welcome to bbc news. making history after two years of talks and dealers turn developed a power—sharing to northern ireland. had the breaks had problems been solved? the international monetary fund advises the uk against further tax cuts as it downgrades growth forecasts for the country. concerns of corruption

in the uk are at an all—time high as country. its lowest ever now we have the round—up of the business news and one of those headline stories you are concentrating on. welcome to the programme. yes, on course for stronger than expected recovery. that is the assessment from the international monetary fund on the state of the global economy in its latest world economic outlook update. the imf predicts that global growth of 3.1% this year and slightly higher growth in 2025. it

also says that inflation is declining faster than expected because many supply chain problems caused by the pandemic have now been resolved. the imf has, however, issued a warning to the uk government not to cut taxes any further and suggested that treasury percent planned spending cuts for this year were unrealistic. earlier i spoke to the imf�*s chief economist and i asked him what his concerns were over the uk cutting those taxes. ~ , ., taxes. well, first, for the uk, we are seeing _ taxes. well, first, for the uk, we are seeing modest _ taxes. well, first, for the uk, we are seeing modest growth - taxes. well, first, for the uk, we are seeing modest growth this i taxes. well, first, for the uk, we l are seeing modest growth this year but 0.6% increasing to 1.6% next year as, you know, some tightness and monetary policies are expected to reason that is expected to help growth. our concerns the tax cut, as you mentioned, we considered a number of countries, notjust the uk, need medium—term fiscal plans that will allow them to address a number of significant spending pressures. the case of the uk we can talk about spending on health care sector, education, they can think about critical public investment to address the climate transition or to boost growth and so it is important to accommodate these spending needs

and at the same time to ensure that the dynamics are going to remain stable. they are not going to add to the amount that we have in relation to the size of the economy. and from that perspective, it does not seem to us that having an additional discretionary cuts is a appropriate at this point. 50 discretionary cuts is a appropriate at this point-— discretionary cuts is a appropriate at this point. so there is a concern about the african _ at this point. so there is a concern about the african continent. - at this point. so there is a concern about the african continent. just l about the african continent. just how healthy is the global economy? particularly when we look at the red sea and the potential disruptions. could that actually derail any progress that has been made in their fight against inflation. but first, by the concern?— by the concern? well, we are watching _ by the concern? well, we are watching carefully _ by the concern? well, we are watching carefully what - by the concern? well, we are watching carefully what was l watching carefully what was happening there. of course they could be an impact in the region. it is a little bit too early to assess the economic implications but that is something we are monitoring carefully. on the broader growth. we have had steady growth. i mean, that's taken a picture right now that's taken a picture right now that i was one of growth has been said reservation has been coming

down and this is not my thing, but a lot of people are expecting about a year ago. lot of people are expecting about a yearago. facing higher lot of people are expecting about a year ago. facing higher chances of a soft landing and that is to be celebrated but you are right to point out that there are risks and different regions are performing differently. the area is experiencing week at redford upper took the brunt of the energy crisis of the last two years that abbott is recovered, in contrast to the us we have stronger growth on the back end of stronger fiscal stimulus so overall it is a picture of resilience. it is a picture of inflation coming down and risks. one of the risk says that there could be more disruption coming from the red sea. �* ., more disruption coming from the red sea. �* . . , more disruption coming from the red sea. ~ . ., , ~ �* , more disruption coming from the red sea. . sea. and that was the imf's chief economist _ sea. and that was the imf's chief economist effort _ sea. and that was the imf's chief economist effort up _ sea. and that was the imf's chief economist effort up to _ sea. and that was the imf's chief economist effort up to the - sea. and that was the imf's chief economist effort up to the us - sea. and that was the imf's chief economist effort up to the us for| economist effort up to the us for their logistic giant ups has announced it will be cutting around 12,000 jobs worldwide shortly after reporting further disappointing quarterly revenues. with that story were going to cross to new york and

speak to our north america business correspondent michelle. most of these jobs are vivid contractors and management but what has gone so wrong for them? i management but what has gone so wrong for them?— management but what has gone so wrong for them? i mean, very simple. you are in the — wrong for them? i mean, very simple. you are in the business _ wrong for them? i mean, very simple. you are in the business of— you are in the business of delivering packages and the volume of packages they were delivering was down foot at that lead street any saw their share price paid a price right now. during this call with investors the company and the ceo outlined their plans to kind of get back on track and one of the things they are doing is this huge layer. 12,000 workers in the management ranks, as you say, full—time, part—time and contract workers. it is roughly about have a 2% of its global workforce and a lot of those that they are also going to come in the first—half of this year. but i

think perhaps the sort of scary a piece of news embedded in all of this is that the company is saying that even if you start to see the volume of parcel deliveries return, these jobs are not going to come back because they are changing the way they are working and a lot of that has to do with the new technology, innovation and, in particular, artificial intelligence is driving innovation and so those jobs are, once they have gone, they're gone for reporting as well. good or bad news? yes, what is interesting about, you know, ups but also general motors, this is a year in which both reached new contracts with their workers, both gave more generous packages. in with their workers, both gave more generous packages.— generous packages. in the case of ups that first _ generous packages. in the case of ups that first up _ generous packages. in the case of ups that first up their _ generous packages. in the case of ups that first up their car - generous packages. in the case of ups that first up their car sent - ups that first up their car sent general motors that push their costs up general motors that push their costs up to there was a six—week strike to get that contract. that also put a lot of costs in the company and yet, that being said, despite this strike that being said, despite this strike that cost $1 billion, netting, general motors rose 12% last year but looking forward, all ayes were on what the company would say about electronic vehicles. that is what it is putting its money behind. that is where strategy is focused on and the

boss warned the pace has slowed and that has created some uncertainty. as ever, thank you very much. thank you. as ever, thank you very much. thank ou. ., h, as ever, thank you very much. thank ou. ., , . ., ,., you. tougher import restrictions on some european _ you. tougher import restrictions on some european union _ you. tougher import restrictions on some european union goods - you. tougher import restrictions on | some european union goods coming into the uk will come into effect at midnight tonight so that is the very early hours of wednesday morning. after a series of delays, five delays to this, it will mean a lot more red tape and in particular, health certificates are going to be legally required for animal and plant products imported from the eu but will it push up those prices? and even cause shortages on the shelves? well, the british chambers of commerce which represents firms here in the uk is urging the government to clarify the situation on this. where the immense head of trade policy and i spoke to him earlier and asked what businesses needed to know.—

earlier and asked what businesses needed to know. well, there are two ke areas needed to know. well, there are two key areas where _ needed to know. well, there are two key areas where we _ needed to know. well, there are two key areas where we are _ needed to know. well, there are two key areas where we are really - key areas where we are really lacking detail about what is going to happen. it is not tomorrow but, to happen. it is not tomorrow but, to the end of april, so we need to know what it charges a business can expect to meet for the new border infrastructure which all these food and plant products will pass through. and we also need to have a sense of what mode of enforcement is going to be carried out. are we going to be carried out. are we going to be carried out. are we going to see things turned away from the ports from the end of april or will enforcement be more pragmatic. we would recommend the latter. $5 we would recommend the latter. as the government met their own requirements? there is a lot of fiction, isn't there? and in terms of all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle, are they all there? for example, to be have enough vets in the eu? do we know, as you mentioned, the costs for those checks? is everything in place?

well, overall, the cost for businesses is going to be £330 million per yearfrom businesses is going to be £330 million per year from the businesses is going to be £330 million per yearfrom the new export health certificates and the other costs that were involved in, you know, having drivers and their lorries for longer and what delays at ports. we have had some concerns expressed to as about whether there is going to be sufficient vets available in the netherlands to deal with things like chilled chicken exports coming over to great britain. there is still some confusion in some eu member states about the classification of certain goods. so there are still very much a sense that tomorrow, we could see some unknown factors come out and there is uncertainty about exactly how this is going to go. aha, there is uncertainty about exactly how this is going to go. fit. 11th there is uncertainty about exactly how this is going to go.— how this is going to go. a lot of businesses _ how this is going to go. a lot of businesses comment _ how this is going to go. a lot of businesses comment that - how this is going to go. a lot of- businesses comment that industry, is very much more concerned about what

is going to happen come autumn because there is going to be to big changes in 202a. tonight and then the eu themselves are changing the rules and one of the big things they're worried about is lorry drivers, as you said, now, the cost to businesses so far. since 2020, 90 6000. does that come as a surprise to you? 6000. does that come as a surprise to ou? ~ ., , ., ., to you? well, there have been a lot of changes — to you? well, there have been a lot of changes that _ to you? well, there have been a lot of changes that have _ to you? well, there have been a lot of changes that have happened - to you? well, there have been a lot| of changes that have happened since january 2021 foot of i mean, customs declarations are very costly for business. you know, there is the outbound paperwork for export health certificates, vat changes so all of these things together, does add up to a considerable burden and that is the headwind that businesses have had to face in an era of low growth over the past few years.— over the past few years. from the british chambers _ over the past few years. from the british chambers of— over the past few years. from the british chambers of commerce. i over the past few years. from the - british chambers of commerce. around the world and across the uk, this is

bbc news.

the uk has fallen to its lowest ever position in transparency international is corruption perceptions index. the global index ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to business experts. the uk was ranked eighth in 2013 but in 2023 fell tojoint uk was ranked eighth in 2013 but in 2023 fell to joint 20th place, experiencing the biggest fibre decline of any western european country. i then talking to the chief executive of transparency international uk and i asked him why there had been such a big drop. the there had been such a big drop. tia: corruption perceptions there had been such a big drop. tie: corruption perceptions index there had been such a big drop. tt2 corruption perceptions index brings together a range of different surveys using data from the world bank, the world economic forum, the economist, intelligence units to get to this score and rank which is then

normalised to a score out of 100 and as you say, the uk stopped when 71 out of 100 by 100 is completely clean, we are in 20th place globally and the underlying data no surveys showing particular concern among global business leaders and other experts about their perceptions of cronyism are patronage within government. and a view that corrupt practice has led to the diversion of public funds in the uk. 50 practice has led to the diversion of public funds in the uk.— public funds in the uk. so this reall is public funds in the uk. so this really is a _ public funds in the uk. so this really is a very _ public funds in the uk. so this really is a very challenging - public funds in the uk. so this - really is a very challenging picture for the uk government to respond to this year. there is a big difference, though, isn't there? between perception and fact. tsn’t between perception and fact. isn't that the basic _ between perception and fact. iis�*t'ii that the basic weakness of this? yes, corruption in its absolute senseis yes, corruption in its absolute sense is a very difficult thing to measure which is why we have the cpi which uses all of these different sources, as i have explained. and the data period looking at here goes all the way through 2022 to the end

of october 2023 and it is worth examining some of the issues that we've seen in the uk during that period that is likely to be bearing down on that perception that public sector corruption in the uk has become a high risk.— sector corruption in the uk has become a high risk. really briefly, which was the _ become a high risk. really briefly, which was the worst _ become a high risk. really briefly, which was the worst performing i which was the worst performing country? the bottom performing countries were sudan, somalia and syria. obviously all deeply affected by conflict and the relationship between those two things in the space for corruption to exist. mps have warned that misogyny and discrimination is endemic then the music industry. a report by the women and equalities committee found that not only are there barriers to opportunities that women are also experiencing bullying, sexual harassment and assault and it is often underreported. parties, gigs and an everyday life. misogyny and disconnection are said to be endemic in the music industry. now the women

and equalities committee, which led and equalities committee, which led an inquiry into the issue is calling for urgent action to tackle it. the committee heard evidence from people including the former by factor contestant rebecca ferguson has said she feels she was penalised for speaking out. t has said she feels she was penalised for speaking out.— for speaking out. i think i definitely _ for speaking out. i think i definitely got _ for speaking out. i think i definitely got blocked - for speaking out. i think i - definitely got blocked because i challenged very powerful figures. yeah, definitely. and it got lifted when i contacted the head of the record label and i said, look, my album isn't available and he said, no, that can't be. then a message someone said, is this true? and they said, oh, don't worry, we'll lift it now. ifelt it said, oh, don't worry, we'll lift it now. i felt it was important to say that my experience music had been so toxic and i wanted to protect new people entering the industry. but there's one the industry was rigged against women. tt is

there's one the industry was rigged against women.— there's one the industry was rigged against women. it is a boys club and eve one against women. it is a boys club and everyone knows. _ against women. it is a boys club and everyone knows. everyone - against women. it is a boys club and everyone knows. everyone at - against women. it is a boys club and everyone knows. everyone at the . against women. it is a boys club and| everyone knows. everyone at the top levels. _ everyone knows. everyone at the top levels, other people at the very top levels _ levels, other people at the very top levels have — levels, other people at the very top levels have the money and power. the re ort b levels have the money and power. report by mps levels have the money and power. tt2 report by mps found that despite increases in representation, encounter limitations on opportunity and lack of support and persist in unequal pay. it found these issues are intensified for women who are ready face racial discrimination. black women are the most disadvantaged _ black women are the most disadvantaged in— black women are the most disadvantaged in the - black women are the most| disadvantaged in the music black women are the most - disadvantaged in the music industry and we _ disadvantaged in the music industry and we experience _ disadvantaged in the music industry and we experience objectification, l and we experience objectification, we paid _ and we experience objectification, we paid the — and we experience objectification, we paid the least. _ and we experience objectification, we paid the least. a— and we experience objectification, we paid the least. a mental- and we experience objectification, l we paid the least. a mental health is impacted. — we paid the least. a mental health is impacted. per— we paid the least. a mental health is impacted, per mental— we paid the least. a mental health is impacted, per mental health, i we paid the least. a mental health. is impacted, per mental health, and this is— is impacted, per mental health, and this is meant— is impacted, per mental health, and this is meant to _ is impacted, per mental health, and this is meant to be _ is impacted, per mental health, and this is meant to be a _ is impacted, per mental health, and this is meant to be a great - is impacted, per mental health, and this is meant to be a great place - is impacted, per mental health, and this is meant to be a great place toi this is meant to be a great place to work, _ this is meant to be a great place to work. right? — this is meant to be a great place to work, right? the— this is meant to be a great place to work, right?— work, right? the mps make a of recommendations _ work, right? the mps make a of recommendations including - work, right? the mps make a of i recommendations including calling work, right? the mps make a of - recommendations including calling on ministers to amend the equality act to protect delayed baggage are freelance workers have the same protections from discrimination as

employees were dividing ministers to prohibit the use of nondisclosure agreements in cases involving sexual abuse sexual harassment or bullying. an increasing investment in diverse talent. but it also says a shift in the behaviour of men part of the music industry is what is really needed. a government spokesperson said all women should be able to work in the music sector, which is fifa misogyny and discrimination. added it would carefully consider the committee first make recommendations. you saw her in that report. i've been talking also to the chief executive at black lives in it music and she gave me her reaction to that report. tt is reaction to that report. it is hard-hitting _ reaction to that report. it is hard-hitting and _ reaction to that report. it is hard-hitting and it - reaction to that report. it is hard-hitting and it is - reaction to that report. it is hard-hitting and it is a - reaction to that report. te 3 hard—hitting and it is a clear report and it is one that the music industry and all creative industries need to take a look at. we welcome the findings in the report and with our organisations and the work that we do in our organisations we

definitely back of the findings that we have seen.— definitely back of the findings that we have seen. , ., ., we have seen. exactly on that point, does this time _ we have seen. exactly on that point, does this time with _ we have seen. exactly on that point, does this time with what _ we have seen. exactly on that point, does this time with what you - we have seen. exactly on that point, does this time with what you see - we have seen. exactly on that point, does this time with what you see in l does this time with what you see in the industry? and at the point is it is worse in many instances for black women in particular?— is worse in many instances for black women in particular? absolutely. we surve ed women in particular? absolutely. we surveyed 900 _ women in particular? absolutely. we surveyed 900 black _ women in particular? absolutely. we surveyed 900 black women - women in particular? absolutely. we surveyed 900 black women in - women in particular? absolutely. we surveyed 900 black women in the i women in particular? absolutely. we| surveyed 900 black women in the uk music industry in 2021, and some of the findings that we saw were they were paid less, 25% less than white women, 52% less than white men and 19% less than black men. in addition to that, they were also victims of sexual harassment, bullying and harassment, and experience barriers to progression which is across the board in the music industry and highlights other datasets as well. abs,

highlights other datasets as well. a woman has been seriously injured in a shark attack in sydney harbour. the first such incident in 15 years. officials say the women were swimming off a fourth less than two kilometres from the sydney opera house when she suffered an injury to her right leg. she has been treated in hospital. the authorities believe a bull shark is responsible for the attack based on photographs of the bite marks. sydney harbour is a habitat for the species that attacks in the area are rare. an eyewitness and neighbour michael porter explained what he saw. t and neighbour michael porter explained what he saw. i heard a soft ell explained what he saw. i heard a soft yell for _ explained what he saw. i heard a soft yell for help _ explained what he saw. i heard a soft yell for help just _ explained what he saw. i heard a soft yell for help just outside i explained what he saw. i heard a soft yell for helpjust outside the j soft yell for help just outside the window and i looked outside and saw popped up on the ladder, external to the harbour, trying to climb in and behind her was her leg which was limp and completely open and are full of dark red blood behind her straightaway. there are sharks in the harbour. it is only now that it feels very real. 2m

the harbour. it is only now that it feels very real.— the harbour. it is only now that it feels very real. an eyewitness there is s dne . feels very real. an eyewitness there is sydney- let _ feels very real. an eyewitness there is sydney. let me _ feels very real. an eyewitness there is sydney. let me take _ feels very real. an eyewitness there is sydney. let me take you - feels very real. an eyewitness there is sydney. let me take you back- feels very real. an eyewitness there is sydney. let me take you back to l is sydney. let me take you back to those pictures just outside of paris. we'll show the scene there because many, many farmers still gathered there. a continuation of that protest in paris and other major cities. they demand reforms and change from the french government, the prime minister had been talking about that for the course of today. no sign of any concession as we speak. you're watching bbc news. shop prices are rising at their slowest rate since may last year according to new figures consortium said the drop was partly because there's been heavy discounting in the january sales. increases in food prices have slowed compared with december with the cost of butter, tea and milk all falling. the cost of living correspondence as this report. after a couple of years

of being battered by price increases chinks of light are starting to emerge. chinks of light are starting to emerue. . , chinks of light are starting to emerue. ., , ., chinks of light are starting to emerue. .,, ., :: chinks of light are starting to emerue. .,, ., z: ., chinks of light are starting to emerue. ., z: ., ' ' emerge. there was that 550. for 99. eve hint emerge. there was that 550. for 99. everything else _ emerge. there was that 550. for 99. everything else is _ emerge. there was that 550. for 99. everything else is still— emerge. there was that 550. for 99. everything else is still the _ emerge. there was that 550. for 99. everything else is still the same. i everything else is still the same. what _ everything else is still the same. what if— everything else is still the same. what if you notice about your tea bags? _ what if you notice about your tea bags? i_ what if you notice about your tea bags? i can — what if you notice about your tea bags? i can buy more tea bags now. you know. _ bags? i can buy more tea bags now. you know. it — bags? i can buy more tea bags now. you know, it wasjust sort bags? i can buy more tea bags now. you know, it was just sort of, bags? i can buy more tea bags now. you know, it wasjust sort of, you 'ust you know, it wasjust sort of, you just buy— you know, it wasjust sort of, you just buy one — you know, it wasjust sort of, you just buy one great big buy more. and toilet— just buy one great big buy more. and toilet rolls _ just buy one great big buy more. and toilet rolls. with just buy one great big buy more. and toilet rolls. ~ ., ., , just buy one great big buy more. and toilet rolls. ~ . . , ~ toilet rolls. with a family like mine you _ toilet rolls. with a family like mine you go _ toilet rolls. with a family like mine you go through - toilet rolls. with a family like mine you go through no i toilet rolls. with a family like mine you go through no end | toilet rolls. with a family like l mine you go through no end of toilet rolls. with a family like - mine you go through no end of them. butter, milk, toilet were falling in price _ butter, milk, toilet were falling in price but — butter, milk, toilet were falling in price. but overall— butter, milk, toilet were falling in price. but overall costs _ butter, milk, toilet were falling in price. but overall costs are - butter, milk, toilet were falling in price. but overall costs are still. price. but overall costs are still on the — price. but overall costs are still on the up _ price. but overall costs are still on the up 54, _ price. but overall costs are still on the up. £4, £5— price. but overall costs are still on the up. £4, £5 for— price. but overall costs are still on the up. £4, £5 for a - price. but overall costs are still on the up. £4, £5 for a small. on the up. £4, £5 for a small chicken _ on the up. £4, £5 for a small chicken it— on the up. £4, £5 for a small chicken. it was _ on the up. £4, £5 for a small chicken. it was never- on the up. £4, £5 for a small chicken. it was never like i on the up. £4, £5 for a smalll chicken. it was never like that years— chicken. it was never like that years ago _ chicken. it was never like that years ago they— chicken. it was never like that years ago. they can _ chicken. it was never like that years ago. they can come i chicken. it was never like that - years ago. they can come everything has gone _ years ago. they can come everything has gone sky— years ago. they can come everything has gone sky high _ years ago. they can come everything has gone sky high. you've _ years ago. they can come everything has gone sky high. you've got - years ago. they can come everything has gone sky high. you've got to- years ago. they can come everything has gone sky high. you've got to be. has gone sky high. you've got to be loaded _ has gone sky high. you've got to be loaded to— has gone sky high. you've got to be loaded to eat — has gone sky high. you've got to be loaded to eat. but— has gone sky high. you've got to be loaded to eat.— loaded to eat. but i don't even go there. loaded to eat. but i don't even go there- my — loaded to eat. but i don't even go there. my daughter— loaded to eat. but i don't even go there. my daughter likes - loaded to eat. but i don't even go there. my daughter likes i - loaded to eat. but i don't even go there. my daughter likes i would l loaded to eat. but i don't even go i there. my daughter likes i would say die, you're buying your own lurpak.

there is no way i am paying six quid for a tub of lurpak. the price of milk and butter has actually been falling. they both peaked at the same time in march last year. but it was around £2 36 for an average price and that has fallen to closer to £2. milk peaked at 170 and has fallen to £1 50 for debate is expensive but heavily for shoppers on basic goods begin to move on the right direction. that is because farm costs that they feed and fertiliser were really high last year. but they're starting to fall. farmers are now getting around 20p less for each litre of milk their cows may compare it to for them. with the prices now are probably just about breaking even. we are fortunate earlier in the year, we are getting a higher price and that is left is enough money to tide us over. the uk's biggest manufacturer told me recently their costs are still high. 50 told me recently their costs are

still hiuh. y told me recently their costs are still hiuh. , ., . ~ told me recently their costs are stillhiuh. , ., , , still high. so they have pack sizes instead. we've _ still high. so they have pack sizes instead. we've made _ still high. so they have pack sizes instead. we've made packaging i instead. we've made packaging changes — instead. we've made packaging changes. packaging sizes as well. consumers — changes. packaging sizes as well. consumers can still continue to taste _ consumers can still continue to taste the — consumers can still continue to taste the brands that they love but may be _ taste the brands that they love but may be in — taste the brands that they love but may be in smaller pack sizes of the reduced _ may be in smaller pack sizes of the reduced cost as well. as may be in smaller pack sizes of the reduced cost as well.— may be in smaller pack sizes of the reduced cost as well. as we look to the rest of — reduced cost as well. as we look to the rest of the _ reduced cost as well. as we look to the rest of the year _ reduced cost as well. as we look to the rest of the year the _ reduced cost as well. as we look to the rest of the year the hope i reduced cost as well. as we look to the rest of the year the hope is i the rest of the year the hope is that shoppers will feel more reductions across the whole of their trolleys. rail passengers are facing more disruption this week as drivers walk out again in their long—running dispute about a pay cut up today is a first in a series of strike days with members of the aslef union walking out at six train companies, mostly across the south of england foot of other areas of days for the next week. here is our transport correspondent. here we go again. more strikes, more picket lines. this one was outside london waterloo. i am a student so i have to get into campus and you have to not come in a sapphic that and sometimes you missed lectures. t do

sometimes you missed lectures. i do think it is affecting the wrong people. — think it is affecting the wrong people, that is my view on it whatever— people, that is my view on it whatever needs to affect the people upstairs. _ whatever needs to affect the people upstairs, not ours.— upstairs, not ours. seems to be a permanent— upstairs, not ours. seems to be a permanent state _ upstairs, not ours. seems to be a permanent state of _ upstairs, not ours. seems to be a permanent state of affairs - permanent state of affairs unfortunate they command something we've got to get used to. there are more strikes tomorrow, friday, saturday and next monday, but the different train companies affected each table that they will run low services are very limited time tables whatever the rail unions including the rmt have struck deals to end their strike said these for now. but it was back in april last year that aslef�*s committee turned down the latest offer from the train companies and has not been any progress in their dispute since. the operators and ministers want aslef to give members a vote on that deal which they say would bring average driver pages £65,000 a year. the finances of _ driver pages £65,000 a year. tt2 finances of the railway still have not got back to where they were before the pandemic. taxpayers are putting an extra £54 million a week into the railway network. we want to give our colleagues a pay rise but

it has to be sustainable. but give our colleagues a pay rise but it has to be sustainable.- it has to be sustainable. but the union says _ it has to be sustainable. but the union says it _ it has to be sustainable. but the union says it cannot _ it has to be sustainable. but the union says it cannot agree i it has to be sustainable. but the union says it cannot agree to i union says it cannot agree to unacceptable changes and accuses the other side of not trying to reach a settlement. brute other side of not trying to reach a settlement-— other side of not trying to reach a settlement. ~ ., ., ., _, settlement. we have had no contact with the transport _ settlement. we have had no contact with the transport minister - settlement. we have had no contact with the transport minister for i settlement. we have had no contact with the transport minister for 14 i with the transport minister for 14 months — with the transport minister for 14 months. we have had no contact with the rail— months. we have had no contact with the rail minister for 13 months that have not— the rail minister for 13 months that have not seen the employers and he rejected _ have not seen the employers and he rejected the deal last april. this is not as not _ rejected the deal last april. tt 3 is not as not coming to the table. a new law means train companies goods now require enough staff to work on strike days to provide 40% of usual services was at the prime minister says he wants them to do it but none of them are, this time around that of them are, this time around that of industry sources say minimum service levels would be challenging to put in place a dab of operators do try it in future, by putting on more strikes. we are going to take a short break that up to stay with us because, here at five, we have plenty on all of those main stories because joe plenty on all of those main stories becausejoe biden has said in the last hour or so that he has decided

how the us is going to react to those in attacks onjordan in which three us servicemen were killed on sunday so we're going to be live in washington to the latest foot at the us president has decided, though he has not actually made public, how he is going to respond but also we'll on the imf warning, the uk government not to cut taxes in the upcoming budget. we'll hearfrom our economics editor about that intervention and of course, we will be live at stormont after two years. we appear to have a deal. when are we likely to see power—sharing established in the province? we will get more on that main story after the weather. today's been a beautiful day for many northern parts of the uk. it is not going to last. beautiful blue skies and sunshine ahead by this weather watcher. but on the earlier

satellite picture you can see that trouble has been brewing. this cloud here and within this we will see an increasingly deep area of low pressure passing to the north of the uk. now, this low has been named by the norwegian by the service, because it is set to bring winds of more than 100 mph in norway foot of the rings are not as strong here northern parts of the uk can expect some very wet and very blustery weather as we head for the day on wednesday that of those wins picking up wednesday that of those wins picking up 30 night into the north—west of scotland and we will see gail is developing, is a main eventually moving in and further south and east some clear skies. we have this clear weather and a touch of frost. temperatures in birmingham and cardiff getting down to freezing.

not as cold further north and west with more cloud, that strengthening wind and outbreaks of rain that many parts of england and wales starting wednesday with at least some spurs of sun travel to northern ireland and scotland are clouding over without breaks are very heavy rain. just about here intense downpours thinking south eastwards with some squally winds. there is when gusts generally 50 or 60 mph across parts of northern england and scotland. in the north of scotland we could easily see gusts in excess of 80 mph. likely to cause some damage and travel disruption for the vervain is continuing southwards into the afternoon. to the south of the rain mostly financed them to spells of sunshine. it will for a time at least ten a little bit colder and our band of rain sinks everfurther south where is their wednesday evening. weakening a letter as it goes. that rain band will clear into thursday. high pressure builds so there's actually a pretty decent david up lots of dry weather, spells of sunshine. that sunshine will turn time with cloud streaming in from the west. that band of rain comes in association with a warm front and as that works across it leaves us with some mild conditions forfide. highs

of 14 stay mad but often cloudy into the weekend. goodbye. live from london. this is bbc news. let's turn to our main headlines. power—sharing in northern ireland could return in a matter of days after a two—year gap as a deal is struck. people will be able to see the extent of what has been achieved by the du b -- dup extent of what has been achieved by the du b —— dup in delivering change for northern ireland. president biden says he has decided

how to respond to the dreaded attack that killed three injordan. at bbc verify, we've been looking at new analysis that shows that more than half of gaza's buildings have been destroyed or damaged since israel launched its offensive in gaza. french farmers continued their protests with dozens of road walked around paris and major cities. ants could a new microchip help people control electronic devices with the power of their minds? hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, power—sharing in northern ireland's devolved assembly is set to return, after the biggest unionist party, the dup, backed a british government deal aimed at soothing concerns over post—brexit trading rules. government at stormont has been suspended for almost two years, after the dup walked out in protest over arrangements which created

trade barriers between northern ireland and the rest of the uk.