of as — is such a lovely community to be art of, r, is such a lovely community to be art of. a .,, is such a lovely community to be artof. a ., ., ., part of. as soon as you are all fair ou are part of. as soon as you are all fair you are running — part of. as soon as you are all fair you are running down _ part of. as soon as you are all fair you are running down there. - you are running down there. what will you be doing? we you are running down there. what will you be doing?— will you be doing? we will be caettin will you be doing? we will be getting paddling _ will you be doing? we will be | getting paddling downstream, will you be doing? we will be - getting paddling downstream, waiting for the _ getting paddling downstream, waiting for the bore, — getting paddling downstream, waiting for the bore, and _ getting paddling downstream, waiting for the bore, and then _ getting paddling downstream, waiting for the bore, and then hopefully, - for the bore, and then hopefully, hopefully— for the bore, and then hopefully, hopefully catching _ for the bore, and then hopefully, hopefully catching it _ for the bore, and then hopefully, hopefully catching it and - for the bore, and then hopefully, hopefully catching it and not - hopefully catching it and not cartwheeling _ hopefully catching it and not cartwheeling into _ hopefully catching it and not cartwheeling into the - hopefully catching it and not cartwheeling into the water! j hopefully catching it and not - cartwheeling into the water! fire hopefully catching it and not cartwheeling into the water! are you all ri . ht cartwheeling into the water! are you all right with — cartwheeling into the water! are you all right with the _ cartwheeling into the water! are you all right with the temperature? - all right with the temperature? yeah, it should be fine. [30 all right with the temperature? yeah, it should be fine.- all right with the temperature? yeah, it should be fine. do you want a little tiffin — yeah, it should be fine. do you want a little tiffin before _ yeah, it should be fine. do you want a little tiffin before you _ yeah, it should be fine. do you want a little tiffin before you go? - yeah, it should be fine. do you want a little tiffin before you go? i - a little tiffin before you go? i feel like you need to eat something. helen, you actually won an award because you are an amazing surfer. tell me very quickly what did it sound like last night? filth. tell me very quickly what did it sound like last night? oh, it was amazinu. sound like last night? oh, it was amazing. when _ sound like last night? oh, it was amazing. when it _ sound like last night? oh, it was amazing. when it is _ sound like last night? oh, it was amazing. when it is quiet - sound like last night? oh, it was amazing. when it is quiet and i amazing. when it is quiet and suddenly— amazing. when it is quiet and suddenly you hear this train like sand _ suddenly you hear this train like sand in— suddenly you hear this train like sand in the distance. in the distance _ sand in the distance. in the distance. and the next minute you hear the _ distance. and the next minute you hear the lids on the farm close, then— hear the lids on the farm close, then it — hear the lids on the farm close, then it is — hear the lids on the farm close, then it is rush, rohrer, past the house _ then it is rush, rohrer, past the house. it— then it is rush, rohrer, past the house. , ., , ~ then it is rush, rohrer, past the house. ,., , ~ j~j~ then it is rush, rohrer, past the house. ,., , . j~ house. it is lovely. at 848 and we are auoin house. it is lovely. at 848 and we are going to _ house. it is lovely. at 848 and we are going to be — house. it is lovely. at 848 and we are going to be expecting - house. it is lovely. at 848 and we are going to be expecting the - house. it is lovely. at 848 and we | are going to be expecting the raw. house. it is lovely. at 848 and we i are going to be expecting the raw. i am going to show you. 845 we are expecting it to come here. now the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm tolu adeoye. physiotherapists in the major trauma ward at st georges hospital in tooting are using virtual reality to help patients with their rehab. physios say the vr helps distract patients from the pain when they move — it means they can exercise at their bedside by playing games through a headset. yes, rehab is painful, but at the same time it can be... it is ultimately good for you. so being able to have that mixture of it's fun and also good for you — it is something a little bit different from just normal of, "right, we're going to drag you out of bed today and go and walk you down the hall," so... as we've been hearing, a bbc investigation has uncovered how scammers have been impersonating genuine recruitment companies and advertising fake jobs to try steal personal information. fraudsters are posting vacancies that don't exist online and sending whatsapp messages to potential victims. we'll have more on that story throughout the day. now, the museum of london is moving from the london wall at the barbican to a new site in west smithfield — and bbc london has been given behind the scenes access to the big move. the museum is set to re—open in 2026 in what was smithfield's general market until the 1990s. staff are now half way through transferring its huge collection of items. and you can read about the history of the new site on our website. from mammoth tusks, roman coins and photographs to the much larger objects like vehicles, selfridges lifts with bar—coding — so every item and every box will have its own bar code. it's a brilliant time for us to improve the information we have in our records. plans for the revamp of waterloo station — britain's third—busiest station — have been released. network rail and lambeth council set out their proposed improvements including plans to pedestrianise cab road, upgrade and add entrances, and a new sourthern concourse. let's turn to the travel now. now onto the weather with kate. good morning. the rain is already moving in from the west — some of it quite heavy and persistent — it's breezy, but the temperature is feeling a little milder. now, this rain moving across through this morning — it is going to be quite a wet commute. gradually clearing, though, through this afternoon — by the end of the day, should be drier, but we are going to hang on to that cloud. it is breezy, but temperatures milder than yesterday at 13 celsius. then, overnight, there is a chance of a shower but largely dry. still quite breezy, still very cloudy, maybe one or two breaks, but the minimum temperature barely dropping — between nine and 11 celsius. now, down in the southeast tomorrow, it is looking largely dry, but we are going to hang on to this cloud. maybe one or two brighter spells, but the temperature that little bit milder with a maximum of 15 celsius. and that trend continues as we head further through this week. a little more sunshine around, though, for thursday morning, at least. the temperatures perhaps a little bit higher. staying mild as we head into the weekend, but turning more unsettled. i'll be back with another update in around half an hour. plenty more on our website and social media until then. have a very good day. bye— bye. hello, this is breakfast with sally nugent and jon kay. so with sally nugent and jon kay. many of you getting hundreds so many of you getting in touch. hundreds of you, about the fact that a formal investigation will provisionally be launched into the veterinary industry after review by the competition regulator highlighted multiple causes for concern. nina has more detail. could have potentially a big impact for vets. and for pet owners. every time we talk about this we get a huge response from the audience, no different this morning. people are angry that they don't feel they can do their best by their pets because of prices and are frankly confused as to why prices have been rising faster than overall inflation. we are talking about the official watchdog that looks at whether industries are behaving fairly to us, as consumers. in the last half hour, they've said they've provisionally decided to launch a formal market investigation. they've highlighted multiple concerns. they say pet owners may not be getting enough information to enable them to choose the best veterinary practice or the right treatment for their pets' needs. they might be overpaying for medicines and prescriptions and they say the regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose. they say they do have a host of legal enforceable measures — like making sure all pet owners have access to better information, and even maximum precription fees. and this is something that affects the majority of you watching. 57% of households have a pet. and the expense around looking after them means the veterinary sector is worth around £2 billion. and that sector has been changing. in 2013 it was made up almost entirely of independent vets but fast forward to 2021, and look — that percentage has halved, meaning the market is now dominated by a smaller number of large chains, which own hundreds of practices. almost every household is feeling the squeeze at the moment. we've learned that nearly half of pet owners are concerned about affording vet bills. some say they're sacrificing holidays, heating and food to make sure their pet stays safe. because protecting that money is a big ask. a one—off trip to the vet costs on average nearly £400. it's hoped today's recommendations will make owning a pet cheaper and fairer. but it will take a while for these recommendations to trickle in to your local vet, and your household budget. but it's a step towards getting a fairer deal when protecting some of the most valued members of the family. joining us now to tell us more about the review�*s findings is sarah cardell, chief executive of the competition and markets authority. good morning. tell us your main concerns is. good morning. tell us your main concerns is— good morning. tell us your main concerns is. ., . ~ ., concerns is. good morning. we know there are around _ concerns is. good morning. we know there are around 16 _ concerns is. good morning. we know there are around 16 million _ concerns is. good morning. we know there are around 16 million pet - there are around 16 million pet owners in the uk, this is a really important market and we have seen that in the unprecedented public response we have also had to our review so far. we have had around 56,000 responses to our initial review from last september. we have had concerns from those working at sector about the pressures they are under but we have identified three broad areas of concern we feel need to be investigated fully and formally at this stage. first is around access to information, it is really difficult for pet owners to get clear upfront information about the price of different treatment options, about the cost of prescriptions. we are concerned many may be overpaying for the medicines they buy from their vet. second we are worried about how competition is working in this market, particularly given the extent of consolidation we have seen, moving from 10% of vet practices owned by large corporate groups ten years ago to around 60% now. we are also concerned those large corporate rates may have the incentive to reduce choice and restrict competition. finally we are concerned about the regulatory framework itself, which date back to the 19605 and may no longer be fit for purpose in current time5. given the breadth and depth of those concerns today, we are announcing that we are going to consult on a formal market investigation, which puts our investigation on a statutory footing, we believe that is the best way to get direct action to address concerns if they are upheld. to address concerns if they are u - held. . to address concerns if they are uheld. ., ., , , .,, upheld. that means you might be able to make legal — upheld. that means you might be able to make legal changes. _ upheld. that means you might be able to make legal changes. exactly. - upheld. that means you might be able to make legal changes. exactly. the i to make legal changes. exactly. the formal market _ to make legal changes. exactly. the formal market investigation - to make legal changes. exactly. the formal market investigation gives i formal market investigation gives two sets of powers. first we can compel companies to provide us with a full set of information about their business practices, their prices, theirfinancial their business practices, their prices, their financial analysis, but second and importantly at the end of the investigation, if we uphold our concerns, we can take direct action, for example mandating companies requiring them to provide information direct to pet owners, we can impose certain limits on prices, for example on prescription fees, and we could if necessary require the sale of certain businesses or assets. ~ , ., _ the sale of certain businesses or assets. ~ , ., ., the sale of certain businesses or assets. ., ,, ., assets. when you say that access to information — assets. when you say that access to information is _ assets. when you say that access to information is not _ assets. when you say that access to information is not always _ assets. when you say that access to information is not always easy - assets. when you say that access to information is not always easy pet l information is not always easy pet owners, what could pet owners do when they are talking about treatments or prescriptions to make things a little clearer?— things a little clearer? great question- — things a little clearer? great question. we _ things a little clearer? great question. we would - things a little clearer? great i question. we would encourage things a little clearer? (e—r question. we would encourage people to search around for the best information they can get at the moment. if you are choosing a vet practice, we have found that around 80% of vet practices at the moment don't even publish prices on their website. so call a couple of different ones and see if you can find out and compare prices for basic treatments. when you are then looking at individual treatment options, speak to your vet about a different range of options. we have seen that because of the rise of large corporate groups, they have tended to invest in work sophisticated treatment options which can bring benefits but we are concerned people are not being given the choice to go for more simple at lower cost options which might better suit their needs and circumstances. so speak to your vet about different treatment options. finally, when it comes to buying medicines, we have found around 25% of pet owners were not aware they could take a prescription from their vet and go for example to an online pharmacy which might be a lot cheaper, as a source of your medicines for your pet. really interesting — medicines for your pet. really interesting you _ medicines for your pet. really interesting you mention - medicines for your pet. really interesting you mention that l medicines for your pet. really - interesting you mention that because we have had an overwhelming response to this story this morning and that is a question we are getting again and again. why are medicines so much cheaper when you buy them online, and is that 0k to do? yes. and is that ok to do? yes, absolutely. _ and is that ok to do? yes, absolutely. you _ and is that ok to do? yes, absolutely. you can - and is that ok to do? yes, absolutely. you can get i and is that ok to do? yes, l absolutely. you can get your prescription from the vet, there are a range of different options and you can get your medicines direct, you can get your medicines direct, you can compare those prices and potentially get much cheaper option is doing it that way. so potentially get much cheaper option is doing it that way.— is doing it that way. so why would affect charge _ is doing it that way. so why would affect charge so _ is doing it that way. so why would affect charge so much _ is doing it that way. so why would affect charge so much more? i is doing it that way. so why would | affect charge so much more? that is doing it that way. so why would i affect charge so much more? that is ultimately a — affect charge so much more? that is ultimately a question _ affect charge so much more? that is ultimately a question for— affect charge so much more? that is ultimately a question for the - ultimately a question for the practices. —— why would a vet charge more? we have seen a rise in more sophisticated treatment and want to make sure people can access a full range of different options. it is also important to be aware that the large corporate groups often own related practices. so if you are referred for example for diagnostic tests or for specialist care, they often own pet crematoria so it is worth finding out if the referral you are getting is owning another group so we were often better going to alternative providers. sarah cardell, chief _ to alternative providers. sarah cardell, chief executive - to alternative providers. sarah cardell, chief executive of i to alternative providers. sarah cardell, chief executive of the | cardell, chief executive of the competition and markets authority, thank you for your time. lots competition and markets authority, thank you for your time.— thank you for your time. lots of messages- _ thank you for your time. lots of messages. nancy _ thank you for your time. lots of messages. nancy says - thank you for your time. lots of messages. nancy says their i thank you for your time. lots of | messages. nancy says their dog thank you for your time. lots of i messages. nancy says their dog got a thorn in her eye on friday. it costs £600 for the vet unsuccessfully to try to remove it under anaesthetic. he then said you would have to take it to an emergency vet, which is estimated to cost £5,000. they declined that, went for a second opinion and found someone else who would do it for £2000. still a huge amount of money, but there are other options out there which might be considerably less. but keep those messages coming this morning. quite a picture we are building up. john has the sport and i know you will be _ john has the sport and i know you will be talking about cheltenham but we are _ will be talking about cheltenham but we are starting already mentioning the euro is a. we are because as we know at this point — euro is a. we are because as we know at this point of— euro is a. we are because as we know at this point of the _ euro is a. we are because as we know at this point of the season, _ euro is a. we are because as we know at this point of the season, with i euro is a. we are because as we know at this point of the season, with a i at this point of the season, with a big competition on the horizon, the european championship in germany, the perfect opportunity now to put down big performances with places up for grabs in those international squads and one person who is doing that at the moment is chelsea's cole palmer, who was instrumental in their victory over newcastle last night. perhaps a late baltic may be into gareth southgate's thinking. almost like he was trying to impress somebody in particular. that almost like he was trying to impress somebody in particular.— almost like he was trying to impress somebody in particular. that he knew he was there. — somebody in particular. that he knew he was there, he _ somebody in particular. that he knew he was there, he knew _ somebody in particular. that he knew he was there, he knew he _ somebody in particular. that he knew he was there, he knew he was - somebody in particular. that he knew he was there, he knew he was in i somebody in particular. that he knew he was there, he knew he was in the | he was there, he knew he was in the crowd stop sign but it didn't make it more nervous, he played better. he dealt with the pressure very well and you wonder if you will get the spot on the plane. good morning. a name and a face to keep an eye on. cole palmer mightjust be thinking of cancelling his summer holiday plans. he scored and assisted in chelsea's victory over newcastle, playing a big part in theirfirst as nicolas jackson tapped in palmer's effort garteh southgate giving nothing away there. he would have been impressed with his goal. and in an up—and—down campaign, the youngster — who joined from manchester city, no less — has been the shining light for the club. he said, "if you'd told me at the start of the season i had a chance of going to the euros i wouldn't have believed you." well, that belief that will be growing. it is because you have him on the team. not to have a player that could link the game. but today i have seen him and he is getting a. more mature every day and of course i think they still need to improve, he is doing a very good job. heartbreak for the only non—premiership side in the scottish cup, who missed out on a spot in the semi finals to hearts. greenock morton of the championship held on for 86 minutes, were right in it, but lost to this late effort from kenneth vargas. and so it is hearts who progress to play rangers, while aberdeen will face celtic for a place in the final. the action continues tonight with arsenal hoping to reach the quarterfinals of the champions league. it is some season so far for mikel arteta's side, topping the premier league table and chasing european success. they do need to overturn a one goal deficit from the first leg, if they're to go through. well, we certainly are going to have to tweak a few things _ to generate much more than what we did. - the game context is very important, and we know that we have a long i match to play. and it can be moments where it can go your way and moments - that that can change dramatically quick and as a champions league as well. so emotionally, you have to be very prepared to play— those kinds of games. there was double disappointment for british players at indian wells with cameron norrie and emma raducanu knocked out. raducanu was beaten in straight sets by world number two aryna sabalenka in the third round. raducanu only returned to the tour in january, following eight months out with injury. cameron norrie will feel frustrated — he was a set and 3—0 up against gael monfils, before a sitrring comeback from the mecurial frenchman, who's now 37 years old. one of the sport's great entertainers, not that norrie will be feeling that this morning. the cheltenham festival begins today — the highlight of the jump racing season. the sport's greatest trainers and jockeys coming together, there are 28 races over the next four days, culminating in friday's gold cup — the 100th running of the race. with legendary irish trainer willie mullins six short of 100 cheltenham wins, 21 clear of nearest challenger nicky henderson for festival triumphs, who himself has a very good chance in friday's big race with shishkin. i think you've got a very good chance. it's an open sort of gold cup. it's not gimme, put it like that. some people think it is and it's not. it's a horse race and anything can happen. we have the feature race, the champion hurdle. i thought for you to our pick up something else. first race of the day, 1:30pm, supreme novices hurdle. john, i know you like a lion so i have gone super sunday. i like a lion so i have gone super sunda . ., , ., ., ., sunday. i thought you were going to call me a supreme _ sunday. i thought you were going to call me a supreme novice. - sunday. i thought you were going to call me a supreme novice. sally, i call me a supreme novice. sally, old call me a supreme novice. sally, gold dancer. _ call me a supreme novice. sally, gold dancer, we _ call me a supreme novice. sally, gold dancer, we have _ call me a supreme novice. sally, gold dancer, we have seen i call me a supreme novice. sally, gold dancer, we have seen your| call me a supreme novice. sally, i gold dancer, we have seen your fancy gold dancer, we have seen yourfancy footwork before. i thought that would work well for you. idailyat footwork before. i thought that would work well for you. what are ou would work well for you. what are you having? _ would work well for you. what are you having? nobody _ would work well for you. what are you having? nobody has - would work well for you. what are you having? nobody has got i would work well for you. what are you having? nobody has got the l you having? nobody has got the favourite, actually, _ you having? nobody has got the favourite, actually, so _ you having? nobody has got the favourite, actually, so i - you having? nobody has got the favourite, actually, so i will- favourite, actually, so i will happily put my hand up for that. unfortunately long odds for you, gold dancer, 66—1. unfortunately long odds for you, gold dancer, 66-1._ unfortunately long odds for you, gold dancer, 66-1. worth a £5 each wa . gold dancer, 66-1. worth a £5 each way- don't — gold dancer, 66-1. worth a £5 each way. don't anybody _ gold dancer, 66-1. worth a £5 each way. don't anybody rely _ gold dancer, 66-1. worth a £5 each way. don't anybody rely on - gold dancer, 66-1. worth a £5 each way. don't anybody rely on those i way. don't anybody rely on those tips. way. don't anybody rely on those ti s. ., , way. don't anybody rely on those tis, ., , . ., way. don't anybody rely on those tips-_ exactly. - way. don't anybody rely on those tips._ exactly, don't| tips. honestjohn. exactly, don't blame me- _ tips. honestjohn. exactly, don't blame me. cheers. _ frank foster is a huge football fan, but after a knee injury ended his dreams of playing, he turned to refereeing grassroots games. that was 44 years ago — and frank is still going strong — at the age of 90. hannah gray has been to meet him. 0k. frank foster doing what he enjoys most. this 90—year—old great—grandfather from sheffield referees about three times a week. i just love football. being out in the fresh air. i had a 98% mark in my referee exam. i wanted to give that back out, whether it be boys, girls, men 01’ women. i just love it. frank played for bamford football club back in the 19505. after a knee injury, he couldn't play in the team any more, but he's now in his 44th year of refereeing. my legs are tired afterwards, because i don't have lines people, and i anticipate a move and go with it. and if i get any arguments, i'm straight in talking to them. i don't talk down to them. that's rubbish, that. just talk to them naturally. spectators are often stunned to learn his age. it's really hard, isn't it, being a ref? so, the fact that he's still doing it at 90 is absolutely amazing. i can't believe it. and he's keeping up with play, which actually some of the younger lads don't even do. so, yeah, absolutely brilliant to see him here, yeah. it's obviously great for the girls. he's still very mobile, - running up and down the pitch. so, yeah, it's brilliant. people my age, as a grandparent, i'm envious, really. you know, he's 20 years older than me, and i wish i could do what he's doing now. an inspiration to us all. frank, can we come back and chat to you when you turn 100, and will we still find you refereeing? as long as you push me wheelchair, i will. and you're going to continue for a while? oh, i'm going to continue, yes. i've got no reasons or intentions of stopping. age isjust a number. it's just a number. forget how old you are. do what you can as long as you can. determined to keep on handing out those red and yellow cards for as long as he possibly can. hannah gray, bbc news. you take care. you, too. that is the advice we need this morning. abs. that is the advice we need this morninu. �* ,, that is the advice we need this morninu. . , ., that is the advice we need this morninu. . ., _, , morning. a message for everybody. kee auoin morning. a message for everybody. keep going as _ morning. a message for everybody. keep going as well— morning. a message for everybody. keep going as well as _ morning. a message for everybody. keep going as well as you _ morning. a message for everybody. keep going as well as you can i morning. a message for everybody. keep going as well as you can for i morning. a message for everybody. j keep going as well as you can for as long as you can. taste keep going as well as you can for as long as you can-— long as you can. we have no doubt ou'll be long as you can. we have no doubt you'll be there _ long as you can. we have no doubt you'll be there at _ long as you can. we have no doubt you'll be there at 100, _ long as you can. we have no doubt you'll be there at 100, but - long as you can. we have no doubt you'll be there at 100, but in i long as you can. we have no doubt you'll be there at 100, but in the i you'll be there at 100, but in the meantime happy 90th. let’s you'll be there at 100, but in the meantime happy 90th.— you'll be there at 100, but in the meantime happy 90th. let's go to carol with the _ meantime happy 90th. let's go to carol with the weather. _ meantime happy 90th. let's go to carol with the weather. it - meantime happy 90th. let's go to carol with the weather. it is i meantime happy 90th. let's go to carol with the weather. it is not i carol with the weather. it is not looking ideal. you are right. it is a wet and grey, murky— you are right. it is a wet and grey, murky start— you are right. it is a wet and grey, murky start to the day. this is one of our— murky start to the day. this is one of our weather watches pictures sent in earlier— of our weather watches pictures sent in earlier from lancashire. you can see just _ in earlier from lancashire. you can see just how— in earlier from lancashire. you can see just how grey and wet it is. if you are _ see just how grey and wet it is. if you are stepping out, not particularly cold this morning. especially not in the isles of scilly— especially not in the isles of scilly and wales. but where we have clear skies _ scilly and wales. but where we have clear skies it is only 2 degrees in aviemore — clear skies it is only 2 degrees in aviemore, so cold but you will see sunshine _ aviemore, so cold but you will see sunshine through the day. rain moving — sunshine through the day. rain moving north across scotland, but this batch — moving north across scotland, but this batch of rain across england and wales— this batch of rain across england and wales is moving eastwards, and this is— and wales is moving eastwards, and this is quite — and wales is moving eastwards, and this is quite heavy. when it arrives you will— this is quite heavy. when it arrives you will have it for some time. not really— you will have it for some time. not really surprising after the rain we have _ really surprising after the rain we have had — really surprising after the rain we have had, and more to come. a lot of flood _ have had, and more to come. a lot of flood warnings in force. 43 in england _ flood warnings in force. 43 in england, 13 in wales and six in scotland _ england, 13 in wales and six in scotland. some are coastal, we have hi-h scotland. some are coastal, we have high tides, _ scotland. some are coastal, we have high tides, and you can find out more _ high tides, and you can find out more about them on our weather website — more about them on our weather website. this is the weather front taking _ website. this is the weather front taking the — website. this is the weather front taking the rain across england and wales _ taking the rain across england and wales we — taking the rain across england and wales. we also have another weather front pushing up into what the northern— front pushing up into what the northern isles today. slack isobars are so _ northern isles today. slack isobars are so breezy rather than particularly windy. there is a lot of cloud — particularly windy. there is a lot of cloud around, and when the rain sets in— of cloud around, and when the rain sets in you — of cloud around, and when the rain sets in you will have it for a while before _ sets in you will have it for a while before it — sets in you will have it for a while before it eventually moves away, leaving _ before it eventually moves away, leaving a — before it eventually moves away, leaving a legacy of cloud behind it, and some — leaving a legacy of cloud behind it, and some dank conditions. brighter skies _ and some dank conditions. brighter skies today— and some dank conditions. brighter skies today with more sunshine across— skies today with more sunshine across parts of northern scotland. temperatures today a bit higher for most, _ temperatures today a bit higher for most, than — temperatures today a bit higher for most, than yesterday, looking at seven _ most, than yesterday, looking at seven to — most, than yesterday, looking at seven to about 13 degrees. as we head _ seven to about 13 degrees. as we head on— seven to about 13 degrees. as we head on through the evening and overnight. — head on through the evening and overnight, we have another clutch of weather _ overnight, we have another clutch of weather fronts coming our way. this is a weak— weather fronts coming our way. this is a weak one — weather fronts coming our way. this is a weak one going eastwards. also this one _ is a weak one going eastwards. also this one is _ is a weak one going eastwards. also this one is a — is a weak one going eastwards. also this one is a cold front which will bring _ this one is a cold front which will bring heavy rain across scotland and also northern ireland. eventually getting _ also northern ireland. eventually getting into the north of england. behind _ getting into the north of england. behind it, we'll see some clear skies _ behind it, we'll see some clear skies and — behind it, we'll see some clear skies and showers, wind is starting to pick— skies and showers, wind is starting to pick up — skies and showers, wind is starting to pick up. ahead of still a lot of cloud _ to pick up. ahead of still a lot of cloud around and very mild for this time _ cloud around and very mild for this time of— cloud around and very mild for this time of year. tomorrow, our band of rain sinks _ time of year. tomorrow, our band of rain sinks further south. for the rest _ rain sinks further south. for the rest of— rain sinks further south. for the rest of england and wales there will be some _ rest of england and wales there will be some clear skies but also quite a bit of— be some clear skies but also quite a bit of cloud — be some clear skies but also quite a bit of cloud at times. scotland and northern— bit of cloud at times. scotland and northern ireland it will be a windy day with— northern ireland it will be a windy day with sunshine and showers but the wind _ day with sunshine and showers but the wind is — day with sunshine and showers but the wind is picking up, we are looking — the wind is picking up, we are looking at— the wind is picking up, we are looking at scales across the north west~ _ looking at scales across the north west~ not — looking at scales across the north west. not outwith the realms of possibility that at times in the north—west with exposure we can have gusts _ north—west with exposure we can have gusts of _ north—west with exposure we can have gusts of 70 _ north—west with exposure we can have gusts of 70 mph. temperatures, eight to 13 in _ gusts of 70 mph. temperatures, eight to 13 in the _ gusts of 70 mph. temperatures, eight to 13 in the north, 14 to 15 in the south, _ to 13 in the north, 14 to 15 in the south, but — to 13 in the north, 14 to 15 in the south, but in— to 13 in the north, 14 to 15 in the south, but in any sunshine that could _ south, but in any sunshine that could get— south, but in any sunshine that could get a little higher. as we move — could get a little higher. as we move into _ could get a little higher. as we move into the latter part of the week, — move into the latter part of the week, our— move into the latter part of the week, ourweatherfront move into the latter part of the week, our weather front starts to retreat _ week, our weather front starts to retreat northwards once again and it will take _ retreat northwards once again and it will take its — retreat northwards once again and it will take its rain with it. once again — will take its rain with it. once again, quite a lot of cloud around, some _ again, quite a lot of cloud around, some showers coming in behind the band of— some showers coming in behind the band of rain— some showers coming in behind the band of rain and the rain will advance _ band of rain and the rain will advance steadily towards the north of scotland. another blustery day in prospect _ of scotland. another blustery day in prospect but again in any sunshine we could _ prospect but again in any sunshine we could see these temperatures creep— we could see these temperatures creep up— we could see these temperatures creep up to 16, possibly 17 somewhere in the south—east. look at this! oh, my goodness! what are we dialling. _ look at this! oh, my goodness! what are we dialling. absolutely. - look at this! oh, my goodness! what are we dialling. absolutely. this i look at this! oh, my goodness! what are we dialling. absolutely. this is i are we dialling. absolutely. this is verer, are we dialling. absolutely. this is verper. who _ are we dialling. absolutely. this is verper, who has _ are we dialling. absolutely. this is verper, who hasjust _ are we dialling. absolutely. this is verper, who hasjust won best i are we dialling. absolutely. this is i verper, who hasjust won best kennel club hero dog. at crufts at the weekend. isn't she gorgeous? she is beautiful! she _ weekend. isn't she gorgeous? she is beautiful! she looks _ weekend. isn't she gorgeous? she is beautiful! she looks so _ weekend. isn't she gorgeous? she is beautiful! she looks so gentle. i weekend. isn't she gorgeous? she is beautiful! she looks so gentle. she l beautiful! she looks so gentle. she is! she is beautiful! she looks so gentle. is! she is very beautiful! she looks so gentle. file: is! she is very cuddly, we beautiful! she looks so gentle. s“ie: is! she is very cuddly, we love a cuddly dog on the sofa. look at that! is also incredibly brave because verper is a rescue dog who worked to rescue survivors of the turkey and morocco earthquakes last year and she has been honoured with the kennel club hero dog award at crufts this week. hot the kennel club hero dog award at crufts this week.— crufts this week. not come to her head, taking _ crufts this week. not come to her head, taking it— crufts this week. not come to her head, taking it all— crufts this week. not come to her head, taking it all in _ crufts this week. not come to her head, taking it all in her- crufts this week. not come to her head, taking it all in her stride. i head, taking it all in her stride. let's look at when she was crowned. and a fitting reception here on sunday night at crufts to honour vesper, the search—and—rescue dog. true heroes, all of them, but vesper has been the standout here tonight. the royal kennel club hero dog 2024 is... niamh and vesper. well, this is the search—and—rescue dog vesper and her handler, niamh darcy, from the merseyside fire and rescue service. the pair were out in turkey and morocco searching for survivors after that horrific earthquake last year. all these dogs are heroes in the eyes of their owners and, of course, everybody here on crufts, and watching on television, as well. vesper and her handler, niamh darcy, join us now. many congratulations. what a moment that was. it many congratulations. what a moment that was. . , , many congratulations. what a moment that was. ., , , ., ., , that was. it has been an absolute whirlwind two _ that was. it has been an absolute whirlwind two weeks _ that was. it has been an absolute whirlwind two weeks but - that was. it has been an absolute whirlwind two weeks but that i that was. it has been an absolute \ whirlwind two weeks but that was that was. it has been an absolute l whirlwind two weeks but that was a magic— whirlwind two weeks but that was a magic moment you get in your lifetime — magic moment you get in your lifetime that will stick with you for even — lifetime that will stick with you for ever. it lifetime that will stick with you for ever. . , lifetime that will stick with you for ever. ., , ., , for ever. it was really quite emotional. _ for ever. it was really quite emotional, wasn't - for ever. it was really quite emotional, wasn't it? - for ever. it was really quite emotional, wasn't it? you| for ever. it was really quite - emotional, wasn't it? you have mariah carey singing in the background, you aren't verper about to get your award and verper seems incredibly calm and relaxed. she to get your award and verper seems incredibly calm and relaxed.- incredibly calm and relaxed. she is awesome, incredibly calm and relaxed. she is awesome. she _ incredibly calm and relaxed. she is awesome, she switches _ incredibly calm and relaxed. she is awesome, she switches on - incredibly calm and relaxed. she is awesome, she switches on and - incredibly calm and relaxed. she is awesome, she switches on and off| incredibly calm and relaxed. she is - awesome, she switches on and off and one of— awesome, she switches on and off and one of that _ awesome, she switches on and off and one of that massive things with dog handling _ one of that massive things with dog handling is — one of that massive things with dog handling is that you keep your emotions _ handling is that you keep your emotions at bay and let the dog work because _ emotions at bay and let the dog work because it _ emotions at bay and let the dog work because it can travel down the lead so she _ because it can travel down the lead so she is— because it can travel down the lead so she is really good at going, oh, 'ust so she is really good at going, oh, just relax, — so she is really good at going, oh, just relax, this is fine until need to heat — just relax, this is fine until need to beat. , ., ., , ., ., ., to beat. explain what you mean that the emotions _ to beat. explain what you mean that the emotions travel _ to beat. explain what you mean that the emotions travel down _ to beat. explain what you mean that the emotions travel down the - to beat. explain what you mean that the emotions travel down the lead. l the emotions travel down the lead. there is a difference between dog training _ there is a difference between dog training and handling, both very important — training and handling, both very important to produce a search dog, but i am quite a good dog trainer and aspiring to be a good dog handten _ and aspiring to be a good dog handler. you have a life—and—death situation _ handler. you have a life—and—death situation like in turkey or morocco earthquakes that we respond to, you keep your— earthquakes that we respond to, you keep your emotions at bay and in that interview i got very emotional and i_ that interview i got very emotional and i not _ that interview i got very emotional and i not that kind of person. everyone _ and i not that kind of person. everyone has been giggling at me with that — everyone has been giggling at me with that. you have to keep your emotions — with that. you have to keep your emotions at bay because this is a game _ emotions at bay because this is a game for— emotions at bay because this is a game for the dogs and they are looking — game for the dogs and they are looking for a live sent and that is what _ looking for a live sent and that is what they— looking for a live sent and that is what they want and when they find that live _ what they want and when they find that live sent the tennis ball will arrive _ that live sent the tennis ball will arrive from heaven and it is happiness by then! but arrive from heaven and it is happiness by then!- arrive from heaven and it is happiness by then! arrive from heaven and it is ha iness b then! �* ., ., happiness by then! but so often that she and you — happiness by then! but so often that she and you have _ happiness by then! but so often that she and you have been _ happiness by then! but so often that she and you have been to _ happiness by then! but so often that she and you have been to these - she and you have been to these really difficult, challenging, emotional situations. yeah, and i very proud _ emotional situations. yeah, and i very proud to _ emotional situations. yeah, and i very proud to showcase _ emotional situations. yeah, and i very proud to showcase verper i emotional situations. yeah, and i. very proud to showcase verper and represent — very proud to showcase verper and represent her asthma is fire and rescue _ represent her asthma is fire and rescue but — represent her asthma is fire and rescue but i am one piece and the whole _ rescue but i am one piece and the whole team — rescue but i am one piece and the whole team response and when we detiver— whole team response and when we deliver aid — whole team response and when we deliver aid to countries that have had a _ deliver aid to countries that have had a disaster i am just one piece of that— had a disaster i am just one piece of that intel and dogs are the uk's favourite, — of that intel and dogs are the uk's favourite, we are massive nation of do- favourite, we are massive nation of dog tovers— favourite, we are massive nation of dog lovers but as a whole uk team, i am just— dog lovers but as a whole uk team, i am just one — dog lovers but as a whole uk team, i am just one bit so it can affect rescuers— am just one bit so it can affect rescuers and change lives. what is it about verper — rescuers and change lives. what is it about verper and _ rescuers and change lives. what is it about verper and her _ rescuers and change lives. what is it about verper and her nature - rescuers and change lives. what is| it about verper and her nature that makes her so good at this job? it about verper and her nature that makes her so good at thisjob? i am makes her so good at this 'ob? i am biased so we — makes her so good at this 'ob? i am biased so we take h makes her so good at thisjob? i am biased so we take that with a pinch of salt— biased so we take that with a pinch of salt but— biased so we take that with a pinch of salt but they have very strong nerve _ of salt but they have very strong nerve strength. —— what is it with vesper? — nerve strength. —— what is it with vesper? you _ nerve strength. —— what is it with vesper? you want to have a socialisation period with your dog that they — socialisation period with your dog that they don't react to things. when — that they don't react to things. when you _ that they don't react to things. when you are building up a dog and getting _ when you are building up a dog and getting that confidence, it is fine that they— getting that confidence, it is fine that they react with the resilience to recover— that they react with the resilience to recover has to be quick so the more _ to recover has to be quick so the more exposure you give them two helicopters, travel, trains, the back— helicopters, travel, trains, the back of— helicopters, travel, trains, the back of wagons, things that you don't _ back of wagons, things that you don't normally do, they take in their— don't normally do, they take in their stride. even if it is stressful for me sitting here, she ism _ stressful for me sitting here, she is... ,, , stressful for me sitting here, she is, _ _ ,, , ., , , stressful for me sitting here, she is... she is asleep! i love that. she rings _ is... she is asleep! i love that. she rings my _ is... she is asleep! i love that. she rings my blood _ is... she is asleep! i love that. she rings my blood pressure . is... she is asleep! i love that. - she rings my blood pressure down, quite _ she rings my blood pressure down, quite helpful. he she rings my blood pressure down, quite helpful-— quite helpful. he said she was rescued, what _ quite helpful. he said she was rescued, what is _ quite helpful. he said she was rescued, what is her- quite helpful. he said she was rescued, what is her back - quite helpful. he said she was i rescued, what is her back story? quite helpful. he said she was - rescued, what is her back story? you have that incorrect, she was bred by westminster police breeding programme and all of her siblings are very— programme and all of her siblings are very successful in the police so she has— are very successful in the police so she has all— are very successful in the police so she has all the mental capacity, athleticism, everything you want for athleticism, everything you want for a police _ athleticism, everything you want for a police dog. so when they bring them _ a police dog. so when they bring them in — a police dog. so when they bring them in quite early to do proficiency tests, she wasn't tooth fine on _ proficiency tests, she wasn't tooth fine on biting. proficiency tests, she wasn't tooth fine on biting-— proficiency tests, she wasn't tooth i fine on biting._ she fine on biting. what you mean? she was more like _ fine on biting. what you mean? she was more like she _ fine on biting. what you mean? she was more like she wanted _ fine on biting. what you mean? she was more like she wanted to - fine on biting. what you mean? she was more like she wanted to cuddle j was more like she wanted to cuddle that crooks — was more like she wanted to cuddle that crooks than bite them. she is too kind — that crooks than bite them. she is too kind. she has to be papal orientated, friendly, and she is extremely sociable. it people, little _ extremely sociable. it people, little people and she cuddles to anyone — little people and she cuddles to anyone. we need a sociable dog and want that— anyone. we need a sociable dog and want that in— anyone. we need a sociable dog and want that in arduous conditions doesn't — want that in arduous conditions doesn't react and can focus on her 'ob. ~ . doesn't react and can focus on her 'ob. . ., ., , doesn't react and can focus on her 'ob. ~ ., ., , ., ., job. we have dogs in quite often and sometimes they _ job. we have dogs in quite often and sometimes they do _ job. we have dogs in quite often and sometimes they do get _ job. we have dogs in quite often and sometimes they do get a _ job. we have dogs in quite often and sometimes they do get a bit - job. we have dogs in quite often and| sometimes they do get a bit nervous, don't they? newsroom, the cameras and people but ourfloor manager fran was saying that you stepped away from a second and vesper was perfectly calm, best behaved dog ever was fran's description. that is nice. i ever was fran's description. that is nice- lcannot— ever was fran's description. that is nice. i cannot be _ ever was fran's description. that is nice. i cannot be with _ ever was fran's description. that is nice. i cannot be with her - ever was fran's description. that is nice. i cannot be with her all - ever was fran's description. that is nice. i cannot be with her all the i nice. i cannot be with her all the time _ nice. i cannot be with her all the time and — nice. i cannot be with her all the time and i— nice. i cannot be with her all the time and i have to be able to work independently so if we have a situation _ independently so if we have a situation where i need a dog to go into a _ situation where i need a dog to go into a collapsed structure, we will not commit — into a collapsed structure, we will not commit firefighters lives in unless — not commit firefighters lives in unless she indicates and she will bark~ _ unless she indicates and she will bark~ 0ur— unless she indicates and she will bark. our incident commanders have to make _ bark. our incident commanders have to make risk— bark. our incident commanders have to make risk based decisions all the time and _ to make risk based decisions all the time and this dog clearing a building, note live sent, is equally as important as barking because what we don't _ as important as barking because what we don't want to do is endanger anyone — we don't want to do is endanger anyone else. so we don't want to do is endanger anyone else-— we don't want to do is endanger anyone else. we don't want to do is endanger an one else. ., , , anyone else. so even though she is calm and serene, _ anyone else. so even though she is calm and serene, she _ anyone else. so even though she is calm and serene, she is _ anyone else. so even though she is calm and serene, she is brave - anyone else. so even though she is i calm and serene, she is brave enough to do that on her own. she calm and serene, she is brave enough to do that on her own.— to do that on her own. she 'ust goes into late to do that on her own. she 'ust goes into plate mode. * to do that on her own. she 'ust goes into plate mode, ferret _ to do that on her own. she just goes into plate mode, ferret switch - to do that on her own. she just goes into plate mode, ferret switch on i into plate mode, ferret switch on and switch — into plate mode, ferret switch on and switch off. as i said, it is a game — and switch off. as i said, it is a game so— and switch off. as i said, it is a game. so when i put on my kit and gear. _ game. so when i put on my kit and gear, we _ game. so when i put on my kit and gear, we have our searches, we are given— gear, we have our searches, we are given the _ gear, we have our searches, we are given the intel and we try to clear the building or a collapsed structure, i go over first and the team _ structure, i go over first and the team comes in and act on any intelligence she gives us. what a partnership- _ intelligence she gives us. what a partnership- l— intelligence she gives us. what a partnership. i am _ intelligence she gives us. what a partnership. i am privileged - intelligence she gives us. what a partnership. i am privileged and| partnership. i am privileged and roud. partnership. i am privileged and proud- she _ partnership. i am privileged and proud- she is — partnership. i am privileged and proud. she is very _ partnership. i am privileged and proud. she is very privileged - partnership. i am privileged and proud. she is very privileged to | partnership. i am privileged and i proud. she is very privileged to be workin: proud. she is very privileged to be working with _ proud. she is very privileged to be working with you _ proud. she is very privileged to be working with you guys, _ proud. she is very privileged to be working with you guys, as - proud. she is very privileged to be working with you guys, as well. i proud. she is very privileged to be l working with you guys, as well. you underplay it involvement and you do an amazing job so congratulations to both of you. vesper! she an amazing job so congratulations to both of you. vesper!— both of you. vesper! she is really not bothered. _ both of you. vesper! she is really not bothered. vesper! _ both of you. vesper! she is really not bothered. vesper! go - both of you. vesper! she is really not bothered. vesper! go there l both of you. vesper! she is really l not bothered. vesper! go there she noes. not bothered. vesper! go there she goes- hello- _ not bothered. vesper! go there she goes. hello. congratulations. - not bothered. vesper! go there she goes. hello. congratulations. she l not bothered. vesper! go there she| goes. hello. congratulations. she is ”oreous. goes. hello. congratulations. she is gorgeous- lovely— goes. hello. congratulations. she is gorgeous. lovely to _ goes. hello. congratulations. she is gorgeous. lovely to have _ goes. hello. congratulations. she is gorgeous. lovely to have you - goes. hello. congratulations. she is gorgeous. lovely to have you here. | gorgeous. lovely to have you here. she will get — gorgeous. lovely to have you here. she will get a _ gorgeous. lovely to have you here. she will get a treat _ gorgeous. lovely to have you here. she will get a treat right _ gorgeous. lovely to have you here. she will get a treat right now - gorgeous. lovely to have you here. she will get a treat right now will i she will get a treat right now will stop time now to get the news, stop time now to get the news travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm tolu adeoye. a bbc investigation has uncovered how scammers have been impersonating genuine recruitment companies and advertising fakejobs to try steal personal information. fraudsters are posting vacancies that don't exist online and sending whatsapp messages to potential victims. one recruitment firm in surrey is warning the public after it was impersonated. we'll have more on that story throughout the day. physiotherapists in the major trauma ward at st george's hospital in tooting are using virtual reality to help patients with their rehab. physios say vr helps distract patients from the pain when they move — it means they can exercise at their bedside by playing games through a headset. yes, rehab is painful, but at the same time it can be... it is ultimately good for you. so being able to have that mixture of it's fun and also good for you — it is something a little bit different from just normal of, "right, we're going to drag you out of bed today and go and walk you down the hall," so... let's turn to the travel now. there are severe delays on the bakerloo line. the elizabeth and piccadilly lines have minor delays. today's weather — a wet start, with persistent rain in places. the rain will turn patchy and gradually clear in the afternoon. a mild day — highs of 13 degrees celsius. i'll be back with another update in around half an hour. have a very good day. bye— bye. good morning, welcome to breakfast with sally nugent and jon kay. our headlines today. are pet owners paying too much in vets fees? a long awaited review is published into the way the industry operates. prices have been rising farfaster than average inflation. we look at the sacrifices families have been making to care for theirfurry friends, and consider what will now be done to improve veterinary prices and practice. one of the conservative party's biggest donors, frank hester, is accused of making racist remarks about the labour mp, diane abbott. we meet alfie, the teenager who lost his father to suicide, who now helps other children bereaved in the same way. good morning. a cloudy day ahead. some rain on the cards. later in the north, heavier in the south. brighter skies in parts of northern scotland. good morning. it's tuesday, 12th march. in the last hour, the competition and markets authority says it will launch a market investigation into the veterinary industry. the cma says pet owners may not be getting enough information about treatment and costs, and say the regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose. nina has the details. we have been hearing heartbreaking tales from viewers this morning. pets enjoying painful conditions because the owners can't afford to treat them. —— enduring. they have been forced to go abroad for treatment. and sadly, having pets put down to avoid ongoing costs. good morning. this is the reality for pet owners in 202a. and the competition and market authority says that's not good enough. it's theirjob to ensure consumers are treated fairly, and in the last hour they've launched a formal investigation in to veterinary practice. here they raise concerns around lack of choice, possible overcharging, and an outdated system of regulation. over the next month the cma will look at the legal powers at their disposal; including forcing healthier competiton in the market by making choices and pricing more transparent. and even imposing maximum prescription fees. 57% of you at home have a pet, and will know that an average onr off trip to the vet costs almost £1i00. as all face increasing financial pressure, the bbc has learned some households are sacrificing holidays, heating and even food to ringfence that money. jim connolly has been speaking with some pet owners about the pressures they're facing. ziggy, say hello. people will do anything for their pets. when they get sick that love can mean big bills. extortionately expensive, for anything. this is ziggy. he's a rescue dog, and he's very vocal. huge, huge expense. it depends which vets you choose. and you've got to shop around. bunny, fetch! they're outrageous. but the vets aren't getting rich. it's the multinational hedge funds that are getting rich. _ good girl. who owns vets, and the effects on prices, is one of the main things the competition and markets authority, or cma, have been looking at. independent vet practices accounted for 89% of the industry in 2013. now it's the way more than half are owned by six big companies. and, go! shambhu rules the roost around here. sit. good girl. she's my baby. she's my little girl. we don't have children, so that's our child. dominic and vinita took shambhu to a practice owned by one of the big corporates for an operation to prevent her getting arthritis. it's very scary as well. you know, an operation, you know, they're putting a pin in the bone. the treatment cost more than £5,000. and dominic wanted to know why. i looked at the bill and there were lots of items that we didn't, not familiar with, they're medical terms. but one jumped out at me, which was paracetamol, and it was £20 for a pack of paracetamol. i pay 60 pence in the supermarket. i was shocked that we were being charged that much for such a simple item, and it makes you wonder how much they're overcharging on other items as well. and are you being exploited? that's what it felt like. the oxford cat clinic has been both corporately and independently owned in recent years. perfect, thank you. we asked the new independent owner if pet owners would have noticed any difference in care. no, i don't think they particularly suffered. i think the level of care that we delivered to our patients still was as high as it ever was. i think that some of our clients don't like the idea of using a corporate practice. i do think some of our clients did move away because of that. they wanted to go back to an independent practice. we approached all six corporate chains and have not yet received a formal response. the british veterinary association says it's good that the industry is being looked at, but doesn't think it's as simple as corporates versus independents when it comes to price. we've seen a lot of prices increase. i think historically vets have rather undervalued their time, and so we're trying to catch up with the situation which hasn't been supporting veterinary businesses well. i think we've also seen problems around the number of vets, the veterinary workforce, and the supply of veterinary medicines. many supply chains have been really impacted by covid and brexit. all the vets i've spoken to say that because human treatment is free on the nhs, we've lost perspective on how much medical care costs. but that's little comfort for the two thirds of us who own a pet when it comes to paying the bills. jim connolly, bbc news. the british veterinary association says there is no nhs for pets. and that the job is highly skilled and takes constant investment in tech and supplies. in fact we've heard from vets and veterinary nurses this morning — one who say vet—bashing is on the increase and it's gettting harder to go to work. it's hoped today's recommendations will make owning a pet cheaper and fairer. it will take a while for these recommendations to trickle in to your local vet, and your household budget. keep your experiences of the vet; costs, transparency, and choice coming in. get in touch in all the usual ways. so many of you have been doing exactly that. thank you very much indeed. what else do we need to know this morning? the government has committed to building new gas—fired power stations, warning that failure to do so would risk blackouts. the new plants will replace stations coming to the end of their lives. environmentalists argue it's a step backwards but the government says they have to be realistic in the move towards cleaner energy. unemployment in the uk has risen to 3.9% in the three months to january, according to the latest figures from the office for national statistics. 9.2 million people aged between 16 and 64 in the uk are not in work or looking for a job, which has raised concerns about worker shortages affecting the economy. social media influencer andrew tate and his brother tristan have been arrested in romania over alleged sexual offences committed in the uk. romanian police say the two men have been detained following a uk arrest warrant. the brothers deny all allegations against them. one of the conservative party's biggest donors has been accused of making racist remarks about the mp, diane abbott. frank hester has accepted that he was rude, but insisted his comments, made in 2019, had nothing to do with ms abbott's gender or skin colour. our chief political correspondent henry zeffman joins us now. henry, what do we know about what's happened? frank hester runs a health care software company and he is one of the conservative party's biggest donors. just last year he gave the conservative party £10 million. now at a meeting of his company back in 2019, the guardian reports that he was criticising an executive from another company when, the guardian claims, he went on to say this. "it's like trying not to be racist, but you see diane abbott on the tv and you just want to hate all black women, because she is there. i don't hate all black women at all, but i think she should be shot." it is important to say the bbc has not independently corroborated, verified those alleged remarks. but frank hester has responded. in a statement through his company last night he said he accepts he was rude about dianne abbott in a private meeting several years ago, but that his criticism had nothing to do with her gender and her colour of skin. there is already a big row over this in westminster. speaking in the house of commons yesterday, wes streeting, the shadow health secretary, said the comments were revolting, racist and insightful. labour are calling, as are the liberal democrats, on the conservatives to return that £10 million of donations. the conservatives have pointed to mr hester's apology, repeated his claim his comment had nothing to do with her gender or the colour of a skin. diane abbott tweeted yesterday that she was quite upset but also, she felt less safe. henry, thank you. in the last hour, a ship loaded with humanitarian aid for gaza has departed from cyprus and is expected to arrive later this week. it was due to leave on sunday. the boat is carrying 200 tonnes of food, including rice, flour and cans of meat and fish. haiti's prime minister, ariel henry, has agreed to resign following weeks of mounting pressure and increasing violence in the country. mr henry is currently stranded in puerto rico after being prevented by armed gangs from returning home. some prisoners in england and wales could be released up to two months early to relieve overcrowding. the justice secretary said the changes would be for a limited period and would only apply to less serious offenders. labour has accused the government of sneaking out the announcement, which was posted on the uk parliament website. an exciting moment for us all now, but particularlyjon, who has been waiting for this. look, but particularlyjon, who has been waiting forthis. look, genre, it is happening. this is the severn bore we have been talking about. 0 how five allmusic. this is gloucestershire, the severn bore, which comes down the river severn, predicted to be quarter past eight this morning. it is the first time we have had a decent one in daylight for a few years. also, we are expecting more waves later on this morning. and even bigger ones. a 5—star one in about an hour. quite a good turnout this morning. oh, watch out. there we go. evenif morning. oh, watch out. there we go. even if the weather is not great. surfing in the rain, that is dedication. it is the way we it is dedication. it is the way we do it here. not quite california. carol is getting her wet suit on. good morning. it is cloudy, it is wet, it is dank, we have got some coastal and hill mist and fog. the rain we have at the moment across england and wales is going to continue tojourney england and wales is going to continue to journey steadily eastwards through the rest of the day. if you're under it, you will haveit day. if you're under it, you will have it for quite a while before it clears, and when it does, you will be left with a legacy of cloud. the rain currently pushing northwards across scotland will become ensconced across shetland. the best of any sunshine will be the north of scotland. as you can see, it is fairly cloudy for england, wales. heavy rain moving to through the midlands, kent, east anglia. some showers dotted around parts of northern ireland, northern ireland and scotland. except for in the north where we are looking at we are going to introduce you to a remarkable young man. alfie was just eight years old when he lost his dad to suicide. he said the lost left him feeling isolated, without anyone to talk to who had been through something similar. determined to change this, he set up alfie s squad ? a support service for young people and their families bereaved by suicide. abi smitton has been to meet alfie and the children he 5 already helped. one, two, three...! it makes me feel at home. it's like a little family, it is, it really is. itjust makes me feel, like, supported. - like, there are other people i out there who know how i feel. i'm very proud. i knew it'd have a good reaction. it's been life changing. this youth club is a safe space forfamilies bereaved by suicide. it was set up by alfie. he lost his dad in 2017, when he was eight. he was funny. he was a chef. so he made really good food. i remember him teaching me how to make meatballs. it was just something that i held onto for some reason. with me is the hardest part of losing me dad is the fact that i know i won't really be able to create more memories with him. alfie received counselling, but he was desperate to find other people who knew what he had been through. when suicide's such a specific issue, and it feels so isolating and so personal, because when i first lost my dad, i couldn't help but blame myself for it. its a very isolating experience. for the past seven years, alfie and his mum, alison, have been working on his plan to provide support for children. last year, alfie's squad was finally launched. i knew it would have a good reaction to what he wanted to do, but i didn't think it would be as good as it was. and, you know, it's been life changing for some of the children, and for the families as well. and it's all come from alfie's ideas. every week, the group does a different activity — painting, magic, quizzes. this week it's drumming. very loud, but very fun. i've made so many friends since we've came here. and like, knowing that can relate to you and they can talk to you if you need to. we get a lot of opportunity- that we normally wouldn't have. we're always here all together. and like, we can all talk together if we need to, and we understand each other. so we all get along really well as well. while the children take on whatever weekly challenge is in store, the parents also get a chance to meet and talk. some days we laugh, some days we cry. sometimes we do both. we very often bring cake. amy's husband passed away four years ago. she's been coming to alfie's squad since day one, along with two of her children. until you've been in that situation, you have no idea what that feels like. so having that community of people who get that, who understand how difficult it is, who can literally walk with you side by side, has just been amazing. so we are like family. janian and her daughter, annalise, found alfie's squad six months after she lost her husband. it's like home from home. you know, us mums, we've all got our little group chat. annalise and a few of the girls, they'll go out on different days and, you know, go trampolining, do fun stuff. they've all got something in common. there's nothing like this out there. there's so many people who i know have gone through the same thing as me, so i'm comfortable here talking about what happened. i think my mum is really open to talk about stuff now as well, like, because she has so many new friends. just to see her little character bounce back and just become her again is, yeah. _ it's like a little family, it is, it really as. # happy birthday to you...# just like any family, they'll go out of their way to embarrass someone on their birthday. hip—hip... hooray! let's go! ifeel like it could make a massive difference, because knowing that it's working for me and it's working for everyone else in the group, i feel like it shows how far it can reach. we've had loads of people say that they've never really considered how the families of people who've taken their own life feel. and now we've got the ability to share that and to help them. the first week i didn't it think would be anywhere near what it is now. i'm really, really looking forward to everything that's going to come. so i'm hopeful. we are joined now by alfie and his mum allison, as well frank and gil, who lost their dad matt to suicide. they're here with their mum viki. morning all of you. thank you for coming in. alfie, you are quite something. that is an incredible thing that you have started. alison, you must watch that it now and very, very proud of what alfie is doing? yeah, i am very proud. it makes me quite emotional when i see the impact that he has had on other children and their families. it is something he has been working on for six years. something he has been working on for six ears. ~ . ., ,., something he has been working on for six ears. ~ . ., y., , six years. what about when you see the impact. — six years. what about when you see the impact, alfie? _ six years. what about when you see the impact, alfie? it _ six years. what about when you see the impact, alfie? it is _ six years. what about when you see the impact, alfie? it is really - six years. what about when you see the impact, alfie? it is really good l the impact, alfie? it is really good to see. i the impact, alfie? it is really good to see- i am _ the impact, alfie? it is really good to see. i am really— the impact, alfie? it is really good to see. i am really happy - the impact, alfie? it is really good to see. i am really happy i - the impact, alfie? it is really good to see. i am really happy i am - to see. i am really happy i am helping — to see. i am really happy i am helping other people with it. we have _ helping other people with it. we have got— helping other people with it. we have got to go with us today. it is nice to _ have got to go with us today. it is nice to see — have got to go with us today. it is nice to see how everybody has improved _ nice to see how everybody has improved massively since the first week _ improved massively since the first week~ at— improved massively since the first week. at first everybody was very nervous — week. at first everybody was very nervous. but everybody has property come _ nervous. but everybody has property come out _ nervous. but everybody has property come out of — nervous. but everybody has property come out of it now and it is like one big — come out of it now and it is like one big family. come out of it now and it is like one big family-— come out of it now and it is like one bi famil . ., ., ., ., one big family. how do you do that? how do you — one big family. how do you do that? how do you manage _ one big family. how do you do that? how do you manage to _ one big family. how do you do that? how do you manage to start - one big family. how do you do that? how do you manage to start to - one big family. how do you do that? how do you manage to start to bring people out of their shell, even just a little bit? just people out of their shell, even 'ust a little bit? , _ people out of their shell, even 'ust a little bin— a little bit? just by talking. we have different _ a little bit? just by talking. we have different activities - a little bit? just by talking. we have different activities every l have different activities every week — have different activities every week. having something like that to break— week. having something like that to break the _ week. having something like that to break the ice or a bit, week. having something like that to break the ice or a hit, it is really helpful — break the ice or a bit, it is really helful. . .., break the ice or a bit, it is really helful. ~ .., ., i. break the ice or a bit, it is really helful. . ., i, break the ice or a bit, it is really helful. ~ ., i, helpful. welcome to you guys as well. helpful. welcome to you guys as well- don't _ helpful. welcome to you guys as well. don't worry. _ helpful. welcome to you guys as well. don't worry. we _ helpful. welcome to you guys as well. don't worry. we are - helpful. welcome to you guys as well. don't worry. we are all - helpful. welcome to you guys as| well. don't worry. we are all very friendly. it is lovely to have you here. how has been members of alfie's squad helps you as a family? it has really supported me because everybody has been through the same situation that i have and i am not alone. so situation that i have and i am not alone. ,, situation that i have and i am not alone. y., ., situation that i have and i am not alone. ., ., ,, ., ., alone. so you get to talk to other --eole of alone. so you get to talk to other people of your — alone. so you get to talk to other people of your age? _ alone. so you get to talk to other people of your age? what - alone. so you get to talk to other people of your age? what sort i alone. so you get to talk to other people of your age? what sort of| people of your age? what sort of conversations do you have? we are 'ust conversations do you have? we are just friends- _ conversations do you have? we are just friends- it _ conversations do you have? we are just friends. it is _ conversations do you have? we are just friends. it is just _ conversations do you have? we are just friends. it is just comforting i just friends. it is just comforting to know that they know what it's like. �* .. , , , to know that they know what it's like. �* , ,, ., like. because i guess when you are at school or— like. because i guess when you are at school or talking _ like. because i guess when you are at school or talking to _ like. because i guess when you are at school or talking to your - at school or talking to your neighbours and of that kind of thing, maybe those people don't really understand? ihla. thing, maybe those people don't really understand?— thing, maybe those people don't really understand? no, not really. vic , really understand? no, not really. vicky. who — really understand? no, not really. vicky. who have — really understand? no, not really. vicky, who have you _ really understand? no, not really. vicky, who have you seen - really understand? no, not really. vicky, who have you seen it - really understand? no, not really. vicky, who have you seen it help | really understand? no, not really. i vicky, who have you seen it help the boys? vicky, who have you seen it help the bo s? , , , ~ vicky, who have you seen it help the bos? ,~ boys? massively. when we started auoin we boys? massively. when we started going we were _ boys? massively. when we started going we were still _ boys? massively. when we started going we were still at _ boys? massively. when we started going we were still at the - boys? massively. when we started going we were still at the phase i going we were still at the phase where _ going we were still at the phase where every— going we were still at the phase where every few— going we were still at the phase where every few nights - going we were still at the phase where every few nights one - going we were still at the phase where every few nights one of. going we were still at the phase l where every few nights one of the boys would — where every few nights one of the boys would have _ where every few nights one of the boys would have a _ where every few nights one of the boys would have a big _ where every few nights one of the| boys would have a big breakdown. coming _ boys would have a big breakdown. coming out — boys would have a big breakdown. coming out with _ boys would have a big breakdown. coming out with things _ boys would have a big breakdown. coming out with things that - boys would have a big breakdown. coming out with things that are i coming out with things that are heartbreaking _ coming out with things that are heartbreaking to _ coming out with things that are heartbreaking to hear. - coming out with things that are heartbreaking to hear. they - coming out with things that are i heartbreaking to hear. they have lessened — heartbreaking to hear. they have lessened. there _ heartbreaking to hear. they have lessened. there are _ heartbreaking to hear. they have lessened. there are few- heartbreaking to hear. they have lessened. there are few and - heartbreaking to hear. they have lessened. there are few and far. lessened. there are few and far between — lessened. there are few and far between nowadays. _ lessened. there are few and far between nowadays. i— lessened. there are few and far between nowadays. i think- lessened. there are few and far between nowadays. i think it. lessened. there are few and far between nowadays. i think it is| between nowadays. i think it is because — between nowadays. i think it is because they _ between nowadays. i think it is because they have _ between nowadays. i think it is because they have had - between nowadays. ! think it is because they have had all- between nowadays. i think it is| because they have had all these activities — because they have had all these activities to _ because they have had all these activities to look— because they have had all these activities to look forward - because they have had all these activities to look forward to - because they have had all these activities to look forward to and | activities to look forward to and they— activities to look forward to and they have — activities to look forward to and they have made _ activities to look forward to and they have made friends. - activities to look forward to and they have made friends. they l activities to look forward to and i they have made friends. they are genuinely— they have made friends. they are genuinely excited _ they have made friends. they are genuinely excited to _ they have made friends. they are genuinely excited to go. - they have made friends. they are genuinely excited to go. it - they have made friends. they are genuinely excited to go. it has i genuinely excited to go. it has helped — genuinely excited to go. it has helped massively. _ genuinely excited to go. it has helped massively. so - genuinely excited to go. it has helped massively.— genuinely excited to go. it has helped massively. so after a tough, touch helped massively. so after a tough, tough times. _ helped massively. so after a tough, tough times, sad _ helped massively. so after a tough, tough times, sad times _ helped massively. so after a tough, tough times, sad times for - helped massively. so after a tough, tough times, sad times for you - helped massively. so after a tough, tough times, sad times for you as l helped massively. so after a tough, tough times, sad times for you as a j tough times, sad times for you as a family, what you think of him? he’s family, what you think of him? he's a aood family, what you think of him? he's a good person! _ family, what you think of him? he's a good person! i— family, what you think of him? he's a good person! ithought— family, what you think of him? he's a good person! i thought you - family, what you think of him? he's a good person! i thought you were i a good person! i thought you were auoin to a good person! i thought you were going to say _ a good person! i thought you were going to say something _ a good person! i thought you were going to say something horrible. i a good person! i thought you were i going to say something horrible. he is one of the people who, we say horrible — is one of the people who, we say horrible things about him, but he is 'ust horrible things about him, but he is just a _ horrible things about him, but he is just a good — horrible things about him, but he is just a good person. what horrible things about him, but he is just a good person.— horrible things about him, but he is just a good person. what makes him a aood just a good person. what makes him a good person? — just a good person. what makes him a good person? setting _ just a good person. what makes him a good person? setting up _ just a good person. what makes him a good person? setting up alfie's - good person? setting up alfie's sa uad. good person? setting up alfie's squad- you _ good person? setting up alfie's squad. you are _ good person? setting up alfie's squad. you are so _ good person? setting up alfie's squad. you are so wise, - good person? setting up alfie's squad. you are so wise, alfie. l good person? setting up alfie's i squad. you are so wise, alfie. you uenuinel squad. you are so wise, alfie. you genuinely are- _ squad. you are so wise, alfie. you genuinely are. add _ squad. you are so wise, alfie. you genuinely are. add your _ squad. you are so wise, alfie. you genuinely are. add your age - squad. you are so wise, alfie. you genuinely are. add your age to - squad. you are so wise, alfie. youi genuinely are. add your age to have done what you have done, it is incredible. where does it come from, do you think, this ability? weill. do you think, this ability? well, with this, because _ do you think, this ability? well, with this, because i _ do you think, this ability? well, with this, because i know - do you think, this ability? well, with this, because i know that i do you think, this ability? well, | with this, because i know that is what _ with this, because i know that is what i _ with this, because i know that is what i wanted when i was eight. i didn't— what i wanted when i was eight. i didn't have the support of people who could — didn't have the support of people who could relate to me. ijust wanted — who could relate to me. ijust wanted to— who could relate to me. ijust wanted to be able to help other people — wanted to be able to help other people because it's what i wanted. this is— people because it's what i wanted. this is the — people because it's what i wanted. this is the first thing that came to mind, _ this is the first thing that came to mind, setting up something like this _ mind, setting up something like this and — mind, setting up something like this. and it has worked, which is amazing — this. and it has worked, which is amazing to — this. and it has worked, which is amazing to see. and this. and it has worked, which is amazing to see.— this. and it has worked, which is amazing to see. and i guess one of the thins amazing to see. and i guess one of the things that _ amazing to see. and i guess one of the things that is _ amazing to see. and i guess one of the things that is really _ amazing to see. and i guess one of the things that is really clear - amazing to see. and i guess one of the things that is really clear from | the things that is really clear from all of you is when you get together you all have something in common, but what you are building as a friendship group. so you don't always have to talk about the worst thing or sadness, you canjust find friends? thing or sadness, you can 'ust find friends? . , , ., ~ thing or sadness, you can 'ust find friends? . , , ., ,, ., ., friends? yeah. i speak to quite a few of them _ friends? yeah. i speak to quite a few of them outside the - friends? yeah. i speak to quite a few of them outside the group, i friends? yeah. i speak to quite a - few of them outside the group, which is nice _ few of them outside the group, which is nice to _ few of them outside the group, which is nice to see. everybody is forming little _ is nice to see. everybody is forming little friendships, which is really good _ little friendships, which is really good it— little friendships, which is really good. it has given other people access— good. it has given other people access to — good. it has given other people access to get help. and good. it has given other people access to get help.— good. it has given other people access to get help. and you have taken this to _ access to get help. and you have taken this to the _ access to get help. and you have taken this to the next _ access to get help. and you have taken this to the next level. - taken this to the next level. explain, this sounds terrifying to me! , . ~ explain, this sounds terrifying to me! , . . ., explain, this sounds terrifying to me! , . ~ ., ., explain, this sounds terrifying to me! , . . ., ., ., explain, this sounds terrifying to me! , ., . ., ., ., , ., ~' me! oh, yeah. we have got a shark dive. me! oh, yeah. we have got a shark dive- most — me! oh, yeah. we have got a shark dive. most people _ me! oh, yeah. we have got a shark dive. most people tend _ me! oh, yeah. we have got a shark dive. most people tend to - me! oh, yeah. we have got a shark dive. most people tend to think - me! oh, yeah. we have got a shark| dive. most people tend to think that you're _ dive. most people tend to think that you're in— dive. most people tend to think that you're in a _ dive. most people tend to think that you're in a cage. but it is not. i think— you're in a cage. but it is not. i think we — you're in a cage. but it is not. i think we are _ you're in a cage. but it is not. i think we are in birmingham. and so, that's— think we are in birmingham. and so, that's going — think we are in birmingham. and so, that's going to be good. i am taking part _ that's going to be good. i am taking part. initially it was only meant to be me _ part. initially it was only meant to be me taking part but loads of the other— be me taking part but loads of the other kids — be me taking part but loads of the other kids wanted to do it, which is really. _ other kids wanted to do it, which is really, really good. are other kids wanted to do it, which is really, really good.— really, really good. are you going to do it? swimming _ really, really good. are you going to do it? swimming with - really, really good. are you going to do it? swimming with sharks? | to do it? swimming with sharks? yeah. it sounds fun. dare to do it? swimming with sharks? yeah. it sounds fun.— yeah. it sounds fun. are you not scared? a _ yeah. it sounds fun. are you not scared? a bit. — yeah. it sounds fun. are you not scared? a bit, yeah. _ yeah. it sounds fun. are you not scared? a bit, yeah. cool- yeah. it sounds fun. are you not scared? a bit, yeah. cool as- yeah. it sounds fun. are you not scared? a bit, yeah. cool as a i scared? a bit, yeah. cool as a cucumber- — scared? a bit, yeah. cool as a cucumber. you _ scared? a bit, yeah. cool as a cucumber. you have - scared? a bit, yeah. cool as a cucumber. you have talked i scared? a bit, yeah. cool as a i cucumber. you have talked about scared? a bit, yeah. cool as a - cucumber. you have talked about the sad thing is you have got in common. you have also got fun and activities in common. dare you have also got fun and activities in common-— you have also got fun and activities in common. are you into football? a bit. who in common. are you into football? a bit- who do — in common. are you into football? a bit- who do you _ in common. are you into football? a bit. who do you support? _ in common. are you into football? a bit. who do you support? i - in common. are you into football? a bit. who do you support? i don't - bit. who do you support? i don't really support — bit. who do you support? i don't really support any _ bit. who do you support? i don't really support any team. - bit. who do you support? i don't really support any team. i - bit. who do you support? i don't really support any team. i am i bit. who do you support? i don't really support any team. i am a l really support any team. i am a massive everton _ really support any team. i am a massive everton fan. _ really support any team. i am a l massive everton fan. interesting. who is your _ massive everton fan. interesting. who is your favourite _ massive everton fan. interesting. who is your favourite player? - massive everton fan. interesting. i who is your favourite player? hang who is yourfavourite player? hang on, let's wait a minute. have a listen to this.— listen to this. hi, alfie. it is michael keane. _ listen to this. hi, alfie. it is michael keane. it's - listen to this. hi, alfie. it is michael keane. it's been i listen to this. hi, alfie. it is - michael keane. it's been amazing to see the _ michael keane. it's been amazing to see the things — michael keane. it's been amazing to see the things you _ michael keane. it's been amazing to see the things you have _ michael keane. it's been amazing to see the things you have already- see the things you have already achieved — see the things you have already achieved with— see the things you have already achieved with alfie's _ see the things you have already achieved with alfie's squad. - see the things you have already. achieved with alfie's squad. good luck with — achieved with alfie's squad. good luck with the _ achieved with alfie's squad. good luck with the shark _ achieved with alfie's squad. good luck with the shark dive, - achieved with alfie's squad. good luck with the shark dive, all - achieved with alfie's squad. good luck with the shark dive, all the i luck with the shark dive, all the best _ best. it - best. it is | best. - it is michael best. — it is michael keane, isn't it? best. it is michael keane, isn't it? . it is michael keane, isn't it? yeah! that's mad- _ it is michael keane, isn't it? yeah! that's mad. yeah. _ it is michael keane, isn't it? yeah! that's mad. yeah. i've _ it is michael keane, isn't it? yeah! that's mad. yeah. i've met - it is michael keane, isn't it? yeah! | that's mad. yeah. i've met michael it is michael keane, isn't it? yeah! i that's mad. yeah. i've met michael a few times _ that's mad. yeah. i've met michael a few times. he's so nice. he's such an amazing — few times. he's so nice. he's such an amazing person. the support he has had _ an amazing person. the support he has had for— an amazing person. the support he has had for me and alfie's squad has been immense.— has had for me and alfie's squad has been immense. what kind of backing and su ort been immense. what kind of backing and support does _ been immense. what kind of backing and support does that _ been immense. what kind of backing and support does that mean - been immense. what kind of backing and support does that mean to - been immense. what kind of backing and support does that mean to the i and support does that mean to the wider cause about taking this forward and getting the funding and the kind of infrastructure to make alfie's squad even bigger and better? ~ �* , alfie's squad even bigger and better? ~ . , , ., better? well, alfie first started fundraising _ better? well, alfie first started fundraising six _ better? well, alfie first started fundraising six years _ better? well, alfie first started fundraising six years ago. - better? well, alfie first started fundraising six years ago. he i better? well, alfie first started i fundraising six years ago. he has raised over £40,000 to fund the group we have going already. we also started a second group in april, with the help of lfc foundation, because we are getting so many referrals from children now, and they are coming from as far away as greater manchester, ormskirk, the wirral and liverpool. our next group starts on a pulley i7. wirral and liverpool. our next group starts on a pulley 17. it is in kirby. we have referralforms on starts on a pulley 17. it is in kirby. we have referral forms on the website. —— april the 17th. kirby. we have referral forms on the website. —— aprilthe17th. but kirby. we have referral forms on the website. —— april the 17th. but we are also looking to, because the group we have now is the only one in the whole of the uk that is available, so alfie is interested to speak to other football clubs, rugby clubs, because he has got a blueprint that actually works. you can see from the children you have spoken to. he wants to open up across the country. it spoken to. he wants to open up across the country.— spoken to. he wants to open up across the country. it could work anywhere? _ across the country. it could work anywhere? we _ across the country. it could work anywhere? we have _ across the country. it could work anywhere? we have had - across the country. it could workj anywhere? we have had e-mails across the country. it could work- anywhere? we have had e-mails from the segment — anywhere? we have had e-mails from the segment you _ anywhere? we have had e-mails from the segment you showed _ anywhere? we have had e-mails from the segment you showed earlier- the segment you showed earlier asking us when we are opening in different parts of the country. it's really overwhelming. itjust shows how much it is needed. alfie felt isolated, he felt he had no self—worth, otherwise why would his dad have taken his own life if he was a good enough child? all these children are growing up with these emotions that need to be helped. which makes what you have done even more incredible. alfie can congratulations for all the work you have done so far. we are getting lots and lots of messages offering support and help. i'm sure we will be talking to you again. what a hero. you are all heroes. alfie's squad, well done. thank you for coming in. thank you. morning live follows breakfast on bbc one this morning. let's find out what they have in store with helen and gethin. what a remarkable young man. coming up, you could he owed hundreds of pounds, as millions are thought to be on the wrong tax code. finance expert laura pomfret explains why now is the time to challenge it. withjust weeks until the tax year end, if there's one smalljob you do today, let it be checking your payslip. i'll share the best times of the day to get through to hmrc. and, the latest figures show around five million people are on the brink of developing type two diabetes. dr xand tells us if the speed you walk can reduce your risk. plus, we're the official broadcast partner for bbc radio 1's pedal power for red nose day, so every day this week we're bringing you all the exclusive action from presenter mollie king's epic 500km cycle for comic relief. we're told there are a lot of hills today. we'll be checking in to see how she's getting on. it was so nice to see her laughing. keep going! she is a superstar. it is windy, it is raining. we are going to check in to see how she is getting on. clearly she enjoyed a little bit of acknowledgement. give her a paper of encouragement. and mollie's co—host matt edmondson finds out how your donations are supporting parents struggling with their mental health, and shares the challenges he faced when he became a dad. also today, presenter chris packham tells us how his award—winning bbc show inside our minds, wants your help to break down barriers for people with dyslexia. and presenter ross kemp shares which morning live expert got their specialist subject wrong in a celebrity edition of the bbc hit quiz bridge of lies. a little hint — they're not here today. see you at 9:30. i was going to say it is the one in the spicy trousers but that could be either one of you! one of the blokes! time now to get the news, travel and weather where you are. good morning from bbc london, i'm tolu adeoye. a bbc investigation has uncovered how scammers have been impersonating genuine recruitment companies and advertising fake jobs to try steal personal information. fraudsters are posting vacancies that don't exist online and sending whatsapp messages to potential victims. one recruitment firm in surrey is warning the public after it was impersonated. we were taking calls from candidates saying, "is there a david there?" and we said, "no, we don't have a david." so that's instantly when we thought somebody could have been scamming. "what has david asked you?" "well, he's contacted us about a job that you're advertising." so i would reply and say, "well, we're not advertising that particularjob — that's not a job that's on our books." physiotherapists in the major trauma ward at st georges hospital in tooting are using virtual reality to help patients with their rehab. physios say vr helps distract patients from the pain when they move — it means they can exercise at their bedside by playing games through a headset. yes, rehab is painful, but at the same time it can be... it is ultimately good for you. so being able to have that mixture of it's fun and also good for you — it is something a little bit different from just normal of, "right, we're going to drag you out of bed today and go and walk you down the hall," so... now, the museum of london is moving from the london wall at the barbican to a new site in west smithfield — and bbc london has been given behind—the—scenes access to the big move. the museum is set to re—open in 2026 in what was smithfield's general market until the 19905. staff are now halfway through transferring its huge collection of items. you can read about the history of the new site on our website. let's turn to the travel now. now onto the weather with kate. good morning. the rain is already moving in from the west — some of it quite heavy and persistent — it's breezy, but the temperature is feeling a little milder. now, this rain moving across through this morning — it is going to be quite a wet commute. gradually clearing, though, through this afternoon — by the end of the day, should be drier, but we are going to hang on to that cloud. it is breezy, but temperatures milder than yesterday at 13 celsius. then, overnight, there is a chance of a shower but largely dry. still quite breezy, still very cloudy, maybe one or two breaks, but the minimum temperature barely dropping — between nine and ii celsius. now, down in the southeast tomorrow, it is looking largely dry, but we are going to hang on to this cloud. maybe one or two brighter spells, but the temperature that little bit milder with a maximum of 15 celsius. and that trend continues as we head further through this week. a little more sunshine around, though, for thursday morning, at least. the temperatures perhaps a little bit higher. staying mild as we head into the weekend, but turning more unsettled. i'll be back with another update at around 9.15. plenty more on our website and social media until then. have a very good day. bye— bye. hello, this is breakfast withjon kay and sally nugent. it is lovely to have you with us. what do morecambe and wise, frank sinatra and the beatles all have in common? they've all performed in blackpool — and this week the town's illustrious history of entertainment is being celebrated with a new multi—million—pound attraction. this looks great! the museum, called showtown' will open to the public on friday ? but our arts correspondent david sillito has been given a sneak preview. # every year when - summer comes round. # off to the sea i go. # i don't care... hello and welcome to blackpool. yes — welcome to blackpool, and showtown... hello, sir. # with me little stick of blackpool rock! - ..a new multi—million—pound attraction telling the story of blackpool�*s place in the history of entertainment. where's charlie cairoli? he's here. # i'm leaning on a lamp post at that corner of the street, in case... the girls took me round somewhere. i think it's round this way. is it? i think it's round this way. oh, right. oh, here we go! and i invited a blackpool connoisseur to test it out... you're enjoying this, aren't you? i really am! it's, er... it's fantastic, really is. it's round here — oh, here you go. go on, do a bit of the buddy holly! i love him doing this. go on, do buddy holly! ..sid little of little and large. born in blackpool... # peggy sue... ..and, in the '705 and '80s, top of the bill. 1979. wow. your heyday. two shows a day — look at that — 6:10 and 8:50. you were doing two shows a day? yeah, yeah. how many days a week? six days a week. that's what you did. and then you got sunday off? no — you went to scarborough or somewhere like that and did a one—night show. you were working seven days a week, two shows a day? seven days a week, yeah. that was always the go in the '60s. ali bongo, norman wisdom! frank carson — look at that. # oh, there's no business... and sid knows his stuff. he really has... there you are — charlie cairoli. look at that. ..met everyone, beginning with the town's most famous clown. charlie cairoli is a legend, you know? so you played with the cairolis? yes! keith harris and orville. he hated... he hated that green duck. they always hate the thing that made them famous. it's amazing — you know... he hated the duck? he didn't like the duck, no, no. and that was just the beginning. victoria wood — she was our guest on our radio show. even vic and bob. we actually did their tv show. everybody that was anybody played blackpool. however, blackpool these days isn't quite what it was. it is a familiar story in seaside towns of britain, but this is a chance to remember what made this place great when it really was, for millions, the home of entertainment. there is such a lot to celebrate in blackpool, and we're - here to do just that. it's not the richest of towns now. this is a reminder of just how extraordinary the place is, isn't it? i think that's really fair to say. yeah, blackpool is quite easily knocked, to be honest. - it is a town that is well worn, well used, and in real need i of additional development. look — stan laurel�*s hat. orville and his silver disc. and, of course, strictly! so how many shows are we talking about in the '60s, 7057 oh, you had 25 shows... so 25 venues? venues, yeah, yeah. but that's not 25 shows, though. no — sometimes they had multiple shows a day. i mean, that's thousands and thousands of people, isn't it? absolutely. more than the west end in london. oh, bigger than the west end? yeah, yeah. so that you could have more bums on seats in blackpool per day than you could at the west end in london. newsreel: after dark, - lancashire's favourite resort becomes a blackpool of light. it's the illuminations — _ and everybody's welcome who prefers the blackpool prom to the albert hall _ absolutely everyone seems to have played blackpool. we've got the beatles, frank sinatra, lady gaga, cilla... sweep squeaks. oh, sooty and sweep, of course. because... what's that? yeah, you're proper blackpool talent. sweep squeaks. you're from blackpool? sweep squeaks. 19...? 1948?! sweep squeaks. so this is your 75th anniversary year? sweep squeaks. ah, you're looking... well, you're looking pretty good, actually, for being 75 years old. sweep squeaks. sweep squeak—sings. # oh, i do like to be beside the seaside! and sid... you're enjoying this, aren't you? iblinkin' am! it's miles better than i thought it would be. ..he didn't want to leave. yeah, really is. david sillito... sweep squeaks. ..bbc news... sweep squeaks. blackpool. sweep squeaks. is that hello or goodbye? i'm not sure. clearly goodbye, it is obvious! laughter has our next guest been to blackpool? found to have been. he has blackpool? found to have been. he: has been everywhere else. he's been called the "world's greatest living explorer" by the guinness book of records, and it's no wonder... ranulph fiennes has led over 30 expeditions and used them to raise millions of pounds for charity. some of his achievements include being the first person to visit both the north pole and south pole by land, as well as being the first person to cross antarctica on foot unsupported. he's run seven marathons in seven continents in aid of the british heart foundation, after having a heart attack and heart bypass. and he is the oldest briton to climb mount everest, summiting in 2009 at the age of 65. now, to celebrating his 80th birthday he has released a book — around the world in 80 years. sir ranulph fiennesjoins us now. good morning. good to see you. good to see it. good morning. good to see you. good to see it- have — good morning. good to see you. good to see it. have you _ good morning. good to see you. good to see it. have you been _ good morning. good to see you. good to see it. have you been to _ to see it. have you been to blackpool? to see it. have you been to l?tlackpool?_ to see it. have you been to blackool? , . , , blackpool? many, many times. laughter _ laughter i have been swimming there on one occasion, _ i have been swimming there on one occasion, following a book by michael— occasion, following a book by michaelj _ occasion, following a book by michael] fox saying about swimming michaelj fox saying about swimming and that— michaelj fox saying about swimming and that if— michaelj fox saying about swimming and that if you get parkinson's or anything — and that if you get parkinson's or anything like that then white pill is a wonderful place because there is a wonderful place because there is something in the sea, some protein— is something in the sea, some protein and it has an effect on your neuro~ _ protein and it has an effect on your neuro. . ., ., ,., ., ., ., neuro. another reason to go to blackpool — neuro. another reason to go to blackpool in — neuro. another reason to go to blackpool. in some _ neuro. another reason to go to blackpool. in some amazing i neuro. another reason to go to - blackpool. in some amazing where it will help you- — blackpool. in some amazing where it will help you. you _ blackpool. in some amazing where it will help you. you have _ blackpool. in some amazing where it will help you. you have talked - blackpool. in some amazing where it will help you. you have talked about| will help you. you have talked about bein: will help you. you have talked about being diagnosed _ will help you. you have talked about being diagnosed with _ will help you. you have talked about being diagnosed with parkinson's i will help you. you have talked about being diagnosed with parkinson's a i being diagnosed with parkinson's a few years ago. did it help, the waters in blackpool? it few years ago. did it help, the waters in blackpool?— waters in blackpool? it sort of does. i have _ waters in blackpool? it sort of does. i have spent _ waters in blackpool? it sort of does. i have spent my - waters in blackpool? it sort of does. i have spent my life - waters in blackpool? it sort of. does. i have spent my life trying waters in blackpool? it sort of- does. i have spent my life trying to keep— does. i have spent my life trying to keep warm, — does. i have spent my life trying to keep warm, not to keep, get cold. so it is the _ keep warm, not to keep, get cold. so it is the opposite side of the coin but michaelj fox had it when he was 29 years— but michaelj fox had it when he was 29 years old, you know, and i probably— 29 years old, you know, and i probably got it when i went into my 70s, probably got it when i went into my 70s. so _ probably got it when i went into my 70s. so no — probably got it when i went into my 70s, so no problem, but... and the memory— 70s, so no problem, but... and the memory was— 70s, so no problem, but... and the memory was going anyway! but blackpool, as far as i'm concerned, is a chance — blackpool, as far as i'm concerned, is a chance of— blackpool, as far as i'm concerned, is a chance of getting rid of that and therefore not tripping over. it and therefore not tripping over. [it is and therefore not tripping over. it is interesting when you say you got it in your 705, so no problem. you are remarkably resilient and always have been. how are you doing health—wise, ok, under control? b, health—wise, 0k, under control? a bit of deafness, for instance, and as many— bit of deafness, for instance, and as many people will know, the wife will tell— as many people will know, the wife will tell you, stop saying "what?" and the _ will tell you, stop saying "what?" and the reply is, stop mumbling, wife! _ wife! laughter yellow you say you have spent your life trying not to get too cold but your career has been in sometimes the bleakest, most isolated, coldest parts of the earth, and that is one of the things you talk about in this new book, that resilience to go a little further, to keep going, not to stop, to never give up. bind to stop, to never give up. and choose the — to stop, to never give up. and choose the people _ to stop, to never give up. and choose the people you are going to id choose the people you are going to go with— choose the people you are going to go with very, very carefully. if you have _ go with very, very carefully. if you have only — go with very, very carefully. if you have only one other person or to other— have only one other person or to other people, that is the best number~ _ other people, that is the best number. the less legs to be broken and you _ number. the less legs to be broken and you have one person extra who needs, _ and you have one person extra who needs. then — and you have one person extra who needs, then one is enough to ruin the entire — needs, then one is enough to ruin the entire expedition. if you choose someone _ the entire expedition. if you choose someone very, very carefully and on one expedition we had 820 applicants for two _ one expedition we had 820 applicants for two positions. we only wanted to people _ for two positions. we only wanted to people and _ for two positions. we only wanted to people and my wife and i had to choose — people and my wife and i had to choose between these guys. the first thin- choose between these guys. the first thing you _ choose between these guys. the first thing you do is make all of them apply— thing you do is make all of them apply to — thing you do is make all of them apply tojoin the thing you do is make all of them apply to join the special air service _ apply to join the special air service territorials and that's got rid of _ service territorials and that's got rid of 80% — service territorials and that's got rid of 80% in a few days. | service territorials and that's got rid of 80% in a few days. i imagine! then ou rid of 80% in a few days. i imagine! then you are _ rid of 80% in a few days. i imagine! then you are looking _ rid of 80% in a few days. i imagine! then you are looking the _ rid of 80% in a few days. i imagine! then you are looking the people - rid of 80% in a few days. i imagine! then you are looking the people of| then you are looking the people of faith, _ then you are looking the people of faith, doesn't have to be religious, but something that would stop this weak voice when you are really suffering — weak voice when you are really suffering or getting horrible frost nip and _ suffering or getting horrible frost nip and everything, all of the sort of things— nip and everything, all of the sort of things are happening and you are saying. _ of things are happening and you are saying, another 90 days of this, so of thing. _ saying, another 90 days of this, so of thing, and we are running out of food _ of thing, and we are running out of food you — of thing, and we are running out of food. you begin to say, i want to give _ food. you begin to say, i want to give up. — food. you begin to say, i want to give up. i— food. you begin to say, i want to give up, i want to give up, but i don't— give up, i want to give up, but i dontwant— give up, i want to give up, but i don't want to be the first to give up. don't want to be the first to give up so— don't want to be the first to give up so in— don't want to be the first to give up. so in the evening, you are looking — up. so in the evening, you are looking at— up. so in the evening, you are looking at the watch and saying, oh, dear, _ looking at the watch and saying, oh, dear, oh. _ looking at the watch and saying, oh, dear, oh, dear, and looking around the tent _ dear, oh, dear, and looking around the tent hoping that one of the others — the tent hoping that one of the others has broken his leg, then you won't _ others has broken his leg, then you won't be _ others has broken his leg, then you won't be the — others has broken his leg, then you won't be the first to give up. it is interesting _ won't be the first to give up. it 3 interesting because i would have thought it would be better to have as big a team as possible and as many faces around you as possible, but do you think it essential that you are at loner?— you are at loner? almost but i wouldn't do — you are at loner? almost but i wouldn't do solo _ you are at loner? almost but i wouldn't do solo for— you are at loner? almost but i wouldn't do solo for the - you are at loner? almost but i | wouldn't do solo for the simple you are at loner? almost but i - wouldn't do solo for the simple fact that if— wouldn't do solo for the simple fact that if you — wouldn't do solo for the simple fact that if you go into a crevasse there is no _ that if you go into a crevasse there is no one _ that if you go into a crevasse there is no one to — that if you go into a crevasse there is no one to pull you out and it is a horrible — is no one to pull you out and it is a horrible death. i have spoken to a person— a horrible death. i have spoken to a person who — a horrible death. i have spoken to a person who spent a day and a half stuck— person who spent a day and a half stuck down — person who spent a day and a half stuck down one before his mates, calling _ stuck down one before his mates, calling his — stuck down one before his mates, calling his voice out, heard his voice — calling his voice out, heard his voice coming up from 200 feet where he had _ voice coming up from 200 feet where he had fallen down and just listening to the experience of dying in a crevasse. solo is definitely out~ _ in a crevasse. solo is definitely out the — in a crevasse. solo is definitely out. the only reason i have done one solo expedition is because that particular— solo expedition is because that particular record had been done by two norwegians. so particular record had been done by two norwegians.— two norwegians. so for practical reuions, two norwegians. so for practical regions, life-saving _ two norwegians. so for practical regions, life-saving reasons, i two norwegians. so for practical| regions, life-saving reasons, you regions, life—saving reasons, you have to have somebody with you, but you are perfectly ok on your own emotionally, are you, spiritually, if you have to be? you emotionally, are you, spiritually, if you have to be?— emotionally, are you, spiritually, if you have to be? you are, except there is nobody _ if you have to be? you are, except there is nobody to _ if you have to be? you are, except there is nobody to hate. _ there is nobody to hate. laughter does that help a bit, maybe? laughter does that hel a bit, ma be? . does that help a bit, maybe? having someone to — does that help a bit, maybe? having someone to hate? _ does that help a bit, maybe? having someone to hate? definitely. - does that help a bit, maybe? having someone to hate? definitely. sally i someone to hate? definitely. sally finds that, someone to hate? definitely. sally finds that. as _ someone to hate? definitely. sally finds that, as well! _ finds that, as well! laughter both ways, the hatred. a5 laughter both ways, the hatred. as soon as you get— both ways, the hatred. as soon as you get in— both ways, the hatred. as soon as you get in the tent and things start feeling _ you get in the tent and things start feeling better, then you start likinq — feeling better, then you start liking the bloke again. and i have been _ liking the bloke again. and i have been very. — liking the bloke again. and i have been very, very lucky that main travel— been very, very lucky that main travel companions over 62 years of doing _ travel companions over 62 years of doing it. _ travel companions over 62 years of doing it, and i have learnt that, yes. _ doing it, and i have learnt that, yes, having _ doing it, and i have learnt that, yes, having a few people is much better— yes, having a few people is much better than having a great number of people _ better than having a great number of people. and when you want to sack them _ people. and when you want to sack them and _ people. and when you want to sack them and you are in antarctica, you can sack— them and you are in antarctica, you can sack them but you cannot get rid of them _ can sack them but you cannot get rid of them. ~ ., ., i. can sack them but you cannot get rid of them. ~ ., ., y., ., ., of them. what do you do then, what do ou of them. what do you do then, what do you do? — of them. what do you do then, what do you do? you _ of them. what do you do then, what do you do? you have _ of them. what do you do then, what do you do? you have to _ of them. what do you do then, what do you do? you have to put - of them. what do you do then, what do you do? you have to put up - of them. what do you do then, what do you do? you have to put up with | do you do? you have to put up with them, do you do? you have to put up with them. sort — do you do? you have to put up with them. sort of _ do you do? you have to put up with them, sort of thing, _ do you do? you have to put up with them, sort of thing, and _ do you do? you have to put up with them, sort of thing, and that - them, sort of thing, and that teaches _ them, sort of thing, and that teaches you next time not to chew so many _ teaches you next time not to chew so many people. keep the numbers right down _ many people. keep the numbers right down -- _ many people. keep the numbers right down. ., ., . , many people. keep the numbers right down. ., , , down. -- not to choose sony people sto at down. -- not to choose sony people stop at an — down. -- not to choose sony people stop at an important _ down. -- not to choose sony people stop at an important year _ down. -- not to choose sony people stop at an important year for - down. -- not to choose sony people stop at an important year for you, i stop at an important year for you, 80 years as an adventurer and we do have something to show you right now if you hear have something to show you right now if you bear with us for a moment. this is ourfloor if you bear with us for a moment. this is our floor manager fran, if you bear with us for a moment. this is ourfloor manager fran, who is bringing in a special birthday cake that has been baked by our very own abi smitton.— own abi smitton. happy birthday! that is wonderful, _ own abi smitton. happy birthday! that is wonderful, thank - own abi smitton. happy birthday! that is wonderful, thank you. - own abi smitton. happy birthday! that is wonderful, thank you. i i own abi smitton. happy birthday! l that is wonderful, thank you. i will turn it around _ that is wonderful, thank you. i will turn it around to _ that is wonderful, thank you. i will turn it around to the _ that is wonderful, thank you. lie ll turn it around to the camera so people can see it.— turn it around to the camera so - people can see it._ there people can see it. base camp. there ou co. people can see it. base camp. there you go- we — people can see it. base camp. there you go- we start _ people can see it. base camp. there you go. we start at _ people can see it. base camp. there you go. we start at the _ people can see it. base camp. there you go. we start at the bottom - people can see it. base camp. there you go. we start at the bottom of i you go. we start at the bottom of the cake and _ you go. we start at the bottom of the cake and make _ you go. we start at the bottom of the cake and make our _ you go. we start at the bottom of the cake and make our way - you go. we start at the bottom of the cake and make our way up. i you go. we start at the bottom of l the cake and make our way up. and you go. we start at the bottom of - the cake and make our way up. and of course the sugar— the cake and make our way up. and of course the sugar content _ the cake and make our way up. and of course the sugar content that - the cake and make our way up. and of course the sugar content that is - the cake and make our way up. and of course the sugar content that is not i course the sugar content that is not good _ course the sugar content that is not good with _ course the sugar content that is not good with silent no... well, my wife is very. _ good with silent no... well, my wife is very. very— good with silent no... well, my wife is very, very keen on making sure that i_ is very, very keen on making sure that i keep — is very, very keen on making sure that i keep well clear of too much suqar~ _ that i keep well clear of too much su . ar. ~ . ~' that i keep well clear of too much sutar, . ., ~' that i keep well clear of too much suuar. ~ . ~ ,, y that i keep well clear of too much suuar.~ ., , . sugar. well, thank you very much indeed, sugar. well, thank you very much indeed. we _ sugar. well, thank you very much indeed, we will _ sugar. well, thank you very much indeed, we will have _ sugar. well, thank you very much indeed, we will have the - sugar. well, thank you very much indeed, we will have the cake. i indeed, we will have the cake. speaking of adventures, have you ever been surfing?— ever been surfing? have i ever been... surfing _ ever been surfing? have i ever been... surfing stops - ever been surfing? have i ever been... surfing stops and - ever been surfing? have i ever been... surfing stops and no. | ever been surfing? have i ever - been... surfing stops and no. when i see the surfing _ been... surfing stops and no. when i see the surfing it scares _ been... surfing stops and no. when i see the surfing it scares me - been... surfing stops and no. when i see the surfing it scares me stiff. - see the surfing it scares me stiff. this is the river severn right now, live pictures coming in from our satellite truck because today is the severn bore, the great tidal wave. l severn bore, the great tidal wave. i have heard that is great exciting to id have heard that is great exciting to go surfing — have heard that is great exciting to go surfing on the severn bore. have you done _ go surfing on the severn bore. have you done that? i go surfing on the severn bore. have you done that?— you done that? i haven't, i was auoin to you done that? i haven't, i was going to ask— you done that? i haven't, i was going to ask if— you done that? i haven't, i was going to ask if you _ you done that? i haven't, i was going to ask if you wanted - you done that? i haven't, i was going to ask if you wanted to i you done that? i haven't, i was| going to ask if you wanted to do that for your 815t year. i am not going to make you do it. i that for your 81st year. i am not going to make you do it.- that for your 81st year. i am not going to make you do it. i will have a look at it. — going to make you do it. i will have a look at it. it _ going to make you do it. i will have a look at it, it depends _ going to make you do it. i will have a look at it, it depends on - going to make you do it. i will have a look at it, it depends on the - a look at it, it depends on the sponsorship. a look at it, it depends on the sponsorship-— a look at it, it depends on the sponsorship. at the sponsorship. oh, yes, always. at the moment we — sponsorship. oh, yes, always. at the moment we are _ sponsorship. oh, yes, always. at the moment we are looking _ sponsorship. oh, yes, always. at the moment we are looking for— sponsorship. oh, yes, always. at the moment we are looking for the - sponsorship. oh, yes, always. at thej moment we are looking for the marie curie but— moment we are looking for the marie curie but we — moment we are looking for the marie curie but we have had lots of different... we are up to £90 million — different... we are up to £90 million for— different... we are up to £90 million for uk charities from the expeditions. million for uk charities from the expeditions-_ million for uk charities from the expeditions._ it - million for uk charities from the expeditions._ it goes | expeditions. incredible. it goes back to the _ expeditions. incredible. it goes back to the patron, _ expeditions. incredible. it goes back to the patron, prince - expeditions. incredible. it goes- back to the patron, prince charles, a long _ back to the patron, prince charles, a long time — back to the patron, prince charles, a long time ago, saying who are we going _ a long time ago, saying who are we going to _ a long time ago, saying who are we going to be — a long time ago, saying who are we going to be raising money for on the next expedition? i said, excuse me, sir, next expedition? ! said, excuse me, sir. our— next expedition? i said, excuse me, sir, our expeditions are not about raising _ sir, our expeditions are not about raising money for charity, they are about— raising money for charity, they are about eating the norwegians! micro oh deliver— about eating the norwegians! micro oh deliver growth of course. he said. _ oh deliver growth of course. he said. oh. — oh deliver growth of course. he said, oh, dear, ifi oh deliver growth of course. he said, oh, dear, if i have none that i said, oh, dear, if i have none that lwouldn't — said, oh, dear, if i have none that i wouldn't have been patron of your expeditions. that is when we started and that— expeditions. that is when we started and that one comment by him, nearly 20 million _ and that one comment by him, nearly 20 million pounds. what and that one comment by him, nearly 20 million pounds.— 20 million pounds. what a start. sir ranulh 20 million pounds. what a start. sir ranulph fiennes, _ 20 million pounds. what a start. sir ranulph fiennes, thank— 20 million pounds. what a start. sir ranulph fiennes, thank you - 20 million pounds. what a start. sir ranulph fiennes, thank you for - ranulph fiennes, thank you for coming in, happy 80th, remarkable. if your wife here? flat coming in, happy 80th, remarkable. if your wife here?— if your wife here? not in the building- — if your wife here? not in the building. then _ if your wife here? not in the building. then we _ if your wife here? not in the building. then we can - if your wife here? not in the building. then we can have. if your wife here? not in the - building. then we can have some cake. building. then we can have some cake- thank _ building. then we can have some cake. thank you. _ it's notjust on the beaches of california where you'll find people from across the world surfing. we can go to the river severn. surfers and kayakers will be heading to the banks to experience what has been described as the greatest ride on earth. fiona lamdin is out there for us this morning. she is on dry land but has pole position. good morning. i did she is on dry land but has pole position. good morning. i did have ole position. good morning. i did have pole position- _ position. good morning. i did have pole position. it— position. good morning. i did have pole position. it has _ position. good morning. i did have pole position. it has literally - position. good morning. i did have pole position. it has literally gone | pole position. it has literally gone past, this big whoosh. whether ten or 12 surfers on its?— or 12 surfers on its? more. there were about _ or 12 surfers on its? more. there were about 30 _ or 12 surfers on its? more. there were about 30 or— or 12 surfers on its? more. there were about 30 or 40 _ or 12 surfers on its? more. there were about 30 or 40 to - or 12 surfers on its? more. there were about 30 or 40 to start - or 12 surfers on its? more. there | were about 30 or 40 to start with but by _ were about 30 or 40 to start with but by the — were about 30 or 40 to start with but by the time it's got here a lot of them — but by the time it's got here a lot of them had come off so there were about— of them had come off so there were about ten— of them had come off so there were about ten and it is still going. it about ten and it is still going. [it made about ten and it is still going. made that about ten and it is still going. it made that massive whoosh as it went past. there are hundred people in these banks and everyone gave a massive cheer. pall these banks and everyone gave a massive cheer.— massive cheer. all exciting for everyone- _ massive cheer. all exciting for everyone- very _ massive cheer. all exciting for everyone. very exciting. - massive cheer. all exciting for| everyone. very exciting. peter, massive cheer. all exciting for - everyone. very exciting. peter, you are trending — everyone. very exciting. peter, you are trending this _ everyone. very exciting. peter, you are trending this morning. - everyone. very exciting. peter, you are trending this morning. am - everyone. very exciting. peter, you are trending this morning. am i? i are trending this morning. am i? because earlier _ are trending this morning. am i? because earlier we _ are trending this morning. am i? because earlier we had _ are trending this morning. am i? because earlier we had a - are trending this morning. am i? because earlier we had a little i are trending this morning. am i? l because earlier we had a little clip of you and we had you up on our graphics suggesting... we were obviously talking about the severn bore but people thought we were suggesting you were a bore. can we just explain, you are the most non—boring person. you started surfing when you are 65, you are now 75. �* , ., surfing when you are 65, you are now 75. �* . ., how surfing when you are 65, you are now 75-_ how do _ surfing when you are 65, you are now 75-_ how do you - surfing when you are 65, you are now 75._ how do you feel i 75. and still going. how do you feel about trending? _ 75. and still going. how do you feel about trending? i _ 75. and still going. how do you feel about trending? i am _ 75. and still going. how do you feel about trending? i am old _ 75. and still going. how do you feel about trending? i am old enough i 75. and still going. how do you feel. about trending? i am old enough and ual about trending? i am old enough and ugly enough — about trending? i am old enough and ugly enough not _ about trending? i am old enough and ugly enough not to — about trending? i am old enough and ugly enough not to take _ about trending? i am old enough and ugly enough not to take too - about trending? i am old enough and ugly enough not to take too much i ugly enough not to take too much notice. _ ugly enough not to take too much notice. to— ugly enough not to take too much notice, to be honest.— ugly enough not to take too much notice, to be honest. let's quickly come over— notice, to be honest. let's quickly come over to _ notice, to be honest. let's quickly come over to chris. _ notice, to be honest. let's quickly come over to chris. chris, - notice, to be honest. let's quickly come over to chris. chris, you - notice, to be honest. let's quicklyl come over to chris. chris, you have been working on this river and she was 16. are you happy to tell us how old you are? l was 16. are you happy to tell us how old you are?— was 16. are you happy to tell us how old you are?_ what i old you are? i am 80 in july. what was it like — old you are? i am 80 in july. what was it like seeing _ old you are? i am 80 in july. what was it like seeing the _ old you are? i am 80 in july. what was it like seeing the bores - old you are? i am 80 in july. what was it like seeing the bores this i was it like seeing the bores this morning? i was it like seeing the bores this mornin: ? . . was it like seeing the bores this mornin: ? . , ., , was it like seeing the bores this mornin.? ., , ., , , morning? i have seen many bores in morning? i have seen many bores in my lifetime. — morning? i have seen many bores in my lifetime, this _ morning? i have seen many bores in my lifetime, this was _ morning? i have seen many bores in my lifetime, this was not _ morning? i have seen many bores in my lifetime, this was not one - morning? i have seen many bores in my lifetime, this was not one of - morning? i have seen many bores in my lifetime, this was not one of the | my lifetime, this was not one of the best _ my lifetime, this was not one of the best not _ my lifetime, this was not one of the best not good _ my lifetime, this was not one of the best. not good weather _ my lifetime, this was not one of the best. not good weather conditions, | best. not good weather conditions, the river— best. not good weather conditions, the river is— best. not good weather conditions, the river is not— best. not good weather conditions, the river is not in— best. not good weather conditions, the river is not in the _ best. not good weather conditions, the river is not in the right - best. not good weather conditions, the river is not in the right state - the river is not in the right state because — the river is not in the right state because there _ the river is not in the right state because there was _ the river is not in the right state because there was a _ the river is not in the right state because there was a bit - the river is not in the right state because there was a bit too - the river is not in the right state. because there was a bit too much water— because there was a bit too much water in _ because there was a bit too much water in it — because there was a bit too much water in it. really— because there was a bit too much water in it. really and _ because there was a bit too much water in it. really and truly- because there was a bit too much water in it. really and truly it - because there was a bit too much water in it. really and truly it is i water in it. really and truly it is not the — water in it. really and truly it is not the best— water in it. really and truly it is not the best bore, _ water in it. really and truly it is not the best bore, it— water in it. really and truly it is not the best bore, it has- water in it. really and truly it is not the best bore, it has to - water in it. really and truly it is not the best bore, it has to be. not the best bore, it has to be said — not the best bore, it has to be said having _ not the best bore, it has to be said. having said _ not the best bore, it has to be said. having said that, - not the best bore, it has to be said. having said that, i- not the best bore, it has to be said. having said that, i havel said. having said that, i have spoken— said. having said that, i have spoken to _ said. having said that, i have spoken to people _ said. having said that, i have spoken to people who - said. having said that, i have| spoken to people who haven't said. having said that, i have - spoken to people who haven't seen it before _ spoken to people who haven't seen it before and _ spoken to people who haven't seen it before and they — spoken to people who haven't seen it before and they were _ spoken to people who haven't seen it before and they were thrilled. - spoken to people who haven't seen it before and they were thrilled. and i before and they were thrilled. and why your— before and they were thrilled. and why your face. _ before and they were thrilled. and why your face. you _ before and they were thrilled. and why your face, you are _ before and they were thrilled. and why your face, you are so - before and they were thrilled. and why your face, you are so thrilled i why your face, you are so thrilled by it! _ why your face, you are so thrilled by it! that— why your face, you are so thrilled by it! that is— why your face, you are so thrilled by it! that is the _ why your face, you are so thrilled by it! that is the magic— why your face, you are so thrilled by it! that is the magic of- why your face, you are so thrilled by it! that is the magic of it. - why your face, you are so thrilled by it! that is the magic of it. it. by it! that is the magic of it. it makes — by it! that is the magic of it. it makes people _ by it! that is the magic of it. it makes people happy— by it! that is the magic of it. it makes people happy and - by it! that is the magic of it. it. makes people happy and thrilled. by it! that is the magic of it. it- makes people happy and thrilled. l makes people happy and thrilled. i want makes people happy and thrilled. want to introduce you to two makes people happy and thrilled." want to introduce you to two people who have come the other side does fall over. travel from the other side of the world to be here. you are from america, california. indeed. good morning. haifa are from america, california. indeed. good morning. how does this com are to indeed. good morning. how does this compare to what _ indeed. good morning. how does this compare to what you _ indeed. good morning. how does this compare to what you are _ indeed. good morning. how does this compare to what you are used - indeed. good morning. how does this compare to what you are used to - compare to what you are used to seeing? compare to what you are used to seeina? , ., _ compare to what you are used to seeina? , ., ,_, ., , compare to what you are used to seeina? , ., .y., ., , ., ., seeing? obviously our waves do not last for ever. _ seeing? obviously our waves do not last for ever, like _ seeing? obviously our waves do not last for ever, like this _ seeing? obviously our waves do not last for ever, like this one _ seeing? obviously our waves do not last for ever, like this one going - last for ever, like this one going along. _ last for ever, like this one going along. that was cool to see, you can ride and _ along. that was cool to see, you can ride and ride — along. that was cool to see, you can ride and ride as long as you don't fall off. _ ride and ride as long as you don't fall off. maybe the wave itself is not as _ fall off. maybe the wave itself is not as big — fall off. maybe the wave itself is not as big as a ice crushing surfing wave. _ not as big as a ice crushing surfing wave. . ., , ., wave. the weather might not be great but ou wave. the weather might not be great but you love — wave. the weather might not be great but you love it? _ wave. the weather might not be great but you love it? it _ wave. the weather might not be great but you love it? it is _ wave. the weather might not be great but you love it? it is gorgeous, - but you love it? it is gorgeous, even if i'm _ but you love it? it is gorgeous, even if i'm here _ but you love it? it is gorgeous, even if i'm here in _ but you love it? it is gorgeous, even if i'm here in this - but you love it? it is gorgeous, | even if i'm here in this beautiful foq. _ even if i'm here in this beautiful foq. watching _ even if i'm here in this beautiful fog, watching that _ even if i'm here in this beautiful fog, watching that wave - even if i'm here in this beautiful fog, watching that wave go - even if i'm here in this beautiful. fog, watching that wave go through even if i'm here in this beautiful- fog, watching that wave go through i suddenly— fog, watching that wave go through i suddenly think— fog, watching that wave go through i suddenly think i _ fog, watching that wave go through i suddenly think i need _ fog, watching that wave go through i suddenly think i need to _ fog, watching that wave go through i suddenly think i need to take - fog, watching that wave go through i suddenly think i need to take up - suddenly think i need to take up surfing. — suddenly think i need to take up surfing. we _ suddenly think i need to take up surfing. we are _ suddenly think i need to take up surfing. we are in _ suddenly think i need to take up surfing. we are in san _ suddenly think i need to take up surfing. we are in san diego, i suddenly think i need to take up surfing. we are in san diego, it| suddenly think i need to take up. surfing. we are in san diego, it is great— surfing. we are in san diego, it is great surfing. _ surfing. we are in san diego, it is great surfing. l— surfing. we are in san diego, it is great surfing-— great surfing. i love that. can you believe i had _ great surfing. i love that. can you believe i had to _ great surfing. i love that. can you believe i had to come _ great surfing. i love that. can you believe i had to come all- great surfing. i love that. can you believe i had to come all the - great surfing. i love that. can you believe i had to come all the way| believe i had to come all the way from california to gloucester and they have been converted to start surfing? back to you. laughter that was brilliant, well done. i that was brilliant, well done. i wonder what they were right that was brilliant, well done. i wonder what they were right on their postcards back home from gloucester. every body surfing. l postcards back home from gloucester. every body surfing-— every body surfing. i also wonder, if peter is the _ every body surfing. i also wonder, if peter is the biggest _ every body surfing. i also wonder, if peter is the biggest bore - every body surfing. i also wonder, if peter is the biggest bore in - every body surfing. i also wonder, if peter is the biggest bore in the l if peter is the biggest bore in the world, who is the first? don't answer, don't answer. before turning his hand to comedy, geoff norcott used to be a teacher and valued the merits of a university education — but now he's questioning whether the student life would be the right path for his son. to find out, he's travelled the country to see if going to university is still worth the money, in a new documentary. let's take a look hiya. hello. i'm geoff. nice to meet you. and what are we doing today? we're just feeding the ducks. we're duck society, so we do anything related to ducks. that's the society, is feeding ducks? yeah. basically, yeah. duck society?! it just encourages you to just go out in nature... yeah. ..andjust, like, experience it. pretty well attended. i mean, i couldn't get this many mates out if i was getting married again! do you think, subconsciously, a part of you thinks, "i can't have a hangover. "i cannot afford to fail year two or year three?" certainly not year two or three. i've got a five—year degree course, and my maintenance loan doesn't even cover my rent. like, it's hard to just go out and do things and not spend money. so it's nice to have this where, you know, it's £3 for the year. it's super cheap. and it's just a way to, like, socialise without spending money and stuff like that. and geoff norcottjoins us now. good morning. good morning. multi-million _ good morning. good morning. multi-million dollar _ good morning. good morning. multi-million dollar question, | good morning. good morning. - multi-million dollar question, quite multi—million dollar question, quite appropriately, what did you find? is it worth the money? is appropriately, what did you find? is it worth the money?— appropriately, what did you find? is it worth the money? is it? i suppose what that clip _ it worth the money? is it? i suppose what that clip shows _ it worth the money? is it? i suppose what that clip shows with _ it worth the money? is it? i suppose what that clip shows with the - it worth the money? is it? i suppose what that clip shows with the matter and they— what that clip shows with the matter and they had a hummus society. i'm not saying _ and they had a hummus society. i'm not saying everyone who goes to university — not saying everyone who goes to university it has to rage and party but for— university it has to rage and party but for my— university it has to rage and party but for my generation and the university perhaps was a more indulgent— university perhaps was a more indulgent experience. what i found was that— indulgent experience. what i found was that it — indulgent experience. what i found was that it is materially changed so much _ was that it is materially changed so much within a generation, not just the tuition— much within a generation, not just the tuition fees but also the cost of the _ the tuition fees but also the cost of the maintenance loan, which has not gone _ of the maintenance loan, which has not gone up — of the maintenance loan, which has not gone up in line with inflation like other— not gone up in line with inflation like other things. the students i spoke _ like other things. the students i spoke to. — like other things. the students i spoke to. i_ like other things. the students i spoke to, i found that there were quite _ spoke to, i found that there were quite a _ spoke to, i found that there were quite a lot— spoke to, i found that there were quite a lot that were a bit demoralised and there was a recent poll that— demoralised and there was a recent poll that said 69% of them felt wasn't — poll that said 69% of them felt wasn't worth it. obviously there are a lot of— wasn't worth it. obviously there are a lot of people in higher education working _ a lot of people in higher education working hard, there are a lot of decrees— working hard, there are a lot of decrees that people enjoy but i suppose — decrees that people enjoy but i suppose the film in some ways is acknowledging how different it is for kids— acknowledging how different it is for kids going now. this acknowledging how different it is for kids going now.— acknowledging how different it is for kids going now. this matters in our for kids going now. this matters in your house — for kids going now. this matters in your house because _ for kids going now. this matters in your house because your _ for kids going now. this matters in your house because your son - for kids going now. this matters in your house because your son is - your house because your son is trying to decide whether he should go to university. trying to decide whether he should go to university-— go to university. slightly longer ranue go to university. slightly longer range then. _ go to university. slightly longer range then. i — go to university. slightly longer range then, i like _ go to university. slightly longer range then, i like to _ go to university. slightly longer range then, i like to plan - go to university. slightly longerj range then, i like to plan ahead go to university. slightly longer- range then, i like to plan ahead for my son but range then, i like to plan ahead for m son . . . range then, i like to plan ahead for “1 son , ., , ., range then, i like to plan ahead for m son , ., , ., ., range then, i like to plan ahead for m son , ., ., , ., my son but i was going to start savin: my son but i was going to start saving but _ my son but i was going to start saving but also _ my son but i was going to start saving but also i'm _ my son but i was going to start saving but also i'm a _ my son but i was going to start saving but also i'm a comic - my son but i was going to start saving but also i'm a comic on | my son but i was going to start i saving but also i'm a comic on the road _ saving but also i'm a comic on the road a _ saving but also i'm a comic on the road a lot— saving but also i'm a comic on the road a lot and a lot of people commented last night that my cart doesn't _ commented last night that my cart doesn't look great, it's not great... _ doesn't look great, it's not great... i_ doesn't look great, it's not great... i mean, look, iam not knocking— great... i mean, look, iam not knocking the _ great... i mean, look, iam not knocking the make or the model. time for a new one? — knocking the make or the model. time for a new one? my _ knocking the make or the model. time for a new one? my wife, _ knocking the make or the model. time for a new one? my wife, having - knocking the make or the model. time for a new one? my wife, having seen i for a new one? my wife, having seen the film, for a new one? my wife, having seen the film. she — for a new one? my wife, having seen the film, she was _ for a new one? my wife, having seen the film, she was not _ for a new one? my wife, having seen the film, she was not happy - for a new one? my wife, having seen the film, she was not happy with - for a new one? my wife, having seen the film, she was not happy with the j the film, she was not happy with the state it— the film, she was not happy with the state it was— the film, she was not happy with the state it was in in the film but i was _ state it was in in the film but i was the — state it was in in the film but i was the first in my family to go to university. — was the first in my family to go to university. it was a very proud moment. _ university. it was a very proud moment, my mum was bawling out her eyes to— moment, my mum was bawling out her eyes to the _ moment, my mum was bawling out her eyes to the point where someone else went and _ eyes to the point where someone else went and checked on her. a lot of working _ went and checked on her. a lot of working class families crossed the threshold — working class families crossed the threshold in the 90s but it was odd that having been a teacher in the blair— that having been a teacher in the blair years, that having been a teacher in the blairyears, education, education... as many— blairyears, education, education... as many educations as you could fall into hunters. it is not that it is not a — into hunters. it is not that it is not a good _ into hunters. it is not that it is not a good thing, but you wonder about— not a good thing, but you wonder about other professions and i have other— about other professions and i have other people in my family who i... a 21-year-old — other people in my family who i... a 21-year-old is— other people in my family who i... a 21—year—old is earning 50 grand plus as a scaffolder. that is not right for everyone but there was a period in the _ for everyone but there was a period in the 90s— for everyone but there was a period in the 90s and naughty is when we moved _ in the 90s and naughty is when we moved away from considering manual trade when _ moved away from considering manual trade when we also probably didn't .ive trade when we also probably didn't give them — trade when we also probably didn't give them enough respect. and there is a desperate _ give them enough respect. and there is a desperate need, _ give them enough respect. and there is a desperate need, as _ give them enough respect. and there is a desperate need, as we _ give them enough respect. and there is a desperate need, as we all- give them enough respect. and there is a desperate need, as we all know i is a desperate need, as we all know for plumbers, electricians. apprenticeships and things like that are booming as an alternative. mix. are booming as an alternative. mix learnina is are booming as an alternative. mix learning is available but one thing iwill— learning is available but one thing i will say. — learning is available but one thing i will say, have you ever met a skint— i will say, have you ever met a skint plumber?— i will say, have you ever met a skint lumber? . , ., ., ., skint plumber? have you ever found a lumber? skint plumber? have you ever found a plumber? every _ skint plumber? have you ever found a plumber? every third _ skint plumber? have you ever found a plumber? every third week _ skint plumber? have you ever found a plumber? every third week they - skint plumber? have you ever found a plumber? every third week they are i plumber? every third week they are on holiday- — plumber? every third week they are on holiday- lt _ plumber? every third week they are on holiday. it occurred _ plumber? every third week they are on holiday. it occurred to _ plumber? every third week they are on holiday. it occurred to me - plumber? every third week they are on holiday. it occurred to me that i on holiday. it occurred to me that we work — on holiday. it occurred to me that we work in — on holiday. it occurred to me that we work in this creative tv world, which _ we work in this creative tv world, which is _ we work in this creative tv world, which is exciting, but i thought a lot of— which is exciting, but i thought a lot of my— which is exciting, but i thought a lot of my wealthiest mates have their— lot of my wealthiest mates have their name on the side of a van and you can— their name on the side of a van and you can see — their name on the side of a van and you can see me working with these lads in _ you can see me working with these lads in hull— you can see me working with these lads in hull and they are training up lads in hull and they are training upa— lads in hull and they are training up a lot— lads in hull and they are training up a lot of— lads in hull and they are training up a lot of apprentices. and they are doing — up a lot of apprentices. and they are doing well for themselves. obviously money is not the only metric— obviously money is not the only metric and _ obviously money is not the only metric and people have passion for subjects _ metric and people have passion for subjects and they want to study because — subjects and they want to study because they love the subject, but once you _ because they love the subject, but once you start putting maybe 20 grand _ once you start putting maybe 20 grand a — once you start putting maybe 20 grand a year on that cost, it is just— grand a year on that cost, it is just a — grand a year on that cost, it is just a different decision these days than it— just a different decision these days than it is— just a different decision these days than it is today. some of the research _ than it is today. some of the research was astounding, really. 0verall. — research was astounding, really. overall, students will still in what in their— overall, students will still in what in their lifetime before for a male doinq _ in their lifetime before for a male doing creative arts, you would earn more _ doing creative arts, you would earn more money in your lifetime if you went— more money in your lifetime if you went to _ more money in your lifetime if you went to work straight from school. obviously — went to work straight from school. obviously there is a net benefit overall— obviously there is a net benefit overall but that breaks down by jobs. _ overall but that breaks down by jobs, sectors, courses and vocations. _ jobs, sectors, courses and vocations-— jobs, sectors, courses and vocations. , ., , jobs, sectors, courses and vocations. , ., vocations. do you feel things are chanauin vocations. do you feel things are changing a _ vocations. do you feel things are changing a little _ vocations. do you feel things are changing a little bit, _ vocations. do you feel things are changing a little bit, that - vocations. do you feel things are changing a little bit, that skills i changing a little bit, that skills are being more valued slowly but surely again? i are being more valued slowly but surely again?— surely again? i wonder if that is the case- _ surely again? i wonder if that is the case- i— surely again? i wonder if that is the case. i don't _ surely again? i wonder if that is the case. i don't know - surely again? i wonder if that is the case. i don't know about. surely again? i wonder if that is | the case. i don't know about you surely again? i wonder if that is - the case. i don't know about you but iwonder— the case. i don't know about you but l wonder if— the case. i don't know about you but i wonder if covid really focus the mind _ i wonder if covid really focus the mind on— i wonder if covid really focus the mind on that. when we are in our homes _ mind on that. when we are in our homes we — mind on that. when we are in our homes we suddenly thought, right, which _ homes we suddenly thought, right, whichiobs — homes we suddenly thought, right, whichjobs matter? i was sat homes we suddenly thought, right, which jobs matter? i was sat there writing _ which jobs matter? i was sat there writing jokes on my laptop and suddenly— writing jokes on my laptop and suddenly that didn't feel as important as it once did. but if my boiler— important as it once did. but if my boiler went— important as it once did. but if my boiler went down i really value to the people that could come and do that. _ the people that could come and do that. it _ the people that could come and do that. it is — the people that could come and do that. it is interesting. the guys that. it is interesting. the guys that ran — that. it is interesting. the guys that ran that plumbing firm, one of the lads. _ that ran that plumbing firm, one of the lads, nathan, he is very self—motivated, didn't go to university, and the other, dale, he did go— university, and the other, dale, he did go to _ university, and the other, dale, he did go to university, and together they sort— did go to university, and together they sort of make a really good team. — they sort of make a really good team. i— they sort of make a really good team. ijust found that the students, one thing people who watch the film _ students, one thing people who watch the film will find affecting is the student— the film will find affecting is the student who is studying medicine and she is— student who is studying medicine and she is at— student who is studying medicine and she is at the sharp end, getting herself— she is at the sharp end, getting herself in— she is at the sharp end, getting herself in 100 grand worth of debt. people _ herself in 100 grand worth of debt. people might say, well, maybe we should _ people might say, well, maybe we should make university education free again — should make university education free again but if you look at the two main — free again but if you look at the two main parties that doesn't seem to be _ two main parties that doesn't seem to be on— two main parties that doesn't seem to be on the cards for either of them. — to be on the cards for either of them. in — to be on the cards for either of them. in that situation, i suppose them. in that situation, i suppose the point — them. in that situation, i suppose the point is — them. in that situation, i suppose the point is that maybe we owe young people _ the point is that maybe we owe young people are _ the point is that maybe we owe young people are more honest conversation about— people are more honest conversation about the _ people are more honest conversation about the choices they are making. and campus life does make up my kids are older at university age and i can see that campus life, university life is very different today. they know they are amassing debt so they take it more seriously. and work hard at. , ., ~' take it more seriously. and work hard at. , ., ,, ., ., . hard at. they work a lot harder. the are hard at. they work a lot harder. they are very — hard at. they work a lot harder. they are very serious _ hard at. they work a lot harder. they are very serious and - hard at. they work a lot harder. they are very serious and they i they are very serious and they cannot— they are very serious and they cannot afford not to be. i used to do university gigs in the early naughties, some of the rowdies to gigs. _ naughties, some of the rowdies to gigs. and — naughties, some of the rowdies to gigs, and you do them now and there are kids _ gigs, and you do them now and there are kids drinking coffee and the moment— are kids drinking coffee and the moment the gig finishes they are like. _ moment the gig finishes they are like, thank you, and they go off, revise _ like, thank you, and they go off, revise and — like, thank you, and they go off, revise and go to bed. that is a classic— revise and go to bed. that is a classic gen _ revise and go to bed. that is a classic gen x thing that i am saying that they— classic gen x thing that i am saying that they don't have to go and party into the _ that they don't have to go and party into the night but what you do sense is that— into the night but what you do sense is that there is a lot less latitude to enjoy— is that there is a lot less latitude to enjoy campus life. that is not true _ to enjoy campus life. that is not true everywhere. in the film i went to sheffield and there are loads of societies— to sheffield and there are loads of societies and communities there but sheffield _ societies and communities there but sheffield were particularly good example that i'm not sure all of the others _ example that i'm not sure all of the others were — example that i'm not sure all of the others were following. if example that i'm not sure all of the others were following.— others were following. if you are amassin: others were following. if you are amassing debt _ others were following. if you are amassing debt you _ others were following. if you are amassing debt you wanted - others were following. if you are amassing debt you wanted to i others were following. if you are i amassing debt you wanted to work hard and get a good degree to make it worth it. . hard and get a good degree to make it worth it. , ., it worth it. there is great inflation _ it worth it. there is great inflation which _ it worth it. there is great inflation which i - it worth it. there is great inflation which i don't - it worth it. there is great i inflation which i don't know it worth it. there is great - inflation which i don't know if people — inflation which i don't know if people are aware of. from 2010 to 2020. _ people are aware of. from 2010 to 2020. the — people are aware of. from 2010 to 2020, the number of people getting first doubled. as an optimist i would — first doubled. as an optimist i would like to think that is because people _ would like to think that is because people are — would like to think that is because people are getting brighter at working hard and i'm sure that was also the _ working hard and i'm sure that was also the case, but you do wonder if that is— also the case, but you do wonder if that is in— also the case, but you do wonder if that is in part due to people paying for their— that is in part due to people paying for their education and, that is in part due to people paying fortheir education and, look... if iwere— fortheir education and, look... if i were paying 20 grand a year roughly— i were paying 20 grand a year roughly and someone said you have a 2:2, roughly and someone said you have a 2:2. i_ roughly and someone said you have a 2:2. i would _ roughly and someone said you have a 2:2, i would say i have 20 grand here _ 2:2, i would say i have 20 grand here that — 2:2, i would say i have 20 grand here that says otherwise, i would like this— here that says otherwise, i would like this to — here that says otherwise, i would like this to go to var if you could look at _ like this to go to var if you could look at this. the university sector started _ look at this. the university sector started under new labour, was accelerated during the coalition and the conservative government, but that has _ the conservative government, but that has been the reality for a while — that has been the reality for a while now and i suppose what this film is _ while now and i suppose what this film is as— while now and i suppose what this film is as it — while now and i suppose what this film is as it is an entry into the discussion— film is as it is an entry into the discussion and a kind of stock take of where _ discussion and a kind of stock take of where things are now and hopefully it starts conversations are. . , , ., ~ hopefully it starts conversations are. . , , ., are. really interesting, thank you for coming _ are. really interesting, thank you for coming in- _ geoff's documentary, is university really worth it?, is available on bbc iplayer. stay with us — headlines coming up. live from london, this is bbc news. a ship loaded with 200 onnes of humanitarian aid has left cyprus's larnaca port for gaza. the bbc sees evidence that staff at nasser hospital in gaza were mistreated by israeli forces — we will bring you a special report. the prime minister of haiti, ariel henry, resigns as gang violence plunges the country into chaos. # don't want to be all by myself any more... and the american singer—songwriter, eric carmen — known for the hit single all by myself — has died at the age of 74.