>> good afternoon britain . >> good afternoon britain. >> good afternoon britain. >> it's 12:00 on monday the 18th of december. >> rwanda hits turbulence. the scheme is plunged into further crisis as it's revealed airlines are refusing to take part in deportations over fears to their reputations . reputations. >> hmm'hmm now pressure mounts on israel defence secretary ben wallace warns israel's killing rage tactic risk fuelling the conflict for another 50 years. this comes as calls for a ceasefire grow . is he right.7 and ceasefire grow. is he right.7 and campaigners, including boris johnson, have warned that sir winston churchill's barge of all things, is in danger of being sold to a foreign buyer after no one from britain came forward . one from britain came forward. >> so should the government step

. in >> it's quite extraordinary, isn't it, ben.7 after >> it's quite extraordinary, isn't it, ben? after all of the obstacles to this rwanda scheme, after the court ruling against it, after new treaties being signed, that actually one of the things that might eventually prevent those flights from taking off is the fact that no airline apparently wants to conduct these deportations. i mean , is it surprising? mean, is it surprising? >> it'sjust mean, is it surprising? >> it's just an absolute saga, isn't it? i mean, it's one thing after another. and you would have thought, okay, i can kind of understand and maybe british airways easyjet not wanting airways or easyjet not wanting to get involved, but surely the likes of, i don't know, ryanair, they don't damn about they don't give a damn about their they condemn their customers, they condemn them and ridicule them all the time on twitter. they don't care about their rep. can we not get my here to it out? >> maybe ben, maybe it will be ryanair who steps forward to provide carriers for provide the carriers needed for this i mean, this is this scheme. but i mean, this is looking very far ahead, isn't it? because we've still got to get it through commons, get it through the commons, then the through the the lords, then through the courts. be the courts. so this might be the last government's last of the government's worries, it's

worries, but there you go. it's been been been reported. it's been revealed over the weekend that this no airlines this is true. no airlines so far. what think . far. let us know what you think. vaiews@gbnews.com and we'll be speaking to christopher hope, our editor, who's our political editor, who's coming out of lobby in the coming out of the lobby in the next few minutes to the very next few minutes to get the very latest this . but first, let's next few minutes to get the very latethe this . but first, let's next few minutes to get the very latethe headlinesit first, let's next few minutes to get the very latethe headlines witht, let's next few minutes to get the very latethe headlines with tatiana . get the headlines with tatiana. >> emily, thank you very much. and good afternoon. this is the latest from the gb news room. the prime minister says he takes the scandal surrounding baroness michelle mone incredibly seriously. contract , seriously. a covid contract, which will see the former tory peer benefit from a £60 million profit. it's putting new pressure on the government, with mps calling for michael gove, who was chancellor of the duchy of lancaster at the time, to answer questions. baroness mone told she made an error told the bbc she made an error in publicly links to in publicly denying her links to firm medpro, which signed a deal to supply personal protection equipment during the pandemic. a conservative mp, miriam cates,

is being investigated by parliament's standards watchdog, the member for penistone and stocksbridge is accused of causing significant damage to the reputation of the house. it's not clear what the claims relate to. she's one of eight mps currently being investigated by the standards commissioner , by the standards commissioner, £1.5 billion of funding is being put into government grant schemes to help keep households warm. it's part of the £6 billion energy efficiency package announced during last year's autumn statement. the funding covers a three year penod funding covers a three year period from 2025 to 2028, a new £400 million energy efficiency grant will also go to households to fund bigger radiators and better insulation . energy better insulation. energy efficiency minister lord callanan told gb news the scheme will help with the rising energy costs . costs. >> the reason that we're seeing such massive spikes in in prices is because our own supplies of oil and gas from the north sea are declining . we're having to

are declining. we're having to import more and more. and you saw the massive price spike last winter caused by putin's invasion of ukraine. so we need to reduce our usage of imported expensive fossil fuels . and expensive fossil fuels. and alongside our climate commitments , all of that points commitments, all of that points towards increased electrification . electrification. >> two people are in hospital after a gas explosion at a home in blackburn. the incident happened just before 8:00 last night , with emergency services night, with emergency services responding to calls that a building had collapsed. cctv caught the moment of the blast at two people, reportedly suffered minor injuries. lancashire police says nearby homes have been evacuated and it's urging people to avoid the area, while investigations continue . the foreign secretary continue. the foreign secretary is calling for the release of media tycoon and pro—democracy campaignerjemmy media tycoon and pro—democracy campaigner jemmy lai media tycoon and pro—democracy campaignerjemmy lai as his landmark national security case begins. the 76 year old british

citizen is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security. he faces a possible life sentence if convicted under a law imposed by china following the 2019 pro—democracy protests . lord pro—democracy protests. lord cameron has condemned the charges against mr lai , urging charges against mr lai, urging chinese authorities to end the politically motivated prosecution . london's public prosecution. london's public transport system . will receive transport system. will receive £250 million worth of government support next year. transport for london will use the investment for projects such as providing new tube trains for the piccadilly line. tfl is not allowed to spend the money on its day day operation , as the its day to day operation, as the rail minister said the investment have an impact investment will have an impact not just for the people in the caphal not just for the people in the capital, also the millions capital, but also the millions who every year . owners of who visit every year. owners of xl bullies have two weeks to make sure their dogs are legal. from december, the 31st. they must be muzzled in public and it will be illegal to breed, sell or abandon them. in england and wales. owners have also been

told they can ask a vet to put their pets down and claim compensation. the full ban on the breed comes into force on the breed comes into force on the 1st of february next year, but owners can apply for an exemption to keep their dogs . exemption to keep their dogs. the festive getaway begins today with 21 million uk carjourneys expected to be made between now and christmas eve . the rac says and christmas eve. the rac says just over 2 million trips will be made on thursday , and just be made on thursday, and just over 3 million on friday. around 13.5 million car journeys are expected between friday and the 24th of december. thats up 20% from the same time last year. over this coming weekend, between midday and 2 pm. is expected to be the busiest time to travel on the roads, with drivers being warned to travel before or after those peak times to avoid gridlock. traffic this is gb news across the uk on tv, in your car, on digital radio and on your smart speaker by saying play gb news now its back to ben and . emily.

to ben and. emily. >> now the home office claims it has robust plans for flights to rwanda. thats amid reports the airlines are refusing to sign contracts to fly asylum seekers to the african nation . to the african nation. >> yeah, it's the latest setback for rishi sunak as he pushes to get the flagship scheme through parliament and follows the prime minister's rather controversial meeting with his italian counterpart and so—called political soulmate, george moloney, at the weekend. >> hmm'hmm interest gb news senior political commentator nigel nelson is with us now. >> uh, nigel, this is very interesting, isn't it? this new line, this new potential obstacle to the rwanda deportation scheme that airlines aren't too keen to join in to provide their aircraft carriers ? provide their aircraft carriers? >> yes. you would rather have thought the home office would have actually thought this one through before the rwanda bill got as far as it did.

through before the rwanda bill got as far as it did . um, the got as far as it did. um, the one thing you are going to need, need at the very least, is some planes to take migrants to rwanda to, um, but it it doesn't look like it's going to happen the only way now , now, if the only way now, now, if airlines won't play ball is to insist that the raf do it. >> now, the ministry of defence aren't really very keen on that. they don't want their air bases surrounded by demonstrators, towers which would affect their security. yes >> it's not a great look, is it, for the government that airlines aren't willing to provide their services for what is one of their flagship policy , his or do their flagship policy, his or do you think it's just a tale of our time, that reputational damage is so immediate these days for companies, businesses , days for companies, businesses, whatever industry or sector you're are in that everyone's just uber careful . just uber careful. >> i think it's got more to do with the fact that rishi sunak is just not very good at politics. it's, um, quite

clearly the whole rwanda scheme was running into trouble right from the start and he had several opportunities to simply ditch it. um, rather than actually stake his entire premiership on this thing. working so what he could have doneis working so what he could have done is got rid of it. when, uh, after boris johnson and liz truss , he could have simply got truss, he could have simply got rid of it then, because it was it was brought in by a previous administration then. um, he probably would have been wise to actually ditch it after the supreme court ruled it was unlawful. he hasn't done any of those things. and now we're going into an election year where this will become a major issue . and if he can't get issue. and if he can't get a flight off the ground, it doesn't say much about his strength as a prime minister. and nigel isn't isn't it the case that even if rishi does survive the bill reading and he gets his legislation through, wouldn't it be quite ironic that it would be airlines who down the rwanda scheme and ultimately

stick the knife into to his premiership ship? >> yeah it would, which is why he should have thought about this before he got this far. >> uh, i mean, his big problem is going to be assuming he gets the through the commons, the bill through the commons, which think he probably will. which i think he probably will. he threaten, uh, tory he can always threaten, uh, tory mps with taking the whip away if they for it. and that they don't vote for it. and that means can't stand as means they can't stand as conservatives at the general election . um, so, yes, i mean, election. um, so, yes, i mean, i think that the but his big problem is going to be that when it hits the house of lords , as it hits the house of lords, as the lords can delay the house of lords can delay this, this bill for up to a yean this, this bill for up to a year, unless rishi sunak can find a way around that which is what they're probably going to do . do. >> and also, it's probably not even airlines who are the main challenge. agreed challenge. even if they agreed to this and did start shipping, uh, rwanda on their uh, migrants to rwanda on their planes, you'd probably find that you'd get passengers on board the planes kicking up a fuss, stopping the planes from taking off. as we've seen previously with, rapists and so on who

with, um, rapists and so on who have been deported to foreign countries. we've seen planes ground at heathrow ground on the tarmac at heathrow . so not only will, uh, rishi have to get past the airlines and parliament, but also, you know, sort of virtue signalling do well on those do gooders as well on those planes . planes. >> yeah. you've got all the, all those kind of problems, ben, you're absolutely right. um, that could happen. it's more likely in fact, that migrant flights will only contain migrants rather than be, uh, rather than other passengers. but, yes, that's a problem. also, the airlines have got to think about their own business. so it may well be that people who are opposed to the scheme would boycott the airline. so it would boycott the airline. so it would cost them money. uh to carry this out . carry this out. >> yes, i can imagine there would be a very strong boycott campaign for whichever airline was involved . um, can i get a was involved. um, can i get a line from you on baroness michelle mone ? um, a government michelle mone? um, a government minister has come out to say that she should not return to the lords. this, of course, relates to the ppe scandal. she

was speaking to the media over the weekend about her involvement, aunt saying that she she doesn't believe she's done anything wrong. the pressure appears to be mounting for her to be rejected from the lords . lords. >> yes, it does indeed . i'm >> yes, it does indeed. i'm astonished, in fact, that she actually did the interview over the weekend in the first place, because all it's done is made matters worse for her. um, but yes , i mean, if she had any yes, i mean, if she had any honour that she would now resign from the house of lords until 2015, it wasn't possible to expel a peer even if they'd gone to jail. um, they're . the law to jail. um, they're. the law was changed in 2015, and there's now an act of parliament which says peers can be expelled if they , uh, breach the house of they, uh, breach the house of lords code of conduct and what lords code of conduct and what lord callanan, the energy minister, has been saying is that she shouldn't be allowed to sit at the house of lords in future and the reason seems to be that she never registered her interest first in ppe medpro in

the house of lords register. so she's already broke , broken. one she's already broke, broken. one of the house of lords rules . of the house of lords rules. obviously what we've got to see is what the result of the national crime agency investigation is going to be. well thank you very much indeed for your time, nigel nelson there. >> who is the gb news senior political commentator there? well, should we talk to brendan clarke—smith, who is, of course , clarke—smith, who is, of course, a conservative mp brendan, thank you very much for joining us. and lovely jumper, i must say, very nice. um, i want to get your thoughts on what we're heanng your thoughts on what we're hearing , that essentially hearing, that essentially various airlines or no airlines have come forward to supply aircraft carriers for the rwanda scheme. it's not a great look, is it ? i don't think we're going is it? i don't think we're going to be sending them on ryanair or anything like that, so to speak, and of course, remember we did have airlines place before. >> um, ben was mentioning about foreign national offenders and sending away as well . sending those away as well. >> so it's not the only people

we're moving out we're actually, uh, moving out of country in sense. of the country in that sense. >> yes, were some >> and yes, there were some problems with that. >> uh, do agree with nigel. >> uh, i do agree with nigel. it's likely it's not likely to be a commercial airline in the traditional with all the traditional sense, with all the passengers but, uh , you passengers on it, but, uh, you know, nearer the time, money talks. the end of the day, talks. at the end of the day, i'm are plenty of i'm sure there are plenty of commercial will commercial partners who will be interested. not, interested. and if they're not, we've and we've got our own planes and we're going it anyway. we're going to do it anyway. >> brendan, what is the problem with why they with the raf? why don't they want involved in this and want to get involved in this and provide planes and resources to get this scheme off the ground ? get this scheme off the ground? well i'm sure they'll be able to if they , um, if they're actually if they, um, if they're actually called upon as always, you can always rely on the raf . always rely on the raf. >> uh, but, you know, they're very busy people. they've got other things to do. we've got the war in ukraine going on. we've got, uh, things going. israel going on, and, uh, they've got their own job to do, really. and want home really. and we want the home office to manage office to be able to manage this. that's why they're this. and that's why they're trying do trying to find contractors to do it. course, first of it. but, uh, of course, first of all, we've got to get the legislation through. i think this is a small this is only a small detail,

really. lots really. i think there's lots of ifs buts and, uh, woke ifs and buts and, uh, woke capitalism as it is nowadays and people's brand, um, uh, i think people's brand, um, uh, i think people will be going back to those airlines and saying, well, we stop seeing deaths in we want to stop seeing deaths in the at sea . uh, the channel, deaths at sea. uh, what are you doing to help about that? think it works both that? so i think it works both ways. should ways. as well. and they should bear in mind . bear that in mind. >> mentioned what's >> brendan, you mentioned what's going on in the middle east, israel, gaza . um, wallace israel, gaza. um, ben wallace came out quite strong against some of israel's actions . and he some of israel's actions. and he described a killing rage on the part of the israelis. he suggested that the way that israel is going about things could prolong this war for decades , 50 years, i think, he decades, 50 years, i think, he said, and has the risk of radicalising more muslims against israel and the west to. do you agree with him ? well, i do you agree with him? well, i think after what happened on october the 7th, a lot of people were calling for a ceasefire then. >> and of course, to have a ceasefire, you need both sides to take part in that. and hamas

said they were going to try and do same thing all over do the same thing all over again. so completely understand from point view that from israel's point of view that they that they can get they don't see that they can get a ceasefire or that peace a proper ceasefire or that peace until hamas surrender or they give those hostages. now if hamas wants to do that, that's fantastic . stick. i don't think fantastic. stick. i don't think any to see any any of us want to see any civilian deaths. we want see civilian deaths. we want to see a solution this problem. uh, a solution to this problem. uh, whether two state whether that's a two state solution or , uh, people are able solution or, uh, people are able to have ceasefire . but again, to have a ceasefire. but again, a ceasefire involves two sets of people doing that. i think if you look at what lord cameron said well, uh, you know, he's said as well, uh, you know, he's recognised that get recognised that to get a ceasefire, sides recognised that to get a ce be fire, sides recognised that to get a ce be doing sides recognised that to get a ce be doing that. sides recognised that to get a ce be doing that. so sides recognised that to get a ce be doing that. so i sides recognised that to get a ce be doing that. so i think es recognised that to get a ce be doing that. so i think the to be doing that. so i think the emphasis needs put in on hamas. to be doing that. so i think the ethinksis needs put in on hamas. to be doing that. so i think the ethink it's1eeds put in on hamas. to be doing that. so i think the ethink it's very put in on hamas. to be doing that. so i think the ethink it's very quick1 on hamas. to be doing that. so i think the ethink it's very quick to n hamas. i think it's very quick to criticise israel a lot of the time. but let's remember they were the ones who were attacked first. >> brendan last month, uh grant shapps said a ceasefire in gaza was, quote , untenable and would was, quote, untenable and would be like asking israel to stop going after hamas. be like asking israel to stop going after hamas . clearly, going after hamas. clearly, there's been a shift in thought on that now from, as you said, not just joe biden and ben wallace , but also lord cameron,

wallace, but also lord cameron, as at the weekend. as you said at the weekend. what's changed now grant's what's changed now since grant's comments month to now ? comments last month to now? >> and i think it still effectively the same position . effectively the same position. again, you need both sides, uh, to be partners in that. if you want a ceasefire. but we've seen the number of deaths there, so we don't want the conflict to go on any longer than it necessarily needs to. and it's about towards the future about looking towards the future and work together to and trying to work together to make sure that we can make peace in area, really. so there's in the area, really. so there's that long terme recognition that, we'd a that, yes, we'd like a ceasefire, but think that's ceasefire, but i think that's very from some of very different from some of the short terme calls where, uh, a lot of the emphasis was put on israel. you know, israel. but again, you know, hamas still firing rockets. hamas is still firing rockets. they've with they've got problems with hezbollah in the north. and you've got iran as a hostile actor , uh, you know, sponsoring actor, uh, you know, sponsoring actor, uh, you know, sponsoring a lot of these people as well. so i think it's being realistic for what we'd like to see, certainly. but i think a lot needs to be done between now and then achieve ben. then to achieve that. ben. >> quite shift in >> yeah, it's quite a shift in language, isn't from talk of language, isn't it, from talk of humanitarian to rishi

humanitarian pauses to rishi sunak talking about a sustainable ceasefire that is quite a that is a significant change in language. i know you say, brendan, that not too much has changed in in what they're saying, but that is that is quite a strong difference. i would suggest . i think it's an would suggest. i think it's an ambition, really. >> i think at the time, you know, we're very much in the forefront of israel defending itself. if, uh, hamas still firing rockets and a lot of that ground that was going ground offensive that was going on, think lot happened on, i think a lot has happened since it's about looking since then. it's about looking at the next steps, really. so i think there's a recognition that we're different we're in a slightly different place where we were, place now than where we were, but still lot do . but there's still a lot to do. so yeah, certainly. i mean, i'd love people to lay down their arms see the arms. i'd love to see the hostages freed. uh, love to hostages freed. uh, i'd love to see fighting stop. but see the fighting stop. but i think a number of things have got happen that. so got to happen before that. so i would to let those would urge hamas to let those hostages go free the hostages. let's have some serious talks now. let's stop firing rockets at people. and then israel . by at people. and then israel. by the same token, you know, they can actually start getting into

some but until that some talks, but until that happens, going to very , happens, it's going to be very, very sure very difficult. but i'm sure we're going to try do we're going to try and do everything we can uh, make everything we can to, uh, make peace germany. uh, peace there. as germany. uh, what joe biden said as well, it's something we all want to see and we all want in that region. as we know, it's region. but as we know, it's been very difficult in the recent decades to achieve that. emily, indeed . emily, indeed. >> well, thank you very much for your time. brendan clarke—smith conservative you conservative mp, and i hope you have lovely christmas , a have a very lovely christmas, a restful to great stuff. >> so let's speak to our political editor, christopher hope, who is live with us now in westminster . christopher good westminster. christopher good afternoon on the rwanda plan. um, it's all going wrong again, isn't it, for rishi sunak, first it was the courts, but actually this bombshell. now it's the airlines . airlines. >> well , well not yet, airlines. >> well, well not yet, ben. >> well, well not yet, ben. >> i mean, let's not get ahead of ourselves. this plan hasn't yet been made law. we've still got to get through the house of commons the house of lords, commons and the house of lords, and then the house lords and then the house of lords could nigel

could delay it, as i think nigel nelson was saying earlier. nelson was saying just earlier. so looking at first so we're looking at the first flights taking off in in flights may be taking off in in may with with a fair wind and may with a with a fair wind and lots of good luck for the government. and then the government. and then the government clear that if government is very clear that if they any commercial they can't find any commercial partners, obviously partners, then they'll obviously got are other got the mod. there are other ways of getting from the ways of getting people from the uk to rwanda for processing and basically deporting them there, so that i think that's just it's a because hitherto the a concern because hitherto the home office deportations have taken place on, on commercial flights. but there is there is a risk, no question, to companies getting involved given the social media backlash, given they are looking at strengthening the security around be around the airfields they'll be taking from people will taking off from that people will try a big about try and make a big fuss about this if happens . but this when and if it happens. but we heard in the number 10 we have heard in the number 10 lobby briefing just now , emily lobby briefing just now, emily and from the prime and ben from the prime minister's spokesman he's minister's spokesman, he's made very expanded slightly on very clear, expanded slightly on the pm's remarks weekend the pm's remarks at the weekend about overwhelming european countries with migration. he did say there that there are potential challenges to uk

security and what that means is there are concerns, i think, in there are concerns, i think, in the states that the people arriving here, the 23,000 arriving here, the 23,000 arriving this year, twice that last year, um, right. that they're not being checked, no vetting of them. we don't know who they are. they also talked interestingly , of the way that interestingly, of the way that russia and belarus have have sort of forced a bit of a migrant crisis on some borders with those countries in the eu. so there is a wider concern, i think, about who is being who is being unmonitored and who can come into the eu and probably the uk as well. so there's a wider concern there on just why thatissue wider concern there on just why that issue small that issue of small boats tackling it is so important to this government. >> christopher , um, rishi >> uh, christopher, um, rishi sunakis >> uh, christopher, um, rishi sunak is it fair to say that he's slightly changed his approach, at least linguistically, when it comes to israel ? gaza talking now about israel? gaza talking now about a sustainable ceasefire that's quite different, isn't it ? quite different, isn't it? that's right. >> emily, we saw that for the first time, didn't we, in a comment piece yesterday in the

sunday times, the idea of a sustainable ceasefire is different to a pause in hostilities. that the hostilities. that was the previous used. the previous language used. the problem the ceasefire problem with the ceasefire is both have to agree to both sides have got to agree to it. while people can be it. so while people can be horrified by the civilian deaths in gaza, there's also a right on right of israel to defend itself and ensure that the hamas cannot do again . and, um, we have do this again. and, um, we have heard from again from downing street in briefing, street today in the briefing, just here in number 10, just finished here in number 10, that concerned that too just finished here in number 10, that civilians ned that too just finished here in number 10, that civilians are that too just finished here in number 10, that civilians are being 00 just finished here in number 10, that civilians are being killed many civilians are being killed and they're urging the idf to be careful with, with the way it's projecting its power into gaza . projecting its power into gaza. of course, three israeli hostages were killed by idf troops at the weekend . that's troops at the weekend. that's caused huge issues, and there are concerns now about the way that the idf is deporting itself. of course, the country has a right to find the hamas terror terrorists, also a right to defend itself and that's the balance. i think the uk is now increasingly trying make balance. i think the uk is now increiwithly trying make balance. i think the uk is now increiwith israel1g make balance. i think the uk is now increiwith israel ,| make balance. i think the uk is now increiwith israel , and nake balance. i think the uk is now increiwith israel , and we e balance. i think the uk is now increiwith israel , and we are clear with israel, and we are expecting further diplomatic activity this week from the foreign secretary on front.

foreign secretary on this front. >> i it's clear that >> yes. i think it's clear that western leaders are feeling >> yes. i think it's clear that we of rn leaders are feeling >> yes. i think it's clear that we of pressure.; are feeling >> yes. i think it's clear that we of pressure. um, feeling >> yes. i think it's clear that we of pressure. um, wheng >> yes. i think it's clear that we of pressure. um, when it bit of pressure. um, when it comes to their stance towards israel and its actions, can't support them. come what may, it feels like something's changed. um, but also churchill's barge. now we're going to be talking about this later in the show, but i understand you've got a line on this. the barge may be sold to off an international buyen sold to off an international buyer. is that true ? buyer. is that true? >> well, that's the threat at the moment because it's the it's £800,000 is the price of this barge which bore churchill's body up the thames from the docks or i'm sorry, from the from the here from westminster. forgive me. down to the docks and was taken to his and where he was taken to his eventual burial in kent. now eventual burial in in kent. now that barge could go overseas. if a buyer can't be found now number 10 is we've made very clear in the briefing just finished that pm is against finished that the pm is against the being taken overseas. the barge being taken overseas. there was an opportunity for a committee within whitehall to block any sale of , of an item of block any sale of, of an item of cultural importance . and i think cultural importance. and i think

for the tory party, probably for the whole country, frankly. uh, but the barge which bore churchill's body towards its burial is, is , is you can't go burial is, is, is you can't go a lot, lot bigger than that for some people. so £800,000 is probably small change to your salaries. emily and ben , but salaries. emily and ben, but perhaps you can dip in as things stand. that barge looks like it won't go over seas, but there will probably be a fund raiser at some point. i'm sure we can all chip in. >> yeah, i'll i'll have to start saving my pennies. but christopher, on a more serious note, this , is anything note, with this, is it anything to with this growing sense in to do with this growing sense in recent years that, um, sir winston is being cancelled? i remember doing a story for the sun newspaper some years ago about the churchill fellowship trust that essentially whitewashed their website with a big article about how winston was racist and he was a warmonger. and whatever else. is there any sense of that? is this why we're not seeing much in enthusiasm from brits to buy his barge ? barge? >> no, i don't think so. ben i

think the essentially no one knew that the havengore this vessel was going to be sold off. i think until it appeared in the weekend papers. i think it was the telegraph at the weekend. no one knew this, this one knew that this, this, this vessel might be go to a foreign buyer might, may or may it buyer or might, may or may it may not go anywhere. may may just be broken up if it if a buyer be found. think buyer can't be found. i think now government's aware now that the government's aware of pm has made very of it, the pm has made very clear won't happen. think clear this won't happen. i think £800,000 a lot for the uk £800,000 is not a lot for the uk government, given the money it's spent on everything else recently find to secure recently to find to secure this part history. don't think part of history. i don't think it's a question of churchill being cancelled. this is a question of simply not being aware that a private sale was going we could lose this going on, and we could lose this for it could be the reverse. this >> it could be the reverse. this is johnson and other is why boris johnson and other campaigners make thing campaigners want to make a thing of because they of this barge, because they don't to don't want winston churchill to be cancelled. and this is, you know, a symbol of patriotism for people rally around . people to rally, rally around. so there you go. >> should we should we start a gb news campaign? is this the new gb news campaign? is this the nev no, no, campaign . well, >> no, no, no campaign. well, you heard it here first band.

>> i mean, i think that this this, um, that boris johnson, the former prime minister who has also be a biographer of churchill, he told the mail on sunday is sunday yesterday that this is part history our part of the history of our country to remain here. >> um, the owner of it, chris rowland, has looked to reduce the value of the boat from £2 million to 800,000 thousand pounds , and he bought it for in pounds, and he bought it for in 2006 for a just a bit more than that. so less than that. some £80,000. so i think this is, uh, money, i think, which is surely loose change to uk loose change to the uk government. it could be government. surely it could be a tourist attraction. um, just near the churchill war near here is the churchill war rooms over there, as the river thames. something happen ? thames. can't something happen? i'm sure it can happen. >> well, there you go. there's christopher rallying cry >> well, there you go. there's ch save iher rallying cry >> well, there you go. there's ch save the rallying cry >> well, there you go. there's ch save the barge. rallying cry >> well, there you go. there's ch save the barge. rallyingyou' to save the barge. thank you very much, christopher. our very much, christopher. hope our political number political editor outside number 10, . uh, an 10, downing street. uh, an interesting one, isn't it? i think that i think it would be sad if the barge winston churchill's barge went to a went to a foreign buyer. >> yeah, we'll get in touch.

what do you guys think? should we be forking out taxpayer money to save the barge from either refuge or international bidders? i do think there is a growing consensus that winston churchill is being erased. as i said, we've had that fellowship. churchill trust story a few years ago about painting him out to be a massive racist, especially among young people. now, if they do know who he is, a lot don't anymore, which i think is very sad. a lot don't anymore, which i think is very sad . and um, if think is very sad. and um, if they know who he is , a lot of they do know who he is, a lot of them seem to think he was some very sort of horrible, racist, warmonger. oh, absolutely. >> winston >> the way that winston churchill been taught churchill is, has been taught historically. i think is changing, actually , um, today, changing, actually, um, today, you know, a lot of negativity around the man, a lot of people forgetting just how integral he was to our peace and security , was to our peace and security, um, not least during the war. so there you go. let us know what you think. should the barge be saved here in britain? but, uh, coming up, we'll be asking if we're seeing a shift in support in the middle east. as number 10 says that it's concerned that

too many civilians are being killed . and it's calling for killed. and it's calling for both sides to agree a sustainable we'll see sustainable ceasefire. we'll see you shortly. stay

isabel monday to thursdays from six till 930. >> good afternoon. it's 1231. this is the latest from the gb newsroom. the prime minister says he takes the scandal surrounding baroness michelle mone incredibly seriously. a covid contract , which will see

covid contract, which will see the former tory peer benefit from a £60 million profit, is putting new pressure on the government, with mps calling for michael gove, who was chancellor of the duchy of lancaster at the time, to answer questions. baroness mone told the bbc she made an error in publicly denying her links to firm medpro, which signed a deal to supply personal protective equipment during pandemic. equipment during the pandemic. >> whole situation is >> this whole situation is subject to an ongoing criminal investigation , but also the investigation, but also the government is . not. to what i government is. not. to what i can say other than to say we take all these things incredibly seriously . and that's why i say seriously. and that's why i say the government is taking legal action. because there's action. and because there's a criminal ongoing, criminal investigation ongoing, i comment further . i can't comment any further. >> conservative mp miriam cates is being investigated by parliament's standards watchdog . parliament's standards watchdog. the member for penistone and stocksbridge is accused of causing significant damage to the reputation of the house or its members. it's not clear what the claim relates to. she's one

of eight mps currently being investigated by the standards commissioner. two investigated by the standards commissioner . two people are investigated by the standards commissioner. two people are in hospital after a gas explosion at a home in blackburn. the incident happened just before 8:00 last night, with emergency services responding to calls that a building had collapsed. lancashire police says nearby homes have been evacuated and it's urging people to avoid the area while investigations continue . £1.5 billion of continue. £1.5 billion of funding is being put into government grant schemes to help keep households warm. it's part of the £6 billion energy efficiency package announced dunng efficiency package announced during last year's autumn statement . the funding covers statement. the funding covers a three year period from 2025. you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website, gbnews.com . well, thank gb news.com. well, thank gbnews.com. well, thank you tatiana. >> now, as we were discussing

with our political editor, the language used by western leaders on the war between israel and hamas appears to be changing. yeah, that's right, foreign secretary lord cameron this weekend has warned too many civilians have been killed in gaza , supporting a call from his gaza, supporting a call from his german counterpart for a, quote, sustainable ceasefire . this sustainable ceasefire. this comes after former defence secretary ben wallace warns that israel's tactics will fuel the conflict for another 50 years. our reporter charlie peters joins us now for the latest on this developing story. >> charlie has the western mood on the conflict shifted. i know you spent some time there in recent months. you did a sterling job as well compared to your reporting from then, do you feel a shift in in the vibe coming from israel, gaza or from some countries? >> certainly. and just in the last moments we heard from prime minister rishi sunak echoing that call for a sustainable ceasefire, the same language used by lord cameron, the foreign secretary, over the weekend. over the weekend, along

with his german counterparts. we also heard from the french foreign minister calling for an immediate and durable truce . and immediate and durable truce. and of course, as you've just mentioned, the former defence secretary ben wallace, going much further, as is the privilege of former ministers to speak very sternly on what he described as israel's actions. being a recruit sergeant for islamist organisations around the world and, of course, for hamas in gaza. he said that the israeli prime minister was losing sight of the long terme and conducting a killing. rage with their current strategy in gaza. now, obviously , mr gaza. now, obviously, mr wallace's comments don't reflect the position of the british government any more. but rishi sunaks statement this morning saying that too many lives have been lost also comes after the deputy pm, oliver dowden, urged israel to act with restraint. and i would say when i was in tel aviv, of all the world leaders, to offer support for israel, mr sunak was one of the strongest. he quite literally

put his arm around benjamin netanyahu and said we are with you in this conflict . whereas you in this conflict. whereas washington, israel's most significant supporter , urged a significant supporter, urged a more cautious message back in october, very soon after the country was still reeling from the october 7th terror attacks , the october 7th terror attacks, president joe biden actually urged israel to remember what happenedin urged israel to remember what happened in the united states after 9/11, when biden said mistakes had been made that washington and america acted with too much aggression in its response to those terror attacks. and so washington has always urged some degree of caution and restraint in the military operation in gaza. it still supports israel's strategy to destroy hamas, both in terms of its leadership and its wider military infrastructure . but it military infrastructure. but it is urging a change in strategy. however, i'd say i don't think that's particularly likely in the coming weeks and months. we have heard from security experts who spoke to gb news this

morning saying that a strategy shift a significant way is shift in a significant way is unlikely because generally speaking, it is working their ambition to destroy hamas and also free some of the hostages has so far continued on the track that israel generally wants it to occur. however just one hostage freed from military operations so far , the 100 plus operations so far, the 100 plus who were released last month, were achieved through that short truce. so will there be a shift in the strategy from israel ? in the strategy from israel? probably not, but there could be smaller adjustments to their military goals this week. we know that the defence secretary of the united states, lloyd austin, will be meeting with his israeli counterpart , yoav israeli counterpart, yoav galant, in tel aviv. it's likely that the american move there is going to be to urge the israelis , israelis, to rely less on bombing campaigns and actually shift a sort of smaller, more elite military operations using smaller teams, fewer munitions.

and we'll see if that strategy comes through . comes through. >> charlie, great stuff. thank you so much. joining us now is tal heinrich, the spokesperson for the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu . thank you benjamin netanyahu. thank you for joining us. what has the forjoining us. what has the israeli response and the government response been from this growing pressure ? it seems, this growing pressure? it seems, of talk of a ceasefire. can you just explain the israeli position ? position? >> thank you. ben, and emily, for having me on today. well you see, of course there is pressure on israel. we're aware of that. and but we're not fighting this war for likes on social media. we take advice from partners , of we take advice from partners, of course, or for, you know, we're not fighting this for a better handshakes that the un corridors. yes, there is pressure but we are fighting an existential genocidal threat called hamas. so we will do whatever it takes to eliminate this terrorist regime in control of the gaza strip . this is the

of the gaza strip. this is the goal that we have defined for the operation. and it's a very , the operation. and it's a very, very legitimate military goal that we will achieve. you see, these calls for a ceasefire a sustainable one. what is a sustainable one. what is a sustainable ceasefire, one that would leave hamas in power with the desire and military capabilities to perpetrate the october 7th massacre again and again, and again? uh, i, i don't think that's a sustainable reality . it's not an acceptable reality. it's not an acceptable one, one that the israeli nation that the israeli public would agree to live next to. not anymore . anymore. >> tal, what would you say to our defence secretary, ben wallace, when he is clearly fearful that it israel's response has risks ? response has risks? radicalising. uh future generations in gaza and could potentially prolong the war. there's a very real concern and it's not based on taking sides. it's based on security concerns that with the continued

bombardment of gaza, what will happenis bombardment of gaza, what will happen is that residents of gaza will be more and more radicalised against israel and also the west in general. what would you say to that ? i would would you say to that? i would refer him to, uh , historical refer him to, uh, historical lessons from the second world war, you know, when, when the german chancellor was here, he compared hamas to the nazis when he saw the atrocities of the october 7th massacre. >> and as you know, after the second world war, the german population often, uh, did not become , um, more radical. in become, um, more radical. in fact, they blamed the nazis for, for, uh, what happened to their country. what happened to the world as consequence of, of this regime. so and by the way, we're also starting to hear in certain parts of gaza, some palestinian people speaking out publicly against hamas, which is something that, of course, we could not have heard before the

israeli military campaign to , israeli military campaign to, uh, root out these terrorists . uh, root out these terrorists. it's now, uh, one more thing to remember here is that israel must send and not only israel, the civilised world, as a whole, must send an unequivocal message against terrorism, because terrorists and bad actors around the world are watching what's happening in our region right now. they're taking notes and if we show leniency, if , uh, now. they're taking notes and if we show leniency, if, uh, you know, hamas somehow remains in power, what kind of message does it send? it's an open invitation for more trouble more for more trouble and more bloodshed on behalf of other bad actors . so we must, as the actors. so we must, as the civilised world, send this very strong message against terrorism, that terrorism is a dead now there was a word dead end. now there was a word that he said , um, that is simply that he said, um, that is simply not in place . he used the word not in place. he used the word rage. you see, israel is not dnven rage. you see, israel is not driven by rage, not at all. that's an unfortunate language . that's an unfortunate language. we are driven. we are seeking accountability. this is why the idf is operating right now. >> i, i completely not driven by rage. i completely i completely

understand the goal of dismantling hamas. but are you concerned by the number of civilian lives that are being lost? because that's what seems to be motivating western leaders to be motivating western leaders to take this sort of new approach, calling for a ceasefire is the concern that the level of destruction in gaza is simply unsustainable, and that too many civilian lives are being lost . being lost. >> one hamas is eliminated. being lost. >> one hamas is eliminated . and >> one hamas is eliminated. and we said we don't want to see any kind of resurgence of terrorism in gaza. but but first to, to, to to, build a better hope for this future. you know, you're talking about the destruction in gaza as a result of hamas's war, that they waged on us with the attack on october seventh. you see, um, nothing new can be built there as long as these terrorists are in control of the gaza strip , something gaza strip, something significant has to change. hamas must be eliminated. significant has to change. hamas

must be eliminated . the radical, must be eliminated. the radical, um , ideology of hamas and its um, ideology of hamas and its grip on the palestinian population also has to for change us to be able to build something better in this region. first, the right conditions have to be in place . you see, uh, to be in place. you see, uh, there's no point. uh so to say, let me compare it again. once again to europe to talk about a marshall plan. for example, if we're still in in 1939, first, you know , there's d—day, there's you know, there's d—day, there's , uh, there is the stalingrad. uh battle and so on. uh things have to happen in order if i if i may just be very blunt, is there a limit to the amount of civilian casualties israel is prepared to accept . we don't prepared to accept. we don't accept one civilian casualty . accept one civilian casualty. >> we don't target 18,000 plus so far, according to hamas, target terrorists and terror infrastructure . infrastructure. >> we, the idf, is doing the utmost effort to safeguard the civilian population in gaza .

civilian population in gaza. full stop. um, and we go to unprecedented extents , uh, to unprecedented extents, uh, to try to safeguard the civilians there and to ease the civilian suffering in gaza. by the way, you know, we the idf, i'm sure that you've seen this map of the zones, the numbered zones. we in fact , tell the civilians in gaza fact, tell the civilians in gaza exactly where and exactly when our troops are going to operate . our troops are going to operate. what kind of military does that what kind of western military is ever done that, um , of course, ever done that, um, of course, this puts our soldiers at risk because the terrorists also know what we're going to operate, but we are calling on them to evacuate. and i'm sure that, you know, uh, friends and family of service members in the uk, they're watching us right now. they're wondering, well, who does that? it's us. the most moral military in the world. >> well, thank you very much for your time. tel heinrich, spokesperson israeli your time. tel heinrich, spokesminister, israeli your time. tel heinrich, spokesminister, appreciate.i your time. tel heinrich, spokesminister, appreciate your prime minister, appreciate your time. thank you very much . time. thank you very much. >> okay. after the break, planning permission for new homes hits record lows. we'll be asking why . why? after this

asking why. why? after this

>> the camilla tominey show sunday mornings from 930 on gb news . news. >> good afternoon britain. it is 1248 in the afternoon. now i did say ben wallace earlier was our defence secretary . he is in fact defence secretary. he is in fact the former defence secretary. so sorry about that. for those of you eagle eyed writing to in me to tell me i was wrong and i was so former defence secretary, of course. planning course. anyway, planning

permission new homes hits permission for new homes hits record lows . that's according to record lows. that's according to new data from the home builders federation. >> yeah, so down 19% on the same penod >> yeah, so down 19% on the same period last year. >> yeah, so down 19% on the same period last year . the housing period last year. the housing secretary is accused of surrendering to nimbys. i must admit, i am an absolute nimby at heart. i've objected to many housing development around my neck of the woods. waleses with michael gove expected to announce new rules which protect building on the green belt. >> yes, this comes as the number of homeless families and temporary accommodation reaches hit record highs this christmas, so how can they justify this slowdown in house building, particularly when you've had record of immigration? so record levels of immigration? so joining us now is property expert and political commentator russell quirk. russell, what's going on here? can you explain this to us? why are we building at record lows when we've had record levels of immigration and we've got hundreds of thousands of people who may be without a home this christmas ? home this christmas? >> so probably explain >> so i can probably explain this in one word. emily, politics. >> that's what it is.

>> that's what it is. >> politics. um, this is michael gove pandering to tory backbenchers . uh, it's not the backbenchers. uh, it's not the first time this has happened. so the concern lives in, um, a freak piece of wisdom. a few months ago , uh, were to months ago, uh, were to introduce the planning reform act, which actually would have enabled much more in the way of planning consents and therefore building , planning consents and therefore building, but planning consents and therefore building , but poured it at the building, but poured it at the last minute because of opposition from the likes of theresa villiers on the tory backbenches and about 60 other mps that were under pressure themselves from their constituents, not to allow more building in their constituencies . now, um, if we don't get planning permissions and we don't build, we don't end up with the housing that this country needs . and i was country needs. and i was interested, ben, in what you were saying just now, that you've objected lots and lots you've objected to lots and lots of consents . of different planning consents. yeah.i of different planning consents. yeah. i presume you own a house. so you're sitting pretty, are you?i so you're sitting pretty, are you? i do own a house, but i was going to. >> i was going to say to you,

the reason for that is because of the quality of new builds. they they i mean, for example, i stayed at my friend's house last week. bedroom week. i was in a bedroom upstairs. you can hear people making downstairs. upstairs. you can hear people making walls downstairs. upstairs. you can hear people making walls are lnstairs. upstairs. you can hear people making walls are wafers. they're the walls are wafer thin. the quality just isn't there. a prime example. thin. the quality just isn't thust a prime example. thin. the quality just isn't thust don't a prime example. thin. the quality just isn't thust don't like| prime example. thin. the quality just isn't thust don't like the me example. thin. the quality just isn't thust don't like the wayexample. thin. the quality just isn't thust don't like the way they)le. i just don't like the way they look. i don't like the way, the way they're built. i just way they're built. and i just think weren't think if developers weren't trying money and do trying to save money and do things on cheap, they things on the cheap, and they put and care into put a bit of love and care into what were doing, people what they were doing, people like me more swayed to like me might be more swayed to approve things. like me might be more swayed to appokay, things. like me might be more swayed to appokay, so things. like me might be more swayed to appokay, so that's things. like me might be more swayed to appokay, so that's a things. like me might be more swayed to appokay, so that's a completely >> okay, so that's a completely different actually, different problem. and actually, i'm that the i'm inclined to agree that the cookie developers, cookie cutter developers, basically house basically the top ten house builders in country, tend basically the top ten house bu have; in country, tend basically the top ten house buhave an country, tend basically the top ten house buhave a pretty:ountry, tend basically the top ten house buhave a pretty:ountry, devil1d to have a pretty kind of devil may care attitude to the quality of their build. it's about transactions for them. that's not though, to not not a reason, though, to not allow the in the first allow the building in the first place. the and it's actually much more of a matter for, for uh, something around quality . so uh, something around quality. so um, a buyer actually being properly informed so that they can see the difference between a good build and a bad build. but also from a building regulation point of view, which obviously is at the behest of government,

ensuring are ensuring that houses are built to better quality. but but the to a better quality. but but the problem still remains now problem still remains is we now are about 50% fewer are building about 50% fewer houses than we were in the 1960s. so the 1950s and 60s, we had about 300,000 houses built now this year, 2023, 2024 is a consequence of the incompetence of government . uh, bad politics, of government. uh, bad politics, the bank of england waiting way too long to raise interest rates and continue to print money and so on. that that kind of collision, that perfect storm of incompetence which has led to the economic position that we're in, means now that, of course, builders don't to out builders don't want to go out and planning and and get planning permission and build houses because market and get planning permission and blsofter.jses because market and get planning permission and dl softer. the because market and get planning permission and dl softer. the problem market and get planning permission and dl softer. the problem we arket is softer. the problem is we also a population also have a population that's increasing of increasing at the rate of 700,000. just in immigration alone. let alone people living longer , let alone 20% of people longer, let alone 20% of people actually living on their own. if we continue as politicians. and actually i would, i would argue that the last people we want in charge of house building in britain is politicians. charge of house building in britain is politicians . why? britain is politicians. why? because they play political

football just as michael gove is about to do around such things as the greenbelt. you know, we have something like 9% of britain built on only 5 or 6% is built on with residential development. if we continue to not serve the demand that britain has for new housing, all that's going to happen is both. from a social housing perspective and also a retail housing perspective, is we end up with the shortage . what then up with the shortage. what then happens? house prices keep going up more and more and more , and up more and more and more, and people like me continue to get criticised for kind of fuel that almost in terms of how a first time buyer is going to get their first, their foot on the first rung of the property ladder. well, no wonder when you've got people like gove in people like michael gove in charge. very much for >> well thank you very much for your expert, your time. property expert, political russell political commentator russell quirk. to quirk. always great to speak to you on this subject and any other of course, but i other subject, of course, but i do point. the do understand your point. the problem that lot of the problem is, is that a lot of the housing is hideous, and that's why people it's just abject. but

the idea that, oh, only 9% of the idea that, oh, only 9% of the land masses covered in housing. okay, but you can't just stick housing in the middle of nowhere and hope that people will live there. will choose to live there. that's not how town and city planning works. that's not how town and city pla it's|g works. that's not how town and city pla it's also rks. that's not how town and city pla it's also quite laughable how >> it's also quite laughable how you all the, especially the you get all the, especially the young liberals young sort of lefty liberals wanting borders for people wanting open borders for people to flood the next minute to flood in, and the next minute they complain can't they complain they can't get a house a home. so house and can't find a home. so yes, well, you yes, ironically, well, you certainly record lows certainly can't have record lows when comes building when it comes to building houses, you've record houses, when you've got record highs in terms of immigration. >> you think. >> let us know what you think. gb views gbnews.com. but coming up, we will fight them on the barges. sunak could step barges. rishi sunak could step in to stop churchill's funeral barge brought an barge from being brought by an overseas buyer . overseas buyer. >> it looks like things are heating up. boxed boilers, sponsors of weather on gb news . sponsors of weather on gb news. >> hello again. it's aidan mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast . cloudy and breezy for many dunng . cloudy and breezy for many during the rest of today. increasingly wet in the south overnight, but clear spells will

arrive in the north behind a couple of weather fronts which are traversing the country northwest to southeast . this northwest to southeast. this cold fronts will pep up as we go into the evening, and overnight, bringing some more extensive wet weather across wales. >> and then into the early hours across southern and eventually southeastern parts of england. >> that rain, heavy and persistent in places further north, rain does clear, although further showers follow for the north and west of scotland. parts of northern ireland on a blustery breeze and with clear spells here. any sheltered spots will get close to freezing, so a touch of frost perhaps, but in the south it will be a very mild start to tuesday. however, it will also be a wet start. the rain does clear eventually so that after lunch i think most places in the south will be turning drier and brighter. some decent sunny spells for england and wales , but staying blustery and wales, but staying blustery for scotland and northern ireland with strong winds and frequent showers. those showers in the cold air falling as snow

and hail over the hills into wednesday. a cold start to the day in places, but a bright start in the northwest. we're going to see some rain spread in, along with a strengthening wind, but it's really into thursday that the wind turns particularly strong, especially towards the northwest. >> gales in places and blustery showers . showers. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers . sponsors of boxt boilers. sponsors of weather on gb news

>> good afternoon britain. it's 1:00 on monday, the 18th of december. >> rwanda hits a turbulence. the rwanda scheme is plunged into further crisis as it's revealed airlines are refusing to take part in the migrant deportation scheme. that's over fears to their reputation . but number 10 their reputation. but number 10 says it has robust plans in place to ensure flights can take off pressure mounts on israel. >> the government expresses , >> the government expresses, quote, concern over too many civilians being killed in gaza. it comes as former defence secretary ben wallace warns israel's , quote, killing rage israel's, quote, killing rage tactics risk fuelling the conflict for another 50 years as calls grow for a ceasefire. but is he right ? is he right? >> save churchill's barge rishi sunak steps in to stop churchill's funeral barge from being bought by an overseas buyen being bought by an overseas buyer. campaigners including

bofis buyer. campaigners including boris johnson, have warned that the boat is in danger after no one from britain came forward. now a lot of you have been getting in touch about winston churchill's barge linzi written in, she says we should absolutely save the barge. winston churchill boosted the morale of the british people dunng morale of the british people during their darkest times. so there you go , she lynn wants the there you go, she lynn wants the barge saved. very much saved . barge saved. very much saved. um, and rob says, hi there . the um, and rob says, hi there. the national lottery should step in and buy the barge for the nation. >> why not? it's only 800 k. you think about the money they splurge on. uh, you know, different diversity schemes and inclusion schemes. come on, cough it up. >> churchill's boat. it needs to stay here. and, uh, robin, he says it's important to know that an australian bought it originally and the originally and paid the restoration. fantastic restoration. it's a fantastic boat and be kept for the boat and must be kept for the

country is naval country. there is a naval museum, but it must be kept. so there you go. let us know what you think. >> moving on. um, >> right. uh, moving on. um, we're going to have your headunes we're going to have your headlines with tatiana . headlines with tatiana. >> ben, thank you very much. and good afternoon. 1:02. this is the latest from the gb newsroom. the prime minister says he takes the scandal surrounding baroness michelle mone incredibly seriously . the former tory peer seriously. the former tory peer admitted she's set to benefit from a contract between ppe firm medpro and the government, which generated a £60 million profit. lady mone told the bbc she contacted michael gove at the start of the pandemic after he made a call to arms for massive quantities of payment protection equipment. rishi sunak says the government has launched a legal case against the company. >> this whole situation is subject to an ongoing criminal investigation, but also the government is taking action. legal action against a company

involved . so there's a limit to involved. so there's a limit to what i can say other than to say we take all these things incredibly seriously, and that's why said government why i said the government is taking action. because taking legal action. and because there's a criminal investigation ongoing, any further. >> labour leader sir keir starmer described the scandal as a shocking disgrace from top to bottom. >> every day he goes past, there are more questions that need to be answered. there's now suggestions. >> there was early private contact with members of the cabinet that may have started this unhappy story in the first place, so the government needs to come clean. it needs to make a statement about that, but this needs to be seen in its context under government, £7 under this government, £7 billion was lost in fraud during covid. >> that's taxpayers money. >> that's taxpayers money. >> and if there were a labour government, we'd want that money back. >> the conservative mp miriam cates is being investigated by parliament's standards watchdog . parliament's standards watchdog. the member for penistone and stocksbridge is accused of causing significant damage to the reputation of the house or

its members. it's not clear what the claim relates to. she's one of eight mps currently being investigated by the standards commissioner. bp has paused all its tanker journeys through the red sea due to ongoing attacks by militants in yemen. the oil giant says it's witnessed a deteriorate security situation for its shipments. it's amid a number of attacks on vessels in recent days by the iranian backed houthi militants . it's backed houthi militants. it's understood the pro—hamas group is seeking to disrupt ships set for israel . £1.5 billion of for israel. £1.5 billion of funding is being put into government grant schemes to help keep households warm. it's part of a £6 billion energy efficiency package announced dunng efficiency package announced during last year's autumn statement . the funding covers a statement. the funding covers a three year period from 2025, a new £400 million energy efficiency grant will also go to households to fund bigger radiators and better insulation , radiators and better insulation, an energy efficiency minister, lord callanan, told gb news the scheme will help with the rising

energy costs. >> the reason that we're seeing such massive spikes in in prices is because our own supplies of oil and gas from the north sea are declining. we're having to import more and more. and you saw the massive price spike last winter caused by putin's invasion of ukraine. so we need to reduce our usage of imported expensive fossil fuels . and expensive fossil fuels. and alongside our climate commitments , all of that points commitments, all of that points towards increased electrification . electrification. >> two people are in hospital after a gas explosion at a home in blackburn. the incident happened just before 8:00 last night, with emergency services responding to calls that a building had collapsed. two people reportedly suffered minor injuries. lancashire police says nearby homes have been evacuated andifs nearby homes have been evacuated and it's urging people to avoid the area while investigations continue . to the foreign continue. to the foreign secretary is calling for the release of media tycoon and

pro—democracy campaigner jemmy lai as his landmark national security case begins. the 76 year old british citizen is charged with colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security. he faces a possible life sentence if convicted under a law imposed by china following the 2019 pro—democracy protests . lord pro—democracy protests. lord cameron has condemned the charges against mr lai, urging chinese authorities to end what he calls a politically motivated prosecution . a new menopause prosecution. a new menopause drug to treat hot flashes has been given the green light in the uk . the daily pill, called the uk. the daily pill, called viossa , alleviates symptoms of viossa, alleviates symptoms of menopause by regulating the body temperature for up to 80% of women going through the menopause are affected by the symptoms , which also include symptoms, which also include disruptive sleep patterns, changes to their mood and their energy levels . owners of xl energy levels. owners of xl bullies have two weeks to make sure their dogs are legal from december 31st. they must be

muzzled in public and it will be illegal to breed, sell or abandon them in england and wales. owners have also been told they can ask a vet to put their pets down and claim compensate when the full ban on the breed comes into force on february first next year. but owners can apply for an exemption to keep their dogs . exemption to keep their dogs. this is gb news across the uk, on tv , in your car, on digital, on tv, in your car, on digital, radio and on your smart speaker by saying play gb news choose. now back to ben and . emily. now back to ben and. emily. >> well, number 10 claims it has robust plans in place to ensure flights can take off for rwanda. that's amid reports that airlines are refusing to sign contracts to fly asylum seekers to rwanda . to rwanda. >> it's the latest setback for rishi sunak as he pushes to get the flagship scheme through parliament and follows the pm's meeting with his italian counterpart and so—called

political soulmate, giorgia meloni at the weekend. that speaks to our political editor christopher hope, who's live from downing street after noon. christopher. um, if and when mr sunak does get his legislation through parliament, is it going to be the case that in actual fact, these airlines are going to prove the biggest challenge of all when it comes to getting planes off the ground in? thanks ben. >> yeah, well, there's some uncertainty because currently the home office haven't got a commercial carrier who will fly migrants from the uk to rwanda for processing and then deportation. um, i guess it's probably no surprise that companies don't want to go forward. it's quite a contentious policy, but as this issue is debated heavily in parliament, with two hearings on the floor of the house of commons in in january next month , then hearings in the house of lords , and it goes through to lords, and it goes through to probably becoming law by april or may. and then the first flights taking in flights may be taking off in may. can see some companies may. you can see some companies might well, know why might think, well, you know why not? got to make

not? you know, we've got to make money somehow. and money money somehow. and there's money to from using these to be made here from using these flights. course , the flights. of course, the government they've got government says they've got a robust in place about how robust policy in place about how to get migrants to rwanda . to get migrants taken to rwanda. they to show that these they want to show that these people smugglers, that if you come here, you are going to rwanda, you're going 5000 miles away. the hope, away. and the hope, the hope, government's that government's hope is that that will business model will kill off the business model of these these smugglers. that's the idea. but right now it seems that commercial operators are not that to get involved . not that keen to get involved. >> christopher . not that keen to get involved. >> christopher. um, i want >> and christopher. um, i want to ask you about miriam cates mp. she's a conservative mp, has been on the channel a few times. she's now under investigation by the standards watchdog. do we have any idea of what that's about? what's going on there ? about? what's going on there? >> yeah that's right emily, number 10 are not commenting on this inquiry. it's an inquiry led by the by the house of commons. the standards, the standards watchdog. if i can read out here read something out here from them, are at them, they are looking at significant the significant damage to the reputation the house as a

reputation of the house as a whole or of its members generally, but nothing further to that. um, miriam cates can't really talk to anyone or talk to us about it. um, we tried to get hold of or talk to her people. they're not commenting because they got they're not commenting because th

yet. >> no. unless you want to dip, dip, dip deep into your pockets. bannau nothing yet. this this barge , uh, of course. carried barge, uh, of course. carried uh, churchill's body to his final resting place in kent when he when he when he died and was buned he when he when he died and was buried in the mid 60s. um, the mail today reported yesterday that it was on the market for £2 million. it's now being offered by for £800,000 by, by its owner , i think until now, to be fair to the government, it didn't really know that it was being sold privately. number 10 has made very clear. the morning lobby briefing. the pm does not want over seas . want this barge to go over seas. um, the government is looking and is willing to put a block on any sale to a private overseas buyen any sale to a private overseas buyer. the uk government wants this barge to be if it can be put on public display. it's such a historic barge and therefore it should be that to be seen by anyone who wants to go and see it, um, they stopped short it, um, they have stopped short of money for it. of offering public money for it. but £800,000 is loose change to

the government , so maybe they the government, so maybe they can in. but as things can step in. but as things stand, the government is making very clear this barge can't go to overseas buyer . to an overseas buyer. >> surely this can just be done privately. there can be some kind of gofundme fundraiser where, you know, those who want to see the barge, stay here, put, put their hands in their pockets make up 800,000. pockets and can make up 800,000. >> a petition, please . >> start a petition, please. >> start a petition, please. >> a petition i'm >> easy peasy. a petition i'm sure mean , i'm sure gb news sure. i mean, i'm sure gb news viewers are the patriotic bunch . viewers are the patriotic bunch. >> we know them, don't we, emily? and i'm sure they might want to support. >> well, you can maybe barge in the uk . the uk. >> thank you very much indeed for hope for your time, christopher. hope there. editor there. our political editor outside street. now, outside downing street. now, shall to michael shall we talk to sir michael fabricant, conservative who fabricant, conservative mp, who joins us now? it's hard to know where start out, michael, where to start out, michael, i think i'll start with this, uh, news apparently you are news that apparently you are going to say, emily, we could start maybe it's not too early to wish you and ben happy christmas. >> well, thank you. >> well, thank you. >> thank you very much, michael. and to you, too. and your family

. um, first of all, rwanda , . um, first of all, rwanda, we've spoken about this before. many times on this show because it seems like there are endless obstacles now. apparently airlines are worried about their reputation, so they don't want to sign up to the plan. they don't want to provide carriers. what's going on here, michael? >> well, know , in the second >> well, you know, in the second world of at least world war, we know of at least one german train driver who was executed for refusing to take, um, jewish people and cattle trucks to auschwitz and other concentration camps. >> but this is nothing like this. >> i think that the airlines are just jumping on a woke bandwagon i >> -- >> let's be clear, you you've shown photographs actually on film on your news bulletin of what the accommodation is like in rwanda. >> these people choose to come here illegally . only those who here illegally. only those who come here legally will not be sent to rwanda. those people who come here illegally will be

sent, or some of them will be sent, or some of them will be sent to rwanda for processing , sent to rwanda for processing, uh, and their applications will be considered there. and if they pass, they will be sent back to the uk . the uk. >> uh, but it's meant to deter the boat crossings, and we've got to see it happen. >> how will we get around it? well, if the airlines still decide that they don't want to carry on with this, and as chris hope said, they might well change their minds next year. >> then you know what? >> then you know what? >> we'll use the royal air force transport command. we have extensive facilities in transport command and if necessary, we'll transport them with the raf . with the raf. >> yeah. michael, you you mentioned there about, um, rwanda being a safe country . rwanda being a safe country. there was a story that broke over the weekend about a labour candidate for mp who , funnily candidate for mp who, funnily enough, was sending children to rwanda on the holidays holiday schemes. so apparently some labour cohorts seem to think it's a perfectly reasonable place to go. but if airlines aren't up for sending them,

surely . i mean, i personally surely. i mean, i personally think airlines don't have much of a reputation to protect , but of a reputation to protect, but ryanair of all airlines that you should see the way they speak to their customers on twitter, surely they'll get involved and step up britain. step up for britain. >> well, i think you're right. as i say, the raf could do it, if ryanair . if not ryanair. >> oh boy. i remember flying ryanair . i >> oh boy. i remember flying ryanair. i stick to british airways . have i given you an airways. have i given you an advert now for ba? but honestly other airlines exist. so rude . other airlines exist. so rude. >> michael , i other airlines exist. so rude. >> michael, i want to other airlines exist. so rude. >> michael , i want to get other airlines exist. so rude. >> michael, i want to get your thoughts on the change of language . i think it's fair to language. i think it's fair to say, if not total change of stance towards israel. uh rishi sunak. stance towards israel. uh rishi sunak . now, talking about sunak. now, talking about a sustained ceasefire, he used to talk about humanitarian pauses. we've also heard from the former defence secretary, ben wallace. he's very much worried that civilian casualties in gaza may lead to more radicalisation in its support for israel , all its support for israel, all starting to dwindle , because starting to dwindle, because it's looking like that .

it's looking like that. >> i don't think so . it's looking like that. >> i don't think so. i it's looking like that. >> i don't think so . i mean, it's looking like that. >> i don't think so. i mean, i was a bit concerned with some of the headlines about the david cameron article that appeared over the weekend, but when you actually read it, it says you cannot have a ceasefire for now, not with hamas , who has said not with hamas, who has said that they're going to re—attack israel again and again and again and make it far worse than the last attack. >> and continuing to fire rockets into israel. >> so i think what we're doing is looking to the future and saying that israel needs to be targeted in their attacks . targeted in their attacks. >> and let's be honest here, the idf, you know, you were talking earlier about winston churchill. >> my gosh , can you imagine what >> my gosh, can you imagine what people would have been saying on social media if there had been social, social media or 24 hour television news, if there had been 24 hour television news about what went on in the second world war. >> israel is fighting an existential battle to survive .

existential battle to survive. um, look, you know, everyone feels incredibly sorry and, you know, feels that the killing of innocent civilians is wrong. >> but i'm afraid that sometimes, you know , because sometimes, you know, because hamas actually hides among civilians, that will happen . civilians, that will happen. >> so, mike, so, michael, talking of, uh, winston churchill, we will fight them on the barges. what do you make of the barges. what do you make of the about his barge being the story about his barge being potentially flogged abroad ? potentially flogged abroad? >> well, i think i think as emily said earlier on, i think that gb news should start a campaign and i'll be the first one to subscribe. >> let's save the barge. >> let's save the barge. >> well , you >> let's save the barge. >> well, you could spare a quid or two, i'm sure. i'm sure we all could to keep the barge here. thank you very much for your time, sir. michael fabricant, conservative mp of course. well, there you go. that's michael's views. always strong stuff . uh, but, uh, strong stuff. uh, but, uh, moving on. hospital admissions unked moving on. hospital admissions linked to obesity have doubled in six years to more than 3000

people a day . that highlights people a day. that highlights the extent of britain's weight problem. >> yeah, nhs digital data for england shows there was a record 1.2 million hospitalisations where obesity was a factor in 2022, 2023. that's double the 617,000 logged in 20 1617. so is obesity excuse the pun ? weighing obesity excuse the pun? weighing down our nhs ? right. down our nhs? right. >> well let's discuss this with gp lawrence gerlis. those statistics are pretty shocking lawrence, that obesity he is causing this amount of strain on the nhs . the nhs. >> well yes , we do have an >> well yes, we do have an obesity problem . obesity problem. >> uh, i saw this headline this morning. >> my first reaction was you know, the nhs is admitting 3000 people a day, and that sounds like an achievement. actually, i was surprised the nhs is in a position to actually admit that many patients . it's a slightly many patients. it's a slightly strange headline from a slightly strange headline from a slightly strange bit of research and one wonders what the point of the

research is. we know that this is an obese country. we know dunng is an obese country. we know during the pandemic that obesity, uh, control suits to bad health. i'm not sure what this data actually adds , because this data actually adds, because it gives the impression that there are fat wagons driving around the country , uh, pulling around the country, uh, pulling people into hospital because they're overweight. it's not the case that these so—called 3000 obese patients, every day include people who are going into hospital, who are pregnant, people going into hospital for hip surgery, who happen to be overweight, people going in, who for, uh, surgery for obesity . so for, uh, surgery for obesity. so it's a slightly strange bit of research. um, we are an obese country that's been made worse by lockdown when people exercise less sat at home, ate more and drunk more, and obesity does contribute to a wide range of illnesses, including cancers , illnesses, including cancers, heart disease and if you catch covid, it's not the central. >> while the central finding from this data that these hospital emissions of obese

people has doubled in just six years, surely that indicates that obesity is on the rise, or that obesity is on the rise, or that it's catching up with people, or that the nhs has previously been failing those people? what do you think the reason is for that increase in admissions is? >> i think obesity is definitely on the rise and i point to lockdown in particular as one of the main causes of that . but the main causes of that. but having said that, i'm a little bit suspicious of the data anyway because i think it's set out to make a point and then has, you know, i haven't looked at the full study and then has adjusted the data to make that point. if the is we are an point. if the point is we are an obese country and we need to do something about it, i accept that believe it. i'm not that and believe it. i'm not fully accepting at the moment that the problem has doubled. um, in 6 or 7 years. it's a problem and we need to deal with it. i don't blame the food manufacturers. at the end of the day, it's up to individuals to look after their weight. we can't expect the state, uh, to run it. i know i've been called

a libertarian for saying things like that, but we only have one body. uh, it lasts us for 18, 90 years. if we're lucky. you know, you can't change it like your car every ten years. so you have to look after it. and that's to down the individual as far as i'm believe i'm concerned. i don't believe food or educational food taxes or educational programs alone can can make a difference . it's difference. it's >> lawrence, thanks very much. there's a it's a fascinating topic, one that i'm really quite interested in. it's uh, there's an argument about whether it's a lack of money and income or whether it's just simply education. um, it's more complex and nuanced than i think it appears on the surface. so, uh, laurence gerlis, thank you very much for joining laurence gerlis, thank you very much forjoining us this much for joining us this afternoon . afternoon. >> coming up. yes. people say we live obesity genic live in an obesity genic society. well people you society. well people say, you know, i can't afford good food, but a jacket potato and beans or beans on toast , for example, has beans on toast, for example, has more protein and fibre than a slab of steak. >> isn't that quite fat? >> isn't that quite fat? >> you know had that >> do you know if you had that every day? >> put beans on toast?

every day? >> well,eans on toast? every day? >> well, it ns on toast? every day? >> well, it depends|st? every day? >> well, it depends how much beans, guess. and how much beans, i guess. and how much toast. anyway hundred beans, i guess. and how much toast. of anyway hundred beans, i guess. and how much toast. of them.yay hundred beans, i guess. and how much toast. of them. howundred beans, i guess. and how much toast. of them. how manyi beans, i guess. and how much toast. of them. how many beans? gallons of them. how many beans? coming truly enter the coming up as we truly enter the festive season , we'll be festive party season, we'll be talking the very worrying festive party season, we'll be talkinof the very worrying festive party season, we'll be talkinof drinks he very worrying festive party season, we'll be talkinof drinks spiking.norrying festive party season, we'll be talkinof drinks spiking. that'sg issue of drinks spiking. that's as plan to as nightclubs and pubs plan to test using testing kits in a bid to stamp it out. we'll find

>> and the camilla tominey show sunday mornings from 930 on gb news who's . news who's. >> good afternoon britain. it is

125 in the afternoon. now to the latest measures to protect people as we enjoy the festive party season. nightclubs, pubs could get testing kits and door staff could receive training as part of a crackdown on needle and drink spikes . and drink spikes. >> ministers are under pressure to make the practice a specific offence , with campaigners and offence, with campaigners and opposition parties calling for tougher action to protect women. so in the studio we have founder and ceo of stamp out spiking. >> who better to talk to? thank you very much indeed, dawn . you very much indeed, dawn. first just tell me why you are so passionate about this issue . so passionate about this issue. have you experienced spiking yourself ? yourself? >> i have many years ago, back in 1989, when i was travelling around the world, somebody tried to spike my drink. when i was in australia and then years later , australia and then years later, my friend and i did get spiked in mexico and we slept for over 30 hours and we were like, oh god, what could have happened to us in that time? you know, luckily i could smell a rat. and i was like, look, we've got to

go. and since then i've come back to the uk and it's happened to so many of my friends and family, people love and care family, people i love and care about. and, you know, they've been , they've been raped, been robbed, they've been raped, they've assaulted , they've been sexually assaulted, and be doing and nobody seemed to be doing anything about it. so i've sort of single handedly took it upon myself, and i've been on this mad crusade for the last 20 years. so very exciting news for me . me. >> so there was 5000 needle and dnnk >> so there was 5000 needle and drink spiking incidents in, uh, well , the year to 2022, well, the year to 2022, september . explain to well, the year to 2022, september. explain to us well, the year to 2022, september . explain to us who well, the year to 2022, september. explain to us who is victim of this. is it predominantly younger women who are out and about, or is it the a mix of people and men as well? >> yeah , it's really not just >> yeah, it's really not just younger women . younger women. >> a lot of middle aged >> there's a lot of middle aged ladies that i've spoken that ladies that i've spoken to that have spiked and have been have been spiked and have been raped. lots of men who raped. there's lots of men who who won't admit it, you know, and i mean lots women too. it and i mean lots of women too. it seems to be this crime that people feel really embarrassed and ashamed about because they're they they feel like it's

their fault because they've gone out. and, you know, sometimes when you're a bit drunk or you're not too much to drink and you're not too much to drink and you forget little pockets of the night, you were like, did we go for a kebab and those sorts of things? and now i think perpetrators have been preying on that small, small perpetrators have been preying on that small , small little on that small, small little window and, you know, when these date rape drugs take effect, they leave you completely buoyant. you can't put up a fight . you know, i've had women fight. you know, i've had women say to me , do you know what? i say to me, do you know what? i was being raped and i couldn't even open my eyes to see who was raping it's disgusting. and raping me. it's disgusting. and and you're left with no and then you're left with no memory and then you're left with no mem0|is this what these >> so is this what these measures government are measures that the government are announcing are there for to make it easier for people who have been impacted to prove it? essentially because that must be the difficulty . and if you have the difficulty. and if you have testing kits, which is one of the measures that could help . the measures that could help. >> yeah. well, some prevent of course. yes. and prevent some of the testing kits that are on the market currently are not really fit purpose. have to say

fit for purpose. i have to say they only test for a few of the drugs that are used in spiking incidents. we have protective dnnk incidents. we have protective drink covers , um, covers to go drink covers, um, covers to go in bottles . and you know, that's in bottles. and you know, that's a proactive approach. and we sort of feel a little bit that it's a bit after the horse has bolted . but we believe that bolted. but we believe that there should be testing stations that could be a lot more effective rather than having testing strips to test a drink . testing strips to test a drink. so i think if we had a testing station, there's similar calls for party goers and revellers in nightclubs and festivals to have that same thing with with drugs as well. >> can you just explain from a human perspective what being victim spiking does to victim of spiking does to somebody? what kind of impact does that have on someone. so you know, some of the men and women that i've spoken, that's a really question. really good question. >> by um, some of >> by the way. um, some of the men the women that i've men and the women that i've spoken of said spoken to have sort of said to me they feel like after the me that they feel like after the embarrassment and the shame, they don't trust people. they don't know who's done it to

them. some of the women that i know that have been raped have said was more one said was there more than one person they film them? gosh, person did they film them? gosh, you know . are they meeting them you know. are they meeting them in the pub? is it somebody that they know? so that the trust and they know? so that the trust and the mental health implications afterwards is, is dreadful? >> anxiety , >> yeah, i guess the anxiety, not knowing it was that did not knowing who it was that did it, do know something it, but do we know something about perpetrator tours are about the perpetrator tours are they often grow groups. are they lone wolves? are they friends as i believe you know, we know that spiking is done by distraction . spiking is done by distraction. >> so somebody comes up. there were some video footage a few years ago of guys going, oh, let's get in the picture, put his arm around the girls and pop something into a drink . and something into a drink. and luckily the friend was videoed not taking a photograph , so she not taking a photograph, so she caught it on camera . there's caught it on camera. there's been a few incidents like that, so we know it's done in groups. there could be some lone wolves that go out and do it, but i believe that other people know

that this is happening. so they need to call people out and just lastly, uh, for people who are going out to bars , nightclubs, going out to bars, nightclubs, pubs and might be worried about this, what are the best things to do protect yourself? we've to do to protect yourself? we've got stop tops, which are a protective drink cover like a piece of foil. you can pop it on a glass . yeah, stops an a glass. yeah, stops an opportunist from . easily being opportunist from. easily being able to slip something into your drink. there's spy keys that go on top of a bottle. there's something called nightcap, something called a nightcap, which scrunchie , but which is like a scrunchie, but that thing . really? that same old thing. really? don't leave your drink unattended . and if somebody buys unattended. and if somebody buys you go to the with you a drink, go to the bar with them, watch being poured. you a drink, go to the bar with the that'sch being poured. you a drink, go to the bar with the that's a being poured. you a drink, go to the bar with the that's a gooding poured. you a drink, go to the bar with the that's a good point.ured. you a drink, go to the bar with the that's a good point. yes. >> that's a good point. yes. >> that's a good point. yes. >> founder and ceo of >> lovely founder and ceo of stamp out spiking. dawn dines, thank stamp out spiking. dawn dines, tha thank very much for your time. >> coming up. we'll be asking an in—depth housing consultant why planning permission for new homes a record low. but homes has hit a record low. but first, your headlines with tatiana . tatiana. >> ben. thank you. it's 131.

tatiana. >> ben. thank you. it's131. i'm tatiana sanchez in the gp newsroom. the prime minister says he takes the scandal surrounding baroness michelle mone incredibly seriously. the former tory peer admitted she's set to benefit from a contract between ppe firm medpro and the government, which generated a £60 million profit. lady mone told the bbc she contacted michael gove at the start of the pandemic , after he made a call pandemic, after he made a call to arms for massive quantities of protection equipment . of payment protection equipment. labouris of payment protection equipment. labour is demanding from labour is demanding answers from all those involved and says she shouldn't be allowed return all those involved and says she sh thein't be allowed return all those involved and says she sh the house allowed return all those involved and says she sh the house of owed return all those involved and says she sh the house of lords return all those involved and says she sh the house of lords . return to the house of lords. conservative mp miriam cates is being investigated by parliament's standards watchdog. the member for penistone and stocksbridge is accused of causing significant damage to the reputation of the house or its members. it's not clear what the claims relate to. she's one of eight mps currently being investigated by the standards commissioner. two investigated by the standards commissioner . two people are investigated by the standards commissioner. two people are in hospital after a gas explosion

at a home in blackburn. the incident happened just before 8:00 last night, with emergency services responding to calls that a building had collapsed. lancashire police says nearby homes have been evacuated and it's urging people to avoid the area while investigations continue . bp has paused oil continue. bp has paused oil shipments through the red sea because of the deteriorating security situation. houthi rebels have been targeting vessels launching drone attacks over the past week . the over the past week. the pro—hamas group says it's trying to disrupt ships travelling to israel . £1.5 to disrupt ships travelling to israel. £1.5 billion of funding is being put into government grant schemes to help keep households warm. it's part of the £6 billion energy efficiency package announced during last year's autumn statement . the year's autumn statement. the funding covers a three year penod funding covers a three year period from 2025. you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website, gbnews.com

. for a valuable legacy your family can own . family can own. >> gold coins will always shine bright. rosalind. gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report . report. >> here's a quick snapshot of today's markets. the pound will buy you $1.2656 and ,1.1591. the price of . gold, £1,599.20 per price of. gold, £1,599.20 per ounce, and the ftse 100 is . at ounce, and the ftse 100 is. at 7623 points. rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report. >> well , a financial report. >> well, a planning permission for new homes has hit a record low , believe it or not, that's low, believe it or not, that's according to new data from the home builders federation . their home builders federation. their chairman, stuart beazley, is saying that this is the inevitable outcome of several years of anti—growth policy and rhetoric. >> down 19% on the same period last year. the housing secretary is now accused of, quote, surrendering to nimbys, with michael gove expected to

announce new rules, which protects building on the green belt . joining us now is belt. joining us now is independent housing consultant rose grayston. rose lovely to be with you . um, when you fly in with you. um, when you fly in from gatwick or heathrow and you come cruising over the surrey, sussex countryside, there's swathes of space. anyone would think we've got loads of room to build houses here, there and everywhere. so what is the problem? well michael gove has definitely introduced significant additional risk and uncertainty into the english planning system, which wasn't famed for being de—risked inserted in the first place. >> the government has continually tweaked planning rules, and we're seeing this reflected in the latest planning permission stats, which are down 13% on last year , and we have 13% on last year, and we have been seeing new planning permissions go down for the last few years . few years. >> but let's not kid ourselves at the planning system was delivering before latest delivering before the latest round of government tinkering. uk housing supply has been sluggish for decades, and that's

dnven sluggish for decades, and that's driven overwhelmingly by affordable than affordable problems rather than by a lack of land. with planning permission, quite simply, not enough people can afford to buy homes at the prices that private developers for . developers are looking for. >> that's interesting . so >> hmm. that's interesting. so the issue is that afford ability is one of the challenges because we spoke to a property expert earlier who said, this all comes to down nimbyism. so at the local level, people putting their foot down, complaining, not wanting new developments in their area. people like ben leo over here who don't want it in their back yard. and that's another thing that's holding up the house building, isn't it? >> planning is really important , >> planning is really important, but nimbyism is an important constraint on our ability to build homes . constraint on our ability to build homes. but it's a more important factor in the medium to long terme, because we're going to need a lot more land to build the homes that we need. but we really need to pay attention to what land, where, for of homes . we've for what types of homes. we've actually out many for what types of homes. we've actua planning out many for what types of homes. we've actua planning permissionsany for what types of homes. we've actua planning permissions over more planning permissions over the last ten years. if you look

at things in the round, but we haven't been giving out planning permissions for more affordable homes. we haven't been giving out planning permissions for homes that going to be homes that are going to be affordable to people who are stuck we've giving stuck renting. we've been giving developers essentially more choice over where to build homes for private sale that they would have built anyway, and what that's led to is a small increase in housing supply compared to what would would have happened if we hadn't have boosted planning boosted those planning permissions. , what permissions. but really, what it's is more expensive it's meant is more expensive homes, more semi—detached homes , homes, more semi—detached homes, um, less dense development, more greenfield development, all of the types of car dependent suburban sprawl that a lot of local people really object to. um, and we've been seeing a lot less city centre development. we've been seeing fewer flats developed because we've been giving developers more choice over where to build, by giving out planning permissions out more planning permissions without the without increasing the obugafions without increasing the obligations on developers to make what they're building make sure what they're building is actually affordable for people. private people. when we do that, private developers will manage their own

risk, least risky thing risk, and the least risky thing for is a three for them to build is a three bedroom semi—detached house on greenfield land. um where things are frankly much simpler than trying to build regeneration schemes in city centres. >> that's very interesting . one >> that's very interesting. one of the other issues we were discussing was how these developers sites look aesthetically , and the quality . aesthetically, and the quality. of a lot of these developments, these new builds, and how essentially they're not up to scratch . um, and a lot of people scratch. um, and a lot of people are disappointed once they move into those more into those homes. but more importantly, of people importantly, a lot of people will don't want that ugly will say, i don't want that ugly development right next where development right next to where i live in my, you know, my house that's over 100 years old. it doesn't in in keeping . doesn't it's not in in keeping. >> are we as consumers have less and less choice over the kinds of homes that are available for us to rent or buy, just as we've given private developers more and more choice over what types of homes to build and where the, um, development market has really become much more

concentrated over the last ten years. that was one of the big effects we saw from the financial crisis in 2008. fewer bigger house builders that control more of the market. um, and that essentially means that they that they've got a captive market in all of us. we will buy what they sell because there isn't a load of choice out there. it's not like you've got a diverse house building sector where you've got , you know, some where you've got, you know, some specialist providers that are going to build particular types of homes particular air of homes at particular air quality type. that's not what we tend to see. >> great. thank you very much. rose grayson , independent rose grayson, independent housing consultant , if we are rose grayson, independent housing consultant, if we are or if and when we start building more homes, please, please, please developers get some love and creativity in involved not just a block of 1940s style. so, um , eyesores. um, eyesores. >> we might have some architects come after you. you like these modern style developments? >> get in touch . i like the >> get in touch. i like the curved, the curved glass and all the modernity. >> yeah. the problem is they >> yeah. the problem is, is they start looking out of date, you

>> yeah. the problem is, is they start las> yeah. the problem is, is they start las soonyut of date, you >> yeah. the problem is, is they start las soon as. )f date, you >> yeah. the problem is, is they start las soon as. asiate, you >> yeah. the problem is, is they start las soon as. as soon/ou >> yeah. the problem is, is they start las soon as. as soon as know, as soon as. as soon as they're built. there they're built. yeah but there you need you go. we need more. >> , is the rhetoric >> is, is the rhetoric surrounding the israel—hamas war changing ? it comes as rishi changing? it comes as rishi sunak presses for sustainable ceasefire. we'll pose that very question to our panel after this very short break.

>> breakfast with eamonn and isabel monday to thursdays from 6:00 till 930. >> good afternoon britain. it's 143. welcome back. joining us

now to discuss our various topics today , labour mp bill topics today, labour mp bill rammell and political commentator benedict spence. guys, let's kick off with the big story of the day israel ceasefire growing calls. now in the last week or so , starting the last week or so, starting with joe biden, who accused israel, um, discreetly, of indiscriminate bombing of gaza . indiscriminate bombing of gaza. lord cameron's joint letter with the germans yesterday and obviously ben wallace , uh, today obviously ben wallace, uh, today as well, in the papers. is it the case that this growing calls for ceasefire is going to put pressure on israel, or are they just going to narrow down on what they're doing, head down, continue as they have been 18,000 civilians, of course, according hamas figures who according to hamas figures who have so in the conflict. >> i think the tone is shifting. i'm personally not in favour of an immediate ceasefire because it would leave the death cult, which is hamas, in place . which is hamas, in place. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> um, but the scale of civilian casualties , 7000, according to casualties, 7000, according to

the idf , um, 18,000, according the idf, um, 18,000, according to hamas, is disproportion . to hamas, is disproportion. >> and there are real concerns . >> and there are real concerns. and you look at david cameron's intervention , you look at what intervention, you look at what ben wallace has written in the telegraph today. there is a shift in the tone , urging israel shift in the tone, urging israel to go in a slightly different direction . i'm not sure that direction. i'm not sure that will amount to a ceasefire, but i think it's likely the outcome will be much more an end to indiscriminate bombing and much more targeted attacks on hamas leaders and to try to get the hostages released . but beyond hostages released. but beyond that, we need a political track . that, we need a political track. yeah. um, to provide a sustainable way forward. and that's where benjamin netanyahu is helping in any way, shape is not helping in any way, shape or form. >> benedek, why you think or form. >> b> b> b> b> b> i think there is a >> i think that there is a misunderstanding israel is misunderstanding that israel is not country. it's not a european country. it's not really country. is

really a western country. it is a middle country. and it a middle eastern country. and it will it wants to. will behave how it wants to. there's misapprehension there's also the misapprehension that the international community has say over what happens has much say over what happens in the point of in israel. the very point of israel existing is so that the international community has no say existence jewish say over the existence of jewish people, they people, and that they can determine we determine their own fate. we also to be very clear when also need to be very clear when we about indiscriminate we talk about indiscriminate bombing. we talk about indiscriminate bomi ing. we talk about indiscriminate bomi think the evidence proves and i think the evidence proves that the idf puts more emphasis on being discriminate on it not being discriminate than other military force on than any other military force on earth. when the hamas health authority says it's 18,000, it's creeping up to 19,000. now, let's also be very clear. the idf says that at least half of those are hamas fighters. idf says that at least half of those are hamas fighters . and, those are hamas fighters. and, you hamas , the gaza you know, the hamas, the gaza health authority can just sit there and say, oh, they're all civilians. but of course, they're not all civilians. >> whether it's 7000 civilians or 2000. show me the war, surely. what's show surely. i mean, what's the show me wall can avoid me the wall where you can avoid civilian casualties. >> it doesn't exist. and anybody who believes anybody who is happening scale happening on a much larger scale in ukraine, it is happening on a much scale right much larger scale in sudan right now. really about now. nobody really cares about that. thousands of

that. hundreds of thousands of people were forced of people were forced out of artsakh in nagorno—karabakh a couple of months ago . nobody couple of months ago. nobody said anything. nobody really cared. israel said anything. nobody really care palestine israel said anything. nobody really care palestine that israel said anything. nobody really care palestine that this;rael said anything. nobody really care palestine that this ever and palestine that this ever gets brought up. and it shows you the double standards. >> think >> well, i think i think what happened, proponent of happened, i'm not a proponent of double standards, support happened, i'm not a proponent of dou state andards, support happened, i'm not a proponent of dou state anyisrael support happened, i'm not a proponent of dou state anyisrael . support the state of israel. >> but i think the idea that israel can carry on without out, for example, the support of the united states is for birds. united states is for the birds. you know, i'm a former minister for the middle east, and we've never had the us, not alongside israel . so i never had the us, not alongside israel. so i think there never had the us, not alongside israel . so i think there does israel. so i think there does need to be a change in strategy. and i think a move towards more targeted strikes that reduced civilian casualties would be a positive way. what is the united states going to do? >> israel is faced by countries including iran , which are including iran, which are seeking nuclear device seeking a nuclear device specifically in order to target israel. what united israel. what is the united states do? is it states going to do? is it actually to withdraw actually going to withdraw funding? is going take funding? no. is it going to take its military of the its military assets out of the region? so when people say region? no. so when people say joe there needs joe biden is saying there needs to be a rethinking of this, actually, is he actually, what is he threatening? he has no cards to

play threatening? he has no cards to play israel their play because israel is their most important ally in the region and secretly behind the scenes. never say this in scenes. they never say this in public. scenes. they never say this in pubuc.a scenes. they never say this in public. a lot of gulf states are saying exact same thing to public. a lot of gulf states are sainsraelisexact same thing to public. a lot of gulf states are sainsraelis as ct same thing to public. a lot of gulf states are sainsraelis as we ame thing to public. a lot of gulf states are sainsraelis as we have. hing to public. a lot of gulf states are sainsraelis as we have. theyto the israelis as we have. they don't like hamas. don't don't like hamas. they don't want there. they've don't like hamas. they don't want look, there. they've don't like hamas. they don't want look, we're there. they've don't like hamas. they don't want look, we're going e. they've don't like hamas. they don't want look, we're going to they've said, look, we're going to criticise in public, but in criticise you in public, but in private. we're going to private. we're not going to we're invade, is private. we're not going to we'r

>> you know, you look at the opinion evidence and how opinion polling evidence and how how this crisis came about and the actions the netanyahu the actions of the netanyahu government years away government are light years away from support. from having majority support. there needs to be a better way forward. but also, you know , i forward. but also, you know, i was talking to a middle east and ambassador in london last week who was making it clear that they want a solution and they're under massive pressure within their own countries because of their own countries because of the scale of the civilian casualties. and critically , the casualties. and critically, the lack of a political track , the lack of a political track, the lack of a political track, the lack of a political track, the lack of israel backed by the international community, saying, look, this is the road map of how we move towards a two state solution. and until you have that in place, i think we're not going to we're not going make progress. >> aren't going >> israel aren't going to be listening pope francis listening to what pope francis had say. was calling there, had to say. i was calling there, francis or israeli. francis was jewish or israeli. >> so no, it's very easy for pope who has previously pope francis, who has previously said the falklands said that the falklands belong to argentina , but has also said to argentina, but has also said if you insult his mother, he'll punch you the i don't if you insult his mother, he'll punch say the i don't if you insult his mother, he'll punch say tihe i don't if you insult his mother, he'll punch say tihe has i don't if you insult his mother, he'll punch say tihe has much't if you insult his mother, he'll punch say tihe has much say really say that he has much say in i also think he was

in this. i also think he was slightly taken out of context when he said, people say is when he said, people say this is terrorism war. terrorism, that this is war. yes, this is yes, this is terrorism. this is war. it should he wasn't war. it should stop. he wasn't saying israel war. it should stop. he wasn't sadoing israel war. it should stop. he wasn't sadoing is israel war. it should stop. he wasn't sa doing is terrorism. israel is doing is terrorism. he's saying this what happens saying that this is what happens dunng saying that this is what happens during war and it should stop. >> like israel is >> it feels like israel is fighting. a number fighting. uh, a number of battles moment, not least battles at the moment, not least on the pr front, because of course, last week course, that incident last week with three of their own with killing three of their own hostages apparently hostages who were apparently waving shouting hostages who were apparently wa hebrew shouting hostages who were apparently wa hebrew when shouting hostages who were apparently wa hebrew when they shouting hostages who were apparently wa hebrew when they shcwounded in hebrew when they were wounded from that were, in hebrew when they were wounded fromploughing that were, in hebrew when they were wounded fromploughing with: were, in hebrew when they were wounded fromploughing with rounds/ere, in hebrew when they were wounded fromploughing with rounds ise, um, ploughing with rounds is processed in tel aviv . is there processed in tel aviv. is there now, do you think going to be internal pressure from israelis for some sort of resolution to be found ? be found? >> i think i think there is increasing pressure internally from citizens . as you from israeli citizens. as you listen to the families of the hostages who feel the israeli government has massively let them down, there isn't negotiating effectively, isn't putting on on the right pressure that that needs to be tackled. um, and i think there needs to be a change in the type of attacks that israel is putting forward. look, i'm a supporter of israel. i loathe hamas and

their leadership. they need to be removed, but it needs to be donein be removed, but it needs to be done in a clinical and an effective way. yeah, right. >> let's move on. bill uh, jordan peterson, the conservative commentator, he reckons if your lot win the election, britain will be, quote, venezuela for 20 years. he told the telegraph that it was highly likely starmer would be elected, but it would be a, quote, catastrophe. are you going to lead us down the venezuelan path of nightmare? >> no we're not. and you know, i see he's a psychologist. i think he's an extreme right wing nut job, actually, um, to compare to compare. >> he speaks very highly of you, bill, to compare venezuela to where, you know, 95% of people live in poverty, where it's got the biggest, second, biggest migrant crisis in the world. >> to compare that to a labour government is completely unjustified . and, you know, unjustified. and, you know, jordan peterson ought to come here and experience what it's like living under a conservative government with chaos and instability for prime ministers in five years, seven chancellors, or is it eight

chancellors, or is it eight chancellors that instability with venezuela, you know, rule of benedict. >> he's talking he's talking about left wing ideology, presumably. and what he sees as the dangers of socialism, i guess. you think keir starmer guess. do you think keir starmer will actually shift more to the left once in government? >> might, on certain >> he might, on certain issues if feels get away with if he feels he can get away with it. i think he's a lot more left wing he portrays himself to wing than he portrays himself to be. think he's very be. i think he's a very competent politician. he understands order understands that he, in order to win does to win a majority, he does have to appeal boris appeal to cohorts that boris johnson over therefore johnson won over and therefore he of come out as, he can't sort of come out as, uh, know, a hard line uh, you know, a hard line socialist. but equally, think socialist. but equally, i think he recognises that he also recognises that the message be message is going to be inheriting, isn't something inheriting, uh, isn't something that sort of solved by a that can be sort of solved by a lot people coming in waving lot of people coming in waving red flags. actually, it requires a practical and a lot of practical obe. and this is i he's pushing wes is why i think he's pushing wes streeting of up and streeting sort of up front and centre, the centre, sending him around the world saying, go to australia, go to singapore, what go to singapore, find what the practical you practical solutions are. you know, it's very saying know, it's all very well saying things you things as jeremy corbyn did, you know, with know, coming out with ideological lines, actually, what people need to see is policy that they feel is tangible. he's a lot tangible. i think he's a lot smarter. therefore we're tangible. i think he's a lot smeabout herefore we're tangible. i think he's a lot smeabout to refore we're tangible. i think he's a lot smeabout to invade we're tangible. i think he's a lot smeabout to invade guyanare tangible. i think he's a lot smeabout to invade guyana or not about to invade guyana or even drill for our own oil,

which venezuela you which venezuela does. so, you know, i um, i'm know, there i think, um, i'm a fan of some of what mr peterson has to with regards to has to say with regards to making your bed and being clean and in terms of he and tidy, but in terms of he thinks massive thinks there's this massive gulf between tories at the moment. >> i just don't think there is. i think a paper, i think i think there's a paper, i think there might be on culture. >> also interesting. >> he's also interesting. i'm a former vice former university vice chancellor favour of chancellor and he's in favour of letting he's to up an letting he's going to set up an academy favour of academy where he's in favour of teachers they want academy where he's in favour of te'teach they want academy where he's in favour of te'teach and they want academy where he's in favour of te'teach and no they want academy where he's in favour of te'teach and no accreditation.'ant to teach and no accreditation. and i think the guy is seriously off money, seriously off the money. >> well, there you go. but there are with wes streeting you are with wes streeting thing you mentioned i think mentioned wes streeting i think it was you, benedict wes streeting. is actually streeting. he is actually looking reform that the looking for reform that the conservatives haven't able looking for reform that the co touch tives haven't able looking for reform that the cotouch nhs. haven't able looking for reform that the cotouch nhs. it'sen't able to touch nhs. it's quite remarkable . remarkable. >> it is. and on some of the reform issues it's often the case that a labour government can move in the direction of reform more easily than the conservatives because there's not the lack of trust that there is with the conservatives. and i think that stand in our favour. >> well , thank you very much >> well, thank you very much indeed time. bill

indeed for your time. bill rammell and of course, benedict spence, political commentator. they'll next they'll be back with us next houn they'll be back with us next hour. we've got lots more to come. yes. come. yes yes. >> number 10 claims it has >> uh, number 10 claims it has robust plans for robust plans in place for flights rwanda , despite flights to rwanda, despite companies not wanting to transport asylum seekers to western africa. even the mod is saying raf planes aren't going to get involved. we don't want protesters coming to our raf bases. uh yet another obstacle . bases. uh yet another obstacle. yeah, yeah, it doesn't end. uh it also israel ceasefire on the way and more of course from bofis way and more of course from boris johnson and his contribution to the churchill barge. >> stay with . us >> stay with. us >> stay with. us >> it looks like things are heating up. boxt boilers is sponsors of weather on gb news . sponsors of weather on gb news. >> hello again. it's aidan mcgivern here from the met office with the gb news forecast cloudy and breezy for many dunng cloudy and breezy for many during the rest of today. increasingly wet the south increasingly wet in the south overnight, but clear spells will

arrive in the north behind a couple of weather fronts which are traversing the country northwest to southeast . this northwest to southeast. this cold fronts will pep up as we go into the evening, and overnight, bringing some more extensive wet weather across wales and then into the early hours across southern and eventually southeastern parts of england. >> that rain, heavy and persistent in places further north, that rain does clear , north, that rain does clear, although further showers follow for the north and west of scotland. >> parts of northern ireland on a blustery breeze and with clear spells here. >> any sheltered spots will get close to freezing, so a touch of frost perhaps, but in the south it will be a very mild start to tuesday. however, it will also be a wet start, but the rain does clear eventually so that after lunch i think most places in the south will be turning dner in the south will be turning drier and brighter. >> some decent sunny spells for england and wales, but staying blustery for scotland and northern ireland, with strong winds and frequent showers. >> showers in the cold air >> those showers in the cold air falling snow and hail over

falling as snow and hail over the hills into wednesday. a cold start to the day in places, but a bright start in the northwest. >> we're going to see some rain spread in, along with a strengthening wind, but it's really into thursday that the wind turns particularly strong, especially towards the northwest. >> gales in places and blustery showers. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers , sponsors of boxt boilers, sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> good afternoon britain. it is 2:00 on monday the 18th of december. >> rwanda hits turbulence. the scheme is plunged into further crisis as it's revealed airlines are now refusing to take part in the migrant deportation scheme over fears to their reputation. but number 10 says it has robust plans in place to ensure flights can take off as pressure mounts on israel . on israel. >> the government expresses concerns over too many civilians being killed . it comes as former being killed. it comes as former defence secretary ben wallace warns israel's killing rage tactics risk fuelling the conflict for another 50 years. that's as calls for a ceasefire grow. but is he right? >> and we shall fight them on the barges. rishi sunak steps in to stop winston churchill's funeral barge from being bought by an overseas buyer .

by an overseas buyer. campaigners including boris johnson, have warned that the boatis johnson, have warned that the boat is in danger after no one from britain forward buy from britain came forward to buy it . it. and get this joe biden. >> well , he's and get this joe biden. >> well, he's reportedly shelved plans for a pact with britain that could have could have paved the way towards a full post—brexit trade deal like obama all over again. >> vote for brexit. you'll be back of the queue. he does, admittedly hate britain, doesn't he? he's got form on on slagging us off. >> well, i don't know if he hates britain, but yes, it's been been a fraught relationship . he's certainly had lot of . he's certainly had a lot of criticism it comes to criticism when it comes to brexit, arguably is not brexit, which arguably is not his remit to say so. his his remit to say so. >> but he said in may this year when he visited northern ireland, make ireland, he was there to make sure brits don't quote, sure the brits don't quote, screw around. so but this is not good. >> know, free trade deal >> you know, a free trade deal with united states would and with the united states would and you would have thought be of economic benefit to both our

countries. but it looks like it's falling behind, falling behind more obstacles to behind yet more obstacles to this. joe biden reportedly shelled plans for a pact with us that could have paved the way towards all. >> this might not matter, you know, if trump gets in next yean know, if trump gets in next year, you know he loves the queen. he loves britain. um, and as has he snapped back as he has as he snapped back at obama those ago, he obama all those years ago, he said will be front of the said the uk will be front of the line for a trade deal if he's in charge. >> well, there we go. do you believe that we front of believe that we will be front of the if joe biden is voted the line if joe biden is voted out office? us know. out of office? let us know. vaiews@gbnews.com. before vaiews@gbnews.com. but before we your headlines with we begin your headlines with tatiana . emily tatiana. emily >> thank you. 2:02. this is the latest from the gb newsroom. the prime minister says he takes the scandal surrounding baroness michelle mone in credibly seriously. the former tory peer admitted she's set to benefit from a contract between ppe firm medpro and the government, which generated a £60 million profit.

lady mone told the bbc she contacted michael gove at the start of the pandemic after he made a call to arms for massive quantities of payment protection equipment . quantities of payment protection equipment. but rishi sunak says the government's launched a legal case against the company. >> this whole situation is subject to an ongoing criminal investigation, but also the government is taking action. legal action against a company involved . so there's a limit to involved. so there's a limit to what i can say other than to say we take all these things incredibly seriously. and that's why government is why i say the government is taking legal and because why i say the government is taking agal and because why i say the government is taking a criminal and because why i say the government is taking a criminal investigation.e there's a criminal investigation ongoing, can't any ongoing, i can't comment any further . further. >> labour leader sir keir starmer described the scandal as a shocking disgrace from top to bottom. >> every day goes past, there are more questions that need to be answered. there's now suggestions. >> there was early private contact with members of the cabinet that may have started this unhappy story in the first place, so the government needs to clean. it needs to make to come clean. it needs to make a about but this a statement about that. but this needs be seen in its context . needs to be seen in its context. under this government, £7

billion was lost in fraud during covid. that's taxpayers money and if there were a labour government, we'd want that money back. >> conservative mp miriam cates is being investigated by parliament, its standards watchdog, the member for penistone and stocksbridge is accused of causing significant damage to the reputation of the house or its members. it's not clear what the claim relates to. she's one of eight mps currently being investigated by the standards commissioner. bp has paused oil shipments through the red sea because of the deteriorating security situation. houthi rebels have been targeting vessels launching drone attacks over the past week. the pro—hamas group says it's trying to disrupt ships travelling to israel. a number of firms of other firms, including maersk, have also suspended traffic through the region . two people are in region. two people are in hospital after a gas explosion at a home in blackburn. the incident happened just before 8:00 last night, with emergency

services responding to calls that a building had collapsed. two people reportedly suffered minor injuries. lancashire police says nearby homes have been evacuated and is urging people to avoid the area while investigations continue on. the foreign secretary is calling for the release of media tycoon and pro—democracy campaigner jemmy lai in hong kong . the 76 year lai in hong kong. the 76 year old british citizen is on trial accused of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security if convinced he faces a possible life sentence. if convicted. lord cameron has condemned the charges against him and urging chinese authorities to end what he described as a politically motivated prosecution in a new menopause drug to treat hot flashes has been given the green light in the uk. the daily pill, called vjosa, alleviates symptoms by regulating body temperature for up to 80% of women going through the menopause are affected by the symptoms, include symptoms, which also include disruptive patterns ,

disruptive sleep patterns, changes to their and their changes to their mood and their energy levels . xl bully owners energy levels. xl bully owners have two weeks to make sure their dogs are legal from december 31st. they must be muzzled in public and it will be illegal to breed, sell or abandon them. in england and wales, owners have also been told they can ask a vet to put their pets down and claim compensation when the full ban on the breed comes into force on february 1st. next year. but owners apply for an owners can apply for an exemption to keep their dogs . exemption to keep their dogs. this is gb news across the uk on tv in your car, on digital radio and on your smart speaker by saying play gb news. now back to ben and . emily. welcome back. ben and. emily. welcome back. >> thank you forjoining us. now it's had more twists and turns than eastenders, hasn't it? number 10 now claims it has, quote robust plans in place to ensure flights can take off for rwanda. that's amid reports that

airlines are now laughably refusing to sign contracts to fly asylum seekers to the african nation. yes this is the latest setback for rishi sunak as he pushes to get the flagship scheme through parliament. >> although the government continues , continues to say that continues, continues to say that this. well, it won't be an issue . and the two conservative mps we spoke to earlier on in the show, they say, well, fine planes, don't worry, but let's speak to our political editor, christopher hope, who's live from the from downing street with the latest . chris, there's lots of latest. chris, there's lots of things i want to get stuck into with you. but first on this row anda debacle, whether there are actually aircraft carriers available for the scheme , if it available for the scheme, if it does eventually go ahead . and does eventually go ahead. and >> well, that's right, the government hasn't yet found a carrier commercial carrier to take migrants from the uk back to rwanda when they're sent there for processing and then to stay there. um, some reporters, the weekend papers need to know times particularly saying that's

because there's a reputational risk for any company seen to be part this plan. it is part of this plan. it is controversial in parts of the country, but also we do find, don't we, in gb news and certainly on poles, that the idea of trying to tackle, um, illegal migration, even with a policy as controversial as the rwanda plan to fly people to arrive here to rwanda for processing is popular. so right now, of course, this idea isn't even law yet. we're some way away from that, aren't we? we're waiting until it goes to the house of commons, then the house of lords. and the first flights may not. not take off until may. the government, the home office, for maintains got for its part, maintains it's got a robust flying people a very robust case flying people out they need to. out to rwanda when they need to. um, of course they do have the whole suite of raf planes that can do the similar kind of work, and that may be at the beginning. it may well be military flights could be so controversial to do controversial and may want to do it for military where it for military airfields where there's as there's higher security as it becomes part of the becomes more part of the of the of what goes on with my migrants, they may find they can

use commercial flights. so it's just it's more bad news for a beleaguered strategy. but this may well work if they can kind of get it through the commons and lords early next year. the first flights the pm says, will take in may. take off in may. >> so, chris, you did mention, though i know we're not at this stage got lot to stage yet, we've got a lot to get before we reach the get through before we reach the stage of flights taking off. but you raf and you did mention the raf and they're keen getting they're not too keen on getting involved in this and using their bases because of fears over , uh, bases because of fears over, uh, lefty far left protest . is that lefty far left protest. is that right ? well the raf will do what right? well the raf will do what they're told. >> they they serve the government. the government's policy is to take people to rwanda. the raf will do that. now, of course, what they don't want to do is attract any kind of opposition, any kind of protests on bases, risk upsetting kind operations upsetting any kind of operations already taking place there. but equally, civilian airfields could be even less of a of a possibility to protect. so there is reports, of course , as an air is reports, of course, as an air base in wiltshire , the mod might

base in wiltshire, the mod might be spending a lot of money on reinforcing the surrounding perimeters. i expect that if perimeters. i do expect that if this gets through the commons and lords, then where the flights take off from what time in the day probably , let's say in the day probably, let's say in the day probably, let's say in the day probably, let's say in the middle of the night, to try and do it without anyone watching. but will become watching. but that will become a big space and big contested space and protesters will will try get protesters will will try and get involved. i imagine. it's involved. i imagine. so it's another thing the government must it's must deal with. but it's a controversial policy . this controversial policy. this policy not in in the policy rwanda was not in in the party's manifesto . it was set party's manifesto. it was set there , but by by boris johnson there, but by by boris johnson as prime minister, followed through by mr sunak. so yeah , through by mr sunak. so yeah, there could be issues. but i think , you know, i think the mod think, you know, i think the mod is used to trying to secure bases. yeah. >> now christopher , both rishi >> now christopher, both rishi sunak and the labour leader, keir starmer, have been asked act about well , the scandal act about well, the scandal surrounding baroness michelle mone. this is relating to ppe procured moment and the various contracts out there. now they've had, uh uh rishi sunak hasn't

had, uh uh rishi sunak hasn't had much to say. he just says it's incredibly serious. he's taking it incredibly seriously . taking it incredibly seriously. the allegations against her, the investigation against her. keir starmer has said she should be expelled from from the lords. well, he said i don't think she should be in the lords anyway. is there pressure mounting on the government to make some kind of statement this . of statement tonight on this. >> well, no, there's a there's a national crime agency investigation and the government correctly can't do anything until that reported. and it would be more of a party issue anyway. the law will take its course and if the nca press charges or do so, do anything else. of course . um, michelle else. of course. um, michelle mone and her husband deny any wrongdoing. but were that to happen, then that'd be for the legal process to take to take place. there are suggestions from tory side that from some on the tory side that michelle mone shouldn't be in the house of lords. now, it's quite hard to expel anybody from the house of lords. um, and she is a member of the house of lords, is trying lords, although she is trying to fight at the fight and clear her name at the

moment profile moment with high profile interviews with the weekend. um, it mean, it's it's it is i mean, it's a it's a challenge. they have to get to the while the bottom of this. and while the bottom of this. and while the is investigating, it's the nca is investigating, it's not leader, the pm not one that the leader, the pm will involved with yet. will get involved with yet. >> christopher, when keir >> so christopher, when keir starmer government starmer says the government should make a statement in the commons, just pie in the commons, that's just pie in the sky. that's that's not appropriate . appropriate. >> but what is it's not appropriate because the government won't want do anything which would prejudice anything which would prejudice any allegation by the national crime agency once that the police or the nca get involved, the government correctly steps back. it's always a case of any any police investigation that they never want parliament to intervene or to and to stop justice being done . mm mm. justice being done. mm mm. >> and christopher, let's move on briefly , a story that's on briefly, a story that's caused a lot of concern from viewers today. lots of emails about this. winston churchill's barge, the vessel that ferried him down the river thames during his funeral , um, is now either his funeral, um, is now either going to be scrapped or possibly sent to a foreign buyer because

there's no british interest number 10, i understand, has said something about this today. have they? that's right. >> in the briefing, ben, just behind me in downing street, number 10 has made very clear that this barge, churchill's barge, which which is body was taken be buried in village, taken to be buried in village, oxfordshire, village of blaydon . oxfordshire, village of blaydon. my oxfordshire, village of blaydon. my mother's been touched to correct me on this. churchill was buried in blaydon. forgive me kent earlier. of me for saying kent earlier. of course. from kent . um, but course. he's from kent. um, but this, this barge offered for £2 million of private private buyers . uh, but, uh, before , buyers. uh, but, uh, before, before it's now been knocked down to £800,000. and there's concerns raised in the mail on sunday that it might be taken abroad by a foreign buyer. now bofis abroad by a foreign buyer. now boris johnson has got behind the campaign saying, saying this, this, barge must end in the this, this barge must end in the uk. and now rishi has got, uk. and now rishi sunak has got, got to saying that got involved to saying that making clear is not making very clear he is not happy if it leaves the uk . there happy if it leaves the uk. there is committee in the, in the is a committee in the, in the culture department which can step in and stop items of historical interest being sent

overseas as well. he's made very clear that committee will step in almost certainly if a foreign buyer is found . what will happen buyer is found. what will happen then is it's up to the uk, uk institution to raise money to match the money the foreign foreign buyers paid to ensure it can here. but this is can stay here. but this is a very key part of, of uk very a key part of, of uk history i'm sure. cross party keir starmer other party to will support it. it's important. it's a elements of churchill's life remained in the uk and here's here's part of that i hope so thank you very much indeed christopher hope, our political editor outside downing street. christopher hope, our political editowondere downing street. christopher hope, our political editowonder what/ning street. christopher hope, our political editowonder what type street. christopher hope, our political editowonder what type of reet. christopher hope, our political editowonder what type of person >> i wonder what type of person would want to purchase the barge from abroad. >> of our well, maybe >> oh, some of our well, maybe the they're keen on the the uae. they're keen on the telegraph, aren't they? a slice of british slice of british history . history. >> anyone with interest, guess. >> yeah. i mean, i'd rather it was scrapped in england, to be honest, opposed to a foreign honest, as opposed to a foreign buyer getting their hands it. honest, as opposed to a foreign buy

our grade, unfortunately. our pay grade, unfortunately. >> we turn the >> well, shall we turn to the main story rwanda main story of fresh rwanda setbacks? we've got immigration lawyer on lawyer hardeep singh bhangal on the line for us. hardship. you've read about. does it surprise you? firstly that perhaps some airline carriers wouldn't want to be involved in in such a scheme as the rwanda plan ? plan? >> it's slightly surprising because the smaller airlines , because the smaller airlines, they fly people to different countries for £40. >> so if you throw enough money at them, then i'm sure you know that. they'd say , yeah, well that. they'd say, yeah, well we'll take them. so it we'll we'll take them. so it does for me sort of a it's a little bit surprising , but a lot little bit surprising, but a lot of the obviously bigger airlines don't want to get this don't want to get into this controversy. and want to controversy. and don't want to get into this . but, you know, get into this. but, you know, the there are options for rishi sunak anyway. >> i've just had >> hi, jeff, i've just had a message from someone who works in airline industry and they in the airline industry and they say it's probably nothing political . well, it may have to political. well, it may have to do more with the fact that airlines don't have much capacity and crew at the moment, so it might be something more practical rather than concerns

over reputation . although i can over reputation. although i can see both playing a part. yeah i think it could be a mixture of that, but, um, i'm sure if the government throws money at something, it usually works out. >> and, um, if not, the military we heard were from christopher were quite reluctant as well to get involved in this. but there's other options. like i said, i mean , we could always there's other options. like i saidrishiean , we could always there's other options. like i saidrishi sunaks could always there's other options. like i saidrishi sunaks helicopterays there's other options. like i saidrishi sunaks helicopter ,ys use rishi sunaks helicopter, which costs us 40 million and £110,000 a day. um, i'm sure he'll be willing to lend the country that or indeed, maybe michelle mone's yacht . michelle mone's yacht. >> yeah, there was that story over the weekend about sunak , over the weekend about sunak, um, apparently pressing on the mod to allow him to keep using that helicopter £40 million a yean that helicopter £40 million a year, but just going back to the raf, my thoughts on it are i know they don't want protesters, far left protesters turning up at airfields and bases and causing trouble, but surely this is a national security risk. and when we've got tens of thousands of undocumented fighting age,

mostly men coming to this country, we don't know who they are and we need to get them out because they're here illegally. i know the raf doesn't really want to get their their mitts grubby, bigger grubby, and they've got bigger things in ukraine things to focus on in ukraine and elsewhere. but surely this is a national security risk. and if pushed does come to shove and british and even the british airways and even the likes say, ryanair um, don't likes of, say, ryanair um, don't want to get involved in this, surely has to do its surely the raf has to do its duty and protect our borders like they should doing . like they should be doing. >> it's not as simple as that. there's liability issues involved. so if there's a death on the plane, who's going to be liable for that? um, if someone commits suicide or someone takes their own life, um, on the plane, who's going to be liable for that? so, you know, do people risk their jobs people want to risk their jobs in relation to that? and there's there are families involved. there children involved. um, there are children involved. um, so it's almost like, you know, the same thing that goes on with detention centres that we've seen the same thing with the barges. is this going to be all worth it? is this to deter

worth it? is this going to deter 49,000 people? uh, crossing ? is 49,000 people? uh, crossing? is it deterring the 500 odd who probably crossed on the weekend? it's not going to act as a deterrent. it's not viable at the cost. it's, um, it's costed at about 140,000 per person that we send back. that's that's not viable to send in numbers back in the thousands. we haven't got the money except for when the government needs to spend it on themselves or their friends. then there's plenty of money, but isn't available . but the money isn't available. um, at the public purse, allegedly . and it's viable. allegedly. and it's not viable. you all right? you work out 10,000 times 150,000. i don't even know how many , um, zeros go even know how many, um, zeros go on the of so it's not on the end of that. so it's not viable . we could spend that viable. we could spend that money elsewhere into making a safe system, securing our borders , and processing claims. borders, and processing claims. a lot quicker, which we're not seeing at the moment. why are claims taking two years to process? these people are here because letting stay because we're letting them stay here because the claims aren't processed quick enough. we used to process claims in 59 days. they now take two years. lack of

investment in infrastructure. >> i was in australia in the last couple of weeks and of course they had their own small boats. about 1015 years boats. problem about 1015 years ago. stopped the boats. ago. they stopped the boats. >> hear >> i can't hear you. >> hear me now ? >> can you hear me now? >> can you hear me now? >> i can't hear you. >> oh, we've lost hijack. >> oh, we've lost hijack. >> i was just going to say i was in australia, of course, covering nigel and i'm a celeb, and they own small and they had their own small boats um, ten, 15 years boats problem. um, ten, 15 years ago. did was like, you ago. what they did was like, you probably they towed the probably know they towed the boats mid—water. they boats back mid—water. they didn't to didn't allow them to get to their country in the first place. and there are calls and i think a solid argument for, uh, for whatever means possible, not getting not allowing migrants to come here in first place come here in the first place because then wouldn't have because then you wouldn't have the shipping them off. >> yeah, presumably that would then various then contravene various international laws international treaties and laws and things as this. so and things just as this. so you'd endless obstacles, you'd have endless obstacles, whatever the government tries to do would appear do, it would it would appear i wonder what happens now . i mean, wonder what happens now. i mean, rishi sunak must be sitting there thinking, oh, looking towards the new year, got to get this through the commons, then we've got to get it through the

laws. >> then we'll have some ping pong. it's all a bit of a charade. >> we'll have it. you >> then we'll have it. you know, the deciding it's the courts deciding whether it's legal interpretation of legal in their interpretation of the then so on and so the law and then so on and so forth. still got this forth. and still you've got this massive cases and massive backlog of cases and you've got hotels and you've got the hotels issue and you've got the hotels issue and you've got the barge issue costing £22.5 million. that's the contract for one single barge. that's being used for accommodation. and also isn't even at full capacity. i mean , even at full capacity. i mean, the list of issues in trying to solve this and the bigger issue too, and now airlines, but also my argument is as well that we're concerned about the small boats. >> yes, they're a problem, but really it's tens of thousands of people a year. this tory government allowing legal government is allowing legal migration 700 year. so migration of 700 plus a year. so um, i think all this stuff really for sunak is, uh, is it's more than a headache leading down a dark alley. i think he's finished. >> it is more than a headache for him. let us know if you've got any answers. vaiews@gbnews.com. but coming up, tone towards the up, a change in tone towards the ongoing war in the middle east, we'll be taking a deep dive into

what could be in store as we move forward.

isabel monday to thursdays from. six till 930. welcome back. >> it's 240. sorry. no, it's 2:24 pm. wishing time away. uh, before we move on, we should just say that the one and only nigel farage returns to the gb news studio tonight for his evening show at 7 pm. of

course, i followed him into the jungle or near the jungle, anyway, on australia's gold coast. but he's back tonight with his blistering commentary and analysis of everything that's been going on and plenty went on when he was away, plenty went on when he was away, plenty went on. >> it was pretty, pretty good gig you , wasn't it? gig for you, wasn't it? >> not bad. i've got a nice >> that not bad. i've got a nice tan. i know some people have been about it is been emailing about it. it is all sandie vara. all natural. no. uh sandie vara. hey. involved here? >> yeah. someone used the word oompa—loompa which oompa—loompa in the inbox, which obviously very, obviously i thought was very, very know, very harsh. you know? you know, i fake tan on i haven't got my fake tan on today. ben. >> so about doing you >> so sorry about doing you a little outdoing on that little outdoing me on that front, but yes, farage front, but yes, nigel farage back studio this evening back in the studio this evening at won't to miss it. >> you won't want to miss it. i'm he'll be dishing the i'm sure he'll be dishing the dirt on his experience and everything else that's going on. dirt on his experience and ev> that's right. so let's move on.the >> that's right. so let's move on. the language used by western leaders on the war, uh, in the war between israel and hamas appears to be changing it does a bit. >> the foreign secretary, lord cameron , has warned too many cameron, has warned too many civilians have been killed in gaza supporting call from his gaza supporting a call from his german counterpart for a sustainable ceasefire .

sustainable ceasefire. >> and it comes after former defence secretary ben wallace has warned that israel's tactics will fuel the conflict for another 50 years. >> well, shall we speak to charlie peters, our reporter who joins us for the latest on this developing story ? charlie, it developing story? charlie, it has been noted, and i'm certainly noticing that the language has changed from western leaders . there seems to western leaders. there seems to be more and more people articulating thing, essentially, that israel should, if not hold pack , should adopt a slightly pack, should adopt a slightly different tactic when it comes to their war on gaza. on hamas. >> that's right . several >> that's right. several countries now have actually come out and made this plea. countries now have actually come out and made this plea . over the out and made this plea. over the weekend, the french foreign minister calling for an immediate and durable truce . we immediate and durable truce. we heard from lord cameron, the foreign secretary, speaking alongside his german counterpart, calling for a sustained ceasefire. and now, this morning, we've heard from prime minister rishi sunak calling for the same. and it

comes after several weeks where there has been reports of the americans urging for a change in the military tactics of the israelis in the gaza strip. they want a shift away from some of the heavy munitions and the use of armour that we've seen on that ground invasion in the coastal enclave into more precise behaviours and precise manoeuvres . precise behaviours and precise manoeuvres. in precise behaviours and precise manoeuvres . in fact, that tum manoeuvres. in fact, that tum was used specifically by the national security adviser, jake sullivan, and washington's defence secretary, lloyd austin, is in tel aviv this week and is expected to call for a similar change in military tactics with the israelis. but the israelis , the israelis. but the israelis, for their part, they have remained belligerent on their strategy . they believe that only strategy. they believe that only a sustained military pressure can achieve their stated aims, and the end state that they're trying to go over here, of course, is the total destruction of hamas. both its military capabilities, its leadership and its personnel in general, while

also freeing all of the hostages under control of the terrorist organisation within side the gaza strip. but there has been a shift in tone from many foreign ministers, and it comes also after former defence secretary in the uk , ben wallace, wrote in in the uk, ben wallace, wrote in the telegraph this morning that the telegraph this morning that the behaviour of the israeli military inside the gaza strip was acting as a recruiting sergeant for hamas. he said that some israeli politicians were acting like a bull in a china shop, and this behaviour actually was going to generate more terrorism. he said. that radical action follows a pression. now, i've been speaking with many israelis this morning about how these kind of comments are being written , comments are being written, received both former officials and military leaders. received both former officials and military leaders . and i have and military leaders. and i have to say, it's not being taken very positively at all. they actually point to say that the evidence doesn't seem to support mr wallace's position. indeed, after the last two invasions

into the gaza strip in 2008 and 2014, polling for hamas in the gaza strip actually dipped following those strikes. and it hasn't been the case that more people have joined the terror organisation after strikes by israel . they also pointed to the israel. they also pointed to the us led destruction of isis in the middle east. which of course, ben wallace was a key part of as both security minister and later defence minister. they asked me , you minister. they asked me, you know, when mr wallace was in charge of those operations , did charge of those operations, did he fear that the destruction of isis would lead to more terrorism? you know, 70% of raqqain terrorism? you know, 70% of raqqa in syria became in, in, uh , you know, incapable for people to live in and also thousands of civilian casualties in mosul in iraq. so many of those questions being asked of the american led western strategy for dealing with isis are also being asked of the israeli strategy for deaung of the israeli strategy for dealing with hamas . similar

dealing with hamas. similar approaches. but one, the israelis telling me this morning, attracting far more criticism , and that is the criticism, and that is the israeli position . but regardless israeli position. but regardless of those comparisons , those of those comparisons, those calls for israel to adapt its strategy are almost certainly going to continue to humanitarian aid still going into the gaza strip this morning and calls for israel to adopt, adopt those more precise military tactics will go on whether or not they will be adopted . we will wait and see. adopted. we will wait and see. but violence certainly continuing despite western calls this morning, charlie , just just this morning, charlie, just just briefly, it feels like israel isn't only battling hamas, but also a pr war as well, with the growing calls for a ceasefire. >> but also this incident over the weekend , i think, or just the weekend, i think, or just before the weekend where the idf accidentally killed three of their own hostages. can you just give us a flavour of what happens there? and also the reaction in tel aviv, where you spend a lot of time, uh, over the couple of months, the last couple of months, apparently there were protests now is now from israeli citizens. is there growing calls internally

there a growing calls internally now for, uh, for a ceasefire ? now for, uh, for a ceasefire? >> there's been long frustration being held among the civilian population on how the israeli government is handling this conflict the feeling among conflict. but the feeling among veterans within the idf and those former commanders is that mistakes being made are not a deliberate strategy, but rather a reaction to an extremely jumpy military situation . we've seen military situation. we've seen lots of footage of tunnels and ventilation shafts and areas where hamas fighters can pop up at a moment's notice to draw fire on the idf. these operational frictions, they say, are generating some of the areas where the hostages have sadly been killed over the weekend. it's not a deliberate failure. it's not a deliberate failure. it's a cause of the struggle being set by the difficult military situation. yeah thank you very much indeed. >> charlie peters there. our reporter now, prime minister rishi sunak, has actually responded to ben wallace . what responded to ben wallace. what the former defence secretary wrote in the telegraph. he said this . this. >> well, israel obviously has a

right to defend itself against what was an appalling terrorist attack perpetrated by hamas. but it must do that in accordance with humanity , korean law. it's with humanity, korean law. it's clear that too many civilian lives have been lost and nobody wants to see this conflict go on a day longer than it has to. and that's why we've been consistent. and i made this point in parliament last week in calling for a sustainable ceasefire whereby hostages are released , rockets stop being released, rockets stop being fired into israel by hamas and we continue to get more aid in in one of the things i spoke to prime minister netanyahu about the up the other week was opening up another crossing so that we can get aid into gaza. i'm get more aid into gaza. i'm pleased have pleased that the israelis have responded that . and the uk is responded to that. and the uk is playing a leading role making playing a leading role in making sure reaches sure that aid reaches those who desperately need it. great stuff coming up. >> finally , we'll be speaking >> finally, we'll be speaking about winston churchill's funeral barge with our panel . funeral barge with our panel. that's after your headlines with tatiana . benet.

tatiana. benet. >> thank you very much. 232 this is the latest from the gb newsroom . the prime minister newsroom. the prime minister says he takes the scandal surrounding baroness michelle mone incredibly seriously. the former tory peer admitted she's set to benefit from a contract between ppe firm medpro and the government , which generated government, which generated a £60 million profit. lady mone told the bbc she contacted michael gove at the start of the pandemic after he made a call to arms for massive quantities of payment protection equipment. labouris payment protection equipment. labour is demanding answers from all those involved and says she shouldn't be allowed to return to the house of lords. baroness michelle mone has responded to the prime minister, saying she was cabinet was honest with the cabinet office , government and the nhs . office, government and the nhs. she claims they all knew about her involvement the very her involvement from the very beginning she conservative mp beginning. she conservative mp miriam cates is being investigated by parliament's standards watchdog, the member for penistone and stocksbridge is accused of causing

significant damage to the reputation of the house or its members. it's not clear what the claim relates to. she's one of eight mps currently being investigated by the standards commissioner. for bp has paused oil shipments through the red sea because of the deteriorating security situation. houthi rebels have been targeting vessels launching drone attacks over the past week . the over the past week. the pro—hamas group says it's trying to disrupt ships travelling to israel. a number of firms , israel. a number of firms, including maersk, have also suspended traffic through the region . xl bully owners have two region. xl bully owners have two weeks to make sure their dogs comply with new rules from december 31st. the animals must be muzzled in public and it'll be muzzled in public and it'll be illegal to breed, sell or abandon them in england and wales , owners have also been wales, owners have also been told they can ask a vet to put their pets down and claim compensation. a full ban on the breed comes into force in february, but owners can apply for an exemption to keep their dogs.

for an exemption to keep their dogs . you can get more on all of dogs. you can get more on all of those stories by visiting our website gbnews.com .

sunday mornings from 930 on gb news . news. >> good afternoon britain. it is 238 in the afternoon and boozy christmas parties. a drink left out for santa and even a cheeky

baileys before bed. alcohol is everywhere at christmas, but if you have a drinking problem it might not be all it's cracked up to be. >> no , the charity drinkaware >> no, the charity drinkaware says more than half of brits think the country has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. >> but only 1 in 10 drinkers think they have a problem. >> our east midlands reporter, will been will hollis, has been investigating alcohol, took everything from lee. >> hisjob, his family everything from lee. >> his job, his family and eventual his home. so we're outside tesco and, uh, this is what i used to sit and beg. he spent nine months living on the streets of nottingham . in the streets of nottingham. in the day he'd drink nine cans of strong lager. >> i didn't want to live. i didn't want to be here. i felt the lowest of the low. i felt like, why don't my life just end? why don't it just stop? why don't the pain just stop? >> more than half a million brits addicted alcohol . brits are addicted to alcohol. but millions more drink in a harmful way at christmas. booze

is everywhere. the average brit dnnks is everywhere. the average brit drinks about 18 units of alcohol in a week. but at christmas time that jumps massively to at least 14 units on christmas day alone, a unit of alcohol can be half a pint of beer. a small glass of wine or a single measure of spirit . wine or a single measure of spirit. drink wine or a single measure of spirit . drink aware wine or a single measure of spirit. drink aware found wine or a single measure of spirit . drink aware found that spirit. drink aware found that half of brits think the uk has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and that two thirds overindulge at christmas . overindulge at christmas. >> i tend to drink maybe a little bit more at christmas. >> i think most people basically dnnk >> i think most people basically drink to excess, tend to have a little bit of a baileys at christmas. >> i think it's quite of a festive thing. >> the nottingham recovery network helps struggling network helps anyone struggling with drink or drugs. the charity framework runs the service with council funding. >> how is the new programme going ? going? >> apollos is the director for health and social care, alcohol problems and drug problems don't happen on their own.

>> they're usually a symptom of the things going on, so it might be debt, mental health, relationship, housing. we've brought together brought services together to be able meet whole that able to meet the whole of that need, says. need, he says. >> there's spike in people >> there's a spike in people with drinking problems around christmas. >> people struggle with their drinking . they struggle drinking. they struggle with their relationships. they struggle with their mental health far more than would health far more than they would at of the year. at any other time of the year. >> get to live again, asking >> we get to live again, asking for how many people for help is how many people start drinking problem . start to fix a drinking problem. >> asked the network >> when lee asked the network got him off the streets and into recovery, he'd been sober for three years now and supports others recovering too. >> i'm no longer, uh, just, um, just existing . just existing. >> i'm actually living life . >> i'm actually living life. >> i'm actually living life. >> alcohol is a part of christmas, and that won't change. it becomes a problem when it takes over the celebration. will hollis gb news in nottingham . in nottingham. >> yes. well, if you or your loved ones are struggling with alcohol, support is on the alcoholics anonymous website .

alcoholics anonymous website. uh, alcoholics anonymous org.uk right . right. >> joining us now is former labour mp bill rammell and political commentator benedict spence. political commentator benedict spence . bill, let's touch base spence. bill, let's touch base on rwanda briefly. it seems like the never ending saga doesn't it? one minute it's lefty lawyers , then it's parliament. lawyers, then it's parliament. he's got to get his bill through. now it's the airlines who are kicking up a fuss. is this indicative that the bill itself is doomed? i mean, are airlines, right, for example, to be, um, protesting against taking asylum seekers? >> well, they're apparently worried about reputational damage. and frankly, who can blame mean, you know, blame them? i mean, you know, the bill, the system is chaos. will it get through it might. um, but even if it does, it's going to bring back a handful. uh, of illegal migrants to, to rwanda. and i think the underlying issue for me is the government's track record on illegal and legal migration is so lamentable . why are they so lamentable. why are they constantly drawing attention to it? >> benedict i mean, it's a

nonsense scheme. >> it always has been, was from the very start. it was just an excuse to sort of kick issue excuse to sort of kick the issue down road by a former home down the road by a former home secretary even previous secretary not even the previous home secretary, the one before that dreamt up. and it that who dreamt it up. and it is the sign, i'm afraid very the sign, i'm afraid of a very unserious one that unserious country, or one that decides outsource aspect decides to outsource an aspect of security to of its own national security to a third party, another country, and then says to itself, well , and then says to itself, well, actually, you know, we can't do that that country that because that country also sort own sovereignty, sort of has its own sovereignty, has its own laws. >> australia it, and they >> australia did it, and they did it quite well. australia did >> australia did it, and they dicaustralia well. australia did >> australia did it, and they dicaustralia well alustralia did >> australia did it, and they dicaustralia well a differentdid it, australia has a different legal signed up to various >> it signed up to various conventions, it is also conventions, but it is also prepared to break various conventions . and we're not conventions. and we're not ultimately, know, other ultimately, you know, other countries europe are france, countries in europe are france, italy done multiple italy have done this multiple times. do it very regularly, but greeks do it very regularly, but we because to we don't because we like to stick to the agreements that we sign even if they are out sign up to, even if they are out of but ultimately, what of date. but ultimately, what this down to is this boils down to is it is a policy of a hundred couple of people be people who may or may not be sent and we'd have to sent there, and we'd have to take same of people take the same number of people in odds, therefore, in return. the odds, therefore, of you being sent to rwanda, even this does through, even if this does go through, are not to put

are minuscule. not enough to put you off. coming serious you off. coming a serious country would have actually set up system either in up a processing system either in on british overseas on british soil or in overseas territory, have just territory, and would have just got with the very difficult got on with the very difficult issue of deporting people. the previous government previous labour government deported ten times as many people as this one people per year as this one does. it is a nonsense say does. it is a nonsense to say that it cannot be done. it is also, frankly, a nonsense to say that to have agreements that you need to have agreements with country with every single country in order do they are not order to do it. they are not going to prevent their own citizens to citizens from being returned to their albania, their country, be it albania, be it india. that doesn't it doesn't work that they doesn't work that way. they don't planes out of don't shoot the planes out of the ultimately, it is the air and ultimately, it is also silly that we're talking about outsourcing this to commercial airlines, because of course, they're under no obugafion course, they're under no obligation should obligation to do this. we should have a small dedicated fleet of planes doesn't planes that does. this doesn't cost the cost that much money in the grand of things. fact grand scheme of things. the fact that prepared for that we haven't prepared for this shows we not take this this shows we do not take this issue well. >> it's worth saying that the government that it government does say that it has robust that robust plans in place, and that means that will to means that they will be able to find planes. um, even if, uh, you know , ryanair and easyjet you know, ryanair and easyjet don't fancy it, although i don't think it was going to be commercial airlines case. commercial airlines in any case.

but shall we move on? because this is a big story , i think. this is a big story, i think. and this all relates to winston churchill's barge, boris johnson and other campaigners say it must be free from overseas sales . so potentially there could be a foreign buyer because no one in britain wants to cough up the cash for this. come on, barge now. out the pm, the prime minister this is what christopher hope told us. the prime minister could step in to stop churchill's barge from being bought by an overseas buyer number 10 says he wants the £800,000 barge to stay in the £800,000 barge to stay in the uk. so bill, is this a bit of a culture wars issue or is this something that people care about? a shake of the head tells it all, i think. >> well, it is of historical significance and if can keep significance and if we can keep it country, we should. it in this country, we should. >> i chris hope's, um , >> but i found chris hope's, um, description of the briefing from number 10 staggering. the government doesn't have the power to this from being power to stop this from being sold overseas. it's just, you know, in wind again know, flailing in the wind again . um, and so, yeah, let's see if

we get some private funding we can get some private funding to it in britain. but to keep it in britain. but i wouldn't be in favour of public funding to this cause . funding going to this cause. >> would you buy the barge if you had a spare 800,000? well, i'd and live on it. i'd go and live on it. >> i could do it. it's better than the average london. than the average flat in london. i think we should i think. i think what we should do should sell it. and do is we should sell it. and then a hundred couple of then in a hundred couple of years, should it back years, we should demand it back for that's what greeks years, we should demand it back for with that's what greeks years, we should demand it back for with the t's what greeks years, we should demand it back for with the elgin at greeks years, we should demand it back for with the elgin marbles. zeks did with the elgin marbles. that's the nigerians did that's what the nigerians did with bronzes. and with the benin bronzes. and they're wool over they're pulling the wool over everybody's eyes because now, you united you know, germany, the united states oh, of states are going, oh, yes, of course, must this back course, you must have this back for and what will then for free. and what will then happen nigerians happen is the nigerians will take benin and take the benin bronzes and they'll say, thanks very much, and sell on in and then they'll sell them on in and then they'll sell them on in a time. that's what we a few years time. that's what we should be doing with our national heritage. seeing as the funds to funds just aren't there to actually buying these actually be buying these things for nation. seems it's for the nation. it seems it's only grand. for the nation. it seems it's onl'i grand. for the nation. it seems it's onl'i grobviously well >> i mean, obviously be well above purchase above my ability to purchase anything to but 800 anything akin to that, but 800 k in scheme things, in the grand scheme of things, they waste so much on. um, you know, look whitehall, know, look at whitehall, for example, pothole example, fill a whole pothole estimate. mcvey's written example, fill a whole pothole es'the |te. mcvey's written example, fill a whole pothole es'the|te. mail’vicvey's written example, fill a whole pothole es'the|te. mail’vicvey'about:en in the daily mail today about her ridding whitehall of her war on ridding whitehall of diversity and inclusion and

waste mean, example, waste. i mean, for example, local councils have paid something half £1 million something like half £1 million every to fund heating every year to fund the heating bills people who work from bills of people who work from home. so 800 k in the grand scheme of things, to protect and preserve british preserve a bit of british history. we don't much left history. we don't have much left these . everything. so, these days. everything. so, you know, whitewashing it existed before story across though. >> no, i didn't know i did. i'm all for it. it's important in the grand scheme of things. there lots of things from there are lots of things from churchill's life that are. but i think, the barge that think, you know, the barge that took thames took him down, the thames is perhaps most important perhaps not the most important thing. there are other aspects of that i think we of his life that i think we should other, but it is should then other, but it is something that, course, something that, of course, people johnson and people like boris johnson and other rally people like boris johnson and other around, rally people like boris johnson and other around, can't rally people like boris johnson and other around, can't theyy people like boris johnson and other around, can't they , bill? >> because it's a symbol of patriotism and people are weary of winston churchill being depicted as, uh, well , people depicted as, uh, well, people have gone so far as to call him a racist and a warmonger, and perhaps this is about trying to, uh, you know , make sure that uh, you know, make sure that people, see churchill for people, people see churchill for how how they see him. >> he was an outstanding national figure, and he saw us

through the second world war. so it is historical it is of historical significance. but i wouldn't be in favour of using public money. and you can say it's only 800,000, but where does that end? yeah. >> does end? >> where does that end? >> where does that end? >> and, you know, i think you could very, probably and could very, very probably and particularly this particularly after this pubuchy particularly after this publicity get private funding to fund security . fund security. >> it's in front of the houses of parliament, which soon of parliament, which is soon going fall into the thames, going to fall into the thames, because we can't afford to pay for that so at least for that either. so at least there's prospect. there's the prospect. >> could parliament not use it as exactly tourist, as some sort of exactly tourist, either or maybe as some sort of exactly tourist, either select or maybe as some sort of exactly tourist, either select committee naybe to hold select committee meetings else meetings whilst everybody else sort of moves out? >> possibility it. >> there is possibility for it. >> there is possibility for it. >> you know where >> benedict, do you know where we are with the restoration of the houses? we are with the restoration of the i|ousesno we are with the restoration of the i louse: no where we are with the restoration of the i|ousesno where we are. >> i have no idea where we are. i think it's been kicked down the road. i don't it's the road. i don't think it's i think it has, um, an and i think we did big ben. >> yes. but there's still a debate whether mps move debate about whether mps move out did big ben so that >> yeah, we did big ben so that we'd it fell in. we'd know what time it fell in. i think that's kind of the point, is that at least we would be to say yes at time of be able to say yes at time of death. time. death. was this time. >> but i'll tell this >> but i'll tell you this about big an mp, and

big ben when i was an mp, and you've an all session you've got an all night session and you're trying sleep in and you're trying to sleep in your ben going over. your office. big ben going over. >> with babies. >> not with the babies. >> not with the babies. >> i hope. no big bang going on every 15 minutes was a nightmare. every 15 minutes was a nig well,e. know, rammell >> well, you know, bill rammell wants to silence ben . there wants to silence big ben. there we the exclusive and we go. there's the exclusive and mob. the houses of parliament is about into the about to fall into the into the river thames. hopefully both of those things aren't true, but there shall move on? there you go. shall we move on? yes >> we talk about beige food, especially at christmas. nothing beige but, uh, beige in this room, but, uh, sainsbury's . uh, sainsbury's. so sainsbury's. uh, sainsbury's. so the chief executive says it's focusing innovation with focusing on innovation with quirky treats in its christmas campaign and it's going to be ridding its menus of beige party food . think, um, potato waffles , food. think, um, potato waffles, cheese, uh, spring rolls , that cheese, uh, spring rolls, that kind of thing. are they barking up the wrong tree? aren't the beige food on our plates? aren't they the most exciting and tasty? >> this has been framed as, you know, elitism and snobbery. and sainsbury's is going snooty. bill >> well, i think it's a really astute piece of marketing by

sainsbury's. i read the article and filled with laudatory and it's filled with laudatory statistics about how well sainsbury's is doing and its product range, how it's lowering pnces product range, how it's lowering prices and it's just used this as a hook to get publicity. >> bill, just hold that thought because we've got some breaking news. a body that was found in the river wensum in norwich on friday. it has formally been identified as the missing mother of three gaynor lords. so just to repeat , a of three gaynor lords. so just to repeat, a body that was found in the river wensum in norwich on friday has now been formally identified as the missing mother of three. gaynor lord. we'll bnng of three. gaynor lord. we'll bring you any more as we get it. very indeed . and, um, it very sad indeed. and, um, it feels rather odd to go back to sainsbury's that was the most, uh. well, clearly now the body has been identified. we were told about it last week. on friday. i believe that they had recovered this body from the river in norwich, and now it has been formally identified by news just christmas as well . just before christmas as well. >> it couldn't have come at the worst it's worst possible time. but if it's any solace at least at least the

family , i guess, have some family, i guess, have some closure . and it wasn't dragged closure. and it wasn't dragged out like the nicola bully case was. yes >> so that's the that's the breaking news for you. but we will move away from that back to our sainsbury's stories because i want to get benedict's thoughts on whether beige foods should be out, or whether this is some kind of, uh, elitism from sainsbury , as i think beige from sainsbury, as i think beige is a is nature's way of saying to you in the depths of winter that this is good for you, this will give you energy, and you should attracted to this should be attracted to this particular type of food. should be attracted to this par uh, ar type of food. should be attracted to this par uh, ar tyin of food. should be attracted to this par uh, ar tyin timeod. should be attracted to this par uh, ar tyin time then, for >> uh, just in time then, for the cycle of guilt the january cycle of guilt tripping us all into trying to eat beige i don't tripping us all into trying to eat peoplee i don't tripping us all into trying to eat people should i don't tripping us all into trying to eat people should i worrying think people should be worrying necessarily the colour so necessarily about the colour so much. does it taste good? are you good time? that's much. does it taste good? are you christmasyod time? that's much. does it taste good? are you christmas isi time? that's much. does it taste good? are you christmas is about’ that's much. does it taste good? are you christmas is about because much. does it taste good? are yo a christmas is about because much. does it taste good? are yo a couple nas is about because much. does it taste good? are yo a couple of; is about because much. does it taste good? are yo a couple of; is aboutwillause much. does it taste good? are yo a couple of; is aboutwill bee in a couple of days you will be made feel again. enjoy made to feel bad again. so enjoy it. whilst know whilst it. for whilst you know whilst it's what's the what's it's around what's on the what's on on in your on the menu on your in your house on christmas goose probably the fatter probably goose yes the fatter the better. >> i'm lone proponent >> bill i'm the lone proponent of turkey in my house. yeah me too. whilst the too. so i eat turkey whilst the rest the family. i think

rest of the family. i think they're beef this year. they're having beef this year. >> yeah, of my family >> yeah, yeah, most of my family are tuck into are vegans. they tuck into a quite revolting nut roast. >> beige? quite revolting nut roast. >> whilst beige? quite revolting nut roast. >> whilst ieige? quite revolting nut roast. >> whilst i gete? quite revolting nut roast. >> whilst i get involved in the turkey, know want to ask you turkey, i know i want to ask you both we don't have much both before, we don't have much time sure you time left, but i'm sure you will have the controversy around have seen the controversy around miss france. >> it ? yes. the miss france. >> is it? yes. the miss france. now she had a pixie style haircut. um, and apparently this is controversial in france. and two androgynous. what do you say to that, bill? i am in danger of being attacked for being woke. >> because i'm really not a fan of women's pageants. i think they're degrading , they're they're degrading, they're sexist, and there's a whole body of evidence that it has a bad impact on women . so, you know, impact on women. so, you know, really not a fan. >> but bill, you're not allowed to say that because you are not a woman. benedict, are you a fan of the, uh, the pageant ? of the, uh, the pageant? >> italian television >> well, italian television wouldn't any body on it, wouldn't have any body on it, and neither would the and neither would half the parliament. if they didn't have women's based parliament. if they didn't have wo beauty. based parliament. if they didn't have wo beauty. these based parliament. if they didn't have wo beauty. these are based parliament. if they didn't have wo beauty. these are very,ased on beauty. so these are very, you culturally important you know, culturally important things. i think you're being

very mean, very insensitive. i mean, i don't about france much, don't know about france so much, but i think a woman but i think finding a woman with a cut controversial in a pixie cut controversial in france, really? of france, really? i kind of assumed went a assumed everybody went through a phase cut and phase of having a pixie cut and looking little boyish, looking a little bit boyish, tomboyish. a tomboyish. i thought that was a normal thing. yeah. >> apparently is >> so apparently this is controversial because she's too androgynous and this is making a statement, the other statement, whereas the other contestants all had long, luscious i luscious locks. but i think a pixie cut is actually quite feminine. yes. and also my thoughts when i saw this thoughts were when i saw this headune thoughts were when i saw this headline before i'd read it, were oh, maybe was were that, oh, maybe it was a transgender contest . and that transgender contest. and that was there was some was why there was some controversy. but no, it's just the of her haircut. the style of her haircut. >> well, she she , uh, >> well, she she, uh, admittedly, she's not my type. my wife. no one has long, long brown hair, but she is beautiful nonetheless. i mean, she's definitely not androgynous . definitely not androgynous. doesn't look male at all in terms of i. well, crucially , she terms of i. well, crucially, she crucially, she won the pageant . crucially, she won the pageant. >> and neither of us have ever won a beauty pageant, have we? no, no, not as as i know. no, no, not as far as i know. anyway. bill benedict, i'm sure they have. thank you very much for your time. that's all we've got for rammell, got time for bill rammell, former of course,

got time for bill rammell, forn political of course, got time for bill rammell, forn political commentator:ourse, the political commentator of benedict next, it is benedict spence. up next, it is martin daubney. you martin daubney. we'll see you back i on the back tomorrow. ben and i on the sofa 12. hello sofa at 12. hello >> thank you for being a big part of gb news. we'd like to wish you and your loved ones a christmas season full of comfort and joy, as well as a peaceful and joy, as well as a peaceful and prosperous new year from our family to yours, we are proud to be your channel. >> merry christmas , happy >> merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas , christmas, merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas , merry christmas, merry christmas . christmas. >> here on gb news the people's channel. >> merry christmas . >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on gb news . news. >> hello again. it's aidan magee here from the met office with the gb news forecast cloudy and breezy for many during the rest of today. >> increasingly wet in the south overnight clear spells will overnight but clear spells will arrive in the north behind a

couple of weather fronts which are traversing the country northwest to southeast. this cold fronts will pep up as we go into the evening and overnight, bringing some more extensive wet weather across wales and then into the early hours across southern and eventually southeastern parts of england . southeastern parts of england. >> that rain, heavy and persistent in places further north, that rain does clear, although further showers follow for the north and west of scotland. >> but northern ireland on a blustery breeze and with clear spells here, any sheltered spots will get close to freezing, so a touch of frost perhaps, but in the south it will be a very mild start to tuesday. >> however, it will also be a wet start . wet start. >> the rain does clear eventually so that after lunch i think most places in the south will be turning drier and brighter . will be turning drier and brighter. some decent sunny spells for england and wales , spells for england and wales, but staying blustery for scotland and northern ireland with strong winds and frequent showers. >> those showers in the cold air falling as snow and hail over the hills into wednesday. a cold

start to the day in places, but a bright start in the northwest. >> we're going to see some rain spread in along with a strengthening wind, but it's really into thursday that the wind particularly wind turns particularly strong, especially northwest i >> -- >> but gales in places and blustery showers . blustery showers. >> looks like things are heating up . boxt boilers spotty hours of up. boxt boilers spotty hours of weather on gb news as

i >> -- >> well . good afternoon, happy >> well. good afternoon, happy monday . monday. >> it's 3:00. i'm martin daubney welcomes gb news. >> i'm here for the next three hours keeping you company. >> our story today. >> our top story today. >> our top story today. >> there no planes for >> there are no planes for rwanda. the astonishing rwanda. that's the astonishing admission that's leaked from government over the weekend. no private companies want anything to do with it in case they get cancelled by the snowflakes. and the mod has one raf base, which isn't even secure. £20 million has got to be spent on making that watertight . keep the that watertight. keep the protesters out and all of this means there's no sign of any flights taking off until may at the earliest. it's international migrant day today. isn't every day international migrant day? there's a protest at downing street at the home office later on this afternoon. care for calais? the stop the war coalition? that's jeremy corbyn's mob. they want even more migrants. what planet are they go down there and they on? we'll go down there and ask question .