this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 2pm: the prime minister urges mps to back her brexit deal or risk taking the country into "uncharted territory." i would say — don't let the search for the perfect become the enemy of the good. the danger there is that we end up with no brexit at all. ahead of the launch of the long term plan for nhs — the health secretary says the service needs to change its focus. the big picture of this plan is to get with that big increase in funding. to get more spending onto prevention and supporting people to stay healthy in the first place, rather than just focusing on the cure. the next stage of the universal credit roll—out is delayed — amid concerns about the new all—in—one benefits system. and will the favourite win? olivia colman is a frontrunner in tonight's golden globe awards in los angeles. and, at 2:30pm — we have who's looking after mum and dad?

riaz khan explains why he looks after his gravely ill father and bedridden mother. theresa may says the uk will be in "uncharted territory" if her brexit deal is rejected. mps will restart debating the deal this week ahead of a vote in parliament. mrs may said she had spent the christmas break seeking assurances from europe, which might assuage mps who plan to vote against her agreement. but she gave little away on what those assurances might be, or what would happen if her deal is defeated. here's our political correspondent nick eardley. with the holiday season over, things are well and truly getting back to normal — dumping the christmas tree,

getting back to the daily grind. for the prime minister, it means trying to finally sort out brexit, but a new year doesn't mean a new approach from theresa may. she's sticking to a brexit plan, but she is hoping to offer assurances to win over her critics. the first is measures that will be specific for northern ireland, the second is a greater role for parliament as we take these negotiations into the next stage for our future relationship, and the third, and we're still working on this, is further assurances from the european union to address the issues that have been raised. the problem — assurances so far haven't been enough for people in here. the pm said mps will definitely vote on her deal in around ten days' time, but as things stand, a government defeat still looks likely. then, what? then actually we're going to be in uncharted territory. i don't think anyone can say exactly what will happen in terms of the reaction... i was rather hoping you could!

might she try asking mps to vote again? she wouldn't rule it out, but the pm is keeping us guessing on her plan b, including many in her own party. could those who want no—deal end up with no brexit at all? might those who want a second referendum end up with no—deal? i've always said no—deal was better than a bad deal, what we have on the table is a good deal. but others still think they could do a betterjob... the reason theresa may has had such a botched set of negotiations is because of her red lines. if we, as a new incoming labour government, were to go to europe without those red lines, we know that we could get a different, better deal. there will be no easing into the new year when westminster returns tomorrow. the clock is ticking, and there's lots to do in 2019. nick eardley, bbc news. our political correspondent nick eardley is here. despite hearing from the premise

that morning, it to say that we are no clearer about what the authorities might be that she thinks she might get from brussels to persuade some of her backbenchers? there was no detail on what those assurances might be. the talks were going on while we were enjoying christmas and the new year. officials from the eu and the uk we re officials from the eu and the uk were continuing to try and make some sort of deal. that has not yet been a breakthrough, is theresa may to come back and say, we have done it. i've got something legally binding on the irish backstop. clearly, but has not happened yet. what theresa may could achieve over the next ten days or so isn't clear either. as we have discussed already, the concerns that some of her own mps and the dup keep the conservatives in power, they haven't gone away. it's not

com pletely they haven't gone away. it's not completely clear what would get rid of them. the question as what would happen after the vote? if she loses resolute, what happens next? we are getting conflicting signals. she says, if you vote this town, the might not be a brexit atoll. liam fox giving interviews to the media in los angeles saying that if this deal is rated down, we may be looking at a no—deal brexit rather than a brexit atoll. absolutely. the prime minister clearly does not want to talk about plan bs. if she has one, she is keeping it very close to her chest. the before christmas, we had cabinet ministers on was getting rid of the ‘s response body and may

be edging towards their preferred plan bs. we had amber rudd, liam fox, arguing about the potential benefits of a no—deal brexit. exactly. what was interesting about the interview on and asked you this morning was that she was on was fitting besides by saying, this is uncharted territory. if you are somebody who wants to potentially maintaina somebody who wants to potentially maintain a close relationship with the eu, there's the threat of no deal. you could end up with something far worse if you don't put from ideal. likewise, for the brexiteers and her own party she is saying, you might end up with no brexit atoll if you don't vote for my plan. there is a strategy of threatening everybody, promising nothing. it may work. it could end

up nothing. it may work. it could end up what theresa may's deal is the least worst option, whatever perspective you are coming from. yes. theresa may ‘s argument is that it is the only thing that offers a guarantee. without it, you're in uncharted territory. that is true. we have not been any situation where a busy deal has been voted down before. others will argue that is not true. parliament will take over the process and try and battle for something. we are not there yet. there is probably a good in mind or ten days' time which will govern the lobby will get to that stage. what is clear, at the moment, the conversations before christmas about the massive mountain that theresa may has declined, they are still better. the mountain has not got any smaller. she still has a massive genetic idiot place where she wants to be. thank you link,

nhs patients in england are being promised access to "world class" treatments, as part of the new io—year plan for the health service. the prime minister says the publication of the plan this week marks an "historic" moment for the health service, with the nhs budget rising to an extra £20 billion a year by 2023. labour says staff shortages and cuts to the health and social care systems in recent years will make it very hard to deliver what's being proposed. here's our health correspondent dominic hughes. one... two... jenny ray knows first—hand how hard it can be to live with poor mental health. for years, she's struggled with anxiety and depression. when she's needed help, she's had good support from the gp and the wider nhs. but she says mental health is still only second—best when compared to physical problems. it feels like we're making a start, but there still seems to me like there's a long way to go, um... and i mean, i don't have the answers, but it seems to me that waiting months and months for treatment can't possibly be right.

improving the provision of mental—health services for people likejenny is one of the areas the prime minister is highlighting today, mrs may outlining measures that she says secure the future of the nhs and will deliver world—class care. we're seeing more people, we're treating more people, but because the demand... but you're not hitting your targets. no, we're slipping against the targets, because despite the fact that we're actually doing more, the demand is outstripping that. that's why we needed to take a look, that's why we needed to put the extra money in, that is why we needed to say in future. it's all part of a long—term plan for the nhs in england, highlighting the priorities for the health service over the coming decade. they include improved maternity care, better detection and of disease, and more support for elderly people to maintain their independence. labour says it has no problems with the ambitious plan but the health service lacks the resources to see it through. a lot of the announcements in the plan, like trying to expand mental—health services, getting better at how we deal

with cardiovascular conditions, getting better with how we treat cancer, there is nothing inherently wrong with those aspirations. the point is the funding isn't sufficient, and the staff isn't there. we need a staffing plan for the nhs. there has been a broad welcome for this initial outline of priority areas — more details will be unveiled tomorrow. but the nhs is already facing staff shortages, rising demand for services, and cuts to other parts of the health and social care system, so health campaigners say fulfilling the promises of better care over the next decade will be extremely tough. dominic hughes, bbc news. according to the royal college of nursing, the nhs in england is short of more than 40,000 nurses. my colleague, ben brown, asked the health secretary matt hancock how this will be addressed. well, we are going to recruit more, we are going to train more. also, we are going to... there is a whole section, a whole chapter of the plan that is about how we can recruit

and also retain the brilliant staff that we have got. the big picture of this plan is to get with that big increase in funding more spending on to prevention and supporting people to stay healthy in the first place, rather than just focusing on cures. that is the big idea behind the plan. it is the direction that we need to go. yes, it will mean more people in different places. you say you are going to recruit... sorry, you said you're going to recruit more. but when it comes to nurses, the problem is that the number of people applying to study nursing has just dropped massively and that is partly because you have cut the bursaries. well, there's still more people applying than we have places for, and we are going to expand those places, so there is, there is still people who, lots of people who want to become nurses, and rightly so,

it is a brilliant profession, so there is space to expand the number of nurses, and we intend to do that, and not only to, you know, obviously to fill the places we have at the moment but we are expanding the number of clinical places available. likewise, this year there is a record number of gps in training, in fact we exceeded our target for the number of new gps, so this plan works, with the people who it brings into the nhs, that is vital, but it is happening, we just have to see a lot more of it. the big picture is over the last few years, the amount that the nhs has done has gone up quite considerably. it is just that the demands on the nhs have gone up even faster, so there is record numbers of people working in the nhs right now. but demand... but there is huge waiting lists... if ijust make this point, to make the nhs sustainable, to deal with the waiting lists that you were going on to ask

about and making sure that a&e works as well as possible, we have to get ahead of that demand. so yes we put in the extra resource, £20 billion extra of taxpayer money that comes from the fact that the economy is strong, and we have to make sure that we also treat people closer to home. help people stay healthy, help people in the community with more gps and more, in gp and community services, in fact, the biggest increase in spending is going to primary care and community care to help people stay healthy in the first place. plans to move three million people on to universal credit are to be delayed amid concerns the system is causing hardship to some. instead, mps will be asked to approve the transfer ofjust ten 10,000 people to the new system, as part of a pilot scheme to see how the payments are working.

the government insists the full roll—out of universal credit will be completed, as planned, by 2023. michael buchanan reports. more than a million people are currently in receipt of universal credit, either new claimants for benefits or those who had a change of circumstances, perhaps by moving house. in the next few weeks, ministers were due to seek parliamentary approval to move three million existing welfare claimants onto the new benefit. but the next phase of the roll—out now appears to have been delayed, with the work and pensions secretary, amber rudd, seeking approval forjust 10,000 people to be moved onto universal credit in the summer. that process will then be assessed, and further parliamentary approval sought, before every other existing welfare claimant is moved. getting mps to approve the migration was always going to be difficult, amid evidence that some claimants on universal credit have been forced to visit food banks, or have faced eviction. but a source close to amber rudd said the pause was the right thing to do, and should reassure

parliament that she was listing the mps' concerns. i'm joined by emma revie, the chief executive of the trussell trust, the national anti—poverty charity which runs a network of over 420 foodbanks. what do you make of this announcement? we welcome this announcement. the possibility of taking time to get things right before the million people and moved on to universal credit is really encouraging and shows that people's concerns are being listened to. we have had a series of highlights and a number of centres where people we re a number of centres where people were tried at first, new claimants coming infor were tried at first, new claimants coming in for the first time. it's built over a number of years and yet these problems seem to persist. you think the ambition of the system is right, what is it about the ever

meditation that isn't working? first and foremost, the five week weight thatis and foremost, the five week weight that is built in. for many people at longer than five weeks. but wait is between people in the dead, put on at risk of eviction. really causing heart hardship from the outset. that isa heart hardship from the outset. that is a problem as i statistics show it is a problem as i statistics show it is causing problems. what correlation do see between people going on to universal credit is waiting for those payments, and accessing the banks? our data shows us accessing the banks? our data shows us that there was a 13% increase in people using the bank last year. that was on the previous years. in areas where universal credit was in full roll—out, we 51% increase. it really difficult to cope with. we have been blown away by the support

of the general public. donations are up, which means that people aren't happy with the situation where people have deduced that bounces up and we don't want that. people are paying tax, part of which is used to provide the benefit system and then listed for out additional money because they see the additional problems. given what you've said about the five week problem that you have encountered, wouldn't it be more sensible for the government to say, we'll just more sensible for the government to say, we'lljust cancel this five—week delay? and are that would be wonderful. why do you think that they think they can do that?” be wonderful. why do you think that they think they can do that? i think there's a sense that the system does not allow for the five—week wait to be reduced. also, the advance loan mitigates hardship, that's the idea. why research shows that is not the

case. it is not sufficient to cover the essentials any more. we have had a benefit freeze for a number of yea rs. a benefit freeze for a number of years. therefore, when you are clawing back the loan, it is increasing the hardship that people are using. for us, and advance loan isn't the answer to the five—week wait. just to understand, people are getting a payment that is not enough. then some of that money is taken back enough. then some of that money is ta ken back because enough. then some of that money is taken back because they have had to ask for a loan from the benefit system to bridge the five week gap? services pushing them farther into nude and, potentially, your services. for us, that's the issue that needs to be addressed. we will come the pause for the few non—people. in the next year, hundreds of thousands of people will start on universal credit. those

people will experience at least a five—week wait. the government have recognised this issue. injuly 2020, they are bringing an evil out which will reduce that weight by two weeks. we are asking for that to be brought forward for, for the five—week wait to be stopped now. the headlines on bbc news: theresa may says she is still seeking reassurances from the european union for her brexit deal, and says the commons vote will "definitely go ahead". the prime minister also promises what she calls a "world—class" national health service — ahead of publication of the government's 10—year plan for the nhs. the government delays the next stage of the universal credit roll—out amid concerns about the all—in—one benefits system. there will be a fresh attempt later to end the partial us federal government shutdown, which is now entering

its third week. talks between the white house and congress broke up after two hours yesterday with no sign of a deal. president trump says he's willing to let the shutdown continue for as long as it takes to get funding approved for his mexico border wall. kim gittleson has the latest. two hours elapsed from when white house officials entered congress to speak to democrats and when they left. that time was either productive, in the words of vice—president mike pence, or an empty exercise, according to president donald trump, who tweeted that not much headway had been made towards ending the now two—week old partial us government shutdown. he also reiterated the need for his border wall with mexico. the strain is beginning to show on the 800,000 government workers who have begun to protest the political deadlock that's cost them their paycheque. millionaires don't care about the regular people, you know? we need to be funded because we need our paycheques

because we need to service the american people. but hopes for a deal are slim given the political calculus at the heart of the impasse. this could go on for quite a while because this shutdown works for both parties politically. for president trump, he is, again, backing himself into a corner. he says he wants a wall. for the democrats, they can go back to the voters say there's no way we are going to give funding for this wall. so, a continuation of the shutdown is, in many ways, what both parties need to do to feed the needs of their bases. while there are more talks scheduled for this weekend, with the two sides still far apart, it's hard to see when and how this stalemate will end. another senior official at the pentagon has resigned following president trump's announcement last month that us troops would be withdrawn from syria. the departure of the chief of staff, kevin sweeney, follows that of the defence

secretary, james mattis, and the department's spokeswoman. more now on brexit. the prime minister has warned voting against her eu withdrawal deal would push britain into "uncharted territory. " joining me now is leader of the liberal democrats, sir vince cable. we start the new year as we ended the old. has changed. the prime minister hasn't got anything additionalfrom brussels. the negotiations ended in november, they arejust negotiations ended in november, they are just looking negotiations ended in november, they arejust looking for negotiations ended in november, they are just looking for reassurance. the likelihood is that the government will be voted down. the one thing that is happening which is which is interesting is the way in which is interesting is the way in which the labour party, which has been quietly sitting back and watching, is now in serious trouble because the vast majority of labour voters, members, and mps want to remain, and a people's vote. the

reader is a strong visit your supporting the government. there is very clear indications that if he persists in this pro—brexit position, the labour party support will evaporate. the largest subway that we have had on brexit since the referendum itself talks about the impact on labour mps. it also talks about the impact on the labour mps if they were to support the reason made and says they would be punished by the voters. is not surprising. theresa may deal doesn't make sense for anybody. it's more a deal, it's a divorce agreement. the deal is yet to come. we have at least two mac more yea rs to come. we have at least two mac more years of uncertainty, and then possibly the backstop. in those two yea rs, possibly the backstop. in those two yea rs , we possibly the backstop. in those two yea rs, we are possibly the backstop. in those two years, we are following the rules of the eu. if your concerns are about

brexit, which you have article in the minute hand. the may says, that the minute hand. the may says, that the risk if you vote against the deal. wouldn't it be better to hold your nose rather than vote against the deal. wouldn't it be better to hold your nose rather than do get something. no deal is highly unlikely to happen, for the simple reason it in the hand of the british gunmen which can stop a no—deal brexit at any time. —— the british government. the reason i put forward the motion on tuesday is to bring in some financial discipline. if the government does come into the approval, they lose the power to raise taxation. it'sjust approval, they lose the power to raise taxation. it's just a way to make sure the government doesn't drive is of a cliff. it's been said that you are trying to engineer at some sort of us style shot down. we do have a position where we are having... polmont mistrusted itself

like congress is doing in america. there are very different situations. parliament is sold here. parliament canjust parliament is sold here. parliament can just drive the country of a cliff. if parliament is solving, why do you want a father referendum? because little prisoners were studied with a referendum to top i would rather that the decision rested with parliament. to nullify it would be considered difficult by many people who booted brexit last time. i think we do have to go back and consult the people again. the difficulty in that, from this survey, comes out with a figure that suggest a father referendum would make the vote, the other way. it only gets a clear result by having to a cce pt only gets a clear result by having to accept that 15% of the people

surveyed didn't say what they would do. they haven't decided yet, they said. the problem is, we could end up said. the problem is, we could end up with another close result which would leave the other side lost. whatever happens, it will be very messy. if the comic pushes ahead with the deal, it would have very little support. we could have a cashing out if the comment is determined to do it which would have catastrophic consequences. we could have another referendum which would leave many people are satisfied. going back to the people, letting them have the final say, couldn't we have a decisive result is certainly the best of the auctions. in your own party, one of euro mps resigned because he said that the third supporting the body comment would breach his commitment to the referendum result. doesn't but underline how this has weakened the

glue that has traditionally held or three main uk parties together? you're quite right. maybe, this year, there will be some extraordinary consequences. as it happens, my party is overwhelmingly united. we do have this mp who has taken a different stance but we are united. the conservative party is very badly split. the labour party are terribly split. we could see people breaking away, all kinds of things could happen. more positively, people from different parties coming together in order to get a better outcome for the country. an informal contact containing between you and members of other parties in parliament over what happens, assuming mrs may's deal is looted down? yes. it's one

of the healthier things going on. we are getting proper conversations between people from different parties to get the best result for the country. i hope that will lead toa the country. i hope that will lead to a people's vote, whether it does not, it does suggest a yearning for something that is bigger and better than our tribal ways of doing politics. thank you very much for joining us this afternoon. now it's time for a look at the weather with alina jenkins. for some of us, it's going to times wetter and much windier. a deep area of pressure approaching. that will increase the cloud, strengthening the wind and eventually bring our weeks of rain in scotland and northern ireland. further south itches stayed dry overnight. temperatures never than four or 5 degrees. this area of the pressure means it will be a windy day on the

wet start tomorrow. initially for scotla nd wet start tomorrow. initially for scotland and northern ireland but it will slide its way into northern england and winds. fairly mild for much of the uk — 1112 degrees the top temperature tomorrow. it is the death of the wind that we are most concerned about. goss could touch 60-70 concerned about. goss could touch 60—70 mph. mainly by with a bit more sunshine. this is bbc news, the headline this hour: the prime minister urges mps to back her brexit deal or risk taking the country into ‘uncharted territory'. ahead of the launch tomorrow of the long term plan for nhs, the health secretary says the service needs to change its focus. the next stage of the universal credit roll—out is delayed amid concerns about the new all—in—one benefits system. and will the favourite win?

olivia colman is a frontrunner in tonight's golden globe awards in los angeles. we will have more on that story after 3pm. now on bbc news: who's looking after mum and dad? in this special programme, riaz khan explains why looking after his gravely ill father and bedridden mother in their home is a family duty, bound to his culture. i was no model son. growing up in leicester, i was a nightmare for my mum and dad. i was a football hooligan. but a lot has changed since then. i've turned things around. today, i'm an author.