King Charles welcomes South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa - in pictures - BBC

By Imogen James

BBC News

King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, welcomed Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday at the beginning of his two-day visit to the UK. It is the King's first state visit since he ascended the throne in September, and the first in more than three years due to the pandemic.

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Mr Ramaphosa also met with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

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During a visit to the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery, the South African president was shown around an exhibition of Royal Collection artefacts.

Mr Ramaphosa picked up a photograph of the late Queen side by side with Mr Mandela at the state banquet in the Palace in 1996, saying: "This lovely picture."

The King remarked "you were lucky to have known both".

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Kirsty Wigglesworth

Leon Neal

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Mr Ramaphosa went on to address MPs and officials in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster.

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The evening continued with a white-tie state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

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The Princess of Wales wore a pearl bracelet belonging to the late Queen, as well as Diana, Princess of Wales's earrings, at the banquet.

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All pictures subject to copyright.

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2022-11-22 21:13:30Z
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King Charles welcomes South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa - in pictures - BBC

By Imogen James

BBC News

King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, welcomed Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday at the beginning of his two-day visit to the UK. It is the King's first state visit since he ascended the throne in September, and the first in more than three years due to the pandemic.

Getty Images

Mr Ramaphosa also met with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Getty Images

During a visit to the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery, the South African president was shown around an exhibition of Royal Collection artefacts.

Mr Ramaphosa picked up a photograph of the late Queen side by side with Mr Mandela at the state banquet in the Palace in 1996, saying: "This lovely picture."

The King remarked "you were lucky to have known both".

Getty Images

Kirsty Wigglesworth

Leon Neal

Getty Images

Mr Ramaphosa went on to address MPs and officials in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster.

All pictures subject to copyright.

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2022-11-22 16:46:32Z
CBMiLWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9pbi1waWN0dXJlcy02MzcxNDYxMdIBMWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jb20vbmV3cy9pbi1waWN0dXJlcy02MzcxNDYxMS5hbXA

Nottingham: Mother dies after fire that killed her children - BBC

Nottinghamshire Police

A mother has died two days after a flat fire that killed her two daughters, police have confirmed.

Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, was taken to hospital after the fire in Fairisle Close, Clifton, Nottingham, on Sunday morning, but died on Tuesday.

Her children, one-year-old Naeemah Drammeh and Fatimah Drammeh, aged three, were taken to hospital but pronounced dead shortly after.

A man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday, remains in custody.

Nottinghamshire Police has been given an extra 36 hours to question the 31-year-old.

Det Ch Insp Mark Sinski, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are dealing with one of the most horrendous crimes - the death of two young children and their mother.

"This is a deeply upsetting tragedy and I can only imagine the family's pain. They include the woman's husband and the father of the two children, who was not in the UK at the time of the fire.

"Both he and other members of the family are being supported by specially-trained officers at this incredibly difficult time and we ask for the media to give them privacy while they deal with this incredible loss.

"This has been an extremely traumatic event for them and I'd like to reassure them we're doing everything we possibly can to bring them the justice they deserve."

A man who lives next door to the family, who asked not to be named, said they had lived in the flat for at least the two years he had been there.

"I just know they're a nice family - they've never hurt nobody," he said.

"They've always kept themselves to themselves. They always said hello and the kids would say hello. 

"To me they didn't have a hurtful bone in their body so I don't know who would want to do this to them."

Police said high-visibility patrols would remain in the area over the coming days to offer reassurance to people living nearby and answer questions.

Det Ch Insp Sinski said: "The local community has been shocked and deeply saddened by the events of the past two days and I want to thank those living in the area for the patience and understanding while we gather evidence at the scene.

"I also want to thank those who have already come forward, but I would urge anyone with any information, regardless of how insignificant you think it may be, to contact us."

Floral tributes have been left at the scene since the fire was put out at about 04:00 GMT on Sunday, and people have been lighting candles at a local church.

Adam Lamb, 40, who lives on the street, placed flowers and a teddy at the cordon.

He said: "Everyone's shocked at the moment. They didn't stand a chance did they?"

Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood said on Monday: "I'll do everything I can to support my constituents and the local community in the days and weeks ahead.

"It's devastating to hear that the fire was started deliberately. I hope that anyone who may have seen anything which could assist the police with their investigation will come forward."

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• Nottinghamshire Police

• Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

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2022-11-22 15:27:17Z
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Cost of living: Energy suppliers failing vulnerable customers - Ofgem - BBC

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By Kevin Peachey

Cost of living correspondent

Energy suppliers have been failing vulnerable customers, the sector's watchdog has said, as people face a cold and costly winter.

Regulator Ofgem has ordered improvements after it found problems at all 17 firms as part of a review.

Among its findings were examples of firms setting debt repayments so high that customers decided not to top-up their pre-payment meters.

But some of the suppliers hit back at Ofgem's "incomplete" review.

Consumer groups described the regulator's report as "hugely concerning" at a time when people were being hit by bills double the level of last winter amid the soaring cost of living.

• Expanded energy bill discount scheme under way
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Ofgem said some of the worst examples of poor practice included suppliers failing to read the meters of customers who could not do so themselves.

It also found that some vulnerable customers were unable to contact their supplier to top up their meter or to request support credit.

In some cases, debt repayment rates were set so high that vulnerable customers self-disconnected - in other words, did not top-up their prepayment meter when the credit ran out.

Five suppliers - Good Energy, Outfox, So Energy, Tru Energy and Utilita - were found to have "severe weaknesses", which prompted a strong response from some of the firms.

"Moderate weaknesses" were found at suppliers E (Gas & Electricity), Ecotricity, Green Energy UK, Octopus and Shell.

Ofgem said that seven others had shown minor weaknesses, including British Gas, Bulb, EDF, E.ON, Ovo, Scottish Power and Utility Warehouse.

Neil Lawrence, Ofgem's director of retail. said "most suppliers" took their responsibility to protect vulnerable customers seriously and added firms had launched new initiatives - including dedicated phone lines.

But he added: "We've seen a number of failings across the board which need to be urgently addressed.

"It's going to be a very challenging winter for everyone and customers must be confident they are getting the help and support they need."

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It is Ofgem's third review into various aspects of suppliers' treatment of customers. The first demanded action on soaring direct debit demands and the second found more help was needed on payment plans for those struggling to pay.

This latest review required suppliers to give evidence about how they identified and kept records of customers in a vulnerable situation, and whether they were added to a priority register for help.

Suppliers also gave information about free gas safety checks and vulnerable prepayment meter customers.

All 17 suppliers which submitted data to the regulator were told they had to improve their practices.

Ofgem said that in general, there were risks that people were not identified as vulnerable and given the support they were entitled to.

But questions have been raised for the regulator itself, which has been accused of being asleep at the wheel when bills are soaring and suppliers failing.

In response, it said it had moved to proactive methods, rather than waiting for issues to be reported.

Suppliers hit back

To help households with higher bills, the government introduced a cap to limited price rises, meaning a typical home pays £2,500 a year for gas and electricity. However, the cap is on the unit price of energy, so those with higher usage will pay more.

This cap has been extended for 12 months from April, but will be at a higher level, so a typical household will pay £3,000 a year. Various cost-of-living payments have been announced to protect the more vulnerable, but charities and consumer groups have warned that many will still face a particularly tough time this winter.

Rocio Concha, from consumer group Which?, said suppliers needed to up their game to help people on the lowest incomes.

"It is hugely concerning to see Ofgem has found that so many energy firms are falling short on the support they provide to their most vulnerable customers," she added.

However, Energy UK, which represents suppliers, said many firms had gone beyond what they were required to do by the regulator.

"Identifying and supporting vulnerable customers is already a top priority," said Dhara Vyas, director of advocacy at Energy UK.

"Our members have responded swiftly to Ofgem's review - including providing additional documentation to demonstrate where processes were already in place, and will continue to look at all the ways they can make sure people get the help and support they need."

Some of the suppliers named as having the biggest problems reacted strongly to Ofgem's report.

Simon Oscroft, co-founder of So Energy, said: "Over the course of the last months and weeks, we have provided Ofgem with extensive additional information related to this review and we are disappointed that Ofgem has proceeded on the basis of incomplete information, and in a manner that may now cause vulnerable customers unnecessary concern."

A spokesman for Utilita said: "Ofgem's report does not represent where we are as a business today, nor does it acknowledge the significant progress we have made - and are making - since its initial assessment in early summer."

The BBC has contacted Good Energy, Outfox and Tru Energy for comment.

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2022-11-22 00:01:10Z
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