ben king this is bbc news, the headlines: biden�*s set to sign a $95 billion foreign aid package for ukraine, taiwan and israel today — after us lawmakers gave it final approval. johnny timpson — one of the government's dementia champions — resigns in protest over the treatment of unpaid carers. former labour minister and welfare campaigner frank field, an mp for a0 years, dies aged 81. and at least two horses which were seen on the loose in central london, with one seemingly covered in blood, have now been recaptured. officials are waiting for vets to attend to

them. it's now ten years since the publication of a major report into deaths caused by asthma in the uk — which made several recommendations to save lives. since then, however, asthma has killed more than 12,000 people. that's a rise of nearly a quarter. our health correspondent sophie hutchinson has the details. warren was just ten years old when he died of asthma. he had been playing on a trampoline when he asked for his inhaler and, within minutes, he'd stop breathing. his mum, belinda, said nothing could be done to save him. warren literally was absolutely fine the day that he had his asthma attack. he wasn't poorly. there was no underlying symptoms. his asthma attack came out of nowhere. yeah, it's just... escalated to the point of no return and. ..and warren's asthma was very well controlled. he had it under control.

he suffered all his life with asthma and it was something he knew how to deal with himself. ten years ago, a major review of asthma deaths found that two thirds were preventable, and made recommendations to save lives. but, since then, 12,000 people in the uk have died from asthma — a rise of almost a quarter. nearly 70% of people with asthma said they weren't receiving basic care, according to a recent survey. and 82% of patients admitted to hospital as an emergency didn't see a gp or asthma nurse within the 48 hours after discharge when they were most at risk of another serious attack. the department of health and social care has said it's working to improve services for people with chronic conditions such as asthma and that it would be launching a major strategy to ensure care is centred around the patient. sophie hutchinson, bbc news.

ijust want i just want to bring you ijust want to bring you some breaking news we are getting, which is that two premier league footballers have been arrested in connection with an alleged rape. the pair, aged 19, were released on bail after being interviewed by police. we are told the players are at the same club which denied to comment on the allegations. officers have arrested two men following a report of rape, according to a police spokesperson. it went on to say, a 19—year—old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape. a second 19—year—old man was arrested on suspicion of rape. both men have since been released on police bail. these allegations were first reported by the sun newspaper, which said the alleged attack took place on friday. it is not known if the players had been suspended pending

the outcome of the police investigation. so the news confirmed investigation. so the news confirmed in the last couple of minutes is that two premier league footballers have been arrested in connection with an alleged rape. the pair, both aged 19, were released on bail after being interviewed by police. the players are at the same club, which has declined to comment on the allegations. those allegations were first reported by the sun newspaper, which said the alleged attack took place on friday. it's not known if those players have been suspended pending the outcome of that police investigation. you can read more about that story on the bbc news website or app. one of the government's dementia champions has resigned in protest over the treatment

of unpaid carers. johnny timpson was the uk's first disability ambassador. he said attempts by the department for work and pensions to claw back overpaid benefits was "devastating" for vulnerable families. our correspondent ben woolvin reports. johnny timpson has dedicated much of his life to helping others. this is him two years ago, being awarded an obe for services to disabled people. he is now giving up his role as a dementia champion to make a point about what he says is a crisis in the making. when you are limiting a neurological condition, that is a big, caring, heavy ask. that carer has a lot going on in their life. the last thing that they are probably able to get their head around is the complexity of their benefit entitlement. his complexity of their benefit entitlement.— complexity of their benefit entitlement. , ., . entitlement. his main concern unpaid carers being — entitlement. his main concern unpaid carers being told _

entitlement. his main concern unpaid carers being told told _ entitlement. his main concern unpaid carers being told told to _ entitlement. his main concern unpaid carers being told told to repay - carers being told told to repay thousands of pounds after earning too much in benefits. the threshold is £151after— too much in benefits. the threshold is £151 after tax _ too much in benefits. the threshold is £151 after tax and _ too much in benefits. the threshold is £151 after tax and national- is £151 after tax and national insurance. if you go a penny over that, you lose all of the £81.90. and that can accumulate, because often, the dwp system doesn't pick that up. the onus is on the character tell dwp. for example, they may have got a pay rise, they may have done over time. they don't realise they have gone over it, they have worked it out over a month instead of over a week. they then lose all of that. that then accumulates and they have to pay it back. so they are being criminalised.— back. so they are being criminalised. , , , ., ., criminalised. the issue is one of many facing _ criminalised. the issue is one of many facing carers, _ criminalised. the issue is one of many facing carers, with - criminalised. the issue is one of many facing carers, with a - criminalised. the issue is one of. many facing carers, with a debate criminalised. the issue is one of - many facing carers, with a debate in westminster this week hearing calls for those providing full—time support to loved ones to receive payments in line with the living wage. payments in line with the living wa . e. ., , . ., ., wage. the government must commit to imrovin: wage. the government must commit to improving carer's _ wage. the government must commit to improving carer's allowance _ wage. the government must commit to improving carer's allowance was - wage. the government must commit to improving carer's allowance was that i improving carer's allowance was that a government spokesperson said carer's a government spokesperson said ca rer�*s allowance a government spokesperson said carer's allowance has been increased by almost £1500 since 2010. the?

by almost £1500 since 2010. they said the government _ by almost £1500 since 2010. they said the government is _ by almost £1500 since 2010. they said the government is committed to fairness in the welfare system, with safeguards for managing repayments while protecting the public purse. on monday, carer christy michael told breakfast how extra money would make a difference to her. 2010 told breakfast how extra money would make a difference to her.— make a difference to her. 2010 was a ve lona make a difference to her. 2010 was a very long time _ make a difference to her. 2010 was a very long time ago — make a difference to her. 2010 was a very long time ago stuff _ make a difference to her. 2010 was a very long time ago stuff we - make a difference to her. 2010 was a very long time ago stuff we are - make a difference to her. 2010 was a very long time ago stuff we are in - make a difference to her. 2010 was a very long time ago stuff we are in a l very long time ago stuff we are in a very long time ago stuff we are in a very different financial world now. everything is increasing constantly. and we are just not given enough to cover all of the new expenses. teddi; cover all of the new expenses. today the minister— cover all of the new expenses. today the minister for _ cover all of the new expenses. today the minister for disabled _ cover all of the new expenses. today the minister for disabled people will face the ministerfor disabled people will face new questions over the handling of overpayments for carers when she appears before a select committee of mps. millions of people saw their state pension rise at the start of this month — but it wasn't all good news. for many, that meant having to start paying income tax on it. currently, of the 12.7 million people receiving the state pension last year, more than eight million paid income tax.

that's usually people who supplement their state pension with things like a part—time job or a private pension. so who needs to pay income tax on their pension? our cost of living correspondent colletta smith has been to age uk wirral to hunt for some answers. # happy friday afternoon.# getting a little more cash is usually good news, but, this time, it's leaving people in a spin. i don't know whether i need to pay tax now or not. you know, we just stump up what people ask us to. i haven't got a clue. the answer depends on your circumstances. so let me walk you through the main categories people fall into. if you only get the state pension, nothing changes for you — you're still below the £12,570 threshold. if you get a little extra through pension credit, then remember that that's tax free,

so won't push you over the threshold. but it's still a worry for 90—year—old audrey. luckily, at the moment, i don't pay tax, but i'm getting close. if there's another big increase next year, it might... it'll tip me over the edge, yes. the vast majority of pensioners get some extra income from a private or work pension or a job. so any income that takes you over the line will be taxed through the paye system — taken out before the money even hits your account. check what tax code you're on, though, to make sure that you're paying the right rate. you should only be paying 20% on anything above that 12,500 point. have you paid more? i've paid more tax, yes, i am paying more tax now. pam's just started paying income tax through a private pension for the first time this month. you feel like you've paid so much tax over your working life and, sometimes, you're paying tax on something you've already paid tax on.

if you earn more than the personal allowance through something else, like rental income, and you already do a self—assessment, you should keep doing that tax form. we owed more money this year, because we always owed money, but we owed even more money this year. because they've frozen the thresholds. so you've been doing a self—assessment then, online? yes. how has that process been for you doing that self—assessment? it's a bit of a pain, really, but you have to do it. if you earn extra income aside from pensions but haven't had to do a self—assessment yet, then hmrc have told us there's no need for you to start doing one now. if you do owe money, you'll be sent a bill at the end of the tax year. you won't get that bill till next july, but you'll have till the following january to pay it. if you're on a small income, trying to pay back hundreds of pounds is very difficult. we were lucky in that we were able to ask family for some advice. but i know most people aren't in that position.

hmrc say people can call their telephone helpline. we know that people might be worried that they may need to pay income tax for the first time and they're worried about what they need to do to be able to actually pay that to us. but they really don't need to worry about it at all, because if there is any tax due, we will contact them directly in maybe thejune orjuly after the end of the tax year, explaining exactly what they need to do. so, at the moment, they don't need to worry about anything. now, hundreds of thousands more pensioners are having to work out their next financial steps. colletta smith, bbc news, in bromborough. just an update on the story we told you earlier about reports of horses running on the loose in london. there were two horses that were

seen, you can see this video of them in central london, one of them seemingly covered in blood. london ambulance service are now telling us that four people have been confirmed to be injured. you can see there horses running out of control and are heading for people in central london. we are told that four people have been confirmed to be injured. the information coming to us from the london ambulance service. the horses are reportedly from the household cavalry, which works at buckingham palace. a bbc reporter who has been to the scene says a horse hit a tour bus near victoria station. what we don't know at the moment is how many horses were originally involved in this and how many might still be loose in london and what injuries those horses might have. we do know that the two horses have. we do know that the two horses have been caught and they are waiting for a vet to look at them.

obviously a distressing scene in the centre of london, with those horses running loose. we have now had it confirmed that four people have been injured. we have a live page running on the bbc news website and app with the latest on this incident. there are calls for food producers to be given greater support in adapting to the extreme weather caused by climate change. the agriculture and horticulture development board, which monitors crop yields and farming practices, says the price of staples such as bread, potatoes and oil could continue to rise. farming organisations say more funding needs to go into developing new farming methods. some farmers have already been adapting, as our rural affairs correspondent, lucy vladev, reports: with the wettest 18 months on record, it's been a battle against the elements for farmers

to get food out of flooded fields and new crops into the ground. so here we've got 25 hectares of wetland that used to be arable land for food production. greg is one of many farmers facing challenges in the changing weather. there's a big part of me that all i want to do is produce food. butl... we are seriously struggling to find the viability in certain areas of the farm. with more regular flooding, he's turned some of his fields into floodplains for wildlife and moved crops elsewhere. we decided it wasn't viable to produce crops on. so, instead, we've decided to allow them to flood and stop draining them — stop physically going out and trying to drain them to produce food and instead creating a habitat. at nearby eric's farm, a different technique is being used to protect his cattle and crops. so we've planted this hedge.

it's 2,000 trees. it will help to slow the flow of water off the field. it will also provide a lot of shelter for the cows, and they also like to eat hedges. so there are many, many benefits. and, as well as physical adaptations, eric is also looking at what he grows to be more resilient. so we've got maybe 70 plants that we're growing. i totally understand why most farms will approach this with a "i've got three crops. i know how to sell them. i've got the machinery for them. it makes life simpler," but i think that there's the risk of that going wrong, given climate volatility is too great. it may feel far removed from the food that ends up on our plates. but extreme weather is already having an impact on basic ingredients, like oil and potatoes, with prices up and production down. and so the choices made on fields like this impact all of us. but adaptation isn'tjust limited to how we grow and what we grow — science is also playing a role

on a microscopic level. as we move along, there are little squares. each of these squares is a different kind of wheat, and the skanalyzer is taking photographs as it moves along. and it's doing these 2a/7. around 100 breeds of wheat are being tested here at rothamsted research centre, looking at building diversity within the plant itself. so we're trying to anticipate how the climate will change and therefore what wheat will need to look like. and then what we try and do is to breed different kinds of varieties, which will be more adaptable to those different conditions. it's so important notjust because food production is worth billions to the uk economy, but now agricultural groups are warning we're in a race to adapt to climate change or the consequences for ourfood production could be dire. it's prompted calls from the national farmers' union for better support — something the government says they're already prioritising. i think we are seeing more and more challenges in terms of weather

patterns and the impact of climate change. that's why the government is investing so much money in trying to mitigate the impact but also futureproof us a bit — so investing in new technology. are we incentivising the right things, though? farmers are currently being paid for floodplains, but not food production, they say. well, no, i mean, we're doing both because, obviously, investing in new technology and the latest equipment helps them to produce food, but do that more efficiently, so we can actually produce more food from less land, which leaves some land available then for other the things that we want to do as a society. and striking that balance is vital for guiding what food production will look like in the future. lucy vladev, bbc news. the former labour minister and crossbench peer, frank field, has died at the age of 81. he'd been a leading voice on welfare reform for much of his career

and had served as the mp for birkenhead on merseyside for 30 years. frank was director of child poverty action group for a decade. let's speak to the charity's chief executive alison garnham. what sort of man was frank? frank was a very — what sort of man was frank? frank was a very brave — what sort of man was frank? frank was a very brave individual - what sort of man was frank? frank was a very brave individual who - what sort of man was frank? faking was a very brave individual who is very strategic, committed, steadfast, but he was a true campaigner. his real legacy to us is the effect on child benefit. when he was at the child poverty action group, it looked like the government was about to abandon child benefit and abandon its election pledge, and there was a leak that he was able to make public. as a result, child benefit was introduced in 1977. he said himself that it was the biggest ever redistribution of income to families, particularly to poor families. that was his legacy from child poverty action group. we all

receive money as parents today as a result of that action. he receive money as parents today as a result of that action.— result of that action. he paved the wa for result of that action. he paved the way for other _ result of that action. he paved the way for other things _ result of that action. he paved the way for other things as _ result of that action. he paved the way for other things as well, - result of that action. he paved the way for other things as well, like l way for other things as well, like minimum wage and free school meals, things like that? x�*fes. minimum wage and free school meals, things like that?— things like that? yes. in the early da s, things like that? yes. in the early days. those _ things like that? yes. in the early days, those were _ things like that? yes. in the early days, those were our _ things like that? yes. in the early days, those were our main - things like that? yes. in the early - days, those were our main campaigns. he was instrumental in campaigning for the national minimum wage, so thatis for the national minimum wage, so that is a legacy of his achievements, again. he was so strategic that was able to be very successful. i strategic that was able to be very successful-— strategic that was able to be very successful. ., , ., ., , successful. i was reading a tribute from sir ton)! _ successful. i was reading a tribute from sir tony blair. _ successful. i was reading a tribute from sir tony blair. he _ successful. i was reading a tribute from sir tony blair. he was - successful. i was reading a tribute from sir tony blair. he was of- from sir tony blair. he was of course a minister in tony blair's government in 1997. he said he was an independent thinker, never constrained by conventional wisdom, but always pushing out new ideas. he was prepared to stand up for what he believed in, wasn't he? he was prepared to stand up for what he believed in, wasn't he?— believed in, wasn't he? he was, and ma be he believed in, wasn't he? he was, and maybe he wasn't _ believed in, wasn't he? he was, and maybe he wasn't who _ believed in, wasn't he? he was, and maybe he wasn't who people - believed in, wasn't he? he was, and| maybe he wasn't who people thought he was. he did not want to means test everybody, he was omitted to

contributory benefits and a decent pension system. and he was true to those beliefs —— he was committed and consistent throughout his life. and he went into the lords as a crossbencher. he was prepared to fall out with the labour party if need be, even though he was a labour mp. �* ., , ., ., ., need be, even though he was a labour mp. ., ., need be, even though he was a labour mp. and that is again a sign of him bein: ve mp. and that is again a sign of him being very principled. _ mp. and that is again a sign of him being very principled. if— mp. and that is again a sign of him being very principled. if there - mp. and that is again a sign of him being very principled. if there were things he believed in strongly, he stuck by them. he had two terms as chair of the work and pensions committee when he was in the house of commons, and those were both characterised by excellent reports. before he left parliament, he was at the work and pensions committee and the work and pensions committee and the workrate was incredible. what the work and pensions committee and the workrate was incredible.— the workrate was incredible. what is the workrate was incredible. what is the one thing _ the workrate was incredible. what is the one thing you — the workrate was incredible. what is the one thing you will _ the workrate was incredible. what is the one thing you will remember - the workrate was incredible. what is| the one thing you will remember him for? his the one thing you will remember him for? . , the one thing you will remember him for? , , ., ., . , , the one thing you will remember him for? , , ., ,. for? his truly great legacy is child benefit. i think _ for? his truly great legacy is child benefit. i think without _ for? his truly great legacy is child benefit. i think without him - for? his truly great legacy is child benefit. i think without him and i for? his truly great legacy is child l benefit. i think without him and his campaigning efforts, we would never have achieved it. me

campaigning efforts, we would never have achieved it.— have achieved it. we are all crateful have achieved it. we are all grateful for _ have achieved it. we are all grateful for that. _ have achieved it. we are all grateful for that. alison - have achieved it. we are all - grateful for that. alison garnham, thank you for your memories of frank field, who died today. now, if you are of a certain generation — like myself — you will remember as a child sitting down and watching play school on the tv. one of its stars was floella benjamin. now a baroness, she is to receive the bafta fellowship for her outstanding contribution to tv over the last half century. the actress, broadcaster and campaigner is best known for her work in children's television. as a peer in the house of lords, she's brought in legislation that's made a significant difference to the genre. our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba reports. a house... ..with a door. in 1976, a new face appeared on one of television's most loved shows. this is floella. hello. she appeared on play school for more than ten years. here you are, humpty. jemima. the huge contribution

she's made to tv... through the square window. ..has been recognised with her receiving the bafta fellowship. could you ever have imagined how aspirational a figure you'd become for young viewers? never. the amount of people who said, "you just being there opened doors for me — made me as i was growing up, four or five—year—old watching you, knowing that anything is possible." people from all cultures, all countries were all saying, "you were my inspiration." and that's the most wonderful feeling. i have always focused on the happiness of children. for decades, she's used herfame in front of the camera to improve young people's lives through her work with charities as well as her parliamentary campaigning. in parliament, i get so much done because, in parliament many of the ministers are my play school babies — they�* re my babies. you know, so when i want legislation done in parliament, the ministers know how passionate and committed i've been.

that's why i've got tax credit for children's programmes done. i got itv, channel 4, channel 5 to actually start making children's programmes because up until a few years ago, only 1% of children's programmes was made in this country. and the ministers, who changed the laws for me said, "we're doing it for you, floella." in fact, that last legislation was called the benjamin amendment and they said, "because, floella benjamin, you have committed your life to children." like other big figures like madonna, kylie, when people mention that one word, floella, you're the person that instantly springs to mind for millions. that must feel very, very special. very, very nice. i mean, it's the most lovely feeling. and i... and i always take it with the sense of gratitude that i have been blessed to be in that kind of position and to make people feel anything is achievable. i think that's my goal. make sure i don't make it sound as if it's unreachable.

i want to make it as achievable as possible and to make you feel that if she can do it, then i can do it. floella, honoured in so many ways over the years, now with a bafta fellowship. thank you and congratulations from one of your play school babies. aw! i want to hug you. lizo mzimba, talking to floella benjamin. i was also one of the playschool babes. just seeing her has brought those memories back of my childhood. a lovely, amazing woman, she will get that bafta fellowship later this month. we will have coverage of the bafta tv awards here on bbc news. a guitar played byjohn lennon and paul mccartney is going up for auction after spending the last 50 years hidden in an attic. the framus12—string hootenanny

was used in sessions for the beatles albums help! and rubber soul. the auctioneers expect it to fetch up to $800,000 when it goes under the hammer in new york next month. now, i'm sure she was a playschool babe as well. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. rather like the last few days, west is best in terms of temperatures today, but even here, temperatures are a bit lower than they have been. if you have an allergy to tree pollen, oak tree pollen is at its peak at the moment and the levels today england and also wales. we're still pulling in this northerly flow, the air coming straight down from the arctic, blowing in a lot of cloud and some showers along the east coast. but the wind really accentuating the cold feel to the day, and here we will see some showers on and off as we go through the course of the afternoon. a few showers getting in across south—west wales and also into south—west england, but a lot of dry weather.

areas of cloud at times, but sunny spells. and these are our temperatures, up to 13 degrees. but don't forget, it will feel cooler than these temperatures are suggesting because of the wind in the east. now, through this evening and overnight, we start dry. there'll be some clear spells. we've also got a weather front moving southwards across scotland, getting into northern england by the end of the night with some showers, wintry on higher ground, and it's going to be cold wherever you are. a few showers in wales, the southwest, and also the southeast, certainly by the end of the night. this is the weather front that's moving southwards through the night and will continue to do so through the course of thursday. still bringing in some showers, and as we go through the morning, they're not going to be particularly heavy. but as they get into central southern england into the afternoon, you could catch the odd sharp one here and there. a lot of dry weather around, too, but there'll be some scattered showers and it's not going to be as windy, so it's not going to feel as bitter as it has done along the east coast.

but temperatures still out towards the west, 11 to about 13 degrees. beyond that, we've got an area of low pressure that brings showers into the south on friday. but then another one brings rain up from the south, heading northwards during the course of sunday. now, with it, it's going to bring in some milder air. so you can see the first one. and here's the second area of low pressure moving north, butjust how far north it gets is still open to some question. so with it, it's notjust going to bring higher temperatures than we've had, but also some rain. so as we go into the outlook period, it certainly does remain unsettled. there'll be rain, or indeed, there'll be some showers, but note how the temperature slowly rises.

live from london, this is bbc news. in the next few minutes our colleagues will be interviewing the mother of one of the nottingham attacks. before that, a news summary. we start this hour with reaction to the news that us lawmakers in the senate have approved a 95 billion dollar aid package for ukraine, israel and taiwan. president biden says he will sign the bill later today and that more arms and equipment will be sent to ukraine within a week. the overwhelming vote in favour of the deal marks the end of six months of deadlock amongst us politicians. the measures approve around $61 billion in long—awaited aid for ukraine alone. it also designates more than $26 billion in aid for military support for israel and humanitarian aid for gaza.

and $8 billion for taiwan and us indo—pacific allies.