president trump is saying a government shutdown is a realistic possibility, blaming the democrats. we will be live in our newsroom in washington. britain and france have signed a new treaty to boost border security and tackle the migrant issue. the further investment we have agreed today but make the uk's borders even more secure. deadly storms cause widespread destruction gci’oss storms cause widespread destruction across europe. unplug francis has performed the wedding ceremony during a flight over chile. we will hear from during a flight over chile. we will hearfrom one person was on board. —— and pope francis has performed. . .. the deadline to avoid a us government shutdown is midnight on friday night. that means that all nonessential federal employees don't report to work. it does happen, the last one being in 2013. here is

donald trump talking about the prospect earlier. if the country shuts down, which could very well be, the budget should be handled a lot differently than it has been over the last long period of time, many years. but if for any reason it shuts down, the worst thing is what happens to our military. we are rebuilding the military, bringing it toa rebuilding the military, bringing it to a level that has never been at. and the worst thing is for our military, we don't want that to happen. anthony joins us live washington. what are the main obstacles between where we are in the funding being released? we're looking at a short—term deal to extend funding into the middle of february. that has to pass the house of representatives and the senate, and the house republicans can do it pretty much by themselves because they have a simple majority. in the senate, it will take democratic help, or at least a handful of

democrats not outright blocking it from passage. the bill we are looking at now is combining basic funding with funding for children's health care, which is something republicans and democrats both like. the republicans see that as a sweetener to win over a few democrats, and suspension of a couple of health care taxes. the panther republicans would be to pass this in the house and then jammed the senate democrats into either choosing to vote for this and pass it or block it because they want immigration stuff thrown in. that could be a difficult position for them. complicating things is the fa ct them. complicating things is the fact that donald trump has been tweeting things that undermine their health care portion of that legislation, and generally not being particularly clear about what he wa nts particularly clear about what he wants in an immigration deal. the plan seems straightforward. donald trump is complicating it ever. plan seems straightforward. donald trump is complicating it evenm plan seems straightforward. donald trump is complicating it ever. if it we re trump is complicating it ever. if it were to happen, is donald trump exaggerating the impact it could have the military? the military

stays funded and soldiers will do their work at home and abroad. where donald trump i think donald trump is talking about this harming the military, some of the civilian support workers may be temporarily furloughed. the hawks want a significant increase in military spending, and if they don't get that, donald trump says it could hurt the growth of the military. the democrats want an increase in social spending in addition to military spending. they want to see it on a par, whereas republicans just spending. they want to see it on a par, whereas republicansjust want an increase in military spending. 0ne an increase in military spending. one other thing — donald trump's wall is back in the news, the ball he intends to build on the border with mexico. listen to chief of staffjohn kelly on fox news. with mexico. listen to chief of staffjohn kelly on fox news. he has adjusted the way he has looked at

the south asia strategy, afghanistan. he has definitely changed his attitude to the docker issue and even the wall. he has involved the way years looking at things. this president is very flexible in terms of what is within the realm of the possible. this is bbc news. the prime minister and president macron sign a new treaty on border security. that it will also speed up the process that allows migrants to move from france to the uk. the prime minister paid tribute to the strong and deep relationship between the two countries. president macron and i have confirmed that the uk and france adhere to the le touquet

agreement. we have agreed measures that will work in the best interests of france and the uk, increasing the effectiveness of our cooperation. we will reinforce the security structure with extra cctv, fencing and infrared technology at calais and infrared technology at calais and other border points. in 2016, more than 56,000 attempts by clandestines to cross the channel we re clandestines to cross the channel were stopped. the further investment were stopped. the further investment we have agreed today will make the uk's borders even more secure. president macron said that the current situation in calais was not satisfactory for anyone, and today's agreement — dubbed the sandhurst treaty — would fulfil his vow that there would be no more migrants left there after brexit. translation: the treaty will enable us, for all people who want to cross the channel, for all of them to

strongly reduce the time frame from six months to one month for adults, and six months to 25 days for children. for the children who have a family member in the uk, it is to make sure that they are treated humanely and immoral efficient manner. “— humanely and immoral efficient manner. —— and in a more efficient manner. —— and in a more efficient manner. there are also some vulnerable children or miners who are not covered by dublin, and we also want to deal with them. it is a commitment i have made vis—a—vis the local representatives and charities, andl local representatives and charities, and i think this agreement will enable us both to have a more humane approach for these people, to be more efficient, but also to preserve the quality of ourjoint treaty, and also the economic aspect of this

border, because like you said, on both sides of the border, we want to continue to develop trade, economic contact. continue to develop trade, economic co nta ct. we continue to develop trade, economic contact. we have businesses on both sides, and to that effect, we need very safe borders. we shall put an end to this situation we have been facing for a number of years. meanwhile, the labour peer lord dubs — who has long campaigned for unaccompanied migrant children to be allowed in the uk has welcomed the signing of the french—angelo agreement i think, ithink, in i think, in the short term, getting children over here who are freezing in the bitter cold can only be a good thing. in the fullness of time, the government are arbitrarily trying to keep the numbers down. i think that is not a good thing because there are every vulnerable children in france and in greece, there are very vulnerable children. we should not take them all we

should our part. what would you be looking for from president macron and prime minister may?|j looking for from president macron and prime minister may? i would like the british government not to limit the british government not to limit the numbers coming under my amendments to the 480, of whom about 220 have come so far. i think they should bring them in at the same speed that local authorities are able to provide foster places. 0ur political correspondent leila nathoo is at westminster. were there any surprises from this conference? i think plenty of warm words. this is about trying to show the closeness of the relationship between britain and france, and the idea that that close relationship will be maintained come what may in the brexit negotiations, and when brittany venture willie leaves the eu. the lots of phrases like theresa may using the term steadfast allies, strong and deep relationship. president macron talking about

weaving a new tapestry, a reference to the bayeux tapestry coming to britain. lots of talk about shared cooperation on energy, on cultural exchange, security and defence matters, and on the border, as we have been hearing. this was really about setting the stage and laying the ground work, if you like, for a very close relationship between britain and france after brexit. as you say, it was about the bilateral relationship in its main part, but how much did brexit feature in their discussions? it wasn't officially on the agenda, although of course it is the agenda, although of course it is the backdrop to everything. theresa may has been keen throughout the process so may has been keen throughout the process so far to meet individual european leaders in other scenarios, at other summits and visits, alongside the process that is taking place, the official negotiations,

and through the institutions in brussels. there is obviously that backdrop to everything, but i think that there is... it wasn't on the order paperfor the that there is... it wasn't on the order paper for the discussions, but president macron was asked in the question and answer session after that press conference about whether there would be preferable access for there would be preferable access for the uk financial services industry into the european single market after brexit, or whether that would be entertained in the negotiations, and he had some pretty strong words. translation: i want to make sure that the single market is preserved, because that is very much at the heart of the european union, so the choice is on the british side, not my side, but there can be no differentiated access to the financial services. if you want access to the single market, including the financial services, be my guest, but it means that you need to contribute to the budget and acknowledge the european

jurisdiction. interesting, that phrase, be my guest. straight talking to say that if you want access to the single market, you have to sign up all the rules and everything else that entails, which theresa may has explicitly ruled out. there are fears in the financial services industry about how that sector could be affected, losing its access to european markets, and president macron rolling out, in line with the position of other european leaders, there will be no such bespoke deal for the financial services sector during these negotiations. you got a little flavour there after—the—fact is that the sticking points in the brexit talks are always underlying any of these bilateral meetings. actually, today was much more about the optics of a big welcome, an almost stately welcomer at sandhurst for president macron, to encourage this relationship and talk about how

important it will be after britain leaves the eu, but brexit is never far away, of course. many thanks. severe gales have caused disruption across the uk, with gusts of up to 80 mph. homes have been without power for 80 mph. homes have been without powerfor much of 80 mph. homes have been without power for much of the daily in east anglia. the high winds brought down trees and power cables, blocking railway lines and roads. a warning of what was to come. the vital cargo link with the channel islands ploughing through gales and high seas as the latest weather system barrelled in. ahead injersey, mountainous seas breaking over the island's lighthouse, and more alerts warning of coastal flooding. in england, the wind howled through the night, with gusts of more than 80 mph recorded in east anglia. communities have been warned to expect disruption, if anything it was even more widespread than had been expected. this is the main rail line

between ipswich and norwich. trees brought down power lines and blocked sections of track causing major disruption. at norwich station, trains were still going nowhere by mid—morning. in ipswich, frustrated travellers moved to buses or simply went home. we were going to get the 11 o'clock from liverpool street, it didn't run so here we are. it's tiresome but it happens. along a series of major routes, including the m25, the traffic ground to hold for mile after mile. damage to buildings and to woodland was also extensive. this pub near clacton in essex lost most its roof. in county after county, local authorities were at full stretch as they tried to clear trees and other hazards from roads and pavements. trees which all too often left families and businesses without

power. more than 100,000 in the midlands and east anglia. through last night and today, these repair crews have been moving from call to call. in the east of england alone, there are 300 of them at work and by the time tomorrow morning dawns it will have covered around 900 locations. this call centre in ipswich brought in extra staff to deal with the rising number of lines down. first light this morning when the winds hit, we were out there. as soon as it's safe to climb we were climbing, putting those wires back up. in the north of england and in scotland, more snow to compound the difficulties on transport links. these pictures filmed in northumberland were typical, as police again warned drivers not to use the roads unless it was absolutely necessary. the gales may have left us again, but winter has us in a firm and often beautiful grip. the uk is seeing its worst flu season for seven years, according

to latest official figures. in england, the number of people going to their gp with a suspected case has gone up by 42 percent in the past week. flu rates across the england have risen by more than 150% in this month alone. wales, scotland and northern ireland also saw increases. joining me now is dr derek gatherer, a virologist at lancaster university, who can help explain the flu figures. thanks forjoining us. good evening. 0ur correspondent was saying that scotla nd 0ur correspondent was saying that scotland has been particularly badly affected by this. why is that? we don't really know why the flu has these seasonal patterns. i think there is a nobel prize waiting for

someone there is a nobel prize waiting for someone who can crack why it has these sudden northward surges in the winter and southward surges in the summer. winter and southward surges in the summer. the good news from scotland todayis summer. the good news from scotland today is that they have only had a six a 6% increase week on week. hopefully that means that the same will happen in the rest of the uk in a couple of weeks. the complicating factor is that the strain that has been causing problems in scotland is the so—called aussie flu, which is not the one causing problems in the rest of the uk. whether the two strains will head in opposite directions, we don't really know, but that makes prediction a little harder than it would be if it were just one strain for the whole of the uk. but this into a bit of context the rise — how bad is this winter

for flu was the rise — how bad is this winter forflu was mike the rise — how bad is this winter for flu was mike ready for times worse than an average winter, and twice as bad as 2014—15, the most recent official bad winter. nevertheless, it is still less than half as bad as the pandemic of 2009 and the subsequent two winters of 2010 and 2011. we still have a bit of ground to cover before it comes as bad as that, and the likelihood is it won't get quite that bad. things in england and wales may certainly have to get a little worse before they get better, but i doubt whether we will see the same levels that we saw ten years ago. is it too late from people do get a flu jab to prevent this? absolutely not. getting vaccinated is a really important way that people can help to blunt the effect of the outbreak. high street pharmacies are stalking the vaccine that is most recommended for this year's strains. it can be had for about £12. the chief medical

officer today announced that gps would be allowed to prescribe anti—influenza drugs that you had to previously be in hospital before you would receive. the other good thing is that the vast majority of the strains circulating at the moment are susceptible to the anti—viral, so we are susceptible to the anti—viral, so we don't have any problem with drug resistance at the moment, and getting people anti—virals in the gp's surgery will mean there are fewer people admitted to hospital.|j suppose the one other prevention m essa 9 es suppose the one other prevention messages the common—sense one, to wash your hands. absolutely. while you're in the high street pharmacy getting your flu vaccine, you could getting your flu vaccine, you could get some wet wipes and hand gel. simple measures like that, making sure your hands are clean before eating, not putting your hands in your mouth or nose and so on, these of what really reduce your risk of contracting flu. doctor derek

gatherer, thanks for joining contracting flu. doctor derek gatherer, thanks forjoining and is. ——joining gatherer, thanks forjoining and is. —— joining us. in wales, dozens of senior doctors have written to the welsh government saying that patient safety is being put at risk to an unacceptable degree. they said planning for a winter crisis had been inadequate , and the nhs in wales is "chronically under—resourced". here's our wales correspondent sian lloyd. we've heard of emergency units across the uk in crisis but today doctors in wales raised their concerns about the system here. a letter signed by more than three quarters of all welsh consultants in emergency medicine warned the first minister that patient safety is being compromised. there is good evidence that in a crowded emergency department that patients have their treatment delayed and that can make their illness more protracted and ultimately it can make people's lives be at risk. so, yes, people may die because of the pressures that we are facing. she had to wait three or four hours for the ambulance. then she had to sit outside accident and emergency in the ambulance. then she got transferred to a trolley in a corridor. 82—year—old joan is now being cared for in hospital but her daughter

trisha is horrified at the 13 hours it took for her mother to be treated. as a patient, especially in south wales, you almost come to expect it. you know that once the winter comes, you know that if anything happens that you need an ambulance, get comfortable in the ambulance because that is where you are going to be staying for the next couple of hours. resus is full. trolley bays are full. the team at this hospital in swansea is trying to come up with new ways of dealing with busy times. many of those packed into this room have volunteered to leave their desk jobs tojoin medical staff on the front line. donna is one of them. a personal assistant with the health board, she is now working to speed up the flow of patients through the hospital. i'll come down onto the ward, get the beds‘ state, see how many beds we have got, have we got any discharges due, or potential discharges for the various times of the day. and if there is any delay in those

discharges then i can chase that up. the scheme is having some success but the nhs in wales is facing many challenges. the latest figures show that in december less than 80% of a&e patients in wales were admitted or discharged within four hours. that is way below the welsh government's 95% target, and worse than a year ago. the welsh government says that this december was the busiest on record. it recognises the challenges faced by staff and says it has invested an extra £60 million to help people working in emergency units like this one deliver their services. we are better prepared than ever before, but there are real risks in where we go. spikes in demand, unavoidable pressures, but also unplanned for pressures, and we have seen some of those. politicians and doctors recognise that this problem isn't going away any time soon. in fact it is feared that patients could wait even longer unless there is a revolution in the way that health and social care is delivered.

sport now, and for a full round up, let's go to the bbc sport centre. good evening. ronnie o'sullivan says he is glad to be out of snooker‘s masters tournament. he had been struggling with illness and was knocked out that the quarterfinal stage by mark allen. o'sullivan lost by 6—1 before revealing he was suffering with dizzy spells and double vision. mark allen will play eitherjohn higgins ryan day in the final, and was delighted with his win over the defending champion. any win over the defending champion. any win against ronnie is big. i am a realist in that. he is the benchmark of our game. realist in that. he is the benchmark of ourgame. i realist in that. he is the benchmark of our game. i am very happy. i scored really well up to 4—1. of our game. i am very happy. i scored really well up to 4-1. from my perspective, i'm pretty glad. if

i had got through that and come back fred game on saturday, it is not much fun when you're out there feeling physically unwell. you want to do yourselfjustice. these are live pictures. you can follow this match via the red button or on the bbc sport website. it is wilson with the advantage, 2—0 up in frames. the mind games have already started ahead of the six nations, with england head coach eddiejones saying the irish team rather than his own are the favourites to take the title. a number of injuries and suspensions for several senior england players has led jones to name eight uncapped rookies for his squad. england are going for a third straight six nations title, but with a new look team, jones said it is

ireland applause —— ireland's toulouse. they are dominating european rugby at the moment. —— ireland's to lose. they have their players in fantastic condition. i'll don't know why the other teams would bother turning up, but we will get an there and compete. asim wenger says a deal to take alexis sanchez to manchester united is likely to happen. he has also expressed an interest in henrikh mkhitaryanjoining expressed an interest in henrikh mkhitaryan joining the gunners as pa rt mkhitaryan joining the gunners as part of the deal. i have worked on tra nsfers for part of the deal. i have worked on transfers for 30 years, so it is likely to happen. but any moment, any minute, things can break down. that's how the transfer market is. as long as it's not over the line, we have to accept that it can, as well, not happen. these kind of

things are never guaranteed. this would be an exchange of players, and i think one would replace the other. are we still on the transfer after that? yes. andy carroll is likely to be up through at least a month after injuring his ankle. he has only made one appearance from the subs bench since the 2nd of january. the one appearance from the subs bench since the 2nd ofjanuary. the injury is likely to end any hope the 29—year—old has of moving during the tra nsfer 29—year—old has of moving during the transfer window, after he was linked with the switch to chelsea. johanna konta insisted there were positives to take from her exit in the second round of the australian open. she struggled with a very hot conditions in melbourne, losing 6—4, 7-5, conditions in melbourne, losing 6—4, 7—5, and ends britain's interest in the women's draw. it's a bit frustrating, but also i think i'm

still taking good stuff from this. i'm not... i don't feel... by any means like it is a massive catastrophe. obviously, i play every event to be there till the end, so i definitely don't want to be going home this early. kyle edmund is the only brit left in the australian open. that's all the spot for now, more in sportsday at 10:30pm. parents in england are subsidising free nursery care because it hasn't been properly funded by the government — that's according to a new survey. many nurseries say they're struggling to cover costs, and are having to ask parents to help for fees, nappies and lunches. the government says it's investing 6 billion pounds in childcare by 2020. our education correspondent elaine dunkley has the details. for 21 years, anchors nursery school has been eve wort‘s life. coming in here now, empty, cold and quiet is very, very painful. eve knew she would be unable to deliver the government scheme

of 30 hours of childcare free to parents without cutting corners so she decided to close. my costs are £6.50 and the government are giving me £4.36. somehow i've got to make that difference and so no, no, it wouldn't have worked. it would have just been one massive struggle. in order to pay redundancies, we had to close before we ran out of cash. others fear the same fate. at the sparkling stars preschool in poole, the numbers don't add up. costs are going up and the future is uncertain. the only person this policy is free to is the government. it's not free to providers, we are subsidising this policy. it's not free to parents or their children because we are having to ask for additional contributions to cover parts of what we offer that the funding does not cover. before the scheme was introduced, the high cost of childcare meant some parents were worse off

going back to work, but with some nurseries struggling to offer 30 hours a week, parents are being asked to pick up additional costs. having the 30 hours gives me the security to work more. but obviously if they can't sustain it, that is concerning. when they go to bigger schools, we are not asked to make donations and things there. it is costly for a working family when you look at a minimum wage and what they earn, then take off that cost to the nursery. a report from the pre—school learning alliance suggests only 35% of childcare providers are delivering 30 hours per week completely free. 37% have introduced or increased charges for things such as meals and snacks to make up the shortfall. and 38% of providers are uncertain whether or not they will be offering 30—hour places in a year's time. what will happen is providers will struggle and struggle to try and make this work, they will have to review how they do things and have to make a decision. either fees will go up for those parents who don't qualify for the 30 hours and they will cross subsidise

it, or they will have to close their doors. the government insists the additional hours are working for parents but nurseries say they are going out of business. elaine dunkley, bbc news. let's get more insight into this story and how theses changes are affecting business on the ground. helen gration owns three nurseries in york and and leeds. she joins us via webcam from york. are you having to ask parents to chip in? yes, we have been clearer all the way through. we did the pilot here in york before it was rolled out nationally. we have extensive dialogue with all of our pa rents, extensive dialogue with all of our parents, explained our cost and outgoings, and how much we would be getting as the funded hour. we don't call it free, we call it funded. and there was great understanding as to there was great understanding as to the quality that we wanted to maintain, and that is at the core of

this. we must remember, we have to maintain quality so that children have the best experience they can in early years. it is interesting that you don't call it free. perhaps that is where the controversy has arisen -it is where the controversy has arisen —itis is where the controversy has arisen — it is being called free childcare. where is the shortfall you're asking pa rents to where is the shortfall you're asking parents to make up? we're looking at £1 per hour between what we are paid by the local authority and what we know our costs are. bearing in mind, the majority of our costs go to staff. we have set ratios by the government and we must follow those. the majority of my staff are qualified to degree level. they do not come cheaply, and that adds to a demanding experience and the best experience we can give the children. there are now several local authorities around the country who no longer call that a free hour but ifunded one, no longer call that a free hour but i funded one, and no longer call that a free hour but ifunded one, and that is no longer call that a free hour but i funded one, and that is the way we have to go. it is a scheme that works. we are in an expensive country and childcare is a cost.

there has to be some justification for us to be able to continue to run what we know is needed. in order to maintain the quality that you want to provide, you have to ask parents to provide, you have to ask parents to pay, and when you explain to them, you find they are happy to do so? yes. there is a need of what we are offering, and that is the problem. parents want something that is of good quality. we are not baby—sitters, we are doing something that adds to an amazing education for these children, right from when they start with us, and that must not be forgotten. so, their parents need extra help, the funding is really important, but they do understand. we are trapped in some cliches offered by the government, that there are only certain charges we can apply, but those things are costed and we understand that we need to apply them. do you think it is wrong for the government to refer to this as free childcare?”

is wrong for the government to refer to this as free childcare? i think it isa to this as free childcare? i think it is a vote winner, and it has certainly helped, but in reality, it cannot be free. you have to remember, the funding was set with 2014 figures. we launched it in 2017. we have no extension on this funding for the length of this parliament, so we're stuck with those rates. if it doesn't work in year one, how will it work in year four? ok. we have to leave it there. thanks very much indeed. let's get an update on the weather with nick miller. there are showers dotted about in wales and western england, especially northern ireland and western scotland. at times at lower levels, a few more centimetres as the showers move through. and winneredy showers that continue overnight. ice on untreated surfaces

as temperatures drop to below freezing over the uk. tomorrow, many southern and eastern parts dry but the showers continue. rain, sleet, hailfor the showers continue. rain, sleet, hail for wales the showers continue. rain, sleet, hailfor wales and the showers continue. rain, sleet, hail for wales and south—east england. but running to the pennines more at times there heavy sleet and snow showers, so further accumulations in places, and another cold day. saturday, early rain, perhaps the sleet clearing from the south of england. then a quieter day. sunshine, a fewer showers but then wet and windy weather spreading north and east on sunday. this is bbc news — our latest headlines.

a deal to create closer military and security co—operation between france and the uk — the prime minister and president macron sign a new treaty on border security which will see the uk spend £44 million on beefing up security at calais and other channel ports. the uk is in the grip of the worst outbreak of flu for seven years, say health officials. all parts of the country have seen increases in the infection rate. patient safety in wales is being put at risk because of cuts in services — a group of doctors claim in a letter to the first minister. they say nhs wales and social care are severely under—resourced. there's travel disruption and thousands are still without power — after 80 mile an hour winds cause widespread damage — there are warnings of snow and ice tonight.

more now on our top story — theresa may and french president, emmanuel macron have been meeting today, with both leaders underlining their commitment to continue working closely together after brexit. from calais and an extra £44.5 million to strengthen the uk's border controls. let's speak now to jean—marc puissesseau — chief executive of the port of calais. thank you very much forjoins us on bbc news. what is your reaction to the agreement between the french president and the uk prime minister? yes, good evening. i think it's a good news. if the port of calais and the highways now are safe, we need to

invest more, for example in control points. we have only five points today according to the traffic it has slowed down much the waiting time for the drivers and we need more control points. that is one point where we have to invest. i am very happy that theresa may has decided to increase or to give some help for this investment. we need also more cameras. soi also more cameras. so i think it is very good news. and the other main announcement was about asylum, speeding up the asylum process. what is your reaction to that? you know, at first, it's very necessary that the french laws change. today the migrants, the french know that the police don't

have much authority over the migrants. they can't do what they want, they can't stop them or arrest them. even if they are discovered outside of the camp they can do fog. in order the calais and the port must live peacefully. today it is a big stress with all of these migrants trying to get to england. the first is the what can be done for the young people trying to get to england. if they have families in england i think it is a good decision to take that into consideration and to control them before they get to your country. these two with the security increase, i think there is much that we have in interest with you,

england and france problem with sound now we have another point, concerning the brexit. and that you hope that it will be as it is today with the key agreements, where the persons controlling their passport can go to england and arrive and not stop at a second control as it is also when they are arriving in france. i hope that there is a renegotiation in the laws with the traffic, that the traffic is not stopped and reduced. so you are worried that there will bea build—up so you are worried that there will be a build—up of traffic after brexit? yes, very much. i think that dover is also very worried. it is not in the interests of england, dover, calais or france that the traffic is stopped in one way. can

you imagine through calais this year, with two million travelling, what would happen if there was a slowdown in the traffic. in the agreement, i hope that there is control where uk can think of the goods and that it would be good if english customs are in calais and french in england, so that when the controls, when they arrive, that they are not destroyed. i do hope that brexit does not destroy this detail and this activity. thank you very much. jean—marc puissesseau. thank you

very much. thank you very much. it's emerged residents of a privately—owned tower block in south london, with the same cladding as grenfell towe, may be forced to pay up to £2 million as grenfell tower, may be forced to pay up to £2 million for replacement panels. the company which manages citiscape in croydon, which failed a fire safety test following the disaster, said it was "committed to minimising" costs. it will take the case to a property tribunal next month, to determine who should foot the bill. tim donovan reports. the view outside the penthouse may be great, the view inside just now, not so good. the cost of either replacement is considerably higher than the previous estimate... the owner received an unwelcome letter. the total cost to renew and replace the cladding is estimated between £1.8 million and £2 million. it has come as a shock to him and 90 other leaseholders in this block in

croydon. they are being asked to foot the bill for the cladding, that will mean between £50,000 and £30,000. there is anger. we don't know what to do. this is a huge bill being put forward. after g re nfell tower, forward. after grenfell tower, the cladding was tested and it failed. residents told it did not comply with the building regulations. the residents think that the freeholder that should pay. i think it should be the freeholder. if the freeholder does not have access to the funds it should be the government. the managing agents want the matter settled at a property tribunal next month. while the government is saying that landlords should foot the bill for the refurbishments, it is not clear what it is. all of which make it is a time of considerable anxiety. everyone is worried. i have had

m essa 9 es everyone is worried. i have had messages where people are feeling like they are going to have a heart attack. we were not expecting this increase, this £2 million bill. everyone is in shock with that. the agent told news a statement... —— the agent in charge of the manage of the building told news a statement... it is like they are asking six months, five months, eight months, or more for an average annual salary to churn out. we don't know how to pay. the sting in the tail is that for every week it goes by unresolved it is costing £4,000 for the fire wardens to patrol, a bill that is being met by the leaseholders.

the government's spending watchdog says private companies will get almost £200 billion from the public purse over the next 20 years for deals set up under private finance initiatives. pfi schemes allow private companies to build and maintain schools, hospitals and other projects in return for an annual payment. the national audit office says annual charges have reached more than £10 billion. its report was written before the collapse of carillion. the government says it only approves pfi schemes that are value for money. joining me now from belfast is professor david heald, who teaches public sector accounting at the university of glasgow and can explain more about how pfi works. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news, professor heald. what is the case for pfi? the good case for pfi is to transfer certain important risks to the private sector. important risks you can transfer are

the construction risks, and the question of life cycle management of buildings. the public sector has not been necessarily good at managing the client side of construction and the client side of construction and the public sector has a fairly bad record of not looking after buildings after they've been commissioned. the point i would make in terms of your headline is that £10 billion a year is not necessarily a large amount of money in public expend tower terms. public expend tower in the uk is £800 billion. the worrying thing about the national audit office report is it shows that government is concerned about having investment off the government balance sheet. we have had successful reform in the way in which government departments and bodies do their accounts and

report but in terms of national accounts, used for fiscal policy and control, the treasury is concerned about making sure that a part of public investment is off balance sheet and does not count towards fiscal targets. but isn't that fair enough? if you, you would not pay upfront for a house. there is an understanding thatis house. there is an understanding that is certain expend tower happens over a period of time. is that not what the government is doing? no. it doesn't pay for things up front in that sense. it is accepted in go finances that government can borrow