rishi sunak has pledged to give 30 towns across the uk £20 million each, if the conservatives are re—elected. my colleaguejess parker has been following the conservatives and gave me this update earlier. i am on the conservative battle bus. it's on its inaugural campaignjourney. and there's a little bit of confusion because, of course, myself and other reporters have been reporting from buses since the campaign began. that was on a different bus. didn't have conservative branding. didn't have the prime minister on board. but we're now on the officially branded bus that was launched earlier today in redcar, and we're continuing to travel across the north—east. just to give you a sense of this bus, if the camera will kindly do a little crowd view. this is producerjack — bbc producerjack. and then down the aisle there there are other reporters from different broadcasters, from newspapers as well. and of course the idea is that you get to follow the campaign, you get to be in relatively close proximity to the prime minister and potentially lob a few questions at him as well. and earlier on in a media huddle, reporters were asking the prime minister various questions. one of them was about the fact that the tory campaign so far has mainly seen the prime minister — not exclusively but mainly seen the prime minister — heading to conservative—held seats, seats that were won by the tories in the last election. playing into this idea that because of labour's substantial poll lead, although all the usual caveats on polls apply, are the conservatives pursuing a more defensive strategy? a core vote strategy? rishi sunak insisted when he was talking to was that he was travelling right across the country. and of course, we are in the relatively early stages of this campaign so far. but as we head on for the rest of the campaigning today across the north—east, of course, we will continue to track the movements of the prime minister. the first minister of scotland and leader of the scottish national partyjohn swinney is campaigning along his party's westminster leader, stephen flynn — earlier he answered questions regarding their campaign. you seem pretty confident that the snp is the main challenger, but there has been a surge in popularity for the labour party as well. is there a focus on what they can do to seats in this region? it's pretty clear that the snp is the challenger to the conservatives in all of the seats in the north—east of scotland where they hold those constituencies. the numbers speak for themselves. and of course, people in the north—east of scotland will be watching the labour party in horror as they set out plans that will result in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs in the north sea oil and gas sector. jobs that we need to protect to support that sector and also to enable our transition to net—zero. so i think people in the north—east can see through the empty promises about gb energy and they can see the reality of those commitments, which are that they will inflict significant damage on the economy of the north—east of scotland. and voting snp is the way to avoid that. the oil and gas industry has been critical of snp energy policy, though, because the snp isn't supportive of new oil and gas licences. the snp has made very clear that we want to work with the oil and gas sector as we manage the transition to net—zero, and there's absolutely no way i'm going to preside over a situation where there is industrial damage done to the north—east of scotland and to the economy of scotland by the way in which we go about that transition to net—zero. we've got to manage that transition carefully, we've got to make the shift to renewables, but we can do that in partnership with the oil and gas sector. and that's the approach that i'll take as we take forward our commitments to deliver on climate action. they conservatives seem to be the only party that are in support of new oil and gas licences, though. as you know, many people in this city are highly supportive and rely on oil and gasjobs — they'll be looking on and wondering why should i vote snp when the conservatives are the only party that are going forward with oil and gas licences? i think what people will see in the north—east of scotland about the conservatives is that the conservatives are undertaking another tax grab on the north—east of scotland, and on the oil and gas sector. that's having the effect of undermining investment in the oil in the oil and gas sector, investment that is critical to sustain the sector and investment is critical to deliver the transition towards renewables. so all of these factors are fundamental to the transition that has got to be made. and the conservatives are making that more and more difficult by presiding over the tax grab that they're undertaking by prolonging the increased taxation on oil and gas. so a vote for the snp is a vote for a managed transition to net—zero and one that will take the oil and gas sector with us in the process. the workers party of britain — which was founded by former labour and respect party mp george galloway in 2019 — have launched their general election campaign in greater manchester today. mr galloway — who won the rochdale by—election in february — says the party will field hundreds of candidates. the workers party leader also told supporters he will begin legal action against itv and 0fcom for not being invited to take part in next tuesday's head—to—head debate between labour leader keir starmer and prime minister rishi sunak. campaign all over this country with hundreds of candidates is well and truly under way. they thought they were pulling a surprise election. well, it may have been a surprise to some but not to us. we have been on a permanent election footing since the people of rochdale on the 29th of february changed the political landscape in this country. the owner of the ticketing website ticketmaster has confirmed that hackers have accessed customer data, in what's emerging as one of the biggest ever global consumer hacks. live nation entertainment says it's working to mitigate risk to users after the hackers offered personal data for sale on the dark web. earlier this week, the hacking group, shinyhunters, said it had hacked the personal details of more than half a billion ticketmaster customers. our business reporter simon browning told me more about this earlier. this is a massive attack. significant, significant, and a huge hack. first of all, ticketmaster, a company that we know all around the world if you like festivals, if you like going to concerts, if you like going to see comedians it's likely that you've used ticketmaster's platforms to book tickets to go to those events. millions of customers. millions have signed up, millions will have given over their data. now, it was first reported on thursday when hackers said they had hacked ticketmaster. but there was no confirmation of that. but this morning, in a filing in the us of the security and exchange commission, the owners of ticketmaster indicated that they had been involved with malicious forces and a cyber attack. we're still waiting for some more detail from ticketmaster as it stands, but earlier this week, as you said, 560 million ticketmaster customers had their data and information obtained by a company called the shinyhunters. they said that they obtained ticketmaster's data. now, that includes names, addresses, phone numbers and, from what we understand, partial credit cards. now, the hacking group shinyhunters say that they have demanded £500,000 ransom to prevent the data from being sold on to other platforms. but that's still to be worked out. santander, as you say, a banking group operating around the world, said yesterday that they'd also been involved in a hack with the same company, and some of their customers and colleagues has had information hacked in chile, spain and uruguay. and the company shinyhunters have also been accused of hacking in other places previously. at&t in the usa and pizza hut in australia. so, as i say, it's significant, ticketmaster, a massive platform here in the uk, this morning on their website they are selling tickets for a new janet jackson tour and james blunt. it's a big operation. let's speak to lisa forte. a cybersecurity expert and partner at red goat cyber security. for people thinking, this is me, these are my details, what can i do now to protect themselves? the first thin to now to protect themselves? the first thing to note — now to protect themselves? the first thing to note is _ now to protect themselves? the first thing to note is that _ now to protect themselves? the first thing to note is that at _ now to protect themselves? the first thing to note is that at the _ now to protect themselves? the first thing to note is that at the moment i thing to note is that at the moment it is the _ thing to note is that at the moment it is the haka saying they have stolen — it is the haka saying they have stolen 500 million, we haven't actually— stolen 500 million, we haven't actually heard that from ticketmaster. it is possible it is not that — ticketmaster. it is possible it is not that expensive. there is a very serious _ not that expensive. there is a very serious riskier that as obviously everyone — serious riskier that as obviously everyone around the world has found out about _ everyone around the world has found out about this hack today in the last couple of days, so have all the scammers — last couple of days, so have all the scammers and fraudsters who are also out there _ scammers and fraudsters who are also out there a_ scammers and fraudsters who are also out there. a big risk right now to anyone _ out there. a big risk right now to anyone he — out there. a big risk right now to anyone he was ever used ticketmaster is that— anyone he was ever used ticketmaster is that there _ anyone he was ever used ticketmaster is that there is scammers and fraudsters will send you an e—mail or text _ fraudsters will send you an e—mail or text message that potentially could _ or text message that potentially could compromise your data or money further _ could compromise your data or money further. the— could compromise your data or money further. , , , ., .., could compromise your data or money further. , , , ., .. ., further. the best thing you can do, ou are further. the best thing you can do, you are saying. _ further. the best thing you can do, you are saying. is _ further. the best thing you can do, you are saying, is protect - further. the best thing you can do, you are saying, is protect yourselfl you are saying, is protect yourself by being really vigilant about your own details?— by being really vigilant about your own details? , . ., own details? very much so. do not click any links _ own details? very much so. do not click any links that _ own details? very much so. do not click any links that are _ own details? very much so. do not click any links that are sent - own details? very much so. do not click any links that are sent to - own details? very much so. do not click any links that are sent to you | click any links that are sent to you in e-rnaiis — click any links that are sent to you in emails or— click any links that are sent to you in e—mails ortext click any links that are sent to you in e—mails or text messages that relate _ in e—mails or text messages that relate to— in e—mails or text messages that relate to this in any way, and certainiy— relate to this in any way, and certainly do not put any information into any— certainly do not put any information into any website, however genuine it seems _ into any website, however genuine it seems. , , ., , , into any website, however genuine it seems. , , . , , ., into any website, however genuine it seems. , , , ., ., seems. this is a big site with a lot of customers- _ seems. this is a big site with a lot of customers. are _ seems. this is a big site with a lot of customers. are any _ seems. this is a big site with a lot of customers. are any of - seems. this is a big site with a lot of customers. are any of them - seems. this is a big site with a lot i of customers. are any of them truly safe when it comes to actually holding our details? fine safe when it comes to actually holding our details?— safe when it comes to actually holding our details? one of the thins i holding our details? one of the things i think _ holding our details? one of the things i think we _ holding our details? one of the things i think we have - holding our details? one of the things i think we have seen - things i think we have seen increasingly is something we call supply— increasingly is something we call supply chain attacks, we are thinking _ supply chain attacks, we are thinking this is probably in this category— thinking this is probably in this category as well. this is essentially the seamless, sophistication in business strategy from the _ sophistication in business strategy from the cyber attackers, where they will go _ from the cyber attackers, where they will go after a member of the supply chain and _ will go after a member of the supply chain and then potentially compromise a lot of other companies. it is compromise a lot of other companies. it is seeming — compromise a lot of other companies. it is seeming to prove very successful at the moment. even as fast as the — successful at the moment. even as fast as the hackers _ successful at the moment. even as fast as the hackers are _ successful at the moment. even as fast as the hackers are going, - successful at the moment. even as| fast as the hackers are going, there are experts, people like you trying to find a way to continue to keep us safe? , ., ., ~' , to find a way to continue to keep us safe? , ., ., 4' , , safe? yes, one of the key thing is to take away _ safe? yes, one of the key thing is to take away from _ safe? yes, one of the key thing is to take away from these - safe? yes, one of the key thing is to take away from these hacks, i to take away from these hacks, especially — to take away from these hacks, especially if you are a business owner, — especially if you are a business owner, you _ especially if you are a business owner, you need to take web security seriously, _ owner, you need to take web security seriously, but you need to have a plan _ seriously, but you need to have a plan if _ seriously, but you need to have a plan if this— seriously, but you need to have a plan if this does happen to you and how you _ plan if this does happen to you and how you are — plan if this does happen to you and how you are going to protect your clients _ how you are going to protect your clients it — how you are going to protect your clients if this does happen.- clients if this does happen. thank ou for clients if this does happen. thank you forjoining — clients if this does happen. thank you forjoining us. _ clients if this does happen. thank you forjoining us. a _ clients if this does happen. thank| you forjoining us. a cybersecurity expert. pharmacists say there's growing evidence of a crisis in the supply of medications in the uk. the national pharmacy association, which represents independent community pharmacists, says that over the last two years there's been a threefold increase in the use of what are called serious shortage protocols, which allow them to prescribe an alternative when a drug isn't available. pharmacists say the supply of medicines is complicated. it's an international business that can be affected by changes in global demand, prices and exchange rates, as well as manufacturing problems and the supply chain. and the availability of some drugs has been problematic. the evidence — the use of serious shortage protocols, issued by the department of health and social care and applied across the uk. they allow community pharmacists to supply alternative drugs if there's a shortage of a particular medicine. the national pharmacy association says they've been issued 50 times in the past two years — but in the two years before that, just 15 were issued. a whole range of medicines have been affected — including for angina, epilepsy, adhd and cystic fibrosis. university student amber lives with cystic fibrosis and is struggling to get medication that helps her digest food. without it, i basically can't eat. also, to try and get the medicine, i'm having to drive around for hours and hours to different pharmacies taking these scripts. finishing second year is like carnage for... really stressful for, like, a normal student, but a student that can't eat properly — like, can't find the medicine that keeps me alive — that stress is just unimaginable! pharmacists say they are increasingly having to turn patients away. it has a big impact on patients, it means their health may worsen. and of course it's very distressing. the hidden issue here as well is of course it's very distressing for the teams in community pharmacies because they work and strive to support the public and their communities. they want to be dispensing these medicines. the uk is not the only country in the world experiencing problems with drug supplies — it's a global issue. but the npa says it wants all the main parties in the election to commit to tackling the shortages. dominic hughes, bbc news. there's a fresh warning about the dangers of mud on beaches after several reports of people getting stuck following extreme weather. the coastguard says there's been a recent increase in incidents — and it's stepping up training for the busy summer ahead. 0ur reporter crispin rolfe joined emergency crews in cleethorpes. racing against time. pumping up the raft. and sometimes against the tide. presumably, this would be time critical in an emergency? very time critical. it's about practice. the more we practise to do it, the quicker you can do it. yes, the challenges faced by volunteer coastguard teams along the cleethorpes coast as they go about saving the lives of those who get stuck in its mud. the coastguard teams practise regularly — and they have to because they say that the number of people getting stuck is increasing. yes, we are having an increase in incident numbers and hopefully with our training, kit and equipment, we'll be able to make that intervention that will be a life—saving intervention. it's hard to believe just how difficult it is to move like this, isn't it? if you look at the special footwear we wear to get us in and out of the mud compared to your wellingtons and how far you've sunk and how easy we are moving across and you're now stuck. i am stuck. you are stuck. stop! i have to turn around and sit you in a raft because you can't walk back. if you try to pull that out, you'll leave your boot behind. yeah. you're now technically stuck in the mud as a casualty. we need to extract you back in our raft back to the safe zone. so, when we dig people out, we're always looking for the bottom of the foot, the heel. see how sloppy it is? don't push down. hold it on top of the mud. and you've only gone that deep, but you're stuck. of course, even though people know of the dangers, it's all too easy to get caught out, which is why those living up and down the east coast here appreciate what the coastguard does. we're here to help people, not to judge people if they get into distress or they get into the mud. we're here to help you, and that's what the coastguard's about. crispin rolfe, bbc news. next week marks the 80th anniversary of the d—day landings — and ahead of the date, we've been telling the stories of some of those involved. 0ur reporterjohn maguire has been to normandy to meet three french women who were young children at the time of liberation. for the people of northern france, years of nazi occupation came