01/08/2017 BBC News at Six

Millions face higher electricity bills after British Gas

The company says there'll be help for the poorest households

but a typical bill will go up by nearly ?80.

They seemed to overcharge and the bills go up, prices go up and then

they do not go down when prices go down. I guess you have the option to

choose a different supplier. We'll be asking why bills

are going up while wholesale It's 50 times more

powerful than heroin - Fenatanyl, the drug that's led

to dozens of deaths. Moped menace - police reveal

new tactics to tackle the two-wheeled crime wave that's

hitting the capital. Once they were in, now they're out -

what the White House staff changes A new pilot scheme that could give

rural communities better And coming up in

Sportsday on BBC News. The world's greatest sprinter

prepares for his final bow. We'll hear from Usain Bolt's pre

world championships press Good evening and welcome

to the BBC News at Six. Over three million British Gas

customers face a hefty rise The company argues that it's

own costs have risen - and from September it will charge

12.5% more for electricity. Well, a typical household

on a dual fuel tariff will see its annual bill go up

by ?76. It's the first increase

from British Gas for nearly four years but that hasn't stopped

consumer groups and the government Our business editor,

Simon Jack, reports. Electricity, a basic need, a simple

product. The same wherever all whoever you buy it from. If you buy

from British Gas it will be 12.5% more expensive from September as the

U:K.'s largest supplier, it hikes prices for the first time in four

years. Given wholesale costs have come down over that period, why

waste prices now. We agree over the last few years since we dropped

electricity prices the last time, wholesale costs have indeed fallen

by about ?36 on a typical bill. But we've seen these other factors of

transmission and distribution costs and energy policy costs go up by

almost ?100. That is the main driver. Electricity may be a simple

commodity but the factors that influence its price are complicated.

22% of the bill is made up of the company's operational

The wholesale price makes up 36% of the bill, that's the price at

which the energy suppliers buy the energy they then sell on to us.

But British Gas concedes that this has

actually fallen since the beginning of the year.

Then there's the cost of delivering the electricity to our

British Gas says rising costs here is one reason responsible for

But figures from Ofgem show these costs fell over the last

The other one is government policy, that makes up 13% and that

includes increases to renewable energy and promoting energy saving

British Gas says they're going up, Ofgem

No wonder some consumers are confused. They make it as

complicated as they can and people do not understand. The bills are not

clear. I do not know where British Gas are coming from but you have the

option to choose another supplier. Wholesale prices have stayed the

same or have gone down as far as I know. They put them up for consumers

and that is disgusting. British Gas froze prices when others raised them

earlier in the year so it is catching up with the rest of the

pack. Consumer groups say it is the responsibility

of government to take industrywide action. Government needs to urgently

look at what it does for those customers who are paying over the

odds. There has been so much discussion about the energy market

and that it does not work for consumers. The discussion needs to

end and we need action. According to the opposition, that action should

include a cap on energy prices. The Labour Party would introduce an

initial price cap and develop the energy supplies so that this cartel

we have now could not control pricing levels and holders over a

barrel in future. Policies like capping energy prices to support

working families... The Conservatives had a cap in a

manifesto but it was dropped from the Queen's Speech and now the

government wants Ofgem to find a way to keep costs down energy remains a

hot political issue. Simon Jack, BBC News.

Our Political correspondent Alex Forsyth is in Westminster.

The government has condemned this rise. But what can the government

do, we've just heard it was an election issue? All political

parties have been banned the price rise, Labour has said it is

unacceptable, the government says it could affect customers already on

the lowest value tariffs. But the question remains what could and

should the government do. Theresa May had said during the election

campaign, that the Conservatives would introduce an energy price cap.

But when she lost a majority that plan was shelved. In part because a

Brexit, the government already has a heavy programme of legislation and

they know not all Conservative MPs backed the idea of a price cap so

that is not the Parliamentary battle but want to enter into right now.

They said the regulator Ofgem has sufficient powers and they're

waiting for the results of a consultation from Ofgem which could

see proposals for a more limited cap perhaps for the most vulnerable

customers. But ministers insist the idea of a wider cap is not off the

table. That is something of a threat to the energy companies saying if

you do not take action, we could. But do not expect that any time

soon. Allow the government is keen to be seen to be talking tough this.

60 people have died in the UK in the past eight months

after taking the painkilling drug Fentanyl - according

It's the drug that was linked to the death of the rock legend

Prince, and is 50 times more potent than heroin.

These latest figures might just be the tip of the iceberg -

there are another 70 cases in which Fentanyl is

As June Kelly reports two thirds of the known deaths have

been in the Yorkshire, Humberside and Cleveland areas.

The rock legend Prince died suddenly last year at the age of 57. Fans

gathered near his home in Minnesota where his body was found.

# Purple rain... A year on, medical examiners concluded his death was

due to an accidental overdose of the drug Fentanyl. It was unclear where

he had got it from and no one was charged over his death. Fentanyl was

a drug used to treat cancer patients. But now police in the UK

are becoming concerned at its growing use by drug addicts here. It

is said to be 50 times more powerful than heroin. And it is killing

people. Sean who does not want his face shone, lost a sister to a

suspected Fentanyl overdose a few months ago. She had gone and bought

some and she knew what it was. She went back to the hostel, and we

found two days later. And most of those who lost their lives have been

heroin users. To be that far gone on heroin and other drugs, the

lifestyle that they lead, nothing matters to them. They just want that

relief. Just getting away from the world for an hour or two. Fentanyl

is so lethal that this is how police were kitted up when they raided a

suspect 's house. Protected against breathing it in. There is an even

more powerful substance, a tiny grain of this could prove fatal. So

why are more people using these drugs question mark we believe this

is partly down to the ongoing need for dealers to be trying to compete

with each other and sometimes introducing drugs in the marketplace

they believe might give them a competitive edge. And increase

profits. Fentanyl is known as a synthetic opioid and addicts mixed

with heroin. Police say people are playing Russian roulette with their

lives. Every time they take it. Jim Kelly, BBC News.

Police in London are having to adopt new tactics to deal

Criminals on two wheels have been riding around the city targeting

Police say the number of incidents have tripled in the last year

and now the thieves are even travelling to London

Our special correspondent Lucy Manning has been investigating

the growing threat from moped gangs.

Last night near Harrods police and fire brigade rushed to a pet gang

attack. Liquid, possibly acid, thrown at the victim as they tried

to steal his watch. A few months ago in east London and a motorcyclist is

surrounded by four mopeds. A fire extinguisher let off in his face. In

London it is increasingly the crime of choice for teenage offenders.

Police telling the BBC the average age of mopeds gangs is 15. With some

just 13. Please send me the location of where he is. Delivery driver

Hussein was attacked three weeks ago on his mopeds when acid was thrown

at him as they stole his bike. He is now part of a social media group

with hundreds of mopeds drivers warning if a gang is spotted.

Another alert comes in. Just turning left to go towards my next job. Two

guys on one bike. Just be careful. How often are people posting that

the thing these mopeds around? Today, so many. Police do not stop

or chase them. They're getting away. We're going to meet other delivery

drivers, some have stopped working after ten o'clock at night, they're

so scared of the mopeds gangs. Where are you seeing the mopeds?

Everywhere, everywhere around and police do not care. It is not men,

it is kids. 16, your life in danger. From someone who will come. When we

are just stopped at traffic lights. Someone could attack from behind. As

we talk, a bike cuts across the pavement, the driver and passenger

with their faces covered. Do not fill me. The delivery drivers say

this is one of the mopeds gangs, they threaten our team. Later we

check the number plate, it is not insured and has changed colour.

Police believe the characteristics of a stolen bike. The last year

there were 16,000 mopeds related crimes in London. Three times as

many as the previous year. But the BBC has been told police are testing

a new way of catching the attackers. Spraying them with liquid that can

later be traced. We're looking at a that delivers a unique DNA piece

which sprays on them and can be traced back to them later on. If

equipment or clothing or the bike is sprayed. And can use bravest on them

as they are taking off? Potentially, yes. Were trying to find a way to do

that safely. It is being tested under Home Office guidelines. Police

insist they often give chase. There is a misconception that there is

less pleasant and people do not reported but the number of pursuits

has increased. You do not pursue every mopeds gangs when a call comes

in? That is true but the reality is by the time we get the call for most

of these offences, it has already gone. Online is also a brazen.

Bristol bike taker, with pictures of mopeds, Mass riders and bolt

cutters. Avon and Somerset police were investigating say the account

is used to taunt the owners of stolen bikes. Others appear to offer

keys for sale to unlock mopeds. And teenagers post videos of themselves

driving recklessly, breaking traffic laws. This is believed to be riders

filming themselves being chased by the police. A police video shows

phone thieves fling up the wrong side of the M11. The BBC has been

told mopeds gangs are now coming into London from Kent, Sussex,

Surrey in Buckinghamshire. Police believe the growing problem in the

capital will spread across the country. Lucy Manning, BBC News.

The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford is having to close

its trauma unit for a year because of fire safety

concerns over cladding on the outside of the building.

The hospital is moving 52 beds to other wards and the unit will be

It comes after a review of the cladding took place

A great day at the White House - that was Donald Trump's assessment

last night after his new director of communications,

Anthony Scaramucci, was sacked even before he'd formally taken

Not for the first time the president seemed at odds with many observers

Here's our North America Editor Jon Sopel.

It's being billed as the Last Supper.

Anthony Scaramucci last night having dinner at where else,

the restaurant in the Trump hotel, just hours after he'd been

At roughly the same time came this extraordinary

The swearing-in of General John Kelly as chief of staff

being seen as a new beginning for this administration.

He will do a spectacular job, I have no doubt.

So could this mark the end of what's been a turbulent,

dysfunctional six-months for all the President's men?

The former National Security Adviser was the first to go.

Fired after just 24 days in the job after he lied about his contacts

Three months after being fired, Trump's first communications

director, the rather anonymous Mike Dubke, handed

The high profile and brutal dismissal of the former FBI

Infuriating the president with his investigation into links

between the Russians and the Trump campaign.

11 days ago it was the turn of beleaguered press

He walked, furious that President Trump had

hired Anthony Scaramucci as communications director.

The departure of Reince Priebus came as little surprise

after he was subject to a vicious verbal attack by incoming

After just ten days into the job, The Mooch was front stabbed

An easy kill for the former 4-star Marine General.

The profound hope among those close to President Trump is that

with general Kelly in charge, there will be a fundamental change

A change in personnel leading to high expectations followed

But in the meantime the late-night comedians are making hay.

The president has been very busy repealing

and replacing his staff, most notably Anthony

Lated as communications director for only ten days!

And he left us with nothing but memories,

But some things are still refreshingly familiar.

Donald Trump tweeted a short time ago, only the fake news media

and Trump enemies want me to stop using social media.

Only way for me to get the truth out.

Over three million British Gas customers face a hefty rise

We meet the racing driver who nearly died in a crash -

but could be on the brink of a return to Formula One.

England suffer their first major injury blow of Euro 2017.

Keeper Karen Bardsley will miss the rest of the tournament

after it's revealed she broke her leg in the quarter

Now, we know this is a huge issue for those of you who live and work

in the countryside - the difficulty in getting anything

Three years ago about 20% of the UK could only get a partial service.

Since then the government has been rolling out super-fast broadband

and announced a ?30 million investment to improve

A pilot scheme in Monmouthshire could also help - Sian Lloyd has

Some of the best views in Monmouthshire.

Film-maker Martin Phillips moved here for the scenery,

which often features in his productions.

Sending footage to his clients over the internet can be slow.

That's about to change after this aerial was fitted outside his home.

Martin's property is part of a pilot scheme which uses

the space between TV signals to deliver high-speed broadband.

Having the TV whitespace broadband system installed

is going to revolutionise the way that I work from home.

It's the consistency that makes the difference for us.

It is knowing once you press a button it will work, it will send.

And the fact that it is raining or cloudy or windy outside isn't

Whitespace broadband uses TV broadcast frequencies left over

from the digital switchover to send a broadband signal

Like a television signal, it doesn't need direct line of sight.

And can travel up to ten kilometres over hills,

through buildings and trees, direct to people's homes.

It has been recognised for some time that whitespace broadband can help

plug the gaps in coverage in places like this.

What's new according to the companies involved in this

project in Monmouthshire is that now it is commercially viable and can

However some industry experts believe more should've been done

to deliver fibre broadband to as many homes as possible.

The former chief technical officer of BT says rural

All of these stopgap measures are like a finger in a dyke,

they underprovide the bandwidth, they hardly meet today's needs

So the thing that is the problem here is we are wasting billions

betting on things that cannot possibly meet our

The UK's broadband infrastructure is run by Openreach,

it agreed to split from BT following concerns from

80,000 internet exchange boxes like this one have been installed

across the country to connect fibre broadband to properties.

But have they focused on providing faster speeds to urban areas

at the expense of rolling out coverage to rural communities?

There has been some deployment in urban areas which was done

commercially by ourselves and other people, but the rural roll-out

And you will find that the gaps are being closed.

There was no sign of fibre broadband reaching Martin Phillips.

He is pinning his hopes on TV whitespace.

But the extent to which this technology will be taken up more

widely will depend on how many companies get on board.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging to treat -

fewer than 7% of patients make it beyond five years after diagnosis.

Now a team based in Birmingham believe that moving to surgery

earlier than is currently the case could improve success rates.

Over 9,500 people are diagnosed with the cancer each year in the UK.

In a pilot scheme involving 32 patients, the average waiting time

from diagnosis to surgery was cut from two months to two weeks.

In the vast majority of those cases - 31 patients -

Doctors say it will be two years before they can be really sure

if operating earlier does extend life chances.

There's been a second day of trouble at a prison in Hertfordshire

where armed inmates have taken over a wing and smashed windows.

Riot-trained teams were sent to HMP The Mount

The Ministry of Justice says the disturbance

Yesterday at least 50 cells were thought to have been damaged

No-one was said to have been injured in that initial violence.

He's the fastest man in history, with eight Olympic Golds

But Usain Bolt's glittering career is about to come to an end.

He'll run his last ever 100 metre race at the World Athletics

Championships in London this Saturday - and his final sprint

He's been giving a press conference this afternoon

and our Sports Correspondent Natalie Pirks was there.

There are not many other athletes who would need to move their

conference because so many journalists applied to be here. In

addition to his records and medals there is the 11 World Championship

gold medals he holds and he hopes to add another two in London. Nobody

transcends the sport the way he does, he walked on stage, booing us

because we did not applaud him enough. He has a magnetic

personality, a natural ability and a personality which has made him one

of the best paid stars in the world worth around ?45 million. What are

we going to do without him? Today he attended dance what he is going to

do without the rush of competing. I don't know what I am going to do,

this is why I think I want to play football, to change it up, get a

different rush. But we will see where life takes me, you never know

in which direction I am going to go, I might act in some action movies,

that will give me a rush. You never know. The debate has been raging on

social media today after Lord Coe likened his exploits to those of

Muhammad Ali, telling him as a genius. Whether you believe he is up

there with Muhammad Ali you have two Siki is the best sprinter the world

has ever seen and he fully expects to wake up to more headlines on

Sunday morning of unstoppable and unbeatable Usain Bolt.

He's been described as the finest racing driver of his generation.

The Polish driver, Robert Kubica, was amongst

the fastest in Formula One - until one horrific accident in 2011

His arm was severely injured but he has fought back and tomorrow

takes part in what's being seen as a crucial test.

He's been speaking exclusively to Joe Wilson about that

terrible accident - along with his motor racing

A Renault Formula 1 car. Approaching 200 mph. Imagine driving it. And

then imagine driving it without the full use of one of your arms. Nice

to see you. Robert Kubica is in Hungary to discover if you truly

can. His injuries are there to see and restrict him to this day. I am

waking up every morning at home, I am doing usual stuff at home. I

train, I recycle, I do all the stuff probably most of the people do. But

most people don't drive a car at 200 mph. But actually I can see easily

that I have more limitations are lit say my limitations have a bigger

influence on daily life than in driving the cars. Driving the car is

easier? COO easier. Other drivers believed he was the most talented

man on the grid, a future world champion. He told me it was the

desire to become even better which took him into a rally car in his

time off. He crashed. Andorra, February 20 11. Everything changed.

Did you think you would lose the arm? Probably first of all we have

to say big thanks to them. Because the easiest thing probably would be

to get rid of it. But in reality the first big moment I was fighting to

be alive. This is a crucial time for teams to test cars which is why

Robert Kubica is here working for Renault, test driving for Renault.

The possibility is he could be driving in the Formula 1

championship next season. Maybe, just maybe, even this season. I need

to be sure I am able at least to come as close as possible to the

level I was before my accident. And this will be the target. So before

doing this I need to be sure I am able to do this. Actually the last

two days it has helped me a lot. I feel pretty comfortable I will be

able to do it. Formula 1 would love to see Kubica return, his comeback

would grip the sport like nothing else. But he is a realist, not a

romantic. A driver must know he can rely on himself before anything

else. Joe Wilson, BBC News, Budapest.

Brave man. Associated weather fronts heading

our way quickly, bringing wind and rain, ahead of that a day of sunny

spells and heavy showers, sunshine in Chiswick in London in the

mid-afternoon but for many the sky looked much more like this,

threatening and we saw thunderstorms, hail, heavy dense

boards as well. Thunderstorms and showers fading away over the next

few hours and skies were clear for many then we looked to the South

West of this rain to push its way by Don, 15 or 16 degrees then some

parts of central and northern Scotland will be dipping well into

single figures so chilly. If you start with brighter weather in East

England make the most of it because the rain is moving its way

northwards and eastwards, should dry up in Northern Ireland to some

extent, pretty miserable through the afternoon for south Wales and

southern England and temperatures at the best only 19 or 20, so

disappointing all around. These weather fronts continue to work in

north and east overnight into thirsty and in the low drifts

towards the north-west which will bring a whole crop of showers. By

which stage we should be into double figures across the board, 12-1516.

Thursday looks like another blustery day, quite wet, showers to the north

and west, not too many down to the south-east, largely dry here, 21 or

22 degrees warmer but Wendy. Another windy day for all parts on Friday

and another day of sunny spells and showers and most of them will be in

the north and west, not too many getting down towards the south-east

corner. Largely dry in the London area.

Over 3 million British Gas customers face a hefty rise in electricity

bills. That's all from the BBC News at

Six, so it's goodbye from me -