the bbc news at six. princess anne is in hospital with concussion after apparently being injured by a horse. the incident happened on her estate in gloucestershire yesterday. buckingham palace says the princess, who's 73, is expected to make a full recovery, though is likely to remain in hospital for some days. here's our senior royal correspondent, daniela relph. just over a week ago, trooping the colour. the princess royal was on horse back where she loved to be. an accomplished horsewoman, she played a leading part in the event. but last night, princess anne was injured on her estate, gatcombe park, in gloucestershire. it is understood she was hurt after coming into contact with a horse's head or legs while on a walk. in a statement, buckingham palace said... year on year, princess anne tops the list of royals who carry out the most public engagements. her work is often under the radar, without the glamour and attention others receive. but in a year when the royal family has faced serious health issues, her contribution has been more important than ever, especially her support for her older brother. their closeness and his appreciation of his sister have become more obvious since he became king. princess anne's accident adds to the depleted number of full—time working royals at the moment. these have been challenging months, but there are now real gaps in terms of who can carry out public duties. princess anne is notoriously keen to avoid a fuss at all costs, but her injuries mean her engagements this week have been postponed, including a trip to canada. she is likely to remain in hospital until later this week. daniela relph, bbc news. our correspondent danjohnson is at southmead hospital in bristol. how much more do we know, dan? we know how much more do we know, dan? - know that paramedics were called to gatcombe park yesterday evening, to reports of this incident involving princess anne, it is not clear exactly what happened, but the emergency responders assessed heifer around decided she needed to be driven by ambulance here to southmead hospital. it is not necessarily the nearest but silt the major trauma centre for the region, so that perhaps indicates how seriously it was being taken, how cautious they were being with the care she needed. she is a tough no nonsense character and the palace's emphasising that she will make a full recovery, her condition is described as conscious, comfortable, she is stable, but she is expected to spend at least a few more nights here in hospital so this is another senior member of the royal family unable to carry out her duties for the next few day, possibly the next few weeks. . ~ the next few day, possibly the next few weeks. ., ~ , ., the next few day, possibly the next few weeks. . ~' , ., thank you dan. a man has gone on trial accused of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder the tv presenter holly willoughby. gavin plumb, who's 37 and from essex, is alleged to have developed an obsession with the star over a number of years. he denies the charges. our correspondent lizo mzimba was in court. good morning and welcome do your wednesday's this morning. halli; wednesday's this morning. holly willou . hb wednesday's this morning. holly willoughby is _ wednesday's this morning. holly willoughby is one _ wednesday's this morning. holly willoughby is one of— wednesday's this morning. holly willoughby is one of tv's - wednesday's this morning. holly willoughby is one of tv's best known face, the presentser on itv�*s this morning for m year, the her final two years was when the prosecution say that gavin plumb was planning the presenter�*s kidnap and rape. the jury the presenter�*s kidnap and rape. the jury heard that in october last year, gavin plumb was communicating online with an individual about his plans in graphic detail. and that he sought to encourage the individual to commit kidnap, rape and murder with him, adding that what the defendant didn't know, was that the person was an undercover police officer, based in the usa. the court was told that the 37—year—old security guard had a sexual obsession with holly willoughby, and that he previously made kidnap attempts against other women, trying to force two women from a train under the threat of a gun and tried to tie the hands of two 16—year—old girls, at knife—point. any alleged victim of a sexual crime like incite. to rape automatically receives lifelong anonymity. holly willoughby has chosen to waive that. the prosecution said she wouldn't be a witness as the case was only concerned with gavin plumb's planning which they say was interrupted by his arrest. the trial is exed to last two week, plaque 1 denies the charges. —— gavin plumb denies now, let's turn to the general election. for more on that, let's go to reeta who's in belfast. thank you jane. we are here in the iconic titanic quarter, which celebrates the city's proud shipbuilding past, and which has become a monument to lessons learned from the tragedy. in a moment, we'll be looking at how the political landscape in northern ireland is changing and at what that means for people's priorities, as they cast their vote in the general election. but first, the uk's main political parties have ducked addressing some of the stark choices over tax and spend in their manifestoes. that's according to the leading think tank, the institute for fiscal studies. our economics editor faisal islam is with me, and they've got harsh words about the parties' plans? we have had several hundred pages, and the ifs say we haven't had a plan where voters can work out how much tax they will pay, for those worried about public service we haven't had a plan how they will be funded properly and we haven't had a plan for all the manifestos about how they might avoid a repeat of the 2022 mini budget debacle. it is scathing, a plague on all your houses but they say voters deserve more. we are in a position to be able to compare the main parties big offer, their promises to the electorate in their promises to the electorate in the manifestos with the help of the institute for fiscal studies. first the size of the manifesto, in tax and spend terms, this chart compares the cash into the exchequer, so tax rises and cuts above the line and the reverse below the line, conservatives say they want about £30 billion of cash into the exchequer, like squeezing benefits, the same amount out including the national insurance cut. labour's plans are half as big, targeting health and schools and green investment, funded by smaller tax rises, for example on private schools. the liberal democrats and greens are pushing for better resourced public services funded by significant tax rises and reform thinks it can shrink government and taxes radically. so how does all that affect tax? this is a chance since the second world war of all the tax as a percentage of the size of the economy, you can see the pattern here, the liberal democrats and labour would take this tax burden on to the highest level since 1948, the conservatives would stabilise it at the highest since 1950, but the big picture is that all the parties would leave intact this rise in the tax burden we have seen over the past parliament, this parliament of emergency, the pandemic, and the energy crisis, and it wouldn't really fall. so why this talk about spending cuts when the tax burden is doing that? well the conservatives say they do want to spend more on defence, labour on schools, but the real mystery here is about what is happening in unprotected departments, important spending on councils, courts, higher education for example, there we are not beings told the full story. we are either going to see some big tax increases _ are either going to see some big tax increases or— are either going to see some big tax increases or spending cuts given where _ increases or spending cuts given where we — increases or spending cuts given where we are with the public finances _ where we are with the public finances at the moment, and we don't know which— finances at the moment, and we don't know which way either party would no, know which way either party would go, post—election. neither of them want to— go, post—election. neither of them want to say— go, post—election. neither of them want to say we are going to cut this, — want to say we are going to cut this, neitherwant want to say we are going to cut this, neither want to say we are going _ this, neither want to say we are going to — this, neither want to say we are going to increase taxes here but if they are _ going to increase taxes here but if they are going to keep to their self imposed _ they are going to keep to their self imposed fiscal discipline they are likely— imposed fiscal discipline they are likely to — imposed fiscal discipline they are likely to have to do one or the other — likely to have to do one or the other. ~ , ,., _ other. the pm responded by saying his lans other. the pm responded by saying his plans are _ other. the pm responded by saying his plans are fully _ other. the pm responded by saying his plans are fully costed _ other. the pm responded by saying his plans are fully costed and - other. the pm responded by saying his plans are fully costed and will i his plans are fully costed and will deliver tax cuts at every age, the labour leader said labour's plans were about growing the economy, after 1a years of flat lining, the liberal democrats also said their plans were fully costed, and the greens in a bbc panorama interview said their big plans to grow spending were nowt out of the ordinary internationally. you are mum missing — ordinary internationally. you are mum missing things _ ordinary internationally. you are mum missing things that - ordinary internationally. you are mum missing things that can't l ordinary internationally. you are| mum missing things that can't be delivered. ~ . ., ., delivered. well, and i have quoted to ou delivered. well, and i have quoted to you what _ delivered. well, and i have quoted to you what other— delivered. well, and i have quoted to you what other experts have - delivered. well, and i have quoted l to you what other experts have said, welcoming _ to you what other experts have said, welcoming our proposal, other economists, financial experts who have _ economists, financial experts who have said — economists, financial experts who have said the green party is bringing _ have said the green party is bringing in a different way of thinking _ bringing in a different way of thinking that by european standards is fairly— thinking that by european standards is fairly normal and we can't expect to have _ is fairly normal and we can't expect to have the — is fairly normal and we can't expect to have the level of health services, the quality of education system, — services, the quality of education system, the other countries have if we don't _ system, the other countries have if we don't put the investment in that is needed~ — we don't put the investment in that is needed. we we don't put the investment in that is needed. ~ ., we don't put the investment in that is needed. ~ . ., is needed. we are getting a full icture is needed. we are getting a full picture from — is needed. we are getting a full picture from any _ is needed. we are getting a full picture from any of _ is needed. we are getting a full picture from any of these - is needed. we are getting a fulll picture from any of these parties manifesto, but you get a sense of the instinct on tax and spend and on the instinct on tax and spend and on the size of government going forward, it is worth remembering that experience of the past five years, is that when the economic waters get choppy, many of these grand plans get dumped in the deep—sea. and if you want to hear more of nick robinson's interview with adrian ramsay, you can watch tonight at 7pm on bbc one and the iplayer. the prime minister has said he is not aware of any other conservative candidates being investigated by the gambling commission over allegations of betting on the general election. he's under mounting pressure from within the conservative party to take a tougher stance against those who are being investigated. our political editor chris mason is at westminster. chris, this story isn't going away, is it? he has faced more questions about this in the last few minutes. yes. this in the last few minutes. yes, aood this in the last few minutes. yes, good evening _ this in the last few minutes. yes, good evening rita _ this in the last few minutes. yes, good evening rita harks - this in the last few minutes. yes, good evening rita harks is - this in the last few minutes. ye: good evening rita harks is right. so earlier today the prime minister was in edinburgh launching the scottish conservative manifesto there, now he is back in london, he is over the river in fact at the headquarters of the sun newspaper, they are doing an eventin the sun newspaper, they are doing an event in front of the cameras and a live audience involving keir starmer and rishi sunak, and yes, the opening minutes of the exchanges with the prime minister, in the last half hour, were absolutely on this topic so we know that there are a collection of folk being looked into by the gambling commission, the betting regulator and the prime minister had this to say about what the conservative party is doing. in parallel we have been conducting internat— parallel we have been conducting internal inquiry, these are very sensitive matter, they have to be done _ sensitive matter, they have to be done in _ sensitive matter, they have to be done in a — sensitive matter, they have to be done in a way that i don't compro mice _ done in a way that i don't compro mice the — done in a way that i don't compro mice the integrity of police and other— mice the integrity of police and other investigation, but i have been clear, _ other investigation, but i have been clear. if_ other investigation, but i have been clear, if anyone has broken the rules — clear, if anyone has broken the rules not _ clear, if anyone has broken the rules. not up held the standard i would _ rules. not up held the standard i would expect they will be held to account — would expect they will be held to account. they should face the full consequences of the law and be booted — consequences of the law and be booted out of the conservative party~ — booted out of the conservative pa . ., booted out of the conservative pa . . , ., booted out of the conservative pa . ., , booted out of the conservative pa . . , ., , . booted out of the conservative pa . ., , ., , booted out of the conservative pa . ., , ., party. can you see what this looks like to the public, _ party. can you see what this looks like to the public, it _ party. can you see what this looks like to the public, it looks - like to the public, it looks like the last days of rome. i like to the public, it looks like the last days of rome.- like to the public, it looks like the last days of rome. i am as angry as anybody — the last days of rome. i am as angry as anybody what _ the last days of rome. i am as angry as anybody what i — the last days of rome. i am as angry as anybody what i learned _ the last days of rome. i am as angry as anybody what i learned about - as anybody what i learned about these things. so a real attempt by these things. so a real attempt by the prime minister to show she has a grip on this, there has been dissent internally among conservatives privately and to a degree publicly, a frustration that the prime minister hasn't been willing to do orsay minister hasn't been willing to do or say more to act more, to try and put a lid on all of this, baz there is the prospect that there could be a dribble of further revelations in the coming days, when the prime minister and other conservatives would rather talk about anything else. 0k, else. ok, chris, many thanks, chris mason there. the dup has launched its election manifesto, pledging to push for better financial support for northern ireland and to promote the union. the party is fielding 16 candidates. its leader, gavin robinson, said voters needed to be proactive, or risk taking "northern ireland in the wrong direction". if you want a stronger, more prosperous northern ireland in the united kingdom, then you need to vote for it. if you want a strong, pro—union team who will fight for northern ireland, then you need to vote for it, by backing people who believe in northern ireland, and who will do the job you elect them to do. well, in northern ireland the focus is not on the main british political parties, but on parties which have reflected the central historical faultline in politics here — that is, those who want to remain a part of the uk, represented by the unionist parties, and the nationalist parties who want to see the province become part of the irish republic. unionism is currently dominated by the democratic unionist party, the dup, who had eight seats in westminster at the last election. and nationalism by sinn fein, who had seven seats. the sdlp had two. but the debate in this part of the uk has also been strongly affected by the issue of brexit. northern ireland voted to remain in the eu and it's the only part of the uk to share a land border with an eu state — ireland. since the referendum, one party, alliance, has grown significantly. it's pro—remain, but neutral on whether northern ireland should be part of the uk or ireland — and it's challenging the pro—leave dup in some of their strongholds. chris page looks at how these two thorny issues — northern ireland's place in the uk and its place in the eu could be changing the face of politics here. the brexitjourney has taken northern ireland in a different direction to the rest of the uk and the final destination is still uncertain. at this music festival, people say there have been years of political disharmony since the referendum. there was a lot of misinformation that maybe led to a vote that people didn't want. northern ireland really isn't capitalising on the position that we're in, being the link between the uk and the rest of europe. i feel like that's been a completely wasted opportunity. northern ireland is in the unique position of having full access to the eu and british markets. but there's also been a trade border in the irish sea — checks on goods arriving here from great britain. that led the democratic unionist party to veto the formation of a power—sharing devolved government for two years until a new agreement four months ago. it's not a job done, but it's significant work progress and we're going to build on that in the future. eight years ago today, the brexit referendum result was declared, a result the dup welcomed at the time. there are those who will say brexit�*s fundamentally damaged the union. the people chose what they wished to see the future of this country being. it was delivered for great britain, it has not been delivered for northern ireland — and in that respect, democracy has been dishonoured. another pro—brexit party, the traditional unionist voice, is accusing the dup of compromising too much. but unionists who opposed brexit say they've been proved right. those brexit purists, they haven't got the brexit they wanted. that's the problem. but the brexit they wanted could never be delivered. the whole cohesion of the union has been damaged because of brexit, but the irish sea border needs to go. irish nationalists ultimately want to remove another border — the land frontier with the republic of ireland. they argue that most people in northern ireland would want to rejoin the eu and irish unity is the only way to do it. i don't think it's likely, given the political context, particularly in england, that any government will rejoin the european union. i genuinely believe that will be very difficult to get back into the european union as full members while we're still part of the uk. in recent years, sinn fein has become the first nationalist party to win the most seats in councils and the devolved assembly. it says brexit has caused too much blockage. people want to see us move forward. people want to see that strong leadership. the positive change in their communities. unionists say they want to work with the next westminster government to remove any remaining trade barriers between here and the rest of the uk. are you prepared to work with them on that? we will work with anybody at the end of the day to eradicate any barriers there may be, but as we said from the outset of brexit, brexit was always going to mean friction. going to mean barriers and new borders. brexit has arguably increased the focus on constitutional issues, but the party, which is neither unionist nor nationalist, has grown strongly. alliance isn't advocating for a united ireland or for the united kingdom. what we're advocating for is the best possible outcome for northern ireland. i believe that closer alignment between the uk and the eu is best for northern ireland. i also believe it has benefits for the rest of ireland and the rest of the uk. concert—goers suggest historical identity politics is weakening. issues that matter. education is always very important on the economy, so we're getting to real politics here in northern ireland. elections show which way politics is moving. in northern ireland, perspectives are shifting, not least because of brexit. chris page, bbc news, belfast. throughout this election we've been asking you to get in touch with us to tell us what issues you would like to us to cover, through your voice your vote. jacqueline wood, who lives ten miles from here in lisburn, contacted us about the issue of support for those caring for people with learning difficulties. our correspondent colletta smith went to meet her. hello, jacqueline. sometimes the quietest people can have the most powerful voices. jacqueline's one of them — a full—time carer for her daughter emma, who has special needs. she knows everyone. she's just a wonderful person. do you want to say hello to coletta? why did you contact us? because absolutely nobody is talking about the learning disabled. jacqueline only gets half her allocated hours of home support because of a constant battle for staff. they're the most vulnerable people in society from the day they are born until the day they die, and they have to put them into a special category, and to pay a special category salary to the people who are doing such a good job caring for them. if they don't do that, they will never solve the problem. jacqueline's knitted a support network of other carers and families around her, but they're all struggling with the local respite centre closed at the moment. i have no idea why we come bottom of the list. i think other things just, i don't know, other thingsjust seem to get priority. the trust in charge told us they are working to provide local respite care again, but it can't come soon enough for beth, in her 80s, who cares for her sisterjenny. we carers are saving the government amount of money over the years. —— a mint of money. you know, and i think they should be able to help. my biggest heartache... ..is that emma has nowhere to go when i die. the politicians in westminster and in all the devolved assemblies have been weighed in the balance and they have been found wanting. i don't know how they look in the mirror. this election, jacqueline and herfriends are hoping someone will hear their voices, and support them in daily life. what we all say is the sun rises and we get up with it and you get through that day. and colletta is here. such a tough situation for everyone you talk to. what are the political parties are saying they will do about it? , ., ., parties are saying they will do aboutit? , ., ., ., , about it? frustration for carers ri . ht the about it? frustration for carers right the way _ about it? frustration for carers right the way across _ about it? frustration for carers right the way across the - about it? frustration for carers right the way across the uk - about it? frustration for carers right the way across the uk is l about it? frustration for carers| right the way across the uk is a very little specific detail has been given particularly around those caring for people with special needs. there is an agreement across most of the parties that this is to be struggling to cope and needs major reform. the liberal democrats and the labour party have both touched on the suggestion that increasing the minimum wage or making a higher minimum wage for people who are carers may well help solve the recruitment problem in the sector at the moment. but of course, funding for day care centres and respite care centres, devolved issues so it's up to the parties here in stormont as to how the use of funding and how they divide it up but of course, is the same politicians and political parties are standing for election in westminster as here at stormont. so for voters here, they wanted to hold those politician for accounts —— like those politicians to account to the same degree and they are hopeful that people making choices at westminster and here may well improve their lives in the coming months, but nobody is holding their breath, reeta. time now to find out how the election campaign is shaping up across the uk. in a moment, we'll hear from sharon edwards, bbc lincolnshire's political reporter, who's in the constituency of gainsborough. first let's go to peterborough, and bbc cambridgeshire's political reporter, kate moser andon. thanks, reeta. welcome to peterborough, the biggest city in the east of england and one of the fastest growing in the uk. it is home to a stunning medieval cathedral and the ultramodern anglia ruskin university of peterborough. people here say it can be nearly impossible to get hold of an nhs dentist and some residents are fed up dentist and some residents are fed up with fly—tipping and local high street shop closures. the city recently won nearly £23 million in town spend money on the hugger towards regenerating the city centre. the conservatives won here in 2019 but more recently in local elections in may, lost half of their seats to independents and other parties. it is a diverse city. nearly 80% of the population is muslim. so it will be interesting to see if each party's policies on the conflict in gaza has an impact. for decades now people here have either elected labour mps are conservative mps and it's been fairly close, making this one to watch. thanks, kate. let's hear now from sharon, who's in the constituency of gainsborough in lincolnshire. well, reeta, greater lincolnshire produces — well, reeta, greater lincolnshire produces 30% of the country's fresh vegetables. but this county is also subject— vegetables. but this county is also subject to — vegetables. but this county is also subject to 14 very large solar farm applications on farmland, including some of— applications on farmland, including some of the fields you can see behind — some of the fields you can see behind me. some residents are absolutely furious that food producing land could be given over to these _ producing land could be given over to these solar projects, although the companies behind them say they are not using the most fertile land. nevertheless, this is coming up again— nevertheless, this is coming up again and — nevertheless, this is coming up again and again and again in these election— again and again and again in these election campaigns across lincolnshire. as is pylons. national grid wants — lincolnshire. as is pylons. national grid wants to build a new line—up pylons— grid wants to build a new line—up pytons near— grid wants to build a new line—up pylons near the lincolnshire coast to take _ pylons near the lincolnshire coast to take green energy from scotland to take green energy from scotland to the _ to take green energy from scotland to the south—east of the country. lincolnshire county council has complained we are being used as a dumping _ complained we are being used as a dumping ground for green energy, it is even _ dumping ground for green energy, it is even threatening legal action because — is even threatening legal action because it says the residents and businesses here will not get any direct— businesses here will not get any direct benefit when it comes to their— direct benefit when it comes to their energy bills. sharon, thank you. and you can find a full list of all candidates standing in the general election on the bbc news website. that's it from here in belfast for now. back to jane in the studio. a 12—year—old boy with severe epilepsy has become the first patient in the world to trial a new device fitted to his skull to control seizures. oran knowson, from somerset, was having multiple seizures a day, some of them life—threatening. our medical editor fergus walsh has been following his treatment — just to warn you, this report contains images of surgery, and of a seizure. epilepsy dominates oran's life. his parents know he could have a seizure at any moment. some are so severe, he stops breathing. so this is a tonic—clonic. you can see he's rigid. quinn, baby, i need your help, please. quinn? this is distressing to watch, but it illustrates what oran and his family have endured for years. every moment of his life is affected because of his epilepsy. i want oran back. i want him to find some of himself again through the haze of seizures. i'd like to get my boy back. it's october 2023. surgeons at great ormond street hospital in london insert two electrodes deep into oran's brain. these are connected to a neurostimulator in his skull that will deliver a continuous current designed to block the bursts of electrical activity which trigger oran's seizures. this study is looking at a new type of device which is particularly useful in children because the implant is in the skull and not in the chest. and we hope that that will reduce the potential complications. not easy. in the coming months, three more patients will undergo the same surgery here at gosh as part of the first—ever trial in the uk of this device to treat severe childhood epilepsy. well done! walk on. walk on! and this is oran eight months on. his daytime seizures have reduced by 80%. oran also has autism and adhd, but he's becoming more active and independent. yee-hah! yee-hah! we're seeing a much better quality of life, i think. and he's happier. the great ormond street team gave us hope back, which was something we didn't have. now the future looks brighter. oran's family know his treatment is not a cure, but they're optimistic he will continue to emerge from the shadow cast by his epilepsy. fergus walsh, bbc news, somerset. and let's get an update on the forecast, here's darren bett. a hot day, darren? a hot day, darren? a cracker today across many parts of the country. we saw the heat moving northwards all the way into scotland today, and this was a weather watcher picture taken in aberdeenshire, where temperatures reached 27 celsius. it's been the hottest day of the year so far in scotland, or to —— also in northern ireland and in england, temperatures 28, the only nation to miss out was wales. things will change a bit in the next few days, it will be cooler tomorrow in scotland and northern ireland, we will see some showers moving down from the north—west but it will be hot and humid for longer across england and wales. overnight at night, we will be quite warm as well, particularly across parts of lincolnshire and east yorkshire. there will be more sunshine on the way for tomorrow across england and wales. a little bit cloudy around some of the western coastal areas. we will see the cloud bubbling up a bit across north wales and northern england, showers of the pennines. largely driver northern ireland despite the cloud but we will see some rain in scotland, could be some heavy showers breaking out particularly in the east in the afternoon. temperatures are lower, 19 in belfast, 22 in the central belt of scotland, highest averages through the midlands, yorkshire and lincolnshire towards east anglia and the south—east, could reach 30 in london. heading into wednesday, more sunshine for england and wales, the risk of to showers over the high ground in wales and north—west england. perhaps even into scotland. more sunshine across northern ireland, temperatures getting a bit of a boost but not as hot as today. silvery hot across many parts of england and wales, again, possibly 30 celsius in london. things are not going to change because this low pressure will push this front eastwards, it's all about the timing. coolerand eastwards, it's all about the timing. cooler and fresher air coming in from the west, still hot and humid for east anglia and the south—east. thanks, darren. and that's bbc news at six. now it's time to join our colleagues for the news where you are. goodbye. hello and welcome to sportsday, i'm hugh ferris. the headlines this evening. disappointment, but still something of a fanfare, scotland leave their bavarian base to head home after being knocked out of the european championship. is gareth southgate preparing to make changes for england's final group game...?