the health secretary acknowledges that patients are facing "completely unacceptable" delays at hospitals in england. butjeremy hunt says the nhs is not alone in dealing with growing patient numbers. it is wrong to suggest to people that these profound challenges such as the ones we face of an ageing population other ones with a silver bullet where you can solve that problem overnight. the bbc has spent the week highlighting some of the difficulties facing the nhs. we'll be speaking to our health editor about what's been uncovered. also, many areas in england and wales could face above inflation council tax rises. a us appeals court rejects president trump's attempt to re—instate a ban on travellers from seven mainly muslim countries. we have a situation where the security of our country is at stake

and it is a very, very serious situation so we look forward, as i just said, to receiving them in court. a firm of london plumbers loses legal battle over whether to give freelance plumbers the same rights as full—time staff. and england prepare to take on wales this weekend. and coming up in the sport, the russian athlete stripped of her gold medal and banned for doping. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. the health secretary, jeremy hunt, says it's "completely unacceptable" that some patients in england are waiting up to 13 hours in a&e. figures show that waiting times

in casualty units are worse than at any time in the last decade. mr hunt says he does have an improvement plan, but admits it will take time, and says there's no silver bullet. our health editor hugh pym reports. nhs england figures this winter show the worst waiting time performance ina&e the worst waiting time performance in a & e units since records began more than a decade ago. jeremy hunt paid tribute to the work of stuff but said the problems of high patient demand were not unique to the nhs and all leading health systems or grappling with the challenge. he said there was no silver bullet. i think it is wrong to suggest to people that these profound challenges such as we face with an ageing population are ones where there is a silver bullet so you can solve the problem overnight. we have a very good plan, it has the

support of the nhs and it will take time to deliver. asked about bbc coverage this week of patients enduring long waits in a & e and an elderly woman spending six months in hospital because no care place was available he said he did not want to make excuses and these problems were com pletely make excuses and these problems were completely unacceptable. make excuses and these problems were completely unacce ptable.m make excuses and these problems were completely unacceptable. it is incredibly frustrating for me, doing thisjob incredibly frustrating for me, doing this job because incredibly frustrating for me, doing thisjob because i want nhs care incredibly frustrating for me, doing this job because i want nhs care to be the safest and the best in the world, and that kind of care is com pletely world, and that kind of care is completely unacceptable, no one would want it for members of their own family. but it is happening in a hospital rated good, so happening in a hospital rated good, so what can you do about it? what you need to recognise is that overall there are positive things as well as negative things and there is huge commitment in the nhs to sort out those negative things and the particular pressure point we have is a&e. particular pressure point we have is a & e. what we need to do is find ways of treating people with complex conditions, older people with dementia, treating them at home or

in the community. and that is the big direction of change we have embarked on. there have been cuts to social care funding under your government, has that not created the problem? no. on social care the prime minister has been very clear, we recognise the precious, we know there is a problem with sustainability in the system and that needs to be addressed and we will do that. more money in the budget? that is for the chancellor and the prime minister. look at what the prime

minister. look at what the prime minister said this week, this is an area where there is pressure and we need a long—term sustainable solution and not a quick fix. although labour has accused the government of losing control of the nhs this winter, patients paying the price as targets missed. sir robert francis who headed the staf fordshire inquiries as the nhs is in an existential crisis and pressures continued there could be a repeat of the mid staffordshire care on the nhs and even the health secretary says there are some unacceptable problems. your assessment of what we have learned? on one level, rita, we have learned? on one level, rita, we have learned? on one level, rita, we have learned from images we showed of patients in hugh is with me now. we have spent the week reporting on the nhs and even the health secretary says there are some unacceptable problems. your assessment of what we have learned? on one level, rita, we have learned from images we showed of patients happening because of the real difficulties hospital says even with staff working flat out. the other thing we have had this week ‘s important data. we learned yesterday that it was the worst waiting for hours, mothers sitting on floors with babies, in some hospitals there isa with babies, in some hospitals there is a strain which the health secretary has admitted is quite unacceptable. i suspect blackburn is not alone. we've had a lot of reports from around the country of this kind of thing happening because

of the real difficulties hospital says eve n of the real difficulties hospital says even with staff working flat out. the other thing we have had this week is important data. we learned yesterday that it was the worst a & e england hospitals since records began in 200a. a leaked document revealed to the bbc that january would be even worse. today we've learned that the number of operations cancelled by nhs england at the last minute, a very traumatic experience for patients, was at a high last year. so the performance figures show that the nhs is really struggling at the moment. there's a debate that's also been going on, we've had figures on the institute for fiscal studies suggesting that although nhs spending has gone up in britain it will tail england hospitals since records began in 2004. a hospitals since records began in 200a. a leaked document revealed to the bbc that january would be even worse. today we've learned that the number of operations cancelled by nhs england at the last minute, a very traumatic experience for patients, was at a high last year. so the performance figures show that the nhs is really struggling at the moment. there's a debate that's also been going on, moment. there's a debate that's also been oin on we've moment. there's a debate that's also been going on, we've had figures from the institute for fiscal studies suggesting that although nhs spending has gone up in britain it will so there's a lot of pressure on the government to put more money

into health, and accusations it has been underfunded in england, equally it could be more efficient, more needs to be done with the resources that have been pledged. the debate goes on. is there likely to be more money? you had jeremy hunt say they are looking hard at social care because the problem in england is that the funding has been cut over the last seven years, even as nhs funding has gone so that house if you like head back on the nhs because of shortcomings in social care. he made it clear work was going on. when i ask about the budget he said it was up to the chancellor and prime minister. in other words he's making his pitch to say to downing street that this needs urgent attention. i think work is going on there, what happens in the budget, will have to wait and see. hugh, thank you can see all the you can see all the a federal appeals court in the united states has refused to reinstate donald trump's ban on travellers from seven mainly muslim countries. the controversial immigration reform was suspended last week, when a judge in seattle issued a temporary order. but the president appears determined to continue the legal battle, saying on twitter: "see you in court. "the security of our nation is at stake!". david willis reports. 0d the office upon which i'm about to enter...

as his controversial pick for attorney general was sworn in, donald trump hailed a new era ofjustice in america. former senatorjeff sessions, now the us‘ top law enforcement officer, may have his work cut out. i'm establishing new vetting measures to keep radical islamic terrorists out of the united states of america. we don't want them here. donald trump's sudden ban on visitors from seven mainly muslim nations caused chaos at airports and sparked protests across the us. then, last week, a districtjudge in seattle granted a stay, and now a san francisco—based appeals court has backed that stay, citing, amongst other things, the fact that nobody from those seven nations has actually carried out an attack on the us. the decision infuriated donald trump. "see you in court," he wrote, "the security of our nation is at stake!" prompting the leader of one of the states leading the court challenge,

washington governorjay inslee, to reply, "mr president, we just saw you in court, and we beat you." the president is nonetheless convinced he will win. it's a political decision, we're going to see them in court and i look forward to doing it. so you believe the judge has made... we have a situation where the security of our country is at stake, and it's a very, very serious situation so i look forward, as ijust said, to seeing them in court. we are a nation of laws, and as i've said, as we have said, from day one, those laws apply to everybody in our country. and that includes the president of the united states. an appeal to the highest court in the land, the us supreme court, now seems likely. but that could put the decision in the hands of a court that's currently evenly divided, and a tied decision would leave the lower court's ruling in place. mr trump maintains his ban is necessary in order to protect

the us from the threat of terrorism, but it may yet be proven unconstitutional. and, until he has his day in court, refugees from around the world and citizens of those seven muslim nations can continue to come into this country. david willis, bbc news, washington. on the bbc say a man and a woman have died in a house fire in the south of the city, firefighters were called there at 2:30am police in manchester say a man and a woman have died in a house fire in the south of the city, firefighters were called at 2:30 the children aged between ten and i7 called at 2:30 the children aged between ten and 17 are being treated for injuries, another man is in a serious condition, police ‘s handling of the arrival of unaccompanied child refugees from an investigation to establish the cause of the blaze. campaigners are at the

high court to challenge the government ‘s handling of the arrival of unaccompanied child refugees from scheme. council tax rises could hit many households in england and wales according to new research. the local government information unit says that 94% of council leaders and senior officials questioned said they would be forced to put up taxes and increase charging for services. some households will face rises of up to five—percent, well above inflation. our correspondent judith moritz reports. from rubbish collections to road resurfacing, local councils are responsible for the nitty—gritty of community life. the pressure their finances are under is well known is that it finances are under is well known is thatitis finances are under is well known is that it is not surprising that the majority of them want to take measures to bring in more money. but now some councils are warning that things are so desperate, they simply cannot make ends meet. we are really

ata cannot make ends meet. we are really at a crisis point now. councils have already cut all the mice to have things and they are down to the bare bones, the statutory services they have to deliver, adult social care, looking after elderly people, protecting vulnerable people, keeping the streets clean, collecting referees. there is a real chance in the next two to three yea rs we chance in the next two to three years we will see councils not able to meet those obligations and that would be a tragedy for the communities they serve. survey of local councils in england and wales was carried out, 131 responded, 94% of them say they will be forced to increase council tax by more than 1.596 increase council tax by more than i.5% next year. 42% say the cuts they make will be evident to the public and 80% say they will add an extra charge for social care. in salford the authority is considering raising mixu's council tax together with its charge for social care by a

total of just with its charge for social care by a total ofjust under 5%. lisa stone has been a salford councillorfor six years and says it is becoming impossible to balance the books. we we re impossible to balance the books. we were able to freeze council tax for six years but we had to put it up last year and will be looking to put it up again this year unfortunately. do you remember things being as bad? no, this is the worst it's ever been because every year you have to make more cuts on top of those you've made in previous years. five councils, not named, planned to go to the polls to increase bills significantly but have decided not to after a 15% rise was co ntroversially to after a 15% rise was controversially dropped by surrey council this week. but all of the councils surveyed had one thing in

c0 councils surveyed had one thing in co not one of them said that it was able to reduce council not one of them said that it was able to reduce the time isi:14.. our top story this lunchtime. next year. —— one thing in are facing an health secretaryjeremy hunt acknowledges that hospitals are facing we look forward to another weekend of fierce but friendly rivalry in the six nations tournament in rugby union treasures. and in the sport, in cardiff as we look forward to another weekend of fierce but friendly rivalry in the six nations tournament in rugby union. one change to the side that beat ireland as one change to the side that beat none of the uk's fleet of attack submarines is currently deployed on operations. seven nuclear—powered vessels, including three new astute—class submarines, which cost more than £1 billion each, and four trafalgar—class boats are all currently classed as non—operational. normally at least one of these boats is deployed. a royal navy spokesman said they wouldn't comment on specific submarine operations.

our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. they're known as hunter killers, the attack submarines armed with torpedoes and cruise missiles that the royal navy uses to project force anywhere in the world. normally, at least one is always at sea on active duty, but it's now emerged that none is currently deployed on operations. if none of them are operational, it is very serious. the submarines are needed for our security vis—a—vis russia, who at the moment is sabre rattling. they are good to ease tension because they are so capable, and the russians know that, and they can give us indicators and warnings. they are very important in the middle east, around around the persian gulf and areas like that. their intelligence capability is quite amazing. there are currently seven royal navy attack submarines in service, all nuclear powered. four are ageing trafalgar—class boats

that were designed in the 1980s. they are to be withdrawn from service from next year. the other three, the astute class, are the navy's latest attack submarines. four more are due to enter service by 202a. the bbc understands that the navy's struggling to maintain the trafalgar submarines, and the bigger astute class have suffered teething problems. one submarine has been repaired after colliding with a merchant vessel off gibraltar last year. and hms astute is understood to be at sea, but only to conduct trials after being repaired. the ministry of defence said it would not comment on specific submarine operations, but said the royal navy continues to meet all of its operational tasking, deploying globally on operations, and protecting our national interests. an mod source insisted that there were attack submarines that were operationally capable and ready, but where they might be was clearly sensitive operational information that the mod would not comment on. but not having one on active operations will raise fresh questions about the effectiveness

of britain's naval fleet. james landale, bbc news. scottishpower has become the latest of the big six energy companies to raise its prices. it is increasing the price of electricity by 11% and gas by nearly 5%. british gas has said it is freezing prices until august. simon gumpert is here with me now. last week, we had npower raising its prices, now this. what is going on? people would say competition is going on. on the one hand, you have scottishpower raising prices for more than i million customers, so bad news for them. on the other hand, you have british gas extending its price freeze, which was supposed to be over the winter, up was supposed to be over the winter, up until march, and it has been extended until august, benefiting 5

million customers, a lot of whom had been worried about speculation in the press of a very significant increase in the standard tariff. this affects the standard tariffs, which tend to move up and down, not the millions of customers on fixed—rate tariffs, who continue with what they have. what is going on in the background,? they have said that their costs work—out slightly higher, so they may have more wriggle room. there is always pressure on british gas, because it is the biggest player and there result was an outcry when it moves, so maybe that is why it has held back. maybe it has been better at securing future stocks of gas. they might have done well on that score. in any case, it is a relief to british gas customers. there is still -- british gas customers. there is still —— there are still, though, some suppliers who have not announced what they are going to do. what can we expect from them? there

are six bigger suppliers. npower last week said it would bring in a big price increase. edf has said electricity will go up next month, and now we have scottishpower. the other three, british gas says it will be frozen until august, but aeon and sse have also had a price freeze in place over the winter. what about them ? freeze in place over the winter. what about them? we wait to hear. sse tell me that there are price freeze will be in place until at least april. at least — maybe a little bit of hope there for its customers. simon, thank you. the london firm pimlico plumbers has lost its challenge over the employment status of a former worker. the court of appeal upheld the ruling that it has to offer workers, hired on an ad—hoc basis, the same holiday and pensions rights as full—time staff. the head of the company had said the employee involved had wanted to "have his cake and eat it." our industry correspondent, john moylan, reports. is pimlico plumbers is one of

london's best—known firms. it is claimed that plumbers here can earn more than £100,000 a year, but they are all self—employed, so they don't have the raw it's —— the rights enjoyed by employees. when gary smith went to a tribunal, it found that his employment status was the same as that of a worker. he was classed as a worker because he provided a personal service to pimlico plumbers. they controlled him. he had to wear the uniform, to drive theirfan, and he was him. he had to wear the uniform, to drive their fan, and he was tightly controlled by pimlico plumbers. self—employment has soared in recent yea rs, self—employment has soared in recent years, with many peoplejuggling several insecure jobs, what some call the gig economy. tribunal ‘s have ruled against high—profile businesses, including uber and city

sprint. the government has launched a review of modern working practices. the founder of pimlico plumbers said that mr smith wanted to have his cake and eat it. this is an historic case. this was a contract an historic case. this was a co ntra ct we an historic case. this was a contract we had with gary six years ago, ona contract we had with gary six years ago, on a self—employed basis, absolute by england revenue, —— the inland revenue and employment lawyers. he had the benefit of being self—employed. six years down the line, you had a heart attack and wa nted line, you had a heart attack and wanted the benefits of being an employee. this is the highest court yet to tackle this complicated issue of employment status, but it will not be the last. there are a number of cases pending and more about to be launched, which looks set to challenge firms over how they treat people in the so—called gig economy. john moylan, bbc news. hundreds of wales had beached

themselves in new zealand. they ended up high and dried as the tired fell —— whales. a warning — some viewers might find images in this storing district —— in this story distressing. a tragedy rarely seen on such an enormous scale new zealand's shores. hundreds of volu nteers zealand's shores. hundreds of volunteers poured water on the survivors while waiting for the high tide. this large part of pilot whales washed ashour. rescuers were forced to put their efforts of until friday morning, but by then, almost three quarters of the pod had already died. this is the largest mass grounding we have recorded. logistically, it is a massive undertaking. of the more than 400

whales that beached themselves, now just over 100 are alive. some had successfully refloated on the high tide, but most were quickly stuck again as the tide ebbed. many hands still don't make light work. the huge task is far from over. there are people from all over the world have heard about this. we brought three hitchhikers over who said they wa nted three hitchhikers over who said they wanted to come and do anything they could. it is good. it is fine, it is good to be here to help. it is the largest whale stranding since 1985, when 350 were stranded in auckland. wales also —— whales often get stranded here. volunteers will continue to work through the night, keeping the surviving whales as co mforta ble keeping the surviving whales as comfortable as possible before another attempt to refloat them

tomorrow. it's another weekend of fierce rivalry, intense pressure and big expectations in the six nations tournament. england take on wales tomorrow, and if england win, they will be just three games away from breaking the world record for the most unbeaten test matches — a title currently held by new zealand. italy take on ireland, and scotland play france on sunday. our sports correspondent, joe wilson, reports. the prospect is enough to warm the cold est of the prospect is enough to warm the coldest of weekends. both teams won their opening matches in asia's tournament, neither at their best. england in particular know they need to improve a great deal after scraping past brands. they have won their last 15 matches, so why would they be nervous about this game? i think, quite simply, because we are in cardiff. english rugby players were making thisjourney long before the bridge, and losing.

their coach wondered this week why england have seemed petrified by cardiff. ah, history... 2013 has a lot to do with it, when a buoyant england team sank here, conceding 30 points. the current coach says it's just another city. the beer tastes the same as home. yes, but in cardiff, it's named after the welsh captain — alun wynjones, you see. the game does mean a lot to a lot of people. we are able to share that, and hopefully we can share it in a positive manner. we are very fortunate to have a stadium that is suitable and adds to the occasion. cardiff stage—manages sensationally — lights, fire, music. england's eddie jones suggests he is preparing for what he calls shenanigans. what are the shenanigans you are prepared for? oh, i don't know, but they are a cunning lot, the welsh, aren't

they? they always have been. they've got goats, daffodils, they got everything. who knows? mischievous, friendly rivalry, that's what the six nations should be about. it is an outlet for passion, and that's exactly why england have decided that here in cardiff, the roof should be open for the game. allowing all that welsh noise to escape into the sky. everyone in professional sport is trying to find an edge. that's gareth southgate at england training this week, as in the england football manager. was that handball? fresh ideas are always being sought in sport. fresh faces too, like england fly—half george ford. he took a break from training this week to tell me he doesn't fear wales. i think, as a player, if you learn to embrace it, and learn to be excited about it, i think that's the best way to approach it. you look back on it in a few

years or whenever, if you look back and feel you didn't enjoy it, you'll probably regret that. yes, look to the future. after their scintillating victory over ireland last weekend, scotland suddenly look like the team to beat in the six nations. france away for them on sunday. daunting? paris is just another city. joe wilson, bbc news. after that defeat in it before ireland, they are under pressure to win tomorrow against italy. you wouldn't expect them to lose again, but if it were predictable, it wouldn't be the six nations. russian ahtlete mariya savinova, who won the olympic 800 metres title at london 2012, has been found guilty of doping by the court of arbitration for sport. savinova will now be stripped of all her titles won between 2010 and 2013, including her olympic gold. caster semenya, who finished second in 2012, and british athlete

jenny meadowsm, who finished in bronze behind savinova at the 2010 european championships, both stand to have their medals upgraded. the hollywood film star george clooney and his wife amal are expecting twins, with reports suggesting that they are due this june. the news was confirmed by clooney‘s fellow actor and close friend matt damon, who said he was "thrilled for the pair" and that they were going to be "awesome parents." david sillito reports. congratulations are in order for george and amal loony. the news was broken by entertainment tonight. george and amal loony. the news was broken by entertainment tonightm has been confirmed that the 55—year—old superstar and his very accomplished attorney wife are expecting twins. at 55, george clooney has hung back a bit before taking on fatherhood, but his good friend matt damon has no doubts about how to did he will be to his new role. he's a good man,

incredibly smart. he is a loving, funny guy. he is married to a spectacular woman, who is going to be an amazing mother. and you know, you know, again, those kids are just incredibly lucky. they are going to be... they are all going to be fine. george clooney‘s marries just over two years ago finally took him off the list of hollywood's most eligible bachelors. and today's news has brought congratulations. in a little echo beyonce's famous photo posted to announce that she was expecting twins, ellen degeneres posted this version of the famous picture. amal loony, a human rights lawyer, has worked on cases including julian assange wikileaks and the campaign to return the elgin marbles to greece. she's also the

president of the cluny foundation forjustice. her twins are expected injune. forjustice. her twins are expected in june. the demands forjustice. her twins are expected injune. the demands and pressures of raising a family now to add to her and her husband's already full public life. time for a look at the weather. here's stav da naos. it isa it is a bleak picture for most of us, lots of damp and dismal weather. good spells of sunshine in scotland. speckled wintry showers coming in in the afternoon and into the evening. this picture captures everything. wintry showers of rain, sleet and snow over eastern areas, the best of