interest rates have been held at 5.25% for the seventh time in a row by the bank of england, despite the rate of inflation hitting the bank s target level of 2% for the time in three years. of 2% for the first time in three years. economists have predicted that interest rates, which are currently at a 16 year high, won t be cut until august. with more, here s our chief economics correspondent, dharshini david. ok, so it s four bedrooms. first time buyerjames has his eye on his dream home in coventry. but getting the keys to the door has been more challenging than expected as higher mortgage rates have made the first rung of the housing ladder harder to grasp. we definitely had to make some cutbacks as a couple and look at our financial plan to see if we could afford the mortgage. with the rates being high, we ve had to save for effectively another year to come into line with that. it s also understanding, yeah, the term of the mortgage, you know, from looking at it, it s now
the war in gaza lacked a long term plan. the resignations from the demands from too far right ministers in the governing coalition tojoin the cabinet instead, including the security minister, ben gvir. meanwhile, benjamin netanyahu has criticised an israeli military plan that will pause fighting to allow more aid into gaza. yolanda nel is at the crossing into gaza and was given access to the area by the israeli military and the comments you are about to hear from military representatives. we are about to hear from military representatives. representatives. we are at the most southerly representatives. we are at the most southerly point - representatives. we are at the most southerly point of - representatives. we are at the most southerly point of israel, next to gaza, and this is the main entry point, the kerem shalom crossing. you have these lorries making their way across right now but far fewer supplies are getting in then were in the past. that is really adding to the
the decision means no officers have been held criminally responsible for mistakes made after stephen was murdered in april 1993 in a racist attack in south london. here s our correspondent, daniel de simone. the racist murder of teenager stephen lawrence took place 31 years ago at a south london bus stop. the failed first investigation is widely seen as one of the biggest disasters in the history of the metropolitan police. today an official review has concluded that four senior retired officers who ran the first inquiry should not be charged with a criminal offence. should not be charged with a criminal offence. , , ., ., criminal offence. this is a dreadful crime, a completely criminal offence. this is a dreadful crime, a completely unprovoked . crime, a completely unprovoked attack on a young 18 year old black youth. attack on a young 18-year-old black outh. , ., ., ., ., youth. their investigation failed to brina youth. their investigation failed to bring anyone yout
and stay with us here on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world. good evening from carmarthen. more than half way through this general election campaign, we re in wales tonight, looking at the political landscape of the nation and how it may change after polling day. we ve been also been asking you to get in touch and tell us about the issues you want the bbc to cover through your voice, your vote. we ll be hearing about green energy and the possible impact of its infrastructure on this beautiful landscape. we ll have more on that in a few minutes but first, reform uk launched its manifesto today, or contract, as the party calls it. the launch took place by chance in south wales. as well as policies on immigration, nigel farage outlined pledges on tax and the nhs. with more details, here s our political correspondent alex forsyth. there was something of a stir outside this community club in merthyr tydfil