effect. but what do these into effect. but what do these cuts actually mean for the pennies in your pocket.7 find out . lots of that coming up. then hundreds of homes have been devastated by flooding following storm henk and a week of heavy rainfall, with more than 250 flood warnings in force, the majority in the midlands, east anglia and southern england, many residents have been forced to evacuate their homes and you can't imagine the horrors of that, can you.7 awful can't imagine the horrors of that, can you? awful and prince andrew, yes, we have to talk about him, has been reported to the police after being named in dozens of times in documents related to paedophile jeffrey epstein , but the police say no epstein, but the police say no investigation has been launched investigation has been launched in the uk . investigation has been launched in the uk. now, what investigation has been launched in the uk . now, what should the in the uk. now, what should the royals do? what would you do ? royals do? what would you do? for this show is nothing without you and your views. not about me, not about my brilliant guests. more of them later, but it's all about you. so let me

know your thoughts on everything we're about and anything we're talking about and anything you to talk about well. you want to talk about as well. um email at um email me at gbviews@gbnews.com or message me on our socials. we're at gb news. but first let's get those headunes news. but first let's get those headlines with aaron armstrong . headlines with aaron armstrong. >> good afternoon . it's 12:01 >> good afternoon. it's 12:01 here in the gb newsroom , a 16 here in the gb newsroom, a 16 year old boy has been charged with murder. the murder of harry pitman, who was stabbed in london on new eve . the london on new year's eve. the teenager what teenager died following what police say was an altercation as crowds gathered on primrose hill to watch the fireworks. his sisters described harry as a good boy with a heart of gold. the suspect, who can't be named, has also been charged with possessing offensive weapon . possessing an offensive weapon. hundreds of flood warnings remain in place across england and wales, with temperatures set to drop below freezing. the environment agency says flooding will continue to be an issue , will continue to be an issue, with exceptionally high and in some cases, record river levels .

some cases, record river levels. forecasters are also predicting icy conditions to come, with a cold weather alert in place until friday. a new york resident, michael johnson, says the current floods are worse than normal. >> the trent comes up often , but >> the trent comes up often, but not as threateningly as as this. so we have a series of measures to protect the property and by watching the river, we know how far to go with our precautions until the final thing is that we're running pumps , and we're we're running pumps, and we're also putting, uh , blockers also putting, uh, blockers across the doorways so that if the pump fails , our final the pump fails, our final barrier would be to keep it out of the house. >> prince andrew had daily massages during weeks spent at jeffrey epstein's home in florida. that's according to the convicted pedophile's housekeeper . newly released housekeeper. newly released court documents include testimony from juan alessi, who said both prince andrew and his then wife sarah, the duchess of

york, were friends with epstein and the now convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell. the unsealed files were part of a civil lawsuit against maxwell, who is serving a 20 year sentence for recruiting underage girls epstein . the duke has girls for epstein. the duke has strenuously denied any wrongdoing. meanwhile the telegraph is reporting prince andrew's facing a multi—million pound for bill security costs if he wants to remain at royal lodge on the windsor estate . the lodge on the windsor estate. the chancellor has cast doubt on further tax cuts before the next election. a 2% reduction on national insurance comes into force today, which jeremy hunt claims will benefit 27 million people and save a family with two earners nearly £1,000 this yeah two earners nearly £1,000 this year. however, the government has frozen the income tax threshold, which may push many into higher brackets, offsetting the benefits. the chancellor admits further cuts are unlikely i >> -- >> it was lam >> it was right to support families through covid and through the cost of living crisis. and yes, taxes had to go up in that period . but we are

up in that period. but we are a conservative government that wants to bring down taxes because we recognise that families are finding life really tough. it's the start of a process . as chancellor, if i can process. as chancellor, if i can afford to go further, i will. i don't yet know if i can, but we want to do this because it helps families and it also helps to grow the economy . grow the economy. >> russia has used north korean made ballistic missiles to fire at ukraine for the first time. that's according to independent weapons experts. the united states has described it as a significant and concerning escalation in arms cooperation between the countries. dutch researcher joost oltmans, who was amongst those to examine the debris, says russia's violating international law. >> russia should be adhering to the sanctions on north korea . the sanctions on north korea. uh, even more so when it's in the case of, uh, highly significant type of weapons system like, uh, this, uh, short range ballistic missile systems that were not seen . so that's, that were not seen. so that's, uh, really a very gross violation. uh it's just that

there's no , uh, physical there's no, uh, physical mechanism in place to prevent russia from importing, uh, clandestinely, even, even very obviously clandestinely importing, uh, weapons systems, if they choose to do so . if they choose to do so. >> hundreds of people, including some in afghanistan , are still some in afghanistan, are still waiting to be resettled in the uk over two years after the taliban's takeover, nearly two thirds eligible under the afghan citizens resettlement scheme are yet to be relocated, causing concerns about the slow process . concerns about the slow process. us, the foreign secretary, says two flights of eligible afghans left the country in december , left the country in december, leaving around 700 still to travel and alaska airlines has grounded all boeing 737 max nine aircraft after a window on part of the fuselage blew out mid—air. the plane was forced into an emergency landing shortly after taking off from the us state of oregon. footage on social media shows a full

window and a portion of a side wall missing from the plane, potentially at an emergency exit, and no one was hurt. the national transport safety board is investigating the incident . is investigating the incident. we're live on tv, on digital radio and if you want us on your smart speaker, just say play gb news. that's it for the moment. now it's over to dawn . thank you now it's over to dawn. thank you very much, aaron. >> and welcome back. and blimey, that last story with the plane. absolutely it's everyone's worst nightmare, it ? absolutely it's everyone's worst nightmare, it? right. nightmare, isn't it? right. anyways, into anyways, let's get stuck into today's topics. um, great news for millions across the uk today is the government's reduction of national insurance comes into effect . we're all richer. yayi effect. we're all richer. yayi or are we announced in the chancellor's autumn statement? the pre—election cut to national insurance was 12% to 10, and it will impact around 27 million payroll employees across the uk. here's what the chancellor had

to say. then again, today is a very significant day because having turned the corner on inflation, brought it right down. >> the economy is doing much better . and that means we can better. and that means we can start to bring down taxes. today's cut in national insurance by 2% means that a typical family with two earners will be nearly £1,000 better off. this year. that is really important in a cost of living crisis, where people have been feeling real pressure on family budgets, but also it rewards work . it'll bring more people work. it'll bring more people into the labour force and that is good for growing the economy . is good for growing the economy. >> that jeremy hunt in a hi >> that is jeremy hunt in a hi vis vest and a hard helmet. why do politicians have to dress up like that every single time? now, in theory, it sounds good, doesn't it? but some critics , doesn't it? but some critics, and you might tell them a little bit cynical, have questioned whether timing of tax whether the timing of the tax cuts, with election on the cuts, with an election on the honzon cuts, with an election on the horizon is just a bid to woo voters , as our reporter will voters, as our reporter will hollis , looks at how this might hollis, looks at how this might affect us down to the nuts and

bolts at alan kent's motors , a bolts at alan kent's motors, a garage in ilkeston , derbyshire. garage in ilkeston, derbyshire. >> the diary is full. today's date stands out in any worker's calendar for the government's lowering national insurance less tax on your earnings is luis. lowering national insurance less tax on your earnings is luis . a tax on your earnings is luis. a mechanic welcomes the new directive . listen well, i've got directive. listen well, i've got two young kids as well so it will go towards obviously feeding them, clothing them. so straight away i help with straight away that i help with that. straight away that i help with tha and motors . >> and ukip motors. >> and ukip motors. >> he's not alone . chloe, who >> he's not alone. chloe, who manages the garage , is looking manages the garage, is looking forward to the extra cash with national insurance changing. >> um , it will make us >> um, it will make us financially stable now. um, obviously we can have more luxuries in life rather than having to worry about all the bills coming out. >> most workers pay national insurance. it's one of the biggest taxes. deduct from your pay biggest taxes. deduct from your pay automatically by your boss. it's dropping . from 12 to 10% of

it's dropping. from 12 to 10% of earnings, benefiting 27 million people for the average earner on a salary of around £35,000. the saving on national insurance is about £450 in a year, £37 in a month. >> we take decisions for the long terme, the chancellor, jeremy hunt, announced the cut as part of the autumn statement. >> the timing of the tax cut hasn't gone unnoticed. a general election only months away . election only months away. >> they want the votes again, don't they? >> it's good for the country as a whole. >> they should have done it a long ago. long time ago. >> the savings might not be >> but the savings might not be all yes tax cuts all they seem. yes tax cuts today, but in a bigger picture where taxes are going up, taxation is at the highest level since the end of the second world war. helen is deputy director at the institute for fiscal studies, roughly , those fiscal studies, roughly, those people earning over about £30,000. >> then this year alone, there

will be overall tax cuts, but it's part of a much broader trend where the government is freezing thresholds in the personal tax system, which is a really chunky tax increase by 2728. then on the average earner on £35,000 will be paying about £450 more in tax back at the garage, this motors almost ready for the road fixing cars, fixing the country . the country. >> neither job the country. >> neitherjob can be rushed . >> neitherjob can be rushed. will hollis gb news in ilkeston thank you very much. >> will joining me now is gb news political correspondent katherine forster catherine good afternoon . right okay. i've been afternoon. right okay. i've been slightly cynical about this. i must admit . slightly cynical about this. i must admit. um, we're all richer though , aren't we? though, aren't we? >> ah, well , yes. and no. and >> ah, well, yes. and no. and certainly it's a good thing most people will welcome the fact that national insurance is coming down by 2, saving the

average person £450 a year. yes that's good news. the government are keen to make a lot of noise about it because, let's face it, tax burden is at the highest levels since the second world war. but but of course, because of the freeze in tax thresholds, basically the amount at which you start to pay basic rate tax, higher rate or the top rate of tax frozen since 2021, potentially frozen since 2020 until 2028. more and more people are going to be dragged into those tax brackets. paying the government more and more money. so yes, on the face of it , this so yes, on the face of it, this is a positive move. the government will sell it and trumpet it. we've got an election around the corner. of course, i think we must be mindful that all these decisions are with view to what are taken with a view to what may win them. votes but overall , may win them. votes but overall, um, the tax position is still not good. um the institute for

fiscal studies at the time of jeremy hunts autumn statement, said it was the biggest tax raising parliament out in modern times, and the labour party . i times, and the labour party. i mean, whoever gets into power after the next election are going to have difficult decisions to make. there is not a lot of money around the government's been on massive spending sprees during covid and war in ukraine, energy support, etc. to um, so it's going to be difficult. the labour party is not promising to cut taxes ehhen not promising to cut taxes either. um, and worried really that the conservative party might go cutting taxes further. they'll feel that they have to hold with that line and that will give them basically no room for manoeuvre if and when they come to power. >> ooh, catherine, thank you very much. that's katherine forster gb news political correspondent there. now joining me to discuss this is leader of heritage party, david kirton and

former labour mp stephen pound. thank you very much for coming in this afternoon, gentlemen. now in theory, this is good news. the decrease was announced in in november as we just heard, 27 million employees and 2 million self—employed people, which is important. who will benefit or will they? i'm going to come to you first on this one, david. >> it sounds amazing. >> it sounds amazing. >> it sounds brilliant. 2, which is i'm sceptical . is why i'm sceptical. >> all national insurance. >> all in national insurance. who couldn't be happy with that? well, because as you well, everybody, because as you say, reporters have said say, is your reporters have said already what we call already there is what we call fiscal drag, which means that they haven't increased the thresholds on either income tax and national insurance. so that would now have gone up over the last two years if there'd have been an increase in that in line with inflation. so instead of starting tax at, what, starting to pay tax at, what, 12,500 approximately, you would only start to pay tax at about 15,500 if they'd had gone up with inflation. so people are going to be worse off because they've got this government

giving them a little bit with one hand. but they've taken away with the other hand . and also with the other hand. and also local are going to local councils are going to increase their council tax in most places by 5. two. so that's going to be another £100 or so on your council tax bill. and inflation has gone up by way, way more inflation has gone up by about 25% over the last three years or so, with all the money the government has been borrowing and spending on covid, on the ukraine war, on subsidising unreliable energy , subsidising unreliable energy, which i think is ridiculous. so actually this sounds really good. and i think some people may be confused by this, but people who are intelligent are going to look into this and saying, well, they're giving us £500 they're taking £500 back, but they're taking away lot more and it's really away a lot more and it's really just sleight of hand before an election. >> david, i'm not even that intelligent and even i'm thinking, hold minute. thinking, hold on a minute. this doesn't me. it as doesn't feel right to me. it as you say on paper, it sounds marvellous, but when you actually, down marvellous, but when you ac even(, down marvellous, but when you aceven not down marvellous, but when you aceven not that down marvellous, but when you aceven not that much down marvellous, but when you aceven not that much , down marvellous, but when you aceven not that much , to own marvellous, but when you aceven not that much , to be| it even not that much, to be honest you. do they think honest with you. do they think this is my simple question ? do this is my simple question? do they think stupid? do they

they think we're stupid? do they think, god, richer? think, oh my god, i'm richer? >> know, i mean, this is >> i don't know, i mean, this is we used to call these policies glass policies parliament. >> looks until >> okay. it looks great until you it. yes. and you try to use it. yes. and there's a lot of that out. >> look , here's a couple of >> look, here's a couple of problems. >> catherine a very, >> like catherine did a very, very good analysis. but there's two particular problems about very good analysis. but there's two |firstly.ar problems about very good analysis. but there's two |firstly.ar pwasems about very good analysis. but there's two |firstly.ar pwas announced very good analysis. but there's tw novemberr pwas announced very good analysis. but there's tw november sure as announced very good analysis. but there's tw november sure to announced very good analysis. but there's tw november sure to come nced very good analysis. but there's tw november sure to come ined in november sure to come in today. now that means you have today. now that means you have to your whole of to recalibrate your whole of your you're an your payroll if you're an employer for good point. employer because for good point. so the most people most people took christmas off. so what that means this month people means is that this month people will have the reduction in will not have the reduction in their it will probably their nics. and it will probably not month, but then they'll not next month, but then they'll have back sort it out have to go back and sort it out again. the government again. now the government actually because actually recognised this because class four national insurance contributions paid contributions are the ones paid by they are by the self—employed. they are not coming force until not coming into force until april . now, admittedly, it's a april. now, admittedly, it's a different level . class four different level. class four nixon 9, and they're going down to but the government have to 8. but the government have actually recognised you actually recognised that you cannot whole cannot recalibrate your whole payroll in an overnight in effect. so that's that's the first problem. the second problem is, as david and you know , i hate to agree with him,

know, i hate to agree with him, but you're allowed to but but yeah, you're allowed to on i think you're allowed on this i think you're allowed to agree. >> yeah. >> yeah. >> he was talking i was >> as he was talking i was thinking the doctors thinking of the junior doctors outside hospital. outside saint thomas's hospital. every if they get every one of whom, if they get their 35% pay rise, will be paying their 35% pay rise, will be paying more tax . yeah, because paying more tax. yeah, because it's not because of the lack of uprating, you know, um, tube train drivers, i mean, no, no, i weep the tube train drivers. weep for the tube train drivers. >> yeah, they're on quite a bit, aren't they. yeah. >> yeah, they're on quite a bit, areino, hey. yeah. >> yeah, they're on quite a bit, areino, but yeah. >> yeah, they're on quite a bit, arei no, but the h. >> yeah, they're on quite a bit, areino, but the point is a lot of >> no, but the point is a lot of people will be dragged into tax who present. who weren't at the present. yeah. liz truss of blessed yeah. so liz truss of blessed memory abolished the 45 memory actually abolished the 45 tax rate. you know that is a tax rate. and you know that is a much more honest much more much more honest a much more concerned i think concerned thing to do. i think it's disastrous . and it's politically disastrous. and finally, is finally, if the country is bankrupt, we can't to bankrupt, we can't afford to actually do a basically pay the debts we owe and half of our gdp is in debt now, is actually going in debt, debt repayment. is this really the time to be handing out sweeteners, which actually will benefit principally people on over £50,000 a year at the moment? now, may be conservative now, that may be conservative policy, don't it's policy, but i don't think it's a policy, but i don't think it's a policy for the people of britain. but it doesn't.

>> all right. it does benefit the off, but up to the better off, but only up to 52,000, it, because it 52,000, isn't it, because it doesn't really benefit you any more for that. that's darling. not no um, but do you not at all. no um, but do you think mean , i think that's think i mean, i think that's a good point, isn't it? the fact that this system is not going to happen overnight. that this system is not going to happen overnight . you're not that this system is not going to happeto>vernight . you're not that this system is not going to happeto notice ht . you're not that this system is not going to happeto notice ht. pennies)t going to notice the pennies on the your pocket going to notice the pennies on the away. (our pocket going to notice the pennies on the away. david)cket going to notice the pennies on the away. david and so do straight away. david and so do you think there's another reason why to why the election isn't going to be spring is going to be in the spring and is going to be in the spring and is going to be so people be in the november, so people might actually, might think, oh, actually, i am a better a little bit better off. >> i think they've >> yeah, i think they've made such a disaster of everything. i think going hold on think they're going to hold on to very to the very end and the very last moment, i would last moment, i mean, i would predict election november. predict an election in november. i don't think they're i really don't think they're going go the in may, going to go to the polls in may, because isn't going to make going to go to the polls in may, becau of isn't going to make going to go to the polls in may, becau of a isn't going to make going to go to the polls in may, becau of a difference ng to make going to go to the polls in may, becau of a difference to to make going to go to the polls in may, becau of a difference to ordinary much of a difference to ordinary people, will see people, and they will see through know, like through it, you know, like like stephen , um, it is going to stephen said, um, it is going to benefit who are on higher benefit people who are on higher pay benefit people who are on higher pay what they've is pay because what they've done is done. percent cut rather done. the percent cut rather than an increase in the threshold, would threshold, which would have helped on lower pay more. helped people on lower pay more. so, you know, i maybe, um, they're trying to appeal to their own voters more. >> as i say, it's the people on

higher pay that are going to vote tory in any case. i mean, if still do, i if they still do, i mean, i think of them have think a lot of them have abandoned tory party. abandoned the tory party. >> you're at the results >> you're looking at the results of but, you of the last elections, but, you know, trying know, maybe they're trying to win of back. i don't know, maybe they're trying to win it's of back. i don't know, maybe they're trying to win it's of to back. i don't know, maybe they're trying to win it's of to dock. i don't know, maybe they're trying to win it's of to do much,)n't know, maybe they're trying to win it's of to do much, but think it's going to do much, but maybe they maybe that's what they will be doing. >> w amersham >> the chesham and amersham by—election, i found people who are that they could are so rich that they could afford liberal democrat, are so rich that they could affo oh liberal democrat, are so rich that they could affo oh my liberal democrat, are so rich that they could affo oh my gosh,»eral democrat, are so rich that they could affooh my gosh, oh l democrat, are so rich that they could affooh my gosh, oh myemocrat, are so rich that they could affooh my gosh, oh my gosh.it, but oh my gosh, oh my gosh. >> but mean do you >> so but what i mean do you think labour if they do get in and that's entirely possible isn't they isn't it. do you think they would this ? would reverse this? >> i very much doubt it because it's actually it's very, very hard to actually roll the problem roll back on these. the problem we've got is the problem we've got with, you with the we've got is the problem we've got wiexpenditure with the we've got is the problem we've got wiexpenditure scheme, e we've got is the problem we've got wiexpenditure scheme, which we've got is the problem we've gotannounced ure scheme, which we've got is the problem we've gotannounced ure �*years e, which we've got is the problem we've gotannounced ure �*years e, wiand we announced two years ago, and we announced two years ago, and we spend billions we were going to spend billions of actually on green of pounds actually on green industry one industry gone back on that one a bit you know, bit because of, you know, basically liz truss the basically liz truss crashed the economy. you know, the point economy. so you know, the point is you're blaming the tories economy. so you know, the point is whyu're blaming the tories economy. so you know, the point is why not?)laming the tories economy. so you know, the point is why not? lookng the tories economy. so you know, the point is why not? look the he tories economy. so you know, the point is why not? look the well ries economy. so you know, the point is why not? look the well all and why not? look the well all of them did. the point is, do you remember kane said that famous thing when the facts change, mind. change, i changed my mind. what would reality would you do? and the reality is we not know the economy we do not know what the economy is like summer. is going to be like this summer. no, is that when no, what we do know is that when the is called, we will the election is called, we will know the economy is then

know what the economy is then and out its and labour will spell out its plans. and i hope that there will a more sense, a lot will be a lot more sense, a lot more and a lot in more rational, and a lot more in the british the interest of all the british people nonsense . people than this nonsense. >> i'm sorry. have to say >> i'm sorry. i have to say i very because very much doubt that because whenever in, they very much doubt that because whene more, in, they very much doubt that because whene more, they in, they very much doubt that because whene more, they borrowthey very much doubt that because whene more, they borrow more and spend more, they borrow more and they tax more. but the difference is the difference we have now is the tories doing exactly the tories are doing exactly the same. spend more , borrow same. they spend more, borrow more and tax more. so there's really difference really no difference between tory and labour at the moment in terms of their fiscal policy and their you their disaster. so david, you don't this will will don't even think this will will really tory no, really win over tory voters? no, not at all. i think we need a party that actually party that will actually genuinely need genuinely cut taxes. but we need to cut spending more than we cut tax and borrowing. so you know, or some of the things that we've said billions said before, spending billions on war in ukraine, we shouldn't be that, spending billions be doing that, spending billions on subsidy , using unreliable on subsidy, using unreliable energy sources. we shouldn't be doing that spending millions or billions migrant hotels, billions on migrant hotels, foreign aid, diversity officers, quangos, all of those things we can just slash that will save billions of pounds a year from the budget. >> that's one quick thing. 1999

i remember the meeting with tony blair and he said, do you realise we're still paying off the under the the debts we owe under the marshall plan from the second world i'm going to stop world war? i'm going to stop this. insisted on paying this. and he insisted on paying off those debts because he said, a country which has a debt overhang have freedom a country which has a debt ov manoeuvre have freedom a country which has a debt ov manoeuvre ha neverzdom a country which has a debt ov manoeuvre ha never have a country which has a debt ov mano right. okay. >> byrne, leave notice >> right. okay. >> sayinglrne, leave notice >> right. okay. >> saying sorry,eave notice >> right. okay. >> saying sorry, there'snotice >> right. okay. >> saying sorry, there's noice and saying sorry, there's no money left. >> i have to say that about that. every single chancellor of the reginald the exchequer since reginald maudling has left a joke note for reginald for their successor, reginald maulding, did 1964. he maulding, did it in 1964. he said sorry , cock, there's no said sorry, old cock, there's no cash left , and left bottle of cash left, and left a bottle of champagne incoming champagne for the incoming labour everyone, labour child. everyone, everyone's taking everyone's just taking it as a joke david laws , some joke until david laws, some snivelling liberal, takes over. under the coalition and immediately says, oh, this is something which is not just an accepted joke within the treasury . treasury. >> i think it wasn't a joke because just because we just had the financial crash and it had been

done before the 2010 election. >> since 1964, of whom the >> since 1964, some of whom the most of the people in this country have completely forgotten. >> just thank you very much, barber, for example. it's getting heated now, isn't i getting heated now, isn't it? i just anyone just want to apologise if anyone was upset use of the word was upset by the use of the word cock it was in neil cock there. it was meant in neil cocker, that type of thing. it's. not the rude word. we it's. it's not the rude word. we don't words here. well, don't do rude words here. well, not yet in any case. um so for all best analysis and all the best analysis and opinion and much opinion on that story and much more website gbnews.com. >> the gb news.com. >> the exchequer gbnews.com. >> the exchequer its turn now. >> the exchequer its turn now. >> it's turning out to be a stop at you . stop cancelled. you at you. stop cancelled. you already . it's turning out to be. already. it's turning out to be. honestly, it just can't get the staff anymore. now moving on. it is turning out to be a brutal winter. and for those of you struggling with storms, flooding and potentially some further heavy snow on the way, a cold weather alert has been issued by the uk health security agency, with temperatures set to plummet over the coming days. with temperatures set to plummet over the coming days . doesn't over the coming days. doesn't get any better, does it? over the last few days, hundreds of homes have been devastated by the floods following powerful

the floods following a powerful storm of heavy storm and a week of heavy rainfall. are more than rainfall. there are more than 250 flood warnings in force , 250 flood warnings in force, most of which are in the midlands, east anglia and southern england, with residents forced to evacuate their properties. this is heart breaking news pictures . awful. breaking news pictures. awful. the labour party has accused the prime minister of being asleep at the wheel over their flood response , as they urgently response, as they urgently demand the government convene a cobra style task force to protect homes from further damage . now joining us now from damage. now joining us now from tom langford is our east midlands reporter, will hollis . midlands reporter, will hollis. will, you're at the literally the eye of the storm there, aren't you? i mean your area has really, really suffered. what's happening . happening there today. >> yes. well a major incident was declared here in nottinghamshire. it's been the epicentre of a lot of the floods. but the midlands, here in england has been really badly affected. where we are right now in newark district, there's still plenty of flood warnings all the way along the river trent. and a lot of people who

might usually enjoy the river trent because of canoeing and that kind of thing, have now found that it's the way that they have to get around, particularly around home, where these gentlemen going these two gentlemen are going through right now, homes, an area off. sorry . area that's cut off. i'm sorry. just of your name, just remind me of your name, sir. jerome, you're sir. i'm jerome. jerome, you're here is here with your son, is it? it is joseph your joseph. joseph with your son joseph. you're trying to to home. you're trying to get to home. what you're expecting what is it that you're expecting to find when you get to home? and what are you planning to do with your canoe? which usually would be something that you'd get a on a normal get to enjoy on a on a normal day like this? yeah. >> just going out >> we're just going to go out and meet up with a friend who lives in the village. lives down in the village. >> really, it's just to >> and then really, it's just to check on some land that's got some sheep on, make sure that the sheep are okay, and, and then try and get some then we'll try and get some photos we're from photos of. we're from collingham. up the river, collingham. just up the river, so we'll get some photos from the from the floods back the aspect from the floods back onto the village . onto the village. >> this is all farmland and a lot of it is flooded, particularly around here. just from your experience from living in this area, how often does this happen and how bad does

this happen and how bad does this flood compare to ones that you've seen before? >> yeah, seen it. my mother >> yeah, i've seen it. my mother moved a house in 2020. on moved into a house in 2020. on the same year she moved in. it flooded and last night i saw the markings on the church wall, which were pretty much the same level as 2020. so uh, this is 24 years since we've had it. this bad. and i think it comes every 25 years. when you look back on the church wall at collingham, it's, uh , repeats itself about it's, uh, repeats itself about every 20, 25 years. >> these are areas where it does tend to flood. i'll let you carry on and hopefully you can get which is get to a home which is completely right now. completely cut off right now. newark newark newark is currently newark district council is working to help people that are in those cut areas. fire and rescue cut off areas. fire and rescue as well, have been going out with dinghies and john, you live here as well in langford . these here as well in langford. these fields all around your house, they tend to flood, um, whenever there is a problem with the river trent. just describe for me, from your experience , this me, from your experience, this is home. um, how often is a family home. um, how often does this happen? >> well, generally it's around

every. >> it used to be every 50 years, but it seems to be every 20 years now . uh, and just seems to years now. uh, and just seems to be obviously slowly getting worse . uh, and that's, uh , all i worse. uh, and that's, uh, all i can really say on that . but this can really say on that. but this has been now twice in the last ten weeks. uh, not quite as bad as when storm babet come . sorry. as when storm babet come. sorry. worse this time than when storm babet come through . babet come through. >> worse than storm babet people remember that. that was the one that was, uh, in november. so not ago now. and it's not very long ago now. and it's hit again on. you're not a farmer . you just live here, farmer. you just live here, close to the farmland. how does this affect the farmers that you might know here? >> well, the affects them quite badly opinion. i would say badly in my opinion. i would say , because of the , simply because a lot of the fields already sown and the, fields was already sown and the, uh, ready for the new crops coming up. and obviously we've seen them now totally flooded , seen them now totally flooded, as you can see. as you can see. >> as you can see. >> uh , and in my experience , if >> uh, and in my experience, if it doesn't go down quick enough for them, they'll be having to

be reset again. and obviously in a way that what a lot of people don't understand is it can go into the prices. yeah. for into the food prices. yeah. for next year. >> so we may see the effects of this in our food prices in the near future. john, you so near future. john, thank you so much talking to us and much for talking to us and giving up a little bit of your saturday. and just to show, we've jerome down and we've got jerome down there and joseph, on joseph, they're just putting on what looks life jackets, i what looks like life jackets, i think they're going to think because they're going to be way to down be canoeing all the way to down home, completely cut home, which is completely cut off right now . off by flood water right now. >> thank you very much. >> well, thank you very much. well, just one quick question. i mean, amazing resilience there. and people have been canoeing and finding all sorts of ways to you know, sort their problems out. um, you know, rishi sunak has been criticised by both the lib dems and labour for not visiting the area and meeting people who are struggling there. lovely you've been lovely people you've been interviewing. difference do interviewing. what difference do you think that would have made to what you're to them from what you're you're picking people picking up on talking to people there . there. >> well, you've got to look at what time of year it is. we're talking a lot about the general

election right now. if you were making a political decision about it is a good idea, about whether it is a good idea, as the prime minister to go and visit somewhere that has been flooded, would that be something that would get you votes , or that would get you votes, or would it be something that maybe in a media opportunity would see you getting told off by somebody? might be somebody? it might be interesting to just ask interesting just to just to ask john, john, if you were to see, um, the prime come here um, the prime minister come here to see people that have been flooded places like home, in flooded in places like home, in places trent, do places like newark on trent, do you people like to you think people would like to see minister showing see the prime minister showing a little bit of leadership, or is that kind of thing that that the kind of thing that would annoy them? >> what question. i >> what a good question. uh, i don't . i mean, i don't honestly know. i mean, i think everybody, um , has their think everybody, um, has their own opinion. i don't , uh, i own opinion. i don't, uh, i don't see what they can do. uh, other than obviously i think from newark's point of view, i'm calling them, uh, possibly flood defences need to be stepped up . defences need to be stepped up. uh, but politically , i don't uh, but politically, i don't know. and i don't go down the

political view . really? political view. really? >> it could look like a photo opportunity, and it could actually turn out quite badly. we know what happens when people shout politicians . we know what happens when people shout politicians. it we know what happens when people shout politicians . it can shout at politicians. it can actually do much more harm than it can do good, particularly in a general election year. well thank you very much for that. >> it's will hollis, our gb news east reporter east midlands reporter in radcliffe there with radcliffe on trent there with some people who are battling through us brits do now, lots through as us brits do now, lots more coming up on today's show today is the third year anniversary of the us capitol riots. can remember those? riots. can you remember those? blimey. supreme blimey. and now the us supreme court is to rule. if trump can even run for president again. don't go anywhere. lots more coming up. i'm dawn neesom man. you're watching and listening to gb britain's news

channel. >> hi there. it is. 1232 i'm aaron armstrong with the latest news headlines. hundreds of flood warnings remain in place across england and wales, with temperatures set below temperatures set to drop below freezing. the environment agency says will continue to says flooding will continue to be an issue, with exceptionally high and in some cases record high and in some cases record high river levels. forecasters are also predicting icy conditions on the way with a cold weather alert in place until . friday. a 16 year old boy until. friday. a 16 year old boy has been charged with the murder of harry pitman, who was stabbed in london new year's eve. the in london on new year's eve. the teenager died following what police altercation in police say was an altercation in as crowds gathered on primrose hill his hill to watch the fireworks. his sisters described harry as a

good boy with a heart of gold. the suspect , who can't be named, the suspect, who can't be named, has also been charged with possessing an offensive weapon . possessing an offensive weapon. prince andrew had daily massages dunng prince andrew had daily massages during weeks spent at jeffrey epstein's home in florida. that's according to the convicted pedophile's housekeeper, newly released court documents include testimony from juan alessi , who testimony from juan alessi, who said both prince andrew and his then wife sarah, the duchess of york, were friends with epstein and the now convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell. the unsealed files were part of a civil lawsuit against maxwell, who is serving a 20 year sentence for recruiting underage girls for epstein, the duke has strenuously denied any wrongdoing . and the chancellor wrongdoing. and the chancellor has cast doubt on further tax cuts before the next election . a cuts before the next election. a 2% reduction on national insurance has come into force today. jeremy hunt claims that will benefit 27 million people and could save a family with two earners. nearly £1,000. this yean earners. nearly £1,000. this year, however, the government has frozen the income tax

threshold, which may push many into higher brackets and therefore offset the benefits. chancellor has admitted further cuts are unlikely . chancellor has admitted further cuts are unlikely. i'll be chancellor has admitted further cuts are unlikely . i'll be back cuts are unlikely. i'll be back with more a little later, or you can get more right now on our website gbnews.com . website gbnews.com. >> thank you aaron. welcome back to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom on your tv online and on digital radio. now, lots of you have been sending in your thoughts, which i love because it's all about it's not it's all about you. it's not about or panel or anyone about me or my panel or anyone else. about what think. else. it's about what you think. so look at what so let's have a look at what you've saying . um, i'm you've been saying. um, i'm going go to the floods first. going to go to the floods first. that you were that was the last topic you were talking roger. good talking about. roger. good afternoon. roger says floods across directly across the country are directly across the country are directly a eu rules a direct result of eu rules blindly implemented by the environment agency. councils must be forced to undertake regular drain clearance and river dredging. we do keep heanng river dredging. we do keep hearing that a lot, don't we? and i think there is more than

the storms and everything else. there going on the there is this going on and the fact still build fact that we still build on floodplains. what's that about? and national insurance and on the national insurance treat because we're all richer. uh, tim how does this uh, tim says, how does this benefit pensioners? benefit poorer pensioners? well, it basically, does it? it doesn't basically, does it? um, and bette says, does this government and the previous ones really believe that reduction in national insurance or other possible tax cuts will sway the electorate in a general election? and that's from an ex conservative voter. but i don't think you're alone in that. thank you. so much for your messages on that . now, i can't messages on that. now, i can't believe this anniversary is so fast. the us supreme court has said it will hear a historic case to determine if donald trump can even run for president . the case will be heard in february and the ruling will apply nationwide. and coincidentally , today is the coincidentally, today is the third year anniversary of the us capitol riots. remember those pictures of storming the capitol hill? it's astonishing. i mean, gobsmacking stuff. imagine that in this country. but but is donald trump sat at home

thinking about what he did? no, he's hosting a campaign rally in the us state of iowa. now joining me to actually explain in, frankly, the bonkers ness of american politics, even compared to ours, is the very lovely eric ham . us political analyst eric, ham. us political analyst eric, thank you so much for joining ham. us political analyst eric, thank you so much forjoining me this afternoon. always a delight to talk to you long outs of developments overnight on the third anniversary. can't believe it's been that long. so bring us up to date what's happening . up to date on what's happening. >> his first official campaign speech where he addressed the issue of january sixth and he is now characterising the election as a fight for the soul of democracy in the united states. and we now know that this is how he is going to run his presidential campaign , using it presidential campaign, using it as a cudgel against donald trump and saying that donald trump is and saying that donald trump is a threat to democracy . all the a threat to democracy. all the while, we know donald trump is going to be appealing to the supreme court to actually allow

him to stay on the ballot and states like maine and colorado , states like maine and colorado, as well as address the issue of his immunity to even be able to stand trial for charges related to january 6th. now he has been charged with several crimes in connection with the 2020 um election and the capitol hill riots. >> i think there are four indictments in all. do we know when that's actually coming to court ? court? >> well , the earliest that we >> well, the earliest that we were supposed to see donald trump in court was the beginning of march, where they were to begin on bring a jury selection here in washington, dc . but that here in washington, dc. but that has been put on hold while they address the issue of immunity. donald trump is now arguing that because he was president of the united states, he is immune to these actual charges. and so this is an issue that the supreme court will take up. many legal experts believe that he will likely lose that case. but again, this could actually push back the trial. in addition to the federal case taking place

here in washington, there's still the manhattan criminal case where donald trump allegedly paid a porn star to, uh, to not go public with an affair that he had with her. and that also was scheduled to begin in march as well. now we do know that the manhattan district attorney, alvin bragg, has said that he could actually allow other cases to go before his. so it's unclear actually, when that trial was started. but what we do know is that these trials, at least these two initial trials, are slated to begin around around march. and we could actually see, uh, those trials conclude by the end of august . conclude by the end of august. >> and it's going to be a busy yearin >> and it's going to be a busy year in court for him, isn't it? that's to be sure. does i mean, trump has never seems to have shown any remorse or or any regret over what happened at capitol hill three years ago. now, today , do you do you do you now, today, do you do you do you think he does accept that he did anything wrong ?

anything wrong? >> no. not at all. donald trump does not believe that he did anything wrong. in fact, donald trump has doubled down on his actions, would actions, saying that he would actually those actually pardon those individuals who have been found guilty of insurrection and for storming the capitol . and of storming the capitol. and of course, that goes to the issue of whether or not donald trump should actually be eligible to serve as president, because what section three of the 14th amendment says is not only can an individual not have supported an individual not have supported an insurrection or seditious acts, but it can't support individuals who have also supported insurrection or seditious acts, which many of those people did. >> and what are the american pubuc >> and what are the american public making? all of this ? i public making? all of this? i mean, obviously, you know, it's a country. mean, you've mean, obviously, you know, it's a the country. mean, you've mean, obviously, you know, it's a the political mean, you've mean, obviously, you know, it's a the political divide, you've mean, obviously, you know, it's a the political divide that 've mean, obviously, you know, it's a the political divide that we got the political divide that we have country, but are have in this country, but are people actually, i mean, the more donald trump seems to do wrong, the more popular he seems to be. he's still riding much higher in the polls than any of his rivals, isn't he? so i mean, he doesn't appear to be able to

do too much wrong as far as you know, of the american know, half of the american pubuc know, half of the american public sure. public for sure. >> has a very strong >> well, he has a very strong base that is certainly for sure. but what we do know is donald trump does run into problems when you're talking about a general electorate more general electorate and more importantly , soccer moms. that importantly, soccer moms. that is where donald trump is going to have very difficult problems trying bring those people trying to bring those people along in addition that, along in addition to that, donald concerned donald trump has to be concerned about which means about his burn rate, which means he's spending on to he's spending money on cash to run presidential campaign, and run a presidential campaign, and he's money on cash to he's spending money on cash to thwart legal issues as thwart these legal issues as well. that could eventually catch up to donald trump, but only time tell. only time will tell. >> eric, one final very quick question . um, does donald trump question. um, does donald trump think he will be the next president of america ? president of america? >> oh, absolutely . he has to. >> oh, absolutely. he has to. because if donald trump does not become president, could become president, he could actually be the first former president in history, not only convicted of a crime, but actually time in prison. actually spent time in prison. >> , uh, always >> eric hamm, uh, always a delight to talk to you make american understanding . american politics understanding. and that's a hard job. thank you

very much for joining and that's a hard job. thank you very much forjoining us. that's eric hamm, a political eric hamm, a us political analysis in washington today. i well, if you think our politics are bonkers, i mean, hello, america. blimey. you know , you america. blimey. you know, you are watching and listening to gb news me. dawn news saturday with me. dawn neesom loads more coming up on today's show. prince andrew, yes, we have to talk about him. has reported to the police after being named dozens of times in documents related to paedophile jeffrey epstein , but the police jeffrey epstein, but the police say no. investigate has been launched in the uk . what should launched in the uk. what should the royals do? what would you do if it's a family member of yours? all of that and much more to come. you're watching and listening to gb news, britain's

sunday mornings from 930 on gb news is . news is. >> welcome back to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom on your tv , online and on digital . your tv, online and on digital. radio now. i hope you got your cup ready because we're going to talk now. talk the royals now. the metropolitan have no metropolitan police have said no investigation has been launched after prince andrew among after prince andrew was among scores of people named as associates of jeffrey epstein in court papers unsealed by us court papers unsealed by us court , the newly caught, court, the newly caught, unsealed court documents named dozens of epstein's associates , dozens of epstein's associates, although many of them are not accused of any wrongdoing. they just happen to know him now. buckingham has previously buckingham palace has previously said the allegations against the duke of york are qatar untrue. that's a line they have stuck to from day one. however over last

night we heard it was daily massages. interesting joining me now is former royal correspondent at the sun, charles rea charles good afternoon. thank you so much for joining me. lovely to talk to you not been a good week for you. not been a good week for prince well happy prince andrew has it? well happy new year for a start off which is a lot better. >> i'm sure you're going have >> i'm sure you're going to have a prince andrew a better year than prince andrew has with six days it, has with only six days into it, and pressure prince and the pressure on prince andrew and royal family is andrew and the royal family is now mounting which is now mounting to a level which is almost unprecedented. we have a situation now where the police are saying there is nothing to investigate it at the moment, which they are quite right. there is only one thing that they can investigate and that is they can investigate and that is the allegation of rape made by virginia giuffre in 2001, where she claims she was trafficked to have sex with prince andrew in ghislaine maxwell's flat . uh, ghislaine maxwell's flat. uh, now, i believe that the police should reopen that investigation. they did start that investigation in 2021, but

endedit that investigation in 2021, but ended it without actually contacting virginia giuffre. so i think they should investigate that because there is no limit on allegations of rape that can be investigated for years and years after . now, secondly, we years after. now, secondly, we have the king, who is now under great pressure to do something about prince andrew. there's not much he can do. he's been stripped of his hrh, in effect, he's not allowed to use it. he cannot , um, he's not allowed to use it. he cannot, um, represent any of his charities or his military functions. he's sitting at windsor great lodge in this 30 roomed, uh , almost palace. uh, roomed, uh, almost palace. uh, there's not much he can do . uh, there's not much he can do. uh, charles has already told andrew he can stay there, so long as he can carry on paying for the £2 million upkeep of the of the palace. now, we're just hearing over the last few hours that the king may well, um, stop paying for andrew's private security , for andrew's private security, which amounts to £3 million a yean which amounts to £3 million a year, and tell him he's got to

pay year, and tell him he's got to pay for his own. now, that's a £5 million debt. wow, that anneliese got straight away , you anneliese got straight away, you know, which is i don't know how much money andrew's got in the bank. i got a clue, but bank. i haven't got a clue, but i'll very surprised if he's i'll be very surprised if he's got much money that can last, you know, for a long period of time to pay that amount of money. >> so although , i mean, >> so although, i mean, obviously we saw andrew walk to church at sandringham over christmas , which, which seems christmas, which, which seems a lifetime ago, considering some of the stuff we've been hearing in these new documents. so in these new documents. um, so it's almost like it's not throwing him out. the folks, from what i understand, that was a promise that made his a promise that charles made his mum that he mum made to his mum that he wouldn't but as you wouldn't do that. but as you say, by forcing him to pay for his protection, for his his own protection, pay for his own another way own bills, that is another way of literally cancelling him, isn't ? isn't it? >> yeah is, and i think the >> yeah it is, and i think the king made a very big mistake , king made a very big mistake, uh, at sandringham to have him at andrew walked down with the rest of the royals , you know, in rest of the royals, you know, in a happy family situation when, uh, you know, i know christmas

is supposed to be a time to unite and everything else. >> ? knew these files >> but they knew these files were to be released in a were going to be released in a few days. they knew . if you know few days. they knew. if you know you don't have to be terribly bright to work out the fallout that was going to come now, every we're now hearing every day, we're now hearing about the latest things . i mean, about the latest things. i mean, the nicest things have said about him so far is he had a massage every day. the rest of it is you're talking about underage orgies, sex with an underage orgies, sex with an underage girl. uh, i mean, and it's all very well . i mean, the it's all very well. i mean, the palace are no longer saying anything about prince andrew because they don't represent him anymore. it's all right for anymore. but it's all right for prince andrew continue saying prince andrew to continue saying these. there's nothing in these allegations. well, he needs to actually know you know, come up to the. okay. and prove that he did not have anything to do with this . otherwise the vast this. otherwise the vast majority of people in this country are going to believe that he is involved in some way with this paedophile . yeah. and with this paedophile. yeah. and thatis with this paedophile. yeah. and that is a terrible accusation to make. but for anybody but for a

particularly a member of the royal family charles rea, a former royal correspondent for the sun, thank you so much for joining us today. >> a very complicated story. i wish had on it, but wish we had more time on it, but unfortunately we don't might come later the come back to it later in the program, but we move on now to mortgages, mortgage have mortgages, mortgage lenders have started the year by cutting rates, easier rates, making new deals easier for . while is rates, making new deals easier for news . while is rates, making new deals easier for news for . while is rates, making new deals easier for news for some,ile is rates, making new deals easier for news for some, home is great news for some, home mortgage rates will remain higher than many people been higher than many people had been accustomed because of accustomed to because of significant financial changes over last years, and over the last two years, and homeowners are still being warned to pay close attention to what offered . joining what is being offered. joining me now is economist and co—founder of investment advisors regionally, justin urquhart. stewart justin, thank you so much forjoining me. thank you so much for coming into studio as well. now into the studio as well. now again, this is in theory, over into the studio as well. now agalast�*nis is in theory, over into the studio as well. now aga last fews in theory, over into the studio as well. now aga last few days,|eory, over into the studio as well. now aga last few days, lots, over into the studio as well. now aga last few days, lots of ver into the studio as well. now aga last few days, lots of good the last few days, lots of good news. mortgages are going down, interest , house prices are interest rates, house prices are going . i'm not feeling that going up. i'm not feeling that much better about things though. >> there's not much . >> there's not much. >> there's not much. >> there's not much. >> the one word member that runs any confidence, right? any economy. confidence, right? >> nothing here at the moment,

whether floods freezing whether it's floods or freezing or of sort things , or any of those sort of things, let economic news. let alone other economic news. >> yes, of course, we're having sort tax cuts being given to sort of tax cuts being given to us, anyone their us, but anyone can work their way through how they're benefiting it. you really benefiting from it. you really do an accountant to do need to be an accountant to actually work your way through that. saving that. you only will be saving pence people pence only for a few people anyway, and those are the wrong pence only for a few people anywaythe d those are the wrong pence only for a few people anywaythe economic'e the wrong pence only for a few people anywaythe economic ladder, rong end of the economic ladder, frankly, aren't going to be getting frankly, aren't going to be get no. exactly. what's >> no. exactly. so what's happening with prices? happening with house prices? house average house prices are average property up 1.1. um, property has gone up 1.1. um, but mortgages are coming down. um, fallen to below 4.5% for the first time since june. >> i mean, this is good. >> i mean, this is good. >> there are more mortgages around. the around. don't fall into the trap of of natwest of the chairman of natwest yesterday saying, want to ask you affordable? it's not you about affordable? it's not it's very expensive indeed. no. what i suspect he probably meant say choice of say you've got more choice of mortgages had a few mortgages than you had a few months so it's eased up a months ago. so it's eased up a little but nonetheless, little bit, but nonetheless, people it's people and particularly it's going million going to be over a million people with mortgages, fixed rate mortgages, will be rate mortgages, which will be maturing over the next year. and when mortgages when they took those mortgages out, 1-5, out, it was probably at 1.5, 1.92. now it's doubled, sometimes more than doubled .

sometimes more than doubled. yeah, those were emergency rates. we should have had the sensibility of the bank of england, should have the sense to have raised rates beforehand back to the normal levels they should which should be should be, which should be around 3.5. and you around about three, 3.5. and you wouldn't people wouldn't be putting people through because people wouldn't be putting people thr0|now because people wouldn't be putting people thr0|now to because people wouldn't be putting people thr0|now to remortgage ople wouldn't be putting people thr0|now to remortgage .ple will now have to remortgage. they'll have to find out the cost they'll have cost has doubled. they'll have less less income less income, less income available. therefore available. and so therefore that's to put real that's going to put real pressure on economy , pressure again on the economy, as suddenly a whole group of people the community suddenly people in the community suddenly find i can't spend as much anymore. you anymore. and that's when you stoke recession stoke head for a recession again, economy down. again, economy slows down. >> i mean, predictions >> yeah. i mean, predictions last year particularly last year were particularly gloomy weren't they. so it is a little going right little bit going in the right direction. is i mean give direction. oh it is i mean give us some good news justin. >> property only >> look property there's only a certain property right >> look property there's only a certain and property right >> look property there's only a certain and therefore rty right >> look property there's only a certain and therefore withght . yeah. and so therefore with a fixed and we're not fixed amount and we're not building up moment, we building up at the moment, we all know that therefore, as a long investment, it's long time investment, it's okay. people well clear. people should steer well clear. i of thought the moment i would of thought at the moment of let of things like buy to let because of buy to of things like buy to let becwere of buy to of things like buy to let becwere mostly of buy to of things like buy to let becwere mostly the of buy to of things like buy to let becwere mostly the tax buy to let were mostly the tax benefits. had benefits. when you had a mortgage. can't do of mortgage. you can't do any of that yeah. only money that now. yeah. the only money you buy to let is that now. yeah. the only money you actual buy to let is that now. yeah. the only money

you actual capitaliuy to let is that now. yeah. the only money you actual capital growthat is that now. yeah. the only money you actual capital growth inis that now. yeah. the only money you actual capital growth in the the actual capital growth in the property the property itself. in terms of the rent washes its property itself. in terms of the rent so washes its property itself. in terms of the rent so that's washes its property itself. in terms of the rent so that's not washes its property itself. in terms of the rent so that's not the|shes its property itself. in terms of the rent so that's not the issue its property itself. in terms of the rent so that's not the issue .s face. so that's not the issue. well, look upon a house as the family the family house, family house. the family house, which probably actually brings families . that's the families together. that's the way be save money way they'll be save more money together perversely, together. well, perversely, going to three tier going back to the three tier family grandpa family again, bringing grandpa back in that way, they'll be able be to afford able to have be able to afford a house affordable with money able to have be able to afford a house the rdable with money able to have be able to afford a house the across with money able to have be able to afford a house the across lhei money across the across the generations , and to be able to generations, and to be able to actually their expenditure. actually pull their expenditure. >> right. okay. >> right. okay. >> very much. >> thank you very much. justin urquhart director and urquhart stewart, director and co—founder of originally, for making that little bit more making that a little bit more understandable. watching understandable. you're watching this me. this in two gb news with me. dawn lots more up dawn neesom lots more coming up on but should we on today's show, but should we have a look at what that weather's doing greg? have a look at what that weialer's doing greg? have a look at what that weia brighter|g greg? have a look at what that weia brighter outlooksreg? have a look at what that weia brighter outlook with boxt >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar of weather on . gb news. >> hello there. i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest gb news weather from the met office. it is looking largely dry as high pressure builds in, but we will see frost andice builds in, but we will see frost and ice and fog at night—time and ice and fog at night—time and temperatures falling well

below freezing. we can see on the pressure pattern high pressure building through the rest into the rest of the weekend into the beginning week. keen beginning of next week. keen easterly breeze developing across southern counties later for now into the evening time. still a westerly split. cloudier skies towards eastern england . skies towards eastern england. some wintry showers for northeast england for a time. two rain also affecting shetland but elsewhere and but clearing skies elsewhere and with recent heavy rain we'll see some icy stretches developing , some icy stretches developing, particularly across the north and the west. some mist and fog patches too, as temperatures drop below freezing. just staying a little bit a bit above where we keep a bit more cloud into sunday morning. but a bright start for many. cold fog, into sunday morning. but a brighto tart for many. cold fog, into sunday morning. but a brighto clear»r many. cold fog, into sunday morning. but a brighto clear across! . cold fog, into sunday morning. but a brighto clear across parts d fog, into sunday morning. but a brighto clear across parts of og, slow to clear across parts of northern ireland into scotland , northern ireland into scotland, but plenty of sunshine here by the afternoon . most places dry the afternoon. most places dry breeze increasing as we move through afternoon across through the afternoon across south—east england. we south—east england. here we could see wintry showers could see 1 or 2 wintry showers and also across pennines and also across the pennines we could see and the north york moors we could see 1 or wintry moors we could see 1 or 2 wintry showers, temperatures on the cold 4 to 5 celsius for cold side, 4 to 5 celsius for many into the beginning of next week. very cold again. frost and

fog and ice to start the day. most places dry, but that easterly wind increase as we move through the day in the next few days it stays very similar, high pressure keeping it dry, but on the cold side looks like things are heating up. >> boxt boilers as sponsors of weather on . gb news. weather on. gb news. >> thank you very much, greg. i'll sum it up from soggy to freezing. good luck. now lots more coming up on today's show. tax has been slashed for millions of workers across the uk today as the national insurance changes come into effect . but what do these cuts effect. but what do these cuts mean for the pennies in your pocket? all of that and much more coming up. dawn neesom more coming up. i'm dawn neesom and watching and you're watching and listening gb news. don't listening to gb news. don't go too far

away . hello and welcome to gb away. hello and welcome to gb news saturday and indeed, happy saturday. it's the weekend you've made it. one weekend i'm dawn neesom and for the next two hours i'll be keeping you company on tv, online and on digital radio. keep you up to date on stories that really date on the stories that really matter to you. now coming up this tax has slashed this hour, tax has been slashed for millions across for millions of workers across the as national insurance the uk as national insurance changes come into effect. but what do these cuts actually mean for the pennies in your pocket? more or less of them? then

hundreds of homes have been devastated by flooding following storm henk and a week of heavy rainfall with more than 250 flood warnings in force. the majority of the midlands, east anglia and southern england, many residents have been forced to evacuate homes . awful to evacuate their homes. awful pictures there and the royal navy has so few sailors that it has to decommission two warships just to staff its new class of frigates . how will the navy get frigates. how will the navy get out of this recruitment crisis ? out of this recruitment crisis? but this show is nothing without you and your views, so let me know what you're thinking on all the stories we're covering, or indeed anything we're not covering. you want talk about indeed anything we're not cwe'llg. you want talk about indeed anything we're not cwe'llg. tdiscussing talk about indeed anything we're not cwe'll g. tdiscussing everything . we'll be discussing everything you want to talk about. email me on gb views at gb news. com or message me on our socials . very message me on our socials. very simple at gb news. but first let's get the news with aaron

armstrong . armstrong. >> good afternoon. it's just after 1:00. i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom. hundreds of flood warnings remain in place across the country , with across the country, with temperatures to drop below temperatures set to drop below freezing. environment agency freezing. the environment agency says flooding in, particularly in and wales, will in england and wales, will continue be a problem with continue to be a problem with exceptionally high and in some cases record river levels. forecasters are also predicting icy conditions to come with a cold weather alert in place until friday. newark resident michael johnson says the current floods are worse than normal. the trent comes up often, but not as threateningly as as this , not as threateningly as as this, so we have a series of measures to protect the property , and by to protect the property, and by watching the river, we know how far to go with our precautions until the final thing is that we're running pumps and we're also putting , uh, blockers also putting, uh, blockers across the doorways so that if the pump fails, our final

barrier would be to keep it out of the house. a 16 year old boy has been charged with the murder of harry pitman, who was stabbed in london on new year's eve. the teenager died following what police was an altercation as police say was an altercation as crowds hill crowds gathered on primrose hill to fireworks . his to watch the fireworks. his sisters described harry as a good boy with a heart of gold. the suspect, who can't be named, has been charged with has also been charged with possessing an weapon . possessing an offensive weapon. prince andrew had daily massages dunng prince andrew had daily massages during weeks spent at jeffrey epstein's home in florida . epstein's home in florida. that's according to the convicted pedophile's housekeeper , their newly housekeeper, their newly released court documents include testimony from juan alessi , who testimony from juan alessi, who said both prince andrew and his then wife sarah, duchess of york , were with epstein and , were friends with epstein and now convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell . the unsealed ghislaine maxwell. the unsealed files were part of a civil lawsuit against maxwell that's been settled. she is serving a 20 year sentence for recruiting underage girls for epstein . the underage girls for epstein. the duke, though, has strenuously denied any wrongdoing . the

denied any wrongdoing. the chancellor has cast doubt on further tax cuts before the next election , a 2% reduction on election, a 2% reduction on national insurance comes into force today . jeremy hunt claims force today. jeremy hunt claims that will benefit 27 million people and could save a family with two earners almost £1,000 this year. however, the government has also frozen the income tax threshold, therefore pushing many into higher tax brackets, which may offset the benefits . the chancellor admits benefits. the chancellor admits further cuts are unlikely. >> it was right to support families fizz through covid and through the cost of living crisis, and yes, taxes had to go up in that period . but we are up in that period. but we are a conservative government that wants to bring down tax is because we recognise that families are finding life really tough. it's the start of a process . as chancellor, if i can process. as chancellor, if i can afford to go further, i will. i don't yet know if i can, but we want to do this because it helps families and it also helps to grow the economy . grow the economy. >> russia has used north korean

made ballistic missiles to fire at ukraine for the first time, according to an independent weapons expert. the united states has described it as a significant and concerning escalation in arms cooperation between the countries. dutch researcher joost olympians, who was amongst those to examine the debns was amongst those to examine the debris , says russia's violating debris, says russia's violating international law. >> russia should be adhering to the sanctions on north korea. uh even more so when it's in the case of , uh, even more so when it's in the case of, uh, highly significant type of weapon system like this , type of weapon system like this, uh, short range ballistic missile systems that we're now seeing. so that's a really a very gross violation . uh, it's very gross violation. uh, it's just that there's no, uh, physical mechanism in place to , physical mechanism in place to, uh, prevent russia from importing , uh, prevent russia from importing, uh, uh, prevent russia from importing , uh, clandestinely , importing, uh, clandestinely, even, even very obviously clandestinely importing . uh, clandestinely importing. uh, weapons systems if they choose to do so. >> almost 700 afghans promised sanctuary in the uk still haven't been relocated . almost

haven't been relocated. almost two thirds of eligible people who supported british efforts dunng who supported british efforts during the war are yet to be resettled. more than two years after the taliban's takeover. many are stuck in third countries like iran and pakistan. the foreign secretary, david cameron, says plans are in place to bring those refugees to the uk. some 1500 of them, but says it's difficult to predict how quickly those in afghanistan can be brought to safety . alaska can be brought to safety. alaska airlines has grounded all boeing 737 max nine aircraft after a window and part of the fuselage blew out mid—air. the plane was forced into an emergency landing shortly after taking off from the us state of oregon. a social media footage shows a large hole in the plane where the emergency exit had been . 177 people were exit had been. 177 people were on board, including the crew. no one was hurt, and investigation has been launched . this is gb has been launched. this is gb news. we're on tv, on your digital radio and on your smart speaker two. that's it for me

now , back over to dawn . now, back over to dawn. >> thank you very much, aaron. uh, right. that story, by the way, about the plane, if you're if you if you're listening on the radio, it's like, literally the radio, it's like, literally the plane, like the side of the plane, like where people sitting in the seats just out. seats next to it just blown out. terrifying anyways, terrifying um, anyways, let's get into today's topics. get stuck into today's topics. um, great news for millions across the uk today as the government's reduction of national comes into national insurance comes into effect and pause announced in the chancellor's autumn statement, the pre—election cut to national insurance from 12% to national insurance from 12% to 10% will impact around 27 million payroll employees across the uk . here million payroll employees across the uk. here is what million payroll employees across the uk . here is what the the uk. here is what the chancellor had to say. >> today is a very significant day because having turned the corner on inflation, brought it right down. the economy is doing much better and that means we can start to bring down taxes . can start to bring down taxes. today's cut in national insurance by 2% means that a typical family with two earners

will be nearly £1,000 better off this year . will be nearly £1,000 better off this year. that is really important in a cost of living crisis where people have been feeling real pressure on family budgets , yes, but also it budgets, yes, but also it rewards work . it'll bring more rewards work. it'll bring more people into the labour force and that good for growing the that is good for growing the economy . economy. >> sounds good. and who is never going to trust a politician and high vis vest and a hard helmet? that's what they do, isn't it? um, now some critics, though, might be amongst them, have questioned the of questioned whether the timing of the election on the tax cuts with an election on the tax cuts with an election on the is just a bid to woo the horizon is just a bid to woo voters. our reporter, will hollis, has been looking into how this might affect us down to the nuts and bolts . the nuts and bolts. >> italian kent's motors , a >> italian kent's motors, a garage in ilkeston, derbyshire . garage in ilkeston, derbyshire. the diary is full. today's date stands out in any workers calendar . the government's is calendar. the government's is lowering national insurance less tax on your earnings , as louis,

tax on your earnings, as louis, a mechanic, welcomes the new directive . listen well, i've got directive. listen well, i've got two young kids as well, so it will go towards obviously feeding them, clothing them so straight away that help with straight away that i help with that. >> ali motors reporter he's >> ali kadi motors reporter he's not alone . not alone. >> chloe, who manages the garage , is looking forward to the extra cash with national insurance change ing. >> um, it will make us financially stable now . um, financially stable now. um, obviously we can have more luxuries in life rather than having to worry about all the bills coming out. >> most workers pay national insurance. it's one of the biggest taxes deducted from your pay- biggest taxes deducted from your pay. automatic by your boss. it's dropping from 12 to 10% of earnings, benefiting 27 million people for the average earner on a salary of around . £35,000. the a salary of around. £35,000. the saving on national insurance is about £450 in a year, £37 in a month. >> we take decisions for the long terme, the chancellor,

jeremy hunt, announced the cut as part of the autumn statement. >> the timing of the tax cut hasn't gone unnoticed. a general election only months away . election only months away. >> they want the votes again, don't they? >> it's good for the country as a whole. they should have done it time ago. a whole. they should have done it but time ago. a whole. they should have done it but the ne ago. a whole. they should have done it but the savings might not be >> but the savings might not be all they seem. >> yes, some tax cuts today, but in a bigger picture where taxes are going up, taxation is at the highest level since the end of the second world war. >> helen is deputy director at the institute for fiscal studies, roughly , those people studies, roughly, those people earning over about £30,000. >> then this year alone, there will be overall tax cuts, but it's part of a much broader trend where the government is freezing thresholds in the personal tax system, which is a really chunky tax increase . by really chunky tax increase. by 2728. then on the average earner on £35,000 will be paying about £440 more in tax back at the

garage, this motors almost ready for the road fixing cars, fixing the country . the country. >> neither job the country. >> neitherjob can be rushed . >> neitherjob can be rushed. will hollis gb news in ilkeston . will hollis gb news in ilkeston. >> thank you very much . will now >> thank you very much. will now joining me now is gb news news political correspondent katherine forster catherine thank you very much for joining us. catherine. i want to believe that i'm going to be richer. and this is all marvellous, but there's a little teeny weeny part won't actually, part of me won't lie. actually, quite of me that quite a big part of me that doesn't actually think this is anything more smoke mirrors. >> dawn, f" >> well, dawn, you've been around long enough to that around long enough to know that often government gives, often when the government gives, they with one hand while they give with one hand while taking with another. and taking away with another. and despite what the government would have you believe making all this noise about this very welcome, of course, to cut in national insurance, that's exactly what is going on here. because of course, although they haven't raised the headline rate of income tax, what they are doing through fiscal drag is they're basically dragging more

and more people into paying more and more people into paying more and more people into paying more and more tax because they frozen the thresholds at which people pay the thresholds at which people pay basic rate tax , higher rate pay basic rate tax, higher rate and top rate tax . they froze it and top rate tax. they froze it and top rate tax. they froze it a couple of years ago. in 2021, they're potentially going to keep those rates frozen till 2028. so sure this is a positive step, but it's really dwarfed by that. and the well respected institute for fiscal studies did describe this current parliament back when jeremy hunt, the chancellor , had his autumn chancellor, had his autumn statement late last year as the biggest tax raising parliament in modern times. biggest tax raising parliament in modern times . now they say in modern times. now they say that the government is basically just giving back £1 for every £4 that it's taking away . so yes, that it's taking away. so yes, it's something . um, but i don't it's something. um, but i don't think we're still in a cost of living crisis. it's not going to make many people feel much better off. >> oh. thank you. not really

helping catherine. catherine, there's one other thing. i wanted to talk to you about. rishi sunak had significant doubts about sending migrants to rwanda was chancellor rwanda when he was chancellor now, this is a story that broke overnight. tell more about overnight. tell us more about this one. >> yes . um, this one. >> yes. um, rishi sunak is not having the best start to the yeanis having the best start to the year, is he and this , year, is he really? and this, this news, last thing he this news, the last thing he needs along with the needs as well, along with the standing down of chris skidmore. so basically it's emerged that when he was chancellor um, back in 2022, a month before the rwanda plan was first announced and documents have come to light that show that he was not keen on the rwanda plan. in fact, he thought it was a deterrent that it would not work. and he also expressed considerable reservations about the costs. he suggested that it be scaled back that they they aimed to send maybe 500 initially in the first yean maybe 500 initially in the first year, rather than 1500, which

was the original plan of course, we know that the government have committed to spending £400 million on sending, um, illegal people that have crossed the channel to rwanda, but have yet to send a single person. they're geanng to send a single person. they're gearing up for a big battle , um, gearing up for a big battle, um, in the houses of parliament and potentially another battle in the courts. so i think it does raise questions about why they are still pursuing this. rishi sunak desperately hopes it will work, but the evidence is that when it was first announced and before he wasn't sold on its virtues, and in fact was not a big believer in it. and yet he's still pushing it forward. >> now, it's no secret , i think, >> now, it's no secret, i think, that boris johnson and rishi sunak had their issues between one another. now rwanda was first announced by boris johnson in april 2020, when rishi was chancellor and when rishi evidently called in to these papers being released. when rishi raised concerns with it,

he was told in no uncertain terms that basically shut up, otherwise you're going to lose popularity . i mean, this popularity. i mean, this illustrates the divide that even back then catherine was was very evident within the conservative party. >> yes , absolutely. and i think >> yes, absolutely. and i think that detail is quite significant, isn't it ? shouldn't significant, isn't it? shouldn't it be about what's the right way to stop people crossing the channel illegally rather than what might look good when whether it works or not? and of course, within the conservative party itself, they're massively divided on this. there was a big row about it before christmas, and those on the left of the party think that it goes the bill that they're getting through parliament goes as far as it can and can't go any further. those on the right of the party think that it doesn't go anywhere near, far enough. so there's a big row brewing . and there's a big row brewing. and even when it gets to the lords , even when it gets to the lords, it's going to face huge problems .even it's going to face huge problems . even if gets through all of . even if it gets through all of thatis . even if it gets through all of that is still likely to be court

challenges . so a lot of money challenges. so a lot of money has been spent. if they had sent people to rwanda , sure. that people to rwanda, sure. that might be. now working as a deterrent , but at the moment deterrent, but at the moment they've been talking about this for nearly two years. there were people on a on a plane well over a year ago. they were taken off one by one. suella braverman at the previous home secretary, said that it was her dream , um, said that it was her dream, um, to see migrants sent to rwanda. but will it ever become a reality? and that is the $64,000 question. >> uh katherine forster . question. >> uh katherine forster. thank you very much for joining us this afternoon . now we have some this afternoon. now we have some experts on this subject. joining me now is former leader of ukip, henry bolton , and journalist and henry bolton, and journalist and political consultant emma burnell. thank you so much for joining us this afternoon . now i joining us this afternoon. now i feel like i've been talking about rwanda nearly as long as i've been talking about brexit now, which is nearly as long as i've been alive. it just feels like it's going on forever and even ever. indeed but i'm going to come first. henry,

come to you first. henry, were you shocked about these papers that been from that have been revealed from sort of like, you know, from when chancellor in when sunak was chancellor in 2022. were you surprised by what they revealed ? they revealed? >> not particularly, but i'm a little bit confused. >> used if indeed welcome to my world. >> yeah. no, it's all a bit strange because if indeed he felt that this was not going to work as a deterrent , he should work as a deterrent, he should have so. have said so. >> should been clear >> he should have been clear about it. and albeit the about it. and albeit that the prime may you prime minister may well, you know, exerted know, have exerted prime ministerial said , ministerial pressure and said, no, this is a friendly chat amongst colleagues. >> i'm sure it happens. >> i'm sure it happens. >> well, >> but then, well, let's downplay >> but then, well, let's dov let'sy >> but then, well, let's dov let's reduce it, let's reduce >> let's reduce it, let's reduce the numbers from 1500 a year to 500 a year, rather ensuring that's going to be even less of a deterrent if it happens . do a deterrent if it happens. do you see what i mean? yes. so the more numbers that are going to be wood, i don't believe it's going to be a deterrent anyway. but but the if you were to send large numbers then it may be a deterrent. the fewer that you send, the less of a deterrent at the moment, if you send 500 a

yean the moment, if you send 500 a year, if you've got 40,000 people coming into the country on small boats claiming asylum , on small boats claiming asylum, if you send 500 a year, that's1 in 80. it's not exactly a huge deterrent. no so on the one hand, he says it's not going to work. it's not going to be a deterrent. on the other hand, he seems to trying to ensure seems to be trying to ensure that deterrent. so that it's not deterrent. so i'm a confused. what do a little bit confused. what do what of that? i think what do we make of that? i think we that what do we make of that? i think we sunak that what do we make of that? i think we sunak just that what do we make of that? i think we sunak just simply that what do we make of that? i think we sunak just simply doesn't rishi sunak just simply doesn't buy into this. we've seen no effort . and i say this as effort. and i say this as somebody who's helped governments at cabinet level to sort out border problems. i haven't seen any real effort from the prime minister to lead any, uh, attempt to mitigate or reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to this country or net immigration. um, all i've seen him do is focus on rwanda, rwanda , rwanda, rwanda. and rwanda, rwanda, rwanda. and i think that he is trying to focus everybody's attention on that, on something that's ultimately not going to happen. in what he expects to be his his premiership. thinks the

premiership. he thinks the conservatives will have lost an election. i think he's already given that pretty much . given up on that pretty much. um, and i he just isn't um, and i think he just isn't wanting anything happen. he's wanting anything to happen. he's he's evading, taking decisive action. there's a lot of things he could do, which we could talk about he is doing about for ages, but he is doing none them. it's all about none of them. it's all about rwanda. it's country , rwanda. it's got the country, it's got media, it's got it's got the media, it's got everybody politicians, parliament focussed on this one issue. it is not a silver bullet. >> so emma, is this the classic dead cat analogy isn't it? it's like, don't look over here, look over there. i mean, do you think rishi sunak believed in the rwanda plan even now i find it fascinating and it's i mean, with all respect to henry, who i get on with personally very well. >> we rarely agree on things , >> we rarely agree on things, but i find very little to disagree with in that. in that last analysis , um, what i think last analysis, um, what i think is the fascinating question here is the fascinating question here is what is it that has changed rishi's mind? what is it about the rwanda plan and the many multiple successes that have

happened over the last two years that have made him go from very sceptical to putting his entire premiership at the risk of being torpedoed by it. yeah. and i'm just find that as, as someone who thinks about political strategy far more often than i ought to , i find that just ought to, i find that just baffling because i don't understand why something he , understand why something he, right from the beginning knew would would not work, would be massively expensive. i mean, dawn, you called it the $64,000 question. if only if. >> yeah. okay. several $64 million question. >> um, yeah . we are we're >> um, yeah. we are we're talking about £400 million. um for something that hasn't worked, hasn't happened and is unlikely to happen in and is very questionable and as rishi sunak raised those questions right at the very beginning to have the impact that people are claiming for it in the first place. okay okay, um, you know, we can disagree or agree over that, but that was his analysis. so has gone on to stake

so he has then gone on to stake his political career on something he knows won't work. >> do you think henry , because >> do you think henry, because he's terrified of the right wing of the party. he knows that this is what it won the landslide victory in 2019 for boris johnson. it was , you know, the johnson. it was, you know, the whole migration issue . it's very whole migration issue. it's very important. do you think if he feels like he goes back on this now, signify that it's just a very weak leader? >> i think not just. >> i think it's not just. yes, but don't think it's been but i don't think it's been said. the party is divided . this said. the party is divided. this has actually demonstrated and illustrated that fact very, very clearly . um, i think he illustrated that fact very, very clearly. um, i think he is actually on the left of the party on this issue. i think he does not buy into the need to stem this problem . um, i think stem this problem. um, i think he would rather see you're almost implying that it's happy to have as many migrants as as i suspect he is now. you know, let's park that . let's not judge let's park that. let's not judge that at the moment, but we're talking politics it now , talking the politics of it now, if if that's the case, um, if he if that's the case, um, then it would it would explain

why he's, he's not actually trying to make this work because i don't believe it is . it's not i don't believe it is. it's not even drafted to work effectively . um, and but at the same time, he's trying to tell the right of the party that what i would call the party that what i would call the conservatives in the conservative party, he's trying to thati conservative party, he's trying to that i am listening to tell them that i am listening to tell them that i am listening to you, that , um, i'm trying, to you, that, um, i'm trying, i'm trying to do everything i can to meet your needs whilst actually not doing any of it. and he knows that they are concerned about about voting against the rwanda bill, because if they do, they might trigger another election, a leadership contest or an election earlier . contest or an election earlier. and they're not necessarily ready to do that . so i think ready to do that. so i think there is this politics going on in the conservative party. and in the conservative party. and in the conservative party. and in the meantime , this is taking in the meantime, this is taking the eye off, off the a whole range of other balls relating to borders. the the net. we're talking we're back onto rwanda. we've forgotten the net immigration. >> yeah. which was highly contentious whichever side of it you like. >> line . we're still not talking >> line. we're still not talking about the fact all the cocaine

and all the heroin and 97% of the illegal firearms in this country come across our insecure borders is, um, this is stuff we should be talking about. but rwanda, rwanda, rwanda has got us all fixated. and i think that's deliberate on your strap line earlier. i don't that's deliberate on your strap line earlier . i don't know line earlier. i don't know whether this is still on. there. is rwanda herring? i think is rwanda a red herring? i think it's red herring it's a deliberate red herring put there to make sure that put out there to make sure that actually we're not effective in securing our borders. now i can only as to why that is only speculate as to why that is , but it's certainly something that the right of the conservative needs pay that the right of the conseto, tive needs pay that the right of the conseto, because needs pay that the right of the conseto, because think pay that the right of the conseto, because think he pay that the right of the conseto, because think he isy heed to, because i think he is trying them down a false trying to lead them down a false path here. he's trying to path here. what he's trying to he's playing games with them . he's playing games with them. >> emma, what do you think? i mean, this is a surefire >> emma, what do you think? i meajust this is a surefire >> emma, what do you think? i meajust to this is a surefire >> emma, what do you think? i meajust to loses is a surefire >> emma, what do you think? i meajust to lose the a surefire >> emma, what do you think? i meajust to lose the next'efire way just to lose the next election? well i'm not sure there's a way to win the next election. >> from the conservative perspective at the moment, and certainly not with the state. the party's in unless they can pull themselves together . i pull themselves together. i mean, election is guaranteed mean, no election is guaranteed beforehand every is beforehand until every vote is cast and counted. but but the way that they are behaving is

not attractive to the electorate. but i think i slightly disagree with henry over what sunak motivations are. whether sunak is pro high levels of legal immigration, i don't think he's in favour of high legal, high levels of illegal immigration in, um, which is what rwanda is essentially about . um, but i, i do think that it is entirely about a party management problem . and his all management problem. and his all of his moves on this and all of the energy and all of the money and all of the civil service resource and all of the political capital that's being burned up through it, is being done not to do something that they know would be effective, that they know would help with the poor people struggling to get across the channel you know, i don't think anyone left or right wants people in insecure boats in that shipping area . you boats in that shipping area. you know it. you know, it's an appalling whether you're coming at it from a liberal perspective or a conservative perspective, nobody wants that. so he's put

all of this energy into this because of party management. all of this energy into this because of party management . and because of party management. and that, for me is a disgrace because that's not governing . because that's not governing. that's, that's, that's you know, there's difference between being there's difference between being the leader of the conservative party and being the prime minister of great britain and northern ireland. >> like to be >> it's almost like trying to be the most popular kid in the playground. >> i think it is. but that's what do. he's not what he's trying to do. he's not exercising over what he's trying to do. he's not exe|conservative over what he's trying to do. he's not exe|conservative party over what he's trying to do. he's not exe|conservative party on over what he's trying to do. he's not exe|conservative party on this the conservative party on this issue. he needs be issue. i think he needs to be decisive all would decisive. all sides would respect and far and respect that and far more. and i think you if you look more think if you if you look more broadly the broadly at the border thing, the french their french have just their their pubuc french have just their their public have public accounts committee have just the uk for the way just slammed the uk for the way that share intelligence. that we share intelligence. i have long said because this relates to the borders, the boats crossing the channel as well. have long said that i've well. i have long said that i've got concerns about the way we structure our our cooperation with we've we've got with the french. we've we've got liaison, , but we have not got liaison, um, but we have not got as we used to have until 2006, in some parts of the world, highly operated intelligence and tactical operations . on the tactical operations. on the ground surveillance , um, in ground surveillance, um, in fact, even in enforcement

operations in, in conjunction with local law enforcement, in working in intelligence agencies, together . none agencies, working together. none of that happening. i've been of that is happening. i've been trying to say this the trying to say this to the government ad nauseum, but they're not listening, which it's not rocket science, but it's not rocket science, but it's not rocket science, but it's not happening . so i wonder it's not happening. so i wonder why all i can conclude the only this all points me towards . it's this all points me towards. it's a risky assumption, but the assumption that rishi sunak does not. he does not wish to engage in this for whatever reason . and in this for whatever reason. and that means also politically that he is trying to appease. he has bluffing the right wing of his party, the conservatives within the conservative party. um, now why? i mean, you'd have to ask him. >> well, unfortunately , he's not >> well, unfortunately, he's not on the show this afternoon, although it would be a fascinating conversation, wouldn't henry bolton wouldn't it? uh, henry bolton and emma burnell, thank you very much for more much for that and for more analysis opinion on that analysis and opinion on that story and much, much more , go to story and much, much more, go to our website, gbnews.com. you're watching and listening to gb news saturday with me. dawn

neesom loads more coming up on today's show. but first let's have let's be brave . let's look have let's be brave. let's look at the weather, shall we? with greg, a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. on. gb news. >> hello there! i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest gb news weather from the met office. it is looking largely dry as high pressure builds in, but we will see frost andice builds in, but we will see frost and ice and fog at night—time and ice and fog at night—time and temperatures falling well below freezing. we can see on the pressure pattern high pressure building through the rest the rest of the weekend into the beginning of next week. keen easterly breeze developing across counties later across southern counties later for now into the evening time. still a westie split. cloudier skies towards eastern england, some wintry showers for northeast england for time . northeast england for a time. two also affecting shetland two rain also affecting shetland but clearing skies elsewhere and with recent heavy rain. we'll see some icy stretches developing, particularly across the north and the west. some mist and fog patches as mist and fog patches too, as temperatures below temperatures drop below freezing. just little freezing. just staying a little bit. bit above where we keep

bit. a bit above where we keep a bit. a bit above where we keep a bit more cloud sunday bit more cloud into sunday morning . but a bright start for morning. but a bright start for many cold fog slow to clear across parts of northern ireland into scotland , but plenty of into scotland, but plenty of sunshine here by the afternoon . sunshine here by the afternoon. most places dry. uh, breeze increasing as we move through the afternoon across south—east england. see 1 or the afternoon across south—east e|wintry. see 1 or the afternoon across south—east e|wintry showers see 1 or the afternoon across south—east e|wintry showers and see 1 or the afternoon across south—east e|wintry showers and also e 1 or the afternoon across south—east e|wintry showers and also across 2 wintry showers and also across the we could see. and the pennines we could see. and the pennines we could see. and the north york moors we could see 1 or 2 wintry showers, temperatures the side, temperatures on the cold side, 4 to 5 for many into the to 5 celsius for many into the beginning of next week. very cold again. frost and fog and ice to start the day. most places dry, but that easterly wind increase as we move through the day. in the next few days it stays very similar. high pressure keeping it dry, but on the cold side looks like things are heating up. >> boxt boiler as sponsors of weather on gb news . weather on gb news. >> thank you very much greg. soggy or freezing? take your choice . uh, lots more coming up choice. uh, lots more coming up on today's show. hundreds of

homes have been devastated by the flooding following storm henk and week of heavy henk and a week of heavy rainfall . we'll be there rainfall. we'll be right there seeing damage at first hand. all of that and so much more to come . i'm dawn neesom and you're watching and listening to gb news, britain's

thursday from 6:00 till 930. >> hi there it is 132 i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom with the headlines.

>> hundreds of flood warnings remain in place across england and wales . temperatures are set and wales. temperatures are set to drop below freezing . the to drop below freezing. the environment flooding environment agency says flooding will continue to be a problem with exceptionally high in with exceptionally high and in some river levels , some cases record river levels, with forecasters predicting icy conditions to come. a cold weather alert will remain in place until friday. a 16 year old boy has been charged with the murder of harry pitman, who was stabbed in london on new year's eve. the teenager died following what police say was an altercation crowds gathered altercation as crowds gathered on primrose hill to watch the fireworks. the suspect , who fireworks. the suspect, who can't be named, has also been charged with possessing an offensive weapon . prince andrew offensive weapon. prince andrew is facing a multi—million pound bill for security costs at his home on the windsor estate. the telegraph, supporting the king, is preparing to withdraw private funding for the 30 room royal lodge mansion . pressure is lodge mansion. pressure is growing on the duke of york as the unsealing of hundreds of pages of court documents connected to the jeffrey epstein

scandal . the move may scandal continues. the move may be seen as the monarch distancing himself publicly from his younger brother , and the his younger brother, and the chancellor's cast . doubt on chancellor's cast. doubt on further tax cuts before the next election. a 2% reduction on national insurance comes into force today , which jeremy hunt force today, which jeremy hunt claims will benefit 27 million people. however the government has frozen the income tax threshold, which will push many people into higher brackets of tax, therefore offsetting some of the benefits the chancellor has admitted further cuts are unlikely . i'll be back with more unlikely. i'll be back with more at the top of the next hour, or you can get more right now on our website gbnews.com . our website gbnews.com. >> thank you very much , aaron. >> thank you very much, aaron. welcome back to gb news. saturday with me. dawn neesom on your tv online and on digital radio. now lots of you have been sending in your thoughts , which sending in your thoughts, which i love. it's all about you. this show . it's not about what i

show. it's not about what i think or our panellists think or what our panellists think. going think. so i'm actually going to read lovely read some of your lovely notes out. getting in out. lots of you getting in touch about rwanda and which we couldn't work a couldn't work out. a two political experts working political experts here working out what the hell is going on on this david rwanda is this one. david says rwanda is all they the all for show. they cut back the immigration system to a point where it could not cope. they stopped people. stopped assessing people. meanwhile, anna, on the same subject, says rwanda an subject, says rwanda is an international time wasting exercise to keep the public thinking. the government are working on something . if you working on something. if you really to stop the boats, really want to stop the boats, he and a lot of he could, and i think a lot of people feeling very similar people are feeling very similar to that on meanwhile, to that on that one. meanwhile, on flooding, a lot of you are getting in touch on flooding. if you are struggling out there as well you be well. thoughts with you must be horrific . kathleen good horrific. kathleen says good afternoon kathleen. the more you cover concrete , cover the land with concrete, tarmac, bricks, etc, less tarmac, bricks, etc, the less ground there is soak up the ground there is to soak up the rain. the flooding. the rain. hence the flooding. the population of country population of this country is far high must stop far too high and we must stop adding migrants of adding to it with migrants of any linking adding to it with migrants of any subjects linking adding to it with migrants of any subjects of linking adding to it with migrants of any subjects of rwandazing adding to it with migrants of any subjects of rwanda and two subjects of rwanda and flooding there. thank you very much. that was kathleen and more on flooding. paul, good afternoon . paul local afternoon. paul says local

council not implanted council should not implanted planning planning planning granted planning permission and flood permission for housing and flood plains and we keep coming back. oh and this one quickly. um, ian says says if sunak or starmer was to tour the floods, there is nothing they can do apart from, in starmer's case, blame the government and climate change. the climate. the problem isn't the climate. it's continuing mass building on green floodplains. green fields and floodplains. but reluctance to keep but the reluctance to keep drains clear lots but the reluctance to keep dr'you clear lots but the reluctance to keep dr'you singing clear lots but the reluctance to keep dr'you singing from lear lots but the reluctance to keep dr'you singing from the lots but the reluctance to keep dr'you singing from the same of you singing from the same hymn sheet on that one. now we are staying with flooding. um because it's turning out to be a brutal winter . for those of you brutal winter. for those of you who are struggling the who are struggling with the storms, flooding, and potentially some further heavy storms, flooding, and potenon.ly some further heavy storms, flooding, and potenon.ly sway further heavy storms, flooding, and potenon.ly sway ,urther heavy storms, flooding, and potenon.ly sway , ather heavy storms, flooding, and potenon.ly sway , a cold 1eavy storms, flooding, and potenon.ly sway , a cold weather snow on the way, a cold weather alert has been issued by the uk health security agency, with temperatures set to plummet over the coming days, never ending , the coming days, never ending, isn't it? over the last few days , hundreds homes have been , hundreds of homes have been devastated following devastated by floods following a powerful storm and a week of heavy rainfall . there are more heavy rainfall. there are more than 250 flood warnings in face in place , which most of the time in place, which most of the time most of are in the midlands,

east anglia and southern england, with residents forced to evacuate their properties . to evacuate their properties. joining us now from collingham is our east midlands reporter will hollis will all thank you for joining us once again. forjoining us once again. you've moved location since we last spoke to you. what's happening where you are this afternoon . in afternoon. in >> well, we're moving location along the river trent. where there is a flood warning in pretty much every small village or town along this area of the trent valley. and you can see just how bad it is here in collingham. this is a normal street where you'd expect to see cars going up and down and in the distance, about 100m away is where the river trent is. and just to show the scale of it, those are full size goalposts in the background that you can see, and there are at least at halfway indicate getting probably about 5 or 6ft of water. and you can see that somebody actually brought their boat here as a way of getting around. it's full of hay. so maybe something maybe that's something to do with horses or cows, with feeding horses or cows,

because this is farming country. a lot of people live here as well. it's a very pretty part of the country here in the midlands, including darren and erica. your neighbours and erica, you have flooded here on low street and you were just telling me about how it's been this year. how has it been this year when you have flooded in the past ? the past? >> so garden floods quite >> so my garden floods quite regularly. i'm quite used to that. but it's never flooded in the house. while i've been living in the house before. >> is it this time, >> so. and how is it this time, the fact that you have the fact that you, you have flooded your house? the fact that you, you have flooded you? r house? the fact that you, you have flooded you? yeah,.e? the fact that you, you have flooded you? yeah, flooded in >> have you? yeah, flooded in my house. thursday. >> have you? yeah, flooded in my house. night thursday. >> have you? yeah, flooded in my house. night . thursday. thursday night. >> and then how does that feel? what's the experience like? it's you know, you're surprised hinckley happy from the conversation that we've been having , but conversation that we've been having, but might be having, but that might just be all level . so, um, having, but that might just be all level. so, um, i'm all surface level. so, um, i'm fairly tired. >> didn't sleep very well >> i didn't sleep very well thursday because did thursday night because i did stay in the house on thursday night, too i can't stay night, but it's too i can't stay in the house anymore. >> it's bad. i when i bought >> it's too bad. i when i bought the knew flooded . so the house, i knew it flooded. so i accept that that's i have to accept that that's that's happens. the that's what happens. and the garden that's what happens. and the gardeyears. so i'm quite used to

most years. so i'm quite used to the garden flooding. anyway, you're the garden flooding. >> you knew that the property you going be you bought was going to be one that how you that would flood. how do you manage a home that floods manage having a home that floods so regularly? living this close to river trent ? to the river trent? >> anything really >> anything that's really important , >> anything that's really important, like paperwork and photographs and things like that. i always keep upstairs . that. i always keep upstairs. they don't they're not downstairs. they're always upstairs. >> it's only, um, a big mix of furniture and that that are stuck downstairs. furniture and that that are stw really nstairs. furniture and that that are stuireally ?tairs. >> really? >> really? >> darren, you've taken erica in for a little bit and i think it was cats as well that you've you've two cats that you've taken in. you've been speaking to people here on the street and it seems like collingham is quite a close neighbourhood. what's from people what's the reaction from people to flooding again? i think it's flooded recently from from flooded quite recently from from storm babet as well, hasn't it? in part of the of the country? >> yeah, obviously people are getting a bit fed with the getting a bit fed up with the flooding obviously erica and flooding and obviously erica and the neighbours on that side of the neighbours on that side of the road have lost a hell of a lot. the possessions, the

personal items they going to take a long time to rebuild once the . water just gone away . yeah. the. water just gone away. yeah. um, and it's , it's just um, and it's, it's just heartbreaking for, for everybody. luckily you've got a nice people, nice village people are willing to help and. yeah. and like i say, we ended up taking erica in. we got a spare room. so why not help a neighbour ? neighbour? >> often people get criticised in terms of politicians or the local council . it seems that local council. it seems that newark and nottinghamshire county council have reacted really well to this one. what have you been seeing from the local council? you had local council? have you had people coming down here and checking rescues checking in and doing rescues here checking in and doing rescues heryes, we, we, the council came >> yes, we, we, the council came round this morning asking if everyone was okay, if anybody needed rescuing . uh, but the, needed rescuing. uh, but the, the houses that are flooded, the

people are have already got out and, but the council have been down and they said if we need anything then give them a ring and we'll come and sort it out. >> the other politician that's been getting criticism right now is sunak , the prime is rishi sunak, the prime minister. uh, politicians from either side of him , the liberal either side of him, the liberal democrats as well as labour, have saying you should have been saying you should be here. minister. should here. prime minister. you should be people of be talking to the people of collingham or across the midlands, who have flooded. midlands, who have been flooded. as hasn't been as somebody who hasn't been flooded in an area flooded but lives in an area that knows that has been flooded and knows people who have been people like erica who have been flooded, do you to see the flooded, do you want to see the prime minister now, or is prime minister right now, or is that want to that the last person you want to see water's coming in see when water's coming in through door ? through your door? >> it's the last person, >> i think it's the last person, to be honest . um, i >> i think it's the last person, to be honest. um, i a >> i think it's the last person, to be honest . um, i a lot of to be honest. um, i a lot of people would like to see him here and let him actually see what the people are going through . but, um , but yeah, i through. but, um, but yeah, i mean it. the government should be on the top of this , and this be on the top of this, and this shouldn't be happening . shouldn't be happening. >> yeah. robbie. more the floods. minister he said the, um, flood defence money has

doubled. i think he said about 5 billion. so they would say they're putting money into it. but when this seems to be happening, happening persistently i'm sure for you and it seems the and erica, it seems like the money the right money isn't going to the right places. thank very much. places. thank you very much. erica to go and a phone erica had to go and take a phone call, because the call, probably because of the fact that her home is flooded right you can see right now. but you can just see how is here. dawn, how much water is here. dawn, it's to think happens how much water is here. dawn, it's when think happens how much water is here. dawn, it's when there's happens how much water is here. dawn, it's when there's this happens how much water is here. dawn, it's when there's this muchens next when there's this much water in the place that you live and love. >> so thank you. it's just dreadful. and i'm good luck to everyone there. will hollis, gb news, east midlands reporter there collingham look there from collingham which look beautiful um apart. there from collingham which look beautiful um apart . from the beautiful um apart. from the fact it's under so much water that will thank you so much for that. and please pass on our best erica especially best wishes to erica especially when tackling when it comes to tackling the insurance , which another insurance, which is now another issue to be facing issue that's going to be facing many have been many people that have been affected. everyone affected. good luck to everyone out there. by the way. you're watching and listening to gb news saturday with me. dawn neesom. lots more coming up on today's . now, the royal today's show. now, the royal navy has so few sailors that it

has to decommission two warships just to staff its new class of frigates . how are the navy get frigates. how are the navy get out of this recruitment crisis? all of that and much more coming up. you're watching and listening to gb news, britain's news channel. please don't go too

evening. gb news the people's. channel. welcome back to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom on

your tv online and on digital radio. >> now, the royal navy has so few sailors that it has to decommission two warships just to staff its new class of frigates. it comes as the armed forces experience a significant recruitment crisis , with the recruitment crisis, with the navy having suffered a collapse in the flow of new recruits into the service . uh, bearing in in the flow of new recruits into the service. uh, bearing in mind all of this is going on with the situation in the middle east and the red sea, etc, etc. not all worrying. joining me now is the defence and foreign affairs editor at the telegraph. conn conklin. conn. good afternoon to you.thank conklin. conn. good afternoon to you. thank you so much for joining us this afternoon. appreciate your time. we appreciate your time. why are we running sailors ? what's running out of sailors? what's happening ? happening? >> well, it's a very sad story, but basically the it's all to do with the defence budget cuts that the conservatives have presided over since they came into power in 2010. >> and the royal navy, together with, with the other services, the army and the raf, have seen

dramatic declines in their manpower and also their equipment . and it is it it's equipment. and it is it it's rather scandalous that we've got two major international crises. you mentioned the crisis in the red sea. we've also got ukraine, you know, the black sea is a very important element of that conflict . um, very important element of that conflict. um, and very important element of that conflict . um, and yet we very important element of that conflict. um, and yet we are in a position where the royal navy is being run down. we do not have enough surface ships. we don't have enough warplanes to put on the new aircraft carriers. and it's a it's a pretty bad situation . and the pretty bad situation. and the other point i would make, dawn , other point i would make, dawn, is that in the past few days, we've had both lord cameron, the foreign secretary , and grant foreign secretary, and grant shapps, the defence secretary, making threatening noises to the houthis, who are carrying out these attacks in the red sea . these attacks in the red sea. but, you know, it's a it's a case of the emperor has no clothes. they they can threaten the houthis all they want, but how are we going to tackle them if don't the military if we don't have the military equipment? we need for such a job? was the point was

making. >> i mean, i find whole >> i mean, i find the whole situation sea with situation in the red sea with the, know, iran backed the, you know, iran backed houthi attacking ships, houthi rebels attacking ships, trying to get through that very, very important passage, which will many things , not will affect so many things, not to mention our cost of living crisis and yet we don't crisis as well. and yet we don't have any armed forces left to defend any area anymore . defend any area anymore. >> well, we've got some. but i mean, as you say, i mean the global trade relies very heavily on keeping the sea routes open . on keeping the sea routes open. i think 90% of global trade goes by sea. um with the red sea, it's about 15, particularly oil coming from the gulf, uh, to europe and america. so this is a vital trade link . and of course, vital trade link. and of course, the houthis are backed by iran . the houthis are backed by iran. um, you know, iran has a previous history of trying to close the strait of hormuz in the gulf . and i was, i was i was the gulf. and i was, i was i was based there in the 1980s when the royal navy , together with the royal navy, together with the royal navy, together with the americans , uh, mounted joint

the americans, uh, mounted joint patrols . to keep that strait patrols. to keep that strait open. and we need to do the same today in the red sea. we need to send, you know, a significant royal navy presence to the region to work with the americans and other allies to stop this disruption to trade, because if this if this vital trade is disrupted and at the moment, ships are having to make a 6000 mile round trip around the cape of good hope, instead of going through the suez canal, that it adds to freight charges that it adds to freight charges that will be passed on and we'll have another inflationary spiral . just when we're getting inflation under control. so it's inflation under control. so it's in our national interest to have a proper navy that we can deploy to deal with crises . just like to deal with crises. just like this. con if you and i, two journalists sitting here can see all this and it sounds like, well, you know, we need to do something, we can't let this go . something, we can't let this go. >> why the government not doing more about it? what >> i think when the government came into power , this is my own

came into power, this is my own view because of the controversies around iraq and afghanistan , iran, they afghanistan, iran, they deliberately reduced the fighting strength of our armed forces because from their very narrow political perspective, was do not win votes. they're unpopped allah. so if we don't have a strong military , we can't have a strong military, we can't get involved. and i think this this is the ludicrous position we're in today. and, you know , we're in today. and, you know, the government say, well, the government will say, well, we've aircraft we've got two brand new aircraft carriers. but said, we carriers. but as i said, we don't have any war planes fly don't have any war planes to fly off decks . when you see off the decks. when you see documentaries about the war, the aircraft carriers , the planes on aircraft carriers, the planes on these decks are from the us marine corps, not from the, you know, the fleet air arm of the raf. so it's a terrible situation and the government should hang its head shame . should hang its head in shame. frankly, god, i can't i can't believe what i'm hearing. >> thank you. so for >> thank you. so much for explaining well. that's explaining it so well. that's con coughlin, um, defence editor of there. with of the telegraph there. um, with the insane . an insane story that the insane. an insane story that our armed forces are being cut back so much in a time that i

personally think the world has never felt more dangerous. insanity but not the only one today, is it ? insanity but not the only one today, is it? now we move on. the founder and former chief executive of lululemon has criticised the brand. they make really expensive designer, sort of like a, um, yoga leggings and fitness brands, stuff like that . fitness brands, stuff like that. um, he's been criticised for chasing diversity in stead of focusing on inclusivity . um, focusing on inclusivity. um, chip wilson has set tongues wagging after saying that some women are simply too fat to wear leggings . the brand is leggings. the brand is a favourite amongst yoga enthusiasts, and i have to say, horrifically expensive live. joining me now to discuss this is the former presenter of fat families, steve miller . steve, families, steve miller. steve, good afternoon. thank you very much for joining good afternoon. thank you very much forjoining us this much for joining us this afternoon . i have to admit, afternoon. i have to admit, i read this story and a little part of me thought, oh my god, he's going to get so much flak for that. do you make of for that. what do you make of what said ? what he's said? >> well, i think it's a real

shame that in this and age shame that in this day and age to have an opinion, you have to worry about consequences worry about the consequences all the time and more intensely. he has right to that this has every right to say that this and that's the first thing to say. and that's the first thing to say there and that's the first thing to saythere are certain clothing >> there are certain clothing that we shouldn't wear if we are to fat. >> and let's face it, image does count for a lot of communication. the research tells us that around about 55% of communication is nonverbal. so it's what we look like. no, i think if you've got a rotund rear or you've got a porky podge , you've got to be very, very careful what you wear. and does that mean that if you have that rotundaria , you should not wear rotundaria, you should not wear leggings or whatever he calls them ? i think it's absolutely them? i think it's absolutely right now . right now. >> chip wilson is a founder of lululemon , lululemon, and he lululemon, lululemon, and he quit nine years ago and um, so he's not actually involved now. we've still got shares in it . we've still got shares in it. um, but and the company have distanced themselves from what he's said. well, i would come back with you, steve, though. this is a fitness brand, right? they're fitness

this is a fitness brand, right? they'rto fitness this is a fitness brand, right? they'rto diversify fitness this is a fitness brand, right? they'rto diversify andtness this is a fitness brand, right? they'rto diversify and increase brand to diversify and increase the sizing, but surely people who are struggling with their weight, who are obese need to wear leggings to work out and get fitter. surely that is a good thing. sorry. running out of steve of time. steve >> don't have to. you >> well, you don't have to. you don't wear. don't don't have to wear. you don't have leggings. have to wear leggings. you can wear like like wear something looser like like jogging wear something looser like like jogging something like jogging trousers, something like that. , if you it's up that. you know, if you it's up to you what wear. people can to you what you wear. people can wear they want is a good wear what they want is it a good look you're wearing look if you're fat wearing leggings? look if you're fat wearing legi ngs? look if you're fat wearing legi wouldn't not >> i wouldn't i would not recommend it. >> thank you very >> right okay. thank you very much. i'm not wearing leggings. that's miller a that's steve miller there a former presenter fabulous former presenter of fat fabulous joining afternoon to joining us this afternoon to discuss how fat you be discuss how fat you can be before you have to give up wearing leggings. i can't believe i had that debate. right. you're and right. um, you're watching and listening saturday listening to gb news saturday with lots with me. dawn neesom and lots more up on today's show. more coming up on today's show. but first, let's be brave. we're going to go there. let's take a look at the weather with greg, a brighter outlook with box sponsors of weather on . gb news.

sponsors of weather on. gb news. >> hello there, i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest gb news weather from the met office. it is looking largely dry as high pressure builds in, but we will see frost andice builds in, but we will see frost and ice and fog at night time and ice and fog at night time and temperatures falling well below freezing. we can see on the pressure pattern high pressure building through the the pressure pattern high presof'e building through the the pressure pattern high presof thejilding through the the pressure pattern high presof the weekendrough the the pressure pattern high presof the weekend int01 the the pressure pattern high presof the weekend into the; rest of the weekend into the beginning keen beginning of next week. keen easterly breeze developing across southern counties later for now into the evening time still a westie split. cloudier skies towards eastern england. some wintry showers for northeast england for a time. two rain affecting shetland two rain also affecting shetland but clearing skies elsewhere and with recent heavy rain we'll see some icy stretches developing , some icy stretches developing, particularly across the north and the west. mist and and the west. some mist and fog patches as temperatures patches too, as temperatures drop below freezing. just staying a little bit bit above staying a little bit a bit above where keep a bit more cloud where we keep a bit more cloud into sunday morning. but a bright start for many. cold fog, slow to clear across parts of northern into scotland, northern ireland into scotland, but sunshine here by but plenty of sunshine here by the afternoon. most places dry , the afternoon. most places dry, uh, breeze increasing as we move through the afternoon across

south—east . here we south—east england. here we could see 1 or 2 wintry showers and across pennines we and also across the pennines we could see in the north york moors could see 1 or wintry moors we could see 1 or 2 wintry showers, temperatures on the cold side, celsius for cold side, 4 to 5 celsius for many into the beginning of next week. very cold again. frost and fog and ice to start the day. most dry, but that most places dry, but that easterly wind increasing as we move through the day in the next few days it stays very similar. high pressure keeping it dry but on the side that warm on the cold side that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on . gb news. sponsors of weather on. gb news. >> he's . >> he's. >> he's. >> thank you so much greg. lots more coming up on today's show. tax has been slashed for millions of workers across the uk. but what does it actually mean for you ? the pennies mean for you? the pennies in your dawn neesom and your pocket. i'm dawn neesom and you're to you're watching and listening to gb news, britain's news channel.

away . hello and welcome back to away. hello and welcome back to gb news saturday. i'm dawn neesom and for the next hour i'll be keeping you company on tv, and on digital radio, tv, online and on digital radio, keeping you up to date on all the stories that really matter to this hour . the stories that really matter to this hour. tax to you coming up this hour. tax has been slashed for millions of workers across the uk today as the national insurance changes come into effect. but what do you feel richer? what does it actually mean for the pennies in your pocket? then when hundreds

of homes have been devastated by flooding following storm henk and a week of heavy rainfall with more than 250 flood warnings in force, the majority in the midlands, east anglia and southern england, many residents have been forced to evacuate their homes and gcse english exams will no longer need to be hand written under plans by one of the country's largest assessment boards. is this the first step to a fully digitised exam system and the death of handwriting ? but this show is handwriting? but this show is absolutely nothing without you and your opinions. so let me know your thoughts on all of the stories we have been discussing today. email at gb views gb news. com or message me. really simple on our socials. we're at gb news. but first, here's the news headlines with aaron armstrong .

armstrong. >> hi. thanks, don. good afternoon to you. it's a minute past to aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom. temperatures in the past to aaron armstrong in the gb are lsroom. temperatures in the past to aaron armstrong in the gb are set)m. temperatures in the past to aaron armstrong in the gb are set to. temperatures in the past to aaron armstrong in the gb are set to plummettures in the past to aaron armstrong in the gb are set to plummet ases in the past to aaron armstrong in the gb are set to plummet as some he uk are set to plummet as some parts of the country continue to struggle with severe flooding. a hundred remain in hundred of warnings remain in place across england and wales, with exceptionally high and in some cases record river levels. a forecasters are warning of icy conditions in the coming week, with cold weather alerts in place until friday. hundreds of homes in the midlands have already been damaged , and newark already been damaged, and newark resident michael johnson says the current floods are worse than normal. >> the comes up often, but >> the trent comes up often, but not as threateningly as as this, so we have a series of measures to protect the property and by watching the river, we know how far to go with our precautions until the final thing is that we're running pumps , and we're we're running pumps, and we're also putting, uh , blockers also putting, uh, blockers across the doorways so that if

the pump fails , our final the pump fails, our final barrier would be to keep it out of the house. >> a 16 year old boy has been charged with the murder of harry pitman, who was stabbed in london on new year's eve. the teenager died following what police say was an altercation as crowds gathered on primrose hill to watch the fireworks. his sister has described harry as a good boy with a heart of gold. the suspect, who can't be named, has also been charged with possessing an offensive weapon . possessing an offensive weapon. prince andrew had daily massages dunng prince andrew had daily massages during weeks spent at jeffrey epstein's home in florida. that's according to the convicted pedophile's housekeeper . newly released housekeeper. newly released court documents include testimony from juan alessi , who testimony from juan alessi, who said both prince andrew and his then wife sarah, the duchess of york, were friends with epstein and also the now convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell. the unsealed files were part of a civil lawsuit against maxwell,

who is serving a 20 year sentence for recruiting underage girls for epstein. the duke strenuously any strenuously denies any wrongdoing . the chancellor says wrongdoing. the chancellor says he's not sure if the government will be able to afford to offer voters more tax cuts . a 2% voters more tax cuts. a 2% reduction on national insurance has come into force . a jeremy has come into force. a jeremy hunt claims that will benefit 27 million people and could save a family with two earners nearly £1,000. this year, however, the government has frozen the income tax threshold , pushing many tax threshold, pushing many people into higher brackets and therefore offsetting the benefits. for many, the chancellor admits further cuts before the next election are unlikely. >> it was right to support families through covid and through the cost of living crisis and, yes, taxes had to go up in that period . but we are up in that period. but we are a conservative government that wants to bring down taxes . wants to bring down taxes. because we recognise that families are finding life really tough . it's the start of a tough. it's the start of a process. as chancellor, if i can afford to go further , i will. i

afford to go further, i will. i don't yet know if i can in, but we want to do this because it helps families and it's also helps families and it's also helps to grow the economy . helps to grow the economy. >> russia has used north korean made ballistic missiles in ukraine for the first time, according to an independent weapons expert. the united states has described it as a significant and concerning escalation in arms cooperation between the countries . a dutch between the countries. a dutch researcher used alamance, who is amongst those to examine the debris, says russia has violated international law . international law. >> russia should be adhering to the sanctions on north korea . the sanctions on north korea. uh, even more so when it's in the case of, uh, highly significant type of weapon system like this, uh, short range ballistic missile systems that we're now seeing. so that's a really a very gross violation . a really a very gross violation. uh, it's just that there's no, uh , physical mechanism in place uh, physical mechanism in place to , uh, uh, prevent russia from to, uh, uh, prevent russia from importing, uh, clandestine only even, even very obviously , even, even very obviously, clandestinely importing , uh, clandestinely importing, uh, weapons systems if they choose

to do so, almost 700 afghans promised sanctuary in the uk still haven't been relocated . still haven't been relocated. >> almost two thirds of eligible people who support british efforts during the war are yet to be resettled. more than two years after the taliban's takeover , some 1500 are stuck in takeover, some 1500 are stuck in third countries like iran and pakistan . can the foreign pakistan. can the foreign secretary, david cameron , says secretary, david cameron, says plans in place to bring plans are in place to bring those refugees to the uk. but it's difficult to predict how quickly people in afghanistan can be brought to safety . alaska can be brought to safety. alaska airlines has ground it all. boeing 737 max nine aircraft after a window and part of the fuselage blew out mid—air, the plane was forced into an emergency landing shortly after taking off from the us state of oregon. social media footage shows a large hole in the plane where the emergency exit had been 177 people were on board, including the crew. no one was hurt and investigation has been launched. well, this is gb news. we're live on tv on digital radio and on your smart speaker

two that's it for the moment. now it's back to dawn . thank you now it's back to dawn. thank you very much, erin. >> every time he talks about that story, about the plane blowing out , the window blowing blowing out, the window blowing out and the plane, it's like, oh my just amazing my lord, it's just amazing story, right? okay. but let's get stuck into today's other stories . um, now we are . well, stories. um, now we are. well, it's great news for millions across the uk today, isn't it? we're all much, much richer. across the uk today, isn't it? we're all much, much richer . the we're all much, much richer. the government's reduction of national insurance into national insurance comes into effect , announced in the effect, announced in the chancellor's statement, chancellor's autumn statement, the pre—election cut to national insurance from 12% to 10% will impact around 27 million payroll employees across the uk. here's what the chancellor had to say about it . about it. >> today is a very significant day because having turned the corner on inflation, brought it right down. the economy is doing much better . and that right down. the economy is doing much better. and that means we can start to bring down taxes. is today's cut in national insurance by 2% means that a

typical family with two earners will be nearly £1,000 better off this year . will be nearly £1,000 better off this year. that is really important in a cost of living crisis, where people have been feeling real pressure on family budgets, but also it rewards work. it will bring more people into the labour force and that is for good growing the economy . is for good growing the economy. >> yep, says a man in a high vis vest. that's what politicians do , isn't it? right, okay. sounds good. uh, or does it? some critics have questioned whether the timing of the tax cuts with an election on the horizon is just a bid to woo voters. our reporter , will hollis, looks at reporter, will hollis, looks at how this might affect us all, down to the nuts and bolts at alan kent's motors, a garage in ilkeston, derbyshire . ilkeston, derbyshire. >> the diary is full. today's date stands out in any worker's calendar . the government's calendar. the government's lowering national insurance less tax on your earnings as louis, a

mechanic, welcomes the new directive . well, i've got two directive. well, i've got two young kids as well, so it will go towards obviously feeding them, clothing them so straight away that i help with that . away that i help with that. >> alec motors . >> alec motors. >> alec motors. >> he's not alone . chloe, who >> he's not alone. chloe, who manages the garage , is looking manages the garage, is looking forward to the extra cash with national insurance changing. >> um , it will make us >> um, it will make us financially stable now. um, obviously we can have more luxuries in life rather than having to worry about all the bills coming out. >> most workers pay national insurance. it's one of the biggest taxes deducted from your pay biggest taxes deducted from your pay automatically by your boss. it's dropping from 12 to 10% of earnings, benefiting 27 million people for the average earner on a salary of around £35,000. the saving on national insurance is about £450 in a year, £37 in a month. >> we take decisions for the long terme, the chancellor,

jeremy hunt, announced the cut as part of the autumn statement. >> the timing of the tax cut hasn't gone unnoticed. a general election only months away . election only months away. >> we want the votes again, don't they ? don't they? >> it's good for the country as a whole . a whole. >> they should have done it a long ago, but savings long time ago, but the savings might seem. might not be all they seem. >> yes , and tax cuts today, but >> yes, and tax cuts today, but in a bigger picture where taxes are going up , taxation is at the are going up, taxation is at the highest level since the end of the second world war. helen is deputy director at the institute for fiscal studies, roughly , for fiscal studies, roughly, those people earning over about £30,000. >> then this year alone, there will be overall tax cuts, but it's part of a much broader trend where the government is freezing thresholds in the personal tax system, which is a really chunky tax increase by 2728. then on the average earner on £35,000 will be paying about £450 more in tax back at the

garage, this motors almost ready for the road fixing cars, fixing the country . the country. >> neither job the country. >> neitherjob can be rushed . >> neitherjob can be rushed. will hollis gb news in ilkeston thank you will now joining me is gb news political correspondent katherine forster to explain on how rich we're all going to be over the next few months . over the next few months. >> over to you, catherine. well certainly it's good news isn't it, a two peak cut in, um, national insurance worth about £450 a year. >> so. sounds great. the government making a lot of noise about it, as you would expect, given they've come in for huge amounts of criticism for the fact tax burden overall is fact that tax burden overall is close a 70 year high. but close to a 70 year high. but they are giving with one hand and taking away with the other because of this freeze in tax thresholds that they brought in in april 2021. and look to continue through till 2028. so

the amount you have to earn before you pay basic rate or higher rate or top rate tax have been fixed and are not moving despite the fact that with inflation, people are earning more, millions of people are getting dragged into these higher rate tax bands. so the institute for fiscal studies, a well—respected think tank, said at the time that jeremy hunt, the chancellor announced his and this tax cut in the autumn statement , described this statement, described this parliament as the biggest tax raising parliament in modern times. and they estimate that for every £1, um , that the for for every £1, um, that the for every £1 that they're giving back , they are in fact taking back, they are in fact taking away four. so sure, it's good news, but against a backdrop, in fact, of still a very, very high tax burden . tax burden. >> um, catherine, there's another they're not particularly good news story as well around today isn't there for the conservative party. um, chris skidmore and what's happened

there . there. >> yes. this is something that rishi sunak could really do without . he was already facing without. he was already facing two by elections in the current coming months in wellingborough and in blackpool south. now there will also be one in kingswood in south gloucestershire. chris skidmore was previously energy minister under theresa may. he carried out a review of getting to net zero under boris johnson , and he zero under boris johnson, and he announced last night that he was resigning the conservative whip . resigning the conservative whip. he wants to stand down as soon as possible because there is a vote coming up in parliament on monday . this bill, the offshore monday. this bill, the offshore petroleum licensing bill, basically make it much easier to extract gas and oil from the nonh extract gas and oil from the north sea. he feels fundamentally, this is the wrong way to go. and he said that the future will judge harshly those that vote for it. so puts rishi sunakin that vote for it. so puts rishi sunak in a difficult position. he's got chris skidmore currently , and a majority of

currently, and a majority of about 11,000. but given that the tories . had a majority of 24,000 tories. had a majority of 24,000 over turned in mid beds esher last year, it looks like they will lose this seat. the other difficulty is that this is a seat which is going to disappear anyway because there's boundary changes, so whoever gets this seat will only have it for a few months till the next election. and then at that point it's going anyway. going to cease to exist anyway. so nightmare for so a bit of a nightmare for rishi sunak. quite a difficult week with being week back, along with being criticised for the floods. and you now these revelations you know, now these revelations that apparently he didn't have much faith in the rwanda policy while he was chancellor . while he was chancellor. >> katherine forster thank you very much for that. as i said, and they're not even back in power. i don't think they go back to after the christmas recess until monday. is recess until monday. so this is all now. all in the first week now. joining me a political joining me now is a political commentator, matthew stadlen and journalist and broadcaster mike parry. thank you so much parry. gently thank you so much for joining me. this after two

forjoining me. this after two of my favourite panellists, it has to be said now we're not going to talk. so it's a very low bar, by the way. um, we're not, we're not going to talk, talk results. we talk about national results. we are talk about chris are going to talk about chris skidmore. is really skidmore. uh, this is really i mean by—election. mike mean another by—election. mike and the tories cope with this . i and the tories cope with this. i mean, what's going on here? >> last night, >> well, look, until last night, i'd of chris i'd never heard of chris skidmore and i don't think the majority had. majority of the country had. >> thinking , oh, >> okay, so i'm thinking, oh, what's about? he'd what's this all about? he'd already announced he's not going to stand as an at the next to stand as an mp at the next election right. election anyway, right. >> a former energy >> and he's a former energy minister, a junior energy minister, a very junior energy minister, a very junior energy minister for not very long. >> and i talked to some people at westminster think he >> and i talked to some people at wesbe inster think he >> and i talked to some people at wesbe manoeuvring nk he >> and i talked to some people at wesbe manoeuvring himself might be manoeuvring himself into position for what comes after government, what comes after government, what comes after being an mp. so many mps eventually end up in the industry, where they've had a brief inside parliament. i'm not saying that is happening, but that's what i'm being told from westminster. people are thinking about now. all about him about now. is it all about him or is it all about a principle? i think he's trying to draw attention to himself, because to

leave it to last minute, to leave it to the last minute, to say, i'm giving up the say, oh, i'm giving up the whip because my conscience won't let me for this bill on monday. me vote for this bill on monday. they're going to win it anyway. they're going to win it anyway. the aren't they? the government, aren't they? almost going the government, aren't they? almos'through going the government, aren't they? almos'through and going the government, aren't they? almos'through and that going the government, aren't they? almos'through and that means to get through and that means that his , um, efforts to try and that his, um, efforts to try and stop it are not even going to work. so i don't know why why he's doing it. i just don't get what he's all about. he's doing it. i just don't get what he's all about . the he's doing it. i just don't get what he's all about. the problem is there's two elements to this story. one of them is chris skidmore, and the other one is the common sense policy of our energy security. and i think he's wrong on both of them. he's wrong to put himself up and he's wrong to put himself up and he's wrong stop us acquiring wrong to stop us acquiring energy we have in the north sea, because if we acquire energy we've don't have to buy we've got we don't have to buy it from despots abroad. matthew >> this could just be >> i mean, this could just be the happening of the rare happening of a politician in standing by his principles as a former energy minister, minister, he signed up to the net zero pledge by 2050, conservatives have now gone back on that. maybe he's just sticking by his principles.

>> i don't think the tories have quite gone back on that and he was the minister who was actually the minister who enshrined net zero 50 enshrined those net zero 20, 50 commitments into law. commitments into into law. >> so i had heard of him before this. i think i'm less interested in him and his integrity as an individual. >> i've actually interviewed him in the past. >> oh come on. fascinated by the fact that a politician might have principles. come on. >> is, if it is entirely a >> if it is, if it is entirely a principled stance, that's principled stance, then that's very impressive. but as we've already going to already heard, he was going to stand already heard, he was going to sta|yeah. what i think this i >> yeah. what i think this i hopeis >> yeah. what i think this i hope is about is drawing serious attention to this bill next week. >> and this bill matters because actually, by opening new oil fields or whatever in the north sea, that oil that, that that energy and gas is not going to go to us. it goes on the open market, it goes on the international market. >> so my understanding, contrary to what mike said, is it to what mike has said, is it doesn't our doesn't actually improve our energy security on the wider issue, let me just very quickly on the wider issue of net zero and our commitments , if there's and our commitments, if there's 197 countries or so agreed in

2015, in paris , we are going to 2015, in paris, we are going to do our best to limit global temperatures to 1.5 degree increase by two. >> 2100. then the world basically has to be getting to net zero around 2050. and we have until recently until rishi sunak started to put the skids. yes. upon intended under our energy policy , we were actually energy policy, we were actually leading the world. it might be argued, and if we suddenly say to everyone , actually, we're to everyone, actually, we're going to start opening new oil and gas fields or whatever, that sends out a really dangerous message. >> mike, we're leading the world, but the rest of the world is not doing that much. >> of course it's not. >> it's of course, do make. >> it's of course, do we make. >> course >> of course not. >> don't you remember days >> don't you remember the days of cnd? oh, well, if we get rid of cnd? oh, well, if we get rid of nuclear bombs, everybody of cnd? oh, well, if we get rid of in1uclear bombs, everybody of cnd? oh, well, if we get rid of in the ear bombs, everybody of cnd? oh, well, if we get rid of in the world mbs, everybody of cnd? oh, well, if we get rid of in the world mbs, eve rid ody else in the world will get rid of nuclear bombs. utter of their nuclear bombs. utter nonsense. say nonsense. just to say we're leading everybody nonsense. just to say we're leadfollow. everybody nonsense. just to say we're leadfollow. yeah.arybody nonsense. just to say we're leadfollow. yeah. beody nonsense. just to say we're leadfollow. yeah. i betjy will follow. oh, yeah. i bet iran to follow us. and iran are going to follow us. and putin's us. it's putin's going to follow us. it's utter make utter nonsense. we make a minimal, um, we give a minimal problem to the world on our

emissions. in this country, less than 1% of total emissions come from we're already from the uk. we're already absolutely dynamic in trying to cut down our emissions. absolutely dynamic in trying to cut down our emissions . and then cut down our emissions. and then we go further. now, when you say about the world, about more energy in the world, it come here. about more energy in the world, it will come here. about more energy in the world, it will if come here. about more energy in the world, it will if you come here. about more energy in the world, it will if you take come here. about more energy in the world, it will if you take energy! here. about more energy in the world, it will if you take energy out 'e. it will if you take energy out of the north sea and put it onto the world market, that brings down price of fuel . down the price of global fuel. why we importing why on earth are we importing huge ships full of gas from the middle east? why are we importing wood from america to put into drax power station in yorkshire , where the emissions yorkshire, where the emissions are more dangerous now than coal? are green policy is nutville and we should scrap it and we should start not just, um, drilling in the north sea. we must start fracking in this country so that we've got our own very cheaply, and we own energy very cheaply, and we can stand and face the world and say, you do your best, but we've got power . got our power. >> i was about to say, you you sound from sound like a dinosaur from the 19805. sound like a dinosaur from the 1980s. no, i don't actually. >> actually, one of your >> well, actually, one of your heroes, messianic . heroes, messianic. >> one of your. not at all. one of this needs be

of your. this needs to be thought properly. and as thought through properly. and as i've said, as i've said i've said, and as i've said on gb before, in reaching net gb news before, in reaching net zero, we have to do it as equitably as possible so that the society don't the poorest in our society don't have pay the most, have to pay the most, but actually, to the actually, if you go back to the 19805 actually, if you go back to the 1980s and margaret thatcher, i imagine, might be one your, imagine, might be one of your, your she drag us your heroes, she helped drag us kicking and screaming. we don't want to rehash the arguments away from coal . away from coal. >> change sometimes is necessary i >> -- >> the 5mm >> the world is heating up. we are partly at least, but probably majority responsible for the world's heating up. we as a country, yeah, we're what are we? 1% of global emissions. that 1% still matters. but the leadership thing is key because we cannot put pressure on china and other behemoths who don't care what we do. hang on. don't be nihilistic about it. mike we have a position to be global leaders. but it's not just about that. it is also about jobs. there are so many jobs to be had in the green economy in china, just as there were post coal in other areas. we have to move forward . forward. >> where do you think all our

blades are made? they're made in china. over here china. they're shipped over here on boats. on big boats. >> this important point. >> this is an important point. >> this is an important point. >> green jobs go china. >> green jobs go to china. they won't here. >> green jobs go to china. they won't isere. >> green jobs go to china. they won't is an important point >> that is an important point because in getting to net zero by we do, we to by 2050, if we do, we have to do it. honestly, it's not good enough to okay, net enough to say, okay, we're net zero terms our own zero in terms of our own emissions, if importing emissions, as if we're importing stuff from abroad. that means actually , overall, emissions actually, overall, our emissions are going up or are not net zero. that is true . and we need zero. that is true. and we need to get we need to delve deep into this so that we have an honest it. and by honest debate about it. and by the , it is right that people the way, it is right that people like you throw mud at like you throw a bit of mud at this sense , because we i'll this in a sense, because we i'll tell you, we have to have scrutiny of science we have scrutiny of science and we have to scrutiny, scrutiny of to have scrutiny, scrutiny of policy. overwhelming policy. but the overwhelming majority in the majority of scientists in the world, led by the united nations , say that we have to reduce united nations, have an angle on everything, you know, and they lead nations, lead with the united nations, stands the world is stands up and says the world is on fire. >> i mean , he's dramatic. on fire. >> havein , he's dramatic. on fire. >> have you 1e's dramatic. on fire. >> have you noticediramatic. on fire. >> have you noticed recently the extreme rain, by the way, have you noticed it? >> yeah, i know that's all about because there's not enough green

spaces many because there's not enough green spaces are many because there's not enough green spaces are building many because there's not enough green spaces are building overnany because there's not enough green spaces are building over their people are building over their front what that's people are building over their frorabout what that's people are building over their frorabout . what that's people are building over their frorabout . and what that's people are building over their frorabout . and we're/hat that's people are building over their frorabout . and we're not that's all about. and we're not draining fields. we're not draining fields. we're not draining rivers. >> you about. let >> i'll tell you about. let me tell about heavy tell you about the heavy rain. >> a time, one at a >> but one at a time, one at a time, gentlemen. >> look , how can you >> i mean, look, how can you possibly into possibly say that if we got into fracking this which fracking in this country, which would in this would halve energy costs in this country, that possibly country, that can possibly damage environment or damage damage the environment or damage the the green fanatics the universe, the green fanatics closed down fracking because of the tremors in the earth. >> the tremors building the hs2 tunnels under the cotswolds were much more serious than any tremors which are detected in fascist. >> to listen . there are >> to listen. there are different arguments about fracking. it's important. fracking. okay, it's important. okay. the local okay. there are the local environmental consequences of tremors forth . and then tremors and so forth. and then there's wider issue there's the wider issue about fossil . not someone there's the wider issue about fossiputs . not someone there's the wider issue about fossiputs my not someone there's the wider issue about fossiputs my head)t someone there's the wider issue about fossiputs my head insomeone there's the wider issue about fossiputs my head in the eone there's the wider issue about fossiputs my head in the sand and who puts my head in the sand and says, to all says, we have to abolish all fossil we seem fossil fuels overnight. we seem to saying no, i'm saying to be saying, no, i'm saying something more nuanced. have to be saying, no, i'm saying so transition. ore nuanced. have to be saying, no, i'm saying so transition. ore rthereed. have to be saying, no, i'm saying so transition. ore rthere is have to be saying, no, i'm saying so transition. ore rthere is oil have to transition. and there is oil and gas in our immediate future, but we shouldn't going but we shouldn't be going against what the international community has basically agreed. and building new fields, opening up new fields. and building new fields, opening up new fields . let me just

up new fields. let me just quickly say on this rain thing, because really because this is, i think, really important. i my important. yeah, i my experience, i don't know whether you and viewers you guys and viewers at home would that for would agree is that just for example, with rain, it has example, with the rain, it has been extreme recent been much more extreme in recent years was years than it was when i was growing up. in my teens growing up. and in my teens and early right early adulthood. if i'm right about that, that doesn't necessarily mean caused necessarily mean that is caused by made climate change, but by man made climate change, but what does show us is that we what it does show us is that we don't want to live in a world where we to suffer the where we have to suffer the sorts of extreme weather conditions suffer conditions they already suffer in places america, have in places like america, we have to act now or we all pay the price later . price later. >> weather cycles. do we all know worst rain know that the worst damage rain ever country is ever did in this country is 1954? the southwest and east 1954? in the southwest and east anglia of the united kingdom. it hasn't been as bad since then. it's cyclical. i just can't understand why common sense can't apply. you will admit, won't you, that if the wind doesn't blow, if the sun doesn't shine , then we have to turn on shine, then we have to turn on gas powered power stations , gas powered power stations, electric powered power stations to produce electricity when it's not coming from the atmosphere. that's what makes it so expensive. do you think it's a

non common sense policy? >> i think we should just put our collective heads in the sand, pretend that climate change isn't real, pretend we're not contributing to it as human beings and just let's beings and just say, let's carry on fossil fuels on burning fossil fuels indefinitely and hell with indefinitely and to hell with the consequences, because one example, by the way, people watching angry about watching who are angry about illegal immigration or are angry about asylum seekers, that's a different debate in a sense. just you wait until there is an immigration crisis and asylum crisis caused by climate change because nothing because we ain't seen nothing yet. mike. >> the green fanatics who say, you know, we must, you know , you know, we must, you know, demonically go all green by 2050. they will be the ones who will make poverty return to this country. poverty will return to this country. if people can't afford to heat their homes . and afford to heat their homes. and if people can't afford to cook food, let me just say, because you talk expensive, you talk about green fanatics. >> okay, so imagine not >> okay, so i imagine you're not the biggest insulate the biggest fan of insulate britain. just an example. and i'm the i'm not advocating breaking the law, their message that law, but their core message that we insulate our homes is

we need to insulate our homes is rooted in reality. and let me explain why i'll give you i'll give you. >> unfortunately, gentlemen, global warming is sort of because you've created enough heat here in this studio with a brilliant debate, and we've run out well, thank you so out of time. well, thank you so much. um, right. that much. brilliant. um, right. that was matthew stadlen and journalist and broadcaster mike parry, were indeed very parry, who were indeed very feisty on the subject of, um , feisty on the subject of, um, the green issue. we get on well behind the scenes. they love each other, really. they get in a room to have a beer and have a chat about it. now um, in any case, turning out to be case, it is turning out to be a brutal winter. and for those of you storms, you struggling with storms, flooding, and potentially some further way, further heavy snow on the way, um, a cold weather has um, a cold weather alert has been issued by the health been issued by the uk health security agency . with security agency. with temperatures to plummet over temperatures set to plummet over the coming days. over the last few days, hundreds of homes have been devastated by floods following a powerful storm and a week heavy rainfall. there week of heavy rainfall. there are more than 250 flood warnings in force, most of which are in the midlands, east anglia and southern england, with residents forced to evacuate their

properties. joining now from properties. joining us now from collingham is our east midlands reporter will hollis will. good afternoon. thank you for joining us. um, can you bring us up to date on what's happening where you are this afternoon? well the environment agency here in the midlands has said they're providing 24 seven round the clock support to people in places like collingham to places along the river trent and trent valley, where there are still a number of flood warnings in place . place. >> we've been hearing about rescues. we've been hearing about evacuations and it sounds like the water is starting to pass along the river trent towards the north, moving more towards the north, moving more towards parts of northern nottinghamshire and lincolnshire now. but where we are in collingham right now, you can just see the levels of water. it's at least a foot, two foot here in the road. it's almost up to my wellies and it's getting very close to eric as well. he's as well and erika, you're one of the actually lives the people that actually lives here street, and you're the people that actually lives hereof street, and you're the people that actually lives hereof the street, and you're the people that actually lives hereof the homest, and you're the people that actually lives hereof the homest, anyhasu're

the people that actually lives hereof the homest, anyhas been one of the homes that has been flooded. just describe for me the your property right the state of your property right now, we actually see the state of your property right nothe we actually see the state of your property right nothe background. actually see in the background. okay. >> ground >> so at the moment the ground floor is flooded . um i mean, floor is flooded. um i mean, i can't get to the door. it's too deep near my door. i can't actually get in to have a look to see how is, is today. but to see how it is, is today. but yesterday it was up over the skirting 2 3in. skirting boards like 2 or 3in. >> it's a lot. did you >> so it's quite a lot. did you know that your house one know that your house was one that flood when you that was going to flood when you bought long was bought it? and how long ago was that ? that? >> knew the house flooded >> so i knew the house flooded because locally the these cottages are called the bog cottages. so i knew that the house flooded and the last time the houses actually flooded was 2000. so i knew that 2000. and um, so i knew that when i bought it and then from talking people that have when i bought it and then from talking beeneople that have when i bought it and then from talking been here that have when i bought it and then from talking been here even have when i bought it and then from talking been here even halittle maybe been here even a little bit longer you or in 20 bit longer than you or in the 20 years you've here, how years that you've been here, how does to ones does this flood compare to ones that we've seen in the past here in collingham this in collingham and around this part nottinghamshire part of nottinghamshire? um, this higher than the 1 in this is higher than the 1 in 2000, because we just moved into the village in 2000. lived the the village in 2000. i lived the other village other side of the village originally , and were originally, and we were here when flooded then, and it's when it flooded then, and it's definitely higher than it was

then. >> what happens now? this is >> and what happens now? this is still very much an active situation. the local fire and rescue service, the councils and the environment agency are working right now to make sure that people in this position are safe to the best of their abilities. but what happens to you your property you in terms of your property and livelihood ? and your livelihood? >> well, so we've got to wait for the water go and see what for the water to go and see what the is. and then, um, the damage is. and then, um, obviously we have got to repair the and it habitable the damage and make it habitable again. now . again. it's not habitable now. um, and that might take a few months just to dry out, but for the moment, you've been staying with of local neighbours. >> people here are all saying hello to other and asking hello to each other and asking how other are. is how each other are. this is a small part of newark district here in nottinghamshire . what's here in nottinghamshire. what's been the reaction from everybody that you've been speaking to the floods ? floods? >> is this is a lovely >> um, is this is a lovely village to live in. it's a good community. everybody talks to each other because we're used to the gardens flooding this row of houses. we all know each other fairly well and obviously people

across the street, we all know each fairly well um, each other fairly well. um, everybody's you know, everybody's helped. um you know, would be here if i wanted help. everybody would arrive. everybody's trying to help as much they can. but we can't much as they can. but we can't do anything until floods gone. >> yeah. you've just got to wait for water now. erica, for the to water go now. erica, thank so much for sharing thank you so much for sharing your which obviously your story, which is obviously quite impactful. can see quite impactful. you can see just where we were looking just from where we were looking with all way down with the camera all the way down there can see there to where you can see a little bit of dry land, that's all of low street. and right now it's all underwater and over in this direction. that's where you find so this is find the river trent. so this is how from a good few hundred how far from a good few hundred metres has burst its banks. >> horrific . well, thank you so >> horrific. well, thank you so much for that. and please pass on our best to all the residents there. them all the luck. there. wish them all the luck. um, up on um, now lots more coming up on today's . the james bond today's show. the james bond franchise has come under fire by the british film institute. warning modern day film goers that 007 movies could cause offence . yes, we're there again. offence. yes, we're there again. all of that and much more to come. i'm dawn neesom and you're watching and listening to gb

news britain's news channel. see you

news news. >> it's 233. i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom with the headunes in the gb newsroom with the headlines as hundreds of pro—palestinian protesters have staged a sit down in central london, blocking the road in front of westminster bridge. it's part of the free palestine coalition march, as several protest groups demand a ceasefire in gaza , police have

ceasefire in gaza, police have attempted to break up the demonstration in saint james's park and have seized the group's sound equipment . more flooding sound equipment. more flooding is expected to hit parts of the midlands, lancashire and the river thames this weekend as the wet weather continues. a new fresh warnings come as temperatures in the uk are set to plummet more than 200 flood warnings and 220 flood alerts remain in place across england and wales, with exceptionally high and in some cases record river levels. forecasters are warning of icy conditions in the coming week , according to a cold coming week, according to a cold weather alert is in place until friday. prince andrew may be forced to foot a multi—million pound bill for security at his home on the westminster on the windsor estate , the telegraph windsor estate, the telegraph claims the king is preparing to withdraw the private funding he puts into the 30 room royal lodge mansion , forcing andrew to lodge mansion, forcing andrew to pay lodge mansion, forcing andrew to pay for security and upkeep. pressure is growing on the duke of york as the unsealing of hundreds of pages of court documents connected to the jeffrey epstein scandal

continues . a 16 year old boy has continues. a 16 year old boy has been remanded in custody charged with murdering harry pitman on new year's eve. the teenager died after being stabbed in primrose hill in. died after being stabbed in primrose hill in . london as primrose hill in. london as crowds gathered to watch the fireworks. the suspect, who can't be named, is due to appear in on saturday. he's also in court on saturday. he's also been possessing an been charged with possessing an offensive weapon. harry's sisters described him as a good boy with a heart of who boy with a heart of gold who wouldn't in violence wouldn't be involved in violence . i'll be back with more in just under half an hour's time, or you can get more now on our website gbnews.com . website gbnews.com. >> thank you, aaron, and welcome back to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom on your tv , online dawn neesom on your tv, online and on digital radio. now lots of you have been sending in your thoughts because this show is all about you. some really brilliant ones on the conversation we were having about the navy and the fact that we're not recruiting enough sailors point . sailors. i love this point. gordon. good afternoon gordon .

gordon. good afternoon gordon. we have about 40,000 young men coming over the channel and they're good with boats. how about we sign them up for the navy? think that's very navy? sorry, i think that's very funny. excuse me and lynn. good afternoon. lynn says. how about bringing back a version of national service ? it might stop national service? it might stop some of the teenagers who are colouring, stabbing people . colouring, stabbing people. that's very sad. point made there. and yes , and let's go on there. and yes, and let's go on to, um, lulu melon. so a debate we had about how fat can you be to wear to wear leggings. and pat says it's not just the leggings. the days of elegance have gone. eyelashes will touch your eyebrows . teeth so white your eyebrows. teeth so white and big blown up lips and straggly thank you. my straggly hair. thank you. my hair is struggling. i haven't had time to brush thank you had time to brush it. thank you very that, pat. now we very much for that, pat. now we move on a bit of showbiz. shall we have some fun now? the james bond franchise come bond franchise has come under fire the british film fire by the british film institute. warning modern day film goers the 007 movies could cause. film goers the 007 movies could cause . offence. the disclaimer cause. offence. the disclaimer states as follows . please note

states as follows. please note that many of these films contain language , images and other language, images and other content that reflect views prevalent in its time but will cause offence today. ray right, okay. joining me now to actually analyse this a bit further is the wonderful entertainment reporter hayley palmer. hayley, thank you very much for coming in afternoon . deep breath in this afternoon. deep breath trigger warnings on james bond. i mean , do we really need that? i mean, do we really need that? >> oh, i don't think so. what are they going to do next? cancel the film. >> it is just ridicule . >> it is just ridicule. >> it is just ridicule. >> when i read this, it's been all over the press and i just thought, my goodness, we thought, my goodness, do we really need that warning? thought, my goodness, do we reaii mean, that warning? thought, my goodness, do we reaii mean, thatnot'ning? thought, my goodness, do we reaii mean, thatnot offended. i'm >> i mean, i'm not offended. i'm sure not offended . sure you're not offended. >> not. and this is the >> no, i'm not. and this is the thing with all of these trigger warnings. i mean, you get them on disney films, for god's sakes, so it's like, on disney films, for god's sakes, actually so it's like, on disney films, for god's sakes, actually being t's like, on disney films, for god's sakes, actually being offended who is actually being offended or people being offended on our behalf? think if you're >> i mean, i think if you're looking be offended, then looking to be offended, then you will! personally, i always >> i mean, personally, i always try turn up at cinema try and turn up at the cinema later. i ignore the trigger warnings um,

warnings and the adverts. um, i guess they're thinking they have to case there's to do that in case there's complaints, get complaints, but i don't get who's going to complain. >> things are totally >> i mean, things are totally different was different now, and if i was taking younger with me taking someone younger with me to the cinema, say, oh, to the cinema, i would say, oh, just you know , you know, just to let you know, you know, that was back in the 60s and 70s. things have changed then since don't i mean, it's being >> but don't i mean, it's being sort treated like sort of like treated like children , isn't it? it's like, children, isn't it? it's like, you know, i watch something for, you know, i watch something for, you film, say, from the you know, a film, say, from the 19305 you know, a film, say, from the 1930s or the 1940s. i understand the attitudes were different then language was different then. accept i'm not then. i accept that i'm not offended. then meant of offended. that was then meant of the bond films. yes, there were both women. many of the bond films were incredibly sexist, but it was tongue in cheek sexism as well along the time. so we seem to have had a sense of humour cancelled. >> and! of humour cancelled. >> and i think >> exactly. and i just think it's you it's gone way too far. like you say, we're children if we say, we're not children if we want go and watch it, which want to go and watch it, which by way, the bfi, which by the way, it's the bfi, which i if you're going to i feel like if you're going to go you probably go there, you probably are a james bond fan. you've probably seen know you're >> you know what you're expecting . expecting. >> just expecting. >> you're not just going to turn up oh, what's this? you up and go, oh, what's this? you know, i mean, they're saying the

bond are bond movies in questions are 1964, um, because 1964, goldfinger to, um, because it features a scene where 007 forces of honour forces himself on top of honour blackman 1968 you only live blackman. and 1968 you only live twice . there's a scene where the twice. there's a scene where the spy twice. there's a scene where the spy is told in japan, men come first and women come second, to which bond replies i just might retire here. >> so sorry it made me laugh that one. sorry i know, but i'm old school. >> it's gone way too far. dawn and i think most people would be in agreement that we really don't need a trigger warning treated like adults and make decisions , you have to decisions, and you don't have to go film and if you're go and see a film and if you're watching something on tv, there's something there's always something called an actually an off switch. it's actually not something do now, something i suggest you do now, by um, but there is a very sad >> um, but there is a very sad story, um, is around this story, um, that is around this week, obviously . um, kate week, obviously. um, kate garraway, , garraway, the brilliant, amazing, incredibly brave kate garraway , um, losing her husband derek. >> you know, i was actually on air yesterday when the news came in and it really shook me up. it's just so sad. i mean, i've met kate garraway and she's just such a beautiful person . she such a beautiful person. she really is. and off screen as well. she's just so lovely and

your heart just goes out to her. it's been four years and i know she's got so much support around her, but she be going , you her, but she must be going, you know, through such a hard time at moment. so we're all at the moment. so we're all really thinking her. really thinking of her. >> absolutely. and >> yeah. no, absolutely. and obviously the two children, darcey billy, kate has darcey and billy, who kate has gone of way protect gone out of her way to protect and support. i mean, she was married for to derek draper for 18 years. yeah um, it was a, a proper marriage, a proper love where she was by his side the whole way through this and the bit that really got me haley was where she described how she was sitting , holding where she described how she was sitting, holding his hand as he supped sitting, holding his hand as he slipped away . i mean, know, slipped away. i mean, you know, the dedication and the love there. i mean, something we there. i mean, it's something we can to. absolutely can all aspire to. absolutely >> i think you're right. it is true love. and you can see that kind of love where she was sat by his right. those by his side. right. to those dying sometimes dying days, um, which sometimes you don't see these days. so um, for me, it really touched me. i have been thinking of her and, um, you i just wish her um, you know, i just wish her well i we all do here well. and i think we all do here

at news because such at gb news because it's such a sad for yeah i know sad time for her. yeah i know she's lot of support, she's got a lot of support, but it's still you hard. it's it still hits you hard. >> and the one thing that came to i was, know, to mind when i was, you know, watching happening and watching what was happening and listening statement and listening to kate statement and it , know, is it was like, you know, it is better loved lost better to have loved and lost and all. and never loved at all. >> she said that, >> yeah, i think she said that, didn't yeah. didn't she? yeah. >> that sums it up. so >> and that sums it up. so beautiful. um, haley palmer, thank much for coming thank you so much for coming in today watching and today. uh, you are watching and listening to gb news saturday with me. dawn neesom lots more coming up on today's show. gcse engush coming up on today's show. gcse english exams will no longer need to be handwritten under plans by one of the country's largest assessment boards is it the first step towards a fully digitised exam system and the death of handwriting? all of that and much more coming up, you're watching and listening to gb news britain's news channel depher

monday to thursdays from six till 930. >> welcome back to gb news saturday with me dawn neesom on your tv , online and on digital your tv, online and on digital radio. now here's the question are british police racist? that's what the chair of the national police chiefs council has said, gavin stephens, has called for a redesign of national policies and practices within policing to eliminate discrimination. he says two little progress has been made to reform policing amid a string of recent scandals . joining me now

recent scandals. joining me now is former metropolitan police detective peter bleksley peter. thank you so much for coming in this afternoon. always a joy to have you in the studio . peter, have you in the studio. peter, what do you make of what this what's been said? >> gavin stephens , former chief >> gavin stephens, former chief constable of surrey police, by the way, before he was elected head of the police chiefs council , head of the police chiefs council, probably should remember that in 1999, the macpherson report branded the metropolitan police institutionally racist. it's taken this senior officer. 25 years to realise that actually that might spread a bit further across british policing and there he gives this interview to there he gives this interview to the guardian and this kind of clearly indicates he's not the sharpest tool in the box. and if it's the calibre of senior police running this country and there are many others who fall way short of what we should expect, is it any surprise whatsoever that policing is in the chronic mess that it's in? >> i mean, the case report last

year hammered the point home, didn't it? and that was pegged on the horrific murder of sarah everard. i mean, does he have a point that, you know , he says we point that, you know, he says we need more black voices , needs to need more black voices, needs to design policies and procedures . design policies and procedures. and i would add to that, probably more women as well. so does he have point? i mean, does he have a point? i mean, i get macpherson those get macpherson was all those years right to years ago, but is he right to reiterate today ? reiterate it again today? >> well then what is he. >> well then what is he. >> fellow senior police >> and his fellow senior police officers been doing for the last 25 years? i'll tell you what they've been doing. they've been climbing that greasy pole of promotion abandoning promotion, abandoning the frontline , men and frontline officers, men and women, because that rough and tumbles all a bit beneath them. and they've been and along the way they've been going palaces and castles to and along the way they've been goirknighthoods! and castles to and along the way they've been goirknighthoods and castles to and along the way they've been goirknighthoods and damehoods get knighthoods and damehoods and other gongs , and look where and other gongs, and look where policing is at. >> i was going to say, how does this affect the ordinary, bobby, on the beat, the ordinary men and women that are out and women that are going out there themselves there putting themselves in danger have, you know, the danger to have, you know, the senior levels saying, well , senior levels saying, well, we're all a bit racist. >> the men and women on the

front line who are fundamentally not racing , but it makes them not racing, but it makes them disheartened. morale in policing is on the floor. and because so many actually mistake the understanding of the expression institutionally racist, what it means generally speaking, is that the organisation has a kind of sub conscious bias whereby it's systems like it's recruiting , it's training, it's recruiting, it's training, it's policies have an element of racism . it's not saying those racism. it's not saying those men and women who are rushing out to stop the stab victim from bleeding to death , who were bleeding to death, who were rolling around on the pavement with the drink and drug fuelled thugs of last night. and tonight it doesn't mean that those officers racist . it's saying officers are racist. it's saying the systems within the organisation are. >> yeah, it doesn't make the job any very tough any easier. it's a very tough job, isn't it? >> really doesn't. job, isn't it? >> yeah.lly doesn't. job, isn't it? >> yeah. uhioesn't. job, isn't it? >> yeah. uh petert. job, isn't it? >> yeah. uh peter bleksley. thank joining >> yeah. uh peter bleksley. tha peter joining >> yeah. uh peter bleksley. tha peter bleksley joining >> yeah. uh peter bleksley. tha peter bleksley formerining >> yeah. uh peter bleksley. tha peter bleksley former met us. peter bleksley former met detective . now to move detective. now we have to move on. unfortunately, we are running time. uh gcse running out of time. uh gcse engush running out of time. uh gcse english will no longer english exams will no longer need to be handwritten under

plans by one of the country's largest assessment boards. from 2025, pupils taking both english language and english literature with the exam board , edexcel with the exam board, edexcel will be allowed to type their answers . but is will be allowed to type their answers. but is this will be allowed to type their answers . but is this the first answers. but is this the first step towards an exam system where we lose all ability to handwrite , do punctuation, do handwrite, do punctuation, do grammar . any handwrite, do punctuation, do grammar. any of those handwrite, do punctuation, do grammar . any of those little grammar. any of those little important things? joining me now is former chair of examiners at a—level doctor tony breslin. uh, tony, thank you so much for joining us afternoon . now, joining us this afternoon. now, i'm luddite. i accept that i'm i'm a luddite. i accept that i'm a certain age . i'm a luddite. i accept that i'm a certain age. um, but this does worry me slightly . worry me slightly. >> i understand the worries . >> i understand the worries. >> i understand the worries. >> i understand the worries. >> i think this is more about. this isn't about a fully digitised system. it's definitely a direction of travel. and i think in my message, you know, as a former chief examiner would be if we use one method of examining , we use one method of examining, we will never reach all students. so we need multiple methods. so

that means digital is good. but that means digital is good. but that also means that there will remain a place for perhaps the classic exam hall or whatever it may be, but i think we have to recognise that the young people who will be sitting these exams are far more digitally literate than , than than many of us. um, than, than than many of us. um, and, and that actually what this will do is enable them to demonstrate their ability . as demonstrate their ability. as i have to say, i work mainly now on screen . um, and it's actually on screen. um, and it's actually made my grammar and my spelling better because every time i misspell or something or whatever, it corrects me and i learn the correction . so i don't learn the correction. so i don't think this is kind of bad news. i don't think we should be luddhe i don't think we should be luddite about it . i i don't think we should be luddite about it. i can understand and respect the motives and the examination . um, motives and the examination. um, but i do think that it's really important that what we think about here, you see, if all exams did go electronic and it's conceivable that all of a certain kind of exam might not

um, then the danger is that actually we would miss what we capture at the moment . of capture at the moment. of course, we would capture stuff we're not getting at the moment . we're not getting at the moment. it'5 we're not getting at the moment. it's also the fact , sorry, we've it's also the fact, sorry, we've got to please more than what we assess. so if handwriting isn't assessed through a gcse , that assessed through a gcse, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be doing it. in fact , we need to do doing it. in fact, we need to do more stuff that we don't do at the moment because there isn't an exam in it. you know, we should be doing the stuff that matters whether or not we formally so let's formally assess it. so let's really work at saving the art of handwriting, the art of mental arithmetic, the art of speaking and listening, and conventional pen and paper tests have never been , so we've got been good at this, so we've got to keep them on board. but i totally understand the concerns and isn't it? and it isn't it? >> i mean, obviously, i completely understand and that for dyslexic youngsters and those that have learning are , those that have learning are, um, learning issues that this will make it easier, but also so when someone is doing their exam

on a computer , i don't actually on a computer, i don't actually know what they're looking at. doesit know what they're looking at. does it make it easier to cheat? it doesn't necessarily, because there are all sorts of things electronically that can be put in place to deal with that . in place to deal with that. >> in fact, recruiters, including the department for education and ofsted use online assessment in their recruitment processes as as do many major recruiters now. and what they typically do is give you a timed assessment that you choose the time to do it. you must ensure that you're not disturbed because you will lose your time. once you've nominated your 90 minutes, that's when you do it. i've done a couple of those assessments. there are far harder than any pen and paper test. they disable cut and paste so you can't bring stuff in. you can't. i can't afford to go to the books behind me because i'd be losing the time in doing so. and so this stuff can be really effective. and of course, what it might mean. this is the exciting bit here. it might mean

that get to a point where not that we get to a point where not every does maths at 3:00 every child does maths at 3:00 on a certain thursday in june, we might get to just in time assessment where when people's and working with their teachers identify by when they're ready for the test, a bit like the driving test. imagine if we asked everybody to do the driving test on the same day. well, it would help the green agenda and get a few cars off the it wouldn't a the road, but it wouldn't be a system that's do in our system that's what we do in our schools the moment. schools at the moment. >> unfortunately, have to >> unfortunately, we have to leave doctor leave it there. that's doctor tony chair of tony breslin, former chair of examiners at a—level. thank you so joining us and good examiners at a—level. thank you so with joining us and good examiners at a—level. thank you so with trying ing us and good examiners at a—level. thank you so with trying tol us and good examiners at a—level. thank you so with trying to readind good examiners at a—level. thank you so with trying to read my good luck with trying to read my handwriting. i need help on that one now joining me now one as well. now joining me now is lovely akua, i'm is the lovely nana akua, i'm sure, who brilliant sure, who has brilliant handwriting sure, who has brilliant handw theg sure, who has brilliant handw the way, sure, who has brilliant handwthe way, i haven't >> by the way, i haven't actually, read word actually, i can't read a word of it. i write really it. i write it down really efficiently and quickly. then i think, what have i? >> have i can't, >> what have i done? i can't, what saying? say, what what am i saying? i say, what are are are you saying? well what are you your brilliant you saying in your brilliant show? that's coming up very soon? >> well, climate control, i'm very excited because we're talking climate. of talking about the climate. of course, that mp who stepped talking about the climate. of coursebutat mp who stepped

talking about the climate. of coursebutat mpthat» stepped talking about the climate. of coursebutat mpthat seatyped talking about the climate. of coursebutat mpthat seat would down, but then that seat would never available never have been available anyway. he's anyway. so i don't know why he's bothered, on bothered, but it looks bad on rishi. were discussing that rishi. we were discussing that and climate control. is and also is climate control. is climate really happening? and also is climate control. is clinlove really happening? and also is climate control. is clinlove bit really happening? and also is climate control. is clinlove bit of 'eally happening? and also is climate control. is clinlove bit of that. happening? and also is climate control. is clinlove bit of that. also ening? and also is climate control. is clinlove bit of that. also thisg? we love a bit of that. also this week monroe bergdorf, she is a trans man, a trans woman . sorry trans man, a trans woman. sorry i wrote about this in my piece in the daily mail. we're going to discussing . we're having to be discussing. we're having a little my little round table on my political with oli. political spotlights with oli. london live in the london will be live in the studio talking about it. plus we've got skinner. he's we've got thomas skinner. he's come up with this wonderful initiative help solve the initiative to help solve the knife epidemic. knife crime epidemic. he'll be live well. lots, lots of live as well. so lots, lots of great debate that i love that trans debate well. trans debate as well. >> with many women >> there's with so many women around, 50% of the around, like 50% of the population, why choose trans population, why choose the trans one? it. from me one? but that's it. from me today. tuned because today. but stay tuned because nanais today. but stay tuned because nana is up next with an absolutely cracking show. so don't go anyone you've been watching and listening to gb news today with me. dawn neesom. thank you so much for joining me. but i said, don't go me. but as i said, don't go anywhere. up next. anywhere. nana is up next. but first, have look at first, shall we have a look at the is with greg. the weather? here is with greg. thank you once again. have a lovely evening .

lovely evening. >> a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hello there! i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest gb news weather from the met office. it is looking largely dry as high pressure builds in, but we will see frost andice builds in, but we will see frost and ice and fog at night—time and ice and fog at night—time and temperatures falling well below freezing. we can see on the pressure pattern high pressure building the pressure building through the rest weekend into the rest of the weekend into the beginning next week. keen beginning of next week. keen easterly developing easterly breeze developing across southern counties later . across southern counties later. for now into the evening time. still a westerly split. cloudier skies towards eastern england . skies towards eastern england. some showers for some wintry showers for northeast a time. northeast england for a time. two rain also affecting shetland but skies elsewhere and but clearing skies elsewhere and with recent heavy rain we'll see some icy stretches developing , some icy stretches developing, particularly across the north and the west. some and fog and the west. some mist and fog patches too, temperatures patches too, as temperatures drop below freezing. just staying a little bit a bit above where keep a bit more cloud where we keep a bit more cloud into sunday morning. but a

bright start for many. cold. that fog to clear across that fog slow to clear across parts of northern ireland into scotland , but plenty of sunshine scotland, but plenty of sunshine here afternoon . most here by the afternoon. most places breeze increasing as places dry breeze increasing as we move through the afternoon across south—east england. here we see wintry we could see 1 or 2 wintry showers and also across the pennines see and the pennines we could see and the nonh pennines we could see and the north york moors we could see 1 or 2 wintry showers, temperatures on the cold side, 4 to 5 celsius for many into the beginning of next week. very cold again. frost and fog and ice to start the day. most places dry, but that easterly wind increase as we move through the day in the next few days it stays very similar. high pressure keeping it dry, but on the cold side and that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> hello, good afternoon and welcome to gv news on tv online and on digital radio. i'm nana akua and for the next few hours me and my panel will be taking on some of the big topics hitting the headlines right now, this show all about opinion. this show is all about opinion. it'5 this show is all about opinion. it's mine, it's theirs, and of course it's yours. will be debating , discussing and at debating, discussing and at times will disagree , but no times we will disagree, but no one be cancelled . so one will be cancelled. so joining me for the next hour , joining me for the next hour, broadcaster and columnist lizzie cundy.

broadcaster and columnist lizzie cundy . yes, she's back and also cundy. yes, she's back and also former labour party adviser matthew laza in just a moment we'll be discussing the national insurance tax cuts, climate control and of course munroe bergdorf because she became the un woman uk. they voted her and appointed her as a champion. really of women. uh, despite the fact that she's a man. but anyway, let's get your latest news headlines . news headlines. >> it's 3:00. good afternoon. i'm aaron armstrong in the gb newsroom. hundreds of pro—palestinian protesters have staged a sit down in central london, blocking the road in front of westminster bridge. it is part of the free palestine coalition. march as several protest groups demand a ceasefire in gaza, the police have attempted to break up the demonstration in saint james's park and have seized the group's sound equipment . more flooding sound equipment. more flooding is expected to hit parts of the midlands, lincolnshire and the river thames this weekend as the wet weather continues . the new