Surprise inflation rise driven by food, drink and clothing prices
The inflation rate rose unexpectedly to 10.4% in February, up from 10.1% in January. The Office for National Statistics says the Consumer Prices Index rate has been pushed up by higher prices in cafes, pubs and restaurants and the cost of food and clothing.
The BBC's Business Editor Simon Jack speaks to Minette Batters, President of National Farmers Union, and Karen Ward, Chief Market Strategist EMEA at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Today's Amol Rajan also speaks to Simon about the figures which measure how quickly prices go up.
(Image Credit: SolStock/ Getty Images)
3/22/2023
12:30
Baroness Casey and Sir Mark Rowley on Met failings
A highly critical report on Britain's biggest police force has found it to be "institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic". Baroness Louise Casey's review says the Metropolitan Police has failed to protect the public from staff who abuse women, and that female officers and staff routinely experienced sexism.
Mishal Husain speaks to the report's author Baroness Casey, as well as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about the findings. Mishal also spoke to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan who, with the Home Secretary, is responsible for overseeing the Met.
(Image: Baroness Casey, Credit: Kirsty O'Connor/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
3/21/2023
30:59
Henry Dimbleby: Government strategy on obesity 'makes no sense'
The businessman Henry Dimbleby who co-founded Leon has announced he is stepping down as a government adviser on food policy.
Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Henry Dimbleby about food policy and his new book 'Ravenous: How to get ourselves and Our Planet into Shape'.
(Image credit: RichLegg/ Getty Images)
3/20/2023
7:16
Iraq War: The impact two decades on
It has been two decades since the ground invasion of Iraq began. British and US forces led the attack which led to the toppling of Saddam Hussain's regime. The instability that followed led to brutal sectarian conflict, and eventually the rise of the Islamic State.
The BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen has travelled through Iraq and reports on the legacy and consequences of the invasion in 2003.
Today's Justin Webb also speaks to Sir Jeremy Greenstock, UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations between 1998 and 2003 and the UK's Special Representative for Iraq.
(Image credit: REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani)
3/20/2023
16:05
Sir Derek Jacobi on new film ‘Allelujah’
Following on from the government’s announcement on better pay for health workers, Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Sir Derek Jacobi who plays Ambrose in ‘Allelujah’, a new film which shows the pressures on the NHS.
‘Allelujah’ is based on the play by Alan Bennet, and set in a small Yorkshire hospital where most of the patients are elderly. The cast is drawn from some of the best known actors in the country including Jennifer Saunders, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Derek Jacobi.
Sir Derek told Martha about his bumptious character, Ambrose; and the joyful nature of an older ensemble cast – ‘we sit there… and travel back in time’. He spoke about his positive experiences at the NHS and the rejuvenating pleasure of being an actor for over sixty years.
IMAGE CREDIT: Eamonn M. McCormack and Stringer - Getty Images.jpg