15/04/2014 BBC News at One

Inflation falls for the sixth month in a row for the first time since

modern records began. It dropped from 1.7% in February to

1.6% in March, easing the squeeze on wage packets.

Also this lunchtime... Andy Coulson denies knowing Milly

Dowler's phone was hacked while he was editor of the News of the World.

Reeva Steenkamp's Valentine's card to Oscar Pistorius is read out in

court. She told the athlete she loved him.

The scrap metal firm refusing to move for Tottenham Hotspur 's new

stadium. Hallow. The rate of inflation fell

for the six-month in a row and stood at 1.6% last month. The news comes a

day ahead of new figures which are expected to show that wages are

rising than prices. Our chief economic correspondent reports. It

is a central issue for the economy. Inflation is running at 1.6%, the

lowest in more than four years. The pressure on consumers is easing.

Inflation has been falling for several months. Now it is 1.6%. Food

price inflation is down, the cost of filling up your car is down and

people are feeling the benefits. The gap between average earnings and

inflation has closed. In the years leading up to the recession,

earnings increases were comfortably above inflation. Then the two

reversed, putting a big squeeze on household budgets. Some bosses are

offering big pay increases because the economy is growing and sales are

rising. Here they produce customised T-shirts and badges, mainly for the

music business. They are paying more than they do not lose staff. We

really want to keep hold of people. A lot of people are ambitious. They

want to be succeeding themselves. We are keen to keep hold of them, once

we train them up and make sure the workforce we built stays with us for

a certain amount of time so we get value out of them. Average wage

rises may be catching up with cost of living increases. What does that

mean for consumers? A prolonged squeeze on living standards has

meant it would take a while for people to notice the difference.

People we spoke to in the league said they did not necessarily feel

better. I had to buy a car and house and council tax. I have seen the

cost of living going up. Fuel is more and food costs, etc. My wages

have managed to increase enough to cover that. House price inflation is

accelerating. There was an annual increase above 9% in February,

according to the Office for National Statistics. For home-buyers, that

means pressure on budgets. How close are we to the moment when wage

increases overtake inflation? We could get figures tomorrow which

demonstrate that could happen. Average earnings numbers are out. If

not tomorrow, wages could be higher. There is a debate about the

cost of living. More or less nonstop since 2008 average pay has lagged

behind inflation and people have been really squeeze on the living

standards. That has held back growth of the economy and off as he shaped

a major political debate between government and opposition. When the

two lines cross, that will be an important moment. As we have been

saying, will people notice a difference? We have had getting on

for six years of a squeeze, the technical crossing of a line does

not make a huge amount of difference to lifestyle and spending power. It

may take several months to feed through to people 's spending power

and how they feel about the economy. The former editor of the News of the

World, Andy Coulson, has described phone hacking as a breach of privacy

and lazy journalism. He's told the Hacking trial that he was not aware

of the practice at the time that Millie Dowler was murdered. Today on

his second day in the witness box, he was confronted with that. Did he

know about phone hacking and was he involved in it? Each time he denied

it. And equals and was a senior figure at the news of the world

throughout the time when some of the paper 's journalists and a private

investigator where hacking phones. Only now has been asked -- he'd been

asked about it. He said he did not know about phone hacking that it was

gossiped about. It was in the ether and not called phone hacking. He did

not know it was illegal. He told the court...

But it happened. The hacking of the phone of Millie Dowler is accepted

fact. He's specifically denied any knowledge of her son being hacked.

In fact, and usually, that week in April 2002, Rebekah Brooks was here,

to buy, on holiday. That meant Andy Coulson was in charge. The paper had

reporters working on this story that messages had been left on the phone

of Millie Dowler about the job she had applied for. The initial lead

had come from phone hacking. Police had said it might be a hoax. And

equals and said he felt the story was discussed in the paper 's

morning conference. His view, her picture was everywhere, the idea she

was applying for jobs was ludicrous. He said he thought the story had

probably come from police sources. He was concerned the police

investigation might have been interrupted in some way. He said he

thought it was a pretty unremarkable story, the suggestion that Millie

Dowler was going for a job. He said it was not one that was tagged with

a News of the World exclusive seal. That is why you thought it was not a

major story for the paper. He said it was not a story that came up in

his discussions with Rebekah Brooks on holiday. That is something the

prosecution has alleged from the start. The former national head of

counterterrorism is to lead an enquiry into 25 Birmingham schools

over allegations of a hard line Islamist takeover plot with the

appointment of connectivity Assistant Commissioner of the net

has been described as desperately unfortunate by the chief constable

of West Midlands Police. That speak to Norman Smith, who is in

Westminster. This is causing quite a row. There are already a number of

investigations going on to the allegations that Birmingham schools

have been targeted and attempts made to take them over by Islamist

extremist groups. We have an investigation being carried out by

the city council. West Midlands Police is also looking into it. That

vomited education officials are looking at their own work. Michael

Gove has said he wants to bring in this man because the allegations are

so serious and also because he is concerned about the potentially

corrosive effect it will have on public confidence and schooling in

Birmingham. He has therefore portend the former head of counterterrorism.

The difficulty is that the read across. Dashes-macro he has

therefore brought in. We have had the police and crime commission

describing the decision to appoint Peter Clarke is completely

inappropriate. I am told by those around Michael Gove that Peter

Clarke has been brought in primarily because he is a top policeman who

will get to the bottom of it. His 31 X -- he has 31 years of experience.

He will come up with answers. They have no evidence of any Al-Qaeda or

jihadis links to these groups. I also understand there is a concern

that some of these groups may be in amicable to community cohesion. That

underlines just how seriously Michael Gove takes the concerns that

some of these groups may have an agenda which goes way beyond

religion. The girlfriend of Oscar this story is told him she loved him

in a Valentine's Day card on the day she died. The athlete was asked to

read it out in court as his cross-examination came to an end. He

described the moment when he broke down a toilet talk dashes-macro

door. He said he thought he was shooting at an intruder will -- an

intruder. You get the sense that Oscar Pistorius will not be sorry to

no longer have the prosecutor asking him relentless questions. The

figures again today on what was going through the mind of the

athlete the moment he pulled the trigger. Also, what was he talking

about two Reeva Steenkamp beforehand? Why didn't he alert her

best why did he not find out where she was? Oscar Pistorius bends to

straighten his trousers. It is back into court for the last few hours of

a marathon cross examination which has tested insurance and

credibility. The prosecutor insisted he was screaming in anger at his

girlfriend in the seconds before he shot her. Not true, Oscar this story

is insisted. I was overcome with terror and a square -- despair.

Oscar Pistorius was asked to act out how he had broken through the toilet

door to reach Reeva Steenkamp. The prosecution accused him of lying. I

heard her breathing so I tried to pick her up and get out of the

toilet. He insisted the shooting was an accident and he could not be

blamed. Who should be blamed? Somebody or something? Who should be

blamed? I am not sure. Soon after, the cross-examination ended and the

defence, seeking to limit the damage from the past few days, asked Oscar

Pistorius about this, the Valentines cards given to him by Reeva

Steenkamp. She says, I think today is a good day to tell you that... I

love you. With that, a trained Oscar Pistorius left the witness box. Next

forensic expert. That expert has done tests on how dark his bedroom

would have been that night and what the neighbours would have been able

to see through the bathroom window, where Reeva Steenkamp was shot.

We're likely to hear a lot more defence expert witnesses in the days

and weeks ahead. There is a special programme showing the highlights of

today in court on the BBC News Channel.

The acting Ukrainian president says an operation has begun to dislodge

pro-Russia gunmen from government buildings. It has prompted a new

warning from Russia that the use of force could jeopardise talks planned

for later in the week. This report follows. Pro-Russian protests goes

continue to manned barricades at their headquarters waiting for an

assault that may or may not come. The activists who occupy government

buildings here and elsewhere in eastern Ukraine are on high alert.

Deadlines to surrender have already been ignored and, today, there was a

new warning from the Ukrainian government. Anti-terrorist

operations have started in the north of the region. They will be

conducted stage by stage, responsibly and cautiously. The

objectives of these actions I stress once again is to protect Ukrainian

citizens to stop the terror, to stop criminality, to stop attempts to

tear Ukraine to pieces. This report shows Ukrainian armoured vehicles in

the east of the country. Could these have been part of an operation

against pro-Russian separatists? In Kiev, the strains of the country

being torn between East and West are clear to see. Here, a pro-Russian

presidential candidate is beaten up by protesters while trying to leave

a television studio. Last night, the US and Russian leaders spoke on the

phone. A White House statement said President Obama expressed grave

concern about Russian support for separatists. In response, the

Kremlin said, such speculations are based on inaccurate information.

TRANSLATION: The use of force sabotage is matters. Talks are due

to start on Thursday. Whether they can succeed remains uncertain. A

military operation may be fully underway by then.

Inflation falls for the sixth month in a row

for the first time since modern records began.

It dropped from 1.7% in February to 1.6% in March.

And still to come, all packed up and ready to go,

the Tyrannosaurus skeleton off on a road trip.

Later on BBC London, inspired by the Paralympics,

head to Stoke Mandeville for a special sports day.

Rory Bremner tells us about his West End debut in a Noel Coward comedy.

A memorial service is being held this afternoon in Liverpool

to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

96 Liverpool fans went to watch their team

in an FA Cup match in Sheffield and were killed that day.

the match was halted at six minutes past three in the afternoon.

church bells will be rung 96 times across Merseyside

Yes, Sophie, people are starting to arrive at Anfield for the service.

It gets under way in about an hour and a half, 25,000 people expected

to come to Anfield to remember the 96 and lost their lives. Their names

will be read out at the service, Reyes will be said, hymns will be

sung, and there will be readings by the managers of both Liverpool and

Everton. For many, the grief and loss have

mixed with anger and a sense of injustice. Today, though, is about

remembrance of each of the 96 who died. 28-year-old Allen was one of

them. He had two young daughters. Now grown-up, today, as they do

every year, they will attend the memorial service at Anfield. It is

like going to a funeral every year, it just seems ten times worse on the

15th. It is great, though, because you realise you are not alone, there

are other people feeling the exact same as you. None of us want to be

there because obviously you have got to lose someone to go there. Also

going to the memorial services Bruce Grobbelaar, who was playing in goal

for Liverpool when the disaster happened. Is it something that still

haunts you? Every year at this time, you will always think of that day.

When the memorial service is every single year, when I have not been, I

think about them, and I go to church and I pray. This year, it will be

better, because I am here. The frustration of the crowd at the

service boiled over five years ago. The greatest achievement of the Kop

was without a ball being kicked, when they tore into Andy Burnham on

the 20th anniversary. I remember that day, and I was cringing. I

thought it was the wrong thing, but the Kop was right once again. It led

to the creation of an independent panel whose findings pave the way

for new inquests. While, yes, there is hope, people do need to remember

that now is as difficult as it ever has been for the families, and we

all need to bear that in our minds as they go through the next few

difficult weeks and months. Today, as Anfield remembers 96 lives lost,

96 seats have been set aside. The supporters who died had gone to

watch the game they loved. The world of football has returned that

affection. Every league club sending scarves in a show of solidarity with

the fans who will never be forgotten. Judith Moritz, BBC News,

Liverpool. There will be a minute's silence here in the stadium and

across the Hull City of Liverpool, the whole city will come to a

standstill, church bells will ring, and people will be asked to remember

96 colour fans who went to a football match and never came home.

There is no guarantee that warships would continue to be built in

Scotland if the country votes for independence, that is the warning

from the Defence Secretary, who win a speech in Glasgow said UK security

would be damaged by independence, but the SNP says he is spreading

myths and misinformation. Lorna Gordon reports.

It is the latest front in the battle over whether Scotland should become

independent or remain as part of the United Kingdom. The Defence

Secretary today arguing that security underpins almost every area

of the debate on Scottish independence. I have no doubt and

taking centuries of shared security and prosperity would damage both

Scotland and the rest of the UK. It would leave us all week. It would

leave us all less secure. Philip Hammond's message but the workers

here and two voters throughout Scotland was that Scotland is as

integral to the United Kingdom's security as the United Kingdom is to

Scotland. But he also used his visit to this military contract in Glasgow

to warn that the defence budget for an independent Scotland could not be

sustained and that sales from companies like this would be

jeopardised by independence. One worker at the company said he

appeared to be threatening people's jobs in the run-up to the

referendum. The claims were also rejected by the Scottish Government.

Cuts to personnel, cuts to spending and our historic regiments, that is

the legacy of the UK Government. An independent Scotland would have the

resources to pay for what we require, giving us the appropriate

conventional defence capabilities, including maritime patrol aircraft,

that will see us getting rid of things we do not require, like

Trident. The row has coincided with rows from the top Royal Navy officer

that a yes vote would leave the navy week and less efficient. SNP

military advisers say an independent Scotland would be more than capable

of running its armed forces and that a reconfigured military would have a

regional, not global focus. Voters will have to decide who they

believe. Lorna Gordon, BBC News, Glasgow.

The UKIP leader Nigel Farage has dismissed as outrageous

claims that he abused the European Parliament's allowance system.

The Times alleges that the MEP received ?15,500 a year

to run his constituency office in Bognor Regis

but the office had been provided rent-free by UKIP supporters.

Our political correspondent Ross Hawkins reports.

Carbs, pines and straight talking - Nigel Farage styles and self as a

man who is not like all those other politicians, but today he is facing

allegations in the press about his Parliamentary allowances. The times

says he has received over ?15,000 a year to run an office near Bognor

Regis, but the paper says the office costing just ?3000 a year. He has

challenged those figures and says he has done nothing wrong. I have,

since 1999, quite openly taken the money provided by this general

allowance, used it for my campaign in Britain for Britain to leave the

European Union. You can see some detail of his claims here, published

by UKIP on their site. The party says Nigel Farage has other officers

to fund. There has been an endless bitter debate about expenses at

Westminster, but members of the European Parliament get a lot of

freedom about how they spent the general allowance worth some ?3500

every month. And one pro-European campaign says Nigel Farage needs to

be much clearer about what he has spent. This is taxpayers' money we

are talking about, not some kind of banker's bonus that Nigel Farage can

do with what he pleases. He has to be transparent about this. UKIP

knows that expenses rows in the press, like the one that cost Maria

Miller her Cabinet job, grab public attention. Nigel Farage made a

cheerful trip to her constituency to drive home the point, and his

opponents would love to see him dogged by questions about his own

allowances as the European elections get closer. Ross Hawkins, BBC News,

at Westminster. As summer approaches, there's

good news for Britain's beaches. A record number, more than 70%,

have been given an excellent rating for water quality by the

Marine Conservation Society. Researchers believe

that last summer's dry weather means there's less pollution

than in recent years. Hywel Griffith is at Porthcawl

for us. Yes, this is one of the 538

recommended beaches, and if you take a look out, it is pretty popular

today during the Easter holidays with families, plenty of children

playing, their parents want to be sure that the water quality is clear

and unpolluted. The tide is out, so there is only a few brave souls

dipping their toes in it, but this is a popular place with servers as

well, and having clean water is important to them. This record

number of recommended beaches is largely down to last year'slong dry,

clear summer that resulted in less pollution washing into the sea and

clearer drainage systems. Now, it doesn't account for the more recent

wild winter we have had, which has actually changed the shape of the

coastline down your plants in South Wales and parts of the Bristol

Channel. -- downy here. But tests like these are going to become

increasingly popular, because by 2015, any beach that does not make

the sufficient standard will have to display a big sign warning people

not to bathe in the water. It's one of the most complete T-rex

skeletons ever found, and it's about to go on a road trip

across America. The remains,

which are 66 million years old, and are being driven

from Montana to Washington, DC. In a basement at the Museum of the

Rockies, one of the most delicate packing jobs in history is under

way. This is part of the pelvis of the T-rex... Dick Steen boxes filled

with dinosaur bones, the 66 million -year-old remains of the T-rex bound

for the Natural History Museum in Washington. -- extreme. This does

not come along very often, this is pretty much a once in a lifetime

moment to stand here and pack up a tyrannosaurus and put it on display.

I think most museums, if they are lucky, get one shot at that. It is

named after a rancher who found the bones in Montana in 1988. The

skeleton includes the first example of a complete Taranis auris forearm,

and it is one of the most examined and documented dinosaurs in the

world. . Montana is dinosaur country, but how do scientists know

they have found one? Put your tongue on it, it sticks! Try on a normal

rock, it does not stick. You can tell that is a normal rock. Many

fossils have left Montana, but few have been packed with so much care.

It has taken the best part of a week to get to this stage, hundreds of

bones, some of them just tiny fragments, all individually wrapped

and ready for shipping. The question now is how to get them to

Washington. The bones are being transported in a huge climate

controlled truck. It has added security systems, and the journey

across the US is under constant satellite surveillance. This bronze

cast of the wine is all gives a good idea of how it will look when it is

assembled. The satellite story tells the

picture well, clear blue skies for most of us from dawn to dusk. High

pressure in charge of the weather, but today it is over in the North

Sea, a subtle change that changes the wind flow across the British

Isles, and it is the winds that have a big impact on temperatures.

Yesterday's warmest spot will be much cooler today, yesterday 18, the

warmest air will be wafting across the North West of England, into

Northern Ireland, with temperatures rising. Clear blue skies for the

majority of the country, but there will be small amounts of fair

weather cloud building up across north-east England, a cool breeze on

North Eastern coasts. Northern Ireland, more sunshine and warm,

highs of 16 in the North, and for Scotland we have lost the showers, a

dry picture for all, plenty of sunshine. As we head through the

evening and overnight, a touch of frost in Northern Ireland and

Scotland, particularly in rural areas, temperatures lifting during

the second part of the night as the breeze begins to freshen. Towns and

cities not desperately cold, but like last night, in the countryside,

we are looking at patches of frost, moving into southern areas of

England, something that gardeners might want to take note of. Another

cold start into Wednesday, the area of high pressure still on the

scene, but drifting to Germany, allowing Atlantic France to move

into the north and west. For most of us, a fine day on Wednesday, a cold

start to the morning, but plenty of sunshine. A little bit of rain

moving into the north-west of Northern Ireland, otherwise a dry

picture. With winds from the south-east, it will be warmer,

temperatures reaching 17 or 18 Celsius. Thursday, the weather front

slides southwards, for most of us a build of cloud across the skies and

lower temperatures, but across the south-east that front has not

reached, so I is reaching as much as 20 degrees. As far as Easter

concerned, a dry and relatively sunny start, but questions about

Sunday and Monday, the weather could turn and settled.